While RDS waits for TNA to have a TV time slot, they decided that until that day comes, TNA Impact’s best moments and matches will be shown.
First, check out Jeremy Lambert’s Column for a new top 10 list. Good stuff.
In the RDS studios, Marc Blondin, Michel Letourneur and JF Kelly (why not) introduce us to this week’s Impact edition. No hype for Slammiversary at all for this show. During the matches, the announcers do an interesting biography on the wrestlers, including their time in TNA, as well as the WWE. Of course, you can count on them doing mistakes 50% of the time.
From June 11, 2004:
AJ Styles vs Kazarian: This is the second TNA show in Orlando, so the fans were still trying to get used to this TNA stuff. Back & forth, ends with a beautiful dropkick by AJ. AJ going for the Styles Clash, no, AJ’s head hits the corner. AJ back body drops Frankie out of the ring after a charge. AJ going for a flying move, but Kazarian gets out of the way, so AJ just goes back in. Kazarian is back in control by snapping AJ’s neck on the top rope. Kazarian gets a couple of 2 counts after doing a DDT and a guilotine legdrop. AJ fights back, but Kazarian gets the Electric Chair for another 2. CLIP to AJ doing an enziguri. Whip to the corner by Styles, reverse, AJ with an elbow, moonsault to a reverse DDT for a close 2. Wow. Suplex coming, no, flatliner by Frank for 2. Whip to the corner, AJ with the boot and finally, the Styles Clash for the trrrrrrrrois.
Commercials
From October 8 and 15:
This is a mini-tournament for the #1 contendership for the World title, which was of course held by Jeff Jarrett.
Abyss vs Jeff Hardy: Abyss starts with a whole bunch of forearms. Whip, duck, 2 punches by Hardy. Abyss comes back with a big boot. After some beatings in the corner, whip, Hardy with the boot, sunset flip and Abyss misses a butt drop. You know when Hardy flies on somebody’s back and flies on a wrestler in the corner? Well, Hardy did that to Abyss with him flying on the REF’s back! Clothesline to the outside. Hardy with a pescado, but Abyss catches him and back first goes Hardy to the corner. CLIP to Abyss with a resthold. Hardy fights back, but Abyss throws Jeff in the air. Abyss gets the chain. While arguing with the ref, Hardy ties Abyss with the chain and trips him. Hardy with a legdrop between Abyss’ legs and a dropkick to the corner. Whip, reverse, Hardy hits sommersault dive on Abyss for 2. Flatliner for 2. Twist of Faith coming, no, torture rack sitdown by Abyss gets 2. Another one coming, no, twist of faith! Hardy misses the swanton from the top. Abyss going for the chokeslam, but Hardy cradles him for the 1, 2, 3.
Commercials
Monty Brown vs Raven: Both men do a really long lockup. They even push the referee out of the way so they could continue. Raven has the advantage with shots to the stomach. Whip to the corner, Monty with the boot after a charge. After a kick and 2 clotheslines, Raven goes outside and brings a chair in the ring. The referee prevents Raven from using it and Raven gets a whole lot of punches by Monty. CLIP to Raven throwing Monty on the ramp. Russian leg sweep to the railing. Back in the ring, snapmare and Raven digs his fingers in Monty’s face. You don’t see that nowadays. Whip, head down, Monty with a kick, but Raven comes back with a clothesline for 2. Monty fights with punches, whip, Monty puts his head down and gets kicked by Raven. Raven hits a clothesline and 3 knee lifts. Monty comes back once again by hitting Raven’s head to buckle 5 times. More punches by Brown, including ones to the ribs. After spending an eternity in the corner, Raven’s back meets Brown’s knee and that gets 2. Raven gets a superkick and takes the chair. Monty splashes Raven and the referee in the corner. Raven with his famous drop toe hold on the chair for a 2 count. Monty ducks a chair shot and hits Raven with the POOOOOOOOUNCE for the 3 count. Jeff Jarrett is looking on from one aisle and Hardy is looking from another.
Commercials
Independent wrestling is talked about.
Commercials
Monty Brown vs Jeff Hardy: A “let’s go Monty” chant fires up. Monty starts the attack with forearms. After that, a resthold is applied. Wow, that’s early. Hey did you know that Jeff Hardy left the WWE in 2001? Well, JF Kelly sure did! Abyss is looking on from the aisle, as well as Raven from the rafters. CLIP to Monty with a sleeper. Hardy gets out of it with a jawbreaker and now is in control. Dropkick in the corner and a sleeper is applied. Monty comes back with 2 side suplexes. A third coming, no, Twist of Faith by Hardy gets 2. Monty accidentally knocks out the ref and Hardy gives him the Flatliner. To the top, swanton. No count is made. Abyss comes in and hits the Black Hole Slam on Hardy. Pounce to Abyss! Fallaway slam coming, no, Raven comes in with a chair shot and a DDT to Monty. A screwed up finish: Hardy was supposed to go up for the swanton, but Monty didn’t lie down. So, Hardy gives Brown another Twist of Faith, covers him for the 1, 2, and a kick out, but the ref counts 3 anyway. Jeff Hardy got his shot at JJ in a ladder match at the first ever 3 hour PPV, Victory Road, and lost.
Commercials
November 12:
The Kings of Wrestling show up for an interview with Mike Tenay. Funny stuff with Hall, but Nash sounds like he’s really tired. To all the wrestlers in the back who have good attitudes, too bad, KOW will make you not like being in this business. Nash says that they will own TNA. Final words are from the World champion. According to JJ, Savage was beaten up after Victory Road, and Hulk Hogan was backstage and ran way from them. A challenge is also made to Sting.
Monty Brown vs Raven: This is pretty much the end of the match. Pounce to Raven and the referee. Abyss shows up, fights with Monty and in the end, a Black Hole Slam is given to Brown. As Raven goes for the DDT, Diamond Dallas Page makes his Impact debut and gives Raven the diamond cutter. And that is enough for Monty to get the 3 count.
November 19:
We see an ambulance leaving and the Kings of Wrestling attack some jobbers like D-Ray 3000 and Shark Boy. The lawn dart moment was reenacted with Amazing Red taking Rey Mysterio’s place.
Finally, The Kings of Wrestling interrupt what appears to be 7-way X division match. Attacks on Shark Boy, Sonjay Dutt and Hector Garza. Just when KOW pose, AJ & Jeff Hardy arrive and point to the back -> out comes Barry White! No, it’s Randy Savage. He takes the mic and says “all you guys, tag team match from hell, Turning Point, ooh Yeah!”
We end it in the RDS studios.
Next week, more of TNA Impact’s best matches and moments, probably ranging in the winter 2005 milieu.
