Total Non-Stop Action presents Impact 1-1-2009 From: Orlando, FL
Mike Tenay and Don West welcome everyone to the first Impact of 2009. Tenay puts over that TNA has been thriving and that the feud between the Frontline and the Main Event Mafia. West chimes in with the fact that the MEM have really been on a role and wonders if the Frontline will be able to battle back. Tenay believes that they will. West ignores Tenay comment and hypes up the show. West promotes the main event between Samoa Joe and Christian Cage. Tenay believes that TNA should be united and not battling against each other. Tenay continues promoting the X-Division championship tournament. Tenay hypes up both Petey Williams versus Jimmy Rave along with Jay Lethal taking on Chris Sabin. West believes both those matches will be stellar. West talks about Eric Young and Rhino taking on TNA World Tag Team Champions Beer Money Inc in a non-title match. Tenay hypes up the rest of the show and sends it over David Penzer to start the show.
Opening Contest: Chris Sabin defeated Jay Lethal to advance in the TNA X-Division Championship Tournament Mat wrestling oriented start to the match, which doesn’t last after a spinning heel kick by Sabin. Lethal with a reverse neck breaker and a clothesline that sends Sabin over the top to the floor. Lethal takes Sabin out with suicide dive to get the crowd going. Late in the match, Lethal is up top looking for a diving elbow but is crotched on the top by Sabin who takes Lethal down to the mat with a hurricanrana. Sabin finishes Lethal off with the Cradle Shock to move on in the tournament to crown a new TNA X-Division Champion. ***
Commercials
Mick Foley makes his way out to the Impact Zone to a good reception. Foley gets the usual “Foley” chant before he speaks. Foley cuts the fans off and tells them he is out here for business, and not for cheap pops. Foley realizes that people have been questioning him and saying that he is a MEM member, but he assures everyone that he is not. Foley is a man of power and a man of reason. Foley says he is also out here to make things right. Foley continues by saying that the MEM are everything that is wrong with this business. Guys who are well past their prime trying to hang onto their spots by doing cowardly attacks. Foley questions MEM ability to win matches cleanly and fairly. Foley begins to think and looks back to Turning Point where Kurt Angle and Booker T distracted AJ Styles and allowed Sting to pick up a tainted victory. Foley decides that since their isn’t a clear number one contender, considering that Styles had been screwed over he is going to do what is right and award Styles with a rematch at Genesis. Foley adds a stipulation to the match. If anyone is to get involved with the match, they will be suspended for ninety days without pay. Foley goes to leave the ring, but the music of MEM is heard. TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Sting makes his way out to a mixed reaction. Sting knows that Foley is jealous that the MEM can still work and aren’t washed up like the “hardcore spot monkey” like Foley is. Sting finds it funny that Foley sees the MEM as cowards. Sting reminds Foley that this whole situation started because of the disrespect shown to them by guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. Sting says the real cowards of this situation are Styles, Joe, Jarrett and everyone else in the back that are against the MEM. Sting continues by saying that he doesn’t need the MEM to have his back against AJ Styles. Sting knows that he is the better man and the better man always wins. Sting taunts Foley as TNA heads to commercial.
Commercials
Second Contest: Roxxi defeated ODB in a falls count anywhere match to become the #1 Contender to the TNA Knockout Championship Roxxi attacks ODB during her ring entrance with a chair. Roxxi viciously nails ODB over head and back with the chair. Roxxi with a scoop slam on the entrance ramp. ODB backdrops Roxxi on the ramp and sends Roxxi repeatedly into the guard railing. ODB charges and misses a spear and hit’s the railing hard. Roxxi plants ODB with a DDT on the ring steps to pick up the win. **¼
After the match, TNA Knockout Champion Amazing Kong comes out and taunts Roxxi.
Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with Eric Young. JB asks what is on Eric Young’s mind right before his tag team match with Rhino against Beer Money Inc. Young says that he is sick of being “booked” as the comedy relief in the company. Young says that comedy will only get you so far in the business before your back on the independents doing the same routine for fifty bucks a pop. Young says he is ditching the routine and being the man who will be champion and be treated with the proper respect. Young tells JB he knows exactly what he will do before he leaves the scene.
Commercials
Third Contest: Petey Williams defeated Jimmy Rave to advance in the TNA X-Division Championship Tournament Rave with the early advantage taking Williams down with a snap scoop slam. Rave continues with a double under hook belly to belly suplex for a near fall. Williams avoids a running clothesline in the corner and places Rave in the tree of woe. Williams with a baseball slide dropkick. Williams takes Rave down with a spinning sit out slam for a near fall of his own. Rave battles back with a running reverse neck breaker. Rave misses a running leg lariat in the corner and drops down to the mat. Williams sets Rave up and connects with the Canadian Destroyer for the win. **½
Ad for Genesis on January 18th
Commercials
Fourth Contest: Beer Money Inc. defeated Eric Young/Rhino in a non-title match After a quick start by Young and Rhino, Beer Money gain control when Roode stops Rhino with a low blow and a running high attack. Roode and Storm work over Rhino’s lower back and neck. Roode plants Rhino with a spine buster. Roode leaps off the middle turnbuckle and attempts a double axe handle but Rhino catches him and connects with a belly to belly suplex. Rhino nearly gets the tag, but Storm stops him and Young is clearly frustrated. Storm attempts a super kick but Rhino blocks and spikes Storm with a pile driver. Rhino is clearly going to be able to make the tag, but Young flips Rhino off and drops down from the apron. Rhino questions Young who ignores him. Roode is not the legal man and connects with a running lariat to the back of the head for the win. **½
After the match, Beer Money Inc celebrate the win as Eric Young looks on from the top of the entrance ramp with a smirk on his face.
Backstage, Lauren is standing with Scott Steiner. Steiner completely ignores Lauren question and instead checks her out. Steiner begins to question Lauren on why she is into a freak like Abyss instead of the “Big Bad Booty Daddy”. Lauren defends Abyss by saying he is a nice guy unlike the MEM. Steiner takes exception to that and backs Lauren up against the wall and begins to go in for a kiss until Lauren screams and Abyss comes over to which Steiner bails as Abyss comforts Lauren.
Commercials
Fifth Contest: Kevin Nash defeated Abyss via count-out Late in the match, Nash big boots Abyss over the top to the floor. Nash distracts the referee as Scott Steiner runs down with a lead pipe and nails Abyss right across the side of the head. Steiner uses the pipe to lock in the Steiner Recliner and Abyss is knocked out. Steiner leaves and eventually Lauren runs down to check on Abyss. Nash hangs out in the ring as the referee counts to ten give Nash the victory. **
After the match, Kevin Nash leaves the ring and scoops Lauren up and walks backstage with Lauren screaming for Abyss.
A taped sit down interview from earlier in the week is shown with Mike Tenay interviewing Jeff Jarrett. Tenay asks Jarrett about his decisions on bringing in guys like Nash, Steiner, Booker and Angle. Jarrett says that he was good friends with Nash and Steiner and never would have thought they would try to end TNA. Jarrett always knew that Booker had a devilish side and was under the impression that he was a new man when he signed him. Jarrett never wanted to sign Angle but Dixie Carter forced the signing as she was convinced TNA needed a star name. Jarrett believes that the MEM are getting away with all of their wrongdoings because they have been given so much power when they are the talent and should be following not leading. Tenay continues by asking Jarrett about a possible rematch with Angle at Genesis. Jarrett says that he has so much anger built up that he could beat Angle up any day of the week. Jarrett lets Angle know that if he wants to fight again, he will be more than ready to sign the contract. Jarrett lets Tenay and fans know that he will not allow the MEM to take over TNA.
Commercials
Backstage, Jeremy Borash is with TNA Legends Champion, Booker T. Jeremy Borash asks Booker how the search for challengers are going for his championship. Booker says that it would be going well.. If their was anyone who was qualified to face him. JB wonders if Booker may be taking the word legend to literally. Booker disagrees, Booker simply doesn’t believe anyone in TNA measures up to him. Mick Foley enters the scene and tells Booker that he may want to watch the main event very closely. Booker wonders why he would go out of his way to watch a Samoa Joe/Christian Cage match. Foley chuckles and tells Booker he will be facing the winner Genesis with the TNA Legends Championship. Booker doesn’t like that news as Foley leaves the scene with Booker yelling at Foley.
Main Event: Samoa Joe defeated Christian Cage to become the number one contender to the TNA Legends Championship Joe and Cage have a stare down which lasts until Joe slaps Cage and Cage takes Joe down with a double leg takedown. Cage with a flapjack and a middle rope diving bulldog for a near fall. Joe comes off the ropes and nails Cage with a running yakuza kick for a near fall of his own. Joe with a running face wash in the corner. Cage fights back stopping Joe with a arm trapped reversed DDT. Cage climbs to the top and leaps off looking for a missile dropkick and connects for a near fall. Joe reverses a irish whip and sends Cage into the corner. Joe with a running knee lift and snap mare out of the corner. Joe with several stiff kicks and a running senton splash for a near fall. Joe goes for the Muscle Buster but Cage fights out and connects with a tornado DDT. Cage grabs Joe and goes for the Un-Prettier but Joe breaks free and chokes Cage out for the tap out win. ***½
After the match, Samoa Joe celebrates the win as he signals that he will be winning the TNA Legends Championship.
Mike Tenay and Don West promote Genesis and thank everyone for tuning in to this weeks Impact!
End of Show
