Double Ms TNA Impact Recap 11.23.06
Posted by Michael Melchor on 11.24.2006
I give thanks for a clearer direction and a better product.
The views and opinions expressed herein are those solely of the author and may not necessarily reflect those of the rest of the human race.
Welcome back. Thanks to those that took the time to let me know they enjoyed last week's report. Felt good since I hadn't done this in a year or two.
That out of the way in the words of the former 3 Live Krew, let's do the damn thing.
TNA Impact 11.23.06
Show opens with a short recap of Genesis containing the pertinent bits (title changes/strippings and Angle vs. Joe) before the new NWA World Champion Abyss (with James Mitchell) is brought out. Someone please explain to me again the old rule that explains title changes on a DQnever mind, Don West does it for me. I think World Class used to do that (or the AWA, maybe), but I still don't get it. Either way, he looks odd carrying that belt. James Mitchell cuts a victory promo (since Abyss can't) and says that Sting is no different than Mitchell and Abyss since Sting resorted to vile tactics in their title match. Comparisons to the Garden of Eden abound before Mitchell welcomes Sting to the Highway to Hell. Lights are out, and Sting is ouwaitaminute, the disguise is off and it's Christian Cage. Cage chases Abyss and Mitchell out and then wonders aloud if he has to dress like a clown and embarrass himself to get his title shot. He intimates that Sting may not make it to his rematch at Turning Point and Sting comes out to answer and challenge him for tonight. Sting chases Christian away from the ring and Cage accepts on the condition that Sting put his #1 contendership on the line. Sting accepts and we go to our new video opening for the show.
The Naturals vs. AJ Styles and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels
No intro for the Naturals. That's a little odd. Kurt Angle arrives at the Impact Zone before we go to:
Conmnmercial.
Back to a video hyping Serotonin. No, not the drug apparently a new arrival who's all about blood and pain and stuff.
Already in progress, the Naturals already have the upper hand and are double-teaming Daniels. Why not up their profile and defeat the former champs during their apparent last match together (according to Don West)? This would be a nice feather in the cap of a team already on a roll. Both underestimate Styles and his ability to strike from anywhere and that assault almost turns the tide before the Naturals take control again, but that would prove to be too little against the abilities of Daniels and Styles.
Finish comes when Styles hits a frog splash on Andy Douglas before Daniels posts the BME, getting the pin. Post-match, Rhino is out to play Dr. Phil for Daniels and Styles and Styles isn't interested, choosing to leave instead. No explanation or nothing? Come on, man...
West and Mike Tenay discuss the aftermath of Genesis when Eric Young says hi in a turkey outfit. Tis the season.
Video vignette of the Voodoo Kin Mafia declaring war on the usual suspects takes us to:
Commercial. Yeah, I know technically Christy Hemme took us to commercial, but that was, like, under 30 seconds. Does that really count?
Back to Jim Cornette in the Impact Zone (!) demanding the return of the NWA Tag Team Titles from LAX but first, he brings out Petey Williams (who, sadly, no longer has that cool version of "O Canada" as his entrance music). Cornette puts Petey over before Williams says this country gave him an opportunity and took it upon himself to stop LAX from burning the flag. Cornette and Williams go to raise the flag and play the Star Spangled Banner, but LAX's music plays instead and out they come. Cornette asks if they came to return the Tag Titles and, instead, Konnan serves them with papers to sue them for violating their civil rights. He does have a point, you know. Petey attacks, but gets his outnumbered ass handed to him before AMW makes the save. The fight is pretty even before Kurt Angle (~!) is out to clear the ring of the Evil Foreigners. Wait, they all live here, right? Samoa Joe is out and everyone leaves but Angle as we go to:
Commercial.
Back to Samoa Joe in the ring with the mic, stating that he went undefeated for 18 months but knew one day that would come to an end. Joe has nothing to be ashamed of because he lost to a man the caliber of Angle, but still wants his rematch. Joe hands Angle the mic and accepts on one condition that he and Joe watch each others backs before the rematch at Turning Point. Joe agrees and it's on again.
Another video of the VKM airs as they conduct "Operation Cease And Desist"...against a Target store? Did I miss something? Oh, I get it BG says they were to act against "the target", not "Target". Hilarity (kinda) ensues.
Robert Roode and Miss Brooks are in the ring. Roode is calling out Eric Young for losing at Genesis and wants his rematch. Young debates accepting it before we go to:
Commercial.
Back to Young on the way to the ring and Roode wastes no time, embarrassed that his solo career has gotten off to such a lousy start.
Robert Roode vs. Eric Young
Roode is on Young (still in his turkey suit, natch) like stank on sheeit, miffed that he stalled coming out of the gate and lost to Young this past Sunday. Young may be a comedy act at times, but he's not to be taken lightly and shows Roode as such.
Finish comes when Young reverses a piledriver attempt and rolls up Roode for the three. Post-match, Roode takes his nager out on Miss Brooks in a verbal tirade, saying he didn't hire her for her body. Dude, you had your chance at Bobby Heenan and Robert Fuller and turned them down, so why did you hire her, then?
Paparazzi Productions video airs of a meeting that Kevin Nash has called of most of the X Division. Sonjey Dutt's there, Jay Lethal and is that Senshi? I'll be damned. Nash is looking to find the best X Division wrestler of all time, but accuses the lot of them of abusing steroids (heh) and they all leave. Oohhhh-kay...
Christian Cage vs. Sting
Cornette is out to watch the match. Cage is heading to the ring, but Sting was right earlier he is in a bad mood. He saunters right behind Cage and jumps him on the way to the ring before the two brawl all over the place. Sting is upset that he lost the Title (and maybe part of his soul?) and Christian is sick of waiting for the opportunity to take back the belt he never lost as we go to:
Commercial.
Back to Christian taking over using a bit of chicanery and a lot of his surroundings. Give Cage credit, he knows his way in and around a ring. Cage uses tactics both legal and illegal, wanting his title shot back in the worst way. That'[s his singular goal at this point, and he doesn't care what he has to do to get there. Cage's arrogance gets in the way, however, and that causes Sting to lose his temper and open fire on Cage. Sting is possessed by a different animal one that may cost him his soul and Cage recoils some upon seeing that. He may not have underestimated Sting physically, but he certainly did mentally.
Sting inadvertently takes out the referee with the Stinger Splash and has Cage right where he wants him before Tomko (!!) saves Cage. Remember, Christian did say that he could take Sting's contendership if Sting didn't make it to Turning Point. That's obviously the goal here (a set-up, perhaps?), as Tomko manhandles Sting in an effort to take Sting out.
One final VKM video airs of BG James lamenting the crew's failures before Kip points out that they've found WWE Headquarters to end the show.
Yeah, two hours definitely suits Impact better. This show wasn't bad, but there's more that could have been done given the time (like, say, an actual X Division match). There's also less that could have been done, like not making a third of the show video vignettes. To Russo's credit, the month in-between Bound For Glory and Genesis was a "reset" period, as everything and everyone seems to have a clear direction and a character now. Alas, now we just need more time on a regular basis to test Russo's attention span and see if he can produce as flowing of a 2-hour show as he did last week now that all the players are in place.
