Last night. 1-4-10, TNA Wrestling presented to us their biggest night in company history, going live, head to head, with WWE Monday Night RAW for the first time!!!Who made their shocking return last night? How appeared in TNA for the first time ever? How did Hulk Hogan make an Impact on his first official night in TNA? Let’s get to the review, and we’ll find out!!!!!
Terror Dome Match: Amazing Red (C), Homicide, The Motor City Machine Guns, Lethal Consequences, Kyoshi, and Suicide Ended In No Contest
In what should have been an amazing X Division showcase to open up the shoe, turned into pure garbage, until “someone”, who I’ll disclose in a few moments, made his return to TNA. This started out with some nice aerial spot fest type of match, but quickly ended, without any real notable spots, when Homicide went ballistic, attacking all the other wrestlers in the match, including fellow World Elite team member Kyoshi with a nightstick. There are Disqualifications in a cage match? Go figure! Homicide then preceded to climb the cage, which he had a very difficult time doing, but was caught by the other competitors, and plummeted to the canvas. After, theme music played, and Jeff Hardy jumped the rail, and got into a brawl with Homicide! He ended up hitting Homicide in the skull with a sick chair shot, and then delivered the Twist Of Fate onto the ramp! Overall, this match wasn’t a very good way to start off the evening, but the aftermath certantly made the first “segment” of the evening start out with a major bang!
ODB Defeated Tara (C) For The Knockout Championship
I don’t have too much to say about this one. Very short duration, lasting only about 2 or 3 minutes. ODB won the title with a roll up using the tights. After the match ended, Tara got revenge by hitting the Widows Peak, and placing her pet tarantula, Poison, on top of ODB’s chest. again, not much to say here. This Knockout’s title feud has been delivered positively as far as from a story line standpoint goes, but these two women’s matches haven’t been quite up to par.
Next, we were shown a limousine in the parking lot, and the man that stepped out of the vehicle was none other than the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair!!! He headed into the locker room of the TNA champion, AJ Styles. probably not the best way to break the surprise, but certainly make for interest for the rest of the show, in anticipation for what Flair has to say! Smart move here ratings wise.
Next, Bobby Lashley and his mouthpiece, Crystal, made their way down to the ring. Crystal cut a heel promo on how Bobby has better things to do in the world of MMA, than wrestler for TNA. She announced that Bobby is officially asking for his TNA release. All I have to say is, who gives a you know what!
After, we were shown Scott Hall and Sean Waltman outside of the building, but were denied entry by security. Once again, not the best way to break the surprise, but a fine move ratings wise, as it created intrigue for the rest of the evening.
Next, we were shown Hulk Hogan’s limo approaching the IMPACT Zone, but then we say another limo pull up along side it, and an unseen figure entered the Hulkster’s limo! Again, creates intrigue, which in my opinion, is a major factor in determining ratings.
Next up, it was the moments we have been waiting for, Hulk Hogan’s TNA debut! Hogan entered the IMPACT Zone for the first time, to a thunderous ovation from the TNA faithful. Hogan cut a promo putting over the company, and once again claiming that TNA would soon be the number one company in the world. At this, we saw Waltman and Hall in the front row. Hogan soon invited them into the ring. They then preceded to cut a promo claiming that it was time for the three of them to party and rule TNA, just like they ruled WCW in the old days with the NWO. Hogan contradicted their thoughts, and later Kevin Nash’s thoughts, stating that it is a different time now, and he’s going to do what’s right for the business! Amen! After backing down, Waltman, Hall, and Nash walked out of the arena, and then some more unfamiliar theme music played. It was Eric Bischoff, making his way down to the ring! He also put TNA over, and claimed that he was going to throw out the format, and shake TNA up! Sting was also shown looking on from the rafters. Very interesting time here for TNA Wrestling. I just hope Bischoff and Hogan learned their lesson from the fall of WCW, and change things for the better here in TNA. It should also be noted that this segment took place at the exact time that Bret Hart came out on RAW, to cut his promo with HBK. This is what I call two companies going head to head, and this is what I call a true Monday Night War!
Awesome Kong and Hamada Defeated Sarita and Taylor Wilde (C) For The TNA Knockout Tag Team Championships
All in all, this was a much better showing for the Knockouts than the match between Tara and ODB earlier, and was truly a action packed 10 minute match! Some great aerial dives and double teams from Wilde and Sarita, as well as great power/strong style maneuvers from Kong and Hamada. Hamada seemed to have hurt her knee during this match, but still put on a stellar performance. Finally, Kong got Sarita up in the powerbomb position, and Sarita was drop kicked by Hamada from the top rope, and immediately Awesome Bombed by Kong! Awesome finisher! Hamada and Kong are now the new champs! I just wish some of these ladies were give a singles shot at the Knockout title, to spice up the singles division as well.
Matt Morgan And Hernandez Defeated Dr. Stevie And Raven
The team of Morgan and Hernandez won in less than 30 seconds, when Morgan pinned Stevie with the Carbon Footprint. This was just a way to put over the team of Hernandez and Morgan as a force to be reckoned with. I like this new team, and their similar strength and size makes for a perfect pairing. I’m also very happy with the fact that these two YOUNG guys went over two veterans in a squash. Way to go TNA!
Backstage, “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero was interview by Christy Hemme, but was soon interrupted by Orlando Jordan, sporting a new dread lock hairdo! “The Pope” was not happy at all by this. Alright, Orlando Jordan’s in TNA! I’ve always been a fan of his, and truly feel that he is a great young talent, with a crap load of potential.
“The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero Defeated Desmond Wolfe
This match could have been very good, but was not given nearly enough time. “The Pope” soon got the win with a small package. I’m glad to see “The Pope”, who I believe is a future TNA World Heavyweight Champion, begin to really climb the ladder in TNA, but I’m not particularly pleased with him going over at the expense of Desmond Wolfe, someone who is equally deserving of climbing the proverbial ladder in TNA. I just hope Wolfe doesn’t get lost in the shuffle, and if he does, ROH could defiantly use Nigel back!
Throughout the evening, several TNA wrestlers, including the MCMG and Rhino, were shown unconscious in the back, with Bubba The Love Sponge on the scene. Could this be the work of the man who crept into Hulk’s limo earlier?
The TNA founder, Jeff Jarrett, was out next. He cut a passionate promo on the company, but was soon interrupted by Hulk Hogan on the big screen, who stated that Jarrett not longer had any power within TNA. Hogan proclaimed the he was Dixie Carter’s new partner, not him. Hogan told Jarrett that he would no longer receive special treatment in TNA, and needs to get in the back of the line, lace up his boots, and earn his spot on the TNA roster. This segment almost felt like a shoot, with the real life situations between Dixie and Jeff brought into play. Again, this creates a lot of intrigue as far as the future of TNA Wrestling goes.
Samoa Joe Defeated Abyss
Earlier in the night, it was announced that we would see a Barbed Wire Massacre match, between Abyss and Rhino, but because of Rhino being attacked by the mystery man backstage, that match was cancelled. Why would you announce a Barbed Wire massacre match of all things, and not deliver? Sounds like a desperate attempt to draw viewers, which I understand, but you simply don’t do this at the expense of being honest. As far as this match here went, it was a decent, physical bout, mainly used to put Samoa Joe over as one tough son of a gun. Joe got the pin by hitting Abyss in the skull with a steel chair behind the ref’s back, and then hooked in the Clutch for Abyss to tap out.
Outside, Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore were shown, with what can be perceived to be TNA contracts!
Throughout the majority of the second hour of the show, The Nasty Boys were shown trying to get into the building. Eventually, they made it in. They instantly went into the locker room of Team 3D, and destroyed everything. Looks like we may see a Team 3D/Nasty Boys feud, which could make for some pretty sweet hardcore matches, as well as history!
AJ Styles (C) Defeated Kurt Angle In A TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Before I get to the match itself, let me note that in the early going, the masked assassin that has been attacking AJ as of late, interfered, but was taken out by both men, making sure that the world title match did in fact take place. Could this mystery attacker be the same man who hopped into Hogan’s limo? Although it was already set for Genesis, Eric Bischoff announced that we would see this match for free tonight! If you saw the classic between Kurt Angle and AJ Styles a few months ago on IMPACT, the one that ended in a 20 minute time limit draw, than let me tell you, you ain’t seen nothing until you’ve seen this one! This was a true WRESTLING classic, between two of the very best professional Wrestlers in this entire country! This match featured excellent mat work, and jaw dropping aerial spots from the champ! The crowd was extremely enthusiastic for this match up, which featured tons and tons of false finishes, including Kurt Kicking out of three Styles Clashes and a 450 splash! After nearly 30 minutes of great, great WRESTLING, that I guarantee you won’t see on RAW, AJ got the win with another Styles Clash, followed up by a picture perfect 450 splash. During the end of the match, Ric Flair stood on the ramp watching on. He never did actually speak, which was a smart move on the part of TNA, for they are saving something for future episodes of IMPACT.
Mick Foley had been trying to sneak into the IMPACT Zone all night after Hogan, and finally got in here. He stormed into a locker room, where The Beautiful People and Val Venis were playing strip poker (LOL!) and demanded directions to find Hogan. He finally made it to Hogan’s locker room, but was attacked by Waltman, Nash, Hall, and Bischoff. Hogan came into the room as IMPACT went off the air.
*Overall, this was a very historic night for TNA Wrestling, and was full of tons of surprises! There could have been more actual WRESTLING on the show, however the main event was so awesome, it made up for any loopholes! This is a very exciting time for TNA Wrestling, and could be a defining moment in their future. If done correctly, this could be a great way to bring in big veterans for publicity and hype, while still putting on stellar wrestling matches like we saw with AJ and Kurt as the backbone of the company. On the other hand, this could be a very bad thing for TNA, if Bischoff and Hogan don’t get with the times, and treating TNA like WCW 2.0. It’s almost a bitter sweat time period for TNA Wrestling, and all we can do, is sit back, relax, and try to enjoy what TNA brings to the table!
Todd Frizzell is from Columbus Ohio, and has been a huge professional wrestling fanatic for the last ten years. Todd is very interested in all aspects of pro wrestling, including what goes on when the cameras aren’t rolling. Todd is very excited to write about his passion, and will try his best to entertain and provoke the wrestling fans.
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One week prior to the Royal Rumble, he does an interview saying he won’t be at WrestleMania 24 then the next week he is winning the World Wrestling Entertainment Royal Rumble and scheduled to headline WrestleMania 24. Nobody expected John Cena to return to the WWE this soon, win the Royal Rumble, and go on to headline WrestleMania 24 and win a title shot of his choice.
Randy Orton won one of the most predictable WWE Royal Rumbles and will go on to WrestleMania 25. Coming in as the most predictable favorite, Orton eliminated Triple H to earn a title shot of his choice at WrestleMania. In contrast to last year’s WWE Royal Rumble, the biggest surprise came on the Royal Rumble undercard.
It’s been a couple days since the first “Monday Night War” in nearly 9 years. All wrestling fans were spoiled on Monday January 4th, 2010 as WWE Monday Night Raw and TNA Impact were going head to head, live, for the first time on Monday nights. For both shows it was a step in a different direction, with new storylines and new/re-debuts. Fans went into Monday night’s ready for anything to happen in both shows. Instead of breaking down both shows I wanted to directly look at TNA Impact. Besides Bret Hart showing up on RAW and returning to WWE (which was awesome to see), it was the same RAW we get nearly every Monday Night.
It appears when you break down the early ratings for the Monday Night War between WWE RAW and TNA Impact, TNA Wrestling came out the big winners. TNA wound up with the biggest boost to their audience due to the live Monday battle than the World Wrestling Entertainment. TNA came away with new fans, more exposure, and a lot of confidence, whereas the WWE may need to think twice about future Monday Night Wars.
With the upcoming release of Jeff Hardy’s first solo DVD, I wanted to look back at WWE Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story. This WWE home video release spotlights two of the most popular wrestlers of the decade. Matt and Jeff Hardy have each carved their own niches in WWE history. Both wrestlers continue to ride a wave of popularity whether together or apart that is unprecedented. Twist of Fate chronicles the rise of the most successful brother combination of the 21st century.
