OFFICIAL TNA “iMPACT!” RESULTS
Thursday, May 25, 2006 – Orlando, FL
By: Marcus Cygy

We opened with the Spike TV “iMPACT!” debut of Senshi in an X-Division Four-Way Match against Shark Boy and two of four wrestlers that won this year’s TNA World X Cup – Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal. During the bout, Senshi lived up to the hype in using his mixed martial art skills upon winning the bout. The win came rather harsh when Jay Lethal was on the receiving end of a double-foot chest stomp from the top rope by Senshi. Alex Shelley and Shark Boy both hooked up during the bout, but the match itself was not Shelley’s main focus. The aftermath was more important…

After the match, Kevin Nash came in to deliver the Jackknife Powerbomb on the already physically beaten Jay Lethal. Alex Shelley was there with his camcorder to capture the footage of his seemingly new best friend. His relentless attacks on X stars are becoming a frequent occurrence each week now. Who will step up to defy the bold claim of “Size does matter”?

Also during the X-Division Four-Way Match was The Latin American Express along with Moody Jack Melendez once again going on strike from Spanish commentary as they held signs that read “No Entre” and “Spanish Only”. They have a message, but when will they speak volumes about their message?

Up next were Simon Diamond’s Diamonds In The Rough – “Primetime” Elix Skipper and David Young against “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels. For AJ and Daniels, they went into this match with the loss against AMW being a mere 10 days ago when TNA presented “Sacrifice” on Pay-Per-View. The loss was still fresh in their minds as Gail Kim brought the nightstick into play for the unfair win in favour of AMW. During the match, AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels did all they could to ultimately get the momentum back on their side by winning the match but because of the NWA World Tag Team Champions, America’s Most Wanted, that reality was shot.

In an inevitable situation, Christopher Daniels was struck with the nightstick by Chris Harris just after the Angel’s Wings was hit on David Young coincided with AJ Styles’ dive onto Skipper out the outside. Daniels was unconscious and pinned by David Young for the second straight loss alongside Styles thanks to America’s Most Wanted. It has become a frustrating situation for the two former X-Division Champions, but will they get their revenge over AMW?

Sting was now in the back with Jeremy Borash proclaiming that he was born to be ready, in response to the stipulation being that anybody could be facing anybody at anytime in the King of the Mountain Qualifying Matches. Sting told the “iMPACT!” fans that it’s showtime every night and if Scott Steiner or Jeff Jarrett gets in his way then he’ll throw them into oblivion – everybody better have eyes in the back of their heads because the Stinger is ready!

The James Gang accepted Team 3D’s challenge for a rematch at “Slammiversary”, but the accepting speech came in a rather disrespectful manner than the norm. BG James made his way down dressed as Brother Ray with a pillow in his shirt while Kip James came down painted up to look like Brother Devon as he kept repeating the words, “Oh my brother, testify!” in approval of everything BG had to say in mocking Brother Ray. They even came down to Team 3D’s music which really confused the crowd including Mike Tenay and Don West at the commentating booth. Nonetheless, The James Gang did not fail to degrade Team 3D by saying they traveled all over Philadelphia and even won the Philly Tag Team Titles while The James Gang traveled the world and won World Tag Team Titles.

The James Gang ultimately did not care about the stipulations for their match at “Slammiversary”, but they did send Team 3D a message by simply stating, “If you can swing it, bring it”! It’s going to be an all out brawl between two of the greatest tag teams in professional wrestling history!

After the mockery of Team 3D, we shifted along to Raven to get his comments on King of the Mountain. Raven stated that he was a “2-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion” and now he’ll be a “2-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion”. He even said that, “Really when you think about it, I’ve won one King of the Mountain; Jarrett’s won one King of the Mountain”. Obviously still emotional over the international incident in Canada back in September 2005 involving Jarrett and his army, Raven is looking for redemption. Raven is going into his qualifying match with momentum from his win over A1 despite not knowing whom his opponent will be, but if there were one thing for sure it would be that Raven wants Zbyszko as far away from the ring as possible. Raven closed off his speech by saying, “Zbyszko, you’re not invited. Quote The Raven Nevermore.”

An overpower of strength was featured in our third match of the night when “The Canadian Enforcer” Bobby Roode took the right opportunity to hit the Northern Lariat on Andy Douglas when Andy turned his back. For Andy, being one half of The Naturals, this was his return match to TNA after suffering an injury at the hands of Scott Steiner a few months ago.

Shane Douglas was seen again this week mouthing off some words towards The Naturals as Andy and Chase looked on with confusion. The Naturals were not able to figure out Shane’s demeanor, but will we find out soon as to why Shane Douglas has been popping in whenever The Naturals are performing? The Naturals will be reunited in the ring next Thursday night on Spike TV’s “iMPACT!” against America’s Most Wanted in a match that quite possibly could recreate a rivalry like no other!

This was all occurring just after Rhino came down to break up the potential injury Andy was going to suffer by Team Canada involving a steel chair. Rhino then resumed his destruction of Team Canada by laying down the challenge towards Bobby Roode and any member of Team Canada that he wanted for “Slammiversary”. D’Amore and his troops accepted that challenge with the thought of winning despite whomever was picked but that plan indeed backfired when Rhino picked Scott D’Amore to be Bobby Roode’s partner!

Continuing the King of the Mountain Qualifying Matches this week saw Christian Cage, the NWA World Heavyweight Champion join the action at ringside commentary with Mike Tenay and Don West, as “The Alpha Male” Monty Brown took on Ron “The Truth” Killings. With Killings being a 2-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, he knows what it takes to get there and he wants to do it again. But then we also have Monty Brown in the other corner, a man who has been on edge of winning the prestigious titles numerous times only to come up short against the likes of Jeff Jarrett who has always come up with a planned swerve to disallow Monty’s quest to become champion.

During the match, it became obvious that Christian Cage knew going into this match it would be his biggest challenge. He will have to go through four other talented wrestlers to retain his championship in quite possibly one of the hardest matches to overcome as a champion. History speaks volumes and when King of the Mountain matches occur, the champ is dethroned on all accounts. Can Christian beat those odds?

Former NFL football player was quickly dethroned himself when Ron Killings caught Monty off guard and rolled him up for the pin. Just like that Monty Brown was on the outskirts of the King of the Mountain match being left as just a spectator for this important match at “Slammiversary”.

The King of the Mountain match comes on June 18 at the “Slammiversary” Pay-Per-View with already qualified wrestlers being NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Christian Cage, “The Monster” Abyss, and Ron “The Truth” Killings. To win, you must bring the title up the ladder and hang it up in a reverse ladder match but in order to do that you must first score a pin on any opponent to send him in a caged penalty box for 2 minutes! History speaks for itself, no champion as walked out of King of the Mountain still champion – Can Christian Cage change that? Tune in next Thursday on Spike TV to see whom else will qualify for the King of the Mountain match!

Quick Match Results:
• Four-Way Match: Senshi defeated Jay Lethal, Alex Shelley, and Shark Boy.
• The Diamonds In The Rough (Elix Skipper & David Young) defeated AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels.
• Bobby Roode defeated Andy Douglas.
• King of the Mountain Qualifier: Ron Killings defeated Monty Brown