IMPACT

February 15, 2007
Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
thanks to: pwtorch.com
 

We open with a recap of what happened at the Against All Odds PPV.

Scott Steiner then came out and Mike Tenay and Don West discussed Kurt Angle having Christian Cage beaten several times at the PPV. They discussed Angle being screwed out of the title. Steiner then cut a promo on Kurt Angle. He said Angle took his spot when he was negotiating for a big deal because TNA wanted to sign a "big name." He said Angle's done nothing that he hasn't already done. He said he beat Cena, Batista, and even beat Triple H no matter how many times he's screwed the boss's daughter. Thank goodness Tenay didn't interject with a "That was stiff" line. Steiner then called Angle a b----, among other things. Angle had enough and he came out to talk about being pro-company more than being out for himself. He said the company doesn't need selfish guys like him to help them compete with his former employer. This led to a brawl until Christian Cage and Tomko turned it into a three-on-one beating on Angle. Samoa Joe then led babyfaces into the ring, including B.G., Kip, Rhino, Shark Boy, Sonjay Dutt, and others. Angle and Joe had another confrontation, this time with Angle saying Joe has to go through him during the #1 Contender gauntlet match to gain his NWA Title shot.

The usual Impact intro aired, then Tenay and West talked about the new concept match, Elevation X, hanging above the ring.

Jeremy Borash was backstage with LAX. He said LAX won in a controversial way at the PPV. Konnan said those two hos, Team 3D, keep talking about how LAX won in a controversial manner, but they simply beat them at on their own terms in their own fight. He said TNA is unhappy with their attack on Ray's uncle, but he asked where was TNA to silence Team 3D when they laid him out a few weeks ago. Konnan said Latinos are the best, then Homicide did his machine gun.

[Commercial Break]

Christian, Steiner, and Tomko had a pow-wow with Leticia backstage. He said TNA is trying to stack the odds against him, but it's good to have friends right now. Christian said tonight's plan for the gauntlet match is to get rid of everyone, especially Joe and Angle, then for both men to shake hands, jump over the top rope simultaneously, and forfeit the match so Christian doesn't have to defend the title against anyone. Steiner said that sucks and he's not going over the top rope for anyone. Steiner stormed off, then Christian tried to get emotional with Tomko, who was feigning getting teary-eyed. Christian put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Tomko, you've always been like a son to me." Tomko read Christian's bluff then said, "I've got a match...dad."

[Q1]

LAX came out for a match with the Texas Treats wheeling Konnan out to the ring. They then jumped Norman Smiley and Shark Boy in the ring.

1 -- LAX (HOMICIDE & HERNANDEZ w/Konnan) vs. SHARK BOY & NORMAN SMILEY -- non-title match

Smiley and Shark Boy got in a few seconds of offense to do some dancing before Hernandez gave Shark Boy the Cracker jack. Homicide hit a sentaun splash on Shark Boy for the win.

WINNERS: LAX in 1:00. Again, the wrestling is inconsequential and secondary to the storyline segments they're producing.

Team 3D then appeared on the big screen and Ray introduced big cousin Steve (Shirippa from the Sopranos). Steve said he was enjoying a nice meatball dinner when he turned on Spike TV and saw LAX beating down an old man. Ray turned his head in shame. Steve finished his ethnic promo on LAX, then Ray said they're challenging LAX to a Belting Pot match next week. He said there would be various lumberjacks ringside to whip LAX during the match. Konnan answered that Steve can bring the whole gang from Sopranos, but they'll still kick their asses.

We saw a recap of Eric Young's failed attempt to get some action with Ms. Brooks in the hotel room at the PPV. We then went backstage where Borash held the mic for an exchange between Eric Young and Ms. Brooks. Young said he thought Brooks said she loved him. Brooks laughed and said someone like her could never love someone like Young. He became dejected, then Brooks reminded him of something. "You got screwed by Ms. Brooks," she said. Roode then interrupted and asked Young why he's wearing his "Don't Fire Eric" t-shirt. Young took it off, then Roode told Young that his job tonight is to make sure Roode walks out of the gauntlet match victorious. Borash then asked Roode why he's doing this to Young. Roode told Borash to stay out of his business and never touch him. Roode and Brooks walked away. Bob Backlund then walked into the shot and walked away.

[Commercial Break]

We saw a recap of the James Storm/Jackie Moore-Chris Harris/Gail Kim feud.

2 -- GAIL KIM vs. JACKIE MOORE (w/James Storm) -- Arm wrestling match

Gail walked out first like she was ready to hit the club for a night on the town. Gail and Jackie locked up with Gail scoring the win. Storm then jumped Gail, leading to a two-on-one beating. Petey Williams made the save, then Chris Harris came through the crowd and chased Storm.

WINNER: Gail in 1:00.

[Q3]

Leticia was backstage with "old man" Chris Sabin, who couldn't hear a word that Leticia was saying. He pretended to have no teeth, then he took a drink of his water with the false teeth in the glass. We saw Bob Backlund sitting in the background. He walked up to him and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Sabuhn." (Yes, he botched the pronunciation of Sabin's name.) He told Sabin that his impressions down at the senior citizen's home didn't go over well, and hurt some people. Sabin feigned not being able to hear him. Backlund then said he was going to find someone to beat down Sabin in some ladder match next week.

Eye Spy this week was Paparazzi Idol. Our judges were Kevin Nash (Simon Cowell), So Cal Val (Paula Abdul), and Fat Oily Guy (Randy Jackson). Val took a few swigs out of a flask to complete the role of Paula. Fat guy had a sombrero on. Nash did a fake English accent. Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt walked into the audition room, and Dutt botched his audition. Nash criticized Dutt's work, then Val told him that he's mean. Lethal then did a good Randy Savage impersonation. Nash was impressed and said he's moving on to the next round. He handed him a white piece of notebook paper.

[Commercial Break]

Ron Killings did a promo for a new Rocky movie in front of a green screen. He called for Adrian, then a very large black woman walked into the shot. They argued about Killings calling out to her. Killings then turned and looked at a side camera. So far, we've seen TNA present their version of WWE's Big Dick Johnson and Shelton Benjamin's big momma.

Sting walked out for the main event gauntlet match. A.J. Styles came out second with some new entrance music. A harder version of his traditional theme with a slower beat. Jim Cornette joined Tenay and West ringside for commentary on the match. They really dropped the ball on promoting Samoa Joe prior to the match with a promo or video package. After Joe ran to the ring at the top of the show with someone like Shark Boy, who was killed in less than a minute a few minutes later, they needed to remind viewers that Joe's legit and not just another random babyface. But, thank goodness TNA didn't book a reverse battle royale this month.

3 -- 14-MAN GAUNTLET MATCH -- #1 Contender match

Styles danced around the ring to start things off. Sting then hit back elbow smashes. Rhino came out after the 1:00 interval. Rhino and Styles went right after Styles before they cut to a break.

[Commercial Break]

They aired a Christopher Daniels promo instead of getting us back to the action in the ring. Daniels said he's trying to get out of his rut and find newer answers. He said he has to find his way; his answer. James Storm, Chris Sabin, and Kip James entered the match during the break. Abyss then came out. He eliminated Chris Sabin for elimination #1. There goes your X Division and its champion.

[Q4]

Kurt Angle came out next and went right after Rhino. He then eliminated James Storm for #2 as Sting pounded on Abyss in the corner. Out next was Tomko, who went after Sting with forearm blows to the back. Styles and Rhino fought on the ropes, then Tomko shoved both of them over the top rope for #3 and 4. Samoa Joe then came out and went after Kip, Tomko, and Abyss. Kip answered back with right hands on Kip, then he eliminated him by grabbing the end of his hair for #5.

[Commercial Break]

No eliminations during the break, but Robert Roode, B.G. James, and Eric Young came to the ring. Scott Steiner then half-limped/half-walked to the ring as the final entrant and went after Sting. He then tossed B.G. over the top rope for #6. Steiner then pulled Angle back into the ring with Tomko trying to eliminate him. Odd. Joe then caught Abyss with a flying kick that sent him over the top rope for #7. Nice spot and the crowd reacted. Steiner then grabbed Angle from behind and eliminated him for #8. Steiner continued to talk smack to Angle after eliminating him, but refs held Angle back from doing anything to Steiner. Roode called for Young's help on Sting, but Young wouldn't help him. Sting then made a big comeback on Roode and hit a Stinger Splash before clotheslining him over the top rope for #9. Steiner then eliminated Sting for #10. Tomko suddenly threw Young over the top rope for #11. It came down to Steiner, Tomko, and Joe for the "stack the deck against the babyface at the end of the battle royale" moment. Tomko and Steiner methodically worked on Joe, with Steiner landing an elbow smash to Joe. Tomko and Steiner then had a can-you-top-this exchange on Joe. They executed a double suplex, then Steiner did some push-ups next to Joe. They tried to eliminate Joe, but Joe slid to the apron and held on to the top rope. Steiner and Tomko then had a disagreement when Joe wouldn't go down. Joe grabbed Steiner and hip tossed him over the top rope to the floor for #12. With it down to Joe and Tomko in a regular match, Joe ducked a corner clothesline and hit a side kick. He then followed with the Muscle Buster for the pin and the win. The crowd cheered.

WINNER: Samoa Joe in 20:00. Too many people in the ring for any singular feuds to stand out, but a good mix of top stars to tease some possible feuds down the road, especially with Sting. Joe's win didn't come across as well as it could have since Steiner and Tomko dominated him at the end. It was more about Joe winning because Tomko and Steiner had a disagreement rather than Joe showing his dominance.

Christian Cage then came to the ring after the match and confronted Joe. Steiner and Tomko stood off behind him, then Kurt Angle came to the ring to make it a three-on-two stare down to close the show.