12/16/10 TNA Impact Recap (Head Games?)
Impact opens with a recap of Eric Bischoff booking a match between Matt Morgan and Mr. Anderson to earn a shot Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Championship. Footage of the tension between Morgan and Anderson is aired while they both give their thoughts on the situation and Anderson’s concussion.
Footage from earlier in the day is aired where Anderson seems to be suffering some effects from his concussion. Morgan confronts him about it and Anderson says his word is his bond and he will wrestle tonight. We then head to the Impact Zone where Morgan’s music is playing and he comes down to the ring. Morgan grabs a microphone and talks about making a decision to stand up and do the right thing.
Morgan then says he is supposed to have a tag team match with Anderson against Jeff Hardy and Kazarian, however, once the bell rings all bets are off since he tried to do everything in his power to keep Anderson from wrestling tonight. Morgan says he will have his back tonight but wonders if Anderson is well enough to have his back as well.
Mr. Anderson’s music hits as he comes down to the ring and says he appreciates everything that Morgan has done but he can take care of himself. Anderson says they are both wrestlers and they are paid to wrestle. Morgan tells Anderson to look at him dead in the eye and asks if he 100% has his back tonight. Before Anderson is able to answer, they are cut off by Jeff Hardy’s music as he comes out on the entrance ramp.
Hardy wants to know if they are going to have a match tonight or not. Hardy then warns Anderson that Morgan may be working him and tells Morgan to worry about himself more than worrying about others. Hardy then says they will see first hand why Immortal and Fortune are so dominant before walking away.
We join the announce team as they run down what just went down and preview the rest of tonights show that will feature another open MMA challenge from Jeff Jarrett, another Knockouts Tag Team Tournament match where Madison Rayne and Tara face off against Mickie James and a mystery partner. Finally, Jeff Hardy and Kazarian will take on Matt Morgan and Mr. Anderson in the main event.
Match 1: Jay Lethal vs. Robbie E. (X Division Championship)
The match begins and Cookie immediately makes her presence felt by tripping up Lethal. Christy Hemme then runs down to the ring and handcuffs Cookie to herself as we head into a commercial break. We return from the break to see both Lethal and Robbie score quick pin falls over each other. Robbie then gains the advantage and wears down Lethal with a headlock but Lethal fights his way out and comes back with a series of clotheslines. Lethal then connects with a Lethal Combination before heading to the top and hitting a flying elbow drop for a close near fall.
Lethal then runs into Robbie’s boot and tries to pin Lethal while using the ropes for leverage but Earl Hebner sees it and stops the count. Lethal then makes another comeback and hits a superplex while Cookie tries to assist Robbie by tossing in her spray can but Christy picks it up before Robbie can get to it and uses it on Cookie’s face. The distraction is enough for Lethal to hit Robbie with the Lethal Injection to pick up the pin fall and become the new X Division Champion. After winning the match, Christy celebrates Lethal’s victory in the ring as Lethal plants a kiss on her lips.
AJ Styles is seen in the back talking to Eric Bischoff and says that Robbie E. doesn’t have the “it” factor. Bischoff then gives Styles a lesson in irony and says he was in the same predicament two weeks ago when he lost the Television Title to Douglas Williams. Bischoff tells him to step up and tells him to get the title back. Bischoff says if he doesn’t he will find someone else to do it and tells him to earn his keep and be a leader.
Douglas Williams is walking in the parking lot and talks about beating AJ Styles with his own move. He then runs into Magnus who says Chelsea is done and says that Desmond Wolfe will be back again soon. Williams then walks into a trailer where AJ Styles is waiting and begins to get beat down. They go into another room where Madison Rayne and Tara are getting ready as they yell at them to get out. Styles tells the “hooker” to shut up as he continues to beat down Williams before finally leaving.
Orlando Jordan is walking in the back and Eric Young walks out of a room with a couple of Hooters girls. EY is wearing the old TNA World Championship and he says he found it in a garbage can and now he is the champion. EY then walks back into the room to get advice from Brian Kendrick about his first title defense. Kendrick gives him some advice and tells him to remember that one man’s treasure is another man’s trash before EY leaves the room.
Jeff Hardy is in his dark room talking about getting in the heads of Mr. Anderson and Matt Morgan. Hardy then talks about being in a tag team match tonight and being able to show everyone what they are all about.
Match 2: Generation Me vs. Eric Young & Orlando Jordan
OJ comes out to the ring dressed like a Hooters girl as they a hyping a special Hooters program that will be airing next week. Before the match, EY says he will be defending his title tonight in a battle royal before he pushes Brian Hebner over the top rope. EY then sends GenMe and Orlando Jordan over the top ropes as Brian Hebner tells him it is a tag team match.
Generation Me then come back into the ring and quickly take EY down as Jordan comes back into the ring and helps his partner out. Generation Me, though, is able to use their quickness and double team moves to gain the advantage but they are distracted by the Hooters girls standing outside of the ring. OJ is then able to lock in a submission hold on Max Buck as he taps out to give Young and Jordan the victory.
Mickie James walks up to Eric Bischoff in the back and wants to know who her mystery partner is tonight. Bischoff tells her that it is Miss Tessmacher and wishes her luck in their match, which is up next.
Match 3: Tara & Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James & Miss Tessmacher (Knockouts Tag Team Championship Tournament)
Miss Tessmacher starts off against Madison and takes her down with a few hip tosses and a dropkick before Madison turns the match around in her favor. Madison then works Tessmacher over and cuts off the ring as she taunts Mickie on the apron. Madison then misses with a cross body block and Tessmacher tags in Mickie who quickly takes Madison down with a Lou Thesz press. Mickie then goes after Tara who clocks her with her elbow brace. Madison then connects with a knockout punch to pick up the pin fall victory. Madison and Tara will now face the Beautiful People next week for the Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
Kazarian talks about his tag team match tonight as he walks up behind Rob Terry. Kazarian tells Terry that he has an important match tonight and says that he will need their help tonight. Terry says he can take their help or end up like Rhino in the unemployment line.
The Pope is in the back and is getting money for donations. He then says it is time to tend to business.
Brother Ray comes down to the ring and says he will be starting his singles career tonight. He goes on to say that he picked the biggest and toughest guy in the back to get things going. Amazing Red’s music then hits as he is Ray’s opponent.
Match 4: Brother Ray vs. Amazing Red
Ray quickly takes Red down with a clothesline and a high back body drop. Ray, who is now going by the name Bully Ray, continues to methodically beat down Red in the ring and gets in his face as Red finds an opening and takes Ray down with a missile dropkick. Ray then comes back with a big boot to the face and follows with a Bubba Bomb to pick up the pin fall. After the match, Ray grabs a chair and brings it into the ring but he is stopped by Brother Devon, who chases Ray out of the ring and to the backstage area.
Jeff Jarrett is in the back and is going over the rules of his open challenge once again. Jarrett says last week the fan thought he was joke but he found out that it isn’t a joke to Jarrett at all.
The Pope is seen walking in the parking lot and is getting into a car and drives away.
Match 5: Rob Terry vs. Rob Van Dam
Prior to the match, RVD grabs a microphone and says Bischoff can put anything and anyone in his way, but he will eventually get his hands on Jeff Hardy. RVD is able to take Terry off of his feet with his kicks but Terry is able to use his power advantage by catching RVD and slamming him down to the mat. Terry continues to dominate the match as we head into a commercial break. We return to the match to see that the fight is out on the floor as Terry continues to work over RVD. The match returns to the ring where Terry puts RVD in a bear hug but RVD is able to fight his way out and connect with a series of kicks. RVD then hits the Five Star Frog Splash for the pin fall victory.
A video package highlighting Jeff Jarrett’s MMA career is aired. Jarrett’s next open MMA challenge is up next. We then see Pope getting out of his car and heading into a strip club.
Jeff Jarrett comes to the ring using Kurt Angle’s entrance and pyro. He then comes down to the ring with a posse that helps him prepare for the open challenge. Jeremy Borash announces the rules of the challenge once again and asks if there are any volunteers in the crowd tonight. Jarrett doesn’t like the first few options and finally settles for a small fan in a green Mexico hat.
Match 6: Jeff Jarrett vs. Jose Rios (Double J MMA Open Challenge)
Jarrett quickly works over Rios with a bunch of knees before taking him down to the mat. Jarrett continues to beat him down before locking in the rear naked choke to pick up the submission. Jarrett’s team then enters the ring and celebrates the victory.
We see all four participants in tonight’s main event walking in the back as the tag team main event is up next.
Match 7: Jeff Hardy & Kazarian vs. Matt Morgan & Mr. Anderson
Jeff Hardy squares off against Mr. Anderson to get things started but Hardy backs off, gives Anderson the finger and tags Kazarian into the match. Anderson takes Kazarian down but Kazarian comes back with an kick to the back of Anderson’s head. Kazarian and Anderson then clock heads together and Anderson is able to crawl to his corner to tag Morgan into the match. Morgan begins to work over Kazarian and turns his attention to Hardy after hitting a side slam. Kazarian then distracts the referee as Hardy gets Morgan out to the floor and sends him into the steel steps. Hardy rolls Morgan back into the ring as he and Kazarian wear him down.
The match begins to break down as Kazarian sends Anderson into the referee. During the melee, Anderson climbed to the top rope as Rob Terry runs out and pushes Anderson down and crotches him on the top rope. Morgan then goes after Terry and ends up on the wrong end of a Twist of Hate from Hardy as he picks up the pin fall. Hardy and Kazarian then leaves the ring together as Morgan and Anderson stare at each other in the ring as Impact comes to a close.
Quick Results
– Jay Lethal defeated Robbie E. by pin fall to win the X Division Championship.
– Eric Young & Orlando Jordan defeated Generation Me by submission.
– Madison Rayne & Tara defeated Mickie James & Miss Tessmacher by pin fall to advance to the finals of the Knockouts Tag Team Championship tournament.
– Brother Ray defeated Amazing Red by pin fall.
– Rob Van Dam defeated Rob Terry by pin fall.
– Jeff Jarrett defeated Jose Rios by submission.
– Jeff Hardy & Kazarian defeated Matt Morgan & Mr. Anderson by pin fall.
