By Ryan Kester

Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV
Taped earlier in Orlando, Florida.

[Q1] The show opened with a video package covering James Storm capturing the TNA title.

James Storm came to the ring to new music. He was holding his TNA title. Once there, Storm talked about WrestleMania 3, and he said he was there with his father and since then he wanted to be a world champion. Storm thanked the fans for their support, but said he also had some guys to thank, and the rest of Fortune made their way to the ring.

Storm said that Fortune has changed Impact Wrestling. He said that Bobby Roode was screwed out of the TNA title, so he wanted to offer Roode the first shot at his title. The two men shook hands, and Samoa Joe joined the party.

Joe said he used to be one of the boys who bucked the system, and he said that Storm is now a world champion. He called Fortune scumbags. He said they were just like Immortal and then made an inbred joke at Storm's expense. Joe challenged Storm to give the title shot to him.

Storm said that Joe's opportunity was closed. He said Joe hasn't done anything lately but lose to Crimson. He's right. Joe said that Storm was about o give a title shot to a failure. Sting's music hit, and he made his way to the stage. Sting said since he was in charge, he had a decision to make, so he made a number one contender's match for tonight between Bobby Roode and Samoa Joe, with the winner taking on Storm next week.

Christopher Daniels claimed that AJ used audio Photoshop to make him say I Quit at Bound For Glory… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Is a TNA wrestler really allowed to mention WrestleMania? Those well-versed in copy right laws, let me know. Samoa Joe has done nothing but lose as of late, so his presence in a number one contender's match really gives away the finish.

[Q2] 1. Rob Van Dam beat Christopher Daniels by DQ in 5:19. The tow worked some chain wrestling to start, trading control several times. A.J. Styles showed up late to join Taz and Tenay on commentary.

Back in the ring, RVD hit a standing moonsault on Daniels for a two-count. Daniels responded by tripping RVD and having his face bounce off of the bottom turnbuckle. Daniels hit RVD with an urinagi before attempting and missing a BME.

RVD went back on offense and hit Daniels with a monkey flip. RVD set up for Rolling Thunder, but Daniels rolled to the floor, so RVD hit him with a suicide dive.

RVD draped Daniels on the barricade and hit a spinning leg drop. Daniels went under the ring and retrieved a toolbox. When he struck RVD with it, he was disqualified. Daniels pulled a screwdriver out of the tool box but Styles ran to the ring and chased him off.

Backstage, Karen Jarrett was shown walking with Gail Kim and Madison Rayne… [C]

Ryan's Rant: We do not need, in 2011, a wrestler threatening to stab people with a screwdriver. Other than that idiocy, this was a strong match, and one of the better regular matches I have seen from RVD as of late.

Karen Jarrett and her posse made their way to the ring.

[Q3] Gail Kim said that she owed no one an explanation, but she attacked Velvet because she was tired of listening to people. She said first in TNA, then at another company. She said now it's all about her. She called herself a main eventer.

Karen said that Kim's loyalty would be rewarded with a shot at the Knockout Championship at Turning Point. She called Velvet a prostitute and called Gail the best female wrestler in the world. The crowd started chanting that they wanted wrestling. Gail called for some fresh meat. Tara made her way to the ring.

2. Gail Kim beat Tara in 6:52. Kim pounced on Tara before she could even get in the ring. Once in the ring, Kim absolutely picked Tara apart before the show went to commercial… [C]

Back from the break, Kim continued her dominance. She locked in an octopus hold and Tara slammed her to the mat. Tara made her first string of offense in the match and got a near fall. Kim fought back by botching a leg sweep. Kim then hit Eat Da Feet, or whatever she's calling it in TNA.

Backstage, Jeff Hardy was talking about his match with Bully Ray later in the evening.

Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair were talking about Garret Bischoff.

[Q4]… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I groan every time someone in TNA takes a shot at WWE because it just makes the wrestler, and TNA by extension, look childish and pathetic. The match that Gail and Tara had was decent, for what we saw of it. There's no telling how much of that match was cut considering how little we got before and after the commercial break.

3. Eric Young defeated Robbie E. (w/Rob Terry) to retain the TNA TV Title in 0:54. Eric Young locked up with the referee to start. Yung eventually figured it out, however, and started beating down Robbie. Young went for the piledriver, but Robbie dumped him with a back body drop.

Eric Young won with a crucifix roll-up.

Terry attacked Young after the match and held him up while Robbie repeatedly punched him. Both Robs were walking away and Eric Young grabbed a microphone. He complained that he got punched in the stomach, so he was bringing in Jersey Shore's Ronnie.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff was shown making his way through the labyrinth that is TNA's locker room… [C]

Ryan's Rant: I honestly keep forgetting that the TV title exists in TNA, and it's because it is nothing more than a comedy prop.

Christopher Daniels was on the phone talking to someone and saying he wanted a title shot. Kazarian showed up to tell Daniels to knock it off with Styles. He said it has to end, and Daniels agreed to work it out with Kazarian later.

Bully Ray said he knows Jeff Hardy better than anyone else, and he would make Hardy's first match back his last. He said rehab is for quitters.

[Q5] A video package covering Garret Bischoff's various calls as Jackson James, coupled with Bischoff talking about his mistakes and his turn, aired.

Eric Bischoff made his way to the ring. He quickly called out Garret for a "father-son chat." After some extra prompting, Garret obliged. Bischoff senior said he wanted to make it clear that garret's role was to follow in his footsteps. Eric said that he didn't waste his semen just to have his son turn on him.

Eric said garret let him down and he embarrassed him. He said he was going to give Garret one last chance to make amends. He said he's either going to apologize or he's going to kick his ass. He called his son a punk and left the ring.

Backstage, Ric Flair was screaming at a camera and saying he was going to find Garret and teach him some respect… [C]

Ryan's Rant: This storyline holds no interest for me, and it looks like they are really going to overexpose Garret here. They are simply rushing though this far too quickly, and even then family disputes in wrestling just do nothing for me.

Backstage, Ric Flair was ripping into Garret Bischoff. He called him a punk and garret attempted to defend himself. Flair wasn't hearing anything of it, though, and he continued to tear the young man a new one.

[Q6] Flair got physical with Garret and left cursing. Garret looking like he didn't know how to respond.

A video package covering Jeff Hardy's return and road to redemption aired.

Jeff Jarrett made his way to the ring holding his title from Mexico. Jarrett said that the video package left out Jeff Hardy's last match in TNA. He continued to complain, but Jeff Hardy made his way to the ring. The two men began to brawl, and security swarmed the ring and pulled the two men apart.

Bully Ray snuck into the ring and attacked Jeff Hardy from behind.

4. Jeff Hardy defeated Bully Ray in 9:39. Bully ray assaulted Jeff Hardy as the referee rang the bell. The match almost immediately went to a commercial break... [C]

Back from the break, Jeff Hardy was taking it to Bully Ray. Jeff hit Whisper in the Wind, but Bully Ray quickly came back with a big boot.

Bully Ray body slammed Hardy for a near fall. He followed up with a body splash in the corner. Ray worked Hard over with some stiff chops.

[Q7] Hardy came back with some kicks, but he was quickly cut off by Bully Ray. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate out of nowhere, and followed up with a Swanton Bomb for the victory.

The Direct Impact of the Night was the Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb from Jeff Hardy.

Christy Hemme spoke with Hardy, and hardy welcomed the fans back into his life. Jeff Jarrett showed up through the crowd and attacked Hardy. He threw Hardy back into the ring and Bully Ray clotheslined Hardy with a chain.

Bully Ray set up a table, but Mr. Anderson came out and cleared the heels from the ring.

Backstage, Bobby Roode was talking about his match against Samoa Joe tonight, and he said the match was his second chance at a dream.

Ryan's Rant: It's been so long, I had forgotten how athletic Jeff Hardy can be. He sold very well for Bully ray throughout the match, and the crowd went nuts when he hit the Twist of Fate. The post-match attack was a bit much. Less is more in wrestling, and they had Jeff Hardy getting attacked by Jarrett in back-to-back segments.

Jeremy Borash introduced the contestants for the main event.

5. Bobby Roode defeated Samoa Joe to become the number-one contender for the TNA title in 6:55. Samoa Joe came out the gates hot with a flurry of punches on Bobby Roode. Roode responded in kind with his own set of shots against Joe in the corner. Roode hit a neckbreaker.

Roode went for the crossface early, but Joe slid out of the ring.

[Q8] Back in the ring, Joe hit a massive powerslam on Roode. He then locked in a rest hold. Joe hit an atomic drop on Roode but then ran right into a spinebuster.

Roode hit a diving neckbreaker on Joe and set up for the cross face, but Joe caught him and hit a cradle driver. Joe went for the Muscle Buster, but Roode reversed it into the crossface. Joe fought out and hit a kneebreaker before going for a heel hook.

Roode kicked him off and followed up with his fishermen's suplex for the 1-2-3.

Backstage, Eric Bischoff said we were going to see what tough love was all about… [C]

Ryan's Rant: Very well-wrestled match. I wish that the main event and the title picture was closing the show rather than Eric Bischoff shenanigans, but that doesn't take away from the fact that these two just put on a great show.

Bischoff made his way to the ring and he talked about how it was weird to have personal business play out on national television. He called his son back to the ring. Once garret got out there Eric told him he forgives his son, but now it was time for him to tell the world he was sorry.

Garret hesitated, and Eric got more demanding. Garret again was mute, and Eric started to yell and got physical. Garret said no. Eric slapped Garret, and garret grabbed Eric's collar.

Ric Flair stormed the ring and yelled at garret again and told him to apologize to his father, and to kiss his ass. Flair threatened to mess Garret up. He took off his jacket, and garret punched him before taking off his own short. Eric low-blowed his son and Flair started chopping Garret.

The show went off of the air with Flair stomping Garret.

Ryan's Rant: I didn't see anything there that necessitated they follow the main event. In fact, I think that segment would have been more effective had it aired a week later. It's as I said with Jarrett, less is more, and they spent so much time tearing into Garret on this show that it starts to lose its effect after some time.

Although I had several nits to pick throughout the show, the past two hours managed to go by quite quickly. That's always the best indicator on whether or not a show entertained me. Last week's talkathon felt like it lasted forever, and this show sailed by, so I am happy to see TNA return to some wrestling. In particular, RVD vs. Daniels and Bobby Roode vs. Samoa Joe were fun. I'll have more to say tomorrow in my Rundown of tonight's show. Thanks for reading, and have a good evening.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester.

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