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TNA presented the post-Hard Justice edition of Impact last night, featuring an announcement regarding the main event for No Surrender, Kurt Angle placing his gold medal on the line against AJ Styles in an Olympic Challenge, and more.
Footage aired of TNA announcer Lauren greeting World Champion Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash as they arrived at the arena earlier in the day. Both men refused comment regarding the conclusion of Sunday’s Hard Justice main event and later teamed up to take on Team 3D. After using the Kokina Clutch to gain a tap-out over Brother Devon, Joe attacked the former Dudley Boy with a steel chair, prompting Earl Hebner to reverse his decision and DQ the babyfaces. Joe responded by striking Hebner as Nash expressed his displeasure at the Champion’s actions. Joe’s fury seemed misplaced here for someone who successfully retained his title days earlier at a major PPV (with assistance from one of the company’s most powerful individuals) and regained possession of the World belt.
The show was headlined by an Olympic Challenge pitting Kurt Angle against AJ Styles for possession of Angle’s gold medal. The bout was contested inside a ropeless ring under a points system. With Kurt leading ten points to Styles’ eight in the final round, AJ delivered a Northern Lights suplex which sent Angle crashing into referee Rudy Charles, ejecting the official to the arena floor. Angle clotheslined Styles and the lights suddenly went out in the Impact Zone. When the power returned, Kurt was holding a baseball bat and preparing to nail Styles with the weapon. However, the building once again went dark and Jeff Jarrett’s music played. When the lights came on the second time, AJ was brandishing a guitar and used the object to smash Angle over the head (reopening the Olympian’s head laceration suffered during last week’s Gauntlet Match in the process). Styles covered Angle and Charles - ignoring the fact that time had already expired - recovered to make the three-count.
Jim Cornette announced that the main event of No Surrender will feature Samoa Joe defending the TNA Title in a four-way match (Of course - who on Earth would want a straight one-on-one bout with no gimmicks or countless run-ins?). The challengers will be determined on Impact, beginning next week when Rhino takes on Booker T.
In other news, Abyss rescued Matt Morgan from an attack by Team 3D and The Beautiful People appeared on Karen’s Angle to introduce Kip James - suddenly performing under his old Billy and Chuck persona - as their new personal groomer (Uh … did I miss a Kip segment somewhere during the past few weeks where this personality change was explained?).
This was a decent show featuring solid in-ring action, but I felt the follow-up to Hard Justice was somewhat weak, as Booker T appeared only for a brief promo and Sting was a no-show entirely.
Match Results: Christian Cage and Rhino over The Rock ‘N Rave Infection via Cage’s pinfall on Jimmy Rave … Matt Morgan over Johnny Devine via pinfall … Sheik Abdul Bashir over Jay Lethal via pinfall … Team 3D over World Champion Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash via disqualification … Knockout Champion Taylor Wilde over Christy Hemme via pinfall … Hernandez over James Storm via pinfall … AJ Styles over Kurt Angle via pinfall in a Gold Medal Challenge.
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