Impact last night did 339,000 viewers for the 9 p.m. show,up from 321,000 the week before. The show was built around a tease for Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy match that didn’t take place.
The midnight replay did 103,000 viewers, down from 123,000 last week. So the combined 442,000 viewers was down from 444,000 the week before, numbers close enough that they are essentially the same thing.
The show also featured the results of the Feast or Fired briefcase reveals.
Previously on TNA Impact:
Matt Hardy defeated Ethan Carter III in a title vs. career Last Man Standing Match to become the new TNA World Champion. A double turn occurred, Matt turned heel and EC3 turned babyface. Also, Tyrus turned on EC3 and joined up with Matt.
On This Week’s Show:
Tonight’s Impact features the return of the Feast or Fired Match. TNA’s best compete to capture one of the four briefcases. The X division belt is on the line in a three way and the TNA Knockouts will also be in action. Plus, the fallout and aftermath of the Matt Hardy vs. EC3 World Title match.
Show Recap:
– Earlier in the day, Jeff is arriving to the building. He hasn’t talked to Matt all week. He’s going to confront Matt tonight and get some answers.
– Jeff calls out Matt Hardy. Matt has new music. The new TNA World Champion, Matt Hardy, comes to the ring with his wife Reby, bodyguard Tyrus, and son Maxell. Tyrus is carrying Maxell to the ring. Jeff told Reby “I didn’t want to talk to my bitch sister in law.” Matt says his wife whispered in his hear, “stop giving and start taking” The crowd breaks out in an “EC3” chant. Matt’s red dress shirt and Reby’s hot red dress match, which is a nice touch. Jeff challenges Matt for the title and Matt accepts. Tonight’s main event is Matt Hardy defending the TNA World Title against Jeff Hardy.
Feast or Fired Match – Beer Money (James Storm & Bobby Roode), Rockstar Spud, Eli Drake, Jesse Godderz, Eric Young, Bram, Grado, Chris Melendez, Robbie E, Aiden O’Shea and Drew Galloway.
Four briefcases are in four corners of the ring. The objective of the match is to climb up and grab a briefcase. Three of the briefcases have contracts for title shots at the TNA World title, King of The Mountain and World Tag titles. The fourth briefcase contains the dreaded pink slip and whoever gets this will be fired.
There’s lots of brawling around ringside throughout the match. Grado pulled down the first briefcase, which took him forever to do. Drew Galloway is dominating the action in the ring. He climbs up and pulls down the second briefcase. Two briefcases remain. Both Jesse Godderz and Eli Drake climb up for the last two. Robbie E stops Jesse but Eli pulls down the third briefcase. One Briefcase is left. EY and Bram clear the ring until Beer Money takes them out. Bobby Roode and James Storm both go for the last briefcase but Roode stops and lets Storm climb up and grab the final briefcase. Later tonight is The Reveal ceremony and we’ll find out the results.
– Backstage, Kurt Angle approaches Jeff Hardy and tells him that he has his back and to be careful tonight.
TNA X Division Champion Tigre Uno vs. DJ Z vs. Mandrews
In a cool spot, DJ Z got a two count on Mandrews with a back slide and at the same time rolled up Tigre Uno with his legs for a two. Mandrews uses a skateboard from the top of the ramp into a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Tigre Uno wins that match with the Spanish Fly off. After the match, Gregory Shane Helms comes down to the ring. Helms challenges Tigre to a match next week for the X Division title. Uno accepts.
-Christy Hemme was interviewing Bobby Lashley about his confrontation with Kurt Angle last week. The mysterious and gorgeous woman with purple hair approaches Bobby again. She tells him that she was sent by someone to tell him “I’ll bring you pain or I’ll bring you pleasure.”
Awesome Kong vs. Velvet Sky
They have a good match, with Kong physically dominating Velvet but she just kept fighting back. Kong wins the match with a piledriver. After the match, Kong continued to beat down Velvet. Madison Rayne came out to help but she gets beat down by The Dollhouse. The Dollhouse held down Madison and made her watch as Kong came off the top with a massive splash onto Velvet.
Feast or Fired Reveal:
Beer Money, Grado, Drew Galloway and Eli Drake meet in the back with Jeremy Borash for the reveal. Just before they do the reveal, “Miracle” Michael Bennett and Maria Kanellis enter the room and cut a promo.
The Reveal: Eli Drake goes first and in his briefcase is the King of the Mountain title shot. The next reveal will happen later.
– The Wolves enter the ring and call out Crazy Steve. A woman looking like a clown comes out and is soon joined by Crazy Steve. The Wolves go after Steve when suddenly Abyss’s music hits.
TNA World Tag Team Champions The Wolves vs. Crazy Steve & Abyss
The Wolves are the champions despite the fact their belt has been stolen. Crazy Steve and Abyss dominate the Wolves. Eddie Edwards gets the hot tag and runs wild. The woman from before walks to the ring with the Wolves’ belts, which causes a distraction. Both Steve and the woman blow mist into the eyes of The Wolves. Crazy Steve, Abyss, and the woman pose over the fallen body of Eddie Edwards.
Feast or Fired Reveal Continues:
It’s James Storm turn to open his briefcase. Beer Money was great here and teased Storm getting fired but they got a Tag Title Shot instead. Drew Galloway couldn’t wait and opens his briefcase. Drew gets the World Title shot. Grado congratulated Drew and then opened his briefcase to reveal that he’s been fired. Grado cried and said it was the “worst day” of his life. It went from funny to sad pretty fast.
TNA World Champion Matt Hardy w/ Reby and Tyrus vs. Jeff Hardy
Before the match could start, Eric Young and Bram attack Jeff. Matt and Tyrus leave the ring as Jeff gets beat down. EY sets a table up a ringside. Beer Money come out for the save. Crazy Steve & Abyss run down as well. Beer Money and Crazy Steve & Abyss fight to the back. The whole time Jeff lay on the apron clutching his knee. Matt comes back in the ring but Kurt Angle runs down to confront him. Tyrus jumps Kurt from behind and Matt knocks him out with a shot to the head with the belt. Matt, Reby, and Tyrus leave and go up the ramp. EY gives Jeff Hardy the piledriver off the apron through the table. As the show goes off the air, Jeff is left laying in the broken pieces of the table.
Final Thoughts:
TNA puts on another solid edition of Impact. The company is doing a decent job so far of giving everyone on the show something to do. It’s not all built around one person and they’re clearly attempting to make stars. Next week, Tigre Uno defends the X Divison title against Gregory Shane Helms. Also, EC3 will be interviewed and will let the world know what is next for him. Plus, more on the Kurt Angle Farewell Tour.
TNA announced Tuesday that former TNA Champion Jeff Hardy has signed a new contract with the company. Terms were undisclosed.
Hardy had openly talked with friends in recent months about being interested in a WWE run, but TNA has been very aggressive in signing talent of late to significant guaranteed contracts. While not announced yet, given the nature of his recent turn, one would also expect current TNA Champion Matt Hardy to also stay with the company.
Dixie Carter tweeted: “Thrilled to announce @JeffHardyBrand has signed a new contract.” She also noted he would kick off Tuesday’s show on POP TV. A Matt vs. Jeff angle will be featured on Impact, although because of Jeff being unable to go to the U.K., the angle will be delayed somewhat.
TNA also announced the re-signing of TNA Tag Team champions The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) — two men who were also possibly looking into WWE possibilities.
TNA announced today that tag team champions Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards have signed new deals with the promotion.
Each man’s contract was set to expire on 4/30.
Edwards & Richards were two of the wrestlers referred to in recent Observer stories with names not listed of TNA talent that WWE was pursuing, but that TNA was offering more than WWE.
Their new deals will allow them to continue to work independent shows, however because they are getting guaranteed contracts, promotions will have to go through TNA to book them as opposed to directly going through them as in the past.
Due to a combination of Matt Hardy saying he would either win the title or leave TNA, leading to his heel turn, and an 11 percent increase in clearance of the station that went into effect on Friday, Impact was way up in ratings this week.
The Tuesday night show did 321,000 viewers on the first run episode and 122,000 on the replay. That’s up from 288,000 viewers last week for the 9 p.m. show and 77,000 for the midnight show.
The growth for the midnight show was real in the sense it gained more new viewers by percentage than the percentage of new homes getting the station. For the 9 p.m. show, the growth was almost exactly the same as the percentage of growth of the new clearances.
Previously on TNA Impact:
Matt Hardy offered to put his career on the line against Ethan Carter III in order to receive one last shot at the TNA World Title.
On this week’s show:
The main event will be TNA Champion EC3 vs. Matt Hardy in a title vs. career Last Man Standing Match. Also Knockouts champion Gail Kim will defend against Awesome Kong, plus “Miracle” Michael Bennett and “The First Lady of Professional Wrestling” Maria Kanellis will make their Impact debut, and more on the Kurt Angle Farewell Tour.
Recap:
Impact kicks off with an awesome video package previewing the main event. Josh Matthews is pushing on commentary that this match would be the last time the two will meet.
– Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring and grabs the mic. He says “that something just doesn’t feel right” in regards to the main event. He calls brother Matt to the ring. They’re pushing that this could be the last night that we see Matt Hardy. Matt convinces Jeff that he’s going to beat EC3 and there’s nothing to worry about. Jeff starts a “Hardy” chant. EC3’s music hits but out comes Tyrus. Tyrus is upset that Jeff called him stupid last week when he implied that Tyrus couldn’t read. Tyrus challenges Jeff to a match and he accepts.
Jeff Hardy vs. Tyrus
Josh reminds us that Tyrus is the “de facto” number one contender for the TNA World Title. Jeff went to the top rope but lost his balance, fell and injured his knee. Tyrus dominates Jeff for the rest of the match. Tyrus goes for a steal chair and shoved the referee, which led to a DQ. After the match, Jeff hit the Twist of Fate on Tyrus.
– Next week it’s Feast or Fired on Impact. We get a video package explaining the concept of the Feast or Fired Match.
– Backstage, TNA tag champs The Wolves talk about the past two years in TNA. They name several tag teams they have beaten which includes the Bro Mans, The Hardys, and Team 3D. Now they’re looking to face off with Beer Money. Crazzy Steve interrupts them and laughs manically. Suddenly, The Wolves and the cameraman are attacked from behind by a mysterious monster. We see only his boot.
TNA Knockouts Champion Gail Kim vs. Awesome Kong
Before the match, Kong grabs the mic. Kong tells Kim that nobody cares that she’s married to the cook even though “he makes the best damn lobster raviolis I’ve ever eaten in my life.” This was in reference to Gail Kim’s husband, celebrity chef Robert Irvine. Kong dominated Gail in the early part of the match. Gail hits a crossbody off the top rope to the outside and takes out the entire Dollhouse. The Beautiful People run down and fight Marti Bell and Rebel to the back. Gail hits Eat Defeat on Kong, and throws Jade off the top rope onto Kong. Gail pins Kong to win the match and retain her title.
– They show Jeff injuring his leg earlier in his match with Tyrus.
– Back from commercial, we get scenes from the Kurt Angle Speaking Tour. Kurt talked about a match he had earlier in the year with Bobby Lashley and hopes to face him again.
– Beer Money head down to the ring and they’re looking for a fight. They call out Eric Young and Bram but instead, Eli Drake and Jesse Godderz come to the ring.
Beer Money vs. Jesse Godderz & Eli Drake
They brawl around ringside to start the match. Drake and Godderz get the advantage early on but Beer Money quickly puts an end to that. Beer Money hits the DWI to win the match.
– Backstage, Jeff is icing his knee when Matt, Reby, and Maxell come in to check on him. They convince Jeff to leave and go to the hospital to get the knee checked. Jeff wants to stay for the main event but Matt assures him he’ll be okay. Jeff leaves the arena.
– Kurt Angle makes his way down to the ring. Kurt wonders who should be the next person he faces in the Kurt Angle Farewell Tour. “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Lashley explains that 14 years ago Kurt Angle discovered him. Lashley then quotes Ric Flair and says, “To Be The Man, You Have to Beat The Man” and that Kurt Angle is the man. Lashley challenges Kurt Angle and Kurt accepts.
-Backstage Lashley is asked about his upcoming match with Kurt Angle, when a mysterious woman in a stunning/sparkling dress with purple hair interrupts. She says, “my pleasure is your pain.” She walks away and Lashley is checking her out hardcore.
“Miracle” Michael Bennett vs. Pepper Parks
-Maria Kanellis comes and introduces The Miracle. Bennett gets the advantage in the match with a sweet looking super kick. This was basically a squash match to showcase the skills and talent of Michael Bennett. “Miracle” Michael Bennett picks up the win.
TNA Champion Ethan Carter III vs. Matt Hardy – Title vs. Career Last Man Standing Match
It’s main event time. Both Matt Hardy and EC3 come out alone. They use a lot of weapons, such as tables, chairs, and ladders. Matt hits a twist of fate from the apron through a table at ringside. Reby Sky is watching the match from ringside. Tyrus makes his way down to the ring. Instead of helping EC3, Tyrus turns on him and attacks EC3. He then goes over and hugs Matt. EC3 is playing the face, while Matt is now playing the heel. EC3 fights off both Hardy and Tyrus. Matt uses the TNA World title to knock out EC3. Matt is the new TNA World Champion. After the match, Matt is now a full blown heel and is insulting the fans. Matt hits EC3 with a one man con-chairto. Matt Hardy, Reby, and Tyrus pose on the entrance way with the world title to end the show. A double turn happens with Matt Hardy now the heel, while EC3 is now a babyface.
Final Thoughts:
A good show this week with a really solid main event, which was followed up by a major angle. The double turn was an interesting choice. Next week’s show is built around the Feast or Fired Match with Booby Roode, James Storm, Rockstar Spud, Eli Drake, Jesse Godderz, Eric Young, Bram, Grado, Chris Melendez, Robbie E, Aiden O’Shea and Drew Galloway.
TNA President Dixie Carter announced today that Will Ospreay, Jimmy Havoc and Big Damo would all by on the Maximum Impact tour at the end of the month.
TNA had put up the three names for a poll, although most figured that all three once they were named would participate. She said that the voting was so close that management decided to use all three on the tour, which consists of Impact tapings on 1/29 in Manchester, 1/30 in London and 1/31 in Birmingham.
Ospreay is coming off some incredible matches over the past year in a number of U.K. promotions, as well as PWG in the U.S., and people were talking of his match last night in London against Marty Scurll as a match of the year candidate.
Damo, who is in the Japanese television commercial, had a big match a few months ago against Shinsuke Nakamura.
Havoc has worked in the U.S. in the past as well, and is a former Progress Wrestling champion.
TNA Impact rose slightly in its second week on Pop TV.
The show, built around the beginning of the Kurt Angle farewell tour and a singles match with Drew Galloway, did 288,000 viewers on the first airing of the show and 77,000 on the second airing at midnight.
Those numbers compare with 255,000 for the first airing last week and 90,000 for the replay, with a net increase of 20,000 viewers.
The numbers are about two-thirds of what the viewership was at this same point one year ago on Destination America, even though Destination America was in 17 million viewer homes.
Next week’s show is built around Matt Hardy vowing to leave TNA if he fails to win the title in the main event against Ethan Carter III. The show features the beginning of the Matt Hardy heel turn.
-Last week on Impact’s debut show on Pop TV, Ethan Carter III won the TNA World Heavyweight Title by defeating Matt Hardy in the finals on the World Title Series.
-Tonight, The Kurt Angle Farwell Tour kicks off as he battles it out with Drew Galloway for the first time ever. Also, the fallout from Awesome Kong turning on The Beautiful People and the reunion of Beer Money Inc. continues. Plus, The “Miracle” Michael Bennet and the First Lady of Wrestling, Maria Kannelis are expected to make an appearance.
The cameras will be following Kurt Angle around all night for Kurt Angle – All access tonight apart of the Kurt Angle Farewell Tour.
*****
– Take it away Smashing Pumpkins! This opening theme is really growing on me.
– EC3 is starring into a mirror backstage with the TNA World Title. The slow tease of a Tyrus turn continues as he gives EC3 a cold look as he walks away.
EC3 powerwalks to the ring with the World title proudly draped across his shoulder. Jeff Hardy comes out. Jeff hands Tyrus a piece of paper and then makes a joke about Tyrus not being able to read. A “You can’t read” chant breaks out. Jeff Hardy gives EC3 a doctor note that clears him to wrestler. He challenges EC3 for a match tonight but gets denied. EC3 asks Bob Ryder in the back to send out a young star to face Jeff. A guy in a mask comes out and EC3 sings his entrance music.
Jeff Hardy vs. “Master of Motion” Shyron
EC3 and Tyrus join Josh on commentary. Hardy sends Shyron to the outside but he balances on the apron. SHyron is mostly going for high spots. Shyron goes for a what looks like a springboard cross body from the apron into the ring but rolls through and hits a hand stand back flip off the ropes into an elbow attempt ala Tajir, however, Shyron misses. Jeff easily beats him with a twist of fate in basically a squash match. EC3 applauds.
– Backstage, JB interviews The Dollhouse and Awesome Kong seems to be a new member and the new leader. Beautiful People show up and call them the “Doghouse.” This leads to a brawl.
The Dollhouse vs. The Beautiful – Street Fight
Josh explains that this is a tag match between four of the girls but because it’s a street fight anybody can get involved. They brawl around ringside including Velvet hitting a sick looking suplex on Jade on the outside. Jade throws in series of weapons, such as, kendo sticks, trash cans and chairs. The crowd is flat for this match despite all the weapons. Jade uses a small packaged cradle piledriver on Madison for the win.
Beer Money Beer Bash
Beer Money comes out for their reunion celebration but Eric Young interrupts. EY says he and Bram aren’t’ friends. Strom tells EY to get on his knees and suck on his beer bottle.
King of the Mountain Champion Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young
EY and Roode have a probably worked with each other so much it would be hard for them not to have a good match. Roode had the match won after a Roode bomb but Bram pulled the referee out of the ring. Storm and Roode double-team Bram. Beer Money went to do their Beer Money Signature when EY throws Strom out of the ring and low blows Roode. EY hits the piledriver for the win and is the new King of the Mountain.
– Mr. Anderson promotes his brand new interview segment, “Huh?”. His first guest tonight is Matt Hardy.-After the break, JB interviews Dixie Carter about their upcoming U.K Tour. There was a U.K. fan poll to bring in an U.K. talent for their upcoming tour. Dixie has decided to bring in all of the three finalists for the tour. The U.K. wrestlers are Big Damo, Jimmy Havoc and Will Ospreay.
– Backstage, “Miracle” Michael Bennet and Maria meet with TNA World Champ EC3. They’re teasing a feud between the two, which is a very promising feud if TNA pulls the trigger on it.
Mr. Anderson Interview Segment – Huh??!! – Guest: Matt Hardy. Reby Sky and Maxell
Mr. Anderson host his very first of Huh??!! They start playing weird elevator music that does not fit with his character. The set consists of a black sofa, chair and table that looks like it was from Ikea. Matt’s wife and son are out there with him. Matt said he was going to make EC3 and an offer he couldn’t refuse.
X Division Champion Tigre Uno & TNA Tag Team Champions The Wolves vs. DJ Z, Jesse Godderz and Eli Drake
DJ Z is in trouble early in the match but every time he goes for a tag his partners weren’t there. DJ Z gets the advantage briefly and Jesse tags himself in. Tigre and The Wolves quickly regain the advantage. Jesse accidently knocked down DJ Z. Jesse locks on the Adonis crab but DJ Z turns on Jesse and hits him with a superkick. Tigre and The Wolves pick up the win.
– EC3 calls out Matt Hardy to hear his offer. Matt’s offer is that he will leave TNA if he can’t beat EC3 in one more match. Next week they’ll face off in a Last Man Standing Match for the title.
Drew Galloway vs. Kurt Angle
This was the first match in the Kurt Angle farewell tour. This was a great match. Kurt Angle put on his typical show stealing performance and Drew Galloway is able to hang with him. Kurt locked on the ankle lock several times. Kurt hit a belly-to-belly suplex on the outside into the guardrail in a sick look spot. Drew had several near falls at the end. Kurt hits an Angle slam off the top rope for the win.
Final Thoughts
It was a good show this week with the clear highlight being the main event. Kurt Angle’s farewell tour is very intriguing and the possibility of great matches is exciting. On next week’s show, we get Matt Hardy vs. EC3 in a career vs. title Last Man Standing match.
Here are the final results from the TNA tapings Saturday in Bethlehem, PA — the final night of the five-day taping. It was advertised as a PPV taping, but ended up being an Impact taping.
– X Division Champion Tigre Uno won three-way over Mandrews and DJ Zema Ion to retain. Shane Helms said he wanted a title match next week.
– Jeff Hardy challenged Matt Hardy for the TNA title, saying he was mad at Matt’s actions in winning the title. Here’s how that happened, btw.
– They had the annual Feast or Fired match with briefcases going to Drew Galloway, James Storm, Grado and Eli Drake. The reveal may be done secretly and not air until the shows from England.
– TNA Tag Champions The Wolves beat Abyss & Crazy Steve via DQ in a tag title match when Steve sprayed mist. Abyss & Steve have a female clown as their valet.
– Jeff vs. Matt for the title was supposed to be next. Eric Young and Bram attacked Jeff. Beer Money made the save. Heels Abyss & Steve joined in and Kurt Angle got involved. Tyrus knocked out Angle and Matt hit Angle with a belt shot, while Young piledrove Jeff through a table doing an injury angle as Jeff went out on a stretcher.
– Awesome Kong beat Velvet Sky. The Doll House also destroyed Madison Rayne after the match.
– Bobby Lashley beat Aiden O’Shea. There is a new character, a woman, who is trying to hit on Lashley after the match.
– TNA Champion Matt Hardy, Reby Hardy and Tyrus were out. Young and Bram came out. Young wanted a title match with Matt. Angle also wanted a title match with Matt.
– X Division Champion Tigre Uno came out to defend his title against Shane Helms. Helms came out in clothes and said the challenge was for Trevor Lee, not him, and Lee beat Uno to win the title.
– Drew Galloway beat Tyrus via DQ when Mike Bennett interfered and hit Galloway with his Feast or Fired briefcase.
– Crazzy Steve won a Hardcore war match by pinning Davey Richards when they were the last two.
– Maria Kanellis did an interview saying women’s wrestling needs a new leader. This brought out Gail Kim. They went at it, so they are going to have a program.
– TNA Champion Matt Hardy beat Kurt Angle to retain thanks to help from Reby Hardy.