(credit f4wonline.com)

At the end of tonight’s Impact taping for the 7/22 show, TNA announced the 8/8 Hard Justice PPV will be essentially a remake of the ECW One Night Stand shows from several years ago. Tommy Dreamer even referenced how the 2005 show was supposed to be the end, but Vince McMahon brought it back and ruined it. He got emotional, asking Dixie Carter to give them one last night and she consented, saying the former ECW guys will have full control of the PPV. Dreamer then promised people would see ECW as it should be seen and not what Vince McMahon turned it into.

(credit: prowrestling.net)

-Once Raw went off the air last night, John Cena and Randy Orton defeated Edge and Sheamus in the dark match.  Following the match, with the two babyfaces celebrating, a female fan hopped the barricade and got into the ring at John Cena.  Security quickly grabbed her, though she grabbed hold of the ropes, held on tight and it took several bodies to get her out.

-(SPOILER ALERT) TNA stars Tommy Dreamer and Brother Ray of Team 3D were responsible for leading all the wrestlers involved through a walkthrough of the “invasion” angle that closes out this Thursday’s Impact show.  There was a belief that Dreamer may have suffered some sort of knee injury during the angle, but we have not gotten confirmation of this as of yet.

As seen at Victory Road, Madison Rayne lost the Women’s Knockout Championship to Angelina Love via disqualification due to outside interference from a person incognito in a motorcycle helmet. The mystery person was Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara), who recently agreed to return to TNA Wrestling. On Twitter, she has been kayfabing her return to the organization by writing various messages indicating she’s at home. In fact, she wrote late last night that she slept all day, thus explaining why she was unable to tweet much.

Further indicating that Varon has in fact rejoined TNA Wrestling, she opened a Facebook Fan Page last week in which lists herself as a TNA Knockout — and former WWE Diva.

— “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles has been named Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s “PWI 500” winner for 2010. He is the first TNA wrestler to top the annual chart, which is now in its twentieth year. To view the magazine’s cover, click here. The issues hits newsstands Aug. 3.

— On Facebook, Eric Bischoff commented on last night’s television tapings in Orlando, referencing creative writers Vince Russo and Matt Conway: “Just talked to Vince. Sounds live TV went well today. Next 4 months of TV is set up to be pretty exciting. Looking forward to it. Thanks again Vince and Matt for picking up my slack. Looking forward to next set of TV’s!”

Bischoff previously stated that he would not be attending this week’s tapings.

— Jeremy Borash announced during last night’s television tapings that TNA Wrestling will be offering VIP packages (meet and greet with TNA stars) for every pay-per-view event. (source: PWInsider.com)

(credit f4wonline.com)

-TNA President Dixie Carter held a company meeting this afternoon prior to tonight’s Impact taping, but said nothing about any of the rumors swirling around Paul Heyman, Hulk Hogan or Eric Bischoff.  Rather, she told the wrestlers that they need to tighten up their ring work.  Lots of workers were said to be infuriated by this.

-Speaking of Hogan and Bischoff, neither are at the building tonight, nor are they expected to be there tomorrow.  Bischoff is said to be off at a biker rally while Hogan laying low may actually have more to do with the possibility of Paul Heyman coming in rather than his recent back surgery.  While there is still no deal between the two sides, negotiations are still very much active with the former head of ECW.

-Mick Foley is scheduled to return to TV at the Impact tapings this week.

(source: www.prowrestling.net)

Mick Foley is backstage at tonight’s iMPACT! television taping in Orlando, Florida and expected to appear on television this week.

The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion is expected to join the “ECW” faction.

Foley last appeared on TNA programming on the March 22, 2010 edition of iMPACT!. Foley lost to Jarrett in a No Disqualification Career vs. Career match set up by Eric Bischoff, forcing him to leave TNA (kayfabe).

(sources: PWInsider.com, Pro Wrestling Torch)

— As seen last night at Victory Road, Madison Rayne lost the Women’s Knockout Championship to Angelina Love via disqualification due to outside interference from a person incognito in a motorcycle helmet. The mystery person was Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara), who recently agreed to return to TNA Wrestling.

— Last Thursday’s episode of iMPACT! scored a 1.14 cable rating off of hours of 1.11 and 1.18. Viewership grew throughout the program, starting with a 1.07 quarter-hour rating in Q1 and ending with a 1.21 quarter-hour rating in Q8.

— Tomko is recovering from an ankle injury, which prohibited him from making his scheduled appearance at Saturday’s K&S Wrestlefest event in Carteret, New Jersey.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted his latest BBQ blog HERE. Here are some excerpts:

“My long time friend and former business associate Paul Heyman has been Googled to oblivion the past few days as he has been the source of endless, sensationalistic, some planted, rumors regarding his alleged, pending return to pro wrestling. Does Paul really want a ‘future’ in wrestling? I will believe it when I see it but if Paul Heyman is back in the game and is in a role where he likes, the game will get more interesting.“

Solomonster Says: In other news, grass is green and Matt Hardy still has a gut.  Of course any significant change made by TNA will make things more interesting.  Word is that negotiations are still ongoing between Heyman and Dixie Carter.

“What’s WWE’s top priority as it relates to Raw or Smackdown? Not to be Mel Gibson crazy here but you’ve got to be kidding. RAW was, is and always will be the WWE’s premier show. Smackdown will never outperform RAW and it will never be positioned over RAW. Even when Friday Night Smackdown went to MyNetworkTV it ended up being much to do about nothing. Trust me…I was a part of that ‘upgrade.'”

Solomonster Says: Ouch!  Bitter much?  But really, we’ve known for over a decade that Raw is Vince’s baby and Smackdown is the black sheep of the family.

“How do I think that the Rock and Stone Cold would have fared in the WWE’s PG environment? Both were talented enough to pull it off, without question, but it likely wouldn’t have been as much fun for either talent considering how their TV persona’s were crafted. “For all that want to see Stone Cold drink a ‘Near Beer’ give me a ‘heck, yeah!'”

Solomonster Says: Don’t forget all those Steveweisers Austin would also have to forgo in favor of Vitamin Water.

JR also gives his thoughts on the ROH talent roster, wrestler tattoos and whether he has one himself, Brock Lesnar’s next fight, and more.

(credit to PWInsider.com)

-Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were both absent from last night’s Victory Road PPV and were not in attendance in Orlando.  Bischoff did publicly say he would not be present at the event, nor will he be there this week at the Impact tapings.  He is reportedly spending time with his family.   As for the Hulkster, he recently underwent yet another back surgery, but no word on whether that was the sole reason for his absence.   He was mentioned on the air during the show.

-TNA turned away close to 100 fans from last night’s show at the Impact Zone.  Their normal capacity for the venue is right around 900.

-The company will be taping its next four weeks of TV tonight and tomorrow at Universal Studios.

Here is a rundown of results for tonight’s TNA “Victory Road” PPV from the Impact Zone in Orlando:

-Douglas Williams def. Brian Kendrick in an Ultimate X/Submission match for the X title

-Brother Ray def. Brother Devon and Jesse Neal in a 3-Way Match

-Angelina Love def. Madison Rayne via DQ due to interference by a mystery biker lady (Tara), per the rules for this match, the Knockouts title is now back with Love

-A.J. Style and Kazarian def. Samoa Joe and Rob Terry after Styles pinned Terry.  After the match, Joe laid out Desmond Wolfe (who had interfered earlier) with a muscle buster

-Hernandez def. Matt Morgan in a cage match

-Jay Lethal def. Ric Flair via submission with the Figure Four leglock

-Motor City Machine Guns def. Beer Money to capture the vacant TNA Tag Team titles after Chris Sabin pinned Robert Roode

-Kurt Angle def. Pope D’Angelo Dinero via submission with the ankle lock

-Rob Van Dam def. Jeff Hardy, Abyss and Mr. Anderson after RVD pinned Anderson to retain the TNA World Title

No real surprises (i.e. Paul Heyman).  Best match honors to Angle/Pope and the tag title contest.

Solomonster Sounds Off

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Solomonster talks about LeBron James as a great heel, Triple H’s secret surgery, John Cena shows attitude and more on Dixie Carter’s tweets and the desperate state of TNA. Listen now!

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— On Twitter, Jeff Jarrett is teasing a big announcement which will apparently be disclosed during tonight’s Victory Road pay-per-view broadcast. However, he made sure to note today that the announcement is “huge news” as opposed to a “big surprise.”

“Doing some more cardio thinking about the weeks and months to come. Very exciting.. I tweeted “huge news”, not “big surprise”…,” Jarrett wrote. “Most of the time surprises are a major letdown… Hints coming later…”

He has provided photos hinting the announcement – image one | image two |
image three

— As reported earlier, AJ Styles and Kazarian are being advertised to wrestle a mystery tag team at tonight’s Victory Road. There was a rumor going around that Christopher Daniels would be one of the opponents, but it is said to be untrue. (source: www.pwtorch.com)

— As seen two weeks ago on iMPACT!, Sarita turned heel by attacking tag partner Taylor Wilde following the former Women’s Knockout Champion’s loss to Madison Rayne, proclaiming she was sick of losing matches. The program is being continued on Xplosion as the two are advertised to face each other in a match on this week’s show. Though they are feuding on television, the former tag team partners appeared together at yesterday’s “Heatwave” wrestling convention in Carteret, New Jersey as they signed autographs and posed for photo-ops with fans.

— Jeff Hardy’s court hearing has once again been continued, to September 9, reports prowrestling.net. He was scheduled to appear Thursday in Superior Court of Moore County in Carthage, North Carolina Thursday on drug trafficking charges.

— Fans can preview “the hottest event of the summer,” Victory Road live tonight on pay-per-view. Click here to view the opening video package that will kick off the event, plus preview videos for the featured bouts.

— Desmond Wolfe is scheduled to compete in match following tonight’s Victory Road pay-per-view. Wolfe’s match against an unannounced opponent will be exclusively for “Ultimate Fan Xperience: Victory Road VIP Weekend” ticketholders.

— Matt Morgan’s wife, Larissa, placed third in the NPC Women’s Figure Southern States Contest on Saturday night. The TNA star posted a picture of his wife posing with her medal on Twitter account.

TNA Wrestling presents its annual Victory Road pay-per-view event tonight from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The company announced Friday that the show will open with an Ultimate X Match as X Division Champion Douglas Williams defends his title against Brian Kendrick.

Here is the announced lineup for Victory Road:

TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match
Mr. Anderson vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Abyss vs. (c) Rob Van Dam

Challenge Match
Ric Flair vs. Jay Lethal

Contenders Battle Match
#10 Kurt Angle vs. #8 “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero

Steel Cage Match
Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez

Ultimate X Match
Brian Kendrick vs. (c) Douglas Williams
Win by either Submission or claiming the Ultimate X

TNA World Tag Team Championship Match
Winners Become The New Titleholders
Beer Money vs. The Motor City Machineguns

TNA Knockouts Championship Match
Angelina Love vs. (c) Madison Rayne

AJ Styles and Kazarian vs. To Be Announced
(Billed as “can Styles and Kazarian win to join “Fortune”?”)

Triple Threat Match
Brother Ray vs. Jesse Neal vs. Brother Devon

WARNING:  Some language contained here may not be PG.  Sorry, Vince.

When I posted my “Vince McMahon Joins Twitter” article the other day, it was all in good fun.  Imagining what the 64-year old WWE chairman might say online is quite an entertaining exercise, but that’s really all it was intended for — entertainment.  But funny enough… TNA has a president who actually is active on Twitter and has quite a lot to say.  Even the founder of TNA, Jeff “Vince won’t take me back so, daddy, please help me open a new company” Jarrett has been unable to resist the urge to tweet to his many followers.

For this, I give them credit.  But that’s about where it ends.  Dixie Carter upset many fans when she teased some surprises on her page several weeks ago and, well, Tommy Dreamer debuted.  Perhaps realizing she had whipped her followers into quite a frenzy, she was forced to tone things down a bit later on and tell people that this big surprise was not a change in creative or a new debut, but rather, a series of changes that would become apparent over the course of several weeks.  While “Impact” has certainly been a better show the past two weeks (I’m grading on a curve here), I’d hardly say any significant changes are apparent with the product.   It’s no secret that the company is moving forward with plans for some sort of “extreme invasion” and they want Paul Heyman to not only run the creative end of things, but to be the on-air leader for this new faction.  Yes, ECW circa 2010.  Heyman has now publicly shat on that idea and has laid out very explicitly what it would take to get him to join TNA.  Will the Carters agree to his demands?  Time will tell.

Meanwhile, give her credit, the lady is persistent if nothing else.  Dixie continues to tease something big on her Twitter page, posting the following less than 24 hours ago:

“Oh, if you guys only knew who I met with today….. You will.”

She could meet with Steve Austin, riding a shark through the high seas, all the way to Hollywood to have brunch with Dwayne Johnson, where all three of them proceed to drive cross-country (all the while singing wrestler theme songs) to sit bedside and keep vigil for the vegetative Undertaker… and I STILL wouldn’t care because who could possibly believe what this woman has to say anymore.  So much hype with such little return does nothing to inspire confidence amongst your fanbase.  The endless promises of “revolutionary” changes have brought with it the same writing staff.  The same 1.0 rating.  The same 20,000 PPV buys.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, well…

Which brings me to ‘ol Double J.  Seems as though he’s gotten in on the fun, too.  He’s been teasing “big news” on his Twitter page as well this week:

“Huge news is happening today and tomorrow…”

Later on, he posted several photos as “hints” as to what the news might be.  The first photo appears to be a shot of an island, the second photo shows a giant spotlight, and a third photo shows an airplane wing.  Really.  From this, I can only deduce one thing: TNA will be flying it’s creative team to a remote island for a real-life version of The Condemned to air on Spike.  We can always hope.

In all seriousness, enough with the teases.  I’m guessing Dixie’s news and the news Jeff is talking about are two entirely different things, but the point is the same.  Your company is losing money.  In fact, people are concerned TNA may not exist 12 months from now.  It may not sound like it, but I’d like to see them succeed.  I’d like to see Heyman, or ANYONE with a vision really, step in and be a real game-changer.  The only thing Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have changed, thus far, is their underwear.  At least I hope they have.  Quit fucking around and just DO SOMETHING instead of talking about it.

Shit or get off the pot.  Other people need to use it, too, you know.

thesolomonster@gmail.com

P.S. Follow me on Twitter, I may have HUGE NEWS in the next few days!!!  Or I may not.

Courtesy: MondayNightMayhem.com

In an interview this past week on Monday Night Mayhem, Eric Bischoff had some comments regarding two popular figures of late in pro wrestling — Bryan Danielson and Paul Heyman.   Can we expect either one in TNA soon?

Regarding Bryan Danielson: “I guess a lot of that would have to do with Bryan Danielson and whether he would want to come work for TNA.  I don’t know that answer to that, and I haven’t had any conversations with him.  I don’t have an idea about what Bryan Danielson is thinking about in terms of his next move.  I’m sure if TNA wanted Bryan and he was interested in working for TNA, I’m sure TNA could find a way to do it, given they haven’t much trouble signing other big names in the last six months or so.”

Regarding Paul Heyman: “I’ve heard the Paul Heyman rumor over the last few months, and I know that Paul has talked to Dixie [Carter] so there has been some conversation, but I don’t know what Paul’s plans really are.  I don’t talk to Paul on a daily basis, and if Paul was to join TNA, I think it’ll be a big asset, but I don’t know what his immediate plans are.”

Regarding the Victory Road PPV this Sunday: “I think the Heavyweight Title Match is intriguing.  Love watching RVD, love watching Ken Anderson.  I’m a big Anderson fan. Jeff Hardy & Abyss; it’s gonna be great.  I’m a huge Kurt Angle fan, and I love what he’s doing, and that he pulled himself out of the Top 10 rankings, and is working his way up the ladder.  So I find that match (Angle vs. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero) the one I’m looking forward to the most.”

Courtesy: MondayNightMayhem.com

Appearing on Monday’s edition of the Right After Wrestling Sirius satellite radio show, former WWE superstar Carlito opened up about being depressed and trying to leave the company on numerous occasions before he was finally released due to his refusal to enter rehab for an alleged pain pill addiction.

On wanting to get the hell out of WWE:

“I had been asking for my release for a long time. I tried to finish up my contract, which I think was up in August. I had been trying to leave for about three years. For the last year, I was just miserable. I wasn’t even myself. I was dying just to get away.”

On being fired for a Wellness Policy infraction and refusing to go to rehab:

“I wouldn’t say I got myself fired on purpose, but in that last year, I really didn’t care. They wanted me to go to rehab. My opinion was I didn’t need it. I’m not addicted to pills. I think what happened is I was depressed. I have scripts (for pain medication) legit reasons for using them. I think I was abusing them as anti-depressants instead. I remember other people not in WWE would tell me to go to rehab because it looks good on paper. I said, ‘One, I don’t want to keep my job. Two, I’m not going to admit to a problem I don’t have.'”

On the grinding travel and not being utilized properly on television:

“I was always grinding. I was always working. Mainly, my big problem was I thought they were f**king with me. I didn’t like the mind games and all the bulls*** they were putting me through. Maybe it was all in my head, but I just felt that’s what they were doing with me. I could never get a straight answer. I get sometimes you have to take a backseat, but how long am I supposed to sit in the back?”

On dealing with the backstage politics and people’s claims that he was lazy:

“I remember people would tell me to just play the game. I can’t just play the game. I can’t be fake. I love the business, I just don’t like the politics. I want to be able to help out and give back in somehow. In WWE, I wasn’t doing any of that. I also felt I was gypping the people (in WWE) putting in three-minute matches that didn’t mean anything. It just breaks your heart when you can give so much more.”

It’s worth noting that in the same interview, Carlito did not rule out the possibility of going to TNA, though nothing appears imminent. Dixie Carter was most definitely interested in bringing him in at one point, but their priorities may have shifted given that they are spending less money to bring in big names these days.

On Twitter, TNA president Dixie Carter commented on watching the entire Lost series, which has been known to feature numerous plot turns.

“Just finished watching the LOST series. Better late than never. I am more lost than ever but loved it,” Carter wrote. “Not everything needs to make sense.”

TNA star Jeff Hardy re-tweeted her comment, writing, “Love itTNADixie:Not everything needs to make sense!”

Carter and Hardy are not the only fans of Lost in the company as creative head Vince Russo revealed on his Facebook account earlier this year that it is one of his favorite television shows.

(source: www.pwtorch.com)

TNA Wrestling performer Jeff Hardy is scheduled to appear in court today to face multiple drug charges stemming from his arrest on September 11, 2009. His trial will take place in the Superior Court of Moore County in Carthage, North Carolina.

Court records state Hardy faces four counts of drug possession. Following his last court appearance in June, there was a discrepancy on whether three of the four counts were dropped.

Hardy is scheduled to appear in Superior Court alongside 30 other defendants at 9:30 a.m. Last month, Hardy was granted a continuance of his case until today, due to the court running out of time during the morning session.

The list of charges against Hardy are as follows:

1. Felony drug trafficking. Two felony charges of possession of a Schedule lll controlled substance or drug.

2. Felony possession of cocaine. Felony maintaining of a dwelling for redistribution of controlled substances.

3. Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

4. Conspiracy to traffic opium.

The Honorable Judge James M. Webb will preside over the case.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— One third of the Knockout Tag Team Champions, Velvet Sky, recently signed a three-year contract with TNA Wrestling. She also received a pay raise, bumping her salary from $300 per show to $600 per show. As a result, she is among the company’s top female earners.

— Due to poor sales, TNA Wrestling’s “Ultimate Fan Xperience: Victory Road VIP Weekend” has been discounted from $299 to $99. The company reportedly sold less than ten VIP packages, hence the markdown. All fans who had previously purchased tickets at the $299 price will receive a refund for the difference of the ticket price. For more information on the proceedings, click here.

— Reportedly, “it was a lock” a few weeks ago that Bound for Glory would be held in San Antonio. The decision to move the pay-per-view event to Daytona Beach was due to company officials finding out that WWE had scheduled a Monday Night Raw taping in San Antonio on July 26.

— TNA Wrestling officials are working on setting up an Australian tour. A previously planned tour of Australia was canceled last December due to changes in TNA’s television production schedule, company officials claimed.

— As seen last week on iMPACT!, Sarita turned heel by attacking tag partner Taylor Wilde following the former Women’s Knockout Champion’s loss to Madison Rayne, proclaiming she was sick of losing matches. Nonetheless, the inaugural Knockout Tag Team Champions will be appearing together at this Saturday’s “Heatwave” event at the Holiday Inn in Carteret, New Jersey. The two will be doing photo-ops together with fans. For more information on the event, click here.

Former WCW star “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan met recently with TNA President Dixie Carter about joining the company’s creative team. During that meeting, Sullivan presented an angle that involves a year-long main event storyline that would require them signing a top star who the company would likely have difficulty getting.

We can also confirm that TNA did, in fact, quietly part ways with writer Ed Ferrara a few weeks ago. Ferrara left a teaching position and was brought into the company several months ago around the time that Jim Cornette not-so-quietly parted ways with them, in large part due to that hiring. Of course, Ferrara also served as Vince Russo’s right-hand man for the World Wrestling Federation during the Attitude Era.

(Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— TNA president Dixie Carter announced Saturday morning on her Twitter account that Magnus and X Division Champion Douglas Williams have signed new “long term contracts” with the organization

— TNA Wrestling shattered its live attendance record for United States held live events with Friday night’s show in Brooklyn, New York at MCU Park, drawing between 5,500 to 6,000 fans.

Dixie Carter tweeted the following concerning last night’s live event: “To all you at the Brooklyn show, thanks from everyone at TNA for setting a US attendance record. Hope you are having fun. I am watching!”

— TNA Wrestling announced their debut in New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom, which has held ECW pay-per-view events in the past, as well as Ring of Honor shows. The event will take place on Thursday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. Discounted tickets of $8 off price levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 went on sale last night on Ticketmaster.com and will run through next Friday. Regular priced tickets go on sale next Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Click here for more information.

The “nice surprise” to TNA that Dixie Carter was teasing prior to last month’s TNA’s Slammiversary was supposed to be Paul Heyman, but a deal could not be reached. Tommy Dreamer was ready on standby in case Heyman wasn’t used and wound up appearing on the show.

TNA is pushing hard to bring Heyman in by Victory Road. The overall feeling within the company is that Heyman is in fact TNA bound, but no deal has been reached yet. TNA is said to be willing to give Heyman anything he wants.

Morale in TNA has been very low in recent weeks and many feel that the company needs a savior to turn things around, with Heyman being looked at as the best chance TNA has to survive.

Credit to reader John Benoit & PWinsider.com for this report:

Impact opened with an Abyss promo which I missed but it ended with Hulk Hogan coming out followed but Bischoff to restrain Hogan but ended up attacking Abyss. Abyss no sold it which then Hulk gave Abyss three chair shots which he no sold also. They led to Jeff Hardy coming out to give Abyss the twist of fate and Swanton to end the segment

Motor City Machineguns vs. Ink, inc. Motor City Machineguns won via pinfall on Jesse Neal. Bubba was going to interfere but Devon cut off Bubba and they argue for awhile. then Devon comes in the ring and helps Neal to his feet.

Bischoff came out and announced the main event as Jeff Hardy vs. Abyss with RVD as guest ref in the match

AJ Styles vs Samoa Joe Joe wins via submission Styles fights with Kaz and Ric Flair afterwards and Styles wants Kaz next week. Kaz accepts which ends the segment.

The next segment is the Pope’s return to the impact zone. Huge “Welcome back” chants for the Pope and huge Pope. Pope cuts one of his classic promos which he is great at doing. Pope says he is back in the game now and he wants to work his way to RVD. Just as he finishes, Kurt Angle’s music hits and he welcomes Pope back into TNA. Angle says at Victory Road, we have Pope vs. Angle and Angle says he must be victorious. he walks off and we head to commercial.

During the break they bring up Cody Angle to the ramp and the fans chant Cody. Angle’s other kid is also here sitting next to Dixie Carter at ringside.

Desmond Wolfe vs. Brian Kendrick. Chelsea still looks unhappy to be with Wolfe and leaves him mid-match again. Kendrick puts Wolfe in a submission hold and Wolfe taps out Douglas Williams was on commentary during the match.
Jay Lethal calls out AJ Styles and Ric Flair to answer for jumping his brother last week. Matt Morgan comes out and says that Flair has asked him to be the first member of Fortune. Lethal hits Morgan and the match is on. The early part of the match is the typical Matt Morgan dominance. A couple of near falls for Morgan until Morgan misses his kick and Lethal begins his comeback. Morgan throws Lethal out and Hernandez sneaks in and low blows Morgan with the ref’s back turned. Lethal picks up the pinfall victory. Hernandez walks up the ramp as a pissed off Morgan looks at him. Lethal celebrates the win.

Taylor Wilde vs. Madison Rayne in TNA Knockouts non title action During the match Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Rhino and Stevie Richards show up, again taking everyone’s attention for the match at hand. Rayne picks up the easy victory on Wilde only to get attacked by Love post match. The crowd doesn’t care they are to busy snapping pics of the ECW guys in the front row of the stands. During the break Stevie got in the ring and threw out some TNA DVD’s.

We cut to backstage where some new Knockout in black [Note from Mike: I was told it was Sarita] is beating up Taylor Wilde for some reason and the ECW originals decide to head back to the backstage area.

We go back to the big screen where Dixie Carter walks up to Sting in the rafters and says Hulk and Bischoff says he is a cancer to TNA and sting is suspended for 30 days. Of course Sting verbally assaults Dixie until Bischoff comes up there and has security take him out of the Impact Zone. Bischoff tells Dixie to hire a 24-7 bodyguard because Sting might go psycho now and he fears this isn’t over with Sting.

Time for the main event. RVD comes out first with a ref shirt on. Abyss has a 2 x 4 with nails in it. Hardy takes control early before Abyss takes it outside and throws Hardy into the ring steps to take control. Abyss tries to use a chair but RVD takes the chair from Abyss. The crowd is into this match and is behind Hardy all the way, Hardy with the Swanton to get the pinfall and win. Abyss attacks Hardy and Black Hole slams RVD. Abyss was going to use the 2 x 4 with the nails but Ken Anderson comes running down with a chair and hits Abyss then turns to hardy and nails him with the chair by accident because Abyss ducked. Abyss hits the Torture Device slam on Anderson. That is probably where the shows cuts out.

Post match, Anderson helps Hardy up and Hardy poses for the crowd and leaves.

(source: www.f4wonline.com)

— Tentative plans call for Velvet Sky to turn on Madison Rayne during the Women’s Knockout Champion’s title defense against Angelina Love at next month’s Victory Road pay-per-view, costing her the belt. She would then join back up with Angelina Love, reuniting the original members of “The Beautiful People.”

At last night’s iMPACT! taping (scheduled to air on July 8), Rayne challenged Love to put a retirement stipulation in their Victory Road match. She agreed and it was announced that should Velvet Sky or Lacey Von Erich interfere in the match, Rayne will lose the title via disqualification.

— Spike has nixed plans to air a four-hour TNA programming block every Thursday night. ReACTION, which was scheduled to start on July 15 at 11 p.m. following iMPACT!, has been pulled from the Spike schedule. The show is still scheduled to air, but a start date and time has yet to determined. Meanwhile, Xplosion is scheduled to eventually air before iMPACT! on Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m.

— Reigning X Division Champion Douglas Williams is moving full-time to the United States. He currently resides in England.