TNA vs. ROH

[TEOL]

(OOC: So here’s the deal. I’ve been thinking about coming back to the Dome ever since I sort of became Cube exclusive a few months back (and it’s not like my EWR playing has diminished, either) but I can’t, in good conscience, start another diary while I know one is sitting around unfinished. Now I’m getting caught up in TEW 2007 fever, I know I’m going to be getting it as soon as it comes out and probably starting a diary with it first chance I get. So I have an excuse to get this done, and I will. Don’t expect it to be the most regularly updated of diaries, either – I have everything planned out till Lockdown, when the TNA vs. ROH angle ends, but not so much time these days to write it up. If things get too bad, I might change things around to finish at Destination X instead, but that would be too much of a pain. Leaving diaries unfinished makes me feel horribly guilty. So with luck, I’ll be able to make a proper Dome comeback in a few month’s time, but for now, I’m focusing on giving this a proper ending.)

Preshow Handicap Match: Necro Butcher vs. Team Canada ('Canadian Enforcer' Bobby Roode & 'Showtime' Eric Young)

The preshow match pits two members of team Canada against their recent rival of sorts, the Necro Butcher. Despite the numbers advantage, Eric Young does not look confident and actively flees from Necro, forcing Bobby Roode to start the match. The crowd’s small “Necro’s Gonna Kill You” chant probably isn’t helping. Roode tries to trade blows with Necro, which proves to be a mistake, as Necro simply keeps throwing punches. Roode finally gets the advantage with a powerful boot, however, and follows up with a neckbreaker for two. Roode beats Necro down in the corner before tagging in Eric Young, who stomps away as quickly as he can and hits an elbow drop for another two count. A backbreaker scores another near fall for Young, but Necro backdrops out of a piledriver attempt and forces Eric to quickly scramble for a tag. Roode connects with the Northern Lariat, but it’s only enough to get a two count as Scott D’Amore looks on in frustration. Necro starts fighting back, delivering hard rights and left to Roode’s midsection and hitting a big uppercut. Young refuses to tag in, so Roode is forced to run into a big clothesline from Necro and a Tiger Driver, which is enough to get the victory. Young tries to sneak away after the match, but Necro throws chairs at him to send him scurrying backstage.

Winner: Necro Butcher (Rating: 66/54/78)

TNA Against All Odds – February 18th, 2007

Mike Tenay and Don West welcome fans across the world to TNA Against All Odds, live from the sold out Untied Center in Chicago, Illinois! They run down the card and hype the two World title matches before sending it down to David Penzer to announce the opening contest.

CM Punk vs. Colt Cabana

Both of these guys will always be over in Chicago, so the crowd is fired up for our opening contest. Cabana offers a handshake at the start, but Punk’s stony glare shows there isn’t going to be any sportsmanship in this one. Punk goes for a headlock to start, but Cabana uses his European style to counter out of it and into a hammerlock. Punk’s frustration is evident, allowing Cabana to hold on for a bit before Punk fights out, and he charges into a butt-butt from the former Pure champion. Punk goes for a hiptoss, but Cabana lands on his feet and uses a fireman’s carry into a chinlock to keep control. Punk hits a mule kick to get out of it and follows up with an enzuigiri, ignoring the referee’s protests. He nailed Cabana with some hard kicks and started choking him in the corner, clearly too determined to win the match to worry about rules. Stomping his opponent down in the corner, Punk then delivers a suplex and the Welcome to Chicago (which gets a pop, somewhat ironically) for a two count. Punk continues the assault, kicking away at Cabana’s back before cinching in a bow and arrow lock to try and get the submission. Cabana gets out of it, but Punk stays on the offensive, dropping the elbow on the back of the neck and going back to the headlock. A powerslam gets another near fall for Punk, but now he seems frustrated with his inability to finish off his longtime rival. Cabana starts to come back, throwing punches to the midsection, but gets cut off by a straight kick to the head. He ducks the Pepsi Twist, however, and hits a back suplex to take down Punk. Cabana whips Punk into the corner and hits a double knee strike, following up with a quebrada for two. Cabana feeds some momentum off the crowd, nailing Punk with a series of elbows Dusty-style before going up top. Punk catches him up there and tries for a Pepsi Plunge, but Cabana knocks him back down and hits a missile dropkick for a close two count. Colt sets up the Colt 45, but Punk quickly fights out of it and hits a TKO instead. Cabana dodges the Shining Wizard, however, and then ducks an attempted lariat and rolls up Punk for the flash pin! Cabana rolls out of the ring celebrating as Punk stands in the ring looking furious.

Winner: Colt Cabana (Rating: 80/72/89)

Super X Cup Final: Austin Aries vs. Low-Ki

Referee Rudy Charles throws out the rest of the Rottweilers and Generation Next right at the start, claiming it to be part of the Super X Cup rules. As good an excuse as any, I suppose. Aries starts out with uncharacteristic caution, trying to keep his distance from Ki’s strikes, but still gets caught a couple of times as Ki lashes out with his feet. Aries quickly goes to a lockup and hits a headlock takedown, which Ki counters into a neck scissors. Aries bridges up into the handstand, escapes the hold and delivers a dropkick to the face before going back to the headlock. Ki hits a back suplex and starts laying into Aries with hard kicks and chops, sending him to the outside, prompting Ki to bust out the Space Flying Tiger Drop! Aries gets rammed face first into the barricade and the ring post before being thrown back into the ring, Ki clearly in control. Ki locks in an armbar with the head scissors to wear down Aries, but gets it turned into a pinfall ttempt in order to break the hold. Aries tries to comeback with some forearm shots, but nearly gets kicked out of his boots in response. He manages to wriggle out of a Dragon Clutch attempt, though, and hits the shinbreaker/Saito suplex combo for a near fall. Aries hits the Macho Neck Snap and follows up with a slingshot corkscrew splash for two, a no hands quebrada for another two, and the power drive elbow for yet another two, not letting Low-Ki get a chance to recover. Ki reverses a corner whip, but Aries leapfrogs over him and rolls to the opposite corner, delivering a reverse elbow for two. Aries hits a Finlay roll and goes up top, but Ki rolls out of the way of the 450 splash. Aries rolls through, however, regaining his balance only to be met with a charging front dropkick that sends Aries flying into the turnbuckle. Ki charges in and gets kicked in the face, with Aries than hitting a crucifix bomb for two. Aries lifts Ki up for the brainbuster, but Ki fights out with knees to the side of the head, then lifts up Aries himself for the Ki Krusher, only for Aries to fight out the same way. Julius Smokes runs down the aisle, and with the referee distracted, Homicide runs in and tosses a chair to Ki, who levels Aries with it! Ki then goes up top and connects with the Ghetto Stomp, and that’s all.

Winner of the 2007 Super X Cup: Low-Ki (Rating: 80/69/91)

Lumberjack Match for the NWA World Tag Team Championships: America’s Most Wanted © vs. Shane Helms & Shannon Moore

Team 3-D, Sabin & Dutt, the Naturals, the Briscoes (who get into a small altercation with AMW at the start, clearly feeling that they have the superior tag titles), the Embassy and Lacey’s Angles are serving as the lumberjacks for the NWA World Tag title match. Jim Cornette and Larry Zbyszko are out too for their respective companies, and Slick Johnson has been given the unenviable task of keeping the two sides apart. The challengers are fired up, and don’t wait for the bell before exacting some revenge on AMW for the brutal beatdown they received back in December, with a pair of double dropkicks sending both Harris and Storm to the outside. The dissension in the ranks continues, as it starts to become clear that not all of the ROH tag teams are willing to accept AMW as being on their side, and arguments with Cornette ensue before Helms and Moore take advantage with stereo somersault sentons to take out everyone on the floor. Team 3-D and the Naturals throw AMW back inside, and Harris begs off Helms before quickly using a thumb to the eye to gain control. Harris tags out to Storm, and they hit Helms with a big Hart Attack before Storm starts beating Helms down. The Eye of the Storm only gets a two count. Storm cuts off a comeback attempt with a big clothesline and tags out, with Chris Harris coming in to slam Helms down and lock in a chinlock. Helms fights out of it, but runs straight into a big flapjack. Tag to James Storm, who chokes Helms in the corner before setting him up on the top rope for a superplex, but Helms knocks him down and hits a flying neckbreaker. Moore finally gets the tag, and he starts cleaning house on both members of AMW with leg lariats before running straight into a superkick from Storm, which he kicks out of. AMW go for a double backdrop, but Moore counters into a double DDT for a near fall. Moore goes up for a crossbody, but Harris catches him and hits the Catatonic only for Helms to break up the count. Harris tries the Catatonic on Helms, but he counters it into the Nightmare on Helms Street, with Storm breaking up the pin. Helms hits a jawbreaker and he and Moore set up a double superkick, but Storm bails, only to get thrown back into the ring by Chris Sabin! Helms & Moore nail the double superkick, then follow up with the Countdown which is enough to get the three count and the titles!

Winners and NEW NWA World Tag Team Champions: Shane Helms & Shannon Moore (Rating: 78/70/87)

TNA Hardcore Championship: Homicide © vs. Rhino

Homicide comes out with all of the Rottweilers, though Low-Ki is sensible enough to leave his newly-won trophy backstage where it won’t get broken. Rhino shows no fear at being so heavily outnumbered, and indeed starts cleaning house on all of the Rottweilers in the beginning. Using a chair to fend off interference, Rhino goes to work on the Hardcore champion with some hard chair shots. Rhino charges on Homicide in the corner, but the champion gets the boots up and goes for a lariat, onto to be countered into a spinebuster for two. Rhino sets up two chairs and drives Homicide through them with a belly to belly suplex for another near fall. Homicide scores with a low blow and a brutal chair shot to regain control. With Rhino bleeding from the chair shot to the head, Julius Smokes produces the ghetto fork and hands it to Homicide, who uses it to tear at the gash on Rhino’s forehead. The Havana Pitbulls earn their pay, pushing a table into the ring and setting it up in the corner. Homicide goes to whip Rhino into the table, but Rhino reverses; Homicide puts on the brakes, and turns into the Gore through the table! Low-Ki goes up top and hits the Ghetto Stomp on the back of Rhino’s head to break up the count, however! The referee finally starts trying to get the Rottweilers out of the way, and so misses Homicide’s pin attempt. Homicide yells at the referee and promptly gets a chair shot in the back from Rhino, who sets up for the Rhino Driver. Homicide fights out with a low blow and goes for the Cop Killer, only for Rhino to fight out of that, but Homicide quickly delivers a lariat instead for a near fall. Rhino and Homicide exchanges right hands until Homicide blocks one and swings into an Ace Crusher on a chair! 1-2-3, Homicide manages to retain.

Winner and STILL TNA Hardcore Champion: Homicide (Rating: 75/69/82)

NWA World X Division Championship Unification Match: AJ Styles vs. Jushin Liger

Jushin Liger gets the predictable pop from the crowd, his reputation still preceding him with his various past appearances in the United States, including of course his matches in both TNA and ROH. AJ starts by showing off his quickness, hitting a running clothesline and going for the springboard reverse DDT, which Liger avoids and counters with a shotei strike, knocking Styles down. Liger hits a big rolling wheel kick for a two count before sending Styles to the outside and going up top, diving to the outside with a cross body. Back in the ring, Liger goes for a suplex, but AJ drops out into a neckbreaker. Liger flips out of a back suplex attempt, goes for one of his own, and then turns it into the Crash Thunder Buster, dropping AJ face first instead. That only gets two when AJ puts his foot on the ropes. AJ fights his way up, hitting the Pele kick and following up with a backbreaker/gutbuster combo for a near fall. A discus lariat gets another two count. Styles goes up top, but Liger catches him up there with another shotei and follows him up, setting up for an avalanche fisherman’s buster. AJ fights his way out of that and hits the Spiral Tap, but Liger gets a foot on the ropes! AJ sets up the Styles Clash, but Liger flips out and lifts AJ up for the Liger Bomb… and it connects! Somehow, AJ manages to kick out! He quickly hits a kip-up rana to stop Liger following up. He goes for the Styles Clash again, but Liger fights out again and goes for the brainbuster. Styles hooks a leg around the middle rope to stop himself from being lifted and throws some hard punches to the abdomen to get out of it, then lifts up Liger for an Argentine powerbomb that only gets two. Instead of going for another Styles Clash attempt, AJ goes up to the top rope and hits a Shooting Star Press, the move innovated by his opponent, and that’s enough to make AJ Styles the first ever NWA World X Division champion! He respectfully offers Liger a handshake before celebrating in the ring.

Winner and NEW NWA World X Division Champion: AJ Styles (Rating: 78/70/86)

No Disqualifications Match: The New Church vs. Raven & The Sandman

All four men come to the ring with weapons, with Vampiro wielding a chair, Sandman his trademark Singapore cane, Abyss holding his chain, and Raven busting out his shopping trolley full of goodies. Raven & Sandman clean house on their opponents, making full use of the No DQ stipulation as the match quickly breaks down, James Mitchell pulling tables and the like out from under the ring and handing them to the New Church to use. Abyss grabs a guard rail and bodily throws it at Raven, cracking him over the head. Sandman gets distracted trying to cane Mitchell and gets shot in the face with a fire extinguisher by Vampiro. In control, the New Church set to work double teaming Raven in the ring, hitting a big double powerbomb for two. They set up a table in the corner and hurl Raven through it with a huge double hip toss, but Sandman breaks up the count. Sandman takes his cane to the head of Vampiro while Raven low blows Abyss and then hits a flurry of punches followed by a discus clothesline for two. Raven whips Abyss into the corner and goes for a running clothesline, but gets caught with a huge flapjack. Sandman canes Abyss down, hitting a DDT onto a chair for two. He goes for the White Russian Leg Sweep, but Vampiro breaks it up with a chair shot. Vampiro busts Raven open with another huge chair shot, then whips him into the Black Hole Slam from Abyss. Instead of going for the cover, though, Abyss grabs his chain and starts hanging Raven over the ropes with it! Behind him, Vampiro hits the Nail in the Coffin onto a chair on Sandman to get the three count, but Abyss refuses to let Raven go until security arrives to break it up. James Mitchell continues to laugh maniacally as the New Church leave.

Winners: The New Church (Rating: 75/76/76)

ROH World Championship: Christopher Daniels © vs. Samoa Joe

The first of the two big title matches pits the ROH World champion against a man he has never managed to defeat in TNA, with a ticket to next month’s title unification match on the line in the form of the ROH World championship. Daniels appears confident, mockingly pointing out to Joe that ‘the champ is HERE’, provoking Joe into an attack which Daniels quickly counters with a step up enzuigiri. Joe avoids a leg lariat attempt, however, and takes Daniels down with a leg sweep. Joe beats Daniels down in the corner with punches and chops before delivering the Facewash, but goes for the Muscle Buster too early, allowing Daniels to drag him out of the ring. The champion follows up with an Arabian Press to the outside, taking Joe down. Daniels gets a little too cocky, though, and goes for an Ole Ole kick of his own, which just pisses off Joe, who catches him with an STJoe onto the concrete! Back in control, Joe rolls Daniels back into the ring and powerbombs him, rolling into the modified Boston crab when he kicks out. The Fallen Angel makes it to the ropes, but Joe stays on the offensive, whipping him into the corner and hitting a running knee strike. A second Muscle Buster attempt is again countered, with Daniels this time rolling out and delivering hard punches, repeatedly ducking Joe’s attempts to fight back. With Joe dazed, Daniels lifts him to the top rope and hits a palm strike, followed with the cross-arm Iconoclasm that only gets two. A Blue Thunder Driver gets another close two count for Daniels. Joe manages to hit a running boot and a snap powerslam, but misses his back senton and hits the canvas hard. Daniels goes for the Last Rites, but Joe reverses into a standing Coquina Clutch! Daniels manages to hit a jawbreaker before Joe can lock it on properly, though, and then delivers the Angel’s Wings quickly followed by the Best Moonsault Ever, for the three count! Christopher Daniels has retained the ROH World title, and Samoa Joe is livid!

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Christopher Daniels (Rating: 83/84/84)

NWA World Heavyweight Championship: Christian Cage © vs. Chris Jericho

“Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest sanctioned by the National Wrestling Alliance is scheduled for one fall, and it is the main event of the evening for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship! Introducing first, the special guest referee for this match, the King of the Mountain, Jeff Jarrett! And now the challenger, standing in the corner to my left. From Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, he weighs in tonight at 231 lbs. He is the self-proclaimed King of the World, Chris Jericho! And his opponent, hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, he weighed in this morning at 224 lbs, he is the current, reigning, and defending NWA Heavyweight Champion of the World, he is ‘Captain Charisma’ Christian Cage!”

Jarrett certainly appears to be an unbiased official, ignoring an insult thrown at him by Jericho as he checks for foreign objects hidden on Jericho’s person. Jericho and Christian stare each other down as Jarrett calls for the bell, and the fight is on. Both men immediately go at it, exchanging punches and forearms, with Cage getting the upper hand until Jericho uses an eye rake. Jarrett admonishes him for doing so, allowing Christian to hit a dropkick and a clothesline to come back. Christian whips Jericho into the corner and drives his shoulder into the midsection before lifting him up for an attempted frankensteiner. Jericho knocks him down, however, and hits a dropkick from the second rope for two. He argues with Jarrett over the count, allowing Cage to roll him up for another two count. Jericho hits a spinning heel kick and a back senton, using the cocky pin which Christian easily kicks out of, although that doesn’t stop Jericho from taking the opportunity to yell at Jarrett some more. Christian fights out of an attempt at the Walls of Jericho, but the challenger comes straight back with a running enzuigiri for a near fall. Jericho throws the NWA champion to the apron and knocks him down with a springboard dropkick, following up with a plancha to the floor. He rams Cage back first into the steel guard rail before pitching him back into the ring and climbing the turnbuckles, connecting with a flying reverse elbow for two. Jericho spends even more time jawing with the guest referee, allowing Christian to duck a clothesline attempt and turn it into a diving reverse DDT to finally swing some momentum back his way. Jarrett administers the count on both men, with Christian the first to his feet. The two men exchange right hands, Cage back in control, dropping the challenger with a big gutbuster. Christian hits a short backbreaker and goes up top, with Jericho following him up. Christian fights back and kicks down Jericho, who accidentally on purpose shoves into Jarrett, sending him out of the ring holding his injured ankle. Cage grabs Jericho and delivers the CCT, but there’s no referee. Christian goes for the Unprettier, when all of a sudden, Steve Corino runs into the ring! Jericho shoves Christian forward into a huge lariat from the King of Old School! Corino throws Jarrett back into the ring as Jericho delivers the Lionsault, and Jarrett has no choice but to slowly count the three and award the NWA World championship to Chris Jericho! The rest of the Extreme Horsemen come to the ring as Jericho celebrates by decking Jarrett with his newly won title belt and posing in the ring to the crowd’s jeers as the pay-per-view goes off the air.

Winner and NEW NWA World Champion: Chris Jericho (Rating: 86/91/75)

Best Crowd Reaction of the Night: Christian Cage vs. Chris Jericho

Best Match Quality of the Night: Austin Aries vs. Low-Ki

Overall Show Rating: 80%

[Benjamin]

Damn, I forgot this diary ever happened till you started posting in it again! Cause' I freaking loved it!

I just had one problem, and that was it was too short compared to your other PPVs. There, that's it.

Other than that, I'll mark for Jericho being champion!

[Ace]

Whoa, I never saw that coming.

I can't believe I just spent an hour reading all your shows. Damn you TEOL for being such a good writer.

With that being said, I have to admit I don't like seeing Jericho as the champ this close to the Unification match. All along Daniels has been facing Christian and the Unification match seemed the perfect time to finish it off with Christian Vs Daniels.

Surely Jarrett would have known something was up when Corino threw him in the ring? After all their problems you'd think he wouldn't let Jericho win so cheaply like that.

Oh well, I know you. You'll have thought up something to explain it away

[TEOL]

TNA News and Notes (from www.grapplefanatics.net)

- Against All Odds received a 1.04 buyrate and was attended by 13,453 fans in Chicago, Illinois. The next TNA pay-per-view will be Destination X on March 25th at the Manhattan Center in New York City. The venue decision is somewhat controversial, as it is in the heart of what is often considered WWE territory, but Manhattan is another of ROH's old markets and TNA officials plan to visit as many of them as possible with PPVs before the angle comes to an end.

- Low-Ki will receive the X Division title shot earned by winning the Super X Cup next week on Impact, and not at Destination X as was previously announced.

- The current status of the ROH angle is that it will continue past the title unification match at Destination X onto Lockdown, where it will likely culminate in a Lethal Lottery match. The remaining ROH titles will also be unified at Lockdown, thus completely integrating ROH into TNA.

TNA iMPACT! Preview for February 22nd, 2007

from www.tnawrestling.com

AFTER AGAINST ALL ODDS

TNA returns to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida just four days after the huge Against All Odds pay-per-view spectacular for iMPACT! Coming out of the PPV, so many questions have yet to be answered; why did Steve Corino help Chris Jericho win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship? How do Jeff Jarrett and Christian Cage feel about being outsmarted by Jericho again? What does Christopher Daniels have to say heading into his unification match with Jericho at Destination X? Find out the answers this Thursday night on SpikeTV!

As a result of the unexpected twists of the PPV, a huge main event was immediately signed for iMPACT! by TNA Director of Authority, pitting Jericho and Corino against Christian and Jeff Jarrett in tag team competition! This will be Jarrett's first match since being cleared to return to action by his doctor, and there's little doubt that he and the former NWA champion will be out for revenge.

Also, newly crowned NWA World Tag Team champions Shane Helms & Shannon Moore have requested a match with Homicide & Low-Ki, the Rottweilers. Helms & Moore haven't forgotten just who was responsible for helping America's Most Wanted win the Tag titles from them and severely injured Moore in the process, and they want some payback.

The war between Abyss and Raven rages on, with the New Church proving successful over Raven & Sandman in the brutal No DQ match at Against All Odds. James Mitchell has personally guaranteed that Raven is finished in TNA, but will that prove to be the case? The Monster will take on Chase Stevens of the Naturals in one-on-one action this Thursday.

All this, plus Colt Cabana, fresh off his victory at Against All Odds, facing 'American Dragon' Bryan Danielson; The Embassy versus Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt in tag team X Division action; NWA World X Division champion AJ Styles, CM Punk, and more! Be sure to tune in to SpikeTV this Thursday to catch TNA iMPACT!

Match listing:

The Embassy vs. Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt

Abyss vs. Chase Stevens

Bryan Danielson vs. Colt Cabana

NWA World Tag Team Championships: Shane Helms & Shannon Moore © vs. The Rottweilers

Chris Jericho & Steve Corino vs. Christian Cage & Jeff Jarrett

Edited September 15, 2006 by TheEvilOverlordVersion1.0

[TEOL]

iMPACT! (February 22nd, 2007)

As is traditional after big title changes (where I come from, anyway), we open with the new NWA World champion Chris Jericho coming down to the ring. The belt he now wears around his waist seems to have added even more cockiness to his usual swagger, and the fans aren't giving him face heat for a change.

"Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on your new NWA World champion!" he declares, a grin spread so far across his face that the top of his head is in danger of falling off. "Right here, before you, you see the one and only true living legend! Now I have finally added the NWA title to my amazing set of accomplishments. I have finally ascended to the ranks of the all-time greats, I have matched and surpassed the likes of Ric Flair, Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat. I truly am the King of the World! Because right here around my waist is the only title in North America that makes you the world heavyweight champion." There is some appreciative applause for this minor shot on the competition, always good to work them in there.

Jericho continues. "But while I'm out here, I'd just like to thank my good friend and fellow Canadian Steve Corino for his support and hard work - you might even say that if not for him, I wouldn't be champion right now! Come on out here Steve, so I can thank you properly."

But instead, Jeff Jarrett's music hits! The King of the Mountain, with his ankle now fully healed, heads straight down the entrance ramp and gets in Jericho's face, casing the champion to back off. "Whoa, Jeff, hold on. I was just about to get to you. I mean, I know that you helped me most of all - you were the one who counted the fall that gave me the title - and I know we've had our differences in the past, but I was just about to thank you too, I swear!"

Jarrett lunges at Jericho, who swiftly sidesteps him and rolls out of the ring. Jarrett continues to yell at him until he notices Jericho looking at something behind him, and he turns... straight into a huge lariat from Steve Corino! Corino and Jericho start double teaming Jarrett, looking to reinjure his ankle, but Christian Cage quickly runs out with a steel chair to fight them off. He helps Jarrett back to his feet as the crowd cheers.

And now... a commercial! (Rating: 95%)

When we come back, Jeremy Borash has caught up with Cage and Jarrett in the back. "You two have a huge tag team grudge match later tonight against Steve Corino and the new NWA World champion Chris Jericho, and as we've just seen, this one is going to be very personal."

"You're damn right it's personal," Christian answers angrily. "You think I'm going to stay calm stepping into the ring with the two guys who screwed me out of my title just a few days ago? No, I'm just glad that I'm getting the opportunity to get some payback on those guys tonight. And Chris, I see you trying to play mind games, trying to divide and conquer; let me tell you right now to save you the effort, I've been screwed over by Jeff Jarrett enough times in the past to know what it's like. You're not fooling me, you're not fooling anyone, I know that he was just calling it down the middle as he saw it, like I asked him to. So right now, the only I'm focused on is getting my title back."

Jarrett takes over. "Jericho, you think we don't always see eye to eye? Don't you think for a second that I've forgotten whose fault it is that I've been stuck sitting around the house for the last couple of months while you run your mouth every week. Now I'll admit you've been smart, you've pulled the sort of scheme that I know only too well cause I've done them in the past. You had it written into the contract of the title unification match that neither of the champions have to defend the titles between now and Destination X. That means Christian Cage can't get his rematch, and I can't beat the crap out of you like you deserve without guaranteeing that the NWA title ends up in ROH's hands. But I've waited patiently for months already, and I can wait a little longer. Pretty soon... you're gonna get what you deserve, Chris, I promise you that." (Rating: 79%)

The Embassy vs. Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt

Prince Nana leads Jimmy Rave and the NWA TV champion Alex Shelley to the ring for the opening match of the night. Shelley and Sabin start, and they put on some decent wrestling for a bit since they know each other well. The match goes downhill a little when Shelley tags out to Rave, who appears to be in full 'punch-kick-please sign me WWE' mode tonight. Sabin plays face in peril for a couple of minutes, getting worked over by the Embassy as Nana distracts the referee. Eventually sabin tags in Dutt, who takes out Rave with a slingshot somersault rana and knocks Shelley to the floor. Sonjay takes Rave down with a big spinning heel kick to the face and goes up top, presumably looking for the Hindu Press, but Shelley knocks him down so that he falls onto the top rope throat first. Rave then rolls him up with his feet on the ropes for the cheap win.

Winners: The Embassy (Rating: 67%)

James Mitchell and Abyss are backstage. "Well, Raven, it looks like you weren't able to back up your promises quite like you seemed to believe, does it?" Mitchell declared with a devilish laugh. "Just as I predicted, that Neanderthal friend of yours, Sandman, wasn't enough to help you get past the power of the New Church. And I just know, Raven, that you won't come back to try again. Why? Because you're not insane, Raven. And more than that, you just don't have the guts. And who could blame you? Who in their right minds would dare challenge a 6' 8", 350lb weapon of mass destruction? So I'm asking you, Raven - just walk away. It's for your own good. Tonight, TNA management has offered up some fresh meat in an attempt to pacify the monster. And if you're having second thoughts, just watch this next match. Because you'll see what's in store for you if you dare challenge the New Church again, and that - is - DOOMSDAY!" (Rating: 76%)

Abyss vs. Chase Stevens

The Natural gets in some token offence, throwing some right hands and staggering the big man with a running knee, but Mitchell's prediction seems unsurprisingly accurate as Stevens charges into a huge flapjack. Stevens fighs out of the Shock Treatment and tries to get the big man off his feet with tackles and clotheslines, but one Black Hole Slam later, it's over. Abyss sets up the Shock Treatment on Andy Douglas as he tries to help his tag partner after the match, but Raven runs in to make the save, low blowing Abyss and nailing him with an Evenflow DDT! Tenay notes on commentary that clearly, Raven isn't as gone as James Mitchell thought.

Winner: Abyss (Rating: 69%)

Backstage, Gary Michael Cappetta is with CM Punk. "Punk, you must still be reeling from your loss to your longtime friend and rival Colt Cabana at Against All Odds, which has to be considered something of an upset -"

"Yeah, Colt got lucky again, just like he always does! But, you know what, I'm not going to let it get to me. One win is one win, Colt; it doesn't change the fact that I'm the ROH legend and without me, you're just a nobody, a loser who no one takes seriously. I'm not worried about you right now, Colt, I'm looking ahead to the future. See, I've just learned that at Destination X, there's going to be an elimination tag match pitting five guys from TNA against five guys from ROH, with stipulations that will affect the eventual outcome of this war. And while I'm not at liberty to disclose those stipulations to the likes of you GMC, I can tell you that our illustrious commissioner, Jim Cornette, has chosen me to be the first man on Team ROH. So TNA had better get ready for a fight, because CM Punk will be more than happy to give them one." (Rating: 75%)

Bryan Danielson vs. Colt Cabana

Despite what Punk said, it's clear that ROH are willing to bring out bigger guns to teach Cabana a lesson about sticking to one side. Cabana's still got momentum from Against All Odds, and manages to outwrestle the American Dragon early in the match, but the former ROH World champion fights back with a big dropkick. Danielson gets near falls of a number of different suplexes, including a big German suplex and a tiger suplex, but Cabana stays in the match. Cabana almost gets the victory of a number of pinning combinations, eventually resorting to a Colt 45 attempt that fails when Dragon elbows his way out. A lariat attempt from cabana is caught and hooked into a Crossface Chickenwing by Danielson, who holds on until Cabana taps out.

Winner: Bryan Danielson (Rating: 81%)

Jeremy Borash is backstage once again, this time with the NWA World X Division champion, AJ Styles. "AJ, congratulations on a huge victory over Jushin Liger at Against All Odds. And now you have to be looking ahead to the challenge of the Super X Cup winner, Low-Ki, which will take place next week on Impact. Your thoughts?"

"Obviously, it's a great honour to be the first World X Division champion, it's a privilege to get to wrestle a guy like Liger and especially to beat him. It just proves what I've been saying for all this time, that I am the pinnacle of the X Division. Low-Ki's a guy who I have a lot of respect for, for his skill and athleticism, even if him and the Rottweilers don't have any respect for anyone. That's fine by me. Next week, I'll show you why I am the best X Division wrestler in the world, because I am simply... phenomenal." (Rating: 71%)

NWA World Tag Team Championships: Shane Helms & Shannon Moore © vs. The Rottweilers

Helms and Moore make their first defence of the newly regained tag titles against the TNA Hardcore champion Homicide and the Super X Cup winner Low-Ki. Ki starts beating the hell out of Moore with chops and kicks, but Shannon actually stands his ground, wanting revenge for the double stomp Cop Killer he received back at Turning Point. He hits a flying leg lariat to get control before tagging in Helms, who hits an inverted sidewalk slam. Ki hits a big running dropkick to knock Helms almost out of his boots, though, and tags out to Homicide. Cide immediately sets up the Cop Killer on Helms, threatening him for 'stealing moves', but Helms drops out of it and Russian legsweeps him instead. Moore tags in and hits a northern lights suplex for two. Homicide quickly scores with a thumb to the eye and tags out to Ki, who springboards in with a gamengiri to nearly decapitate the Prince of Punk. Helms breaks the count and dropkicks the knee, setting up a Shining Wizard that draws Homicide into the ring. The Notorious 187 again goes for a Cop Killer, but Moore breaks it up with a running Fameasser. The match continues when Julius Smokes puts Homicide's foot on the ropes and then gets up on the apron with a chair, drawing Austin Aries out to pull him down and grab the chair away. Ki attacks Aries on the outside, leaving Homicde vulnerable to the Countdown in the ring and leading to a successful defence.

Winners and STILL NWA World Tag Team Champions: Shane Helms & Shannon Moore (Rating: 76%)

The ROH World champion Christopher Daniels is backstage with a microphone. "You know, they said that I couldn't do it. They said I didn't have what it took to beat Samoa Joe, and I proved them wrong. Just like they said I wasn't good enough to earn an NWA World title shot, that I would never be world champion. Well, I've got a world title belt right here, and Chris Jericho, as long as you're holding that NWA World title and calling yourself a 'living legend', I won't be happy. I need to prove once and for all that this belt means that whoever holds it truly is the best wrestler in the world. Not just for ROH, but for me. For fourteen long years, I've given my blood, sweat and tears in an attmept to reach the top of this business. At Destination X, I finally get the chance to make that dream a reality. There is nothing and no one that can stop me from becoming, once and for all, the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world... and that is the gospel according to the Fallen Angel." (Rating: 86%)

Chris Jericho & Steve Corino vs. Christian Cage & Jeff Jarrett

Jericho sucker punches Jarrett at the bell and he and Corino double team him while the referee is distracted by Christian trying to get in the ring and help his tag partner. The match soon settles down with Corino working over Jarrett with heel tactics, then getting a two count off a fisherman's suplex. Tag to Jericho, who takes advantage of the situation by cockily kicking Jarrett while he's down. Jarrett tries to fight back, but gets hit with a big spinning heel kickand a delayed vertical suplex. Jarrett comes backw ith a back body drop and tags in Christian Cage, who immediately starts beating down the new NWA champion in a blaze of fury. Jericho only holds off the assault by going to the eyes and tagging out to Corino. Christian takes down the King of Old School with a dropkick, then hits a butbuster and goes up top for a frog splash. Jericho shoves him down, though, allowing Corino to connect with the Old School Expulsion and a roll up holding the tights for the cheap victory.

After the match, Jericho throws Jarrett out of the ring while Corino continues to attack Christian inside it. Jericho goes to fight Jarrett on the outside, but before he can, Samoa Joe runs out and shoves him out of the way, delivering a huge kick to the face of Jeff Jarrett! The NWA champion correctly interprets the look in Joe's eyes and gets the hell out of there while Joe contniues to pummel the King of the Mountain, delivering the Ole Ole Kick before throwing Jarrett back into the ring. Corino and Cage brawl to the back while Joe sets Jarrett up on the top rope and hits the Muscle Buster, leaving Jarrett laying in the ring as Impact goes off the air.

Winners: Chris Jericho & Steve Corino (Rating: 82%)

Overall Show Rating: 77%

[TEOL]

TNA News and Notes (from www.grapplefanatics.net)

Xplosion results (for February 24th, 2007)

- Lacey’s Angels defeated The Naturals when Whitmer hit the Wrist Clutch Exploder on Andy Douglas after Lacey interfered. (Rating: 68%)

- CM Punk taunted Colt Cabana backstage about losing to Bryan Danielson on Impact, saying that ROH would not stop until they destroyed him. (Rating: 78%)

- Jay Lethal defeated Colt Cabana with the Release Dragon Suplex. The two men shook hands after the match, however. (Rating: 69%)

- Jimmy Yang defeated Shannon Moore with the Yang Time after James Gibson interfered. Shane Helms made the save after the match. (Rating: 67%)

- Team 3-D respond to CM Punk’s words from Impact, saying they’ve stood up for TNA from the beginning and challenging him and any partner from ROH to face them. (Rating: 76%)

- Austin Aries defeated Nigel McGuinness to win the ROH Pure Championship with a 450 Splash. After the match, Low-Ki ran in and attacked Aries. (Rating: 73%)

Overall Rating: 72%

- Inside sources report that TNA management is largely unconcerned with the WWE’s latest spending spree, where they brought in Masato Tanaka, Al Snow, Matt Stryker and Shocker. All three are expected to appear on the ECW brand, but as Impact has started to consistently beat ECW on Sci-Fi in the ratings, TNA is continuing to rely on the idea that ECW fans are more interested in seeing the likes of Rhino, Raven & Team 3-D.

- Bryan Danielson is reported to be unhappy with his position within TNA. The former ROH World champion apparently felt that he would be a major part of the war between TNA and ROH due to his status of having been champion for the last year of the company’s existence. There is talk of giving him a bigger push.

TNA iMPACT! Preview for March 1st, 2007

from www.tnawrestling.com

SUPER X CHALLENGE

Coming to you live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, TNA delivers another action-packed episode of Impact! This Thursday night on SpikeTV, Low-Ki of the Rottweilers will cash in the NWA World X Division title shot earned by winning the Super X Cup last month at Against All Odds. Will the ROH star, himself a former X Division champion, walk away with one of TNA's most prestigious titles? It's all on the line for champion AJ Styles this week!

Last week's show closed with the 'Samoan Submission Machine' Samoa Joe unleashing an apparently unprovoked assault on 'King of the Mountain' Jeff Jarrett. This Thursday he has been asked to give an explanation for singling out Jarrett. The attack came at the end of a hard fought tag match pitting Chris Jericho and new ally Steve Corino against Jarrett and Christian Cage, and there's no telling what could happen if that war continues.

On Xplosion, Team 3-D stood up to CM Punk, challenging him to find a partner and face them on Impact. Punk selected fellow ROH star, 'American Dragon' Bryan Danielson, for a match that could have significant implications for Destination X. Also on Xplosion, CM Punk's former partner Colt Cabana was defeated by Jay Lethal, but was so impressed that he offered to form a tag team with him for this week. The new team will face the Havana Pitbulls, Ricky Reyes and Rocky Romero, in another exciting tag team bout.

All this plus Raven taking on BJ Whitmer, the team of James Gibson and Jimmy Yang facing the debuting Kings of Wrestling, ROH World champion Christopher Daniels, new ROH Pure champion Austin Aries, NWA World Tag Team champions Shannon Moore and Shane Helms, and more! Tune into SpikeTV this Thursday to check out the exciting action of TNA Impact!

Match listing:

The Kings of Wrestling vs. James Gibson & Jimmy Yang

BJ Whitmer vs. Raven

Havana Pitbulls vs. Colt Cabana & Jay Lethal

Team 3-D vs. CM Punk & Bryan Danielson

NWA World X Division Championship: AJ Styles © vs. Low-Ki

[TEOL]

iMPACT! (March 1st, 2007)

The Kings of Wrestling vs. James Gibson & Jimmy Yang

Impact opens this week with tag team action pitting Gibson and Yang against the debuting Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli, not to be confused with the original TNA Kings of Wrestling, who have officially been retconned out of existence. The Kings get some time at the start to show what they can do, with Claudio exchanging holds with Jimmy Yang and Hero getting a near fall off a cravate cutter. Yang comes back with a moonsault kick in the corner and tags out to Gibson, who quickly goes to work with hard forearms to the face of Hero. Gibson quickly dominates, hitting a neckbreaker and powerslam in succession before being hit with the Tiger Driver and locked in the dragon sleeper for the submission.

Winners: James Gibson & Jimmy Yang (Rating: 70%)

Jeremy Borash is backstage with the NWA World Tag Team champions, Shannon Moore & Shane Helms. "Guys, last week you proved that you can hold your own with top tag teams when you retained your tag title belts against the Rottweilers. We just saw James Gibson and Jimmy Yang there, a team you got into an altercation with on Xplosion. Take a look at the footage."

A video plays of Yang & Gibson attaking Moore after Yang had won a singles match, and Helms running out to save his partner. "Hey, anyone who knows us and knows our history remembers that we go back a long way with those guys," Helms explains. "Back in the old WCW, there were a lot of talented teams all looking to get a shot at the big time. Now here we are five years later, and we're the tag team champions of the world. Gibson and Yang, they're just bitter that they didn't capitalise on their opportunities the way we did. But we've proven before that we're the best tag team in the world and that we deserve these belts. If they want a shot, we'll be happy to show them why." (Rating: 78%)

BJ Whitmer vs. Raven

Raven seems distracted, as if watching for the inevitable New Church attack, giving Whitmer the chance to get a surprise attack on him and hit a quick German suplex for a near fall. Raven fought out of a powerbomb attempt and took Whitmer down with a discus clothesline for two. An attempt at the Evnflow was reversed into a Northern Lights suplex for another near fall. Lacey got up on the apron to try and distract the referee, but Raven shoved Whitmer into her and rolled him up for two. BJ came straight back with an Exploder suplex and a lariat, but Raven was able to kick out. A bulldog by Raven was followed up with the Evenflow DDT for the three count, with Raven looking around, obviously searching for Abyss. But none of the New Church were anywhere to be found.

Winner: Raven (Rating: 73%)

Jay Lethal is preparing for his match backstage when his tag partner for tonight, Colt Cabana, walks in. "Hey Jay, how are ya?" Colt says cheerfully slapping him on the back. "Listen, I just wanted to say thank you, again, for agreeing to tag with me tonight. I know Punk probably told you to attack me on Xplosion, but you wrestled a clean match like you always do, and you beat me fair and square. I mean, I can respect that."

Jay nods to show that it's no big thing as they head to the ring for the next match. (Rating: 66%)

Havana Pitbulls vs. Colt Cabana & Jay Lethal

The Havana Pitbulls had clearly been sent instructions by Punk or ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette, as they focused their attack almost exclusively on Cabana right from the start and mainly left Lethal alone. With Julius Smokes distracting the referee, Romero baseball slid to the outside and pulled Cabana crotchfirst into the ring post, followed by Reyes delivering a running dropkick to the head of the prone Cabana. Romero got a near fall off a Tiger suplex, but luckily Cabana was in the ropes. Cabana eventually managed to hit a belly to belly suplex on Romero and tag out, but Reyes charged in and tossed Lethal back out. He then hit a backbreaker on Colt to set up the Cuban Missile Crisis, but Lethal hit a flying leg lariat on Reyes and then delivered the release Dragon suplex to Romero to get the quick pin!

Winners: Colt Cabana & Jay Lethal (Rating: 67%)

After a commercial break, Christian Cage's music hits and he comes to the ring with a microphone. "So it looks like I'm not going to get my rematch for the NWA World title anytime soon, does it. No, Jericho, I'll admit that you've thought a couple of steps ahead. You knew that I'd be so angry after you and that asshole Corino screwed me out of the title I'd worked so hard to hold onto for a whole year that I'd come after you, so you made sure I couldn't get my return match. Well, I don't like it, but there's nothing I can do about it. But here's what I can do. Steve Corino, since I can't get my hands on Jericho just yet, I'd be more than happy to give you a little return favour for what you pulled on me at Against All Odds. And Jericho, I might not be able to get that title match, but I still want to beat the living hell out of you, no matter what! So if you've got any damn guts, why not come out here and fight me face to face for once?" He throws the microphone aside as the crowd cheers. (Rating: 92%)

It's not long before Jericho's music hits, and he appears on stage, but by no means alone - in fact, he's flanked by all four Extreme Horsemen. Smirking, Jericho sends his new flunkies towards the ring, so Christian quickly planchas out onto all four of them, taking them down! Christian makes a bee line for Jericho, and they exchange punches on the entrance ramp, Cage gaining the upper hand until Corino drags him into a four on one beatdown while Jericho escapes into the ring. He watches from there as Corino and Simon Diamond set up a table on the entrance ramp and the Enforcers drive Christian through it with a double team spinebuster! Corino gets in Cage's face as the Horsemen celebrate. (Rating: 80%)

But Jericho, alone and distracted in the ring, failed to notice Christopher Daniels sneak in behind him and pick up the NWA title belt! Daniels looked at it for a few moments before waiting for Jericho to turn around... and then braining him with the gold! He posed with the belt until he saw the Horsemen coming towards the ring, whereupon he dropped the belt back with the supine Jericho and headed for backstage. (Rating: 88%)

Team 3-D vs. Bryan Danielson & CM Punk

Punk confidently steps up to face Brother Devon, but immediately tag out as Devon goes for a lock up. Devon manages to hold the advantage over Danielson for a bit, hitting a spinning elbow smash for a near fall, but get taken down with a dropkick and then caught with a Regalplex out of nowhere that almost got the three. Punk tags in and hits some hard open hand strikes and kicks, hitting the Pepsi Twist for another near fall. Devon elbowed his way out of an uranage attempt and hits a running neckbreaker before managing to tag out. Brother Ray cleans house on both Punk and Dragon with clotheslines and bionic elbows for all, getting a near fall on Punk off a release German suplex. Dragon comes back with a roaring elbow, knocking Ray down, but Devon hits him from behind with the Saving Grace. Punk catches him from behind and locks in the Anaconda Vice. Ray breaks that up and hits a powerbomb, leading to the 3D for the win. They barely get a chance to celebrate the win, however, before they get jumped from behind by Alex Shelley and Jimmy Rave! The Embassy help Punk and Danielson beat down Team 3-D before leaving.

Winners: Team 3-D (Rating: 86%)

Backstage, Gary Michael Cappetta is with Samoa Joe. "Joe, I'm sure a lot fo TNA fans and ROH fans as well are wondering exactly what motivated you to attack Jeff Jarrett the way you did last week. What's the story behind that?"

"The story? Simple. Jarrett, everyone knows you're one of the cornerstones of TNA. You've been here since day one, you've been NWA World champion however many times. Well, now I'm back working for ROH, and that means that you represent what I'm trying to destroy. And don't blame it on Jim Cornette, either - he doesn't need to give me orders, he knows I can take care of business better than anyone else. So Jarrett, face facts - I am the most dominant superstar this company has ever seen, and the only reason I'm not champion is because guys like you and Cage kept ducking me. Now I'm with ROH, which presents me with a whole lot of opportunities. Oh, I'll admit Christopher Daniels beat me fair and square - I mean, I don't like the guy, but I've fought him enough times to respect him for his abilities. He got me that time, and I'll get him the next time. But for now? Jarrett, I am going to take you apart piece by piece and show you up for what you are: nothing. Because I am Samoa Joe, and I am pro wrestling." (Rating: 77%)

NWA World X Division Championship: AJ Styles © vs. Low-Ki

Ki is unsurprisingly accompanied by the entire Rottweilers group, who lurk around ringside as Ki and AJ lock up. The champion takes control in the early going, hitting a back suplex and a discus clothesline for a two count. Ki turns an attempted springboard reverse DDT into the Dragon Clutch, but AJ rolls out of it and they have a standoff. Ki blocks two roundhouse kick attempts only to get caught with the Pele kick, but then himself finds the wherewithal to nail a charging dropkick to knock AJ damn near out of his boots. AJ drops Ki to the apron, but Ki lands on his feet and locks in the Bite of the Dragon, although he of course has to break the hold before the count of five. Ki hits a feint step-up into a knee strike and sets AJ up in the Tree of Woe before going up top for the Ghetto Stomp. AJ found the strength to reach up and pull Ki down, though, then climbing up himself and delivering the Spiral Tap! From the outside, Julius Smokes puts Ki's foot on the ropes to break the count. The new ROH Pure champion Austin Aries comes out to dispute this, leading to Homicide getting in Aries' face and eventually coming to blows. Meanwhile, in the ring, Ki counters out of the Styles Clash and lifts AJ up for the Krush Rush instead. AJ manages to wriggle free just in the nick of time, and rolls up Ki to retain! AJ celebrates with the title as Impact ends for this week.

Winner and STILL NWA World X Division champion: AJ Styles (Rating: 88%)

Overall Show Rating: 79%

[TEOL]

TNA News and Notes (from www.grapplefanatics.net)

Xplosion results (for March 3rd, 2007)

- Chris Hero defeated Matt Sydal with a rollup after Claudio Castagnoli interfered. (Rating: 60%)

- The Rottweilers cut a promo, with Low-Ki verbally attacking Austin Aries and Homicide boasting that no one could defeat him for his TNA Hardcore Championship. (Rating: 61%)

- Jay Lethal defeated Nigel McGuinness cleanly with the Release Dragon Suplex. (Rating: 70%)

- The Embassy defeated Team Canada when Jimmy Rave hit the Rave Clash on Petey Williams after Prince Nana interfered. (Rating: 67%)

- Steve Corino and Simon Diamond cut a promo on Christian Cage, with Corino accepting Cage's offer for a match at Destination X and Diamond challenging Cage to face him on Impact. (Rating: 72%)

- Austin Aries defeated CM Punk to retain the ROH Pure Championship with a 450 Splash. (Rating: 81%)

Overall Rating: 70%

- Rocky Romero publicly blasted TNA in a radio interview, criticising the underutilisation of certain former ROH stars such as himself. TNA management has not taken the criticism well, and Romero has been suspended for 30 days. It is unknown if his tag team partner Ricky Reyes will still appear in singles competition or simply be dropped until Romero returns.

- There is a lot of hype and excitement within TNA about the upcoming NWA/ROH World title unification match between Chris Jericho and Christopher Daniels at Destination X. Many workers backstage feel it could truly be something special, and although many were split over the decision to remove Christian Cage from the match in favour of Jericho, everyone backstage agrees that Daniels and Jericho have the ability to put on a match worthy of the occasion.

TNA iMPACT! Preview for March 8th, 2007

from www.tnawrestling.com

BLOOD FEUDS

This week’s Impact will be a huge event that you will not want to miss, from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida! Tune into SpikeTV this Thursday to see all the stars of TNA in action. This week’s main event has already been made, pitting Raven against Samoa Joe! Joe asked for this match as a precursor for new rival Jeff Jarrett, who he faces at Destination X, due to the fact that Raven is another former NWA World champion. For his part, Raven wants to stay focused in order to continue his war with ‘The Monster’ Abyss. These are two of TNA’s toughest competitors sure to put on a hard-hitting match.

Also this week, there will be the official contract signing for the huge match between NWA World champion Chris Jericho and ROH World champion Christopher Daniels. Although most of the preliminary paperwork has already been decided, it has been decided that for a match of this magnitude, the official signing should take place in the ring, before the fans. Jericho and Daniels got into an altercation last week, and it is unlikely either man will remain neutral for long.

Christian Cage will take on Simon Diamond of the Extreme Horsemen. Cage holds the leader of the Extreme Horsemen, Steve Corino, responsible for costing him the NWA championship at Against All Odds, and Corino has made no secret of his newfound alliance with Jericho. Cage is looking to get some payback, but first he must get past Simon.

All this, plus Homicide defends the TNA Hardcore championship against Ron ‘The Truth’ Killings; one-half of the NWA Tag champions, Shane Helms, faces James Gibson; America’s Most Wanted take on Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt; Jeff Jarrett, ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette, TNA Director of Authority Larry Zbyszko, NWA World X Division champion AJ Styles, and more! See them all this week by tuning in to TNA Impact on SpikeTV!

Match listing:

Nigel McGuinness vs. Petey Williams

America’s Most Wanted vs. Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt

James Gibson vs. Shane Helms

TNA Hardcore Championship: Homicide © vs. Ron Killings

Christian Cage vs. Simon Diamond

Raven vs. Samoa Joe

[IDOL]

My old friend let me say that I for one am glad to see you back in the dome and reviving this bad boy, I'm not yet caught up but I'm looking forward to the task. (Y) Keep it coming.

[TEOL]

iMPACT! (March 8th, 2007)

Nigel McGuinness vs. Petey Williams

This week's opener sees two guys who both need a win to climb back up the ranks square off against each other. The two men start out by trading holds, with Nigel's European style able to get the better of the Canadian. McGuinness goes to work on Petey's arm, hitting a pair of deep armdrags and taking him down with the Divorce Court for a two count. Nigel goes for the headstand evasion in the corner, but Petey catches him and knocks him down into the tree of woe painfully before adding the 'O Canada' nut stomp. A Sharpshooter attempt is blocked by Nigel, who then hits Petey with the rope flip lariat for a close two count. Petey nails a spinning DDT and goes up top, but Nigel recovers and hits a European uppercut before hitting the Tower of London for the three.

Winner: Nigel McGuinness (Rating: 70%)

Shane Douglas is walking along backstage when he finds the X Division champion AJ Styles waiting outside the Director of Authority's office. “AJ, I've been looking all over the building for you. Apparently Larry Zbyszko is all set to announce who your challenger for Destination X will be after you successfully retained your title against Low-Ki last week in what some might call rather controversial fashion."

AJ goes to answer, but before he can, the office door opens and Zbyszko comes outside. "AJ, good to see you! I was just about to find you so I can tell you about your Destination X defence. Now, I know you're all about proving that you're a fighting champion and you'll take on anyone in the world, and I've got to tell you, that damn Cornette's been talking my ear off all week about how Austin Aries interfered in your match against Low-Ki and how Ki deserves a rematch. Now, you and I both know that's crap, but in order to shut him up, I'm going to give him a rematch at Destination X. But, I'm also putting Austin Aries in that match, as he is the ROH Pure champion and therefore eligible for a shot. And best of all - and the part I think you'lll be particularly interested in - is that, since the show is Destination X, I'm making it an Ultimate X match! How about that?"

AJ smiles and goes to answer... (Rating: 82%)

but before he can, he's interrupted again, this time by a cry of "Did I just hear that correctly?" coming from off camera. The camera pans to show Jim Cornette, who has presumably been standing there the whole time. "You call that giving Low-Ki what he deserves after he got screwed last week by that damn Austin Aries? You're just setting him up to get screwed over again to keep the belt on your precious golden boy." He adds a disdainful look at AJ to this comment.

"Look, I've already made my decision!" Larry argues straight back. "Even if you had any authority around here, which you don't, you'd be overstepping it right now because it's my job to deicde number on contenders and title defences. You should just be grateful I'm giving into your demands at all."

Cornette calms down a little. "OK, fine. But I've got a proposition for you, just thinking aloud here. That match you suggestedsounds like a great one, I mean, three of the very best athletes in the world right now fighting it out. But wouldn't it make it even better to put another world class athlete in there?"

"If this is another of your schemes to get one of your guys into this match..."

"Hey, if the NWA World X Division championship is so prestigious, then surely all that matters is the caliber of the challengers and not which organisation they represent, right?" Larry can't find a way to argue with that without putting down the X Division title, so Cornette continues, "So here's an idea. Next week, we have a ten-man X Division battle royal, both your guys and mine, with the winner going on to that Ultimate X match. Just to make things more interesting for the fans."

Larry thinks about it for a while before reluctantly agreeing to the match, as AJ (mutely) nods agreement. (Rating: 70%)

America's Most Wanted vs. Chris Sabin & Sonjay Dutt

AMW come to ringside accompanied by the Embassy of Nana, Shelley and Rave, as well as Gail Kim. Sabin and Dutt don't let it bother them, though, with Sonjay quickly gaining control of James Storm using his quickness to run circles around him. A springboard crossbody takes the Tennessee Cowboy down for a two count, and Dutt tags out to Sabin. Storm catches Sabin with a thumb to the eye, however, and tags out himself. Sabin almost gets his head taken off with a clothesline from 'Wildcat' Chris Harris, but still manages to kick out. A dropkick and enzuigiri stagger Harris, but Sabin gets caught with a spear that only doesn't get the three when Sabin puts his foot on the ropes. Harris sets up the Catatonic, but Dutt flies in with a missile dropkick that sends both men to the outside. While the referee scolds Dutt, however, the Embassy assist a beatdown on Sabin at ringside. Team 3-D runs out to stop it, and in the confusion, Harris produces a pair of handcuffs and throws them to Storm, who wraps them around his hand and punches Sonjay's light out with them out of the referee's view. That gets the three count, and Sonjay has to be helped from the back as he bleeds from the forehead.

Winners: America's Most Wanted (Rating: 75%)

James Gibson vs. Shane Helms

The reigniting feud between the two former rival tag teams continues with singles action as Gibson and Yang continue to try and get a tag title shot. Gibson goes striaght on the offensive, with hard forearms and crossface punches that stagger Helms and drive him into the corner. Helms gets the boots in Gibson's face, however, and hits a spinkick from the second rope to take him down. A superkick gets a two count for Helms. He follows up with a release German suplex that Gibson rolls through to a kneeling position, allowing Helms to signal for a Shining Wizard, but Jimmy Yang trips him from the outside. Gibson quickly takes advantage and attacks from behind, rolling Helms up and holding the tights to get the three count.

Winner: James Gibson (Rating: 80%)

Jeremy Borash catches up with Raven backstage. “Raven, after the series of attacks launched on you by the New Church, I think everyone was somewhat surprised by the way they seem to be leaving you alone now, not least yourself.”

“Oh, I was at first, I'll admit,” responds Raven. "But when I thought about it, it all made sense. See, Jim Mitchell likes to grandstand a lot, but when it comes down to it, he's gutless. Once he realised his plan to get me out of TNA was as foolish as he is, he got scared and turned tail. I'll take my own revenge, in time, but right now, I've got other things to worry about."

"Such as your match tonight against Samoa Joe?"

"Yeah, tonight I go one of one with the 'undefeatable' Samoa Joe. I think that by now, no one seriously expects me to stand back in fear no matter how dangerous my opponent. See, Joe, in the past you've only faced opponents of flesh and blood, who you thought with physical violence. But I've looked into the abyss, Joe, and I came out the other side far more dangerous than anything I saw within... quoth the Raven, nevermore." (Rating: 83%)

TNA Hardcore Championship: Homicide © vs. Ron Killings

The Rottweilers don't look especially happy considering the announcement made regarding Low-Ki's X title rematch. The Truth takes advantage of the lack of focus by immediately nailing Homicide with a chairshot and going for a quick cover, but Homicide kicks out. Killings tries to keep up the momentum with a spinning forearm smash, but gets caught with a belly to belly suplex. Homicide goes to the outside for some weaponry, throwing a trash can at Killings from the outside and producing a table. While Homicide sets up the table, Killings recovers and plants Homicide with the trash can, hitting a big leg lariat for two. Killings connects with the Axe Kick, but Julius Smokes breaks up the count. The Truth runs him off and goes up top, but Homicide recovers and takes control, hitting the Avalanche Ace Crusher through the table to pick up the three count. Homicide is celebrating with the belt when the Sandman runs in and takes him out with a cane shot! Tenay comments that Sandman must have objusted to Homicide's comments about no one being more hardcore than him as Sandman chases the Rottweilers to the back.

Winner and STILL TNA Hardcore Champion: Homicide (Rating: 71%)

Chris Jericho, Christopher Daniels, Jim Cornette and Larry Zbyszko all make their separate ways to the ring for the contract signing of the huge title unification match at Destination X. Security guards also make their way into the ring to ensure the two champions don't attack one another as Larry takes the microphone. "So now, we're here to put the signatures onto the official contract for the World title match at Destination X, which will see Chris Jericho take on Christopher Daniels. Now, may I remind both of you that you've already been warned of the punishment you'll receive if either of you provokes the other into an attack, so I don't want to see any shenanigans. And both of you will have the chance to make whatever comments you wish as we proceed. Now, if the NWA champion Chris Jericho would like to sign..."

Jericho takes the pen and the microphone. "Christopher Daniels... I don't think you fully understand what this match means to be, at Destination X. See, I've been in this business for over sixteen years now. I've been here before. I've been a unified World champion before. I've accomplished so much, and every new achievement is another addition to my legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers in history. I've won titles all over the world, and this one will be the one that finally seals my status as the greatest wrestler in the world. That's what this title means to me," he adds, pointing at the belt around his own waist. "It's about being the absolute best, because second best isn't good enough for Chris Jericho.

"And you know what, Daniels? You've been in this business almost as long as I have. Hell, you're practically a veteran. But where were you while I was being declared the Undisputed World champion back in 2001? That's right, you were still scrabbling around on the indy circuit beause you didn't have what it took to break into the big leagues. And to be quite honest with you, I still don't think you have what it takes. Face facts, you may be deluding yourself that just because you won some indy belt that no one cares about that you're all of a sudden good enough to take on the King of the World, but I've yet to see you step up and prove it. And at Destination X, you'll find out that you're not good enough to beat Chris Jericho, and you're not good enough to be Chris Jericho... junior."

Daniels is glaring furiously at Jericho, but he doesn't move as Jericho signs the contract and his voice stays calm as he speaks. "Yeah, I'll admit that I've spent most of my career on the independent circuit. I'll admit that I don't have the huge list of titles that I've held, although you'll find I've held a fair few. Yeah, while you were on the road to winning that Undisputed championship, I was stuck trying to work out what I was going to do with my career because all of a sudden, my contract with WCW that I'd just signed turned out to be worthless when Vince McMahon bought WCW.

"But you know what? I didn't need to break into the big leagues. Because I busted my ass every night in every arena, putting on the best matches I could, winning as many matches as I could. I was always learning, I was always trying to improve, I went over every bump on my road to the top and I'm a better wrestler for it. And then in 2002, I found two companies that I believed in, that I cared about. TNA and ROH. And I got into those companies, and I busted my ass every night for them, because now it wasn't about getting into the big leagues so I could waste away in five minute matches for a fat paycheck, it was about making those companies into the big leagues. Companies where I could show my skills, I could prove night in and night out that I was one of the very best.

"And it worked. Now I can honestly say that as far as I'm concerned, this belt around my waist and that belt around yours are the two most important belts in North America, if not the world. And even though TNA stabbed me in the back, even though they killed one of those companies that I cared about so much... the harder I chase after the NWA title, the more I remember just why I cared so much, jusy why I wanted TNA to succeed. So at Destination X, I won't be fighting for ROH, and no more will I be fighting for TNA. When I face you, I'll be fighting for me. I'll be fighting for what I want. And what I want is for the number one wrestling promotion in America to be one that you can be proud to work for. One where athleticism and skill takes place over stupid skits, where the focus is on action and not insulting people's intelligence. And I want to be the one that brings that revolution in. So at Destination X, no matter what it takes, I will become the NWA World champion, and that's not just the truth and that's not just a fact... THAT'S GOSPEL!" (Rating: 96%)

Christian Cage vs. Simon Diamond

Simon wastes no time attacking Cage, getting the jump on his from the bell and beating him down. He tosses Cage to the outside early and distracts the referee while Steve Corino rams Christian into the ringside barrier spine first a few times. Back in the ring, Simon hits a series of snap suplexes, floating over on the last one for a near fall. Simon works away on Cage's back, using a bow-and-arrow lock to try and get a submission and then turning it into a pinning predicament for a two count. Christian finally starts to fight back with right hands and a big dropkick to the face. An implant DDT gets a two count, and Christian goes up top for a frog splash, but Corino gets up on the apron forcing Cage to kick him down. Cage then hits a flying crossbody for two and goes for the Unprettier, only for Corino to lariat him in the back of the head to draw the DQ. A beatdown follows, with Corino hitting th Old School Bomb and leaving Christian laying.

Winner (via DQ): Christian Cage (Rating: 80%)

Jeremy Borash is standing by backstage with Jeff Jarrett. "Jeff, two weeks ago you were the victim of a vicious and unprovoked assault at the hands of one of ROH's most dangerous competitors, the Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe. He has promised to destroy you and TNA in the process, and now you have to face him one on one at Destination X... what are your thoughts on that match?"

"You know, since the first day those ROH guys showed up here and started running their mouths about how they were going to take over, I've said that I was going to defend TNA no matter what. I've said that I was going to stand up and fight for the company that I built from day one. And that's exactly what I've done, no matter what they've thrown at me, even when that damn turncoat broke my ankle, I kept doing everything I could. So now it's Samoa Joe, and he wants to take the fight to me. Well all I have to say is bring it on. Joe, I'm not going to let you intimidate me, and I'm not going to back down. See, in ROH, you were a big fish in a little pond. But this is TNA, Joe, and TNA is my world." (Rating: 78%)

Raven vs. Samoa Joe

The former NWA champion starts out cautiously, unleashing jabs on Joe and bailing as soon as Joe starts to build momentum. Joe goes to follow, so Raven hangs him over the ropes and quickly takes him down with a knee lift and a bulldog for two. Raven tries to keep Joe on the mat, delivering a series of stomps and elbow drops, but Joe gets to his feet and drives Raven back into the corner with a lightning-quick array of slaps and palm strikes, following up with a running knee strike. Raven comes out of the corner with a superkick, staggering Joe, but when Raven charges in he gets launched over the top and to the outside. Joe goes for the Ole Ole Kick, but Raven avoids it and quickly rams Joe into the barricade with a Russian legsweep. Raven rolls Joe back into the ring and goes for a running clothesline, but gets caught with the STJoe. A Muscle Buster attempt is broken up with an eye rake, however, and Raven hits the calf branding from the second rope for a close two count! Raven tries to finish it with the Evenflow DDT, but gets blasted in the back of the head with a chain shot from Abyss while James Mitchell pulls the referee out of the ring! A Black Hole Slam leads to the Coquina Clutch for the inevitable submission, and as soon as Mitchell allows the referee back into the ring, he calls for the bell and awards the match to Joe. Abyss isn't done yet, as Vampiro runs out to help hang Raven over the ropes with the chain! Joe just shrugs and leaves while security frees Raven from the New Church and Impact goes off the air.

Winner: Samoa Joe (Rating: 82%)

Overall Show Rating: 78%

[JStarr]

Closed and moved to the deep Web.