TNA iMPACT! Results - May 15, 2008

First Four Announced

Samoa Joe is out in the middle of the ring. The heels are grouped up on one ramp; the babyfaces on the other.

It is revealed that the main event at Slammiversary will be a King of the Mountain match. Samoa Joe will defend the title against 4 challengers. Before that happens, though, 8 wrestlers will battle to see who will get those four coveted spots.

Matt Morgan, James Storm, Robert Roode, and Tomko are named as the first four guys who will compete for the spots. Another four will be named next week.

Booker T comes down to the ring, exchanges some words with Samoa Joe and a brawl ensues. Christian Cage and Rhino, still upset over the chair shots from Sacrifice, jump into the ring to attack Booker T.

Decent segment. The only good thing about it is that two midcard wrestlers like James Storm and Robert Roode are getting some shine.

Johnny Devine, Jimmy Rave, and Lance Hoyt vs Kaz, Sonjay Dutt, and Jay Lethal

Pretty random match here. Some good action involved, but it was hard not to notice that the match was basically just a set up for the following segment.

Jay Lethal finally proposes to So Cal Val to follow in the footsteps of the marriage storyline between Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth. Sonjay Dutt does a tremendous job of selling that he's upset with this situation.

Kind of disappointed that TNA didn't continue Kaz's momentum by having him actually involved in something higher up on the card after being in the main event of Sacrifice. He was basically an afterthought on this episode.

Winners: Kaz, Sonjay Dutt, and Jay Lethal

Abyss Video

A video of Abyss was played to hype up his return. The big man was in a straight jacket in a padded room. He didn't have his mask on, but you couldn't see his face because his hair covered it.

Abyss basically stated that he was institutionalized because he was addicted to pain. Said something about almost being cured and being allowed to come home.

I know there are reports out there that state that Abyss will be doing less hardcore stuff when he returns, but I don't really buy it. The guy is one of the best mainstream hardcore wrestlers right now. Why take that away?

TNA Women's Championship Match
Gail Kim vs Awesome Kong

Excellent match between these two ladies once again. TNA actually gave them some decent time to work, too.

It was a bit distracting have the Knockouts out at ringside, but I guess it was to set up Angelina Love's interference. She's really picking up some steam as of late as a heel.

The end saw Angelina Love pushing Gail Kim off the top rope, which "injures" her knee. That allows Awesome Kong to deliver an incredible powerbomb to finish off the match.

Winner: Awesome Kong

As The Angle Turns

If not for the fact that I'm really looking forward to seeing a pay per view match between Kurt Angle and AJ Styles, then I would completely trash this segment and storyline. Kurt Angle and Karen Angle are both entertaining, but the storyline has started to make them both annoying.

LAX vs Motor City Machine Guns

This match was basically to let the fans know that LAX are the next TNA World Tag Team Champions. Sure wished it was a match to set up an eventual feud between these two.

It was a short match, but entertaining. Put these four guys on a pay per view, put the titles on the line, and give them 15 minutes to work. That'd be a match of the year candidate.

Winners: LAX

Sting Interview

TNA has struck gold with these semi-shoot interviews. First, they used it to miraculously make the feud between BG James and Kip James somewhat entertaining. Now, they're using it to show another side of Sting.

In the first segment, Sting talks about how he got his start in the wrestling business. He talks about Jerry Jarrett being the first promoter willing to give him a chance.

Sting also talks about his now famous former tag team partner, the Ultimate Warrior. Of course, they cut things off when he mentioned that he didn't part on good terms with the Ultimate Warrior. Nice move to make people want to tune in next week.

My only complaint about the segment was that it didn't last 5 hours.

Roxxi Laveaux & ODB vs Velvet Sky & Angelina Love

Match was short but entertaining. Sure wished they sould have given Roxxi Laveaux some mic time to build up even more support for her character.

Was a bit disappointed that Angelina Love & Velvet Sky got the win, but I then realized that that was me becoming a fan again and rooting for Roxxi Laveaux. TNA has done a superb job of making the Beautiful People into better heels.

In the end, hopefully, Roxxi Laveaux gets her payback.

Winners: Velvet Sky & Angelina Love

Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, and Rhino vs Booker T, Brother Ray, and Brother Devon

Good match with a lot of brawling. Samoa Joe picks up the win after a powerslam on Brother Devon.

The match itself wasn't anything out of the ordinary. The thing that makes this segment interesting, though, was the fact that after the match, Booker T and Team 3D attacked Spanish announcer Hector Guerrero. They took him to the back and made him bleed.

I've always been pushing for wrestling shows to not always end with the main event program. By putting the focus on the tag team title feud, it elevates the entire division.

Winners: Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, and Rhino

There were some great things about this show, including the Sting interview, the women's title match, and tag team title feud storyline being the main focal point.

However, one can't help but wonder how much better this show could have easily been if the other segments had stepped up.

Little things would have made it a great show. Stuff like letting Roxxi Laveaux speak, less writing on the feud between Kurt Angle and AJ Styles, and keeping Kaz's momentum going.