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Tonight's show was taped February 12 in Orlando, Florida.
Mike Tenay and Don West welcomed viewers to the show as Big Poppa Pump headed to the ring. He had a bone to pick with Kurt Angle. He boasted that he'd beaten everybody--including Triple H who was sleeping with the boss's daughter at the time. Well…that's a tale for another promotion. Anyway, Steiner suggested that Kurt Angle get his butt out to the ring. He had some more insults he wanted to hurl.
Angle was more than willing to come out and trade barbs with the Genetic Freak. Angle said his sole mission was to help build the company; no egos needed, he said.
Steiner took a swing and Angle responded with an ankle lock. Christian and Tomko both came out and got the same treatment. Angle got blindsided by the heels and it turned into a stomp fest until the locker room emptied on behalf of Angle.
Samoa Joe was one of those who'd come out to help. Angle offered Joe a title shot and the two shook on it. Nice show of sportsmanship.
Jeremy Borash was backstage with LAX; Konnan claimed that the Latino Nation grew ever stronger.
(Commercial break)
Christian, Tomko and Scott Steiner were in the locker room strategizing about the gauntlet match. The plan didn't come together quite the way Christian had hoped, so Christian tried to appeal to Tomko by saying he had always been "like a son" to him. Tomko told his "dad" he had a match, turned on his heel, and walked away.
(1) LAX (Homicide & Hernandez) vs. Shark Boy and Norman Smiley. Very short match, won by LAX. What a surprise--never saw that coming.
Brother Ray and Brother Devon introduced their Cousin Steve Schirippa of the "Sopranos." He was peeved at LAX for beating up his favorite uncle. Next week on Impact, there would be a "belting pot" match.
Konnan said they could bring the whole cast of the "Sopranos"; LAX would be "all over them like a monkey on a cupcake." Monkey on a cupcake????
I dunno, Cousin Steve, 3D and the goombah continent seem like guys you wouldn't want to mess with, cupcakes or no cupcakes.
Miss Brooks revealed she had fooled Eric Young in order to get him to sign a contract with Robert Roode. Eric was brokenhearted when he realized she'd been playing him. Poor Eric needed a hug. Instead, he got a lecture from Robert Roode. (Make that Robert Rude.)
Mr. Backlund walked through the scene, not saying a word.
(Commercial break)
(2) Arm Wrestling Match: Gail Kim vs. Jackie Moore (with James Storm). Gail Kim was the winner of the arm wrestling match. Then the obligatory cat fight broke out, which Jackie was winning until Petey Williams came out. A returning Chris Harris came out and chased James Storm away.
Chris Sabin was being interviewed, but was drooling and mocking the elderly--directed at the "aging" Jerry Lynn, I presume. Mr. Backlund took offense and warned Sabin he would be at his match next week for the number one contender for the X-Division match.
Auditions for Paparazzi Idol were shown. So funny I forgot to laugh--a corny retort to an equally corny segment.
(Commercial break)
This week, Ron Killings was doing a scene from the "Rocky" movie. "Yo, Adrienne," he called. He got a bit more Adrienne than he expected.
(3) Gauntlet for the Gold Match to earn an NWA World Heavyweight Title shot at "Destination X."
Sting and AJ Styles started off. Rhyno was out next. In order of elimination (more or less):
Sting tossed out by Robert Roode;
AJ Styles tossed out by Tomko;
James Storm tossed out by Kurt Angle;
Chris Sabin tossed out by Abyss;
The lovely Kim James tossed out by Samoa Joe;
Tomko tossed out by Joe;
Roode tossed out by Sting;
BG James tossed out by Steiner;
Eric Young tossed out by Tomko;
Scott Steiner tossed out by Tomko (after a shoving match);
When the dust had settled, Samoa Joe pinned Tomko after a Muscle Buster and was declared the winner.
After the match there was a teased confrontation among Cage/Tomko/Steiner on one side and Angle and Samoa Joe on the other.
Another action-packed Thursday night. I'm liking the new direction for the Dudleys and it doesn't hurt to be associated with a "Soprano."