In case you missed it last night or just want to see it again, Angelina Love made her much anticipated return to TNA last night. Watch it all unfold below. Check back later for The Guide to Impact but for now, why not listen to the first ever Post-Impact Show?
It’s the first episode of Impact since the live episode last week! How will Angelina Love make her return? Discuss the show in the comments! Check back later tonight for the first ever Post-Impact Show!
The Knockouts Tag Team Championship match on Monday night’s live episode of Impact saw a somewhat scary drop of viewers. The 9.15pm quarter, which the match was part of, lost 840,000 viewers though not necessarily to WWE’s Raw over on USA Network. The loss is the biggest drop for a segment in the company’s history. … Read more
Spoilers for next Thursday’s episode of Impact are below courtesy of Diva Dirt reader, Lauren. Click the ‘+’ to read:
Melanie’s thoughts after the cut:
The much-buzzed ‘Monday Night War’ experiment is over… at least for now, with TNA Impact going live last night for a three hour show up against WWE’s Raw. With two Knockouts matches announced prior to the show, I kind of knew what to expect — and I got just that. I knew the ODB vs Tara bout wouldn’t be great as their past matches haven’t lived up to the hype, and I knew that the Tag Team Championship match between Sarita, Taylor Wilde vs Awesome Kong and Hamada would be awesome given time. So in terms of that, I’m good.
What TNA proved last night however, is just how erratic their booking and writing can be. We have two Knockouts segments here that are on the complete opposite ends of the scale. One left me thinking “WTF?!” and enraged me to the point of praying for Maryse over on Raw, while the other reminded me just why I was looking forward TNA last night and just why I wanted the show to succeed — a true alternative to WWE’s diluted Divas division. TNA are very lucky that Tag Team Title match came on after the Knockouts Title match, because it helped redeem/overshadow the awful handling of Tara’s title loss.
Let’s kick off with the Knockouts Championship match:
As both ladies get into the ring, ODB [wearing a brand new outfit for the occasion] attacks Tara as she takes her shirt off, with a kick to the stomach and begins clubbing her across the back. With the referee’s back turned, ODB begins choking Tara with her own t-shirt and then does something rather unsavoury~ with it. Note to Tara if you’re reading: Burn that shirt, please don’t use it again for the love of babies and kittens!
Tara is propped in the corner and ODB runs at her but the champion counters with an elbow, Tara then uses the ropes to launch her into a dropkick of sorts on ODB and follows through with a clothesline. Things pick up as ODB and Tara, both tough women, trade blows — I really like this sort of ‘test of endurance’, something I think more of their matches should have been made up of. Tara begins kicking ODB with left and right legs, ODB catches one of her legs though but Tara follows through with a lovely enzuigiri. Powerslam by Tara followed by her patented standing moonsault. Tara goes for a pin but ODB kicks out. ODB throws Tara into the corner and runs at her, Tara uses the ropes to jump onto ODB’s back and goes over the top rope and applies the tarantula submission move. She follows through with another old favourite, the over-the-top-rope leg drop.
Tara looks to be setting up ODB for the Widow’s Peak but ODB backs her into the corner. She picks up the champion for perhaps a TKO or fallaway slam but Tara hops off ODB’s shoulders and kicks her in the gut setting up the Widow’s Peak again. It looks as though she’s about to hit it but ODB manages to slip away and rolls up Tara quickly, pulling her tights, for the pin. Cue collective gasp and face-reddening-with-anger.
After the match, Tara attacks ODB… finally hitting the Widow’s Peak on her and unleashing Poison onto a fallen new champion. Tara poses with the Knockouts Title.
Tara had survived this long in wrestling without a wardrobe malfunction [that I know of], until tonight. Sad times!
But in all seriousness, I don’t know what the fudge they were thinking here and I am thoroughly annoyed. I don’t know what it is that the new TNA regime sees in ODB that they felt the need to put the belt back on her so soon, but I’m guessing they have some sort of plans for her or Hogan is high on her and wants to do something with her. I honestly don’t know what it is. This is the second time that the Knockouts Championship has been ripped out of Tara’s hands just days after winning it and if you ask me, the credibility of the belt is shot to hell when you have it passed around like candy. The past 6 months have not been kind to the Knockouts Championship. It’s been passed around like a bong, been vacated and been a prop for a comedy character for the past three months. And just when you thought that was all behind us in 2009, 2010 kicks off with the same inane booking.
ODB has proven to be one of the least effective champions the belt has had, if not the least, so of course they’d award her another run. Her title reign did not resonate with the fans and it was only until she turned heel in her feud with Tara, that she showed some spark as champion but even then, I’d say most didn’t want to see her feud with Tara continue after she lost the belt. In fact, I didn’t even want to see this match, but when it was booked I had hoped it would end up being a blow-off, but with Tara’s actions after the match it seems as though they’re continuing with this feud.
Watching the match last night and again for this review, the crowd was very into Tara and it just shows that even after all that’s happened to her in WWE and even TNA, this is someone fans support and want to see done right by finally. I’m sure Tara will continue to do her job as she has done for many years, with total professionalism but I have to wonder if she, like us, is as frustrated. After the 10-day run back in July, it was inconceivable that they’d do that to her again and they did. I just don’t get it. Sure, being lucky enough to win a belt is prestigious in itself but this is extremely disappointing for not only fans of Tara, but fans of the Knockouts division. It’s hard to take a belt seriously when it’s treated so laxly. Say what you will about WWE, but the title reigns for the Divas are usually lengthy and in my book, that makes them more memorable and prestigious.
After the cut, the Knockouts Tag Team Championship match:
Though she was notably absent from last night’s live episode of Impact, Angelina Love is scheduled to return tonight at the regular taping for next week’s show reports PWInsider. Contrary to some reports, a source at the show last night tells us that Angelina was not backstage. Meanwhile, Love got a new tattoo on her … Read more
Tonight, TNA Impact goes up against WWE’s Raw in a three hour live broadcast! As well as the debut of Hulk Hogan and the launch of a new era for the company, there’s lots of Knockouts action to look forward to! * Knockouts Championship: ODB vs Tara * Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Sarita & Taylor … Read more
In an incredibly fun match, the TNA Knockouts sort of made up for the earlier title shocker as Hamada and Awesome Kong became the new Knockouts Tag Team Champions, defeating Sarita and Taylor Wilde. This is exactly the type of stuff I wanted to see more of on the show, it took nearly one and … Read more
WWE taped a qualifying round match for the recently announced Divas Championship tournament for this Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars. Click the ‘+’ to read:
Thoughts after the cut:
The Knockouts Championship shockingly changed hands just moments ago on the three hour live episode of TNA Impact. ODB regained the title after rolling up Tara with a handful of tights. The switch means that Tara’s second title run logs in at just 15 days, up five days from her initial 10-day run with the … Read more
The ratings are in for last Thursday’s New Year’s Knockout Eve and it’s good news! The four hour show drew a 0.8 rating in the usual Impact timeslot of 9-11pm, down just two tenths on the usual average. Meanwhile, the additional two hours [7-9pm] drew a respectable 0.6. It was always expected that the first … Read more
With two matches announced for tonight’s live three-hour episode of Impact, the Diva Dirt team have chimed in with their predictions for tonight’s show:
Knockouts Championship: ODB vs Tara
Erin: Unless TNA feel like repeating the mistake they made last time in yanking the Knockouts Title away from Tara waaayy too soon, Tara’s walking out as champ. She deserves a nice, long run and her losing would make absolutely no sense. Still, I guess they could swerve us, but it wouldn’t be of much use–TNA demonstrated that they didn’t have much confidence in ODB as an engaging champ as they stuck her in the middle of other feuds (Tara/Kong, Saritaylor/TBP) instead of giving her have actual feuds over the title. With all that in mind, I’m going with Tara to retain.
Melanie: Very predictable. Tara will retain, far too soon to drop the title now. I feel as though this will be the blow-off to this feud with Angelina Love coming out and attacking Tara after the match, leading to a revival of that feud. The Ang involvement is all I’m excited about to be honest.
Steven: It looks like Tara is propped and ready to take on TNA’s top babyface role now that she has the gold. I expect Tara to come out on top tonight. With the rumored return of Angelina Love, I expect her to get involved in some way, picking up their feud where they left off.
Tiffany: Tara will win. I really don’t see TNA making the same mistake it made during Tara’s first run. She obviously isn’t ready to lose the title just yet. Not even TNA can screw this up.
Knockouts Tag Team Championship after the cut:
Tonight is a big night for fans of WWE and TNA, as the latter goes head to head with WWE’s Monday Night Raw in a three hour live extravaganza. It’s also a big night for us Diva/Knockout fans and here’s why… Impact * Knockouts Title: ODB vs Tara * Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Awesome Kong … Read more
Rather than edit this post, I figure I’d just make a brand new one. We have high quality videos! Spend a lazy Saturday catching up with Thursday night’s New Year’s Knockout Eve show! All 8 matches are below. Check them out and tell us what you think in the comments:
More after the cut:
Last night saw a history-making night for women’s wrestling fans as TNA presented New Year’s Knockout Eve, a four hour show dedicated to the Knockouts. Featuring an 8-Knockout #1 Contender’s tournament and a tag team match, we got to see a full card of women’s wrestling on television. For those that didn’t get to watch the show, consider this your catch-up! Watch all of the action and leave your thoughts in the comments!
For full results & thoughts from the show click here.
Unfortunately, not the best quality but we’ll try to update the videos as we find better videos.
More after the cut:
On the last night of the year and the decade, TNA makes history by giving the TNA Knockouts a show entirely to themselves! Spend your New Year’s Eve with the Knockouts as tonight 8 women battle it out to become the #1 Contender for Tara’s Knockouts Championship.
Results
Hamada vs Madison Rayne
We kick off New Year’s Knockout Eve with Hamada vs Madison Rayne. Hamada controls much of the match with some beautiful kicks. She picks up the win with the Hamada Driver in about 4-5 mins. Sorry, I didn’t catch all of this match but seemed like a good showing from both girls.
Winner: Hamada
Backstage Christy Hemme is with Tara. She says she is going to hold the Knockouts Title with pride, honour, class and a few other things I didn’t quite catch. She will be presenting the 3 biggest pay per view matches of 2009 during the show.
ODB vs Traci Brooks
ODB is Taz’s pick for the tournament. Right at the bell, she spits her liquid courage in Traci’s face before slamming her down on the canvas. Traci comes back and starts attacking ODB, Mike Tenay brings up Traci’s ‘birth defect’ in her arm. ODB hits a bulldog on Traci and then targets her arm. ODB taunts Traci, Traci takes ODB off her feet and hits her a few times. ODB hits an inverted slam on ODB, Traci then hits a spear on her. Traci hits ODB with Flair chops and hits her with an atomic drop and then slams her down by the hair. Traci gains momentum and rips off her t-shirt ala Hulk Hogan and then hits a knee to the back of ODB’s head, who is hanging on the ropes. ODB comes back with a knee to Traci’s stomach and throws her into the corner. ODB charges at Traci, she counters and gets up on top. ODB grabs Traci’s arm and slams her down from the top rope. ODB hits the TKO and picks up the win. Kind of a boring match, to be honest. Seems like the whole Traci’s arm thing is an angle… creative, I’ll give them that.
Winner: ODB
Christy Hemme is backstage with The Beautiful People. She says all hopes for a title shot rest on Velvet whose match is next. Madison calls Christy a make stand and says she could beat Hamada any day of the week, Christy responds: “Apparently not tonight.” Velvet says that Madison would have to face Velvet if they won their matches. Velvet says Madison was being strategic and Madison plays along. Lacey says Lauren got fired because she tortured her and that’s the only reason Christy is there. Velvet says Lauren slapped Lacey and was being unprofessional. Lacey says she only had to say four words to TNA management: “Unsafe working environment.” Joke being it’s only three words.
TNA’s New Year’s Knockout Eve taping last night saw the company bring in four independent talents. The girls brought in were Amber O’Neal, April Hunter, Lizzy Valentine and Lorelei Lee. Hunter & Lee were the opponents for the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Sarita and Taylor Wilde while O’Neal and Valentine had a singles match. The … Read more
At tonight’s New Year’s Knockout Eve taping, the company announced the first scheduled match for the January 4th live episode of Impact on Spike TV. New Knockouts Champion, Tara will defend the title against the winner of the Knockouts tournament that was taped tonight [and will air on New Year’s Eve]. To find out the … Read more
Below are spoilers for next week’s big 4 hour New Year’s Knockout Eve special for Impact. Click the ‘+’ to read.
Thoughts after the cut:
TNA will be taping it’s special ‘New Year’s Knockout Eve’ special tonight at the Impact Zone. The four hour show will air on you guessed it, New Year’s Eve. The company has revealed details of the special and unlike what we had earlier reported, it won’t be a tag team tournament, rather a singles tournament … Read more
Tonight on Impact: – ODB vs. Roxxi in a non-title match – Velvet Sky & Madison Rayne (w/Lacey Von Erich) vs. Awesome Kong & Hamada vs. Sarita & Taylor Wilde Be sure to tune in at 9 pm EST on Spike and, as always, discuss all the Knockouts action here as the show airs! Click … Read more
As first broken by Diva Dirt, TNA will be taping a Knockouts tag team tournament next Monday (December 21st) from the Impact Zone. The plan is to have it air as a ‘one night only’ special on New Year’s Eve. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reports that the four-hour show [7-11pm] on New Year’s Eve will … Read more
Often imitated but never duplicated, it’s the Tiffany Guide to Impact. This week, TNA’s creative team takes a nap. Meanwhile, this week’s episode of TNA Impact is laced with a boost of testosterone that could only be matched by that of Tiger Woods. First off, we’ll go right ahead and expunge the pink elephant in the room: The Beautiful People (Velvet Sky vs. Lacey Von Erich ft. Madison Rayne) in a mud wrestling match.
I’m on the fence about this “match” purely because any way I go about it, someone’s going to have some reason to complain. Whatever. For what it’s worth, this was a five minute erm… exhibition that went against the grain of most Knockout matches. Was it raunchy? Sure. Is it degrading? Eh perhaps, for some. The way I see it: it was a goofy segment that’s better suited to just disappear into the depths of pro-wrestling history. With the decent overhaul of Knockout action we we’ve been blessed with recently, this one silly Beautiful People segment gets a pass (and a well-received “yawn”). As long as it doesn’t become a usual occurrence, all should be forgotten soon enough. It’s not often that Velvet Sky wins a match single-handedly, so it’s best to just enjoy it while it lasts.
Next up, Hamada challenges the TNA Global Champion, Eric Young.
Tonight on Impact: – Scott Steiner & a mystery Knockout partner vs. Bobby & Kristal Lashley – Hamada vs. Eric Young – ODB vs. Tara in a “Drunken Street Fight” – Velvet Sky vs. Lacey Von Erich in a mud wrestling match It’s a show chock full o’ Knockouts, so be sure to tune in … Read more
TNA has pencilled in a Knockouts tag team tournament [presumably for the Knockouts Tag Titles or for a shot at the titles] for the Impact tapings on December 21st, Diva Dirt has learnt. The tournament falls just one night after the company’s December pay per view, Final Resolution. A source backstage at last night’s Impact … Read more
Spoilers for next week’s Impact are now out, courtesy of our TNA tapings correspondent Camden! The show airs December 17th on Spike. Click the ‘+’ to read:
Note: When using our news/spoilers please provide the appropriate credit i.e. a text link back to this page.
Thoughts after the cut: