PROGRAMMING NOTES

• This series is here to serve as a weekly recap for everything TNA related; including results and storyline progression, as well as the hottest news and rumors of the week. Essentially, it's your one-stop-shop for everything TNA – on and off your television!

• Following the conclusion of Smackdown, I'll be launching a WWE only version of this series as well. Please leave any suggestions for improving the series in the comments.

THE RECAP

• Impact kicked off with a tease about Bully Ray's meeting with Dixie Carter.

• Eric Young and Abyss are brawling backstage. ODB tries to come to Young's aide, hitting Abyss with a pipe. Abyss no sells it and tries to attack ODB. Young comes to her aide and the two continue to brawl, until Abyss takes total control. They brawl out to the ring and Abyss chokes Young out with the chains as ODB watches on.

• In the opening contest, Ethan Carter III defeated Bobby Lashley by DQ in about 6 minutes. Willow attacked Carter, costing Lashley the match. Willow hits Carter with a Pillmanizer.

• Samoa Joe confronts MVP. Joe says that he wants what he had at Lockdown – the world title. MVP says that he'll try to fix things tonight by finding someone for Abyss to be chained to. Joe says that whenever MVP tries to fix something, he ends up making it worse.

• Carter approaches Magnus. He demands to know where Magnus was during the attack. Magnus laughs it off, saying he got attacked by a clown. Carter terminates their business arrangement, Magnus doesn't care because he's got Abyss now.

• Gunner comes out to say that he's proud of how he fought at Lockdown, and that he's proud to have served his country. His dad's here tonight, and he thanks him for everything he's done for him. They're interrupted by James Storm. Storm shakes Gunner's dad's hands, recognizing him as the guy that was crying in the Lockdown video. Storm thanks God that Gunner's grandpa is dead, because he would not have wanted to be here to see that. Gunner attacks Storm. Storm nails a superkick and pulls out handcuffs. He cuffs Gunner to the ropes and forces him to watch on as he assaults his dad with a beer bottle.

• In our second match of the evening, Gail Kim defeated Lei'D Tapa in five minutes, after hitting her with the Eat Defeat.

• Back from break, Angelina Love is out to get an answer from Velvet Sky. Sky and Love reconcile, but something's missing. Madison Rayne emerges. She says Love treated her as a lapdog, making her do the dirty work. She's not interested in reforming The Beautiful People.

• Third match of the night is a triple threat tag team match. The Bromans defeated Sanada & Tigre Uno and The Wolves in seven minutes, after pinning Uno.

• Backstage, Sky encourages Love to convince Rayne that she's changed. This doesn't end well; Love chokes Rayne out and tells her to never disrespect her.

• Bully Ray finally barges in to Dixie's office; Ray starts berating Dixie, but we never see her. Turns out, he's yellin' at a god damned chair. It's a set up! Bobby Roode attacks Ray, yelling "SURPRISE!"

• In the main event, Magnus defeated Samoa Joe to retain the TNA title. The finish came after MVP released himself from Abyss, who had some thumbtacks. Joe tried to save MVP by diving on him, but Abyss threw a chair and hit him in the head.

SCRAPING UP THE DIRT

• Has he, or hasn't he?: There's some internal confusion about Sting's rumored WWE status. Some feel that if he has signed, it has happened very recently. Others believe that he's yet to sign a deal. Apparently, the door is open for Sting if he decides to stick around.

• Random TNA notes: Tickets for Slammiversary go on sale on March 28. See Dead Run, a television show produced by Eric Bischoff and Co. has been canceled after three seasons.

• A magazine I've never heard of thinks Gail Kim is sexy: And they're not wrong, mind you, but according to Smartass Magazine, she's the sexiest woman alive! Pretty big honor from such an unknown source. Brooke Tessmacher also made the list.

• Big names missing from latest TNA tapings: Bad Influence, Austin Aries, and Chris Sabin were not at the TNA tapings last week because there was nothing for them to do.

• Happy Birthday, Joe!: Samoa Joe turned 35 years old on Monday and former TNA cage dancer Jaime “Lollipop” Lynne also turned 35 on Monday.

• 10 Questions with Bobby Roode: WhatCulture.com recently interviewed Bobby Roode. Roode says he has a lot of years ahead of him, and another big title reign in him. Check out the full interview here!

• Kurt Angle tweets about his surgery: “Knee Recovery Going Well. Be back in the ring very soon my friends! #AngleHungry” Angle had surgery in February, and may be back as soon as early April. Angle's TNA contract expires in September.

• Did they really spend $300,000? Rumors have been circulating around the internet about TNA spending $300,000 to run three shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York this summer. Some people who are no longer in positions of power within the company could be the source of that outlandish number. No word on how much the venue will actually cost.

• TNA morale said to be low: According to the Wrestling Observer, TNA morale was up following the European tour, however, it's said to have dropped considerably since Lockdown. Many were disappointed in how small of a gate the PPV drew, especially since it was based in Miami. Word is, some people in TNA are rooting for Jeff Jarrett's new promotion, hoping to soon have an alternative to TNA. Some of this apparently revolves around the lack of direction for Austin Aeries' character, and some of it has to do with the fear that Vince Russo is back in charge of creative.

THIS WEEK IN TNA HISTORY

• March 16: In 2011, Abyss, Bully Ray, and Matt Hardy defeated Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam, and Sting in a 3 on 3 Steel Cage match. Interestingly enough, half of the participants are no longer with the company.

• March 17: In the main event of the 85th Weekly PPV, Jeff Jarrett defeated Chris Harris to retain the NWA World Heavyweight Title. Also, as noted, we had some birthdays on this day!

• March 18: On this day in history, TNA Victory Road 2012 was headlined by Bobby Roode retaining the TNA World Title against Sting in a No Holds Barred match. Also, in 1983, the glorious Ethan Carter III was born!

• March 19: On this day in history, TNA aired its 36th Weekly PPV, headlined by Raven defeating AJ Styles in a ladder match. WWE veterans Jim Duggan, Brian Lawler, Dusty Rhodes, and D'Lo Brown appeared on the show.

• March 20: On this day in history, Homicide was born in 1977. Sting was also born this day, in 1959.

• March 21: In 2010, TNA Destination X aired on this day. Abyss and AJ Styles wrestled to a No Contest in the main event for the TNA World Title, and Scott Hall, X-Pac, and Kevin Nash all appeared on the show.

• March 22: In 2010 on this day, TNA aired a live version of Impact on Monday night, head to head with Raw. This was a part of their brief quest to start the new Monday Night War. The show was headlined by Jeff Hardy & RVD defeating James Storm & Robert Roode. Elsewhere on the card, Jeff Jarrett defeated Mick Foley in a “Loser Leaves Town” match.

SCRAPING UP THE DIRT – ONE YEAR AGO (3/16/13 - 3/22/13)

• Sting on why he chose to stay with TNA over going to WWE: “Well, it's the same answer every time, and that is the brand, just loved the brand. It reminded me of the old school WCW days, and then actually launching Monday Nitro and becoming the talk of the town and the talk of the whole world. I saw all the same kind of potential here with this group of guys, and everyone behind the scenes as well. So, I just thought it was a good fit. It was a now or never kind of thing.”

• Devon comparing his bosses: “Well, you got Doctor Frankenstein, Paul Heyman, who was kind of a rebel and loved to play mind games, but in a good way. He'd play his mind games with you so you'd understand the business and what it's about. Then you've got Vince, he's the grandfather of them all. The biggest thing I tell my students is if you go out and perform in front of Vince and not have any fear, you'll make it in his business. With TNA it's kind of like out of all three bosses, Dixie Carter is the best looking one...”

• Jesse Sorensen on Dixie Carter's support: “She was there before my mom was and was just there telling me everything's going to be OK and totally took care of me. I mean, she was there from the time I got hurt – she was holding my hand right after I got paralyzed.”

• TNA taping last shows at Impact Zone: On March 19, 2013, TNA taped Hardcore Justice followed by a tournament style PPV based around former TNA champions. (For the remainder of the year, TNA was on the road.)

MORE FROM /u/inmynothing

• A Look Back: WWE 2010 Pt. 1

• A Look Back: WWE 2011

• A Look Back: WWE 2012

• A Look Back: WWE 2013 Pt. 1

• A Look Back: WWE 2013 Pt. 2

• A Look Back: WWE 2013 Pt. 3