Impact 26/05/06

Dean Roberts returned to the IWF for the first time since SSS and confronted Matthew Mercy with a challenge, a challenge which could put both men's careers on the line at Heat Wave...if Mercy accepts!

As the show was coming to a close, Dean Roberts made his way to the ring, having discharged himself from hospital and he begged Matthew Mercy to face him in the ring "like a man!" Mercy came put but said he had nothing to prove against a "broken down, worn out loser" but Dean replied that he had one thing in mind that he was sure would tempt Mercy into the ring one more time...a "Loser Must Retire" match between the two at Heat Wave. The crowd went nuts, but Mercy, after pondering the suggestion, merely turned around and left. What will happen between these two...will Mercy accept the challenge?

In the main event of the evening, Shawn Michaels was given the opportunity to take on the World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton in a non-title match and thanks to some distraction by guest colour commentator Jay Reso it looked like Shawn may get the win, but he didn't count on the returning Peter Turner, who shocked the world by running in and costing Michaels the match. Turner then stated he wanted Micheals one-one-one at Heat Wave.

Eric Bischoff also annoucned a four team tournament to declare the number one contenders to the tag team titles...but there was a twist. Bischoff said he was naming eight men, who would be drawn at random to make teams. The draw was done and the opening matches were held. The team of Matt Morgan & Triple H defeated Kane & Rob Van Dam, when HHH pinned Kane, in one match, whilst in the other, Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit defeated Abyss and Phil Jackson when Jericho made PJ submit to the Lion-Tamer.

James Gibson defeated Eric Young after the interference of Cruiserweight Champion Rick Shaw in an exciting match. Afterwards Young was livid, but Shaw was laughing away. In the other match of the evening, European Champion Paul Wardle defeated Finlay by Disqualification when William Regal interfered.

In other news from the show, the women of the IWF were in a uncharacteristically sharing mood, as all of them struggled to digest exactly what Matthew Mercy had done to Annalise Roberts on Warfare. We were also notified that Annalise has indeed suffered a broken leg and will be out indefinately.

We also saw Torrie Wilson and the Big Gee getting rather friendly with one another. Is true love in the air?

MATCH RESULTS:
Chris Jericho & Chris Benoit defeated Abyss & Phil Jackson
James Gibson pinned Eric Young
Triple H & Matt Morgan defeated Kane & Rob Van Dam
Paul Wardle defeated Finlay by DQ.
Randy Orton pinned Shawn Michaels