By Shane McKinley, PWTorch Specialist

A Special Place For Long, Boring Matches
 
Not much to report from tonight, but there are some notables spots. I thought the best match of the night was Matt Hardy vs. Mike Knox. Color me impressed that Knox can even deliver a dropkick. I would rather have standard but good promos like the one Mark Henry did than long, drawn out ones. Looks like it will be Ricky Ortiz-Evan Bourne vs. JoMizzy next week. I would be happier but obviously both John Morrison and The Miz could be doing so much more. JoMo: "Give Carlito his hair back, man!." Love that unique pin by Bourne.

While it is true that we do not see enough technical/suplex guys in the WWE, Jack Swagger is starting to freak me out with his constant smiling. Unnerving. Swagger's next opponent will be the formidable Tommy Dreamer. And finally, Mark Henry and Finlay make a statement that they should not hook up again in the ring. Ever. It told its story, but there was not a whole lot to keep me interested for the whole match. One of those matches where you hope it would just end. Both announcers will probably get a lashing from WWE from their questionable announcing tonight. Pretty sad that Matt Striker is the closest thing fans have nowadays to a heel announcer.

ECW'S FINAL VERDICT: Very Absurd

Like what Mike Knox did in his match. JoMizzy could be doing so much more. Jack Swagger and Ricky Ortiz are demons from nightmares. And the main event was pretty much standard filler. As it stands right now, ECW is merely going through the motions in their shows. Evan Bourne is now the main reason to tune in, while Matt Hardy and Mark Henry lay down solid but often boring groundwork for their PPV match.

LEAVING YOU WITH MY ABSURD THOUGHT: Some wrestling companies will use this phrase: "We are sorry if anyone was offended." Which is like saying, "We thought this would be a great idea, but for some odd reason people got offended, and we do not want any backlash." The reason I bring this up is because of Bashir's music in TNA. I would imagine that people sat around in the meeting (or in front of the XBOX) and talked about what Bashir's music should be. Sounds of an airplane flying into a building is like going into Uwe Boll's realm. "But it will make fans really hate him." Duh. But there are some areas where wrestling should not go just to push one lousy character or feud.  
 
While I do admit that sometimes "controversy creates cash" (thanks, Uncle Eric) and that some people are indeed too uptight, it is hard to find the reason why people thought the music for Bashir was such a great choice. But that is how it is in TNA. Instead of pushing what is their strength (fast-paced action, uniqueness), they would rather push their characters and feuds, which are not all that good in the first place. Bashir comes in with shocking quotes and all of that. It just falls flat because it is not fun to hate Bashir. Sure it works, but is it really pushing the envelope of quality programming (or even coming close to it)? No. When a wrestling company taps into really ignorant emotions from its fans, it is inexcusable and frankly downright junk.
 
My email is mckinley.torch@gmail.com.

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