Torch Feedback TNA Impact Reax #2: "All of the so-called 'swerves' could be seen coming far too predictably."
Nov 18, 2007 - 3:15:25 PM
PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO BOOKMARK US & VISIT US DAILY
Brian J. Adkins of King, N.C. (4.0) Best match: Angle-Kazarian. Worst Match: Three-way with Black Reign, Abyss, and Rellik. It's been said many times before,and this show proves it to still be true; TNA tries to gives us too much too quickly.They only have two more weeks to get you interested in the next PPV on Dec. 2, but this was not the way to do it as it was just a cluttered mess. Mike Tenay and Don West went back to their annoying habit of talking about everything except the match happening in the ring. The extracurricular activities after every match once again took precedent over the match itself. All of the so-called "swerves" could be seen coming far too predictably - such as the Johnny "Havok" Devine turn - unless you are under the age of 7. TNA needs to incorporate a split screen so we can follow the live action along with seeing the instant replay and time their commercial breaks better; each time they would come back the match would be over in about two minutes. Why would anyone care about Raven and Lance Hoyt getting a win over L.A.X.? The other time we've seen them they were already arguing with each other and acted like a dysfunctional unit. If Rhyno really wanted to help Abyss, he should have come five minutes earlier. "Rellik" is a really bad name. It sounds like the actual word "relic" which makes it seem like you're going to be watching something old and worn. How does all the crusierweights ganging up on Team 3D prove they're better? Just like in WWE with Beth Phoenix they are doing a good job building up Awesome Kong as a huge threat. They treated Booker T and Sharmell as a big deal,which was done well. Booker and Christian's interaction was good. They finally advanced the Ms. Brooks, Roode and his "fan" storyline. But again, with everything else happening,it got lost in the shuffle. The video they showed for Kazarian would have had more effect if they had shown it a couple more times earlier in the show. The Angle-Kaz match itself was very good. Samoa Joe coming out as Hall and Nash's partner didn't sound like it received a very loud pop. Next week, a "turkey bowl" and the loser has to wear a turkey outfit. Eric Young last year dressed up voluntarily as a turkey. This type of lame gimmick is why some fans still feel TNA is, at least, second rate.
Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0): Best: Angle vs. Kaz; Angle interview (without all the other junk) Worst: 3D's list of demands; three-way monster match. Right out of the gate, I found it kinda weird that Jim Cornette gagged Tenay and West about Booker and Sharmell, yet when Booker and Sharmell appear to address the crowd and sign on to TNA, there was no Genesis footage to show his reveal there. Weird. As for the rest of the show, there is still way too much going on, but I wasn't growling at my TV too much at what was being shown. Cornette called out Morgan for taking over responsibilities that apparently he wasn't supposed to have (probably to answer the questions of Morgan's booking power), and Morgan retorted logically that he was doing the job as he would do if he were in Cornette's shoes. 3D's list of demands were the dumbest list of things (thankfully the Guns called them on it), but the delivery of them was done well, as was the followup in ring. "That Was Awesome" is now a rally cry in support of the X Division, and the crowd was absolutely loud with it. Either 3D is way over as the big jerk heels, or the X Division got itself the big shot in the arm it's been needing. The swerve by Havoc as X Division traitor seemed to be bought despite his so low ranking on the totem pole. Christian has just one undefeated claim to work with - being pinned - which he is clinging to by the bare thread his record hangs by. Looks like the end of that may be coming soon with Booker T. I can buy, with the way he's currently characterized him, Styles's explanation that he only meant to further shore up the Christian Coalition by siding with Angle. Looks like Tomko will be leading a face turn now, with A.J. to follow with him. Without all the baggage, Angle gave an interview that didn't leave me rolling my eyes wondering if he had made a mistake coming to TNA. Kaz was treated as something important, right down to being too nervous and focusing to give a promo. The Kaz-Angle match was very good, and left plenty of room for Kaz to move forward even in loss. The hint of challenging to continue could be a clue that the taste of title contention was good and he wants more. He stepped aside for the post-match activities, but Kaz could give a promo next week how invigorated he is now that he's had a great spectacle match and a great title match under his belt and he's ready to be The Future. Let's hope Kaz's journey hasn't ended yet.
Paul Plale of Millersburg, Pa. (7.5) : Best Match: Kurt Angle vs. Kaz. Worst Match: Don West & Mike Tenay vs. My Ears. I'm conflicted about this show. The good is very good, but the bad is cringe-inducing. Angle-Kaz was a phenomenal TV match, lasting nearly 20 minutes without major interference and followed up with a hot ending. I'm thrilled that Joe, not Sting or Booker, is the mystery partner. As always, Christian was on tonight. His interview early in the show and face-off with Booker were money. He just sold some pay-per-views. A.J. Styles, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley were all good on interview. Theirs was really the only comedy that didn't completely fall flat. Also, Kim vs. Kong could legitimize the women's division. But the good truly just made the bad stick out like a swollen goiter. Who decided Team 3D was funny? They're not. Why should I care about Chris Harris? I don't. Why are all of Abyss's opponents insane and from hell? It's stupid. Finally, why the hell are Tenay and West still on commentary? They are corny, annoying, and inarticulate. They were so horrible during the main event, that I could not even enjoy the match. They acted as if Angle winning was a foregone conclusion, even after an even match with several nearfalls. They ignored the accomplishment of Kaz outwrestling Kurt. Worst of all, they couldn't even call play-by-play. They don't know the names of holds, can't follow the action, and drivel on and on about the damn Turkey Bowl DURING a World Title match! Fire West & Tenay NOW.
Want your voice to be heard inside of WWE headquarters tomorrow morning? Or in TNA headquarters? This is the independent site many people in both groups read to gauge fan feedback. We still welcome your 1-10 score and comments. To contribute your thoughts on Raw, click here. Please keep your thoughts to around 10-15 lines if possible to increase your odds of being published.
THE TORCH REACHES MORE COMBAT ENTERTAINMENT FANS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE
PWTorch editor Wade Keller has covered pro wrestling full time since 1987 starting with the Pro Wrestling Torch print newsletter. PWTorch.com launched in 1999 and the PWTorch Apps launched in 2008.
He has conducted "Torch Talk" insider interviews with Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff, Jesse Ventura, Lou Thesz, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Paul Heyman, Bruno Sammartino, Goldberg, more.
He has interviewed big-name players in person incluiding Vince McMahon (at WWE Headquarters), Dana White (in Las Vegas), Eric Bischoff (at the first Nitro at Mall of America), Brock Lesnar (after his first UFC win).
He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)
REACHING 1 MILLION+ UNIQUE USERS PER MONTH
500 MILLION CLICKS & LISTENS PER YEAR
MILLIONS OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTERS SOLD
PWTorch offers a VIP membership for $10 a month (or less with an annual sub). It includes nearly 25 years worth of archives from our coverage of pro wrestling dating back to PWTorch Newsletters from the late-'80s filled with insider secrets from every era that are available to VIPers in digital PDF format and Keller's radio show from the early 1990s.
Also, new exclusive top-shelf content every day including a new VIP-exclusive weekly 16 page digital magazine-style (PC and iPad compatible) PDF newsletter packed with exclusive articles and news.
The following features come with a VIP membership which tens of thousands of fans worldwide have enjoyed for many years...
-New Digital PWTorch Newsletter every week
-3 New Digital PDF Back Issues from 5, 10, 20 years ago
-Over 60 new VIP Audio Shows each week
-Ad-free access to all PWTorch.com free articles
-VIP Forum access with daily interaction with PWTorch staff and well-informed fellow wrestling fans
-Tons of archived audio and text articles
-Decades of Torch Talk insider interviews in transcript and audio formats with big name stars. **SIGN UP FOR VIP ACCESS HERE**