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MORE IMPACT REAX

I don't usually react to Impact or even watch TNA period but I had to react to this. TNA is so unbelieveably cheesy that it's ridiculous. I cannot stand how nearly every match has to have interference in it. Does clean matches even exist in TNA besides the Women's division? 

The opening match between Steiner/Williams vs. Lethal/Dutt was a very typical match with the typical spots nothing special, They're still fighting for the briefcases? Can they just get their title shot and move on? They give too much time to boring characters like Eric Young and a few others. Rellik/Black Reign vs. Shark Boy/Curry Man was just a joke and the post-match was typical TNA style with a bunch on non-sense in between. The Robert Roode/Booker T angle was a good sequence within the show but the announcers just wouldn't shut up. There is no need to scream like a chicken with your head cut off while an angle occurs. When something like that happens in the ring, the announcers need to shut up! Period! The James Storm promo was actually pretty decent. As for the ladder match, I will say that it was the worst ladder match I've ever seen in history. Also for a utterly ridiculous title. This match was the only good match I saw in the entire show.

Awesome Kong vs. Angelina Love was a good women's match and it's currently the only division that has clean matches. For only that segment of the show, I was into the show. The Knockouts Division is the only thing I would watch the TNA product for. As for the main event, it was very WCW style, slow and methodical wrestling and I was expecting that. It wasn't that bad of a match but the ending just pissed me off at this point I was so fed up with the interference and the outside commotion taking away from the matches. How can I take them serious with no-clean matches, all of these stupid gimmicks, and the only division that's good is the Knockouts Division.

TNA is an insult to all of professional wrestling. They're trying prove that they will be better than WWE someday, they better keep on dreaming. This will be the last time in a long long while I will watch this show ever again.

Bryant Mooney
Stamford, Conn.

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TNA TALENT CHOICES

Regarding your Hit & Miss article on TNA's latest televised show, I think the reasoning is this: It's all about who TNA wants to get over, not necessarily who the fans want to get over. No way would I watch Impact live (meaning I didn't tape it beforehand so I could fast-forward some parts). Honestly, I don't know if there is going to be a fan club for Eric Young, Curry Man, Shark Boy, Rellik, Black Reign, and VKM. I think Booker has wrestled a grand total of five matches since his arrival, and none of them truly indictive of what he can do in the ring. But he sure cut a lot of promos.
 
I do believe that TNA will put stars on the back burner and have their one-trick ponies get over, because they appeal to a seperate demographic. I can understand their reasoning for trying to balance the "heavy emotional soap opera" of Angle-Karen-Styles with looney tunes Team 3D, wimp Young and monsters Rellik and Black Reign, but as a fan I don't know if they truly deserve to get that much air time. You can see where they are trying to go, but it doesn't mean that it should get air time (i.e. burying Young).
 
It is my belief that TNA doesn't really focus on character development or progession of your career. They foam at the mouth for stars like Nash but seemingly will let young hot talent fall off the face of the earth (i.e. Team MMG)
 
It's about ratings. You could be flying high one minute (i.e. Kaz) and then nearly sinking into obscurity (i.e. Kaz) the next. 
 
That's why I usually call Impact a soap opera, because the focus really isn't on wrestling. I know that in this day and age the matches that we used to see on AWA has been shifted into storylines and whatnot, but the main thing wrestling fans care about is wrestling. When's the last time you saw a TNA televised match that didn't have any interference, no ref incompetence (I'm talking about when the illusion is broken and it's just nonsense), and a psychology to the match? It's been quite awhile. Maybe in the women's, but I'm hardpressed to find when I've been impressed with a TNA televised match. I don't know why TNA believes that fans will buy the PPV. It's downright cheap to promise fans that "the real matches" will be on PPV, when we downright know it will probably end in interference or other nonsense. It's not to say that interference and incompetence aren't welcomed, but I think we can agree that match quality is not on the top of their list.
 
I'm hearing a lot of fans who say that they will never watch TNA again. I actually look forward to Impact, because I have no reservations, no expectations of greatness. I've learned to tune out the announcers. I am expecting them to mess up, to botch storylines. I like to analyze their booking logic, the segments they have, and then try to offer constructive criticism (most of the time). I don't expect them to change because they believe they are a rocket ship. They would turn the legacy and culture of wrestling into a farce into some sort of mutant creature that would gain ratings (like they are doing now). Thing is that I'm in their key demographic (I'm 22) and I could understand why some older wrestling fans say that TNA has turned to crap.
 
It's like a summer movie, in where it's trying to grab your attention, but usually sacrficies quality and logic for it. It's not like TNA doesn't know what to do, they can produce quality matches, logic, talent development. But for whatever reason this is the path they are going on. 
 
That's why I say Impact is all about ratings, not about quality or logic. If things were different, Shark Boy would never see the light of day. If ratings did start to slip, fans should be afraid, because they might get deseparate. They treat their fans like trained monkeys (well, every wrestling organization does, but some are way, way off in tune with fans than others i.e. ROH rape angle). Most often than not Impact hinders their growth. I don't know what their mission plan is, but I think they are fully aware that Impact is largely seen as a pathetic joke.
 
Shane McKinley

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MORE WRESTLING OSCAR AWARD PICKS
 
Performance by an actor in a leading role (Considerable TV time, high-end of card):

Vince McMahon: His portrayal of the overbearing, violent, abusive and ultimately remorseful father in the Hornswoggle story line has been captivating audiences for over 5 months now.  He has made people boo, laugh and even now cry during this story line.  The shadow that is now cast  with his allowing the brutal beating by the hands of JBL shows the aspects of the abusive father who realizes he shouldn't have violently struck his child and then is remorseful and apologetic.  Now we see the confused father figure in a "Montel Willams" moment when he hears that the son might not be his. He has brought a very realistic aspect to this ongoing story
 
Randy Orton: Say what you will about the legend killer, he has been at the top of the mountain throwing off the competition left and right.  His vicious attacks, including violent head kicks and his ability to assist in getting someone like Jeff Hardy propelled into the main event status has RKO at the head of his class on RAW.  Randy has been everything from cocky, to maniacal, to vicious to down right just plain dirty in the ring.  The future is starting to arrive finally in Randy Orton
 
John Cena: He is intense, he is hated, he is loved and he is here.  Cena has been the center of every major story line on RAW for the past few years except for 4 months, but now he is back and right back into the thick of the drama on RAW.  Cena is one of the only superstars to be able to be booed out of the building one minuet and with 2 words or 1 action later to be cheered the way that Austin use to be.
 
Samoa Joe: The only really good thing in TNA.  Joe is one of the most passionate wrestlers in the company and his story lines continue to add intrigue on where he stands and his quest for the TNA Strap.  Thanks to his interactions with Kevin Nash, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles and Christian added to his in ring abilities, Joe continues to make people interested in him and TNA, even if TNA has serious issues right now, Joe is one of the main reasons it even gets viewers.
 
Honorable Mentions: Triple H: A good year, but nothing too super for a guy who feuded with Snitsky and Umaga for the majority of it.  When he turns heel he will be back to the top.  HBK: Same with Shawn, great beginning with a main event feud with Cena, but his time away and lack of fire when he returned hindered his year.  Kurt Angle: TNA will ruin any main eventer no matter how big they are.  Jeff Hardy: If the WWE is smart he could be the front runner next year for this award, but his lack of winning the WWE title keeps him still under the others. Edge/Undertaker/Batista: The top 3 guys on Smackdown! have already feuded with each other too much.  Undertaker and Batista have had a few match of the year candidates but as far as story lines go, they are the same as last year.  Edge needs new faces bad, maybe Big Show or Finlay can fix that.

Performance by an actor in a supporting role (Limited TV time, mid-card storyline):
 
Finlay: Lately very few people have been as good in a supporting role as Finlay has been, maybe even ever.  The Hornswoggle/Mr. McMahon story line has been intriguing, but ever since Finlay got involved it has been a highlight on the show.  His passion and genuine concern has lead fans to cheer…loudly for the Belfast Brawler.  Even with throw away matches with Kali, Finlay has fans waiting for him to come out and beat the crap out of people who mess with Horny.  Now with JBL and Vince McMahon, Finlay can become a valued asset to the face division of RAW but more so on Smackdown! Where they need new faces.
 
Ric Flair: Almost by default he would be considered in this category.  Ric Flair, is well Ric Flair.  His retirement storyline is going to get the much needed boost when HBK and he finally get it rolling and then we get to see two of the greatest in ring performers have a stellar match at Wrestlemania.  Ric has been a top second string player for a while now, willing to put over younger talent and teach the future, but it is good that is coming to an end.  His feuds have been legendary and his legacy will be unmatched.  Right now, Flair bring ins viewers who want to see him for his final few months and that is what he is about, making fans believe in Wrestling.
 
MVP: Almost to main event level, MVP continues to show why he is a valued asset to Smackdown!.  He has had the low profile feuds and he has had the high profile matches.  He is versatile in this, a lot like the younger days of the Rock.  His story line with Matt Hardy was fantastic as it really brought to life the United States Title and was truly engrossing.  If it wasn't for Hardy's injuries then who knows where this could have gone.  MVP also always looks good with other near main event faces like Kane and Ric Flair.  His matches with the Undertaker too prove that this young heel has all the potential to be main eventing by next year.
 
Santino Morrelli: What can you say about one of the funniest and most skilled wrestlers on the mic doing his gimmick?  Nothing really all the negative.  Santino continues to add humor and heat to his act week by week.  He may not wrestle all the much, but it is a highlight when he comes out.  His stint with a "out of the ring" feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin was a highlight to the show when RAW was lacking just about everything else.  It was brilliant to promote the DVD by having a guy who the fans hate makes you want to see the movie even more just to prove him wrong.  As with Austin they are now doing the jealous boy friend with Maria, something that yes has been done but like Eddie Geurro did with Chyna, Santino has all the right tools and charm in the business to make it his own and make it unique.
 
Honorable Mentions: Umaga: Always a reliable heel for a squash or to stack the deck, he is often a main eventer by default.  Umaga had a great year but the lack of titles and wins keeps him out of the race.  JBL: He stayed out of the true lime light with his terrible feud with Y2J.  The only reason he is mentioned is because of his recent involvement in the Hornswoggle/McMahon feud, like a late entry to the Oscar race, JBL made his late strides to be recognized by brutalizing the little guy.  AJ Styles: The once future of TNA and wrestling in general has been moved to second fiddle behind Christian and Angle.  He still has the skills, but his comedic demeanor is not what the fans loved about the phenomenal one.  AJ needs to get back on track.  Tomko:  We will see what happens with this guy, but for now he keeps interest up in TNA, one of the better aspects of TNA is Tomko saying he has the back of the Alliance, but not to mess with him.  It is reminiscent of the Undertaker/Big Show partnership where they teamed because it was good for both of them, but in a split second they would "stab each other in the face" (not the back) to get what they want.
 
Performance by an actress in a leading role (Considerable TV time, high-end of card):

Gail Kim: She is the heart and soul of the TNA Knockouts right now and arguably one of the better wrestlers in TNA.  She had great matches this year, she has had some of the best matches on the show and hopefully will continue to excite the fans and add something new to her feud with Awesome Kong.  Seriously, when was the last time you saw the main event of a show a woman's title match?  Only a few weeks back on TNA that I can ever remember. 
 
Maria: She is going to pose for playboy.  Every male over the age of 15 is excited.  She has had some great interactions with Santino as well with the story line progressing of the Playboy shoot.  She has been funny, and has continued to be one of the sexiest women on television.
 
Mickie James:  Anyone who can make Beth Phoniex look good is a top candidate for woman wrestler of the year.  Beth is awful, Mickie continues to be great.  The only problem is that she is limited in competition since the best female wrestler in years retired (Trish Stratus) and was a highlight feud for her.  Mickie needs fresher and better competition right now.
 
Karen Angle:  Smart, sexy and devious.  Karen Angle is what an actress in wrestling should be.  She has no in ring ability so she plays the valet in a love triangle to perfection.  Her need to be center stage and her need to be associated with a champion is played to perfection by Karen.  On acting alone, Karen is great, she has everything that makes her the truly hated female manager for the right reasons (not like Melina who was hated because she was annoying).  Her ambition for Kurt to hold the gold at any cost and the new storyline with AJ continue to show why Karen Angle is something the WWE really missed out on.

Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Limited TV time, mid-card storyline)
Ashley: Her involvement in the Santino/Maria feud is good.  She is the instigator for Maria to pose and it works well with the situation.  Ashley has never been an all star in the ring, but she is fitting her purpose playing the side kick to the much more popular Maria.
 
Kelly Kelly: She doesn't really do much, but she is out there on ECW trying really hard.  Her in ring presence is progressing and she is very attractive.  It's just too bad she is terrible on the microphone.
 
Achievement in costume design:

The Undertaker: Although not the same fantastic look as he had way back in the early 90's, the Dead Man still has the classic look of a death valley demon and to this day still stands the tests of time in the wrestling world.
 
Hornswoggle: The little guy looks like a leprechaun, and it works.  Since they are going a more serious root for him while wanting to keep him cute and funny the costume works to perfection.  It may be stupid, but the truth is that it really helps get people into him, if he dressed normal would the angel be any good?
 
James Mitchel: The ex sinister minister still has the look.  His suits always bring out the evil look in him.   Mitchel has always been an interesting character and his costume helps bring out the sinister side to him.
 
MVP: His outfit looks exactly like what you would imagine out of a cocky sports star would wear in a ring.  Imagine Terell Owens or Chad Johnson in the WWE not the NFL.  That is what MVP looks like.  It personifies his character to the "t".
 
Best documentary short subject:

Hardy/Orton feud.  The WWE did an awesome job building this feud up.  The ending video package before their big match at the PPV was amazing.  Its too bad they didn't continue this because it really was on track for being a really great long rivalry. 
 
Ric Flair Tribute:  HBK came out and introduced one heck of a video package for Ric Flair.  His career is coming to an end and the first (of many I would assume) video package highlighting it was fantastic.
 
HBK/Cena: their build up video was great.  It really showed what was brewing between two unlikely and unintentional partners who were forced to team together to some extent.  It also showed how HBK still has the darker mind game side to him, which is something that he doesn't show that much anymore.

Achievement in makeup (Best Male or Female make-up assisted appearance):

Umaga: The paint stays on for the majority of the match, which is good.  Also it looks pretty close to being a real tribal tattoo.
 
Sting: It is one of the most classic and recognizable designs in professional wrestling today, even if he took if from a comic book/movie.  Sting still has the white face paint and it still works great to this day, intimidating the rivals and making the fans still stand and cheer.
 
Torrie Wilson: She has more wrinkles and blemishes in her face due to years of heavy makeup and stretching, and do to the fact that she is pushing 40.  Torri continues to look stunning though thanks to a great make up team
 
Achievement in music (Best Entrance Song):

Batista: When you hear "I walk alone" you know what is coming.  His music has so much intensity and it really brings out the animal in Batista.
 
Ric Flair: The theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey still hold true to the greatness that is Flair today.  His music personifies everything about the nature boy. Arrogance, flamboyance, success and greatness.  These are the themes you think of with the song, and with the Nature Boy you get them all in him.  You can beat the man, but you will never be the man.
 
Jeff Hardy: It just changed yes, but it still holds the excitement and intensity that fans associate with Hardy.
 
John Cena: The song itself is no good, but there are few songs that make little kids and women cheer and grown men want to go back to the original ECW days and throw chairs into the ring. 
 
Note: TNA's music is terrible which is why no one got nominated.  I remember WCW/NWO Revenge arcade music was better than TNA's theme music

Adam Riemer
Brooklyn N.Y.

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