TNA Genesis PPV Reax - January 11, 2008

Eric Gall of Bridgeport, Conn. (7.5): High Point: Angle vs. Jarrett, Shelley vs. Sabin. Low Point: Sting vs. Rhino, Kip as surprise fill-in. Wow, TNA starts of the year with two Match of the Year candidates on its first PPV. Hernandez was made to look strong, and it was mostly enjoyable to see him elevated like that. Shelley and Sabin's innovation and execution showed why they are a cut above the rest of the X-Division, and also why they are still underutilized. Shane Sewell's overacting is kinda entertaining in a "so bad it's good" way. The Bashir-chasing-Hebner-in-circles spot was ultra-lame, and detracted from my enjoyment of the show. Therewere some sloppy, clunky moments on this show, but it didn't bother me. The show entertained me, and I think the emotion of Don West helped carry a lot of it. Tenay was more convincing than he usually is, too. Jarrett's match with Angle may have been his best match that I've ever seen. I thought he might've legit busted his hip after that suplex through the table to the floor. The emotion of this match was much higher than I thought I was going to see; Jeff Jarrett pleasantly surprised me. I know Sting was hurt, but the title match was bad. If the champ can't go, do something, but a half-assed match is inexcusable. The six-man tag was messy but fun. The show might not have been a flashy, stylish production, but it kept me interested in the in-ring action. That to me, is still the most important factor for a wrestling show.

Alex Roberts in the U.K. (5.0): Best Match: Sabin vs. Shelley. Worst Match: Sting vs. Rhino. Genesis was another story of so close yet still so far for TNA, with the good once again finding itself almost completely overshadowed by the bad. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley had a fantastic match that highlighted how poorly they and the X Division as a whole have been used in recent history. My one complaint would be the finish; the fake injury didn't really work for me, otherwise an excellent effort. Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett tried hard in their brawl and while I was for the most part entertained, my general disinterest in their feud left the whole thing feeling distant and un-involving. The repeated chair shots followed by kick outs didn't help matters. Then we have the bad. The opening six-man was a pointless distraction. The Knockouts match was just bad and made worse by the post-match. The wrestling referee angle out stayed its welcome months ago. The decision to have Sting wrestle a singles match just weeks after knee surgery was ridiculous and backfired in the form of a horrible match that made Rhino even less likeable than he was going into it - something I thought was impossible. The main event and Mick Foley's glorious return to the ring was an absolute train wreck. The decision to replace Kevin Nash with Cute Kip (is he a member of MEM now? If so I'd suggest a name change for the stable) pretty much sums up the entire TNA experience. Had I brought this PPV expecting to see Kevin Nash and found him replaced by Billy Gunn, annoyed wouldn't have come close to summing up my feelings. The match itself was just bad and the booking of it was astonishing. The fact they followed up the Angle-Jarrett brawl by turning this match into a hardcore one was bad enough that it ended with Mick Foley getting the pin after the worst DDT I've seen in years was even worse. What does it say about the TNA Frontline group when the only person who can get the upper hand on the MEM is an out of shape semi-retired wrestler? And what does it say about the MEM that an out of shape semi-retired wrestler who hasn't had a match in a good couple of years was able to get the better of them? As is always the case with TNA the truly terrible booking decisions overshadow any small ray of light the wrestlers can produce in the ring.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "TNA PPV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on the PPV, click here.

[Jeff Jarrett art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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