4/23 TNA Impact Reax

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0): Best: Mick on the street videos; Steiner-Angle promo; Daniels interview. Worst: commentary on Steiner-Jarrett. TNA seems to have more trouble getting started after PPVs than WWE has going into its next ones. As weak as it was, at least Sting got something Shawn Michaels didn't: an explanation for his leave of absence. I'm still not too keen on Mick being champion, but I did like the interesting "on the street" videos of Mick. I don't think I've ever seen a champion in the day-after aftermath of the win before. It did also work toward explaining the big head Mick seemed to get from making a big deal about being champion and having the belt. Oddly, it made the belt seem important, too. Looks like Angelina recovered fairly well from her concussion from the PPV. Her celebration did what it needed to do to set up a Kong-Angelina rematch (which I'm hoping Angelina retains). Meanwhile in Knockout Land, I would have rather Taylor and Bolt battle it out in a regular match rather than a ladder match if the result was going to be so short. Instead of the traditional rematch, Beer Money has to run the tourney gauntlet. While it does make the tag titles seems like big deal with several teams vying for the opportunity, I'd actually rather have Beer Money enact their rematch clause on the grounds that they "weren't ready" for Philly. I wanted to slap Tenay silly for being so focused on Jarrett's interrupted thoughts about Steiner. He came across as a childish kid waiting for an answer to "Mommy, can I have...?" as mom is interrupted by the phone or doing some other duty. Nash took a lot more bumps than I expected, even with that monstrous elbow brace on. I cringed too much from them, so I'm hoping that Kevin's wrestling action will be minimal until he's much more healed up. MEM has been this unstoppable force in TNA for months, but it could take a simple catfight to implode the ranks? TNA has done a nice job bringing Daniels back into the fold. Welcome aboard, Trevor--uh, Jethro. I hate this name, but if Creative's head is in the right place, they could do nice by the former Murdoch. Steiner and Jarrett were making the effort to make their match entertaining and good. But it was Chet Lemon and Black Snow all over again. And Mick Foley turning heel on Jarrett? On the count of three, everyone say "DUH!" The writing for the Foley turn has been on the wall for weeks, in large bold print. So if there is no Sting-Foley rematch, and I'm not expecting one, who will his opponent be? I'm hoping the members of Frontline/Originals, but expecting MEM somehow. Whatever TNA does, please, please, PLEASE, no "Finger poke Of Doom"!

4/23 WWE Superstars Reax

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0): Best: Cena promo. Worst: Finlay/Horny vs. Kidd/Natalya. While it was not as good as last week, this show was fun for the U.K. crowd. As for what was presented, Kane vs. Punk was just one string of continuity short of being a completely random match. They were the final two in the MITB match - the rivalry string that ties them together - but it wasn't played up enough. Unless the MITB case is on the line, what's the point? If the plan is to book Punk to cash in at Backlash, some sense of doubt and urgency could have left viewers guessing. Finlay can reasonably carry a tune, but it's more and more looking like Tyson Kidd is being made to "pay his dues." I'm not sure I'm liking that too much unless the losses are going to be used to build Kidd up as a scrapper in the Jamie Noble vein. Cena played it serious in his promo and sold what is looking like the end of Cena-Edge as the big deal it should be. The equation to Yankees vs. Red Sox was a nice touch. Edge-Kofi was a bit sloppy (most of the TV matches done overseas tend to be due to probable jet lag). But Kofi wasn't completely squashed, and Edge got a nice little tune-up match before Sunday. Could have done more to sell Punk-Kane and the other non-title matches. WWE seems confident they've done enough for Backlash. I'm not sold on it, though.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on these show for a "TV Raw 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 Thursday night TV, click here.

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