-- 8/19 TNA Impact Reax

Joe Ward of Cary, N.C. (6.0): Best: Flair's promo with EV2.0. Worst: Jarrett/Sting/Nash nonsense. TNA is close to getting the formula right. I liked the hot opening with Hardy and Abyss, as it was something different, and played well into last week's storyline. Flair was old-school brilliant on the mic, and A.J. sounds like he's taking promo lessons from Arn Anderson. They are getting a good blend of story-telling and physical activity, but need to emphasis the in-ring action more. They also need to cut the storylines down. It's too much to try to follow Abyss's "they are coming" storyline, "Fortune taking over," "EV2.0," a title tournament, "Angle's run through all the contenders" storyline, and especially the "Jarrett, Hogan, Nash" b.s. I would like to see the Motor City Machineguns in a new program with maybe Ink, Inc. A reunited LAX would have been good, too, before Homicide left. The only issue I see with Fortune and EV2.0 are the reversed roles. The TNA guys should be the faces defending their "wrestling promotion" against the EV2.0 "garbage wrestling." TNA has the best athletes in wrestling right now and if they focus on the wrestling, they could differentiate themselves in a positive way from WWE. And for goodness sakes, give Angelina and Velvet Sky more in-ring time. They are on a completely different level than any "Divas match."

Sean of Minneapolis, Minn.: I wrote this with ten minutes left on Impact wondering why I watched the last hour and fifty minutes. For the last eight months, all I have heard about is the youth movement in TNA, with an opportunity for the young guys to shine and really make their mark. If that is the case than I am wondering the following. (1) Why are former stars from ECW still on my television? (2) Why is there a drawn-out angle between Sting, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett, and the Hogan/Bischoff regime? (3) Why are less-talented wrestlers like Rob Terry, Orlando Jordan, and Eric Young getting more air time than Desmond Wolfe, Brian Kendrick, Hernandez, and Generation Me? This TNA Championship tournament doesn't feel important. I can't take it seriously they have all four of the quarterfinal match-ups on one night and all four matches are a combined 20 minutes, not to mention that the finals won't be for another eight weeks! Besides, it's borderline obvious that either Kurt Angle will win the title to avoid retiring, or it will be his final match (if he meant what he said). TNA needs to make the titles feel important. They were off to a good start with MCMG and the tag titles, but I get the feeling it will be screwed up somehow. This roster has some serious talent, and it is being wasted.

Mike of Philadelphia, Pa.: So, I officially drank the TNA Kool-Aid a few years ago, thanks in part to the strong women's division and young talent. I really would like to see better wrestling from the ladies because I believe they're capable. I know Angelina and Velvet can wrestle, but, lately, they haven't looked that good and they aren't given ample time to do much of anything. I can only name five Knockouts on the roster, not including Lacey. Sadly, there is now so much talent on the roster that they can't give the women more than four minutes and it's becoming a bathroom break opportunity. I don't want more Divas; it's terrible TV. ... Anyone else notice the similarities between Fortune and Nexus outside of Ric Flair? The subtext of Nexus's former all-star mentors was pretty cool even, though it rarely gets mentioned. All that exists right now is Ric Flair's ego, and it's not making me want to tune in. Of course, I still will because the young talent is awesome to watch and I'm a child of the ECW era of a wrestling. Is there a sliver of hope that Jay Lethal can become the TV champion? Seriously, that could be one of the best ideas and series of matches on TNA. TNA needs to have another show to flesh other storylines; Impact has expanded too much.

We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "TNA TV 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 Impact, click here.

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

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