By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Tonight's TNA Victory Road PPV has shaped up to be one of the strongest PPV line-ups of the year for TNA. It helped that TNA started hyping the top feuds early in the build-up process, then continued to focus on the wrestlers involved in the PPV on the final two episodes of Impact leading to the PPV.

On paper, the PPV looks worthy of ordering with a strong line-up that includes compelling undercard match-ups complementing the top two or three matches.

On the undercard, Motor City Machineguns vs. Beer Money has potential to steal the show. Same with Kurt Angle vs. The Pope. One of the benefits of using Angle in his current role of working with younger talent as he "rises up the rankings" is the potential for some strong 10 to 15 minute matches on PPV, as evidenced by his match against Kazarian last month.

The main event four-way TNA Title match isn't exactly ideal, as there have been enough four-way matches to last a year over the last few weeks. However, Mr. Anderson is stepping up as a main event player, Abyss can set up some of Jeff Hardy and RVD's spectacular moves, and there's a decent story involved.

Despite a decent story, I thought the overall title match build-up was hit or miss on TV, especially Hardy and Anderson returning from Abyss's big bump spots sending them through the stage and there not being long-term selling in place. Little things like that add up to where the audience doesn't take the storylines seriously.

Easily the best build-up on TV was Ric Flair on the mic selling his match against Jay Lethal. Flair vs. Lethal seems like the PPV semi-main event, with Flair in a rare singles match on PPV. The booking of this should be fascinating, as well as the crowd reactions.

Matt Morgan vs. Hernandez has a natural story in place with Morgan heelishly claiming Hernandez has tried to run away from him over the past few months. It's made for a good story leading to the cage match that should enhance Morgan's heel character and continue to build sympathy for Hernandez.

Other matches include Doug Williams vs. Brian Kendrick in the PPV opener for the X Division Title. The match has been building for several weeks thanks to Williams's strong heel persona.

Also, Brother Ray vs. Brother Devon vs. Jesse Neal has a story that has been building for several weeks, even if TNA is leaving money on the table with Ray and Devon opposite each other in the sixth or seventh-most-important match on the PPV.

Angelina Love "putting her career on the line" against Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Title doesn't make any sense, but TNA at least built this match up each successive week leading to the PPV.

Overall, the sum of the parts is several match-ups with good stories in place, TNA building to each match over a four-week period on TV in-between Sacrifice last month and Victory Road this month, and strong performances by the wrestlers trying to sell these matches. That's a strong improvement for TNA.

The PPV comes at a time when TNA is slowly improving its product. There are still logic holes and flaws with the booking, but it's nowhere near the level of poor TV the promotion was putting out at the beginning of the year when they had arguably the most interest in the product via Hulk Hogan they've ever had as a company.

Now, the promotion is struggling to find their audience again after the poor start to 2010. It will take time for the audience to trust TNA again, but a strong PPV tonight, coupled with more consistent TV going forward could help them gradually re-build their audience on Thursday nights.

Where, if it at all, Paul Heyman fits into the picture remains to be seen. That's an interesting subplot to this month's PPV offering.

Overall, tonight's PPV has a strong line-up on paper that's worth considering a buy, even with the amount of content WWE and TNA already give away on free TV. If anything, TNA's PPV compares favorably to recent PPVs that were easily skippable. Tonight's event could be another step in the right direction after several steps backwards earlier this year.

Check back tonight for live coverage of tonight's PPV from Orlando with PWTorch assistant editor James Caldwell covering the event in-person at the Impact Zone. Also, PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be covering the PPV live with real-time coverage starting at 8:00 p.m. EST.

We suggest these recent related articles...

CALDWELL'S WWE "NXT: HOUSTON" LIVE RESULTS 9/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Balor, Joe, Bayley, more from debut show in Texas

CALDWELL'S LIVE REPORT - 7/12 Lone Star in Houston, Tex.: Alberto El Patron no-shows, Dreamer vs. Hoyt new main event; plus Duggan, Snitsky, Cabana vs. Mahal, Joey Ryan, Rowe vs. Hernandez, Ivellise, Catrina, Houston Carson, one title change, more

CALDWELL: A Top 10 for 10 Years - Hall of Fame, George, Sweet Tea, Studio B, Duke, Three-Pack, and you!