TNA Impact 2/2 Hits & Misses
By Teddy Panagiotopoulos, PWTorch specialist

IMPACT HITS

BIG ARENA ATMOSPHERE: Without question, TNA outside of the Impact Zone raises the credibility of the company in the eyes of the viewers at home. It is so refreshing to see actual boos and cheers for the wrestlers instead of the piped-in sound effects heard on a weekly basis. Also, being away from the Impact Zone surely pushes the wrestlers to put on a even better show when they are in front of die-hard wrestling fans. It felt like I watching a spectacle (nowhere the level of WrestleMania) instead of a wrestling show in front of tourists who hardly know anything about the product.

OPENING SEGMENT: Bully Ray and Bobby Roode started off Impact by claiming Jeff Hardy would never be seen in TNA again after putting Hardy through a table on last week's broadcast. Calling England by the wrong country was cheap heat from Roode, but it garnered authentic jeers from the crowd. Clearly, you can tell when a wrestling audience is invested in the show and its characters and when they are not. In this case, the crowd booed Ray and Roode out the building while causing a raucous when Storm and Sting make their presence known. Sting announcing the four-way match at Against All odds was predictable, given that The PPV is less than two weeks from the show, but, Sting giving Storm what he wanted in the form of wrestling both Roode and Ray on the same night put Storm in harm's way more than anything. What if Storm were to get injured in the second match against Ray? Plus, it wasn't clear as to if Storm would wrestle both men in singles matches or in succession. In any event, the crowd was hot for this and got the show started on the right note.

BUCKINGHAM BRAWL: I have to disagree with PWTorch editor Wade Keller's thoughts about this match. I thought the rules to the Buckingham Brawl were unique and I thought it was very logical to give Samoa Joe and Magnus the advantage since Morgan and Crimson have pretty much dominated the feud as it relates to actual matches. I will agree about the match being a convoluted mess since Joe and Magnus are the heels of the feud, but were treated as babyfaces in front of Magnus's home country. With that said, Morgan and Crimson have not displayed many babyface tendencies lately. In fact, they are overconfident and cocky, which are more-so acts for heels than anything. Ultimately, the end result was what would normally occur in a regular tag match, which somewhat nullified the point of having such a stipulation in the first place. This was a much-needed victory for Joe and Magnus to be shown as legitimate threats to the Tag Team Championships, and I believe that goal was achieved.

AUSTIN ARIES VS. MARK HASKINS: Another week and another strong showing from the X Division. Three weeks ago, the feud between Alex Shelley and X Division champion Austin Aries began, and their feud has progressed nicely heading toward their championship match at Against All Odds. Last week, Shelley defeated Zema Ion to earn the title match and, in the process, worked off some of his ring rust. This week, Aries contested in a non-title match against England's own Mark Haskins. Haskins, who hasn't been seen on Impact since the summer, has dropped his John Morrison gimmick and put on a tremendous match with Aries. Even though Aries is a heel and does not want any of the fans to applaud for him, I liked how the fans at Wembley Arena cheered Aries because it showed their respect and appreciation. Haskins's botched attempt at the Shooting Star Press did look scary and reminded me of Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 19. Hopefully, Haskins was not injured, as he looked good against the champion and I would like to see more of him in the coming weeks and months on Impact.

GAIL KIM VS. TARA: TNA toned down focus of the T&A aspect of the Knockouts and delivered a straight-up five-minute match Tara and Gail Kim, two of the top wrestlers in the Knockouts division. This was not an epic classic, but rather a teaser of what these two women are capable of at Against All Odds. Madison Rayne's interference was expected and, in the end, it backfired. Tara winning the non-title match was also expected to give her credibility heading into the championship match versus Kim. I still believe Kim will retain her KO Championship at Against All Odds, but there is nothing wrong with making Kim, who has been dominate for the most part, somewhat vulnerable heading into the PPV.

JAMES STORM: Storm was clearly the star of the night, as he was featured in two main-event caliber singles matches on the show. While it would have been preferable to have his match with Roode as the actual main event, the way the story unfolded made sense for Storm vs. Roode to go on first. There may be those who disagree with Storm and Roode having a singles match at this point, but it didn't bother me because I am expecting them to wrestle for the championship at Lockdown, which is over two months away. Also, nice continuity by TNA throughout the two matches with Roode establishing the attack to Storm's ribs, Bully Ray further injuring Storm after Storm's match with Roode, and then Ray's offense throughout the main event was focused entirely on Storm's injured midsection. Also, the dissension between Ray and Roode is likely to continue, given Ray helped the champion win his match, but Roode did not return the favor in the main event.

IMPACT MISSES

HULK HOGAN AND THE BISCHOFFS: First, Mike Tenay basically spoiled the identity of who Garett Bischoff's trainer would be by announcing throughout the night that Hulk Hogan would be on the broadcast. Secondly, I thought the re-introduction of Hogan would spark my interest in this feud, but, quite frankly, it did not. What is hurting the credibility of the feud is how Garett Bischoff is receiving too big of a push too soon. Garett's role is preventing other guys on the roster from receiving precious television time. Plus, I do not see the point in having two in-ring segments focusing on the revelation of Garett's trainer. This could all have been done in one segment to minimize the agony but it was not to be.

HOGAN BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Hogan's backstage promo near the end of the show was laughable. I have come to the understanding that Hogan likes to hear himself talk, but there should never be a mention of how TNA “is on the verge of becoming the greatest company in the world.” From within, the perception from TNA should be that they are already the greatest company in the world and prove such by putting on great matches featuring fleshed-out characters in well-developed storylines that ultimately lead to huge pay-per-view buyrates. But, none of that should be said on the broadcast; it should just be common sense. I sincerely hope Dixie Carter isn't wearing rose-colored sunglasses and can see through the empty jargon that Hogan is spewing. But, through all that, I hope something good comes out of this feud, which will probably include Ric Flair shortly and lead to Garret/Hogan vs. Eric/Flair at Lockdown, but I just don't see that happening.

***

FINAL THOUGHTS: Just one miss in an otherwise strong edition of Impact, highlighted by James Storm in two high-profiled matches against Bully Ray and Bobby Roode. No Eric Young and ODB silliness did wonders for this show, as TNA's attention needed to be on Against All Odds and providing the audience in England with some great in-ring action. Again, all the championship matches for the PPV continued to be the focus and this trend needs to continue. The only parts I did not like for were those featuring Hogan and the Bischoffs. Garett was in, at least, four segments throughout the broadcast, which is entirely too much for someone who is barely considered a wrestler. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing the “Invasion” of England continue next week; even though I have no idea what to expect from the announced Star Wars gimmick.

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

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