SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
The Oct. 17 episode of TNA Impact opened its broadcast this week recapping the highlights from their biggest show of the year, Bound For Glory, including a number of title changes leading into a new season of storylines going into the fall.
The show kicked off with the Hardys, Matt & Jeff, who acted as guest general managers of the show, in honor of their 35th year in the pro wrestling business. The Hardys talked about their own legacy, but then put the shine on other newly crowned champions starting with new X-Division Champion Amazing Red, followed by new TNA World Champion Leon Slater.
BACKSTAGE WITH THE NEMETHS
The Nemeths were backstage complaining about their match against each other, booked by the Hardys.
Breakdown: With the episode of Impact being “booked” by the Hardys, I expected some wacky pairings and match concepts. In this short backstage segment, the Nemeth brothers came at odds when Nic Nemeth assumed his younger brother, Ryan, would take the fall in their match later in the evening. I’m not sure what they are expecting to achieve with this, but perhaps they are moving away from the Nemeths as a tag team.
Grade: D
BACKSTAGE WITH SANTINO
Santino Marella was backstage, enjoying his night off, when he was interrupted by The System. The System demanded a spot on the show, but Santino declared he was on vacation. Bear Bronson drew an issue with Eddie Edwards’ defense of Ricky Sosa.
Breakdown: A split of the System may be coming soon and I can get behind that.
Grade: C
MATCH: Nic Nemeth vs. Ryan Nemeth
The TNA Tag Team Champions, Nic & Ryan Nemeth, were booked by The Hardys to face off against each other on Impact this week with a stipulation that if they one intentionally took the fall, the Nemeths would be stripped of the tag titles. After avoiding contact with each other, The Hardys would appear on the entrance ramp to reiterate that the Nemeths would be stripped of the titles if they refused to fight each other. Nic Nemeth would score the victory over Ryan Nemeth shortly thereafter. Nic Nemeth complained that he was not included in the TNA World Title number one contenders ladder match.
Breakdown: It was a bit jarring to hear Tom Hannifan talking more glowingly of Nic Nemeth while Matt Rehwoldt put over Ryan Nemeth strongly. The segment was basically for comedy.
Grade: D
BACKSTAGE WITH THE HARDYS – AJ FRANCIS & EXPRESSIONS
Expressions demanded The Hardys give AJ Francis a shot at the TNA World Championship. The Hardys countered by giving Francis & Expressions a match against the Hardys.
Breakdown: Another segment that was meant for comedy, it did not do much for me. I continue to want more for Francis, but TNA clearly sees him as a comedy figure.
Grade: C
BACKSTAGE WITH THE RIGHTEOUS & HARLEY HUDSON
Harley Hudson told The Righteous that she wanted to accompany them to the ring for the match against Syx, but they refused to allow her to join them.
MATCH: The Righteous vs. Syx
A match booked by the Hardys as a face-off of two of the Hardys’ recent rivals featured The Righteous and Syx in a table match.
Breakdown: Two teams that would seem to mesh well as a larger faction, The Righteous and Syx, went head to head. Samuel Shaw eliminated Vincent first, with Joseph Sawyer being eliminated by Dutch immediately after, leaving Shaw – Dutch. Shaw put Dutch through another table, securing the victory for Syx over The Righteous.
Breakdown: The match was not very long but it was decent action while it lasted. The TNA tag team division does seem to be heading in the right direction with the addition of Syx.
Grade: B
BACKSTAGE WITH THE HARDYS & FRANKIE KAZARIAN & AVERY STYLES
Kazarian told The Hardys he hopes they are tag team champions when Kazarian & Styles cash in the Call Your Shot gauntlet.
Breakdown: The Kazarian-Styles storyline remains one of the more intriguing stories being told in TNA right now. Kazarian seems to be leaning into babyface tendencies right now, so it will be interesting to see where this story goes.
Grade: B
CINEMATIC PIECE WITH ALLIE & ROSEMARY
Allie’s character has been slipping back into the paranormal as of late. In this cinematic vignette, Allie was shown sitting with a green skull drawn above her head, cutting back and forth to a smiling Rosemary.
Breakdown: I can do without the Undead Realm or adjacent content, but this seems to be a tease of a debut coming soon.
Grade: D
MATCH: AJ Francis & Expressions vs. The Hardys
Continuing the trend of the 35th anniversary celebration of The Hardys, they faced off against AJ Francis and his manager, Expressions. The Hardys won the match in short order when Jeff Hardy scored the victory over Expressions.
Breakdown: This was more comedy and a glorified squash by The Hardys over Francis & Expressions.
Grade: C
MATCH: Xia Brookside & Apex (Zoey Serrano & Shayna Baszler) vs. Gabby Forza & Harley Hudson & Indi Hartwell
In the first Impact after Bound For Glory, where Indi Hartwell won the Knockouts World Championship from Xia Brookside, the two would be part of a six person tag match this week. Apex & Brookside gained the victory when Brookside prevented Hartwell from making the save for Hudson who was put to sleep by Baszler.
Breakdown: I am liking the addition of Shayna Baszler to TNA, regardless of how long it lasts. The team of Baszler & Serrano brings some much needed credibility to the Knockouts tag division. The match was pretty short with not much to it.
Grade: C
#1 Contenders Ladder Match; Winner gets a shot at Leon Slater’s TNA World Title.
MATCH: Moose vs. Elijah vs. Ricky Sosa vs. Trey Miguel vs. Jason Hotch
Newly crowned TNA World Champion, Leon Slater, joined the commentary team for this 5-way match that would determine his next challenger. After a chaotic match that featured a great deal of interference from people not in the match, Trey Miguel was able to win the shot against Leon Slater for the TNA World Title.
Breakdown: The match was a pretty good ladder match until Ali & Nemeth both interfered in the match to continue feuds with Jason Hotch & Elijah respectively. Trey Miguel makes sense as a short-term challenger to get Leon some victories early in his reign as TNA Champion.
Grade: B-
