SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
HITS
Giving Agent Zero a dominant, squash win in his first singles match post-Order 4
I believe that there is potential in Agent Zero as a singles act and I’m glad that it seems like TNA is behind giving him a push. He got a dominant win over BDE tonight and looked impressive in doing so. Two critiques that I have is that he desperately needs a name change to be taken more seriously and the beating-up of the security guards is played out as an overused trope. Side note, Agent Zero reminds me, somewhat, of Big Bill-Big Cass-W. Morrissey in the ring.
Ricky Sosa and Fabian Aichner mixing it up backstage
I liked the backstage interaction backstage between Sosa and Aichner. They both came across as confident, yet still likeable which can often be hard to pull-off. It was short and succinct and did its job well. I like the concept of both representing their countries in the World X-Cup tournament.
The Shotzi Blackheart video package and TNA history knowledge
Shotzi certainly came across as unique in her video package, in a good way. I liked how she acknowledged TNA history and her knowledge of the company and what the Knockouts division is about while also hinting at some goals of her in the division. She did end her promo mentioning the Undead Realm which makes me a bit nervous as I don’t want a character with her potential wasted in that nonsense.
Amazing Red in his first X-Division Title defense
This match was good, as one would expect. There wasn’t much to it but to get Red a quality win in his first X-Division Title defense. I think Tom Hannifin calling this match a “dream match” was hyperbole but the match was quality, nonetheless.
Fire ‘N Flava’s backstage promo calling out Shotzi and Allie
Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz certainly have the right amount of swagger necessary to make their act work as a team. I liked their chemistry and charisma. I’m really glad they reunited Hogan and Steelz and paired Shotzi and Allie. The rapport between the teams works much better with these pairings.
Finally getting AJ Francis a win on Impact
I must admit that I was quite worried that TNA might actually put the goofy, pathetic John Skyler over AJ Francis tonight simply because of the bad romance angle with Mila Moore. TNA did the right thing and had Francis win this one. I’m still a bit worried that Moore being knocked off of the ring apron as a distraction might be used as a way to make this “feud” continue and go 50/50.
The crowd staying behind Leon Slater
Based on crowd reaction and cheers during Leon Slater’s promo, it’s very clear that the crowd is behind Leon Slater’s title run so far. That being said, I feel as though this is in spite of TNA’s booking. He has not felt like the priority since being crowned the TNA World Champion at Bound for Glory. Slater is so good that he is overcoming the hindrance.
Mustafa Ali interacting with Frankie Kazarian backstage
I’m not sure how I feel about this. I’m going to lean towards this being a hit if they are going the way that I think they might be going. I hope that Ali is inserting himself between Kazarian and Avery Styles so that he might get involved with the “Call your Shot” opportunity thus elevating himself to the TNA World Title scene in TNA where he’s deserved to be for quite some time now. If it’s just to do a random, short feud between Ali and Kazarian because creative has nothing for Ali, at the moment, then I hate it.
ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…
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MISSES
The Breakup of the Elegance Brand (I can’t believe I’m calling this a miss)
I’ve been calling for the breakup of the Elegance Brand for months now yet TNA somehow still found a way to leave me unsatisfied. What is it lately with TNA and unceremonious breakup angles? Sure, there had been small signs of discontent between the Elegance Brand over the last few weeks but Mr. Elegance suddenly and jarringly signaling his breakup with the rest of the brand tonight over such a minor quibble didn’t feel realistic. I’m all for ripping the band-aid off with this group but why not have a more egregious mistake be the catalyst for the breakup. Also, having Jada Stone take the fall to M by Elegance two matches in-a-row felt unnecessary.
Another Authority Figure?!?!
So this faceless, inconsistent “board of directors” has decided to hire yet another authority-type figure (apparently named Brian?) to watch over the corrupt authority figure who already has an authority figure counterpart? Yes, that is as confusing as it sounds. I truly don’t get TNA’s obsession with making upper management the face of their programming but they seem dead-set on continuing to do it. Why are we just hearing that he’s been sending calls and emails for a year? Also, why is he saying that he will do anything to keep a job in TNA to Daria when she just told him that she essentially has no power over him? This makes absolutely no sense. It’s just bad writing.
Too little too late in addressing Indi Hartwell’s underdog Knockouts Title win at Bound for Glory?
They gave Indi a nice, pre-taped video package tonight of her past-self penning a letter to her future-self about achieving her childhood dream of winning the Knockouts Title which she did at Bound for Glory. That sounds like a hit, right? Unfortunately, it’s been weeks since her big win at Bound for Glory and this was the first, real short small segment that was undeniably focused on Indi and her title win. It’s too little, too late here. Her title reign already feels like it might be a transition reign for Shayna Baszler to take the belt off of her at Destination X.
Zoey Serrano randomly kicking a ring-side official
What a weird way to open a segment which was a vehicle to announce Shayna Baszler as the number one contender for Indi Hartwell’s title at Destination X. I’m in favor of Shayna being elevated to the Knockouts title scene but this was an odd way to go about it.
Harley Hudson accepting the Righteous’ “offer to join them” in a weird video package
I still have no idea what is going on here or why it is happening. I’m not sure who this is supposed to get over nor do I feel any natural advancement of the story to this point. It has been disjointed and haphazard.
Having Bear Bronson be the System member to step-up to Eddie Edwards
Bear Bronson seems like a weird pick to be the guy to step-up to Eddie Edwards as a member of the System. That being said, I think that is more of an indictment on what the System has meant in realistically getting its members over. It’s very much felt like Edwards and everyone else for a while now.
Positioning Trey Miguel so strongly as the fiery, “TNA original” underdog
I’m not sure that portraying Trey Miguel as a guy who has been with TNA for nearly a decade, mostly remaining loyal to the company and the clear underdog who desperately wants to win the TNA World Title is the best thing to do for Leon Slater. While that was a good promo by Miguel, it undercuts Slater as the face in his first TNA World Title defense. I was of the opinion that Miguel should be leaning heel for this match, even if they decide to keep him babyface after. Unless, for some reason, they decide to give Miguel the belt and don’t even give Slater one title defense, I feel as though the crowd might revolt at that, even if Slater’s contract is up and he’s done with TNA by the end of 2026.
The “Slaughterhouse SYX” cinematic match train wreck with the Hardys and SYX
Will TNA ever learn that they have neither the budget or production talent to pull these cinematic matches off? Long gone are the days of Jeremy Borash. This match had so many hokey and stupid moments that I lost count. I felt zero emotional investment in the match outcome. It was waiting to see how goofy the next step could get. I’ve been waning on the Hardys for a long while now but I’m officially at the point of not wanting to see the Hardys on my TV screen. Do a quick “best hits” retirement tour and call it a legendary career. I’ve also lost a lot of hope in what I thought that SYX could be when we speculated that the former Wyatt Sicks might join TNA. Everything has been mediocre to downright bad from the attack angle that brought them in to the company to the joke of a match tonight.
