Ladies’ night on Impact
When it comes to women’s wrestling, TNA clearly has the edge over WWE, and it was never more evident than on last night’s episode of Impact.
TNA showed how much confidence it has in its top women by putting the title match between Gail Kim and Awesome Kong in the main event position. Throughout the show, TNA stars commented on who they thought would win, which helped get the match over as something special.
For the most part, the women delivered. Kong won the title in a match that was good, although it fell short of being great, mostly because it wasn’t given enough time. The match went about 10 minutes, but it should have gone at least 15. Perhaps TNA should have considered eliminating one of its numerous and silly A.J. Styles skits.
It will be interesting to see how the women’s main event did in the ratings. Back in October, I wrote that women’s wrestling doesn’t move ratings or buy rates, but the women’s matches on Impact actually have scored consistently well in the ratings (WWE women’s matches, however, are consistent ratings losers). With a monster heel such as Kong, an attractive babyface who can work such as Kim and a charismatic and unique character such as ODB, TNA’s women’s division is becoming must-see TV. …
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
So now Styles is being referred to as Prince A.J. Styles? I guess when he drops that moniker he’ll become known as The Artist Formerly Known as Prince A.J. Styles. …
The skits with Styles, Jeremy Borash and Kurt and Karen Angle fell flat. Flatulence jokes? Please. And, of course, we couldn’t go a full episode without having at least one scene in the men’s room. …
In addition to the bathroom humor, there seems to be more cursing and sexual innuendo every week. I’m not saying that’s good or bad, but wasn’t TNA marketing itself as the family-friendly brand? …
Robert Roode has become even more of a heat magnet due to his angle with Sharmell. He was awesome when confronting Ms. Brooks, although she wasn’t able to match his performance. I have to believe that WWE will make a play for Roode at some point. …
When Mike Tenay was interviewing Booker in the “hospital lobby,” it sure looked like they were backstage at the Impact Zone. TNA could have at least played some hospital sound effects. Then again, knowing the TNA creative team, it probably would have played “Paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard” on the intercom. …
Kevin Nash sure made Samoa Joe look stupid. Nash handed him a baseball bat, turned his back and dared him to use it. Then he mocked Joe for not hitting him. For Joe to save face and regain his credibility, this story line needs to end with him destroying Nash, but I’m not holding my breath. …
It was odd and out of character for Kurt Angle, TNA’s top heel, to pick Kim to win the women’s match because “she has a lot of heart.” …
Jimmy Rave sure looked like he landed badly on his neck when he took the Gringo Killer from Homicide. …
Shelly Martinez is now known as Salinas. Without the vampire gimmick she had as Ariel on ECW, however, I don’t find her nearly as interesting.
Comments
Shelly Martinez may not be "as interesting" without the Ariel gimmick, but she has a huge cult following of fans who will tune in no matter what she's doing, whether it's the Elvira reality show, her RockNation VJ gig, or feuding with Christy Hemme on TNA.
But I agree - TNA is doing a fantastic job with the women's division and the two hour format makes for a better show.
Posted by: ECW on Sci-Fi Blog | January 11, 2008 3:24 AM
I think Gail Kim might have had an injury. That could explain the quick match time.
Posted by: John | January 11, 2008 10:42 AM
I'm sorry I just don't get T.N.A. at all. Don't know why, I'd like there to be a viable alternative to W.W.E. I would actually like to be able to see R.O.H. because I keep hearing good things about them. Anyway, I love this blog!
Posted by: Sean Kilkelly | January 11, 2008 1:28 PM
Samoa Joe? Creditbility? That's funny.... really... I mean that slow, unentertaing, over-rated loser is being exposed for the hack he is. If he can't hang with Kevin Nash in segments, he should just go back to working for that bingo-hall company ROH
Posted by: Fred | January 11, 2008 7:13 PM
I never expected a wrestling fed to be able to put over women's professional wrestling. Ive watched such comely stars as Donna Christanello, Judy Martin, Wendy Richter, Fabulous Moolah, Rockin Robin, Dirty White Girl, Sensational Sherry, Madusa Macelli and the venerable Mae Young reach for, but never break, that glass ceiling known as the King of Sports, (or is it the Sport of Kings?)....
Until last night when I saw the Womens Title change hands (Why pay for a PPV when TNA gives it away 4 days later?) and Awesome Kong cleanly taking the strap from Gail Kim. I admit..I marked at the Awesome slams Kong used 3 times to pin Kim, suspending belief (or is it disbelief) enough to feel Kim finally met her match, game wrestler that she is.... And knowing that a Awesome Kong v ODB feud will be set up... Shades of Hogan v Warrior...
UNLESS Russo screws it up and turns it into a series of skits, killing both their careers... as he did with AJ and Angle...
Milk it, work it! you got us marks right in the palm of your hands!
Now the rest of the show...
My son will probably be conceived, born, raised, and finish his doctorate after a 6-year hiatus in the military before this James Mitchell/Abyss "thing" runs its course...Holy smoke.. I used to like Abyss, I really try to like James Mitchell, but they get the 3 >>>s on the old Tivo...
Veteran readers of this forum know I dont care for Robert Roode... perhaps its the $$$ gimmick (didnt care for Ricky Morton turning into Richard Morton either... Come to think of it, I didnt care for Ricky Morton at all) cos I seemed to like him better when he was aligned with Team Canada (probably cos I am a Scott D'Amore mark)...
I digress...
I loved the way he sold his shock over the sock to the face of Sharmell...the PPV video recap was classic... and then he goes over the top with how she deserved it! Loved it! Kudos Robert...Great work.
And then comes out Ms. Brooks with a performance that... hmmm... let me find the words... Ah...All I know is I have 50 year old oak trees in my backyard which dream of being as WOODEN as Tracie Brooks was during that skit. As I 2 >>s my Tivo, I think I was secretly cheering for the stalker..Roode's new door-mat.
VKM... ouch.. I read the spoilers and am going to want to take a bullet next week for all my wrestling compadres... All I can say is Roxxi Levieux has got major talent. Her gimmick doesnt need mic skills and she can take ODB to a **** match easy...
Anyone need to vomit? Read this...
Prince AJ Styles...
Same gene se quoi as King Mabel... right??
Posted by: Stunning Stewy Smoot, The Masqued Debateur | January 11, 2008 8:30 PM
This has nothing to do with TNA, but as your are not willing to waste your time posting about Smackdown! (I don't blame you), I'll say it here.
What is wrong with coachman? Is he really commentating, or is he just having a privilege seat to watch the show?!
and, Since when is Vickie Guerrero Manager of SD!? She used to be assistant, but after breaking her neck, he seemed to automatically became Main Manager of SD!. I thought that Teddy was going to recover his job as Manager. I don't get it.
another one: and suddenly, Major brothers are no longer brothers...family tides are hard to keep alive I think...
Posted by: Gaston | January 11, 2008 8:57 PM
Regarding Shelly Martinez...I suppose then she no longer hangs off the ropes either? Now that's a real shame for the men :-)
Posted by: JLJ | January 13, 2008 12:01 AM
TNA Women's division will be more interesting than WWE as long as WWE treats them like the bra and panties division. You would think that maybe injury to Candice might be a wakeup call to the "E" that trying to train bathing suit models to be wrestlers might be wishful thinking. Of course it doesn't even make a dent.
Posted by: Lee | January 14, 2008 2:22 PM