Everybody wants some on Impact
I have “You Really Got Me” and “Runnin’ with the Devil” running through my head as I’m writing this, so it’s a little hard to concentrate on last night’s TNA Impact.
I was thinking about pro wrestling while I was at the Van Halen concert last night at 1st Mariner Arena, however. Watching David Lee Roth perform, it struck me as amazing that someone with “Diamond Dave’s” cheesy personality and showmanship never had any involvement in sports entertainment. Judging by the six-packs abs on the 53-year-old front man, it may not be too late for him to climb in the ring. I know I’d pay to see a smackdown between Roth and Sammy Hagar.
Moving on to the subject at hand, I thought Impact was a decent show, and there were a few things that really stood out in a positive way. For one, I think Booker T. is a much more interesting character as a heel. And as much as I found his King Booker schtick entertaining, the nastier, more serious Booker that we are seeing now is even better.
I’m also becoming more impressed every week by The Beautiful People — Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. They are rapidly becoming a hot act — no pun intended. They cut a great heel promo last night, and they are definitely getting heel heat for their demeaning treatment of crowd favorite Roxxi Laveaux.
I also like the fact that LAX is getting a big push again. They are perhaps the best tag team in wrestling (although that really isn’t saying much these days). It looks as if Hernandez is being groomed for a singles push somewhere down the line.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
I never get tired of watching Gail Kim and Awesome Kong wrestle. Even though they have had better matches together, this was the best bout on the show. The tag-team match of Love and Sky versus Laveaux and ODB wasn’t bad either, as the women’s matches continue to be a strong part of the show. …
I thought Booker completely overshadowed Samoa Joe in the verbal confrontation that opened the program. As far as star power, I still think Joe is somewhat lacking, and it becomes apparent when he is put in situations like this with guys such as Booker. …
When Team 3D came to Booker’s aid in that segment, it was pretty obvious that they were going to be his partners in the six-man tag main event. Yet, for some reason, the announcers kept saying that they had no idea who Booker would get to team with him. …
The six-man match was good, and Team 3D’s attack on Hector Guerrero, who was left knocked out and bleeding, was a dramatic way to end the show. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in the Team 3D-LAX feud. …
I’m not sure what the purpose was of Sting talking with Mike Tenay about how he broke into the business. I guess it’s interesting to newer fans who don’t know his history. The mentioning of Sting’s former tag-team partner Jim “Ultimate Warrior” Hellwig surely will spark rumors that he’s coming in. Say what you want about Warrior, but I bet a Warrior-Sting match on pay-per-view would do a good number for TNA. Warrior, of course, wouldn’t come cheap. …
The Abyss character always has come off like a combination of Kane and Mankind, but the newly repackaged Abyss, who was seen in a straightjacket rocking back and forth in a padded cell, seems like a total copy of Mankind. …
So, Black Machismo proposed to SoCal Val and she responded by saying “Oh yeah.” Didn’t we see the same exact scene a while back when he asked her out on a date? Sonjay Dutt obviously wasn’t happy, but it seems too obvious that he is turning on Machismo. I still think it’s SoCal Val who is turning on him and revealing that she has been seeing Dutt. I wonder if Dutt will show up at the wedding reception with a present with a snake in it. Then Val can ask him, “Is that a snake you have there or are you just happy to see me?” …
It’s really a shame that The Motor City Machine Guns are getting buried. Will they ever be able to get out of the doghouse? …
Don’t even get me started on the Eric Young story line in which he is looking for Elvis. That has bathroom break written all over it. Maybe it will end with him finding The Honky Tonk Man. …
Lauren returned as the backstage interviewer this week. She’s OK, but comparing her to Crystal is like comparing Buddy Landell to Ric Flair. Or Sammy Hagar to David Lee Roth.
Comments
Hey Kev , (I'm back) was that concert part of the McMahon stiphend ? Only joking ! In the Eric Young vingette , was that ( supposed to be ) your boy " LaParka " driving the car ? Re: Warrior , rumor has it he's returning to the ring in an indy show in June .
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Warrior is scheduled to wrestle Orlando Jordan in Spain on June 25.
Posted by: jack in hebron | May 16, 2008 8:21 PM
Woot!, First post! Sorry, I've always wanted to say that.
Buy rates for a Warrior match might be projected to be huge, but Mr. Warrior (It's no longer Hellwig, it's really Mr. Warrior) always tries to use whatever platform he's given to make some radical social evolutionist statement. We're talking about a guy who almost turned a college commencement speech into a riot by trying to villianize homosexuals. Anyone who's read his blogs and is in their right mind would boycott any event with Warrior in it. This man has referred to Canada as "the boondocks," insinuated that the country was full of "[expletive derrogatory term for homosexuals]," and stated that Heath Ledger's child would be better off growing up without a father than growing up with Ledger as his fatherfigure. Any promotion dumb enough to put Warrior in a match probably deserves all the negative publicity they'd get as a result, the problem is that Warrior thrives off that. Please, wrestling world, do us all a favor and let this maniac die in obscurity.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 16, 2008 8:30 PM
Lauren is to Crystal as Landell is to Flair?
That's a bit harsh, my friend.
The gap between Landell and Flair is approximately the same distance as Pluto is to the Sun.
I don't think Lauren is that far behind Crystal.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You're right. I was too harsh on Lauren. Lena Yada is to Crystal what Landell is to Flair. Lauren is to Crystal what Austin Idol is to Flair.
Posted by: Jack Windham | May 16, 2008 9:01 PM
TNA just doesn't have a clue booking wise. Everything is so chaotic and illogical.
What was the purpose of Nash siding with Steiner at the ppv, if he and Joe are now best friends again?
I'm also tired of all the gimmick matches.
Something like a TerrorDome or a hair match should be the final match in a major feud, not a side note to a major feud.
Imagine if WWE had an Elimination Chamber match with Super Crazy, Charlie Haas, Val Venis, Hacksaw, Mike Adamle, and Domino. Thats basically what TNA had with the Terrordome.
Posted by: John | May 16, 2008 10:18 PM
It was an alright episode. Next week is better, I'm gonna be in the front row, camera side to the right in a yellow shirt. A fat kid in a yellow shirt, you can't miss me.
Posted by: Mr. Bronson | May 16, 2008 11:08 PM
I'm not a regular watcher of TNA, though I will watch if it's on and I'm in front of the TV, but I disagree with your assessment of LAX as the top tag team in wrestling. They're great, and clearly the best in TNA, but I'd put John Morrison and The Miz ahead of them. If anyone who considers themselves a WWE fan doesn't watch The Dirt Sheet regularly, they don't know what they're missing out on. Morrison's character is great, and the Miz has become a lot less annoying. Like, to the point of actually being a good character for Morrison to play off of.
Posted by: James | May 16, 2008 11:13 PM
ANONYMOUS : While you are 100 % correct about Warrior , I'd pay to see him . I've seen recent photos and for his age , he's still in good shape . I know all the nay sayers will say of course he is , he's juiced again . Listen , I 've used , I've abused , give the guy credit for not being a stranger to the gym . Most of those that choose to say it's all 'roids have no idea and have never entered a gym , 16 oz. being the heaviest thing lifted . Unlike a lot of wrestlers , the guy is ( if nothing else ) dedicated to staying in shape , you know , just like Kevin .
Posted by: jack in hebron | May 17, 2008 5:57 AM
I have just recently started to watch TNA and over in Blighty watched the Sacrifice PPV on a cable channel. I could not believe how bad the main event was...it was slow...lots of missed moves. It almost made Big Show vs Khali look good. Seriously.
Admittedly not having Angle hurt it badly, but how you can have Steiner(who is past it at the top level) and Samoa Joe(Kev, spot on with no Star quality), seems strange. Kaz was the best thing about it...and I was shocked, reading the people who post here who are pro-TNA, how quiet the fan's reactions are.
TNA has a long way to come, but in Booker T, Christian Cage, Angle and Team 3D they have star quality(ex WWE, however) as well as AJ Styles, Kaz and of course Crystal there is a chance for them,.... but there is no way they will ever be able to compete judging by the awful main event of Sacrifice
Posted by: Wayne | May 17, 2008 10:40 AM
Wayne : I'm without a doubt a pro TNA poster and I'd be the first to say Samoa Joe is a poor choice for champ . I've said several times he's ,well , a slob . I also wish they would use A.J. Styles in a different manner , Robert Roode too . I think they are progressing but admittedly sometimes it seems as if the writers are "winging" it . Back to the point , I think Joe is a "schmoe" and frankly a disgrace for his lack of conditioning . Maybe he can't do much to change his mike skills , but he can drop afew L B s .
Posted by: jack in hebron | May 17, 2008 7:54 PM
Samoa Joe is a terrible choice for champ... you are spot on. I see the reasoning behind it, and TNA will only be able to stand on it's own, when people don't think of it as WWE rejects or has beens. Frankly that is how Joe Public see it. But yes in Roode and Styles as well as some of the ex WWE guys they do have potential. Problem is the more talented performers from TNA will no doubt be scouted by WWE and be tempted. Time will tell and I hope TNA does improve because WWE needs a rival....and currently it doesn't.
Posted by: Wayne | May 18, 2008 7:42 AM
Off topic alittle bit ( and not meaning to over-step any blog rules Kev ) , if you go to "Warrior TV" you can get some insight re: his thoughts about comeback and where it will lead . Also chronicles of training . You will have to filter out his social commentary , be warned . (although some of his thoughts may make you stop and think , ...many will tick you off ) .
Posted by: jack in hebron | May 18, 2008 5:52 PM