A.J. Styles has a Michael Phelps moment
So, what do A.J. Styles and Baltimore native Michael Phelps have in common? I mean beside the boyish looks and cut physique. The answer, of course, is that they both won Olympic gold medals last night.
While the swimming sensation predictably won his sixth gold (yawn), Styles pulled off perhaps the biggest upset since the U.S. hockey team beat the Russians (no, not Ivan and Nikita) in 1980. The phenomenal one had to overcome an early 6-0 deficit to defeat Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle in an Olympic rules match on TNA Impact. The stipulation for the match was that if Styles won, he would get Angle’s gold medal.
As Phelps tries to make history by winning eight gold medals, Styles made some history of his own, as he became the first person to win an Olympic gold medal by smashing a guitar over his opponent’s head. I also think it was the first time that there was a ref bump in an amateur match (not to mention needing a three-count for a pin).
I certainly don’t want to rain on Styles’ Olympic moment, but I hope for his sake that this isn’t the same medal that at one time resided in Chris Benoit’s pants.
All kidding aside, I thought the Angle-Styles match was entertaining, as was the show overall. With the ring ropes being taken down and the unique points system, the match was something different and it furthered the program between Angle and Styles while also working Sting and Jeff Jarrett into the mix (even though neither one of them was seen during the match).
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
TNA did a much better job of getting Samoa Joe over as a hot-tempered tough guy. He made Brother Devon tap out during a tag match and then attacked him with a chair after the match. And he never whined once. …
Unless I missed it, I don’t think Jarrett’s name was mentioned all night, even though there are guitars mysteriously appearing out of nowhere and his entrance music played during the Angle-Styles match. Why not say his name? It’s not like it’s a great mystery. Booker T. did make reference to “a hick” who had a business interest in the company, but I think that was as close to anyone got to identifying him. It just seems a little silly that for weeks the presence of a black baseball bat had everyone believing that Sting was behind it, yet no one comes right out and makes the connection between the guitars and Jarrett. …
In pro wrestling, just about anyone can put on a turban and spout anti-American views and generate major heat, but Bashir has the ability in the ring and on the mic to take it to another level. By the way, until he talked about “raping Lady America,” I though Sheik Abdul Bashir was making a lot of sense. …
You know what they say about being careful what you wish for. Well, last week I wrote that Kip James needs to be back on TV because he is a good heel and he’s being under-utilized, and last night he shows up playing a stereotypical gay character who is aligned with The Beautiful People. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky have a good thing going as a team, but for some reason TNA keeps trying to tinker with their act.
As for James, he’s played this kind of character before and it wasn’t all that great (remember Billy and Chuck?). What I liked about his character in TNA was that he could get heat by wearing the short shorts and doing his hair in a somewhat effeminate manner without being over-the-top flamboyant and changing his voice. What is it anyway with Vince Russo repeatedly creating stereotypical gay characters (Kwee-Wee, Lenny and Lodi, The Rainbow Express)? …
Unless he’s changing his gimmick, I wish Jay Lethal would have cut his promo using the Randy Savage voice. It would have been more entertaining. Having Lethal break character and use his real voice on rare occasions to get over a serious angle is fine, but this program with Sonjay Dutt and SoCal Val has been anything but. …
Based on TNA’s proclivity for swerves, I thought for sure that Abyss was going to attack Matt Morgan after shaking his hand. It wouldn’t have made any sense, but when has that ever mattered? …
I’m excited about Gail Kim and Awesome Kong revisiting their feud, but I have a strange feeling that something very bad is going to happen to Kim’s sister Katie soon. …
I thought Hernandez broke James Storm’s neck with that Dragon Suplex. Between that and the Border Toss, wrestling Hernandez should warrant hazardous duty pay. …
The “Rough Cuts” segment did a good job of portraying Consequences Creed as a guy the fans should root for. …
Maybe I haven’t been paying close enough attention, but is there a story line reason as to why Traci Brooks is now a referee? I mean other than the fact the she fills out her referee’s top well. …
Here’s my opinion of Christy Hemme as a wrestler: I think she tries real hard. …
Thank God the PJB was MIA this week.
Comments
I thought Hernandez cut a real solid promo. Hopefully the powers that be see that and get Hector Guerrero out of there.
Posted by: Zach Ruth | August 15, 2008 8:53 AM
lol @ Traci Brooks. I had to rack my brain last night myself to remember back when she asked Cornette if he "thought about her offer". Way to follow up months later and not mention it.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Now that you mention it, I do remember that. Thanks.
Posted by: Kyle | August 15, 2008 8:57 AM
I really enjoy your reports because its not like the internet Podcasts who just tear the shows completely apart. Sure shows have highs and lows and I think you address both sides, but you do so without the condescending Podcasters attitude as if all wrestling is beneath their contempt. IF they hate it so much why do they take the time to podcast it?
I am almost in 100% agree on your review of Impact this week. But I can wager the "Experts" who Podcast will rip the whole show.
Anyway, its to the point where I read about 1 website on wrestling and it is ring posts!
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I appreciate that.
Posted by: michealdeff | August 15, 2008 9:22 AM
After watching Angle/Styles from the PPV, the Olympic match seemed to cheapen the specialty and effect of the match from last night. I know Impact is taped but hell after seeing Angle getting his neck almost broken again on a DDT from the top (see Angle twitching on the mat for 5 minutes) , I'd of thought they would've done something involving like AJ tried to break Angles neck (see Brainbuster post twitching for 5 minutes). {Ticked} me off because I thought that match was really good. Now we're gonna get bad continuity next week and the week after since they'll magically forget about the PPV match and go along with the Sting/Jarrett thing. I hate you TNA. :(
Posted by: Johnny | August 15, 2008 10:52 AM
This was the best IMPACT I have ever watched. Granted normally I ignore the first hour but not this time. The entire show I felt like I was watching something worthy of going head-to-head with the wwe. Okay really just during the AJ Styles and Kurt Angle match but you know... it still was an excellent effort on their part.
A show free of super eric, and curry man... yay.
Yea, the return of Kip's inner female just made me cringe slightly. I was just waiting for him to put in make-up and be renamed Billie.
That match with Hernandez and Storm was slightly painful to watch only because I couldn't decide who was more likely to get injured before it all ended.
Yea, I still loved that main event... it'll be on my mind all week and unless Smackdown is totally amazing- it's my match of the week.
As for Jarrett and Sting, I actually would rather see Jarrett than Sting. I can't believe I'm saying it but it's true. He's more interesting to me at this point. Besides that little side note though, too many light tricks in one match.
Posted by: Kitty | August 15, 2008 10:59 AM
"...just about anyone can put on a turban and spout anti-American views and generate major heat"
Kev,
Didn't Sgt. Slaughter even go Pro-Iraqi back in the day?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Indeed he did.
Posted by: Lee | August 15, 2008 12:43 PM
I may be in the minority here, but I just couldn't get into the Angle/Styles "wrestling" match for two reasons. It was hard to believe that with no warning at all that Styles would be any match for Kurt in an actual wrestling match. But more than that, if it was going to be for Kurt's gold medal, it should have been made into more of a big deal. Obviously it wasn't long enough to be on a PPV, but it could have been built over the course of several weeks into a strong Impact main event. There could have been segments showing AJ training in the amatuer style, and Kurt put over by dominating other wrestlers in matches. Instead it was just a throwaway match used only to further the Sting and Jarrett storylines.
Posted by: Joe Barber | August 15, 2008 3:50 PM
maybe the hick booker t was referring about is Trevor Murdoch since he was let go at wwe
Posted by: jt | August 15, 2008 4:09 PM
Just a few vanilla comments as I've vowed to no longer be a thorn in Kevin's side -
1). just for old times sake it would be kinda cool to see old "Double J" again .
2). Hernandez has a style that is very reminiscent of the "old" ECW days .
3). Lance Rock of the Rock & Rave Infection, kinda sorta reminds me of former WCW figure and fellow Hebronite Van Hammer .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | August 15, 2008 5:17 PM
Hey 'Artist', is your fellow Hebronite Van Hammer out of the business for good?
Posted by: Mr. Eli | August 16, 2008 8:24 AM
MR. ELI : Mark was selling cars in Salisbury for a few years , did a little indy work , now I'm not sure where he is or what he's doing .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | August 16, 2008 11:38 PM
Anybody caught the subliminal message during the woman's match ? It was only 1 frame - I had to rewind my DVR and pause it just in that frame to catch what the frame stated: it stated whoissuicide.com
Posted by: Cesar | August 18, 2008 12:46 AM
Anybody caught the subliminal message during the woman's match ? It was only 1 frame - I had to rewind my DVR and pause it just in that frame to catch what the frame stated: it stated whoissuicide.com
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It's supposed to be a part of the upcoming TNA videa game. Suicide is a character you can play as in the story mode. There are some internet rumors floating around that Kaz will return at some point as Suicide as well, wearing a mask.
Posted by: Joe Barber | August 18, 2008 1:31 PM