TNA succeeds with no-nonsense approach on Impact
TNA did exactly what it should have done on last night’s episode of Impact, which was the go-home show before Sunday’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view. Unlike the final show before last month’s TNA pay-per-view, there were no beauty pageants or silly skits last night. All of the focus was on getting over Sunday matches.
It’s also good to see that Bound for Glory does not have an overabundance of gimmick matches with complicated rules. There definitely is something to be said for keeping things simple.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
I liked the intense pull-apart between Samoa Joe and Sting during the official contract signing in the final segment. I just wish that Sting would have been the one to take the cheap shot during the handshake, because Joe is the one who came off looking like a heel. Not that it really matters at this point, because it’s obvious that Sting is remaining a babyface. …
It will be interesting to see what happens in the Joe-Sting TNA world title match. It was announced that there will not be a rematch regardless of the outcome, which makes me think that Sting might win the title. My prediction is that Kevin Nash will make a surprise appearance and turn on Joe. I have a hunch that Nash going public about his uncertain contract status with TNA and the fact that his photo and bio have been removed from TNA’s Web site is all a work to make people think that he’s no longer in the company. …
I was glad to see that Kurt Angle did not make any more references to Jeff Jarrett’s deceased wife, but I thought it came across as unrealistic that Jarrett would shake Angle’s hand one week after he made such a disgusting remark. …
I always love it when Jim Cornette is on the show. In Cornette and Mick Foley, TNA has two of the all-time best promo guys in the business. Could you imagine how much more entertaining Raw would be if Cornette was the general manager instead of Mike Adamle? …
Roxxi seems to be getting over more than TNA women’s champion Taylor Wilde. I’d like to see Roxxi win the title in the three-way with Wilde and Awesome Kong Sunday. With Kong pinning Roxxi last night, if Roxxi wins the title by pinning Wilde, it would set up a program between Roxxi and Kong. …
I wonder how Rhino feels about being in a match called a Bimbo Brawl. …
The four-way match to determine the No. 1 contender for the X Division title between Consequences Creed, Jay Lethal, Petey Williams and Sonjay Dutt crammed a lot of action into five minutes. All four guys looked good. …
Just what wrestling fans everywhere were waiting for: the return of former WCW wrestler/announcer Steve “Mongo” McMichael. He might have been a great football player, but as a wrestling commentator he makes Adamle look like Jim Ross, and as a member of the Four Horsemen he makes Paul Roma look like Ric Flair. McMichael will be the special guest referee for the Monsters’ Ball match at Bound for Glory. He said the “barbaric, hardcore match is right up my alley.” I know one thing: That toupee or whatever it was McMichael had on his head last night definitely is not hardcore.
Note: I conducted a phone interview with Foley yesterday that I hope to have posted later today or tonight. He talked about his decision to leave WWE and sign with TNA, his relationship with Vince McMahon, his thoughts on Triple H and Vince Russo and more.
Comments
I also wish TNA would keep things more simple. Too much of anything, even chaos, is not a good thing.
They should also lose the "bimbo brawl" moniker. So much for making the Knockouts credible!
I do like the talent in TNA both in and out of the ring for the most part, The newbies versus oldsters angle has a lot of long term potential. I hope they don't ruin it.
I also think Sting is headed towards the championship this Sunday. Having "the icon" as champ will set up the status quo versus new wave angle for the greatest "impact" down the road..
Posted by: AMC | October 10, 2008 9:31 AM
I have to admit...I just about fell out of my chair at Cornette doing Booker T's accent thing better than he does. No one but Cornette can pull that off so easily. They are turning Booker into a clown that everyone takes the easy jab at.
As far as this young v. old...fight for respect and whatever. Its just another rehash of the divided locker room ala the NWO. This time Christian plays Sting's part...the guy in the middle that remains an island to himself. Wish I could say it was original, because its certainly not that great the second time around.
Posted by: Lee | October 10, 2008 11:03 AM
"as a member of the Four Horsemen he makes Paul Roma look like Ric Flair"
Ric Flair stated on the Horsemen DVD that Roma sucked and had no business as a Horsemen. On the flip side, Flair wanted McMichael as a Horsemen and had nothing but good things to say about him, although he acknowledged McMichael's subpar ring work.
Posted by: chris | October 10, 2008 2:01 PM
Heres the difference between WWE and TNA:
WWE was just able to have a fantastic PPV because every single match was one on one and didn't have any ridiculous ref bumps, run ins, or unnecessary gimmick matches. The only run-in was Lance Cade, but that made perfect sense considering the story line.
TNA on the other hand is going to have:
A triple threat
a 4 team, 8 person tag match
the stupid dome thing
a 6 person mixed gender match
and God knows whatever else.
People want clarity and simplicity in story-lines and matches. Why can't TNA do that?
Posted by: Elevation | October 10, 2008 7:44 PM
Kevin, just remember one thing:
Steve McMichael's not here to cause no trouble ... he's just here to do the Super Bowl shuffle
Posted by: Chris Slater | October 10, 2008 10:12 PM
Elevation.....
You make perfect points which is exactly why I don't watch TNA, but some people don't care for WWE's way and that is why they will watch TNA. For me, TNA has to offer something different. If you don't like it, don't watch it. I don't, but I won't criticise it for offering the wrestling fan something different.
Posted by: Wayne | October 11, 2008 6:26 AM
Why is simplicity such a valued concept? It doesnt take that much brain power to figure out the rules of various "gimmick" matches. I personally like the variety. Wrestling can get pretty monotonous and same-y when you have one on one matches that follow the same formula. The story the two wresters tell might be clearer, but its the same story thats been told a million times before, and generally several times on the same card.
You don't watch a show with multiple subplots and want every subplot to be the same. Wrestling is television and the same rules apply. Long gone are the days when wrestling isn't primarily a two hour long sports drama.
Posted by: Leonard Crist | October 12, 2008 3:57 PM
Wayne , that's the point I've been trying to make for two years in "Ring Posts". (are you listening Kev ?? )
It's simple as some people like red, some people like blue , some people like WWE, some people like TNA .
It's nothing to berate someone about . Believe me I followed WWE (WWF) for 30 years . Now I follow TNA .
Whatever the organization , we're all wrestling fans . ....... right, Kev ???
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Absolutely. And some people such as myself like WWE and TNA.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 13, 2008 5:22 PM
Kev , I have to chuckle at your response to my comment .
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: All kidding aside, if I didn't like TNA I wouldn't waste my time watching every week.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 13, 2008 6:14 PM
Kev , I have to admit that of late my interest in TNA is beginning to wane . Since WWE is not really my cup of tea anymore , not sure what alternative I have . Guess I'll rely on You-Tube to watch 20 year old matches that never seem to grow old to me . You know , the ones we watched growing up .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | October 14, 2008 4:36 PM