Front Line steps up on Impact, but who is being elevated?
As evidenced by last night’s episode of TNA Impact, the feud between The Main Event Mafia and The Front Line is becoming a little less one-sided, but the original premise of the angle has gotten convoluted in the process.
When the story line began a few months ago, it appeared to be an old guard versus new guard scenario, pitting the veteran superstars of the MEM against the next generation of stars who had cut their teeth in TNA. A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe initially led the charge against the MEM with a group that included Eric Young, Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed.
It wasn’t working, however, because the heels were booked to be cool and calculating, while the babyfaces were booked to be incompetent. It didn’t help that the faces were charismatically challenged. To save the angle, Rhino and Team 3-D were brought into the mix, and the old-vs.-new premise has become nothing more than a basic heel faction vs. babyface faction story line.
There’s no doubt that their presence has made the story line more entertaining, but if the idea was to get the new guard over, then it has been counterproductive. Team 3-D and Rhino have been rejuvenated and they come across as stars, but no one else been elevated. In fact, the other Front Line guys may have had their characters weakened.
Last night’s episode was built around the return of Brother Ray, who, as usual, cut a great promo. He did so after power-bombing Kurt Angle through a table. The Front Line also got the last laugh when Styles defeated Scott Steiner (substituting for an injured Angle) in the main event with an assist from the returning Petey Williams.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
Because Team 3-D are such great heels, I was skeptical when they turned babyface, but Ray and Devon have been doing a fantastic job in their new roles. ..
During Team 3-D’s promo, they talked about doing something they had never done before – take a shot at becoming singles wrestlers. Did they forget about Rev. D-Von? And about Bubba doing his version of Dusty Rhodes’ flip, flop and fly? That experiment didn’t last very long. ...
The Sarah Palin skits have really dragged down The Beautiful People. The big payoff – Velvet Sky and Angelina Love having mud dropped on them – was pretty lame. I was hoping that the climax would include “Palin” being revealed as Daffney and that there was a reason for her participation in the plot, such as her seeking revenge for something Sky and Love had done to her in the past. Perhaps it will still happen. Hopefully, we haven’t seen the last of Daffney, because the women’s division definitely could use a talent such as her ...
Speaking of the women’s division, enough with the condescending references to “divas” already. TNA should concentrate on its own product and let go of its obsession with WWE. Anyway, since Gail Kim left TNA, the Divas might just be more entertaining than the Knockouts. ...
Did I actually see Sting putting the boots to Hernandez during the Main Event Mafia’s attack? That’s the first time I can remember Sting participating in the beat-downs since this story line began. ...
I was surprised that Matt Morgan and Abyss engaged in a pull-apart brawl. It seems too soon for Abyss to explode like that. Wasn’t he just talking about his “best friend Matt” last week? Plus, I figured the trusting Abyss wouldn't see it coming when Morgan turned on him. ...
So, let me get this straight: Lethal and Creed won the tag team belts in what was basically a handicap match last week, then they lose the titles right back to Beer Money three days later. What was the point? ...
Steiner nearly killed Hernandez and Styles on those belly-to-belly suplexes. It’s amazing that neither of them was seriously injured. ...
Roxxi stood out in the six-woman tag match and she also andled herself well on the microphone. I’m glad that she didn’t do her cursing gimmick. Hopefully, someone realized that it was hurting her character more than helping it. ...
Rhaka Kahn has a unique look – and the longest legs in wrestling since Stacy Keibler – but she needs to work on her selling. ...
Now that he and Steiner are no longer allies, shouldn’t Petey Williams abandon his “Little Petey Pump” look?
Comments
The ill-gotten "Little Petey Pump" look should have been long abandoned.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 16, 2009 5:53 PM
When Hernandez cashed in his briefcase, I knew he wasn't going to win the title, but I was curious to see if he would come out of it looking strong enough to warrant a rematch. I think he did. So, that's two briefcases cashed in the last two weeks. I'll take odds on Homicide cashing in against Alex Shelley next week, especially if the rumors of Shelley's neck problems are true.
I won't even go into the countless problems with the Sarah Palin skits. I was embarassed to watch them, they were that bad. But, the problem with Taylor & Roxxi on the mic was that Taylor, the surgically-enhanced blond, was looking down on Velvet & Angelina for being surgically-enhanced & blond (and Don West even pointed out that he doesn't think Velvet's had implants!).
I never noticed how far back Brother Ray's hairline was receding until he got the mohawk.
BTW, did you catch Booker T calling them the Dudleys?
Posted by: Chris Slater | January 16, 2009 6:35 PM
After Watching TNA Last night, I have to say that for the first time in a long time I had to turn the channel for the Beautiful People garbage, its not only old and lame but simply too stupid for words. Other than that not too bad of a show, but 1 ? Kevin, with the whole MEM thing going on and Kurt clearly being the leader doesnt this hurt Stings Persona as the "champ", since the champ is typically the #1 guy?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I have been thinking the same thing about Angle/Sting. When Sting does the inevitable babyface turn, perhaps it will be over Angle trying to pull rank and ordering him to do something he doesn't want to do.
Posted by: BigNinked | January 16, 2009 7:13 PM
Eck,
Do you agree with an opinion I read that a large reason for the decline of the knockouts division may be the loss of Scott D'Amore, not just losing Gail Kim?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Possibly, but I think Kim was the glue that held it together.
Posted by: Elevation | January 16, 2009 9:57 PM
Well said. TNA, as exhibited by its last pay-per-view, is too often two steps forward three steps backwards. Two of the matches on Genesis were as good as any PPV match the 'E has had in the past year (those being Sabin-Shelley & Jarrett-Angle which both had 'ehhh' finishes). But they destroyed whatever gains they made in the PPV with Cute Kip replacing Kevin Nash in the main event. TNA consistently shows promise and then fails to deliver when it counts. It reminds me of the old WCW days when the undercard matches were more interesting than the main events.
Fun Fact: 4 out of the 6 competitors in the main event at Genesis were over 40 years old. Devon was the 2nd youngest man in the ring! How's that for pushing the younger talent?
Posted by: RH | January 17, 2009 1:17 AM
Kevin,
How about some credit to the TNA wrestlers for their actual wrestling?
I watched most of the show this week with the sound turned down mostly except when the wrestlers were cutting their promos (ie no announcers). The show was very good this way...lots of very good performances with little or none just mailed in. The Beautiful People/Palin spot was the only bad part. Ughhh. What are they doing there?
TNA is a mixed bag. The talent and effort of the wrestlers is very good but the writing is lame lame lame. Either improve the writing or just let the wrestlers wing it and let their true personalities come through.
Th faces in the frontline need to work on their personalities and verbal spots. Teaming with experts like T3D should help. Give them a break!
If TNA can fix these things, they have the talent to give WWE a good run for its money. Granted, though they probably will not. They seem unab;le to break old worn out formulas that have lost their appeal over the years.
Posted by: AMC | January 17, 2009 12:14 PM
In regard to what AMC said about the poor writing, I agree totaly, it even makes the WWE creative look superior, TNA would cherish a storyline like Jeff Hardy has at the moment, and thats saying something! All these accidents? gie me a break, would stone cold put up with it?!
I remember for the old ECW Heyman used to just let the wrestlers do the storylines themselves mostly, im wondering if this could benift TNA, especialy seeing as they a top heavy with experienced older guys who know what they are doing and could make a good storyline, simular to Jericho vs Shawn Michaels.
And i see sting turning babyface by attacking Angle who Sting thinks is taking his place and will leave the MEM and lead the Front line, seems they need some guidance and a better leader at the moment.
Posted by: stan | January 17, 2009 2:08 PM
Hernendez looked like a fool cashing in the briefcase with the MEM at ringside. What did he think would happen? Another naive tna babyface. And his moustache looks ridiculous. Taylor wilde looked foolish also.
Posted by: Andy | January 17, 2009 2:23 PM
To say the Sarah Palin & Beautiful People Skit was lame is putting it mildly. IT WAS PATHETIC!!! Who ever wrote that in shoulld be FIREDDDD!!! WOOOOO
Posted by: Ric in Baltimore | January 17, 2009 5:05 PM