Matt Morgan’s heel turn highlights Impact
It was obvious from the very first time that Matt Morgan and Abyss teamed together that Morgan was going to turn on him. The only question was when it would happen. The answer was last night on TNA Impact.
Even though the angle was predictable, I think a Morgan-Abyss feud could be interesting. I have always thought that Morgan had star potential, and how he handles himself in this program could go a long way in determining his future.
Morgan is probably better-suited to be a heel at this point, but I think he has a chance to eventually be the company’s top babyface. If not him, then who? Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles are accomplished wrestlers and they certainly have value, but I just don’t think they have that “it” factor as far as main-event level charisma and presence. Morgan doesn’t have it right now, either, but he has shown flashes of it.
Morgan’s turn was the best thing on the show. It wasn’t a can’t-miss episode, but there wasn’t anything that made you roll your eyes. In other words, no Sarah Palin skits.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
The one thing that I didn’t like about Morgan’s turn was all the unprotected chair shots to the head that Abyss took. To get the angle over, it needed to be violent and bloody, but there are ways to achieve that without repeatedly bashing someone’s skull. …
The tables match between Styles and Kurt Angle was far from their best match together, but it still was an entertaining TV main event. Angle plays the super-intense depraved heel as well as anyone. …
Where was The Front Line to make the save when Angle was destroying Styles after the match? It was explained why Mick Foley, Rhino and Team 3-D weren’t there, but what about Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed and Eric Young? I guess those three realized that they’d just be quickly disposed of by Angle despite a three-on-one advantage, so why bother. …
Speaking of Young, what is TNA doing with this guy? His character has finally evolved into a more serious one, but he was actually getting a better push when he played a simpleton. …
That was a nice beatdown on the Palin impersonator (aka Daffney) by The Beautiful People, who immediately got their edge back after all those bad skits. The Palin angle wouldn’t have been that bad if it hadn’t dragged on for so many weeks. As shallow and self-absorbed as Velvet Sky and Angelina Love are supposed to be, it was ludicrous to think that they didn’t know who won the election more than two months later. I suppose (hope) “Palin” will return as Daffney to seek retribution. …
I’m begging Petey Williams to lose the Scott Steiner look. Why would he still emulate the guy he’s seeking revenge on for attacking him? Plus, he looks ridiculous…
The four-way X Division title match between Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Sheik Abdul Bashir and Sonjay Dutt was a fun way to start the show. I wish TNA would decide on a direction for Shelley and Sabin already. They cut heel promos and then wrestle like babyfaces. …
The interview with Team 3-D via satellite from Japan came off a little cheesy, especially with the fake crowd noise at the beginning and the big Japanese flag in the background to “prove” that they really were in Japan and not in the back of Universal Studios somewhere. I thought it was odd for Brother Ray to equate winning the IWGP tag titles at the Tokyo Dome to winning a title at Madison Square Garden. Perhaps so, but since TNA doesn’t and probably never will have a show at the Garden, doesn’t that indicate that the company is minor league? …
I still think Crystal did a better job as the backstage interviewer, but Lauren has improved a lot. In fact, she’s pretty good – as long as she’s not asked to act too much. …
I wonder if Abdullah The Butcher is going to come to The Impact Zone and stick a fork in Morgan for referring to Abyss as “Abby?” That’s the nickname affectionately given to Mr. Butcher. Maybe Vince Russo is planning on doing a new segment called "Dear Abby" in which Abyss gives out advice.
Comments
I've not watched my once beloved Impact for several weeks now and pretty much rely on Kevin's weekly synopsis . At this point I really don't care about the goings on there anymore , (at least for now) . Scott Steiner was about about the only reason I tuned in , and for Petey Williams to continue on with the look makes no sense at all . ... I didn't like the whole "little petey pump " bit to begin with !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | January 23, 2009 3:55 PM
Moments of brilliance in between absurdity and lameness.
Matt Morgan's heel run will be good, in that it will give him the hard edge he he's been looking for. Some bloody brawls with Abyss, then a gradual return to a face could make him, as you say, the company's top draw.
Beat down of Palin was great, too bad it took too many stupid skits to get there. And they can't sit on it and let Daffney not get revenge. In one quick segment this is could be a hot angle that the knockouts need.
Speaking of which, the Knockouts desperately need a top technical wrestler back at the top of the division. I say they need to turn Saeed on Kong and have her be the new technical babyface, especially since Kong has expanded her entourage.
Angle can be pretty awesome, loved his crazy "king of the world" speech at the end. Also liked Booker adding a bit of phsyco punch on his beatdown of Sewell. TNA is so much better when they amp up the intensity. Comedy skits have their place, but Russo needs to learn they are the appetizers, not the main course.
Posted by: GMan | January 23, 2009 4:14 PM
This show was a mixed bag imo. The X Divison 4way match felt like a tag match and was disjointed. With the talent involved in the match it was disapointing. I guess with Shelley banged up the wanted to protect him from doing too much. Glad to see the Beutiful People show an edge. They are very solid heels hopefully the won't be stuck doing silly shticks again. ODB Vs Sojorner Bolt was pretty much a nothing match. Why oh why does Awesome Kong need any backup at all? She is this unbeatable monster and she has three women in her corner. The Petey Williams promo was a very solid old school promo. Last week he came out of Impact looking like a star this week he looked like The Brooklyn Brawler or Barry Horowitz. The Steiner-Booker Vs Young-Williams match felt from like a drawn out squash match from an early Raw from '93 or some match from Wcw Saturday Night. I dunno why they're pushing Sewell at the expense of Petey. Beer Money Vs Morgan-Abyss was an okay brawl and finally a very well done heel turn and beatdown by Morgan. We can hope it will lead to the return of the old Abyss and the end of this caricature we've seen the last 6 months or so. I liked the whole package TNA showed reviewing the great Angle-Styles feud and as usual they had a fantastic match. These guys could have great matches blindfolded(hopefully TNA won't take this as a suggestion to book a match like that) The beatdown and promo was a good build up for next weeks show. I am hoping Angle wins the title at Against All Odds.
Posted by: graves9 | January 23, 2009 6:13 PM
When TNA focuses on wrestling they are tough to beat. Much better ring action this week than the previous shows.
ODB needs to win the belt. She is very over with the crowd, and a title reign would add some freshness to the knockout division. Adding Daffney would be a great addition as well. They should also look at adding a knockout tag-team championship.
I know Steiner plays a great heel, but wouldn't it make better sense to have him turn face using his near death experience as his way of giving back to the business?
I think Robert Roode has more main event potential than Matt Morgan, but time will tell.
Posted by: TFlair | January 23, 2009 7:55 PM
One question - why does every match have to be a gimmick match?
Last night proved to be no exception:
- First Blood
- Tables Match
- Four Way
- Four Way Elimination
Posted by: BennyD | January 23, 2009 7:59 PM
Good show. Love Shelley and Sabin and Styles and Angle are the best wrestlers in the world.
Posted by: heyoo | January 23, 2009 8:22 PM
I enjoyed the beatdown by the Beautiful People that left ( Palin ) aka Daffney beaten and barefooted!
WOOOOOO
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: This is at least the second time that you made a "barefooted" comment. Do you and Snitsky have something in common?
Posted by: Ric in Baltimore | January 23, 2009 10:01 PM
Why should people boo Matt Morgan for turning on Abyss?
Abyss brings nothing to TNA except for a determination to wind up permanently injured.
Posted by: Elevation | January 23, 2009 10:41 PM
Don't give Vince Russo any ideas :)
I definitely see potential from Matt Morgan. But, I think the window for that opportunity is closing. I think he's in his early 30's. His prime is definitely now and not later. If they want a return on their investment, I think they need to push him to the top within the next year.
He could definitely be a huge face in time. Two huge faces that TNA could be utilizing are Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels. I have no idea why they wasted Kaz - and had him get injured twice - as Suicide. He was turning into a legit main eventer, with his feud with Christian and a great match he had with Kurt Angle. I just don't know why they felt the need to take him off tv & put him under a mask.
With Daniels, the Curry Man gimmick was good mid-card entertainment. I'm curious to see what they do with him next.
Those two could definitely be utilized better as top-level faces in TNA.
Posted by: Chris Slater | January 23, 2009 11:09 PM
"I thought it was odd for Brother Ray to equate winning the IWGP tag titles in Japan to winning a title at Madison Square Garden."
Well, he didn't, completely. He equated MSG to the Tokyo Dome, which is a step up from any old place in Japan. Especially since Cheap Trick. Or something.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: That's actually what I meant to say. Thanks for pointing that out. It has been changed.
Posted by: Marko50 | January 24, 2009 1:07 AM
I agree with you on several points.
First, the Morgan heel turn was good. Second, the MCMG need a clear direction. Are they faces or heels? Third, Petey needs to drop the Steiner look.
I also like GMan's suggestion that Saeed should turn on Kong. I would only add that she should unveil herself as the one and only Cheerleader Melissa.
I notice you did not have a comment about the Angle/Sting argument. It's interesting the show ended with Angle proclaiming he's on top of the world. I've a feeling he won't be there long and the MEM is going to turn on Angle with Sting becoming its leader and Angle turning face. Sting reverting into a face is too obvious a route. Besides Sting is becoming more convincing as a heel. Granted he's not a conventional heel. He's more subtle. But the quiet yet intense way he's carrying out the "respect" angle reminds me of the "respect" angle done by the Undertaker during his last heel turn a few years back.
Sure there would be kinks to be worked out. Angle would have to somehow get into the good graces of AJ and Samoa Joe and get the crowd on his side again. But given how fluid alliances are in TNA I'm sure it can be done. Whether it will be done well is another matter altogether.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | January 24, 2009 2:56 AM