Impact had nowhere to go but up
Last night’s episode of TNA Impact was nothing to get excited about – unless of course you saw last week’s show. Compared with that historically awful episode, last night’s program was an instant classic.
It was pretty lackluster, though, for being the go-home show for Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view. Then again, the lineup for Against All Odds is less than inspiring. It seems as if TNA is just treating Sunday’s show as filler until Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles return.
As is often the case with TNA pay-per-view main events, the story line for the four-way match for the TNA world title between Sting, Kurt Angle, Brother Ray and Brother Devon focuses on dissension among teammates. I’m having a difficult time getting invested in the Sting/Angle relationship, however, because it was obvious right from the start of the Main Event Mafia story line that Sting wasn’t truly a heel.
It would be a great swerve if Sting and Angle end up working together Sunday and Sting finally embraces his dark side. But I won’t hold my breath for that one.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
The only match at Against All Odds that has had a good buildup is Abyss versus Matt Morgan. Abyss cut perhaps the best promo of his career. Pounding his fists into thumbtacks and broken glass was sick and over the top, but it fits his character. An intense, bloody brawl with Abyss could really help Morgan get over. …
Kevin Nash’s condescending promo on Samoa Joe was effective in making me want to see another match between them. I know some people think that Nash totally buried Joe, but I’m going to wait and see how it all plays out before I jump to that conclusion. Now if Joe doesn’t score a decisive victory over Nash at some point, then I’ll agree that Nash was up to his old tricks. …
It’s nice to see The Beautiful People back on track, including bringing back the paper bag treatment. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens between them and “The Governor.” …
Brutus Magnus looked OK in his debut, but I’ll have to see more of him before forming a strong opinion. A Gladiator gimmick probably would have worked better about eight years ago, though. At least Stone Cold Shark Boy is back to being a jobber and The Prince Justice Brotherhood now just seems like a bad dream. …
Speaking of the PJB, I’m glad that the talented Eric Young has hung up his mask and cape and moved on. That was a nice spot last night when he hit a double Death Valley Driver on Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin. ...
I enjoyed the “Rough Cuts” segments on Kiyoshi. They did a nice job of making him seem like someone to be taken seriously. Hopefully, Vince Russo won’t have him wrestling in a sake-on-a-pole match next week.
Comments
You might be on to something with that sake on a pole match .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | February 6, 2009 3:31 PM
I was nauseated watching Abyss punch the tacks. That was gross.
Posted by: Sean the Cynic | February 6, 2009 4:50 PM
Let me just reiterate that MCMG is always the best part of the show for me. Great match, great guys, and Chris Sabin lying on the ropes waiting for the beatdown by Beer Money to end - priceless.
Other major development - Brutus Magnus has just catapulted onto my top ten hottest wrestlers list. Wow.
Posted by: Micah | February 6, 2009 4:57 PM
I like how Cornette denied Booker T's request to be a special referee on the grounds that Booker T didn't have a referee's license.
I didn't realize the State of Florida required licensure for wrestling referees. I wonder what the criteria is for obtaining a referee's license. The ability to be easily distracted, the ability to be even more easily intimidated and to be rendered unconscious from a slap to the face.
Remember last week when Kevin Nash (a.k.a. Chet Lemon) said there would be a new member of the MEM. I can't help but think there will be a swerve with Samoa Joe and that he will join the MEM. If we're getting the "old" Samoa Joe then we're getting a monster heel who likes to carry around bloody towels. Assuming the MEM gets rid of Sting (or don't count out the possibility they might turn on Angle) then it would make sense to find a replacement and as a former TNA champion Joe would fit the bill. It would also stir things up in the Impact Zone.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | February 6, 2009 5:31 PM
Awesome Kong probably going on the disabled list right after the PPV. The questions is, will Kong actually sell a scoop slam finally to ODB to put her over???
Posted by: Shawn Patrick | February 7, 2009 12:03 PM
Brutus Magnus is known as 'oblivion' on the revamped version of UK Gladiators. He is okayish but i wouldnt have him down as someone who could go to the top. Mid-carder at best
Posted by: David Williams | February 7, 2009 12:37 PM
I have a feeling that MEM is going to turn on Angle instead of Sting. Last week, he booked Sting in a handicap match but ended up helping him out. Sting did not return the favor last week. Even this week, Sting never helped out Angle (Angle refused to tag him in).
Wow! Rhino went from leader of the Frontline to Matt Morgan fodder.
The women's division needs more faces. They still have not recovered from losing Gail Kim.
Posted by: Jay | February 7, 2009 9:15 PM
TNA has a few cool factions in the Kongtourage, The Beautiful People, MEM and Front Line and in addition to that you could add Beer Money and LAX as a semi factions that might grow into real power houses with one additional member. This all makes into some cool TV that is ripe for storyline twists and faction hopping. In the midst of this TNA has somehow managed to make the MEM and Front Line the most limp storyline in ages! What should have been Horsemen material in terms of talent and stories has become nothing but a cheap throwaway soap opera crap with Sting refusing to play the part properly and most other stories rushed or just plain stupid (Booker T/Shane Sewell)
I watched the show and enjoyed Lethal Consequences-MCMG angle and the run in by Beer Money. Hell, when I saw Storm and Roode storm the ring it reminded me of the Horseman run ins I saw on their DVD. The Beautiful People promo was the best promo I have heard from them (or any other wrestler) in ages. Old school heel promo at it's best. Then the Kongtourage seems like a brutish heel stable to rank with the best of them. So, the good bits were the bits that did NOT concern the MEM. Actually, the promo Nash cut on Joe was cool and I am actually looking forward to that. But that does not have to have anything to do with the MEM storyline.
By the way, do you know if TNA has any plans for a Knockout Tag Title. The best stories and performances are usually from them so a tag title would be pretty cool.
Posted by: Jon G.S. | February 8, 2009 11:59 AM
I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the debut of Brutus Magnus.
He's got a good look and is solid on the mic, but i thought his moveset seems limited, boring and certainly not as strong as it should be for a man of his size.
BTW It was great to see Daffney have some in ring action.
In those short few minutes she showed more talent than the vast majority of females working for the two big companies.
The more we see of her, the better.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 8, 2009 10:50 PM