Three faces of Foley on TNA Impact
During the Attitude Era in WWE, Mick Foley showed his versatility by playing three distinctive characters – Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love. Last night on TNA Impact, Foley played three different roles all in one episode. He began the show as an authority figure, briefly became a color commentator and then morphed into a maniacal hardcore legend.
It made for a pretty heated angle last night when Scott Steiner used a pipe to brutalize Foley, who had been doing commentary before being distracted by Booker T. The attack was described as a “hit” ordered by Kurt Angle.
As a result of that development, Foley was named the special enforcer referee for the Sting-Angle TNA world title match Sunday at the Destination X pay-per-view. Jeff Jarrett will be the special guest referee.
It will be interesting to see where things go from here. It has been leaked on the Internet that the main event for next month’s Lockdown pay-per-view is Foley against Sting. If that's accurate, either Foley or Sting is likely turning heel Sunday. It seems as if Steve Borden has no interest in going heel, so my guess is that it will be Foley. I suppose there is also the possibility that they could wrestle each other and still both remain babyfaces.
If Foley does indeed turn, I will anxiously await his explanation, especially in light of last night’s attack. As for the proposed Sting-Foley match, it sounds good on paper, but Foley seems to be moving worse by the week.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
All of the bleeping is getting very annoying. Can anyone get through a promo without using naughty words? …
I liked the idea of a match between a wrestler chosen by Angle against one chosen by Sting. It was pushed in the story line that part of the idea was to give two undercard guys an opportunity to be in the spotlight. The new-and-improved Eric Young was a fine pick to represent Sting, but I groaned when Angle’s choice was revealed to be Rocco, the rotund member of MEM Security. Surprisingly, the match wasn’t bad. Rocco (formerly a member of TNA tag team Phi Delta Slam) has a bit of a Big Bubba Rogers quality to him, and Young looked good by beating a guy twice his size. Young, billed at 225 pounds, even got the 400-pounder up on his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. …
Angle and Foley had a good verbal confrontation at the top of the show, but did I actually hear Angle use the term “butt buddies?” …
I got my hopes up when Don West was not present at the start of the show to do commentary alongside Mike Tenay, but then he showed up at about 20 minutes into the broadcast. It turned out that it was a good thing West was there. He rightfully pointed out how ridiculous the Off the Wagon Challenge is. …
I don’t know if it’s because I’m comparing it to the performance of Randy Orton’s TV wife this week or what, but Lauren’s acting didn’t seem as bad as usual. She’s still no Michelle Pfeiffer, but she’s not too far from Michelle McCool. …
The “relationship” between Lauren and Abyss is being pushed more on TV. Am I the only one who sees Lauren turning on Abyss and joining up with Matt Morgan? …
Is that rule prohibiting man-on-woman violence still in effect? If so, doesn’t Morgan grabbing Lauren by the throat violate it? …
In the middle of cutting an intense promo and yelling at the top of his lungs after Morgan had gone after Lauren, Abyss managed to slip in a cute line about how Morgan is going to have more holes in him after their thumbtacks match than A-Rod’s story. Is that really something that the Abyss character would say? It’s not a bad line, but it sounds more like something that would come from Morgan. …
Another hilarious segment from ODB. As silly as these bits are, her delivery is so great that I can’t help but laugh. Jeremy Borash was pretty good here, too. After ODB said that “a pack of stogies” is what it takes to go all the way with her, Borash produced a single cigarette, which was good enough on this night, as ODB jumped on top of him. Come on JB, the surgeon general has warned us about that nasty habit causing all kinds of health problems. And smoking isn’t good for you either. …
The Beautiful People and Madison Rayne are now referring to themselves as Mi Pi Sexy. Ugh. That’s about as clever as PMS (Pretty Mean Sisters), SEX (Sports Entertainment Xtreme) TIT (Terri Invitational Tournament) and, of course, Beaver Cleavage. If I’m not mistaken, Vince Russo can take credit for all of these. …
I have never seen an episode of Survivor in my life, so I had no idea who this Jenna person was. After doing a Google search, I learned that she was the big winner on Survivor six years ago. Apparently, she is going to follow in the footsteps of The Miz and become a reality star-turned-wrestler. Hopefully, she will get over as much as Miz has but be far less annoying in doing so.
NOTE: WNST 1570 AM, the Baltimore radio station that I do a wrestling segment for every Wednesday, is considering organizing a bus trip to Philadelphia for TNA Lockdown on April 19. In addition to a ticket to the event and some food and liquid refreshments on the bus, there also would be a meet-and-greet before the show with TNA talent. The station is trying to get an idea of how much interest there would be in such a trip. I’m in for sure. Anyone else?
Comments
I love how they'll bleep everything except "Damn" on Spike. Are they preparing for Ron Simmons to join TNA?
Posted by: the one word you can say on TNA Impact | March 13, 2009 4:23 PM
I´d love to go to, but there´s a tiny problem: I live in Spain. But hey, if you pay the trip by plane, i`ll go ; )
Posted by: Ray | March 13, 2009 4:39 PM
..... sorry Kev, but I think someone other than Russo had first dibs on Beaver Cleavage . Can't put that one on him .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 13, 2009 5:31 PM
Sounds great, Kevin.
A group of us were going to wait til the last minute to get seats because of TNA's notoriety for practically giving away seats within days of the event, but this sounds like a good plan.
Posted by: MM | March 13, 2009 5:43 PM
I would definitely be down to go on a trip to Lockdown. That'd be awesome! Totally would be in for that. Meeting TNA talent = awesome as well. Get them to do it mannnn.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I am told that as long as enough people want to go, it will happen. So tell all your friends!
Posted by: BHC | March 13, 2009 5:55 PM
Kev I have to agree wholeheartedly with all of your observations this week. As soon as the Abyss/Morgan/Lauren segment was done, I turned to my wife and said "I bet you a week's worth of dishes that she turns on Abyss at the pay-per-view".
I about did a spit take myself when Angle said Butt Buddies.
Eric Young continues to impress me as well. I was surprised that Suicide didn't make an appearance. The Bashir/Rhyno deal seemed to come out of nowhere so I'm figuring they will have the opening match at Desination X. Overall, I would say it was a pretty good "go home" show but I would still like to see TNA get back to having more wrestling and less talking. It's sad to see so many talented wrestlers being under-utilized to make time for all the promos and skits. That being said, I think TNA has moved in the right direction by doing away with things like the Prince Justice Brotherhood.
Posted by: Derek Benschoter | March 13, 2009 5:58 PM
The WNST bus would pick us up at our door , right ? :)
RESPONSE FROM KE: Uh, no. I would be very disappointed if you did not go given you may have the chance to meet Traci Brooks. Make the drive down to Baltimore from Hebron.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 13, 2009 6:05 PM
I gotta say I enjoyed TNA last night. Was it because the Gov. ended up KO'ed and barefooted in the ring? She did look good there spread eagle and barefooted. As Mi Pi Sexy danced around the ring. The show flowed well last night. I hope Abyss " Body Slams " Matt Morgan on 10,000 thumb tacks. Morgan annoys me as for Abyss that guy is a mess. As for Mick in a Main Event " give me a break " The Late Great Moolah moved better in the ring when she was in her late 70's then Mick does now. Think about that rasslin'' fans. If that is the best TNA can do ... that is sad. Maybe Mick can team up with Mae Young. WOOOOO
Posted by: Ric in Baltimore | March 13, 2009 6:07 PM
Sounds great to me. How much would it cost?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Don't have any details right now. Will keep everyone posted.
Posted by: Norman | March 13, 2009 6:17 PM
The bleeping is really inconsistent too. "A**" is bleeped only about seventy-five percent of the time and sometimes really weird words are bleeped. Did you see it last week when Matt Morgan said "retard" and they bleeped it? My husband and I wonder if it's not an attention-getting tactic by Spike/TNA. It's not like Spike bleeps much of anything else on their other shows.
And Lauren is no worse than Kelly Kelly or Maria. Hey, maybe WWE scrubbed the Kelly Kelly/Kane storyline because she's so bad. Would make sense to me.
Posted by: Micah | March 13, 2009 6:21 PM
Kevin , in regards to your response to me : actually I'd be very much interested in participating in the roadtrip . Please keep us informed of the details .
** Oh , I can't let that comment about Traci Brooks go without a reply ** ....
Forget the bus , I would crawl on my hands and knees, walk on hot coals , swim rivers .......
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 13, 2009 6:54 PM
Wow!!! One week the relationship between Abyss and Lauren exists only in Abyss' mind. This week they are soulmates. Next week Lauren will be in Matt Morgan's arms. Sounds about right in the world of TNA.
The only other possibility for the Morgan-Abyss match is if Dr. Stevie comes out and attacks Abyss for not getting with the program.
After the row between Lauren and Morgan it was interesting how he commented women had no business in the ring. It was probably good timing that Tenay asked him to leave because the next match was between Taylor Wilde and Madison Rayne.
The Eric Young-Rocco match was good. However, I was hoping Angle would choose Brutus Magnus. For a moment I thought he would but I don't get Brutus Magnus turning down Angle because of his actions against Jarrett. Isn't Brutus Magnus a heel? Besides he's wrestled all of two matches and is exactly the type of wrestler TNA should be pushing.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | March 13, 2009 7:11 PM
What language is Booker T speaking?I cannot understand a word he says.I thought it might be some kind of "thug" language but my Thug friends say they have never heard anything like it either.
Posted by: Bill | March 13, 2009 10:20 PM
Kevin, I am definitely up for the bus trip. Let us know details when they become available.
Posted by: Scott | March 13, 2009 11:07 PM
Kevin,
I would be interested in the bus trip to Lockdown. Keep us updated!
Posted by: chris | March 14, 2009 12:32 AM
Sting, Angle, Jarrett, and Foley dominate TNA, and yet Samoa Joe and AJ Styles get no in-person appearances at all. What in the blue hell is wrong with TNA creative? More importantly, the Destination X card: An XD match, a women's tag gimmick match, Joe and AJ wrestling the mid-card, a Tag Team Title match to give the PPV some credibility, and a main event featuring Jarrett, Angle Sting, and Foley. Pathetic.
Kev, you make me shake my head at Vince Russo. This guy needs to take some advice from ze Mole and get his head out of the gutter.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 14, 2009 2:30 AM
kev, im definately up for the bus trip.
Posted by: jason | March 14, 2009 8:54 AM
I would be interesting in the trip if it isn't too expensive.
Posted by: Sean the Cynic | March 14, 2009 11:42 AM
No comments on the ridiculous eight man tag team match? I understand, it was a big waste of time, it didn't mean anything and the only thing I got out of it is affirmation of how much I like LAX and MMG.
And I agree with Micah on the whole bleeping topic. It seems to be very inconsistent, even during the same taping.
Posted by: Duane | March 14, 2009 11:47 AM
RIP Andrew "Test" Martin
I was shocked to hear that Traci Brooks was there last night. Correct me if I'm wrong, but when was the last time she was on Impact? I don't remember the last time she was on.
Posted by: paul19 | March 14, 2009 12:46 PM
Hi Kevin,
Love your blog. We have a group of three guys that are guaranteed "in" if the bus trip happens. Well check the blog and website for updates.
Posted by: Brian Higgins | March 14, 2009 1:22 PM
Kev , - 2 hrs. Hebron to B'more . 2 hrs. B'more to Philly . 2 hrs. back to B'more . 2 hrs. back to Heeebron . ( Obviously it's quicker for me to drive straight to Philly but I'd miss all the fun )
Whew !!! You being the wrestling "wingman" that's worth a date w/ Ms. Brooks !!!
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | March 14, 2009 1:31 PM
I'm up for a TNA Lockdown Trip. I went on a WNST bus trip the first year Ripken Stadium was open. All the games sold out but they only charged $20 for the bus, food, drink, trivia giveaways, and a ticket. You couldn't find tickets and yet they charged so little.
Posted by: ERIC | March 15, 2009 12:07 AM
Hey Kevin, how could you forget the Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title? That had to be Russo as well.
RESPONSE FROM KE: That was definitely Russo. I was working for WCW at that time.
Posted by: The Starman | March 15, 2009 12:45 PM