Mick Foley makes Impact
I’m not sure what to make of Mick Foley’s character right now – and that’s what makes him so compelling.
Foley continued his entertainingly erratic behavior Thursday night on TNA Impact, going back and forth between playing an insincere version of his lovable character and a crazed Cactus Jack-like figure.
Since Foley’s last stint in WWE saw him teaming with Hornswoggle and making bad jokes at the announce table, it’s easy to forget sometimes just how great of a performer he is. Despite looking broken down and out of shape, Foley still manages to come across as a dangerous threat because he plays his character so well.
Of course, in a little over two weeks at the Lockdown pay-per-view, the talking will end and Foley and Sting will actually have to wrestle. Foley’s physical condition and Sting’s age (50) raise concerns about whether the match can live up to the build. Foley has all but promised that he will do something crazy during the match, which excites me and saddens me at the same time.
Other thoughts on Thursday’s night’s show:
Scott Steiner delivered one of his best promos in a long time, and it wasn’t one of those Big Poppa Pump so-bad-it’s-good promos. I just wish we could leave Jeff’s Jarrett’s young daughters and deceased wife out of story lines. …
The Sting-Samoa Joe main event wasn’t much of a match, but it served its purpose as far as getting over Joe’s new ultra-violent persona. With Joe’s abduction of Sharmell, we can now add kidnapping to attempted murder on his rap sheet. I know a lot of people don’t like the new Joe, but TNA had to go in this direction with him after he had been booked as a gullible, whiny babyface for so long. …
I like Stevie Richards but I have not been a fan of the Dr. Stevie segments. The two on this show were perversely entertaining, however. Stevie’s beat-down of Abyss – who squealed like a wounded animal – came out of nowhere and at least grabbed my attention. The second segment featured Daffney, who – thank God – finally is done with The Governor gimmick. I’m surprised TNA actually took the time to come up with some sort of explanation as to why she was impersonating Sarah Palin. …
The Beer Money/Team 3-D story line, in which the heels are constantly telling the babyfaces that they respect them, reminds me of the Lance Cade-Trevor Murdoch/Hardy Boyz angle from a while back. …
Right before a commercial break, Taylor Wilde ran to the back to avoid getting her hair cut by The Beautiful People, and Madison Rayne took off after her. After the break, Wilde was already in her bathrobe when the BP broke into her dressing room. How did she get undressed so fast? …
Knowing how Steiner feels about Ric Flair, it has to irritate him every time the crowd yells “Wooo!” after he delivers a chop to the chest. …
Kevin Nash delivered the line of the night when he was about to leave the building with Jenna Morasca: “I can leave whenever I want. I’m Kevin Nash.” …
When Jim Cornette said, “All we need is two more big-mouth Italians,” was that a shot at his pal Vince Russo or his pal Santino Marella?
Comments
..."how did she get undressed so fast ? "
Kevin , I'm sure she's had plenty of practice ;-)
RESPONSE FROM KE: Well, someone had to say it.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 3, 2009 6:45 PM
Kevin , before I forget , I agree with your comments re: Scott Steiner on the mike last night . ( Actually anytime you talk about Steiner , good or bad , is good w / me )
It was cool that he was "out of character ."
And while I usually don't like the mention of anyone deceased in a storyline , I do have to disagree with you in this individual example . I don't think it was in bad taste and there was actually some truth to what Steiner was talking about .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 3, 2009 7:41 PM
i personally can't wait to see the 4th man on jarrett's team. i already know who it is because i read the spoilers, but those who don't will be in for a huge surprise
Posted by: paul19 | April 3, 2009 7:47 PM
What do you mean how did Taylor Wilde get undressed so fast? Umm, a commercial break is at least 2 mintues.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 3, 2009 9:15 PM
So it seems Dr. Stevie is a practitioner of aversion therapy.
Perhaps next week Dr. Stevie should take a page from "A Clockwork Orange" and try the the Ludovico technique where Abyss becomes physically ill after watching his old matches. He cannot turn away because his eyes have been pried open.
Consequently, when Matt Morgan or anyone else attacks Abyss he would become ill if he tried to defend himself. He would also become ill upon hearing Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
In which case perhaps TNA could bring in The Maestro. I mean if they've brought back Daffney as a ghost from WCW past then why not?
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | April 4, 2009 1:36 AM
I think the difference between Beer Money/T3D and the Murdoch/Cade/Hardyz story is that TNA's belts actually seem to hold some weight on their program, and they're building it with guys they're actually investing in.
Posted by: chris | April 4, 2009 10:56 AM
Instead of saying they respect the Dudleys how about they go a different route and say they don't respect old washed up wrestlers trying to steal Beer Money's spotlight? And then "Cross The Line" and say they're worse than Barack Obama trying to take their money.....edgey right Kevin?
Posted by: Johnny Gunn | April 4, 2009 11:57 AM
Good show. Looks like Daffney has gone off the deep end. I really enjoyed seeing Taylor get the beat down in the bathroom while barefooted. I wonder what was under her bathrobe. WOOOO
Posted by: Ric in Baltimore | April 4, 2009 12:38 PM
I agree with you Jack, I thought Steiner bringing up Jeff's family in that context was both accurate and in good taste, and instantly added a lot of depth to the storyline. Overall, Impact was still a mixed bag. Foley was great, Steiner's promo was really good and his match with Styles was solid. I really liked the progression of the Beer Money/3D feud. There was another pointless X division match, it's a shame such a promising division has been rendered meaningless. I've seen lots of squash matches, but I've never seen a current world champ squashed. It was extremely counterproductive, the whole crazy Joe angle would have worked just as well with a 10 minute match ending with Joe snapping.
Posted by: Joe Barber | April 4, 2009 10:54 PM
Joe Barber -
Thanks for being one of the few to ever agree with me on something here and attach your name to it !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 5, 2009 12:12 PM