Mick Foley, Sting shine again on TNA Impact
The Mick Foley-Sting match at Lockdown has received the strongest build for a TNA pay-per-view main event since last year’s Lockdown match between Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe. Thursday night on Impact, Foley and Sting again did a great job of making people want to pay to see them fight.
I can’t say enough how impressive Sting has been on the mic over the past several months. He delivered a good promo on this episode and was even more effective when he did a sit-down interview with Mike Tenay. Sting telling the story of being there in Germany when Foley lost part of his ear was a really nice touch and once again got the message across that Foley is a psychopath. (Here’s an idea for a Foley t-shirt based on his new character: Since Foley’s original ring name was Cactus Jack Manson because of his resemblance to murderous cult leader Charles Manson, TNA could use an image of Foley to recreate the infamous Life Magazine cover of a crazed-looking Manson. They also could play off the headline Rolling Stone used for its Manson cover story: The Incredible Story of the Most Dangerous Wrestler Alive.)
Foley did some good mic work as well, and I thought the handicap match between him and The Motor City Machine Guns was entertaining and well-booked. The show ended on a high note with a good pull-apart brawl between Sting and Foley.
Other thoughts on Thursday night’s show:
To add to the drama at the top of the card, Jeff Jarrett’s loyalties are now being called into question, as he is teasing that he is considering joining The Main Event Mafia. Trying to figure out who is a babyface and who is a heel in TNA can give you a headache, so I’ve decided to just check my brain at the door and go with it. …
As much as I enjoy Kurt Angle as a performer, I do think that he often is overexposed on Impact, so it was refreshing to see his role downplayed for at least one episode. …
The two “Rough Cuts” segments with Team 3-D talking about their wrestling school and their legacy were well done. …
I know he’s nowhere near what he used to be in the ring, but I always enjoy watching Scott Steiner. He and James Storm had a decent match. …
I love the ODB character and I think her interview segments are hilarious, but the worst part of this episode by far was the vignette showing her on a date with “fan” Cody Deaner. I’ve just never thought redneck humor (Larry the Cable Guy, Jeff Foxworthy, etc.) was very funny. …
I’m thankful that TNA decided to greatly tone down the feud between Tenay and Don West. Instead of non-stop bickering between them throughout the show, West, now playing a subtle heel announcer, and Tenay pick their spots. That actually works well. …
West said that The Governor was so traumatized by having her hair snipped by The Beautiful People that she now goes by the name “Daffney.” I guess no one told him that she was Daffney long before she was The Gov. …
I can buy Awesome Kong as a babyface, but the Raisha Saeed character is a tough sell, if that is the direction TNA is going in. If Kong truly is turning, it would be best if Saeed is written out of the storyline, and Cheerleader Melissa debuts as an entirely new character with no hint that she was Saeed. ..
I’ve probably written this before, but it’s worth repeating: Velvet Sky’s entrance never gets old.
NOTE: I conducted a phone interview Thursday with Alex Shelley of the Motor City Machine Guns. The Q&A will be posted as soon as I can get the interview transcribed.
Comments
"Trying to figure out who is a babyface and who is a heel in TNA can give you a headache, so I’ve decided to just check my brain at the door and go with it."
I agree completely. I guess that's why they have different entrances for faces and heels, that way I can keep track.
Posted by: Mike in AZ | April 10, 2009 3:50 PM
i can't wait til the 4th member of jarrett's team is revealed next week. i've read the spoilers and anyone who hasn't that reads this comment will not be let down by the choice. also, there are rumors that tna is bringing in someone for lockdown who is a former world champion from another organization. some people say it might be tazz but i think that it could be ric flair. do you know if ric is close to signing with tna?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I would really be shocked if it was Flair. I believe he feels that TNA is beneath him. Plus he does not have any respect for Russo, Nash, Steiner, etc.
Posted by: paul19 | April 10, 2009 5:33 PM
That might've been my favorite moment ever in TNA when Chris Sabin was imitating Sting, and Sting slowly got out of his chair calmly walked over to Sabin, hit a Scorpion Death Drop and went and sat back down. It just cracked me up for some reason.
Posted by: Elevation | April 10, 2009 5:50 PM
My read was complete when you said something nice about my man Scotty Steiner . Nothing else mattered . Holla !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 10, 2009 6:32 PM
I wanted to say that I have very much enjoyed reading your blog since I happened on it by accident a couple months ago. I always look forward to reading it the day after each wrestling episode, it make a nice compliment to watching on TV. TNA is a refreshing change of pace from WWE (although I watch that faithfully too) & I hope Vince McMahon doesn't buy out TNA. Mick Foley's character is awesome, he's such a trip! Loved last night's show. Keep up the great writing!
Posted by: The Evil Orange | April 10, 2009 7:07 PM
Kevin , I understand you have a tattoo on your chest just like Steiner's .
RESPONSE FROM KE: Wrong. I have one on my arm just like Shawn Michaels'.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 10, 2009 7:20 PM
Two hours of total absurdity-I loved it.This is getting to be the must-see wrestling show,for all the wrong reasons.Nonetheless,its a hoot.
Posted by: Bill | April 10, 2009 9:04 PM
Are you going to review ROH's new show?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I would love to, but I don't get HDNet. I will try to catch some of it on youtube.
Posted by: Killer Tofu | April 10, 2009 9:16 PM
Kevin , I've got a million places I could go with your comment back to me but I think I'll just leave it alone :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 10, 2009 9:33 PM
"so I’ve decided to just check my brain at the door and go with it. …"
Good idea. It helps a lot to check your brain when watching pro wrestling!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 10, 2009 10:32 PM
Okay , I couldn't resist . Kevin did you say you have a tattoo "like" Shawn Michaels , or,"of" Shawn Michaels ?
RESPONSE FROM KE: Like Shawn on my arm. Of Shawn on my ...
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 10, 2009 10:48 PM
Kevin-
I understand you have a large tramp stamp like every single female on TNA's roster.
Posted by: Elevation | April 10, 2009 11:27 PM
Elevation -
So , you heard that too ?
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 11, 2009 12:02 AM
Kevin - I'm not quite sure where you were going with your response but somehow thoughts of Kwee Wee come to mind .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 11, 2009 12:24 AM
ODB's "Iv'e seen the Pecker a few times" comments had me LMFAO.
Posted by: Sean | April 11, 2009 12:39 AM
These comments are hilarious.
My only issue with Sting's promos are his overuse of his opponents name.
During his program with Samoa Joe, his promos usually went like this:
'You know something, Joe?
I used to like you, Joe, then you disrespected me, Joe.
Why did you disrespect me, Joe? I did all i could to help the young guys, Joe.'
BTW Kevin, how can you dislike redneck humour yet enjoy the ODB character (not to mention the music of the King of Redneck, Kid Rock)?
Posted by: John | April 11, 2009 1:37 AM
One great aspect of TNA right now is you get the sense that the wrestlers have a big say in writing their own promos and pushing what works for them. I doubt Mick Foley gets to do his "son's haircut" promo in the current WWE.
Posted by: GMan | April 11, 2009 8:12 AM
Does anyone know who is "the artist formerly known as jack in hebron" and how many times does he enter this blog? I mean, really, I'd have to be pretty bored to comment so many times...
Posted by: Ray | April 11, 2009 3:10 PM
Ray -
Bored , is a bit harsh .
No one really knows who "thee arteest" is .
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | April 11, 2009 3:33 PM
You must be pretty bored to comment on someone's commenting.
Velvet Sky: the hottest active female wrestler, in my opinion.
Angelina Love: should get a nose job.
Posted by: Andy | April 11, 2009 6:39 PM
Anyone know if the guy in the Navy uniform is legit? Was he really on the USS Cole? I was in for 20 yrs. i saw he had a pony tail when he turned his head. If they're going to put a uniform on someone at least they could have him within standards. If it's a gimmick it's a crappy one to use the deaths of our servicemen and women as a storyline.
Posted by: D. Marsh | April 11, 2009 7:49 PM
indeed, Andy ; )
Posted by: Ray | April 12, 2009 7:20 AM
Good show and a real opportunity for TNA to give itself a real good push after the VERY lame WrestleMania. WOOOOO
Posted by: Ric Baltimore | April 12, 2009 11:51 AM
I think that what we have now between Mike Tenay and Don West is what TNA had planned all along.
I think they thought they needed a heel colour commentator and rather then replace West they should just have him turn. Having West turn heel randomly would make no sense considering how vocal he's been about the 'wrongs' in TNA for the last several years. That would have come under criticism from people like yourself.
So they made sense out of it by having a little programme between him and Tenay to explain it.
Posted by: Richard D | April 13, 2009 5:11 PM