Change is good on TNA Impact
Thursday night’s episode of TNA Impact was entertaining, and it wasn’t because of the usual suspects.
Rather than having the show carried by Kurt Angle, Mick Foley and Sting, the stars of this episode – in addition to A.J. Styles – were less heralded wrestlers such as Doug Williams, Chris Sabin and Daniels.
The emphasis was on wrestling and the skits were kept to a minimum. I’m not saying TNA should do that every week, but it was a nice change of pace. Using WWE programming as an analogy, it was closer to an episode of Smackdown than an episode of Raw.
The show was built around a tournament to determine which two wrestlers would join TNA world champion Angle and Matt Morgan in the four-way main event at the No Surrender pay-per-view on Sept. 20. Styles and Sabin had the best match of the tournament, and Williams-Suicide and Styles-Williams also were good. Fans already know how talented Styles and Sabin are, but they may not have known just how good Williams is before this show.
Another highlight was the mic work of Daniels, who cut a promo on Samoa Joe about being a sell-out that was the best I have ever seen from him.
It also was good to see a show-long story line that focused on Hernandez, Homicide and the Eric Young-led World Elite. Plus, Hernandez got a rub by facing Sting in the main event.
Other thoughts on Thursday’s show:
Styles and Sting won their respective brackets to earn spots in the four-way at No Surrender. I would rather have seen Hernandez in the match instead of Sting, but I understand the reasoning behind the decision. It’s probably too soon in Hernandez’s push for him to be in a pay-per-view main event. Plus, his program with the World Elite has to run its course before he can move on to bigger things. ...
The setup for Young – who was disguised as Homicide – costing Hernandez his match against Sting was well done. The seed was planted when there was a hint of tension between the two LAX members after Hernandez won a tournament match between the two, as Homicide grudgingly shook Hernandez’s hand without looking him in the eye and then quickly exited. For a split second, it seemed like Homicide was the one interfering in Hernandez’s match. ...
There was a good brawl to end the show that seemingly involved half the roster. ...
It was strange not to see Foley on the show at all. ...
The announcers tried to explain that Rhino was in the tournament despite being booked to face Bobby Lashley at No Surrender because he threatened legal action if he wasn’t included. Nice try. I think the creative team just screwed up. ...
I was surprised that Sting beat Rhino so easily, but at least Rhino got his heat back with a post-match attack on Sting. ...
The Jesse Neal story line is starting to make sense. Team 3D said that they are taking him under their wing and training him, so I’m guessing he will eventually show dramatic improvement and feud with Rhino. I suppose TNA put him in a baggy shirt, gym shorts and tennis shoes and gave him a bad haircut so that when he transforms into a more polished wrestler – and also looks the part – it will demonstrate just how far he has come. ...
Speaking of Team 3D, why was Brother Ray wearing a Taz t-shirt? Isn’t Taz a heel? This is the kind of stuff that would never happen in WWE. ...
Williams’ roll-up into a German Suplex to finish off Suicide was nice. ...
When Samoa Joe told Daniels that he had better things to do than listen to him, Daniels said, “You have to go do some push-ups with Scott Steiner?” I’d suggest sit-ups, actually. ...
Booker T.’s act is almost unwatchable. It was funny, however, to see Booker all riled up and talking nonsense while Steiner was the calm, rational one. ...
Is Hamada supposed to be a face or a heel? Either way, she’s impressive. Kudos to TNA for signing her. Like Awesome Kong, ODB and Daffney, she doesn’t have the “diva” look, and that’s exactly what makes her stand out. ...
While watching some of the better matches, I realized that TNA needs to show more instant replays. ..
When Angle was at the announce table to do commentary, it looked as if he was wrestling his headset – and losing.
Comments
Kevin said - (re: Steiner/Joe) ........ i''d suggest sit-ups , actually "..... LOL . Nicely done Kevin !
I would go a "few" steps further and suggest he go do a couple of cycles of "Deca" with Scotty .
Just thinking out loud , .... Christy Hemme's outfit made me think of the "Glow" girls from the 80's . Just sayin'.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | September 4, 2009 9:40 PM
Off topic but why can't Raw and Smackdown both have entertaining wrestling with minimal skits? I think all three shows(including TNA ) would thrive if they did this.And the WWE would have an easier time developing new talent if they didn't expect each new guy to be Jeicho or Steve Austin on the mic and let them focus on wrestling and then let them get comfy on the mic. By the way Kevin, I just started reading you and you are by far the best ProWrestling writer I have seen. My local Big time paper(the chicago sun-times ) rarely offers any updates on wrestling. You are awesome
RESPONSE FROM KE: Thanks for the kind words.
Posted by: mrejr8234 | September 4, 2009 9:55 PM
Another great impact show. I agree, I actually did think that Homicide had come to ringside. I was also noticing that Homicide did not assist with the save of Hernandez. This continued good non predictable wrestling including Shelly not helping Sabin and Sting not helping AJ (that can be excused).
The other unpredictable item was the fact that Sting won with the broken ribs. I thought for sure that this was going to be the excuse for Hernandez winning the match.
I hope they do something a little more with Joe. Although the feud with Daniels will be interesting, I just don't see the competition in the X division being credible. I mean does he move to Suicide after he battles Daniels?
Posted by: Jay | September 5, 2009 12:09 AM
Things aren't looking good for the Beautiful People now that possibly the top Knockout is gone.
Posted by: Pat Coyne | September 5, 2009 1:18 AM
This has to be the best wrestling program I've seen in a long time. It kept my attention and I didn't feel stupid for watching it when it was over. Keeping the young guys in the spotlight was great, and I totally agree about Doug Williams. Great future for him, I think. Did Hernandez have hip surgery recently or awhile ago? He seemed a bit stiff at times when hoisting guys. Anyway, best match of the night was Sabin-Styles. Great stuff there!
Posted by: jon in bradenton, fl | September 5, 2009 5:51 AM
Why shouldn't TNA have episodes like this every week? I'd so much rather watch an actual wrestling program instead of all the lame backstage skits and horrible matches centered around a bunch of 45 year olds who can't even walk anymore.
Posted by: Elevation | September 5, 2009 1:22 PM
This is what TNA should do; go back to old school NWA/WCW wrestling and cut the "entertainment" apsect way down. The wrestling talent they have is outstanding, and going this route willl allow them to develop their own niche in the industry.
Kev, any update on Steiner interview number 3? I am sure he has plenty to say about HHH's top ranking.
Posted by: Flair | September 5, 2009 4:31 PM
" Flair " - Maybe if we keep buggin' Kev we'll get that Steiner interview ! ......... Well , maybe not . My persistence never got me those T. Brooks or K. Sullivan interviews .
Just messing with you Kev !
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | September 5, 2009 10:49 PM
LOL @ you pointing out Devon was wearing a Taz shirt. Yes Kev, we know...your precious WWE can do know wrong and never makes screw-ups. And clearly from listening to Taz on commentary you can see he is no longer a heel. I mean, even in the Somoa Joe's (his former protege) match with Homicide, he was talking about how he liked Homocide. And when Kurt Angle was putting down AJ Styles on commentary, Taz spoke well of him. He's a tweener commentator.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Actually it was Brother Ray. When did I ever say WWE can do no wrong? Even if Taz is a tweener, it still doesn't make sense for a babyface to be wearing his t-shirt. After all, he did convince Joe to turn heel and join the MEM. I'll say it again: That would not happen in WWE.
Posted by: Derek | September 6, 2009 2:29 PM
Impact had the show of the week though SmackDown's Morrison/Mysterio battle was the match of the week.
Doug Williams' finisher, the Chaos Theory, is the best thing since the Canadian Destroyer. I think I like it better than the Destroyer.
Sabin and AJ looked like they stepped back in time four years. I mean that in a very good way.
Top notch show. Best in years. If Russo booked this, then keep him around.
Posted by: Another Wrestling Mark | September 13, 2009 2:06 AM