TNA Impact: Solid go-home show for No Surrender
Despite being weak on in-ring action this week – all of the matches lasted between two and five minutes – Thursday night’s episode of TNA Impact was entertaining and did a good job of hyping Sunday’s No Surrender pay-per-view.
Among the stars of the show were Matt Morgan and Hernandez, as the elevation of the two powerhouses continued. Both of them are getting over with the fans at the Impact Zone.
After Morgan wrestled to a no-contest with Samoa Joe, he and Kurt Angle engaged in an intense pull-apart at the end of the show. Morgan came off looking like a legitimate threat to Angle’s TNA world title. As for Hernandez, he was very impressive in squashing Sheik Abdul Bashir and Kiyoshi in a handicap match.
Another highlight came from Rhino, who delivered a strong heel promo and generated a lot of heat. To me, Rhino is much better as a bad guy. It’s a shame that he is probably going to just be a steppingstone for Bobby Lashley Sunday.
Other thoughts on Thursday’s show:
Brother Devon also was very good on the mic when he confronted Rhino. ...
It seems to me that TNA has come to the realization that Samoa Joe is just not cut out to be a guy at the very top. Joe was used on this show as a pawn in Angle’s program with Morgan. He also was portrayed as Angle’s flunky, even referring to Angle as “boss man.” ...
I loved Morgan popping right up after taking a backdrop from Joe. It reminded me of The Road Warriors no-selling moves back in the day. ...
I don’t recall ever seeing someone hip-toss two guys simultaneously with one arm until Hernandez did it to Bashir and Kiyoshi. I’m amazed that Kiyoshi did not suffer a broken neck from the Border Toss he took from Hernandez. ...
Hernandez foaming at the mouth after having his throat smashed by a briefcase was a nice touch. ...
Is TNA already going to do a Mick Foley-Abyss feud? Shouldn’t they be established as friends first before they become enemies? I really hope Foley is not turning heel so quickly after going back to being a babyface. ...
Taz wasn’t as bad on commentary this week. He made a great point when he said: “Rhino is very disgruntled with TNA management. I don’t know why he’s wearing a TNA shirt, though.” It probably would have been better if Taz hadn’t drawn attention to it, but TNA needs to do a better job of thinking about subtle things like that. ...
Speaking of subtle things, it helps make the product look more major league when the announcers dress up. Taz used to wear a suit when he was with WWE, but now he wears his FTW T-shirt and shorts (which were visible when he stood up). The only excuse for him looking like that on the air would be if the airport lost his luggage. ...
It looks as if Madison Rayne is going to be part of The Beautiful People again. With Angelina Love being released, I suppose TBP will now just be Rayne and Velvet Sky. The act won’t be the same without Love, who was the most talented member of the group. ...
I’m impressed with D’Angelo Dinero on the mic. ...
The Sarita and Taylor Wilde versus Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed match was good while it lasted. ...
It was great when all the women – both babyfaces and heels – joined forces to beat up Cody Deaner. ...
It appeared that the unnamed voluptuous woman in the backstage segment with Kevin Nash had a wardrobe malfunction while sitting on his lap. Even with TNA blurring out the indecent exposure, it was obvious that TNA’s ratings aren’t the only things that are sagging.
Comments
Ok Kev im confused I thought you said Angelina love(My Favorite TNA Knockout)was released from her contract. How could that be if she was on the show this week. does this mean she's back or did the taped shows not catch up with real life yet?
RESPONSE FROM KE: That was the last of the shows taped before she was released.
Posted by: M6000 | September 19, 2009 11:55 AM
I'm surprised that the Nash and Foley match was entertaining up until it was thrown out.
Rhino had a good interview. It's like I never look forward to seeing his segments when he appears, but he has been very entertaining since ditching Jesse.
Do you watch Hermie's Hotseat on TNA's Youtube channel? The Dr. Stevie interview is one of the funniest things TNA has ever done, and Stevie is just incredibly intense the entire time.
Posted by: Another Wrestling Mark | September 19, 2009 10:00 PM
Man Im sorry to hear that news. The Beautiful People Just won't be the same without Angelina. In Fact the Knockout's division won't be the same without Angelina. And TNA won't be the same without That Entrance.
RESPONSE FROM KE: As long as Velvet still does the entrance, all is right with the world.
Posted by: M6000 | September 19, 2009 10:13 PM
Thats true kev but two is always better then one and I don't think Madison Rain has what it takes to replace her
Posted by: M6000 | September 20, 2009 3:03 PM
I WAS NOT IMPRESSED VINCE RUSSO IS KILLING TNA SINGLE-HANDEDLY WITH THIS SAME WCW NWO STORYLINE I CALL IT BEFORE IT HAPPENS
DIXIE BETTER DO SOMETHING
Posted by: Otis | September 21, 2009 11:14 AM
That hip toss by Hernandez was awesome. The commentary that accompanied it was not. Mike Tenay was clearly reciting something off a piece of paper and did not had his eyes on the action so even when Tazz blurted out an "oh my god", Tenay continued to recite his lines like a machine. At least in the WWE, we would hear the commentators pause the storytelling to actually comment on the in-ring action and if they have to, they would simply restart their lines afterwards.
Posted by: Din | September 21, 2009 12:11 PM
I once saw Angelina described as the woman "with a peach for a (butt) and a potato for a nose".But she is one fine worker.She just totally blows away all those "divas".I hope she returns soon.
Posted by: Bill | September 22, 2009 12:34 AM