Was I the only one who was hoping that Sting was going to come into Hogan's locker room and put the bat to BTLS???

Reverting Beer Money back into heels is the right move. However, I must mildly disagree with you. I think Robert Roode has already demonstrated his ability as a great heel. His past interactions with Traci Brooks and with Booker T/Sharmell proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. The only difference now is that he has an opportunity to display those talents in front of a larger television audience.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think the word "great" is often thrown around too literally, so I will say that Roode was a very, very, very good heel in the past. He's always been one of my favorite performers in TNA.

Sarita and Taylor Wilde were not the champs. Mike Tenay stated that the champions Awesome Kong and Hamada had been stripped for failing to defend their titles within 30 days.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Oops. You're right, of course. Kong and Hamada haven't been on TV in so long that I forgot they were the champs (and I must have missed Tenat's reference in commentary).

Kev, what do you think about the timing of the big opening angle? The Sting entrance and turn took place about about 8:09, but since the Flair/Hogan match had been moved from the end of the show to the beginning in the "first five minutes" I seriously thought that TNA considered that big enough to justify the hype. At the very least it shows lack of attention to detail, but do you think TNA cost them fans they wanted to steal from Raw by giving them a specific time to watch and then not delivering in that window?

Sorry, I also wanted to mention that this Sting heel turn falls, to my mind, in the Bret Hart category of things that require way too long of memories to make an impact. Having not watched WCW/TNA for 20 years I didn't get the big deal until I read your post. Sting standing there with a bat while Hogan ripped his shirt made it clear that he was going to hit the faces.

I'm glad to see Russo return to his passion of trying to turn Sting heel. All the previous attempts have gone so well.

Even though I think his patriotic act is very pompous, Kurt Angle is the best. If only he could go back to wwe, that would be awesome. WWe needs guys like him.
Also, when does Brooke Hogan is going to step in the ring? It's not like she has a musical career going on.

Great read - thanks Kevin! I watched both shows - I recorded both on the DVR and started with Impact, then when I hit a commercial, I flipped to RAW, and ack and forth each commercial break, so I tried to watch each segment that was going up against the segment from the other show.

by about 1/3 through, I definitely found myself just wanting to keep watching Impact and catch up on RAW later. Impact was, in my opinion, the more compelling of the two shows, and had more action (something I was thankful to see since last week'd Impact had like 8 minutes of wrestling). Impact was definitely more entertaining this time around!

I too felt Impact was a very good show. Sting's heel turns in the past have fallen flat as he's always come off as a guy that wrestling fans just can't hate.

Debuting Sting and RVD within an hour of one another was a curious move, however TNA brilliantly (yes I used TNA and brilliantly in the same sentence) used RVD's anticipated return to get improbable heel heat on Sting. This was the first time in almost two decades of me following Sting's career that I found the guy unlikeable.

There was definitely a lot going on and most of it was pretty interesting, enough that they laid a little more of a foundation that they could build upon with the five words coming to mind again:

IF THEY DO IT RIGHT.

I liked sadistic Sting and it actually did surprise me a bit when he turned on Hogan and Abyss. The later beatdown of RVD really cemented this version of Sting well. Now, to see how they use him from here on with RVD and others.

Not too many thoughts about the rest but I think the way they used Hogan and Flair at the end was sensible enough considering their limitations in the ring, especially Hogan's. It fits that they'd mostly just brawl and bloody each other up, though the boot Hogan gave Flair at the end definitely showed how far he's fallen physically. I haven't seen any clips of the stuff they did in Australia but it can't be pretty.

I half-expected Hebner to stop the match on Hogan at some point.

I'm waiting to see how things go down with Nash, Young, Hall and Waltman. I think a lot of people are expecting that Young gets outsmarted by Nash, but what if Young winds up siding with them instead? He's back to playing a babyface for the most part but that'd at least be a way to acknowledge his major heel status prior to all this. Just a random thought.

I mostly liked this episode of TNA and RAW as well, and I'm glad I have the DVR. TNA does still need to improve their action ratio. Too many super short matches, though in this case some of them were used to help establish or further a storyline.

I absolutely loved the triple threat match between Williams, Daniels and Kaz as well. If this means that Daniels' days of jobbing--or at least of getting squashed--are over, I'll be a happy guy.

I don't think Shannon Moore's "Prince of Punk" persona is good for him, because he looks even less threatening when he's wearing lipstick. It also may cause fans to remember him as the guy who got b-slapped by CM Punk and just stood there looking like he was about to cry, which is something I'm sure Moore would like everybody to forget about.

Moore should either grow a beard or wrestle under a mask with another name. Sometimes guys are taken more seriously if they wear a mask (e.g. Rey Mysterio) and it wouldn't be the first time somebody adoped a masked persona in TNA.

This was a good Impact overall, and if they can do this every week then they have a real shot at becoming a thorn in Vince's side and perhaps even beating WWE in the ratings one day. The one thing I didn't like was that Sting was squashed by RVD and that he then proceeded to beat on RVD with the bat for ten minutes or so. I'd have preferred the match be over five minutes and the beatdown under five minutes, because the beatdown got boring after a while. Also, when Hogan appeared, security was holding him back supposedly because it was their job to prevent fights from breaking out...but in the meantime there was a guy getting assaulted with a baseball bat not ten feet away from them and they were all ignoring it. And isn't Hogan their boss? That just made no sense.

I personally like "shades of gray", but I think we have different ideas of what that means. You've been following the business longer and have actually been involved in it, whereas I haven't, so you probably know what Russo's definition is, but here's my definition: a good guy who isn't entirely good, or a bad guy who isn't entirely bad. Steve Austin would be an example of the former, and Vince McMahon is sometimes an example of the latter. Such as when Mick Foley was threatening to harm Shane if he didn't get a title shot against The Rock; rather than saying "Go ahead and hurt my son, what do I care?" Vince gave him what he wanted because despite being the ultimate boss from hell and all-around rotten guy, he still cared about his son. That's real. It's damn real.

Thanks for the breakdown Kev...
Like you and many others I expected 1 if not all 3 "Suprise Guests" to appear in the 1st 5 minutes. It was nicely paced.
Was it me or did Hall cut a half decent promo in the ring w/Nash and Young?
You also forgot to mention the "Slap Heard 'Round the World" that Waltman put on Young who looked legit pissed.
Sting grabbing Dixie Carter sold the turn to me.
I wanted to see more of Hardy but as I looked at the clock I had a feeling Spike was only going to let the show go over so long, they do have other programing and paying advertisers for those spots.
Daffney looked dead on...No pun intended. I would really like to see her in an involved program because she makes the character believable.
In the end, I believe TNA has the talent, the real question is will they be patient enough to let the wrestlers stick with characters and angles and allow them to develop rather than turn each week in anticipation of PPV buy rates.
BTW Didn't even bother to turn RAW on, needed something different and found it on TNA.

Tune in to next week's impact for the most shocking shock yet! Wrestling legends Harley race and Verne gagne will face off in an epic wheelchair on a pole match!

Sorry fanboy; a 1.0 rating wouldnt define as a 'big hit'.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Wow. I've never been called a TNA fanboy before. Anyway, I didn't say it was a hit in the ratings sense (the ratings weren't even out yet when I wrote it). I meant that it was a hit in that ost people who watched it liked it (check put the poll numbers). You know, it's like saying "Don Tony's witty comments were a big hit with readers." Or not.

How come Sting loses a match in 30 seconds?RVD didn't even use the frog splash!I know its called long term booking so that the feud continues but still they could have pulled out a DQ ending.What r ur thoughts kev?

I am more than pleased that Sting and Beer Money have made heel turns. I truly enjoy Storm as a heel, and love what Roode does, no matter what side he's on. Sting's true heel turn was wayyyyy overdue in my opinion. Other thoughts:
I LOVED Tazz's little comment right before the commercial break leading into Sting-RVD. "Hey Mike, what were you doing at 4:20 this afternoon?" referring of course to "RVD 4:20". Classic.
I have nothing to say about either of TNA's resident geezers getting in the ring. Liked seeing Flair get whipped with a belt for coming out of retirement.
Not only was there no Matt Morgan, but no Pope (well, there was Pope, and he cut a fine promo, but he didn't wrestle).
When Jeff came out, I almost half expected him to complete the trifecta with AJ and Desmond to be Flairs new horsemen. Then again, not every face has to make a heel turn, Ace, calm down.

so the episode was pretty good, but will the ratings be higher than Hall's BAC?

Yooo Kev how come you did not release my post. What did I say that was so bad that you could not release my post. Was it Havoc & Pandemonium was running wild on TNA. That's we use to say when we went to the Civic Center in B'more. Bruno, Super Star Bill Graham and Larry. Blood Guts and Glory like the ole days last night on TNA. By the way Sting played a real good " Heel " in his UWF days WOOOOOO

RESPONSE FROM KE: What post are you talking about?

I'm surprised that you were as impressed with this show as you were, Kevin. I thought it was okay, at best. Sting's turn was no surprise. TNA turns guys so much it's almost impossible for it to have any real impact anymore (no pun intended). The whole "don't be a hero, Hulkster!" stuff was a little much, considering that they spent all Thursday doing the same thing. I hope, since the ratings were not what they were hoping for, they'll realize that building the show around Hulk Hogan is a mistake. I suspect, unfortunately, that they'll somehow convince themselves that there wasn't enough Hogan.

Oh, and I wonder what the ratings would have been like if they had promoted the actual star that was returning to the show, Jeff Hardy, rather then "saving" him for a thirty second spot at the end.

TNA was awesome, nice change of things compared to RAW which has become so predictable its sad.
Only thing I didn't like was that they buried RVD's debut, that beat down could have waited for another week and he could have made a bigger splash. It is RVD after all and he deserved a better debut.

I agree that Sting's surprise heel turn made more "Impact" on this episode of TNA.It definitely provided suspense, especially after he grabbed Dixie Carter by the throat and shouted at her. I just hope that HulkHogan doesnt get involved and begin a program with Sting.Keep in mind that Sting is one of three wrestlers whom Hogan has lost to , but has never pinned( the other two being the Rock andGoldberg.If you recall Hogan brought in the Warrior back in 1998 to kill off his fued with him and to say that he finally was able to pin the Warrior.

On another note RVD got what he deserved from Sting.First of all, he snuck Sting from behind.Secondly, if he is as great as he thinks he is why didn't he come down the ramp and greet Sting face to face.Sting is an "Icon" and deserves more respect than that, especially since he was booked to face a mystery opponent.

Overall, a good show and I hope that TNA keep up the momentum.

TNA actually delivered the sort of show that I keep hoping from them. The Three-Way X-Division match was awesome. What does the A in TNA stand for? Oh right, ACTION! And there was some more action with the Knockouts Tag match which could have been longer, but it did end with a visual of Daphne. Oh my Dio, I want her to bite me.

I wouldn't rate this show very high, but it was almost tolerable.
When I watched it (had DVR'd it), I thought I had accidently hit pause, but then I realized it was just Hogan sending Flair across the ring for the boot to the head. I'm actually surprised Hogan didn't fall over in the attempt. Even my wife, who "tolerates" watching wrestling, commented how bad it looked.
RVD and Hardy are good signings, but paychecks to the AARP wrestlers = wasted money.

I am very confused by this Impact. First of all, where is Samoa Joe? Does anyone miss him? Is he going to be the second coming of Mideon? If so, he better be wearing clothes at ALL TIME!!
Sting's heel turn was pretty sweet.....with one exception. Why have RVD beat him in less than a minute? And then get hit more than Anthony Young used to? And hogan came to his aid? Where was team 3-d or Rhyno?
Shannon Moore gets a title shot? Wow. That is just sad.
Someone tell "Kazarian" to please "leave" and bring back Suicide.
So, now the TNA ring crew is leaving barbed wire baseball bats under the ring? Wow. Where are the singepore canes and garbage cans?
I really have to say that AJ Styles is making a great heel, but why the push for Abyss? His black hole slam is pretty cool but he reminds me of a masked Eugene. Not cool.
Does Ric Flair have a scab on his head or something on his head that makes him bleed if you touch it?
If they start the thought of a new horseman stable with Styles, Desmond Wolfe, and Beer Money.......where does Sting fit in?
Jeff Hardy and RVD. I hope RVD stays longer than just one show. Maybe starts a feud with Sting.

I have liked TNA better than WWE for sometime now, I think that is no secret. However, I was yelling "oh no!" everytime I saw Brooke. At least AJ didn't hit her when she was yelling in his face. Actually I thought it was kind of a mess for my liking. It seemed to me that there were way too many angles started or adjusted. I hated the Kurt Angle stuff, it was way over the top and not believable that the US Army would come to a wrestling show as part of the act. I loved Sting and always wondered when he would turn heel like back the UWF days with John Tatum and Eddie Gilbert (RIP). I wish that the KO match had gone longer and Daffney WAS spectacular. Taylor Wilde and Sarita looked like they hadn't been in the ring in some time as their timing was way off. (Oh yeah, they hadn't been in the ring in at least a month.) The BP as champs is the correct call. I wish that Ric and Hogan wouldn't get in the ring ever but Flair's bleeding was classic stuff. You mentioned no Matt Morgan, but no Hernandez was equally as bad a move. I'd love to see Hardy as a heel. What was the point of Foley? I didn't get it. Finally I thought that there were way too many stops in the show for commercials that ran too long and slowed it down too much for me. Again, I fall toward TNA every time but I will criticize and not blindly fawn over it. BTW, I watched RAW on tape early Tuesday evening and thought that the Orton v.Legacy match was far superior to anything TNA put on Monday night. Cena - McMahon, HHH - Seamus, not so much. HBK and Taker was boring and predictable.

One person greatly missing from this week's episode: Samoa Joe. Did they forget about him or was he not available to appear?

I've waiting years to see Sting turn! Hope he stays awhile! Waiting for Eric Young to crush Nash! Sick of Foley mailing it in and Jarrett! Flair looks terrible and Hogan sad! Hope TNA develops the talent as it is lacking the next big thing! Maybe it's Hardy?

That was a great show. It had the right balance of surprises and fun. The Sting angle was incredible and shocking since he has never heeled before. My favorite part was the exchange between Hall and Nash "I'll be the one that looks like Elvis"..."Dead or alive".

Good stuff

Kev, I've noticed TNA has signed a ton of new guys, but with only one main show, how can they support having so many guys on their roster? And if the ratings are any indication, they can't support a second show at this point. Your thoughts?

I could see Sting turning on Flair/AJ next week and now have a Flair/Sting/Hogan fued with others involved like AJ, RVD, and Wolfe. Personally I would rather see Sting align himself with Flair since he has stated Flair made him, and if Flair is helping AJ become a true champion, there is a logical connection there. The only difference being Sting has been a face most of his career, but the heel turn is more compelling.

If Sting doesn't align with Flair, he will say Hogan is only in this for himself and not the company/talent. Talk about reality tv if you believe everything you read.

Roode should be pushed to main event level. He is probably the most complete of the younger wrestlers in my opinion. It is good to see Kaz back too. I think he has a lot of potential as well. Hopefully Daniels gets back into upper mid-card/main event level instead of jobbing. Too much talent to waste.

It seems to me the Knockouts are being de-emphasized. They used to have at least two matches a night, but not anymore. Hopefully Daffney gets a title reign.

Hall doesn't look like he can wrestle, but he is money on the mic. HIs mannerisms are classic. Waltman is limited, but can definitely do more than Hall, at least from Hall's appearance.

Well, that certainly was a predictable round of posts, you have the WWE people that have no respect for anything TNA does and fall back on the "old guy" BS everytime re: Mr.Funny guy (don't quit your day job Leno) with his return match for next weeks Impact of Harley Race -v- Verne Gagne in a wheelchair on a pole match, oh that's clever, even original (if you've never read ANY wrestling on the internet EVER) then the standard classic signing the AARP comment. Where do these guys get there material WWE, damn I fell into their trap, at least the pro TNA camp was an excited bunch, unlike the pro WWE's that only have grammar school cut downs as material. Then we have the techno-bookers, these chaps start with the usual all in all I though the show was pretty good,or though an improvement TNA/WWE has a long way to go, they proceed to tell us how the order of matches was wrong, or TNA shouldn't have brought out their fireworks and blown their w@@ so soon, or my favorite,even though Angle was pompous in bringing out the Army when is he going back to WWE, they NEED guys like him,followed by the complete oxycontin induced oxymoron when is Brooke getting into the ring? WOW, diverse crowd you get here Kev, I was impressed to see a few posts about Sting's UWF days that were accurate, what exactly are some of these people comparing wresting shows to? As the UWF people know back then we had AWA,WWWF,WCW/Crockett/NWA,Texas Wresting,Florida Wresting,Lawler's Memphis shows, Oregon Northwest Wrestling, and probably plenty of others I forgot to mention or messed up the names, and guess what kids they were all on cable, all hours of the day and night,close to 7 days a week. I've got another one for you, a lot of those shows were a hell of a lot more hit and miss than TNA or WWE. That was the beauty, you could watch say Texas for weeks on end, bad squash matches,lame run ins, and then poof here come the Freebirds,Junkyard Dog and One Man Gang, then you get 6-12 weeks of awesome shows, one week you have the Andersons pummeling everyone in sight on Georgia Championship Wrestling (with Gordon Solie,best of all time) next Saturday here come the Road Warriors and the studio let's out an audible gasp. This was wrestling, this is wresting try it bad,drop it and try again. how many story lines do you think there are before you have a Mae West giving birth to a hand? Be patient,check them both out and be glad that finally we have gotten back to more than one choice, with a little luck TNA will prosper and next thing you know Ring of Honor will be available,Smokey Mountain might start up again, the possibilities are endless.Hell we're not watching episodes cleanly finished in 60 minutes like Law & Order, it's wrestling, some is good, some not so good, some is great and some is absolutely terrible, but sometimes the terrible is the funniest stuff, especially when you don't have the chance to see it anymore.

I just love it how Sting getting squashed by a WWE reject is OK, yet if that were to happen to Samoa Joe or AJ Styles every wrestling mark would be up in arms! I am really worried for quiet guys like Sting, they will get trampled on by Hogan and his cronies! Look at RVD he is another Hogan goon albeit he is actually one goon who doesn't need a wheelchair to move. After years and years of reject WWE advances and taking TNA from a crappy garage show watched by a handful of people to a reputable promotion. Sting's reward getting squashed by fat boy in 10 seconds way to go TNA! As for Sting's heel turn, it was cringe worthy! I have a feeling that Bischoff is playing out real life stories again. We don't know for sure but Sting has had some private issues that Dixie Carter talked about in an interview and he also no showed apparently due to life and death emergencies! As for him staying heel does he deserve to retire as a heel? I mean he is one of the most prominent baby faces ever and he has said he won't be around that long? Do you end his career as a heel or is there a turn in the near future?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I am certain that Sting will do a face turn before he retires (if anyone in wrestling really does retire).

I might be in the minority here, but I kinda liked how TNA ended with Hardy about to do the Swanton. It reminded me of the old Crockett/NWA shows like World Wide Wrestling where David Crockett and Tony Schiavone would blow a gasket as the show ended and there's some sort of in-ring confrontation between the Horsemen and Dusty/Nikita or any of the big faces at the time: ("TONY, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!! WE'LL STAY WITH THIS AS LONG AS WE CAN!! SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON WORLD WIDE WRESTLING!!")

RESPONSE FROM KE: I always hated when they did that.

Hey Kev, I know you've said that you're in favor of blood when it enhances a story, and I agree, but I think TNA is using it too much. Now, I don't agree with WWE and bringing out a trainer to stitch up a wound in the middle of a match but it seems like everytime Flair or Hogan step in the ring they get busted open. Do you think it has something to do with how limited they are with their skills now that everything turns into a streetfight?

Overall, I thought this was a good show. I was genuinely surprised that Sting made a full heel turn, and even more surprised that I bought Dixie Carter's acting.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Yes, Flair and Hogan need bells and whistles such as heavy juicing and outside interefrence to make up for their limitations.

I have always been a HUGE Sting fan. Seeing him in the opening segment and again with Dixie Carter I thought was great. For me the best part came when Sting beat down RVD. I found myself wishing for Sting to do exactly what he did and administer a true beat down on someone which I do not ever recall him really doing.

A heel Sting if done correctly has the potential to be a big as when Hogan turned heel. I would like to see Sting become the biggest heel in the company and hold the World Title for a nice run.

"Jarrett told Storm that he was the one who “put you and Bobby together as a team.” I didnt like that line. Within the context of a scripted show, why make it clear that tag teams are created by bookers and management rather than the circumstances depicted in the story line? ..."

Normally I'd agree with you 100 percent, but if I'm correct, the first time Storm and Roode tagged together it was a random pairing and there really wasn't an explanation...

I've yet to see the show but i'm encouraged (and surprised) by the good reviews of Sting as a heel.

I've long been a critic of his previous heel turns because i believe he's never once embraced it, so it's great to hear that he seemingly has finally gone with it, hopefully he can maintain the heat.

BTW Kev, as a WCW alumni yourself, what is your take on Mike Tenay's calling?

He never seems to garner any real attention or praise but to me he's an excellent play-by-play guy and one of the really strong points and underrated building blocks of a fledging company, much as Jim Ross was in the early stages of WWE's fightback at the turn of the century.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I got to work some with Mike (he wrote a column for the company magazine that I edited) and I was always impressed with him personally and professionally. He was my go-to guy when I had a question about wrestling in Japan or Mexico. As a play-by-play guy, I think he is one of the best.

I hope they aren't setting up another Sting Vs Hogan feud.Its been done already.The best thing would be if they set up a Sting Vs Hardy feud.Now that would be awesome.I hope the tna management has ideas about it.Hardy vs Sting at Bound For Glory would be big money.

I cant say I was shocked by Sting's heel turn. He was a tweener the last few appearances so it didnt have the impact as when Ho'gan turned some decades ago.

Once again short matches, storylines from nowhere that may or may not be continued in the coming weeks. Someone who shows up becomes the #1 contender. Once again not building on their strengths which created their fanbase.
and Brooke Hogan and BtLS on one show

Need I say more?

Perhaps my standard is too high for wrestling 2010. Its not just "it isnt like it used to be". Its feeling truly embarrassed to be caught watching todays product.
And you would think at my age, I would stop caring about those things!

Where on earth is Jay Lethal?

I'll wait to make full judgment on the Sting heel turn since it's just a week into things. However, I was really hoping that they would have had Sting and Flair do a tug of war with Styles. That could have been a great storyline.

This was the first time I've watched TNA since AJ Styles joined Ric Flair officially, and my first thought seeing AJ as Flair Jr. was of WCW saying that they were going to repackage Ric Flair in 1991 and everyone thought they were nuts!

AJ Styles may have a lot of improvements to make, but this partnership looks like a step backwards (visually).

Firstly I represent the entire south america and the caribbean by sayiing sting is th god of tna and wwe.
sting rules