TNA Impact: Another good Kurt Angle-Jeff Hardy match with another bad finish
The ending of Thursday night’s TNA Impact was déjà vu all over again.
After an inconclusive (and disappointing) finish to the highly acclaimed Kurt Angle-Jeff Hardy TNA world title tournament semifinal match at No Surrender a couple weeks ago, it was announced by Eric Bischoff at the beginning of Impact that Angle, Hardy and Mr. Anderson would square off in a three-way match to determine the new champion at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view on Oct. 10.
However, TNA president Dixie Carter then came out and overruled Bischoff. She said that Angle and Hardy would face each other again later that night on Impact, and that this time there would be a winner, who would then go on to face Anderson at BFG.
Fortunately for Carter, she didn’t guarantee that there would be a winner. Angle and Hardy ended up having another good match that went more than 20 minutes, but once again, nothing was settled. So Bischoff – apparently against the wishes of Carter – reinstated his original plan for there to be a three-way match between Angle, Hardy and Anderson at BFG.
The finish to Thursday’s match was every bit as absurd as the time-limit draw/stoppage due to blood ending to the Angle-Hardy match at No Surrender. This time, the finish saw Angle and Hardy applying simultaneous ankle locks. Both guys had their shoulders down, and referee Brian Hebner counted one pin, while his father Earl (who had entered the match in the waning moments after Brian had been temporarily incapacitated) counted the other.
The crowd at the Impact Zone and I (and I’m guessing quite a few other viewers) let out a collective groan. It was preposterous that neither Angle nor Hardy would think to pick their shoulder up while the referee was making the count.
I have no problem with the match at BFG being a three-way – and I understand that TNA wanted to further the Carter-Bischoff power struggle story line – but I could have done without another long, exciting match being marred by an illogical and unsatisfying finish.
Other thoughts on Thursday’s show:
Angle said that he – just the like the rest of us – didn’t even know that there was a 20-minute time limit for his match with Hardy at No Surrender. When a participant in a match of that magnitude says he didn’t know there was a time limit, it makes TNA look really minor league. TNA has not even tried to offer an explanation as to why there was a time limit for that match, much less why it wasn’t announced before the match. …
It was a smart idea to have the Angle-Hardy match spill over onto TNA Reaction. …
TNA promoted that Carter would express her thoughts about Bischoff making the TNA world title tournament final a three-way on Reaction. However, when she was asked about the situation, she simply said, “No comment.” That felt like a bait and switch. …
I didn’t think the Tommy Dreamer promo with Fourtune was ever going to end. It’s just unfathomable that TNA would give someone at Dreamer’s level that much mic time (it went at least 10 minutes). To the surprise of no one, Dreamer got choked up during the segment. ...
I was hoping that Fourtune would accept Dreamer’s offer of a truce just so the Fourtune-EV 2.0 feud would go away. …
I liked how during the Dreamer/Fourtune segment that A.J. Styles – not Ric Flair – was positioned as the leader of the group. …
Matt Morgan losing to Brian Kendrick was ridiculous, even if it was portrayed as a bit of a fluke. By the way, what the heck was Kendrick wearing when he came out to make the save for Dreamer? …
I get it that Rob Van Dam’s promo style is that he’s cool and laid-back rather than loud and intense, but I think he really should have turned it up a notch for the phone interview he did with Mike Tenay. Remaining so calm when talking about a guy who literally left you lying in a pool of your own blood after attacking you with a board with nails sticking out of it came off extremely unrealistic. Beyond that, I would have saved RVD’s first interview since he was left for dead for next week’s show, when he will be at the Impact Zone. …
Did RVD really use the term “TNA Universe” to describe TNA fans? …
Mr. Anderson is usually money on the mic, but his commentary during the Angle-Hardy match was pretty worthless. He sounded very unsure of himself. …
The scene with Abyss torturing a couple of unknown guys backstage was embarrassingly bad. To add to the silliness, Abyss, who has a board of nails that he calls “Janice,” now also has a branding iron that he referred to as “Bob.” The inside joke is that those are the names of Dixie Carter’s parents. Ugh. …
Generation Me tried really hard to cut a heel promo, but the fact that they both look like they’re about 13-years-old makes it hard to take them seriously in this role. …
The Jay Lethal-Douglas Williams match – which saw Lethal win the TNA X Division title – was OK, but I expected better from these two. I’m all for Lethal getting a push and a title reign, but it seems a little premature to take the belt off Williams. …
Lacey Von Erich tries, but she just looks awkward in the ring, even when doing something as simple as kicking out of a pin attempt. …
What was the point of a 10-second “interview” with Dreamer at a gas station in Yonkers, N.Y.? …
It appears that “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero is now aligned with Sting and Kevin Nash in their quest to expose Bischoff and Hulk Hogan as frauds. I’m guessing Mr. Anderson ends up turning heel along with Bischoff, Hogan and Jeff Jarrett. …
I enjoyed the second part of the Jesse Neal piece on Reaction. It was interesting that TNA ignored the story line of Rhino having trained Neal and instead went with the real story of Team 3D training him. …
Dreamer said the dreaded “this isn’t a wrestling angle” line on Reaction. I like the concept of the show, but TNA really needs to stop hitting viewers over the head with the “wrestling is fake but this is real” stuff. Instead of making the show more realistic, it actually does just the opposite.
Comments
I can't help but think about Flair's book whenever I watch or read about TNA, especially when it comes to how the finishes of high profile matches are booked (time limit draws, double pins, etc.). I'm sure it doesn't matter to him now that he's not really much of a wrestler anymore, but all the things he said destroyed WCW seem to be popping up in TNA. Kinda funny, don't you think?
Posted by: Bill H | September 17, 2010 11:55 PM
The 2 weeks off thing was brutal for a TNA fan like me, hope they never do it again.
Abyss brands people now? That's just dumb and funny in a way, he's lost his intimation factor.
I like Lacey Von Erich, TNA is better with her than without, don't care how she wrestles. TNA really has no Knockout division, it's now basically The Beautiful People. I kinda thought it was funny when Valvet Sky said a few weeks ago on Reaction that they would rule the Knockouts division, well who are they gonna rule? They are the division.
The EV2 storyline just needs to disappear. I wasn't excited about this even when it first started.
I like Brian Kendrick, there's something about the dude and I think Generation Me is pretty good also. I don't think they quite look 13 but I get what you mean and what's wrong with that? Makes me wonder why don't wrestling promotions get younger looking guys? It would be different, they should add some minors, like 16 or 17 year olds to the roster. They should add a teenage girl to the Knockouts. I just don't think it's ever been done, bring in some kids it might add shock value to wrestling, if nothing else it would make The Beautiful People jealous.
Oh... and I'm kinda curious about SHORE
Posted by: Lorenzo | September 18, 2010 1:18 AM
I've been watching TNA for the last few months after having taken an extended vacation from all professional wrestling. I've got to say, it's pretty bad. I mean, the new era of WWE isn't great, but TNA has the distinct feel of an amateur promotion. I understand what they're going for; sort of a grassroots version of the highly commercialized professional wrestling genre, but I don't think it can be said that they're pulling it off.
I've always appreciated TNA's ability to take WWE's cast-offs and turn them into superstars. I discovered TNA when they were pushing Christian, and I was amazed that someone I actively disliked as a WWE superstar could be so charismatic and likable. They've done the same with Ken Anderson. That ability to make stars should be appreciated, especially in the face of WWE's habit of creating three or four "supermen" and leaving every other performer to fend for themselves. The potential for greatness is evident in TNA. It's just consistently underutilized.
What TNA reminds me most of is the waning days of WCW. It's not a hard leap to make, since at every turn we're faced with the old guard of WCW. The thing about putting your company in the hands of the old guard is that they didn't exactly manage WCW all that well. I think professional wrestling needs a balancing power to the behemoth that is WWE, but under TNA's current management, it doesn't have it.
Posted by: Kyle | September 18, 2010 1:55 AM
I thought that this was AWESOME ... & pretty funny:
Carlito Colon tweeted the following review of TNA iMPACT!: "well, i didnt see anything that bad except 4 that Lacey VonErich. TNA has a pretty good roster. That generation me looks like mini Hardys! Oh also, that Abyss segment. how is anybody supposed to believe that? He's gonna show up next week after committing kidnapping and torture? Last time i checked that's at least a 25 year prison sentence! is the Orlando police just gonna let it slide and let the face handle it? Not picking on Abyss, i like him. I just hate angles u cant believe. Like when Hunter broke into Orton's house. I asked him if he was gonna b at mania? He asked why? I said u got arrested and they got everything on TV!..he didn't find it funny! oh well. And what about that idiot that stabbed Cena? oh, wait a minute...nevermind!"
Posted by: Anonymous | September 18, 2010 2:58 AM
My 10 things wrong last night list.
1)10 min promo by Dreamer 2)10 mins of promos by Bischoff. 3)Samoa Joe is a sidekick in a Jeff Jarrett feud. 4)Matt Morgan is an easy win. 5)Heels don't fight faces anymore, or who is which? 6)Most promo's have become verbal b*** j***. 7)No pigeons loose. 8)Dreamer taking Flair mic time is not a good trade. 9)Generation Me was entertaining and totally agree with Eck's assessment. 10)Fully agree with Eck's last paragraph.
This promotion is trying to fail, right?
Posted by: al | September 18, 2010 3:22 AM
I saw where Dixie Carter posted on her Twitter account to make sure you dont miss TNA Reaction or I will miss a lot .. well I didnt miss much of anything .. I know the poor woman is trying to get ratings but dont lie to the fans .. I replied back to her demanding the 3 hrs I wasted on TNA back .. They need to change the name of TNA to WCW 2.0 because that is all this is .. I have never been a big fan of TNA and this put the nail in the coffin .. unless the big change coming to TNA is WWE is buying them out they will never get my time again as long as all the Geritol wrestlers are still a part of TNA .. it has to tell you something when some of the greatest minds in wrestling want nothing to do with the current project like Jim Cornett and Paul Heyman
Posted by: Brian | September 18, 2010 9:36 AM
The show was just okay (and I am a TNA fan!). I always think that titles on heels make for more compelling storylines so taking the belt from Williams was a bad move, IMO. The PPV "bad cut and blood" reminded of the time at Starrcade that Special Referee Joe Frazier stopped a Rhodes versus Flair title match on a cut to Dusty's forehead. I've never been a fan of 3-Way Dances for titles so I'm not hopeful for a good result. I also caught the "TNA Universe" said by RVD and just rolled my eyes! LVE isn't a great technician but she sure is a looker. Meanwhile Taylor Wilde and Madison Rayne need to hit the gym and push away from the training (er, dinner) table.
Posted by: Johnny Valentine was great | September 18, 2010 10:32 AM
Im getting really sick and tired of all these TNA haters. If you dont like the product dont watch it. I mean if it wasnt for TNA we wouldnt be able to watch the 2 greatest of all time Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair,who have been very entertaining in this stage of their careers. They also have the best wrestler today AJ Styles under contract. if it wasnt for TNA tag team wrestling would be exstinct,I could go on and on. Yes its so easy to criticise whats wrong with the product,but their is also so much they bring to the table. All the haters can have their pg sports entertainment and I will always take the professinal wrestling company that comes on Thursdays. THANKYOU TNA
Posted by: sean lang | September 18, 2010 11:40 AM
I tuned in for just a few minutes, and unfortunately it was during Dreamer's promo. Whose idea is it for him to say "WWE" or a WWE wrestler's name every ten seconds? It really makes TNA look second-rate.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I agree wth you.
Posted by: Michael in Virginia | September 18, 2010 12:38 PM
"... the term “TNA Universe” to describe TNA fans?"
does TNA have any fans?
Posted by: Mike L | September 18, 2010 2:31 PM
Lacey has improved, but she really slowed Taylor Wilde and Hamada down, almost making them look amaturish. Almost because even on their bad days, Taylor and Hamada are better than 99% of the Divas or Knockouts.
I love the Hamada chants whenever she wrestles, I just wish the upper management got the message.
Why did Dreamer's promo talk about WWE? Is Vince paying TNA for all this great advertising?
Posted by: Frank King | September 18, 2010 4:01 PM
When did TNA get rid of that stupid Bridge to Nowhere? I always feared that someone was going to fall and legitimately hurt themselves.
Posted by: Frank King | September 18, 2010 4:14 PM
Oh, it soooooooooo bugs me that they are putting Dixie Carter in an onscreen role. I can't image that there's anyone outside of Vince Russo, Dixie Carter, and Eric Bishoff that are even remotely interested in this storyline.
So Rob Van Dam returns next week...meaning that he returns BEFORE the tournament for the title that he was stripped of because of injury is concluded. I love how TNA tries to appeal to the smarks, then does things that are incredibly dumb.
Did...did one of your readers really suggest hiring teenagers as wrestlers? He should Google "Mass Transit ECW" to learn why this is a very, very bad idea.
Posted by: Ken Raining | September 18, 2010 9:31 PM
With Fourtune as a heel group, and "they" as more than likely a heel group, are the faces (Nash, Sting, ?) going to have to fight 2 heel groups? Or will Fourtune focus on belts and the others just feud?
They should incorporate some of the Knockouts into these feuds. Very rarely do you see female wrestlers get heavily involved in these type of big feuds.
Posted by: Flair | September 19, 2010 9:32 AM
Kevin did you notice that while Fortune was all doing their hand symbol Flair was doing the 4 horseman symbol
Did he forget they changed it for Fortune or did he just not care?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I did notice it. What is the Fortune symbol supposed to be anyway?
Posted by: Mark Nelson | September 19, 2010 2:59 PM
My prediction of who "they" is: VINCE RUSSO! It's most likely not going to happen, but I wouldn't put it past TNA. He hasn't been an on-screen character in over 5 years, and I'm sure he's just dying to be back on the show
Posted by: paul | September 19, 2010 4:42 PM
A few thoughts for the main event at Bound for Glory. First, the angle/hardy match ended twice with a no contest. My thought is that either Bobby Lashley comes back (he is still on the website for some odd reason) and gets involved in the title match OR RVD comes in after Angle wins the title, gives him a frog splash and takes back his title. Either way, how about not having a former WWE guy with the strap?
Abyss's torture session was very......wierd. Still wondering who "they" are.....but probably will be someone like Nash and Sting. No one new coming in I am guessing.
Generation ME's cockyness reminds me of Too Cool.
Of all the people to save Tommy Dreamer, its Kendrick. Ok, I can see that. But after a beatdown, he managed to beat Matt Morgan. Nothing like burying Morgan.
Where is Hernandez?
Posted by: Peter | September 20, 2010 10:53 AM
I totally agree with sean lang. I enjoy watching TNA more tnan WWE lately. Mainly because there is a tag team division, exciting matches and the same people who are boring me week after week (example Miz, Nexus, ect.) are shoved down our throats. John Cena was entertaining when he was on Smackdown but lately he just reminds me of 80s Hogan. Say your prayers, vitamins, win matches....blah blah blah. I am happy to see a variety for wrestling companies, but if you don't like a company, then watch something else. I hear that CSI Boise is on Thursdays.
Posted by: Peter | September 20, 2010 12:23 PM
I sort of agree with Paul. I think the "They" group will be part of TNA management. I'm thinking it will be Hogan, Bischoff, Jarrett, and the D-Lo Brown type guys that have been making appearances on the show lately. I think the Dixie Carter angle will play in too. Dixie is being forced out of her company while Sting and Nash were trying to warn her. The Pope sort of alluded to this on Reaction.
Posted by: Nathan | September 20, 2010 12:55 PM
Hold on. Kevin, is Styles' group called fourtune, or fortune? It comes across as fourtune when they speak/do horseman hand pose. But there's six of them (excluding Flair)? Any idea? Thanks.
RESPONSE FROM KE: TNA is spelling it "Fourtune," but, yes, there are six of them. This is TNA, remember.
Posted by: Orton.1 | September 23, 2010 6:07 PM
@ Peter: Hernandez is currently wrestling in Mexico.
Posted by: Marko50 | September 24, 2010 4:39 AM