TNA Impact: Jeff (no, not that one) is the star of the show
There’s no doubt that Jeff Hardy is the centerpiece of Immortal, but to me, the member of the heel faction that has stood out the past two weeks is Jeff Jarrett.
Jarrett is just more convincing as a heel than Hardy, and his motivation for turning (Dixie Carter stole his company and he also wanted to exact revenge on Kurt Angle) is much more believable than Hardy’s (he did it for the money; the fans didn’t appreciate the risks that he took in the ring).
On Thursday night’s show, Jarrett cut a good promo about his feud with Angle, and then he and Samoa Joe engaged in a scuffle that ended with Jarrett (with some help from security guys Gunnar and Murphy) tossing Joe off the stage. As Jarrett looked down on a lifeless Joe, he sarcastically said, “It looks like Joe needs a little help.”
Jarrett is doing a great job of getting heel heat without being over the top. It comes across in his performance that he (or at least his character) truly believes everything he is saying and that his actions are justified.
In contrast, while Hardy is definitely making a real effort to get heat, I’m still not buying him as “the anti-Christ.” Some guys just aren’t cut out to be heels, and I think he’s one of them. When I watch him, I see a guy playing heel for a wrestling angle rather than a believable villain.
Other thoughts on Thursday’s show:
This episode had some flaws, but it was definitely a big improvement over last week’s show. ...
During Jarrett’s promo, he was listing all of the things that he had stripped Angle of (his pride, dignity, etc.), ending with “and your precious, precious ... career.” I thought for sure he was going to say “family.” That was a nice tease for viewers who know the real-life story. ...
Mike Tenay standing up at the announce table and yelling at Jarrett after the attack on Samoa Joe added to the intensity of that segment. ...
TNA did a very nice job of getting Mr. Anderson over as a sympathetic, never-say-die babyface. Eric Bischoff had announced that to get a shot at Hardy’s TNA world title, Anderson had to “survive” in an Ultimate X match against Kazarian. The catch was that Anderson was not a hundred percent, as he was selling a shoulder injury and had his arm in a sling. Fortune also attacked him right before the match. Despite the deck being stacked against him, however, Anderson still nearly pulled out a victory before Fortune’s interference cost him the match. After it was over, Hardy came to the ring and blasted Anderson with a sick chair shot to the back of the head, legitimately busting him open. The blood pouring out of Anderson’s head made for a great visual, but I’m guessing – or at least I’m hoping – that Hardy meant to hit Anderson in the back and not the head. ...
TNA announced on its website that Hardy will defend the title against Anderson at the Turning Point pay-per-view on Nov. 7. It appears that TNA is wisely going to build up anticipation before delivering Hardy versus Rob Van Dam. ...
The final segment – which featured Angle showing up out of nowhere and busting the back window of an SUV that had Bischoff and Ric Flair inside – felt a bit anti-climactic. On a side note, it’s almost surreal to see Bischoff and Flair palling around considering the real-life animosity that has existed between them. I suppose that’s why they say “never say never” in wrestling. ...
With Bischoff and Hulk Hogan having seized control of the company from Carter, it was a nice touch that the opening for Impact featured only performers from Immortal and Fortune. However, after hammering home the point that Carter was no longer in power for three straight hours, TNA listed Carter as executive producer when the end credits rolled for Reaction. Oops. Someone sent Carter a message on her Twitter page about the story line inconsistency, and to her credit, she did have a good comeback. She tweeted: “See how stupid THEY are.” ...
Speaking of Reaction, the show was different this week, as the entire episode was devoted to explaining in detail Bischoff and Hogan’s plan to take over TNA. It was well done. Robert Roode was especially good. ...
The Mickie James-Sarita match was decent. Since it was James’ first match on Impact, she obviously had to win, but TNA really should give Sarita a push. ...
I liked that James and Sarita each got some mic time prior to their match. By the way, I’m digging James’ new country look. ...
When Bischoff ruled that Fortune could not interfere in the street fight between A.J. Styles and “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero, who didn’t know that Immortal was going to cost Dinero the match? ...
Dinero cutting a promo while supposedly in a strip club in Harlem was effective in getting him over as an irreverent, cool babyface. Dinero’s character is reminiscent of WWE Attitude-era babyfaces. ...
I liked that Samoa Joe rejected Dinero’s suggestion that they team up to fight Immortal and Fortune. After Jarrett turned on him, it makes sense that Joe – who is supposed to be a lone wolf, anyway – wouldn’t trust anyone. ...
The video package on Team 3D talking about their retirement was good. I’m not buying that this is the end of them, though. I think they’re either setting up a feud between Brother Ray and Brother Devon or a heel turn for them. ...
Unfortunately, the Jersey Shore story line with JWoww appears to be continuing. Once again, Robbie E. and Cookie were greeted with a “boring” chant at the Impact Zone. I can just picture Vince Russo backstage with his fingers in his ears, going, “La, la, la, la,la, I can’t hear you.” I know TNA is getting some play on TMZ because of JWoww, but I just don’t think it’s going to translate into more viewers. ...
I get it that TNA is pushing The Shore, so I don’t have a big problem with Robbie E. defeating Amazing Red. However, I do think the talented Red deserves better than to be beaten in less than two minutes. ...
The former Katie Lea Burchill debuted as a character named Winter. While Angelina Love was sitting in front of a mirror in her dressing room, Winter appeared behind her and said that she was a fan of Love’s. When Velvet Sky came into the room, Winter seemingly disappeared into thin air. I’m glad to see Burchill in TNA, but with all the Kane-Undertaker hocus pocus on Smackdown, the last thing I want to see is more supernatural silliness in wrestling.







Comments
hey kevin, are you not posting nxt recap anymorec
RESPONSE FROM KE: I will -- just not this week. Never got around to watching the show.
Posted by: Cory | October 22, 2010 11:13 PM
After everything that happened last week, this week was definitely an improvement overall. Fairly good storyline advancement, I thought. The way they used Reaction was also good.
I laughed at the end of the main show when Flair and Bischoff got out of the truck and Flair complained, "I'm bleeding and I didn't even wrestle!"
Posted by: James V. | October 22, 2010 11:48 PM
"the last thing I want to see is more supernatural silliness in wrestling."
Who says it's supernatural...it could be psychological! lol.
Posted by: MitZi | October 23, 2010 12:24 AM
Damn. Mickie's new look.. damn! She looks great! And Sarita.. well she always does to haha.
That chairshot by Hardy to Anderson looked bad.. the blood made for a nice visual but that couldn't have been good. After last weekend of all the concussions in the NFL that's the first thing I thought of when Anderson got hit.
Posted by: cowboysmb3dw28 | October 23, 2010 2:37 AM
I thought this was the 2nd great back to back episode of impact. Im pleasantly suprised how Fortune is getting a push and working seamlessly with Immortal, and I love that for once there are clearly defined heels and faces in TNA. Its been YEARS since they have been this clear. Its RVD, Angle, Anderson, Pope & Joe versus Immortal and Fortune.
Oh, and I'm pleasantly suprised with Jeff Hardy's Raven 2.0 hell turn. I didnt think he could he, but he's been great so far, and Jarrett is a wonderful performer.
Big props to TNA.
Posted by: Nick Rini | October 23, 2010 9:28 AM
Kein, Great read. I differ on two things. Mickey James to me is coming over as a stuck B%$ch or at least her mic work does. She sounds way to into herself.
I did like the :Winter " stuff and what about Ms. Tesmacher (sp) begging The Beautiful people for help.
Jarret right now is the star all though you kne he wasn't serious.
Love Sarita;s promo
The Pope is really growing on me and I bet he puts a team together to try and takr thr Imortals down.
Posted by: JimE | October 23, 2010 9:36 AM
Also a big fan of the Amazing Red, and was disappointed by the easy victory for Robbie E.
Also, for all you TNA fans, check out the band The Product (www.facebook.com/productrock) Their song "Make Your Move" is the theme song for TNA's Final Resolution this December.
Posted by: R.J. Perry | October 23, 2010 11:56 AM
I, too, noticed the Dixie Carter executive producer credit and just cringed. If, like WWE, signs are being provided to teh audience then here is a little grammar lesson - it's THEY"RE BACK not THERE BACK (which was done with an extra "r" and "a" or two). Much like the "nWo invasion" of yesteryear there are way too many run ins. It's actually kind of boring. I understand the "make the heel faction look weak" as they pummel the baby-face. Having it happen in almost every match is a bit tedious. I've been calling for a push for Sarita for quite a while especially after her heel turn. The Knockouts Division could be the most compelling angle on the show which is a problem for TNA. Personally, I like it but the KNockouts are not money in the long run. Another problem that I see is that all of the pre-2010 talent (AJ, Kaz, Roode, Morgan, Storm) are heels. Guys like Anderson and RVD carrying the TNA torch fails on so many levels it's not funny. Morgan could have been the dominating baby-face to fight for TNA.
Posted by: Johnny Valentine was great | October 23, 2010 2:02 PM
I can't see how Jarrett is seeking revenge on Angle. Didn't Jarrett already take Angle's wife? What does Jeff want...the house and Olympic Gold Meal too?
Can't wait to see the Hardy-RVD match. I'm sure that TNA will make it a "Pot on a Pole Match" where the winner has to roll and smoke a joint to win the match and ruin this angle like they have so many others.
Posted by: The Nature Boy | October 23, 2010 5:35 PM
Hardy's chair shot to the back Mr. Anderson's head was not good and was unnecessary.
RESPONSE FROM KE: It looked very dangerous. Like I said, I hope Hardy just had bad aim and that he didn't intentionally hit Anderson where he did.
Posted by: Phillip Reynolds | October 23, 2010 7:06 PM
Jeff Hardy is another retread idea from the 90's called Raven main-eventing. I liked ECW and Raven back then but that character(exact look) got stale and tiresome quickly. Immortal reminds me of The Flock. Is Scotty Riggs still alive?
And besides The Raven resemblance, Jeff doesn't have the entertainment attribute to play a heel and make me care.
Posted by: al | October 23, 2010 9:22 PM
The only reason I watch TNA now is the Knockouts; hoping they can get close to their "glory years" from a few years back. But that is just wishful thinking on my part. The whole ECW/WCW angles turn me off to wrestling as a whole. I am tired of the same thing over and over again.
@ Johnny Valentine was great, I agree that the Knockouts can be the most compelling part of TNA and it does hurt the company. But putting the Knockouts Division at the bottom hurts it too. Build up the entire show, plain and simple.
TNA needs better and ORIGINAL storylines. The fans will be more forgiving if they don't have watch the same show from 1998. We have youtube for that. The wresting is there, just give us good matches, solid and short promos, and originality. Is that so hard?
Eck, this may be too much work for you, but what do you think of a contes for the best storyline contest for TNA? No prize, just bragging rights to the winner and maybe a suggestion to one of your wrestling connections.
Posted by: Frank King | October 23, 2010 9:40 PM
I like Jeff Hardy as a heel. You needn't scream at the top of your lungs to be evil. Besides actions speak louder than words. Hardy's chair shot helped Anderson get over as a face.
I, too, like Mickie James country and western look. She'll leave a trail of achy-breaky hearts. BTW, I liked Taz's reference to John Nord when he commented on Mickie's boots.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | October 23, 2010 9:43 PM
I wouldn't go so far that I'd say that the show was awesome or even great, but it was a huge step up from last week. Decent matches all throughout the night, even the Robbie E-Amazing Red match was ok, considering how short it was. From what I have heard, Rob Eckos is a pretty good Indy wrestler, so I can't wait to see what he can do in a longer match. The other day I compared the Shore gimmick to 3 Count back in WCW. They took a good wrestler(s) and gave him (them) a terrible gimmick that the fans booed right away, and for the same reason-it was very boring. I hope that TNA can do something to actually get these two some heat, so the fans can respect him for his talent, not the gimmick. I wasn't exactly overjoyed to see EV2 still together, but it brought back great memories seeing RVD and Sabu team once again. Honestly, I don't see any of these guys leaving except maybe Raven because it seems like they all aren't close to retiring. Raven is the only one who really hasn't wrestled much in the last 5 years, and the others can all put on a good match. I know most people think Team 3D's retirement is not real, but I agree with them-what is there left to accomplish? The only thing that came to mind is ROH. Any chance we could see them showing up there any time soon? What ever happened to Jay Lethal? He wrestled in the battle royal at Before the Glory and at BFG, then has disappeared after getting attacked by the Shore.
Posted by: paul | October 24, 2010 12:41 AM
Well whaddya know...Randy Orton tweets positive things about Impact and the next week you for once post an unbiased, semi-positive Impact report. Go figure...
Posted by: Anonymous | October 24, 2010 9:07 AM
The past two Impacts have been terrible just more talking i will that Jeff Hardy as a heel has worked out for him Bishoff is going to ruin TNA just like WCW at least under Dixie Carter you had matches .
Posted by: ryan | October 24, 2010 12:28 PM
Its funny to see Jarrett back down to Tazz and Mike Tenay. Technically he has backed down to Angle and Joe, too. He just had help.
I like the Imortal storyline but still do not like Jeff Hardy as champion. What is Hogan/ Bischoff going to do when he is found guilty in court?
RVD and Sabu are fueding over a "duck". Again?????
Posted by: Peter | October 24, 2010 10:17 PM
Who from the superstable will want Hardy's title first? Any picks??
Posted by: Kevin | October 25, 2010 1:52 PM
The chair shot was sick. Maybe Jeff was sampling from his stash before he went out there.
On reaction, when Matt Morgan called Fortune "the six biggest young studs", I asked myself, when was the last time someone from fortune won a one on one match without assistance? Kaz needs to shut his pie hole by the way. His commentary on reaction was just stupid. Roode's was the best.
I don't see Hardy defending the title on Impact or even wrestling until Turning Point. His promos are getting lamer and lamer and what he said on reaction made me think to myself.....I stopped cheering for you since 2002 when the Undertaker handed his bum to him in a ladder match. Since then, I have not cared much for him. I am hoping sometime that Anderson can hold the belt and turn heel and they boot hardy out. What is your thoughts on that?
Please get Robbie E off my tv.
After I saw joe go over the side, my first thought was great, how long will he be out this time?
Posted by: Peter | October 25, 2010 4:21 PM
"Reaction" had to be one of the biggest wastes of an hour of TV time I've seen in a long time, which speaks volumes considering low bad TNA and WWE programming has become.
How can anyone find these endless talk segments interesting? How can anybody give a hoot whether Hogan, Bischoff and Co. put one over on Dixie Carter? I am one more bad show away from swearing off of pro wrestling altogether, and I've been watching this stuff for more than 40 years.
Posted by: larry | October 25, 2010 10:59 PM
Joe should always remain a loner. He looked awkward when he agreed to help Jarrett. He also looked awkward when he was in the shadows of the Main Event Mafia.
Posted by: Jack Windham | October 26, 2010 4:39 AM
Click here for link to TNA's website with a 3 minute video showing the real damage done to Mr. Anderson's head after the chair shot from Hardy, including stitches. (Warning: Graphic)
Posted by: Jesse | October 26, 2010 12:53 PM