C'mon, did you SEE Miss Tessmacher in her ring gear? I hope she gets a title shot every week!

Should have figured it,the TNA shows have been getting better and better every week yet you still find that in order to compensate for your WWE insecurity you must nitpick whatever you can be it real or made up. So petty, "Sky almost made it through the entire opening segment without saying “b*tch.” what was the point of that statement? She is talking to Karen Jarrett for goodness sakes if anyone deserves to be called a "b*tch" it couldn't be more appropriate then to call Mrs.Jarett one. And why is it such a stretch that Shannon Moore would help out with Jesse against "Mexican America"? 4 days after Bin Laden was killed? Seriously Kev why do you insist on the non-stop over the top attacks on everything that is TNA? Is it you see how bad you PER WWE is becoming that you feel a need to keep grinding TNA into the ground for fear they may be catching up on them a little,we both know WWE has nothing to worry about,they OWN the business but there is plenty of pie left to go around. WWE supposedly is all PG now,yet the Rock (who I love) is talking about that guy got more "pie" in one night than you do in a lifetime,and it goes on and on with the "pie" stuff which any 8 year old can figure out exactly what he is talking about---this is PG? Really? Last week you said you were impressed with the TNA show,what happened did Vince send you an email questioning your loyalty? There was a time when 3-6 different Feds were on cable every week and they all prospered,I would like that time to come back,nitpicking the only alternative available on TV doesn't help that cause,pick a month say May in the 80's and go back to the old TV Guide then watch every wrestling show on each week for that entire month,after doing an honest analysis and creating a blog entry for each one,then go back and read them,think about how all you could find the time to do was be critical, then think about how great that time rally was with all of its warts and snafus. Who wants "perfect" wrestling? I lie the screw ups,the warts and even the sometimes over the top stupidity,as they say throw them against the wall and if they stick wash em,same with wrestling angles,give me back Florida Championship Wrestling,Mid-South,Texas,AWA,World Wide anytime plenty of stuff that doesn't work,plenty of warts and plenty of unintended comedy, now that's wrestling.

Wow, I really loved this episode of Impact. This is what Russo can do on his good days.

I just like how Impact has been doing since the whole Dixie Carter is out angle took place. There's been a lot of rumors but I wonder if Dixie Carter is really having less of a role or what. I know she's not tweeting much anymore.

It seems like Impact is actually staying the course, and not having a cow because ratings are down some weeks. Almost like they stop caring so much about ratings and just went on with the show. First of all Hogan has been featured shamelessly! And basically in his same WCW/NWO character. I mean when Hogan and Bischoff were walking to their car and talking about Vince Russo and even Goldberg, that was a scene straight out of WCW, not TNA. To many people, that's like the biggest crime of all. It's like a crime for Hogan and Bischoff to come out on TNA. OMG! Ratings are down, maybe too much Hogan. I like how Bischoff told off the little midgets, basically with the cold truth, they blow because they look too small to be in the business. That's just Shameless, this is when TNA is at it's best, they aren't worried about what people write on the internet or change the show because ratings were down the week before. Man, if ratings didn't matter, Hogan, Bischoff, and Russo would be putting the best stuff on TV period.

It's not written anywhere and she doesn't win the most titles, but TNA considers Velvet Sky, their best knockout, probably their best female performer. And it's been like this for a while. She has the best rear end in the company and that's all that matters. You said, she got a chance to rub with major players. I disagree, I think she is one of the major players and it's good to see the knockouts involved in other storylines. The knockouts need to be involved more with the male characters. I think too often TNA has had the knockouts too segregated, like they're in their own league.

What did Miss Tessmacher do to deserve a title shot? She got boobs.

Last note, I think Anarquia has got some serious talent. I think he stands out easily out of that Mexican America stable. Hernandez doesn't even have 1/8 of this guy's talent. he's quickly becoming the main vocal talent on the stable and I can see a real future for this Anarquia guy. I'm talking TNA champion, the Mexican Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Hey Kev, probably I'm totally wrong, but all those Jay Lethal references during the show make me think, along with the unusual speed of his removal from tna.com, that his firing may be a work...At least I hope so! Also, the sudden turn face of Shannon Moore doesn't make a lot of sense, but with the guns out of action again, Ink Inc. is the only babyface tag team (just Neal, ok) that can be take seriously, don't you think?

Instead of a general comment...since you asked some questions, Mr. Eck...even though some were implicitly rhetorical,I think I have some answers.
I think the usual uninteresting backstage politics storylines Bischoff and the others are known for don't apply here...You're a student of wrestling history. So you know that the best storylines along the years are ones which mimic or play off of archetypes generated by real life societal issues that everyone has to do deal with, so that we, the audience, have a catharsis for those tensions.
In this vein...pulling the X-Division guys out of character, and pulling Roode out of character for "shoots" directly ties in with Dreamer. The point is, that during a time of sky-high unemployment, general dissatisfaction with the way authority in the country is abusing power and the rising price of gas and food that is hitting many working class families hard--(wrestling is always first and foremost working class entertainment)--TNA is brilliant to play off of these issues.
Dreamer is forced to do something he doesn't want to (kayfabe) to keep his job at a time when TNA actually IS, (not kayfabe), letting people go. Dreamer used to help run ECW out of a basement--he has always been the epitome of the working class wrestler--even down to his name. I don't think you have to worry about a Dreamer/Styles clash--that wasn't the point of the conflict--the point was that it added something extra to Syles/Ray that nicely ties it in to other aspects of the story.
The X-Division guys (kayfabe) confront Bischoff with the fact that (not kayfabe)--the X-Division HAS lost prominence, and smaller guys, despite their talent, are often overlooked by the bigger wrestling companies. The Guerrero nod is a nod towards blending kayfabe and reality---which TNA has been working towards with even the way the show is shot now--and I think it's working okay.
Robert Roode used to play the rich guy, but we know that he probably isn't in real life. He works for the underdog promotion and isn't a main event talent. So again, (not kayfabe) Roode isn't a millionaire---so (kayfabe)--he confronts Hogan on the real life consequences for working wrestlers when authority is abused---if anything, Hogan and Bischoff are playing McMahon more realistically than the real McMahon does--and I think that's on purpose---and I think it is why you see an extra intensity to the way Roode and the X-guys delivered their promos--it's easier if you can draw on some real-life inspiration---the things Bischoff and Hogan are being blamed for are really problems with wrestling today--and they are problems that are similar to ones we all face---it is the corporate mindset versus the ability to survive for American workers and their way of life and their families. You live in Baltimore, dude--don't tell me you don't see it every day.
If you don't think that playing this class storyline right now--giving people a catharsis where a group of heroes can defy authority under these economic circumstances when in real-life--many of us simply can't---I'm going to have to tell you you're dead wrong. I already like it---and fans are bound to react to it. It viscerally references difficulties in all of our lives now, and provides an outlet for it. Historically, when wrestling does that, the effect is always positive in terms of fan reaction. Furthermore--it can be argued that when done to the utmost of its potential, that's what wrestling IS.
"Anarquia" you're dead on about. In fact, this storyline goes to show that there are some social issues as they involve race and issues that are less universal---that shouldn't be touched. I don't mind the shifts in character to line-up Roode and the X performers to fit a comprehensive story. I do think it's dumb to instantly turn Moore back to a face just because the Machine Guns' feud with "Mexican America" was cut short by Sabin's knee, and TNA needs a replacement tag team fast. It would be better to just drop the Mexican America crap, get rid of Anarquia, and use Hernendez usefully somewhere.
Heel or face--I'm saddened to see Joe stymied once again by being stuck with Crimson. Maybe they think they're building something here--but this is the wrong way to build. Crimson consistently delivers poor matches in terms of timing and sellable moves, and his personality is wooden. I say send him back into training until he's ready and give Joe some limelight above the mid-card.
Yeah--this is long, as usual--but I always have a lot to say, and hopefully some of it is relevant. Especially in context of what WWE did to the working man's hero in Christian...to me, with the beginning of using this class story as a backdrop---I for one am calling a victory in overall quality for TNA. If they keep it up---McMahon is going to have look over his shoulder very soon.
(Also---none of the main event players were really involved in the show---and it was still good---kudos to Velvet and the rest of the supposed mid-carders who pulled off a very good show---((with the exception of Murphy and Terry))---I think that was a bold move on TNA's part--if it was maybe a subtle one for most people---and it worked--they're showcasing that they're not such a joke anymore)

"Just wondering: Is “annoying” in Spanish pronounced Anarquia?"

Nope, Anarquia simply means anarchy. "annoying" in Spanish is "fastidioso". Completely different word.

Velvet Sky is hot! Yes, please.....

No, it's pronounced Kevin Eck

...I already left a loooong comment...but I just popped on and saw the also dense and entertaining comments left by mickfowl and Lorenzo Fernandez at the top of the list and just had to say...this is why I believe TNA is finally moving up.
I don't agree with everything these two gentlemen had to say, but I think it is fantastic that people are really getting worked up about TNA, and have a lot to say about it. It shows that the company is producing some compelling entertainment, and it's cool to note they we all DO have differing opinions about it. This is how wrestling is supposed to work among fans--instead of McMahon's Jonestown group.
There are actually conversations happening here, which is more than the WWE boards seem to get...and is very heartening as far as TNA's chances of becoming the real competitor that is needed in wrestling now..
One note on mickfowl's anti-Eck rant----I find that Mr. Eck is usually pretty fair to TNA, and has pulled for the good pushes and characters like Ray and Anderson and Roode---I will note on the other hand that Mr. Eck sometimes doesn't seem to give as much benefit of the doubt to TNA as to WWE, especially as it concerns this week's article pointing out discrepancies, (which weren't exactly discrepancies---as I argue in my other comment), that are less worthy of mention than the fact, given TNA history, that the show marked a consistent uprise in programming for the fourth straight week now---which is definitely something of note--- I'm not going to say I'm an expert--but I'm a fairly sharp guy---and I think TNA on good nights is equaling WWE in quality, (at the least) right now. Okay, the comment board is going to look like a chapter out of War and Peace.

gud for velvet she won winter in ah match wow

Robert Roode is main event talent.

Anarquia is a waste of space

Ditto for Suicide the character and Sangriento in any capacity.

I do like the newfound edge Kendrick has, and the Bucks feud was so lame I'm glad they just seemed to have dropped it.

Amazing Sangriento is the definition of jobber.

Much like the WWE main event scene is pillared around Cena and Orton, the main event scene in TNA should be revolving around Kurt Angle and AJ Styles.

Abyss shouldn't be allowed on television until he learns how to throw a punch, and Matt Morgan just shouldn't be allowed on tv. Glad to see neither of them this week.

Where has Pope been? A feud of him with Ric Flair against RVD over the TV title would be great, and give everyone involved a rub, including the title itself.

Desmond Wolfe is sorely missed.

Finally, Robert Roode or should I say "Bobby Roode" is beginning to shine in the spotlight. It's past time for him to ascend to the main event level. As for his promo, I think TNA gives their performers a bit more leeway in terms of what they can say, and the promos aren't as scripted as in WWE, so I think that's why it seems they tend to stray off message sometimes, or things come out of their mouths that seem to come out of no where. However, one thing I like about that is that you see some real reactions to what's being said, and people appear to be caught off guard and have to ad lib in response.

But Roode's common man theme in his promo seems to be him making a departure from "rich" Robert Roode, to working man fighting the system Bobby Roode, which is probably what he always was to begin with. However, I want to point out this is TNA aka "Swerves are us", and this could all be a swerve. Immortal is still without a main event player to replace Jeff Hardy. So if it's not going to be RVD or Mr. Anderson, then maybe it's Roode who takes the money and runs with it. Roode builds himself up as the working man fighting the system and then, suddenly a heel turn and Roode is revealed as what he always was, a rich man getting richer by taking Immortal's money and becoming TNA World Champion. But either way, it's good to see Roode getting a chance to shine and not another 'WWE" guy, or old guy past his prime, but a home grown TNA star in the making, which is what they need more of.

And Velvet Sky is emerging into a star as well. She's perfect for the type of soap opera like antics that are emanating from the Jarrett / Angle fued, and they need to bring in other people to keep the fued burning hot, and since it's based on a real life situation, they could probably keep it going for a while longer. At some point Velvet will become the Knockouts champion due to her rise in popularity, but it's still not quite believable that she could beat a Mickie James or a Tara, women of those caliber, but she's getting closer though.

And yeah, I'm not sure why the Buck Brothers are mad that Jay Lethal got fired. It's seems to me they are the ones benefitting the most from it with the push they've been getting, so no that doesn't make any sense. And Ink inc.'s show of patriotism seems to be a move to try and capitalize on the patriotism on display accross the country over the killing of Osama Bin Laden. And Jesse Neal was in the Navy and Navy Seals killed Bin Laden. That's the only sense I can make of it.

Since we didn't see Mr. Anderson at all on the program, I can only assume he might be the person Matt Hardy was refering to as his tag team partner against Beer Money. Doesn't seem like he's got anything else going on at the moment, so they need to get him in some where.

Sangrieto seems to be a poor man's response to WWE's Sin Cara. If it is Amazing Red, as "Amazing" as he is, he's not much of a lucha dor.

I still think they had accidentally found a good character for Rob Terry months ago as a "muscle bound snob", when he did the pose down with Scott Steiner. But they still seem to be trying to get him over as a monster, but his british accent doesn't sound monstrous, it sounds snobbish. Murphy seems like a good developmental prospect. He needs more size and definition in his upper body. He's a tall guy with athleticism, but doesn't seem quite ready yet.

This is how I've been saying WWE should utilize their divas. Mix and match them into the other stories every once in a while. It doesn't hurt to do crossovers.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I totally agree.

You were right on with what I though Eck. Sick of the overuse of the word "b*tch" just to say "b*tch." When I saw Ink Inc. come to the ring I though wait, weren't they on the outs with each other and isn't Moore a heel? Matt Hardy, please get rid of him. Also, I don't really care for the TNA skanks with all the ahem, body art, like Angelina and Velvet, but that's a personal preference. I don't want to see another angle where the X division guys get a little rub because they are "held down" and a month later when the angle runs it's course they are back where they started. And I have a ton of respect for Tommy Dreamer, but I don't want to see him on TV. He should be an agent or maybe a booker.

Maybe Lethat since being oddly mentioned for being a released worker will be Matt's Tag partner. maybe the network is Jeff Hardy and the Mistress is Leita.

I love Velvet Sky, and it was great to see her get a chance to go all balls out - most definitely figuratively speaking. I don't know that I ever want to see her as champion, but she and Angelina are the most entertaining of the TNA women.

I haven't read any speculation, but going by TNA's past dubious hirings, I'm guessing that Angle's "mistress" will be Chyna.

Btw, the Jay Lethal firing angle with some of the small rasslers - rubs me the wrong way, is so contrived, and seems destined to have an unfortunate ending - see Luchadores in WCW. How many weeks will it take Bishoff to have them all anihilated by Scott Steiner in 60 seconds?

I won't spoil anything, but Kurt's mistress and Matt's partner are 2 HUGE shockers who I don't think anyone suspected before the tapings.

The shows have really been good. I think that most of us know the spoilers but the shows the last few weeks have been good and I've been entertained.

TNA signed a minor tv deal with another network I heard and that will help too.

Getting the unprofessional Dixie Carter and her horndog husband Sergio out of there is big. They have 2 lawsuits that are known, several complaints to the BBB, and rumors of their messing with other wrestlers are also getting more play.

The network wanted Paul Heyman to take over the companies daily dealings and I do too.

Great article! For those in the area you can meet Velvet Sky May 22nd in Marietta, Ohio. For more details please visit www.remixprowrestling.com !

@ Jpm
I'm surprised to hear anyone say that out loud. I've thought that Paul E. would be a great person to put in charge of TNA creative. Obviously, you wouldn't want to put him in charge of the finances, but with a couple of other promoters and bookers to temper some of his more wild ideas---that would definitely make sure that TNA's recent improvement continues.
I'm sure we'd be in the minority in that, as Paul was tainted, as were many of the ECW greats, by the way WWE handled him. It was lost upon a lot of casual wrestling viewers, given the way the ECW Alliance thing was done, exactly how smart Paul was proven to be on the creative end when ECW was its own company. Yeah, he financially ran it into the ground---but it was his creative genius that took a basement operation to a major contender in the first place.
The metaphor for how McMahon can't help but soiling and sullying any thing he didn't create himself if given half a chance for me was always Taz. Same thing with the casual fans--they never watched Taz in his prime in ECW, with "Survive If I Let You" blaring out of the speakers----he was among the most threatening heel/antiheroes going, and his ring abilities were incomparable. Enter his debut in WWE, the screwing around with his character, and his eventual jobbing out to Stone Cold. I loved Austin in his prime---but he was never as legitimately bad-a@@ in the ring as Taz was in ECW.
Same with Paul----WWE for some reason cast Paul's Alliance as villains for taking on WWE authority--(well, not some reason--because WWE in that situation MUST be cast as the hero by McMahon)---and the selling of Heyman as an annoying heel in that context has tarnished his credibility. Behind the scenes though, I'd love to see him in TNA.