The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[Makhai]

Daniels & Kazarian(c) vs Styles & Angle for tag championship - On paper this should be great, have a feeling this is going to suffer because it's going to take a backseat to love-triangle BS.

Bully Ray vs Joseph Park - I'm hoping that we get an imposter Abyss who powerbombs Ray through a table and lays Real Abyss on him for the cover... Then this story would get really bonkers. But I have a feeling he's just going to go back to being Abyss and this was all just a reset button for him, and a lengthy feud with Ray.

Kid Kash vs. Hernandez - Creative has nothing for you guys... just go do whatever, yeah.

Crimson vs. ______ My guess is, Christian is the guy who's going to fill this slot and ends Crimson's streak. Which is horrible cotton-candy booking. And makes your company look like absolute dog shit, but what the hay, I'd love it. I'd also love to see Homicide come out and squash Crimson; but that won't happen. More likely Jeff Jarrett comes out and does the job, and the totally illogical Crimson push to absolutely nowhere anytime soon continues.

Robbie E and Robbie T vs Devon and Garrett - I have zero interest in this. I hope Garett gets hit by a bus and can't wrestle ever again before this match... About 50 other people I'd rather see fill this slot on the card. The insertion of Madison into this is just awful because we all know it's Garrett she's googling at, because he needs a valet for that giant push he's about to get/is getting. Nepotism sucks.

Gail Kim(c) vs Brooke Tessmacher for KO Title - If you're going to put Brooke over Mickie like that you better be setting up a bigger feud. Only way to start that would be to give Tess the belt here. I don't really care, JUST DO SOMETHING WITH SOMEONE OR GET RID OF THEM!

Austin Aries vs Samoa Joe - I'm wondering if AA is one of the guys wrapped up in this WWE-TNA pouching lawsuit. You'd have to think if the WWE was going to pouch anybody for a Cruiserweight division Aries would be the guy. If he loses here, it wouldn't surprise me if he's Miz'd in short order to murder his value. That would require forethought though, which is a huge leap in booking these days. That's really the only intrigue I can muster for this. Samoa is a jobber to the Stars right now, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Mr Anderson vs RVD vs Jeff Hardy - Anderson is the logical next challenger for Roode. The guy is the most over of the three with the iMPACT crowd and he's had the least exposure of late. He's the freshest look and he's got that anti-authority feud sitting there with Hogan. If you're going to do this right he needs to be the #1 contender.

Bobby Roode(c) vs Sting for the TNA title - Lots of places you could go with this. All of them horrible. Honestly, if you were going to go back here you should have had Sting go over at Victory Road. Then this makes sense as the beginning of a Career vs. Title match payoff for Sunday. As it is, it seems like they just shrugged and asked PR who would get them the most buys and Sting was what came back to them 10 days ago... Which is sad ass booking.

You could always salvage this by having Sting go over, then have Roode use his "automatic rematch clause" at Destination-X win it back, and then have Sting put his career on the line at Bound for Glory to get a rematch with Roode. Which would, again, be asking for long-term booking from TNA; humility from the Stinger. Something beyond the both of them... I would personally love to see Sting commentate their much desired future B-show, and not wrestle anymore. But I'd also like to own a unicorn... which is about as likely to happen as what I just wrote.

[Wrestling Century]

Wait, I just thought of something. What if Christian is TNA's first inductee into their Hall of Fame?

[Hyde Hill]

Wait, I just thought of something. What if Christian is TNA's first inductee into their Hall of Fame?

Lol look 2 posts above and a couple back. BTW after having watched Impact so convinced the Ryan thing is a work, why else devote t.v. time too it?

[Makhai]

Lol look 2 posts above and a couple back. BTW after having watched Impact so convinced the Ryan thing is a work, why else devote t.v. time too it?

Ditto. It's pretty obvious this is going to spin-off into a feud of some kind. I just don't know how... we'll see I suppose. This whole Gutcheck idea needs to just die with Joey Ryan though, this is back-to-back train-wrecks after the Alex Silva debacle.

[Hyde Hill]

Huh that's kind of over stating it. It has been pretty entertaining so far imho so why kill it?

Or do you believe the whole Silva wasn't supposed to be hired BS?

I can believe Flair was supposed to stay No and then have Prichard be the Yes guy but him getting a contract when he wasn't supposed too? Come on think realistically for a second. Taped show and 2 other seasoned vets in the business that can switch to no. He is just having visa issues as TNA is a lot higher profile then OVW to work for.

[Makhai]

Huh that's kind of over stating it. It has been pretty entertaining so far imho so why kill it?

Or do you believe the whole Silva wasn't supposed to be hired BS?

I can believe Flair was supposed to stay No and then have Prichard be the Yes guy but him getting a contract when he wasn't supposed too? Come on think realistically for a second. Taped show and 2 other seasoned vets in the business that can switch to no. He is just having visa issues as TNA is a lot higher profile then OVW to work for.

Either way, Ric going off-script and then everybody throwing Ric under the bus for it was brutal. Why they didn't reshoot the thing? I'll never know. Also, he's 21 and the TNA roster is already bloated as hell. Why ad to the problem with a dude who can't get a working visa?

[Hyde Hill]

Nobody threw Ric under the buss for that, the dirstheets only reported that nobody else. Ric was thrown under the bus for the no shows and the whole lawsuit thing. As far as roster goes and visa issues they will be able to work them out it can just take a while. Plus they can just stick him into official developmental like Godderz until he is ready/they have room/have a storyline for him. They just have to mention in passing that he was hired for potential.

They didn't reshoot as it had no effect on the outcome dude was getting a contract anyway.

[Hyde Hill]

Ok I know it won't happen but just picturing it is cool. IC belt meets trashcan at the slam. Although I respect the IC belts heritage even if it is less then a shadow of its former self right now.

[Jaysin]

PREDICTION!!!!

Chris Masters answers Crimson's Open Challenge.

Also, Masters had a try out before Impact, that's why I'm predicting him :p

[BHK1978]

Speaking of visa problems where have Angelina Love and Winter gone to?

I know a couple of years ago Angelina had problems with her work visa, but if it was happening again I am sure I would have read about it by now.

It just seems that the two of them have fallen off the face of the earth.

[Jaysin]

I know Love has been doing house shows. So is Matt Morgan.

[bigtplaystew]

Joey Ryan was way more entertaining than Silva imo. I's have voted Yes! to Joey Ryan. But I have a clinically diagnosed obsession with Boogie Nights so maybe I'm biased.

Crimson versus Austine Aries was a really fun match. I don't have too many nice things to say about Crimson usually but I feel like they had a great looking series of moves there.

He may be improving and I just haven't noticed it. Or A-double is that damn good. :-)

[Jaysin]

From a Doug Williams interview

Who he would still like to wrestle in TNA: "I would like a longer match with Kurt Angle, we’ve done like five minutes on TV. I’d like to carry on my program with AJ Styles…maybe something with Samoa Joe."

I'd love to see him go 10-20 minutes with any of those three...

Then again, I just love Williams.

Good Joe video. Calls Aries out on "hiding" behind the weight limit. It's hard to take Joe seriously with his idiotic hair though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaN5M79kYiI&feature=youtu.be

[Hyde Hill]

Speaking of visa problems where have Angelina Love and Winter gone to?

I know a couple of years ago Angelina had problems with her work visa, but if it was happening again I am sure I would have read about it by now.

It just seems that the two of them have fallen off the face of the earth.

Yeah Angelina is on house shows and Xplosion sometimes and can be seen on the back on open fight night and was in a Knockout's react to Brooke Hogan signing piece that was possibly cut from the first live Impact. Winter has totally fallen off the earth.

[Hyde Hill]

Joey Ryan was way more entertaining than Silva imo. I's have voted Yes! to Joey Ryan. But I have a clinically diagnosed obsession with Boogie Nights so maybe I'm biased.

Crimson versus Austine Aries was a really fun match. I don't have too many nice things to say about Crimson usually but I feel like they had a great looking series of moves there.

He may be improving and I just haven't noticed it. Or A-double is that damn good. :-)

Improving and getting an unjust proportion of flack from the IWC same with Gunner imho.

[Stennick]

I personally hate Gunner. The guy does nothing for me and he in my opinion doesn't look like the star they at one time were pushing him to.

[tristram]

Watched Impact for the first time for a while last night (delayed into Australia)... that opening segment was... yak. Like seriously, AJ sold the shot from Dixie's husband like he'd just been nailed Call of Duty style, yet I swear he either barely touched him or missed him altogether. It was all cringeworthy.

[Target Practice]

I personally hate Gunner. The guy does nothing for me and he in my opinion doesn't look like the star they at one time were pushing him to.

This, pretty much. He's just 'bland mid-card heel #378515' for me. Nothing about him makes me think he's going to be anything other than a solid worker who's never going to be much more than stable fodder. Not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that - I wouldn't say he's "bad" as such, there are far worse guys far higher up the card, but he just screams 'heat vacuum' in any kind of singles match to me.

[BHK1978]

They do seem to be backing off the Gunner push as of late. While I agree with him not being anything special, I still think TNA is in one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't types of situations in regards to pushing new talent. For years fans have been wanting TNA to push new wrestlers and when they do the fans say, "Oh no we don't want you to push those guys." Damned if the do, damned if they don't.:D

[Target Practice]

I think the problem is that the rare occasions when they do push someone who wasn't an active wrestler in the mid-90s and/or recently released from the WWE, it always seems that there were better options. Now, granted Bobby Roode has been an excellent exception to that rule, and I hope they learn from it, but it's things like giving Gunner a big push whilst leaving Austin Aries 'languishing' in the remnants of the X-Division where most of the good talent has been released.

[Hyde Hill]

Ehm have you been watching lately? Aries is getting a lot of t.v. time and attention and his feud with Ray was awesome altough he was a bit more on the backburner this month. BTW I wasn't saying Gunner was great or anything just that the amount of hate was more then he deserved. Like he was getting Otunga hate when he only deserves Slater hate to make a comparison.

[BHK1978]

Ehm have you been watching lately? Aries is getting a lot of t.v. time and attention and his feud with Ray was awesome altough he was a bit more on the backburner this month. BTW I wasn't saying Gunner was great or anything just that the amount of hate was more then he deserved. Like he was getting Otunga hate when he only deserves Slater hate to make a comparison.

He is not feuding with anyone in the X-Division though. In a matter of months it seems like they have killed off the X-Divison.

I wonder what the contract status is on some of the ROH wrestelrs. I would not mind seeing Roddy or Eddie Edwards come into TNA and bring back the X-Divison. Granted that would probably be a step down for them.

[Target Practice]

Ehm have you been watching lately? Aries is getting a lot of t.v. time and attention and his feud with Ray was awesome altough he was a bit more on the backburner this month. BTW I wasn't saying Gunner was great or anything just that the amount of hate was more then he deserved. Like he was getting Otunga hate when he only deserves Slater hate to make a comparison.

Actually, I have to be honest and say that I haven't. I kind of switched off TNA for a while after the tenth PPV in a row where Jeff Hardy seemed set to win then Bobby Roode somehow won without actually getting a clean finish. I was basing the statement more on that period in time than current events. Good to see A-double getting TV time - one of my favourite heels around at the moment.

[Hyde Hill]

He is not feuding with anyone in the X-Division though. In a matter of months it seems like they have killed off the X-Divison.

I wonder what the contract status is on some of the ROH wrestelrs. I would not mind seeing Roddy or Eddie Edwards come into TNA and bring back the X-Divison. Granted that would probably be a step down for them.

Meh the divisions kind of fluctuate in importance in TNA and I expect Gutcheck to deliver some X guys hopefully. Joey Ryan looks promising as I am convinced it is a work. Aries has kind of outgrown the division atm but they don't have a solid person to take the belt off him yet, so he is feuding with other guys like Ray and now Joe and possibly AJ for Des X.

Roode got a clean win in ladder match to RVD btw plus he is a heel he isn't supposed to win clean, it is/was just the level of cheating that was bad especially with Sting being total flukeville.

Step down how so? If they become featured midcarders in TNA that's a hell of a lot better then main event ROH.

[BHK1978]

Meh the divisions kind of fluctuate in importance in TNA and I expect Gutcheck to deliver some X guys hopefully. Joey Ryan looks promising as I am convinced it is a work. Aries has kind of outgrown the division atm but they don't have a solid person to take the belt off him yet, so he is feuding with other guys like Ray and now Joe and possibly AJ for Des X.

Roode got a clean win in ladder match to RVD btw plus he is a heel he isn't supposed to win clean, it is/was just the level of cheating that was bad especially with Sting being total flukeville.

Step down how so? If they become featured midcarders in TNA that's a hell of a lot better then main event ROH.

Yeah the whole Joey Ryan thing has to be a work, if it wasn't then I hardly doubt that Mike and Taz would bring him up again.

Well it is a step down in the sense that you go from headlining PPV's to becoming midcarders for TNA. Money wise I am not sure if they would take a loss as well. I have read that neither TNA or ROH pay very well but I have know way of knowing that for a fact.

[Hyde Hill]

Well Austin Aries stated that one of the main reason's to go to TNA was more money etc. for him. And he was basically main event ROH level when he left. And no I am not getting into the whole money for undercard guys debate again as we just don't know. Believe Dixie and Taylor in his shoots more or believe cagesideseats or whatever that sheet is called more or somewhere in the middle, personaly I believe closer to Taylor and Dixie but not 100 percent. But purely from a visibility standpoint I would say midcard TNA beets ME ROH and with visibility comes money.

[Makhai]

Well Austin Aries stated that one of the main reason's to go to TNA was more money etc. for him. And he was basically main event ROH level when he left. And no I am not getting into the whole money for undercard guys debate again as we just don't know. Believe Dixie and Taylor in his shoots more or believe cagesideseats or whatever that sheet is called more or somewhere in the middle, personaly I believe closer to Taylor and Dixie but not 100 percent. But purely from a visibility standpoint I would say midcard TNA beets ME ROH and with visibility comes money.

I think you're a bit of a mark for TNA, honestly. Just use Occum's Razor: They don't sell merch, they don't sell PPVs, they can't sell tickets, they travel internationally for house shows. Where are they making enough to pay for workers? Only source of revenue right now is Spike. That's it. Which could be decently lucrative for them, granted. UFC made something like 35M on Spike for their multi-year deal. Gotta figure TNA is right about there. But when you spend money like they do on travel and giant egos... how much could they really have left for the Kid Kash's or the Joey Ryan's of the world?

My guess is, not a whole lot.

[Hyde Hill]

I think you're a bit of a mark for TNA, honestly. Just use Occum's Razor: They don't sell merch, they don't sell PPVs, they can't sell tickets, they travel internationally for house shows. Where are they making enough to pay for workers? Only source of revenue right now is Spike. That's it. Which could be decently lucrative for them, granted. UFC made something like 35M on Spike for their multi-year deal. Gotta figure TNA is right about there. But when you spend money like they do on travel and giant egos... how much could they really have left for the Kid Kash's or the Joey Ryan's of the world?

My guess is, not a whole lot.

Ok not starting. You apparently believe all the dirtsheet and have no idea where TNA and WWE make most of their money outside their US t.v. deal that is fine, I chose to be more critical of both sides. And we where talking Aries / Main Event ROH -> Midcard TNA not main event ROH -> undercard TNA. Even WWE undercard/dev pays peanuts and historically undercard pays peanuts.

All I am saying is I believe TNA midcard is more exposure then ROH main event, and I don't think given TNA's profile that is unreasonable. WWE midcard is also around the same or more exposure then TNA main event. And that Aries mentioned TNA being bigger then ROH was one of the reasons he jumped. Prove me otherwise.

Occum's razor works with facts all you got up there is conjecture. Multiple times stated by TNA: Make good money on merch, make money on the house shows, make money on the ppvs, and where the big money is television right's deals especially international, coupled with Spike paying for some costs both workers and advertising.

Dammit you got me started...... You believe the sheets more I am more critical of both sides and tend to disbelieve the sheets more. Fine.

[Makhai]

Ok not starting. You apparently believe all the dirtsheet and have no idea where TNA and WWE make most of their money outside their US t.v. deal that is fine, I chose to be more critical of both sides. And we where talking Aries / Main Event ROH -> Midcard TNA not main event ROH -> undercard TNA. Even WWE undercard/dev pays peanuts and historically undercard pays peanuts.

All I am saying is I believe TNA midcard is more exposure then ROH main event, and I don't think given TNA's profile that is unreasonable. WWE midcard is also around the same or more exposure then TNA main event. And that Aries mentioned TNA being bigger then ROH was one of the reasons he jumped. Prove me otherwise.

Occum's razor works with facts all you got up there is conjecture. Multiple times stated by TNA: Make good money on merch, make money on the house shows, make money on the ppvs, and where the big money is television right's deals especially international, coupled with Spike paying for some costs both workers and advertising.

Dammit you got me started...... You believe the sheets more I am more critical of both sides and tend to disbelieve the sheets more. Fine.

If your asking me if I trust independent sources over company PR... yeah, I do. Pro Wrestling is a funny thing, where reality is malleable, but Companies are 100% going to lie to you. No exceptions. To believe anything that comes out of their mouth that isn't verified 15x over is seriously stupid.

As to what AA makes, I don't really care. Not what I was commenting about.

[eayragt]

So which of the following is true:

A) Jeff Jarrett will soon be coming back to try and take back control of TNA
or
B) TNA heavily insulted the Jarrett's by not having them on last nights PPV

I suppose there's the third option that they were invited but turned it down. But that's my least likely option.

See, I don't mind A. Although its been done a million times before, Jeff using his exclusion from the ten year anniversary show as his motivation would actually make sense.

But if that doesn't happen, then surely B applies? Even if they wanted Jeff to sell his storyline (which considering the short term booking mindset all wrestling companies have allowing them to ignore any event more than 3 months old sounds unlikely), what would have been wrong with Jerry being around?

Actually really interested in Hyde's view on this, as I might just be missing something and it would have been completely inappropriate. I'll openly admit to rarely watching TNA nowadays.

[soxfan93]

What a show. Seriously, one of the best events I've watched - from any company - in quite a while. Sacrifice was up there, as well. I'm very happy to see this company start to turn it around, as God knows they have the talent.

In my opinion, Kazarian/Daniels vs. Angle/Styles was the best match, followed by Aries vs. Joe, RVD vs. Hardy vs. Anderson, and Roode vs. Sting. Really looking forward to Impact.

[Makhai]

Austin Aries vs Samoa Joe - By these guys standard, that was trash. I'm sure it was booked this way on purpose, but this open was depressing... - D

Kid Kash vs. Hernandez - Yeah, that happened. C

Robbie E and Robbie T vs Devon and Garrett - They're trying so hard to use Devon's overness to get Garrett over... The match itself was ok. - C

Mr Anderson vs RVD vs Jeff Hardy - It was fun, The crowd was seriously into Anderson, even if I wasn't and it really elevated the match for me - B-

Crimson vs. James Storm - Makes all the sense in the world what they did here. Bit of a letdown that there was all of the legends talk because it MURDERED any pop Storm was going to get. Either way, James is back and my guess is Roode-Storm II in the very near future. - C-

Gail Kim vs Brooke Tessmacher - Holy crap was this terrible... The botched suplex, the fact it was only 7mins but it felt like 10yrs... Then the botched finish reinforcing the fact they just put the belt on... that. - F

Bully Ray vs Joseph Park - Almost happened exactly how I thought it would; impostor Abyss and everything. Having him hide under the ring before hand leaves open the split-personality angle too. I liked it. Could have gone a bit more hardcore and a lot less standing around, but it made sense for the story. EC-Dub chants never get old either. - B+

Daniels & Kazarian vs Styles & Angle- A couple of botches hurt the match, including the reach for the ropes that, he clearly could have reached, at the end. - Solid B-

Bobby Roode vs Sting - That was a pretty bad way to close a good PPV, the "You've still got it" chant was a perfect illustration of everything that is wrong with the business... - D+

Overall, I thought it was a solid C PPV. I didn't feel like I flushed my time or my money down a toilet. Booking is logical, if a bit transparent for my tastes. Still a fun Sunday night.

[Hyde Hill]

Ok guess we are never going to agree Makhai but ok.

3 great matches Aries vs Joe, RVD vs Hardy vs Anderson, Angle and Styles vs Daniels and Kaz

2 good matches especially story wise: Ray vs Park, Roode vs Sting

3 good matches for what they where: Storm vs Crimson, Hernandez vs Kaz, Tess vs Kim

1 mediocre match.

Great moments with Sting being announced as first inductee and Christian showing up.

Great ppv. Not perfect but great.

[Hyde Hill]

If your asking me if I trust independent sources over company PR... yeah, I do. Pro Wrestling is a funny thing, where reality is malleable, but Companies are 100% going to lie to you. No exceptions. To believe anything that comes out of their mouth that isn't verified 15x over is seriously stupid.

As to what AA makes, I don't really care. Not what I was commenting about.

Same with the sheets, repeating stuff 15x doesn't make something true. And when TNA lies I call em out on that as well. Like I said endless discussions you believe the sheets more I believe TNA more but am critical of both. Not enough FACTS to back up either statement.

[Hyde Hill]

So which of the following is true:

A) Jeff Jarrett will soon be coming back to try and take back control of TNA
or
B) TNA heavily insulted the Jarrett's by not having them on last nights PPV

I suppose there's the third option that they were invited but turned it down. But that's my least likely option.

See, I don't mind A. Although its been done a million times before, Jeff using his exclusion from the ten year anniversary show as his motivation would actually make sense.

But if that doesn't happen, then surely B applies? Even if they wanted Jeff to sell his storyline (which considering the short term booking mindset all wrestling companies have allowing them to ignore any event more than 3 months old sounds unlikely), what would have been wrong with Jerry being around?

Actually really interested in Hyde's view on this, as I might just be missing something and it would have been completely inappropriate. I'll openly admit to rarely watching TNA nowadays.

I'm not really interested in this whole stuff atm but my view is that it is a work and will lead to Sting vs Jarrett, not control of company stuff.

As far as Jerry is concerned ,if you meant Jerry there instead of Jeff, him and Dixie and Jeff had a falling out that neither side is interested in resolving it seems.

[Jaysin]

Jarrett has this insane ability to make others look better than they are. So, whoever he ends up facing, there's a chance it's going to be good.

Though, I'm predicting Jarrett vs Sting at Bound for Glory.

[Hyde Hill]

Jarrett has this insane ability to make others look better than they are. So, whoever he ends up facing, there's a chance it's going to be good.

Though, I'm predicting Jarrett vs Sting at Bound for Glory.

What did you think of the ppv though? And did anyone here attend it?

[Jaysin]

I haven't watched it yet. I'll be watching it in a few hours hopefully. Other than the one user here, I've heard nothing but good things about the show. Most people are saying the finish to Sting/Roode almost ruined the entire show, but I generally have different views.

I'll come back and grade everything when I'm done watching it :)

[Astil]

Joe Aries - Fun match. Not what they where back in say 2004 RoH but good -B

Kash Hernendez - I enjoy Hernendez a lot, but yeah, this was pretty boring - C-

Robbies D-Von and Some Guy - Ugh garret Bischoff. Ugh Robbies. this match...ugh D

Anderson RVD Hardy - Okay, the crowd did make this match. Would've loved to see Hardy win, but can understand why he didn't. Good match, good spots, good drama B-

Crimson Storm - Squash. Good for Storm. Match was boring though - C-

Kim Tessmacher - :mad: F

Ray Park - Not bad. Not good, boring at times. Crowd really ticked me off in this part - C

Kaz/Daniels Angle/AJ - Nothing happened, except the titles changing hands. Story didn't devolope at all. Overall felt like filler, not the ending or continuation of a story. Also he could've reached the ropes. C+

Roode Sting - The match was okay. Another not good not bad match. Ending was weak - C

Sting induction - "Sting is the most popular wrestler in wrestling today" or something like that. Yeah okay Hogan. F for that line alone. Also if it was a big surprise and nobody knew how did they have all the prerecorded videos? T! N! A! T! N! A!

Christian angle - Waste of time - D BTW anyone else find it ironic that Christian was there to basically put over the moment Sting came back and took the shine off Christian's run? Just me?

Sting Angle - Sting's gotta get his rub back, brother! - F

Bad show overall. I'd give it a low C.

[Hyde Hill]

Probably the review I agree the most with and well written as well imho:

http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=69198&p=1

[haloed]

Really enjoyed the show last night. Lot of good stuff happened imo.

One thing I didn't like was how James Storm basically squashed Crimson. Kind of made the whole streak thing look really irrelevant. And Crimson really seems to be coming into his own as a solid Heel and deserved a bit better.


Kinda wish the ME would of had a cleaner finish but I get it.


Park vs. Ray was very entertaining for sure.


Joe vs. Aries was great, so was the Tag Team title match. AJ Styles springboard shooting star press was insane and very awesome.


Overall a great show IMO. Happy I made the purchase after being disappointed with Lockdown.

[Makhai]

One thing I didn't like was how James Storm basically squashed Crimson. Kind of made the whole streak thing look really irrelevant. And Crimson really seems to be coming into his own as a solid Heel and deserved a bit better.


You're insane.:p Getting Storm back over for Bound for Glory series is far more important than Crimson being the dork he is.

[JTandSilentBob]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Crimson had only won like 14 singles matches over his entire "streak."

TBH I don't like how TNA talks about streaks in terms of time rather than matches. I'm much more impressed with a 42 match win streak than a 2 year streak with only 10 wins. :/

[emc4canes]

I did go to the show. The crowd was very good. Had never seen him outside his goofy on-screen persona, but Borash did a great job getting the crowd ready leading into the show. Joe/Aries was nice. the triple threat was good, with the exception of Anderson winning(just can't stand the guy). Hernandez/Kash was very random(Hernandez is from Texas, let's throw him in there). The tag match was a very good match(with those 4 it should be), but thought there would be more from the Dixie/AJ angle in there. Crimson/Storm, women's match, meh. The main was solid. Yeah the finish was a little off, but I find myself a fan of old school heel Bobby Roode. Plus the fact of seeing someone with an extended run as champ is great(especially a heel). Overall a really good show that even had only been a good show, can't be beat for $10.

[BHK1978]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Crimson had only won like 14 singles matches over his entire "streak."

TBH I don't like how TNA talks about streaks in terms of time rather than matches. I'm much more impressed with a 42 match win streak than a 2 year streak with only 10 wins. :/

What I hated about the "streak" was that it only counted when TNA wanted to have it count. They did not count it when he was pinned in tag matches because it was a singles match streak.

So yeah I agree with you, this streak was not impressive at all. Granted WCW did fudge Goldberg's numbers but he still did have a lot of wins in a row.

[Hyde Hill]

He was never pinned in tag matches his partner always was. He was undefeated in the Joe, Kozlov sense aka never pinned or submitted or dqd etc.

[soxfan93]

He, personally, didn't lose a match. I don't have a problem with this particular streak, to be honest. I found it to be an interesting storyline. I was, however, very disappointed that it was Storm that ended it.

[BHK1978]

He was never pinned in tag matches his partner always was. He was undefeated in the Joe, Kozlov sense aka never pinned or submitted or dqd etc.

I thought he was pinned once in a tag match, sorry about that.:o Well even so the whole streak thing was a joke, just because he did lose in tag team matches.

He might have not actually took the pin but in order for it to be a winning streak, you have to win and he did not. It seems like they changed it from a winning streak, into a never been pinned streak as soon as he started his tag team with Matt Morgan.

[Jaysin]

Even Samoa Joe had matches where he "didn't win" the match. Whether it was a triple threat or a tag match, yet no one was bothered by that except me back in the day.

[Rone Rivendale]

Christian Cage's streak was 2 years. But they didn't hype it until the very end (prob didn't even notice).

[Jaysin]

So, three big matches advertises for the live Impact tomorrow.

Austin Aries vs Zema Ion vs Chris Sabin Ultimate X for the X Division title
Mr Anderson vs Bobby Roode for the World Title
12 Man Bound For Glory Series Gauntlet Battle Royal

The first two have potential to be pretty good matches. I hope the BFG series is less convoluted this year because I like the concept, just didn't like their execution of it.

[Hyde Hill]

Check out their website or some of the news sites. They have made it a straight round robin so barring injuries etc is everyone has same number of matches and faces each other once. With a point system covering the type of win/draw.

And yeah Impact is looking good. Hope the good press from the Slam increases viewership a bit.

[Jaysin]

Apparently it's not a straight round robin tournament...

But, let the speculation begin

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/527698_10150924064981026_1053740559_n.jpg

[Astil]

Somewhere, backstage, Samoa Joe was in the fetal position, rocking back and forth going "Not again..."

[Hyde Hill]

Somewhere, backstage, Samoa Joe was in the fetal position, rocking back and forth going "Not again..."

Lol, hell maybe they will explain it now sometime. Its probably one of the biggest loopholes left over from that time. Anyhoo Jarrett vs Sting called it lol. Love the worked shoot stuff they have going on.

Not pure round robin as the start wasn't one but everyone, barring injuries, will have the same number of matches and faced each other once.

[BHK1978]

I am probably in the very small minority but I am glad to see Jeff Jarrett coming back and I hope that it is him behind the attacks. I have always been a fan of Jeff's going back to his days in Memphis and I think people tend to crap on him for no reason.

Is he the best wrestler out there?

No but he is pretty good and he has always kept me entertained.

Let us just hope that this feud does not go into Black Scorpion territory.

[BHK1978]

Well I just read that Chris Sabin tore his ACL. This guy cannot seem to catch a break.

[justtxyank]

I am probably in the very small minority but I am glad to see Jeff Jarrett coming back and I hope that it is him behind the attacks. I have always been a fan of Jeff's going back to his days in Memphis and I think people tend to crap on him for no reason.

Is he the best wrestler out there?

No but he is pretty good and he has always kept me entertained.

Let us just hope that this feud does not go into Black Scorpion territory.

I think most people would agree that Jarrett is a good worker and if he had been an upper midcard, occasional main event level worker most of his career people probably would have no problem with him. I like you have considered myself a fan. I loved his work in the WWF in the later part of the 90s. The man was a heat magnet during his stuff with X-Pac and then the woman beater angle lol. I even liked him in WCW. He just isn't a guy who should be a 10 time world champion and he certainly should never be a guy who a company is built around.

[Astil]

Lol, hell maybe they will explain it now sometime. Its probably one of the biggest loopholes left over from that time. Anyhoo Jarrett vs Sting called it lol. Love the worked shoot stuff they have going on.

Not pure round robin as the start wasn't one but everyone, barring injuries, will have the same number of matches and faced each other once.

Loophole? I thought he was stolen by Samoan ninjas who trained him in the way of the Nation of Violence. No loophole there.

EDIT: Too much to hope this is a Joey Ryan led rebellion?

[Hyde Hill]

Wrong choice of words plothole is what I meant. Nation of Violence was pre abduction and actually toned down to just his intro post abduction. The whole abduction was to get him away from that inc on his face knife wielding gimmick. Now it probably just refers to Samoa in his intro. Who or why etc abducted him was never explained.

I think we might get a Joey Ryan led anti TNA faction with the goal of bringing back Impact fans lost during the 2009-2011 period. But that it is a separate storyline I think. Could be the same though or a shoot, hell its fun either way but still thinking work.

Another thought I had was Daniels already starting a new storyline for when the AJ one plays out. It would fit with the current persona he is portraying. Avenging Angel Sting vs Fallen Angel Daniels could be a good program if played right.

[Jack Hood]

All 3 seemed a little bit taller than Sting who is like 6'1-6'3, so its pretty big dudes. That leaves out Ryan, Morrison, and most of the AAA promotion whom Jarrett is down with, and with TNA use of social media today to promote storylines and work angles - I imagine he is behind it. If I had to guess it would be Cliff Compton, DH Smith, & Jay Bradley.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah but as we don't know where they are going with it its just fun speculation, they might never be revealed and just referred to as hired goons kinda like muhamed hassan's pals who did that job on taker that caused such a storm. They could just be some 3D students and or OVW talent, like with the other Abyss at the Slam.

[Makhai]

Apparently it's not a straight round robin tournament...

But, let the speculation begin

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/527698_10150924064981026_1053740559_n.jpg

Jimmy Reiher Jr.(right), Chris Masters(left), John Hennigan(middle)

YOU WANTED A WAR! YOU GOTTA WAR!

[Jaysin]

I could see the one on the left being Masters, but Deuce and Morrison are tan and not one of these guys is tan.

[Astil]

If it's some old WWE midcarders Ill be very upse-

dissapointe-

Okay, I'll just sigh and go "figures"

[nucleardonkey]

Jimmy Reiher Jr.(right), Chris Masters(left), John Hennigan(middle)

YOU WANTED A WAR! YOU GOTTA WAR!

Actually based on recent pictures Masters now has a giant tattoo covering one of his forearms and hand (not sure which side at the moment though) so none of them were him.

[Warhawk8492]

Hopefully its some new guys off the indy circuit. I am hoping maybe Petey Williams could be coming back.

[jjohns44]

What the crap kind of weird ending was that?!

[nucleardonkey]

What the crap kind of weird ending was that?!

That was the 5 steps backwards that TNA is known for. It would have been good if someone in that segment had even an ounce of acting ability.

[Rone Rivendale]

Did you actually think they would have AJ have an affair with Dixie? Of course, there was going to be a swerve. It was done fairly well, other than the 'druggie' being a bad actor. AJ and Dixie did a decent job on their parts though. And the story made sense, unlike some of WWE's convoluted stories that obviously are written 2 minutes before they are acted out.

BTW, I hope Hendrix gets a job at TNA. She is someone I have used in my women's feds in TEW many times. Very nice on the eyes. :P

[crownsy]

Did you actually think they would have AJ have an affair with Dixie? Of course, there was going to be a swerve. It was done fairly well, other than the 'druggie' being a bad actor. AJ and Dixie did a decent job on their parts though. And the story made sense, unlike some of WWE's convoluted stories that obviously are written 2 minutes before they are acted out.

BTW, I hope Hendrix gets a job at TNA. She is someone I have used in my women's feds in TEW many times. Very nice on the eyes. :P

oh yea, this storyline has shown a commitment to deep thinking and fantastic writing :rolleyes:

A completely unbelievable storyline (the cheating) that made NO SENSE.

1. why would dixie not tell serge she was helping an addict? why let him think she was involved in an affair? why would he care that she was helping a person and being noble?

2. Why would dixie freak over the truck playing the telephone convo? and why wouldn't she come clean WEEKS AGO if the only thing she was doing was helping a drug addict recover?

3. im seriously stuck on this point. I get that she wouldn't want to reveal the person's identity. But she could have done that EASILY and still cut this whole "cheating" angle off at the knees. I realize that it's wrestling, and the viewer is expected to suspend disbelief to an extent, but there was literally no reason why she couldn't have told her husband and the audience weeks ago that AJ and her were just helping someone with a personal matter instead of, for some reason, dragging this out.

What was she afraid of? that AJ and her would come off looking too noble for helping out a drug addict in need?

This "swerve" reeked of creative writing itself into a corner and drawing a writers block on what could be so "bad" that dixie/aj would put their marriage's at risk to hide it, but something noble enough to keep them face. and what they finally decided on smells like a pile of dog poo.



Combine that with the fact that, somehow, the addict was an even WORSE actress than that plank with a mouth that is dixie carter, and this show put TNA back 3-4 weeks.

The last few impacts have followed the same pattern, hot start killed by the "family and friends hour" that TNA does for it's main events. You didn't have your champion anywhere near the ME tonight. great move.

Seriously, dixie, brooke, garrett, and sting have been cringe inducing.

The only reason i still watch is for the guys there using to start the show hot (aries, abyss-park, BFG, storm ect.0

[Bigpapa42]

I watched tonight for the first time in awhile. It was pretty solid outside of the Brooke Hogan segments... and then the final segment. Awful. Pure wrestle-crap. Yeah, I'm gonna just keep staying away from TNA.

[jwt13]

Great show......Ending was ehh, but I read it has alot more twists and turns I'm intrested how does Daniels know her?, was Dixie keeping it from Serge for a reason? We will find everything out in the long run just let it play out she where it goes.

[Hyde Hill]

The twist in the story is quite nice but the execution was horrid and yeah they still have some plotholes to fill before moving forward more. BTW papa that's the first time in a long while that the execution failed so badly.

Show was too full as well but that we knew coming in. For the rest nice show and the opening segment was great.

[Self]

Watched Impact. Ending sucked. Muted all of the Brooke Hogan segments. Otherwise liked the show. Brooke Tessmacher impressed me. Points in her match she looked a little unsure, perhaps uncomfortable, but the chain was good, and... That ass. Is it her posture?

Also enjoyed Chris Daniels' drink, RVD doing something different from the top, the BFG guys getting scraps of promo time. Didn't like the Gut Check girl (awful waistlock takedowns, giving and receiving) and most of the BFG matches beginning with a jump before the bell.

Overall, liked it. Fine way to kill 90 minutes.

[Hyde Hill]

I watched tonight for the first time in awhile. It was pretty solid outside of the Brooke Hogan segments... and then the final segment. Awful. Pure wrestle-crap. Yeah, I'm gonna just keep staying away from TNA.

It's mainly bad timing papa this was the worst show in like 3-4 months. Try last weeks show that should show you more of what they are actually doing lately.

[jjohns44]

Would have been less confusing if it had been like a wrestler within the company, like wanting to keep it a secret because it would hurt their career. Or someone Dixie, AJ or Daniels knew personally like AJ's wife, or a storyline sister of Dixie or something. But just some random woman to throw in there who didn't really reveal who she was to AJ or Dixie.

[Bigpapa42]

It's mainly bad timing papa this was the worst show in like 3-4 months. Try last weeks show that should show you more of what they are actually doing lately.

I haven't watched regularly since the whole 10/10/10 crap. The problem is that every time I check them out for a show or two, there is something like this. I keep hearing "oh, its getting better" and end up checking it out. But its really the same thing every time. Some good, yeah, but still some crap. A couple months back, it was spamming Hogan and the whole Garrett Bischoff stuff. Some good and some bad just seems to be the TNA way. Unfortunately, the bad tends to be relative deal-killers for me. Which sucks at the moment, as the WWE is pretty atrocious of late.

[Astil]

From another board I go to

"I REALLY want to like TNA. But it's like being in an on-again/off-again relationship with an ex you're trying to get over. You notice their change in behavior, more refined manners, they've cleaned themselves up a bit. It's refreshing. So you go back and have a few really great, promising weeks. Things are looking up! And they have one bad day and wind up binge drinking for a month straight. They wind up going into a drunken rampage, making some obscene phone calls that ruin their already unstable image and THEN you remember why you left them in the first place."
-Grant

[Self]

After hearing critiques and watching the show, I'll take people's word that Impact's getting 'better'. The craftsmanship does seem to have improved. I applaud it, but I'm not a guy desperately searching for a wrestling show that 'doesn't suck'. Like any TV show, I'm after something that grabs me. Action that excites me. Plots that thrill me. Characters I can relate to. Objectively well-booked angles and finishes that make sense are nice and all, but ultimately my decision on whether to keep watching Impact comes down to the deeply subjective. What characters and storylines grabbed me? Alas, zero.

What would I be interested in seeing on next week's Impact? Brooke's ass? Kinda, but I could always rewatch this week's episode for that. I want to see Bully Ray with his shirt off, but I don't see that happening soon. I love the idea of the BFG league set up, but I can't say I'm clamoring for specific matches.

It's not the absence of negatives that will make me regularly tune in, but the presence of subjective positives. Not enough in TNA. Maybe I'll watch again next week. I certainly wasn't turned off. Which, sadly, represents a bit of an uptrend.

[Target Practice]

From another board I go to

"I REALLY want to like TNA. But it's like being in an on-again/off-again relationship with an ex you're trying to get over. You notice their change in behavior, more refined manners, they've cleaned themselves up a bit. It's refreshing. So you go back and have a few really great, promising weeks. Things are looking up! And they have one bad day and wind up binge drinking for a month straight. They wind up going into a drunken rampage, making some obscene phone calls that ruin their already unstable image and THEN you remember why you left them in the first place."
-Grant

Nail. On. Head.

[Bigpapa42]

After hearing critiques and watching the show, I'll take people's word that Impact's getting 'better'. The craftsmanship does seem to have improved. I applaud it, but I'm not a guy desperately searching for a wrestling show that 'doesn't suck'. Like any TV show, I'm after something that grabs me. Action that excites me. Plots that thrill me. Characters I can relate to. Objectively well-booked angles and finishes that make sense are nice and all, but ultimately my decision on whether to keep watching Impact comes down to the deeply subjective. What characters and storylines grabbed me? Alas, zero.

What would I be interested in seeing on next week's Impact? Brooke's ass? Kinda, but I could always rewatch this week's episode for that. I want to see Bully Ray with his shirt off, but I don't see that happening soon. I love the idea of the BFG league set up, but I can't say I'm clamoring for specific matches.

It's not the absence of negatives that will make me regularly tune in, but the presence of subjective positives. Not enough in TNA. Maybe I'll watch again next week. I certainly wasn't turned off. Which, sadly, represents a bit of an uptrend.

That's sums up how I feel pretty nicely as well, Self.

I want to invest in the show and the product. I can't do that if I'm only mildly interested by things, or turned off by just as much as I am intrigued by. That's an issue I have with the WWE as well - I can only invest so much because my reaction is very mixed. And if I can't invest myself in it, why bother? There are other things I can watch and be mildly entertained by.

[Astil]

That's sums up how I feel pretty nicely as well, Self.

I want to invest in the show and the product. I can't do that if I'm only mildly interested by things, or turned off by just as much as I am intrigued by. That's an issue I have with the WWE as well - I can only invest so much because my reaction is very mixed. And if I can't invest myself in it, why bother? There are other things I can watch and be mildly entertained by.

Have you tried NXT? It's silly fun.

[Bigpapa42]

Have you tried NXT? It's silly fun.

I have and enjoy it. Can't say I watch it regularly, as my PVR doesn't seem to like it and its only on TV here.

[Astil]

I have and enjoy it. Can't say I watch it regularly, as my PVR doesn't seem to like it and its only on TV here.

It's not on Youtube there?

[Bigpapa42]

It's not on Youtube there?

If I'm not mistaken, they IP block based on location. They still have a TV broadcast deal for it here, so they don't want people here watching it other ways. There are ways around that, of course, but I'm not usually determined enough to watch it to bother.

For awhile, it was best thing WWE had going. It was almost like certain individuals in the company overlooked it, so the wrtiers jut got to do whatever. And the result was fun with some rather compelling characters. I think both companies might want to take note of that....

[Hyde Hill]

I get all the complaints but this is the first time in a long while they had such an f up. And just watching one show especially with wrestling never really gets you emotionally invested imho. Ah well TNA will need another 2 months of good shows prolly to get people to give it a shot again. Such a shame. Post lockdown till this show was a really good run and most of the shows pre lockdown where good as well apart from GB.

On nxt haven't they basically fused it with FCW? So will prolly be a bit different show. Ring Ka king is also a good laugh to watch, with the crowd its like being teleported back to the 70s.

[Astil]

If I'm not mistaken, they IP block based on location. They still have a TV broadcast deal for it here, so they don't want people here watching it other ways. There are ways around that, of course, but I'm not usually determined enough to watch it to bother.

For awhile, it was best thing WWE had going. It was almost like certain individuals in the company overlooked it, so the wrtiers jut got to do whatever. And the result was fun with some rather compelling characters. I think both companies might want to take note of that....[

This is the main reason I enjoy it. The "oh what could be" factor.

Also I enjoy getting weird

I get all the complaints but this is the first time in a long while they had such an f up. And just watching one show especially with wrestling never really gets you emotionally invested imho. Ah well TNA will need another 2 months of good shows prolly to get people to give it a shot again. Such a shame. Post lockdown till this show was a really good run and most of the shows pre lockdown where good as well apart from GB.

On nxt haven't they basically fused it with FCW? So will prolly be a bit different show. Ring Ka king is also a good laugh to watch, with the crowd its like being teleported back to the 70s.

The whole AJ-Dixie storyline was a huge mistake imo. Dixie can't act. Just a huge flop.

Also, didn't they recently do a Hogan tape thing that flopped.

Also also James Storm has to win the BFG thing to get at Roode at BFG, no?

[Bigpapa42]

I get all the complaints but this is the first time in a long while they had such an f up. And just watching one show especially with wrestling never really gets you emotionally invested imho. Ah well TNA will need another 2 months of good shows prolly to get people to give it a shot again. Such a shame. Post lockdown till this show was a really good run and most of the shows pre lockdown where good as well apart from GB.

On nxt haven't they basically fused it with FCW? So will prolly be a bit different show. Ring Ka king is also a good laugh to watch, with the crowd its like being teleported back to the 70s.

Its only one show, but its the same basic thing I get out of TNA every time I go back. A few months back, I watched a few episodes. I was drawn back by the same claims - they are doing good things, the "stupid" crap is almsot gone, etc. And in some ways, they were doing good. Roode with the beld, feuding with Storm... Aries and Bully Ray being allowed to be pretty awesome. It was around the time they were diong the UK episodes. Some stuff. But also moer than a bit of crap. They had Garrett Bischoff all over everything at that point. They did the "big reveal" of Hogan being behind Garrett, even though Hogan's return was already hyped for that episode, plus they had something like 7 segments in total on the show on the topic, which was ridiculous overkill. There was another nonsense segment around then where two of the top heel Knockouts were suddenly teaming together to attack the babyface Knockouts, and then back with their regular tag team partners the next week like nothing happened.

You're right that one show isn't enough to invest. But it can give me an indication if I want to continue watching and try to get invested. And I don't. Same TNA.

They keep making mistakes. And worse, they don't learn from those mistakes. Its why I cannot bring myself to expect something different from them. I truly truly hope they prove me wrong, but so far, after watching/following for the past four years, they haven't yet.

And yeah, they have fused NXT tapings with FCW. The first episode last night was pretty okay. Not fantastic and really not close to as good as what they had going, but their were some pieces there.

This is the main reason I enjoy it. The "oh what could be" factor.

Also I enjoy getting weird

The whole AJ-Dixie storyline was a huge mistake imo. Dixie can't act. Just a huge flop.

Also, didn't they recently do a Hogan tape thing that flopped.

Also also James Storm has to win the BFG thing to get at Roode at BFG, no?

Yeah, it makes you realize what the WWE could do on a weekly basis. Which is as discouraging (since it won't happen) as it is encouraging.

Poor decision making by TNA. Just consistently poor decision-making. I've slowly taken a strong dislike to Dixie Carter. Not necessarily as a person, but in regard to how she runs the company - and her putting herself into a key storyline (or allowing herself to be put into it, not much different) isn't really jmuch less selfish than Hogan and Bischoff getting their kids tons of air-time for no other reason than they can.

[Warhawk8492]

WWE is far worse then TNA. At least TNA is not the watered down PG crap that it is today. I HATE the current WWE product.

[Hyde Hill]

The whole AJ-Dixie storyline was a huge mistake imo. Dixie can't act. Just a huge flop.

Also, didn't they recently do a Hogan tape thing that flopped.

Also also James Storm has to win the BFG thing to get at Roode at BFG, no?

It wasn't too bad except for tonight and yeah Dixie isn't the best on screen but the backstage shots she did weren't that bad.

Hogan tape thing was just pure rumor from one of the least reputable sites around.

So what? Journey there will still be fun and they might decide to change it up you never know till it happens. Apart from Kneejerk jobber Robbie E all the contestants are good ones and the rules are better this time.

And yeah there is still crap on TNA but there is less crap and the focus has been shifted a lot. With Hogan(s) in supporting roles, GB in the undercard now and the "names" being used to mainly make their own talent. That was my biggest gripe before and for the large part has been fixed. If you watch the shows from Lockdown till one past Slammiversary there isn't much cringe worthy, Dixie in ring one time and the endless Robbies vs Devon (+GB) stuff, and a lot of good stuff. WWE is just plain snore with one decent storyline and a bucket of crap to me.

[Astil]

WWE is far worse then TNA. At least TNA is not the watered down PG crap that it is today. I HATE the current WWE product.

I enjoy both products (at times), but don't see anything more edgy about TNA's product than WWE's.


So what? Journey there will still be fun and they might decide to change it up you never know till it happens. Apart from Kneejerk jobber Robbie E all the contestants are good ones and the rules are better this time.

I think you misunderstand my statement for criticism. Just because something is predictable doesn't mean it's bad.

Although I'm not a Storm fan per se.

[Hyde Hill]

I enjoy both products (at times), but don't see anything more edgy about TNA's product than WWE's.



I think you misunderstand my statement for criticism. Just because something is predictable doesn't mean it's bad.

Although I'm not a Storm fan per se.

Just slightly atm they learned from their past mistakes there by not going overkill and having blood, swearing etc actually mean something. But the higher intensity and danger in TEW terms matches are still there. It's more less stale then more edgy if you catch my drift imho.

Ok misread that then as you used also and it was in the same list of some I did think you took as criticism. Anyhoo if/when Storm beats Roode for the title for BFG it will be a hell of a moment.

[Astil]

Just slightly atm they learned from their past mistakes there by not going overkill and having blood, swearing etc actually mean something. But the higher intensity and danger in TEW terms matches are still there. It's more less stale then more edgy if you catch my drift imho.

Ok misread that then as you used also and it was in the same list of some I did think you took as criticism. Anyhoo if/when Storm beats Roode for the title for BFG it will be a hell of a moment.

I agree WWE is more "safe" than TNA, it's why I enjoy watching TNA (even if I don't like there storylines 50% of the time) And somehow WWE has more injuries. Odd.

It was stream of consciousness type thing. Yeah that will be a moment for sure.

[Hyde Hill]

I agree WWE is more "safe" than TNA, it's why I enjoy watching TNA (even if I don't like there storylines 50% of the time) And somehow WWE has more injuries. Odd.

It was stream of consciousness type thing. Yeah that will be a moment for sure.

Schedule and backstage atmosphere that passively encourages working hurt.

[Self]

WWE has more things that annoy me right now. Or at least, would annoy me if I was in any way invested in what they do. I get sad when I hear my indy favourites have try outs now. Good for them, but it bums me out I can only see them if I suffer through a product specifically designed for people with such different interests than me. I'm interested in NXT though. We'll see if the newfangled version is as free as the previous version.

I'm hoping they set up a couple more of the BFG guys as folks who 'need' to win. James Storm 'needs' to win, to confront his former partner. The other guys are just there. They want the belt but they don't need it. If you get, for example, Bobby Roode to attack Jeff Hardy and break his wrist (causing Jeff to go on a 2-3 match losing streak via submission) then Jeff 'needs' to win to get revenge. And set up Kurt Angle with another, similar reason to 'need' that belt or 'need' to get Roode. Then when those guys face off in the latter stages there's uncertainty and drama, and whoever wins, it makes sense. You can push guys like Kurt and make them pure obstacles for Storm to overcome, points wise, but I'd rather have more protagonists in the story.

I love leagues. Thumbs up, TNA. Please do it right.

[Hive]

I'm hoping they set up a couple more of the BFG guys as folks who 'need' to win. James Storm 'needs' to win, to confront his former partner. The other guys are just there. They want the belt but they don't need it. If you get, for example, Bobby Roode to attack Jeff Hardy and break his wrist (causing Jeff to go on a 2-3 match losing streak via submission) then Jeff 'needs' to win to get revenge. And set up Kurt Angle with another, similar reason to 'need' that belt or 'need' to get Roode. Then when those guys face off in the latter stages there's uncertainty and drama, and whoever wins, it makes sense. You can push guys like Kurt and make them pure obstacles for Storm to overcome, points wise, but I'd rather have more protagonists in the story.

Now this is the kind of great storytelling that both TNA and WWE seems incapable of constructing these days. I like it a lot.

[Hyde Hill]

Quite a good piece covering the AJ/Dixie/Daniels/Kaz/Lynch stuff with my more detailed observations in the comment section.

http://www.tnasylum.com/2012/06/lynchpin-to-story.html#idc-container

[Hyde Hill]

Ok this one of the best before the bells ever focusing on Aries:

http://www.tnasylum.com/2012/06/before-bell-destination-x.html#idc-container

Before the bells are generally good but this one is great imho, check it out.

[20LEgend]

Awesome show so far - lots of really good and those terrible bits leave me happy, I can enjoy the good and laugh at the bad. And I'm still waiting for Aj/Angle vs. Kaz/CD!

[Hyde Hill]

Joey Ryan best worked shoot since Summer of Punk 2 and this one is all TNA and isn't being rushed. Love it.

While some people may not like the soap opera aspect of the AJ Daniels etc stuff it has been entertaining for those who do apart from the execution last week which they repaired a lot this week.

TNA is really emphasizing the total in their product lately giving something for everyone and focusing on a core set of talent.

I call them the TNA Twelve: Roode, Storm, AJ, Daniels, Kaz, Joe, Aries, Ray, Angle, RVD, Hardy, Anderson.

Last weeks execution and the lack of named tag teams aside TNA is rocking.

PS Sonjay is back woot! Can't wait to see who is back next week ( Petey, Low Ki, Lethal, being my fav.)

[Self]

Said there was nothing compelling me to keep watching, but... Timeslot is a good 'un. I've got nothing better to do on a Friday morning, and having not seen spoilers, it works out. Plus I heard Jigsaw was on the show, so I watched.

I really like the idea of TNA bringing in random indy cruiserweights for one-shots (Although I personally wouldn't change their names unless they had plans to keep them on the roster) It was ace seeing Scorpio Sky & Jigsaw on a different platform. Never been a Dutt fan, but that finish was insane.

Disappointed with the Bound For Glory tournament. The matches were good, but where did Samoa Joe get all those points from? Who has wrestled how many matches? I'm lost. No house show highlights or anything?

Also don't like how Storm is running away with it. He's the only one who needs to win, and he's winning. No drama.

Yay Joey Ryan. I don't want to called it a 'worked shoot', but a cool, reality based angle.

5 good little matches on the show. Nothing for the Knockouts, which I usually enjoy for variety, but yeah. Decent show.

[Jaysin]

Also don't like how Storm is running away with it. He's the only one who needs to win, and he's winning. No drama.

This makes me think they're going to have it so there's a surprise person in the running at some point to throw people off

[Hyde Hill]

With the current writing team I am pretty sure it won't be straight up Storm in the lead whole time and winning.

[haloed]

Awesome Impact last night for sure. And on Storm running away with it, he really isn't as Joe is fairly close in points now and they seem to have a nice rivalry between the two in the BFG series. Almost will certainly come down to those two in the finals with Storm going over. Or at least thats how I see it.

[Hyde Hill]

Angelina Love has been released by TNA, amicable split.

While I find her a better worker then Sky, Tess, Madison and Rosita and she was one of the original KO's, her role was pretty much played out, having done almost everything there is to do in the KO division and the Lesbian time travel vampire zombie stuff pretty much killed her and it was time to freshen up the KO division so I understand it. All in all good worker but understandable.

[eayragt]

Angelina Love has been released by TNA, amicable split.

While I find her a better worker then Sky, Tess, Madison and Rosita and she was one of the original KO's, her role was pretty much played out, having done almost everything there is to do in the KO division and the Lesbian time travel vampire zombie stuff pretty much killed her and it was time to freshen up the KO division so I understand it. All in all good worker but understandable.

Yeah, I agree with that. She's been one of the top diva's at various points, but as you said she's done just about everything. Would be happy to see her back in a couple of years.

[Hyde Hill]

Great article on TNA by PWI imho. Spread the word if you like the current product imho, along with money the only real power we have as fans.

9 reasons impact wrestling has become a show every true wrestling fan needs watch (http://www.pwinsider.com/article/69816/nine-reasons-impact-wrestling-has-become-a-show-every-true-wrestling-fan-needs-to-watch.html?p=1)

[Hyde Hill]

The reshuffle of the roster continues under the new creative regime as Moore asked and was granted release, he had indicated he wanted to focus more on his tattoo stuff in the past, as well as Morgan strongly hinting on twitter that he is WWE bound.

[Blackman]

Didn't Morgan already hit the E? I remember Survivor Series 2003. He actually showed some talent there already. It seems a natural fit, really.

Not that sad to see Love go, as I didn't watch TNA anyhow. Sad to see that "Sarita" (is she even mexican??) is not being used anymore. Does she even have matches? I loved the tag team with Shantelle.

[Arrows]

Didn't Morgan already hit the E? I remember Survivor Series 2003. He actually showed some talent there already. It seems a natural fit, really.

Just another joke who'll get hit with wellness violations 3 times in a year and a half, and be right back begging TNA for a job.

[Hyde Hill]

Just another joke who'll get hit with wellness violations 3 times in a year and a half, and be right back begging TNA for a job.

????? Dude is as straight as they come and if WWE doesn't manage to make a star out of him with their larger mark fanbase its fail on their part. They need a new good big man desperately.

[Hashasheen]

Didn't Morgan already hit the E? I remember Survivor Series 2003. He actually showed some talent there already. It seems a natural fit, really.

Not that sad to see Love go, as I didn't watch TNA anyhow. Sad to see that "Sarita" (is she even mexican??) is not being used anymore. Does she even have matches? I loved the tag team with Shantelle.

Sarita primarily works for CMLL or AAA (can't remember which) as one of their biggest female stars, which is why she doesn't get sustained pushes on TNA television very often. If I recall correctly, she did an interview recently about her bringing down Rosita to Mexico as back up in this big feud that's supposed to culminate in a 10-women, steel cage, loser gets their hair cut match.

[Hyde Hill]

CMLL and she is Canadian but best known in Mexico and works that style. Yeah Sarita is probably one of the most underutilized talents atm. Hope she gets a run at Tessmacher. And Blackman start checking out TNA a lot has changed for the better last couple of months, apart from one junkie hickup its been good.

[Stennick]

I disagree Hyde I've never been that impressed by Morgan. I'm not saying he's any worse than some of the other big men but the E is already crowded with the likes of Kane, Henry, Ryback (not a big man but pushed like one). I've never been sold on the guy as anything more than average.

[Hyde Hill]

I disagree Hyde I've never been that impressed by Morgan. I'm not saying he's any worse than some of the other big men but the E is already crowded with the likes of Kane, Henry, Ryback (not a big man but pushed like one). I've never been sold on the guy as anything more than average.

Agree to disagree but is there a big man out there who isn't on his last legs that could take over that spot atm? Mason Ryan, Big Zeke? Maybe I am missing someone but there really isn't one there.

And the glut of big/power men is actually a perfect setup for Morgan. He can do a "giant killer" type of gimmick and have him first run over big dudes from the past, the snitskies, Knoxes, Kozlovs etc of this world.

Then the lower card current ones, Zeke, Ryan, Tensai etc. Then move on to Henry and then Show.

Then in the end depending where you want to go you do Kane and have Morgan beat him, have Taker challenge him for revenge and beat Morgan at wrestlemania but having to cheat to do so.

Or have Rey Mysterio challenge him, post Kane, and have Morgan beat him prompting a Batista return and have Morgan beat him at mania.

Or post Kane have him declare no more threats for him and going for the title only for Lesnar to disagree and put him over at Mania.

Instant maineventer. And can scan his progress, if the fans don't react or he fs up on screen or off screen can pull the plug.

[sheepy]

I disagree Hyde I've never been that impressed by Morgan. I'm not saying he's any worse than some of the other big men but the E is already crowded with the likes of Kane, Henry, Ryback (not a big man but pushed like one). I've never been sold on the guy as anything more than average.

I've always dug him. He's fairly limited in the ring (decent but not outlandish) but I found when he was in decent feuds he was pretty damn good on the mike. Think TNA screwed up on their part as they could have easily built him into a ME 1 / 2 years ago but cut his push when he was getting over.

Towards the end of the MEM days I always thought if Kurt formed a break away faction with Joe and Morgan that would have been the smart end with Morgan and Joe pretty much burying the likes of Booker, Nash and Steiner

[Blackman]

CMLL and she is Canadian but best known in Mexico and works that style. Yeah Sarita is probably one of the most underutilized talents atm. Hope she gets a run at Tessmacher. And Blackman start checking out TNA a lot has changed for the better last couple of months, apart from one junkie hickup its been good.

Allé vooruit dan, k'zal nog ene keer kijken. Maar als't suckt dan hebben ze toch weer voor een tijdje afgedaan hoor.

As for TNA's commentary. Is it still Tazz? Can't express how much I like the guy, but as a colour commentator, he's fairly limited. Gets stale pretty quickly, and that's coming from a guy who thought King was awesome. :p But hey, it's better than that guy they had in their early period. Whatshisname? Loved the way he went all out on everything Amazing Red did. Quite funny. The professor is still good as always. He doesn't give you that 'warm and cosy' feeling JR did (felt like he was hosting a BBQ every damn time), but it's still quality stuff, just like Prazak, who I don't like that much but I can't say anything bad about his commentary.

[Hyde Hill]

Lol nederlands op the boards, kan je aanraden die van vorige donderdag en die van 2 weken daarvoor te kijken eerst, die waren heel goed, Slammiversary ook.

Your referring to Don West and he was actually pretty good in his heel run but he and TNA wanted him to completely focus on marketing which he apparently did a good job at. Tenay lately has seemed more energized just like a lot of the roster. Taz meh, he has his moments, sometimes hes good at explaining at what the wrestlers are doing in the ring and then he gets goofy.

[Arrows]

Hebner look like a really old Mr Anderson to anyone else?

[Hyde Hill]

Lol. Slick Johnson still has the drop on him as it pertains to Madison. If anyone remembers that segment.

[Hyde Hill]

So it has to be me again? Anyhoo kickass show even though apart from King the X guys where of lesser caliber.

Des X

Taz taking personal time off so JB and Tenay at commentary, anyone else smell a visit to LA and Ryan?

4 way qualifier for 8th spot: Rubix, Andrews, Darsow, Lars. - either rubix or andrews should win.

4 qualifier matches involving: Ion, Williams, Kash, Dutt, Cameron, Flip, King, ??? - Ion, Dutt, King, Williams/ Kash should win imho.

Ultimate X 4 way for the title: Dutt/King/Ion would all be good winners.

Joe vs Angle BFGS - always a good match lets say time limit draw because both focus on submission.

AJ vs Daniels last man standing - yes this again but a nice stip and always a good match, Daniels wins for once Kaz involvement. Plz no Claire heel turn.

Roode vs Aries - Great build and will be interesting to see how they pull this off. Lets go simple Aries wins via DQ.

Should be a great show although some of the qualifiers will suffer for time.

[Hyde Hill]

BTW anyone else feel the similarities between King and Aries striking? Leaving ROH for more money, coming in via tournament at Des X time, Aries helping train King, both former TNA guys, Aries trying out for tough enough and King being final 4 but losing to Nidia and Gayda (fail).

[The Final Countdown]

Aries' departure from ROH is pretty different from Kenny's. ROH stopped booking him in the fall of 2010, and he didn't come to TNA until, what, the summer of 2011? Not really comparable.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah true but still both had ROH as their last employer. And left probably for money reasons and Aries apparently also creative differences if you want to put a name to it. The whole King situation is kinda unique contract wise. Still plenty of overlaps in total. Also instead of going Aries style and dominating the X division I would rather see Rhett come in down the line.

[Arrows]

I really want to see Dutt win this thing.

My money's on King, given everything we now know. That'd be kinda disappointing though. Part of me really hopes he gets dropped to the bottom of the X-Division and jobs to everyone during his time in TNA, if this is the type of man he is.

Ion's reckless, and has proven such. The push he got after what happened was absurd. The man does not deserve to be champion. That simple.

Dutt's always been an incredible talent, and while I don't see him having a long run with the strap, he helped put over a lot of these X-Division guys, and he deserves a run of some sort.

[BHK1978]

I wouldn't mind seeing Douglas Williams (Who they should use a lot more in my opinion.) or Dutt. Because to me they are TNA guys, yes Dutt left and Doug has been kept off T.V. but I would rather see it on someone who has done their time in TNA.

[nucleardonkey]

My money's on King, given everything we now know. That'd be kinda disappointing though. Part of me really hopes he gets dropped to the bottom of the X-Division and jobs to everyone during his time in TNA, if this is the type of man he is.

I agree, at least in the short term. I would love to see King get annihilated for the next year or so but I still hope he is able to have some sort of a career afterwards because he still a great talent, just a horrible business man.

[Hyde Hill]

Type of man that grabs a better deal when he is free to do so? Ah well I don't see this what he did as big as a deal as people make it out to be and us only having heard ROH's side of the story. Thing is with guys like Williams there is so much talent and storylines going on atm where do you fit him in? Personally I would have both him and Kash return to tag scene and have them be occasional X wrestlers.

And wait wasn't he free to negotiate with other companies? So technically if he signed the deal before the show didn't that cancel out his word agreement making a tv appearance ok? Ah well think its being way overblown.

[Arrows]

Type of man that grabs a better deal when he is free to do so? Ah well I don't see this what he did as big as a deal as people make it out to be and us only having heard ROH's side of the story. Thing is with guys like Williams there is so much talent and storylines going on atm where do you fit him in? Personally I would have both him and Kash return to tag scene and have them be occasional X wrestlers.

And wait wasn't he free to negotiate with other companies? So technically if he signed the deal before the show didn't that cancel out his word agreement making a tv appearance ok? Ah well think its being way overblown.

Before that expiration, an agreement was reached between Kenny and ROH management for an extension of that contract, with a provision to allow him to negotiate with any other promotions so that he could evaluate his options and any potential interest in him elsewhere. When that short extension concluded he would then be free to accept an offer elsewhere, or sign another long term contract with ROH.


He was locked in, likely for a month, to give ROH time to have them drop the belts.

[Blackman]

Last week's episode was pretty decent actually, like you said. I'll never wash these eyes again! All decent action, the segments mattered somewhat, good matchups... I couldn't believe what I was seeing: Austin Aries getting air time and a PPV main event, no crappy diva match (sorry velvet), and it had the Fallen Angel still going on strong. The whole drug addict thing was probably the worst part of the show, along with the "gut check" segment. I really like women's involvement in this industry (like shimmer), but not if they're stinking up cards like this show. Without those it would've been a nice episode.

[nucleardonkey]

Type of man that grabs a better deal when he is free to do so? Ah well I don't see this what he did as big as a deal as people make it out to be and us only having heard ROH's side of the story. Thing is with guys like Williams there is so much talent and storylines going on atm where do you fit him in? Personally I would have both him and Kash return to tag scene and have them be occasional X wrestlers.

And wait wasn't he free to negotiate with other companies? So technically if he signed the deal before the show didn't that cancel out his word agreement making a tv appearance ok? Ah well think its being way overblown.

The problem is not that he grabbed the better deal or anything like that. The problem is that he didn't give ROH any notice that he was doing so. In fact until Thursday morning they were still under the impression that he was signed would be honoring their agreement and either signing a new long term deal or at least working with them long enough to drop the tag titles. He basically gave ROH only a few hours warning that he would not be honoring their agreement and thus would not be returning at all. To make matters worse he had only just won the tag titles 2 weeks ago meaning on some level he was saying/doing something that put caused ROH to have faith that they would have him around for a while to come. That's where the anger comes in, he left them with very few options as far as the tag titles and unlike TNA and WWE ROH actually care about how their championships look....even their tag titles.

[Hyde Hill]

Meh knowing TNA they would have probably allowed him to appear on ROH to drop the strap etc. Its more fail on ROH's part then anything. But ah well nice talent lets see what he does.

[codey]

Honestly, it was a horrible decision by RoH as well to give a man a title the night his contract expired, I don't care if they had a "handshake agreement." Blame needs to be placed all around here.

[Self]

I'm pretty much ignoring the politics. Haven't read up. Don't plan to.

I've been digging seeing indy guys come in for this tournament. I seriously marked out for Johnny Yuma. He's not my favourite PWG guy, and his performance was iffy in places (I blame King for messing up his stunner variation) but I marked out nonetheless.

Out of the 'new' guys, Sonjay Dutt and Kenny King seemed to be in a class of their own. I like Jigsaw, but Dutt looked twice the wrestler he was, in look, in poise, in his offense. It was an even bigger gap between Kenny King and Yuma. Flip Kendrick looked like all his moves were just barely rescued from botch city, and I can't remember what Sabian did, except make me wish Scorpio Sky had won instead.

I want Dutt or King to win the title. They're better than the other new faces, and I'd prefer new hat to old hat.

Should be a great show although some of the qualifiers will suffer for time.

They'll be short, but I don't think they'll 'suffer'. Generally, I'm all for longer matches on television, but these quick X-Division qualifiers are kinda doing it for me. They're action packed lightning bolts of fun. I don't really need to see these guys 'work holds' or 'tell stories'. Let the bigger guys do that. I want flips and springboards and head drops, and lots of 'em. Give them 5 -6 minutes to cram in only their best, smoothest, least botch-tastic spots.

Psyched for the PPV.


P.S. Man, Devon's a good babyface. I don't think I've seen him wrestle for at least a year. He was so animated. Enjoyed him.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah was more a mode of expression. With X style matches shortness doesn't have to a problem but I like the longer ones which combine both the high octane style and tell a story and have selling, less then some like but there is a logic behind it as their high impact moves have do less damage and they are used to taking a beating coming so far being smaller. AKA cruiser logic, and that's the most important thing that it remains looking realistic.

Anyhoo should be a very entertaining PPV with an already decently built post show.

[Self]

Actually, I think I like 'em short because part of me is going "please don't botch anything, come on Yuma, just go home, go home, go... Aww."

[Arrows]

Was wondering who he was. Might have to check out some of his work from over there. I usually don't get to see much indy stuff. Don't really have the money to spend to do so. Seemed like a talented guy, and I'd like to see how that move was going to work out before King botched it.

[nucleardonkey]

Meh knowing TNA they would have probably allowed him to appear on ROH to drop the strap etc. Its more fail on ROH's part then anything. But ah well nice talent lets see what he does.

Yea, TNA is really good about allowing guys like that fulfill outside obligations. Like Jeez (Rashad Cameron) advancing to the PPV and then the next night working Shane Douglas' Extreme Rising show against The Gangstas. Obviously it wouldn't have been a problem for King to show up at ROH's next show or next few shows and drop the titles the right way. ROH just made a really childish knee-jerk reaction to what could have been a non-issue.

[liontamer]

watching the x-division stuff made me wonder what ever happened to creed? did he make it in wwe? or is he back on the indy's. I thought he looked pretty good.

[Jaysin]

watching the x-division stuff made me wonder what ever happened to creed? did he make it in wwe? or is he back on the indy's. I thought he looked pretty good.

He's Xavier Woods in FCW

[Hyde Hill]

Kenny Kings side of the story, source confirmed twitter:


Kenny King released the following:
My people's,

First and foremost to all of my friends, Family and everyone riding with me on this one thank you. The love and support has been unreal. It doesn't matter if your'e a new Kenny King fan or you've been with your boy since tough enough. My passion for this sport reflects yours, and I will continue to bust my ass to give back the love you have shown me.

Second I would like to thank @ringofhonor for the opportunity To master my craft against some of the best wrestlers in the world. The last 4 years have been invaluable to my career. I have nothing but love and respect for the company that allowed me to find myself and grow as a wrestler.

Next, since the content of my character has been called into question, just ask about me. My integrity and HONOR has always been above reproach. But since they wanna talk bad about your boy, consider this...

(spoiler alert)

I was offered a contract extension, I had reservations about the parameters of the extension and [how] effective my "free agent" option would be.

I gave a handshake agreement that I wouldn't do anything "screwy" with the belts. A la medusa. [WWE belt in trashcan on WCW Nitro]

I gave ROH information about every move that I made regarding working for @impactwrestling. Realistically they could have just found out when they saw my black ass walking down to the ring.

I was given a physical contact extension by ROH, which I respectfully declined to sign due to the reasons I stated above.

If I declined to sign an actual contract extension, how could anyone think there was a verbal agreement?

I took the biggest gamble of my career this weekend. So going into destination X tomorrow night I am prepared to put it all on the line. I am especially grateful to @tnadixie and @impactwrestling for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills on a bigger stage. I was given an amazing opening and I took it. Ask Eminem how many chances you get to blow up. The world will watch tomorrow, and I got a bag full of fireworks. Tomorrow is coronation day.

Thank you.
Kenny King

Between the [] are my additions for better reading.

[Jaysin]

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3604-Before-The-Bell-Destination-X-Preview-The-July-8-Pay-Per-View

Before The Bell for Destination X. It focuses on Roode vs Aries.

I love the Before the Bell.

Aries and Roode have the opportunity to put on one of the best shows out there tonight. I can't wait to see it.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah I posted that before the bell a while back. They are always great but that was one of the best ever.

[Jaysin]

Austin Aries wins!

:D

[Lo-Drew]

Time to bow down to your new World Champion for thou is the Greatest Man That Ever Lived. In all seriously, awesome PPV, TNA has been on a roll the past two months and you can make a case that Impact Wrestling has been the best wrestling show in North American.

[BHK1978]

I will admit that I did not see the Austin Aries win coming. I thought for sure they were setting it up for James Storm to win. Not that I disagree with the move though.

[nucleardonkey]

TNA's finally picking up. This is the longest they've gone in years without taking a major step backwards and every step they take forward is even bigger than the last. I personally can't wait to see where they go from here I can seriously see TNA breaking out over the next year or 2 if they keep this momentum up without taking too many steps backwards. Since going live iMpact has been better than RAW consistently and the PPVs have been getting better and better.

[Arrows]

Austin Aries wins!

:D

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!


My neighbors are PISSED right now. I avoided everything until I got to see the PPV, and while the Ultimate X was a bit of a let down, that ending more than made up for it.

Can't believe they put the belt on him.

[The Final Countdown]

Very (pleasantly) surprised. I'm expecting Roode to win it back soon, because it seems to me like Storm winning the BFG series and challenging Roode is still the most logical outcome. But no matter what happens, I'm thrilled for Aries. He deserves it, and I'm glad to see TNA recognizes just how good he really is.

Oh, and Lo-Drew: I am in total agreement. I don't like every single storyline they've got running, but overall, I'm enjoying TNA more than either WWE or ROH right now.

[Basmat01]

Well at least it proves that you dont need Sting, Jeff Hardy, RVD, Abyss, Bully Ray, Matt Morgan, Hulk Hogan ect to have a good PPV.

Personally I dont think Ares will hold the title that long.

[Hyde Hill]

Great great ppv. Numbers are enjoyment simple enough.

Last chance four way: Highly enjoyable with good spots and without bad setups etc. 7.25/10

Kash vs Andrews: Good match with Kash doing good work in butting Andrews over. 7/10

Joe Promo: Good and to the point. 7.5/10

King vs Williams: More technical match and also good. 7/10

Daniels promo: Excellent as always. 7.75/10

Dutt vs Cameron: My personal fav out of the qualifiers. 7.25/10

Sorenson promo: Decent stuff and sets up a good story. Not as impressed as others apparently 6.5/10

Ion vs Casanova: Did what it should do. 6.5/10

King, Dutt, Andrews, Roode promo: Good stuff from the three and excellent from Roode. 7.25/10

Joe vs Angle: Kickass match as always between these two. 8.25/10

Daniels vs AJ video: Good package focusing on the strong parts of the story. 8/10

AJ vs Daniels: Super stuff. 9/10

Aries promo: Also good as always. 7.75/10

Ultimate X: Good match and Dutt is a badass could have been higher but can't blame an unfortunate injury. 7.5/10

Ion Promo: He did a decent job despite the annoying fans. 7/10

Aries vs Roode video package: Excellent 9/10

Aries vs Roode: 10/10 nough said.

Total enjoyment PPV: 9.25/10

Moving forward:

I still expect Roode to win it back possibly with Storm costing Aries the win as he wants Roode at BFG setting up Storm vs Aries post BFG. While Roode vs Storm for the title has been lessened slightly it is still an epic story and deserves the title. But even without it it will be great. If Aries retains I expect Angle or Hardy or RVD to put him over at BFG.

BFG series has now been thrown wide open elevating the excitement level of it, I think what the Roode vs Storm story has lost has been more then won in the BFG series, Aries story and X division elevation so its an overall win.

In the X division I expect Ion to hold it for a while with Dutt and King being the main chasers till Sorensen comes back, after that we shall see. Williams and Kash get either let go to make room for other new guys or get transitioned to primary tag scene. King not winning is the right call as a non established guy shouldn't come out of nowhere to win it. While hot with the die hard wrestling followers he isn't as much with the casuals yet. Plus we have to see if his tag buddy shows up soon.

Being the IWC some minor minor gripes: Impact zone was mediocre and not as good as the live TV's imho, King vs Williams and Andrews vs Kash went a tad too long that time should have gone to Daniels vs AJ, Ultimate X and Aries vs Roode. Would have liked the old raise the hand three times deal with the Angle submission. If Roode had kicked out of the brainbuster for another near fall it would have been 11/10.

I was on the fence if TNA should go the slow route with income coming before investment as it came to advertising, going on the road etc aka the smart and safe route. But with the current product I really feel Dixie should ask Panda for a second round of investment like in 2004-2005 in order to try and blow the roof of the place aka the risky route. The talent is there, the product is there, the momentum is there, the booking is there. If it doesn't work out they can always go back to this level and pay Panda back. After the Asylum era, the Cross the Change era we are now officially in the Real era.

[Macca316]

I think one of 2 things now needs to happen, either Roode needs to start interfering in Storms matches and cost him the BFG series or Storm wins and goes to face Aries and Roode interferes costing Storm the title.

gives them a reason to continue feuding and lets Aries have a decent run with the belt.

[Hyde Hill]

Think need is over stating it as Roode vs Storm for the belt will still be great and this win has solidified Aries as a main event level talent. As long as he remains a prominent part of the show and in the title hunt he will be fine. TNA twelve for the win.

[The Stallion]

First time posting in a long while and first time watching a TNA show in a while. All I have to say is WOW. What a great PPV! The Aries win I did not see coming and while I love him as World Champion I dont think TNA should have pulled the trigger on him so soon. Roode as World Champion was working really well and he plays the part of the Heel Champ so good that I really thought it should have continued until at least BFG. I think Aries should have had a few more high profile wins under his belt before putting on the Title. Sure he beat Bully and Joe, but Bully has not been the world champ yet and what has Joe been really doing (besides having another awesome match against Kurt last night). However this does set up Aries for matches against those guys, I think his status in the company should have been higher.

[Hyde Hill]

Try and watch at least the build towards this PPV. It was so good that Aries winning did feel legit. I'd go from post Lockdown till now which was all really good minus one segment, last segment second impact after Slammiversary, to get really caught up with what TNA is doing. And welcome back and enjoy the show.

[Rone Rivendale]

If you look at he X Title as being more prestigious than say, the US or IC Titles in WWE (which it is), than Aries year long run with it was the build up to his legit Main Event status. And his promos with Roode before the PPV were great. Aries is a smaller guy, but he carries himself like a champion. Since he was the 1st two time ROH Champion, he's been there and knows how to handle it.

I REALLY hope Aries holds onto the belt for at least two months, I think that's the threshold they have to shoot for to not consider his rise to the top as being a wasted opportunity. I like the idea of Storm winning the BFG and then losing to Aries by interference from Roode. Let Roode and Storm have their feud continue to grow without the title involved and allow Aries to feud with some of the other stars of his caliber (ring wise) like AJ, Daniels, Joe, Angle. Maybe Joe and Angle to start since AJ and Daniels is far from over.

I didn't get to see the PPV, but it sounds like one of the better ones TNA has had in a long time. iMPACT has definitely been on the upswing lately with the gut check and the open challenges. Lots of new talent, lots of good established talent. Hogan's staying on the GM side, which is good.

WWE better hope their next generation (the current FCW and NXT stars) can carry the banner. I'm not saying TNA is going to take over the #1 spot, cuz that would be silly, but if TNA continues to grow like they have and WWE doesn't deliver people might start to migrate over. Word of mouth is a very powerful tool. More powerful than any advertising campaign.

Just look at WCW. They officially were around since somewhere in the early 90's (91 maybe?), but they didn't catch fire until several years later. And they got there by having what TNA has right now: Established stars from WWE who could still go and still get a pop (Nash, Hall, Jarrett, Scott Steiner, Hogan(late 90's Hogan was still good and 'Hollywood' was the top heel in the business)) as well as young stars ready to break through (Jericho, Eddie, Mysterio, etc)

All it takes is the right mix of talent, with the right opportunity for enough people to see it and tell their friends, family, etc that something special is happening. WCW rode the wave for a long time until they got WAY too overconfident and Bishoff made the mistake of giving away the Mankind WWE Title win. WCW never won the ratings war again after that nite.

So TL;DR, TNA might be on the verge of stepping to the next level. They just need to keep doing what they are doing and don't rush it.

[Astil]

Austin And Shiima Won! Yessssssss!

[Makhai]

Review time.

Mason Andrews defeated Rubix, Dakota Darsow and Lars Only

Least preferred dude won this match, and it was pretty garbage. - D-

Mason Andrews defeated Kid Kash

I was bored out of my mind at this point. Match was mediocre. - D

Kenny King defeated Douglas Williams

I'm already tired of Kenny King, and I've seen him twice now. - D

Sonjay Dutt defeated Rashad Cameron

I've got nothing to say about this match really. Wasn't very interested to see it, turned out to be an acceptable squash. - C

Zema Ion defeated Flip Cassonova

Zema Ion is probably my least favorite wrestler in the whole world. Flip isn't anybody to write home about, neither was the match. - D

As we turn for home, this is trending as the worst PPV I've seen...

Samoa Joe defeated Kurt Angle in a Bound For Glory Tournament Match

It was Angle-Joe, again. Did it's job, not their best match. - C

A.J. Styles defeated Christopher Daniels in a Last Man Standing Match

This was good. Glad they shoehorned this together at the last minute, kept me from going to bed early. No build, didn't go anywhere, and the story has fallen apart completely, which hurt it big time.- C+


Zema Ion defeated Mason Andrews, Kenny King and Sonjay Dutt to determine the new TNA X Division Champion

Yawn... This match made me miss Chris Sabin about 65x more than I did before. Nothing interesting, or noteworthy about it. Just totally lame from pillar-to-post. - D-

Austin Aries defeated Bobby Roode (c) for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

This match was great, let's start off there. It was rough in some spots, for instance, Bobby Roode's finisher getting kicked out of got zero pop from the fans... and some dumb pacing issues like that. but otherwise it was really good. The finish was... interesting.

On one hand you can say, Ares can just drop it back. On the other I say, you've just neutered your year-long belt feud. And it's going to take more than a BFG series win for Storm and 1 month for Roode as champion to get that momentum back. Maybe you can do it by having Roode absolutely destroy Ares in a flaming table match or something. But you guys saw the roof come off the Impact Zone when Ares got the pin... that's what a hated heel champion getting his due on your A-PPV should look like. Not your hated heel champion dropping the belt to an otherwise mistreated cocky heel(turned cocky babyface?) on your Z-PPV.

It felt to me like Savage pinning Hogan for the belt on Saturday Night Main Event, 3 weeks before Wrestlemania V. Ok, now what are you doing for BFG?

Anyway, - A

Overall Show grade: B-

[Arrows]

And you missed the entire point of the PPV.

Well done.

[Tiberious4]

I'm happy that TNA was willing to really focus on the X-Division in this PPV. A year or two ago I don't think they would have been willing to book it like this, but I'm glad they were willing to risk it. The only people without ties to the X-Division on the card were Angle and Roode, and in both cases they lost to their (former) X-Division Opponent. I think it did a good job of putting over the importance of the X-Division and showing that the division is still meaningful.

Not every match on the card was great by any means, but I like the message TNA is sending in being confident enough in their X-Division to run a PPV focused on them.

[Arrows]

I'm happy that TNA was willing to really focus on the X-Division in this PPV. A year or two ago I don't think they would have been willing to book it like this, but I'm glad they were willing to risk it. The only people without ties to the X-Division on the card were Angle and Roode, and in both cases they lost to their (former) X-Division Opponent. I think it did a good job of putting over the importance of the X-Division and showing that the division is still meaningful.

Not every match on the card was great by any means, but I like the message TNA is sending in being confident enough in their X-Division to run a PPV focused on them.

/nod

Not to mention, the X-Division guys have proven it CAN work, which is huge. After all these years of "Old guy this, old guy that. Old guy wins this belt, old guy holds four belts." Bla bla bla.

Not ONE old guy, except for Angle, was on this show, and Angle was what, midcard? This PPV is exactly what TNA needed to have happen, because now it's entirely possible to keep the focus on guys like these, which is where it should be.

Oh. Latest I've heard says TNA is going to three hours. Guessing this'll mean we see more of these indy guys becoming a regular thing, with the X-Division getting an hour or so of the time throughout Impacts.

Aries loses, none of this matters at all because the X-Division is put beneath everything again. Kinda feel like after last night, Destination X might be the third most important TNA PPV, behind BFG/Slammihoweveryoufnspellit.

[Makhai]

And you missed the entire point of the PPV.

Well done.

No I didn't. Ares getting the shot and an entire card of assorted misfits boring me to tears was all the bone the X-Division deserved. And frankly, the X-Division without Ares is total garbage... So if I never saw it again, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

I'm looking forward to Garrett taking the belt off of whoever in June so he can claim that Destination X World Title shot!

[Jaysin]

/nod

Not to mention, the X-Division guys have proven it CAN work, which is huge. After all these years of "Old guy this, old guy that. Old guy wins this belt, old guy holds four belts." Bla bla bla.

Not ONE old guy, except for Angle, was on this show, and Angle was what, midcard? This PPV is exactly what TNA needed to have happen, because now it's entirely possible to keep the focus on guys like these, which is where it should be.

Oh. Latest I've heard says TNA is going to three hours. Guessing this'll mean we see more of these indy guys becoming a regular thing, with the X-Division getting an hour or so of the time throughout Impacts.

Aries loses, none of this matters at all because the X-Division is put beneath everything again. Kinda feel like after last night, Destination X might be the third most important TNA PPV, behind BFG/Slammihoweveryoufnspellit.

Isn't the extra hour the Rewind show?

[Hyde Hill]

/nod

Not to mention, the X-Division guys have proven it CAN work, which is huge. After all these years of "Old guy this, old guy that. Old guy wins this belt, old guy holds four belts." Bla bla bla.

Not ONE old guy, except for Angle, was on this show, and Angle was what, midcard? This PPV is exactly what TNA needed to have happen, because now it's entirely possible to keep the focus on guys like these, which is where it should be.

Oh. Latest I've heard says TNA is going to three hours. Guessing this'll mean we see more of these indy guys becoming a regular thing, with the X-Division getting an hour or so of the time throughout Impacts.

Aries loses, none of this matters at all because the X-Division is put beneath everything again. Kinda feel like after last night, Destination X might be the third most important TNA PPV, behind BFG/Slammihoweveryoufnspellit.

Guess you only read the headlines as the first hour will be a rewind show recapping the show before it.

And thanks for one of the worst reviews ever again makhai , no taste or understanding of wrestling or how to write a review imho. Or what TNA has been doing lately imho. As evidenced even more by the Garret Bischoff comment in jest or no.

[Arrows]

To be honest, I don't go to sites to get my information. Have a friend, who absolutely hates TNA, who mentioned the hour extension before deciding not to talk about TNA anymore at all, so I wasn't aware of what exactly it entailed.

I tend to avoid going to sites because I like to keep some things a surprise for myself. Makes it a lot easier to be a wrestling fan again when I don't know everything and try to judge on work rate alone.

[Self]

I thought the show was pretty good.

I've been a massive fan of this X-Division tournament, but ultimately that element of this show was a bit of a let down for me. The four way was good (hindsight being 20/20 the wrong guy won, but can't blame 'em for that) and I thoroughly enjoyed Kash/Andrews, largely for Kash's excellent heel work and the 'already fatigued' story, but beyond that I found the qualifiers all a bit too long and a bit too similar. The quickness of X-Division action on TV is part of it's charm for me. Wrestling 'real' matches of a decent length, I was struck by how uninterested I was by the characters on display.

Very disappointed with Ion winning. From a mark perspective, I don't like him. From a smarkier perspective, they've been building up all these new faces, and the title goes to a guy we haven't seen on TV in ages. I found it very unsatisfying.

Joe/Angle did very little for me. Really dug AJ/Daniels. Got into Aries/Roode by the end. Good show. A little hurt by the crowd. A little hurt by having to watch it in one sitting to avoid spoilers (I have no patience any more). Could have done with more variety on the card.

"Rubix!"

[Hyde Hill]

To be honest, I don't go to sites to get my information. Have a friend, who absolutely hates TNA, who mentioned the hour extension before deciding not to talk about TNA anymore at all, so I wasn't aware of what exactly it entailed.

I tend to avoid going to sites because I like to keep some things a surprise for myself. Makes it a lot easier to be a wrestling fan again when I don't know everything and try to judge on work rate alone.

Totally get that, I tend to only go to PWI of the general sites as that's the closest to a non dirt sheet around but I do avoid spoilers.

Edit:

Also to ad into the three hour thing Spike apparently did ask them to go three hours of new content but TNA declined as they wanted full quality focus on the 2 hours they have. I totally understand that if true but given the depth of the roster once the reshuffle is done and the total product is hitting its stride without needing as much attention I would like for TNA to get a good B show that really gets attention, similar to like early WWECW when it still got attention so with storylines etc and not like superstars, that then payoff on Impact or ppv as the roster is so deep right now they need something for the undercard. Pretty much a revamped and improved Xplosion which they are already airing in a lot of international markets. Saturday, Sunday morning or Tuesday would be good slots.

[petecrimson00]

Am I the only one that thinks they are playing up the Ion/Sorenson feud too much, having Ion win the title ironically whe Sorenson wished for it and won't be back for months, I think that could've gone a bit more tastefully, especially the way too short Ultimate X.

but the main event was badass and believable. I hadnt been that excited at the end of a match in forever. I felt like a kid again

[Hyde Hill]

Am I the only one that thinks they are playing up the Ion/Sorenson feud too much, having Ion win the title ironically whe Sorenson wished for it and won't be back for months, I think that could've gone a bit more tastefully, especially the way too short Ultimate X.

Think the ultimate X disappointing more because of the bad execution of the finish and Dutt's injury early in the match. But Ion winning was the right choice as you don't want someone "new" coming in just winning the belt and he was the most viable of the heels. They kinda telegraphed it with the Sorenson thing but not too much, didn't think the segment was in bad taste or anything. Now you will have Ion holding and the new guys that get signed chasing.

but the main event was badass and believable. I hadnt been that excited at the end of a match in forever. I felt like a kid again

Personally to me that is one of the best things current creative is doing. Suspension of disbelief is back. With for instance the worked shoot nature of the Joey Ryan thing I am now less convinced Morgan is gone and that he might be part of Aces and Eights for instance. Ah well I am confident current creative will give us something good or at least decent as long as they don't hire bad actresses.

[petecrimson00]

Think the ultimate X disappointing more because of the bad execution of the finish and Dutt's injury early in the match. But Ion winning was the right choice as you don't want someone "new" coming in just winning the belt and he was the most viable of the heels. They kinda telegraphed it with the Sorenson thing but not too much, didn't think the segment was in bad taste or anything. Now you will have Ion holding and the new guys that get signed chasing.

Well, Dutt wasn't exactly new, but I agree he wouldn't have been the right choice. Talent-wise, I'd say he was though absolutely, mainly because his qualifying match was really great IMO. But I like Ion winning I just hope they don't jsut play up the Sorenson feud the entire time.



Personally to me that is one of the best things current creative is doing. Suspension of disbelief is back. With for instance the worked shoot nature of the Joey Ryan thing I am now less convinced Morgan is gone and that he might be part of Aces and Eights for instance. Ah well I am confident current creative will give us something good or at least decent as long as they don't hire bad actresses.

I agree, that main event had me feeling like a kid again because I was in disbelief. I just hope he doesn't turn heel and become the typical cheat to win champion, similar to Roode as of late. A champion should win clean MOST of the time, not all, but most. To at least show he deserves it.

[Hyde Hill]

Think he will either have a good 2 month run with it before Roode gets it back setting up Storm vs Roode for the title or Roode vs Storm will be a grudge match and we get Aries vs Angle/AJ/Joe/Hardy at BFG where he gets put over. Either way will be fine and Roode did get a couple of clean and light cheat aka for a heel clean wins in his reign. I am confident the current writing team will do good whatever they do.

[Self]

Think the ultimate X disappointing more because of the bad execution of the finish and Dutt's injury early in the match. But Ion winning was the right choice as you don't want someone "new" coming in just winning the belt and he was the most viable of the heels. They kinda telegraphed it with the Sorenson thing but not too much, didn't think the segment was in bad taste or anything. Now you will have Ion holding and the new guys that get signed chasing.

That's a fair point I hadn't considered. Based on the story I'd been watching on television for the past few weeks, I expected one of the highlighted guys would win. Ion simply wasn't on television, so his win felt disjointed and unsatisfying to me. However, yeah. If you're giving it to a not-new guy, he's the most viable. I mean, I prefer Kid Kash. I LOVED his performance on Destination X, but Ion is more X-Divisiony.

Before the show, I'd have said Dutt or King should have won. Probably Dutt if you want 'safe' hands politically. In hindsight, good thing they didn't. Dutt got hurt. King was a let-down from his Impact performance. From a crowd perspective, the only newbie I think would have worked was Rubix. Crowd loved him. Could have been a star in one night. Instead, I dunno. It'll take a little longer.

[Blackman]

Kash has already been hogging that belt for years. Last thing we want is some sort of Triple H of the X-division.

[sebsplex]

For the ppv as a whole, I liked a good chunk of it, but I guess I'll echo Self in that too much of the early card felt like unnecessarily drawn out, better-suited-for-TV matches. As a shorter change of pace, they'd work OK, but whilst I'm all for seeing new talent, when there's too much exposed for too long, you realise you're not invested in them at all, which hurts when you're booking a tournament over one night, because beyond the "I want a contract, I'm primetime, this is my shot, blah", none of the journeys/stories were particularly distinct.

The rest served it's purpose. AJ/Daniels moved along and whilst I'm not thrilled with seeing Ion take the belt either, I guess there is a story behind it and from the pool of talent this year, it's hard to argue for many of the alternatives. King will likely be in the mix sooner rather than later and I like Kash, he works great as a transitional champion (not the type you want to win a tournament like this), but I assume the nailed-on Sorenson/Ion feud tipped it.

Even though he put in a turn last year as well, I wouldnt mind seeing Dakota Darsow come back post-ppv.

Aries going over Roode was undoubtedly the big push it came to establishing the X-Division wrestlers as a legitimate threat (and potential equals) to the top tier in TNA. It gave me memories of Angle putting over Lethal way back when he held all the TNA titles... only that time, creative dropped the ball completely, having Lethal punked out later in the same show (in a completely unrelated storyline no less) and the momentum from the big win quickly petered out on TV. Hopefully Aries fares far better, which TNA's current direction suggests is more likely than a year or so ago. It does makes me wonder if Storm's BFG focus will completely go if the prize isn't another crack at Roode?

Time will tell as always.

No I didn't. Ares getting the shot and an entire card of assorted misfits boring me to tears was all the bone the X-Division deserved. And frankly, the X-Division without Ares is total garbage... So if I never saw it again, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Given this perspective (I'm not going to argue for or against it), it kinda makes me wonder why you'd go out of your way to watch Destination X at all?

[petecrimson00]

Kash has already been hogging that belt for years. Last thing we want is some sort of Triple H of the X-division.

Kash only held it once if I'm correct, and he's a worthy champ IMO. he's getting up there in age now though

[Jaysin]

Kash has already been hogging that belt for years. Last thing we want is some sort of Triple H of the X-division.

Kid Kash held the belt once in 2003 for 77 days...

:confused::confused::confused:

[Hyde Hill]

Yup and just for 77 days so not sure what Blackman was talking about. Maybe lost in translation or something. While Kash is a decent talent I'd move him to tags and used occasionally in X to put people over or let him go in order to freshen up the division.

As the great Kevin Sullivan says: "Some must die so that others may live!"

[Self]

While I greatly enjoyed Kash's performance at Destination X, I liked it because I felt he embodied an anti-X-Division wrestler. Whereas your typical X-guy is a young, risk taking high flyer, Kid Kash is a veteran thug. Not someone I'd want embodying the division, but the perfect villain for an up-and-coming rookie to knock off on the way to the top.

[Makhai]

Given this perspective (I'm not going to argue for or against it), it kinda makes me wonder why you'd go out of your way to watch Destination X at all?

This was my first Destination X, and it was solely for the main event. I like Aries, one of the 6 or 7 guys in the world with real talent and next-level potential. Nobody in the X-Division they just brought in has the potential to be world title ready in 12mo. or 12 years for that matter. With the stip they stuck on the Ares cash-in, they're going to have to pour a ton of resources/effort down the drain to chase getting someone to that level. Dutt is solid, but he's a midcarder at his best, and he wasn't at his best. Everybody else is down with a long-term, potentially CEI. I'm not buying Sorensen returning in 3mo. in shape to have a title program. No way they can honestly think that. And even if by some miracle he does... he's Jessie Friggen Sorensen... he was a curtain jerk before the injury.

TNA has a bloated roster. All of these guys didn't need to be signed, and considering the direction they've gone away from the Jarrett era keeping the X-Divison around seems silly to me. Just more guys you need to get on T.V. every week, find programs for. The play was to fold it in and shuffle all of these guys out the nearest exit with the Robbie E's of the world. Too much deadwood... and this card was a perfect showcase of it.

And if your going to come at me with, "The X-Division was what built the company. It deserves a place." then I'd ask you what the X-Division product is supposed to stand for? It's about action and intensity right? They already have those bases covered with Joe, Styles, Danielson, Kazarian, Hardy, RVD, and Aries. All at the top of the card. Why do you need a whole other roster of misfits to accomplish that? You don't.

That can sound heartless considering what the guys on the mend are facing. But the X-Division is just redundant; good businesses know how to take redundancy behind the barn, so to speak.

[Hyde Hill]

Ok you simply don't like the X division fine. Could have been a lot shorter with that. As for your "arguments" not going to bother as from what I have read from you previously.

[Astil]

This was my first Destination X, and it was solely for the main event. I like Aries, one of the 6 or 7 guys in the world with real talent and next-level potential. Nobody in the X-Division they just brought in has the potential to be world title ready in 12mo. or 12 years for that matter. With the stip they stuck on the Ares cash-in, they're going to have to pour a ton of resources/effort down the drain to chase getting someone to that level. Dutt is solid, but he's a midcarder at his best, and he wasn't at his best. Everybody else is down with a long-term, potentially CEI. I'm not buying Sorensen returning in 3mo. in shape to have a title program. No way they can honestly think that. And even if by some miracle he does... he's Jessie Friggen Sorensen... he was a curtain jerk before the injury.

TNA has a bloated roster. All of these guys didn't need to be signed, and considering the direction they've gone away from the Jarrett era keeping the X-Divison around seems silly to me. Just more guys you need to get on T.V. every week, find programs for. The play was to fold it in and shuffle all of these guys out the nearest exit with the Robbie E's of the world. Too much deadwood... and this card was a perfect showcase of it.

And if your going to come at me with, "The X-Division was what built the company. It deserves a place." then I'd ask you what the X-Division product is supposed to stand for? It's about action and intensity right? They already have those bases covered with Joe, Styles, Danielson, Kazarian, Hardy, RVD, and Aries. All at the top of the card. Why do you need a whole other roster of misfits to accomplish that? You don't.

That can sound heartless considering what the guys on the mend are facing. But the X-Division is just redundant; good businesses know how to take redundancy behind the barn, so to speak.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying but will ask you this:

If TNA had kept the status quo would that have been better?

I don't like the X division that much myself (not much of a flpz for flpz sake kind of guy all the time) and there's a reason I did not watch the PPV. however TNA was in a holding pattern at the top, and they just broke it. That alone has to be good, even if the rest of the PPV seemed like a Chikara show. A bad Chikara show at that.

[Hyde Hill]

Apart from the opener not one was a spot fest and even in the opener it wasn't flip for flips sake. There is a big difference between spot monkey and cruiser style etc. King vs Williams was more a technical affair if anything, Angle vs Joe was all round and AJ vs Daniels an intense brawl with some great spots and then the main event.

[Astil]

Apart from the opener not one was a spot fest and even in the opener it wasn't flip for flips sake. There is a big difference between spot monkey and cruiser style etc. King vs Williams was more a technical affair if anything, Angle vs Joe was all round and AJ vs Daniels an intense brawl with some great spots and then the main event.

I should have seperated those 2 thoughts.

The X division premise is mainly FLPZZZZZ! Which is why i don't care for it.

Last night wasn't all FLPZZZZZ. Still felt like a Chiky show. One man's opinion.

[Makhai]

Ok you simply don't like the X division fine. Could have been a lot shorter with that. As for your "arguments" not going to bother as from what I have read from you previously.

Since you shot first. Why don't you stay over at the TNA Asylum forums and circle jerk with the people who apologize for years of garbage. Leave the people who aren't hopeless to enjoy the programming when it's good and bemoan it when it's bad; Otherwise have diverging opinions. You know, like grown-ups are supposed to do... That's just my opinion though. Just so we're clear. :rolleyes:

[Hyde Hill]

And there is where you prove why I wouldn't argue with you.

[Hyde Hill]

I should have seperated those 2 thoughts.

The X division premise is mainly FLPZZZZZ! Which is why i don't care for it.

Last night wasn't all FLPZZZZZ. Still felt like a Chiky show. One man's opinion.

Fine tastes differ.

[Astil]

Fine tastes differ.

Thaaaaaaat said. They get those guys over, and feature them in matches with there main stars, look out.

[Hyde Hill]

Thaaaaaaat said. They get those guys over, and feature them in matches with there main stars, look out.

AJ Styles, Daniels, Joe, Kaz, Aries and to different extent Hardy, RVD?

[Astil]

AJ Styles, Daniels, Joe, Kaz, Aries and to different extent Hardy, RVD?

Minus Kaz and Daniels add in Bully Ray and Ken Anderson and I'm in :)

It's kind of the reason I've been paying attention to TNA instead of blind dismissal. Although last time I "gave them a shot" was Lockdown. Which sucked. So hopefully they build on this right.


EDIT: I realized just now why I get so mad at your posts. I hate Joey Minnesota.

[Hyde Hill]

Minus Kaz and Daniels add in Bully Ray and Ken Anderson and I'm in :)

It's kind of the reason I've been paying attention to TNA instead of blind dismissal. Although last time I "gave them a shot" was Lockdown. Which sucked. So hopefully they build on this right.


EDIT: I realized just now why I get so mad at your posts. I hate Joey Minnesota.

Yeah Lockdown with the crowd and GB and the bad crowd miking and Storm loosing and some lackluster performances alround was a real disappointment since then its been really good one crack whore actress aside imho.

I was only listing "high flyers" there there is also Angle, Roode, Storm still around.

Sorry for the Joey pic but i have become kind of attached to it and I had it before he became an A hole in game.

I tend to call them the TNA Twelve: Roode, Storm, AJ, Aries, Joe, Ray, Daniels, Kaz, Angle, Hardy, RVD and Anderson. Almost always on the show and almost always deliver (if you like them) and the core of the show so to speak with good support cast in guys like Pope, Magnus, Parks etc and the KO's and X guys.

[Makhai]

I agree with a lot of what you are saying but will ask you this:

If TNA had kept the status quo would that have been better?

I don't like the X division that much myself (not much of a flpz for flpz sake kind of guy all the time) and there's a reason I did not watch the PPV. however TNA was in a holding pattern at the top, and they just broke it. That alone has to be good, even if the rest of the PPV seemed like a Chikara show. A bad Chikara show at that.

I think we're all in agreement that the event was good. As for the X-Division... More like an old PWR show, maybe a Chikara house-show.

[Astil]

I think we're all in agreement that the event was good. As for the X-Division... More like an old PWR show, maybe a Chikara house-show.

Maybe an EVOLVE show? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Makhai]

Maybe an EVOLVE show? Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I can sign for this...

[Blackman]

Yup and just for 77 days so not sure what Blackman was talking about. Maybe lost in translation or something. While Kash is a decent talent I'd move him to tags and used occasionally in X to put people over or let him go in order to freshen up the division.

As the great Kevin Sullivan says: "Some must die so that others may live!"

I was perhaps overexaggerating a little. :p

It were the 77 days I watched every TNA show, instead of now only occasionally. Boy, does time fly or what? :p

[Hyde Hill]

So anyone effected by the Directv and Viacom tiff? Glad I am not but kinda a bummer with TNA being on a roll lately. Having read both sides I blame both sides with Directv doing a lot of spin and both playing hardball.

It just sucks for TNA and TNA fans that have directv especially on the roll they have been.

[matthew222]

Well I was lucky enough to have DirectTV. I was excited to see Austin Aries with the title on iMPACT and then these two companies fight and they drop Spike TV.

They better get the channels back

[nucleardonkey]

Yep, another DirecTV subscriber here. I was so excited for the first iMpact with A Double as world champion and then they pull the network. I didn't even know anything was happening until I went to watch Fantasy Factory and MTV was gone. Never have I been so sad not being able to watch MTV.

If anyone would like to PM me a way to watch iMpact live online I would be ever so grateful. There may even be a back rub in it for you ;)

[Fleisch]

The following is opinion and not fact ;) - I have really started to like TNA's direction and it has got me actually wanting to watch the next Impact. The BFG series is looking good after the early days had you believing Roode would be facing Storm... now it could be Aries vs. Joe (yes I will mark out as I don't do it often :D).

Bobby Roode for me is one of the best heels TNA have had in a long time. You just want to hate him! Puts on good matches, mic skills are improving almost weekly and you just want someone to beat the crap out of him, but for the right reasons.

I am really liking the Bully Ray/Joseph Parkes feud. Very entertaining. I know what I would like to happen, whether or not it will is another matter, but it keeps me entertained. Bully Ray has never really been a worker I paid much attention too, but recently he has upped his game to a different level.

I do have one little issue... where's Winter gone?! I need my Katie Lea fix and she's dropped off the planet!

And finally will somebody please get Daniels another Appletini!

[Jingo]

Watched Destination X last night and i will have to point this out .. That is the first PPV i've watched all the way through (other than Royal Rumbles) for a long long time. Not even 100% sure why but i really enjoyed it. I think we are all of the opinion that Roode is going to take the title back sooner rather than later but ... The first thought that popped into my head was Joe vs Aries for the belt at BFG and Storm vs Roode can still happen with Roode costing Storm the series, maybe even after Storm costs Roode his rematch!? I cant wait for this weeks iMPACT dont think i've said that about a wrestling show since around 01/02. I'm even now enjoying Joseph Park (will point out, a bit late i know that him vs Bully Ray was my favorite match of Slammiversary).

[petecrimson00]

women's match on Impact just got more time than all the matches on Raw probably put together. this is why I watch them.

[Jaysin]

Ugh, I wish they'd call the stable Dead Man's Hand not Aces & Eights.

[haloed]

Ugh, I wish they'd call the stable Dead Man's Hand not Aces & Eights.

Definitely agree with you on that.


Another awesome Impact imo. The Aries/ Roode confrontation was pure gold. As was Joseph Park becoming Abyss for a few seconds after seeing his blood. Xema Ion and Dakota Darsow had a surprisingly decent match. Best Darsow has looked that I've seen of him. BFG matches were good. Enjoyed the Aces and Eights thing, looking forward to the eventual reveal.

[BHK1978]

Xema Ion and Dakota Darsow had a surprisingly decent match. Best Darsow has looked that I've seen of him.

The only problem I had with that match was it was too short. I think it ran only three minutes or so.

[Self]

Turned off by this episode. My main attraction to TNA is and always will be the X-Division, and with the renewed lack-of-focus on the flippy-do guys, my interest is waning. Dakota Darsow was by far my least favourite new face, so seeing him against Ion (who I also dislike) in the only X-Division segment didn't light my world on fire. In his defense, his promo was good, the match was fun, and it looks like he was just someone for Ion to take out. Not so much a bad sign for the future, but a downer when watching.

Bully Ray/Joe Park was fun. I thought Tessmacher looked awful in the few spots I bothered to watch. Daniels and Kazarian are my kinda midcard heels. RVD/Joe was iffy. Skipped the main event. Meh. Perhaps I was in a bad mood.

EDIT: Underselling how much I enjoyed Bully Ray and Joe Park. So fun.

[Hashasheen]

The only problem I had with that match was it was too short. I think it ran only three minutes or so.

Darsow's green as goose shit, plus it was a squash to get Ion over. Can't say it needed more time.

[Hyde Hill]

I thought it was a good variety show with something for everyone. Pretty much everyone delivered except for that one bad actress and the Aries speech was great and the matches where good for the time given and plenty to look forward too next week. It wasn't stellar but it was good.

And yeah this is prolly the last we see of Darsow. Ion will prolly be squashing the guys we won't see back long term and then get competitive with the ones we will see longer term. Dutt, King and maybe Andrews and Rubix.

[cappyboy]

Darsow's green as goose shit, plus it was a squash to get Ion over. Can't say it needed more time.

Well, at least he isn't as bad as the goose's attitude. :)

[Hyde Hill]

Could also be that the original plan was a competitive match between Dutt and Ion as I read somewhere, think old PWI news bit, that it was supposed to be Joe vs Robbie this week and not Joe vs RVD so that makes it, if true, even more understandable and more likely Darsow was a filler placement and not permanent. And yeah gooses are evil. Its not the Goose step for nothing ya know lol.

[Fleisch]

Stayed outta this thread as hadn't seen Impact yet from last week (well Sunday here in the UK).

Idiot Disclaimer: These are the opinions of the person writing. All opinions are subject to disagreement on your part, however we would ask that you don't act like a douche and respect the opinions of all those who don't share yours in the same way they have. Thank you in advance...

All in all I think TNA are heading in the right direction. There's work still to be done, but compared to a year ago it has improved 10 fold. A-Double as champ, I actually didn't see that one coming so was surprised and happy with the ending to Destination X. His promo on Impact was awesome too. No one will ever make me believe Bobby Roode sucks because he is by far the greatest heel in TNA (closely followed by the guy in my next sentence).
Bully Ray/Joseph Park story is getting interesting and it looks like they will go the way i was hoping it would so that'll keep me watching. The Aces and Eights group (I prefer the name than that of Dead Mans Hand TBH) has me intrigued and although they may unmask different people in the end, I still think Chris Masters, Luke Gallows and Harry Smith are 3 of them (like a lot of others do), maybe a few AAA guys and all led by... Jarrett. But I'm speculating.

I have just one gripe with TNA at the moment... Claire F'n Lynch. Bad actress, funny looking face, annoying voice and sticking AJ/Daniels and Kazarian in this car crash of a story is just baffling. Not sure how AJ can come out of this one looking stronger - I think chances are his character will be damaged long term. Let them feud over something different.

I have decided to steer clear of dirt sheets from now on because I think the thing I miss about wrestling is the surprises (even obvious ones) and when I read it online it kind of takes away any enjoyment when watching. I'm also not going to listen to those who moan for the sake of it because I find those people dull - and nearly ended up turning into one myself!

EDIT: Disclaimer on the "Idiot Disclaimer": It is light hearted banter poking fun at no one in particular :D.

[Hyde Hill]

Chavo. Decent hand but not needed atm imho. Better talent within TNA and out there that are available. Probably slot into the Kid Kash role of putting over X guys and maybe also tag.

[petecrimson00]

Chavo. Decent hand but not needed atm imho. Better talent within TNA and out there that are available. Probably slot into the Kid Kash role of putting over X guys and maybe also tag.

they'll probably push him to the moon at first, which they tend to do with WWE's ex midcarders, and he'll kind of phase down to the midcard OR he will help train up some X-division guys and stick around there, which i'd prefer

[Hyde Hill]

Well he should get a decent push coming in as any new talent should to (re) establish him just hope it won't be a too big one. Haven't seen the new creative do something like this yet so will be interesting.

[petecrimson00]

i agree yes he should get a decent push, but i just hope they don't play him up as some new main eventer, cuz i just don't find that believable and I don't think many would.

I enjoy his in ring work though, and hope he's X-division based, he could bring some good matches. and yes, new creative seems to handle things better so it will be interesting to see.

[Hyde Hill]

He could become the Doug Williams to Herandez's Magnus as well. Chavo + Hernandez, Kash + Gunner, Daniels + Kaz and later maybe the Dynasty (Ryan and Scorpio Sky) and ANX and maybe a reformed British Invasion. Gets the tag division up and running again plus ads room to the roster and depth to the other divisions. And if Shelly comes back, we don't know the circumstances of the release but that is in the far future, Guns as well and with Angle around WGTT are always an option. But the last two are just pure speculation the other ones are pretty easy.

Massive roster reshuffling going on in TNA atm so interesting to see how that turns out in the end. At least the guys they are focusing on the most are the right ones atm.

[petecrimson00]

pretty sure Shelley just didn't renegotiate his contract which is a shame cuz he's one of my favorites. and I don't think he'd get the light of day in WWE

[nucleardonkey]

I highly doubt Chavo will be pushed as a main eventer right off the bat considering how solid the main event scene is with Roode, Aries, and the BFG series taking up the main event story lines but I can see him coming in and taking on Zema Ion with Zema playing the role of the young arrogant punk and Chavo being the veteran coming in to put him in his place and teach him some respect. I think that's definitely where Chavo fits best in TNA, either the new veteran coming in to instill respect in the younger X-Division guys or as part of a tag team....or less likely as the mastermind behind Dead Man's Hand or Aces and Eights whatever you want to call them.

[Jaysin]

Chavo is a severely underrated talent. I never understand where all the hate comes from when it comes to him. I don't think he should be main eventing, but the guy is a great talent. He can make people look far better than they are and he can make the most idiotic angles entertaining or at least he tries his best.

I really think the never ending Hornswoggle angle really tarnished his name for the wrestling world because when he was ECW champ and what not, I remember the internet ranting and raving about how glad they were Chavo was finally getting his due.

I know that was years ago, but the guy can still go. I'd love to see him help build up the X Division or even join the tag ranks. Just don't team with Hernandez. He's god awful.

Also, I really hope all this Morgan stuff is a work and he's still in TNA.

[petecrimson00]

Chavo is a severely underrated talent. I never understand where all the hate comes from when it comes to him. I don't think he should be main eventing, but the guy is a great talent. He can make people look far better than they are and he can make the most idiotic angles entertaining or at least he tries his best.

I really think the never ending Hornswoggle angle really tarnished his name for the wrestling world because when he was ECW champ and what not, I remember the internet ranting and raving about how glad they were Chavo was finally getting his due.

I know that was years ago, but the guy can still go. I'd love to see him help build up the X Division or even join the tag ranks. Just don't team with Hernandez. He's god awful.

Also, I really hope all this Morgan stuff is a work and he's still in TNA.

I didn't see anyone hating on him? he's great in the ring yeah, TNA just used to have a habit of pushing Midcard WWE guys like they're the stuff (ex Matt Hardy) and being WWE's ECW champ really isn't a big title IMO. just saying xD

and didn't Morgan leave like a month or so ago?

[Jaysin]

I didn't see anyone hating on him? he's great in the ring yeah, TNA just used to have a habit of pushing Midcard WWE guys like they're the stuff (ex Matt Hardy) and being WWE's ECW champ really isn't a big title IMO. just saying xD

and didn't Morgan leave like a month or so ago?

Matt Hardy didn't really get a main event push at all...he was featured in a main storyline but so was Rob Terry in the same exact storyline.

Also, Chavo is a far better talent than Matt Hardy and far less insane :p

Morgan is still listed on the Impact Wrestling roster page. All the talk of him leaving stems from tweets he makes about his deal being up.

[Hashasheen]

Basically Morgan had a contract specifying a limited number of dates for which he is paid (which also seems to be the case for other guys like RVD, Mr. Anderson, etc...) in which he works for TNA. Those dates ran out, so he's basically sitting at home waiting for his contract to run out and either resign or jump to the WWE.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah but it all could be a "work" in that he has resigned with TNA and is part of Aces and Eights for instance. Given the worked shoot and social media stuff TNA has been doing its a legit possibility. Yeay suspension of disbelief back. On Shelly yes he didn't re up his contract, question is why. Hope he comes back down the line.

Another good edition of Impact - the bad actress.

Edit: Aces and eights any thoughts?

[Self]

I'm finding the Aces & Eights stuff an intrusion. For whatever reason, I'm not tripping over myself trying to guess who these guys are, and what their beef is with Hogan & Sting, two characters I don't care about. Sure, now they're expanding into other storylines, sticking their fingers into BFG Series and Roode/Aries, but... Meh.

No time for X-Division this week? Boo. I can forgive it, what with Open Fight Night being very BFG Series heavy, but my patience only stretches so far.

Chavo does absolutely nothing for me. I've been watching the guy since around 1997. There's absolutely nothing more he can show me. He's good, but I have no more interest in him.

Enjoyed Bully Ray vs Magnus. Magnus was a surprisingly effective babyface. Liked Storm's promo. I liked Roode reactions at the end. Didn't love the show, but a perfectly harmless way to kill 90 minutes.

[Hyde Hill]

Well the Directv vs Viacom thing is finally over. Such a shame it happened during such a hot time for TNA.

Think A&8 where meant as an intrusion and it actually helped show flow as wasn't as full as last month with many short matches. It will probably lead to Sting and Friends vs Aces and Eights at BFG. I do hope they keep these kind of shows to a minimum where they over shine too much but a faction does need to make an impact to be successful.

[juggaloninjalee]

I would love if Aces and 8's or whatever was led by Chris Masters. He is awesome and I feel like he has improved so much as a wrestler in the last 5 years.

[sebsplex]

I'm fairly unmoved by the Aces & Eights stuff so far. Granted, I'm still dipping in and out of TNA a bit at the moment, so I might have missed some of the build, but I don't really have any great interest in the group yet. Maybe the completely unsatisfactory ending of MEM and the They/Immortals saga are too fresh in my memory. There's also the fear that given the number of mystery attackers used, half of them won't turn out to be anyone or will just plain be forgotten/ignored later on... a bit like how in the middle of 30 Days Of Night there seem to be about 60 vampires, but by the end of the film (accounting a few shown/explained deaths) it's inexplicably whittled down to about 8. Consistency of members would be nice.

One area in which TNA has always come a very distant second to the WWE is it's delivery/execution of big angles/storyline set-pieces. Take the Nexus invasion. Sure, the storyline lost a lot of momentum going forward, but the initial attack and destruction of the RAW ring was brilliantly executed. Brutal, shocking, coming completely out of left field. Thus far, the A&8's just seems a bit low rent and generic at the moment, plenty of time for it to pick up, but right now I don't find myself eagerly anticipating what comes next. Take last week's show, the attack on Hogan and Sting just felt a bit by-the-by/unremarkable... I've seen both Hulk and Sting attacked multiple times, it's not new or a big 'statement of intent'. For example why not make it a real shocker and whilst Hogan and Sting are grandstanding in the ring, have Brooke attacked off-camera and found backstage? Give it a twist.

[petecrimson00]

I'm fairly unmoved by the Aces & Eights stuff so far.

I have to agree with this. It could be a good idea, but 3 messed up matches jsut because of them was very rather annoying. It's a cool idea, but don't go overkill.

[ZMAN]

The only problem I have with A&8's is the whole masked man/mystery thing behind it. I cannot think of any free agent out there who would make me jump out of my seat if they showed up on TNA. Who are options?

Jarrett
Steiner
Masters
Goldberg
Other WWE guys...

All are decent names, but I can't see myself :eek: ing the way TNA seems to want me to.

I think it would be interesting if it were to turn out to be a bunch of rejected gut-check wrestlers, but there aren't a whole lot of those out there at the moment.

Other than that, I dig a dominant heel stable showing up in TNA. I just don't see the reason behind the masks.

[Hyde Hill]

Don't think it will be a main event stable but more a midcard/ uppermidcard stable, with last weeks show more to establish them as a disruptive threat instead of the norm and dominating the show ala MEM and Immortal. Instead of rejected gutcheck just rejected wrestlers in general. disgruntled current and former TNA employees and maybe some guys the E missed the boat on. But you are right there aren't many "big" names out there to be the leader unless its a current TNA ME guy but I don't think so. ( Jarrett is not ME for a long time)

[Jaysin]

So Bully Ray, Devon, and Velvet Sky all have their contracts expiring and so far they haven't resigned.

I love Velvet and Bully, so that's a shame.

[Hyde Hill]

Devon couldn't care less tbh both on business and personal level. He should focus on the 3d dojo imho and maybe TNA can help with that.

Ray great worker and will be great road agent once retires. Keep at all cost.

Not the biggest velvet fan personally but undeniable sex appeal and tenure and mic skills means she is pretty much perma over much like Ray but just using different skills. Also keep even if the KO division is kinda stale atm and Tessmacher is pretty much filling the same role.

We shall see though as the roster reshuffle is ongoing and as long as what comes in is equal or better then what goes out its ok.

[Jaysin]

I've loved Velvet since Velvet-Love Entertainment/Beautiful People.

She works harder than most females in the big two and has gotten a lot better. I think she's passable in the ring with the right opponent. I just love her personality and her work ethic.

[Jaysin]

Impact needs more Kid Kash :mad:

[Jaysin]

Impact needs more Kid Kash :mad:

I got my wish :D

[Tiberious4]

So Bully Ray, Devon, and Velvet Sky all have their contracts expiring and so far they haven't resigned.

TNA is currently suing WWE over allegations they are using illegally gained information from a former TNA employee about contracts in order to tempt their employees to jump ship to their company; specifically mentioning Flair in the lawsuit. WWE has denied this; claiming to have no interest in signing any current TNA talent, but are in the position where if they negotiate with any TNA wrestlers they'll be giving ammunition for TNA to use in court.

As a result TNA has leverage in knowing none of their employees can leave for the WWE and apparently been using that to lowball their wrestler in contract negotiations.

I heard about this from a few places, but here are (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1226089-tnas-lawsuit-against-wwe-how-it-could-hurt-wrestlers-looking-to-jump) a few articles on the lawsuit. (http://www.cagesideseats.com/2012/5/24/3042038/tna-files-a-lawsuit-with-wwe-for-contract-tampering-regarding-ric)

[Yoshida]

This isn't a knock, I love TNA wrestling.
I am not flame baiting or trolling here either.

Am I the only one that notices how TNA is built around PPVs, much like WWE, but they are giving away great matches (even with all the dang run ins :/ ) for free lately?

I feel like after watching some of the matches on television, the PPV matches are feeling a bit flat?

[Jaysin]

This isn't a knock, I love TNA wrestling.
I am not flame baiting or trolling here either.

Am I the only one that notices how TNA is built around PPVs, much like WWE, but they are giving away great matches (even with all the dang run ins :/ ) for free lately?

I feel like after watching some of the matches on television, the PPV matches are feeling a bit flat?

That's how professional wrestling has been since Bischoff took over WCW. He put big money matches on Nitro so people would be more inclined to watch. WWF followed suit and that's just how wrestling has been since then.

[Yoshida]

That's how professional wrestling has been since Bischoff took over WCW. He put big money matches on Nitro so people would be more inclined to watch. WWF followed suit and that's just how wrestling has been since then.

Fair enough, I agree. Even compared to back then it still seems flat, great shows and bad PPVs (to me). I will still watch and support them. They seem to be getting a lot better these last few months.

[BHK1978]

Now that Velvet and Angelina are gone, I have to ask:

What the hell are they doing to the Women's Division. Now I am not a big fan of Women's Wrestling (In fact I often chuckle at how much people on here are into it. I still will not forget a comment made where the poster said that it was not that far fetched to think Cheerleader Melissa could be AJ Styles in a real fight.), but there is nothing left of the division.

Who is left in the division? Gail, Tara, Mickie, ODB, Madison and Ms. Tessmacher.

What happened to Rosita, Sarita, Winter, and the Gut Check Girl?

Six Women in a division is not really a lot.

Speaking of people who have been M.I.A., where the hell did they dig Kid Kash, Gunner, and Hernandez up from?:D

I know Kash was on the X Division PPV but when was the last time Gunner or Hernandez were on TV?

Don't get me wrong I loved the segment and thought Kash and Chavo were both great in it. I just would like to know where the hell these guys have been.

What happened to the TV Title must be defended every week rule? I noticed that Jaysin said D-Von's contract was about up so maybe that is why they are not doing anything with the title.

[Self]

This isn't a knock, I love TNA wrestling.
I am not flame baiting or trolling here either.

Am I the only one that notices how TNA is built around PPVs, much like WWE, but they are giving away great matches (even with all the dang run ins :/ ) for free lately?

I feel like after watching some of the matches on television, the PPV matches are feeling a bit flat?

The Bound For Glory series, as much as I dig the concept, does kind of force you to put top-notch PPV caliber matches onto free TV, but... have TNA ever really built around their PPV's? I have always been under the impression they were more concerned with television ratings. This doesn't seem like a new thing for them.

Another meh episode. I liked the James Storm accusations. I enjoyed the Knockouts match. Loved AJ/Storm. AJ's sell of one particular punch to the face utterly charmed me.

I miss Devon. Last time I saw him I was astounded with him energetic performance. I want more babyface Devon on my TV.

[The Stallion]

I thought Impact was solid again this week. 4 very good matches this week and all the story line build ups were really good. I like how Chavo is not being thrown into the World Title scene right away. A nice mid-card feud with Kash and Gunner to help build him up in the eyes of the Impact fans is a good move. As much as I would like him in the X-Division I think he is too big a star to lose to guys like Zema. Not that there is anything wrong with Zema, I like the gimmick and wrestler, but I dont see Chavo laying down to him. I'm glad that they did not do much more with this whole AJ styles your my babys daddy thing. This needs to be resolved quickly and get those involved in the story back into something more solid. This whole thing screams Jerry Springer to me. I absolutely love Austin Aries as the World Champion. While small, he looks the part of a World Champion. Also I think he can have fantastic matches with just about anybody on the roster. I would kill to see Austin Aries vs Kurt Angle, that match would tear the house down. I'm curious about these Aces & 8's guys. While Ive heard all the rumors about who the guys behind the masks are, the whole storyline is intriguing . Im excited for wrestling for the first time in a long time.

[Hyde Hill]

TNA is currently suing WWE over allegations they are using illegally gained information from a former TNA employee about contracts in order to tempt their employees to jump ship to their company; specifically mentioning Flair in the lawsuit. WWE has denied this; claiming to have no interest in signing any current TNA talent, but are in the position where if they negotiate with any TNA wrestlers they'll be giving ammunition for TNA to use in court.

As a result TNA has leverage in knowing none of their employees can leave for the WWE and apparently been using that to lowball their wrestler in contract negotiations.

I heard about this from a few places, but here are (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1226089-tnas-lawsuit-against-wwe-how-it-could-hurt-wrestlers-looking-to-jump) a few articles on the lawsuit. (http://www.cagesideseats.com/2012/5/24/3042038/tna-files-a-lawsuit-with-wwe-for-contract-tampering-regarding-ric)

Do know about the lawsuit, nothing about the low balling though. That seems to me to just be more negative speculation which can't be proven either way. As long as there are no actual statements specifically to that effect from the released people I'll view it as just that.

[Hyde Hill]

Good show again with a nice variety. It was a bit full with the more segments then normal and many things going on. All the matches where very good t.v. matches, except for Madison's performance CUT her already! don't mind the longer/bigger tv matches much as ppv matches will be longer and generally have a bigger hook behind them and no commercials. They have actually balanced building for ppv and tv more in the last 4/5 months with more focus on ppv then before.

Chavo got a good build on entry like a new guy should and it looks like we have gotten 2 new tag teams Gunner and Kash and Chavo and Hernandez are both very good pairings and ad depth to the solo divisions and Kash and Chavo can help Gunner and Hernandez get rid of the rough edges much like Williams did for Magnus. Killing multiple stones in one go here so very good move. Also liked that Chavo focused on praising TNA. He will become a good utility player for the X and Tag division pretty much a Kid Kash ++.

Sam Shaw should have been a no because at best he is a developmental talent, if they make that official I am ok with it though, but also because the Gutcheck idea needs more No's to make it seem harder to be successful.
Don't go by the live reaction or even fan voting too much btw. Fans are greedy so anyone who doesn't totally suck and plays a heel will get positive votes + fans like to see the dream come true thing. Joey Ryan story continues to be fun.
Decision segment should have been done next week instead of same week giving a better reed of the fan reaction, as much as it factors in and given the stuff I said above, and it would have helped the pacing of the show with one less segment imho.

Aces and eights continue to be intriguing and while still intrusive (as they should be) it was less then last week, next 2 weeks I would limit them a bit more to give more time for ppv build and then ramp it up again after. I am worried about the reveal though as to who it will actually be and what their motivations will be. If it is who is most rumored they should be a midcard faction and not a main event faction in terms of exposure etc. But we will see when we get there, for now its fun.
Storm seems to be going into a role similar to Sting in connection with the aces and it intensifies his feud with Roode even more.

So overall very good show but a bit crowded and I really liked the last 3 matches a lot and that they built to the next show. Kenny King ftw hehe. As a big X fan what did you think of that match Self?

[Jaysin]

I'm thoroughly enjoying Aces & Eights. It kind of shocks me how much I am actually. Not because I don't have confidence in TNA's booking, but because it's been a really long time since I've been able to just enjoy a storyline. The whole James Storm drama is good fun and the mystery behind the group is also fun.

Solid edition of Impact. AJ and James Storm was awesome and they beat the crap out of each other.

Roode interfering in the X Division title match was cool. Aries and King vs Roode and Ion? YES PLEASE!

[petecrimson00]

am I the only one that thinks its a bit racist to team up Hernandez with Chavo simply based on race? surely they could team him with someone with similar in ring ability, or one that fills in the blanks rather than the stereotypical stuff

[Self]

So overall very good show but a bit crowded and I really liked the last 3 matches a lot and that they built to the next show. Kenny King ftw hehe. As a big X fan what did you think of that match Self?

It was good. Suffered a little by coming after Storm/AJ, which I thought was better in pretty much every way. Kenny King smiling in a chinlock is poor form after seeing Styles sell a jab to the face like he was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness. Good match though, a little more personality and development into the character would be nice, now that the initial 'ooh he's new' factor has worn off King.

P.S. I liked Sam Shaw. Williams gave him a really good shine in the match. Again, he lacks character though. Where's Rubix gone?

[Hashasheen]

Where's Rubix gone?

Working dates in New Zealand at the moment.

[Hashasheen]

am I the only one that thinks its a bit racist to team up Hernandez with Chavo simply based on race? surely they could team him with someone with similar in ring ability, or one that fills in the blanks rather than the stereotypical stuff

Plus you know, Hernandez threatened Guerrero & Urbina while he was running Mexican America.

[The Stallion]

Plus you know, Hernandez threatened Guerrero & Urbina while he was running Mexican America.

Hey this is wrestling, characters change alignments at the drop of a hat if it serves the storyline. As for the original question if this is racist, I have to say I don't think so, not so much. Its not like its anything new that two Mexican wrestlers team up. LAX and Mexican America come to mind just in TNA. Also Hernandez is better in a tag team with a smaller, faster guy. Plus I don't think it will be a perm thing, just to give all four of these guys something to do until Chavo moves onto something else. I still think TNA needs to resign Homicide and reform LAX.

[petecrimson00]

Plus you know, Hernandez threatened Guerrero & Urbina while he was running Mexican America.

i just think its a bad call personally. I like Chavo better as a heel, I'd say team him with someone you wouldn't really expect, Doug Williams comes to mind idk why. or maybe some guys higher up the card like The Pope and give the tag team division some new contenders.

on a side note, im on TNA's website and they still have Flair and Morgan on their roster page.. I thought they were gone?