The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[Hyde Hill]

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

Meh wrestling. It's more how they present them imho. Mexicools and Cryme Tyme vs Hernandez/Homicide LAX is a big difference to me. And its not like Chavo wouldn't make a good partner for Hernandez much like Williams was for Magnus he can help him get his basics down better etc.

[Hyde Hill]

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?

Well none of the three (you forgot Velvet) have been officially released by TNA with a press statement. And TNA is notoriously bad at keeping that roster page up to date. You can pretty much bank on Flair and Velvet though but Morgan could be that he re upped and they are doing worked shoot for the aces and eights thing but also unlikely.

[BHK1978]

Where's Rubix gone?

I just saw him wrestle Sunday afternoon in Massachusetts for CHIKARA he lost to Jacob Hammermeier. It was a pretty good match.

[Hyde Hill]

One of the announced Hardcore Justice special point four ways, highlight to read:

AJ vs Joe vs Daniels vs Angle. How to make the unbreakable 3 better? ad Angle lol

OMG!

Stips will be announced tonight on the show.

[Hashasheen]

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?

Morgan's under contract, he just doesn't have any dates left to fulfill, so he's running the clock out. Flair's far murkier. Some say he's gone, others say he's still with the company but is pretty much ducking them.

[The Stallion]

One of the announced Hardcore Justice special point four ways, highlight to read:

AJ vs Joe vs Daniels vs Angle. How to make the unbreakable 3 better? ad Angle lol

OMG!

Stips will be announced tonight on the show.

Thats gonna be a fan-friggin-tastic match!

[Hyde Hill]

Another solid show with a great opener and some good wrestling and lots of storyline advancement and some insider jokes and loop hole addressing. Execution of some of the angles left somewhat to be desired but overall a solid show. Liked how Aces while still mentioned where not as overbearing thus giving more room for ppv build and other stuff as well. PPV is looking like a stacked card.

Aries vs Roode - World Title Rematch

AJ vs Joe vs Daniels vs Angle - Ladder Match

Storm vs Hardy vs Ray vs E - Tables Match

Anderson vs RVD vs Magnus vs Pope - Falls Count Anywhere

King vs Ion - X Division title match

Tessmacher vs Madison - Ko title match

SuperMexWarriors ( Hernandez and Chavo) vs Dixie Dicks ( Kash and Gunner) - Prolly no1 tag contender match.


I would leave the card ad that so that the 5 "big" matches can get plenty of time. But wouldn't be averse to Ryan vs Snow or a TV title match or KO Tag match.

[juggaloninjalee]

What I saw of Impact last night looked good. Tired of the AJ got me pregnant story but other than that I like how the shows are built and executed. Hope James Storm stays a face but becomes a major loner due to this.

[sabataged]

I am actually enjoying the Aces and Eights story line. I just hope it isn't Hogan some how. I read people who think Jeff Jarrett possibly. I could see that happening. I never did mind Jeff Jarrett. He isn't the superstar that people think he is but I could see him fitting into this role nicely. I would love to see a Horsemen/Evolution stable of Jarrett, Ken Anderson, and two new comers Chris Master and Luke Gallows. They would give the team the muscle. If we aren't bringing in any new I would make it Jarrett, Anderson, Matt Morgan, and someone else from X-division like Doug Williams possibly.

[Hyde Hill]

Well if they are going for eight people I am leaning on: Roode ( total swerve that would make total sense for once), Jarrett, Morgan, Masters, Jay Bradly, Wes Brisco, Petey Williams, Allissa Flash.

But it changes every day what I am thinking lol. Although some names do tend to pop up a lot. I am pretty sold on Roode atm though.

[Rone Rivendale]

Did anyone notice that AJ was sleeping in every picture that Bad Actress was showing off? Seems obv to me they are going to reveal she drugged him and had sex with him while he was passed out.

[Arrows]

Did anyone notice that AJ was sleeping in every picture that Bad Actress was showing off? Seems obv to me they are going to reveal she drugged him and had sex with him while he was passed out.

/nod

Seems like the obvious way out. I just wish they'd go there already, and get her the f' off my tv.

[Devine_Limits]

/nod

Seems like the obvious way out. I just wish they'd go there already, and get her the f' off my tv.


i agree

[Hive]

AJ vs Joe vs Daniels vs Angle - Ladder Match

Match of the year? I'll need to watch this match for sure. Just as I was beginning to think that TNA couldn't do anything that would catch my attention anymore...

[The Stallion]

Dude that PPV is shaping up to be an awesome show. Angle vs AJ vs Daniels vs Joe is going to be match of the night with Aries vs Roode right behind it. I like how these BFG Hardcore Justice series matches are being set up to be VERY important. 20 points will be huge for any of the winners. I would love to see Joe come out on top even though I dont see him winning the BFG series. The reason I dont see that happening is because Aries already beat Joe clean and I think TNA would go for a different pairing for the Bound For Glory main event (that is saying, of course, if Aries holds on to the Title). I am just very happy with how TNA has been shaping up lately. While not everything is doing great (the tag team division and KO division are not as robust as they use to be), things are following a concise and clear story and the action in the ring is some of the best in the industry right now. Plus I am so glad that they pulled the trigger on Aries and put the World Title on him. He just has that "IT" factor (pun intended) that makes him the perfect choice for World Champ.

[HailSabin!]

I've been following TNA since 2005, I was happy with the 2008/9 Crossing the Line years, then I was sad about 2010 and 2011, but god, the last few months were AWESOME. This promotion deserves way more than what it already has accomplished.

[petecrimson00]

AJ vs Joe vs Daniels vs Angle - Ladder Match


i don't like the addition of Angle and Joe here. Ladder matches should have lighter guys in them, unless Angle and Joe are going to do all kinds of technical stuff on the ladder. I just think this would be a little better without those two in it. maybe finally end Styles and Daniels' feud

[Fleisch]

After watching Impact, it seems pretty obvious Wes Brisco is one of Aces & Eights. I do hope it is newer guys (ala Nexus) wanting to make names for themselves, but with an established star behind the group. I also hope some revelations are made soon because there is only so long you can hold someones attention with "masked" attackers before people start to tire of it. Maybe a few more weeks and then one of them is unmasked or something - but not revealing who is behind their attacks for a while yet. Keep them as a group, helping each other - I can smell T-shirt sales in the future! Just a black one with those cards on it and something on the back (a quote like nWo's "4-Life" schtick) would look prety cool. I do think this could be one of the better storylines for TNA if executed properly.

[Teh_Showtime]

There are rumors that one of the guys are Luke Gallows/the former Festus

I'd be intrigued by him being in a high profile spot.

[Hashasheen]

There are rumors that one of the guys are Luke Gallows/the former Festus

I'd be intrigued by him being in a high profile spot.

I'd be pretty psyched. Gallows is like only 28 or 29, and I'm a major fan of him since his Festus days. If he comes in with a good gimmick, a good look and a right push, I can definitely see him as a future main eventer and a replacement for Matt Morgan.

[Arrows]

I'd be pretty psyched. Gallows is like only 28 or 29, and I'm a major fan of him since his Festus days. If he comes in with a good gimmick, a good look and a right push, I can definitely see him as a future main eventer and a replacement for Matt Morgan.

Knew he had something interesting during the Festus days, but I took a real liking to Gallows when he joined Punk. I don't see him being one of the main guys in this thing though. If anything, he's going to be the muscle for a while, and any real push for him would come from breaking away from the group.

[Jaysin]

I have two very contrasting experiences with meeting Festus/Gallows.

The first time was when he was still doing Festus. He stayed in character until he got to me. I asked politely if I could get a picture with him, and he stared at me, and said no and then walked away and got in his car. He was flat out rude. I try to be as polite as possible, hell James Storm and my brother made fun of me because I'm so polite, but Festus for some reason just did not want to get his picture taken with me. Then again, he was dealing with a ton of annoying, rude little kids. So by the time my friends and I got to him, he was probably just tired of people.

Fast forward until this year when him, Cliff Compton, and Colt Cabana are touring and doing the Wrestling Road Diaries 2, I go see them at a local promotion(Absolute Intense Wrestling). I mainly went for Cliff Compton and Colt, but I decided to try talking to Gallows again. This time, he was incredibly nice. It was right after he pulled his groin, so he was on crutches. I brought up the story of him being rude and walking away when I asked for a picture and the way he made it sound, he wasn't thrilled with being stuck with the Festus gimmick and it just kinda started to wear on him. He apologized profusely and I was able to get my picture with him.

The guy is fairly talented, so I'd love for him to be involved with Aces & Eights.

Also, off topic, but Kurt Angle & Jeff Jarrett teamed up in AAA managed by Karen Jarrett recently. That cracks me up.

[Teh_Showtime]

Cliff Compton is hilarious. Was listening to him on AoW both times and was laughing nearly the entire time.

[Jaysin]

I was a huge fan of Deuce and Domino and I was excited to see where'd they go as singles, but well, we saw how that's turned out. I'd love for Compton to come to Impact to honestly. He already works for OVW reguraly.

[ZMAN]

Angle vs AJ vs Daniels vs Joe

I usually hate four ways, but jesus christ, are they just trying to see how much talent they can cram into one match? While they're at it, throw in Aries and Roode, and put a cage over them.

[Jaysin]

Did Tara get her implants removed?

[Jaysin]

Also, TNA Today with Magnus is really entertaining. I've been obsessed with him since his debut.

I hope he gets a chance to shine again soon.

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3697-TNA-Today-(Aug-8)-Magnus-Talks-About-Being-a-Gladiator-and-More

[Jaysin]

So Aces & Eights are a biker gang and Eric Bischoff has a reality show about bikers...

I'm thinking too much into this :p

[Jaysin]

My prediction for Hardcore Justice

Since whoever loses in the World Title match can't get a rematch, I think Aces & Eights will cause the match to end in a no contest forcing Roode and Aries to team up at No Surrender against Aces & Eights in a uneasy alliance tag match leading to BFG where the winner of the BFG series faces Aries.

[Jaysin]

I enjoyed this edition of Impact.

The Aces & Eights videos throughout the night were well done. I like that TNA is seemingly trying to take it slow and not jump the gun on who they are.

The biker gang stuff is cool and I love that they brought up the members have prospect patches.

I'm excited for Hardcore Justice and I liked Bully's reaction at the end of Impact a lot.

[Makhai]

Just what TNA's product needed.... Video recaps and Mr. Anderson on commentary.

I don't know if you saw the story in the WO this week, but the Bowie Baysox spilled the beans, Roode is going over at Hardcore Justice. That pretty much finished off any interest I had in the show. Nothing wrong with the Impact product though, it's solid. Mickie James looks great, I think I saw abs in that 4-way. Also Tara sans fake funbags is a marked improvement. Aces & Eights has to be the Jeff Jarrett comeback angle. This Cowboy stuff is just teasing Aries going over at Justice, which got spoiled, he's not. It's a fake turn. I don't expect any of the A&8 guys to be revealed, they all seem to be local wrestlers so again, they're just a means to an end. Claire Lynch is a train-wreck, and not an interesting train-wreck, the kind with you mom inside.... Other than that not terrible, but nothing better than the WWE is doing right now.

[juggaloninjalee]

My prediction for Hardcore Justice

Since whoever loses in the World Title match can't get a rematch, I think Aces & Eights will cause the match to end in a no contest forcing Roode and Aries to team up at No Surrender against Aces & Eights in a uneasy alliance tag match leading to BFG where the winner of the BFG series faces Aries.

I think we will see James Storm vs Bobby Roode at BFG. Storm will win and I could see Bobby Roode shaking his hand afterwards actually.

[petecrimson00]

I think we will see James Storm vs Bobby Roode at BFG. Storm will win and I could see Bobby Roode shaking his hand afterwards actually.

please God no. I ahte Bobby Roode as champion. Let Austin get in a decent run here

[BHK1978]

I wonder how much footage of Kenny King does ROH still have. The guy has been gone for what two months now and they are still showing matches of him. I guess that is one of the downsides of filming so far in advance.

[bigtplaystew]

please God no. I ahte Bobby Roode as champion. Let Austin get in a decent run here

LOVING the show with Aries as champion. But I think we all want to see Storm vs Roode at BFG. THAT is a main event that's been building.

[cappyboy]

I wonder how much footage of Kenny King does ROH still have. The guy has been gone for what two months now and they are still showing matches of him. I guess that is one of the downsides of filming so far in advance.

You know the most comical irony in all that though? The day the news came out about Kenny King, the RoH show had a Kevin Steen match as the main event. During the entrance Steen rips up an All Night Express sign. I bet Steen in character cringes at that fact now that King is persona non grata with RoH.

[The Stallion]

I tell ya, this PPV tonight is looking really, really good. A couple of through away matches but over all a very decent PPV. I think Joe vs Angle vs AJ vs Daneils will steal the show with Aries vs Roode coming in right behind. I have a sinking feeling that Roode will somehow take back the Title even though I love Aries as the World Champ, the guy is awesome. Roode is a great Heel and I am glad he finally got his shot at the top of the promotion, he deserves it. However I think Aries as the underdog champ (he is a smaller guy) sets up some really good feuds. I would love to see an Angle vs Aries match for the Title, or even RVD vs Aries. I mean the guy can have some awesome matches with anyone on the roster right now. TNA is really stepping up lately and I think finally listening to the fans. I dont even mind having Hogan on screen because he is usually doing something to put over someone else.

[BHK1978]

LOVING the show with Aries as champion. But I think we all want to see Storm vs Roode at BFG. THAT is a main event that's been building.

I agree that seems to be the right way to go. Though the two of them have not really interacted that much recently with the exception of Roode saying Storm was behind Aces and Eights.

Forgot to say this before but I really liked the Robbie E segment with Jeff Hardy. I thought Robbie E came off good in it and it was actually pretty funny.

[Jaysin]

Really looking forward to Hardcore Justice tonight, but I work until 9:30 so I may not be able to watch until tomorrow. I'm going to avoid reading results I think, that or I'll just jump into it when I get off work.

[The Stallion]

Forgot to say this before but I really liked the Robbie E segment with Jeff Hardy. I thought Robbie E came off good in it and it was actually pretty funny.

The guy is entertaining, its just he is stuck with a really bad gimmick. Give him something else and see if he has the chops to run with it. It feels like he is the cannon fodder for the B4G series (with the exception of 5 points bro).

[Makhai]

The guy is entertaining, its just he is stuck with a really bad gimmick. Give him something else and see if he has the chops to run with it. It feels like he is the cannon fodder for the B4G series (with the exception of 5 points bro).

He's TNA's Heath Slater... and that's a complement. He's just coming off a T.V. title program, this is more than he deserves.

[Jaysin]

He's TNA's Heath Slater... and that's a complement. He's just coming off a T.V. title program, this is more than he deserves.

Are you judging this only on Robbie E or have you seen Rob Eckos? The dude is talented and I think he's far more talented than Heath Slater.

[Makhai]

Are you judging this only on Robbie E or have you seen Rob Eckos? The dude is talented and I think he's far more talented than Heath Slater.

I've only been watching TNA's product since Lockdown, so I do not know any of his past gimmicks.

[Jaysin]

I've only been watching TNA's product since Lockdown, so I do not know any of his past gimmicks.

Robbie E is his only gimmick in TNA, but as Eckos in the independents, I always thought he'd make it to the big leagues. The dude can generate heat easily, and works his tail off. I'm a huge fan of his.

[Jaysin]

Just what TNA's product needed.... Video recaps and Mr. Anderson on commentary.

I don't know if you saw the story in the WO this week, but the Bowie Baysox spilled the beans, Roode is going over at Hardcore Justice. That pretty much finished off any interest I had in the show. Nothing wrong with the Impact product though, it's solid. Mickie James looks great, I think I saw abs in that 4-way. Also Tara sans fake funbags is a marked improvement. Aces & Eights has to be the Jeff Jarrett comeback angle. This Cowboy stuff is just teasing Aries going over at Justice, which got spoiled, he's not. It's a fake turn. I don't expect any of the A&8 guys to be revealed, they all seem to be local wrestlers so again, they're just a means to an end. Claire Lynch is a train-wreck, and not an interesting train-wreck, the kind with you mom inside.... Other than that not terrible, but nothing better than the WWE is doing right now.

So much for you knowing exactly what's going to happen :rolleyes:

[petecrimson00]

So much for you knowing exactly what's going to happen :rolleyes:

yeah he was TOTALLLY right.reminds me of that commerical, if its on the internet it has to be true.

[Makhai]

yeah he was TOTALLLY right.reminds me of that commerical, if its on the internet it has to be true.

Ever heard of a changed finish? From what I heard they re-started the match after Roode went-over. You don't think they could have just made that quick throw together at the end?

[petecrimson00]

Ever heard of a changed finish? From what I heard they re-started the match after Roode went-over. You don't think they could have just made that quick throw together at the end?

have you ever heard of internet rumors? I WATCHED the match, didnt hear about it. They both pinned eachother off a superplex, then restarted it, they had a false finish then Aries rolled him up for the win. Them having Roode win it back would make NO sense after this Aries push.

[The Stallion]

I really enjoyed the PPV last night. It was not spectacular, but it was good. Everyone knew what two matches were gonna steal the show and they were right. However all the other .atches served there purpose and they were good. It was a shame to see Pope get taken out. Was it just me or was Devon way over with the crowd last night? Overall very soild PPV and it sets up the coming weeks perfectly.

[Hive]

The ladder match was good, but underwhelming. I had expected more, as this match was the only reason I watched the show. I may have had too high expectations going in though.

I'm surprised to see how over Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy was, and dissapointed that the gifted competitors in the falls count anywhere match did not deliver more than what they did. It was decent, but nothing special. The tables match was nothing special either, but had a few good spots and told an interesting story.

Also, James Storm really doesn't seem anywhere as over as the push he's getting is suggesting. Roode seems to have more going for him, and delivered a fine match against Aries - though I feel that it fell a bit flat due to a couple of previous matches being better.

Oh, and why that Robbie E guy continues being used at all when they have people like The Pope sidelined is beyond me. He's horrible!

[Teh_Showtime]

have you ever heard of internet rumors? I WATCHED the match, didnt hear about it. They both pinned eachother off a superplex, then restarted it, they had a false finish then Aries rolled him up for the win. Them having Roode win it back would make NO sense after this Aries push.

what about for that James Storm vs Bobby Roode rematch for B4G?

I honestly thought Aries didn't have a chance in hell at the last 2 PPVs.

We still might get Roode vs Storm at Bound For Glory, but then who wins the series?

[Astil]

what about for that James Storm vs Bobby Roode rematch for B4G?

I honestly thought Aries didn't have a chance in hell at the last 2 PPVs.

We still might get Roode vs Storm at Bound For Glory, but then who wins the series?

Samoa Joe? I'd be happy.

[Teh_Showtime]

I'd personally prefer Styles to win the thing because lord knows how long he has been away from the title is too long.

Styles vs Aries as the headline to B4G would be the next best thing after the year long Beer Money story for me.

[The Stallion]

Joe vs Aries already happened months ago, abet before Joe began getting re-pushed. However I think AJ vs Aries would probably be a contender for match of the year.
Im surprised that you did not enjoy the ladder match Hive, I really thought it was the match of the night, followed very closely by Aries vs Roode.
I do agree that I dont see Storm being as over as the push he is receiving. However I do think we will see Roode vs Storm at B4G, just without the Title on the line. This opens things up a little for the B4G series because with Roode as the Champ I think it was a given that Storm would win. Now its almost anybodies game. There are a few guys on in that series that would put on one hell of a match with Aries. Joe, AJ, Daniels, Angle, Hardy...
I dont think Bully will win it now because we already saw Aries vs Bully Ray, same as Joe vs Aries. I think to establish Aries as a true World Champion he needs a big win over some of the other top tier veteran guys.
I still think Devon was one of the most over guys on the show last night.

[haloed]

Yea, Devon seems to be the most over guy in the Impact Zone. He's nearly the only guy the crowd seems to respond to. One of the many reasons I believe they need to get out of the Universal Studios. At least for the Pay-Per-Views.

[petecrimson00]

what about for that James Storm vs Bobby Roode rematch for B4G?

I honestly thought Aries didn't have a chance in hell at the last 2 PPVs.

We still might get Roode vs Storm at Bound For Glory, but then who wins the series?

Styles or RVD because itd be a great matchup for Aries. and Storm gets screwed out of winning by Roode setting up the match.

[Makhai]

have you ever heard of internet rumors? I WATCHED the match, didnt hear about it. They both pinned eachother off a superplex, then restarted it, they had a false finish then Aries rolled him up for the win. Them having Roode win it back would make NO sense after this Aries push.

This wasn't a rumor. The stadium ran an ad for a September 1st? date and it called Austin Aries "former TNA Heavyweight Champion" that's not a rumor. A clerical ****-up, maybe, but a changed finish is also possible, especially after the way the match went down, and the fact they didn't have a ME for No Surrender.

Eitherway, you guys clearly don't know what the term "rumor" means. I used a factual piece of evidence to support a theory. What a horrible person I am for bringing logic into a wrestling discussion thread. I'll be sure not to make this mistake again.

[Makhai]

Samoa Joe? I'd be happy.

If they're throwing Roode-Storm out then I'd hope for an AJ goes on a run in his final 4 matches and sneaks 4th, wins the whole thing at No Surrender. Styles-Aries would be a dynamite ME... but I'm not sure it would sell, and I'd fear how they'd use Claire Lynch in that scenario, plus Babyface vs Babyface would be weird, but the BFG series gives you the built-in out there... Then again I'm not sure Jesus vs. Aries would sell for TNA right now either. Numbers seem pretty locked-in.

Figure AJ-Aries, Sting vs. Leader of Aces & 8s(Jeff Jarrett), Ray vs. Park III(if Ray stays) Tessmacher vs. Rayne w/ Earl selling "You screwed Madison" T-shirts from a shark cage, Ion vs. Kenny King w/Jesse Sorensson, could be a fun card.

[petecrimson00]

If they're throwing Roode-Storm out


what makes you assume that? if anything it'd be easier I'd think. Have RVD or Styles win B4G series and have Storm get screwed out of winning by Roode. I think it'd be good personally

[Jaysin]

Even with the asinine stipulation, AJ and Daniels tore the house down. Here's hoping this is the beginning of the end of this idiotic storyline, but not Daniels current character. He has been consistently one of the most entertaining people on TV every week.

Also, loved the end of Impact this week.

[shawn michaels 82]

Getting back to last week's Impact...who the hell though that booking James Storm vs Bully Ray would be a good main event after a Angle vs Styles bout that was the match of the night? You don't have to be a genius to see that those 2 will put on great matches together even in their sleep. I mean, they could have acomplished what they did, when it comes to storylines if they placed it in the semi main event and then they should have put Angle . Styles, cause that stole the show, and after that match i knew that i had just watched the high point of the show. To me it was a great match and it should have main evented the show.

[Jaysin]

Getting back to last week's Impact...who the hell though that booking James Storm vs Bully Ray would be a good main event after a Angle vs Styles bout that was the match of the night? You don't have to be a genius to see that those 2 will put on great matches together even in their sleep. I mean, they could have acomplished what they did, when it comes to storylines if they placed it in the semi main event and then they should have put Angle . Styles, cause that stole the show, and after that match i knew that i had just watched the high point of the show. To me it was a great match and it should have main evented the show.

I enjoyed Bully Ray and James storm a lot more than AJ and Kurt. Kurt's matches have become pretty formulaic these days. He's not having bad matches, he's just having the same match over and over again and they've all been in the main event slot. They risk over exposing Angle by having him in the main event doing the same thing over and over again.

[Lo-Drew]

Even with the asinine stipulation, AJ and Daniels tore the house down. Here's hoping this is the beginning of the end of this idiotic storyline, but not Daniels current character. He has been consistently one of the most entertaining people on TV every week.

Also, loved the end of Impact this week.

Yeah the only positive thing about this whole Claire thing has been Daniels. His performance as this douchebag heel has been awesome.

[Rone Rivendale]

I just wish they would decide on Kaz's current character. One week he is a reluctant heel, the next he is as evil as Daniels, then back to reluctant heel, than back to evil. Very wishy-washy. I think Daniels at this point would be better alone. Give Kaz back to the X Division where he belongs. They aren't even doing anything with the tag belts that are on them. Maybe Have Eric Young and ODB unify the tag belts since neither are defended.

[Jaysin]

I just wish they would decide on Kaz's current character. One week he is a reluctant heel, the next he is as evil as Daniels, then back to reluctant heel, than back to evil. Very wishy-washy. I think Daniels at this point would be better alone. Give Kaz back to the X Division where he belongs. They aren't even doing anything with the tag belts that are on them. Maybe Have Eric Young and ODB unify the tag belts since neither are defended.

How has Kaz been remotely a reluctant heel lately? He's been a total tool and it's been hilarious.

[BHK1978]

How has Kaz been remotely a reluctant heel lately? He's been a total tool and it's been hilarious.

Yeah it has been what like two or three months since he was the reluctant heel.

I have to say the show on Thursday night was kind of blah to me. Maybe because I nodded off during some of it, but overall it just did not hold my interest. Also, damn TNA has to run the show right up until 10:00, every week they make me miss the first couple of minutes of Wilfred!:(

[The Stallion]

Thought Impact was solid again this week. Good matches and the storylines are being being pushed forward pretty well. Joe / Magnus was a good match with some stiff spots. Magnus could be gold for the company if used right going into the future. He has a great look and with a little more work could be really good on the mic. I wonder if they are going to push another injury angle with Joe so he does not win the B4G series therefore pitting Joe vs Magnus at B4G. The AJ / Daniels match was the best match of the night as always, these two guys know who to put on a great match. Im glad that AJ went over in this match so we can finally get past this storyline. Im glad that Daniels and Kaz have finally been given ample TV time but this story has got to end. I have no idea who that woman was that refereed the Knockouts Title match. I have a feeling that she is a former WWE Diva and has no place in TNA. They shoudl have gotten someone like Cheerleader Melissa or any former Knockout that could actually add something to the division. However I think now is a bad time to build the knockouts division because they dont get any air time as it is because of the B4G series taking center stage. Maybe after October start building. The ending of Impact was good, but I have a feeling Bully Ray and/or Roode will start saying that Storm orchestrated the attack to get heat off of him. Good show overall.

[Makhai]

About the point that Tiffany came out, this was solidly the worst iMPACT of 2012... Maybe something in January or February sucked worse then this, but... I hope not. Holy crap, what a turd.

[Rone Rivendale]

About the point that Tiffany came out, this was solidly the worst iMPACT of 2012... Maybe something in January or February sucked worse then this, but... I hope not. Holy crap, what a turd.

What show were you watching? :P

[The Stallion]

I agree, I thought the show was solid. Dont know why you didnt like it.

[Blackman]

They signed Tiffany? And I thought TNA was doing the most to better women's pro wrestling. Right now WWE is almost miles ahead in terms of talent signings.

[The Stallion]

They signed Tiffany? And I thought TNA was doing the most to better women's pro wrestling. Right now WWE is almost miles ahead in terms of talent signings.

As for right now she is only a referee. However I do think it only a matter of time before she is wrestling. Heck there is a rumor that Brooke Hogan is going to wrestle. While I am enjoying the show overall I think the knockouts is a shell of its former self. TNA could have gone out and gotten any number of indy talents that not only are good looking but talented as well. If they did not want to go hire anyone than Tara should have been the special guest ref. It would have made sence considering she was the one screwed over for the Title shot by Hebner.

[Makhai]

As for right now she is only a referee. However I do think it only a matter of time before she is wrestling. Heck there is a rumor that Brooke Hogan is going to wrestle. While I am enjoying the show overall I think the knockouts is a shell of its former self. TNA could have gone out and gotten any number of indy talents that not only are good looking but talented as well. If they did not want to go hire anyone than Tara should have been the special guest ref. It would have made sence considering she was the one screwed over for the Title shot by Hebner.


The problem I've always had with the KO's is that they skirt the line between model/wrestlers at the expense of both formulas... Taeler Hendrix is a perfect example. She's a mediocre worker, and I'd hit that; if she'd let me. But, she's not getting a Maxim spread anytime in her lifetime.

Conversely, Aja Kong was/is probably the best worker in Joshi history. But she is legitimately scary and would legitimately get physical with them. If you put that in the same ring as a Kelly Kelly(to jump all over the place in history here) she would refuse to work with her; immediately quit. This damages your ability to bring in future models that can get on those covers for your stupid cheap marketing which is the whole point of women's divisions in the model format.

You could go pure-wrestling, but, girls who can wrestle A) have a much shorter shelf life then their male counterparts. This feeds into B) They're never going to get get as over. C) Are never going to draw a dime. No matter how over they get.

This is a tough situation for TNA because, they need that stupid cheap marketing way more than the WWE does, but if they get that girl who becomes a hot model, she's going to leave for the WWE.

You could just ax the whole roster of girls... But they always pop ratings with Spike's "Manswers" demo. So, the full model formula seems like the best option... Even if that does mean Tiffany has to walk back into my life... with her hands on her knees the whole time, of course.

[Blackman]

You could go pure-wrestling, but, girls who can wrestle A) have a much shorter shelf life then their male counterparts. This feeds into B) They're never going to get get as over. C) Are never going to draw a dime. No matter how over they get.


True, perhaps. But if I recall correctly there once was a TNA that didn't care about those things. Ok, so you basically had Trinity & Laree, who ended up at the big E eventually, the one more succesful as the other. They were both quite popular back then, but imo that was not due to their looks. Maybe because they were the only women that were pushed. Maybe the mentality was different? It matters not. Imo TNA does not have the marketing shell that WWE has. With all their co-productions, part-time hollywood appearances, it's not illogical that WWE opts for lookers. TNA has little to none of that, so they indeed need the in-between ones that have more talent so they can market it as such (KO's anno 2005, saying they are better at wrestling) without me laughing my ass off. WWE's division seems to be going somewhere, though I don't like the current roster. TNA's division is just poor, empty whole.

[The Stallion]

The problem I've always had with the KO's is that they skirt the line between model/wrestlers at the expense of both formulas... Taeler Hendrix is a perfect example. She's a mediocre worker, and I'd hit that; if she'd let me. But, she's not getting a Maxim spread anytime in her lifetime.

Conversely, Aja Kong was/is probably the best worker in Joshi history. But she is legitimately scary and would legitimately get physical with them. If you put that in the same ring as a Kelly Kelly(to jump all over the place in history here) she would refuse to work with her; immediately quit. This damages your ability to bring in future models that can get on those covers for your stupid cheap marketing which is the whole point of women's divisions in the model format.

You could go pure-wrestling, but, girls who can wrestle A) have a much shorter shelf life then their male counterparts. This feeds into B) They're never going to get get as over. C) Are never going to draw a dime. No matter how over they get.

This is a tough situation for TNA because, they need that stupid cheap marketing way more than the WWE does, but if they get that girl who becomes a hot model, she's going to leave for the WWE.

You could just ax the whole roster of girls... But they always pop ratings with Spike's "Manswers" demo. So, the full model formula seems like the best option... Even if that does mean Tiffany has to walk back into my life... with her hands on her knees the whole time, of course.

I dont know, I think I have to disagree. There was a time when the Knockouts were getting the highest rating on the show and that was when Kong was battling it out with Gail Kim.

[Jaysin]

Did they find that kid the same place they found Claire Lynch? Horrible acting/mic skills.

Oh well, I love the unified locker room.

[petecrimson00]

Did they find that kid the same place they found Claire Lynch? Horrible acting/mic skills.

Oh well, I love the unified locker room.

you guys *deep breath* are gunna *deep breath* get it *deep breath* tonight.

reminds me of the kid from Malcolm in the middle

[Jaysin]

Fun three way. I love Robbie.

[20LEgend]

So what is in JB's test results?!?!

That is terrible - like the entire f'n storyline.

[Jaysin]

God that Gutcheck kid was terrible.

[petecrimson00]

God that Gutcheck kid was terrible.

agreed, he could've really hurt himself or Gunner with his choppy wrestling

[20LEgend]

Surely Ken should be on going for subs since he needs the 10?

Edit: That was his last match? So he's out?

Yup :D

[petecrimson00]

so on an odd note, Batista has the look of like the next Batista or Lashley, how isn't he being toted as a future star?

[Jaysin]

so on an odd note, Batista has the look of like the next Batista or Lashley, how isn't he being toted as a future star?

Huh?

Anyway...I LOVED THAT ENDING!

[petecrimson00]

Huh?

Anyway...I LOVED THAT ENDING!

WOWWW, I meant Robbie T. my apoligies. and i agree. Anarchy ftw.

[Jaysin]

WOWWW, I meant Robbie T. my apoligies. and i agree. Anarchy ftw.

When Robbie T debuted they tried to push him as a legit threat. He worked wonders as the British Invasion's body guard and he's fine in that role. The dude can do a bad ass spinning back kick(Booker T style) and he has a great look, but he's just not that good in the ring. He busts his ass though.

Pretty sure that's why they stopped his push.

[Rone Rivendale]

So during that ending brawl, one guys's mask was mostly pulled off (accidently) and I am 70% sure I saw the face of Big Vito.

[Jaysin]

I just want Cliff Compton to be involved :mad:

[petecrimson00]

When Robbie T debuted they tried to push him as a legit threat. He worked wonders as the British Invasion's body guard and he's fine in that role. The dude can do a bad ass spinning back kick(Booker T style) and he has a great look, but he's just not that good in the ring. He busts his ass though.

Pretty sure that's why they stopped his push.

well, I'd like to see them build up to it, put him against some better guys, work his skills and see how much he can really do. TNA used to do that alot, trying to push guys too fast, I can see him being a pretty big star in a few years depending on how he evolves

[Jaysin]

well, I'd like to see them build up to it, put him against some better guys, work his skills and see how much he can really do. TNA used to do that alot, trying to push guys too fast, I can see him being a pretty big star in a few years depending on how he evolves

He's working in OVW now too. Pretty sure he's their champ. Doug Williams just got sent to OVW has head trainer.

TNA's development talent are in GREAT hands.

[petecrimson00]

He's working in OVW now too. Pretty sure he's their champ. Doug Williams just got sent to OVW has head trainer.

TNA's development talent are in GREAT hands.

I remember an article in I think PWI like years ago naming people they thought would be big stars at WM 25 (this was right after like WM 20) naming Kevin Thorn, Williams, and Danielson amongst others. I haven't seen much of Williams, I assume he's a technician, I think i saw his match a Destination X

[Jaysin]

I remember an article in I think PWI like years ago naming people they thought would be big stars at WM 25 (this was right after like WM 20) naming Kevin Thorn, Williams, and Danielson amongst others. I haven't seen much of Williams, I assume he's a technician, I think i saw his match a Destination X

I'm a massive fan of Thorn, Williams, and of course Danielson.

I've backed Thorn since the Mordecai gimmick though. Just something about Fertig I like. I really hope he finds a job in TNA. I always bring him in as Serpent(the name he used in his tryout match with TNA) and Shelly Martinez as Desire in TEW. I always build a stable around them full of dark stuff with Thorn essentially being the devil.

Williams is definitely a technician and a fine one at that. His mic skills are criminally underrated though. I was heartbroken when the rumored team of Williams, Magnus, and Desmond Wolfe(Nigel McGuinness) didn't come to fruition. Magnus and Williams were great together as British Invasion and Magnus and Wolfe were even better together as London Brawling.

[petecrimson00]

I'm a massive fan of Thorn, Williams, and of course Danielson.

I've backed Thorn since the Mordecai gimmick though. Just something about Fertig I like. I really hope he finds a job in TNA. I always bring him in as Serpent(the name he used in his tryout match with TNA) and Shelly Martinez as Desire in TEW. I always build a stable around them full of dark stuff with Thorn essentially being the devil.

Williams is definitely a technician and a fine one at that. His mic skills are criminally underrated though. I was heartbroken when the rumored team of Williams, Magnus, and Desmond Wolfe(Nigel McGuinness) didn't come to fruition. Magnus and Williams were great together as British Invasion and Magnus and Wolfe were even better together as London Brawling.

I'm a huge fan of Fertig too, lovvved the Seven gimmick in OVW, didn't mind the Thorn gimmick but I think they missed the chance with the Mordecai gimmick. I may just have to do that in my TEW game just have to get a real world mod! Is Williams retired or semi-active now or what?

And Nigel has hep C now or was that a rumor? I know he announces for ROH now, but I never really researched the reasoning too much

[Jaysin]

I think Nigel shot down the hep c rumors, but he said the only way he could wrestle full time is if he had someone paying his medical bills and that won't happen any where other than WWE.

I don't think Doug is retired though. I think they just don't have anything for him. I'd like to see him get one more good go around though. He's a hell of a worker.

[petecrimson00]

Ahh, yeah I saw him arguing with Corino on ROH the other day and I was confused what happened there.

and thats a shame, I will have to Youtube him now, any suggestions?

[Jaysin]

I'll see if I can compile a list of my favorites. I know he had a nice match with American Dragon/Danielson in APW back in 2001. I'm not sure if it's on youtube anymore though.

He also beat Danielson to get entrance to the inaugural ROH Title match. I've never seen that match though.

[petecrimson00]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grgMiSTXGy4
that? lol.

[Jaysin]

Haha yeah. I haven't seen it in years, but I remember it enjoying it . If I remember right, it's pretty good.

[The Stallion]

Was not to impressed with last nights Impact. It served the one and only purpose of advancing the Aces & Eights storyline and thats about it.
I like the Robbie E win, I thought that was hysterical.
The Mr Anderson match made no sence because surley he would know that the only way he was going to break the top 4 was with a submission. The announcers kept hyping it as any victory would help and it was plainly obvious that he needed a submission by looking at the leader board. The match was pretty good though. I loved the Devon is better chant.
The gut check kid needs a big fat NO. He was by far the worse one TNA has brought in for a match. I dont know who recomended him but they should never get a say in who is brought in again. He was terrible.
The rest of the matches were forgettable and while the ending was good I was waiting for that big reveal.

[angeldelayette]

For those of you who are in the 48 contiguous states of the United States, make sure you sign up for the Direct Auto Insurance Bound For Glory Fly Away Sweepstakes. Last year, I won the BFG Fly Away Sweepstakes sponsored by Circle K and it was a blast. I got to go to a reception the first night, the fan fest on that Saturday, a breakfast the Sunday of the pay-per-view plus two tickets in the second row of Bound For Glory last year. They flew me out, paid for the hotel, paid for the transportation to get to the arena and back. It is so much fun. I, of course, am already signed up this year as well. I am hoping to have the same luck I had last year. But if I don't win, I would love to have someone else from the Grey Dog Software family go. The link is here.

http://www.directimpactwin.com

[Jaysin]

For those of you who are in the 48 contiguous states of the United States, make sure you sign up for the Direct Auto Insurance Bound For Glory Fly Away Sweepstakes. Last year, I won the BFG Fly Away Sweepstakes sponsored by Circle K and it was a blast. I got to go to a reception the first night, the fan fest on that Saturday, a breakfast the Sunday of the pay-per-view plus two tickets in the second row of Bound For Glory last year. They flew me out, paid for the hotel, paid for the transportation to get to the arena and back. It is so much fun. I, of course, am already signed up this year as well. I am hoping to have the same luck I had last year. But if I don't win, I would love to have someone else from the Grey Dog Software family go. The link is here.

http://www.directimpactwin.com

Entered. The only TNA show I've ever gotten to go to was a house show. So it'd be pretty awesome to win this.

[Jaysin]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/305283_10151076496751026_1809098240_n.jpg

I love Sting's facial expressions.

[bigtplaystew]

Robbie E is a Dolph-level seller lol. That match with AJ and RVD was actually pretty good. It was a decent show if you take away the Hulk Hogan snarling part.

[Fleisch]

Gotta say I was quite impressed with Impact this week (we get it Sundays in the UK). Showing Aces & Eights as their own entity rather than just "oh 5 guys in a biker gang... pffft yeah right". Everyone was trying to see who was behind the masks, despite the fact that the 5 guys who you'd probably say are key to the angle didn't even show up til Aries was on his own! It was a great way to keep people guessing (some smart asses say they know who they all are, but they don't, they can only speculate as TNA and the talent are keeping very tight lipped). My guess for the 5 guys that took Aries out at the end, Mike Knoxx, Luke Gallows, Chris Masters, Wes Brisco and maybe Jay Bradley? Again that's just my guess. I'd like to see Harry Smith as a part of it, but I think he's over in New Japan at the moment.

I don't get to watch any wrestling when it's actually on and tape it to watch a day or so later - I don't want the results plastered in front of me so I don't come into this topic until after I've seen it (same with wrestling "news" sites).

[Jaysin]

Man Impact looks pretty solid again this week. RVD vs James Storm, Angle vs Hardy, and AJ vs Joe are all going down. Plus, I'm excited for more Aces & Eights shenanigans.

[Makhai]

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3733-Who-Will-Be-The-Final-Four-At-No-Surrender


Great article, but, why isn't this more of a thing? Like Anderson had his final match and was 10pts off 4th... He needed a submission to have much of a chance at getting into the Final 4.(Still needed a DQ regardless as AJ has a million matches in hand) This was never brought up, never worked into the match... Isn't this the whole point of the series to inject drama and interest into the Impact matches?

Anyways Aces & 8s is really coming off the rails. Aries was humiliated, and glacial Hulk Hogan and cokehead Sting came off looking like the baddest things on TNAs roster... I really hope this isn't going the way I think it's going...

[The Final Countdown]

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3733-Who-Will-Be-The-Final-Four-At-No-Surrender


Great article, but, why isn't this more of a thing? Like Anderson had his final match and was 10pts off 4th... He needed a submission to have much of a chance at getting into the Final 4.(Still needed a DQ regardless as AJ has a million matches in hand) This was never brought up, never worked into the match... Isn't this the whole point of the series to inject drama and interest into the Impact matches?
I was thinking the same thing as I was watching that match. Anderson never attempting any submissions and being content to win the match by pin made him look like a massive doofus given the circumstances (to say nothing of how Tazz and Tenay were calling him a "big match player" or something for winning the match.)

[Makhai]

I was thinking the same thing as I was watching that match. Anderson never attempting any submissions and being content to win the match by pin made him look like a massive doofus given the circumstances (to say nothing of how Tazz and Tenay were calling him a "big match player" or something for winning the match.)

I know, if the Cowboys were down by 6 with 1:10 and no timeouts and they kicked a 53yrd FG on 4th and 13 nobodies going.... WOOOOOOOOOOH! BILLY CUNDIFF! PRIMETIME PLAYA!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOH! Cowboy's fans would be calling for Jason Garrett's head.

[The Stallion]

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3733-Who-Will-Be-The-Final-Four-At-No-Surrender


Great article, but, why isn't this more of a thing? Like Anderson had his final match and was 10pts off 4th... He needed a submission to have much of a chance at getting into the Final 4.(Still needed a DQ regardless as AJ has a million matches in hand) This was never brought up, never worked into the match... Isn't this the whole point of the series to inject drama and interest into the Impact matches?

Anyways Aces & 8s is really coming off the rails. Aries was humiliated, and glacial Hulk Hogan and cokehead Sting came off looking like the baddest things on TNAs roster... I really hope this isn't going the way I think it's going...

The Aces & Eights thing made sence. The guys Sting and Hogan beat uo were just low level guys. the guys who attacked Aries were the head boys.

[BHK1978]

Did anyone catch who the final attacker was that entered the ring without a mask on?

[20LEgend]

Cool show, I'm pretty sure Daniels & KAz were filling in as part of Aces & Eight as well as apparantely D'Lo (I heard the D'Lo one elsewhere), so I'm not sure how much my constant guessing of who they are will do but it was a good show I thought.

This is the guy:




https://dl.dropbox.com/u/4334542/Photo%20Aug%2030%2C%2010%2025%2024%20PM.jpg

[MichiganHero]

For anyone interested apparently Marty Scurll and Rockstar Spud are to get Gut Checks when TNA tour the UK. And The Blossom Twins as well.

[Jingo]

For anyone interested apparently Marty Scurll and Rockstar Spud are to get Gut Checks when TNA tour the UK. And The Blossom Twins as well.

Thats good news, Spud is awesome!!! Don't know Scurll but the Blossom Twins are usable ...

[Rone Rivendale]

Thats good news, Spud is awesome!!! Don't know Scurll but the Blossom Twins are usable ...

If RW Mods are anywhere close to correct, the Blossom Twins would be as useable as Claire Lynch. :P

[Jingo]

If RW Mods are anywhere close to correct, the Blossom Twins would be as useable as Claire Lynch. :P

Oh i'm not claiming they are anywhere close to being a Sara Del Ray level of usable but going by the current crop of Womens wrestlers in TNA (which has gone massivle downhill) they are useable, they can sell, put on a decent match and make for an interesting dynamic having twins i always thought.

Oh and since we are on Claire Lynch i would of loved to of seen how that job interview went ... :o

[Jaysin]

Spoiler below regarding Aces & Eights

Apparently, Luke Gallows wrestled house shows with TNA this past weekend as a member of Aces & Eights.

[Jaysin]

Appletini <3

[Teh_Showtime]

Tag match was amazing

[Jaysin]

Tag match was amazing

That it was. I hope we get a repeat from them at Bound for Glory.

[Makhai]

PPV was good, I'm not looking forward to the filler with Aces & 8s stuff in-between on Impact, but it was fun. First half was much better than the second half.

They did a super good job of setting the stage for Hardy to hit the ball out of the park, but he couldn't sell his way out of a wet paper bag. The Roode screwing Storm angle was great as was the coronation for Bully Ray, and the subsequent fake Eric Bischoff/WCW booking move. It was a fun distraction.

[Teh_Showtime]

The main event started off with a good story but after that it turned into a finisher spam fest

Jeff hit AT LEAST 4 twist of fates and Bully hit 2 cutters and a bubba bomb all before the finish. That match just didn't do it for me. Bully's promo with Hogan before the match was good however, but Jeff Hardy bores the crap out of me.

[20LEgend]

The set up for that was great and then the main event, and the eventual winner were horrible, really would have loved Bully Ray to be in the match @ BFG especially since the WHC match would've had a much stronger build in the weeks coming (I presume).

Really not a Hardy fan and considering Bubba has come from out of shape to working his ass off/being awesome and Jeff looks often unmotivated and lazy I thought Ray deserved it. Would've been a great main event for BFG too, considering it was what started off Aries real main event push.

Terrible main event booking - I too hate people spamming finishers (It really soured Angle vs. Hardy at Lockdown and The Undertaker recent matches for me).

That said TNA are doing a lot right ATM, but this just took quite a lot of my interest out of BFG - also I hate Hogan so that was annoying tonight :D

[OctoberRaven]

I'll be honest.

I'd rather have had Robbie E win the BFG than Hardy.

That being said, the worst thing about the whole deal is that there's no logic in booking Hardy to win the belt. Aries is a great champ, hasn't held it for very long. The only justification for having Aries lose the belt is if the man he drops it to has no real quarrel with the Aces and 8s so we can have the title storyline and the Aces and 8s storyline separate. Which is also a bad idea as An8s is SUCH A REALLY AMAZING STORYLINE and all the real main eventers are involved anyway. But if that was their end game, Jeff didn't have a quarrel with An8s... until tonight. Now he has as much of a reason to fight them as anyone else.

Bully should have won it, if not him then Joe (and Joe REALLY fits being someone who would not care at all about An8s). Hardy was the worst option and seeing as half his big moves got cricket reactions he should just be written out of the PPV altogether.

[Makhai]

I honestly was 100% sure after the Hardy injury that they were setting the stage for James Storm to comeback and step in for Hardy all the way up to the bell rang. It just made too much sense to me. But I'm guessing they want to stack that BFG card instead. Figure now it's Hardy-Aries, Storm vs. Roode, Sting vs. A&8s leader, Brooke vs. Brooke(TMZ attention grab), AJ & Angle vs. Kaz and Daniels, Ion vs. _____, and Magnus vs. Samoa Joe. Could be a fun card.

[bigtplaystew]

BGF looks better this year than last year's from top to bottom. I feel like Sting/Hogan last year gave us thast sense of closure that we never really get from WWE. There was a storyline there, they ended it, then snowballed it into something else.

Im not in agreement that Aces and 8s is a great storyline. I've read it compared to nWo but that's not really a good comparison. It kinda comes off liek a TNA rip off of the old nexus storyline. They just come out and attack people and run away. It's not new or interesting, just a typical heel stable that will be forgotten about in less than a year because they consist of jobbers and FCW rejects. There's no real payoff there just, "OK the good guys can beat up the guys who've been sneak attacking them now, yay!"

[The Stallion]

I liked the story that was told between Hardy and Ray last night. It was a good old fashioned injured face overcoming the odds. While I dont think Hardy / Aries is the dream match for Bound 4 Glory that say, a AJ / Aries, Angle / Aries or even Ray / Aries would be, you have to look at it from TNA's perspective. Hardy is the biggest money maker for them in terms of merchendise so of course they are going to try and put in at the top of the card at there biggest PPV of the year. Now the next question is, who do you have go over. If Hardy wins the Title it could be part of his contact negotiations. Its been known that Hardy is coming up on his contract and I know TNA would be very eger to keep him. One way to make him happy is to put the belt on him. Or does TNA invest in the future and have Aries go over one of the biggest stars in the company. Aries needs another big win over a top guy to solidify his standin as a top guy. I say have Aries go over Hardy and have Hardy win the belt somewhere else down the line. I think Aries is the guy to lead the company into the future.

[Blackman]

Joe tapping out to a headlock from Hardy? Did I see that right?

Cuz I kinda stopped watching after that. :p Nah I'm just kidding. TNA's doing at least one thing right: the promo's are really good imo. Nice camerawork especially.

And +1 for Aries vs AJ.

[The Stallion]

Like the show last night. Overall very strong edition of Impact with some really good matches. The Gut Check kid seemed to sell really well, much better than there last gut check so I guess that's a plus. I'm not 100% sold on how the Aries chasing Hardy thing is playing out. It makes Aries seem minor league to Hardy being big league. I think having Aries loose to Ray was actually a good thing. This will help the build up to B4G. If TNA's plan is to keep the belt on Aries then this could be a really good story. Aries doubts himself all the way up to B4G and then wins the big one against Hardy. Could be good I just dont like the way they are handling it right now. It makes Aries seem like a whiner.

[Jaysin]

Like the show last night. Overall very strong edition of Impact with some really good matches. The Gut Check kid seemed to sell really well, much better than there last gut check so I guess that's a plus. I'm not 100% sold on how the Aries chasing Hardy thing is playing out. It makes Aries seem minor league to Hardy being big league. I think having Aries loose to Ray was actually a good thing. This will help the build up to B4G. If TNA's plan is to keep the belt on Aries then this could be a really good story. Aries doubts himself all the way up to B4G and then wins the big one against Hardy. Could be good I just dont like the way they are handling it right now. It makes Aries seem like a whiner.

Aries has always been minor league and Jeff has been an international star for years. They pushed Aries to the moon and now he's facing off with an established name.

I feel like the only person who is expecting them to tear the house down. Jeff has been in good shape and seems motivated and that's when you get something special from him.

I do hope Aries retains though.

[20LEgend]

The problem for me is I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Hardy match.

[The Stallion]

I am looking foward to the Hardy / Aries match. It should be good. however Im not sold on making Aries looking like a punk compared to Hardy. I do hope Aries retains.

[Rone Rivendale]

The way this storyline is heading, a loss by Aries would completely kill the huge push he has been given the last several months. So I would have to think Aries will be the David to slay the Goliath Jeff Hardy and ascend to Main Event status on a permanent basis.

If they hadn't introduced the whole "You aren't chasing me, I am chasing you. I want to be everything you have been" thing, a loss to Hardy would not have mattered. It would almost be expected after Hardy won the BFG. I think this puts a lot of pressure on Aries to go out there and put on the kind of match that will stand the test of time. Is he capable of it? Hell yeah. And Hardy (when focused) is always capable of great matches as well.

I know not everyone here knows about Aries' past in ROH (I'm sure a lot of you do though, since this is a very smart wrestling crowd) but he was the 1st and only 2 time ROH World Champion. He was a big deal up until he got so big that ROH could not afford to pay him what he deserved.

I might be giving TNA too much credit, but I can't help but think his 1 year reign with the X Title was planned all along as a stepping stone into the World Title scene. They needed someone to step in once Roode had the belt long enough to cement him into the top level of the company. We all knew Roode and Storm were going to feud for a long time. And most people have been sick of seeing the same ex-WWE guys at the top. Aries was a logical and refreshing choice. And I think he has more than delivered, especially in the ring.

TL;DR: If Hardy beats Aries, it'll be a big mistake.

[The Stallion]

Austin Aries vs Jeff Hardy - TNA World Title Match
I think what goes down in this match really depends on how the negotiations between Hardy and TNA have gone. If Hardy is happy with his position in TNA and is okay with giving the rub to Aries, then I think Aries retains. However Hardy could want another go at being the top guy in the company. A "give me another chance boss I wont let you down this time I promise" type thing. If he holds the fact that he can take his merchandise money maker back to the WWE to get this, then we have a new TNA Champ come the end of B4G. However I hope that Aries retains and Hardy stays on in TNA because the guy can be entertaining and I think does have a spot in TNA. Winner = Austin Aries

Aces & Eights vs Sting & Bully Ray
This one is a little hard because of all the rumors surrounding Aces & Eights. A Bully Ray turn on Sting would be too predictable, even though highly likely in my opinion. If you look back on it Ray has never been touched by Aces & Eights (unless I missed something). What I dont want to see is Eric Bischoff in charge of them. From the word going around the only reason Bischoff was thrown in there as there mouthpiece was to keep people guessing on who the leader really is. I think it may come down to being Jeff Jarrett even though he does not fit in with the biker gang mentality. A really interesting twist would be Scott Steiner, feeding off of the legit heat between Hogan & Steiner, kind of like TNA did with Jarrett & Angle a few years ago. However I think it comes down to it being Jeff Jarrett wanting to get his company back and being let into the Impact Zone for good would be the first step. Winners = Aces & Eights

World Tag Team Title match Kurt Angle & AJ Styles vs Chavo & Hernandez vs Daniels & Kazarian
Daniels & Kazarian have been the best thing to happen to the TNA Tag Team division since The Motorcity Machine Guns departed TNA. Taking the titles off of them would be a shame. Plus add in the fact that Kurt has been saying that he does not want to be a top guy anymore and Chavo and Hernandez are too green as a tag team and the obvious choice is to keep the belts on Daniels & Kazarian. Winners = Daniels & Kazarian

Street Fight James Storm vs Bobby Roode w/ King Mo as special enforcer.
This should be a really great match as these two have really good chemistry with each other. I'm still not totally sold on James Storm as a top singles guy in the company as I think Roode is a much better singles competitor. What I would love to see and what I think will happen is King Mo turning on James Storm and siding with Roode setting up a temporary tag team and leading to Mo's eventual Title run in the company with Roode. Winner = Robert Roode

TV Title match Magnus vs Samoa Joe
This one has been brewing for a while ever since Magnus turned on Joe. As much as I would like to see Magnus take that next step up in the roster, as I believe he can be huge if handled right, I think this is the beginning of a long title run for my man The Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe. Winner = Samoa Joe

Knockouts Championship Tara vs Ms Tessmocker
The Knockouts division needs a boost and I think Tara as the front runner for the division is the right way to go. However I think Tessmocker is along the same lines as Hardy as she sells merchandise. Shes sexy, she sells and shes popular with young males. Is this a good reason to keep the belt on her..HELL NO! However with the way TNA has been going with this division I have to doubt that Tessmocker will come out with the Title on her waist. I do see a bit of culmination of the Tara / Hot Hollywood Boyfriend story line coming to a head. Winner = Ms Tessmocker

Al Snow vs Joey Ryan
This one is a given, Ryan is entertaining and TNA knew that from the very beginning. I see Ryan cheating to get the win, but getting the win and a TNA contract non-the-less. In my personal opinion I would have approached Taz on the possibility of getting in the ring with Joey. I think many more people would be interested in a Taz in-ring return than a Al Snow in-ring return. Not that there is anything wrong with Al Snow, I just think Taz is a more interesting character in this situation, especially with how Taz reacted at the very beginning in his interactions with Joey. Winner = Joey Ryan

TNA X-Division Championship Zema Ion vs ???
With virtually no build up and no hype I expect Ion's opponent to be named tonight on Impact. That being said it will most likely be someone he has paired up with before and beaten (Sonjay Dutt, Kenny King, Douglas Williams), and he will go on to retain. I like Ion and I think the kid has a lot of talent and charisma so keeping the belt on him is a smart choice right now, especially since there is no build up to anyone else in the x-division right now. However I would love to see Sonjay challenge and win it. Winner = Zema Ion.

Overall I rate this card about 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. Not the strongest Bound 4 Glory that TNA has put together, but still a solid card that is sure to entertain. If anyone is in the Connecticut area and wants to see the PPV hit me up. I'm buying it. Later!

[bigtplaystew]

I'm so confused... so Aces and 8s has been doing all this... to gain access to TNA's offices?? Lol for serious? Am I missing something?

[The Stallion]

I'm so confused... so Aces and 8s has been doing all this... to gain access to TNA's offices?? Lol for serious? Am I missing something?

Well they want access to the arenas. They want to be able to come and go as they please. they dont want to be "locked out" anymore. Its just my personal opinion that if Jeff
Jarrett is the ringleader he is doing this to somehow get his company back.

[BHK1978]

Well they want access to the arenas. They want to be able to come and go as they please. they dont want to be "locked out" anymore. Its just my personal opinion that if Jeff
Jarrett is the ringleader he is doing this to somehow get his company back.

That would be the most logical way to go and that is the way I hope they go. However, this is TNA so all logic tends to go out the window with them.:D Now watch the ringleader turn out to be Sharkboy or someone of that ilk.:D

[Jaysin]

Plus, Jarrett was "fired" from TNA. So, he could be using Aces & 8's as his way back in.

[The Stallion]

Okay just a small revise from my previous post.

TNA X-Division Championship RVD vs Zema Ion
TNA threw this one together at the last moment , Im sure, as a way to get RVD on the card. No build up, no hype, just RVD telling Ion that he gets his pick of opponents and he chooses Zema. Now I dont think RVD will become the new X-Division champion any time soon. RVD does kind of have that X-Division style, however I dont think he can hang with the younger guys that frequent the X-Division at this stage of his life. I dont think he will agree to give Zema Ion the rub on a 1,2,3 victory, even a cheap one. I think RVD will get the win, but most likely due to disqualification. I think Ion will do something to "hurt" RVD, thus continuing his trend of almost ending his opponents carriers.

[Jaysin]

Predictions for Bound For Glory

Zema Ion(C) vs RVD for the X Division Title
Magnus vs Samoa Joe(c) for the TV Title
Joey Ryan vs Al Snow
Aces & 8's vs Sting and Bully Ray- I'm going against the grain and saying Bully doesn't turn on Sting. It's almost too obvious that's what they want us to think is going to happen.
Tara vs Tessmacher(c) for the Knockout Title- Tara wins, Velvet Sky returns
Bobby Roode vs James Storm- Roode wins, moving Storm into a program with Mo
AJ & Kurt vs Chavo & Hernandez vs Daniels & Kazarian(c) for the Tag Titles
Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries(c)

[FINisher]

Has anyone had any experience with the TNAdemand thingy? Online PPV and such. I've used WWE's and it's been very good, easy and so on but I have no experience with TNA. :o It was actually quite hard to even locate that site in the first place.

[D-Lyrium]

Bearing in mind I've only seen the last two episodes of Impact after deciding to give it a try (it may be last week and the week before, or it may be last week and this week. "This week" for me is the triple threat main event and was a thoroughly enjoyable show, "last week" was the Aries/Hardy tag main event and was a terrible show :p)...

While I'm all for surprises and swerves, it helps if they make some sort of sense. I'd be pissed if, at this point, the leader turned out to be Sting or Anderson. Anderson could've made sense, but for the promo during his entrance. If he hadn't pleaded to be included in the tag match, the attack after he was chosen could've been a sham (to strengthen his cause for the opportunity to get revenge (had he been attacked before? I'm guessing not, for this point to make sense) since we didn't actually see the attack happen. If he hadn't been attacked after the show, the plea during his entrance promo could've been a sham to get him into the match as an insider. But both together make no sense at all. So I hope it's not Anderson.

Sting is too obvious a swerve. I'd hate it to be him, just because it's so boring.

Jarrett is a good option, I don't know the history of how he came to lose his powers on-screen, but it's plausible that it's him (or one of the other former on-screen powers that hasn't been fired off-screen, like Bischoff).

Hogan is an outside shot at a swerve. He can't just 'let them in', or the roster would be up in arms. I don't know what happened to Brooke to make it 'personal' to Hogan, but if you want a cast-iron reason to be fake-pissed at something and make it seem legit in the eyes of the fans, having a gang of thugs 'beat up' your daughter would be high on the list of great ways to do it. It doesn't make too much sense (since the roster would be even more pissed at you after going through all of that), but TNA aren't famous for making sense. Besides, it's not exactly the first time Hogan's turned heel lately.

Or there's Bully Ray (who I love as a character, by the way). As with Anderson, the attack a few weeks ago could've been a sham, to give him a viable reason for wanting to be in the tag match. He did seem to be quite desperate to earn his place there. After Anderson is chosen, it's a pretty simple matter to have him mobbed as he leaves the arena and - oh look, Bully Ray is here to make his case... He's the most logical choice, if it's going to be someone turning (or swerving, I guess, since Ray is already a heel).

It's interesting, anyway. Which is more than TNA's main event storylines used to be. Although one of the guys in A&8s looks worryingly like Abyss.

Zema Ion(C) vs RVD for the X Division Title
- I doubt it's RVD (what's up with two title shots in two weeks, for different titles, neither of which having any build-up at all?), and I've only seen Zema once but I want to see more. That's probably a good thing, right?

Magnus vs Samoa Joe(c) for the TV Title
- It always makes me laugh when you defend a TV Title on PPV. Especially when, as with the other title, it has virtually no build-up. Sort of a story (Magnus was one of the contenders in that ridiculous "I'm going to interview you all for a title shot, which will basically involve asking you if you want one, then choosing the two obvious choices" angle the other week), but no actual build-up.

Joey Ryan vs Al Snow
- Ryan losing to a guy who, we're constantly reminded, isn't a wrestler would be a little bit silly.

Aces & 8s vs Sting and Bully Ray
- They're obviously going to win. The only thing worse than a "if you lose, you have to disband" match, is a "if you lose, you have to disband" match where they actually do lose, before they've even arrived to boot! But I don't think Bully Ray will turn. Jarrett is my man behind it. Or Dixie Carter's husband, whatever he's called. That'd be interesting.

Tara vs Tessmacher(c) for the Knockout Title
- Hopefully if Tara wins they'll stop saying "Tessmacher". I premptively apologise in the unlikely event that it's her real name, but could she not have picked something a bit less stupid? Stage names were invented for the very reason that some people are unfortunate enough to be called Tessmacher. Not having a first name just makes it worse. Also, Tara/Victoria is awesome.

Bobby Roode vs James Storm
- Genuinely no idea. I will say though, that I really hope King Mo isn't here long-term. Realistically, how is he supposed to ever lose a match while he's also a legit MMA fighter? No doubt the deal is doing wonders for Bellator, who I'd never heard of prior to this (except as having a similar name to a security firm in Deus Ex: Human Revolution :p), but I just can't see how he's supposed to be taken seriously in either role. Either he destroys everyone in TNA and makes the company look like crap, or when he loses in TNA, it makes the guy who beat him look like superman. Even by having the guy as a "special enforcer" it's basically saying "the mere fact he competes in MMA matches means he's better than anything we've got". His record is, what, 6-1-1? He's not even a 'well established' MMA guy. I just don't like the whole thing. Nothing against Mo himself.

AJ & Kurt vs Chavo & Hernandez vs Daniels & Kazarian(c) for the Tag Titles
- I like Daniels too much. I sense Styles and Angle are about to implode. Hopefully this leads to Styles vs. Angle and Chavo/Hernandez vs. Daniels/Kazarian (has that been done recently? I dunno). Also, these guys need team names, sheesh. The World Tag Team Champions Of The World is great, but even longer than Daniels/Kazarian.

Jeff Hardy vs Austin Aries(c)
- I started watching RoH about a month before Aries lost the title. Please don't let it happen again, Wrestling Gods? Not to Jeff Hardy, anyway. Although it has to be said, I don't hate Hardy as much as I thought I would. I need me some more A-Double. The Best Man That Ever Lived. Is he still the MV3: Most Valuable Vascular Vegetarian? Haven't heard that one in a while. :p

[Jaysin]

Tessmacher was the name of Lex Luthor's assistant in a Superman movie. Not sure which one or how many. When she debuted in TNA she was Bischoff's assistant. Pretty sure that's the only story behind her name.

Her real name is Brooke Adams

[Rone Rivendale]

Also, Magnus and Joe have been feuding for a while. It isn't "thrown together at the last minute"

[haloed]

Also, Magnus and Joe have been feuding for a while. It isn't "thrown together at the last minute"

While true, they haven't built on this feud for BFG at all over the past month leading to the PPV.

[D-Lyrium]

Also, Magnus and Joe have been feuding for a while. It isn't "thrown together at the last minute"

As I said, I've only seen the last two episodes. On those last two episodes, Magnus has appeared in precisely one segment, where Hogan considered him less of a challenger for the TV title than GARRETT BISCHOFF. So forgive me for not knowing they were supposed to be feuding. ¬_¬

[The Stallion]

Yea Magnus and Joe have been feuding on and off for the last few months since Magnus turned on Joe after Joe won the match between the two of them in the Bound 4 Glory series. There is a history between the two since they were Tag Team Champions for a while as well.

I dont think Hogan will be the guy behind Ace's & Eights. Most of everything points to Jeff Jarrett. It wont be Sting either because I doubt Sting will want to go the heel route at this point in his career. Plus the fan reaction when Sting teamed with Bully last Thursday was huge. Dont know if it was Bully of Sting the crowd was going nuts for but still...I doubt it will be Anderson. It could be Bully but my money is on a Jarrett return.

[TakerNGN74]

Am I the only one who thinks the leader of Aces and 8's is Eric Bischoff. I could be way off on this considering the fact that I don't get to watch TNA all that often. However I was home on a Thursday about two weeks ago and while watching TNA and the Aces and 8's segments when the leader was talking it to me clearly sounded like bischoff. Now the voice was a bit muffled but it still sounded a lot like bischoff to me. Like I said I could be wrong but Jeff Jarrett seems like a logical possibility as well but it almost makes too much sense for them to go that route.

[FINisher]

You know, I started wondering.. Why the name 'Aces and Eights'? I actually work as a card dealer, the hand is very much known as the "Dead Man's Hand" as some of you may know, especially Americans. The thing is that it's AA88, two pair. Black cards. But in a five card draw there's always the fifth card.

It's been argued that the fifth card was a Queen or a Jack. Or that it wasn't even drawn as Wild Bill held the four cards and only draw one, he may not have gotten it before he got shot as the tale tells.

Sting resembles me of Joker in someway, his facepaint. Could he be the 'fifth card' as it were? You know. Or could it be the Jack, maybe double J as in Jeff Jarrett. There has to be something behind the name choice and something related to cards, poker, suits and so on.

[The Final Countdown]

Am I the only one who thinks the leader of Aces and 8's is Eric Bischoff. I could be way off on this considering the fact that I don't get to watch TNA all that often. However I was home on a Thursday about two weeks ago and while watching TNA and the Aces and 8's segments when the leader was talking it to me clearly sounded like bischoff. Now the voice was a bit muffled but it still sounded a lot like bischoff to me. Like I said I could be wrong but Jeff Jarrett seems like a logical possibility as well but it almost makes too much sense for them to go that route.
Yeah, that was definitely Bischoff's voice. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll actually be part of the group, though. They might have just used him for that voiceover.

[FINisher]

Live recap:

RVD d. Zima Ion for the X-Division champ.
Samoa Joe d. Magnus to retain.
Storm vs. Roode going on. Storm is busted wide open. Good matches thus far, all of em. King Mo hasn't done anything yet, altough his looks have been awesome at times :D "O.O" when Storm DDT Roode outside. Holy hell Storm is bleeding. His face is completely red, crimson mask.. Sick. Omg they just went trough an annoncer's table. The wooden one, not the glass one. Roode speared Storm into it whilst Storm did a DDT. Looked weird yet effective. Crowd chanting this is awesome. Great, bloody brawl this far. SUPERKICK! Just two. Hebner should retire, his counts suck nowadays. It was clearly a three and you could see how he stopped his hand. Sure Roodes fault too. Roode goes for the pin! two.

THUMBTACKS! Storm on top rope, Roode picks up a bag and spreads thumbtacks all over. Storm pushes Roode ontot the tacks! Oh the brutality. Storm goes for elbow drop, connects. ROODE KICKS OUT BUH GAWD! Low blows to both guys. Drinking beer. Storm smashes a beer bottle to Roode's head! SUPERKICK! Roode falls on tacks!

Storm wins! Great match.

Snow vs. Ryan. Borefest. I wish this would end already. Ryan kicked out of Snow Ploug (or whatever the name of the move was. What a disgrace). Time for some head! lol Snow got dropped outside, Ryan went for baseball slide, Snow lifted the curtain and trapped him between the curtain and the ring. OMFG Matt Morgan comes from the crowd and boots Snows head off. Morgan and Ryan shake hands.

Three-way Tag team match next. MotN coming up. Daniels & Kazarian promo, great promo. Kazarian has learned a lot trough the years. lol Daniels "The world tag team champions.. of the world.." :D

[petecrimson00]

A couple thoughts.

1. Happy RVD won, Zema just seemed too green for me. He's entertaining but just mehh.

2. Why in the hell was Roode vs Storm not a co-main event? Makes no sense at all

3. Yay, Morgan is back, maybe he'll get as high up the roster as he deserves to be.

4. Why is the knockouts match after all these great matches?

[FINisher]

Let me answer 4: pretty much the same reason Snow vs. Ryan was just now. It's the perfect show theory. You must have highs and lows in the show. Perhaps after tag match is the women's match.

[FINisher]

HOLY HELL Kazarian O.O Hernandez was at the apron, Kazarian top rope. He did a hurricanrana, landing extremely badly on the ground. Right after that AJ Styles did a huge move, hopping from one side of the ring to another side's ropes and then outside. Outstanding match. Hopefully Kaz is okay. :confused:

OK Kazarian is okay. Got really scary for a moment. BME! Two count! The awesome match continues!

Wow. Chavo and Hernandez won. Fans are booing. Lackluster ending to a great match and people seem to be genuinely disappointed of the winners of the match. :o Ugh.. Riding on Eddie's name. I don't like it. It's been too long I think.

Yes I was right, women's match next.

[haloed]

Was hoping Kaz and Daniels would of retained. They've turned into a highly entertaining tag heel act.

[FINisher]

Tara wins the knockouts title from Tessmacher. Post-match introduces her bf (a complete nobody for me). Now it's time for Aces & 8's vs. Sting and Bully Ray.

[Jaysin]

If I had been able to be at Sting's hall of fame induction, there would have been no way I would have been able to keep my composure. I got teary eyed during that recap :p

[haloed]

Tara wins the knockouts title from Tessmacher. Post-match introduces her bf (a complete nobody for me). Now it's time for Aces & 8's vs. Sting and Bully Ray.


I think its that way for a lot of people. He does have a good look and I do know he's been working in OVW, so maybe they have something in him.

[Jaysin]

I just love how the crowd chanted "who are you?" repeatedly at Jessie Godderz

[FINisher]

lol Ray and Sting did the Doomsday Device :D 3rd A&8's guy ran in, the captured guy Parks broke handcuffs and started beating the third villain. Now getting tables. 4th guy runs in and puts Ray trough the table to get the victory. It was DQ rules, Hogan made it so at the start of the PPV. Now post-match beatdown.

Five villains now in the ring. Hogan comes to save. Omg this is not the 80's.. Hogan is dropping them one by one. One guy left standing in the ring. They're gonna remove his mask.. .. ..

D-VON DUDLEY!!! Knew it.

Ray is shocked. Kinda, lackluster-ish. After the Jarrett/Bischoff choices.. Ray is in tears: 'Why?.." LOL "This is awkward" chant.

Time for the main event.

[Jaysin]

:eek:

I love Devon!

[petecrimson00]

the most over guy in the impact zone (seemingly sometime) ends up being the leader or a member of aces and eights.. not bad.. lol

ande im a little disappointed in how Aries is basically acting just like CM Punk..

[haloed]

Nice swerve. But is D-Von supposed to be the leader? I guess I don't get it.

[The Stallion]

Okay WTF... Devon? Really? As of right now it makes no sence. Im glad Devon is back but what reason does he have to be the leader of Aces & Eights? Jelousy? Maybe? Who knows at this point. I do like that Devon may now get the chance at the top of the card.

[FINisher]

They are booing Hardy very heavily and cheering for Aries. This will be interesting.

[haloed]

Okay WTF... Devon? Really? As of right now it makes no sence. Im glad Devon is back but what reason does he have to be the leader of Aces & Eights? Jelousy? Maybe? Who knows at this point. I do like that Devon may now get the chance at the top of the card.

The only part that makes sense from a storyline point of view is Bully Ray getting screwed out of a shot at the World Title by Aces and Eights, but D-Von doesn't seem to fit into the rest of the story at all.

[petecrimson00]

omg Aries imitating Hardy just made my day!.. xD

[Hashasheen]

... he's not the leader, he's the mole. Was I the only one who got that?

[haloed]

... he's not the leader, he's the mole. Was I the only one who got that?

That would certainly make a lot more sense.

In any case the A&8's storyline regained some momentum in my eyes.

[Jaysin]

Hogan has been praising Devon almost nonstop in the media and kept talking about how upset he was that Devon didn't resign.

Well played TNA. Well played.

[FINisher]

Huge, huge booking mistake in my eyes. -.-'

[haloed]

Huge, huge booking mistake in my eyes. -.-'

Agreed. Great match despite that.

[Jaysin]

Highly enjoyable match. I love Hardy and Aries. I'm not going to complain about the winner.

The finish makes perfect sense. I'm proud of Jeff for getting his act together. He's in fantastic shape and seems motivated.

[petecrimson00]

Aries had to work harder than usual it seemed to even make Hardy look good. Bad booking decision. Great event but a shitty ending. Way to kill Aries run..

[TheOmniWarrior]

So... hogan no sells five members of the biggest heel force in TNA and they put the world title on a guy who will probably be back in rehab within three months. Well... It was nice to have some enjoyment from TNA while it lasted.

[Jaysin]

Hardy busted his ass, but "Aries had to work harder to make him look better"?

I don't see it. Hardy sold like a million bucks, worked his tail off, and him and Aries had a fantastic match.

Also, if Hardy would have lost, the BFG series winner would lose two years in a row. That would be idiotic.

[20LEgend]

... he's not the leader, he's the mole. Was I the only one who got that?

I didn't get that but really hope this is the case.

[petecrimson00]

Hardy busted his ass, but "Aries had to work harder to make him look better"?

I don't see it. Hardy sold like a million bucks, worked his tail off, and him and Aries had a fantastic match.

Also, if Hardy would have lost, the BFG series winner would lose two years in a row. That would be idiotic.

not as idiotic as killing the momentum of a guy they put the belt on only 2 months ago and had holding another belt for over a year. Hardy just wasnt the guy to beat Aries IMO. They should've given him a couple more months at least.

from a year reign before him (Roode), building him up and then killing it. Right as I was starting to believe in TNA. If there was no point in him being champion they should've just left the belt on Roode and had Storm win the series.

[Fleisch]

Well I had my whole match by match thoughts on BFG written up and the damn internet went down as I pressed "Reply" and it doesn't appear to have posted. So I'll just do a quick reply this time.

Needless to say I thought the show was one of the best PPV's this year from TNA. Devon as the mole is a stroke of genius. I'm thinking maybe only those in power knew he'd re-signed which is how they kept it so quiet. I'm now certain Bully Ray will not be a part of Aces & Eights, so back to Bischoff being unmasked as the eventual leader of the group.

I'm not sold on Hardy as Champion, or cutting short Aries reign at the 3 months mark (roughly) but we'll see what happens. Maybe it's a way for Roode to get back in the title picture. Somewhere down the line a 4 Way match between Hardy, Aries, Roode & Storm would be good.

I don't think there was a single match I disliked if I'm honest. The tag title match was epic! I really enjoyed it. As too was the Roode/Storm match. The knockouts match was typical of what to expect from them now Pritchard is in charge. Don't know who that guy was Tara introduced... I'm hoping I heard wrong when she introduced him as someone who was on Big Brother...

[Jaysin]

You didn't hear wrong, he was on Big Brother.

In all honesty, I've never even seen part of an episode of Big Brother and I know nothing about it. I just remember them signing the dude and hyping that he was from that show.

[Jaysin]

Spoiler below.

Jay Bradley(wrestled in WWE as Ryan Braddock), claims he's a member of Aces & 8's. He posted a picture on Twitter of one of their skull bandanna masks.

[alden]

So there was a swerve with devon who everyone thought was gone due to contract expiring.....everyone thought the same with morgan.....Anyone have any views on maybe flair being the leader? Two swerves with morgon and devon......What a shock it would be if flair is trying to take over tna

[Fleisch]

Spoiler below.



Haha. I think TNA may think differently now he's said he's a member! Although we've all speculated, and guessed who is under the masks, TNA have tried to keep it a well guarded secret so I think he may not be wearing one of them for much longer!

Several times I nearly put his name in this reply... would have negated all your white out with my stupidity!

[jwt13]

QJeff is the highest drawing member of TNA when he had the belt last their ratings were so e of the highest they've had. It's a good smart move by TNA.

[Jaysin]

Haha. I think TNA may think differently now he's said he's a member! Although we've all speculated, and guessed who is under the masks, TNA have tried to keep it a well guarded secret so I think he may not be wearing one of them for much longer!

Several times I nearly put his name in this reply... would have negated all your white out with my stupidity!

I'm pretty sure he was one of the ones in the actual tag match against Sting and Bully. He's a decent sized dude.

I liked what little I saw of him. I'm not saying he was the greatest thing ever, but he seemed decent enough and had a good look.

[Hive]

Brother Devon is the big revelation they could muster? lol

[Rone Rivendale]

Brother Devon is the big revelation they could muster? lol

Nope, just the first. And a damn good swerve. There are several more reveals to go.

[alden]

Devon is big in the way they did it. Maybe devon is not a huge name, but who did not think he was done with tna. Who did not think that yeah, he's going to run his school for a while and when he can go to wwe. I wish it would have been done with a bigger name....but i think it's just a matter of who's contract was up.....or was it even up? Was that all just to get the smarks thinking it would not be him? Of all the names brought up devon was never one of them

[Hive]

Of all the names brought up devon was never one of them

Maybe he wasn't brought up because he's not a big enough name for people to care. Maybe people simply expected someone a bit more interesting.

[crownsy]

Maybe he wasn't brought up because he's not a big enough name for people to care. Maybe people simply expected someone a bit more interesting.

But it's not like he's the leader or anything, he's just one of the lackeys. The reveal is big because it's who the mole was for a & 8's. And since he was one of the top babyfaces and they did a pretty good job working the IWC that he was released, it was a good swerve to open up showing who they are.

If he was the leader, I agree hive, lame. But as one of the lackey's it explains a bit of how they were able to have inside, company information.

I thought that part of the PPV was fine, and Hardy-Aeris was a very good match, but the wrong guy won. This whole PPV was panic booking, something we always get on WWE for and TNA should have avoided, since they were doing a nice job building new stars.

Look at the title winners last night. Chavo, Tara, RVD, Hardy...this screams "we need ratings!!! our guys suck we got two back to back .85 ratings!!!! if it had a cup of coffee in WWE, put the belt on it now!!!! RATINGSZOR"

it's completly overreacting to a drop in ratings that can be explained by 1) they are now up directly against the start of Thursday night football witht he time change to 8-10. nice one spike. and 2) they went against a political debate watched by 20 million people last week.

[Hive]

If he was the leader, I agree hive, lame. But as one of the lackey's it explains a bit of how they were able to have inside, company information.

I suppose you're right.

[The Final Countdown]

Also, if Hardy would have lost, the BFG series winner would lose two years in a row. That would be idiotic.
To me, the idiotic thing is putting the title back on the guy who has received (and blown) more "second chances" than just about anyone I can think of.

I'm reserving judgment on the Devon thing until his role in the group becomes clearer. If he's the leader, it's horrible.

[Derek B]

Just finished watching the show about an hour ago, was a fun show. They've had better PPVs this year but I still enjoiyed this a lot more than I tend to enjoy WWE shows so TNA are still winning for me.

I was surprised to see Devon show up but he's clearly not the real leader of the Aces and 8s. This was the end of this chapter, a way to get a hostile force into TNA and now they have properly arrived. There's going to be a higher power of some sort and I'd put money on it being Eric Bischoff. He's got history with bikers (the old WW Road Wild PPV was his baby), he's got issues with TNA management, he's a typical heel and he fits the role. The name of the stable is, as has been pointed out loads, the Dead Man's Hand and he was basically written out of TNA earlier in the year prior to this storyline beginning.

The other theory, that I give a 0% chance of being true but would please me greatly... is that it's The Undertaker. I know it isn't, but the sheer joy it would give me for the Dead Man's Hand to be reaching out to TNA, playing off his American Bad Ass times with the bikers and generally causing trouble... it would be the most insane and unlikely thing in pro wrestling history, but it would somehow make sense and put a smile on my face. I know it isn't Undertaker, but if he went insane tomorrow and signed with TNA it would be a very neat fit. :)

[haloed]

Just finished watching the show about an hour ago, was a fun show. They've had better PPVs this year but I still enjoiyed this a lot more than I tend to enjoy WWE shows so TNA are still winning for me.

I was surprised to see Devon show up but he's clearly not the real leader of the Aces and 8s. This was the end of this chapter, a way to get a hostile force into TNA and now they have properly arrived. There's going to be a higher power of some sort and I'd put money on it being Eric Bischoff. He's got history with bikers (the old WW Road Wild PPV was his baby), he's got issues with TNA management, he's a typical heel and he fits the role. The name of the stable is, as has been pointed out loads, the Dead Man's Hand and he was basically written out of TNA earlier in the year prior to this storyline beginning.

The other theory, that I give a 0% chance of being true but would please me greatly... is that it's The Undertaker. I know it isn't, but the sheer joy it would give me for the Dead Man's Hand to be reaching out to TNA, playing off his American Bad Ass times with the bikers and generally causing trouble... it would be the most insane and unlikely thing in pro wrestling history, but it would somehow make sense and put a smile on my face. I know it isn't Undertaker, but if he went insane tomorrow and signed with TNA it would be a very neat fit. :)



That would be epic.

[infinitywpi]

For the record, I saw it coming as soon as Hogan started saying the company was crazy to let Devon go.

I just didn't care enough about TNA to mention it.

Gonna hafta try to start watching, tho. The last few weeks sound like they've been pretty good.

[angeldelayette]

How about the man who is running the Aces And Eights being Raven? Granted, he hasn't been around since 2010. However, the whole Dead Man's Hand seems to fit his gimmick. He is a really smart guy in real life (MENSA material). He seems like he would be into the whole biker lifestyle. And he lost to Jeff Hardy in a match where he had to leave TNA and Jeff Hardy is now the World champ.

[Fleisch]

Right... Devon is the mole, not the leader. There is absolutely no way they would reveal the leader before any other members of the group - even if they were the worst creative team in the world. About 4 or 5 years ago, Raven being revealed as the mastermind would have been great. I was always a huge Raven fan, but I don't think he'd be as committed to the story these days.

I'm impressed to all those who saw it coming because I sure as hell didn't. As far as I (and those I talk to about TNA) was aware, Devon hadn't renewed his contract with the company so I was pleasantly surprised. Reminded me of a time before the Internet.

[alden]

I'm impressed to all those who saw it coming because I sure as hell didn't. As far as I (and those I talk to about TNA) was aware, Devon hadn't renewed his contract with the company so I was pleasantly surprised. Reminded me of a time before the Internet.

That is why I think it is such a huge deal.....Not that it was devon but NO ONE knew he resigned.....I mean, you figure one of the "newz" sites would have said something like devon resignes or someting like that.....It was a very well kept secret

[The Stallion]

Just finished watching the show about an hour ago, was a fun show. They've had better PPVs this year but I still enjoiyed this a lot more than I tend to enjoy WWE shows so TNA are still winning for me.

I was surprised to see Devon show up but he's clearly not the real leader of the Aces and 8s. This was the end of this chapter, a way to get a hostile force into TNA and now they have properly arrived. There's going to be a higher power of some sort and I'd put money on it being Eric Bischoff. He's got history with bikers (the old WW Road Wild PPV was his baby), he's got issues with TNA management, he's a typical heel and he fits the role. The name of the stable is, as has been pointed out loads, the Dead Man's Hand and he was basically written out of TNA earlier in the year prior to this storyline beginning.

The other theory, that I give a 0% chance of being true but would please me greatly... is that it's The Undertaker. I know it isn't, but the sheer joy it would give me for the Dead Man's Hand to be reaching out to TNA, playing off his American Bad Ass times with the bikers and generally causing trouble... it would be the most insane and unlikely thing in pro wrestling history, but it would somehow make sense and put a smile on my face. I know it isn't Undertaker, but if he went insane tomorrow and signed with TNA it would be a very neat fit. :)

Got to say this was fantasy booking on my part in my TNA game as well. It actually does make a bit of sense as far as the gimmick is concerned but I just cant find a reason why he would do it. I guess to get at Sting. That would be cool.

Devon resigning was really epic because NOBODY, I dont care what you say, saw it coming. Everyone thought that his contract was up and then they put the TV Title up for grabs which solidified it even more. Heck even Matt Morgan was reported on before his reveal at the house shows. The Devon thing is a stroke of genius. I think he has been way over with the crowd and turning him heel will finally get him some more TV time (I hope). I just hope this does not totally turn Bully Ray face. Maybe a tweener but not a face. He has been the best heel in the company for a long time. However Ray with the face paint at B4G was truly epic.

[Lo-Drew]

But it's not like he's the leader or anything, he's just one of the lackeys. The reveal is big because it's who the mole was for a & 8's. And since he was one of the top babyfaces and they did a pretty good job working the IWC that he was released, it was a good swerve to open up showing who they are.

If he was the leader, I agree hive, lame. But as one of the lackey's it explains a bit of how they were able to have inside, company information.

I thought that part of the PPV was fine, and Hardy-Aeris was a very good match, but the wrong guy won. This whole PPV was panic booking, something we always get on WWE for and TNA should have avoided, since they were doing a nice job building new stars.

Look at the title winners last night. Chavo, Tara, RVD, Hardy...this screams "we need ratings!!! our guys suck we got two back to back .85 ratings!!!! if it had a cup of coffee in WWE, put the belt on it now!!!! RATINGSZOR"

it's completly overreacting to a drop in ratings that can be explained by 1) they are now up directly against the start of Thursday night football witht he time change to 8-10. nice one spike. and 2) they went against a political debate watched by 20 million people last week.

I disagree with you here. I have no problem with Chavo and Hernandez winning the titles because out of the three teams, they need the most as of course AJ and Angel can go for the World title and Daniels and Kaz have been so awesome together that they don't even need the tag titles and they can do their own thing.

With RVD winning, I like to think they did this to give Ion something to do as Jess heals so there's plenty of time for Ion to win the belt back and then drop it to Jesse. Plus feuding with an established guy like RVD does help Ion. However the next time they face each other he has to win.

Tara winning was cool. I wouldn't have complained whoever won, but for Tara winning, it also gives her something to do fresh off a heel turn. I don't really care about the dude from Big Brother but it helps Tara's new character so it's not that bad. Though I am hoping they interject more women here like ODB, Gail, Madison especially.

Now comes Jeff Hardy. I'll be honest, when he won the BFG Series, I crapped on it for the obvious reasons. But I thought about and I realized you know what, he's kinda earned it. He hit rock bottom at Victory Road 11 and rightfully so. That was his fault for that and the state he was in at that show was an embarrassment. Since then, he's stayed clean(as we know of) and when I see him now on TV, it seems as if he has his act together. And he's had good matches(with Bully Ray, Angle, Storm, etc) so he's been keeping up with his ring work. I don't think if he won the BFG Series last year and won the World title at BFG that I would feel the same way cause he wouldn't have earned it. But now, 19 months after the incident, I think he has and so I'm not upset that he's the champ.

And with Aries you have to look at it like this. Him main eventing TNA's biggest show WITH the TNA World title I think speaks volumes of how highly TNA thinks of him. Even if it was only a three month title reign, TNA still have showed they have faith in him with the way he has been built up basically since returning to the company last year. So it's not all bad

[Rone Rivendale]

A year with the X Title (and never losing it in the ring) plus a 3 month run with the World Title is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Aries right now is in the top eschalon of people in TNA right now with Roode, Storm, Hardy, Bully, and Anderson.

[bigtplaystew]

A year with the X Title (and never losing it in the ring) plus a 3 month run with the World Title is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Aries right now is in the top eschalon of people in TNA right now with Roode, Storm, Hardy, Bully, and Anderson.

I felt his build with Jeff was magnificent. Jeff Hardy is a former WWE champ, folks. Aries not only showed that he can hang with the best of 'em, but belongs in the same discussion as the best of 'em. I think he's got nothing but pride behind him and he's young enough that a hell of a future is in his destiny IMO.

[infinitywpi]

Aries right now is in the top eschalon of people in TNA right now with Roode, Storm, Hardy, Bully, and Anderson.

One of those names is not like the others.

What's Anderson done in the last year or so?

[Rone Rivendale]

Just going from the PWI 500 for 2012 (which ends around July of this year:

*Was the only TNA wrestler in the top 10 of the PWI 500 for 2011.
*Held the TNA World Title in late 2011
*Had more than one Title shot in September of 2011
*Beat Bully Ray at Bound for Glory 2011
*Beat Jeff Hardy at Sacrifice 2012
*Won a 3 way match involving RVD and Jeff Hardy to earn a Title match against then TNA World Champion Bobby Roode.

So that's some of what he has done in the last couple years. You can add to that the fact that every time he comes out, the crowd loves him. He has always been a hugely charismatic wrestler with decent in ring skills. Was a couple injuries away from Superstardom in WWE. Has held the TNA World Title. Is always in the TNA World Title hunt.

So yes, he belongs.

For those wondering where he placed in the PWI 500 this year. He was 27th. 1 place higher than A.J. Styles. 3 places higher than Bully Ray. 8 places higher than Sting. 10 places higher than RVD.

I rest my case.

[Teh_Showtime]

Anderson is literally a jobber to the stars

He might have lost more matches than RVD this year

who has lost to everyone that is even close to the main event

[petecrimson00]

going to the event November 8th! WOOOOT

[The Stallion]

Anderson is literally a jobber to the stars

He might have lost more matches than RVD this year

who has lost to everyone that is even close to the main event

However just like RVD its a testement to his star power because nocmatter how many times Anderson and RVD lose, they still get huge reactions whenever they come out.

[D-Lyrium]

I just finished watching BFG (here in the UK it's broadcast on Wednesday (Impact is Tuesdays) so I recorded it and I couldn't watch it yesterday). Just a few thoughts:

Poor Zima. :( He spends ages dominating his division, then a former World Title contender decides he wants a match, gets it for no better reason than he, literally, "had nothing better to do", and wins? **** that. Decent match, though.

Joe vs. Magnus for the TVPPV title was ok. Nothing more to really say about that, is there?

I love Joey Ryan, glad to see he's still allowed to be Joey Ryan. Props to TNA for that. Matt Morgan was a bit random, but that's probably because I don't know what's going on there. I like Morgan, anyway.

Roode and Storm was, I thought, a great match. Shame it was buried in the middle of the card and the much-hyped Special Enforcer basically did nothing. Special Guest Hand-Raiser was probably more apt. Enjoyed the match though.

The tag title match... now that's more like it. At first I was skeptical because of the dodgy rules (it's a triple threat match but only two guys are in the ring? So basically... just don't tag in the champions and they can do bugger all about it? Seems legit), but once the referee decided that rules don't matter anyway, it turned into a great match. As for the result... I guess if we had to have new champions, the right team won. I'd still have preferred Kazarian and Daniels though. Much like Aries, their gimmick doesn't really work if they're not champions.

Tara vs Tessmacher... decent I suppose. Miss Tessmacher still annoys me though, and to put a 'shallow dick' (or, WWE Divas agent) hat on for a moment, her face is way ugly. ¬_¬ I mean srsly, Tara is about 15 years older than her, and I'd much rather... I mean, yeah, ok match. No idea who the hell her 'Hollywood boyfriend' is, but he looks the part.

Main event... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !
I think I cursed Aries. ¬_¬ And what was all the booing of Hardy about? Fans are dicks. :p Still, in this cutthroat world of the entertainment business creating role models for kids and everyone being up in arms over the smallest little thing that celebrities do in their spare time, it's genuinely good to see someone getting a second chance.

And a third chance.

And a fourth chance.

And a fifth chance.

And a sixth chance.

And then a few more chances.

And then a world title.

Bleh. To be fair, Hardy's been ok. I think I'm just bitter because I'm a massive Aries mark.

[BHK1978]

Why did they have JB and the other dude (I did not catch his name.) doing commentary during the first hour?

I really liked the Bully Ray/Aces and Eights segments.

Where has Kenny King been? I do not even remember the last time he was on television.

[haloed]

Just got done watching Impact. Must say I'm excited that Christian York is getting a shot in Gut Check. Always thought York and Joey Matthews were going to be tag team stars at some point. Looking forward to seeing him on Impact next week.

Otherwise thought Impact was solid. Nothing overly special but not bad either.

And to BHK, not sure why they had those to during the first hour, but it was a nice change of pace imo. Always a bonus when JB is on commentary I think.

[Rone Rivendale]

I'm also a fan of Borash. I like how they have Hemme for the eye candy aspect on most matches, but when it comes time for the main event, they always bring out the big gun (Borash) to deliver a proper intro. Makes the main event of each iMPACT seem grander.

[cappyboy]

And from what I've seen of Hemme as ring announcer, it's not like she does a bad job. She's been a real Jill of all trades for them and I can't think a single moment when I would have faulted her effort at anything they asked of her. Her talent or her suitability at times maybe but never her effort.

[BHK1978]

I'm also a fan of Borash. I like how they have Hemme for the eye candy aspect on most matches, but when it comes time for the main event, they always bring out the big gun (Borash) to deliver a proper intro. Makes the main event of each iMPACT seem grander.

They have seemed to have gotten away from that as Hemme seems to be announing for the main event on a more regular basis.

I don't know I am not a fan of Borash or the other guy. They are just too bland for me, which is sort of how I feel when I listen to Josh Matthews and Matt Striker call a match, they put me to sleep.

Also, what is up with those annoying Jeff Hardy segments where he does a voice-over narration of what he is thinking. I thought this was TNA not the Wonder Years or Scrubs.

[D-Lyrium]

(As always, I'm a week behind, so these are my thoughts on LAST week's Impact, with Hardy/Angle. Also, it may not entirely be in order).

These 'Hogan Deliberation' segments really, really, really suck and are an absolutely terrible way to set up any title match, IMO, let alone a world title match. And why was Anderson - who got a TV Title shot last time and lost - even in contention? And why did he basically say "I can't be arsed with this crap" and get himself kicked out first? It's like... even Anderson's character doesn't want Anderson to be pushed.

Not sure where I stand on the Hardy segment. It was *kinda* cool, but on the other hand it's presumably supposed to be live action, so having Hardy's inner monologue was kinda weird. If the first segment was presented as an "Earlier Today" type deal and the following Hardy segment was more of a produced video than a live scene, it could've been pretty cool.

That reminds me; one of my favourite things about Impact is how the backstage segments are... not 'candid' exactly (although they did a 'candid' segment a few weeks ago with Aries, Bully Ray and Hardy which I thought was great), but they feel more natural and less "Hey, wrestler x, stand in front of this wall full of logos and answer my questions". It feels a lot more like a camera crew are roaming backstage looking for incidents to film, rather than being set up waiting for scripted stuff to happen. I like it a lot.

Poor Zema. :( Still, RVD vs Joey Ryan could be cool.

Don't really understand why Morgan hates Hogan so much. And if he does, why doesn't he join Aces and Eights? It's weird to have two completely separate factions going against Hogan.

Robbie T and Robbie E annoy me tremendously, and it's so obvious they're complete jobbers I don't even know why they bother. Which is another thing... how do THEY get title shots on consecutive Impacts? I did quite enjoy the match though, it's not often Joe has to fight someone bigger than him.

Tessmacher is still really, REALLY ugly. But to give them credit where it's due. Boo/Jessie/John Cena and Tara are really entertaining, actually. ODB vs. Jessie may not actually be a train wreck. Wouldn't it be fun if Jessie ended up being a better worker than Cena? ¬_¬

I love A-Double. If this was TEW. he'd be single-handedly saving TNA from "your angles suck" penalties...

...With a bit of help from the Dudley Boyz. Wow. That was a GREAT promo. Did Bubba just explain why he turned heel two years ago, in order to explain why he was turning back again now? Props. Most characters can't even remember what they did two years ago. Does he only have one shirt, though? I've never seen him wear anything but that Hardcore <numbers> wifebeater.

That finish to the Anderson/Aries match was my favourite in forever. Very clever, without being overly confusing. Well executed. I love Austin Aries.

Tenay and Tazz coming back to commentary only served to point out how much better at it Borash and New Guy are. I never watched much WCW, so I can't comment on how good (or otherwise) he used to be, but Tenay annoys the piss out of me. Every other sentence is hyping something I'm already sick to death of hearing about, or happened such a short time ago a goldfish with Alzheimer's could remember it like it was yesterday. Tazz just has issues with basic English all too often. Borash and that Todd guy were MUCH better, IMO. And hyperbole is one thing, but blatantly lying to the audience is another; this is NOT Jeff Hardy's "first ever title defence", he's been champion before. You might've gotten away with it if you didn't keep putting the emphasis on the "first ever" and mention it 8 times a segment.

More Tessmacher. And since when was Tara pronounced with an e? If she wanted to be called Tera, she'd spell it like that. Oh, there's Brooke Hogan. She's less annoying than Stephanie McMahon. But also less hot, let's face it.

Ugh, main event time. That was my initial reaction. Then it turned into some kind of awesome. I'm still not sure how. I'm finding Jeff Hardy entertaining, which worries me. Then ARIES~! This makes me happy. Especially as he remembered there was a PPV next month. It's kinda strange when it's being hyped by the big screen in the arena, but no commentators or wrestlers have mentioned it until almost the end of the second show of the month (considering how often Tenay mentions things that are happening later that night, or happened two minutes ago).

I am slightly concerned that Hogan has "something even bigger planned" for James Storm, though. "Something huge, brother!". Bigger than a world title match? Should that be a thing?

Also, while I'm on a rant, why can't we have a regular Impact? Today was a 'Championship Thursday' edition - isn't that what Pay Per Views are for? We only had one two weeks ago. Next week is "Open Fight Night", which I gather is a semi-regular thing. The premise is pretty cool, it just feels like all these 'special edition' Impacts are taking some of the - well, impact - away from pay per views.

Overall though, a very solid show. I can honestly say that the only segments in the whole show that didn't hold my interest was the Hogan Deliberation bollocks. Also, this Joseph Parks guy, is that actual Abyss? Has he put on weight? I don't remember Abyss being that... massive.

[Derek B]

***THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS OF IMPACT 1st November***

I really enjoyed this week's Impact, lots of nice bits to watch, some decent action and generally a fun show. I really like the announce team of Borash and the new guy (Keneley? Something like that :p), they bring something fresh and as D-Koiso mentioned, kinda highlight the weaknesses of Tenay/Tazz. But then, I generally like Borash in whatever he does, he's got a great voice for announcing and he knows his stuff, so he's good to have. New guy seems to know what he's doing too, so I'm hoping they stick to this format of half and half with the announcers... though no Taz tonight as he was dealing with weather based troubles.

Jesse Godderz actually impressed me... he's clearly no Shawn Michaels but for a rookie he actually looked pretty good against ODB, which is a weird sentence to write. :p

The Jeff Hardy inner monologue confused me again... I thin TNA are trying to tell us all we're crazy because we can hear his thoughts during what is supposed (I think) to be a live segment, which makes no sense. But if we can hear them, and no-one else can, it reminds me of when Ultimate Warrior appeared in Hogan's mirror, which we could all see and Bischoff couldn't... I mean really, Bischoff looked like the crazy one there, and the Hardy monologues make me think that we're all the crazy ones. :p

Another member of the Aces & 8's revealed at the end of the show, with a nice little story arc contained within the show for that. I really liked the way that played out and I actually got a tingle of excitement for Bully bringing out the table... guy has been on fire for a long time now and while it's still a little strange seeing him as a babyface now, I'm not hating it. Weirdly... I'm starting to think there's a World title in his future, which I never would've thought a couple of years ago. But yeah... Joseph Park (Abyss' brother, but played by the same person) getting the finish with Luke Gallows... that pleased me.

Lots of champions involved on Open Fight Night too, which is good as I like the focus on the belts, that's what people are supposed to aspire to afterall. Some solid matches there and I enjoyed it a lot.

Also enjoyed Christian York's Gut Check, though I had kinda expected him to beat whoever he was against given his status as a veteran, which would've given him a good launchpad into the depleted X division. But not this time. :( He made some mistakes, he wasn't perfect, but I'm hoping he gets signed up cos he's got a good look, some good skills and could do good things.

I love Matt Morgan, that dude rocked that cape and I've been a big fan of his for years. I can't wait to see him kill more people, he'd be perfect for taking the TV title and running wild with it just as Joe has done. I'm looking forward to that potential match up.

Big dramatic Hogan announcement for the 3 way match with AJ/Roode/Storm... I have to admit, I was like "DAYUM!" at that one, that's some real consequences there and over the last few months with the changes in writing staff, I think they'll handle it well. I sorta expect AJ to lose the fall but I'm not sure who to... which would leave AJ to head to the X division (YAY!), give one of Beer Money a World title shot (YAY!) and probably deliver an amazing 3 way match (YAY!). :D

So yeah... good show all round. I'm sure there were some more negatives but I watched it a few hours ago and nothing more stands out. I've been really impressed with TNA over the last 6 months and I'm increasingly starting to give up on the WWE because they simply aren't putting out a product that I enjoy as much as TNA. I hope TNA keep up the good work, there's some big things in their future. :)

[D-Lyrium]

So hey, it turns out that the Tuesday broadcast of Impact over here is a repeat, it originally airs on Sundays. Cool. :D

-I felt JB/Kenelley weren't as impressive as last week, but they were nowhere near 'bad'.

- I still love the way backstage vignettes and angles are handled in TNA. It's refreshing to have some guy off-camera asking questions in a more informal/journalistic style rather than everything being a pre-arranged interview segment on a set with a backstage interviewer.

- Why does Magnus go to such lengths to conceal the wrench (including having the referee go to the outside to argue with Joe, which *never* happens) if he's just going to nail Joe in the face with it right in front of the referee and get DQd? Odd finish.

- Does Joe have any saliva left after that promo? Eww.

- The segment with Hogan and Angle was... awkward. It basically went:
Angle: I wanna fight anyone from Aces and Eights tonight! I have these two rookies who have the surnames of famous wrestling personalities as backup!
Hogan: Chill, brother. Devon's busy tonight, and for the purposes of this segment is the only member of A+8s. You can wrestle him at Turning Point though.
Angle: Damn. Ok, that's fine. I'll go and beat up the rest of A+8s outside the ring instead then. Come on Sting and random protegés who won't be seen for the rest of the show (except Garrett briefly in one segment), even in the big brawl at the end. Let's go and kick some ass!

... See, when TNA do traditional backstage angles like "annoyed worker storms into manager's office", they suck. ¬_¬

- These inner monologues with Jeff Hardy suck.

- Holy crap, does Hector look like Eddie or what? The scene at the end with Hector being cradled in Chavo's arms was freaky as all hell.

- Woo, Christian York! And Zema Ion. Yeah, I still love that guy. York seemed a little... I dunno... rusty? It was like watching RVD these days, some of his moves seemed to be in slow motion. Good match though. I wish they'd stop bringing up the number of people Zema has injured, though. His character and wrestling style doesn't really work with the 'Crippler' gimmick, and it kinda makes him sound like Heidenreich. If they have to bring up the injuries every match, at least put over the fact that he has no remorse about injuring people because he only cares about himself, rather than making him seem like he did it on purpose because he's ruthless (he's clearly not, his hair would suffer too much) or did it legit accidentally because he's a shoddy worker. Maybe it's just me.
York will probably get the nod in the Gut Check though. For one, it's kinda insulting to York for him to be deemed unworthy of a place on the TNA roster while Garrett Bischoff is there. Not sure a guy like him would've agreed to the angle if he wasn't going to get a contract. And secondly, as Borash keeps reminding everyone, Zema has injured most of the X-Division, so they could do with a few more guys.

- Still loving Tara and Jesse as a pairing. Jesse in the ring was... functional. He certainly didn't embarrass himself, I can think of several workers who did a lot worse in their first ever televised match. I also like how they got around the 'issue' of not having a woman get beaten up by a guy on network TV too much (most of Jesse's 'offence' was executed by the ring, when dodging ODB's attacks).

- Aries is still one of the best things about TNA. Convincing Robbie E to challenge Jeff Hardy so that nobody else could was smooth. Also "... the ladder was only a metaphor, damnit!" comes an - admittedly, distant - second for 'line of the night'.

- I actually retract what I said about Morgan/Hogan in my last post. Put it down to not knowing the history. This storyline is actually pretty interesting, although as much as I love both of them, Morgan and Ryan is an odd couple that will take some getting used to. I'm sure it'll grow on me though. Ryan collapsing into Morgan's arms after his match with RVD, only for Morgan to shove him off with a "WTF?" look on his face was enough to tell me that this has potential. I kinda like the idea of Joey just kinda hanging around him like a bad smell, whether Morgan wants him there or not. I'd love a segment where Morgan turns to Joey and is just "Sorry, but who *are* you?"

- Which brings me to 'line of the night': "Usually I pride myself on avoiding VD's, but tonight I'm callin' one out!" Ah, Joey. <3 My one problem with this match was that nowhere was it stated that the match was non-title (Joey even referenced the title in the promo), but meh. I guess I can deal with that. :p

- It seems nobody told Roode that you're not allowed to refuse a challenge on Open Fight Night (the AJ Lee angle reference would've been #3 on my list for 'line of the night').

- It's not very often that a general manager promises a huge announcement, and genuinely delivers. I still don't see how this is better for Storm than a title match, but whatever. The "no more title shots for a year" stip is a good way of getting one of TNA's many main-event-level workers out of the world title picture for a while (almost certainly AJ, but I'd love it to be Roode). That match is going to be awesome.

- Tenay endlessly repeating the 'fact' that Bully Ray vs. Devon is a match everyone has been waiting to see assured me that we weren't going to see it (well, that and the fact that there were only ten minutes of the show left), but what we did see was well executed IMO (although if Joseph Park can unmask a guy just like that, without otherwise laying a finger on him, why can't Sting et al do it to everyone else?).

- Have to admit, not knowing who Luke Gallows was, I thought it was CW Anderson. Especially as Tenay referred to him as 'an enforcer'. I guess CW is considerably smaller, to be fair, but as I said... never seen Gallows before. Also explains why nobody mentioned him by name after the reveal (TNA must realise that Luke Gallows is a shit name, even if it's not copyrighted, and Tenay would have no reason to know him by any other, except Festus).

- Is it just me, or do wrestler entrance themes kinda suck in TNA? For one thing, the music is way too quiet, and is often drowned out by not only the crowd (who are pretty quiet themselves, given how many there are) but also the announcers. So it's often hard to hear. And when you do hear it, it's all fairly generic. Most of it also lacks a certain 'gravitas', too. Aces and Eights in particular have a terrible theme, IMO. There's no 'oomph' to it at all. I know I'm a 'new' fan, so I don't know everyone's theme yet, but I generally have no idea at all who's coming out when their theme hits (except Joey Ryan, because of the 70s porno thing he's got going on).

- The crowd are terrible at times. It's so awkward when you've got fairly significant action going on in the ring, and the crowd are dead. Also, props to the one woman in the front row during the main event segment caught on camera chanting "Devon Sucks! Let's Go Devon! Devon Sucks!". Pfft. Dueling chants is one thing, chanting both of them yourself makes you an idiot. And since when did Devon 'sell out'? Surely the one thing he didn't do is 'sell out'. Idiot fans.

Still, a thoroughly enjoyable show from top to bottom I thought. I'm liking this whole 'wrestling fan renaissance' I'm going through right now. :p

[Jaysin]

Luke Gallows is an awesome name and he wrestled with that name in WWE for the last year of his time there. He was a member of the Straight Edge Society with Sereena, CM Punk and Joseph Mercury.

Though, I really hope they use his Ring Ka King name, Isaiah Cash. It just sounds so bad ass.

[Derek B]

I never liked Luke Gallows as a name, but he's a pretty good talent and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with him. I'm pretty sure he was the member of Aces and Eights referred to as "The Armbreaker" so I'm really hoping for some continuity on that, building something on top of that. I'm also hoping that more of the Aces and Eights get nicknames like that before they are unmasked because it's good to get a sense of them being people, even if we don't know who they actually are. Give them names, then even if they get unmasked as people we don't care about much they've still got names going on and it doesn't feel like they're being revealed and then built up. :)

And the possibility of AJ back in the X division could be awesome... though I do wonder if the Austin Aries deal from this year would be repeated at Destination X again, would AJ be able to cash that in if he were barred from the World title til Bound For Glory, assuming he was X division champion at the time? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but could be interesting to see what happens there. :)

[Arrows]

And the possibility of AJ back in the X division could be awesome... though I do wonder if the Austin Aries deal from this year would be repeated at Destination X again, would AJ be able to cash that in if he were barred from the World title til Bound For Glory, assuming he was X division champion at the time? I guess we'll have to wait and see, but could be interesting to see what happens there. :)

One of the stipulations of Aries' cash in, was that any X-Division champion could do so if they held the belt heading into Destination X.

[sebsplex]

Luke Gallows is an awesome name and he wrestled with that name in WWE for the last year of his time there. He was a member of the Straight Edge Society with Sereena, CM Punk and Joseph Mercury.

I thought the WWE had copyrighted the name and he was working as 'Big LG' or something after his release. *shrugs*

Regardless, he's not enough of a 'name' to announce on TV. I imagine TNA will rename him... unless they're going to sell him as "the guy who used to be Festus". ;)

[cappyboy]

I thought the WWE had copyrighted the name and he was working as 'Big LG' or something after his release. *shrugs*

Regardless, he's not enough of a 'name' to announce on TV. I imagine TNA will rename him... unless they're going to sell him as "the guy who used to be Festus". ;)

They'd need to do something with him name wise. Correct me if I'm wrong. My head's a mess due to massive congestion at the moment. But isn't his real name kinda nerdy sounding?

[Jaysin]

Drew Hankinson is his real name.

[cappyboy]

Drew Hankinson is his real name.

I'll take that as a yes then. I certainly can't imagine being afraid of a monstrous powerhouse by that name.

[Jaysin]

Gallows's TNA name is D.o.C, which stands for Director of Chaos

[haloed]

Good to see Christian York get the nod for a contract. Besides Joey Ryan, finally someone who can actually step right onto Impact and nod need additional training to do so.

[JackKnifed72]

Good to see Christian York get the nod for a contract. Besides Joey Ryan, finally someone who can actually step right onto Impact and nod need additional training to do so.

Saw York several times at a local indy a couple of years ago (ironically Shiima Xion aka Zema Ion also wrestled there regularly) did a good cowardly heel gimmick...congrats to him....oh, and don't call him Barbie....he hates that :D

Edit - seems he ditched the long blond hair for dreads...guess the Barbie chants would seem out of place...anyway good wrestler glad he's getting a shot in TNA

[Jaysin]

-Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries in a ladder match for the TNA Title.: I really think there's going to be something screwy with the finish. Like Aries grabs Jeff's title, and Jeff grabs the real world title...something like that.

-A.J. Styles vs. Bobby Roode vs. James Storm in a No. 1 contenders match with an additional stipulation.: Roode wins, pinning AJ. I'd like to see AJ and Joey Ryan feud...

-Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian for the TNA Tag Titles.: As much as I love Chavo, I hate Hernandez. He's just terrible. Daniels & Kazarian are in my opinion, the second most entertaining tag team in mainstream wrestling. Behind only Team Hell No.

-Samoa Joe vs. Magnus for the TNA TV Title in a No DQ match.: Mag Daddy wins dragging this out another PPV or so

-Devon vs. Kurt Angle.: Gotta give Aces & 8's some wins.

-Rob Van Dam vs. Joey Ryan for the X Division Title.: Joey wins when RVD receives a carbon footprint. I don't care of Hogan said Morgan is banned from ring side, Morgan will disobey.

-Tara and Jesse vs. ODB and Eric Young.: Tara and Jesse win because EY no shows on ODB.

-DOC (formerly Luke Gallows) vs. Joseph Park.: Doc looked brutal on Impact when he beat Sting with the hammer. I hope that brutality continues into the PPV.

I just realized I picked all heels...but whatever.

[infinitywpi]

So, watched TNA for the first time in forever last night. Had the boy watch it with me. He got slightly confused ("If it's a different company, why are they talking about AJ?") but in the end, he said "I like the other guys better... but the fights on this one were more fun."

Pretty much sums up how I feel about it. TNA has better action, WWE has better characters. But I gotta say... the Dudleys as singles stars are far better than they have any right to be. And I like what I see from Bobby Roode and Hernandez (Yes, it's been a -long- time since I last watched TNA).

[crownsy]

I thought impact was pretty good this week, although I could have done without the whole "director of Choas" thing. the minute they said that i Just busted out laughing.

All I could think about was A & E having a board meeting and the leader turning to gallows and going "next we're going to hear about out 2nd quarter outlook for mischievous actives and shenanigans. What's our forecast looking like director gallows?"

Then quickly followed up by thinking

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P8n0J5nF3I0/SwSDwmgzTQI/AAAAAAAABmQ/J_9auh08hWE/s1600/butters+professor+chaos.jpg

I mean, you wanna call him Doc, fine. but can't we just call him Doc? biker gangs use that nickname all the time, "director of chaos?"

I wanna know some of the other members titles.

Presenter of organizational preparations?

Coordinator of Combating Kilts?

[petecrimson00]

just saw them live in Mt. Pleasant. decent show, was a little disappointed not to see guys like AJ, Daniels, Aries. It was main evented by Gunner and r. Anderson vs. A&8's. Eric Young and RVD got the biggest pops besides Miss Tessmacher spending half the match (literally) just shaking her ass. like she would stop and do it, repeatedly.

[OctoberRaven]

I mean, you wanna call him Doc, fine. but can't we just call him Doc? biker gangs use that nickname all the time, "director of chaos?

DOC is just a convenient shortener. Like calling Christopher Daniels as Daniels or Chris.

And no, Director of Chaos is not a usual title for motorcycle clubs. It's probably a take on the Men of Mayhem (which I don't think is a typical MC title either) from Sons of Anarchy.

[crownsy]

DOC is just a convenient shortener. Like calling Christopher Daniels as Daniels or Chris.

And no, Director of Chaos is not a usual title for motorcycle clubs. It's probably a take on the Men of Mayhem (which I don't think is a typical MC title either) from Sons of Anarchy.

Yea, I get that it's a shortener, I'm laughing at the stupidity of requiring an executive title that lame just so they can shorten it to Doc.

Alternatively they could have just called him Doc and said he has rudimentary medical training.

Instead everytime I see him I'll just think of professor chaos. I hope the next guy outed is the executive officer in charge of disarray.

[Derek B]

I only just got caught up with Impact last night, I rather enjoyed the show again and I'm looking forward to catching the PPV as soon as I possibly can. TNA has been doing a lot of good things lately and I'm enjoying a lot of the show, which I can't say about WWE programming just now.

I hope more people give TNA a chance. I know they've had some really bad stuff in the past but they are managing to do a lot right and there are quite a few people getting the chance to shine at last. The TNA main event scene is shifting towards a group of guys who are hitting their prime (and Kurt Angle) which makes me happy... Team 3D have both come along awesomely as singles guys, I'm actually enjoying D-Von which I didn't think I could/would. Bully is turning into a star just now and I'm delighted to see it, he's always been a good talent but he's just never been able to get out of the tag team shadow til now, just because 3D were so good together.

All in all, I'm looking forward to the PPV. I'm hoping Matt Morgan is about to get a prominent place on the roster, he's one of the best big men to have come along in the last 15 years and could be an amazing star given the chance... but for now, I'm going to avoid this thread so that I don't get spoilered on the PPV. I hope lots of folk watch it, you know it's going to be more entertaining than a WWE show so give it a look! :D

[Fleisch]

Just finished watching Turning Point. Not a bad PPV over all. Sure it had a few "bathroom break" moments but I've seen a lot worse from TNA & WWE this year. My quick thoughts...

Samoa Joe v Magnus had me entertained. I think Magnus could be big for TNA if used properly. This feud with Joe is perfect for him at the moment. The loss doesn't really hurt him either.

ODB & EY vs. Tara & "The Z List Sensation" Jesse was what it was... a comedy filler match with EY and ODB playing their parts to perfection. Enjoyable light comedy relief.

RVD vs. Joey Ryan, can I ask why RVD is X-Division Champ? There is no way he is 225lb or below and that was the last weight restriction they put on the belt, has that magically been rescinded off TV? Anyway, not a bad match but we all knew RVD isn't about to job to Joey Ryan clean and it's way too early for him to win the X-Division title.

Wasn't really sold on the Joseph Park v. DOC match at first, although I still think DOC could have a pretty decent career (The guy is still only 29). I am waiting to see whether or not they are going to continue this "brother of Abyss" thing or whether it is finally revealed Abyss is Parks alter ego - as Dexter would say his "Dark Passenger". Either way the match finally peeked my attention and was quite enjoyable. Bully Ray as a face = HELL NO! Love his heel persona.

Chavo & Hernandez vs Daniels & Kazarian for the tag titles was a bust for me. So long as Chavo & Hernandez hold those belts, I couldn't care less about them. They are boring and stereotypical. I skipped the match on that basis to almost the end as I wanted to see if Daniels & Kazarian won... which they didn't so not interested.

Roode/Storm/Styles match was excellent however the finish was not what I hoped as I was hoping for a Roode win because I really do not like James Storm, his need to shout and force out every word out in a promo pisses me off to the point I have to skip past them anytime he talks. We all knew AJ would be the one pinned as well. That said though, it can't take away from the fact Storm is a hard worker in the ring (well all 3 are) and I would say despite the outcome it was still my favourite match of the show.

Kurt Angle vs. Devon wasn't bad either but by no means an epic encounter. Outcome was obvious, Angle escaping an A&8's attack too doesn't sit right and I feel the option was there to get even more heat on the group.

The main event was really good, few botched moments but that's to be expected in a ladder match, I thought Aries was brilliant as always. I'm also not so "anti" at them having Hardy as Champion anymore (which I was after Bound for Glory). That being said, I do think Aries was the better worker on the night and made Hardy look a lot better.

Probably give it a 6 out of 10 of course that's just my quick take on what I thought of the show personally.

[FINisher]

I'm still surprised that Aries and Hardy didn't injure each other in that main event. There were some legit, brutal botches and just plain high velocity spots in that main event. Didn't really enjoy the PPV all in all. Something is still missing.

[haloed]

Thought Turning Point was solid but weak compared to the last few months worth of PPVs. The Ladder Match was crazy though. Enjoyed the Doc/Park encounter, not as good as Park/Ray encounter but still a solid story. Figured his inner Abyss would come out.

Solid PPV though, happy I got it.


By the way, seriously think Jesse Godderz has a ton of star potential. Once this Tara/ Jesse thing runs its course he could become big. Has a great look and is actually really good in the ring, imo.

[The Stallion]

My biggest complaint about the PPV was the location. If they insist on keeping Impact in Orlando, then every PPV needs to be held on the road. Turning Point looked like a regular Impact episode on Sunday because they kept it in Orlando. Especially since TNA is known for putting big matches on regular TV, they have to do something to differentiate Impact from there PPV. I also have to agree with everybody on here that the Jesse guy has a lot of upward potential. He has a solid grasp of fundamentals, can sell and is not sloppy at all in the ring.

[Derek B]

I just finished watching the show and I'm happy to say I enjoyed it. The WWE doesn't suit my tastes at all these days but TNA has managed to win me back again and this was a solidly good PPV. My favourite match of the night was probably Joe vs Magnus, which might be a bit of a surprise really. Joe has been doing some great stuff lately as he kills people and Magnus came out of this match looking great despite the loss, so it's a win-win for both men. I still remember when Magnus first showed up in his gladiator gimmick and I thought he was going to go nowhere... but he's really improved and he's really looking like a star.

The TNA TV title has been doing great things for Samoa Joe and guys like Magnus, Matt Morgan, maybe RVD, Pope (when he's not injured), Bully Ray, Anderson (maybe), AJ... guys like that should be contesting the belt. Not necessarily top guys, but guys with the right combination of credibililty and entertainment skills that can kill jobbers and put on interesting matches with each other on a weekly basis. They might not be the top guys in TNA right now, but all of them have either been at the top or could be... and the TV title could be great if it's on TV most weeks and these kinds of guys are fighting over it. :)

I love Eric Young, he has an epic beard. :) I'm still waiting for a segment where Brooke Hogan walks up to Eric and ODB and tells them that they're being stripped of the Knockout Tag belts for not defending them for 7 months (or however long it is) but giving ODB a title shot in exchange (and possibly getting Eric a TV or X title shot too), leading to Eric stripping far too much and all the comedy that ensues from him doing that in front of Brooke. :)

I half expected Matt Morgan to kill RVD somehow, leading to a Joey Ryan title win... with AJ now out of the world title picture I figure he switches to the X division and puts on some awesome matches there again as people come back from "injury" and the division gets rebuilt again. RVD vs Matt Morgan program seems to imply that RVD is dropping the X belt at some point soon to me... could be a fun time for the X division on the back of that as Matt Morgan keeps running wild on TNA and plays with Hogan, all while Hogan is motivating MAtt Morgan in his own weird way.

Storm has the title shot vs Hardy, this pleases me. I love James Storm and I love that TNA have been pushing Roode and Storm as TNA's top guys for about the last 18 months with the first Bound For Glory series being part of that. No-one wins as much as either of those two (and perhaps Austin Aries) and that's something that makes me happy. That superkick on AJ at the end looked amazing but I have to admit I was kinda pulling for a Roode victory on that one. At the same time, I was also pulling for an Austin Aries win too... the ladder match was brutal at times, some insane ladder spots and the two men worked hard to put on a great match but there's something missing between them for me. I can't put my finger on what it is, but I think it might be that I think it looks odd when Jeff faces someone smaller than he is. Dunno why that's weird to me but it is.

Tag title match was fun but I really would rather that Kaz and Daniels had won, they're more entertaining, they're better and they've got a chemistry I enjoy. Not that I dislike Team TexMex, but Chavo is no Eddie Guerrero and every time he breaks out an Eddie move in tribute I'm painfully reminded of that. :(

DoC beat Parks, a much more open match than I'd expected but it wasn't bad. Angle escaping from the group as D-Von tapped was a weird finish for me, it mostly highlights that the TNA roster don't seem to care about helping people except when the plot suits them. Where were Kurt's back up? Why did no-one come to help him when the group came out? Eh... wrestling logic, it happens. Not a terrible match but D-Von isn't ever going to be as good as Bully, he never has been and he never will be. I'm glad Kurt won, because I don't want to see D-von beating Kurt Angle ever, even with help. :p

So yeah, a mostly good PPV that I mostly enjoyed. Hopefully Impact keeps on rolling with more goodness after this and more people give TNA a chance because it really is far better than the WWE. :)

[ubernoob]

I don't know what it is about TNA, but I just cannot stand it. Tried to watch the PPV and had to turn it off.

They have good talent, but the promotion is just... missing something. I don't know if it's the cheesy production values, the horrendous direction (see: Producer heard saying "Cut" after an angle was run) or just the fact that it seems such a knock-off product. It's a shame, because they really do have a lot of talent there.

Infuriating. I might go back and just watch the Hardy/Aries match.

[tristram]

I like what TNA is doing at the moment. They finally seem to be trying to deliver on what they've promised, and creating some separation from WWE. That's not a shot against WWE either, there's things they are doing that I enjoy as well. Its great seeing Hardy, Aries, Storm and Roode as the top dogs.

As far as production value, the two funniest ones I can recall come from WCW. Once when Chris Jericho was in a backstage segment pretending he was locked out. He's pulling at the door, pretending its locked... some security dude inside thinks whats going on, and opens the door in the middle of a live cut. The second one also involves Chris Jericho. Wrath and him have a run-off segment backstage... anyhow, they then show Jericho and Wrath running past a semi-truck, at which point they just stop and saunter into a slow leisurely walk, caught on camera.

[petecrimson00]

Jericho was always comedic gold. I almost wish he'd jump ship to TNA before he's too old to. Give him an actual decent World Title run that he has deserved (longer than like 2 months) and he could help build up even more guys.

[D-Lyrium]

My thoughts as I watch Turning Point (it aired tonight over here). I haven't read any of the Turning Point posts so sorry if some thoughts are repeated.

- Already? Maybe it's only because TNA only has an hour of TV, or maybe it's because I'm watching the shows a few days after they air or something... maybe it's just because I haven't followed WWE for ages, but it feels like Bound for Glory was last week. ¬_¬

- So they're holding the PPV in the same arena the TV show is in every week? Weird decision. It's even the same canvas as the week before, with the same aprons. Literally only the rope tape colour and logo on the big screen has changed. THERE ARE IMPACT LOGOS EVERYWHERE STILL, GUYS.

- Woo, Todd Kennely!

TVPPV Title Match:
- Even I'm bored of this matchup by now and I've only been watching a month or so. Christ knows how you lot must feel about it.

- "If there's anyone on the TNA roster that has an MMA style it's Samoa Joe". Ah, King Mo. Easy come, easy go, eh?

- Joe has the softest kayfabe skull of any Samoan I've ever seen. First a wrench shot lays him out cold for minutes on end, while Sting can survive a full-on assault with a hammer. Now having a chair thrown at his head is devastating.

- Good enough match, but I couldn't help feeling I'd seen it all before already. The elbow drop was niiiice though, especially because of the angle they showed it from.

- I never did understand that "irish whip, bend down, get kicked in the face" spot. What was he intending to do by bending down? A backdrop? On SAMOA JOE? Srsly?

- Joe wins? Really? Even more easily than the last two times? Who's next for Magnus then, Robbie T? Way to make the guy look completely inferior in every way.

Mixed Tag:
- I love the whole Jesse/Tera thing (say it like that and I'll type it like that, bitch :p). The whole delusional hollywood star thing is gold.

- Why is this match even happening? Didn't ODB beat both these guys at once last week, on her own?

- Jesse's already more watchable than Cena. ¬_¬ On a more serious note, this match was brilliant, I thought. Well put together and well executed.

X-Division Match
- Tazz saying that merely being X-Division champion somehow makes you a better wrestler is almost more laughable than Tenay (of all people) calling Ryan interchangeably 'inexperienced' and 'well traveled', often in the same sentence.

- "Who will ever forget the Gut Check confrontation between Joey Ryan and Al Snow?!" now that's just ****ing hyperbole for hyperbole's sake...

- Enjoyable match, despite Tenay's best efforts. Ryan vs. York next week?

- Matt Morgan's neatly trimmed body hair is hilarious being just below dat beard.

Parks vs. Doc

- Joseph Parks is approximately 8 million times more entertaining than Abyss ever was. I BELIEVE IN JOSEPH PARKS. Everything about his character is perfectly portrayed, right down to having no entrance music. Even the crowd bought into it really well. It reminded me of that Drew Carey vs. Kane skit in the Royal Rumble ages ago, except good.

- Stone Cold Doc Foley looks pretty cool. Now that Tenay has stopped saying 'Director of Chaos Doc' over and over again anyway.

- I loved the Parks/Abyss thing with the blood, but again it was MASSIVELY oversold by the announcers (Kennelly this time, admittedly).

- I also loved the fact that Parks didn't win. No matter how over he gets with the crowd, a guy who has a gimmick that he's not a wrestler should not beat a guy who is a wrestler, no matter who the guy actually is. Good booking, IMO.

Tag Titles
- Scandalous that when Tenay was running through the Guerrero family history, he mentoned every Guerrero except Eddy. Especially dickish since it was around the 7th anniversary of his death.

- It's impossible to not like Hernandez after that match, surely? He's awesome! The fact I've said basically nothing about this match is a testament to how good it was, I didn't have time to look away. :p

Triple Threat
- Been genuinely excited for this one. Not just the match itself, but for once the result too! Actual genuine 'high stakes' in a wrestling match.

- Whatever happened to Petey Williams? Random thought as I watch this match.

- Good match. The finish I predicted (Storm pinning AJ), as it made most sense. AJ losing was pretty much a lock, and since Storm beat Roode, it wouldn't really feel right to have Roode getting a title shot first. Storm vs. Hardy will be weird though ('cause Hardy ain't losing in a ladder match...).

Angle vs D-Von
- Am I the only one that hand-suplexes the remote a lot when Angle is wrestling? ¬_¬

- Decent match, although I do think D-Von is being portrayed as way too much of a coward to still have the respect of all these big tough bikers. Doc is supposed to be the one 'on trial' or whatever, but he's going around beating the crap out of guys with hammers and screaming "You're dead!" at Angle, while D-Von is running away from everyone and trying to win matches with the weakest looking Spear wrestling has ever seen. ¬_¬ Overall it was good, and the finish was cool, but D-Von just looks like a complete schmuck.

Ladder Match
- Wow... just wow. Ladder matches are almost always excellent, but put Jeff Hardy in one and holy crap. It's almost as if physics just does whatever Jeff tells it to do. :p

- Jeff Hardy wrestling someone smaller than him for a World Title is weeeeeeeird.

- A world title being defended in a ladder match in a major promotion is also weiiiirrd. Has that ever happened before on PPV?

- I'm sure that Aries footstomp on Hardy's head that Hardy didn't react to for about three whole seconds is going to end up on Botchamania. :p To be fair though, there can't be much from Turning Point that does end up on there. It was a pretty solid match, with some genuinely brutal bumps. It's weird though, I always have this mentality that I really fear for Hardy's opponent in a ladder match, but don't really care if Hardy himself gets hurt. It's like "meh, he's used to it by now". As if "being used to it" is a good enough defence when you're falling 10ft off a ladder onto another ladder. ¬_¬ But when Aries gets Twist of Fate'd off a ladder from 3/4 of the way up onto the canvas, it's all "OMG I HOPE HE'S OK!11". Wrestling does weird things to me.

- Excellent main event. I also loved the 'Aries-ised' touches like with the remote to control the title lift thing. Brilliant way to end a great show.

Overall I loved Turning Point, possibly more than Bound for Glory. In fact, definitely more than Bound for Glory. Reading through the comments it seems me and Derek are the only ones, but that's fine. :p We can have our own little TNA love-in. ¬_¬ I really don't get why people don't like Hernandez. :( I can see how he might get a bit boring in singles matches, but in his team with Chavo he's brilliant.

[Derek B]

I like Hernandez as a tag guy, he's great for coming in and doing some explosive offense or power spots... but as a singles guy I've never been impressed with him. It's probably why he keeps ending up in tag teams with smaller guys, so they can get beaten up and he can tag in to clean house. Though one of the spots I liked from Chavo/Hernandez that they should do in every match is Hernandez doing the stalling vertical suplex whie Chavo does the 3 Amigos... that made me very happy the first time I saw it, it showcases exactly who they are and is pretty cool to see.

Also, more teams need good tag team finishers. Beer Money had their suplexy neckbreakery things I forget the name of... the Dudleys had the 3D and the Road Warriors had the Doomsday Device... I can't really think of any good looking tag finishers any more these days and this makes me sad. Not just in TNA, but I can't think of any teams with finishers I can name, and it's things like the 3D that made the Dudleys so awesome as they had a move that no-one kicked out of, it made them look more dangerous as a unit than 2 randomly thrown together people and that's the essence of a good tag team, being better than the sun of their parts. :)

[D-Lyrium]

Edge and Christian had the Con-Chair-To, but that was highly illegal. ¬_¬

But yeah, you're right. There hardly seems to be any 'proper' tag team finishers these days, the most you ever get is two existing finishers/signature moves done in tandem.

[Jaysin]

Kaz and Daniels do a variation of the Total Elimination

[BHK1978]

I would really like to know why they have to keep on screwing James Storm.:D I think the fans really want to see James get that title shot and they keep on taking it away from him.

[D-Lyrium]

That was certainly a strange decision, yeah...

I hate it when they have a big blowoff match to "end it all", especially after a really long feud... and then it STILL doesn't end. The Turning Point match was ok, because it was a triple threat and wasn't really about "them". But ugh... Storm losing his shot I'm not too bothered about, it's an interesting way to take it and will make his eventual title match even more of a big deal. Plus there's the whole Face vs. Face thing.

Hell, I don't even mind that Roode has the shot now. I quite like him (in an 'appreciate his work as a bad guy' way), he's much better than Storm on the mic. Much like in the ring, you need one guy capable of 'leading' on the microphone in a feud, and Storm vs. Hardy wouldn't really have that at all. I just hate the fact that we had to have Roode vs. Storm yet again in order to get to that point. The match itself wasn't bad, but there was sooooo much Roode vs. Storm hype going on throughout the whole show, that's what I hated most. And the fact that having the Storm/Roode match on TV kinda cheapened the Bound for Glory match a bit (not that it compared in any way, quality-wise).

Talking of matches I'm bored of already, I'm thankful for Doc and his hammer. If I had to see Magnus vs. Samoa Joe AGAIN...

Yay for Mickie James though. :D I actually really liked that battle royale (except for the rather rushed/random elimination of ODB), and we got to see some Knockouts that we haven't seen in months, just to make sure they're all still alive. ¬_¬

Surprised to see AJ going after Daniels and not RVD. I kinda like it though, it's always been a match that you can rely on to be good, much like Rock/HHH, Benoit/Jericho or Punk/Danielson.

The Jeff Hardy Inner Monologue segments are even weirder when they come in the same segment as a regular angle. Aries playing a troublemaker/architect role as he hinted at in the last promo could be awesome.

Shame there was no Matt Morgan/Joey Ryan on the show. I guess it's hard to fit everything into two hours. ¬_¬ All the recap videos, vignettes and three or four James Storm/Bobby Roode promos were obviously essential.

So, Open Fight Night again. You know how I feel about those in general, but to be fair they seem to throw up some good TV, so I can't complain too much. Will be good to see the Gut Check guys in action. Since I've been watching, York is the only guy I've seen get through so I don't know who the others are. Will be nice to see them.

[TheOmniWarrior]

Garrett Bischoff and Wes Briscoe had a fairly good match tonight

[D-Lyrium]

Some thoughts on the Thanksgiving edition:

- Bischoff and Briscoe look pretty decent (moreso Briscoe, though I guess that's to be expected). Although Bischoff has a really lame tattoo on his left pec that looks a bit like the Ford logo. ¬_¬

- Wow, that match between the two Gut Check guys sure was a lesson in how to get two completely unknown guys over. Everyone was loving Generic Babyface Guy at the end. Generic Heel Guy really needs to either work on his legs or wear pants in the ring, though. I'm British and I just typed the word 'pants' to mean full-leg item of clothing. I feel weird. Not a bad match, though some of it was a bit clumsy I thought.

- The gut check chick is pretty cute. And it's not often you see female wrestlers full-on slugging each other.

- Christian York vs. Jeff Hardy was awesome, although they totally didn't sell the "broke into the business together" thing at all. To be fair, that's probably because they've tried really hard to make York not look like a complete failure so far, so "LOOK WHERE HE COULD'VE BEEN BY NOW!" is hardly a good comparison for him. Still, it was odd that they never mentioned the OMEGA days on commentary once, as I felt that's what York and Hardy were trying to sell in the ring, with all the counters and York using the ToF. Good match, enjoyed it.

- The Turkeybowl match was brilliant, as was the promo before it. I've marked over Jesse and Tara enough, but Robbies E and T are growing on me too, and obviously EY is also brilliant. The only minor negative was, I hate it when a worker comes out and does their whole entrance schtick, then goes backstage again, then in the VERY NEXT SEGMENT they have to come out and do it all again (and first out, too!).
EY and ODB look like they're having massive fun with their gimmick though, as am .

- That Aces and Eights attack was, IMO, a brilliant segment. Probably the most emotionally invested I've been in wrestling since... a long time ago. Actually felt horrible for poor ODB, and watching EY get brutalised was pretty hard, to be honest. A few things let it down a bit though. Firstly, being directly succeeded by a fairly light hearted Daniels/Kazarian promo. I would've liked at least an ad break or a vignette or something between that happy/sad rollercoaster of a segment, and the next match. Secondly, the fact that As-n-8s had barely been seen or heard from all night, before or after (Hogan telling EY to "watch out" for them because "they're everywhere tonight" was the first we'd seen of them all night, and only the third mention/appearance they made in the whole show). It's like As-n-8s have already gone from "taking over" to "beating down midcarders".

- I really hope that they're going somewhere with the "nobody bothers to come and help out" thing. Part of me really wants to believe that soon (maybe after Final Destination, because it's Genesis in January and that name kinda fits) there'll be a huge Team TNA angle where some guys realise that the locker room is too absorbed in their own squabbles to notice that everyone is being injured one by one, and actually bands together behind a few of the big babyfaces (Hogan, Sting and Angle?). Even Bully Ray has given up now it seems, usually you can at least count on him to belatedly stumble to the rescue. But another part of me still thinks "don't be silly, this is TNA. It's perfectly legit that the only people in the locker room able to help are Al Snow and Bruce Pritchard after a five minute wait".

- Which is even more ridiculous. Why is a whole biker gang armed with various weapons running scared of Al Snow and Bruce Pritchard?!

- I also had to laugh that RIGHT AFTER a recap of As-n-8s beatdown on Sting and Magnus, there was an advert (on the UK broadcast) for UK's Strongest Man, presented by... Magnus. He's hurtin' baaad, man.

- Talking of weirdness, why did Joey Ryan call out Chavo, rather than have Ryan and Morgan call out Chavo and Hernandez? Well, I know why. To save on the repetitive booking penalty (for more TEW references, see below!), but I mean, logically it didn't make much sense. "HOGAN'S TRYING TO SPLIT US APART, SO WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR THE TAG TEAM TITLES... SEPARATELY!

- Why does nobody in TNA have a tag team name (that is actually shorter than their surnames combined)?

- Why was Alex Shelley's picture (and *only* Shelley's, that I saw) crossed out on As-n-8s dartboard/wall? At least, I think it was Shelley, I'm not too up on what people look like these days. Also, if he's not an eligible target, why leave him up there? It's not like a black cross is going to deflect the dart or something. ¬_¬

- Woooow. That was an awkward closing segment. It didn't quite get it's own "This Is Awkward!" chant (my favourite bit of BfG :p), but it essentially degraded into five minutes of Aries, Hogan, Bully and Brooke staring at each other awkwardly. Not the way I'd have ended a show, personally...

- How many feuds is Hogan going to have, anyway. You're only allowed to be a major member of one at a time, that's the rules. ¬_¬ Hogan's now in three, and isn't even a wrestler.

[sebsplex]

- I also had to laugh that RIGHT AFTER a recap of As-n-8s beatdown on Sting and Magnus, there was an advert (on the UK broadcast) for UK's Strongest Man, presented by... Magnus. He's hurtin' baaad, man.

I hope the injury doesn't affect the spot of panto he's doing at the Thearte Royal in Norwich :D. I was mulling over getting a ticket.

https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/ArticleMedia/Images/Home/WhatsOn.jpg

[D-Lyrium]

Bwaha. Brilliant. Obviously wanted to spend Christmas with the family or something. :P