By Ryan Kester

Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy

While I am still not enthralled with the CM Punk-lite version of Aries we are getting, TNA did a solid job of setting up the rematch between hardy and Aries for Turning Point last night. Taken in a vacuum, everything they did in relation to this story was done well.

However, TNA got ahead of themselves and tried to cram too many ancillary stories on top of the main title feud, and the good they did quickly got swept aside by a quick focus on Aces and Eights rather than allowing the title storyline to get absorbed by the audience. TNA really needs to work on the pacing of their shows because this is not a new problem, but it is one that consistently hamstrings TNA's storylines.

Aces and Eights

This group is a mess. I went into Bound For Glory fearing that this would be the impetus for another Eric Bischoff faction, but instead we got treated to a Devon reveal. There is still plenty of room for Bischoff to show up and completely make me lose interest, but in the interim TNA is trying to make Devon into a top heel and it just isn't working for me. Devon is not interesting, and his complete character departure for this group does not work.

Back when this group first started, I said that I hoped they didn't end up playing backup to an established act in TNA. Not only has that happened now, but they are the backup act to an undercard wrestler that we're suddenly supposed to take seriously. IF TNA is hoping to get anything tangible out of Aces and Eights, then they need to scrap the focus on Devon quickly.

Overall Show

Last night's show was hectic. It felt like one of the editions of TNA from the Russo days where TNA tried to cram so much into so many segments that they ended up making nothing feel important. Worst of all, my enthusiasm for TNA has almost completely dissipated. They were having a strong year, but in the past month they have systematically made so many poor choices and repeated so many of the same old TNA mistakes that it's hard to get excited about the product.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter at @TheRyanKester.

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