By Ryan Kester

Bully Ray and Aces and Eights

Bully Ray was great in his new role as the Aces and Eights president. He did very well with his promo work throughout the show and he's fell into his leadership role well. I am alright with TNA not focusing too much on why Bully Ray was fighting Aces and Eights during the build because of how they handled the entire dynamic last night. If nothing else, I'm alright with TNA moving on from when they weren't booking the group well and just start doing it correct from last-night on.

I am glad to see that Aces and Eights were allowed to gain heat on this show. A common complaint of mine for the past several months has been how much ass the group showed and how often it occurred. That didn't take place last night, and the group was able to battle back against the TNA locker room. Well done, TNA. It will take a consistent build like this if TNA want to get much out of the group, but last night was the first time TNA has made me care about the group for some time.

Hulk Hogan and Sting

Normally, I would be rolling my eyes at how much air time Hulk Hogan and Sting got on a TNA show, but it made sense for the story TNA is trying to tell and for the reaction they wanted to get from a hot Chicago crowd. I do hope that TNA pulls back a bit more and doesn't rely on the two men as much when they have a great opportunity to give some of the younger members of the roster some exposure on the road.

On a side note to all of this, I find myself oddly compelled to see what Brooke Hogan's reaction to all of this will be. I don't normally find myself particularly engrossed in her character, but she did a good job with her reaction to Ray's turn at Lockdown. I think it was wise for TNA to withhold her from tonight's show to give Ray an added means of gathering heat down the line.

Austin Aries

Aries did very well last night in his rather lengthy match with Sting. Sting's matches these days can be a bit of a mixed bag, but I found that Aries did enough in that match to keep it from feeling like the standard Sting formula of brawling in between signature spots.

My main complaint with Aries and Roode, and Jason pointed this out well in his report, is that it feels like Aries and Roode are going more for a cool heel that gets cheered for their antics rather than actually attempting to garner heat. I'm still not crazy about the Roode and Aries pairing for the tag team division, but if that's where TNA is going to have them I'd at least like to see them do something with that role. WE have enough other comedy outlets on TNA's roster.

Overall Show

This was the best show TNA has produced in months. The set looked great, the pacing was better, and there was an energy about the show that's been missing for some time. If TNA can keep that energy up, their product is going to be really exciting.

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.

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