Powell's TNA Impact Wrestling Hit List: Tito Ortiz introduced as the latest mystery man, Austin Aries vs. A.J. Styles, Chris Sabin vs. Manik, Main Event Mafia challenges Aces & 8's, ODB vs. Gail Kim, Joseph Park vs. Jay Bradley

By Jason Powell

TNA Impact Wrestling Hits

A.J. Styles vs. Austin Aries: I realize he's playing a gloomy emo character, but I thought it was crazy to have Styles downplay the idea that this was a dream match. Fortunately, the in-ring action was very good until the finish. Oh, that lousy finish. I did dig the mic work of Aries earlier in the show. Here's hoping we get this match again with a real finish.

Chris Sabin vs. Manik: A well worked match between the two champions. It gets a Hit for the quality only, as I don't think it should have even taken place. Both wrestlers just won their respective titles and still need a boost. Beating Manik does nothing for Sabin, and Manik loses something by being pinned in his first match since winning his strap. And did they really have Sabin set up this non-title champion vs. champion match last week by saying that he wants to be a fighting champion? Fighting champions defend their titles.


ODB vs. Gail Kim: A minor Hit. It was good to see ODB working matches again rather than being the Knockouts referee. Kim continues to be one of the hardest workers in the company. I can't remember the last time she had a poor in-ring performance.

TNA Impact Wrestling Misses

Tito Ortiz as the mystery man: TNA has to reevaluate the way they introduce incoming talent. The idea of teasing Ortiz with the August 1 Warning videos was a mistake. I realize that TNA is all about the television ratings and it's possible that this approach will lead to a stronger than usual number for this particular show (though even that was minimized because they didn't hype this on television). However, it's not worth the risk of long term viewer backlash. I don't think fans would have been as negative about Ortiz appearing if they had simply had him show up as an unadvertised, unteased surprise. Save the big surprise style buildups for incoming names that will actually satisfy viewers.

Main Event Mafia's challenge: Sting told us twice last night that the Main Event Mafia wants to get rid of Aces & 8's, but apparently Dr. Evil is giving them advice on how to go about doing this. Rather than challenge them to a match where the losing team leaves the company, they challenge them to a match where the person who takes the pinfall has to leave the company. By the way, Aces & 8's was able to sneak into the Impact Zone for months, but they couldn't find a way to sneak Taz in? Speaking of Taz, let the record show that since he signed his new deal, he took a vacation two weeks ago and then appeared in a couple of throwaway pre-tapes this week. He should become a sports agent.

Joseph Park vs. Jay Bradley: A sloppy match. TNA actually held a Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries Bound For Glory Series match on a live event in Brooklyn, yet decided to air this match on Impact. Think about that for a moment.

Bobby Roode vs. Hernandez: Roode went back to his old tag partner's gimmick of hitting someone over the head with a beer bottle to break out of his slump. Why can't Roode just be a hell of a wrestler who sometimes resorts to heel tactics like holding the tights or using the ropes for leverage? The beer bottle finish has been overdone and makes the referees look like the biggest jackasses in the world for actually kneeling on glass and acting oblivious while they count the pin.