Powell Editorials TNA Impact Hitlist: Final hype for Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle, Mick Foley's in-ring debut for TNA, Rhino vs. Sting, plus the Machine Guns will face off for the X Division Title, and new tag champions crowned By Jason Powell Jan 9, 2009 - 11:35 AM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing TNA Impact Hits Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle hype: Other than the unnecessary inclusion of Jarrett's family in the storyline, the creative team can take pride in the job they've done building up this match. The tension between the two men on the air has been tremendous and I love the way the heel wants the babyface in the ring as much as the babyface wants to face the heel in the ring. I'm looking forward to this match and it's the main reason to be excited about Sunday's pay-per-view. Mick Foley promo: That's what I was waiting for. I don't know if it will be enough to sell this pay-per-view given the lack of buzz regarding the show headed into Thursday night, and with the NCAA National Championship Game airing opposite the show, but Foley delivered one of his classic intense promos. He's still got it. Shane Sewell and Sheik Abdul Bashir: I've been tough on the spaz referee gimmick and Sewell still plays it a little too over the top for my liking. Furthermore, the idea that a wrestler can taunt and beat up a referee and face no repercussions for weeks was far fetched. Nevertheless, I find myself looking forward to their match on Sunday. TNA Impact Misses Sting vs. Rhino hype: Dreadful. This match feels like an afterthought heading into the show. TNA did nothing to make viewers think there's a chance that Rhino could capture the TNA Title on Sunday. Worse yet, the title match took a backseat to everything else on the show, and the company must work hard to restore the value of the belt. Where was the promo with Rhino saying how much he covets the belt and how much it would mean for him to win it? Sting comes off as a sideshow act in the Main Event Mafia. Granted, his reluctant member storyline has been good at times, but the fact that he lets Angle do all the talking makes him seem like a supporting actor, which is not how the champion should be portrayed. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin: Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy the Machine Guns and I'm happy to see them finally getting the camera time they deserve. I just didn't like the way they spoke about the X Division Title. They could have at least built up the prestige of the belt and then stated something to the effect of how their bond is still a tad more important to them. Rather, they demeaned the belt by making it seem like it really didn't matter to them. I'm guessing they'll go all out to capture the belt on Sunday, but I didn't care for the short term damage they did to a title that has previously lost so much meaning. A.J. Styles: Wasn't this Main Event Mafia angle supposed to elevate guys like Styles and Samoa Joe? I can't remember a time in TNA when either wrestler seemed to insignificant. The young guys aren't leading the charge for TNA. Jarrett, Foley, Rhino, and Team 3D are overshadowing Styles, Joe, and the random X Division wrestlers who make up the TNA Frontline. Consequences Creed and Jay Lethal vs. Beer Money: Good in-ring action from the three guys who worked the match. However, I've never seen a team look so weak coming out of a tag title win. They struggled to defeat Storm in what turned out to be a handicap match. Am I the only person who had no idea that they could cash in the Money in the Bank, er, Feast or Fired contract anytime they wanted to? I thought it was just a contract for a future match. It was nice to see a title change on Impact, but I'm disappointed that Creed and Lethal looked so pathetic in victory. Kongtourage: Do they really need to burden Awesome Kong by adding so many people to her act? Rhaka Khan adds nothing to the act, and they could have gotten Sojourner Bolt over without attaching her to the Kong and Raisha Saeed act. The Beautiful People: These skits are horrible and the Sarah Palin impersonator gimmick is already dated. The country has moved on from Palin-mania, and TNA should do the same. The "Simple Life" inspired farm skit was awful and TNA needs to pull the plug on these skits immediately. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) 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Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels for the TNA Title, Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle, Tara vs. Awesome Kong, Amazing Red vs. Homicide for the X Division Title WWE Raw Hitlist: Hype for John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series, Ricky Hatton as guest host, Randy Orton's "hood" line regarding Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, and MVP Powell's TNA Impact Hitlist: Dixie Carter's speech to the talent crew, hype for Hulk Hogan, the build for A.J. Styles vs. Daniels vs. Samoa Joe, Team 3D vs. Matt Morgan and Hernandez, Tara vs. Hamada WWE Raw Hitlist: Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne host Raw, Chris Jericho vs. John Cena vs. Big Show, Sheamus destroys Jamie Noble, The Miz vs. Evan Bourne, vintage Michael Cole