Powell Editorials TNA Impact Hitlist: Sting, Kurt Angle, WWE wrestler Robbie McAllister, Booker T, Robert Roode, James Storm By Jason Powell Mar 28, 2008 - 12:26 PM CLICK FOR BIO Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing TNA Impact Hits Overall show: I've been begging for clean finishes, less comedy, and more focus on the in-ring product. I came away feeling like TNA delivered in two of those three categories. The in-ring action was solid, yet unspectacular. It would have been nice if this show had featured a memorable match and that could have been accomplished with the talent roster they had to work with. Nevertheless, the bulk of the in-ring action was solid and it was nice to see TNA deliver a more serious product. Sting: Very good use of the returning star. He kept his promo short and energetic, which is always a good thing. He was fine in the ring and then he gave rub to James Storm at the end of the night. By the way, does Storm's interference mean the Lockdown weapons match will be a five-on-five match now? If so, does that mean the babyface side will be adding one more wrestler? For what it's worth, one industry source raised the idea that Jeff Jarrett or Joel "Truck" Anderson would seem to be the most likely options if TNA is planning to add a fifth man to their team. James Storm: TNA put the spotlight on Storm last night by having him attack Sting at the end of the show. This is their chance to really do something with the character and I hope they're going to abandon the tired beer swilling routine. Featuring Storm in this spot could be a good move if they follow up by giving him a push and capitalize on the rub he got from laying out Sting. However, it would be a wasted opportunity if he goes right back to playing the same comedy role that landed him in a lengthy undercard comedy program with Eric Young. Booker T and Robert Roode: A good brawl at the start of the show grabbed my attention immediately and their match later in the night was one of their better performances together. I hated the way TNA led fans to vote for the first blood match over the other two options. First, it was silly for Booker and Jim Cornette to make it seem like that was the most dangerous match of three options. Second, it would be nice if just one wrestling company would truly let the fans decide so that they get a better idea of what the fans truly want to see. TNA Impact Misses Kurt Angle's sparring session: I'm just not sure what they're trying to accomplish that couldn't be covered in a training video. I'm even starting to have second thoughts about the MMA-style match that Angle and Joe are having. These guys are great pro wrestlers and fans have waited a long time to see their next pro wrestling match. I'm trying to keep an open mind toward the Lockdown match, but I hope it's more than punching and rolling around on the mat. And if TNA is going to feature them in an MMA-style match, they should at least hype it that way so that fans know what they're buying. No Samoa Joe: Yes, I know he was interviewed "via satellite" during the show and I understand the story line that he vowed not to appear in the Impact Zone again until he wins the TNA Title. I just think the entire story line is a mistake. This was TNA's self-proclaimed biggest show of the year, yet they didn't feature the guy they are trying to get over as a star? Seems like a questionable move to me. And if anyone in TNA would have been capable of delivering the memorable match that was missing from the show, it's Joe. I know they've featured his match before, but I would have told Joe and A.J. Styles they had 20 minutes and let them tear the house down. Showing WWE's Robbie McAllister on camera: This was a dick move by TNA. Robbie reportedly attended the show as a fan and this was not part of an angle he agreed to take part in. Rather than give a colleague the respect he showed the company by attending their show, TNA chose to put him on camera and put his job with WWE at risk. I will say that Robbie had it coming if he was warned by anyone from WWE ahead of time and maybe that was the case. One can only hope that TNA would be willing to match his contract if he loses his job over this. I should also point out that the reaction to this camera shot has been mixed among the people in the industry I've talked to. Some share my take, while others think it was a good publicity stunt by TNA in that it got people talking. Johnny Devine: There's some potential with Devine, but as one TNA performer told me earlier today he has a lousy look and should never have been featured in the opening match. TNA was hoping to pick up new viewers for the live show and the first match of the night featured a wrestler wearing jeans and a t-shirt. You only get one chance to make a first impression and featuring a wrestler with a low budget look and no name value in the opening match was a poor decision. BOOKMARK DOT NET AND ADD US TO YOUR RSS • HELP DOT NET: TAKE OUR ADVERTISER DEMO SURVEY CLICK TO RETURN TO MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell Editorials Latest Twelve Articles ECW Hitlist: Matt Hardy vs. John Morrison, Evan Bourne vs. The Miz, Finlay vs. Mike Knox, Matt Striker's color commentary WWE Raw Hitlist: Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, C.M. Punk, JBL, Santino Marella, Beth Phoenix, Mike Adamle, Cryme Tyme WWE Smackdown Hitlist: Triple H working with new blood, Undertaker and Vickie Guerrero, MVP, Brian Kendrick TNA Impact Hitlist: Kurt Angle vs. A.J. 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