TNA Impact Hitlist: Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair debut, Jeff Hardy makes a surprise return, A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle for the TNA Title, NWO reunion, Orlando Jordan, Nasty Boys, and Sean Morley show up
Jan 5, 2010 - 01:51 PM |
Dot Net Members are listening to 50-minute audio recaps of last night's WWE Raw and TNA Impact shows. Rich Twilling handled the Raw audio, while I took the Impact audio. They will also be listening to an interview with former WWE creative team member Court Bauer regarding the Monday night battle on Wednesday. You can gain access to all the perks of Dot Net Membership for only $5 per month by visiting the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.
TNA Impact Hits
Overall show: I'm giving the show a thumbs up because the company delivered big with some major surprises in Jeff Hardy and Ric Flair. There were some odd storyline flaws such as Hogan claiming he'd been backstage all day even though we were shown his limo arriving at the building. Did he make a border run during the show by heading to Taco Bell? Anyway, the important thing is that TNA teased surprises and they came through in a major way.
Hulk Hogan and the NWO reunion: Sure, it was a flashback segment, but I enjoyed it. I didn't like the way it overshadowed Jeff Hardy and Ric Flair, but it was cool to see the band back together for one night. I don't know if I'll be quite so enthused about this a few weeks from now, but it worked for one night.
Jeff Jarrett: The live crowd gave him a hero's welcome when he made his in-ring appearance. He was one of the most over wrestlers on the show. Oddly enough, Hogan ripped into him and came across like a heel. I'm told that wasn't by design. Nevertheless, it was a cool moment to see the crowd give Jarrett that type of ovation.
A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle: The best match on the show. Granted, that's not saying much, but they delivered a nice match. That said, I can't say I'm very intrigued at the thought of watching them have a rematch at the pay-per-view now that Styles has proven he can beat Angle. They really need to come up with a new hook if they're going to stick with this match as the pay-per-view main event. Sure, they'll deliver a good match, but how many people will pay to see it after watching it for free on Monday.
Awesome Kong and Hamada vs. Sarita and Taylor Wilde: A good match that got the belts off the flat team of Sarita and Taylor. The babyface duo stands a better chance of getting over by chasing the new monster champions.
Matt Morgan and Hernandez vs. Raven and Dr. Stevie: I don't want to see Morgan and Hernandez teaming, but the squash was quick and painless. It got them on the show, made them look strong, and set up the tag title match for the pay-per-view.
Kristal Lashley: She was great in the role as the bitchy and controlling wife who looks down on pro wrestling. This is the perfect gimmick for her and it could do wonders for Bobby, who just doesn't have it on the mic.
TNA Impact Misses
Jeff Hardy: A huge coup for TNA to get Hardy, but the execution was lousy. Hardy meant more than anyone in TNA coming into the show, yet he showed up and beat up Homicide and then had to meet with Hulk Hogan to get a contract? Hardy was the most popular wrestler in the world last year. He's a former World Champion. His surprise appearance should have been the biggest moment of the show and instead he came off like a minor star compared to Hulk Hogan and others. Again, a cool moment for TNA and a legitimately huge surprise, but it should have meant so much more.
Ric Flair: Again, it was a great surprise, but I didn't think the execution was great. Sure, they left us wanting more by not having him talk, but I really think they would have been better off having him walking to the ring for a promo when Raw was starting. By the way, why the hell did he walk away during the main event? That came off as being more strange than thought provoking.
Mystery man in black: Tomko looks so low budget in that horrible outfit. His interference was poorly executed and he looked like a chump when Angle cleared him fro the ring so quickly. It's no secret that Tomko has been playing this role so I don't think I'm giving away a big spoiler. After all, TNA knows the cat is out of the bag, so there's a chance they'll swerve us by having someone else be revealed as the mystery man. Here's hoping they remember that they've already told us that the mystery man is bald by showing him from a distance when he attacked A.J. Styles in the parking lot.
Backstage attacks: Bubba The Love Sponge was nice enough to say that he thinks he knew who was behind the mystery attacks, but then he threw it back to the announcers without bothering to tell us. Thanks, dick. Were we supposed to assume this was the NWO beating people up? Was it Mystery Tomko? Was it someone new? It might sound intriguing given all the possibilities, but I honestly didn't care. Plus, Bubba looked like a prick for hovering over the fallen wrestlers and delivering updates into the camera. I miss Lauren already.
Desmond Wolfe: This guy had the hottest debut of any wrestler in 2009 and the company has dropped the ball on him ever since. He's never defeated anyone meaningful and he's already just another mid-card wrestler. Yes, it's the same complaint only in a different week.
The Nasty Boys: Does anyone want to see them wrestle? I didn't mind them making a cameo appearance if the idea was to deliver as many surprises as possible, but I have zero interest in watching them face Team 3D in a garbage match.
Orlando Jordan: I was stunned by the audible groans we heard from the live crowd when Jordan popped up in the backstage segment with D'Angelo Dinero. Honestly, I was surprised that so many people recognized him after all this time.
Steel Asylum: It's a good thing they aired this during the first hour. It was hilarious that the first match was followed by chants of "This is bullshit" from the live crowd. Fortunately, they delivered Jeff Hardy moments later and people quickly forgot about the cheap finish.
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