Powell's Blog: Is TNA spoofing themselves because WWE doesn't care enough to do it for them?

Monday, March 22 – 10:27 P.M. (CT)

I watched the TNA pay-per-view late last night after returning home from a great Alice in Chains concert in St. Paul. I'll post the full TNA Destination X pay-per-view later today, but I have to sound off on the absurdity of the finish of the main event match between A.J. Styles and Abyss.

It's hard enough to take two guys who are portrayed as wannabes in a pay-per-view main event. I can live with Styles playing the new "Nature Boy" role, but I can't take Abyss seriously in this role as being in awe of Hulk Hogan. The entire match screamed bush league long before the wretched finish.

It was a late night, so I had to pinch myself to make sure I hadn't dozed off when Hogan came out and wheeled Flair up the ramp. It's as if TNA is spoofing themselves in "The Huckster" vs. "Nacho Man" style because WWE doesn't care enough to produce Wheelchair Wrestling skits like they did during the Monday Night Wars.

Speaking of unintentional spoofs, is Flair carrying mace around with him now to protect himself just in case his wife gets a little cranky again? It was bad enough that it took Flair way longer than it should have to spray the referee in the eyes, but referee Andrew Thomas followed it up with one of the worst overacting spots in the history of the business.

Abyss slamming Styles through the ring was a cool spot. Sure, we've seen it before and I hate the idea that Abyss suddenly has super powers because he believes in the power that a damn ring gives him, but it was still a fun moment until the referee called off the match.

And then we had to suffer through Hogan handing Abyss the TNA Title, only to have both men celebrate as if there had been a title change. They both looked like idiots since everyone watching seemed to realize that you can't win a wrestling match without pinning your opponent or making him submit.

This is the type of campy finish that Hogan may have gotten away with during the peak of his popularity. Looking at the television ratings, I think it's safe to say that the peak of Hulkamania has passed.

TNA looks like a company that's trying to offer something to everyone. The average edition of Impact lately has featured more blood than a "Saw" movie, X Division spot fests, The Beautiful People parading around half naked, hardcore silliness with The Nasty Boys, and Hogan and Abyss in over the top storylines that cater to few people over the age of 12. This company has to figure out what it's target demographic is. You deliver edgy content in one segment and then dumb it down whenever Hogan and Abyss appear on camera.

It's absurd that the powers that be in TNA actually thought the main event finish was an acceptable conclusion to a pay-per-view event. This was an insult to the small percentage of fans who care enough about the product to buy TNA pay-per-views, and this was the type of finish that made this particular viewer feel embarrassed for the company and, worse yet, to be a pro wrestling fan.