Pruett's Pause: TNA Impact Wrestling - Authority figure drama remains the central focus as MVP explains himself and confronts Dixie Carter, Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Roode, and breaking up is hard to do!

By Will Pruett

Dot Net Members are listening to my audio review of the TNA Impact Wrestling show as well as the Dot Net Countdown Show. To become a member for as little as $5.50 per month, visit the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

My sincere hope is for this Dixie Carter and MVP feud to signal the end of wrestling authority figures on TNA television. My honest prediction is Dixie and MVP both remaining on TV and feuding for a long time, until they switch roles and heel authority figures reigning supreme forever. TNA, please prove my prediction wrong.

MVP was all over this show and he was good in his role. I am now convinced that he was a wise choice for the investor character. He can talk (he could always talk). He can hype up a crowd. He is good at this. His role on this show was to be the guy speaking truth to power with no fear. MVP wants to produce change in TNA and do so from the top down.

Dixie Carter continued to play her oblivious, overblown, stereotypical self. It's interesting to see Dixie continue playing on the insider-fans worst assumptions about her (I'm of the belief the "reality show" rumor from a couple weeks back was planted by TNA to continue this). It's also a little grating, because Dixie isn't a great actress and she isn't natural in front of the camera.

The war of authority figures in TNA is just beginning. While MVP is standing up for wrestlers and an even playing field, it also seems like he is standing up for wrestling traditionalists. He's trying his best to win over many of the fans who have shunned TNA in general, hoping they may come back for a match featuring The Wolves and end up staying to see the changes he can make.

I'm not confident in this angle working, because I've seen many "good" plans in TNA take a left turn and go bad. I am more excited about it happening than I thought I would be. This is the beginning of the end of Dixie Carter in TNA. It may have to get worse before it gets better, but at least the end is in sight. Let's all hope TNA actually makes if there without a major change.

Picking up the pieces:

- There was nothing horribly offensive production-wise on this show and I am thankful for it. I'm not sure my brain could have handled another week like last week.

- Eric Young vs. Abyss was intense and it was a brawl. I'm just not sure what the point was. Had the Abyss character never looked in a mirror? Could Eric Young not get his mask off in any other (possibly non-thumbtack involving) scenario? This story had some logic gaps.

- I'm not a fan of the typical Abyss garbage match, but it tends to be all Abyss has to offer. Now that I have seen it, why continue featuring him?

- TNA is doing some really interesting character work with some of their main event talent right now. I love the conflict inside of Bobby Roode. I love the continued Ethan Carter III story. I love the renewed intensity of Samoa Joe. There are some good things bubbling just under the surface of these characters.

- Playing up the stereotypes of Dixie Carter and TNA did allow MVP to come in and cut one heck of a worked-shoot (mostly worked) promo about mismanagement. Once again, I am hopeful.

- Bully Ray is like a really annoying iPod filled with mid-1990's hits on shuffle mode.

- Was Chris Sabin and Velvet Sky's first kiss in a strip club?

- Austin Aries and Xema Ion's segment and match seemed meant to kill some time, but not meant for much else. I don't believe every briefcase cash in should be an amazing meaningful moment, but this was a little pointless.

- On the plus side, Aries looks like a badass for fighting off Ion. Maybe the goal is to continue establishing him as a credible champion now that he has ended his best of 103 series with Chris Sabin.

- Christy Hemme actually watches Impact. This is a good thing. Her breakup moment with Samuel Shaw had me expecting a crazy beatdown from Shaw to someone else later in the show, but nothing happened. This was weird.

- Magnus should tell everyone the difference between doing someone a favor and doing their job. This was a fun backstage moment.

- Ethan Carter III brought a new twist to his character in his beating of Kurt Angle. It was a little out of left field, but I liked it.

- Where was/were MVP and/or The Wolves when Kurt Angle was being destroyed? If the idea is creating an even playing field by force, shouldn't they show up for such an important moment?

- The worst thing about Chris Sabin's talking segment with Velvet Sky was forcing Velvet to act. She isn't good. Also, why did she go from taunting him last week to crying over being left by him this week? Isn't she glad he is gone? Do women only switch between vengeful and sad? Do they have other emotions?

- Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode had a really good seven minute match. Roode is always impressive in the ring and Joe is bringing his rediscovered anger to his in-ring work as well as his promos. This match worked.

This was a decent episode of Impact Wrestling. I'm not expecting greatness from many of these shows, but this was above average. The wrestling was good. The storytelling was good. They seem to be setting up for the Road to Lockdown nicely. Hopefully this momentum continues and TNA can set right so much of what is broken about it.

So, what did you think of the show? Agree? Disagree? Either way, feel free to email me at itswilltime@gmail.com or to follow me and interact on twitter at twitter.com/itswilltime.