TNA Impact Hits

Hulk Hogan and Kurt Angle: I enjoyed the interactions throughout the show and this one was no exception. Angle being upset earlier in the show and approaching Hogan still upset later in the show made perfect sense given what happened to Angle. I’m going to talk in the “Misses” section about guys turning face or heel too much, but I’m okay with wondering where someone lies. Hogan and Bischoff are walking that fine line right now and for a few weeks, it makes for intriguing television.

Eric Bischoff and Mick Foley: This was slightly confusing because Foley was fired, so why was he in the building and coming to the ring accompanied by his entrance music? Nonetheless, I am very pleasantly surprised with this because I had very little interest in the Foley vs. Hogan and Bischoff program when they teased it before Hogan came in. I’m curious to see where everyone will end up.

Samoa Joe challenging A.J. Styles: Styles needed a babyface opponent, so Samoa Joe is apparently now a babyface. I’m worried that they will rush through this program and honestly, I would like to see Styles successfully defend his title a few times before dropping it, but at the same time, I like the dynamic of this impending Styles vs. Joe feud. I think Ric Flair added and will continue to add that element that has been lacking from Styles’ repertoire.

Angelina Love: Yes, I prefer her as the leader of The Beautiful People with Velvet Sky at her side and Madison Rayne standing behind them, but she’s talented enough to pull off this babyface character for awhile. I never thought she was getting stale in her previous role, but this (probably temporary) run as a babyface will make her next heel turn even that much better.

Tournament format: I love tournaments and I love reasons for someone earning something. So often, title shots are just thrown out there without any rhyme or reason, so a tournament is always a good way to establish a number one contender (or whatever at the time), but it is also a good way to elevate one or two other wrestlers as well.

TNA Impact Misses

Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac attack Kevin Nash: I hated this. I am hoping there is a swerve involved here and The Band really is together. Over the years, I always enjoyed these three together and wondered why they were ever broken up (and why it happened so often). Hopefully, Hall and Pac stick around and The Band will not be split up.

The Pope pins A.J. Styles: Normally, I would like this and praise it. Whether it is Pope, Desmond Wolfe, Mr. Anderson, or someone else, I like new people being elevated into main event status. However, I did not like this because I don’t like when World Champions are pinned in non-title (or even tag team) matches. On top of that, Styles is establishing his new character, so the last thing he needed here was a loss.

Too many babyface and heel changes: Off the top of my head, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Team 3D come to mind. I was a fan of the Styles turn only because he was paired with Flair. Joe has gone back and forth and lingered in the middle, and although Styles did need a challenger, and Joe is a perfectly good choice, it would be nice if a character could remain a face or a heel for a significant period of time.

Lack of in ring action: There was nothing too long or memorable about anything that took place in the ring. There were some very solid promos and verbal interactions throughout the show, but nothing in the ring stood out on this show.

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