TNA Impact Hits

Jeff Hardy defeats A.J. Styles: TNA made the correct booking decision here. Styles did not need the win and Hardy winning the match was better than having a overbooked non-finish. In one night, Hardy established himself as a main event guy who is in line to challenge Styles for the belt, which is where he should be, as opposed to being in a tag team or the X Division.

Rob Van Dam beats up Sting: RVD debuted in TNA last week by defeating Sting in a very short match. They followup was even more effectively done by keeping Van Dam one step ahead of the long time veteran in Sting. The beating was one sided and really made RVD out to be a serious threat, in addition to his fun and light hearted character.

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff dissension: In the past, TNA has been notorious for moving too quickly from one angle to the next without proper time to let something big sink in. They moved from the RVD and Sting brawl into the Hogan and Bischoff interaction and it went very smoothly. The buildup to their eventual power struggle should be intriguing television.

Ric Flair: I don't automatically give Flair a hit every time he opens his mouth, but he still has the ability to be the best in the business on the mic. His ranting, raving, and making himself bleed was instant classic stuff and although he is overshadowing Styles right now, hopefully Styles will elevate his overall game by being involved with Flair.

Destination X pay-per-view hype: Impact was focused on this Sunday's pay-per-view and just about every segment on the show attempted to sell a match or program for Sunday. That was exactly the direction and attention to detail that was lacking from so many past go-home shows.

Ultimate X promo and multi-person brawl: Instead of a worthless spot fest match, the X Division guys were highlighted in a much more condensed spot fest segment, and it worked. Although the winners of the Ultimate X match get a tag team title shot, the X Division looks stronger than it has in months.

Knockouts Division: With Tara as the champion, Daffney as the upstart challenger, Angelina Love, and The Beautiful People, the Knockouts Division is also enjoying a resurgence. The undercard divisions in TNA used to be a huge strength and they are starting to get back to that now.

Kurt Angle and The Pope vs. Mr. Anderson and Desmond Wolfe: I like that Angle is working with and getting over talent that can and will main event for this company. Pope shined during the match and Anderson shined after the match. I wasn't sold on the Angle vs. Anderson feud at first but my mind has been quickly changed and it is one of the hottest feuds on the show right now.

TNA Impact Misses

The Nasty Boys and Jimmy Hart vs. Team 3D and Brother Runt: I like the return of Runt, but damn, this is the never ending program that needs to be put to rest. I do like the usage of Jimmy Hart in his traditional managerial role, but I'd like to see him, and others, manage wrestlers who can actually go.

A.J. Styles promo: A.J. has on weeks and off weeks on the mic and this was an off week. This was not a championship style promo and the fans chanting "Shut his mic off" had to have been a huge red flag. Fortunately, Flair and Hardy saved the opening segment. Styles can and hopefully will find an identity with his promo style but for now, his in ring work should do the talking.

Bischoff gets his head shaved: I called this a fun angle and it was, but they didn't have to give that away so quickly. Bischoff and Jeff jarrett have had a nice side feud, but the Bischoff and Mick Foley stuff just isn't clicking as much. Where does Foley go from here? Will he be an interesting player or sideshow act in TNA?

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