TNA Impact Hits

Kurt Angle vs. Hernandez: It wasn’t a classic by any means and it was over right after it began, but I liked it because Hernandez hung pretty well with Angle. We’ve talked in depth about how Hernandez, Matt Morgan, and A.J. Styles are the top three priorities in terms of whom TNA is pushing (and based on the end of the show, you can add Samoa Joe to that list), so this was a test for Hernandez. He was able to show off his power and although he did not win, he did not lose either.

Samoa Joe attacks Bobby Lashley at the end of the show: I loved this. With Morgan, Hernandez, Styles, and Lashley being named as guys TNA wants to push, we often asked, “What about Joe?” Well, Joe was choking Lashley out to end the show. I would say that was a great way to endorse what Joe will mean to this company. Great stuff.

Mike Tenay interview with A.J. Styles and Sting: I always enjoy these interviews. I am not crazy with Styles’ infatuation with Sting, but at the same time, his mic work during this program has been the best of his career. I’m not thrilled with the term “passing the torch,” but I do like the old lion vs. young lion dynamic these two have.

Lacey Von Erich joins The Beautiful People: The loss of Angelina Love was an unfortunate one for TNA and the fans, but in her absence, I cannot imagine a better replacement than Lacey. She has the perfect look and seems to play a decent heel character. I doubt she is the worker Angelina is, and Velvet will handle the bulk of the talking, but Lacey keeps the group going strong, which is a good thing.

Amazing Red: A four minute ladder match is never a good idea. Especially when there are two tag teams and Red on his own. However, Red really stole the show and was the only highlight of the match. Well, I guess Consequences Creed yacking all over the ring was the highlight, but Red was very impressive and very much worth mentioning.

Possible three way Knockout’s Title match at Bound for Glory: When Tara came to TNA, it looked as though they were building to an eventual Tara vs. Awesome Kong championship match. Well, the idea of that match has lost a bit a steam, so ODB being the current champion leads me to believe there could be a triple threat match at the PPV for the title. ODB and Kong both deserve it because they’ve been so valuable to the company. Tara should make it a memorable match.

Abyss and Mick Foley promo to open the show: Abyss did a nice job on the mic and Foley’s cocky heel character is fun to watch develop. I’m guessing both men will absolutely do some crazy things at the pay-per-view.

World Elite segment with the Main Event Mafia: The World Elite looked big league standing up to the Main Event Mafia. I know they are bunch of mid-card guys, but stars are not always stars. They need cooperation from other stars. Perhaps this World Elite thing will work out after all.

TNA Impact Misses

In ring action: I am lumping a lot of things together here. There was not really one memorable match on the show. Every match was short and the finishes were pretty predictable. In terms of the X Division ladder match, I just didn’t like the idea of having it in the first place. There were seven matches on the show and the length of them reminded me of a pay-per-view go home show. Well, Bound for Glory is a few weeks away.

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