1. This is the best episode of Impact I’ve seen in a long while, perhaps ever. There was an internal consistency to the plotting that isn’t usually present and every match had a good set-up whether from last week or simple logical progression. It wasn’t perfect, but this is exactly what I want to see out of TNA.
2. The main problem with the show was the finish. The Karen and AJ saga is a major stumbling point in his being a good face. Whether or not he’s done anything with Karen, he’s pretty clearly tried to break up the marriage of Karen and Kurt, making AJ a scumbag. This could have been addressed by a compelling main event interview. These usually really have to deliver to work, but this was a big enough issue to warrant it.
TNA, having a compelling issue, proceeded to bait and switch, doing a big heel beatdown instead. The beatdown works entirely, but putting it before the big reveal means that anyone who stayed tuned to hear the aforementioned reveal got burned. This won’t necessarily keep a new fan, as bait and switch tactics tend to annoy a viewer rather than entice them to watch again. A big miss after such a strong show.
3. The Kong beating on fans = ratings thing was great and legitimately funny. I dislike the use of the “invisible†camera-man in general, but everything else about this segment works. That the “fans†would have to sign waivers makes up for what would otherwise be a huge logic hole. Again, this is exactly what TNA should be doing.
4. The opening segment is great. Brother Ray and Booker are both gold on the mic as heels, and by the end of their portion I really dislike them. Everyone else coming out was awesome as well, with Christian showing off real star presence. Samoa Joe is the champion and absolutely came off as the most important guy as his promo blew everyone else’s away and mattered most. AJ’s not talking but attacking shows just how personal this is to him now. All around, this was a grade A segment, hurt only by the silly shill of the TNA cards.
5. Christian’s match with Tomko was surprisingly very good. Their big man, little man dynamic works well, which is a surprise because I tend to prefer Tomko’s wrestling as a face and Christian’s as a heel. Improved versatility does nothing but make each more valuable. Cage has become awesome both on the mic and at working a nearly heel counter-wrestling style and having it work as a face. He truly is one of the best in the world and has grown into a top spot incredibly since his WWE days, where despite the ‘net’s insistence, I was never his biggest fan. The match was only about *** ¼, but given more time and a top spot, I have little doubt these two could pull off a near classic.
6. The video packages before Christian vs. Tomko and Rhino vs. Storm were excellent. These two matches had me groaning as rehashes with predictable winners at the beginning of the show, but the packages made them feel fresh and relevant, along with keeping the commentators from having to over-do it explaining. Well done.
7. Cornette goes most of the show making sense for once, keeping a semblance of order for the whole show, but, and this is a big problem, admitting Nash in the King of the Mountain match as “enforcer†pretty much guarantees a wonky finish given TNA’s history. Fans who buy PPVs want clean finishes and winners and losers. This will do nothing but hurt PPV buys and Cornette’s character.
8. I really want an explanation for Angle wrestling AJ Styles at the PPV after it’s been said time and again how badly hurt he is and how he shouldn’t wrestle. If they both can go, this will be great, but I can’t shake the feeling crazy Kurt is wrestling when he shouldn’t again.
9. Again with the small logical cohesion- the Rock n Rave vs. Dutt and Lethal match wasn’t very good, but it made sense and solved an issue from the week before decisively.
10. Again, for the first time, I’m happy to be covering Impact, and hopefully this continues as I’m really looking forward to the World X-Cup. Speed Muscle with Milano!
