Welcome back to the one column that could very easily be another “I hate TNA with a passion” post. However, with all the hate out there, there has to be some love for TNA. Vince Russo sucks a monkey, Samoa Joe does not draw ratings, Sting going emo-heel does not work, and finally AJ Styles v. Kurt Angle would be a MOTYC even if they wrestled in the dark. Wait a moment, I need to be loving TNA, not bashing it. Let’s get this party started.
You know by know how I do this, so let’s segue way to what happened on #10.
Last Time on TMR
Last time, I took five interesting stories and made them look better. There’s not really much else I could say about that one, except that Mike Adamle still is better than anyone.
Quick TNA Recap
So, I had nothing better to do tonight, so I figured I’d take two hours I could had been playing Xenosaga and watch tonight’s impact. Unlike Hard Justice, the crap was kept to a minimum and we had a few entertaining bouts. Angle/Styles, while everyone and their dog would complain about this match being on free TV, I gotta say that this is the true meaning of Angle Advancement Match (tm Eric S.) Angle was better in taking down Styles and Styles was better in getting the nearfalls. The ending was too wacky, especially with teasing Jeff Jarrett’s return. I could had lived without that.
I’m liking the progression of Matt Morgan, but he needs to face serious talent if this is going to keep me interested, because beating no-named people or people with little name value just isn’t going to cut it for long. They had a good developing feud with Tomko, but Tomko decided to stick his tail between his legs and hitail it out of TNA just so he can possibly go back to the WWE and let Vince mess his character up once again. Hopefully Morgan gets the proper build and eventually we will all be rejoicing him as the World Champion.
The ending to Samoa Joe/Kevin Nash v. Team 3D stunk to all levels, but I can understand why. First of all, I don’t understand why post match sheganigans aren’t always reversed by the referee. Note at Hard Justice, AJ Styles came back in and gave Kurt Angle the brainbuster. Why didn’t the referee reverse the decision? How come that move is saved for matches that have no meaning? Sure, it hypes Joe’s anger and how that could be the thing that costs him the title, but this should either be done all the time, or not at all. Things like that mess with my mind.
Overall, it wasn’t a bad show and hopefully TNA can continue with the good streak heading to No Surrender.
Matt Striker & Todd Grisham: The Next JR & Jerry Lawler on Commentary?
For the last two weeks, ECW viewers were treated to Matt Striker replacing Tazz as color commentator and I have to say that ECW was actually gold with the two on commentary. With this, I have to say that Striker should consider being an announcer rather than a wrestler, becuase he’s highly educated and knows his stuff. Sure, he isn’t a heel on the mic, but give him time to start hating on people.
What does this mean for the announcing picture? Everyone and their dog believe that Mick Foley’s done with the WWE. Hopefully Vince knows what he’s about to do before Mick really leaves, but who knows?
Hogan Does Not Know Best
So, after today, we are all almost certain Hulk Hogan is calling Vince asking for another payday, now that he has to pay his estranged wife a whopping $40K a month, plus pay all her utilities and maintenance workers in her condo. If there was a silver lining, at least he doesn’t have to finish paying for the condo, but he did lose nearly a million for that down payment.
Sadly, that’s the end result of a divorce, regardless of who you are. Linda may not deserve a penny from him because of what she pulled with that 19 year old boy. Though Hogan isn’t a saint either, what can you expect with the crazy Hogans. Nick is still in jail, Brooke has her own show. Time for Hulk to Hulk Up and well, you know the rest.
Summerslam Is This Sunday
It’s interesting when I think the most anticipated matches include Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella v. Kofi Kingston & Mickie James for both the Intercontinental & Women’s Championships. If Santino makes the pin, would he be the Women’s Champion? Likewise, if Beth makes the pin, would she be the Intercontinental Champion? This one has many possibilities, and while it screams Russo Booking 101, I can easily forgive this.
Hell in the Cell returns and it features Undertaker and the Artist Known As Edge. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen Edge transition into a more sinister Edge, thanks to Mick Foley. Can Edge and Taker deliver inside the Devil’s Playground?
You have Triple H taking on the Great Khali, CM Punk taking on JBL, and lots of other matches that make the undercard look interesting. But then again, you have John Cena v. Batista for the First Time Ever. Am I the only one that actually thinks that the first match ends in a draw of sorts? The reason I ask this is that what would ultimately happen if either one wins at Summerslam. You’d be booking a rematch at Unforgiven. Sure, the same could be said if it ends in a draw, but you can easily take their mind off things until Wrestlemania where they would clash again. Call it dream booking, but it does leave something to think about.
Elsewhere on the Pulse
Mark Neeley & David Wells is your Thursday Night Duo for TNA Impact!
Andy Wheeler has some constructive criticism on TNA, after their HARD showing of Hard Justice.
Brad Curran takes another shot against the well-oiled ROH Machine.
Daniels has his thoughts on ECW & RAW.
Vinny goes fantasy booking on Hogan/Sting from the WCW days.
Mark Allen talks about WWE’s latest releases and the pending “independent contractor v. employee” lawsuit against the company.
And lots more from the past week!
Wrap-Up
Time to close the book on another edition of TMR, hope you all enjoyed this column. As always, feel free to leave a comment or two, because I enjoy hearing what everyone thinks. Apologies for this being up late, but the late post did let me to comment on tonight’s TNA Impact, so that is a plus. I’ll be back Monday for RAW, so have a great weekend and be sure to enjoy Summerslam.
