Reviewing the 5/12/11 episode of TNA iMPACT Wrestling…
1. After Tommy Dreamer’s turn on AJ Styles last week where he piledrived him and further injured his neck, what is the mystery of why Tommy did it that AJ will never understand? Is it to be on the verge of the end of your career as a beaten down wrestler with no means to support your kids? I guess it wasn’t the fork in the eye/EV 2.0 revenge AJ thought it was that made Tommy do what he did and become an indentured servant to Bully Ray in his feud against AJ.
2. Nevermind the slow victory roll, although nicely done by Ms. Tessmacher, but explain to me why it makes sense, TNA, for a #1 contender to the Knockouts title to lose just days before her big match at Sacrifice. I have to think that while this match might be too predictable, Mickie might not be ready to compete/defend the title full time yet thus Tara’s life will be made a living hell after Madison wins her title back. The tease and potential TV story time will trump the length of Mickie’s 1st title reign, but that’s only because of Mickie’s shoulder. She’ll get it back someday.
3. Surprise #1 It was good for TNA to reveal Matt Hardy’s partner and not wait for Sacrifice. While a few years back this might have been a big deal, America’s Most Wanted on opposite corners doesn’t have the same shock it once did. Chris Harris is Hardy’s partner, but his iMPACT Wrestling career, as well as WWE career has meant very little since their AMW days. A history lesson with Harris might sell the storyline more if it was given the time this week. Why should a new fan to iMPACT Wrestling care about Chris Harris? In fact, how would a new fan even know who this is just days before Sacrifice? TNA dropped the ball on selling more drama for this match.
4. Surprise #2 Mick Foley was revealed to be the Network executive. Mick handled his return with fire and intensity which Mick usually does well when inspired. Mick also sells stories very well and again did a good job here. Mick revealed to the world that TNA iMPACT is no more and as a veiled shot at WWE the show has been renamed iMPACT WRESTLING because as the new tag line looks to be it’s where “Wrestling Matters”. I also like the fact that Mick actually came across looking strong and not a buffoon or getting his ass handed to him.
5. Surprise #3 I do believe Chyna got a mention on TMZ, but I can’t help but think Kurt Angle’s surprise would have been better revealed at the PPV. But if you are getting some mainstream publicity from anything these days then it’s going to be hard to argue with the reveal coming early. I guess we have to chalk this one up to being a surprise laden show. Karen’s breakdown and crying after Chyna came out was comical. The battle royal interaction in my opinion was very underwhelming and hurt more than it did help. See Match of the Night down below.
6. Christy Hemme is beginning to sound like Mike McGuirk from the old school WWF days, especially when she raises her voice while announcing and the inflection she uses. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_McGuirk. Maybe TNA should use Wikipedia links during the show to update their fans on who Chris Harris is. I’m sorry. I know who America’s Most Wanted was and what they meant to TNA/IMPACT Wrestling, but that was many years ago now.
7. I have to admit TNA is getting a little bit ridiculous with the Sangriento character almost to the point that he is a spoof of Sin Cara. Sangriento rolled off the stage onto the ramp then did a series of forward rolls into the ring as well. I don’t know who thought this would be a great idea to put Amazing Red under a mask and spoof a WWE character, but I wish they would just let Red be himself and wow us with his incredible moves that way. Not to mention, at least when Shark Boy was doing an impression it was funny and entertaining. It’s not even like the Sangriento character has a cool look like Suicide, either. Speaking of which they did have an entertaining match especially with Red…er Sangriento’s finisher, middle rope spring back into an airborne Stunner. That was pretty sick looking. I’d love to see Amazing Red/Sangriento take on Kazarian or one of the Young Bucks of Gen Me. Maybe if Max Buck pulls out a victory at Sacrifice, some high profile X-Division matches might start happening.
8. Line of the Night:
a. Hilariously on Chyna after he was talking to her and she walked away
Mick Foley-“There’s always been a vague sexual tension between the two of us.”
9. Match of the Night:
#1 Contender’s Battle Royal
25 TNA Superstars
Not much ring action otherwise, although the battle of the masks would have taken it if the Battle Royal wasn’t entertaining. Matt Morgan eliminated at least 20 percent of the competitors. But I found it funny that I didn’t see Scott Steiner and Matt Morgan even touch each other until their Battle Royal elimination sequence after Morgan eliminated Hernandez and Steiner eliminated Morgan. Good to see The Pope get some extended iMPACT time this week in a mini Royal feud/interaction with Brother Devon. I have to say when Chyna entered to cost Jarrett the title shot after Karen cost Kurt Angle his, she was a day late and a dollar short. What was she doing when Mick told her to be where Karen would be? She certainly didn’t seem to be trailing Karen like one would think she would. Are the implants slowing her down? TNA also dropped the ball when Chyna came up from behind and didn’t do her trademark “Nut Shot”. That would have been a perfect opportunity. In fact, if Mick didn’t introduce Chyna earlier, it might have been a better idea for Kurt to have motioned for Chyna after he was eliminated, have Jeff & Karen look towards the ramp in the middle of the Battle Royal and shock introduce Chyna then. I don’t know. It just seemed like they didn’t have a good plan overall. Chyna also looked a bit lethargic as well. Maybe chalk that up to ring rust. I definitely see her taking the fall in the tag match Sunday. Bully Ray’s mega push continued with him making the final two, but Mr. Anderson came up with the victory with the front facelock dragging of Bully Ray to the outside from the apron while teetering on the brink of elimination himself. Funny moment from earlier had Eric Young eliminate TV Champion Gunner and then celebrate until he eliminated himself and then took the TV Title thinking he won it. So there might be another feud in the works, which is good news for us fans of Eric Young.
10. Final Show Thoughts:
The Joe vs. Crimson rivlary is very intriguing. I like how it’s gone so far with Joe walking away from Abyss attacks on Crimson. It’s building Joe back up to a nonchalant bad ass again. Conspicuous by their absence this week except in Angle/Jarrett feud flashback form were the former Beautiful People, who’s feud has been going on for over a month now with no PPV pay off match. In fact both the Angelina zombie vs. Velvet story and the Steiner vs. Morgan feuds I would have considered a lock for Sacrifice if you were polling me two weeks ago. So counting Ric Flair, who returned in an entertaining segment with Hulk Hogan who immediately accused Ric of being the Network representative until they made amends, it was a night of returns and surprises. Not the greatest show, but a very noteworthy show leading into the PPV Sunday. Speaking of which, big time plug for the Rasslin’ Roundtable coming up hosted by THE Kelly Floyd here on Inside Pulse. My picks for SACRIFICE will be included there. Wrestling or Rasslin’ does matter here on INSIDE PULSE.
Show MVPs:
Mr. Anderson and Mick Foley
Mick was needed to deliver as the Network’s executive and did so in presence, delivery and intensity. He also provided the line of the night on a very light night for them. Mr. Anderson stepped it up and actually secured his one on one title match for the first time since losing the belt. It will happen at Slammiversary.
That is all.
M.C. Brown
You can find me on Twitter as
ShocXwavE
