Reviewing the 7/21/11 episode of IMPACT WRESTLING…
1. With solid promos like the one Angelina Love cut on Knockouts Champion Mickie James and Velvet Sky from the entrance ramp it’s almost enough to forget Zombie Slave Angelina…well maybe not. But still the promo did more for her character than anything TNA has tried these past months. Using Winter as an instrument of guiding light, Angelina positioned herself as the top heel challenger to the title. In both her presence, demeanor and content, she did a great job in establishing that. It certainly helps the devilish duo of Winter and Angelina moving forward.
2. Big congrats to Tara and Miss Tessmacher, but I really can’t help but wonder about Sarita’s condition and wonder if it truly was worth putting her in competition so close to her facial injury. Perhaps having Madison Rayne fill in would have been a better option. It would have been no different than having Alex Shelley help defend the tag titles on behalf of Robert Roode teaming with James Storm except that this would have gone a little past more than storyline in that there should have been major concern for her well being placing her out there this soon. That being said, Tessmacher took the brunt of the beating most of the match, getting the hot tag to Tara who helped carry her team to victory after a flurry of offense. The titles had to change hands given the Sarita situation. The Double T’s are a fine choice given the circumstances.
3. There were some great hard hitting moments in the Bound For Glory Series Ladder match, but I have to question letting Samoa Joe’s losing streak go on this long. Especially in this tournament. Unless they are going to have a 100 point bonus match, Joe’s chances are looking slim. Regardless of what storyline they may have in place for Joe, he is being squandered right now. Truly that’s a shame because Joe can up the quotient of any match just by his entertaining hard hitting and intense style. Joe needed this victory more than Matt Morgan, which provides little story other than showing a big guy can occasionally win a ladder match as proved by the booking result here.
4. Loved the great camera work TNA used when showing Austin Aries lie in hiding after costing Alex Shelley his victory while Kendrick looked around in bewilderment. Perfect shot of showing Kendrick looking in the direction coming right above the shot of where the camera just showed Aries hidden on the side of the ring. Nicely done all around especially after a very good X-Division title match.
5. I do have to laugh at the Deluxe Impact Series 4 action figure commercial. Out of the 6 figures in the set, two of them are gone(Desmond Wolfe & Jeff Hardy), one is hardly getting any semblance of a push anymore(The Pope), one has been more of a figurehead than he has ever wrestled for TNA(Hulk Hogan) and the other two(Abyss & RVD) are the only two that have much of a presence on Impact Wrestling at all. Not good odds for a brand “new” figure set. Especially ones they decide to show during a commercial break. It’s amazing that for a brief time these stars seemed like the face of the brand. Now, I know the line takes time to develop and that’s what these were based off of, but that seems like years ago now.
6. While it was nice to see the return of the original Knockout Traci Brooks, ODB & Jackie’s returns are bordering on overkill now. If TNA can’t even enforce stipulations that just happened, then that makes any rule look like a joke. Now I know we are supposed to pretend they are “not women of their word” or “not actual employees”, but damn, TNA, what are you trying to accomplish with this brawl? The fact that two manly “former” Knockouts can kick the shit out of male security guards all night? Is there anybody really clamoring to see this?
7. Line of the Night:
Taz regarding Velvet Sky’s booty shake entrance
Taz– “She might have some gold in dem there hills.”
8. Move of the Night:
Alex Shelley’s what Taz tongue-in-cheek referred to as “Sliced Bread #3”
A form of Brian Kendrick’s Slicebread #2, Shelley just did it without the use of the turnbuckle, impressively from the ring apron dropping Kendrick on the back of his head on the apron while Shelley launched himself to the floor.
9. Notable Matches from 7/21/11:
a. X-Division Title Match
Brian Kendrick (Champion) vs. Alex Shelley
Very good contested match between these two X-Division stars. I like how A-Double Austin Aries got involved in the finish to further the tension between him and Shelley as well as throw Kendrick for a loop in his tainted victory. Gotta love Aries’ body language and facial expressions. Kendrick did his job with his backstage reaction to the outcome.
b. Bound For Glory Series Ladder Match for 10 Points
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Matt Morgan vs. Gunner
I think this match was alright for what it was. Certainly had it’s moments. I can’t say I agree with the finish, however. See Thought #3
10. Final Show Thoughts:
On paper and even after watching it, except for a few personal favorite moments, I would not have watched this show if not for my commitment to the Pulse. I would have waited for Knockout highlights from my buddy’s dvd. So when it comes to attracting viewers who DO have a choice, that is not a good sign. The quality dipped with some really either redundant or tiresome moments on the program. The lone subplot outside of what was mentioned with Austin Aries in the X-Division that interested me was the angle where Christopher Daniels asked to speak to AJ Styles in private. Beer Money’s James Storm in his “spirited” promo represented Redneck America with a borderline racist promo he tried to save at the end, but it didn’t come across as anything but Rednecks vs. Immigrants. Surprisingly so, too, was that Mexican America were forced to swallow the promo Storm made with no retaliation at all. At least have MA attack them before being fought off. That was quite lame. The Knockouts title match pushed and promoted from last week and the first half of this program never happened due to that ridiculous brawl with returning “Won’t Go Away” Knockouts Jackie and ODB. We know they are tough, TNA. We get it. Either give them try outs again or keep them incarcerated. The best part of ODB, her high octane hilarious entrance has been cut off since her return. The only thing more ridiculous than the length of that segment was how long it took police to show up to cuff them and take them away. On the bright side, thankfully no new Hogan, Jarretts or Bischoff segments. Abyss was also missing which was a nice break from his character. The Pope and his story were also missing, which just when it was getting more interesting…no follow up by TNA. The X-Division really needs a bigger presence on this show to save them as well as bringing those that have graduated, the AJ Styles, Daniels, Kazarian and Samoa Joes of TNA to the forefront. The Fortune singles and Joe need to be focused on more and be pitted against those who might have a few good years left like RVD and Kurt Angle. It would beat watching Scott Steiner vs. RVD from this week or a bland tag team main event of Sting/Angle vs. Mr. Anderson/Bully Ray to end the show with a drawn out cliched promo to start the show. I’m disappointed Jerry Lynn wasn’t brought back to have a HARDCORE JUSTICE rematch with Rob Van Dam. That’s why I thought Lynn should have beat Van Dam at Destination X. Give RVD a reason to come out on Impact and challenge Lynn to a rematch. TNA definitely seems to be out of tune with what the fans want. You want a program or federation where Wrestling Matters, TNA? Then show us by focusing on the best wrestling and wrestlers you have to offer.
IMPACT PLAYERS of the WEEK:Â
Tara, Miss Tessmacher, Angelina Love, Austin Aries, Alex Shelley, Brian Kendrick
Two Knockouts capture gold, promo of the night goes to Love and the three X-Division wrestlers steal the show again.
That is all.
M.C. Brown
You can find me on Twitter as
ShocXwavE
