Reviewing the 8/11/11 episode of IMPACT WRESTLING…
1. Was Eric Bischoff really talking about Immortal making a mistake by adding Ken Anderson on to their team or was he speaking of the bigger picture with the mistake being TNA turning Anderson heel in general? Either way, Anderson was ousted from Immortal when he rebelled against a Bully Ray handshake and got his clock cleaned as he fought with all of the members of Immortal until they beat him down. He was stretchered out and took the ambulance ride out of the arena…or did he?
2. Does TNA realize that just showing a couple people booing while Angle cut his in ring promo/explanation of why he did what he did to Sting looks completely ridiculous when they go to a wide shot of nobody reacting in a negative way at all? The huge addition of the piped in boos was really annoying throughout Kurt’s promo. It detracted from what should have been a stronger segment. At least Kurt had reason to screw over Sting. Not to mention, showed he was an opportunist. I can’t blame him there. I would have done the same thing.
3. After another racist driven promo from a TNA superstar, at least this time it was from a heel(Jeff Jarrett), TNA showed off their number one hispanic face who came to the rescue of two hispanic Universal Studios “employees”, none other than 56 year old Hector Guerrero. While it’s nice to see Hector given his due instead of being beat down, on the flip side, it shows the lack of a prominent hispanic competitor in a top babyface position to be given the spot of beating up Jarrett. If that is where this leads. I guess on the plus side, better it be Hector than Sangriento, but that isn’t saying too much. Perhaps it would have been better to turn Hernandez face and drop Mexican America. But that won’t be happening any time soon.
4. So Ken Anderson was ousted from Immortal and taken away only to return from another trailer with a still bloodied head looking for Bully Ray? Did I miss where Anderson escaped from his ambulance and refused medical attention? Stupidly he returned to confront Bully Ray in his trailer to get beat down again by Gunner and Ray off-camera as he screamed in pain. Ugh.
5. The Bound For Glory video really helps put over the event and the PPV as a whole as something special. Good to see TNA utilize it’s expert producers to help get the product over. They also produced another well done recap of the Kurt Angle/Sting situation from Hardcore Justice. Speaking of Sting, he seems to be back to a more serious role as he came out through Kurt’s entrance hole to confront Kurt about his “informant” the man who told Kurt Angle that Dixie Carter knew about Jeff and Karen’s affair all along. It was quickly revealed it was Hulk Hogan. Of course, Hulk Hogan is the most trustworthy man on the roster, Kurt(TNA). Hogan lambasted Sting numerous times with a steel chair. The alliance with Hulk Hogan does make sense with Kurt’s new agenda to keep TNA from Dixie’s hands. Although the proof Hulk is right would be pretty tough to prove. Perhaps that’s what Dixie will say and deny it. I just don’t want to see Kurt join Immortal or team with the dying faction. That would only water down his turn.
6. Move of the Night:
Kurt Angle‘s punishing of Crimson via the 2nd rope knee wrench as Crimson hung from the apron. Very cool.
7. Line of the Night:
a. On Kendrick taking a tainted victory when Cookie sprayed hairspray into Robbie E.’s eyes that he followed up to defeat the Jersey Shoreman
Austin Aries– “Yeah. Of course Brian Kendrick will take a victory like that. That’s supposed to be the code of ethics he talks about?…”
Good point, A Double.
8. Match of the Night
Non-Title Knockouts Tag Team Match
Brooke Tessmacher and Tara© vs. ODB and Jackie
Miss Tessmacher is now known as Brooke Tessmacher, started from the PPV when Tara referred to her as Brooke in a pre-match promo. Brooke Adams also known as such started in WWE as part of Extreme Expose for those that don’t know. Brooke has steadily been improving in the ring and Mike Tenay publicly acknowledged this on commentary, which was very nice. She deserves the props after her hard work. Brooke has not only picked up the important nuances of her character, but the little things that go a long way. Prolonged intensity and exploding with crisp offense off the hot tag. Kudos to her and working with a very solid worker in Tara who provides the muscle in their tag team. Tara had a nice suplex from the middle/top rope on ODB. ODB and Jackie were storyline given one last chance by Bischoff to see if they can play by the rules, so they avoided cheating throughout the match catching each other until they were ultimately pinned. They showed a form of respect at the end and continues their story where they could possibly resume their roles in the Knockout Division with this performance. Solid match for the Knockouts and was the stand out. Good job, ladies.
9. Final Show Thoughts:
Kurt has vowed to take out all of Dixie Carter’s young talent she originally wanted him to work with in his words. He started at the end of the program taking out Crimson, a man he storyline brought in, which should give the story a little depth if they play it up. I like how Immortal left Kurt alone to do his dirty work showing he’s not aligned with them. He shouldn’t be. Kurt is better on his own as a one man wrecking machine. Kurt should also be the one to end Crimson’s streak, but as he is being booked, it might be the other way around if they make Crimson the victim here. Rightfully so as the BFG points leader, he became the most wanted on Kurt’s hit list. Due to the handling of Kurt as the focus of the show and how he can deliver the goods, Kurt is and should be the man carrying this company right now. That will help credibility as well as produce more entertaining segments. The emasculating of Abyss continued as Immortal continues to run him down as Eric BIschoff forced Abyss to sit in on the X-Division meeting where Bischoff told there was a 225 lb. weight limit(for Robbie E.?) and below for the X-Wrestlers effectively ending Abyss’s chances of recapturing it. There also goes the “Not about weight limits. It’sa bout no limits” phrase. Due to the quality of Destination X, the division will be pushed. Bischoff told Abyss he was responsible for it. Austin Aries took the opportunity to schmooze Bischoff and kiss up to him which might lead to a partnership of sorts as he is the heel of the division. Following his loss to Brian Kendrick, Robbie E. broke up with Cookie in a strange “Jersey Shore” shouting match. Hope to see Cookie reemerge as a wrestling knockout or with another character as Becky Bayless is easy on the eyes. Mickie James won a #1 Contenders match for the Knockouts title and Eric Young continues his search for Scott Baio in LA evidently to prove he is the true Champion of TV.
10. IMPACT PLAYERS of the WEEK:Â
Kurt Angle, Crimson, Bobby Roode, Double T’s(Knockout Champs)
Kurt Angle shined. I love the seriousness in how it gives Sting a real chip on his shoulder. Hogan vs. Sting has to be inevitable as Hogan went to town on him. Maybe Sting gives up his crusade to turn Hogan and will fight him now. Crimson and Roode picked up big wins in their respective matches. Crimson is elevated by his feud with Angle. Double T’s continue to impress.
That is all.
M.C. Brown
You can find me on Twitter as
ShocXwavE
