|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 20, 2005 3:22:59 GMT -5
All I got to say is... wow!
TNA really turned up the dial tonight for this week's Impact. The matches were excellent, but that's nothing out of the ordinary. What really impressed me tonight was the sports entertainment that we have not seen TNA do on Spike to this extent yet. I think that they must have known that a lot of WWE fans would be checking out Impact this week to see Christian on there for the first time. This was an awesome show from beginning to end.
The main event between Abyss and Rhino was a great match between these two big men. It seems as though TNA may finally be establishing some more clear cut faces and heels, as the crowd seemed to be very much on Rhino's side. I'm glad to see this as it seemed like in the past the crowds would be pretty much split between wrestlers and just cheer them both equally.
I also really like how they're making AMW employ more heelish tactics to win matches. They have built up the feud between AMW and Team 3D very nicely. AMW is in my opinion the best tag team in wrestling right now. I think we need to see them get the mic a little more rather than Team 3D doing the talking all the time.
I'm now also interested in the 3LK storyline, which I didn't care about before. The awesome video package that they showed highlighting key moments in this storyline's development made me interested. Plus the interview that they did with Shane Douglas was pretty well done, and I'm looking forward to what takes place on the next Impact when they talk about the future of their team.
The highlight of the night was probably the last segment between Christian and Monty Brown. Monty Brown really showed me that he has so much potential. He needs to drop the "welcome to the Sarengeti" bit though as it just seems to fall flat every time he says it... I don't think most people get it. Their verbal war was very entertaining and humorous in spots...especially when Monty made fun of Christian's wardrobe, referring to his "Bob the Builder" boots... and also when Christian interrupted Monty just before he could say "POOOOOUUUUUNCCCEEE!!" These two could make a really awesome rivalry.... I really hope that they don't end up using Monty as a stepping stone so that they can stick Christian into a program with Jarrett.
They really raised the bar tonight. For the first time I think I'd have to give Impact an A+.
|
|
|
|
Post by dennish on Nov 20, 2005 4:13:56 GMT -5
TNA has not let me down since I started watching with the Spike TV Debut of iMPACT, this was a very solid show. Samoa Joe is a mad-man on a rampage, and Styles better look out. I loved the blood stains on the towel from Daniels at Genesis, thats a great little twist.
The tag team match was good, AMW is ****ed off and now they'll be facing Team 3D in a Tables Match at Turning Point. Speaking of Tag Teams, TNA has a solid Tag Team Division... which is better then the WWE's. I have a feeling that we will see a reunion of the NAO, but will they be calling themselves the JAMES GANG?
Rhino! Rhino! Rhino!
I'm glad to see that he's getting a Title Re-Match at Turning Point, and yes Jarrett said it himself... what about Raven and Monty, well thats the way things roll. The crowd was cheering on Rhino, and thats great to see... I would love to see him have the NWA World Title back in his hands, and this could set up either a match between him and Christian Cage... Raven... Abyss... or Monty.
I'm hoping the ratings will not drop for this weeks iMPACT or the following iMPACTS to come, TNA is a GREAT promotion that has some of the best wrestlers in the biz. I'm behind TNA 110%, and I watch TNA for the WRESTLING and the WRESTLERS on it's roster. I've had enough of the junk thats been flowing up here in the North for too long, TNA has a fresh product and it's about time we had more then one promotion in wrestling.
Christian Cage adds to TNA and I hope we'll see him wrestle prior to Turning Point... but we may not. Either way there is more to TNA then meets the eye, and yes TNA continues to get better each week.
|
|
|
|
Post by swarm on Nov 20, 2005 10:41:11 GMT -5
I just want to say that there is a part of me that really envys you guys and your child-like appreciation for TNA...In all my life, I HAVE NEVER ONCE seen an A+ show...
between the two of you you have seen 3 in 10 days...
wow. It would be nice to just once be so easily entertained that I just came away from a wrestling card blown away pumping my fists screaming A+!! A+!!
I would have to say the closest I ever thought any card was an A+ was the Saturday morning wrestling superstars show where Andre turned on Hogan, and there was a Tag Team Title change (Bulldogs? Strike Force?) on the same card.
I was like 7 years old and thought it was the greatest wrestling show I had ever seen.
|
|
|
|
Post by josharpie99 on Nov 20, 2005 11:22:46 GMT -5
I'll admit it, I don't watch TNA. I have more things to do on a Saturday night. With that said, from the moves that TNA has been doing in the recent months, I have to say, they appear, on the surface, to be headed in the right direction. They have some quality stars, up-and-comers and the WWE guys (Team 3-D, Christian, Hardy, etc.). It's a nice foundation to build upon.
WCW really got huge once they went after WWE's roster. If TNA wants to compete, they need to put a compelling show on prime time (Monday nights? Sure! Why not?), make their storylines interesting (unlike today's WWE) and be agressive in pursuing talent. If Edge were to go to TNA ...who knows? The organization seems to be taking small but effective steps toward making it a legitimate competitor to WWE.
But I agree....A+ shows? Ha! I haven't seen one since the late 90s.
|
|
|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 20, 2005 14:14:33 GMT -5
I'll admit that my A+ rating is tilted by the fact that I'm excited about getting back into wrestling again, and that I actually don't remember seeing a wrestling show this good in a long long time. The only other TNA show (not counting PPV's) that was close to being as good as this one was the two hour prime time special that had some awesome matches...but it was only A- because there was not enough sports entertainment. To me this show just had the perfect mix of good wrestling and good sports entertainment. If I were to compare it to WWE's highs, it would not be A+... but compared to what I've seen from TNA to this point, it would be A+. Now hopefully they continue to improve.
A+'s are rare for me as well, but I'd say that the last show that I was entertained by to this degree would have to be the episode of Nitro where Hall and Nash invaded and lawn darted Mysterio into the side of that production truck. That was one of the most awesome shows I've ever seen, and I'd love to have a copy of it. But the most entertaining era in wrestling of course will always be WWF 1987-1992 ... but the individual shows did not quite measure up with all the squash matches.
|
|
|
|
Post by Omen on Nov 20, 2005 18:50:41 GMT -5
I took a week off from watching WWE but did tape TNA . Just finished viewing good but A+.... NOT. I saw every thing coming from a mile away. The only real surprise was Jerrett's comments to Zybizko. I never liked Larry ever since he screwed Bruno.... With that said... I like to watch with a certain suspension of disbelief. Like when you go to magic acts. If you come away saying how they did that ... then it was a good show ... otherwise crap out. That why WWE is bad right now... Predictable... TNA is going in the same direction ... that hurts because storyline ideas for my fed can come from the shows.... Still my writing is miles better them the so called pro's. anyway KEEP 'EM ROLLIN'
|
|
|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 20, 2005 19:36:51 GMT -5
Everyone's entitled to an opinion. I thought that the previous week's Impact was pretty crappy but some people corrected me that it was a great show. There's no wrong or right answers.  |
|
|
|
Post by floydthebarber on Nov 20, 2005 20:34:26 GMT -5
I'd give the show a B-
Too much JJ, and when he was talking, he was crap. Where was Raven?
I thought Samoa Joe was very impressive, even if it was a squash. Joe v. Styles should steal the PPV.
I thought the tag match was decent...but a little 'lackluster'. AMW didn't live up to their growing rep as the best tag team in wrestling with that win...but the heel tactics were a nice touch. The tables match at the PPV should continue to build the hatred.
The 3 Live Crew stuff was actually pretty good, though I thought the video had too many 'quick cuts' so I couldn't really follow it. Konnan thinks he's way cooler than he actually is.
Abyss v. Rhino was good...though I would have thought it would take more than a Gore to finish off Abyss. Rhino will not beat J.J. at the PPV...and if JJ kicks out of a Gore on his way to victory he should be shot.
I really enjoyed the Christian/Monty Brown stuff. I thought Christian was great, and Monty really impressed me. He's starting to grow on me...I like that he's crazy/out there, it makes him different...and his 'welcome to the Serengeti' stuff is a part of that. He's clearly slightly twisted, but it seems like its an extension of him and his personality rather than him playing some crazy person or a Eugene type character. I can see an ex football player doing wacky things to get himself pumped up. However, putting two guys with a lot of momentum together for a feud may not work. I can't see Christian coming to TNA only to lose his first feud...so...
Monty is a tough first opponnent, BUT it should make for great action...so the fans win.
All in all I was entertained most of the show...and only FF during the commercials. Some of the 'its too choreographed' comments from other posts are valid...to a point...but the fact that the action is so intense, hard hitting and quick makes up for it IMO.
Coming off a solid PPV, this was another solid effort.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrismystery on Nov 21, 2005 13:58:43 GMT -5
I love watching TNA and would probably give it As and B+s if I was grading it. Some comedian(maybe Eddie Murphy..can't remember) did a joke about Ritz crackers that might fit here. Basically, if you are starving for days with no food whatsoever and somebody hands you a box of Ritz crackers. You are going to be like, "these are the best crackers that I have ever had". Now since there hasn't been any pro wrestling on TV in years my reaction is similar to that. The old Austin-Hart match was an A+ and these matches are good but they aren't that good. At least not every match on the entire Impact show. But, when you think of how long wrestling fans have waitied for this, I would give TNA an A+ for everything that they have accomplished up until now.
|
|
|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 21, 2005 14:01:19 GMT -5
You got a point Smoke Feather. Right now TNA is the best crackers I've ever had. |
|
|
|
Post by thefamoustommyz on Nov 21, 2005 16:24:48 GMT -5
Konnan thinks he's way cooler than he actually is. Konnan is FAR from the only guy in wrestling guilty of that...=) And I mean guys who actually believe they're cool...not Carlito types. It was an alright show...I agree with most of Floyd's points, actually...Raven seemed like a glaring ommission...but with JJ as champ and Raven, Christian, Brown and Rhino all gunning for him, I think we're getting another multi-man gimmick match soon, with someone like Abyss rounding it out. Btw...is it me, or did Christian make Brown look kinda small? Rather, I expecting Brown to look bigger than that next to Christian. *wonders how he would stack up to either man in real life* Funny thing about wrestling and perception...sometimes you REALLY don't see what you think you saw...=) |
|
|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 21, 2005 16:31:15 GMT -5
I noticed that too Tommy. I think it's because TNA wrestlers on average are so small... and with Monty Brown being one of the bigger ones, I always took for granted that he was a pretty big guy. There was a time in wrestling history when a wrestler like Christian would be considered one of the smaller wrestlers... but now I'd say he's more medium sized.
Having said that does anyone know if Lance Hoyt or Abyss are really 6'8"? I have my doubts that they're any bigger than 6'4".
|
|
|
|
Post by thefamoustommyz on Nov 21, 2005 21:02:59 GMT -5
Well, one of the guys I train with is 6'4", and apparently one of the guys who's worked out of the area says he's pretty much Abyss' size and build.
Of course, wrestling's full of worked heights and weights.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vidtek on Nov 22, 2005 10:36:33 GMT -5
OK, so I missed this show on Sat (went to see Walk the Line with my wife, GREAT film BTW) so I caught the recap last night. B+ show imho. Some thoughts.
--Samoa Joe is freakin' awesome! I hope he beats the ever living tar out of AJ. The bloody towel was a nice touch.
--AMW looked good this week, and the beer bottle spot was cool. Tables at Turning Point? I want to say it's to early for that, but then again I do like tables.
--ABYSS looked good this week too, to bad he lost. I like Rhino OK, but ABYSS is way cooler. And Sabu rocks too. A Barbed Wire Massacre at Turning Point, I'll buy it for that match alone!
--What about Raven?!
--Christian Cage...well...I didn't really care for Captain Charisma, but I knew he would be good for TNA. The question is now, IS he good or TNA? Putting him in a program with one of the top men in the company right off the back seems a litle rushed. My thoughts echo those of JJ (scary), they will push Raven and Monty aside for Christian, and I don't think that's fair either.
Big Time.
|
|
|
|
Post by chrismystery on Nov 22, 2005 12:16:06 GMT -5
OK, so I missed this show on Sat (went to see Walk the Line with my wife, GREAT film BTW) so I caught the recap last night. B+ show imho. Some thoughts. --Samoa Joe is freakin' awesome! I hope he beats the ever living tar out of AJ. The bloody towel was a nice touch. --AMW looked good this week, and the beer bottle spot was cool. Tables at Turning Point? I want to say it's to early for that, but then again I do like tables. --ABYSS looked good this week too, to bad he lost. I like Rhino OK, but ABYSS is way cooler. And Sabu rocks too. A Barbed Wire Massacre at Turning Point, I'll buy it for that match alone! --What about Raven?! --Christian Cage...well...I didn't really care for Captain Charisma, but I knew he would be good for TNA. The question is now, IS he good or TNA? Putting him in a program with one of the top men in the company right off the back seems a litle rushed. My thoughts echo those of JJ (scary), they will push Raven and Monty aside for Christian, and I don't think that's fair either. Big Time. Samoa Joe is really good. But, when Christopher Daniels wakes up or whatever, I hope he destroys that Hula dancin' freak. |
|
|
|
Post by pikemojo on Nov 23, 2005 0:51:03 GMT -5
I saw the show on Monday night and I thought it was definitely their best Spike show yet. The final segment was the kicker. Christian and Monty Brown going back and forth was great. Monty was a goof but Christian was able to make it work. And then the unexpected pounce.
|
|
|
|
Post by swarm on Nov 26, 2005 13:34:48 GMT -5
does anyone else think Christian may be regretting leaving WWE already?
I mean, you go from getting mad pops in 20,000 seat arena's to fueding with Monty Brown in front of almost nobody? What the hell is that?
look around the iwc...no one gives a crap about him anymore because only 2% of all the people who used to watch him in the WWE are watching him now.
I kind of feel really bad for him. 90% of the tna roster is dying to get into the WWE and he's the one guy who was trying to get out. what was he thinking?
|
|
|
|
Post by tafkaga on Nov 26, 2005 14:05:34 GMT -5
I'm glad we have you hear to tell us what all of TNA's wrestlers are thinking.
|
|
|
|
Post by Joe on Nov 26, 2005 16:29:30 GMT -5
I'm glad we have you hear to tell us what all of TNA's wrestlers are thinking. I realize that you have a terrible dislike for Swarm, but do you seriously think he was very far off on his statement about TNA wrestlers? Nobody, other than Christian, has jumped ship to TNA wtihout being canned. TNA has lost several people to WWE since the company's inception in 2002. The only person, on record, at least, to turn down Vince was AJ Styles, but before anybody gets all hyped about his integrity and loyalty to TNA, let's recall what he said at the time of the offer. He pointed out that his wife was in school in Tennessee was a major reason for staying withTNA. He went on to explain that, by his reasoning, if the money WWE was offering him in 2002-03 was good, it would be even better after a couple more years of exposure. He definitely didn't make it sound like he was a TNA-lifer. I also recall him saying he much preferred wrestling in Ring of Honor to TNA. No trying to "troll," but I just thought I would add something to the conversation. |
|
|
|
Post by floydthebarber on Nov 26, 2005 16:38:51 GMT -5
In short...no.
I'm not going to argue, because we're all pretty clear what Swarm and Joe think...but you don't make a decision like Christian made only to regret it 3 weeks later. He knows what he's doing...just like those people who watch TNA instead of RAW know what they're doing.
|
|
