IMPACT! 04/08

[PureHatred]

Tivo'd it..watched it this morning..here are my thoughts:

I thought the Abyss/AJ match achieved its purpose: Abyss looked like a real threat and we got the "official" announcement of the Titla Match at Lockdown. Nothing spectacular, but very solid.

I hate everything about Larry Zbysko. He's supposed to be the TNA's equivalent of a commissioner, but he just comes off as a meatball. I have no idea why we get Slick Johnson ( ) as a running storylien, but I would absolutely love a new 'authority figure' for the show.

Right up front, I'm going to say that I think the Konnan/Bob Armstrong feud is terrible and a huge waste of time. But the arm wrestling segment itself wasn't terrible. Both guys did a good job playing their part and Bob's facial expressions were pretty LOL. But, I have no clue who Hernandez is ..so him running in did nothing for me.

My main problem with this feud and the LAX stable in general is that I like Homicide and I think he's definitely a better talent than Konnan in the ring. If the LAX is going to feuding, Konnanm should cut the promos, but the focus should be on Homicide. I actually think he & Gunn could put on a pretty good match.

Alex Shelley in the X Cup is a good move.

I'm hoping that we get more of a build-up for Daniels/Liger on Thursday than just a quick mention.

And now my major issue with Impact this week: the bait and switch. They have been building up Sting's appearance for a week now by saying he would announce his team for Lockdown. And then he doesn't. Even the ususally ridiculous live crowd started to boo when he gave the whole "I'm not announcing my team quite yet..." spiel.

If those clowns boo, then you know you f'd up.

I don';t care about the justification, there is no way, especially at the level TNA is at, you should ever purposefully not deliver on a promised announcememnt. It's terrible business. And ther'es probably no way in hell we get Jarrett/Sting on Thursday. My guess would be that Sting announces his team , JJ & Sting two face-off, there's a wild brawl involving the Army, Steiner interferes, Sting's team runs out, and the show ends with the obligatory face-off.

So Impact: not terrible, but not memeorable, and the matches were a little better than normal.

TNA isn't hurting themselves with shows like these, but they're definitely not bringing in new fans either. Total Nonstop Mediocrity.

EDIT by Chris: Corrected date in the subject. This is the 4th month of the year, PH.

[canadianpittbull]

Here are my thoughts on the show:

The Abyss/AJ Match did serve its purpose and should make for a vicious match at Lockdown and almost makes me hope that if Christian is doing movie stuff that we might see Abyss get the title. I thought this was a strong match to start the show.

Larry Zbysko, I like but I have to agree he has been pretty useless on the show as of late. He needs to be either more of a heel or more of a face and really get involved more. Atleast Teddy Long is interesting and takes command on Smackdown.

The Slick Johnson thing I can only hope is going to be a set up to him being a heel ref and joining forces with Jarrett and co. like back in WCW when he was the nWo heel ref. This would be interesting and fun since I think Slick Johnson adds some character and a face to the referee roster, however they have to do better with their storytelling even in 60mins you can say alot if focussed enough.


I agree with this Konnan/Bob Armstrong feud it is a total waste of time and could be used for either a match or developing storylines that are already hurting for more build up time. I though that maybe we were getting this showdown to set up for a match between these two stables and then be the end of it as it really is serving no purpose.

But no, they bring in some guy no one really cares about, I remember him back when they started TNA and I wasn't really into him then. I would have rather it be Psicosis or El Dandy or Chavo Guerrero as he "quit" on Raw anyone that would add to this being exciting. I mean really now we HAVE to have a bathroom break armwrestling match in the 6 sides of steel, this is lame. I will be happy when this going nowhere storyline is over.

Alex Shelley is awesome not only in the ring but they are doing well with building up his character. I like the whole Paparazzi gimmick.

More build-up for Daniels and Liger is a definately what they need to do. I think if they are going to have these International matches they need to promote them better, this can help both the match and help bring even more interest in the New Japan wrestlers that some casual fans may not have knowledge about. This I would like to see as well. Would be something to see Liger win the match and be around for awhile or even take the title back to Japan with him causing some interesting storylines? Maybe an Invasion storyline that could bring even more exposure to TNA and NJPW here in North America?

The announcement smoke screen was annoying and not very credible expecially in these early beginnings. I could see why they did it as they want something to look forward to since it is the "big jump" to thursdays but still that is what we have the Sting/Jarrett match for right? They don't have alot of time to pull crap like this. They need to really use their time wisely and tell the story they need to tell. Then and only then will they get their viewers and then another hour to really take their time to showcase.

I just think that scams like this are not helping their credibility and time is money and they don't have a whole lot of time to waste money like that. This show was alright and came out of the gate on fire but then began to sputter halfway in. The Steiner moments were great but again I didn't walk away from this show happy about it or angry just kinda in one of those "is that it?" moods and really think they need to focus. Also does anyone else think Bubba is going off the deep end? His promos are getting worse and worse each week?

[MikeMcKinney]

I agree with everything you guys are saying.....but more on this LAX feud w/ James Gang, this fued is real stale and old!!! Lax should be moving up but their stuck in a rut w/ bullet bob and the gang!!! Homicide and "Hot Stuff " Hernandez need a push. Not feuding w/ with the lame over the hill Gang.....Konnan shouldn't be wrestling w/ his hip anyway! (not that he was good in ring before) Homicide is a future star and Hernandez is also (for those who don't know him, he's got game ) well I'm out

tkx again

[mwjergs]

The Abyss/AJ match was good and did serve it's purpose. Good buildup.

Can't stand Larry Z. Maybe a new authority figure is just what they need, A stronger personality in that spot. The "Slick" Johnson angle needs to actually go somewhere.

Personally I get sick just looking at Scott Steiner and Jeff Jarrett on TV, so doing a throwaway match and putting the beatdown on the Big Wiggle did nothing for me. This needs to go somewhere to with the Stinger.

A buildup of a Liger-Daniels match would be good as well. Use old footage to get people interested. It should be the best match of the card.

The arm wrestling match was funny. Very old school. Konnan sold the comeback very well. But the LAX/James Gang feud is very stale. Focus on some wrestling please.

[thefamoustommyz]

The "Slick" Johnson angle needs to go to the cutting room floor...when you can't fit half your roster on the show, you don't have time for ref angles.