They seemed to push the athletic competition side a bit more, being on FOX Sports and all. Definitely a sports-oriented presentation, with the Fox Box graphic on top, time limits and having a ringside judge. I kinda liked the Fox Box idea, especially with a bunch of unknown guys in the ring. Gives some recognition to those that channel surf and ask, "Hey, who was that kid who nearly broke his neck?"
I liked the show well enough to watch it again next week. I was really hoping that Popeye was going to turn out to be a new wrestler in disguise, though. Like Brian Kendrick perhaps.
It was my first time seeing a lot of these guys, and I was impressed with the effort they put in. Like I said, I'll tune in next week. Over time, things should improve for this show.
I actually like the commentating. Mike Tenay is perfect in getting the storylines and characters over to new viewers. And, well... Don West is a "Love him or hate him" sort of guy. I like him, though.
The answer to WWE's financial problems...
Never 'Wiener of the Day', and is actually quite bitter about it.
As far as JJ being champ: have either Killings or Raven signed exclusive contracts yet? If so, then there's your argument right there to keep the belt off either of them for your national Free TV debut. As for AJ -- he'd also be a viable contender, but the casual fans have no idea who he is yet.
JJ winning the belt was pretty much playing it safe. He's had nationwide exposure in two promotions before, he's a former WCW Heavyweight champ, and there's no risk of him being signed away by the WWE because he's not operating outside of an exclusive contract.
Since I began my three-week vacation on Friday (yay for floating holidays!), I just happened to have Impact! on the telly and must say I enjoyed what I saw ... I especially like having the wrestlers' names and time limit up at the top of the screen; is that on the PPVs too, or a new invention for free TV?
And personally, I didn't watch this show because I'm desperate for a WWE alternative, I watched the show because I live to watch wrestling on TV, no matter who's running things behind the scenes ... Hell, in my lifetime my TV has beamed in images from WWF, NWA, WCW, ECW, Global, GLOW, WWE, that other womens' federation whose name escapes me, NWA New England, Mexican wrestling, Japanese wrestling. Once, I was awake at 3 o'clock in the morning and the local cable access channel was showing an area indie show who's main event was a ladder match between two midgets (one of whom had the Undertaker's original song as his theme music).
Originally posted by Karlos the Jackal"Canadian Destruction" is the move and the wrestler is Petey Williams, captain of Team Canada. It's SUCH an awesome move that it's really a shame that it gets squished into the midst of a six-man with a MILLION flippy-flippy moves. It's the kind of move that really should finish a match for good, huh?
--K
Now see, that was one move that struck me as completely unrealistic ... Cool looking, no doubt, but I can't help asking myself "Why did that guy just give himself a piledriver?"
Alessandro "Hercules" Boondy
Just so you guys know: 75% of this crap [you read on the internet] is made up, either by the writer, or the wrestler the writer is getting the dirt from. Just so you know. -- Statement by "Tammy Sytch", from Hyatte's Dec. 29th column ... Lest we forget.
Originally posted by AlessandroOnce, I was awake at 3 o'clock in the morning and the local cable access channel was showing an area indie show who's main event was a ladder match between two midgets (one of whom had the Undertaker's original song as his theme music).
Isn't that grand? Just last night, at 1:00 am, my local Fox channel aired a half-hour show from a promotion called Live Action Wrestling. Horrible, horrible, horrible stuff, featuring promos that make even the worst actors in WWE look like Morgan Freeman, and a Rick Steiner squash match (need I say more). However, I stuck through it just because it was wrestling on my tv screen. THAT'S dedication (or the sign of a true mark).
The answer to WWE's financial problems...
Never 'Wiener of the Day', and is actually quite bitter about it.
I know what CRZ is saying, and I expect IMPACT to be sucking in a month or two and full of PPV recaps.
I don't think Nuclear Winter was making any WWE vs TNA comparisons. Rather, he was saying he found this week's IMPACT debut more enjoyable than this week's Smackdown episode. It's his opinion, I think you just misinterpreted what he was saying. At the very least, alternatives are good, so I'm hoping TNA keeps their focus on why they're different than the WWE.
The interesting thing about the 10-minute limit is that it ends up like a boxing match that goes the limit - a judge picks the winner based on points, I believe. It might suck, it might be fun. But I agree, the match will probably happen again on the following Wednesday's PPV.
And yeah, count me in as one more person who thinks Smackdown is unwatchable. My TV remains dormant on Thursday nights. I see enough bits and pieces of Smackdown elsewhere to know what I'm not missing.
Originally posted by CRZ
Originally posted by Nuclear WinterAlso, it was better than SmackDown!.
This type of comment strikes me as similar to a wildly hypothetical cause of a guy who's been eating nothing but steak for years just trying soda crackers for the first time - and immediately proclaiming them a "better" food, when they probably should have just stuck with the description of "different" until they've had a few meals to think over what they'd REALLY rather be eating.
Me, I think that "spot spot spot" stuff gets old just as fast as airing a talk-heavy show, but I'm not ready to make WWE vs. TNA comparisons on the basis of their "free" offerings after only one week.
- Mike Tenay really is the best play by play guy around right now. He really hits the little things that make the big things seem bigger.
- The opening match may have been the best match on free t.v. all week. Real crisp opener.
- Abyss should be in the Main Event scene. I can't see him being anymore than a Rhyno in the WWE, but he could be TNA's version of Vader.
- I have a problem with 4-way matches that feature way too much 1 on 1 with two guys laying around.
Overall I really enjoyed the debut, but I did have to hit the FF button once. The Triple J segment was too much. If the company is to succeed it will do so with fresh faces leading the way and not the Re-Treads and Russo. I would think this would be clearer by now considering they've been around for two years now and still haven't settled on an identity. This is a show that could make the Cruiser fans who feel robbed by Vince happy as well. They have to be different if they want to stand out. This surely won't have RAW shaking in it's boots, but it was a nice start and with re-plays it might get them noticed just a little bit more. It's just a small little blip on the radar, but I'll go to the trouble of remembering to tape it now.
I can never hate Don West no matter what, since every time he opens his mouth all I can hear is "GEM MINT TEN MICHAEL JORDAN ROOKIE CARD."
I only caught the second half of Impact, but it wasn't too bad. I dunno how much I'll watch it thanks to the oh-so-convienent 3pm on Friday timeslot, and it's not going to make me buy an Wednesday PPVs, but it's something to build on I guess.
Just GET JEFF JARRETT OFF MY TV. Wishful thinking, I know.
I cant believe I missed the debut of TNA, Its new wrestling, Blast it! Well.. Ill definitely catch it this week. From what I have heard, it seems to be going in a good direction for a company thats just starting out on free TV.
Oh yeah, and OMEGA's right. I saw that Live Action Wrestling piece of crap; damn it was bad, they should start on the basics and build their promotion up with what they have, not make a cheaply lighted attempt to emulate the elements that fuel the WWE's conflicts, but then again;I congratulate them for being able to get their program on air.
In the Florida Driver's Manual, under "Bad Driving Habits", the book lists distracting things a responsible driver should not do while driving. This list includes, "Reading" ...*sigh* ...I have given up.
Originally posted by estragandThe six-sided ring is obviously a harbinger of Zeus's eventual arrival. Or did they use an EIGHT sided ring in "No Holds Barred"?
A curse be upon ye for suggesting Zeus's return! What if they read this board...it will be upon YOUR head! :-)
And as for a 6-sided AAA ring...please, please, please, please let it lead to a La Parka/Disco Inferno match...
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life! (Click the big G or here to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio...or try .AU, .WAV or .MIDI!)
Originally posted by KaneRobotI can never hate Don West no matter what, since every time he opens his mouth all I can hear is "GEM MINT TEN MICHAEL JORDAN ROOKIE CARD."
Me too. I have no interest in baseball cards, but I'd watch that show religiously in 99-00. Those guys almost gave themselves heart attacks describing a Topps Mark McGuire rookie.
Also great was Will Ferrell's spoof of West in a Saturday Night Live episode.
-- Asteroid Boy
Wiener of the day: 23.7.02, 3.12.03
"In addition, my tickets weren’t really what you’d expect from the webmaster of the internet’s largest independent pro-wrestling website." - Widro
"My brother saw the Undertaker walking through an airport." - Rex "Was he no-selling?" - Me
Originally posted by estragandThe six-sided ring is obviously a harbinger of Zeus's eventual arrival. Or did they use an EIGHT sided ring in "No Holds Barred"?
A curse be upon ye for suggesting Zeus's return! What if they read this board...it will be upon YOUR head! :-)
And as for a 6-sided AAA ring...please, please, please, please let it lead to a La Parka/Disco Inferno match...
Wouldn't said angle have to end with Zeus losing and Ron Killings standing over him saying "You got knocked the FUCK out!!"?
aye, that it was; And as my above-writing colleague mentioned this could be an omen; the return of Zeus or Goldberg... tun tun tun! (I hope god doesnt read this and bring Goldberg back, oh the humanity!!!)
-D.E. Inc. would like to apologize to any readers that found no sense in above text.-
In the Florida Driver's Manual, under "Bad Driving Habits", the book lists distracting things a responsible driver should not do while driving. This list includes, "Reading" ...*sigh* ...I have given up.
What Worked: TKG: That main event was better than it had any right to be. Cena's been consistently unimpressive and this may be his best match since the brand switch. Carlito may be the ideal foil for him. Really liked the wild swinging punch exchange.