The opening video looked very good. Much better than the one they used on FSN. A good AJ Styles v. Roderick Strong match to open and introduce Styles. The Monty Brown squash was effective in getting over Monty as a charasmatic killer. Sabin/Williams/Shelley was a really good three way. The video packages for the X-Division, 3 Live Kru, etc. were tremendous. Rhino v. Jeff Hardy was what it was. And the final angle was really well done, despite the fact of Kevin Nash's existance (Well, to be fair, Nash is fine in his role and I understand why TNA is using him in his current role. I just wouldn't mind seeing someone else in there).
I'd say that it was a pretty damn good first show for Spike. The show most certainly did not come off as bush-league. It did not come off as a WWE clone at all. It was a good, fresh show and a good way to introduce TNA.
Your thoughts?
(edited by OMEGA on 2.10.05 0134)
The answer to WWE's financial problems...
Never 'Wiener of the Day', and is actually quite bitter about it.
I thought the matches were fast-paced, exciting, and fresh. The presentation was absolutely amazing, and the show did a good job introducing its product to relative newcomers while still, hopefully, appealing to its hardcore base.
The two X-Division matches, particularly the triple-threat with Sabin, Shelley and Williams, were fantastic. Rhino/Jeff Hardy was quite impressive. And, yeah, while you can color me mild about the Jarrett/Nash feud, at least Big K's gonna finally try'n get revenge for Jarrett turning on him and taking over nWo 2000. (I kid, I kid.)
Actually I totally thought when I saw 3 Live Kru that we were gonna get a Jarrett/Killings feud for the title, and I'd have been quite cool with that. Nash? I'm surprised he didn't blow out his leg getting to the ring.
Pretty cool way to introduce The Dudley Boyz Team 3-D, though. Hey, I thought they weren't allowed to use "Team 3-D", anyway? What did the back of their shirts say, anyway? (I know there was a middle finger, but I mean what did the words say? Suckas gots to know!)
Overall I give the first edition of TNA iMPACT! on Spike TV an overwhelming thumbs-up, and encourage them to keep up the good work. Finally we get a nationally-televised wrestling alternative for the first time in over four years, and a damn good one at that.
"I am here to use my frabjulitulity to mictifarcate your giltooney! Lo! My junurtiquity is most biollorky! Bask in the power of my meckalecka-hi, meckahiney-ho!" --Elan, The Order of the Stick
Four-Time Wiener of the Day (5/27/02; 7/3/02; 7/30/04; 8/28/04)
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Originally posted by ekedolphinWhat did the back of their shirts say, anyway? (I know there was a middle finger, but I mean what did the words say? Suckas gots to know)
"Trademark This!" A not-so-subtle shot at Vince for his latest name trademarking tirade, which lead to the Dudleys becoming Brother Ray and Brother Devon, Team 3D.
The answer to WWE's financial problems...
Never 'Wiener of the Day', and is actually quite bitter about it.
Pretty good, pretty good. I wish Styles/Strong wasn't such an "opponent-already-in-the-ring" squash -- I think Styles is more effective when he's a little underdoggy -- but no other complaints.
The last Nash/Jarrett match wasn't bad, so I'll even let that go with only a mild sense of disappointment.
(Also, as someone who doesn't read spoilers, I'd like to request that TNA spoiler threads be split into seperate shows from now on, if that's alright with everyone. I still can't read that other thread for another week!)
--K
Last 5 movies seen: The Interpreter - The Sound of Music - Heavy Metal Parking Lot - Cowards Bend the Knee - The 40-Year-Old Virgin
I wish the Styles/Strong match wasn't a squash either, but I wish it wasn't because Stron is actually a very good wrestler and he and AJ could've had a good match, but considering how much time they had I understand Styles/Strong could go real long. That's probably going to have to be their formula for a while. A decent length X Division match and a decent length main event, with two shorter matches also. The three way was the highlight of course, it too was shorter than I'd like but the crammed as much action as they possibly could into the timeframe they had.
Rhino and Hardy was alright as the final match, I understand that both of those guys were in WWE recently so they might have caught the eye of some other fans, and it wasn't a bad match.
I don't usually like ending a show with talking but to introduce Jarrett/AMW as the top heels, then have 3 Live Kru, who some people might recognize and the Dudleys and Nash who a lot of people will recognize all come out was a good move.
I remember seeing there is another X Division3 wayy I'm sure next week's three way will be just as good as this week. And if Team 3-D and AMW do wrestle next week that will be a better main event.
I wasn't really worried about the presentation, it might not have been great on FSN but it's been pretty good on their ppvs lately, especially their video packages, the one that came on before Unbreakable was great.
It's been 2-3 years since I last watched a TNA show. I recall the last time I watched it, there was a group called the Flying Elvises, and an evil midget running around backstage.
I was really impressed with the show last night. Outside of the WWE names, I didn't know anyone, but a lot of those X guys were amazing. AJ Styles and the Canadian guy(Williams?) both are outstanding.
That six-sided ring requires a bit of manipulation to do into the rope manouvres, I find.
Shane Douglas is the Todd Grisham of TNA? That was interesting to see (although his look is more Dokk Hendrix).
I liked the video packages, and it was quite funny to see Konnan, K-Kwik, and the Roadie as a bad-ass contingent.
I was hoping to see some women, particularly the ladies I worked with in Toronto, Tracy Brooks and Gail Kim.
I'll watch again, or at least record it to watch for tired Sunday mornings.
Yes, the Canadian guy is named Williams, Petey Williams.
I like Shane Douglas as the backstage reporter, I forgot to mention that before. I think the WWE has worn out the cliche nerdy backstage reporter and I actually like that TNA has a guy that the wrestlers won't push around. Plus Shane has like 100 times the mic skills of most backstage reporters.
Tracy Brooks has been on just about every TNA show I've seen but unfortunately with a one hour show, you can't fit everyone. She has been the valet for Matt Bentley and I imagine she'll continue to be and Bentley is in the Ultimate X match so I'm sure he'll be on the show on a regular basis which means Tracy will be too.
I won't spoil anything since there is already a spoiler thread, but TNA is definitely going to be using Gail Kim as well.
See once the match started, Styles/Strong didn't seem like a squash to me. Strong got in a fair amount of offense (far more than whoever Monty Brown was fighting). That match was the perfect match to start with I think. Having never seen TNA before, I was amazed at how fast the action was. And then the 3 way match happened and I was blown away with the crazy moves.
So thumbs up to: The two X-division matchups. Incidentally, what's Samoa Joe doing in the X-division? I know they kept mentioning about how "it's not about weight limits, it's about no limits", but when you have Joe listed as X-division and Jeff Hardy listed as Heavyweight on the website, then something seems a little off. That 3-way showed something though. I think the crowd is too close to the ring. That one guy doing I think a moonsault out of the ring hit the barrier with his feet. Back it up another foot or two. Give them more room when they're doing those crazy moves.
Thumbs down to: The Monty Brown squash. Too short, too one sided. And The Pounce hardly looks impressive to me.
In the real world, WWE believes that no matter what our race, religious creed or ethnic background in America, we all share the common bond of being Americans. American-Arabs are a part of the fabric of America, and they should be embraced by all of us.
I thought Shane Douglas seemed WAY over-the-top in his acting backstage as an interviewer. And, I never thought I'd say this, but the lack of long-term selling in the matches like Styles/Strong took a little away from the match. I mean, they'd hit a huge, devastating move, the three seconds later they'd be on the fast-paced offensive again.
Other than those two notes, it was a very well-done show. Certainly something I'll keep on the weekly schedule.
"For those who are joining us for the first time, you notice the six-sided ring. A six-sided ring is custom made for the X-Division and adds more options for hot ring action".
The show was more of a hour long commercial with wrestling breaks thrown in. I guess it was the only way SPIKETV could pay for the show with a LOT more commercials.
Nash vs Jarrett for the Heavyweight title?
God I hate Tenay, and why they still have the moron from the sports card show on home shopping doing color I have no idea. I loved the fact Larry Z is the championship comittee, as it clearly says on his "dressing room" door.
Like Velocity before it if I'm home and remember it's on, I'll watch it. OK, I'll DVR it and if I get around to watching it I will.
I'm am LanceJr hear me...I mean see me post
That map of where I am thingy is a few miles off. No matter what I do it's wrong get back to work to fix it.
It re-airs on Monday night at midnight. Perfect, because that's right when the Best of RAW show ends.
Originally posted by geemoneyI thought Shane Douglas seemed WAY over-the-top in his acting backstage as an interviewer.
Yeah, he does have a tendency to be really hammy. I can't hate him for it though, because there are moments when it's just too funny. Like when Monty Brown will scream "POOOOOOOOOOOOOUNCE" and Shane will have a huge grin on his face. Then Monty will scream "PERIOD!" and Douglas will look totally disgusted and caught off guard. It's certainly better than anything Steve Romero has ever done.
Originally posted by LanceJrwhy they still have the moron from the sports card show on home shopping doing color I have no idea.
I may be in the minority, but after some getting used to (well, a lot of getting used to) you can get into Don West. I HATED him when TNA first started, but have grown to like him as color commentator.
(edited by OMEGA on 2.10.05 1323)
The answer to WWE's financial problems...
Never 'Wiener of the Day', and is actually quite bitter about it.
Originally posted by Misterrrrrrrrrrrrr BoffoIncidentally, what's Samoa Joe doing in the X-division?
Basically, he can have better matches with the X division wrestlers than he could with Rhino or Konnan, and the X division guys are better at taking his offense. I guess I'd think of it as the X Division is for guys who can work that style of wrestling and the non-X is for guys who can't keep up.
Originally posted by BoffoThumbs down to: The Monty Brown squash. Too short, too one sided.
I'm not tryin' to sass ya, but you prefer your squash matches to be long and competitive?
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm saving my Impact viewings for the Monday replay in order to fully experience wrestling night of wrestling.
Originally posted by Misterrrrrrrrrrrrr BoffoIncidentally, what's Samoa Joe doing in the X-division?
Basically, he can have better matches with the X division wrestlers than he could with Rhino or Konnan, and the X division guys are better at taking his offense. I guess I'd think of it as the X Division is for guys who can work that style of wrestling and the non-X is for guys who can't keep up.
I have to admit that I was a bit frustrated by the explanation (or lack thereof) of the X-Division.
"It's not about weight limits...it's about NO LIMITS!!"
I live in Toronto, Canada. I got home at 12:30 and tried to watch it, and got some Kung Fu movie. I thought it was on at Midnight? Or do I have my facts wrong?
By the way, Storm's gimmick includes 1.) telling the audience to shut up, and 2.) occasionally making everyone stand for the Canadian national anthem. You know they don't know what to do with a wrestler when he's making fans stand for a national anthem. It's like waving a white flag and saying, "This guy has no personality -- we give up."
Originally posted by Freeway420I have to admit that I was a bit frustrated by the explanation (or lack thereof) of the X-Division.
"It's not about weight limits...it's about NO LIMITS!!"
What the hell does that mean???
It means that it doesn't matter if you are over 220/225 lbs, as long as you can keep up or bring something different and unique to the match you can be in the X division. Its also about that there is no limit to what they can do in the ring, be it high flying risk taking, Japanese puro style, lucha-libre, or submission stylings. Its about showcasing all that.