Maybe it's just my distaste for the current WWE product, but I honestly think that TNA has the stronger show right now, and with a much shallower roster. Certainly it seems to me like the last 2 weeks the best show all week has been TNA Impact, outperforming both RAW and Smackdown.
The Monster's Ball match was bloody good fun, though it does make me wonder if Abyss EVER wins these sorts of matches. The thumbtack spot was brutal and awesome, as was Abyss getting speared through a board covered in barbed wire. The gutshot with Janice was kinda lame and the cameraguy was perfectly placed to show that the nails didn't come anywhere near sinking into Abyss' outer shirt, much less his abdominal cavity and internal organs (which is what those 3" nails would do if they ever actually hit someone). Still, it set the tone for the rest of the night.
The Hardcore War was better than I expected, and damn, Al Snow's in GREAT freaking shape. How sad is it that Al Snow seems to have less ring rust than Jericho did in his first couple matches? Not that Snow had to do all that much in a chaotic 8-man match like that one. Very impressive moonsault however. And some nice juicing by EC3. I liked the 'True ECW vs Vince's ECW' subtext that was running through this feud.
The Knockouts are one area that WWE can't even come close in. Sure, we've got Paige vs AJ, but they're both so shackled by Vince's preconceptions of Divas as eye candy that I'd still rather see the 4-way dance next week. The Knockouts are both hotter and better than the Divas any day of the week.
Good to see Joe hold the X-division title again, and I have a feeling he'll be feuding with Low Ki for it, which always results in a great, stiff, hard-hitting match. The X-Division title match was a bit slower than I would have liked, thanks in no small part to Joe's more lumbering pace, but still a pretty solid match.
And of course, Dixie finally goes through a table. In terms of annoyance Dixie's about equal with Stephanie, but I doubt we'll ever get a payoff like this one in the Authority angle. Granted, the McMahons haven't often shied away from pulling off nasty spots and I'd love it someone DID drive Steph through a table, but I doubt Brie will be doing it anytime soon.
I'm sad that TNA is in its last days when they finally seem to be putting solid shows together week to week, and now that they're outperforming the bigger shows with deeper rosters. It happens, I suppose. Maybe ROH will rise up to take their place?
The highlight of the show was definitely Spud fainting after Dixie went through the table. Spud is such a joy. Bram Vs Abyss is a late contender for worst match of the year. The match was just garbage wrestling at it's worst with cheese graters and other weapons being used. It reminded me of the bloody awful Axl vs Ian Rotten matches back in ECW. Amazing that a Styles and Bad a Influence are gone and Abyss remains when he no longer adds anything. He actually used to be able to have good straight up wrestling matches. The eight man tag was pretty much lethal lockdown without the cage. I thought the match probably got too much time and could have lost five minutes which should have gone to the x division match. Why would Sanada join Storm if a Storm is just gonna kinda bully him. The x division match was so,I'd just wish it got time, but at least it was late in the show to give it some importance. Anderson and Gunner losing to The Bromans was surprising. Anderson's never meant less in his career and a Gunner has lost all momentum after a solid feud with Storm. All in all, definitely a step down from last weeks show.
I think g9 might be a little bit harsh on the Abyss matchup, but I do question booking two hardcore matches in one night. Al Snow does wrestle in the indies still so thats likely why he did not look rusty and yes he looks to be in the best shape of his long career. Dixie a fifty year old woman being put through a table while babyfaces and fans cheered was tough to watch. fwiw there has been top spike officals at impact tapings this week including Spike prez Kevin Kay. could a deal still be worked out? call the 900 number and find out!
Originally posted by BrianDixie a fifty year old woman being put through a table while babyfaces and fans cheered was tough to watch.
What's so wrong with it? Dixie is (I think) part owner and if she wasn't willing to be put through a table she wouldn't have done so. Nobody ordered her to do this, she booked the angle herself and worked it up to this conclusion. From what I've seen her character most definitely had it coming. Would you have preferred if Gail Kim was the one doing it?
fwiw there has been top spike officals at impact tapings this week including Spike prez Kevin Kay. could a deal still be worked out? call the 900 number and find out!
I do hope that something will get worked out, especially since they seem to finally be hitting their stride as of late.
I also have to say g9 is way too hard on the Abyss match. Yeah it's 'garbage' wrestling, it's a hardcore match. That's kinda the point of a hardcore match. If you wanted technical prowess, there's plenty of matches like that to be found. Right now TNA is about the only place where we can get real hardcore wrestling on TV, since WWE is terrified to show even a little bit of blood on their supposedly 'PG' product.
I don't normally watch TNA but kinda weird show. They say in the beginning that Dixie is going through a table but the announcers have to pretend that it MAY happen, and that Bully Ray has guaranteed it. I believe this show is taped but Taz doesn't even know Ezekiel Jackson's TNA name. lol At least fix that in post production! And Dixie going through a table? It was basically Bully Ray jumping and breaking a table with his ass. And one of the camera angles really show Dixie completely missing the table and Bully pulling her back in after landing. Low Ki looks like he is doing motion capture work for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes with his suit and Ape like body proportions.
Originally posted by Blind_GuardianI also have to say g9 is way too hard on the Abyss match. Yeah it's 'garbage' wrestling, it's a hardcore match. That's kinda the point of a hardcore match. If you wanted technical prowess, there's plenty of matches like that to be found. Right now TNA is about the only place where we can get real hardcore wrestling on TV, since WWE is terrified to show even a little bit of blood on their supposedly 'PG' product.
Garbage wrestling and blood is good for a indy but TNA is supposedly a national organisation.
And one could argue that the cheering these past few weeks have been for ECW, a fourteen year old defunct organisation, rather than TNA.
Also smart of TNA to feature Bully putting Dixie through a table while they're in the middle of negotiations with Spike, who just admonished TNA for employing Vince Russo who had a history of that sort of thing.
We've seen worse with a senior citizen in Mae Young getting powerbombed through a table and off a stage in the past, but I can understand being skittish watching a fifty year old woman being powerbombed through the table. Anyway as far as the hardcore match I just thought it was horrible and senseless violence and that it got more time than the X division match is laughable to me. TNA did improve the rating from 1.38 million viewers to 1.41 million viewers vs pre-season football, which usually eats a chunk of Impact's audience. As far as Spike execs being at the tapings I'm guessing maybe something can be worked out for the wrestlers and their families sake.
Originally posted by Blind_GuardianI also have to say g9 is way too hard on the Abyss match. Yeah it's 'garbage' wrestling, it's a hardcore match. That's kinda the point of a hardcore match. If you wanted technical prowess, there's plenty of matches like that to be found. Right now TNA is about the only place where we can get real hardcore wrestling on TV, since WWE is terrified to show even a little bit of blood on their supposedly 'PG' product.
Garbage wrestling and blood is good for a indy but TNA is supposedly a national organisation.
And one could argue that the cheering these past few weeks have been for ECW, a fourteen year old defunct organisation, rather than TNA.
Also smart of TNA to feature Bully putting Dixie through a table while they're in the middle of negotiations with Spike, who just admonished TNA for employing Vince Russo who had a history of that sort of thing.
WWE has garbage wrestling on all the time, its called the Divas's division. I know its a bit disgusting, but I will take the blood. There are too many WWE matches say like Hell in the Cell where its unbelievable there is no blood. If TNA wants to become a little more hardcore so be it. They really have nothing left to lose. As for the TNA executives, they were there the next week, so it couldn't have been that awful.
I must admit, after a few weeks in the ballroom arena, it has grown on me. I hope TNA continues to use these unique venues. The Dixie seat in the balcony made it feel as if EV 2.0 were a group of invading knights, staring up at an evil queen's castle. It made for powerful imagery when everyone pointed up at her to signify that Bully found the dragon he was going to slay.
Janice just makes me think of Crimson. Sorry TNA, but I don't think you're ever going to top Crimson's use of it. I miss Joseph Park.
King of the Night’s outfit tonight was off the hook. Lashley looked good in his white suit as well. This faction looks like a cool group of people to hang out with.
Whenever Tenay calls Roode the longest reigning champion in TNA history, I wish Jarrett would hit Tenay with the guitar of continuity.
Invisible commentator guy asks EV2.0 who the Fourth Man is. I’m glad that he’s been following along with the WCW 1996 saga.
Bro-Men's shirts are perfect for them. #BOOM #though.
Anderson/Gunner/Shaw bromance triangle!
Ethan entered with a bat. Very Iconic.
Where did all of the Heads in the audience come from, I wonder.
I hope that we haven't seen the last of wwECW. Give me Tiffany/Abraham Washington!
I don't follow most of Storm's Evil Masterplan, but his spooky cowboy entrance continues to please me.
Low-ki reminded me of why I found him so amazing the first time I saw him on WWF Metal. Joe as the X champ is a good sign of things to come. He did very well in his TV title reign, so having a singles belt on him is great.
I didn't understand the lockerroom clearing moment at the end. It felt off with people who hadn't feuded with Dixieland in recent memory (for example, Gail Kim) out there.
Originally posted by Dionysus Whenever Tenay calls Roode the longest reigning champion in TNA history, I wish Jarrett would hit Tenay with the guitar of continuity.
Because that's what TNA needs: One of their least over champs showing up and attacking non-wrestlers.
Roode was champ for 256 days. I admit, I haven't watched a lot of TNA during it's run, but I don't think anyone's been TNA champ longer than that.
Originally posted by CEOIIIRoode was champ for 256 days. I admit, I haven't watched a lot of TNA during it's run, but I don't think anyone's been TNA champ longer than that.
Nobody has been the TNA World Champion for longer than that. But Jeff Jarrett was the NWA champion for 347 days while in TNA, before they created their own title. So it's a matter of semantics.
Originally posted by Dionysus Whenever Tenay calls Roode the longest reigning champion in TNA history, I wish Jarrett would hit Tenay with the guitar of continuity.
Because that's what TNA needs: One of their least over champs showing up and attacking non-wrestlers.
Nah, not TNA. Apparently (improbably) other promotions tho'. Jeff really should teach a course on whatever it is he does.
Roode was champ for 256 days. I admit, I haven't watched a lot of TNA during it's run, but I don't think anyone's been TNA champ longer than that.
Originally posted by BrianDixie a fifty year old woman being put through a table while babyfaces and fans cheered was tough to watch.
What's so wrong with it? Dixie is (I think) part owner and if she wasn't willing to be put through a table she wouldn't have done so. Nobody ordered her to do this, she booked the angle herself and worked it up to this conclusion. From what I've seen her character most definitely had it coming. Would you have preferred if Gail Kim was the one doing it?
fwiw there has been top spike officals at impact tapings this week including Spike prez Kevin Kay. could a deal still be worked out? call the 900 number and find out!
I do hope that something will get worked out, especially since they seem to finally be hitting their stride as of late.
I also have to say g9 is way too hard on the Abyss match. Yeah it's 'garbage' wrestling, it's a hardcore match. That's kinda the point of a hardcore match. If you wanted technical prowess, there's plenty of matches like that to be found. Right now TNA is about the only place where we can get real hardcore wrestling on TV, since WWE is terrified to show even a little bit of blood on their supposedly 'PG' product.
(edited by Blind_Guardian on 8.8.14 1547)
Eh the baby faces rushing the ring and forcing a middle aged woman back in the ring and everything and male on female violence is tough to take. Don't hate hardcore wrestling like g9 does but booking two hardcore matches on one show is a mistake.
Thread ahead: WCW Prime: August 12, 1996 Next thread: WWE Releases Alberto Del Rio for "Unprofessional Conduct" Previous thread: WCW Nitro: August 12, 1996
Superstar DID come back to wrestle. I remember those promos very clearly. He only had a few squash matches and won with a backbreaker submission (which at the time looked to be a weak finisher and lame way to end the match).
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