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They said all along that they were doing the special in conjunction with, not in place of, the Best Damned Sports Show Period, so of course the hosts of the show would be involved.

Here's the press release the company sent out on the event:

Here's more notes: Credit: PWInsider.com

DK, can you post that here? That seems like it would be an interesting read.

Yes and yes. They taped them last Wednesday, but they were taped specifically for this show. All the spoilers indicated that the matches ran longer than the typical Impact matches and their were no squashes.

Here's more notes: Credit: PWInsider.com That attendance figure is great for TNA. And I couldn't agree with Johnson more on the specials.

I agree 100%. Monty is on the verge being something TNA hasn't had in awhile: a fresh face in the main event that is as homegrown as homegrown can be. While they have all these names around, they need to put Monty over strong so that he can draw for them when the names are gone.

I agree too. Many people groaned when Waltman won the X-belt, but that with the sole purpose of putting AJ over, and he didn't groan about it at all. He went out of his way to make Styles look like a million bucks.

Unfortunately, Corey, that isn't very likely to happen. I'd say we're looking at a good 6 month reign for Monty before someone like Raven dethrones him. I'm looking forward to that because Monty is growing on me and it will signify TNA attempting to create a new star and whille firmly establishing a new main eventer. He will be only the 5th man in the history of the company to hold the belt (along with Shamrock, Truth, Jarrett and Styles). Anyway, I think we're going to see Styles playing Bret Hart 95, where the most talented worker in the company feuds with a variety of people, delivering awesome matches, but kept away from the top of the card.

I just thought of something else: Has there been any word of where Turning Point will be taking place? I thought for awhile that they would probably try to hold the 2nd PPV in Nashville, or have it again in Orlando, but I was just wondering if a location had been confirmed.

I wonder how Monty gets inserted here. Maybe he demands a shot since he won the Monster's Ball and takes a beatdown from Jarrett and the Outsiders with Savage and Styles making the save. If this is the ME, Brown needs to pin Jarrett CLEAN with a Pounce, so he claim a shot at the January PPV. I actually think they should make it an elimination match, so that Hall or Nash can put over Styles too. Either way, Nash needs to bump his ass off for Styles, which I can actually see happening, since he seemed willing to do it at VR.

I really think they should strike with Monty will the iron is hot. Since they're giving him the Superman push, they might as well pull the trigger and put the belt on him.

I think the PPV was worth it. My initial impression wasn't that I didn't get my money's worth. The atmosphere alone made this show more fun than most TNA shows (especially the ones with the dead Nashville crowd) and for the most part, the guys all put their working boots on. The finish to the AJ/Petey and Monster's Ball made me mark out like I very rarely do anymore and the X Gauntlet was a lot of fun. I'm a little disappointed that we didn't see any MOTY candidates, but that doesn't make it a bad PPV. I've enjoyed several WWE PPVs (and TNA PPVs) far less than I enjoyed this one. With all that said, however, the ME they're considering for Turning Point does not make me want to go out of my way to order. We'll have to see what they do with the rest of the card.

I wonder what the hell they're gonna do with Monty then, because I assumed he'd be challenging Jarrett here.

I think this was a good show, but not a great show, which is probably what they needed. Here are my thoughts: First of, the production was top-notch (WWE-like even) and I've never seen a crowd hot for an entire TNA event like this one was. TNA couldn't have asked for a more enthusiatic audience. The opener was absolutely fanastic. They gave them plenty of time (over 20 minutes), so they didn't have to do super fast eliminations. The guys all hit their big spots and worked the crowd into a frenzy. Great opener and good way to get the show rolling. The 8 man was just there. As much as I like Killings and Kash and as much as the mark in me loves the Johnny B. Badd gimmick, these minutes could have been given to Styles/Williams. My fears came true in the Mins match because I enjoyed the Minis match at the anniversary show live, but I was afraid it wouldn't really translate to TV very well. The crowd seemed to like it, but I was just kinda blah. I really liked the tag title match. It was about what I expected, which was a good old school tag bout and the crowd ate it up. I love Team Canada, so I was sad to see them drop the belts, but TNA has shown us that they aren't afraid to change the tag belts on Impact, so I wouldn't be surprised to see them regain the straps soon. The Pit segment seemed disjointed to me. I appreciated what they were trying to do, but it fell flat in my eyes. I can dig a possible Kash/Dutt feud though. Jacqueline was a nice little "surprise," though it seemed like the crowd didn't recognize her. I like that they put the homegrown talent over the "name" though, even though the match was just kinda there. I really enjoyed the Monster's Ball. These guys did a fantastic brawl, and it went over so well because there wasn't a lot of brawling on this show (except the Main Event). Brown looked like a star here and the clean win should elevate him, but to where? I was disappointed we didn't see Mitchell here, but I guess that's coming soon, because they didn't drop the storyline. The X title match was fantastic while it lasted. I liked that they put Williams over here, because he needs that belt much more than AJ at this point. While the match was short, it didn't feel rushed, like say Mysterio/Hardy from WM19. The guys laid out a nice match that built to a conclusion. It wasn't the classic many were looking for, but it was far from disappointing. The Last Man Standing Match was, however, very disappointing. This was the worst AMW/XXX match ever, and that's shocking because save the cage match, this was the biggest. I know Skipper had the concussion, but this match just never got going. I'm a huge fan of both of these teams, but I very unsatisfied with this match. Dusty's promo was short and had no interruptions, which was good. I also liked that he announced a match for Turning Point early, because they only have 4 weeks to build to it. The Main Event delivered, IMO. It was way better than it had any right to be considering the workers. I was a lil' disappointed by the finish, but that was mostly because I wanted DDP to make the save. Otherwise, it was the most obvious finish in wrestling history. It will be interesting to see where they go from here. It looks like Monty should be in line for a title shot, but the ME might be crowded with former WCW'ers for now. The BDSSP specials won't tell us much, since they were taped before this, but the commentary should give us some indication of where they're going. I'd like to see Jarrett vs Monty and Hall/Nash vs Hardy/Savage as the top matches at Turning Point, (instead of a six man with Styles) and then have Styles face Williams and Garza in a 3 way for the X-belt, the cage match and Kash/Dutt (or Kash and Dallas vs Dutt and the returning Sabu).

Thoughts?

Credit: wrestlingobserver.com

FSN...November 10, 11 from 8 to 9:30 pm

I noticed that too. I think we'll see some controversy in the ME at Victory Road or Hardy will win "his speciality" match, since they are going to run the rematch so quickly, with Jarrett going over.

November 10-11 during The Best Damned Sports Show Period's timeslot...which is why they ran angles with the cast of the show. They taped two 90 minute specials.

It looks like TNA's primetime special will be going head to head with WWE, which is very interesting. The 11th is a Thursday, meaning the second "Best Damed Wrestling Show Period" (i think that's what they're calling it) will be going head-to-head with SmackDown. I think this will be the real test of TNA's drawing power. If they can maintain a decent rating and keep their audience from the first night, that'll be a good sign. IMO, they don't have to beat SmackDown, but they can't get absolutely slaughtered. Also, it will be interesting to see if WWE counter-programs at all since TNA is clearly hotshotting here with the cage match and the Ultimate X. Either way, it'll be the closest thing to the "Monday Night Wars" in 3 years and should be an interesting night.

credit: PWInsider.com

DK, I actually think moving the show from Nashville helped them not have the "Southern" feel. I don't get that vibe when watching Impact at all. But....to add my contribution.... #21. Create a midcard title or bring in the NWA North American title so that guys like Sonny Siaki don't roam the midcard aimlessly. Monty Brown would be a perfect North American champ right now, to help build his crediblity en route to the big belt. #22. More promo time for guys other than Jarrett. It seems like since Impact started, the only people allowed near the mic have been JJ, Monty and Raven. I know they're all "good" talkers, but the other guys need character development too. I swear at this point you'd think Hardy was mute. #23 PUSH CHRIS SABIN...this guy was going to be the next AJ Styles, then he got injured as was put on J.O.B patrol. He obviously has talent and can connect with a crowd (he was very over in Nashville w/o much of a character to speak of or promo time). I think TNA would be very wise to have him be the one to unseat Petey Williams and not AJ Styles.

I think the point of having Truth in the match was that 3LK are gonna get the tag title shot at Victory Road because AMW/XXX are going to do the cage match. Even though I thought it was going to be Konnan and James challenging for the belt, I guess that could always do Truth and James, which would drastically improve the quality of the match. Not quite sure what Hardy was doing there though. They would have been better off putting James in his spot.

I was just saying that IMO comparing TNA to RoH is like comparing apples to oranges, just as comparing TNA to WWE is. We definitely have tiers right now, as opposed to the time when either side (WWF or WCW) could have been considered the "big time" (96-99).