TNA Wrestling IMPACT! Review/Recap

[TheBigSwigg 0]

I got a little tired by the Mexico vs. Canada match because I'm about to drive 6 hours and get to my parents house at around 1. My ratings have gone from * to chugs, to go along with my name. (I decided chug sounded better than swig when it comes to ratings.)

 

We return to Universal Studios for yet another episode of Impact on Fox Sports Net, and head directly into our first match.

 

Kid Kash w/Dallas vs. The Amazing Red

 

Tenay starts off pimping both Red and Kash as former X Champs, and Kash makes fun of Red. They lock up and Kash throws Red in the corner. They stall, and Red looks to leave the ring, which Kash will have none of. Kash throws Red off the ropes, but Red reverses an arm drag with an arm drag. That’s the first time I’ve seen that, and it’s a pretty good idea. Another arm drag by Red. Kash kicks Red in the midsection and hoists him over the shoulder, and Red reverses with….an armdrag. (Pattern, anyone?)

Red kicks Kash and then whips him to the corner but Kash reverses it. Kash goes for the cross body, Red ducks, and Kash lands on the Apron. Red gives Kash a spinning kick and Kid Kash is on the floor. Red goes up and over the top rope onto Kid Kash, and the crowd goes wild. Red rolls Kash in, and Kash is pulling a Flair on his knees. (No, not that, he’s asking for a timeout.) Kash throws Red out of the ring, distracts the ref and Dallas goes to work, gently placing Red against the ring post before “pressing” him back in. Kash goes for the double underhook backbreaker and gets 2. Kash slams Red and goes for a bottom rope moonsault. He then gets up and goes for a second rope moonsault. He then goes up and goes for a top rope moonsault, but Red thankfully gets his knees up. Red pulls the martial arts roll over Kash’s back, then hits him with an enziguiri. Kash stumbles onto the second rope and gets a 7-1-8! (Is that really his area code? Cuz if it’s not, that’s just too cheap a knock off even for me. Red does a springboard elbow drop off the top rope, goes for the win, and gets two. Red whips Kash into the corner, and then eats turnbuckle. West goes into home shopping network mode pimping the fact that TNA’s PPV’s aren’t $30, they’re not $40, but under $10! Which is a lie, because if you add tax, it’s more like eleven. But it works for HSN, why not TNA?

Kash goes up top, and gets the Flair treatment there as well, as Red racks him, following with a superplex attempt. Kash fights and tries for a super-power bomb, which Red reverses into a super-hurricanrana IN MID-AIR! Red goes up top for another elbow, and Kash rolls out of the way. Kash goes for the Moneymaker (Double Underhook Piledriver) and gets the three count. (4:11)

 

What do I think? It’s a really eventful match, but I do think there should have been a bit more selling for psychology’s sake. But this is the X-division. Kash plays a great heel, and uses Dallas to emphasize the fact that he knows how to, and will, cheat. Though Dallas looks TOO MUCH like Test to make me happy. It did keep the crowd interested, and my only problems are the same problems I have with every X-division match. The ending is a little too random, like last weeks tag match, so I’ll give it a good 2 ¼ Chugs.

 

They have an announcer tell us that Styles vs. Kazarian is next!

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK-The break includes a story that tells us about how Canada desecrated the NWA flag, and now Team NWA will take on Team Canada Wednesday night in a Flag Match. I would rather see a promo cut or a brief segment about this, as a lot of people won’t watch because they’ll think it’s just a commercial. Also, I hate Jim Breuer.

 

 

Shane Douglas is backstage with Dusty, who tells us what’s on his mind. The Dream puts over the X-Division and rants about how he’ll be a fair judge before Russo comes out to ask for Dusty’s help. Shane tells us that Styles and Kazarian are in the shoots, and why is he acting like this? He’s the fucking Franchise. When did he turn face? He’s smiling like his middle name is Todd Pettengil. I don’t like that.

 

 

AJ Styles vs. “The Future” Frankie Kazarian

 

Kazarian comes out first, and I wish they would change the font for their overlays. Tenay tells us that Kazarian asked for the immediate rematch, which I wish Kazarian would have told me instead. Styles comes out to a decent pop, and a dorky kid chants TNA as a cameraman walks by. They start with a lock up and Kazarian delivers an arm drag and a taunt. The crowd chants “Let’s go AJ” as they lock up again, and Styles comes out on top with a hiptoss into a headlock. Kazarian slaps on a scissorlock and the ref makes them release their submission holds. Kazarian hits AJ with a kick to the midsection and a chop. Styles reverses and Irish whip, leapfrogs and ducks Kazarian and goes for a dropkick, but Kazarian holds on to the ropes. Kazarian comes off the ropes and AJ hits him in the face with a solid dropkick. Kazarian hangs in the ropes for security, but Styles picks him up. AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but Kazarian reverses with a hurricanrana. Kazarian goes off the ropes, and Styles introduces him to the mats outside the ring. AJ runs to the ropes, and Kazarian moves, so AJ leaps on to the apron and flips himself back into the ring. Styles walks over to the apron and gets the hangman. Kazarian climbs onto the apron and delivers a springboard DDT, which only gets him a 2 count. Kazarian body slams Styles, and then hits a slingshot legdrop for another 2 count.

AJ gets to his feet, and delivers some weak punches, which Kazarian responds to with an eye rake. Styles is thrown into the corner and the Future follows after him. Styles leaps and lands on Kazarian’s shoulder. After a moment of struggle, the Future drops AJ backwards, and bridges for a very creative pin. He gets 1… 2… and NO! AJ kicks out. Kazarian wanted 3, but doesn’t wait to long before delivering a couple of punches while AJ is on his back.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK –Good match so far, as both men work well together, and I haven’t seen anything that brings the quality down.

 

 

While we were away, AJ pulled a Pele (backflip bicycle kick) on Kazarian. AJ delivers 3 strong clotheslines and an enziguiri to Kazarian before whipping him into the corner. Kazarian reverses, AJ tosses the elbow and then goes for the springboard inverted DDT. He goes for the pin. We get one, we get two, do we have a winner? NO!

Styles tries a vertical suplex, but Kazarian falls out and gives Styles a Russian Legsweep DDT. Kazarian pins, we could have a new champion, and… NO! Styules is whipped into the corner and gets the foot up. The Future stumbles around and AJ goes for the crucifix, which Kazarian telegraphs, and ends up with the Styles Clash. Does he win? 1…2…3! Styles retains. (7:36)

As the X-Division Champion of the World celebrates, Kid Kash comes out. After AJ gets some offense, he turns around to find Dallas unconvincingly waiting for him with a with a decent looking sit-down powerbomb, which I guess is called the Blackout. Isn’t that what Rodney Mack’s chokehold was called?

 

What do I think? It was a well-balanced bout that showcases both of the workers. Kazarian doesn’t lose much because his loss was just Styles quick thinking. Both men busted their Asses, and did a great job showcasing what the X-Division is about. You get the idea that either man could have walked away the winner. The post-match brawl doesn’t take away much, except for Dallas’ bad acting. I’ll give it 3 ¼ chugs

 

David Young talks to himself as we go to break.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK! –including a package on how Jarrett is the King of the Mountain. Again, something I would rather see in a promo or segment.

 

 

The Naturals & David Young vs. 3LK

The commentary is focused on David Young’s losing streak, and since he’s with the Naturals against 3LK, it looks like it will continue. 3LK comes out, and it seems like they liked Victoria’s wonderful idea to dance on the platform. Horrible. We start out with Konnan and Douglas. They lock up, and Douglas seems to get the advantage, but Konnan on sells and works his way creatively to a headlock. Douglas throws Konnan to the ropes in order to get his head out of K-Dawg’s pits, and gets a shoulder block for not recognizin’ the Stank. Konnan comes of the ropes and rolls under Douglas’ leapfrog, only to deliver a near nonexistent kick. Douglas is whipped into the ropes, and Konnan clotheslines him to the mat. Some taunting, and then Stevens comes out only to get thrown out. To the floor, that is. Konnan goes for the 10 punches, and there’s a triple team. Konnan and Bubba Ray James hold Douglas’ legs while the Suntan Superman flies off the tope ropes with a leg drop. Douglas rolls to the corner while the Truth gets some offense. Truth gets whipped into the corner, only to leap over Douglas and backflip his way out of trouble. Douglas comes with a clothesline and Truth splits, literally, while BG “I look like a Dudley” James comes in for another double team. The Truth does a heel kick while BG holds Douglas, and somehow a tag was made and B.G. James is legal and going for a pin.

Luckily Stevens saves his partner and they throw James into the corner so they can do some double-teaming with the help of David Young. B.G. is thrown into the ropes, and ducks the double team and answers with a double clothesline. He’s not that much bigger than they are, at least visually, so I would prefer not to see that. The crowd is calling for the Truth, and Konnan is stomping as they have a weak hot tag. It’s Young and the Truth, and the Truth WHOOPS Young. The Truth hits a Scissor Kick and gets the 1..2…3.

 

What do I think? The match seems to be solely to put over Ron Killings. That’s about it. They job out the Naturals, who have a chance to be a contender in the tag team division, just to put over Killings. Konnan looks horrible, B.G. James looks like Bubba Ray Dudley, and the Truth using the scissor kick looks like Booker T. It’s slightly entertaining, but not worth watching twice. ½ Chug.

 

Jarret interrupts. He gets the wrinkles shirt thanks to the steam shooting out of the stage and tells 3LK that Killings will never get his title shot. Dusty comes out and announces Jarrett will defend against Killings on the 23rd. Dusty gives The Truth a little rub about being a man, not just a black man. Killings wants to add something-something, and proclaims himself to be the man who will knock Jarrett off the mountain by taking his title at the 2nd anniversary show. Jarrett says the “King” will bring his “Court” for a public execution this Wednesday.

 

What do I think? Good segment that builds interest in the upcoming PPVS and explains what Russo wanted to say to Dusty.

 

The announcer pimps Monty Brown, up next.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK!

 

D’LO BROWN IS COMING SOON! I was wondering where he went.

 

The Alpha Male Monty Brown vs. Sonny Siaki

 

Siaki is attacked before he even gets into the ring. Brown pulls basic outside the ring moves before rolling Siaki in for the cover. He gets two. Brown does the same neck breaker I saw someone doing on Xplosion, and the other guy was a hell of a lot better. Brown scoops up Mr. Number One and gives him a running Powerslam before taunting. Brown picks up Siaki as Goldylocks and Abyss look on, and Siaki delivers some Rock-like punches before trying a few clotheslines to take down Brown. Nothing works. Siaki goes for another clothesline and Brown ducks, only to get hit with a flying forearm. Monty tries for an Alpha Bomb, Siaki escapes, and comes off the ropes just to get the Pounce.

Desire comes out to look after Siaki, and we see AMW watching on as they’re meeting Abyss and Brown this Wednesday.

 

What do I think? The people seem at least a little interested in Sonny Siaki, which kind of surprises me, especially after watching the match. Monty Brown had some weak looking spots, and Sonny Siaki seemed like he was just doing what he’s paid to do. Some of the spots looked a little too planned, so how about DUD!

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK! –including a video that puts over AMW while saying guilty, A LOT

 

 

Someone has a PUSH MAGNETO sign. That’s on the verge of funny. And LA PARKA is in the crowd behind Don West. I want to know how that guy has chick with him when he dresses like La Parka to go watch wrestling.

 

Tenay and West pimp the upcoming PPV, including details on the Raven-Sabu feud, and go into a video package about RAVEN!!!!

 

We pimp the upcoming match of Mexico vs. Canada before going to commercial.

 

 

COMMERCIAL BREAK!

 

 

Team Mexico vs. Team Canada

We start off with all six men brawling in ring. Some focus on Mr. Aguila and Bobby Roode. Roode gets Aguila in an arm wrench, and Aguila channels his former valet, Lita, to get out. (He climbs the turnbuckles and springboards into an armdrag.) Roode goes outside, and Aguila follows, except for he’s going OVER THE TOP! Heavy Metal and Abismo Negro stand in the ring after throwing out the rest of Team Canada. Petey Williams throws Negro into the ropes, and Negro comes back, delivering a heel kick to the ropes so he can flip and stand up. Wow. Williams is telegraphing a little as he goes onto Negro’s shoulders for a spinning hurricanrana pin. Negro reverses after 2 and Petey gets out at two. Williams runs past Negro into the ropes, and Negro picks him up for what looks like a Tombstone. Negro tags in Aguila, who gets some basic offense before being thrown into the ropes. Roode brings up his knee and Williams gets the enziguiri and covers Aguila for 2. Roode is tagged in and there’s some double teaming before Roode puts the bots to Aguila before some mounted punching. Roode with a double underhook suplex and a cover for, you guessed it, 2.

Tag to Eric Young who delivers a backbreaker and covers Aguila for 2. Aguila is whipped to the corner where Eric Young punches hi, before taunting to allow Scott D’Amore to cheat. Aguila off the ropes to get a high knee, with a cover for 2 after. Aguila is thrown into the ropes, and pulls a handspring into a backflip to avoid the double clothesline. Team Canada turns around and Aguila delivers a double clothesline of his own, which I’ve already discussed my feelings about. Aguila tags to Negro, who cleans Bobby Roodes clock and then delivers a springbard moonsault to Roode’s knees for 2. All 6 in the ring now, and Negro and Aguila are working Moore and Young simultaneously. Both men Suicide dive to attack their respective opponents as D’Amore distracts Heavy Metal enough to allow Roode the Powerslam for 2. Roode goes for a powerbomb, but Heavy Metal escapes and delivers a spinning heel kick for 2. Metal body slams Roode and D’Amore racks Heavy Metal. Roode with the DVD for the win.

 

Hector Garza comes down for the save, but Team Canada still keeps all 4 members of Team Mexico out of action until Team NWA makes the save, setting up the match for Wednesday.

 

What do I think? Plenty of high-risk/high-impact styling makes this match truly interesting. We see great teamwork on both parts, and Team Mexico’s willingness to fly out of the ring to attack their opponents and to please the fans. Canada plays the art of the heel well, though there were some awkward moments and bad spots that held it down. Williams telegraphing didn't help anything. Also, Team Mexico was built up as a great team, but they couldn’t hold their own against Canada after the match. I'd give it 2 chugs

 

Overall, it was an interesting show. I could go without the Brown-Siaki Squash, and the 3LK vs. The Naturals and David Young, as it wasn't worth the waste. Overall 2 Chugs

[TNABaddboi 0]

Good review, Swigg. I was thinking of doing one, but I was so upset about the ME that I wrote my rant in the other thread instead. But still, a good review. And I believe TSM needs a good Impact reviewer I like to see your review added and bps bring back "From the Outside." C'mon bps, just because TNA stopped doesn't mean u should. I might write one next week and post it here. Should be interesting.

[eirejmcmahon 0]

BPS wrote some really good stuff on TNA, yeah.

[TNABaddboi 0]

BPS wrote some really good stuff on TNA, yeah.

 

So did I man, so did I!!!! Check out the From Even Further Outside Thread....