TNA Impact Wrestling review 31/01 TNA arrives at the UK (I know this is last weeks but I haven't seen the recent episode as I live in the UK, and just thought that I should review this episode).
So TNA started off their first UK show off in Manchester, and the crowd was great. I just feel for the elderly in the crowd. This is why travelling is so immense, you go to arenas with people who have been waiting for a lifetime, to see their favorite wrestlers do what they do best. Whereas travelling to the new places, gets stale as the crowd are basically seeing something over and over again, and the hype for attending feels; natural.
Devon vs Magnus
Well this match was clearly booked, to get Magnus to avenge his injury, and to get the crowd buzzing for the rest of the night, as Magnus is from England. Devon did an amazing job as the heel as always, and Magnus really showed off his skill tonight, he performed many new moves I haven't seen before and looked "hungry". He dominated inside the square circle and for a large man, he is extremely agile; in a few years, he can be the response to WWE's Sheamus. He's only 26 and the crowd loves him, he's got a look of a superior superstar, his physique is astonishing, plus he's a tremendous in-ring contender.
Then there's his mic skills, not that there's anything incorrect with them; he gets the crowd to roar, and he gets me to listen to him, but the man can't decide if his accent is British, or American. Obviously it's because he lives in the States now, but he really needs to sort it out, it's what puts him down, and what makes him sound ridiculous.
Later on in the match, DOC and Knox (who hasn't even got an official name yet for whatever reason) attacked Magnus, making him win via disqualification. Magnus then single-handedly, took all three men out, again, making him look dominant, and also a huge star, in front of his home country. If only Magnus threw on more matches like this.
Overall grade: B
Austin Aries vs Chavo Guerrero
This was a match to decide the number one contenders for the tag-team titles, and the match was terrific. The opening promo was entertaining, but Chavo then came out and used his simple words, simple sentences and same Mexican lines he always does. On to the match, it was somewhat different to the promo. It was really fast paced which made me enjoy it and the crowd made the atmosphere, more pleasant. One thing I would like to note is, Chavo is doing a good job reviving Eddie, but he's using his signature moves too often. He needs to make himself more original, and ue his old Gory-bomb. I'm not saying he should scrap the 3 amigos and frog-splash completely, but use them less often. Anyhow, as predictable as this match was, it was still entertaining and got me hyped for the week after (which I have not yet seen). I know that these guys aren't in the X-division, but to matches on like that is terrific, that's one of the main aspects, that made this enjoyable. There's great chemistry between these two performers, they both have so much in common inside that ring, especially the fact that their both high-flying technical's.
Overall grade: B
Velvet Sky and James Storm vs The Hollywood Couple
As arbitrary as this was, we still had a James Storm involved. When Velvet Sky needed a male tag partner, as opposed to Jesse, she called out one of the most charismatic men in TNA; The "Cowboy" James Storm. The crowd tore the roof off of the Manchester when his music hit, that's why he was a great choice, he even made Jesse look good, so to help put him over, he did a fantastic job. I didn't see the Velvet and Tara do much, but I see a big match between the Knockouts on the horizon. They've been feuding for a while, and Velvet is till after the title, so we can expect a match at this years Lockdown. I have seen people complaining about Storm, stating things like "James has fallen so far down the ladder", or "Storm has been getting buried this year", but I think this is building up to him, joining the Aces & 8's. We know a majority of the members now but they don't sound interesting, or dominant at all. Storm could change that for the group, the angle of him as an accused member could have just been a swerve. Most of the members have been complaining about not getting a push; the same thing is occurring to Storm right now. No matter how he loses, the general-manger Hulk Hogan doesn't act like a general manger, i.e: not taking any action as Storm gradually loses. Even after his win with Velvet, he left the ring quickly, with an aggravated look on his face. Just for the sake of argument, I discovered another sign, his jacket, resembles to an Aces & 8's jacket, with a white skull on the back, and the whole jacket with a black and white theme, in addition to most of the jackets features, appearing on the back. For those Hormone-crazed Romeo's out there, Velvet has gone back to her old look, where her hair is straightened, the over-use of make up has vanished, and her gear has gone back to being less modest (if you know what I mean).
Overall grade: C
Robbie E vs Joseph Park
This match here was predictable, and boring. Robbie showed off some slick moves but it was nothing too interesting. If anything, Joseph should have been facing Robbie T. The bigger Rob is from the UK, is gradually turning face and it could have portrayed Joseph, as a better face. Robbie E wanted that match desperately, but the crowd wanted Robbie T in the same emotion, due to his background. Joseph replying negatively to Robbie E would have played a good face, would have made the crowd happy, and it would have developed the fact that Robbie T seems to be turning on his companion.
Joseph made everything look good as he was debuting, but the match choice was awful.
Overall Grade: -C
Bully Ray and the Hogan's.
Bully came out with Sting, and begged Hogan to be reinstated so he can help take on the Aces & 8's, and eventually Hogan granted Bully his wish. One thing I never understood is, why should Hogan be saying he doesn't/didn't trust Bully, when he's the one that turned his back on the WCW fans, the WWE fans, and even the TNA fans, aligning himself with the nWo and Immortal? I see Bully Ray joining the Aces& 8's later on, him suddenly becoming a face doesn't make sense, as he was the number 1 heel in TNA, an his whole "I love you Brooke" doesn't suite him. He resembles one of the newest members we saw attacking Jeff Hardy with a hammer, which could be the way to bring him in; feuding with Hardy, and then getting the rest of the troops involved. Something TNA has to be careful with, is that if Bully does join the Aces and Eights, they better come up with an idea for not suspending him again. It could happen but the chances are very small, as such logical sanctions, never take place in storylines like this, which doesn't make sense. In any company that is, not only TNA. For instance, take a look at what Brock Lesnar did to Vince McMahon two weeks ago; Brock injured Vince, and he wasn't even fired! I know how its all story, but they need logical explanations, for not taking any suitable actions, on the companies employees. By the way, for a man that was suspended from TNA, Bully Ray sure did spend a lot of time showing up on Impact Wrestling's broadcast. Now the promo itself was boring, with Bully and his "you gotta trust me Hulk" lines, and then with Hogan showing up, stating the obvious and merely reinstating Ray. Was there even a need to suspend Bully in the first place?
Promo Grade: B-
Mr. Anderson vs Kurt Angle-Steel cage match
In a match that was much anticipated, and has built a legacy in TNA, this match really was what one will call great (for TV that is). Both of them put on an an amazing match, and stole the show. Though there wasn't many attempts to escape the cage, they sure did make this main event; feel that of PPV material. Of course, it wasn't as good as their first match, as that was actually a PPV match, but it was good enough for me. However, when I look back at they hype for this match, Mr. Anderson really had much time on the mic. He's one of the best and entertaining in his promos, from today's era, but the bookers haven't given him that time as of late. The match ended off with a great chain of events, and then a common Aces and Eights member scaled the cage. After Wes Brisco, who was in Kurt's corner locked the cage, one thing led to another. The Aces and Eights member who climbed in the steel cage, unmasked himself, turning out to be Garrett Bischoff. Angle then targeted Garrett, until Wes clipped the leg, of Kurt Angle, revealing himself as a member of the group. Brisco then untied his hair, exposing himself to be the member of the triad, with the long blonde hair, which we see every week. After taking their jackets off, both Garrett and Wes turned out uncovered themselves as Patches of the Aces and Eights, which means they're staying in TNA, however long the biker gang are in TNA.
Overall grade A-
In this review, anyone would get the impression that I was pleased with the show, which I wasn't. Now the Wrestling, that put on a fascinating show, but as far as storyline goes, it was lacked, heavily. The longest promo, was probably Hogan coming out, just to say he was going to reinstate Bully Ray. As well as that, all we learnt tonight is that Austin Aries and Bobby Roode are the new tag-team title contenders, and that there are two new members of the Aces and Eights, who a majority of people saw coming. I want to see what these men have to say for themselves, but I didn't want them to be involved in this. UK or not, I was bored watching this, the crowd was the only thing that kept me awake tonight while watching this, they don't also need to focus on impressing the audience, but also the viewers, in the US, it seems to be the other way round.
Impact Grade: B
