Review/TNA Impact

That's right Million Dollar giveaway!!! Step aside, The Booking...GAWD is actually going to review Impact. Now let me be honest...I haven't watched an entire episode of Impact in a rather long time. But for some reason last week I decided to check it out and I was honestly... pleasantly surprised.

Impact June 12th

TNA World Title Match

Samoa Joe Vs. Kaz

Kaz may have gotten in a little too much offense but I really dug this match. TNA needs to decide whether they are going to have Joe be the dominant wrestler he was when he first entered TNA and dominated the X-Division or if he will come across as he did tonight. Not overpowering or dominant...just a good wrestler who gets the wins. Kaz didn't look out of place either. Great opening match...could have used another 2-3 minutes, but I liked what I got.

After the match Booker T wastes no time in getting into the mind of Samoa Joe. I would have liked him to come out to some music instead of just walking out from the back like he just wondered onto the stage high. Booker T starting the mind games with Joe is a great idea. Obviously Booker T is way past his prime and Joe can obviously beat him physically...but mentally Joe is new to the World Title scene. Booker T can expose that with his experience and I hope they continue on that path. Strong promo work from Booker.

Backstage Kurt Angle cuts a kind of creepy promo explaining a bounty he has put on the head of his wife Karen Angle. On a side note, how skinny does Kurt Angle look? That can't be good. As for the promo itself, it was well executed even if the idea behind it is kind of corny. But they have to continue the storyline somehow, and this way isn't that bad.

The Motor City Machineguns Vs. Naruko Doi and Masato Yoshino

It may have been a spot fest, but this tag match was very entertaining. Reminds me of the old Rockers philosophy. They always said if there are 4 guys in the ring...there should be no reason for the action to stop or even slow down. This match was exactly that. The moves were innovative, hard hitting and fast. This is what TNA should be all about. Putting on matches that WWE either can't, or won't put on television.

I haven't been following the Nash and Joe storyline week to week, but whenever I do catch a promo they are well delivered. Say what you will about Big Kev's in ring work (or lack there of)...but on the microphone he is still one of the very best. Nash seems to rub off on Joe on the microphone which can only be good for TNA's hopes for their World Champ. Nash being involved with Joe is a nice extra layer to whatever World Title feud he happens to be in. Just another element to work off of.

One thing I am concerned with is Joe going against Kevin Nash and Booker T. Nash is a top face and always gets a pop...sometimes one that rivals Samoa Joe. And as for Booker T...he is a pure heel, BUT TNA's next ppv is in his home town. Does TNA really want their top face and World Champ to be booed? Do they care? We'll see what happens, but the cheers may be stacking up against him heading into the ppv.

Thank God. The AJ Styles backstage segment with Karen did something great... it really shows how he is done with the goofy side kick gimmick. AJ seems to serious once again which will only help him get back to main event status.

TNA World Tag Team Title Match

LAX Vs. Robert Roode and James Storm

I found the match rather sloppy with guys obviously waiting for previously planned spots to occur. Don't get me wrong, I think with proper time on a pay per view these guys can put on an above average match. But this match was trying to fit too many ideas into 5 minutes. The after match beatdown was effective, although TNA seems to have one of these every couple of weeks.

I'm a little confused with something. Wasn't the point of breaking up AMW and Team Canada to make Robert Roode and James Storm into singles stars? And didn't TNA successfully turn them both into solid upper midcard talents? Now they are in tag teams again? What's the point of that?

A womens match? Moving right along....

Backstage Storm and Roode brag about the beating they gave LAX and wonder if LAX can give them what they want...a FIGHT. The two may not have much in common gimmick wise, but they do have nice chemistry on the mic.

Curry Man Vs. Alex Kozlov

Poor Christopher Daniels. Nice to see TNA dedicating a good portion of their wrestling show to actual wrestling...but why not scrap this match and give Joe and Kaz an extra 2 minutes.

In the back Joe agrees to a title match at Victory Road face to face with Booker T. Nice little segment, the two guys don't hate each other yet...which is good. Let Booker T slowly get in Joe's head...then the segments can get more intense.

Sonjay Dutt vs Consequences Creed

I'm sorry, but the name Consequences Creed has 'Vince Russo' written all over it. As for the match, it was short and sweet and was only booked to get Jay Lethal involved. I really can't get into the Lethal/Dutt mega powers storyline since its basically TNA's biggest problem. They seem to enjoy trying to be like WWE...instead of developing their own product.

Lumberjack Match

Kurt Angle Vs. AJ Styles

Fun main event with Kurt Angle basically just going through the motions so he doesn't further damage his neck. Speaking of Kurt Angle's neck...is it really necessary to have this guy wrestle on Impact? His head is about to fall right off his shoulders...and they are wasting a money making AJ Vs. Kurt rematch on free t.v? TNA has to realize that Kurt Angle's wrestling career is on borrowed time and they have to pick his spots carefully. You can continue storylines without the guy wrestling...so save him for ppvs and match Impacts right before the ppv.

I really wish we could see a Kurt Vs. AJ match with Kurt at 100%...or even 80% but that day may never come. TNA has to protect Kurt Angle or else they are going to end his career...and lose one of their biggest name draws. And with Sting flirting with retirement they may not be able to afford that.

Overall I enjoyed this edition of Impact. They spared us the silly over comedic segments and stuck to solid storylines and even better....solid wrestling. As for the Kurt Angle/Kong ending...I don't know what to say about it. I guess it makes sense having Angle hire Kong to kill Karen but honestly...can anyone who is a fan of TNA or even someone on the booking committee truly tell me, that Awesome Kong has ppv buy rate written all over her. No, nobody watches TNA for Awesome Kong...so why bother to have her involved in a big storyline?

And what the hell happened to Christian Cage? I know he left WWE because of being underutilized...TNA may be following the same trend. But that's just me nit picking...and I really like Cage as a performer.

The show was solid though..and hopefully something the company can continue going into Victory Road.