Did anyone catch that Spike played Real American over the bumper vid for Impact while the credits rolled for Jail or whatever it is that leads into Impact? How'd they get away with that?
I do appreciate that TNA at least tries to come up with a reason for its backstage cameras, with their reality-tv presentation, instead of being unseen by everyone.
I like Sting. I really do. I've always liked him, and he's one of the only older guys who really seems to care/give to the young guys because he loves it and not because he hasn't paid a bill since 1992 and it all caught up to him. But I'm tiring of him quickly.
I like Sting too. But he's too old to be Hogan's "Face of Impact" and I can't believe they think he should headline a pay-per-view in 2012 for the World title.
Bobby Roode is clearly the #1 heel in the company and for good reason, but they lack a #1 face.
I have to question leading off your first live show w/ a guy who is 15 years past being a true draw & main eventer.
I understand & respect that Sting is a star. But man, you got to position TNA as the alternative to the WWE, as something cool, as something different. Nothing about Sting in 2012 is cool or different. Also, he's just really, really old at this point.
I only kinda get what's going on here. So, Joe Parks here, that's Abyss and he's looking for his brother who is also Abyss. Now, I just saw this deal with Joe Parks and Bully Ray (who also looks awesome here) and Parks facials in selling the angle here are absolutely amazing! Why did they have him under he mask for so long? Also, if I didn't know Abyss was this guy without the mask, I wouldn't "know" it, you know? He seemed like a guy who was totally overwhelmed in this situation and is standing up for his missing brother, and will now fight for his missing brother Slammaversary. Or however you spell that.
I don't know... these Impact guys... they may have something here.
If you told me they were doing an angle were Abyss feuds with Bully Ray and then takes the mask off to pretend to be his own brother I'd tell you that sounds all kinds of stupid - but I'm really liking it, mainly because Abyss is just playing the part so well. He sweats, he shakes, he comes off like a nervous guy. Really good acting on his part.
It didn't really go anywhere, or at least didn't play out as cool as it could have, but I loved crazy Sting a couple of years ago when he was acting like a heel and beating up the faces, only for us to find out later that faces were really the heels and he knew all along.
I'm pretty sure TNA would get the same rating/buyrate no matter who main events the pay per view - they're in an ideal situation to create new stars. And there's no shortage of talent. I'd watch Roode defend against, like, Daniels - it'll be a better match than Roode/Sting and mean just as much in the long run.
I really like AJ too, but like Joe, I just felt too much damage has been done to his stock to be the top guy. Both could be rehabbed into valuable main eventers, I just think Storm was a better choice since he didn't have the baggage of wearing Flair robes or having a dick painted on his face.
It was to me a 3 way tie between Ray/Aries/ROOOOO but the fans turned Aries face and Roode just is stagnant (although i still like him) Ray is just a slimy dickwad bully heel and wrestling needs that.
Joseph Park has probably been the best part of the show for months. Like you said, if you didn't know that was Abyss, you wouldn't be likely to guess. it's amazing how different he comes off.
Bully Ray has really done well with this singles run. His promos and in ring work have improved tremendously, and also he's gotten himself in better shape. His psychology behind his character his amazing as he always chooses the right time to get in people's faces and also when to back down like a true stereotypical bully. At times he can also be really amusing with his promo work and his 'Calfzilla' schtick but knows how to reel in the heel heat at all times. His in ring work reminds me a lot of Mick Foley in a way as he knows how to tell a story in the ring, can put on decent regular matches and performs even better under hardcore matches taking good bumps and dishing out violent offence.
My favourite moment with Joseph Parks so far was a few weeks ago when he stepped in the ring for the first time to cut a promo and started talking without a microphone at first because he was nervous and unaware which really showed how much of a non-performer the character is in that sense. I love little details like that.
If you want maintenance of keyfabe, you have the WWE.
As Eric Bischoff put it, you have three ways in which you can stand out from your competition. You can be better. You can be inferior. Or you can be different. TNA cannot compete with WWE production values, and they don't (I assume) want to be inferior. So it's time for something different.
The whole talk of staying in character, and making it seem like he was in a fight killed it for me. Like, how am I supposed to invest in his character, and said fight, if you're inferring that it's not real? I'm not going to belabor the loss of strict kayfabe in wrestling in 2012, but I think there's a way to shoot that doesn't completely expose the business, and a way that does. Punk's epic promo would be example of the former.
Agreed. I really like AJ, Joe not as much, but I like him - but they've been around so long and given so many on again/off again pushes. It's hard to start again and be like "Okay, we're pushing AJ as our top guy for real now, feel comfortable buying into it". They pretty much need to find a new AJ and push him right this time.
I agree. Brooke was terrible out there, she looked lost and confused.
This leads, obviously (eventually) to Brooke v. someone. It kind of makes sense, Brooke as a wrestler will probably be some kind of draw as Hogan's kid.
Always the way with TNA... every time they start to progree a few steps forward by making positive changes to their show they end up taking several steps back because of something negative. To be fair though taking on Brooke Hogan is less worse than the Pacman Jones deal!
Just thought of something regarding this TNA hall of fame that I've only just heard of... does anyone else think they're going to induct some wrestlers that deserve to be in the WWE hall of fame but haven't or possibly won't ever be of various reasons? Randy Savage comes to mind and also Warrior!
I didn't mind most of last weeks opening segment. Things like "here's what's supposed to happen on the show tonight" are sort of close to crossing the line, but it could also be "this is real and here's the matches we've made for tonight and the order they're happening in".
Punk's was great because he complained about not being given opportunities and the company promoting John Cena over and over despite him not being as good as he is. If you're a smart fan you know what he's saying and why, but it can also be taken the same way a quarterback complaining about being a back up would be. He didn't come out and say "They let John Cena win more fake matches than me because he sells more t-shirts than I do".
Flipped over to iMPACT! for the first time in 2 years to hear Tenay and Taz announce there'll be a Styles vs. Daniels match later tonight. Oh, and the announcement cane during a Jeff Hardy vs. Devon Dudley match. Glad to see they've really freshened up the product...
That is my biggest pet peeve when watching the WWE. It just kills my suspension of disbelief. And it's always the same camera angle. You get this sports like presentation of the match and then this really poorly acted and contrived sketch afterwards. JUST KILLS IT.
I miss the WCW's presentation pre-99. Interviews on the ramp on in the ring.
Who? James Storm? Because I agree, I just saw that video on the ranch or whatever and I feel like I want to get behind that guy and watch him win a wrestling match.
Yeah, I totally agree with that sentiment, I just disagree that breaking kayfabe is the way to do it. WWE's adherence to kayfabe is actually pretty horrible, even if it's unintentional. Characters and motivations that lack any consistency, logic holes you could drive a truck through, no emphasis on dramatic stakes or genuine competition. I think the way to distinguish yourself is hyper-kayfabe. And I don't mean Twitter feeds, I mean the opposite of WWE. Present the broadcast as though it were an actual sporting event, with actual wrestlers, who care about actual titles. Evaluate every element of the product through this prism. Rethink everything from the ground up.
Likewise. And I like that Joey didn't back down from Taz, especially the "You're not a suplex machine anymore" line. I like Ryan as a wrestler and kinda hope he gets a shot someday. Also, moustache.
I get what you are saying, but obviously all these guys are "characters" whether you believe wrestling is real or know its fake. And to me, it sounded like they were saying their big problem with this guy was that he wasn't taking things seriously. And the way this ended tonight, it was the same thing: the guy wasn't taking thing seriously.
Man, Christy Hemme isn't wearing a bra. God bless herm, those things look beautiful.
For those of you who watch TNA more than I do... where are they going with this AJ Styles-Dixie Carter thing? From what I understand, AJ is married (either in real life or kayfabe). And Daniels & Kazarian have seemingly caught Carter & Styles in compromising positions (with video too!). And AJ doesn't have an explanation for this dalliance. Help an infrequent TNA viewer out here.
I've been entertained here, but I don't feel like I've seen a solid wrestling match. I think they blew it by not having the TV title match be longer and go to a clean finish.
If anyone should be the first member of the TNA Hall of Fame, it should be either AJ, Low Ki, or Jerry Lynn. Without those three the company doesn't make it out of the first year. Since Jerry Lynn's retiring it should be him, but TNA will probably go for someone with more star power.
Now that titles mean nothing in wrestling success is based on trending on twitter. Like, if things were like this in 2002, Triple H would be talking about how many more times he trended on Twitter than Chris Jericho has.
I guess they need MORE Hogans to get that rating up, just like the WWE trots out more McMahons. This is going to be a trainwreck of large proportions I think.
Sabin/Aries was damn good for the time given. I hope Sabin isn't lost in the shuffle due to Shelley leaving.
And there's typical TNA, Sting VS Roode on free TV, then they make it a PPV match too....sheesh.
But it wasn't a bad show overall, I don't feel like I wasted all the 2 hours...
Did anyone catch that Spike played Real American over the bumper vid for Impact while the credits rolled for Jail or whatever it is that leads into Impact? How'd they get away with that?
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate that TNA at least tries to come up with a reason for its backstage cameras, with their reality-tv presentation, instead of being unseen by everyone.
ReplyDeleteI like Sting. I really do. I've always liked him, and he's one of the only older guys who really seems to care/give to the young guys because he loves it and not because he hasn't paid a bill since 1992 and it all caught up to him. But I'm tiring of him quickly.
ReplyDeleteI like Sting too. But he's too old to be Hogan's "Face of Impact" and I can't believe they think he should headline a pay-per-view in 2012 for the World title.
ReplyDeleteBobby Roode is clearly the #1 heel in the company and for good reason, but they lack a #1 face.
I have to question leading off your first live show w/ a guy who is 15 years past being a true draw & main eventer.
ReplyDeleteI understand & respect that Sting is a star. But man, you got to position TNA as the alternative to the WWE, as something cool, as something different. Nothing about Sting in 2012 is cool or different.
Also, he's just really, really old at this point.
Bully Ray is easily the best heel going these days.
ReplyDeletereal american aint public domain?
ReplyDeleteI only kinda get what's going on here. So, Joe Parks here, that's Abyss and he's looking for his brother who is also Abyss. Now, I just saw this deal with Joe Parks and Bully Ray (who also looks awesome here) and Parks facials in selling the angle here are absolutely amazing! Why did they have him under he mask for so long? Also, if I didn't know Abyss was this guy without the mask, I wouldn't "know" it, you know? He seemed like a guy who was totally overwhelmed in this situation and is standing up for his missing brother, and will now fight for his missing brother Slammaversary. Or however you spell that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know... these Impact guys... they may have something here.
The just need to get behind someone as that guy. Storm was the obvious choice, but for whatever reason they cut that off at the knees.
ReplyDeleteI say AJ Styles, because it can't be a WWE retread (RVD, Jeff Hardy, Angle).
ReplyDeleteI would make it Samoa Joe, but I was beating that drum in 2006-7 and look where that got him.
Chris Sabin *CAN* headscissor Austin Aries!
ReplyDeleteIf you told me they were doing an angle were Abyss feuds with Bully Ray and then takes the mask off to pretend to be his own brother I'd tell you that sounds all kinds of stupid - but I'm really liking it, mainly because Abyss is just playing the part so well. He sweats, he shakes, he comes off like a nervous guy. Really good acting on his part.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't really go anywhere, or at least didn't play out as cool as it could have, but I loved crazy Sting a couple of years ago when he was acting like a heel and beating up the faces, only for us to find out later that faces were really the heels and he knew all along.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure TNA would get the same rating/buyrate no matter who main events the pay per view - they're in an ideal situation to create new stars. And there's no shortage of talent. I'd watch Roode defend against, like, Daniels - it'll be a better match than Roode/Sting and mean just as much in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI really like AJ too, but like Joe, I just felt too much damage has been done to his stock to be the top guy. Both could be rehabbed into valuable main eventers, I just think Storm was a better choice since he didn't have the baggage of wearing Flair robes or having a dick painted on his face.
ReplyDeleteIt was to me a 3 way tie between Ray/Aries/ROOOOO but the fans turned Aries face and Roode just is stagnant (although i still like him) Ray is just a slimy dickwad bully heel and wrestling needs that.
ReplyDeleteJoseph Park has probably been the best part of the show for months. Like you said, if you didn't know that was Abyss, you wouldn't be likely to guess. it's amazing how different he comes off.
ReplyDeleteI hate how much this is breaking kayfabe. Fucking loathe it. Can they not still have a similar gimmick while maintaining kayfabe?
ReplyDeleteBrother Love, Al Snow and Taz evaluating talent is another good thing. I've enjoyed this show far much more than I enjoyed Raw on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteBully Ray has really done well with this singles run. His promos and in ring work have improved tremendously, and also he's gotten himself in better shape. His psychology behind his character his amazing as he always chooses the right time to get in people's faces and also when to back down like a true stereotypical bully. At times he can also be really amusing with his promo work and his 'Calfzilla' schtick but knows how to reel in the heel heat at all times. His in ring work reminds me a lot of Mick Foley in a way as he knows how to tell a story in the ring, can put on decent regular matches and performs even better under hardcore matches taking good bumps and dishing out violent offence.
ReplyDeleteThat shipped sailed long ago. I didn't think it was that bad.
ReplyDeleteThey should have had a hot match going on at 9pm to make who didn't turn in regret the fact they missed the first hour.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite moment with Joseph Parks so far was a few weeks ago when he stepped in the ring for the first time to cut a promo and started talking without a microphone at first because he was nervous and unaware which really showed how much of a non-performer the character is in that sense. I love little details like that.
ReplyDeleteIf you want maintenance of keyfabe, you have the WWE.
ReplyDeleteAs Eric Bischoff put it, you have three ways in which you can stand out from your competition. You can be better. You can be inferior. Or you can be different. TNA cannot compete with WWE production values, and they don't (I assume) want to be inferior. So it's time for something different.
This show has been solid so far, but I have zero faith in Brooke Hogan.
ReplyDeleteThe whole talk of staying in character, and making it seem like he was in a fight killed it for me. Like, how am I supposed to invest in his character, and said fight, if you're inferring that it's not real? I'm not going to belabor the loss of strict kayfabe in wrestling in 2012, but I think there's a way to shoot that doesn't completely expose the business, and a way that does. Punk's epic promo would be example of the former.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I really like AJ, Joe not as much, but I like him - but they've been around so long and given so many on again/off again pushes. It's hard to start again and be like "Okay, we're pushing AJ as our top guy for real now, feel comfortable buying into it". They pretty much need to find a new AJ and push him right this time.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Brooke was terrible out there, she looked lost and confused.
ReplyDeleteThis leads, obviously (eventually) to Brooke v. someone. It kind of makes sense, Brooke as a wrestler will probably be some kind of draw as Hogan's kid.
Always the way with TNA... every time they start to progree a few steps forward by making positive changes to their show they end up taking several steps back because of something negative. To be fair though taking on Brooke Hogan is less worse than the Pacman Jones deal!
ReplyDeleteJust thought of something regarding this TNA hall of fame that I've only just heard of... does anyone else think they're going to induct some wrestlers that deserve to be in the WWE hall of fame but haven't or possibly won't ever be of various reasons? Randy Savage comes to mind and also Warrior!
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind most of last weeks opening segment. Things like "here's what's supposed to happen on the show tonight" are sort of close to crossing the line, but it could also be "this is real and here's the matches we've made for tonight and the order they're happening in".
ReplyDeletePunk's was great because he complained about not being given opportunities and the company promoting John Cena over and over despite him not being as good as he is. If you're a smart fan you know what he's saying and why, but it can also be taken the same way a quarterback complaining about being a back up would be. He didn't come out and say "They let John Cena win more fake matches than me because he sells more t-shirts than I do".
Flipped over to iMPACT! for the first time in 2 years to hear Tenay and Taz announce there'll be a Styles vs. Daniels match later tonight. Oh, and the announcement cane during a Jeff Hardy vs. Devon Dudley match. Glad to see they've really freshened up the product...
ReplyDeleteYup...I'll see you in another two years, TNA...
THAT guy needs to be their top face.
ReplyDeleteThat is my biggest pet peeve when watching the WWE. It just kills my suspension of disbelief. And it's always the same camera angle. You get this sports like presentation of the match and then this really poorly acted and contrived sketch afterwards. JUST KILLS IT.
ReplyDeleteI miss the WCW's presentation pre-99. Interviews on the ramp on in the ring.
Yeah, give this a chance though. Because there's a lot of good stuff happening here.
ReplyDeleteJoey Ryan looks like Keith Stone
ReplyDeleteWho? James Storm? Because I agree, I just saw that video on the ranch or whatever and I feel like I want to get behind that guy and watch him win a wrestling match.
ReplyDeletei liked him too, but the "daddy does this mean you're going to wrestle again" was so cheesy
ReplyDeleteWas that real or scripted?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I totally agree with that sentiment, I just disagree that breaking kayfabe is the way to do it. WWE's adherence to kayfabe is actually pretty horrible, even if it's unintentional. Characters and motivations that lack any consistency, logic holes you could drive a truck through, no emphasis on dramatic stakes or genuine competition. I think the way to distinguish yourself is hyper-kayfabe. And I don't mean Twitter feeds, I mean the opposite of WWE. Present the broadcast as though it were an actual sporting event, with actual wrestlers, who care about actual titles. Evaluate every element of the product through this prism. Rethink everything from the ground up.
ReplyDeleteI felt it was just cheesy enough. Other than Brooke Hogan and the screwjob in the title match, I am seriously digging this show.
ReplyDeletei hope not. i was bored to death until Taz laid into him. I dug it
ReplyDeleteLikewise. And I like that Joey didn't back down from Taz, especially the "You're not a suplex machine anymore" line. I like Ryan as a wrestler and kinda hope he gets a shot someday. Also, moustache.
ReplyDeleteMan, I thought this show started at 9 haha.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are saying, but obviously all these guys are "characters" whether you believe wrestling is real or know its fake. And to me, it sounded like they were saying their big problem with this guy was that he wasn't taking things seriously. And the way this ended tonight, it was the same thing: the guy wasn't taking thing seriously.
ReplyDeleteMan, Christy Hemme isn't wearing a bra. God bless herm, those things look beautiful.
But Taz was right, that promo wasn't a superstar promo. "I'm kind of a big deal," he lifted from Anchorman, and trending on Twitter, fuck that.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who watch TNA more than I do... where are they going with this AJ Styles-Dixie Carter thing? From what I understand, AJ is married (either in real life or kayfabe). And Daniels & Kazarian have seemingly caught Carter & Styles in compromising positions (with video too!). And AJ doesn't have an explanation for this dalliance.
ReplyDeleteHelp an infrequent TNA viewer out here.
I've been entertained here, but I don't feel like I've seen a solid wrestling match. I think they blew it by not having the TV title match be longer and go to a clean finish.
ReplyDeleteThose punches by Kazarian were embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone should be the first member of the TNA Hall of Fame, it should be either AJ, Low Ki, or Jerry Lynn. Without those three the company doesn't make it out of the first year. Since Jerry Lynn's retiring it should be him, but TNA will probably go for someone with more star power.
ReplyDeleteNow that titles mean nothing in wrestling success is based on trending on twitter. Like, if things were like this in 2002, Triple H would be talking about how many more times he trended on Twitter than Chris Jericho has.
ReplyDeleteBrooke Hogan? Really?
ReplyDeleteI guess they need MORE Hogans to get that rating up, just like the WWE trots out more McMahons. This is going to be a trainwreck of large proportions I think.
Sabin/Aries was damn good for the time given. I hope Sabin isn't lost in the shuffle due to Shelley leaving.
And there's typical TNA, Sting VS Roode on free TV, then they make it a PPV match too....sheesh.
But it wasn't a bad show overall, I don't feel like I wasted all the 2 hours...
Would you say he needs to let it pl...
ReplyDelete...no, I can't do it.
In other words, return to the way things were 30 years ago?
ReplyDeleteSavage was the first name I thought of as well, since he did work a TNA PPV years ago. Wouldn't be surprised if they induct Macho Man.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot better then RAW was, had some good matches, but where the hell were the knockouts?
ReplyDelete