TNA: For Impact Wrestling, the Time to Act Is Now— Before the PPV

For the fans of Impact Wrestling, you may not know this, but there are only two more Thursday night shows until Hardcore Justice.

Let me allow you to take that in a bit.

The next great PPV event for TNA is only 11 days away. For some reason there is not the buzz for this production as Destination X, and because of the lack of enthusiasm, at least as I see it, the company may pay for it in ratings.

You must understand that while Vince (yes, he is still running the show up there) and Triple H and the creative team is getting their collective heads on straight, TNA has been riding a great wave of success with house shows that have been dynamic and PPV quality.

Then, they produce two great PPV events in Slammiversary and Destination X where new talent, old rivalries and new champions were celebrated.

But for this event, Hardcore Justice, it seems to be lacking something.

Maybe I am wrong, but there should be more drama leading up to this event.

Sting has done his best to “sell” the world title in his match against Kurt Angle. But in the midst of this title competition, there has been outside influence from Immortal and while Sting has battled Hulk Hogan, Bully Ray, Scott Steiner and now Mr. Anderson, you don’t sense the urgency to put this program on.

Maybe this week’s cable show will help solidify everything for me.

The cage match between Anderson and Angle has all the makings of a classic, but you also have to assume there will be interference from Immortal. Bully Ray has shown he is the classic heel for creating heat and making others clean up his mess.

And while Angle was instrumental in helping Sting capture world gold two weeks ago, can it be assumed that he would do the same thing for Angle when he may need it?

It is the usual face vs. face act. The two talk a good game, say they are fighting the good fight, team up against their rivals a few weeks before the main event they are supposed to have with each other, then go out and face the music in a PPV with the hope the match can sell and draw.

I have gone on record as saying this can be the best of all-time if done correctly through the wrestlers and the creative team.

Now, I am not so sure.

What I am sensing is some feeling of disbelief with this PPV event. There will be a tag-team title match between Mexican/America and Beer Money, Inc., which has the makings of something great.

The promo and shoot James Storm gave last week in the ring was awesome. He stepped his game up. And if the match can match the talking between the two factions, then we have a winner on our hands.

There are two Bound for Glory matches tonight with Rob Van Dam taking on Gunner and Bully Ray looking to end Crimson’s win streak. I am hoping both can deliver.

I am curious to see what happens with Alex Shelley and Austin Aires. Are they meeting at the PPV or is Brian Kendrick still in this picture? Last time I checked, Kendrick had the X-Division title, but the focus of the division seems to have shifted to the two men who should be the top contenders for the title.

Right now, Kendrick to me is a paper or screen champion.

And what will come of the Knockouts? Does Mickie James give Velvet Sky another shot at the title? Can ODB and Jackie stay away from the ring? How does Ms. Brooks fit into all this and who will now challenge Ms. Tessmacher and Tara for the titles?

And finally, why is it that Eric Young still has the television title?

I guess we need to tune in tonight to find out.