TNA Impact! Wrestling (3/22): Review and Thoughts

The March 22, 2012 edition of TNA Impact! Wrestling opens with a video package of Bobby Roode and Sting.  TNA President Dixie Carter comes out to the ring and is clearly upset at Roode's actions. Before Carter attempts to fire Roode, Sting interrupts and comes to the ring. 

Sting says Victory Road made the company come alive.  Sting tells Carter he is going to go back home, train and come back stronger than ever and as a full-time wrestler. 

Putting much emotion into his promo, Sting tells he has the right man to run Impact! Wrestling and endorses Hulk Hogan to become the new General Manager.

Peragine's Reaction: It appears Hulk Hogan is coming back to TNA Wrestling as a General Manager. Hogan has been on and off on television and the fans at the Impact! Zone clearly favor Sting's endorsement.  We should wait and see what direction the company takes with this.  And Vince Russo is not there, so do not expect Hogan to turn heel again.

Zema Ion vs. Austin Aries vs. Kid Kash vs. Tony Nese for the TNA X Division Title

The match ended in a no contest.  A very fast paced match that seemed difficult to track.  Austin Aries just continues to do a great job as champion.  Nevertheless, the match also showed how fast paced the X Division really is with all of these bright young talents.

Match Rating: 3/5

Sarita and Rosita vs. ODB and Eric Young for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles

Winners via pin fall, ODB and Eric Young.  Another comedy match to go along with the ODB and Young wedding storyline.  Next please with the show.

Match Rating: 2.5/5

Crimson is backstage watching Matt Morgan's Direct Auto Insurance commercial.  Crimson, who appears to be turning heel, challenges Morgan to a match next week on Impact and brawls with him. Next, we see Dixie Carter talking about Sting's decision and not knowing what to do.

Back from commercials, Jeff Hardy proposes a rematch with Kurt Angle at Lockdown.  We then get a video package of James Storm and Bobby Roode for the TNA title at Lockdown.

James Storm comes to the ring and cuts a promo about becoming the new champion.  He calls out Roode but instead gets a dressed up individual named Mr. Kelly, who identifies himself as Bobby's legal advisor. 

He reads a statement stating that Roode will stay at his house in Toronto until further notice. Storm is given a choice to fight either Christopher Daniels or Kazarian but he elects to take them both on.  Storm finishes the in-ring segment with a Last Call kick to Mr. Kelly.

Kurt Angle is backstage discussing why Hardy should have a rematch with him.  He suddenly finds Garett Bischoff and challenges him to a three-minute match.

Garett Bischoff vs. Kurt Angle in a Three-Minute Match

The match ended in a no contest after Gunner's interference.  Bischoff continues to get a strong push by working a program with Angle but I feel this whole Garett situation is just not working out.

Match Rating: 2/5

Mexican America vs. Samoa Joe and Magnus for the TNA Tag Team Titles

Winners via pin fall, Joe and Magnus.  I am really loving Joe and Magnus as a team.  They work very well together, especially when it comes to technical wrestling.  I enjoyed this match for the reason of Samoa Joe and Magnus.  When the Motor City Machine Guns come back to television, this feud could be extremely exciting.

Match Rating: 3.5/5

James Storm vs. Daniels and Kazarian

Winner via pin fall, James Storm.  Daniels and Kazarian appear to be struggling to operate as a team together.  Storm did not appear to take much of a beating except for punches between Daniels and Kazarian but the story did its job by having James win the match.

Match Rating: 3/5

Sting's music hits and he makes his way to the ring.  Sting calls out Dixie Carter.  Carter is told by Sting that he knows Hulk Hogan has changed and asks her to trust him.  Carter says if Sting believes in Hogan, she will too. 

Hogan comes out to a huge pop from the crowd, as he is showing his emotional side making his way to the ring.  The crowd continues to chant Hogan's name as Impact Wrestling signs off.

PERAGINE'S FINAL THOUGHTS:

The answer of Hogan's decision is to be made for next week.  I feel Hogan returning could give TNA a boost in the ratings departments after weeks of struggle but TNA needs to forget about that and continue to push the young talent to known names in the wrestling business. 

I certainly do not see the company doing what they did in 2010 when Hogan and Bischoff first arrived.  I believe Hogan will serve as General Manager but not take up much television time from the people who need it to grow.

A decent edition of Impact, though I felt it could have been much better.  It did not seem an attractive show to tell others to watch for this viewer.

Overall Impact Wrestling Rating: 2.5/5