TNA Impact 7/6/12: What Worked and What Didn't

Another Impact has come and gone and this week's go-home show for Slammiversary was light on wrestling and heavy on build (as was expected).

We got to see AJ get decked, Bully Ray spit on people and we played the game of "how orange is Brooke Hogan going to get?" Personally, I think she will be neon by year's end.

If you didn't read last week, I will explain what this slideshow is. It's a very simple idea: I list off what worked and what didn't on Impact and throw in some notes I took during the show as well. Easy to understand.

On a completely unrelated topic, I have an idea for a drinking game: Take a shot every time a Hogan appears on screen (opening video is counted as one). By my count, you should have had at least eight in two hours, enough to get anyone buzzed.

What Worked

Dixie Carter's rampage—The footage of Dixie from last week was great, and she was perfectly in character. I loved this.

The opening segment besides Dixie—Despite Dixie's terrible promo, I really liked the opening segment. Daniels really saved the promo and Serge punching AJ Styles of his feet and leaving without Dixie was fantastic.

Hogan/Roode/Sting segment—Great segment and although I don't like Sting being the No. 1 contender, I have to say this really got me in the mood for Slammiversary. Hogan and Roode have very quietly developed some great chemistry. Robert Roode is so good it's scary.

Knockouts 4-way match—Despite the best efforts of the overrated Tessmacher and Velvet Sky, I honestly liked this match, as the heel turn of Mickie is what really swayed me. Gail Kim on commentary helped.

Hogan on the phone with AJ backstage—It was around 10 seconds long, but the fact that Hogan took the hard line and called AJ an S.O.B. really adds to the whole neutral thing he's going for.

Bully Ray/Joseph Park segment—Bully Ray draws heat so well it's scary; he is the best heel in pro wrestling right now and carried the segment. I like Joseph Park, but everything about him—the sweating, the look, the stammering, the accent—all scream "heel" to me. I really hope they pull this match off at Slammiversary.

Joey Ryan backstage last week—Ryan did this fantastically. This could really be all a work, but if it is, it's a good one.

Main Event—It was short, but that's to be expected on a go-home show. Every man did great work in the ring, and the absence of AJ (even briefly) helped move his own little story on a bit further. Sting beating Roode twice in two weeks all but assures Roode with win at the PPV, but nothing is certain.

What Didn't

Dixie's opening promo—Dixie isn't strong on the mic at the best of times, but what about when she is also trying to act distraught and confused? That was brutal to watch.

Crimson vs. Aries—The match was too short, and the ending was terrible. I don't care if there was interference from Joe; this was wrong. The only upside was there will be Joe vs. Aries at Slammiversary. The promo afterward wasn't great either.

Brooke Hogan—Nothing needs to be said here.

Brooke Tessmacher gets another title shot—But Sarita and Angelina Love can't get any form of TV time? Complete garbage.

Devon vs. Robbie E—It was short, dull and didn't feature anything new. The addition of Garrett does nothing for me (and anyone else I know) and is going to lead to a stupid match at Slammiversary. Can we please get someone else to challenge for the TV title?

Hulk Hogan's second in-ring segment—Hulk did everything he could to save this segment, but at the end of the day, it was just too much talking on Impact. Hell, even his voice was giving out on him. Nothing here that couldn't have been announced after Sting kicked Bobby Roode out of the ring.

Final Thoughts

—Dixie opening the show killed any excitement the crowd had; TNA can't open the show with her anymore.

—Serge has one hell of a right hook.

—Is it just me, or did Roode, Kaz and Daniels look like a bad-ass faction in the promo shot for the main event?

—Crimson's shirt looks great; I want one.

—Brooke Hogan was so orange she may as well have been an oompa loompa. Her voice is rather irritating as well.

—Montgomery Gentry chooses TNA's resident hooker (Velvet Sky) over Hardcore Country (Mickie James)? That can only mean one thing: MICKIE JAMES HEEL TURN! MICKIE JAMES HEEL TURN! MICKIE JAMES HEEL TURN!

—Gotta hand it to Hulk Hogan, people still really love him.

—I don't like when wrestlers "no sell" moves at the best of times, but a 55-year-old man no-selling the champ? That's just annoying.

—Velvet Sky was wearing a thong! When Tara was giving Velvet shoulder charges in the corner, we see Velvet's idea of proper ring attire.

—The opening segment is really getting shoved down our throats.

—Hulk Hogan twice? Holy crap that's stupid.

—Jeff Hardy IS WEARING A TIE!

—If ever a faction needed to be made, it's Kaz/Daniels and Bobby Roode. Honestly, they already look the part and now they just need a name (Selfish Generation, anyone?).