TNA Impact Wrestling: Complete Preview, Rumors, News and More for January 23
Impact Wrestling made its Friday night debut on Destination America last week. From the major broadcast changes to the subtle differences, the improvements TNA has made since partnering with a new channel were evident from the very start of the show.
While there have been major fundamental changes for the company, this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling will feature a classic TNA staple: the Feast or Fired match. With 12 stars fighting for four briefcases, three of which hold contracts for title shots and the fourth a pink slip, the action Friday will make for must-watch television.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here is all the vital viewing information for this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
Where: Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom, New York City
When: Friday, January 23
Start Time: 9 p.m. ET
Watch: Destination America
Feast or Fired Madness
For longtime fans of TNA, the Feast or Fired match is always one of the most entertaining bouts of the year because of the storyline implications and memorable moments it has produced. Who could ever forget Curry Man getting fired on two different occasions?
This year, 12 of the top superstars in the company will compete to win one of the four briefcases hanging in the corners of the ring. Three of the briefcases hold a title shot (a world title, an X Division title and a tag team title shot), and one holds a pink slip that results in the superstar who wins it getting fired.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Who is Involved in the Match?
As announced by ImpactWrestling.com, the 12 wrestlers who volunteered to take part in the Feast or Fired match include Austin Aries, Bram, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, DJZ, Crazzy Steve, Magnus, Jessie Godderz, Gunner, Robbie E, Sam Shaw and Rockstar Spud.
What makes this match and its lineup so interesting is the legitimate feeling that anyone could pull out a victory and take home a title shot. There are only a few wrestlers who could feasibly be fired, but with the company hitting the reset button on so many storylines, there are several viable options for each title shot.
Hype Meter: 5 out of 5 Long-Term Storylines
The Feast or Fired match is TNA’s chance to begin some of the biggest angles it will run over the next several months. With the future No. 1 contenders for the world title, X Division title and the tag team titles being decided Friday night, wrestling fans are excited to see what the immediate future holds for the company.
The four most logical winners would be Aries, Bram, Magnus and Rockstar Spud. Aries deserves to be in the world title scene, and this is the fastest way to get him there. Bram could win an X Division shot and fail to cash in successfully, but Magnus would be there to reform their tag team and cash in his tag title briefcase.
That would leave Rockstar Spud as the wrestler who gets fired. With TNA building him as the ultimate underdog, this would just add another layer to his character. Weeks of Spud trying to get his job back would make for enticing television.
TNA News: Impact Wrestling’s Rating for Last Week’s Episode, via Marc Middleton of WrestlingInc.com.
ECIII Goes Crazy, Lashley Wants His Gold and The Revolution on the Loose
One of the few storylines that made its way over from Spike TV is the feud between Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud. ECIII is one of the most talented performers in the company, but he will be squaring off against ring announcer Jeremy Borash this week.
As much as this storyline will continue to build heat on ECIII, this is a star who deserves better. After feuding with the likes of Sting, Kurt Angle and Bully Ray, he should be in the main event scene or at least fighting elite talent.
ECIII is more than a comedy character.
Question on Everybody's Mind: Will Lashley Get His Title Back?
During last week’s episode, The Beat Down Clan called out TNA world heavyweight champion Bobby Lashley for a championship celebration, but Lashley rejected the heel stable's friendship and was decimated as a result.
The BDC’s leader, MVP, took Lashley’s physical championship belt with him as the stable left the ring, raising questions about how Lashley will get it back. TNA is clearly turning the champion face, and thus far, the turn is working to perfection.
How the storyline progresses this week will impact how the fans accept Lashley as their face champion.
Hype Meter: 4 out of 5 Elite Women’s Wrestling Storylines
There are several aspects of the business TNA truly understands better than the WWE, and the Knockouts division is a prime example. With a marquee storyline between Awesome Kong and Havok brewing, fans can be genuinely excited about mainstream women’s wrestling again.
Havok was already one of the top stars in the business and had a great program with Gail Kim, but she needed something more. That something more came in the form of the returning Awesome Kong. The resulting staredowns and eventual matches should be featured as co-main events at TNA pay-per-views.
TNA Rumors: Creative Plans for the Knockouts Division, per PWInsider Elite via WrestlingInc.com.
For more wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics or catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
