TNA Impact! The Thoughts

TNA is building up Abyss to be one of pro wrestling's biggest heels, and thus far, it’s been very effective.  Abyss as a heel was the right move for his character and it was a huge reason why TNA Impact! got off to an action packed start.

In the opening segment, Abyss throws a few chairs into the ring and begins to threaten So Cal Val on ringside.  Hulk Hogan, furious over Abyss’s recent actions, makes his way into the ring for a fight.  Eric Bischoff then comes out to tell Hogan to back off.  In a shocking moment I didn’t expect, Bischoff slapped Abyss on the face.  Hogan attempted to change Abyss’s momentum by hitting him with the steel chair.  Abyss turned his attention to Hogan by chocking him before Jeff Hardy interfered. 

This start to the show was eletric. 

MATCH 1: INK INC v MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS

A very entertaining tag team match up, full of action.  The TNA tag team division is full of great talent and one of the company’s strongest points.

RATING: 4 out of 5  (Your winner, Motor City)

MATCH 2: AJ STYLES v SAMOA JOE

Solid match, as I think Samoa Joe should be featured in more shows.  With Styles losing and the feud between Kazarian, Ric Flair’s new student, heats up, could we see AJ turn baby face soon and go against Flair’s Fortune group?

RATING: 3.5 out of 5  (Your winner, Samoa Joe)

MATCH 3: DESMOND WOLFE v BRIAN KENDRICK

Not a very interesting match, as I feel Kendrick should be facing other X Division stars.  That division could use some help at the moment.

RATING: 2.5 out of 5  (Your winner, Brian Kendrick)

MATCH 4: JAY LETHAL v MATT MORGAN

Another sub par match up.  Except for the interference from Hernandez, which allowed Lethal to win, nothing really went on. 

RATING: 2 out of 5  (Your winner, Jay Lethal)

MATCH 5: MADISON RAYNE v TAYLOR WILDE

Wasn’t a talked about match until Tommy Dreamer, along side with Stevie Richards, Raven and the reappearance of Rhino, joined the crowd as fans chanted “ECW.”  I began to think about how, if done correctly, this ECW storyline could catch on big.  The Knockouts Division also needs some attention.
 
RATING: 2.5 out of 5  (Your winner, Madison Rayne)

MATCH 6: ABYSS v JEFF HARDY (with special referee Rob Van Dam)

A pretty good main event that showed Abyss truly becoming a monster force in TNA despite the loss.  There was questions raised with one being with Mr. Anderson, who attacked Abyss but by accident hit Hardy with a steel chair.  Instead of helping Hardy, Anderson just simply looked at Hardy on the ground and had his heel facial expression untill being knocked out by Abyss.

RATING: 3 out of 5  (Your winner, Jeff Hardy)

THOUGHTS

I felt this edition of TNA Impact! was just above average.  The show got off to a rocking start with tons of energy from the crowd when Hogan and Abyss were set to battle in the ring.  The matches were pretty decent.  I felt the second hour of the show was a little weak before the main event.

OVERALL IMPACT RATING: 3 out of 5 (Just above average)

OTHER NOTES ON IMPACT!

Kurt Angle has made it clear that every match counts because one loss on his quest to the championship will result as his last match.  TNA President confronted Sting and said that he is suspended for 30 days without pay. 

QUICK THOUGHTS ON NOTES

I can see Kurt Angle facing whoever is the champion later this year.  Will it be his last match of his career?  If his wrestling career is on the line for the belt, I think many viewers will tune in to see Angle’s potentially final match.  In my opinion, with the situation with Sting, we could see (although it doesn't seem likely) a match against Hulk Hogan down the line.