TNA Impact! Wrestling (6/23) Review and Thoughts

Last week was one of the best delivered Impact! Wrestling shows in 2011, maybe the best since re-branding itself.  It also scored a very good 1.25 rating for TNA with 1.75 million viewers.  Did TNA deliver on another good show this week?

We open the June 23rd edition of Impact! Wrestling with a video package recapping last week's show. Eric Bischoff and Jeff Jarrett are backstage talking about Mexico.  Bischoff sweet talks Jarrett into going to Mexico to grow Immortal's base.  

Bischoff enters the ring to call out Sting.  Sting appears in a different face paint similar to a Joker character.  Eric asks Sting what he wants from him.  Sting responds by telling Bischoff he's a con artists, a lowlife, loser and many more, including mentioning that he is a disease and that Hulk Hogan will realize it sooner or later.  

Bischoff answers back by booking him in a match with Abyss later on Impact! Wrestling.  Sting attacks Bischoff and face paints his face red, like he did to Hulk Hogan last week.  He isn't done yet.  Sting gives Bischoff a Scorpion Death Lock as we quickly cut to commercial.

We get a quick Bound For Glory series update with video of the past week TNA Live! events.

Scott Steiner versus Bully Ray

Your winner, Bully Ray.  Two very good trash talkers, slower paced match and was just fine with Bully Ray coming away with the win.  It was a better opening match this week.

Match Rating: 3/5

Backstage, Bischoff is telling Abyss and Gunner to take out Sting.  Mr. Anderson appears and Bischoff, who is ranting about how he helped Anderson win the title, asks him to think about joining Immortal.  

Miss Tessmacher and Velvet Sky versus ODB and Jackie

Your winners, ODB and Jackie.  Good Knockouts match.  Lots of action both in and out of the ring. Miss Tessmacher continues to get better each week.

Match Rating: 3.5/5

We cut to backstage with Steiner attempting to whip Bully Ray, Gunner and Abyss with a chain.  Bully Ray tells Steiner to calm down and offers him a spot with Immortal.  Steiner says he will think about it.

Crimson and Matt Morgan versus Beer Money

Your winners, Crimson and Morgan.  Always a solid tag match when featuring a team like Beer Money. Crimson and Morgan looked pretty good as a tag team together.  I also liked the feature of power (Crimson and Morgan) versus technical wrestling (James Storm and Bobby Roode).

Match Rating: 4/5

AJ Styles comes to the ring and begins to hype the X-Division themed Destination X.  Styles announces he's coming back to the X-Division and the return of the six-sided ring.  Samoa Joe interrupts and talks about how he put the X-Division on the map.  He proposes him and Styles in a match.  However, Christopher Daniels comes out and proposes Styles and Daniels.  Styles agrees and both leave the ring.  Joe is furious.  

Darson versus Palacios versus Ion--Qualifying Contract Match

Your winner, Ion.  Another week of very good wrestling representing the X-Division.  Ion was impressive and fun to watch.  Overall, fast-moving match with lots of enjoyable action.  On a side note, I think the idea of allowing independent stars compete on Impact! Wrestling is a great idea by TNA. The younger stars are getting the opportunity, especially within the X-Division.

Match Rating: 4.5/5

Backstage, Rob Van Dam meets a surprise return by Jerry Lynn.  It appears to be a teaser for a match at Destination X.  

Mickie James versus Winter

 Your winner, Winter.  It it was longer, this was on the verge of a very good, physical match.  I like how they started backstage and moved to the ring.  Too short, in my opinion, but was good during its run.

Match Rating: 3/5

Abyss versus Sting

 Your winner, Abyss via DQ.  Good finish to Impact! Wrestling.  Sting's character is something very different than his past years with WCW.  It's a different and more viscous Sting.  Better main event than I expected.  Mr. Anderson was featured showing concern after Sting kept punching Abyss to the head with a barbed wire around his gloved hand.

Match Rating: 3/5

Overall Show Rating: 4/5

Overall Grade: B+

Peragine's Thoughts

 Another enjoyable week of Impact! Wrestling.  TNA is in the right direction.  All the matches were fine, there was more wrestling.  Most importantly, each match had a purpose.  The Bound For Glory series is moving along nicely, the X-Division matches have been very good with a new line of wrestlers and the hype that TNA is putting into the Destination X pay-per-view has been solid.

TNA got a well deserved 1.25 rating last week.  Let's see once the numbers arrive if TNA has able to build up its audience this week.  Overall, another good, fun, solid show from Impact! Wrestling.