Welcome to a belated Impact review, Blame my Modem. We had another TV PPV and the card promised some very good matches, bu did it deliver?
Knockouts Battle Royal
This was the best way to build Havok to the Title Match in the time frame they've set out it seems, however I'm worried we're getting too much too quickly when it comes to Jessicka Havok. She's been with the company for 3 episodes and she's already the #1 Contender- and you have to assume she's going to win the Knockouts Title when her and Kim face each other. I would of preferred a slow(ish) build with Havok going over Brittany, Rebel and Madison Rayne- escalating to Taryn and only then going after Gail. This would (in my opinion) of made Havok look like a fully fledged monster- which the Battle Royal also accomplished, but would of filled a lot more TV Time and would of been more effective when Havok does take the belt- as she would be defending some kind of win streak which could of been played up on commentary when Gail hits the "Eat Defeat" and Havok kicks out (which is what I'd do).
The other knockouts played their part, Rebel looks pretty bad- and it looked like she injured he wrist because she couldn't hold onto a rope properly and half belly-flopped onto it.
Thank God for a Womens Battle Royal where they can only go over the Top Rope!
MVP, Kenny King, Chris Melendez Promo
I don't really see why MVP would want to recruit Melendez (even as a slave) so this seemed a very forced way to get the match that followed off the ground. Melendez is an ok talker- but his voice doesn't really sound great for TV, in my opinion its too soft. However King going for the cheap heat making fun of an amputee was an alright way to get the match underway.
Kenny King v Chris Melendez
MVP completely leaving ringside is reinforcing my opinion that we're in line for a King v MVP/Lashley feud soon(ish). I did see something on the dirtsheets which said ***************************SPOILER ALERT**************************************
***************SERIOUSLY IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS SKIP THIS BIT***********
Bobby Roode wins the World Championship in one of the episodes after Bound For Glory, this usually means in wrestling terms a stable is due for an implosion.
**************************ITS SAFE TO COME BACK NOW**************************
Melendez was surprisingly quick, and the finish was well executed. King going after Melendez's prosthetic is an interesting way to go, however the commentators speaking over the events after the match in the way they did took a lot away from the beat down- and is one of my major gripes with retrospective commentary.
Samoa Joe v Homicide- X Division Title Match
On a very stacked Two Hour card this felt like it was very restricted. I understand every match can't be very long and have endless spots- but seeing as they were giving it away for free anyway, they could of had this match in the Impact which is broadcast next week and made in the Main/Semi Main Event. These two always know how to put on a good show, but you know they were capable of so much more.
The beatdown after the match is interesting, as Storm has Two (Primarily) X-Division stars under his tutelage- and you would assume with the added aggression which is being added to "The Great" Sanada and Manik they would both want the X-Division Title, and once Bound for Glory is over and (I Assume) we won't see anymore Japanese Stars coming in to feud with "The Great" Sanada it'll be interesting to see the way they handle these characters, as one of the two could easily get lost in the shuffle.
Team 3D v The Hardys v The Wolves- Triple Threat Tag Team Ladder Match
It was pretty obvious what the outcome was going to be, and they're building to a TLC at Bound for Glory (Bully Rays contract notwithstanding). So I won't talk about the permutations for the finish- rather the journey it took to get there.
Wow. It amazes me that they've given this level of match quality for free on three separate occasions now. Its a great thing for the fans, but on a business level it doesn't really make sense from my viewpoint. This match on its own would of been worth paying for, let alone the card this match had around it.
The highspots were what we expect from these teams, but they also delivered a very good story throughout the match- something which can be lost in these types of matches. The Wolves showed an element of desperation at some times which made for a compelling match, and I would hope (haven't read any spoilers) The Wolves would retain at Bound for Glory which would put over the Team that can carry TNAs Tag Division for years to come.
Gunner v Bram
I think Samuel Shaw will turn with Brittany encouraging him in a Lady MacBeth role. However this story still doesn't make much sense to me. I'm assuming we're building to Shaw against Gunner, however Gunner is being painted as the bad guy getting upset with Shaw after (the way the commentators described it confirms this) he wanted to help him, and with the commentators putting him over as the clumsy babyface it doesn't really lend itself to a heel turn.
I'm hoping Bram is on the precipice of a really long feud with Joe, as their styles would (in my opinion) mesh really well together. That notwithstanding I'd have Bram become a "Hardcore" Babyface and feud with Magnus (remember him).
Bobby Rooooooooooooooooooooo v Lashley
Another great match FOR FREE! I won't go over the Spoiler I mentioned earlier, so will speak about this match for what it was. Lashleys run as World Heavyweight Champion has surprised quite a few people in my opinion- as its actually good. Lashley has always been an athlete than had an outstanding ability, but his lack of charisma was the issue in WWE. This has been rectified with having MVP doing the talking and the sublime ring work of Lashley has made this run one of the best TNA has seen in a long time.
These two's styles worked really well together, and they once again told a great story. Roode kicking out of the spear put over his insane drive to win and conquer Lashley- and Lashley sold very well when needed to and showed his insane athletic ability for a man his size, which is only bettered by Kane and Brock Lesnar in the world of Pro Wrestling. Lashley winning was good in my opinion as Roode didn't really have a long time to build himself- which is vital for whomever takes the belt off of Lashley
Thanks again for reading, feedback is very much appreciated. Once again- Don't blame me for the delay, blame BT.
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