Welcome fans and readers, to your latest Impact Wrestling news and results. In an earlier article, TNA was debated and dissected like a science experiment.
https://www.sltdwrestling.com/tna-to-pop-on-pop-tv/
In which, the previous article and this current one is about a discussion and key points TNA still needs to change, and for the fans sake; hopefully they will in the weeks to come. We are now two episodes under the new television company.
Problem number one consists of the writing/creative regime. Nothing personal against the people who write the shows or their efforts behind creating what they feel is best. However, “best” is subjective, and in the world of television- best determines quality by ratings and profit. Realistically, the talent and the matches is a different issue from Creative and storylines. But speaking of which, what storylines are there, except the Matt Hardy and EC3 (Ethan Carter the iii) angle?
The second problem is, this show should’ve started with a bang and had uplift, a “makeover” if you will. However, the set and production looks and feels the same. There are no other or additional stories that people can sink their teeth into. The talent and the effort and sacrifices the wrestlers in the locker room (and anywhere who make a legit living and effort) are not the issue or question. But, on television, it is wrestlers just getting into a ring and wrestling. Where is the depth, and the hook to have casual, mainstream fans appreciate story; and something secondary or outside of the in-ring action?
Production and environment is a issue. Why is TNA still being taped? How can they generate a successful crowd reaction, and reactions to performers in a taped environment, or that can be edited? They need to be a live show and carving out their niche on their given night- and unopposed with no other wrestling competition.
Fourthly are the spoilers and talent raids. This means fans cannot “buy” into or cheer for certain performers if they leave the company. Having only key marquee talent under contract is one thing; but you don’t get “over” by yourself. What other talent will come to TNA and make a (pun intended), Impact? The last and fifth problem with TNA despite the move is a new report that Comcast/Xfinity is changing the packages, and thus availability of the channel to homes who cannot view the show now. Plus, the ratings and live audiences do not reflect a positive change to support the new directions of the company as well.
On the debut episode, January 5th 2016, TNA highlights consisted of the finals pitting Matt Hardy advancing versus Eric Young. Hardy would then face EC3 in the finals of the Title Series tournament, and which Hardy was defeated. Robert Roode in other action defeated Bram as his mystery opponent for the “red belt” which is the former Legends and Television title from 2008-2009 when Booker T initially brought that title to prominence. Problem is, no matter the name or promotion (as it was in GFW, Global Force)- that title has a negative stigma to it, and does not have the proper “propping up” or making someone feel elevated or important by holding this title.
In other highlights from January 5th, we saw “good wrestling” with the newest developments with the Knockouts, which is a little odd. The Beautiful People went against the Dollhouse, who their leader in Taryn Terrell (via a wrestling blogging site reported) through her social media account stating she is no longer with the company. Furthermore, neither is Manik, TJ Perkins in TNA. However, the debuts of Mike Bennett and Maria from Ring of Honor were on this show. James Storm returned back to TNA from his short and under-utilized stint in WWE NXT. Perhaps this is a step backward, and how stable is this company, both financially and creatively? What more can Storm do or accomplish in TNA, since his initial run?
For January 12th 2016 and the second episode had honestly “more of the same”. There was no new depth to its secondary storylines or it’s performers (outside of EC3-Hardy) and save for a vignette for a new debut in Raquel; a new Knockout. The action consisted of Robert Roode reuniting in a Beer Money segment and losing the Global/TV championship to EY, Eric Young. Jeff Hardy also won his opening match on this card as well.
The Dollhouse (again, and “just” wrestling), in a street fight against the Beautiful People. The Wolves with Tigre Uno in the second best match of the night defeated Jesse Godderz, Eli Drake and DJ Z (Zema Ion). How they don’t seem to push Jesse Godderz as a contender for EC3, or in a position, level of a Lashley and Galloway is a mystery. Godderz is a undervalued talent who has the looks, but is missing more of the promo time, and a hook, intangible to get people reacting more to him (outside of his physique).
In a non-televised bouts, Rock star Spud and Grado defeated Aiden O’Shea and Mahabali Shera. However, is Shera a babyface or villain? People cheer him one minute and mimic his Macarena looking dance; and now we team him with a heel? Matt Hardy appeared in the “Huh” talk segment, hosted by a wishy-washy heel Ken Anderson. This show segment was the diet-lite, B-Level equivalent jab at “what”; the catchphrase popularized by fans today, started by Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, the show lent a “hook” for next week’s main event. Will Hardy indeed lose his career versus championship bout versus EC3? In the main event of January 12th episode, Kurt Angle wrestled his first match on Pop TV, other than his segment promo from January 5th. Angle defeated Drew Galloway in the feature bout.
Lastly, in conclusion; this was the reaction and thoughts of the condensed two episodes of TNA on Pop TV. One question remains: How will TNA continue to build it’s under-card and young talent, outside of EC3, the Hardy’s, Angle and Drew Galloway?
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