Thoughts on IMPACT Wrestling: Aired Sep 1st (USA) / Sep 4th (UK) 2011

Photo Courtesy ImpactWrestling.com

What a difference a live crowd makes huh? Credit to the Huntsville crowd who were loud all night. The show, the very impressive set and the crowd moise made TNA look big time. It was also interesting to gauge the crowd reactions for many of the roster in comparison with the IMPACT Zone. By and large the crowd reactions were as desired by creative, with Hogan and Angle getting roundly booed as opposed to the mixture of boo's and cheer's in the IMPACT Zone where some fans let their respect for Kurt Angle's abilities get in the way of booing him, which as a Heel at the moment is what I'm assuming he'd like to be hearing.

TNA IMPACT Wrestling at the San Diego Comic Con

Thoughts on IMPACT Wrestling: August 11th 2011

Photo Courtesy ImpactWrestling.com

With Hardcore Justice in the books, many questions remained unanswered regarding the motives of new TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. This week on IMPACT Wrestling, we found out exactly why Kurt did it and just what's in store for TNA going forward. For my UK & Ireland based readers, this review covers the episode of IMPACT Wrestling that aired in the United States on Thursday but is not set to air on Challenge TV until Tuesday 16th August, so if you wish to avoid any spoilers look away now, otherwise read on!

TNA Spin Cycle with Jeremy Borash, Mickie James, Bully Ray, Scott Steiner and Angelina Love

Thoughts on IMPACT Wrestling: July 26th 2011

Photo Courtesy IMPACTWrestling.com

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT Wrestling:

• Opening promo saw Sting gave his first address following his World Title win, joined by Kurt Angle who promised to win at Hardcore Justice and Bully Ray and Mr. Anderson set-up a tag match between the four for tonight's main event.
• Rob Van Dam d. Scott Steiner via Schoolboy Roll-up, to gain 7 points in the Bound For Glory Series
• Mickie James called out Velvet Sky and offered her a Knockouts Title match on the show. However she reminded Velvet she intends to win it. Winter interrupted to inform that it matters not which one of them wins, they'll be losing to her at Hardcore Justice.
• Tara & Ms. Tessmacher d. Rosita & Sarita to win the Knockouts Tag-Team Titles
• Matt Morgan d. AJ Stlyes, Gunner & Samoa Joe in a Four Way Ladder Match to gain 10 points in the Bound For Glory Series.
• Brian Kendrick d. Alex Shelley via unseen interference from Austin Aries to retain the X-Division Championship.
• Beer Money confronted Mexican America ahead of their Tag-Title bout at Hardcore Justice
• Mickie James vs. Velvet Sky ended in a no contest following an attack by ODB and Jackie who were subsequently arrested and removed from the IMPACT Zone.
• Sting & Kurt Angle d. Mr. Anderson & Bully Ray
• Sting and Kurt shared a tense handshake before Kurt pulled Sting face to face. Sting asked "Did i go too far? Or not far enough?" as the show came to a close.

Kudos to IMPACT Wrestling's Simon Edwards, who put together a stunning opening video to this weeks show, great stuff. We opened this week, predictably with a promo. But it happened to be the Stinger, so I was particularly happy with that. I personally love Sting's new persona. I know there's many out there that can do nothing but cringe at Sting's Heath Ledger-esque Joker impersonation, but I guess it's a result of seeing a guy who's established himself and his character in a particular way, suddenly act very differently than were all used to. But I'm assuming that that's exactly what the creative team at IMPACT Wrestling want! Besides, the commentators and Sting's actions have dropped occasional hints that his "insanity" is nothing more than a scare tactic he's deploying to get to Hulk Hogan.