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TNA Impact Reax #2: "I'm tired of non-stop talking. This isn't a Broadway play; it's professional wrestling and the best stories are told in the ring" Nov 6, 2009 - 2:10:11 PM
Mathew Jonston of Jacksonville, Fla. (2.0): Best Match: Styles vs. Daniels. Worst Match: Dixie Carter addressing the troops. What was this? This Impact had me scratching my head and wondering, "What is Russo thinking?" I didn't think Impact could get any worse. Yet, they showed me that, yes, it can get worse. To me, the Dixie Carter meeting destroyed the illusion of WRESTLING STARS. They all looked like little boys being scolded by the homeroom teacher. Not only did it make the wrestlers look like wimps, but it also made Dixie Carter out to be a bossy female who wants things her way because she's the owner's daughter. And these are the guys that TNA wants me to shell out $30 bucks to see on PPV? Dixie Carter came off very badly in this segment. Stephanie McMahon she's not. She acted as though she had everybody in the world tell her how to run a wrestling company, but judging from Impact last night, she needs somebody to tell her what to do because she's not getting it. Russo has brought TNA to its knees. Abyss needs to turn in his wrestling uniform because he's dead. His stupid little boy antics aren't funny nor does it make me want to see him every again on my TV. Foley should be ditzy because he turns every other week. What is he now, good guy/bad guy/tweener? Desmond Wolfe is going backwards too. The first week he was on Impact, he was red-hot and now he's not even warm. Russo has killed every bit of momentum Wolfe had. What happened to the Morgan push? What happened to the Hernandez push? Homicide gets killed not once but twice back to back? Is Russo on crack? The only segment worth watching was Daniels-Styles. Other than that, this show was garbage. Everything TNA does now is one step forward two steps back and I think the rating will go back to where they were. The clock is ticking for Russo's departure and for me, it can't tick fast enough. Bad show. Bad writing. Bad execution. Even the Knockouts are bad now.
Forrest Mahaffey of Des Moines, Iowa: Well, it'll be interesting to see the ratings after this Impact. However, the show is still a disappointment. They have two hours and they waste it on fluff. I'm tired of seeing the first 30 minutes go by and everyone involved has their own microphone in their hand. The actual wrestling is extremely limited and watered down. I did really enjoy the opening segment with Dixie Carter. It showed the heart of TNA unlike anything seen in professional wrestling before. It also felt like any meeting that I've been to in my office. It was nice to see her acknowledge the fears and weigh them against the possible gain. It shows that she does understand how to run a wrestling company and to me, that is really encouraging for the business of professional wrestling as a whole. That being said, I think TNA would be wise to go back and look at two things before booking and promoting anymore of the microphone-in-hand segments that eat up the show. First of all, I would have Vince Russo watch the South Park episode titled "W.T.F." They really captured what is wrong with professional wrestling these days and exploited it to the hilarious hilt. Second, take a look at WCW as they started to take over the ratings back in 1998, but realize it wasn't just the big surprise names that drove the ratings up; it was the actual wrestling action going on. Even Goldberg stated on the "Rise and Fall of WCW" DVD that those were the matches that he would get excited to see. So if Hogan is seriously in this to help the business, then teach the boys how to work a match on the fly. Also, make sure that wrestling action is brought back to the forefront. I'm not saying that they need to give away huge match-ups for free on TV, but for Godsake, let a match go beyond the five-minute mark. You have TWO hours to fill. We're getting tired of listening to characters. This isn't a Broadway play; it's professional wrestling and the best stories are told in the ring. Again, this is the only way that TNA can be different; be the alternative to the WWE. I hope Hogan, Bischoff, and whoever else can help Dixie Carter grow TNA into must-see programming, especially for the fans.
We welcome your 0-10 score and comments on this show for a "TNA TV Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on Impact, click here.
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