Wrestling fans have, unfortunately, gotten too used to hearing less-than-satisfying explanations for heel turns and storyline payoffs. Remember the Kevin Nash-C.M. Punk-Triple H texting debacle?

These days, the tired variation on the "you fans don't DESERVE to know why I turned my back on you!" explanation no longer suffices. So when Bully Ray turned heel and joined Aces & Eights to bring full-circle a months-long storyline, many fans began looking back and trying to spot plot-holes that would give TNA away. How TNA covered those perceived holes and how they explained Ray's turn would be key to fans taking to the reveal.

What TNA presented on Thursday night was a five-part video explanation from Ray on his turn, the extent of which has likely never been seen before. TNA did not shy away from explaining Ray's turn, and they did not do the bare minimum to assuage the fans. They went in-depth by showing video flashbacks of nearly the entire Aces & Eights history to mark where and when significant events in the Ray/A&E partnership occurred.

Some people may complain that TNA retconned history with some of the pieces in the package, but even if that's true, I don't have a huge problem with it. I think they did enough to convince fans that this was their plan all along (I'm not saying it wasn't - but there isn't a lot of confidence in wrestling writers at this juncture to stick with a plan all the way through, and not abandon it for another direction).

Ray himself did a convincing job in the promos and after nine months of Aces & Eights, Ray's turn required this sort of intricate storytelling. TNA deserves credit for following through on their end.


Greg Parks has been a columnist for Pro Wrestling Torch since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @gregmparks for live Tweeting during Raw, Impact, and PPVs, as well as other bits of wisdom. Comments, questions and feedback are welcome, and can be sent to g_man9784@yahoo.com.

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