Csonka’s TNA Impact Review 10.06.16

Csonka’s TNA Impact Review 10.06.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Team X-Gold Match: DJZ, Mandrews & Braxton Sutter defeated Marshe Rockett, Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee @ 5:35 via pin [***]
– TNA Knockouts Title Match: Champion Gail Kim defeated Sienna @ 3:05 via pin [**]
– TNA Tag Team Title Wolf Creek Cage Match: Champions The Broken Hardys defeated Decay @ 7:30 [NR]
– TNA Grand Championship Match: Champion Aron Rex defeated Baron Dax @ 0:42 of round two via pin [**]
– TNA World Title Match: Eddie Edwards defeated Lashley @ 7:48 via pin to become the new champion [***½]

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– We get highlights from Bound For Glory.

Lashley Is Still Champion & Is Here To Talk: Lashley says it doesn’t matter who comes out to the ring, because he’s the realest man in the entire business. He’s TNA’s hero and the #1 person in the company because he’s the champion and everyone needs to realize that he’s the best. Impact Grand Champion Aron Rex makes his way to the ring; Lashley gives no fucks and turns his back on him. Rex claims that he changed the game and now that he is the Grand Champion, which makes him the man around here. Lashley, as you would expect, doesn’t give a shit about the new title. Gail Kim then struts on out, says its 2016 and that it’s a level playing field, and she is proud to be the first female hall of famer and Knockouts Champion. She says that the women are changing the business. The Broken Hardy Family then arrive, minus Brother Nero. Matt said that he was change, and that Impact lives in a broken universe. Brother Nero may not be here, but he is always set to delete. So of course DJ Z arrived, and put over all the champions and the X-Division. He then said “Team X Gold” would debut to night. Lashley still doesn’t give a fuck about any of these people and goes to leave because he has to train for his MMA fight. Rock and Roll Billy (with his muscle Aiden O’Shea” arrive. Billy has stopped wearing suits and is wearing something from the Cruella de Vil collection. He says that Lashley will defend his title tonight, and that the other titles will be as well, but not the X-Title. He will allow Lashley to choose his opponent (he gets three choices later tonight) because he is so dominant. This was the old revolving door segment, which while I can appreciate the champions proclaiming why they are so great, the “change” thing felt forced. Don’t tell people you’re changing; just let it happen. Lashley is so great when he doesn’t care about everyone else; he projects the “I am better than you” attitude better than anyone else right now. Solid stuff to open the show.

– What is Team X-Gold?: Team X-Gold will feature trios teams with the rules “strictly enforced.” That’s pretty much all they said. They didn’t say why they are fighting or if there is a goal for them to fight for. Once a team starts, they stay together. Why? They didn’t say.

Team X-Gold Match: DJZ, Mandrews & Braxton Sutter vs. Marshe Rockett, Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee: They worked some fast paced back and forth, with Mandrews scoring with a n early dive. Rockett tagged in and took control right away, as commentary put over his size as compared to the average X-Division guy. Lee got isolated, and they worked the heat for a bit until he flipped out of a German and got the tag to Sutter. He got some run but Rockett cut him off, it didn’t last long as DJ Z tagged in and he ran wild. DJ Z ran off Rockett’s back and hit a dive to the floor, but back in ate a spin kick from Rockett. Everett tagged in and ate boots on the moonsault try, Sutter powerbombed Everett and Mandrews hit the shooting star press for the win DJZ, Mandrews & Braxton Sutter defeated Marshe Rockett, Andrew Everett & Trevor Lee @ 5:35 via pin [***] That was a good but rushed match. The Team X-Gold concept sounds like it may be fun (and should get more X-Division guys on the show), but the seemed to jump into it without a real plan. Right now it’s just a reason to have X-Division six-man tags, which can be fun for sure, but why are we having then? Also, how does this address the overall lack of booking X-Division title feuds? I wish that they had more of an explanation for this other than “here it is.” I hope they don’t have a plan to introduce trios titles, because they do not have the roster depth or creative energy to focus on that. Nice to see Mandrews on Impact and actually winning a match.

– Moose is one of Lashley’s potential opponents. Moose has been waiting for this chance and says the fans want to see this he also says Lashley is afraid to face him.

Eli Drake’s Fact of Life With EC3: Drake has a little talk show set now. Drake says he is bound for gold, and introduces EC3 as his guest. He mocks EC3 for choking at Bound For Glory, and EC3 was not pleased to be there. Every time EC3 tried to talk, Drake hi the dummy button and mocked EC3 even more for his loss. EC3 cut him off and admitted that he lost after a year of training. He won’t make excuses, and says he is angry now and will scorch the earth to get the title. EC3 says Drake should be focused on becoming champion and if he pushes the button again he will end him. He begs Drake to press the button so that he can kick his ass, burn him to the ground and piss on his ashes. Drake then gets in his face and says his issue is that he was the third member of the Rising, behind Galloway and Micah. But now he is bound for gold, he wasn’t meant to be, and all he hears is that he is not in EC3’s league. EC3 was given everything and shot him to the top while Drake has been scraping and cheating to get to the top. Drake then cut the interview. That was a really good segment, with EC3 showing good fire after losing and Drake manning up and not only cutting a good promo, but breaking from his “Rock rip off” formal he often relies on. This felt more real, more like the real Eli Drake and not an over simplified character. He has a valid reason to not like EC3 (he was given it all an failed) and wants to prove himself. The promo work was there, full of great fire and emotion, now they have to deliver in the ring.

– Maria yells at Allie for being honest about he medical clearance. She threatens to sue and fire Allie. Sienna says she will fix her mistake and win the Knockouts title tonight.

– Eddie Edwards is the second possible opponent for Lashley. Edwards says he was “this close” to defeating Lashley and he knows that Lashley thinks he is the easy out and dares Lashley to pick him tonight.

– We get highlights from Gail Kim’s hall of fame induction from Bound For Glory. It was a great segment.

– Madison Rayne is now doing commentary for the Knockouts matches.

TNA Knockouts Title Match: Champion Gail Kim vs. Sienna w/Allie: Sienna attacks Kim before the bell, and they brawl on the floor. Sienna posted her and then took her back into the ring, where she continued to dominate. Kim would get hope spots, but Sienna kept cutting her off. Kim finally countered the Ak47, and hit the neck breaker. Sienna countered a RANA in to a reverse powerbomb. Kim side stepped the silencer and got a troll up for the win. Champion Gail Kim defeated Sienna @ 3:05 via pin [**] The match was perfectly solid for the time that they were given, but much like the X-Division, the women are often shorted on time, which leads to rushed and often (not here) sloppy matches. I think they could have a great match if actually given time, unfortunately what we got was just solid.

– Post match, Sienna and Van Ness beat down Kim as Maria directed traffic. Marisa then announced she would get her rematch in a no DQ match. That will be a completely smoke and mirrors match. She demanded that Allie slap her, she refused so Maria did and then ordered more of a beat down.

– EC3 is Lashley’s third possible opponent. He doesn’t think Lashley will pick him but he wants the shot and says the fight with Lashley is over. He’s ready for a fight.

TNA Tag Team Title Wolf Creek Cage Match: Champions The Broken Hardys vs. Decay: This is six-sides of steel with weapons. Josh Mathews spoke about some Australian serial killer and said that the weapons were his. Sure. Outside of his jacket, Brother Nero is dressed more like traditional Jeff Hardy tonight. Matt sent Reby to the back to protect King Maxell since Rosemary was not at ringside. All four brawled at the bell, Abyss brought in a staple gun but Nero stole it and stapled him in the ass with it. Decay started to take control as they started to use the weapons. Abyss used a trashcan lid and a cane, while Steve tried to rip off Matt’s face with a giant hook. After a few minutes, the Hardys started to slowly fight back and they got to use the weapons as the crowd chanted, “obsolete.” Matt climbed the cage and got a CHAINSAW. It wouldn’t start, and Steve was able to fight back but ran into a side effect. Abyss planted Matt with the chokeslam, but ate the twist of fate by Nero. Nero climbed for a weapon, but Rosemary appeared and then climbed and MISTED him. Reby arrived and slammed Rosemary to the cage and then slammed the cage door in Abyss’ face. My cable feed froze (others had the same issue); the Hardys won. TNA Tag Team Title Wolf Creek Cage Match: Champions The Broken Hardys defeated Decay @ 7:30 [NR] This seemed like a solid weapons brawl overall, but lacked the fire and overall fun of the GREAT WAR. I didn’t expect it to get there in terms of overall quality, but this fell flat.

Cody & Bradi Rhodes Make Their Impact Debut: Cody spoke about being a game changer and that the whole game is changing. He praised Gail Kim for making the TNA Hall of Fame, and said he had never seen anything like the GREAT WAR. He left his “former house” on his own terms, before he was kicked out, and says that his list was his guiding light. At Bound for Glory, he was toe to toe with Mike Bennett. He’s on the list. He makes sure to call Brandi “Brandi Rhodes,” and says that she feels he should have put the TNA Title on his list. TNA is giving him a shot at the title, mush have been a perk of the deal. He wants to be the world champion, and it is an honor and the opportunity of a lifetime. Mike and Maria arrive, and Mike was done listening to this. Mike said that he was interrupting because he was returning the favor “from last night.” Whoops. He then ranted about having to earn a title shot when he came to TNA, while Cody got handed one (I mean, he’s got a point there). Cody attacked, Maria and Brand bailed. Mike escaped Cross Rhodes and that allowed Cody and Brandi to stand tall. The segment was solid. Cody getting a title shot and the feud with the Bennetts doesn’t excite me at all, but maybe I will be surprised. It’s just that I watch this segment and I say to myself, “the delivery was solid, the content was solid, the crowd reaction was solid, but the did nothing to wow me or make me care. I hope they deliver. On a side note, if we get Bully & Velvet and Davey an Angelina back, TNA can start a couples division.

– Post break, Cody announced that he will face Mike Bennett next week.

– Maria goes to talk with Rock and Roll Billy, but Aiden O’Shea cuts her off and calls her toots. O’Shea has a message for her, which was to be better at her job as the leader of the Knockouts. She will get her rematch with Gail, and if she loses, she is no longer the leader of the Knockouts. Aiden O’Shea as muscle for Corgan who doesn’t wrestle is a fine role for him. he needs more old time gangster references though to fully sell me.

TNA Grand Championship Match: Champion Aron Rex vs. Baron Dax: Rex controlled the early portion, but Dax cut him off and hit a trio of neck breakers and that got a near fall. Dax showed some good aggression here, controlling the majority of the round. Rex tried to make a comeback, but Dax stunned him off the ropes and then choked him out in the ropes. Dax laid in ground and pound as the round ended. Round one ends with a score of 30-27 for Dax. Dax went on the attack right away in round two, but Rex caught him with a trip and then locked in the royal arch and Dax tapped. Champion Aron Rex defeated Baron Dax @ 0:42 of round two via pin [**] Solid match overall, with Dax getting a lot of time to shine and honestly showing more here than he had his entire run so far with TNA. It’s not that it was great, but he got to show some aggression and personality instead of being “that dude from the Tribunal,” which was nice. Rex is still just a guy to me, but I liked that they established a secondary finish of him, wrestling needs more of those.

– Rex says he wasn’t expecting that match, but says that’s why the title is an opportunity and why he is changing the game and proving that he’s the best. Come on dude, you just beat the other guy from the Tribunal that never wrestles in singles matches and did nothing to earn a title shot. Yes, “changing the game” is the new buzz phrase.

– Next week Cody will face Mike Bennett.

– Moose, EC3 and Edwards all came out as Lashley was in the ring. Lashley is out and picks Eddie Edwards as his opponent, because he’s the easy choice.

TNA World Title Match: Champion Lashley vs. Eddie Edwards: Lashley tried to spear Edwards right away in a call back to BFG, but Edwards avoided that and started to fire up with strikes. Lashley cut him off with a huge German suplex and then just beat the hell out of him in the ropes. It has been all Lashley after the initial flurry from Edwards, with the champion slowly beating down Edwards in the corners. Edwards finally avoids a charge and hits the boot, goes for a RANA but Lashley plants him with a powerbomb. Lashley tried to ground Edwards, Edwards would fire up but the champion kept cutting off all the hope spots. Lashley slapped Edwards around, but Edwards fired up and started to put some offense together for the first time since the open. Edwards hit the RANA off the ropes for the double down. Edwards connected with a series of clotheslines, but Lashley cut him off and hit the powerslam. He set for the spear, Edwards low bridged him and sent Lashley to the floor. The suicide dive followed, and then a second. Edwards went for a third, but ate the barricade as Lashley sidestepped him. Back in the ring, Lashley celebrated and set for the spear. Lashley charged but Edwards hit the jumping knee strike and won the title! Eddie Edwards defeated Lashley @ 7:48 via pin to become the new champion [***½] Some may complain that the match was too short, but I feel it worked on a few levels. First of all this was a well-done sprint, with great energy from both and they kept the crowd interested. Secondly, when you’re pulling the “surprise title change” the shorter match with the “shocking ending” plays better than trying to pull off an epic long match. Eddie Edwards becomes the unexpected champion for the second time (his ROH title win was also similar to this). As a fan I am very happy for Edwards, but the booking is a bit confusing. On one hand, it plays well as Lashley was over confident and tried to take the easy way out only for it to bite him in the ass. On the other hand, doing the title change right after BFG when you had built EC3 forever feels very odd. I wonder why they made the call to not go with EC3 after all of that build. It really feels as if they are serving their TV master, which I completely understand. We’ll see where it goes, they have a chance to do something fun and Edwards as champions is certainly fresh and a feel good moment for long time fans of his.

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

Tonight was a solid, but flawed episode of Impact Wrestling. The EC3/Eli Drake promo segment and the Eddie Edwards title win were the highlights of the show, and the things that you absolutely have to see.

The Team X-Gold concept may have potential, but the debut felt completely thrown out there with the lack of details regarding the company’s newest toy. I am not declaring it a bust by any means, but I wish that there was ore information so that we could sink out teeth into it.

“Changing the game” is the new buzz phrase, and I absolutely hate it. This episode felt as if TNA was putting a new coat of pain on the show, with the debut of Cody, Drake shining with EC3, a new X-Division concept and Edwards title win. But those things speak for themselves and are noticed and appreciated. Please do not beat us over the head with phrases and buzz words like WWE does.

Finally, and this has bothered me for some time and is something I have previously mentioned, they need to explain better the reasoning for who gets title shots. The Decay I understand, as they are doing the old rematch clause. Sienna I suppose works, but they prior stripped Maria of her power to run the Knockouts. Did she get it back after losing the title? If so that works, but you have to tell us. Baron Dax got a title shot, I shit you not. Why? Give me something, tell me you did a random draw (it worked for Ron Simmons) but give me some reasoning to buy into. Finally, the world title contenders. EC3 lost at BFG, Edwards lost at BFG, the only winner among the three choices was Moose. I get that Lashley got to choose his opponents, but his choices could have been better is the point. I just want some more thought put into the decisions.

The show was a solid post PPV effort, which laid the groundwork for the shows going forward. Now they just have to follow up.