wrestling / Columns
Smart Marks 8.02.14: Destination Unknown
Hello, and welcome to Smart Marks, the place where your author isn’t trying to lecture you, egos are mainly checked at the door, and we simply gather to talk about wrestling. Simple, beautiful, pro wrestling. I thank you for deciding to spend some of your time with me, especially on the weekend! I must be so lucky.
As you may or may not have noticed, there was a special edition of this column earlier in the week, as I took on the TMZ report that TNA was being cancelled by Spike TV. Of course, since then, there’s been other reports that negotiations are still going on, that this isn’t over, etc. etc. One thing I found funny is how many people wanted to tell me that I was jumping the gun, that it wasn’t over. I felt I pretty clearly stated that I knew TNA wasn’t done, but that if the report was true, I wanted to at least pay a little tribute to them the best that I could.
I also liked how the report that TNA was cancelled was “more dirtsheet crap” but the reports that negotiations were ongoing? That’s gospel, man. I know it’s the en vogue thing to just say every single news report is a dirtsheet lie, but really, why even bother reading them? It’s entertaining to me, at the very least.
Regardless, I figured I should emphasize once again that TNA isn’t necessarily dead. They could easily salvage their situation. I’m hoping that they do.
In that vein, this week’s column will be devoted completely to last night’s Destination X program. So, if you haven’t watched Impact yet and don’t want to be spoiled, DON’T READ MUCH MORE OF THIS COLUMN, SADLY. Thank you. Now let’s hit the Marks!
To start, I wanted to talk about the three different triple threat matches that were held. The winners of each triple threat match would then advance to a final match for the X Division Championship, which will be held next week. I guess I should remind you, my readers, that I haven’t read any spoilers, so I’m unaware of all the happenings from the NY tapings.
That said, seeing that the final match has boiled down to Samoa Joe, Sanada, and Low Ki made me a pretty happy guy. I was a little bummed that Homicide lost, as I’ve long considered myself a fan of his work, but I understand that the end goal was getting Joe into the match. That’s not a problem for me, either. I also enjoyed the interactions between Homicide and Joe, especially when juxtaposed with the offense of Tigre Uno, as they attempted to just beat the crap out of each other.
I also really enjoyed the match featuring DJZ, Manik, and Low Ki. Little known fact about me- I’m a gigantic Low Ki mark. From the first time I saw him wrestle, I realized that I think the dude is amazing. His attitude has probably cost him greater glory, but I enjoy watching him perfect his craft, and I appreciate that he takes it so seriously. I could watch him kick and stomp all day, and never check the clock out of boredom. That he walked out of the match with a win was just icing on the cake. As a noted lover of all things Fisherman Buster, the Ki Krusher is always the right way to end a match.
The match with Sanada, Brian Cage, and Crazzy Steve (he’s so crazzy!) was probably the weakest offering of the three, but don’t you dare confuse that with me not enjoying the match. The most impressive thing for me was Brian Cage. When the match started, we were all making fun of Cage, as we could barely recall his Gut Check stint (which he lost to another pet favorite of mine, Jay Bradley). He looked a bit generic, and we figured he wasn’t going to be all that great. Instead, this dude busted out all sorts of awesome power moves, aided by the fact that his opponents were small enough to have them done. By the end of the match, I was pulling for Cage to win, and go on to win the belt, so he could continue some sort of X Division Powerhouse gimmick. I’m sure there are plenty of you out there who didn’t dig him, and that’s fine. He completely won me over, though. Come on, TNA- give Brian Cage some more exposure!
Sanada was the one who walked out victorious, which of course makes sense considering where he’s at in the storylines right now. Will James Storm help him win the belt next week? Will Muta show up and cost him the match? I have no idea, but these are actual questions that arise, whereas having Brian Cage or Crazzy Steve in the mix would have immediately marked them as “not the winner” in a match featuring Samoa Joe and Low Ki.
It’s nice to see the X Division getting some actual play. I know it’s Destination X and that’s the whole point, but for far too long now, the X Title has been treated as a C-Level title, important only when Option C Time rolls around. I’m hoping to see Low Ki win the belt, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s Joe, and the rebuilding of the division continues.
Regardless, the X Division was given plenty of time to shine last night, and every match delivered on that front. It was, in my opinion, a great night for them as a whole.
What did you think of the X Division triple threat matches? Impressed by Brian Cage? Who do you think’s gonna win the X Title (provided you haven’t read spoilers, you son o’ma guns!)? Have your voice heard down in the comments!
I’ve made it no secret here at 411 that I’m not a Davey Richards fan. Never have been, probably never will be. I’m sure that just eats him up inside. Maybe one day he’ll impress me enough to earn a handshake of respect or something. I don’t know. For now, though, I can’t stand the dude.
Two other guys I don’t really care for are Matt and Jeff Hardy. Jeff is a pretty superficial dislike- I’d absolutely mark out if I met him, and I’m not afraid to admit it. Still, outside of 1999 and 2000, I’ve never really been a fan of his. Matt’s lunatic act the last few years really soured me on him, which is too bad. I was a huge fan of V1, and rooted for him as recently as 2008 in his feud with MVP. The TNA stint a few years back, however, didn’t do much. “Cold Blood” just never really got back into my good graces as a fan after that.
All that said, I wasn’t looking forward to the Wolves vs. Hardys match last night. That’s not to say that I thought it would be horrible or anything- I just wasn’t expecting much, and somewhat dreaded a Hardys win. TNA just can’t help themselves with Jeff, and after he lost to Lashley, I figured there was no way he was going to lose two straight championship matches.
First things first- that match was fun as all get-out. I know- plenty of you will hit me with a “Well, duh!” And that’s most likely fair. While Davey’s particular brand of wrestling doesn’t really do it for me, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he’s an incapable wrestler. He doesn’t blow moves, he doesn’t move in slow motion, nothing like that. It’s much more about his presentation of his character that turns me away from Davey. Even the Hardys, one would have to be incredibly jaded to think that they won’t, at the very least, attempt to deliver a solid match.
And that’s what we got. Two athletic teams going at it full bore, delivering a hell of a match. It wasn’t the greatest thing I’ve ever seen by any stretch, but man, I really enjoyed it. Considering my feelings on ¾ of the participants, that’s a pretty impressive run.
On top of that, I think what I appreciated most was how the tag titles were made to feel important. TNA has, with a few bumps here and there, always done a great job with their tag teams. It’s rare to find some thrown together team holding the gold. Sometimes they’ll fall victim to the SUPERTEAMS virus that WWE suffers from, but most of the time, TNA has gone out of their way to form a team, build the team, and then have a team be their champions. Whether AMW, Beer Money, AJ and Tomko, LAX, to teams like The BroMans, The Wolves, or even Gunner and James Storm, tag team wrestling matters in TNA.
Thursday night, we got an excellent display of the art by two masters, and two guys looking to become masters in the not so distant future. I enjoyed it, and I’m surprised by just how much I enjoyed it.
In fact, the only thing I thought was stupid was the bowing and handshakes over the belts when it was over. Hey, sportsmanship is cool, but I know how Davey loves his Respect Handshakes, and I just can’t think of anything dumber than Davey saying to Matt or Jeff Hardy, “Oh yeah, now I respect you.” I’m sorry, but I just can’t shake that aspect of him from my brain.
But even from an ardent hater, I say great job to all four guys. That was a fun, fun match.
What’d you think of the tag team championship match? Bummed for the Hardys? Excited for the Wolves? You know what to do- hit the comments and let me know!
Finally, we got the big TNA Championship match between Lashley and Austin Aries. Would it surprise you to find out that it was yet another entertaining match? I know, it’s a tough concept, Austin Aries delivering in the ring.
What I personally enjoyed was that there were no shenanigans. It’s a definite rarity, but it’s also doing a lot in helping establish Lashley as champion beyond “the look” that I always love to talk about. Since winning the belt, he’s racked up two dominant wins now over Jeff Hardy and Austin Aries. This is nothing to sneeze at, especially in TNA.
Obviously, the other big thing from this was marking the first time the X Champ failed while cashing in on Option C. Will TNA keep Option C around? I hope so. It’s not exactly the starmaker that Money in the Bank can be, but it absolutely helped bump Austin Aries up the ladder two years ago.
I’ve said for a while that Lashley should be the champ, and once he won the belt, I’ve stated that I think he can be the dominant champion that TNA has sorely lacked for nearly its entire existence. That Lashley can get a clean over Austin Aries shows me that TNA thinks the same thing. It’d be ridiculous to have Lashley need help to vanquish someone that he has so many physical advantages with, and so we don’t need MVP distracting Aries, or Kenny King attacking him from behind. It just takes one Aries mistake, and Lashley wins.
And make no mistake, Aries looked great in this match. I didn’t think he could hit the Brainbuster, but he did. I didn’t think he could physically lock in the Last Chancery, but he did. He was right there with Lashley until the very end, but he just didn’t have what it takes to get the victory. A fine match, a fine story, and a good time to end a fun show.
Eventually, TNA is going to have to suck it up and find a face that can actually go toe-to-toe with Lashley, especially after he’s taken out three of their top faces in Eric Young, Hardy, and Aries. Will Joe be that guy? Will it be Bobby Roode? Is there someone we haven’t even considered, ready to go? Time will tell. But until then, I expect to see Lashley’s reign continue without much trouble.
What’d you guys think of Aries vs. Lashley? Is Lashley winning you over as champion? Still trying to pretend that “the look” doesn’t matter? Tell me all about it in the comments!
And that ought to do it for this week. I am looking forward to next week, and seeing if I’m going to have to eat some humble pie in regards to my proclamation weeks ago that Dixie Carter would NEVER go through a table. Honestly, I’m starting to doubt that claim, but I’m not about to back away from it so close to go time. Either way, the rumble with Dixieland taking on The Dudleys and That Tommy Guy should be pretty damn fun.
Destination X: That was awesome!
Until next time, have a great weekend, and remember to enjoy your WWE, your TNA, your Lucha, your Puro, and your Indies.
