TNA Discussion thread

[Westcoastvibes]

For those of us that have been watching TNA lately it's no surprise that TNA is on a roll. I would like to get thoughts on this and a discussion on what you think TNA has done to achieve their recent rise in quality.

I have noticed a couple things that are apparent right off the back and some subtle things that actually make a big difference.

For the obvious, the 6 sided ring. There was a lot of back and forth debates about if the return of the ring. I can't help but feel like the return of 6 sides was for the better. TNA was struggling trying to be a traditional wrestling company in the shadow of WWE. Going back to the six sides is helping them differentiate themselves from WWE and gives them a unique identity.

Venue's, Getting out of the impact zone in universal studio's was the right choice but going on the road full time was not. TNA has seemed to find a happy medium between the two by staying in the northeast, they don't seem to have an issue with attendance anymore and they actually have fans in the audience instead of tourists who got free tickets just to fill the seats. The crowd atmosphere since going to the NE has been outstanding and it makes the show so much better when the audience is participating and reacting to the product.

Japanese partnership, by making a deal with Muta to use some of his talent TNA has opened the door to a new demographic and brought in some great new talent.

Wrestling style, I don't know if others have caught this but since arriving in NY, TNA has had a very aggressive in ring product. The best description would be a mash up of old school ECW and attitude era wrestling, lots of aggression, blood, big spots and lots of weapons. Occasionally they throw in a gem like roode/ey that is a friendly face/face match as well.


The not so obvious - utilizing their talent and making every story important, this is something that is not a obvious visual difference but it's huge when it comes to the quality.

The camera work, I can't tell you how much I hate WWE's camera work, trying to sell a move by shaking and zooming the camera excessively is idiotic and the bland studio style back stage segments are cringeworthy, TNA has done the opposite and let's the wrestling sell itself. their back stage work is a thing of beauty compared to wwe, little things like muffling the music playing in the arena and mixing it into the pre filmed segments makes them feel like a live show when it's not.

Actually building characters and storyline and following threw with them is something I wish wwe would do as well. If we learned anything about tna from the clair lynch storyline it's that tna will make a valiant attempt to finish a storyline no matter how bad it is.


Anyways, I have dragged this on long enough now. I would like to get others thoughts on the current product and even throw in some ideas that you think might make it better if you want!

[KaiserGlider]

Thoughts on Impact 9/10/14.

I can watch the Hardys, Dudleys, and Wolves wrestle all day. Those matches are so fun, and tonight's Tables match was another good one. Ladder Match next week should be awesome. Hardys winning was the right call. Now if the Wolves win next week, they can make a TLC match for Bound For Glory. Which is what I'd book if I could.

Kinda surprised Lashley vs Roode for the title is happening next week rather than at Bound For Glory. Unless they have an even bigger main event planned for the PPV... But I wouldn't be surprised if BFG ends up being a mediocre card, because right now TNA is just hell bent on getting their ratings up.

I think Sergeant Melendez is gonna tank. The only reason he's there is because of the leg. Other than that, he doesn't seem to be very good in the ring. And I just feel really awkward watching him wrestle. I don't know. Maybe once he gets in a feud with somebody or has a longer match he's gonna show more of his talent. But I don't see him getting very far once the patriotic hype wears off.

The match between The Managerie and the Douchebags was actually really entertaining. Loved the antics of crazy Steve. A lot of energy in this one and in the 6-man tag with Roode and Lashley.

Havok wrecked so much shit tonight.

I wonder what's next for EC3 and Rhino after their Street Fight. Wouldn't be surprised if Rhino ends up leaving TNA soon. Wonder what Spud's up to as well. I hope he reconciles with EC3 because that pairing was absolute fucking gold. Also, EC3's pink pants: best attire for a street fight ever.

James Storm is going full Amos Hess! Kidnapping people, gathering disciples.... next thing you know he'll start quoting the bible.

Quite a stacked show we got lined up for next week.

Roode vs Lashley, TNA World Title
Wolves vs. Hardys vs. Dudleys in a Ladder Match
Samoa Joe vs. Homicide for the X-Division title
Knockouts battle royal

Looking forward to next week for sure. I also plan to watch the NXT show tomorrow night.

[Westcoastvibes]

think Sergeant Melendez is gonna tank. The only reason he's there is because of the leg. Other than that, he doesn't seem to be very good in the ring. And I just feel really awkward watching him wrestle. I don't know. Maybe once he gets in a feud with somebody or has a longer match he's gonna show more of his talent. But I don't see him getting very far once the patriotic hype wears off.

I agree with this, it's a Zach Gowan scenario all over again with a patriotic twist. DJ Z really had to slow down and pick his spots carefully and cautiously. Z was wrestling in an awkward way almost like he didn't know what to do. I am sure the guy works hard and is a decent wrestler besides the obvious deficiency but I don't see him staying long unless he picks things up. I would like to see him use the leg for super kicks but call it the bionic kick, that would make me like him a bit more.

[Twister]

I agree about Melendez, I didn't really enjoy his debut match. But who knows, he's only had one, very short match. I'm willing to give him some time before writing him off completely.

Love Havok, I think she's gonna be great. Looks like she's going to have a feud with Gail, looking forward to seeing their matches.

I really missed spud this week! It would be a real shame for him and EC3 to be done for good as they had great chemistry. Although I wouldn't mind seeing spud in the x-division sometime soon, there's the potential for him to have some great matches. Someone like Tigre Uno would be a great opponent for him.

As for the tag matches between Team 3D, The Hardy's and The Wolves well they are superb. Great spots and all round entertaining, the 3 teams seem to work well with each other, I'll be sad when their series ends.

[KaiserGlider]

The Wolves, Hardys, and 3D just put on a strong contender for match of the year AND THERE'S STILL ONE MORE MATCH TO GO IN THE SERIES

[Westcoastvibes]

The Wolves, Hardys, and 3D just put on a strong contender for match of the year AND THERE'S STILL ONE MORE MATCH TO GO IN THE SERIES

Fuck, I shouldn't have opened this thread before watching the show

[Str8Shooter]

The Wolves, Hardys, and 3D just put on a strong contender for match of the year AND THERE'S STILL ONE MORE MATCH TO GO IN THE SERIES

Just saw that match, it was pretty damn good. Hardy's and Dudleyz are nuts to do some of the stuff they're doing in these matches at their ages and with all the wear and tear.

[KaiserGlider]

Really good match between Lashley and Roode as well. Lashley is fucking legit. I really have no idea who's gonna take the belt off of him.

All in all probably my favorite Impact of the year so far. The two title matches delivered big time.

[War Daddy]

Did Roode get a cramp after he hopped over Lashley?

[VaderBomb]

The six sided ring was, is and always will be 100% stupid. I would never give them any sort of credit for the idea.

[Twister]

The Wolves, Hardys, and 3D just put on a strong contender for match of the year AND THERE'S STILL ONE MORE MATCH TO GO IN THE SERIES

Fuck, I shouldn't have opened this thread before watching the show

I have that problem too, Impact! Doesn't air till Sunday in the uk but I can't help myself

[Westcoastvibes]

Last night was one of the best impacts I have seen in a long time. Real solid show. Even the Melendez match was decent, I see that Melendez is fairly decent at taking bumps now we just have to see if he can give them. The tag match was awesome and I can't believe that the Hardys and 3D are taking spots as big as they are, that last spotted from Jeff was insane and there is no way that didn't hurt bad. Bobby vs Bobby was a great match and Rhode really sold Lashley as a legit bad ass.

[KaiserGlider]

Here is the full ladder match, no commercial breaks.

Watch on youtube.com

[Kirbi]

The ladder match was great, but the title match just had more Bobby Roode - ergo, we have a winner.

Seriously though, it was a great show in general - I was mildly disappointed by the X-Division match (a bit show for X-Division, methinks), but then it had a ending.

The Gunner/Bram match surprised me with how good it was - there was a nice momentum going throughout the match. Even the new guy (the war dude, with the no-leg) was pretty good - and I've always found King entertaining.

All in all -

[Twister]

'Nawww, after this weeks episode I just wanna give Spud a big hug and take him away from that mean nasty EC3

[KaiserGlider]

This is going to go down as my favorite run from any wrestling TV show, ever.

[Westcoastvibes]

This is going to go down as my favorite run from any wrestling TV show, ever.

The spud angle or the tag series? Cause the tag series was fucking awesome and they gave out a main event wrestlemania level match for free last night.

[KaiserGlider]

This is going to go down as my favorite run from any wrestling TV show, ever.

The spud angle or the tag series? Cause the tag series was fucking awesome and they gave out a main event wrestlemania level match for free last night.

Impact in general, from about June until now. The tag series was incredible. Spud and EC3 are awesome. Bobby Roode chasing Lashley for the belt has been really well done. Havoc taking over the Knockouts division has been well done. Samoa Joe is back to being an unstoppable badass in the X-division. Austin Aries is being treated as one of the top babyfaces again. James Storm is knocking it out of the park with his heel stable. Fuck, I could go on. If you ignore the fact that they made Bound For Glory a throwaway show this year (which I pretty much am at this point, cause so what), there's very little to not like.

[Hanley!]

^^ I still have a problem with the lack of stories, because that's how you make people really invest and want to watch the show every week. I've enjoyed the last few episodes of Impact that I've watched, but I still forget to watch it every week, because there's not much ongoing stuff to really invest in.

So I think it's entertaining at the moment for sure, but they have a little work to do if they want to make it compelling.

The only thing I disagree with you on is Samoa Joe. Every match I see of his lately puts me to sleep. I'm not sure if he's just been phoning it in lately or if he's genuinely just lost "it" at this point. Nothing about the guy yells 'star' or even 'badass' to me anymore. Which is a shame, because as recently as a couple of years ago, he was still kicking ass when he put in the effort.

[Twister]

Today my world came crashing down around me. Spud's 'gone' from TNA, they've even removed his profile from the roster page


I'm hoping guessing it's all Kayfabe though, going by tweets from EC3 and what not. He'll be back in a few months.