Booking Review for TNA Impact 09-16-10

Chris Wilson here guys, been gone for a while due to the move back to California. Now I had been watching wrestling throughout the move, just could not find time to write about it. So my first booking review in almost a month begins here at the 09/16/10 Impact. As most may know there was no TNA Impact last week(I thought it was largely due to the Saints/Vikings game). TNA....even from a booking stand point should have known that the ever so “venomous” IWC would be wide-awake at work on spoilers. And they just came off of a pay-per-view so I don’t see why they could have just shown Impact anyway. Well enough about there being no show last week; by my booking review, you might be able to understand what I’m getting at. If you don’t remember how I rate here it is for you:


I'm rating from 1 to 5, 1 being boring , 2 being lackluster, 3 being average, 4 entertaining, and 5 being must watch.










(Angle/Hardy/Bischoff/ Dixie Carter Segment)

Alrighty, Mike Tenay and Taz welcome us to the show, and you can see Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle are already standing in the ring.(I’m actually starting to dislike the show starting off this way, it seems rushed) Eric Bischoff and Miss Tessmacher come out. Bischoff congratulated Mr. Anderson for advancing . Eric congratulated both Angle and Hardy for their match at No Surrender. Bischoff said we would have a new TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Bound for Glory. Bischoff booked Anderson vs. Angle vs. Hardy in a three way dance.Dixie Carter came out to the stage and gave props to Angle and Hardy. Dixie then overturned Bischoff’s decision and booked Angle vs. Hardy with no time limit and the winner going onto Bound for Glory to face Mr. Anderson for the title. Interesting that Dixie come out and overrides Bischoff’s decision, that might have been a shot at the IWC and alot of others that thought Hogan overriding Dixie’s suspension of Ric Flair was stupid. It’s funny that TNA spent time putting over two guys WHO ARE ALREADY OVER. Decent segment, good to hear the BFG main event wasn’t a triple threat YET. I give the booking of this segment a 3 out of 5.

(Pope Backstage)

The Pope said he wanted to talk to Bischoff. He exchanged greetings with Kevin Nash and Sting along the way. Hmmm wonder what this is about, looks like the new WolfPac needs a third man. We will see where this goes in the coming weeks. Pope backstage segment gets a 3 out of 5.

(Tommy Dreamer getting gas)



Tommy Dreamer was getting gas when approached by a cameraman, who asked him where EV2.0 goes from here. Dreamer said they might just go home. Another thing I’ve noticed, these You-Tube style segments, I have kind of coined it as a Real-TV style. Although I’m a fan of Real-TV i’m not interested in seeing Tommy Dreamer get gas. This stuff honestly needs to be on ReAction or something. I give this a 1 out of 5.


(Samoa Joe (with Jeff Jarrett) vs. Kevin Nash (with Sting)

Joe overcame some early offense by Nash with a series of kicks. Things spilled to the floor. Sting and Joe paired off, as did Jarrett and Nash. The referee reached the count of ten but the brawl continued.The brawl continued and security tried, but pretty much failed, to break it up. Interesting booking here, It seems that Kevin Nash and Sting are the key to what I’m now calling the “Deception” storyline. The match seems un-entertaining on paper, but once they get to the brawl I start to see something. It seems like Jeff Jarrett is just using Samoa Joe as a soldier, you know because Nash and Sting know something that we all don’t know. I give the booking of this match a 3 out of 5.

(Lacey Von Erich/ Madison Rayne/Tara Backstage Segment)

Lacey Von Erich was in a towel backstage. Madison Rayne and Tara approached her, saying they (Madison and Lacey) had a tag team title shot tonight. Lacey said she wasn’t sure if she was going with Velvet or Madison. They told her not to hurt herself by thinking. Are we going to see the completing the reformation of the BP’s? When did Madison Rayne and Lacey qualify for a Knockouts Tag-Title Match? And speaking of the Knockouts Tag Team Champions(Taylor Wilde and Hamada), been anyway? All this(not all of it) will be answered later. But I give the booking of this segment a 3 out of 5.

(Kevin Nash and Sting Backstage Segment)

Nash and Sting said Jarrett and Joe would not even make it to “10-10-10.” Sting said the gloves were off and he was having fun now. I don’t know why but I can’t wait until we find out what is going on with these two. And what’s REALLY going on in TNA. I give this segment a 3 out of 5.

(Jay Lethal vs Douglas Williams(c) (X-Division Title Match)

Williams outwrestled Lethal early on and scored several two counts. Williams continued to school Lethal, working on the lower back.Williams went to the top rope, but Lethal countered with a dropkick. Williams came back and tried the rolling chaos, but Lethal countered with the lethal combination for a nearfall. Jay missed the Randy Savage elbow from the top. He was able to come back and hit the lethal injection for the win…Okay I don’t watch Xplosion so I had no idea where this match came from. I’m just going to assume that Williams dropped the belt to become more involved in the EV2.0/Fortune feud at BFG. Okay booking here, but another case of TNA not building up title matches credibly. I’ll give the booking of this match a 3 out of 5.
Lethal celebrated with confetti and in the crowd with the fans. I found this to be overkill.

(Abyss Backstage)

Abyss was backstage breathing really hard and loudly. He was also dragging someone around. Who was it???? I give this a 4 out of 5. I will tell you why later

(Kurt Angle Backstage Promo)

Angle cut a promo backstage saying Hardy was a great wrestler, but he was not a champion. Kurt is the champion. He is the best. He is TNA. He will win the World Heavyweight Championship at Bound for Glory. That is real. It is damn real. Angle is definitely one of the greatest ever, I like Hardy....but from a bookers standpoint everything Angle said is true. I give this promo a 4 out of 5.

(Taylor & Hamada(c) vs Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich)(Knockouts Tag Titles)

Madison Rayne, Tara, and Lacey Von Erich made their entrance. Tara slapped Madison on the ass and then they kissed. Tenay and Taz were quite pleased with that.elbow more effective.Taz talked about the primal screams of Madison and asked what it must be like to wake up next to her in the morning. He then took Lacey to task for not selling a jawbreaker. “You could see that was not going to work… For Lacey.” Lacey was promptly pinned.Madison jumped into the ring and screamed her head off at Lacey. Lacey pushed Madison down and received a beat down for her troubles. Velvet Sky and Angelina Love made the save. Lacey hugged Velvet as the heels took off. Decent match by and by, I knew Lacey would get pinned and Madison would turn on her. Looks like the Beautiful People has become full-fledged faces. Good to see Taylor Wilde and Hamada back and defending the belts. Good booking. a 3 out of 5.

(Jeff Hardy Backstage Promo)

Jeff Hardy said he was happy when it was a three way, but will do what he has to do to beat Angle tonight to move onto Bound for Glory. I was surprised by that since Angle didn’t look happy at the pay-per-view or on Impact about there not being a winner or the possibility of a three way dance. I give this promo a 3 out of 5.

(Tommy Dreamer/ Fourtune/ Brian Kendrick segment)(Warning really long as it was on TV)


Tommy Dreamer came out to the ring in a suit as footage of A.J. Styles sticking a fork in his eye at No Surrender. He said he was alone without EV2.0 and asked Fortune to come to the ring. All of them, except for Williams, came to the ring. Dreamer said he was sick of his friends being hurt and was calling a truce. “This is over.” Dreamer called Fortune the future of TNA, but he was just looking for a place to call home. He put over America’s Most Wanted and Beer Money. He said James Storm had more talent in one finger than Sandman did, and Sandman was one of his best friend. He continued to compare TNA to ECW when talking to Kazarian. He said he got Kaz a job in WWE, but Kaz left because he wasn’t happy. Dreamer said Kazarian would not have had a career or met his wife had he not come back to TNA.

He said Matt Morgan was supposed to be the next Undertaker or Kane in WWE. Now, the next big guy in WWE will be called “the next Matt Morgan.” He said he offered Robert Roode a contract in the WWE, but Roode turned it down to stay in TNA. Roode is truly a mixture of Curt Hennig and Rick Rude.He moved onto to Flair and began to tear up. He said “thank you” to Flair. He said Flair wasn’t into hardcore wrestling, but he was the most hardcore of all wrestlers. He called Flair the dirtiest player in the business but corrected himself and said Flair was the business. He said when Flair called it quits, it would be the saddest day.Dreamer said Styles made Dreamer say something he had never said before, because he was the best in ring performer in the business today. He wanted to shake A.J.’s hand. Styles asked for the mic instead. He said it was commendable for Dreamer to come out and say the things he said about Fortune.

Styles called Dreamer “all heart.” The crowd agreed and chanted for Dreamer. He put over ECW without mentioning it by name. He said Dreamer never asked for respect but always seemed to get it. Styles then shook Dreamer’s hand and said Dreamer earned his respect.Styles reminded Dreamer he was the only one to make him say “I quit.” He then said he did not need Dreamer’s respect or praise. He then attacked Dreamer. The rest of Fortune did not want to attack Dreamer, but they did when A.J. yelled at them to.Brian Kendrick came out to protect Dreamer, but he took a beating as well. He was disposed of to the floor and Styles continued the attack on Dreamer. Security came down but did not want to enter the ring. Styles then said Dreamer had his truce.Kendrick took the mic and challenged one member of Fortune to fight him right now. This segment was so long, I had no idea what Brian Kendrick was saying and Dreamer constantly mentioned the WWE and ECW. But he did a good job of putting Fourtune over, that’s all that matters.... a 4 out of 5.

(Matt Morgan vs. Brian Kendrick)

Back from the commercial, The match was already in progress. Morgan wrestled in his suit. Yes, that is a purple shirt. Morgan destroyed Kendrick and got cocky. He turned his back and Kendrick hit a kick for the surprise win. Afterward, Morgan said he wasn’t ready and wrestled in a $7,500 suit. He said he wanted the loss removed from the record books. He kept saying, “Kendrick.” He then put his head in his hands. I like the Fourtune/EV2.0 feud, but Brian Kendrick really?? I definitely dub this bad booking and having Morgan lose is even worse. I give the booking of this match a 1 out of 5.

(Pope Backstage 2)

Backstage, Pope finally made it Bischoff’s office. What, did he stop and take a nap on the way there? Bischoff wasn’t there but Miss Tessmacher was. True to form, Pope sexually harassed her.
Looks like the Pope’s going to turn heel again. I’m all for it.... a 3 out of 5.

(Abyss Backstage 2)

Abyss had two people hanging around in what looked like a dungeon. He had Janice, and introduced Bob, a branding iron with “10-10-10.” He branded one of the two guys. Oh god another weapon made by Abyss....hes gone totally monster heel for sure. For Abyss’s sake “THEY” better be someone meaningful.....I give the booking of this segment a 3 out of 5.

(Rob Van Dam Speaks Segment)

Tenay and Taz interviewed Rob Van Dam on the phone. RVD said he would be back and better than ever.RVD said he still considered himself the World Champion as did the fans of the “TNA Universe.” RVD said he would be in the Impact Zone next week. Umm.... so now RVD is going to be back before BFG....booooooo!!!!! a 3 out of 5.

(Generation ME Promo)

Generation Me came to the ring. They put over how they put Alex Shelley out of action. They were not there to pay dues. They called out Chris Sabin to hand over the TNA Tag Team Championships. Sabin beat the crap out of G-Me, but the two on one advantage was too much. They double DDTed Sabin while he was hanging from the top rope. Sabin held his neck. I’ve got to say Gen ME are pretty bad heels, they just aren’t edgy enough. Just because you attack people every week doesn’t make you a good heel....Those to are terrible on the mic. I give this promo a 2 out of 5.

(Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Hardy/ Post Match Segment)

Slow pacing early on. Hardy had half of his face painted earlier in the show and all of it now. Taz said, “You don’t want Kurt Angle behind you because he will suplex the crap out of you.” Hardy’s focus was the right shoulder of Angle. He slammed it into the ring post. Angle also had dislocated ribs from the PPV. Angle whipped Hardy to the floor and then hit a slingshot high cross body. Mr. Anderson came out and headed to the announce table. Huge double closeline immediately coming back from the break. Angle scored a nearfall with an overhead belly to belly suplex. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate (sort of) for a two count. Angle came back and hit what can only be described as a moonsault high cross body for a two count.


Angle applied the ankle lock. Hardy missed a mule kick but ended up spinning onto his back to kick out of it.Hardy went for the Twist of Fate and it looked like Angle got his knees up, but Hardy still covered him for a two count. Hardy hit the Whisper in the Wind on the referee.
Angle hit an Angle slam and another referee counted to two. He hit a second one and Hardy kicked out again. The show went off the air, but picked up immediately on Reaction, which starts right now…Hardy scored a long two count with the delayed dropkick in the corner. Hardy beat on Angle on the floor for awhile. Angle got it back in the ring and hit many German suplexes. Hardy kicked out. Angle tried and missed a frog splash.Angle applied an ankle lock. We now have two referees. They locked in dueling ankle locks and laid on their backs. Both referees counted to three.Eric Bischoff headed out to the ring as Dixie Carter looked on from her ringside seat.

After a commercial, Bischoff and Dixie spoke at ringside. Eric took the mic in the center of the ring. He said neither man had anything more to prove. He booked Anderson vs. Angle vs. Hardy again. The match is set. Angle and Hardy hugged to end the show.. Okay the ending was pretty interesting, glad they found a way besides a double countout to have it end in a draw. Only problem that I have with the results is that the tournament that they hyped up seems useless now. Good booking...on another exciting match a 4 out of 5.
A decent Impact, for some reason I feel like TNA is rushing alot of things. We will see where all these Angles take us on the way to Bound For Glory.