There was to be an Ultimate X Match to decide the new X Division Champion on this weeks Impact, so unless the company imploded before the show started, there was at least going to be one thing worth watching this week. Hallelujah.
Really though, there was every reason to be optimistic judging on the standard of most of the wrestling during last weeks Destination X, and as long as there wasnt too much focus put on the MEM/Aces and Eights feud, this would likely be a decent Impact....
Luckily for us, we don't really get our hopes up too high for Impact these days, and our optimistic expectations are shot to pieces almost instantly as the MEM emerge for promo'in! I dont want to sound like a know it all, but this angle has been worked so poorly in my eyes. Such awkward aimless promos and needless involvement in matches from both stables, its sad because it really could have been a solid Stable vs Stable feud if they kept it simple, and didn't shoehorn Rampage Jackson into it. Sting and Angle get on the mic. Angle looks a shadow of his once great self, a sign that he really doesent buy in to any of this personally, but he's a soldier so he does his job. Sting sounds a bit better, but he fails to sell the "one of my greatest nights in wrestling!" line when referring to Sabin winning the belt last week. They call Sabin out to congratulate him and its all rather nice, so who else but the "veryy very very bad man" of Impact Bully Ray, to come out an spoil the party. He assures Sabin that if he doesn't give up the belt, this lawyer will sue him and TNA, but the problem with the lawyer is, he looks like Fred Willard on crack. Sabin considers the proposal and decided to get back to Bully later. ON WITH THE WRASSLIN.
Sonjay Dutt vs Greg Marscuilo vs Manik
This was just a feast for the senses. I love a good Ultimate X match and this was a fantastic exhibition for high octane wrestling. Sonjay is an artist, and could probably 'rana a grizzly bear if he wanted to, he doesn't though, he just hits Manik and Marscuilo with a few. The match wears on in a particularly up tempto fashion, before Dutt and Marscuilo battle on top of the Ultimate X frame, only for Manik to swoop in for the win.
Hernandez vs Mr Anderson
I'll leave out the Hernandez hatred this week. Aside from saying this match bored me to tears, but at least it was short. Anderson ducks the cross body before hitting the mic check for the win.
Dixie Carter says some words. Then a funny promo between Joseph Park and Eric Young. Young shows him footage of his "abyss turn" and he has no recollection of it. Young is hilarious as always, why he isnt on Impact every week is beyond me.
Mickie James vs Gail Kim
Perhaps the two worst utlised performers in WWE over the past 10 years. This is where the deserve to be. The best match on the card regardless of gender. For some daft reason Gail Kim slaps ODB, and Mickie rolls her up for the win. Dissapointing end to a decent encounter. Then Brooke Hogan comes out and everyones soul cries.
Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe
Great match. Superb pace to it, and you'll never go wrong when you put two of the best wrestlers in the company/business in a match together. After the Ken Anderson distraction, it took two BMEs to put Joe away, giving Daniels 7 vital BFG points.
AJ Styles vs Jeff Hardy
This was fine. I struggle to get behind any of Hardys work since he thought it was ok to stroll down the aisle drunk at a PPV, but this match was his best work since I started watching TNA again. These two have some great chmeistry. Styles picks up the win via submission with the calf killer, which is huge for the BFG series as it gives him 10 points.
This is another pet hate of mine. Finishing a show with a promo, unless its hugely important to the story or its immediately following a match is a big no-no for me. This was good enough to get a pass though. Bully is great on the mic, and carries it well, actually making me laugh in the process. Its a shame Sabin isnt better on the mic because undoubtedly he is one of the best in the world as a wrestler. Then Hogan appears and much like his daughter, he leads everyones soul into the abyss. Announces Sabin vs Bully for the title at Hardcore Justice, because the world needs to see more of this feud.
Overall a decent Impact. Hernandez match aside is was great for a wrestling standpoint, but half hearted pormo work at the start lets it down slightly again. A solid 6 shoulderbreakers out of 10.
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