There’s not been a lot going on in TNA that past week, but what has happened has been odd. First (before last Thursday) it came out that TNA was moving to Mondays, but only every other week would be live. Then it came out that this would be starting on March 1st. But since then there’s been questions about TNA actually moving to Mondays. Spike has changed their schedule a couple times and right now Impact is still listed for Thursdays with a new show listed for that time slot on Mondays. But there’s no Impact listed for Thursday March 4th, so who knows! I guess we will all just have to wait and see what really happens with TNA’s possible move and when it might happen. Personally I think both Spike and TNA are handling this whole thing terribly. Either they’re moving TNA to Mondays, or they’re not. For one to announce it and then back-peddle really looks horrible for both of them. If it’s not finalized, Spike shouldn’t have said anything or let anything slip in scheduling. Hogan and Bischoff keep saying they want to move to Monday, but when it looked like they might be there as of March 1st, they didn’t really say anything grand about it. Either go big or go home!

Then there’s the comments, both on Bubba The Love Sponge and on Twitter that make me wonder just how shoddily everything is being run backstage. There’s Homicide being disgruntled about the direction of the show; Scott D’Amore leaving TNA; Hogan being out of sorts on the State of TNA Address. All of these things are huge negatives, in my opinion. When key wrestlers are openly saying they’re not happy with the company, then either people need to batten down on what’s being said or something needs to be done about the issues being voiced. I have no idea what the complete story is behind D’Amore leaving TNA. He’s stated that he will be involved in the merging of Border City Wrestling with BSE Pro Wrestling. With that creating a large independent promotion. But that he left TNA without giving notice and was the agent for some of the highest rated segments for TNA in the past year, I have to wonder if there’s more to his leaving than just wanting to create this large promotion. The whole thing just leaves a huge question in my mind.

The last thing on that list, about Hogan being out of sorts, woogy, disinterested or possibly drunk at the State of TNA Address, upsets me the most. He’s trying to act like he’s running things at TNA, he’s really doing all he can to make TNA into a viable hindrance to WWE and Vince McMahon, but then he can’t be bothered to care during this big radio show? To me that just reeks of someone with a serious issue of some sort. I can’t say what that issue might be as there’s so many possibilities, but it seems like there might be something there worth worrying about. I say it was a damn good thing Bischoff was there and actually put together so he could answer most of the questions and make sure at least one of them sounded semi-intelligent! I’m baffled that Hogan would go into something like that and that Bisch would let him. They’re trying to build up TNA, not make it look like it’s being led by a raging idiot!

Speaking of raging, that’s what I was doing when I saw that TNA actually earned a 1.4 last Thursday. What the heck is that all about? I know Hogan and Bischoff can bring in fans, they did that on January 1st, but that people are tuning in more and more really makes me wonder where people’s heads are! I watch TNA every Thursday as it’s my obligation (that I love doing because I love writing about wrestling in any way, shape or form), but I’m only one person out of thousands who have been tuning in more and more to watch TNA. I do not understand why people are tuning in as they are. It makes no sense at all! The shows have been sucking in a huge way, the storylines have only become worse, there seems to be even less decent ring work and then the fricken ‘Orlando Screw Job’! It’s one thing to mention WWE, but to blatantly steal one of the biggest controversies in wrestling history and make a joke out of it the way they are is total BS. There’s been so much animosity and hate between people for twelve years and it’s finally being ironed out and Hogan and Bisch need to rub it in their faces. It makes me gag! But I’m truly at a loss as to why so many fans are tuning in the way they are. There’s too many of them to just be rubber-neckers, or old WCW fans looking for a thrill. I’m just very confused about who all these new viewers are. I’m also disgusted that by tuning in they’re making Hogan and Bisch think they’re doing the right thing and a good job when that’s so far from the truth it’s not even funny. The whole thing just makes me ill to think about for too long.

Show Starts

Video

Hogan called out Foley and made him work things out with Bisch. They talked in the office. Bisch threatened Borash’s and Abyss’ jobs. Angle was pissed about the ‘Orlando Screw Job’. Hebner said he was paid off. Angle and Hogan shook on it, but Angle told Hogan he’s accountable for everything that happens in TNA. Angle was attacked by Waltman and Hall after Hogan left. JJ had to face Anderson in the main event. A low blow and Anderson won.

’The Breaking Of The Band‘

This is what TNA has entitled this week’s Impact. Gee, I wonder what THAT’S all about?

Match #1

Qualifying Match and Brutus Magnus out to the ring. Mr. Anderson out to face him. The mic comes down high on the ramp and Anderson does his own announcing, as per usual. A solid “You suck” chant from the fans, but they also talked along with him stating where he’s from. Anderson kept talking about the four sided ring. Anderson talking about the four sided ring got the most heat of that mic promo! He claimed that he’s not the one who said he’s the future, Hogan said he’s the future and if Hogan said it, it must be true. Hogan also said (in his book) that there’s no such thing as a ‘roid rage, so that must be true too! “An-Der-Son!” chants from a decent sized group. I think they’re very confused about Anderson and not sure if they should root for him or not. Doesn’t help that he’s in there with another heel! Anderson held all the control through the first part of the match. Magnus managed to turn it around and actually make it look decent, but sadly the fans were very quiet through most of it and that effected the match in a huge way. Anderson hit the mic check and it was all over for Magnus. Anderson then announced himself the winner. Anderson… “You suck!” chants.
5/10 – Sad that Anderson on the mic was the best part of that match. It just wasn’t good and didn’t hold my attention. Putting Anderson – who isn’t getting the best of reactions and not the best matches so far in TNA – in the ring with Magnus – who’s known for not being that good in the ring (but has improved) since the day he came into TNA – TNA was guaranteeing that their first match of the night would not grab and hold the fans’ attention. Not the smartest way to start the show!

Backstage

Foley rolled up in an economy rental car.

Backstage Segment

Angle with Hemme. She brings up Tomko, but Angle wanted to talk about Waltman and Hall. Hemme asked if Angle thought Hogan had them attack Angle. Angle said this is who Hogan is and what he’s about. He’s going to find Hogan and he’s in a really bad mood.
8/10 – Interesting! This could be a lot of fun! Very well put together promo, well spoken and added huge interest to the show. Very cool!

In Ring Segment

Bisch sullenly headed for the ring. He looked like a kid heading for the principals office, but when he got there he was all smiles. He said last week Hogan made it clear to Foley that he had to get on Bisch’s page. Foley didn’t agree and that will cost Foley dearly. Foley’s music and out he came looking rather pissed. “Foley” chants. Foley said his reputation in the industry is that there’s something wrong in his head. Not because he was willing to put his body out there or do anything to pay the price, but because he got along with about everyone. People tried to get him to say bad things about people, luminaries like Marcus (Buff) Bagwell, Paul Heyman, Jim Helwig (The Warrior). The truth is that deep down he doesn’t dislike anybody. But Bisch is the exception that proves the rule because he hates Bisch’s guts. Foley called him a ‘slick little hustler’! he’s the polar opposite of what Foley is, the antithesis of everything that he believes in. He loves this business, would have done anything to be part of it and basically did. Bisch came in from the outside, a salesman and an announcer and the worst one at that. Taz said that obviously Foley hasn’t heard of Mike Adamle! Bisch was an executive that pushed his way into power just because he didn’t embody old school wrestling. Perhaps Foley’s not old school, maybe he went to the school that burnt down before they built the old school because he can’t stand Bisch. Bisch says Foley might not be able to stand him, but this is about Foley’s decision. Foley said this is about them and his decision. You can mess with Foley’s life. He loves being part of TNA, but he’s always prepared himself for worst case scenario. That’s why he was saving every dime when he was 22 and the other wrestlers couldn’t see the future. He was sleeping on a cot at the Red Roof when he was the WWE Champion. He drives a piece of crap minivan and loves it because he doesn’t want to answer to idiots like Bisch and he won’t! Foley demanded to be heard out because he marked down to words on his hand, two names. J.B. and Abyss. Who the hell is Bisch to screw around with other people? Bisch thinks he’s just a funny guy with buggy eyes? Does Bisch know how many hats Borash wears backstage? The Zone would shut down if not for Borash! The fact that Bisch doesn’t know this, or care to know this, shows how little interest he has in knowing how TNA really ticks. Bisch says what makes him tick is the power. He’s listened to Foley babble on out there, so he can listen to Bisch. He doesn’t want to be on Bisch’s page? That’s fine, it’s his choice and he respects that. But what’s unfortunate, since Foley won’t get on the same page with him, he’s going to have to turn that page… He’ll appreciate this. He’s also a New York Times best selling author and he’s about to write the next chapter in the Foley story. Foley said that something he wrote in his book about Bisch is power should be limited to those not in love with it. Which Bisch hasn’t’ learned a thing since his failures in WCW. Foley’s been running this show and recognized around the world while Bisch was making reality shows with Chachi. This is the deal Eric. He’s always told his wife that his first real love, and she knows this, and there was a day that it might find love with someone else, but he’ll be damned if he watches Bisch have his way with the woman Foley loves. Bisch stops Foley to ask about those names on his hand, Abyss and J.B. Bisch still has their futures in the palm of his hand. Since he’s about to write the new Foley chapter, tonight Foley will face Nash in the ring. He has history with Nash. He jumped Nash in the Zone. It’s time for Nash to get some revenge. Then Bisch started chanting ‘titty-tatty’ over and over again. Bisch smiles that sickening authoritative smile he has.
4/10 – That made no sense! They rehashed a number of things, nothing was accomplished and even though Foley said he’s out of TNA, he now has a match? No sense at all! Then we’re supposed to believe that Bisch is playing heel to Hogan’s face and Hogan’s not seeing any of Bisch’s heel-ness, even though it happened in the ring and on camera? So much stupidity in that whole segment and we’re supposed to take it and act like nothing was out of sorts? So not cool!

Backstage Segment

Abyss was watching a monitor and freaked out. Borash was there too. Abyss asked if he’d be okay. Borash said he was just there to get his last check. He worked for Bisch ten years ago and nothing’s changed. when Bisch is around, nobody’s okay. Abyss really freaked out then.
6/10 – Everyone knows I’m a huge fan of Abyss when he’s acting childlike. Well, that wasn’t childlike, that was just whiny and annoying! It was Borash that saved that segment. His straight up honesty really came through. Might have been scripted words, but I’m wondering how close to reality they’re really ringing.

Backstage Segment

Hemme with Tara. Tara’s facing Love and there’s history there. Love tortured the heck out of Tara when she came in. She seems to have changed. Last week she earned her respect, but Love has the eye on the prize. Love better be ready for Tara, because Tara’s ready for her.
6/10 – Not great but not horrid. Luckily it was short and to the point. Wasn’t Tara’s best promo, but I do expect a lot in her match against Love.

Match #2

Team 3D out to the ring. Hernandez and Morgan out to face them. The match started out with Ray getting the upper hand on Hernandez! But then Hernandez leaves Devon and tags out, this gave Devon chance to recover. Taz made a big thing of this ‘mistake’. Up top Devon gnawed on Hernandez’s head and then he hit a flying head butt halfway across the ring. Devon and Ray really had the upper hand over these two young huge guys – not believable! The Nasty Boys got involved to knock Ray off the top, but then Ray ate a carbon footprint from Morgan for three. After the match was over Knobbs went in with a chair and Sags was directing, but Hernandez and Morgan ran back to rescue Ray. It almost became confrontational in the ring until Morgan and Hernandez explained that they’re there out of respect and to help. Fist bumps and all is good.
6.5/10 – For me this just wasn’t believable. The moves were there and they all looked good, but I just cannot believe that either Ray or Devon could get over fresh Morgan or Hernandez. These men are young, big and talented. No offense to Ray and Devon – two men who I have loved for many years (face or heel) – but they’re not as young as they used to be and they don’t go like they used to. I just did not believe the match, even though they worked hard to make it believable. Sorry.

Backstage

The Pope got ready for his match.

Match #3

Jesse Neal out to the ring with his new look – so much better that his old look! Samoa Joe out to face him. Joe really took it to Neal HARD! Many “Joe” chants. Neal raked Joe’s eyes and then climbed. Joe casually walked away as Neal flew. the look on Joe’s face was fabulous as he conveyed what an idiot Neal is. Muscle buster and Neal was done.
7/10 – While I can only barely give that match a seven, it was so much better than everything else we’ve seen in the ring so far on this show. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a bad Joe match (one that went the distance and was an actual match), but this wasn’t one of his best. I don’t know who thought it was a bright idea to put him in the ring with Neal, but whoever it was really needs to go back and watch some of Joe’s PPV main event matches! I don’t see as anyone could watch Joe’s matches and not KNOW he’s a main eventer!

Backstage Segment

Hemme stopped Hogan and asked about what Angle said. Hemme had to tall Hogan what Angle said, that Hogan put the hit out on him. Hogan said he’s there and not hard to find. Hemme said Angle’s coming after Hogan. Hogan said he’s there for Angle to come find him.
5.5/10 – At least it was short! Hogan seemed not really caring in that segment. Like he was blowing the whole thing off and not really caring about any of it. He wasn’t at all animated or into what he was doing the way Hogan is known to be. It didn’t suck, but was close!

Match #4

The Pope to the ring. AJ out with Flair in tow. Early in the match AJ chopped The Pope and turned to show off to Flair and this gave The Pope the time to get the upper hand. Commercial. Halfway through the commercials TNA came back to show AJ had regained control. AJ worked over The Pope, but also taunted and acted like a hot shot through it all. Back and forth between the two of them and they really made it look good! The Pope had some convincing moves and pins, as did AJ. Flair taunted The Pope from outside. AJ grabbed The Pope, but The Pope reversed the small package and got the three on AJ! AJ and Flair immediately started beating down The Pope. Joe’s music hit and he ran out. Joe hard on AJ. Joe went after Flair who fell on his rump on the mat. AJ attacked Joe from behind but in the end Joe and The Pope got the upper hand. Security broke it all up.
7.5/10 – I really would love to give this match a higher rating! I truly would, but all that crap at the end brought it down. I understand they wanted to set up for another feud and show that people are pissed off at AJ for turning heel, but Joe could have been introduced in a smoother way. This was out of the blue and strange. The work in the ring between AJ and The Pope was solid. AJ’s really falling into being Flair’s protégé beautifully. It worked well, but the end killed it for me.

In Ring Segment

Flair flung all sorts of threats at Samoa Joe for getting involved in their business when they were beating down The Pope. He taunted Joe from the ramp. Flair said this is the new TNA and he’ll get his ass beat. Flair also taunted The Pope. Joe grabbed a mic and told Flair to shut his mouth or he might just decide to wrestle the ‘nature’ out of his ass! Joe then called AJ an unrepentant scumbag. Joe doesn’t care, AJ was always a warrior, a man and a champion. Then he sold it all out for a couple suits and for Flair’s cheap hookers. At Against All Odds Joe is cashing in his title shot. AJ looked about to cry. Joe told AJ to go to bed and wake up knowing he has to face the inevitable. Joe then told The Pope that they should go beat them both down.
8/10 – That was fabulous! Joe was great on mic and really sold it. AJ’s facial expressions were priceless! AJ didn’t have to say a word but was able to convey every feeling. Flair, as usual, wore every bit of it on his face and added to it all. Just a great way to end an over used security break up segment. I’m impressed!

Backstage Segment

Hemme asked Love if TBP would be involved. Love said most likely. She taught them everything they know, but not everything she knows. She would have never replaced Love. Not working out to well. She’s facing Tara tonight and success is the best revenge and she’s awesome at revenge.
5/10 – Nothing really special, but much better then when she was so extremely self absorbed in TBP. She doesn’t annoy me and make me want to turn the volume down the way she used to. That’s a huge step up in my book.

Backstage Segment

Nash and EY talking and Bisch walked in. Bisch had no clue who EY was. EY introduced himself, said he was the leader of W/E, Global Champion and a three year contract holder at TNA’s happy little family. Handshake and slap on the shoulder between them. Bisch remembered but then threw him out. After he left Bisch said it’s another name he probably won’t remember in the morning. Bisch needed a favor. He needed Nash to destroy Foley in a No DQ Match, mop the floor with him. Nash brought up that Waltman and Hall don’t have contracts. Bisch said they won’t play by rules. It is what it is. If he likes it that way he can play that way, or he can destroy Foley for Bisch.
7/10 – Heel Bisch is out in full force on this episode! I don’t understand how Hogan and Bisch are not fans of EY. He’s great on mic as well as in the ring. But we’ve seen a number of long time TNA wrestlers getting brushed aside recently. They’re getting swept under the carpet only to get a couple seconds of mic time, or nothing at all.

Video

Replay of Bisch telling Foley he would face Nash later in the night.

Backstage Segment

Hemme asks Foley if he’s going to fall in line for his friends? Foley said he was told to fall in line or lace them up, he got new athletic shoes for Christmas, so he’ll lace them up. He’d cooled about Nash, but thinking about it he’s been getting hotter again. Abyss in and freaked out about not having a job. Foley said he’ll be in the ring so Abyss will have a job. Because “whatever I touch, starts to melt in my clutch, I’m too much.” Then Foley sings the last couple beats of the Heat Miser song. Foley makes Abyss promise not to go to the ring, no matter what. Abyss promised. Abyss left and Foley said to Hemme that Abyss is too much.
6/10 – It was cute, but still not the best of Foley or Abyss. Foley wasn’t really relaxed and Abyss wasn’t really in his childlike character. It seems as though everything is just a little off on this show and it just isn’t going well for anyone.

Match #5

Tomko out to the ring looking a little chubby. Angle out to face him. Angle in control until Tomko hit a freaking fast scoop slam on Angle. It was really impressive! Angle started to fight back, but Tomko picked Angle up with both hands to Angle’s throat and slammed him down hard. Angle came back but only was able to hit two of his Germans before Tomko overpowered him. Angle was able to fight back and hit all three Germans and then lock on the ankle lock. Tomko tapped when Angle put his whole body into the hold.
6/10 – A number of those moves made me wonder if Angle was going to get up again. If this hadn’t been taped, I’d have been seriously worried about Angle’s body. I was so worried about someone getting hurt that I couldn’t really enjoy it. Tomko looked a little loose cannon in his moves, as well as fat and out of shape. WWE did the right thing by letting him go once they saw how his body has deteriorated. I’m really wondering why TNA brought him back. I know he was supposed to feud with AJ, but since Hogan and Bisch came in that was obviously scrapped. He’s dead weight on the roster in my opinion.

Backstage

Split screen showed Tara and Love heading for the ring.

Video

From TNA’s European Tour – all done in stills. An interesting way of doing it and very different from WWE. I’m impressed.

Video

Early in Hogan coming in Nash sent Foley on a wild goose chase. Nash did it all to screw with Foley. Nash kept saying that Hogan wasn’t coming alone. That, of course, meant Bisch.

Backstage Segment

Nash in to talk to Hogan about facing Foley. Nash then begged for another chance for Waltman and Hall. Hogan said Nash has a sweet deal here and he needs to look out for himself. Hogan said they’ve done all they can for them and Nash can’t screw up his own spot here. Nash kept going back to bringing Hall and Waltman in.
5/10 – So hard to believe something like that when Nash has publicly backed off from Hall and said he’s done all he can for his friend. There’s been a distancing by Nash from all the really wild times and I just don’t believe him begging Hogan to bring them back. Feels really fake to me and seemed like it tasted bad in Nash’s mouth when he said it.

Video

Love had to leave TNA and that broke up TBP. After she left they brought in Lacey von Erich. Love came back and they’ve been fighting ever since.

Match #6

Angelina Love to the ring. Tara out to face her. Love actually seems more serious and determined than I’ve seen her. Commercial. Tara’s top is blurred out, so there must have been some nip slippage. Back and forth work between the two. Love countered the widows peak, but Tara was still able to roll her up and get the three. Tara extended her hand and pulled Love to her feet. TBP rushed the ring and attacked Love. Took a moment but then Tara got into it and they got the upper hand. TBP ended up fleeing. Tara’s still being blurred out as her right nip was still visible.
6.5/10 – Not the best Knockout Match we’ve ever seen, but they both worked really hard during this short match. I have to admit I’m very impressed with Love’s work. She wasn’t so worried about her looks and being uber hot, so she actually worked the match. I’ve been saying all along that she’d be great if she wasn’t stuck in TBP and she proved it there. She actually held her own with Tara and that’s saying something compared to how she had been wrestling.

Backstage

Outside Hall and Waltman were skulking around.

Backstage Segment

Angle stomped into Hogan’s office. He demanded that Hogan explain how he shook his hand and then had his boys attack him. Hogan said he’s not giving them contracts and now he’s being accused of this? It’s Angle’s bad temper. Hogan had heard before he came in that Angle’s temper had cost him opportunities and they don’t need that now. Angle said he doesn’t care about lost opportunities, he doesn’t trust Hogan as far as he can throw him. He’s heard the horror stories about the people Hogan’s done business with. He’s not going to be screwed with like them. Hogan told Angle to do himself a favor and get out of his office, please. Angle slammed his hands down and left.
5/10 – I expected so much more from that! That was typical Angle being a hot head and Hogan coming off as slightly stoned and not really into it all. He was reserved and didn’t seem to really be taking it all in. he stood up at the end and tried to look all pissed, but it didn’t work.

Main Event

Foley out to the ring with Barbie in hand. Nash out pushing a shopping cart full of weapons. Nash didn’t look like he knew what to do with weapons. Nash held a trash can as protection from Barbie and really looked uncomfortable in there. A hockey stick to take Foley down and Nash grabbed Barbie. Barbie to Foley’s face. Foley got it away from his face and mule kicked Nash to get free. Forearm to Nash’s head and he sold it very well slamming himself back on the mat in a way I didn’t think he was capable to doing! Foley grabbed a picture frame, but then hesitated. This gave Nash a chance to hit the big boot and get the three. The picture was Abyss and Foley drawn by Borash. Hall and Waltman in through the crowd. Hall attacked Nash. Nash down and the two of them beat down on Nash. Hall and Waltman posed in the ring, Waltman throwing ‘wolfpack’ signs. Outside the ring Hall and Waltman pose right in front of a camera.
4/10 – You put two old guys in a No DQ Match and that’s what you get! As if anyone expected anything different. That match was really bad. Yes, I was impressed with how Nash sold that one move, but that’s all that impressed me. Foley looked old and didn’t move well. Nash looked very old and didn’t move well. Hall looked old and drunk and didn’t move well. Waltman looked decent, but also afraid he’d hurt Nash if he did anything major to him. So basically it all sucked and wasn’t worth anyone’s time.

Post Show

What happened to the days that we tuned into TNA to watch some of the best wrestling matches available? The days that TNA showed off their X Division in matches that left us fans with our jaws in our laps? I was actually really excited when it was announced that Hogan and Bisch would be heading to TNA. I thought that they could be really good for TNA. They have a lot to prove and makeup for after WCW and I thought they would add a lot to the company and the show. I did have some worries, as did everyone. Sadly all of my worries and more have come to fruition and we’re being fed some of the worst schlock wrestling TV has seen since the downfall of WCW!

We had seven matches on this episode and all of them were very short. The first match gave us Magnus and Anderson, neither of which have given us a decent single’s match in TNA. Then we had 3D against Hernandez and Morgan. This was a very one sided match and just didn’t work for me. And then the powers that be thought we’d enjoy Neal against Joe. I don’t know who was smoking crack when they put that together, but Joe obviously was not impressed either. I have to admit that The Pope and AJ did put on a decent match, not the best, but the best of the night. But then we went right back to an overweight and out of shape Tomko facing Angle. I really feared for Angle with every move he took from Tomko as they looked really rough and not well executed. Love and Tara gave us a decent little match, but it was so short! Then we had that laughable main event. That’s a lineup of matches that I’m just shocked at. I spent a week in the hospital on serious pain killers recently and I could have come up with a better lineup than we were stuck with tonight.

To say I was disappointed with this episode is putting it mildly. I had a long week and really wanted to sit down and enjoy wrestling tonight, but instead I’ve been left with a bad taste in my mouth. I hope this week’s ratings actually reflects the content of the show, unlike last week. I really hope TNA turns things around and fast. If they go to Monday night with shows like this, they’re going to be out of business within six months.

KB