So many topics, so little time (is there really a time limit on reading columns online? Interesting question). I thought this week’s episode of TNA Impact was an all-around good show given that there was a continued declining reliance on vignettes to fill the gaps in between matches. Still, though, I think that there could be more added to the show in terms of actual wrestling. Anyway…

The major impact on tonight’s broadcast was Shane Douglas’ return to in-ring action. This show, though, could have had any number of “major impacts” such as the greater development of the tag team division, Mick Foley’s high points and low points, the Motor City Machine Guns, or the continuing heel turn for Eric Young. I’ll touch on some of these topics in a little bit.

Seeing Shane Douglas wrestle again was interesting because I haven’t seen him compete in quite some time. I wasn’t watching too much TNA wrestling when he was around for his previous stint and I never really watched enough of the later, original ECW to see him in his prime. The return of The Franchise, though, gives TNA a certain increased legitimacy to their mid-card, which I think has been somewhat questionable in the last few months. The problem is that there are so many different guys that are shifting between the top of the card and the mid-card that TNA really does need a few solid performers who can put on amazing performances leading up to the main events of their shows.

Once Shane Douglas gets himself back into game shape, he’d be the ideal Legends champion and I’d be very interested in seeing a feud between he and AJ Styles or Abyss or even Jeff Jarrett once Jarrett moves down the card a few slots.

I was glad to see Eric Young sock Jeremy Borash right in the mouth. Sometimes I’d like to give Borash a smack in the gibs, but I understand that he has an annoying role that he has to play (and he does it VERY well).

Mick Foley continues to evoke a dichotomy of emotions with his performances. For all of his decent promos he throws in a stupid “wooo, wooo, wooo” comment a la the three stooges. It’s unnecessary. I’m beginning to think that, just as Vince McMahon’s direction made Vince Russo’s writing excellent, it may be that the demented mind of a McMahon or Paul Heyman was what made Mick Foley a powerful performer. It’s odd, though, because Foley has proven himself to be one of the more intelligent competitors in recent wrestling history. Seeing him swing so far on the entertainment pendulum in a single show is somewhat disturbing.

What’s with Raven hanging around sitting in the background of all the interview and backstage shots? Was that all part of the lead up to Daffney beating the snot out of Lauren? And how great is it to have women with the character history of a Daffney or a Tara (can’t she just go by “Lisa Marie” or “Vickie” or something) in the Knockout division? I love it.

And yes – Tara made her wrestling debut on Impact. It was nice to see the Widow’s Peak employed in a different wrestling promotion, but more importantly it was nice to see Tara back out in the ring and performing at a higher level than she had been allowed to at the end of her WWE stint.

I have to agree with PWTorch’s Daniel Wilkenfeld in his review of TNA Impact: The Slammiversary pay-per-view t-shirts are absolutely horrible!

For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t completely annoyed by the combination of Don West and Mike Tenay. Sure, Tenay still doesn’t have what it takes to be the lead color commentator on a major wrestling show and Don West is a bit overbearing at times, but they were good tonight and I give them kudos.

And I absolutely loved watching Samoa Joe beat the hell out of Scott Steiner with a lead pipe while there was a trash can over his head. Good “extreme” moment for the show.

Hey, we at TBLWrestling.com and XHeadlines.com are working on something big for all of the TNA fans out there real soon. Be on the lookout for a new website devoted specifically to TNA wrestling news, rumors, wrestlers, and knockouts!

Anyone out there have a subscription to the TNA Video Vault? I was thinking of getting an annual subscription, but I wanted to get some feedback on an existing subscriber first. If you have a subscription, let me know!

Quote of the Night:
Don West bringing up Bobby Heenan in his rant about broadcast journalism – any time you get a Heenan reference it’s worth it for me!

- Joe
joe1897 [at] gmail [dot] com

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