TNA was so good this week *Now with Turning Point spoilers*

[Mr. Nerfect]

Is anyone watching TNA regularly here? I have been slack recently, but I watched it this week and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed everything. Nothing is outlandishly stupid on the show at the moment, and some things have me honestly intrigued.

[Mr. Nerfect]

One thing I love about the upcoming Turning Point card is that it really doesn't matter who goes over. The storylines coming from it will be pretty compelling and there are directions to go with everything. No one is "booked into a corner."

DOC vs. Joseph Park
Park is making something so ridiculous somehow so likeable and entertaining. His "Joseph Park" character is quite funny, but also somehow a credible part of storylines. Park's a future TNA Hall of Famer. DOC looked more impressive in the one night I saw him in TNA than the entirety of his WWE career. I like DOC being an Aces & Eights "prospect" and not yet the real deal. I think he'll earn it by beating down Park here, and DOC could really use a win to boost his official debut in TNA. This could be the trigger that brings back Abyss to face the Aces & Eights...

Tara & Jesse vs. ODB & Eric Young
ODB and Tara are better female characters than almost every single female in the WWE. ODB is pretty funny and obviously a good worker. I think it's a shame that EY's serious push never went anywhere, but he seems to have plenty of fun. They should probably make this for the titles, have Tara & Jesse win, and give the heels more to brag about.

Rob Van Dam vs. Joey Ryan
The X-Division is a perfect place for RVD to stretch his legs and prove he can still go. Joey Ryan seems to have so many tools, but is less than a sum of his parts, if you know what I mean? RVD should probably retain here and then get laid out by Matt Morgan.

Devon vs. Kurt Angle
This has the potential to be the best match of Devon's singles career. He's in great shape and he's in there with one of the best workers of all-time. The "Sergeant-in-Arms" could probably use a big victory to help his heel turn gain some steam. I have a feeling that Angle's "shadow," Wes Brisco is going to reveal himself to be a member of the Aces & Eights here. Angle vs. Brisco could be a pretty great way to debut Brisco.

No DQ Match for the TNA Television Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Magnus
Joe has been a great TV Champion so far, but Magnus oozes potential and is so young. Straight-forward booking would probably have Joe put Magnus away here, but I would not be opposed to seeing Douglas Williams get involved and help out his fellow Brit, so that they can Invade again...

Three-Way Match: AJ Styles vs. James Storm vs. Bobby Roode
The winner of this match is the #1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Title, and the dude who takes the fall cannot contend until Bound For Glory 2013. It would make the most sense for the guy who takes the fall to be a babyface, and for that face to be the front candidate to take the Bound For Glory Series next year and earn the World Title shot at BFG. My first gut reaction was James Storm taking the fall to Bobby Roode, but now I actually think that it'll be AJ Styles -- just because of how well mapped he is, and TNA knows that he's so consistent, what he's capable of, the fans won't turn on him, etc. He'll very likely be the same AJ Styles next year as he is this year, and that's not a bad thing. It's a long-term bankable thing, and in the meantime, Styles can help out in the X-Division or Tag Division. Styles is the most flexible guy in there, and would be hurt the least by the loss, and has the best chance of recovering. Roode pins Styles and puts himself in title contention.

TNA World Tag Team Championship: Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez (c) vs. Christopher Daniels & Kazarian
Chavo Guerrero seems so much more natural in TNA than in the WWE. Putting the Tag Titles on him so quickly was an appropriate way to push him. The tag division in TNA is lacking teams, but the actual tag team matches are fantastic. Part of me thinks that The Angels of Misfortune winning here to continue the rivalry between these two teams would be the most productive outcome, but it would seem more likely that Chavo & Hernandez retain. Perhaps Daniels & Kazarian can remain a thorn in the side of the babyfaces and cost them the Tag Titles to one of the heel teams in TNA -- whether it be Kid Kash & Gunner, The Robbies or Joey Ryan & Matt Morgan?

Ladder Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Austin Aries
I'm actually not opposed like many to TNA putting their World Title on Jeff Hardy. He makes money, and if his head is in the game, then for the short-term he is a great bankable World Champion. Aries is just fantastic, though. It'd never be a bad idea to move the title back onto him. But I see Jeff Hardy winning here in their continued attempts to appease him. Aries can still claim he wants a "wrestling match" with Jeff, while Roode can move into contention. Hardy beating Roode next month would validate his chase of Roode last year, and Aries can build momentum, as can Devon.

[Nicky Fives]

I'm still on the "Roode should never have dropped the belt to anyone other than Storm at BFG" bandwagon.....

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'm about over the whole Aces & Eights thing, but it's still a good show on a weekly basis.

[DLVH84]

It's been pretty good lately. They're revealing the Aces and 8's one by one, until the mastermind is finally revealed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm still on the "Roode should never have dropped the belt to anyone other than Storm at BFG" bandwagon.....

I completely disagree, actually. Organically, Austin Aries' rise was absolutely phenomenal, and it was the right time to put the TNA World Title on him. It adds "realism" to a fake sport when things aren't so predictable. That being said, it wasn't a shock for the sake of the shock -- Aries had been built up so well, had won over fans and was the hottest act going in the company. From what I saw, Storm never outshone Roode, whereas Aries was out-talking Roode quite frequently on the mic, and having even better matches than him (Roode is fantastic, by the way).

Storm was over, he occasionally finds gold in his promos, and can be a solid ring hand -- but he lacks that something "special" that made me think that lightning needs to strike with him. At Lockdown, taking the title off Roode and putting it onto Storm didn't feel right, and personally, he feels like a #2 babyface to me. I'm sure there will be another time when Storm earns another World Title reign -- and I am totally fine with that -- but sticking to "the plan" and having Storm face Roode for the title at BFG would have been...meh.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm about over the whole Aces & Eights thing, but it's still a good show on a weekly basis.

I haven't been watching every week, but I liked what I saw this week. I like the gradual reveals, allowing each member of the Aces & Eights to develop. Right now we have Devon as the Sergeant-in-Arms and the prospect in DOC. I see DOC earning his stripes very soon and being made a full-time member of the Aces & Eights, perhaps with a win over Park (or a DQ loss after brutalising the guy). I also predict that we'll have Wes Brisco revealed as a member at Turning Point when he betrays Kurt Angle.

In fact, he may not even be revealed as a "member" right away. Wes Brisco could turn heel, but for seemingly his own reasons, meanwhile he can still double as the member of Aces & Eights with the crazy hair.

I like the depth characters have in TNA. They seem like real people. Bully Ray came off kind of cheesy during his promo this week, but they touched on the rivalry between Ray and Joseph Park. Meanwhile, Kofi Kingston should hate each and every member of his Survivor Series team, yet he keeps on smiling...

[Mr. Nerfect]

TNA also get how to put on PPVs, too. While I'm not sure if their buyrates have picked up from how abysmally low they were last time I checked, TNA PPVs each seem to have their own identity, and don't feel like clones of other PPVs.

I also love how Bully Ray wants to get his hands on Devon, but Kurt Angle is the one facing Devon at this month's PPV. Ray and Devon are still building to their eventual confrontation, but in the mean time, why not put Devon against The Greatest Wrestler in the World? It'll allow Devon to show of his skills as an emerging heel and might even be somewhat of a "dream match we didn't think of" to some fans. It's a breath off fresh air as opposed to "heel challenger facing babyface champ at four straight PPVs."

Seriously, TNA and NXT are the two smartest shows in professional wrestling at the moment.

[Schlomey]

Honestly just fast forwarded like 80% of impact a few hrs ago. Wish I cared more ...like you.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Really hope the December PPV card looks something like this:

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Bobby Roode

Austin Aries vs. James Storm

Tables Match
Devon vs. Bully Ray

Three-Way Match for the TNA Television Championship
Samoa Joe (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels

Kurt Angle vs. Wes Brisco

No Disqualification Match
DOC vs. Abyss

TNA World Tag Team Championship
Chavo Guerrero y Hernandez vs. Joey Ryan & Matt Morgan

TNA X-Division Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Kazarian

TNA Knockout Championship
Tara (c) vs. ODB

[Mr. Nerfect]

Actually, I take that back. Here's what I would now like for Final Resolution:

Four-Way Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. James Storm vs. Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode

A triumph Jeff Hardy looks to move onto a respectable James Storm as a new challenger, but Austin Aries wants his one-on-one wrestling rematch for the title. "Sorry, brother, but you gotta get to the back of the line." Cue Bobby Roode getting in Aries' ear -- "Now you know what it's like to be me." Hardy and Storm face each other for the TNA World Title on an episode of Impact Wrestling between now and TNA's last PPV of the year, but Aries and Roode crash the party, attacking both men and laying them out. Hardy & Storm naturally want Aries & Roode, so we get a tag team match between the two parties, which the heels win. Eventually, Hogan announces a sudden death Four-Way Match between the gentlemen at Final Resolution. TNA probably wants to keep the World Title on Hardy, so you have him pin Roode with the Swanton Bomb, perhaps after Aries hits the Brainbuster on Roode, so that Aries can still have a claim to the title, while Storm also avoids being pinned.

TNA Television Championship
Samoa Joe (c) vs. AJ Styles

Styles is rattled after his loss in the Turning Point Match, but reasons that he may not be able to be the World Heavyweight Champion, but he can still be the TV Champion. Thus Styles emerges as Samoa Joe's next challenger for the title. These two men work extremely well together, and could have themselves a pretty nice Christmas season classic. While Joe's run is really just beginning as the TV Champion, I think that Styles beating Joe could create some interest and start a nice rivalry between the two. Styles vs. Joe at Genesis would be a great way to start off the PPV year for TNA.

Kurt Angle vs. DOC

It's fairly clear that Aces & Eights are out for Angle's blood, and it seems like DOC could be given the task of taking Angle out. Sting will no doubt return and come looking for revenge against DOC, but I believe that could happen after this match. Angle could work a really fun match with DOC, but technical skill is not so much DOC's strong point (although he's a really solid big man), so this one could benefit from getting a bit out of control. DOC gets himself purposely disqualified against Angle, and he is looking to use the hammer on him when the lights go out and Sting chases off DOC with a baseball bat.

No Disqualification Match
Bully Ray vs. Devon

In the coming weeks, Bully Ray gets Devon to agree to fight him at Final Resolution without any members of the Aces & Eights getting involved. "It's time to prove that you are worth something, Devon." Bully Ray tells Hogan than he doesn't want any help against Devon, no matter what. The match is agreed to, and both men make claims about putting the other guy through a table. During the turning point in the match, Joseph Park makes his way down to ringside, as Ray looks confused and frustrated. Park gets in the ring and Ray starts screaming at Park -- "What are you doing here?! This is between me and Devon!" Park tells Ray that he is sorry, and Ray asks "For what?!" and Park proceeds to Chokeslam Ray through a table that is set up in the ring. Devon crawls into the pin for the win.

In the following weeks it is revealed that Aces & Eights have sent Park information about the whereabouts of his brother, Chris. He received a letter telling him to take out Ray at Final Resolution and he'll receive a clue. Hogan asks Park why he didn't come to him with this, and Park says that he loves his brother too much and will do whatever it takes to protect him. Hogan takes this to an understandably upset Bully Ray, and as Hogan delivers the news, Ray says that it's crap the Aces & Eights have Abyss, and they're clearly playing Park. Hogan asks why and Ray just says that "He knows," implying that he had something to do with the disappearance of Abyss. Tension between the babyfaces ensues as Angle, Sting & Ray head into a six-man tag team match against Devon, DOC & Joseph Park at Genesis.

TNA X-Division Championship
Rob Van Dam (c) vs. Matt Morgan

This comes from Morgan and RVD's now apparent issues stemming from Turning Point. RVD wants to fight Morgan, but Morgan tells RVD to put the title on the line. "Remember, Rob -- it's not about weight limits; it's about no limits. Feels like a bit of a corner to book yourself into here, as Morgan seems like a pretty poor choice for an X-Division Champion, but he could really use a win here. They don't really have anyone for the division beyond RVD, though, so maybe they can give him a bit of a chase here and do a "big guy holds the high-flyers' championship and brags about it" thing that they like to every now and then? Morgan going over RVD before putting over someone like a Kenny King would be pretty awesome.

TNA World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Mach
Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels & Kazarian

Daniels & Kazarian want another shot at the World Tag Team Championship, but Hogan tells them no, so Daniels & Kazarian go about making life hard for Chavo & Hernandez, and even cost them the Tag Team Championship on "Championship Night" to a reunited British Invasion of Douglas Williams & Magnus. Chavo & Hernandez now want one last fight with Daniels & Kazarian before they move back into title contention. The British Invasion "scout" this match from the stage, but make their presence felt to help out Daniels & Kazarian in return for helping them win the Titles. The heels' plans to shut out Chavo & Hernandez from contention is blocked by Hulk Hogan, though, who throws The Mexican Warriors into the race for the titles, by adding them to Daniels & Kazarian vs. The British Invasion at Genesis.

TNA Knockout Championship
Tara (c) vs. ODB

Given their victory at Turning Point, and her win over Tara & Jesse on Impact Wrestling, ODB earns a shot at the Knockout Championship here, and goes over, because she's quite an over and interesting act. Apparently Eric Young is considering leaving TNA, so you can have an emotional moment here with Young's last appearance in TNA (more on that later) being him embracing his victorious wife in the middle of the ring.

Highlander Match - "There Can Only Be One"
Eric Young vs. Jesse

Stemming from the rivalry between their associated women, Young and Jesse agree face off at Final Resolution, but to raise the stakes, EY says that he wants Jesse to leave TNA if he beats him. Jesse agrees after conversing with Tara, but only if Eric Young agrees to put his job on the line, too. The match is signed, but at Final Resolution, Jesse comes out and has a doctor's note, explaining that he is not well enough to keep, so he's found EY a replacement. Jesse brings out Gunner, accompanied by Kid Kash, and Gunner proceeds to represent Jesse against Young, and it is Gunner who pins Young, forcing him out of TNA, and allowing Jesse to stand over the fallen Young and gloat.

[#1-norm-fan]

There seems to be order in the chaos that is TNA right now. I've caught parts of it and read results and I'm actually considering catching large chunks of the show lately which is a first. It's really a shitload more focused than WWE and they seem to actually be trying lately a shitload more than WWE as far as writing and putting together a show and building characters.

Unfortunately though it's like if the AFL started consistently having better, more competitive games than the NFL. It would still be secondary and not even in the same league as far as the "feel".

[#1-norm-fan]

Though they're falling into the trap of trying to get guys over by putting the title on them like WWE was doing a lot of. Despite everyone's boner for Austin Aries, he should have never won a title while Kurt Angle was with the company. If you wanna put guys over, you have them chase a title that's held by THE man and I don't think anyone comes close to Angle. Aries wasn't established enough.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I totally think that Aries' title win was the right thing at the right time. I felt that they could have moved the title back onto him, but for now, I guess Jeff Hardy as the World Champion works. I do agree that Angle should be "the man" in TNA, though. Once he is done with Aces & Eights, I'd move him right back into the title picture against whoever is the champion at the time (would love it to be Aries).

AJ Styles seems like the perfect choice to win the Bound For Glory Series in 2013, so if Kurt Angle is the World Champion, we might get Angle vs. Styles at BFG IX. Now that could be a main event.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I would love to see TNA try and make a play at signing Awesome Kong and Beth Phoenix to contracts -- even if Phoenix only agrees to a part-time deal, so she can spend time with her family.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I would love to see TNA try and make a play at signing Awesome Kong and Beth Phoenix to contracts -- even if Phoenix only agrees to a part-time deal, so she can spend time with her family.

Edge's woman signs with TNA? I don't see it happening unless they break up.

[#1-norm-fan]

AJ Styles has been main eventing/pushed as the man and then basically forgotten about and moved onto forgettable shit so much it's ridiculous. He's your obvious choice for your homegrown star. They need to stop having guys main event for a while and then switching them into the midcard while someone else main events and then repeating. Say what you want about Cena but could you imagine him being anything but a main eventer again? No. That's because they spent years establishing him as "This guy is a star and not going anywhere." They didn't have him reach the top, fall back out of the picture in a few months and repeat.

[St. Jimmy]

NOPE.

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[Mr. Nerfect]

AJ Styles has been main eventing/pushed as the man and then basically forgotten about and moved onto forgettable shit so much it's ridiculous. He's your obvious choice for your homegrown star. They need to stop having guys main event for a while and then switching them into the midcard while someone else main events and then repeating. Say what you want about Cena but could you imagine him being anything but a main eventer again? No. That's because they spent years establishing him as "This guy is a star and not going anywhere." They didn't have him reach the top, fall back out of the picture in a few months and repeat.

I do agree with what you are saying, but Styles has never felt like he couldn't "win the big one." He just hasn't been in the title scene -- like sometimes how Shawn Michaels wasn't in the title scene. Plus, I do think the story of redemption for Styles at the end will be worth it. Plus, it might mean that we could get a few months of Styles helping out in the X-Division, which it so sorely needs.

[Mr. Nerfect]

An interesting scenario would come up if Styles was the X-Division Champion at Destination X, and Hogan had to live up to his word and give the X-Division Champion a title shot, but there was the stipulation hanging over Styles' head.

By interesting scenario, I mean epic plot hole.

[Anybody Thrilla]

This past Impact was fantastic from top to bottom.

[TSI]

This might be a dumb complaint, but Id like TNA so much more if mike Tenay wasnt an announcer anymore. Hes a huge buzzkill for me.

[Anybody Thrilla]

What's wrong with him? I haven't noticed anything annoying.

[Pintint]

http://www.weeklyvisitor.com/news/articles/superasia/6-8-06/9.JPG

[#BROKEN Hasney]

What's wrong with him? I haven't noticed anything annoying.

The guy who's with Tenay and Tazz is bad. Michael Cole bad.

But the show is a lot better than Raw at the moment, so yay for that.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I'd almost agree with that. I don't see a problem with Tenay, though.

[#1-norm-fan]

TNA is definitely better than WWE at the moment booking-wise from top to bottom.

I just hope they can keep it up and thrive at some point. Still can't see them ever becoming serious competition to WWE but just surviving and being an alternative would suffice.

[Raven Reaper]

^ at least, they don't waste 3 hours like Raw does for nothing but backstage gall humor with Hornswoggle or any other pesky ass-clown.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I'd almost agree with that. I don't see a problem with Tenay, though.

Oh yeah, Tenay is the man. I think he's much better as a colour guy, but the play-by-play guy they brought in is just horrible.

I'd honestly recommend Schiavone over him

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Who am I kidding, Schiavone > Cole