In Focus - TNA
TNA Impact 200th Episode Review - July 30, 2009
by: Lord Charlemagne
Mick Foley & Bobby Lashley vs. Kurt Angle & Kevin Nash - TNA World & Legends Titles on the line
The match stipulations stated that if either Angle or Nash were pinned, they would lose their respective title to the person that pinned them. With Lashley having been taken out earlier in the broadcast, Foley was forced to wrestle a handicapped match. The action between Foley & Angle was good, but Nash needs to retire as an active competitor. The finish saw Foley about to tap to the ankle lock when the lights went out & Sting appeared. The lights go out again & Lashley, with a bandaged head, is in the ring when the lights come back on. He clotheslines Angle over the rope & spears Nash. Foley gets the pin & is the new TNA Legends Champion. The problems with TNA production are many. Nash took the weakest spear ever & instead of selling abdominal pain, he layed motionless as if he were knocked out. Also he waited & watched Lashley beat up on Angle instead of attacking him. The whole sequence looked terrible & staged. Lashley's head bandage should have at least been bloodstained, otherwise, why the bandage?
Winners - Mick Foley & Bobby Lashley
AJ Styles vs. Matt Morgan - Best Of 3 Series
This was a good match, but not because of Matt Morgan. TNA is pushing Morgan as the next breakout star, but it will never happen as Morgan has little talent. He looks great & is pretty agile & athletic, but the fact remains that he can't really wrestle. He looks clumsy & doesn't take good bumps. The worst thing about Morgan is that you can tell when he's going to take a blow as he has zero timing. Styles remains one of the best in-ring performers in the business & carried Morgan throughout the match. Styles gets the win with an incredible planch 450 splash. Morgan will win this series because TNA is pushing him, but without his connection to the Main Event Mafia, he's currently the most overrated wrestler.
Winner - AJ Styles
Hernandez vs. Samoa Joe
The ruination of Samoa Joe continues. To the credit of both Joe & Hernandez, this was a great match, but I just don't get the logic of having Joe lose. He joined the Main Event Mafia, reveals Taz as his Nation Of Violence adviser & then loses any built up steam immediately. TNA hasn't correctly used Samoa Joe since he defeated Angle for TNA World Championship. The Nation Of Violence gimmick might have worked with the introduction of Taz, but TNA has already failed with the storyline. Hernandez's new ring attire is less than flattering, but he wins with a top rope splash.
Winner - Hernandez
Team 3D vs. British Invasion - IWGP Tag Team Titles on the line
The World Elite storyline is one of the best things TNA has going for them. As long as Eric Young is never allowed to touch another microphone, it will work. Magnus, Terry & Williams are good wrestlers that have the art of playing to the crowd down pat. The simple civilized handshake is the best taunt in TNA. Team 3D can always be counted on to deliver great tag team action & they did so, again. The IWGP Titles simply don't mean anything to TNA & actually has the opposite effect of making Team 3D look strong. In any case, with interference from Eric Young, The British Invasion won the belts.
Winners - The British Invasion
The Beautiful People vs. Tara, Awesome Kong & ODB
A good match to advance the storyline between Tara & Awesome Kong. The Beautiful People are so easily dislikeable, but imposiible to look away from. The action was good as the Knockouts are one of the best reasons to watch TNA. Awesome Kong & Tara ended up fighting each other, leaving ODB alone to fend for herself. The finish saw Cody deaner kissing Angelina Love, causing her to be rolled up from behind by ODB. ODB has recently been lost in the shuffle & this was a good way to bring her back out again.
Winners - ODB, Tara & Awesome Kong
* To not have Beer Money, Motor City Machine Guns, Abyss, Christopher Daniels & Jeff Jarrett on the 200th edition of Impact was unforgivable. As has usually been the case, the Main Event Mafia dominated the episode. Hopefully, TNA stops pushing Matt Morgan & fixes Samoa Joe. The interview segment with Tara was horrible as Don West can't be taken seriously as a heel announcer. West's performance was not convincing. Most TNA interview segments are bad. TNA has the tools to be a better show, but you can easily tell they are in a bit of disarray with the Jarrett / Angle situation. TNA needs Jeff Jarrett!
The match stipulations stated that if either Angle or Nash were pinned, they would lose their respective title to the person that pinned them. With Lashley having been taken out earlier in the broadcast, Foley was forced to wrestle a handicapped match. The action between Foley & Angle was good, but Nash needs to retire as an active competitor. The finish saw Foley about to tap to the ankle lock when the lights went out & Sting appeared. The lights go out again & Lashley, with a bandaged head, is in the ring when the lights come back on. He clotheslines Angle over the rope & spears Nash. Foley gets the pin & is the new TNA Legends Champion. The problems with TNA production are many. Nash took the weakest spear ever & instead of selling abdominal pain, he layed motionless as if he were knocked out. Also he waited & watched Lashley beat up on Angle instead of attacking him. The whole sequence looked terrible & staged. Lashley's head bandage should have at least been bloodstained, otherwise, why the bandage?
Winners - Mick Foley & Bobby Lashley
AJ Styles vs. Matt Morgan - Best Of 3 Series
This was a good match, but not because of Matt Morgan. TNA is pushing Morgan as the next breakout star, but it will never happen as Morgan has little talent. He looks great & is pretty agile & athletic, but the fact remains that he can't really wrestle. He looks clumsy & doesn't take good bumps. The worst thing about Morgan is that you can tell when he's going to take a blow as he has zero timing. Styles remains one of the best in-ring performers in the business & carried Morgan throughout the match. Styles gets the win with an incredible planch 450 splash. Morgan will win this series because TNA is pushing him, but without his connection to the Main Event Mafia, he's currently the most overrated wrestler.
Winner - AJ Styles
Hernandez vs. Samoa Joe
The ruination of Samoa Joe continues. To the credit of both Joe & Hernandez, this was a great match, but I just don't get the logic of having Joe lose. He joined the Main Event Mafia, reveals Taz as his Nation Of Violence adviser & then loses any built up steam immediately. TNA hasn't correctly used Samoa Joe since he defeated Angle for TNA World Championship. The Nation Of Violence gimmick might have worked with the introduction of Taz, but TNA has already failed with the storyline. Hernandez's new ring attire is less than flattering, but he wins with a top rope splash.
Winner - Hernandez
Team 3D vs. British Invasion - IWGP Tag Team Titles on the line
The World Elite storyline is one of the best things TNA has going for them. As long as Eric Young is never allowed to touch another microphone, it will work. Magnus, Terry & Williams are good wrestlers that have the art of playing to the crowd down pat. The simple civilized handshake is the best taunt in TNA. Team 3D can always be counted on to deliver great tag team action & they did so, again. The IWGP Titles simply don't mean anything to TNA & actually has the opposite effect of making Team 3D look strong. In any case, with interference from Eric Young, The British Invasion won the belts.
Winners - The British Invasion
The Beautiful People vs. Tara, Awesome Kong & ODB
A good match to advance the storyline between Tara & Awesome Kong. The Beautiful People are so easily dislikeable, but imposiible to look away from. The action was good as the Knockouts are one of the best reasons to watch TNA. Awesome Kong & Tara ended up fighting each other, leaving ODB alone to fend for herself. The finish saw Cody deaner kissing Angelina Love, causing her to be rolled up from behind by ODB. ODB has recently been lost in the shuffle & this was a good way to bring her back out again.
Winners - ODB, Tara & Awesome Kong
* To not have Beer Money, Motor City Machine Guns, Abyss, Christopher Daniels & Jeff Jarrett on the 200th edition of Impact was unforgivable. As has usually been the case, the Main Event Mafia dominated the episode. Hopefully, TNA stops pushing Matt Morgan & fixes Samoa Joe. The interview segment with Tara was horrible as Don West can't be taken seriously as a heel announcer. West's performance was not convincing. Most TNA interview segments are bad. TNA has the tools to be a better show, but you can easily tell they are in a bit of disarray with the Jarrett / Angle situation. TNA needs Jeff Jarrett!