The Final Impact
March 13, 2014
By: Josh Boutwell of Wrestleview.com
Coming off the heels of Lockdown there was obviously going to be a lot going on tonight, but the best way for me to sum up tonight’s show with one word is: awkward. That’s the best way I can go with it.
The opening segment was okay and I liked that MVP laid out his plan simple and easy but I doubt it’s going to end up being that simple, but good lord I LOATHE Abyss’ new look. Some things should be just left alone and a lot like when Kane changed up his look, this was just a bad idea. I don’t really mind the idea of Abyss becoming a monster for hire but at the same time I like the thought of him being a monster that just attacks without thinking, but this does give him purpose now.
Joe and Abyss was okay while it lasted and the obvious EY interruption was expected. Those two will obviously be very involved in the World Title Match next week.
I was blown away by the teamwork of Tigre Uno and Sanada, I was really shocked. Hell, there are teams that have been together forever that don’t even pull out double clotheslines let alone all the double team spots Sanada and Tigre Uno were doing it. It was way too short but the crowd was massively into all of the X-Division guys spots. This was a good introduction to those two for the fans that didn’t see Lockdown. Tigre Uno and Sanada will be great to rebuild the X-Division around along with Kenny King, who they’re tried to build up through those vignettes, and Manik, Zema, and Sabin as a good little roster to start off.
Brittany (Santana Garrett) looked good in her debut but then again she was so restricted in time that there was not much to do (the short matches are getting really old, TNA doesn’t have enough PPVs every year to get away with this anymore). A win over Gail in her debut was huge but it kind of was just looked over with the brawl from Tapa and Gail.
Angelina returning was a nice surprise for tonight and it was cool to see her and Velvet in the ring together again, but again it was such an awkward promo from both girls. It makes sense I guess that Velvet wouldn’t be down to just forgive everything right there and go back, but I don’t know where they are going with this. I know I’m not really interested much in seeing Beautiful People as babyfaces. They were at their best as heels so maybe they have something planned here, I just don’t know.
The mannequin didn’t do much for me with Shaw and the match was again, awkward. It was short as hell and right after putting Shaw over at Lockdown he pins Shaw in less than 5 minutes.
Willow’s Impact debut was, awkward, again I keep using that word. It is so weird and awkward to see a babyface doing all of these heel mannerisms while the fans cheer it. The story they’re trying to tell here is that Willow is Jeff Hardy’s violent alter ego that he can’t control. I think it would definitely work maybe years ago and the character without knowing who it is under the mask first might work now, but I just don’t know how this is going to go down. I’ve already heard a lot of complaints from fans about it beings silly and stupid. I’m always the one to want to see how something plays out before sh*tting on it, and it was nice seeing the aggression from Hardy but I’m not sold on this at all.
I think the Dixie tribute went on too long but Spud was hilarious as were EC3’s facial expressions. Lashley feuding with EC3 in his return feud may end up being a train wreck though. EC3 is just now establishing himself in and out of the ring while Lashley needs to RE-establish himself so those two doing so at the same time might be a clash. Lashley needs a mouthpiece badly too.
Bully Ray’s turn is again awkward after he was such an evil bastard for so long. That feud they’re setting with Roode is going to be entertaining though. It’s a fresh matchup.
No sighting of The Wolves at all tonight nor Gunner or Storm or Aries which is unfortunate. I guess we’ll see how they play out under MVP’s regime in the next few weeks. I truly hope the Bad Influence rumors about them not being re-signed isn’t true. I truly hope not.
– Segment/Promo of the Night: Beautiful People reunion
– Match of the Night: Tigre & Sanada vs. Bro-Mans (**)
– Overall Grade: C-
Until next week… PEACE!
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