By Jason Powell

Dot Net Members are listening to my 41-minute audio review of TNA Impact Wrestling. Join us on the ad-free version of Prowrestling.net by signing up for membership via the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.

TNA Impact Hits

Samoa Joe and The Wolves vs. Bro-Mans and Zema Ion: Joe looks more inspired than he has in quite some time. The live crowd popped huge for him and they got even more excited with each move he hit during his run down the stretch. It would have been nice to see the Wolves get the spotlight in their first match rather than having Joe showcased as the mystery partner and then getting the win, but they still managed to get some crowd pleasing offense in. I have zero problem with Bro-Mans losing. Chris Shore felt they looked like jobber to the stars. Maybe I don't have a problem with it because I view them as undercard wrestlers who happen to have the tag titles and I don't see that changing as long as they continue to play comedic characters.

Chris Sabin vs. Velvet Sky: Ridiculous and over the top, yet totally entertaining. Sabin has really come out of his shell. His early performances since turning were flat and cliche, but he's really found himself since then. Velvet should go back and watch the footage of the awful punches she threw at Sabin's shoulder before the Alpha Female showed up. I'm pretty sure Sabin's shoulder could handle it if she laid it in rather than throwing punches that were lighter than a feather. Really, the entire Hit is for Sabin's antics. I'm not sure what to make of Alpha Female just yet. She looks impressive, but some of her mannerisms were a little much and seemed straight out of a bad horror movie.

Gunner and James Storm vs. EC3 and Magnus: TNA has to know that using briefcases with title shot contracts makes them look like absolute wannabes. And I absolutely despise when wrestlers put these supposedly hard earned title matches on the line. That being said, the match itself was entertaining and the live crowd was hot. The finish with Gunner pulling the briefcase down to the mat with his weight and then unhooking it was cool even it if was as unintentional as it seemed.

MVP vs. Rockstar Spud: Chris Shore and I disagree here. He wrote in his live coverage review that it was too bad MVP's first match was a squash, whereas I'm all for it. Don't get me wrong, I still think TNA is making a huge mistake by not playing up Spud as an untouchable pest for several months so that it really means something once a babyface finally gets his hands on him, but I have no problem with MVP returning in a showcase match.

Willow video: I'm not sure where they are going with this, but if the idea is to bring back Jeff Hardy in his old Willow the Whisp persona then I think it's a huge mistake. It was an indy character that most fans have never seen before and I think those fans would rather see Hardy than tripping balls version of him. The minor Hit is simply because the video was bizarre and attention grabbing. If nothing else, it looked trippy and didn't feel nearly as campy as I would have assumed it would had I known this was coming.

TNA Impact Misses

Bully Ray vs. Mr. Anderson in a casket match: Good effort by both men and I like the way Anderson played to the live crowd and kept them engaged. However, I just couldn't keep my eye off that ridiculously bad coffin that should have had the worlds "Only In TNA" carved into the removable lid. Are they selling coffins at the Dollar Tree now? I get that coffins aren't cheap, but if you don't have right props then don't do the match. I'm still not feeling Ray's character. He was exceptional as the leader of Aces & 8's, but this darker character isn't clicking yet. It probably doesn't help that he's not really backing up anything he says.

Dixie Carter and MVP closing segment: I am openly praying that Dixie Carter's team loses this match. She has improved as a performer compared to where she was when she started, but that's like saying William Hung improved as a singer. I can't believe Dixie saying that MVP would get his wish but would not get what he wanted made air. MVP is doing the best he can with his role. If TNA really wants fans to take to him, they should have him guarantee that he will turn over control of the company to a championship committee (that is never seen) if he gains total control. Otherwise, I can't be the only once who assumes (based on years of TNA history) that he'll eventually turn into a tyrannical heel authority figure and the vicious cycle will continue.

Abyss and Eric Young segment: I was with them until the segment overstayed its welcome. I do enjoy watching Young tackle something a little more serious and I am mildly curious to see where things go with Abyss now that he realizes he was actually Joseph Park, but I fear that this isn't the last we're in for more ridiculously long talking segments. That said, I'll be a lot more into it if the person Abyss referenced when he said he was going to talk to someone who truly understands him turns out to be his storyline father Jim Mitchell.

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