Before I get started reviewing this show, I'd like to announce a bit of a change in things. I normally rate matches on a scale of 1-10, but I'm gonna try giving star ratings for this show just to switch things up. Who knows, I may like it better and start doing that from now on. None the less, let's get into this week's episode of TNA Impact!
1) Chris Melendez vs. Zema Ion
This was war hero Chris Melendez's in ring debut so I didn't really know what to expect. Team 3D sung the praises of him a few weeks ago though so I had a bit of a good feeling about this. Once the match got started, I noticed something that I hadn't noticed before and that was that Melendez has a prostethic leg. Seeing him work a match so well was mind blowing. Especially considering that this was his debut match. This match was very cool to see. It's not something you'll see everyday. Good first showing for Melendez.
Match rating - **
2) Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe, & Eric Young vs. MVP, Bobby Lashley, & Kenny King
This bout was set up during a pretty good segment that saw some fantastic mic work from both Roode and MVP. As for the match, it featured good wrestling throughout. The closing sequence was very fast paced and featured alot of big moves. Great ending to a very solid six man tag match.
Match rating - ***
3) The Bro Mans & Velvet Sky vs. Knux, Crazy Steve, & Rebel
After a good showing from six main eventers, these lower card talents had alot to follow. Considering the talent involved, I expected this to be a disaster. The Menagerie gimmick is terrible, Velvet is below average, The Bro Mans are basic, and Rebel is a rookie. That's not normally a good mix, but I ended up actually enjoying this one. TNA showcased how to perfectly execute a lower card match here as it was very entertaining. The highlights for me were Rebel's innovative split on the second rope, Knux doing a cartwheel, and Crazy Steve hitting a crazy slingshot dive over the top rope. Fun match.
Match rating - **1/2
4) Rhino vs. EC3 - Street Fight
Kurt Angle put EC3 in this match after he pissed him off in a very entertaining segment. EC3 continues to be one of the best parts of TNA every week. This was a fun brawl, but nothing that we haven't seen before. Pretty basic weapons and spots here so it was pretty dull to be billed a Street Fight. I can understand not wanting to burn the crowd out early though so I'll let it pass. I just think it's time for EC3 to move on from feuding with old ECW guys. They've done a good job of putting him over, but EC3 is a star and deserves to be booked as such. Decent brawl none the less.
Match rating - **
5) Austin Aries & Tajiri vs. James Storm & Sanada
I was looking forward to this story being showcased tonight because it really intrigued me last week. Seeing Tajiri and Sanada hook up was very cool. They delivered the best exchanges of this match up as they opened the bout and closed it in fantastic fashion. Aries and Storm played their part too however. The most notable thing they did was a cool spot where Storm spun Aries around overhead, but Aries countered out and swung around to deliver a discus elbow to the head of Storm. Solid tag team match. Looking forward to more between these four in the future.
Match rating - ***
6) The Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) vs. The Hardys vs. Team 3D - Tables Match
This is the match that made me want to tune in this week and it certainly lived up to expectations. The previous match these three teams had was awesome so when the tables match stipulation was added, I was interested to see what kind of cool spots they could come up with. Needless to say, there were alot of impressive moments here. They did a great job of teasing someone being put through a table which is rare to see in a Tables Match. It doesn't have the same effect as a near fall, but from a psychology standpoint it's fantastic. I think their first match was better, but this was still an action packed, great match from these three teams. I can't wait for the next one because they always deliver. Afterwards, The Hardys pick the stipulation for the next bout and it will be a Ladder Match! Man, that's gonna be awesome.
Match rating - ***3/4
Overall thoughts: For the third week in a row, TNA produced a more entertaining show than WWE. I was interested in just about everything that took place tonight and every segment/match was enjoyable. The main event was the standout match of the night and the only thing that's really must see here. They did a great job of building towards next week as the card is stacked. We will see a 3 Way Tag Team Ladder Match, Roode & Lashley facing off for the World Title, AND Homicide & Samoa Joe will clash for the X Division Title! TNA just keeps improving and I love it. If you've been skipping out on TNA lately, I'd definitely recommend checking this week's show out to get caught up and then tune in next week to see what is a stacked show.
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