Opening Segment:
Sting comes out to talk about the chaos happening on Impact. He says Roode is the only one that is not behaving. Roode comes out and says Sting should thank him for making Impact interesting, carrying the show into the year, and taking out Hardy and Styles. Styles comes out and Roode says Styles is having Sting fight his battles. Hardy comes out next, and says Roode should respect the power of Sting. Sting books Hardy vs. Styles vs. Roode for later tonight.
What I Liked:
The opening segment did a good job of putting over the continued heel of Bobby Roode. He is cocky, arrogant, and different than most heels. I really liked the back and forth between Roode and Sting because you get the veteran leader and his face of the company. It is a typical feud, but it is one we have not seen be successful for a while in TNA.
What I Disliked:
I feel like this would be a really great PPV Title match, as it involves three of the best talents. You could build a program around the three, one a super heel, Hardy a fan favorite, and Styles as the legend of TNA. Give them time to tell their specific stories, give the crowd a month or so to wait for the pay off, and let Roode thrive in the end. He is the main piece that needs to look as strong as possible each week, because he is the champion. Invest stock into creating him into a complete star.
Grade: B+
Karen Jarrett talks to the Knockouts, and says they disobeyed her. She makes them wash cars outside. She has to make some calls, and tells them to get into their bikinis and get started. Not really a point of this segment but to degrade the Knockouts, which makes it look sexist and totally ridiculous. I do enjoy women in bikini's, but it was just lame how they transitioned into this.
Jeff Hardy is talking about dealing with Roode as we see Jeff Jarrett say he doesn't belong at the top. He hits Hardy, and then runs off.
Eric Bischoff says that is losing everything. Bully Ray offers to take out Garrett Bischoff. Ray says he and Steiner will go reason with Abyss.
Why do you need all of these interviews/segments in one clump? I really do not understand why they could not spread them out, focus on one at a time, and build from there. It is a two hour show, plently of time for these placed in later times of the show.
Triple Threat for No. 1 Contender of the Tag Team Championship: Ink, Inc. vs Mexican America vs. Pope and Devon
What I Liked:
It was refereshing to see all of these teams utilized in this match. Pope was exposed in a very positive light to start and end the match. He lacks a few things, but makes up for it with his heart. He seems to genuinally care about every move, every step he makes. I also feel this is a big strength of TNA, relying on Tag Teams to fill the mid card status, and this match was solid. There was not a stand out moment, but each team did enough to stay relevant, even if they didn't win.
What I Disliked:
Pope and Devon are a good tag team, but wasn't the point of separating Devon and Ray so they can focus on the single career? One is thriving, the other relies on their historical greatness in a tag team. I would much rather see Devon at least try to be in a single's feud, even if he fails. Give him time there. There is not much harm in doing this.
Grade: B
