Buzz's iMPACT Report: TNA Heads to Bound for Glory with Super Show

TNA had three hours this week in order to provide the right hype for there biggest pay-per-view, Bound for Glory and they used the three hours excellently with some great hype for the big matches this Sunday as well as providing some good action throughout the show.

While there are many “wrestling columnists” who once again slated iMPACT, the fact is that the show was done correctly and each segment had a reason behind it, going into the Bound for Glory pay-per-view I can’t imagine TNA hoping for a better show as watching it made me wanting to see Bound for Glory even more than before the show started.

Show started off with the Main Event Mafia in the ring for what could very well be the last time together as a group, Angle preached to each member explaining how important it was to walk out Bound for Glory the winner, which sets up each member losing perfectly. After Bound for Glory there will be no Mafia, and it’s going to be interesting to see what direction each character goes in, it all depends how each match evolves Sunday.

Six Knockout’s Tag Match served it’s purpose to show that the team of Tara, Kong and ODB cannot work together, aswell as put over the Beautiful People and give them some momentum heading into there Knockout’s Tag Team Title Match Sunday.

During his interview with Lauren, Bobby Lashley was attacked by Rhino backstage and they sold a “Injured Ribs” angle. I’ve always been disappointed that TNA could not do anything with Rhino, as a heel he’s one of the strongest on the roster and brings intensity as well as edge in the ring.

The Team of Don West and Amazing Red is interesting, I guess that Don provides the energy and enthusiasm that Red lacks in cutting promos and there’s a history between both guys, so overall it’s worth giving a go. People can criticise TNA all they want but they try other options while other company’s stick to the same boring routines. The Match was a retro X-Division match but I feel they could have allowed it to go on a little longer considering how much extra time they had.

I big criticism of TNA is the sheer amount of gimmick matches which effect the overall product, personally I feel it’s a combination of two things, lazy booking and also desperation for them wanting viewers to continuing to watch the show even if they don’t like the talent, anyway that argument is for another day.

Hernandez going through The British Invasion for me personally was confusing but overall I think the idea was that Eric Young put the challenge out to them thinking they’d weaken him for the pay-per-view. It backfired but World Elite got the last laugh overall, and progressed the feud between Hernandez and Young.

The Tag Team Interview was unique and I’m glad they’ve changed the match from a Ladder Match to a Full Metal Mayhem Match simply because the belts would look stupid next to the Ultimate X cables. Overall the ending of this long four-way feud will be a good move, with Booker T & Steiner leaving it might leave a vacant spot for the Machine Guns to finally step up and get given the chance. With the direction of TNA at the moment I wouldn’t bet against seeing the Guns winning the titles in the next 6 months. As for the brawl, like the gimmick matches I’ve felt that one too many overall takes away from the product and it’s lazy booking.

Ultimate X got some good hype, while they talked about Daniels having the experience and being the favourite it fits perfectly into Red’s hands seen as though he’s the underdog and TNA want people to believe he’s not winning and overcoming the odds. Another really exciting match for Sunday, personally cannot see Red losing the belt but with Homicide’s recent character direction he’d be a great choice if they want to change the title.

Speaking of Homicide him appearing as Suicide was done really well considering earlier in the show Suicide was attacked by the Pope and he was the man on the floor. Things worked perfectly and also Homicide confirmed he knows who Suicide really is, during his interview I was expecting them to hide that under the rug but to there credit they used common sense. Overall really good booking for the Ultimate X angle, here’s hoping they have Ultimate X open the show and get the crowd warmed up.

Alyssa Flash vs Hamada was a good exciting match which will certainly progress the feud on more, also it shows the difference in the Divas and Knockouts and the fact that the Knockouts are more wrestling friendly and willing to go to the next level and take risks.

The Mick Foley/Abyss feud has been nothing short of entertaining and Sunday I cannot start to imagine what these two are going to produce. Foley has really stepped up his game over the past 6 months regarding his promos and he’s bringing the spotlight back on Abyss again after a couple of dull months. These two could tear down the house this Sunday that’s for sure. Last Night there was a nice little twist regarding “cheap rip-offs” when Daffney appeared rather than Lauren, I liked that and thought it was done very well indeed.

I’ve always said this, but Rhino has been wasted for months and months working as a face, he’s such a strong heel and works so much better as a heel it’s stupid to consider turning him. Rhino brings intensity always and his match Lashley (who recently has been booked really well) was a solid match which continued the small feud between them both as well as advance the feud Lashley currently has with Samoa Joe.

Speaking of Joe, he was fantastic during the backstage interview with Lashley after his match, the whole “behind you” look was priceless and Joe showcased his intensity. They could surprise people Sunday and have a really good match.

The Main Event was arguable not only the best match in iMPACT history but the best match in TNA’s history as both Angle and Styles worked a classic. It was a game of can you top this and both guys most certainly did, with the finish ending like it did it leaves open a rematch door which i’m sure we’ll see very soon indeed. Wherever it’s Angle or Styles both guys can elevate his opponents game, together they produce classics. This is the sort of feud you never get bored of seeing while other company’s are putting the same matches week-in week-out when the quality of match is this good you cannot complain.

After the match Sting came to the ring yet Styles pushed him away, two points here: 1) Why was Sting coming to the ring? 2) Are we seeing the return of a more cocky AJ Styles or was it just the disapointment the way the match went and Sting got in his face far too quick? Sunday we’ll find out!