TNA Impact Wrestling Coverage: Swerve of the Tiger

It’s hard to judge this week’s episode of TNA Impact Wrestling for several reasons.

While the in-ring action was solid and at times amazing, the Sting-Joker gimmick continues to get more bizarre every week. As he sang “Eye of the Tiger,” while on top of Kurt Angle’s locker, Sting proved he’s going to devote all of his time and energy on Impact to the development of this gimmick.

It’s not going to go away anytime soon.

At this point, it’s impossible to know how successful it’ll ultimately be.

The rest of the promos, while at least trying to advance the current storylines in time for Destination X, were a bit too much. Brian Kendrick’s promo with Abyss had more five-dollar words than a nuclear science convention. Simply put, these two can entertain in the ring and need to work from their strengths more.

A microcosm [Like Kendrick, we here at Review Fix like big words too.] for the entire company, TNA still hasn’t found the perfect blend between promo and in-ring action.

Between that and the filler angles with Velvet Sky, The Pope and how the company refuses to push the TV title properly, TNA still has serious work ahead of them.

If that wasn’t enough, Vince Russo’s writing reared its ugly head. In the main event, Mr. Anderson swerved Immortal and Kurt Angle before joining the heel group.

Confused?

You should be.

TNA just neutered its loner heel in a weak faction that continues to lose steam every week.

Not smart.

Matches:

Bound for Glory Series: Crimson vs. Robert Roode: A pretty routine match, which saw Crimson use a variety of his moves and make quick work of half of the TNA Tag Champs. However, at this point it’s a wonder why Crimson continues to use the Sky High as a finisher than the move that got him to TNA, the Mercy Kill, which is not only much more original, but better looking.

Tony Niese vs. Jack Evans vs. Jesse Sorensen: An amazing match that proved all three of these guys can and should work in the company in one way or another. Evans, however, shined the brightest. After he hit a 630 off the top rope, it’s fair to say thousands of people watching at home marked out.

Velvet Sky vs. ODB and Jackie Moore: A match that was ultimately dull and unbelievable. While Sky got the win with a spike DDT and effectively kicked Moore and ODB out of the company, this match was totally passable.

Jerry Lynn vs. Rob Van Dam vs. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels: This match affirmed that Jerry Lynn has it. Once he and RVD finally got in the ring together, it was obvious the chemistry was still there. These two will tango at Destination X as well, which looks to be one of the best matches on the card. As far as this match goes, it was an offensive showcase and proof that there are still quality matches on television.

Matt Morgan and James Storm vs. Devon and The Pope: A filler match that saw The Pope hand Devon a victory. With four quality performers in the ring, this match could have been so much more than the routine contest it was.

Scott Steiner, Abyss, Gunner and Bully Ray vs. Sting and Kurt Angle: After Hulk Hogan took out Sting with a bat before the match, Angle took on four members of Immortal all by his lonesome. Finally, Mr. Anderson hit the ring and took out Immortal, to only then hit Angle with a mic check and join them. Only Vince Russo could have wrote this.