"This Year In IMPACT Wrestling"
By Garrett Kidney
By Garrett Kidney
One year ago TNA promised a lot when they changed the name of the show with the 'Wrestling Matters' tagline getting a lot of peoples hopes up (all it did was reveal how narrow a lot of peoples definition of wrestling is). While the show got off to a rocky (while still rather entertaining) start (Abyss winning the X-Division title, GenMe being pinned by Eric Bischoff) there have been an number of changes that've really helped the show.
First off, cycling talent in and out when required has been a big plus. When TNA have nothing for certain wrestlers, taking them off TV (to both free up time and freshen people up) allows the show to stay fresh and relevant, leaving time for the stories and wrestlers that matter to develop. There's also been a renewed focus on the right wrestlers. Having the likes of Bobby Roode, James Storm, Bully Ray, Styles, Daniels, Magnus, Joe and Aries be at the forefront of the show allows TNA to try and put their best foot forward in the positions that matter. There's only so far you can get on the likes of Hogan and Flair (and TNA have gotten pretty much all they can by now). It's 2012, people don't want to see Hogan and Flair anymore (and the lack of ratings movements when they show up reflects that), TNA need to do somethings that they haven't done in their ten year history - create stars.
A big improvement in TNA's storytelling in the last year has been the way it's been slowed down. They're not rushing through feuds and stories like they used to, allowing most of their key feuds and stories to develop naturally. This allows them more time to flesh out a story and not so fast as to lose people who miss a show along the way. A combination of that and long term planning goes along way to getting these stories over, there's still a long way to go but they're getting there.
One of the best additions to IMPACT in the last year is Austin Aries. The man exudes class in every way possible. More often than not (in fact the vast majority of the time) his segments are the standout segments on IMPACT (and PPV's). He's proven in the last year that he is indeed great and thankfully he's being rewarded for it. I would suggest they move him out of the X-Division but there's not much left to leave it to at the moment. TNA need to reestablish the X-Division again (which hopefully they'll do with Destination X again this year) before moving Aries on.
The Bound For Glory Series (even if the execution left a lot to be desired with wrestlers wrestling a different number of matches each) was a really good idea to give the show a structure to build around and I hope it returns this year (and there's a good story to tell with James Storm winning it and doing what Roode couldn't last year). It gave random IMPACT matches a purpose and at least offered an incentive to attend the house shows. While it's another concept that needs tweaking and perfecting, it's one that I hope TNA makes ay yearly event.
While TNA have had great periods over the last year (from September to January in particular), they certainly still need to work on some things. The shows are still frequently overloaded with matches not having enough time to develop and angles not having enough time to breath and sink in. Their PPV's can still be treated as afterthoughts (though they are getting better in that regard) and unfortunately there hasn't been any significant improvement in any of TNA's major revenue sources (whether it be PPV buyrates, TV ratings or live event attendance). I do believe that these things will come in time though and I hope TNA don't begin to panic book to try and make it happen.
If you've given up on TNA for one reason or another in the last few years I implore you to give it another chance. It's still by no means perfect but it's improved drastically in the last year and hopefully it'll continue to do the same in the future.
