By Garrett Kidney
May 2nd, 2013
Kovalchick Complex in Indiana, Pennsylvania
- Pretty standard opening segment setting up the main event (which I still think would be much better served setting up a match for next week, but at least we have two big matches announced). Considering the first hour rating has been so bad in recent weeks you'd think they'd shake up the formula to make the first hour appointment viewing but they seem to take the opposite approach and essentially write it off. When the first hour has a Rob Terry squash, an underdeveloped (but improving) X-Division, and the same opening segment over and over how can you blame people for not tuning in? There's nothing noteworthy or must see about it. Performances were fine though.
- It's so, so great to see Chris Sabin back and while I'd like to see him outside of the X-Division it's a good place for him to start on his return (and he'd be a very good candidate for Option C if that's still a thing, he'd play an underdog face vs. Bully very well). Good little match, with some nifty spots and I'd have loved to see more from them. And I'm pleased Sonjay didn't take the fall (the more Sonjay, the better). I voted for Suicide so I'm fine with him (it was mostly because I like his entrance music). Ref cam is a miss though. I was watching the Heineken Cup recently (Europe's premier rugby tournament) and they had a ref cam that was perfect quality - if TNA could do that it would be fine but as it is it just looks like an indy show from ten years ago.
- Why are they devoting time to Rob Terry again? He seems like a nice guy and he was perfectly fine in the midcard comedy heel spot (and his spin kick is really awesome) but he's just nowhere near ready for a major push (and I think he ever will be). It's just a waste of TV time (TNA's most valuable asset) that could be better spent elsewhere.
- I hope they don't overbook the No. 1 Contenders match next week because it would be awesome, though with James Storm as ref it seems inevitable (and Storm continues his aimless wandering across the card filling any holes). Kaz and Aries were great here and Chavo continues to be terrible (so much so that the other four told him so). The match next week should be great.
- D'Lo moved much better than I though he would though I suppose he is only 42 (which isn't that old). He bumped well for Angle and they had a pretty good match. People continue to issue ultimatums to AJ that he's yet to answer (it would appear folks at TNA don't understand what an ultimatum is) but hopefully he'll pick a side for good next week because they're dragging this out (though that's been their speciality in the last year). The six man could be good next week.
- Solid womens match with Terrell not looking terrible (she was clearly the weak link in there but she is better than Velvet) and good post-match attack to put some heat on Gail who's been losing a lot lately. ODB is ill served as ref though, she's too strong a character (and decent a wrestler) to be wasted in a useless role (where she can occasionally overshadow what's happening and then looks silly when she can't break up fights), the KO's don't need a referee.
- I don't get the dislike of Sting headlining Slammiversary. Firstly it's been clear that's the next PPV main event since Lockdown, Sting and Bully is a fresh match, they've essentially been building it since Bound For Glory and it's not like Sting's been main eventing constantly either - he's headlined three PPV's in the last 21 months. Plus Sting and Bully match up well in my head and are capable of a good match (and Sting's last TV match vs. Aries was Sting's best in years). Plus I didn't see the whole world up in arms when Undertaker was the first guy to score a TV victory over The Shield despite being the last guy that needs it (and I really doubt Sting will beat Bully). Good match, about on par with their Slammiversary match from '09.
Closing Thoughts
Decent show setting up a PPV main event, announcing stuff for next week, some good wrestling but still not being remotely must see and never, ever rising above the occasional good match. They need to strive towards another level much, much more often than they do.
