What I like: TNA Monday Night iMPACT (replay on Thursday)

For those of you that saw my other posts, I was at Monday Night Smackdown at the IZOD Center last Monday, and I didn't get a chance to watch iMPACT on Monday. Normally I attempt to watch both Raw and iMPACT at the same time, which ends up with me watching iMPACT during Raw's commercials. That is not really a problem as iMPACT normally is not a consistent show. Last Monday's iMPACT looks as sign that better times are coming for the young company. While I was at Monday Night Raw I was checking the Prowrestling.net app on my iPhone (my most used app), to keep up with what was happening on iMPACT. I was very surprised because it was looking like I was missing a very good show, a show that ended with Rob Van Dam winning the TNA title. I was so mad that I missed the show, that is I was mad until I caught the replay on Thursday.

The show opened with a hot segment that saw A.J. Styles coming out and giving a speech about how much the TNA world title means to him and how he has it because he is the best. He is interrupted by RVD who looks to challenge for the title, when Jeff Hardy comes out and calls A.J. cocky and basically tells him to put his money where his mouth is. Just as it looks like there might be some tension between Jeff and RVD, Hulk Hogan's music hits and he comes to the ring. Hogan praises all of the guys' passion in the ring and puts over the TNA world title. He books Hardy and RVD in a number one contenders match for the TNA world title. A.J. tells Hogan that he will not be ready to defend the title at the next pay per view and is looking for some time off. Hogan tells him that whoever wins the no. 1 contenders match will face A.J. in the main event TONIGHT. Now that is a way to open a show.

Naturally RVD vs. Hardy was a great match and a treat considering how we haven't seen this since their WWE days. Although not match of the year material, it was great to see these two in singles competition against each other. I personally enjoyed it because I haven't seen a real RVD singles match in quite sometime. RVD and Hardy showcased their signature spots, and Taz was great on commentary. Don't get me wrong he is always great on commentary the calling of this match just felt more personal. There were alot of near falls and although I knew that RVD was going to win the title later that night, I marked up quite a bit and thought hardy was going to win, which is understandable considering that they are two of my favorites. This match was just a preview for all the classics these two will undoubtedly have over the title. It was cool to see Hardy get behind RVD, effectively putting him over, in the interview that followed.

There were also some interactions between Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan that I ate up. I love Bischoff's character right now, it just seems like he knows something everyone else doesn't.

The A.J. vs. RVD match that closed the show was interesting to say the least. A.J. was fresh, compared to RVD who wrestled a hard fought match earlier it was cool to see the match play out knowing RVD would win the title. A.J. had an air of confidence throughout the match and remained in control for the most part. RVD got in some offense but they were mostly counters to A.J. The ending of the match saw RVD get the win after countering an A.J. springboard with a power bomb, then hitting the five star frog splash for the win. There was a celebration with confetti that matched RVD's ring attire that saw some of the locker room come out. It was cool to see Team 3D with RVD on their shoulders as I started an ECW chant in my room.

Overall it was a great show that lived up to the hype.

What I didn't like: My posters getting taken away at Monday Night Smackdown

For those of you that saw my pictures I had pretty good seats on Monday. There was one thing about the event that I didn't like. Due to a box office error my held tickets were not there when I came to pick them up. This ended up in my ramp side seats being switched for ringside seats, which is all fine and dandy, but I was seated on the side in front of the hard camera. Being that I was in the view line of the hard camera my signs got taken away by security. I guess I didn't look intelligent enough to keep them at my feet. As if it wasn't bad enough, not only did I not get to see the RAW roster my signs that I worked so hard on were confiscated. So I'm going to post photos of them here because I worked to hard on them for them no to be seen.

Photos from Monday Night Smackdown Live!

What I liked: What WWE did with what they had

I found out how much I hate volcanoes this week. Because of the volcanic eruption that grounded all flights in Europe, I was treated to Monday Night Smackdown. The Raw crew could not make it to Monday's show at the IZOD Center. I was one of those lucky people who got to see it live. While I am told it was not a good show for television, I have to say that it was pretty amazing live. To think that a show of that magnitude was put together in such short notice, I have to throw my praise to whoever is responsible for that. Although the show could be called a televised house show, it was pretty special as it saw the likes of Raw's Triple H teaming with Smackdown's Rey Mysterio and Edge. I don't think we would see that match on television anytime soon if it wasn't for the Volcanoes. Not to mention we saw the early return of The Undertaker. So thanks for that Mr. volcano, I still hate you though as I was looking forward to seeing Bret Hart, Randy Orton, and Batista. I was also looking to relentlessly boo John Cena. Triple H was the only Raw superstar in attendance. Yay for not having to go on the European tour.

The opening segment was amazing and is something you should see if you haven't. YouTube much? Triple H came out with his awesome sense of humor and lifted the crowd who might've been disappointed knowing that they would not see the member's of the Raw roster. He was interrupted by what's arguably the most intriguing faction in Pro wrestling today, CM Punk and the Straight Edge Society. Punk said he actually came out with hopes that Hunter would shave his head and join the Straight Edge Society, that's gold. After hunter refused they attempted to force him and naturally Rey Mysterio came out to make the save. Very cool to see. The segment ended with Rey and Hunter getting the best of the SES with Rey cutting off some of Punk's hair.

"Why is Drew McIntyre's entrance so long?" After Drew took his Undertaker style time to the ring, we were treated with another edition of Drew McIntyre vs. Matt Hardy. The match was not a bad one, albeit slow, there was no real reaction from the crowd. I wonder if they are evolve this feud to one for the title, I don't really see the point because I don't see McIntyre losing as he is untouchable right now. He is one of the most intriguing characters to watch right now. I would love to him and Sheamus ending up on the same brand after the draft, a WWE feud between them seems very interesting, as they have history in European promotions it is a potential cash cow for WWE overseas and a great opportunity.

Jack Swagger came out and delivered a great promo about why he is the best and how he can defeat anyone in the back. Is it just me or is Swagger's lisp becoming more unnoticeable? Good Job Jack Swagger. Just when it looked as if Swagger's challenge would go unanswered an unexpected challenger appeared. As if one long entrance wasn't enough, The Undertaker came down to the ring. As much as I would've enjoyed seeing Swagger go over here, it just wasn't in the cards. The match saw Swagger show off his ring technique as he took apart the dead man with submissions. The majority of the match had Swagger's name all over it as he stretched the Undertaker, and really appeared as a threat. Although the match ended with taker on top after a tombstone, it was a great match that made Swagger look strong in defeat. It was nice to see the dead man, he was represented by a blackout last time I saw Smackdown live, see January 1, 2010 show.

The guest host for the night was the cast of McGruber. While the skits were great, I could have done without the match between Khali and Kozlov. That's all I'm going to say about that, as we all know how horrible those two are in the ring by themselves. The night was ended with a huge 6-man tag that saw Triple H, Edge, and Rey Mysterio beat Chris Jericho, and the SES (CM Punk & Luke Gallows.) Great match that seemed like it was put together to send all the little kids home happy. It was fitting as it seemed like every little kid was wearing a John Cena costume (Shirts, headbands, and even sagging jean shorts.) Cena was naturally one of those trapped in Europe and I bet he did it all with a smile on his face. I say that because whether you like him or not, you have to appreciated how much he sacrifices to be the top guy, we probably see him more on television than his wife does in person. The match had everything you could possibly want out of a match with those six, signature spots, and all the faces hit their finishers. The only question I have is "Why was CM Punk pinned in a match that included Luke Gallows?" Interesting move by WWE, Punk must be going over Mysterio at Extreme Rules. Here's to hoping.

What I liked: TNA LOCKDOWN 2010

There were two new champions crowned in X Division Champion Kazarian, and Knockout Champion Madison Rayne. It's not hard to say that I saw Kazarian getting the strap very soon before this pay per view. It was obvious that the guys in the back saw him as championship material when he won the number one comntereder's triple threat match on iMPACT a little while ago. I like it because I feel that Kazarian brings a different style of wrestling to the X Division, while most of them enjoy showcasing all of their high spots during the match, it is not rare to see Kazarian work a few submissions and actually tell a story in the ring. I did not see Madison Rayne becoming the Knockout Champion. All signs pointed to Angelina Love retaining, or Tara capturing the gold, again to a lesser extent, them capturing the tag titles together. Hell, I wouldve expected a Beautiful People retain, or even Velvet Sky getting the strap before Madison Rayne. Although I cannot say this is the outcome I was hoping for, I like Madison Rayne getting the belt, it's interesting because since she was introduced as a member of the Beautiful People she was always made out to look like the weak one of the group. I wonder what kind of champion she'll be portrayed as, the obvious weak heel champion that always win by the skin of her teeth or a technicality, or will it be something completely unexpected like a fighting champion who will get a couple of clean title defenses from this reign.

A.J. Styles retained his title over The Pope D'Angelo Dinero. It was pretty obvious that this was going to happen. I mean Dinero is talented in the ring don't get me wrong, but in my opinion that's all he has going for him as a face. I am very annoyed with his face promos, I was mildly annoyed when he was the leader of the New Breed in ECW as a heel. But isn't that the way you are supposed to feel about a heel? If TNA want's to use Burke to his full potential, I say they turn him heel which should be very easy as his character is already a narcissist. I think then he will seem like a true threat for the title. A.J. as always was simply phenomenal, no pun intended, he is an amazing athlete that always pulls of some of the highest spots of the night. I have to say that it is weird watching a full blown Ric Flair style heel pull off so many crowd pleasing moves, this in my opinion makes him look like a joke. I think A.J. has ran as long as he can with this heel gimmick, I'm not saying turn him face, I just liked him better when he was a capable heel tagging with Tomko. They should rethink what they are doing with A.J. because he does not need Team Flair to back him up, it makes him look weaker than he needs to.

Team Hogan beat Team Flair in a Lethal Lockdown match. This move was unexpected, Team Flair was being built up as a Four Horsemen/Evolution type of stable and will A.J. having the gold it seemed like it was only a matter of time until Beer Money and Desmond Wolfe captured the Tag and Global titles respectively. I also saw a jealousy and dissention angle in the stable with Sting getting jealous of A.J. and feuding with him over the TNA title. I say that because this team was getting the very best of Team Hogan, and they wouldve had enough momentum to maintain a high profile angle after this win. Although it has to be taken into consideration that Team Hogan was a dream team of sorts, Jeff Hardy, RVD, Abyss, and Jeff Jarrett? Ok, ok. I said of sorts Jeff Jarrett is not a main eventer in my eyes, even if he founded the company. I just thought since Jeff Hardy and RVD were just coming in they wouldn't go over just yet. But again very interesting move for TNA, I just figured that it would be easy to go with Team Flair winning as there is already an obvious storyline going on there. Eric Bischoff is just gold in the role he is playing right now. Helping Team Hogan makes me the think he has a favor he wants to call in as a return, kinda like he has his own agenda. Here's hoping for a full blown NWO reunion.