Welcome to another Review of TNA Impact for what might possibly be the final time. I'm the Local Hero, the Review Guy Cameron Mcdonley, and we have a lot to discuss and I only got an hour to do it, so let's cease the interruptions and get straight to the action!
The show kickstarts with a promo segment between EC3 and Bobby Lashley. The two selected their teams for the Lethal Lockdown main event later on in the night. Lashley elects Drew Galloway, Mike Bennett and Maria Kanellis for his assembly of wrestlers. Ethan Carter the 3rd chooses Aron Rex, Moose and Gail Kim. "The Destroyer" warns Carter that his team will be led to the slaughter tonight on Impact. Solid opening promo, nothing too spectacular, just a decent way to open what could be the last piece of programming you ever produce.
Rating: 3/5
Ironically, we have an X-Division championship match as the first contest tonight. What used to be the very foundation of your promotion is now the cannon fodder of your show. Although that may be sad, the match that we were presented with was possibly match of the night. DJZ and Eddie Edwards poured their hearts out into this battle, and was as fast paced and intense as you would expect it to be. DJZ retained his title as your last presumable champion in a division that while has no shortage of excitement inside the ring, has not possessed star power since Austin Aries was champion (at least in my estimation). Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett made a highly noticeable presence after the match, viciously decimating Edwards and DJZ. I sure hope this company continues, because if booked right, those two can become the next major stars emanating from that crop of wrestlers. Just talent all around that might not have a job after this Sunday, depressingly enough.
Rating: 4.5/5
Following a painstakingly lengthy commercial break, Josh Matthews is in an empty arena with "The Miracle" Mike Bennett and his former henchman/former NFL & ROH star, Moose. A very substantial promo given the cards these two were dealt, as I personally felt they weren't given the ball on this occasion, because if they were, God was it fumbled. I never had any emotional investment in this rivalry, but I will give the match a chance this Sunday because I know these two can at least have a sound match to cap off an extremely underwhelming feud. The biggest positive I can detract is that the angle gave them a reason to oppose each other in the six-sided ring on what is usually viewed as their WrestleMania or Starrcade every year.
Rating: 3/5
The next match the fans received was a match between Madison Rayne and Laurel Van Ness, who was introduced by the 2nd most irritating character in TNA, Allie. While this was a good match all things considered, the one thing I took away from this match was that the crowd was dead for Madison every time she applied a hold. For somebody of her importance in TNA's history as a pioneer knockout, you could hear a pen drop during the whole match, and especially during her brief comebacks in this unusually prolonged competition. Van Ness connects with the upmost decency of a curb stomp to compose a merciful end to this dragging affair. Albeit still one of the better matches on this edition of Impact.
Rating: 3.5/5
I feel bad for the Impact Zone, because the disease of overexposure has been ever present on this show, from the idiotic Maria Kanellis/Alie backstage skits, all the way to the persistent appearances from everyone involved in tonight's main event over the duration of the night. That was never more painfully obvious than in this next in-ring promo. Drew Galloway and Aron Rex had enjoyable banter back and forth, don't get me wrong, but we've all seen these two men so many times tonight that it is just difficult to be emotionally invested. Added on to the fact that this match is now cancelled due to Galloway's injury a day later, it really wasn't necessary.
Rating: 2.5/5
Preceding what was just uninteresting at best, we turn a complete 180 degrees, as we get one of the most entertaining moments of this entire broadcast. Rosemary goes one on one against Reby Sky in a match that while short, was incredibly entertaining. After 10 minutes of physicality, Rosemary mists the referee much to his dismay and disqualifies her. Both the Broken Hardy family and Decay brawled around the arena, dismembering each other with ladders, chairs, electrocutions and strangulations until the brawl subsequently ended with Rosemary incapacitating Reby with a side effect through a table, leaving Decay as the only ones standing from this impromptu skirmish after the match.
Rating: 4/5
Succeeding another sizzle reel publicizing Cody Rhodes' debut for TNA at a PPV that is in a cloud of uncertainty (Bound For Glory). We interrupt your indulgence and enjoyment to give you another annoyance involving Maria Kanellis Bennett. God, I really want her off of my television before I throw a brick at it. Gail Kim's promo was nothing to complain about, but having to sit through Maria making every wrestling fan's ears bleed with that obnoxious voice and her insanely mannerisms that are nothing but indignation. That's all I have to say about this segment before I turn this review into a rant coming from an intense smart mark.
Rating: 1/5
Finally, in what might be one of the most bittersweet moments in my time as a wrestling fan, the main event is upon us. My feelings towards this main event are so weird, because while I am stoked for this main event, I am not ready for this company to end by any stretch of the imagination. I grew up watching this company, and to see it folding before my eyes while being aware that this could be the last main event in TNA history is mind-boggling. It was a great match with an excellent finish that exceptionally booked Lashley as a strong heel champion. However, I do feel like it would be palpable irony if Bobby Lashley, an Ex-WWE main eventer, was the terminal TNA World Heavyweight Champion. It would really put this promotion's 14-15 year existence in perfect perspective.
Rating: 4/5
Full Show Rating: 3.5/5
Well, what else can I say? On a show that has the possibility of being a medium-sized landmark, it certainly didn't feel like it, as it seems like wrestlers were exposed far too much and barely anyone had anything left anymore. The passion was absolutely stark, and it eerily resembled the dying days of WCW and the original Smoky Mountain Wrestling. I did not fully enjoy this review, as I had this company's predicament in the back of my mind, but the show was watchable at best. Tomorrow, I will review ROH All-Star Extravaganza and ICW Fight Club #004, so be on the lookout for that.
I'm the Local Hero, Cameron Mcdonley, saying goodbye everybody!
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