So, not only has Impact Wrestling become a commercial for Bellator, it's a commercial for itself. With fifty-two episodes a year, it's impossible to make every show must see, and Impact always takes a bigger feel when they're in front of the insanely rabid UK crowds. That being said, that doesn't make sitting through a weekly show any better. It seemed nearly every segment was either talked over by Bellator ads (which is inexcusable, even though I kinda understand why Spike TV is pushing it) or it was promising something next week.
Then again, some of those segments were still charming or compelling at least. For example, Joseph Park? That guy can get on the mic and talk about the fiscal cliff, and I will stare at my flatscreen rapt and in awe. I want to root for him to do anything he wants to do. Taz cutting his promo at the top of the show? Jesus, where was that Taz as an announcer. There was fire, man. HOT fire. That wasn't close to the Taz I remember to ECW, but it was at least slightly evocative. That's a start.
Then, there was Bobby Roode, playing the role of the world's most muscular, main event-bodied Shawn Michaels bump freak. That man pinballed all around the ring for Hernandez, making him look like a MAWNSTER. He didn't go Full Ziggler, but I'd put him at 0.74 AT LEAST on the STAHP ZIGGLER STAHP scale, especially when he went all dinghy-hitting-a-depth-charge off that pin kickout, landing flush on Earl Hebner's back. Hell, Bobby Roode all night was amazing, because he made that backstage segment with Austin Aries, looking slyly at his biceps when Aries called him "the muscular one" of the team.
In fact, the main event of the evening was a seeming makegood on how "TUNE IN NEXT WEEK" the show was. I think Christopher Daniels and Jeff Hardy could have been a little better, but there were higher highs here than in most Impact fare, best example being that top rope sitout gordbuster Hardy hit on Daniels.
Still, while there were fine moments on this show, I couldn't shake the placeholder feel of this show. Next week should be better, but then again, are we still going to get Bellator spammed to us on the show? Whether you're a MMA fan or not, you gotta admit that shit's annoying.
Then again, some of those segments were still charming or compelling at least. For example, Joseph Park? That guy can get on the mic and talk about the fiscal cliff, and I will stare at my flatscreen rapt and in awe. I want to root for him to do anything he wants to do. Taz cutting his promo at the top of the show? Jesus, where was that Taz as an announcer. There was fire, man. HOT fire. That wasn't close to the Taz I remember to ECW, but it was at least slightly evocative. That's a start.
Then, there was Bobby Roode, playing the role of the world's most muscular, main event-bodied Shawn Michaels bump freak. That man pinballed all around the ring for Hernandez, making him look like a MAWNSTER. He didn't go Full Ziggler, but I'd put him at 0.74 AT LEAST on the STAHP ZIGGLER STAHP scale, especially when he went all dinghy-hitting-a-depth-charge off that pin kickout, landing flush on Earl Hebner's back. Hell, Bobby Roode all night was amazing, because he made that backstage segment with Austin Aries, looking slyly at his biceps when Aries called him "the muscular one" of the team.
In fact, the main event of the evening was a seeming makegood on how "TUNE IN NEXT WEEK" the show was. I think Christopher Daniels and Jeff Hardy could have been a little better, but there were higher highs here than in most Impact fare, best example being that top rope sitout gordbuster Hardy hit on Daniels.
Still, while there were fine moments on this show, I couldn't shake the placeholder feel of this show. Next week should be better, but then again, are we still going to get Bellator spammed to us on the show? Whether you're a MMA fan or not, you gotta admit that shit's annoying.
