411’s Instant Analysis 09.29.11: Impact Wrestling

Welcome wrestling fans to Thursday IMPACT Thursday. Tonight’s photo theme is all X division photos (past and present). Feel free to post comments with photo theme ideas for upcoming weeks. In case you missed it, tonight’s IMPACT recapper is the one and only Wes Kirk!!! Make sure to click over and check it out! Now, on with the show:

SEGMENT ONE: Sting is out to talk

I don’t understand why Sting stuck his nose in the whole Angle/Fortune storyline. It felt like it was just for Sting to put Roode over; however it did help with Roode’s credibility. Sting really went all out for Roode. I like that we’re addressing the actual Championship match as opposed to just the Roode vs. Fortune storyline also. I’m starting to believe in Roode as a credible contender to the Heavyweight Championship. I think even A.J. coming out to sound ticked about not getting another title shot made sense. It added another level to their match tonight. As for Angle, he didn’t say anything new, and didn’t add to the segment. I really liked the whole promo.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

SEGMENT TWO: X Division Ladder Match for #1 Contender
Match Result: Brian Kendrick via Contract retrieval
Match Length: 5:54

I like continuity. Kid Kash and Jesse Sorensen going right after each other made total sense to me. Too often in matches like this, any back story is forgotten. Aries was bluntly honest and made total sense on commentary. Tazz: “What’s your strategy in a match like this” Aries: “Climb the ladder as fast as possible”. I don’t know a lot about Zema Ion, but he hit a real nice back flip on the outside and the drop kick to Shelley were both pretty sweet. Just seeing this reminded me how much fun the X division is. Ladder matches that go under 6 minutes are way too fast. I would have liked to see this go 15 minutes at least. That’s the only knock I have against this.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10

SEGMENT THREE: Jarrett addresses Kazarian

Why did Jarrett introduce himself? Didn’t he follow it up by saying he’s the one who hired Kaz? I just felt compelled to point that out. I also don’t see the point of addressing the real life stuff with Kazarian. We could have just stayed focused on Kazarian smarting off last week. What did he leaving or asking for his release have to do with anything? The first push by Kazarian of Jarrett was sort of off, but I appreciate that it broke down to a pull apart after Jarrett called Traci Brooks a 10 cent whore. That’s how husbands react to that stuff. I see promise here. Either a Kazarian/Jarrett match or a Kaz/Gunner match would be pretty good. I just really hope we don’t end up with a Kaz & Traci vs. Jeff & Karen. That wouldn’t be pretty.

Rating: 6.0 out of 10

SEGMENT FOUR: Mexican America beats on Ink Inc.

I think the pre match Mexican America beat down of Ink Inc. made total sense. The tag champs were disrespected last week and they responded in kind. Hernandez got some really good air on both of those top rope splashes. That was money. I don’t think anyone is ever allowed to spray paint anyone ever again though. I just can’t see that on my television without thinking of the N.W.O. I still think the whole attack in the tattoo parlor was an awful start to a feud, but they made the most of their time tonight and the match between the 2 teams is starting to get my interest.

Rating: 7.0 out of 10

SEGMENT FIVE: Filler Segment garbage

James Storm is still happy for Roode, that was a waste of time.

Ric Flair thinks Hogan should change his mind. He must not like his decision.

We got a recap of the whole Tara/Madison Rayne history. I appreciate that they want to remind everyone of their whole back story. I don’t see how it’s really applicable here though. Does this mean either woman wants to win the match more? It’s for a shot at the Knockouts Title. Isn’t that important anyway? Seriously, this whole segment was a waste of my time. The show started well, so I’m hoping this is just a hiccup for the night.

Rating: 2.0 out of 10

SEGMENT SIX: Queen’s Qualifier match Madison Rayne v. Tara
Match Result: Madison Rayne via pinfall
Match Length: 5:03

The whole Madison Rayne flirting thing was stupid. That felt a lot more Divaesque than on par with a knockouts match. The thing with Earl Hebner not having issue with the flirting was just as stupid, only to atch on and give Tara a free pass to cheat made me shake my head. The booing from the crowd wasn’t for Madison heat, it was because people were crapping all over the booking. Referees should not be a part of the match. This thing ending with Rayne cheating and it not being caught made this crap. Both these ladies are capable of much better than this. The booking forced this to garbage.

Rating: 3.0 out of 10

SEGMENT SEVEN: Crimson addresses Joe

It was a real good idea that Crimson didn’t get to speak much. These are 2 guys that do much better with fighting each other than talking to each other. I liked seeing Joe get the upper hand on Crimson, as he still needs rebuilt. I would have liked to see Joe take it to Morgan too, but oh well. Crimson even sold that ankle through the whole segment well. The shame here is I can’t help but expect this whole thing will play out with Joe jobbing out again.

Rating: 6.0 out of 10

SEGMENT EIGHT: Pope v. Anderson…Anderson
Match Result: Pope via pinfall after cane shot from Bully Ray
Match Length: 4:25

Interesting matchup, but I’ve always believed that not every match has to have some feud behind it. It’s ok to just have a match. I think the Pope really tried to bring it tonight. He seemed sharper than I have seen him on tv in awhile. Anderson seemed to be going through the motions, and that really sucked the life out of the match. This whole thing with Devon’s kids has got to either end or come to a head or something. What is the point of all that? It seems like this has been going on FOREVER. I’m begging you IMPACT, wrap this up.

Rating: 5.0 out of 10

SEGMENT NINE: Roode video Package

Awesome! This is what I’ve really been looking for. The passion, the sacrifice, the drive of the contender was shown here. This is how you build a challenger! Loved it!

Rating: 9.0 out of 10

SEGMENT TEN: Bobby Roode v. A.J. Styles
Match Result: Roode via submission
Match Length: 9:21

I liked the start of the match with solid mat wrestling. It’s not something that gets used a lot, and is effective when used like this. They picked up and slowed down the tempo nicely. Both men worked body parts and kept up their continuity on those parts, even selling throughout the match. I really liked that they played off of knowing each other’s move set and countered when appropriate. They picked up and lead smoothly right into the finish. Not every match need to be over the top crazy with 15 false finishes and spot after spot. They used a few high impact moves and I think told a great story in the ring tonight.

The follow up backstage with A.J. putting over Roode reminded us that sans Daniels, Fortune is intact and was yet another endorsement of Roode.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

SEGMENT ELEVEN: Hogans Announcement

Well, Hogan sure made sure to put himself over didn’t he? He taught them all how to get by in the ring? Seriously? Well at least he taught them how to not get hurt? Mr. BacksurgeryAmania himself. Thanks for reminding us how old you are too. “The war to settle the score”? There’s people reading this column that weren’t even born yet. I’m not totally heartless here, looking like he was ready to cry over the whole thing was a nice touch. Having Sting backstage took away from the segment. If we have a “confrontation” coming next week, it makes me care about tonight less. I guess we will see next week.

Rating: 5.0 out of 10

I only uploaded so many X division photos and this felt right here.