IMPACT WRESTLING HITS & MISSES 19/07/11

Sting becoming a 4 time TNA World Heavyweight Champion this week on Impact Wrestling

A little bit late this week but nonetheless, here is my weekly rundown of this weeks edition of Impact Wrestling Hits & Misses…

THIS WEEKS HITS

Evil Clowns
Since they are going down the “joker” thing with Sting, it only made sense they used the first part (minus the bus and they didnt shoot each other) of “The Dark Knight”. In a way im glad they didnt use this to introduce new wrestlers to our screens as that would have sucked, but using Fortune was great, as it kept the ongoing feud alive with Immortal alive by the clowns attacking members one by one, plus its quite funny to see Karen screaming and running in heels (should always look in the back seat of cars before getting into them). Gunner looked the strongest of Immortal by wanting to go out looking for them but didnt expect getting jumped by all 4 of them

Samoa Joe vs The Pope vs Robert Roode
Although I like the BFG Series and this week they have stated that there are 8 weeks left but they havent stated how many matches everyone will compete in? So someone like Crimson can have 10 matches but Gunner could have like 5 (in theory). However the match itself was good, playing up more to that Joe thinks he’s keeps gettng screwed by the referee. The match may have lasted 5 minutes or so but it kept all the action coming fast, which was good, the ending I thought was cleverly played out, The pope kicked off the apron and Joe constantly going for the 10 points in any match and it always backfires on him. Hopefully Joe bounces back soon and starts earning some points.

IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT: “MIDSUMMER’S NIGHTMARE” – 19/07/11

IMPACT Wrestling: “Midsummer's Nightmare"

IMPACT Wrestling: “Midsummer’s Nightmare”
Tuesday 19th July 2011 – 10pm on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT WRESTLING:
Immortal promised to gamble with peoples careers, Sting promised them he would leave with the title thanks to his “aces in the hole” (a bunch of creepy clowns in the rafters)
Bobby Roode d Samoa Joe & “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero to gain 7 pts in the BFG Series
The creepy clowns proceeded to pick off members of Immortal one by one!
Jeff Jarrett was back from Mexico to celebrate his birthday. He brought his own presents to the party, for the members of Immortal.
Austin Aries d. Shannon Moore after using a chain, is confronted post match by Alex Shelley
Tara d. Madison Rayne and revealed her “present” for Madison to be none other than Poison!
Kurt Angle cut a promo stating he had a bone to pick with Anderson after last year and he still wants to beat Sting as he never has, he’s ready for Hardcore Justice no matter who it is.
Mexican America d. The British Invasion to become #1 Contenders to the Tag-Team Titles
The clowns take out Gunner backstage and reveal themselves as none other than Fortune!
Bully Ray attempts to interfere in the World Title match but is taken out by yet another clown, who unmasks to reveal himself as Kurt Angle!
Sting d. Mr. Anderson to win the World Heavyweight Title!

Craig is off duty this week due to a family matter, so the following report comes courtesy of my good colleagues at 1Wrestling.com, I urge you to check out the original piece here.

Jeff Jarrett was back from Mexico to celebrate his birthday. He brought his own presents to the party, for the members of Immortal. Plus, Sting got his rematch against Ken Anderson for the World title.

The show opened with a look at Sting’s odd behavior in recent weeks. Bully Ray told Ken Anderson that he was either with Immortal or against them. Immortal got a new member with Ken Anderson

This Week’s Episode: Mid-Summer’s Nightmare

TNA UK TV RATINGS – WEEK ENDING 10TH JULY 2011

IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge

The UK TV Ratings are in for the week ending 10th July 2011 and it’s further good news for IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge!

According to the Broadcasters Audience Research Board – IMPACT Wrestling scored a huge 216,000 viewers, for the Tuesday 5th July “Please Stand Up” episode headlined by a Sting vs. Scott Steiner main event.

Sting: New "Crazed" side to his character has proved a hit with UK viewers.

This was down 20,000 from last weeks all time high viewership record of 236,000 but was nonetheless a very strong showing. This extends IMPACT Wrestling streak as the top rated wrestling program on UK television to 14 consecutive weeks.

It would be appear that IMPACT Wrestling on Challenge is beginning to consistently break the 200,000 mark and rank number 1 each week on Challenge, something I’m sure both IMPACT Wrestling and BSKYB/Challenge will be very pleased with.

The saturday night replay made the top 10 again this week, with its airing on Challenge+1 garnering 30,000 viewers.

TNA Xplosion, featuring a Jeremy Buck vs. Shannon Moore “Xplosion Championship Challenge” match, ranked outside the top 10 highest rated programs on Challenge TV and thus i’m unable to confirm the exact viewing figures for the episode. However the lowest ranked of the top 10, Play Your Cards Right, drew 128,000 viewers, meaning TNA Xplosion falls somewhere below that figure.

Here is the Top 10 ranked programs on Challenge for the week:

Challenge
w/e 10 July 2011

1	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (TUE 2200)	216
2	CATCHPHRASE (SUN 1832)	151
3	BULLSEYE (FRI 2301)	142
4	CLASSIC WHO WANTS TBA MILLIONARE (THU 2100)	142
5	CLASSIC WHO WANTS TBA MILLIONARE (TUE 2100)	142
6	IN IT TO WIN IT (TUE 1959)	141
7	CLASSIC WHO WANTS TBA MILLIONARE (FRI 2059)	135
8	BULLSEYE (FRI 2330)	130
9	CLASSIC WHO WANTS TBA MILLIONARE (WED 2100)	128
10	CATCHPHRASE (SAT 1831)	128

WWE’s RAW, posted 118,000 viewers, down 34,000 viewers from last week. WWE’s other flagship show “Smackdown” drew 112,000 viewers, this was up 16,000 viewers from last weeks airing.

Weekly Ratings Summary:

1	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (TUE, Challenge , 2200)	216,000
2	WWE LATE NIGHT RAW – LIVE (MON, Sky Sport 3, 2600)	118,000
3	WWE LATE NIGHT SMACKDOWN (FRI, Sky Sports 2, 2230)	112,000
4	TNA PRESENTS IMPACT WRESTLING (SAT, Challenge+1 , 2201)	30,000
5	TNA XPLOSION (TUE, Challenge, 2400)	Under 128,000

Weekly Ratings Wins so far (2011)*:
IMPACT Wrestling – 18
WWE RAW – 2
WWE Smackdown – 2

*Based on first showing viewing figures, not inclusive of +1 or replay figures.

WHAT’S MY ANGLE?: “ANDERSON’S REIGN”

Shouldn’t Roode be the one getting the push?

So Mr Anderson joins Immortal, smart move I guess. Immortal has needed a lead heel since the departure of Jeff Hardy and I guess Anderson fits the bill.

I have been a little disappointed in Anderson of late in truth, he is one of the best in the business on the mic but I’m not convinced he brings much else to the table.

This could be a little harsh, I myself thought his original title reign was a little short and thought he deserved a little more time to show us what he could do and now that he holds the title, for me something about it seems a little flat.

HULK HOGAN HOLDS TALENT MEETING AT TV TAPINGS

Hulk Hogan: Held talent meeting at tv tapings

According to the Wrestling Observer, Hulk Hogan held a backstage meeting with the entire TNA roster at the iMPACT! tapings on Tuesday. During the meeting, he stressed that everyone needed to “step up their games” as it pertains to telling stories in the ring. This has been a common theme in Hogan’s previous meetings with the roster. The source notes that several talents who attended the meeting weren’t very receptive to it as they’ve heard it all before. After Hogan was done speaking, Dixie Carter asked if anyone had any questions and nobody raised their hands.

It should be noted that Vince Russo and fellow writer Matt Conway were the only people who did not attend the meeting. No word on why as of this writing.

Ray’s Thoughts: I’d take these “backstage reports” from the Observer with a pinch of salt. I’ve been reading these same “low morale/anti-russo sentiment” reports from the Observer for the past three years and don’t buy it for a moment. If the talents were supposedly unhappy with the direction being given by Hogan, Russo and Conway would they still be with the company? I think not. Attention seeking article from the Observer in my opinion, nothing more to it.

IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT: “THE ANDERSON ULTIMATUM” – 12/07/11

IMPACT Wrestling: “The Anderson Ultimatum"

IMPACT Wrestling: “The Anderson Ultimatum”
Tuesday 12th July 2011 – 10pm on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT WRESTLING:
Immortal call out Mr. Anderson, letting him know he has until the end of the show to make up his mind as to whether he’s with Immortal or against them.
Crimson d. Bobby Roode  to gain 7 pts in the BFG Series
Kendrick gives Abyss his mask back, but pays the price!
Jack Evans d. Jesse Sorensen and Tony Nese to earn a spot at Destination X and a chance at an IMPACT Wrestling contract.
Douglas Williams gets the word out that he is issuing an open challenge at Destination X!
Velvet Sky d. ODB & Jackie in a handicap match meaning ODB & Jackie are gone from TNA.
Rob Van Dam d. Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles & Jerry Lynn in a Four Way Match.
Devon & D’Angelo Dinero d. Matt Morgan & James Storm in a BFG Series Match.
Hulk Hogan attacks Sting backstage, taking him out of the main event match.
Immortal (Bully Ray, Abyss, Scott Steiner & Gunner) d. Kurt Angle & Sting, after Mr. Anderson faked helping Angle and instead attacked him and joined Immortal!

Welcome to this weeks report for iMPACT Wrestling. Now I should tell you I have actually watched Destination X before I have sat down to do this report, so I will try to write this report without giving anything away.

We start this week show with a recap of last week where we see how Sting attacked Hulk Hogan.

IMPACT WRESTLING REPORT: “PLEASE STAND UP” – 05/07/11

IMPACT Wrestling: “Please Stand Up"

IMPACT Wrestling: “Please Stand Up”
Tuesday 5th July 2011 – 10pm on Challenge

THIS WEEK ON IMPACT WRESTLING:
Hulk Hogan welcomes Scott Steiner to Immortal and asks Mr. Anderson to reconsider his offer of a spot within the group.
A joker like Sting attacks Hogan and Immortal, asking the “Real” Hulk Hogan to please stand up again. This sets up a main event match with Scott Steiner.
Devon d. Samoa Joe in a BFG Series match
Low Ki d. Matt Bentley and Jimmy Yang to earn a spot at Destination X and a chance at an IMPACT Wrestling contract.
Mickie James, Ms. Tessmacher & Tara d. Winter, Angelina Love & Madison Rayne in a Knockouts Elimination Match
Daniels and AJ Styles sign the contract for their main event bout at Destination X.
RVD & Jerry Lynn take exception to Daniels and Styles boasts at having “built the X-Division”, all parties agree to a one night only four-way match next week.
British Invasion demand a Number 1 Contenders match with Mexican America.
An update from Jeff and Karen Jarrett in Mexico. They promise to return soon and they are bringing a gift for every member of Immortal.
Sting d. Scott Steiner
Kurt Angle makes the save as Hogan and Immortal Jump Sting.

Welcome to another addition of iMPACT Wrestling and my review. We open the show with Hulk Hogan in the back welcoming Scot Steiner to Immortal. As Steiner goes on his way Hogan starts walking and you hear Sting laughing as Hogan walks up he see Sting on a massive TV. Sting looks more like the Joker again this week. Sting rambles more stuff at Hogan and it looks like he has got inside Hulks head.

IMPACT WRESTLING HITS & MISSES – 05/07/11

Low Ki vs. Bentley vs. Yang: A definite Hit!

TNA HIT/MISS By Dan McGrath

This is my new column, which i’ll be doing on a weekly basis, just to give my views and opinions on everything that has gone down on Impact Wrestling. These are all completely my views and whether I reckon they are a hit or miss.

This weeks Hits

Low Ki vs Matt Bentley vs Jimmy Yang

First of all, Welcome back Low Ki! After last weeks X division 3 way it was refreshing to see a more of a stable and high action match. This match alone has made me more interested in Destination X, hopefully Eric Bischoff’s one man crusade of killing the x division wont happen and this is the prime example on TNA building up on their “Wrestling Matters” slogan. The match itself plenty of high spots very limited mistakes made in the match, entertaining from the bell and never let any of the action slipped! I’m hoping I see more action like this at Destination X, this is why I started watching TNA!!

WHAT’S MY ANGLE – “THE JOKER”

Kill the streak!

Ok so it’s been a few weeks but here we go once more.

Firstly a few weeks back now I had the chance to meet an idle, Kurt Angle. I have to say I found Kurt to be very gracious and a real gentleman. I have been to signing’s in the past but have to say Kurt really took his time with everyone he met, signing not just the cards we were given but anything you had, he would sign.

HULK HOGAN BACKS OFF ON “IMPACT ON THE ROAD” TWITTER STATEMENT

The Hulkster: Spoke too soon on twitter?

During an appearance on Bubba the Love Sponge’s radio show earlier today, Hulk Hogan commented that he got in trouble for tweeting that Impact would be going on the road every other taping starting in August.

PWinsider is reporting that there is no deal in place for this to take place, although there have been discussions with Spike TV about the idea. At the time Hogan made the announcement, nothing had been agreed upon, even in principle, so a lot of people in the TNA office were tearing their hair out as word reached them of Hogan letting the cat out of the bag.

On Bubba’s show, Hogan instead claimed an announcement would be made next week and they would be testing out the proposed schedule.