Reported by Mike Siciliano of WrestleView.com
On Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 11:16 PM EST

First and foremost, a happy thanksgiving to each and every one of my readers. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday with the ones you care about most. I know I did, with my wife and children at my side, a terrific meal, and a very nice time.

Now, with the holiday came a rare opportunity for me to watch Impact! from post to post. I should provide a review of the show, but I didn't take any notes. Hell, before I took a breath, the show was half over. I do have a few things I'd like to talk about that concern me about the style of Impact! currently than where it was a few months back.

The talent pool is there. No question about it. Even with the WWE re-treads like Cage, Rhino, BG & Kip, and Team 3D, the talent pool still is there. AJ, Daniels, the Naturals, AMW, Abyss, Samoa Joe, the list is endless. SO, the question remains.

What's the need for all the ridiculous skits? Why not focus on what your tag line says. "We ARE wrestling."

Some examples. 1. VKM. Voodoo Kin Mafia, which appears to be a darker version of the DX/nWo thing with this supposed invasion of WWE headquarters. Yawn. We have been down this road, ladies and gentlemen, and quite frankly, I was bored with it back then, and I'm bored with it now. What I would like to see is VKM coming out and beating up everyone and their mother in the tag team division, and making some waves as potential contenders for the NWA World Tag Team Championships, not be involved in some ridiculous charade to put one over on WWE.

2. LAX. Yes, I know the whole political angle gives LAX all the heat they need for their tag team title run with AMW and against Cornette, and others. But, do we have to do this so severely by Konann's political rants that sound like a back alley street thug who swallowed an encyclopedia? Go out there, beat people up, and make the TNA brass take the titles from you instead of this mysterious stripping of the belts which turned out to be false threats with the forthcoming tag team title defense for Homicide and Hernandez next week against Petey Williams and Kurt Angle.

3. What does TNA think they're going to be able to do with Tyson Tomko? Tomko at best is a certifiable midcarder with a history alongside Christian Cage. Now, all of a sudden, they bring him back and re-team him with Cage? What is this becoming, a territory of WWE castoffs?

4. What business does Rhino have getting involved with the X Division, and why does it all of a sudden appear like AJ Styles has a personality disorder? Styles and Daniels should be allowed to team at any time they see fit, even if they are competing in the X Division, and if Styles is turning heel, which is not a bad idea, just turn him heel. Gradually doing it like this is absolutely insane, and Rhino's involvement is puzzling, at best.

5. Kevin Nash needs to retire. Plain and simple. This whole thing isn't entertaining. It's dumb. Did you notice Senshi in the back of that room looking about as interested as watching paint dry. What I would like to see, if Nash is too dumb to not hang it up, is see Nash take on a guy like Senshi. Whatever attitude problems the former Low Ki may have, he'd take a few pegs out of Nash's enormous ego, and maybe, just maybe, shut him up from doing this idiotic skits.

Just some opinions on what I saw from this past week. Now, two things as positives. 1. Shane Douglas and the Naturals. Even in defeat to AJ & Daniels, the Naturals looked mean, they looked focused, and they looked like a new entity in the NWA tag team division, and that can only be a positive for their development and hopeful return to the top of the mountain.

2. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe. I like this. Respect. Desire to fight. No bull, no flare, no frills. Get out, watch my back, I'll watch your back, and when the time comes, we'll try to kill each other. May the first person who stands up, wins.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is wrestling. Not the garbage that I am seeing from WWE, and now lately from TNA. Oh, and one thing, I saw this in one of my boards recently. It's obvious Vince Russo is back in TNA with the amount of times the title has changed hands in the past month. If it comes in to the hands of anyone else in the near future, well, just continue to devalue the prestige of these titles. But, who cares, Russo thinks it works.....

Keeping in on the TNA level for a while, I haven't done this in a long while. I have kept up with the product through the website, so I hope I am qualified to make these types of opinions. Here we go.

A1 - A potential victim of the unemployment line due to the disbanding of Team Canada.

Abyss - His time as champion has finally come, but he'll need a win over some major talent as champion to prove his attaining it wasn't the fluke it appears to be.

AJ Styles - What's left for Styles to do? Recapture the NWA title, since it's been a few years. But this chip on his shoulder either oughta turn to a full blown heel turn, or just drop it. This tweener garbage doesn't work.

Alex Shelley - Learning from Nash is never a bad thing, but when is Alex Shelley going to get out of his shadow and take his place as a shining star in the X Division?

Andy Douglas & Chase Stevens - The Naturals - All that can be said is, as long as they listen to the Franchise, the Franchise will eventually lead them back to the promised land. The only question is, when?

Austin Starr - The former Austin Aries also cannot not benefit from Nash's experience, but he will need to establish himself as an X Division competitor soon, if he is to keep his status within TNA.

BG James & Kip James - The Voodoo Kin Mafia - BG & Kip as a tag team, entertaining to the last. This thing, though, has disaster written all over it, as far as I am concerned.

Devon, Ray, & Runt - Team 3D - 3D lost a tables match to the Franchised Naturals. What will that do to their title aspirations? And why hasn't TNA put the belts on them yet?

Chris Harris & James Storm - America's Most Wanted - I would've thought that with Jarrett's departure from the limelight would've seen the end of this tag team. I am wrong. Let's see how they can run back as babyfaces.

Chris Sabin - With the X Division's plethora of faces, Sabin turned heel. He has scored some good play as a heel, but the full blown effect is not entirely there. Let's see where this goes. It has potential.

Christian Cage - Another shot awaits him at the World title, is he good enough to get by the Monster and the Icon? It's a tough road to hold for anyone.

Christy Hemme - As Ron Simmons would say, "Damn!"

David Young, Simon Diamond & Elix Skipper - The Diamonds in the Rough may be in trouble, as I don't see much room in the TNA realm for a midcard 3 person faction. Can we say a repeat meltdown like the 3LK, except a lot quieter?

Eric Young - All the talent in the world, and yet made out to look like a comedic fool. Why?

Christopher Daniels - The sky's the limit for as long as his body will hold out. Is he in tune for a heavyweight title run? I think he has the chance to make it.

Gail Kim - Has shown a lot of toughness during the angle with LAX. I didn't think she could take the abuse she has been taking physically. Obviously, I have been proven wrong.

Homicide, Hernandez & Konann - LAX - I don't like politics and wrestling. Homicide, I love, he has all the tools, and he is as nasty as they come. Hernandez reminds me of a geniune Tomko clone. K-Dogg is hurt, and that doesn't hurt his mouth. Keep the rants, lose the junk, and let Homicide run rampant. Get the politics out.

Jackie - Good luck to the Haas' first baby and the new mom.

James Mitchell - In a word, evil. I love it.

Jay Lethal - All the talent in the world, and time to let it grow. The dude isn't even 25 yet.

Jeff Jarrett - His body, or his mind, has told him to step aside. Good for him, and good for business.

Jim Cornette - With the ROH committments out of his way, TNA will benefit once his health returns. Cornette has the mind to do a lot. If he can get along with Russo, then chances are good things will begin to turn around.

Johnny Devine - Appears to be headed to Raven's new flock, the question is, can he handle being subordinate again, like he has been in Team Canada and the Paparazzi?

Kazarian - Has done absolutely zero since his return to TNA. Zero.

Kevin Nash - For the love of all that's holy, Kevin, Retire. Now.

Kurt Angle - He appears to have a new found focus, bounce in his step, whatever. Tonight was the first chance I've seen him live since the jump. He looks good, and he seems strong. This does nothing but benefit TNA by his mere presence.

Lance Hoyt - Is the midcarder ticked off Texan getting a role with the Truth?

Maverick Matt - No Traci, no role, no shot.

Ms. Brooks - Who is going to save her from the tirades of Robert "Don't call me Bobby" Roode?

Norman Smiley - What is this guy doing on the roster page of TNA?

Petey Williams - Never thought I'd see the day that Petey turns face and holds an American flag. It's awkward at first, but the change is refreshing. I think it will work, eventually.

Raven - Raven is truly at his sadistic best when he leads a faction. It appears to be headed in that direction. Is his body able to take much more abuse? Time will tell.

Rhino - The Styles proclaimed "Dr. Phil" of TNA needs to get out of the X Division business and try and rectify the humiliation of having a two day long NWA world title reign.

Robert Roode - I don't know whether to love this guy or hate him. The gimmick works, though. I don't like the screaming at the woman aspect of it, but I guess I have to accept it.

Ron Killings - This guy may have a niche with Lance Hoyt, but he can't be happy how he's been booked since 3LK bit the dust.

Samoa Joe - His body is becoming an issue with wear and tear. Another match with Angle at Turning Point is not going to help matters one bit.

Scott D'Amore - See Norman Smiley.

Scott Steiner - Is he even under contract anymore?

Senshi - What happened to Senshi getting another shot at the X title? Is the hot potato belt holdings becoming a straw in Senshi's bonnet? It would be for me.

Shane Douglas - Is Douglas thinking of wrestling some more? His role right now suits him perfectly.

Shark Boy - There always seems to be room for this guy. Don't know how, but there is.

Sirelda - See Norman Smiley, and insert the word "gal" where appropriate.

So Cal Val - Potentially Raven's new woman in his forthcoming faction. Raven will teach Val, which will do nothing but benefit her with the experience she needs. She also wants to get violent, which is always a positive, especially for one so young.

Sonjay Dutt - Currently the most explosive X division athlete never to hold the belt. I hope it changes, someday.

Sting - What is the new fangled temper going to show the world that hasn't been shown before? I don't know.

OK. that's it. Debate time.

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Happy thanksgiving, everyone.