Give "iMPACT!" Some Time

It goes without saying that TNA's "iMPACT!" needs to become a two-hour program in order for its talent to truly shine. It also needs the extra hour for the betterment of its production value. The show remains a rushed production. Each week they present segment after segment squshed together with no apparent rhyme or reason.

One of the most evident examples of this occured last night on "iMPACT!" after The Naturals lost a Tables Match to Team 3D. Shane Douglas berates his fallen team and then exclaims that he's leaving them for good.

Here was the play-by-play preceding this occurance:

Don West: "Oh, I can't believe it! Shane Douglas says he's done. He feels they've gone backwards, Mike. They've not gotten better like he wanted".

Mike Tenay's response: "To JB, outside of the locker room of Samoa Joe".

Now, it's no secret that I think West and Tenay suck. Among the many reasons is that they call every damn thing they're watching as if the viewer is blind. Right on down to calling Abyss handing the bat to Sting last night after making a save from Christian Cage and Tomko. I felt like yelling, "Yeah guys, we know! We're watching it too! Be interesting for once!".

But the poor editing of the broadcast aren't these guys' fault. So sadly, just like the hurried editing job done to each "iMPACT!" broadcast, the announce team is forced to rush their lines and hit their cues without being given the chance to evoke the emotion necessary to properly tell the story.

Here's where WWE proves it knows its stuff. Not all storylines are good...but they are all TOLD. At the very least, time is provided to any given situation so that the viewer is aware of what's happening and how to feel about it. We are being 'taught' the story.

JBL often provides great examples of how this is done. You put a guy who is new to the television audience in a match...and you put him over like nobody's business.

So, for instance, by the end of Dave Taylor's first televised match on "SmackDown!" a few weeks ago, you know that he comes from a wrestling family. You know, not only his accolades, but those of his father and even his neice. It now makes sense to the audience why this guy is teaming with William Regal. We know why he is important. Why he should be regarded with respect. Why he will prove to be a force to be reckoned with. Why he and his partner deserve a shot at the titles.

On "iMPACT!", most competitors are not given enough time - and therefore not enough of a story - to garner any real emotion from the audience. Most 'stories' are hard to get behind. For example, Sting "caring" about Abyss just doesn't do it for me. What's the real reasoning behind this?

But, in fairness, I think TNA is doing a few things right. I'm behind Kurt Angle's...well...angle (I feel like Austin Powers right now). I've always felt that Kurt comes off much more natural as a heel. And his goals makes perfect sense. Being a legitimate Olympic gold medalist and multi-time professional wrestling champion, there should be nothing else on Kurt's mind but winning. Nothing should be more important than proving he's the best.

And that's why his overflowing frustration with not getting a rematch with Samoa Joe makes sense as a character trait. Furthermore, it allows TNA to provide a good set-up for, quite frankly, what they do best - presenting great O-filled wrestling matches. I look forward to the third encounter between these two.

That is not to say that no one in TNA should cut any promos. Here's what I've noticed lately: AJ Styles has definitely improved. His backstage interview last night went smoothly - no blunders, hesitations or signs of discomfort were visible.

Secondly, I'm in love with the Paparazzi Championship Series skits. Again, these are very original in their presentation. The camera work, editing and acting are all unique. And again, I think they're funny. This week's top line went to Alex Shelley in defense of a "Mr. Chlamydia" comment from Jay Lethal: "Wouldn't it be an inspirational story if somebody with chlamydia won this event?".

And what's with all the Bob Backlund references? They're so left field, I think they're hilarious. Kevin Nash is definitely racking up O's in a way I never thought he would. Good for him...seriously.

BUT...then there's K-Kwik. Yep, K-Kwik. Until this moron quits his "dancing" and "rapping", I will never refer to him as "The Truth". How insanely lame was his "Happy Holidays" rap last night? And Lance Hoyt's dancing didn't help either!

And there's also VKM - Okay guys, the joke was old a month ago. I seriously doubt the fans, let alone anyone in WWE, care about what you're doing. Give it up already and wrestle a match, why don't cha?

I agree with Frank Fronte. Give TNA another hour to truly prove if they have what it takes to entertain a wrestling audience adequately. I believe the company has it in 'em do it...but will they? Only 'time' will tell.

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