2011 Discussion

Discuss iMPACT in 2011.

Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave vs. Kid Kash - 06/13/11
So, this was the first of those qualifying matches for the match at DX where one could earn a contract in TNA and it's so refreshing that none of the other qualifying matches could live up to it. When you've got 3 properly talented guys in the ring like you do here, it's hard to come up with crap. But for a mere 5 minutes, it's completely balls to the wall action, in a good way too. Before this, the X-Division was lacking a spark, and this is the match that lit the fire in the X-Division again, albeit just for a few months until Aries moved on to bigger and better things. Kash looked so impressive here that he actually gained himself a contract regardless of any outcomes. Rave definitely looked the weaker of the 3, and I feel that he should've ditched his Rock'N'Rock-Guitar Hero persona for this. Aries was the standout star here, by a million miles. He looked motivated, in-gear and ready to make an impression and that's exactly what he did.

Austin Aries vs. Shannon Moore - 07/11/11
This was Aries' first match officially under contract since DX. It doesn't even reach the 4 minute mark but for what it is, it's still fun. Nothing amazing quality wise, just popcorn wrestling more than anything, short and sweet, know what I mean? Moore looked impressive here, for once, if he'd pulled out performances like this throughout his entire TNA tenure, he might still have a contact. This was pretty much just a match to show that Aries' could compete with the official X-Division roster and establish his heel character. Get him over with the TV crowd and such. Once again, he's elegant and entertaining to watch, it just feels like this sort of moves-y match doesn't suit him the best. A slower pace with some more time, and this would've been a whole lot better.

Austin Aries vs. Alex Shelley - 07/26/11 (Aired 08/03/11)
Another short and sweet match pitting the two challengers for Kendrick's X-Title against each other. Shelley wasn't pleased about Aries' antics against Moore, using the chain, and that leads to this. You'd think they could've come up with something a little better than that. Either way, these two have great chemistry and it's easy to see why TNA paired them up so many times in 06/07 and again in 11/12. Once again, this was to establish Aries' to the audience more than anything and Shelley is a much better opponent to earn a rep against than Moore. The action is like you'd expect, moves-y but it's not as bad for it as the Moore match. There's some comedy here with Aries' trying to use the spikes on Shelley's jacket to attack him with and Hebner falls on his ass in a little kerfuffle. The low blow in the finishing sequence had a great sound to it, love the way Aries' kicks come across so well. Shelley takes a brainbuster like a champ, everybody hates Aries but loves him at the same time. Even here, there was aura surrounding him of being a potentially big deal in the future.

Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson (IMPACT, 02/03/11)
Will Jeff Hardy die big and ugly enough to make me give a shit about a Mr Anderson match? Jeff sells the assbeating early and the outof the ring into the ring transition was simple and effect to get to the guy with a fun offense on offense. Anderson crappily punches to COMEBACK but is mercifully cut off by Hardy to keep it above the What Worked Line. Hardy cuts him off a quick nearfall and THIS WILL WORK if HArdy can keep Anderson from ruining it by going on offense- which is a price you pay when Anderson does attempts at selling. Anderson doesn't lean into the shots into the steps like YOU KNOW Hardy would. The LaParka Flying Body Attack cuts off the cameback and they edit the hell out of Anderson's hilarious punches- though, to be fair, they do look they try to lay them in at the end of the exchange. Hardy leans into the Enzuguiri like a fucking KING and this is still working. Poopy Reverse Falcon Arrow and the match is teetering. THEM IS THEY! THEY IS THEY! THEM IS THEM! BEER MONEY is THEM! AL STYLES IS THEY! Fellow Carolinian AJ Styles turns on Hardy with a Styles Clash and Anderson retains! Ooo, I'm crazy because I still dig the Hardys and I look forward to Hardys versus Beer Money. Yeah, this worked.