TNA Impact Wrestling Review - November 3, 2016

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Maria and Sienna Interrupted Brandi Rhodes

If Brandi's promo was any indication, Cody is done with TNA for the foreseeable future and he wrapped up his run last week following the mixed tag team match. I really couldn't care less about Brandi continuing to feud with Maria, though. Maria is an excellent character, but Brandi just isn't capable of standing out on her own right now. This wasn't a bad promo from her, but I fear the matches will be atrocious after her abysmal performance in last week's main event.


Impact Grand Champion Aron Rex def. Jessie Godderz

As I've said before, these type of matches aren't doing much for me, and it doesn't help that the champion of the division is beyond boring to watch. Rex has hardly been compelling since coming to TNA. I might even argue Godderz shined brighter than he did here. But all of these matches blend together and no bout is any different than the last. If nothing else, Rex is effectively furthering his slow-burning heel turn, which is the best role for him at this point.

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X-Division Champion DJ Z, Braxton Sutter and Mandrews def. Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett & Marshe Rockett and Rockstar Spud & Decay in a Triple Threat Team X Gold Match

I'm still struggling to figure out what this Team X Gold concept is all about, but according to the commentators, the rules are "strictly enforced," and they enforce that by ejecting Decay from the match down the stretch. Once again, the in-ring action was entertaining and fun to follow, but there isn't a reason to invest in the matches because they come across as random and total spot fests.


World Tag Team Champions "Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero def. The DCC by Disqualification

The match was complete throwaway because it didn't last long and had a non-finish, but that was the right move to make considering this was DCC's first match and it's far too soon for The Hardyz to be dropping the belts. In fact, the post-match brawl backstage was much more enjoyable and the antics that ensued were hilarious. I'm anxious to find out who is behind DCC and if Matt will have amnesia as teased going forward.


Ethan Carter III Called Out Eli Drake

I've been really digging this feud since it started and this was another excellent segment from them. EC3 has only now come into his own as a babyface and I think his latest losses might have actually helped him. Drake also continues to kill it on the mic and I absolutely loved how Drake didn't look like a dummy (yeah!) like everyone else by agreeing to EC3's challenge so easily. It's very rare something like that happens.


TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards def. Lashley

Edwards and Lashley have tremendous chemistry together, so it was no surprise that this match was just as strong as their past encounters. They built up Edwards very well over the course of the night with the various video packages and that was the best he has come across since winning the title. The overbooking at the end was a bit ridiculous, but it protected Lashley in defeat and set up the need for a future rematch down the road.


Overall Show

There wasn't anything awful on this edition of Impact Wrestling, just a few things I'm not thrilled about from the Brandi Rhodes/Maria feud and the Impact Grand Championship stuff. Everything else, however, ranged from good to great, making it a solid show on the whole. It's just a shame all the drama behind the scenes steals the thunder from how quality the televised product has been this year.