TNA Impact Wrestling Review - September 8, 2016

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

​Moose Attacked Mike Bennett

This angle reminded me a lot of what we saw from The Miz and Alex Riley a few years ago where Riley was fired as Miz's assistant but was rehired as a member of the roster, and we saw something similar between Bennett and Moose. Both played their roles well here and I appreciated the intensity they brought to the segment. On a side note, the less I see of Dixie Carter on TV the better, but I've heard she will slowly be downplayed as an on-air character eventually anyway, so that's good news.


Gail Kim and Jade def. Sienna and Allie

I initially questioned why Sienna and Allie were even teaming considering the tension the two teased weeks ago, but thankfully, their dissension was the main focus of the match. It was relatively well-wrestled, but admittedly it was that dynamic that held my interest, in addition to Allie's adorable antics. Kim and Jade came off as background players as a result, which is never a positive thing considering Kim will likely be challenging for the belt at Bound for Glory, but at least Allie is receiving some storyline attention.

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TNA President Billy Corgan Unveiled the Impact Grand Championship

I really wish Corgan wouldn't be a regular on television if only because he comes off as awkward every time he appears. That said, it sounds like he's been doing a sound job as the legitimate President of TNA, so good for him. Thank the lord the King of the Mountain Championship is finally being done away with, but I just can't bring myself to care about this new MMA-esque title. Props to TNA for trying something new, but it take me a while to get behind the idea.


Drew Galloway def. Braxton Sutter in an Impact Grand Championship Quarterfinal Match

It makes sense from a storyline standpoint to hold a tournament to crown an inaugural champion so everyone has an equal chance of winning it, but it's obvious where this is headed and that's Galloway vs. Aron Rex for the title at Bound for Glory. As I noted in the previous paragraph, I'm not a fan of the MMA-style rules of these matches. Not that they're all that confusing, but rather they aren't exciting. Again, maybe my thoughts on them will change in time.


TNA World Heavyweight Champion Lashley and Ethan Carter III Brawled

I couldn't tell you the last press conference we had in TNA, let alone in any wrestling organization that was televised, so this was a refreshing change of pace. Better yet, not only was it an awesome idea in theory, it was excellently executed. Both guys were absolutely exceptional on the mic here and this might have been the best promo Lashley has cut as champion yet. The brawl afterward was merely icing on the cake and now I find myself much more excited for their upcoming championship clash.


Eli Drake def. Jesse Godderz in an Impact Grand Championship Quarterfinal Match

I'm a big fan of Drake's, so I liked this match a bit more than the other Quarterfinal match, but not by much. I still couldn't get into the rules even the second time, and who are these judges anyway? It's an interesting concept for sure, and I give them that, but TNA has had many ridiculous ideas over the years that rarely panned out and stuck around.


"Broken" Matt Hardy and Brother Nero Fought World Tag Team Champions Decay in "Delete or Decay"

This "match," if you can even call it that, didn't have nearly the same amount of buzz as Final Deletion did two months ago, but I might have enjoyed it more based off everyone involved bringing something stellar to the mix. From the short-lived return of Joseph Park to the destruction of Vanguard 1 (may he rest in peace), this was yet another masterpiece that everyone should check out when they can find the time. It truly was "sports entertainment" at its finest.


​Overall Show

Although this episode is worth watching for "Delete or Decay" alone, the rest of the show held up very nicely for the most part and I'm liking the direction the product is headed in as Bound for Glory approaches. There are several stories I can get invested in and those that I don't care too much about (i.e. the Impact Grand Championship tournament) are at least something different. If you haven't caught TNA in a while, now would be the time to give them another chance.