TNA Turning Point Review - August 25, 2016

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

​Mike Bennett Won a No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal For the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

This was your typical Battle Royal that featured a bunch of wrestlers you knew had no chance of winning, so admittedly, I paid little attention until the final few. In the meantime, Lashley entertained me greatly on commentary. My interest piqued when it came down to Bennett, Moose and Eddie Edwards, and although you could tell where it was going from there, I liked how it played out. I know people will ask why they're already teasing tension between Bennett and Moose, but Moose should have been a fan favorite from the get-go, so I'm fine with them likely facing off at Bound for Glory.


World Tag Team Champion Abyss def. Brother Nero

Yes, the pre-match promo between the Hardys and Decay was every bit as weird as you would expect from them, but it was glorious. I didn't enjoy the match for its in-ring action but rather for the hilarious antics of Matt Hardy and the others at ringside. I was surprised to see Abyss go over, but it made sense because the Hardys are already established and Decay will need some momentum in this feud.

---

Allie def. Sienna, Jade, Madison Rayne and Marti Belle in a No Disqualification Match to Win the Knockouts Championship

How sad is it that this was the full depth of the Knockouts division with the exception of Gail Kim? All of them have fallen to Kim before, so this looked like the leftovers. The match was a total train wreck, but I loved the shocking move to put the belt on Allie because in storyline, she isn't a trained wrestler. Thus, there's a lot of fun to be had with that angle and driving a wedge within Maria's mini stable.


Eli Drake Hosted 'Fact of Life' with the X-Division

Perhaps this was just me, but I walked away from this segment a bigger fan of Drake than anyone else involved. I'm glad the X-Division competitors were able to get some rare mic time, but I honestly don't care who wins the vacant title next week because I have zero incentive to cheer/boo any of them. Drake, on the other hand, continues to be a riot on the microphone and I hope he has a worthy match at the pending pay-per-view.


Ethan Carter III def. Drew Galloway (Aron Rex Served as Special Guest Referee)

The feud between EC3 and Galloway has been confusing to follow at times, but I appreciated how they played video packages recapping their history throughout the night leading up to the main event. It was a very well-wrestled match and I was happy it was kept straightforward without any shenanigans. There will be those asking why Rex was the special guest referee if he didn't do anything, but I'd rather have it that way than him costing someone the match for no reason. Galloway solidified his heel turn afterward by attacking Rex and that should be a great Bound for Glory match.


Overall Show

I had no idea that this was the Turning Point edition of Impact Wrestling until the commentators said it at the start of the show. While he had a newsworthy main event, nothing else on this episode needed that Turning Point title. That aside, it was a solid show and the seeds are slowly being planted for several matches at Bound for Glory, and it's awesome they're beginning the build early.