Thought Summerslam delivered and had a "must-see" feel to it for the first time in a couple of years. I agree with your sentiments about Roman
Reigns. It seems in general that a loss is equal to being branded with the Scarlet Letter. I think Orton could have won the match using some nefarious means without hurting Reigns' momentum. Personally, I would like to see Reigns and Rusev feud, maybe throwing in the US title, would be very interesting.

On a side note, am I the only who thought the 8-minute highlight of NOC 2010 was awesome.

Nasty brainbuster by AA!!!

This crowd blows

I have actually enjoyed the rise of Gunner as a face. I was skeptical of Gunner being a viable face a year ago when he first teamed up with Storm. But I have enjoyed how TNA has built him as a face. I think the months between Lockdown and Slammiversary will determine whether TNA can survive. If they can put on a strong showing with some fresh faces I think TNA will be able to survive.

I debated a little whether or not I should leave a comment. It seems that many LOP readers take everything reported about TNA as the Gospel Truth. I do not argue that TNA has faced financial stress since deciding to go on tour. However, I think many of the changes being made by TNA is to ensure that unlike WCW or ECW, they have enough money to continue operating.

The biggest problem facing TNA is that there just is the appetite for wrestling like there was in the late 80s and 90s. The WWE will always get more exposure than any other US based wrestling promotion, regardless of who is running it. 40 years of history and 20 years of being nationally televised has essentially created a fiefdom for WWE. TNA knows that it will never compete WWE and now has to make a course correction from the path that Hogan and Bishoff took it down.

I also think that people put too much stock into wrestlers that leave TNA. Hogan and Bishoff had to go, they were a losing investment and based their thinking on what worked for WCW/WWE would work for TNA. There leaving was necessary for TNA to survive. RVD leaving did not hurt TNA, they had the same ratings with him and without him. Losing Angle and Hardy will hurt but everyone knows their careers are coming to an end. It does not matter if Angle and Hardy spend a year in WWE before retiring, as they would be leaving TNA regardless.

For all the wrestlers let go by TNA, none of them were game changers. Are any of the talent released (outside of ex-WWE, Sting and AJ) markedly better than the new talent brought? I would say no. I have enjoyed the development of EC3. The introduction of the Wolves and MVP. The rise of Gunner as a player in TNA. I look forward to seeing Tiger Uno in TNA as well as some of the Wrestle-1 performers. TNA can be choosy with the wrestlers they hire. They can generally pay more than the indies and give wrestlers the opportunity to perform on a national stage.

I am not sure how long TNA can or will last. There is no doubt that the 2013 going live tour hurt the financial condition of the company. But to what extent, nobody knows. But if the recent UK tour has shown, TNA does have a strong following. TNA may never crack a 2 million viewers but they have also shown they no matter who they trot out to the ring, over a million people will tune in to see.

First, must give props because I know how hard it is to fantasy book. Enjoyed the show and think it would come across great on TV. It is still a challenge to to separate your booking with the ongoing booking in TNA but definitely think you booking maximizes the time allotted to TNA.

The only part I take issue is Joe tapping out to Magnus. That is not say Joe should never tap out, but it should come as a big blowoff to an equally big feud.

Not bad. I actually like the direction that TNA is headed but that they just need to learn where to make tweaks. If I had creative control this would be my card for Lockdown:

First Hour:
1. Lethal Lockdown for X-Division Title - Austin Aries (c) v. Kenny King v. Manic v. Zema Ion v. Wrestle-1 wrestler

For the first match, you got to start off with an exciting X-Division match to get the crowd flowing. I would give this match 17-20 mins. The first competitor eliminated would be Manic by Kenny King, keeping KK in a strong position after Lockdown. Next elimination would be Zema by AA, the champ getting to show strut his stuff. The last elimination would be KK by the Wreste-1 wrestler, who is inserted into this match by MVP as he and Muta were revealed as the new investors. While Wrestle-1 would get to shine, AA would still walk out the champ.

2. Storm v. Gunner

This would be a hard hitting match, giving Storm and Gunner about 8 mins to beat the crap out of each other. Gunner would be playing the heel, which would be set up after his failed title shot. Storm would have done his best to neutralize intereference from Magnus's goons but Magnus would still have gotten the pin on Gunner. This time, Gunner would snap on Storm, leading him back to the dark side where his aggression could be of better use. The match would go to Gunner, as he needs a win against a top opponent and Storm is excellent at putting over talent

3. Chris Sabin and Alpha Female v. Velvet Sky and Mystery Partner

The build up of this feud has been ongoing and I would not change much that has already been done. The Sabin would challenge VS to a match and for her to find a partner. VS would tease that a member of the TNA roster was her partner but would not reveal his identity until Lockdown. And making his return to TNA would be Alex Shelley, coming back to to battle his old partner. I would give this match 10 mins allowing Alpha Female to show her stuff as well as to give Shelley and Sabin time to show their stuff. In the end, VS and AS would be victorious.

4. Monsters Ball Match - Eric Young v. Abyss

I would have held off to EY and Abyss showdown until Lockdown, giving them 10 mins to beat the living hell out of each other. I have enjoyed the culmination Abyss and Joseph Park melding into one personalty. Abyss would still get the win.

2nd Hour

5. Knockout Title Match - Gail Kim (c) v. Madison Rayne

I would have held off changing the title on Madison until Lockdown. It would allow the two build up heat heading into Madison taking the victory. I would give the KO 10 mins here to strut there stuff. The loss by GK would be the first crack between her and Lei Tapa, as Tapa was neutralized by ODB. This would lead to a ODB, GK, LT and Madison feuding over the title post Lockdown

6. Tag Team Title - Bro Mans (c) v. Bad Influence v. The Wolves

IMO, the Bro Mans are a very underrated team, whereas BI and the Wolves are definitely the top two teams in TNA. The lead into this match would have the Wolves and BI exchange victories over each other on the Impacts leading up to Lockdown, with both wanting a shot at the title. MVP would make the match giving his new investment a shot at the title. Definitely would give these guys 15 mins ad have BI walk out as the new champs, prolonging the feud between BI and the Wolves.

7. Casket Match - Bully Ray v. Mr. Anderson

Not much I would change in this feud as I think that TNA has down a good job building this secondary feud. I would have the payoff match on Lockdown, with Mr. Anderson getting the win. Another 15 min affair.

Third Hour

7. Lethal Lockdown Team MVP (MVP, AJ, Jeff Hardy and a Wrestler 1) v Team Dixie (Bobby Roode, EC III, Rockstar Spud, Crimson )

Obviously, AJ resigning is something that may be a long shot but TNA should get him on a two year deal and after lockdown exclusively have him feud with younger stars such as EC III, Kenny King, Sam Shaw and other newcomers. Again, anotehr Wrestle-1 wrestler is on MVP's team as Muta has come forward as one of "they." As for Team Dixie, I wanted to add a new face and Crimson IMO was not given a fair shake before his departure and could grow into a ME caliber player. In the end, Team MVP would prevail with AJ pinning ECIII, which would be a catalyst for these two to feud.

8. TNA World Title - Magnus (c) v. Samoa Joe

Really not going to change much with this one, as TNA has gotten right pushing Joe back into the Main Event. Lockdown would be good place to make a title change, Magnus still has a lot of years ahead of him and his current reign has cemented his spot as a main eventer. Joe winning would allow new fresh feuds to develop over 2014.

Hit the nail right on the head with this article. While I have enjoyed the last month of Impact, I have been thinking to myself the exact same points you discussed. IMO, TNA should always have at least 4 matches, if not 5. It is not hard, give the main event 10 to 15 mins, another highlight match about 6 to 8 mins and then the other 2 or 3 matches could be fast paced 5 to 8 min matches. I would cut down in ring promos to last no more than 10 minutes, that is it. Anything longer and the audience will undoubtedly lose interest. All these things are small steps that would greatly improve the product.

I think a Joe / Magnus match at Lockdown would be great.

I agree that Aries and King need more exposure. TNA should have those two feud over the X-Division title. As for Garrett and Brisco I am glad that they are off my tv.