Here are some thoughts and observations from last nights Impact and Xplosion tapings featuring the Impact Zone debut of Kurt Angle.

It was interesting to see A1 and Petey Williams as a team against The Naturals. I had thought that no member of Team Canada could work together, and so did a number of people around me in the Impact Zone.

I thought Joes promo during the first episode of Impact was very good. It did both a good job of pushing the Monsters Ball match at Bound for Glory as well as start the tease for Joes quest for the NWA World Title. I also liked how Joes promo attempted to rebuild the prestige of the title. I see a lot of similarities between Joes promo and the way that he helped to make the Ring of Honor title one of the most prominent titles in wrestling.

If someone was going to come out to dispute Joes comments about the people who have held the title during the TNA era as paper champions, I am glad that it was not Jarrett who came out. I thought Christian was a good choice. I liked how Christian still brings up the fact that he was screwed out of the title at Slammiversary to some degree. However, Christian continues have selective memory when it comes to title runs. Apparently, Christian forgot about the almost two year title run Samoa Joe had in Ring of Honor.

It was an interesting twist to have Christian want to hold the title belt instead of Joe. I never expected that I would see a ladder match for the right to possess the NWA World Title belt.

I thought the segment with A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels attacking LAX and then fighting into the Impact Zone was a good touch. This has been one of the best feuds that TNA has had and they have done a great job of making it mean something other than wrestler A against wrestler B.

I have not been a fan of the Kevin Nash and the X Division angle and I am not looking forward to seeing what is going to happen with his return. However, Kevin was at his best with the fake sympathy during his promo.

With the Diamonds in the Rough teasing a break-up, I wonder how many other teams will also tease a break-up since we already have the continuing issues between Americas Most Wanted. It was also surprising to see Ron Killings come back into the ring to shake hands with Elix Skipper after David Young and Simon Diamond left the ring.