Impact Wrestling Review: TNA Presents - The Ball-Peen Hammer Ladder Match

This episode of Impact Wrestling hailed from Atlanta, GA. It was the aftermath of Slammiversary, TNA's third of four annual pay-per-view events. After defeating Sting, Bully Ray was expected to do his fair share of boasting, and then some.

Speaking of Bully, he opened up the show, similar to just about every week. This alone shows that TNA is still trying to revolve their program around Aces and Eights, which this idea has produced the lowest numbers in quite some time. If it ain't broke, don't fix it... but if it is, fix it quickly if it's worth it. Unfortunately, in this case, I'm not sure if it's worth it anymore. Hogan comes out during Bully's tirade and books another match with him against Jeff Hardy. Although they put together good matches, the TNA audience is in dire need for something fresh.

Hernandez vs. Chavo Guerrero was a good match, and Hernandez winning was a good choice. Seemingly, a Chavo heel turn is likely, which means nothing in the short or long run. Additionally, BFG series matches with Hernandez involved will be worth watching more than matches involving Chavo. I wouldn't be surprised if there will be some kind of wildcard match that would allow Chavo to slide in the series.

I suppose the feud between Devon and Joseph Park/Abyss is a positive direction. At least it is something new, and we get to see Abyss again. The exchanges that they had on Impact were decent, and Abyss holding gold is the right decision.

Samoa Joe vs. Robbie E to qualify for the BFG series was quite predictable. Robbie E has absolutely no direction going for him, and it puzzles me why they are giving him a spot on the main roster, while releasing people like Doug Williams and Kid Kash.

The staredown between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Kurt Angle was much needed to put Rampage on the TNA map. However, I still don't believe that it would do much for him, seeing how his wrestling and acting skills are subpar (as you can see by the twitching eye). Again, another acquisition that Dixie Carter is using in hopes to increase ratings. Not only will it not do that, but it will make the financial department be in a state of regret for the huge chunk taken out of payroll that could have been used for something else.

Honestly, I don't understand why TNA makes decisions like this. Pacman Jones, J-Woww, Chris Rock, Toby Keith, Brian Urlacher, King Mo, the list goes on, did nothing in the long run to help TNA. Although I respect his MMA career, Rampage is, once again, not the antidote.

The six man tag team match was good, and it was good to see the new champions booked in a match together. It will be interesting to see where they are going to go with the direction of each of these titles. One thing that I did see was that Chris Sabin is gaining more momentum from his crowd reaction, which is well-deserved. Is he ready to carry the TNA banner as world champion? No, not yet. If he cashes in the X Division title anytime soon, he most likely will lose.

Mickie James vs. Taeler Hendrix was properly booked. Good to see more Gut Check winners on the main roster, and the current character by Mickie James is a step in the right direction for this division. On a side note, Mickie James really knows how to make saccharine, creepy faces. Her ingratiating manners are a great way to develop her character again.

Bully Ray vs. Jeff Hardy was a good match, but did not make much sense. Not only was the goal of the non-title ladder match to get the infamous ball-peen hammer, as well as the match ending in a no-contest(?), but Brooke Hogan's prevention of her father harming Bully Ray could have been used in another segment rather than to ruin the match.

Overall, not happy with the follow-up show from Slammiversary. There desperately needs to be an overhaul in the booking in order to get out of this ratings slump.

If you were a TNA booker, what are five (logical) things you would do to better the product? Sound off below.