Bart Scott TNA

It was an interesting night on TNA iMPACT last night on Spike TV. Of course, the big story was Bart Scott of the New York Jets showing up and aligning himself with Hulk Hogan and the “Immortal” faction.

It was impressive seeing Scott actually getting involved in the action, too, unlike when Adam “Pacman” Jones showed up in a TNA a few years ago.  Jones was part of a tag-team with then-TNA wrestler Ron “The Truth” Killing (now R-Truth in the WWE), but TNA creative always managed to find a creative way to keep Jones out of the action.

Bart Scott mixed it up with several different wrestlers on the TNA roster and was even on the receiving end of Kurt Angle‘s ankle-lock submission hold.

Hulk Hogan had commented a couple of months ago (after Scott’s post-game rant following the Jets’ playoff win over the Patriots went viral) that when Scott was ready to make some “real money” to give him a call.  Looks like he did just that.

I’m not sure I agree with making Scott a heel, though.  He did a good job playing the part, especially in the segment with Ric Flair and Angle (“You look a lot bigger in person.”), but with a big NFL star like that, the crowd could really get behind him as a babyface, in my opinion.

You can check out a video interview ESPN conducted with Bart Scott regarding his TNA appearance and his trademarking of the term “Can’t Wait” below.

As for the rest of iMPACT last night, Sting finally returned to TNA as the “mystery opponent” that “the network” picked to face Jeff Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

Although I was extremely glad to see Sting return to TNA and not sign with the WWE (as some were speculating after those 2/21/11 promos ran), I have a couple of problems with this storyline.

First of all, I don’t see why TNA had to rip off those WWE promo videos.  They did so last week, and while I’m sure they got a kick out of poking fun at the WWE, it really makes them look amateurish when they not only acknowledge, but openly make fun of the competition, especially when Sting’s return to TNA after four months isn’t nearly as shocking or impressive as The Rock‘s return to WWE after seven years.

Secondly, Sting just waltzes back in like he never left and wins the TNA title?  I don’t understand why TNA trivializes the world championship like that.  It really devalues the title to have someone return (or sometimes even make their first appearance) and win the title, just like that.  This is also the second title change in less than a month, as Jeff Hardy beat Mr. Anderson a couple of weeks ago to reclaim “his” title belt.

That said, I’m glad to see Sting get one more title run, although hopefully it’s his last because I’m just not sure how much more punishment his body can take.

I also really don’t like this whole angle with “the network”.  Why does “the network” get to call the shots?  It really makes Eric Bischoff & Co. look helpless, when really they’re supposed to be the ultimate heel faction.

Seeing Hulk Hogan and Bischoff pleading with “the network” is really poor programming in my mind, but I guess when you let the heels “run” the company, it really limits your options as to who has the power to book a returning babyface as a surprise opponent for the current heel champ.

Speaking of running the company, it was also finally revealed last night that the courts have made their decision and Hulk Hogan now seems to have 100% control over TNA, leaving former “president” Dixie Carter out in the cold.

Fortune ended up coming out and saving Dixie from the wolves.

I’m glad that angle has hopefully wrapped up because I don’t think too many people were interested in it.  Now, we’ll have to wait and see how Vince Russo, the head of TNA creative, books Carter to get control of the company back.

There were some positives last night.  Seeing TNA get out of the iMPACT zone and take their show on the road was great.  It really gave TNA a major league feel seeing them in a crowded arena.

Now, if only there had been a little more actual wrestling.  I think the longest match of the night was the Sting / Hardy match which still clocked in at under 10 minutes…and that was in the overrun.

Beer Money squashed Gunner and Murphy, and Ink, Inc. came out to claim that they would be next in line for the Tag Team Championships.  That could be an interesting program and it would be nice to see Shannon Moore (and his Book of DILLIGAF) and Jesse Neal get a push.

Velvet Sky beat Sarita and Scott Steiner beat Rob Terry in two more quick matches.  Hernandez got himself disqualified for repeatedly smashing Matt Morgan‘s face into the steel steps, drawing blood.  Looks like that feud will continue on for a while.

We were also “treated” to Robbie E. and Cookie making their way to the ring with former Jersey Shore girl, Angelina, who wants to face J-Woww on next week’s show.  While this is great for some mainstream media attention, the angle is pretty weak from a wrestling perspective.

Who was that guy that came out and joined Tazz and Mike Tenay on commentary?  I missed his name and I’m not sure why we’re supposed to care about him.

The wedding bit with Jeff Jarrett and wife Karen Jarrett was brutal.  Not only was it groan-inducing, but the bits where Eric Young was clowning around with Orlando Jordan were just awful.  Tell me again why Orlando Jordan is in TNA and Christopher Daniels isn’t (other than under Suicide‘s mask).  TNA also obviously feels like it’s still a good idea to have Young devalue the traditional world title belt by wearing it around the locker room.  Ugh.

On the bright side, it was nice to see Karen get her face smashed into the cake.

So Sting is back, Hogan is in control, and Rob Terry is still “one vitamin away from a chemical disaster.”  Where does it all lead next?  We’ll have to wait and see next week.

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