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The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
My Weekly TNA Notebook
The Kingfish Arnie Katz wrestles with some of the major issues raise by the 8/27 episode of TNA’s weekly TV show.

The Sty’s Retirement
On a program called iMPACT, it’s hard to think of anything that could’ve had less impact that the retirement of AJ Styles. The moldy old angle where a guy announces that he is quitting only to get dragged back into the ring by some personal feud is ho-him even at its best.

This was not that angle at its best. The mistakes include )but are not limited to):

Lack of Build-Up. Styles did have some disappointments, but the writers didn’t do much to tell fans the story of his growing disillusionment with his own performance.
Excessive Repetition. This is pretty much the same angle TNA worked with Kaz, except that he came back as the masked Suicide.
Insufficient Duration. The Phenomenal One’s retirement last maybe a couple of minutes. Fans didn’t have a chance to get used to the idea before it became clear that he was not going to retire.
No Drama. The rushed presentation meant that they couldn’t show Sting working on Styles to return. This should’ve been strung out over several shows using videos. Then when Styles returned, it would have been the culmination of a process.
Trivial Return Match. The fans cheered for AJ Styles, as they always do, but he should’ve returned in a high-profile match, either against Nash for the legends title or against Samoa Joe for the X Division title. He wouldn’t have necessarily had to win the strap, but he could’ve looked great in the match, lost by a cheat and gone on to No Surrender for a rematch that he would win.

It’s not too late for TNA to salvage something from this angle, Styles could still take an unfair loss and have to have another pep talk with Sting, who would guide him back to that smashing victory.

Presenting Dixie Carter
The principal owner of TNA comes across as a very lovely and intelligent mature woman. She’s not as dignified and strong as Linda McMahon, but she probably doesn’t have to be. After all, she really does wield the actual power.

She made a good impression as an individual, but she didn’t get the job done. She had some exciting announcements and minimized them. Instead, she fawned over Bobby Lashley a bit too fulsomely.

Ms. Carter made a decent start, but she ought to strive to make her future appearances a little more dramatic than this one. If she’s going to be on camera, then she has to be part of the show. No one expects her to develop a character as colorful as Mr. McMahon’s, but there should be an attempt to give her appearances on iMPACT more of a special feel.

Daffney’s Big Night
It was Hamada’s TNA debut, but I have to admit that it was Daffney who stood out in both the interview and the subsequent match.

Daffney was always more of a ringside, non-wrestling character, but she has obviously acquired some very solid ring skills. Here interview before she faced Hamada may have been her all-time best. TNA should definitely give her more mic time – and a match against another good worker wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

That’s all for now. I’ll be back tomorrow with a fresh installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising pro wrestling column. I hope you’ll join me then and, please, bring your friends.

— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
(9/1/09)