I didn't get a chance to watch the entire episode of this week's "TNA Impact!," so I can't comment directly on it. However, if you've kept up with this blog, you know I'm not the biggest TNA fan in the world.

It's too bad, since I kind of root for this company. It makes no sense that a roster this good--Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Rhino, Samoa Joe, I could go on--should make some dramatically stupid televised wrestling. Add to that when I watch TNA with the sound off (say I'm on the telephone or something) I love it. When the volume goes back up, I'm right back to wondering how this product got a national television deal and Ring of Honor flounders on first-run pay-per-view.

I got a lot of flack in the past for being a "spiteful" TNA hater, so here's a look and recap of what I think is wrong...and right...with this company. And here's your chance to agree or sock it to me if you like.

The Good

The roster is strong. Kurt Angle may be one of the best living performers in the business. Sting, even though he's lost a step or two, is still electrifying. Christian could have been just as strong a performer had he stayed in WWE. You've got Rhino, the Dudleyz (now Team 3-D), Samoa Joe, Jay Lethal, the Motor City Machine Guns, A.J. Styles and on and on.

They all put on great high-paced, high-impact matches. The quality of wrestling is spectacular, even if some of the best TNA matches are simply spotfests. The Angle/Joe matches have been phenomenal. The knockouts division is superior to WWE's divas.

Unfortunately, this is the only praise I can heap on the company. But, it's a damn good compliment to get if you're in the wrestling business.

The Bad

Where do we begin? One of the TNA announcers tonight called the promotion, "the company that reinvented the wrestling wheel."

I think not. Unless you want to count adding two sides to the squared circle or bringing back the scaffold match innovation.

TNA's television product is loud, annoying, and at times desperate. Nothing is given time to develop or sink in. When a new concept is introduced is so complicated, the viewer forgets it before it has time to gel. Remember King of the Mountain, or the reverse battle royal? How about this Deuces Wild tournament, although I'll admit the concept is growing on me.

In addition, they use lasers. Is this WCW circa 1995...'nuff said.

The pay-per-views are apparently no better. I haven't ordered one yet, although I plan to soon, but I believe there were a few where the outcome was revealed on the next Thursdays show. Ouch, what a waste of 30 bucks, if it's as bad as has been relayed to me.

I could go on, but...

The Ugly

A guy who wrestles with a dish of curry on his head? A guy dressed like a shark biting off "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's angle? "Macho Man" Randy Savage repackaged? The latter is kind of neat, but it seems to be Jay Lethal's entire career as of late.

What else?

The Dudleyz continually calling back to WWE or ECW, instead of showcasing what they've done lately. (I seem to remember a great six-sides of steel match about a year or two ago)

Pac Man Jones.

Outing Robbie McAllister on national television.

Lousy interview segments with questioners who sound and look like they're reading cue cards.

The now too long-running and flat Karen Angle angle (needed to get angle angle in there somewhere)

The sifting through noise to figure out who's a heel and who's a face.

Mike West and Don Tenay.

Kurt Angle in sneakers.


Let's cut it here.

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The sad part is, TNA has potential. But they settle on being the annoying little brother continually poking at WWE's heels rather than trying to mount a sincere challenge. If it weren't for the marquee names, TNA would look like just another indie promotion with a TV contract.

The company will grow, and will either implode or create another Monday Night Wars atmosphere. Hey, when wrestling companies compete you get some of the best product.

But before that happens, I fear TNA will indeed have to reinvent the wrestling wheel.

Hopefully they do it for the better. Or, they'll be ousted by Hulk Hogan's celebrity wrestling show. Now that's a scary thought.