“Remember when this show was AMAZING two years ago? I miss that too.”

I know what you’re thinking. And yes, this is VERY late, even if the date of the post says otherwise. That’s just me being clever for logging reasons. But this is my TNA Turning Point 2011 Review, slightly late, but still hopefully just as awesome (I KNOW you were looking forward to this one right?). Also, is it wrong that I had to go to Wikipedia to find that card? That’s how little I cared about this card. But apparently, Robert Roode turned heel, won the world title, and for no apparent reason would be facing AJ Styles for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Sounds half decent, let’s check it out.

On commentary as always, Mike Tenay and Taz.

Eric Young vs Robbie E (w/Rob Terry) (Television Championship Match)

I don’t think anyone was expecting great things here. I’m an admirer of Eric Young’s ability as comic relief, and it was funny how he seemed to be getting stronger the more clothes he was removing (No Homo), but this was just a very basic opener to get the crowd warmed up a little bit. But that former Legends and Global Championship Belt just has very little value right now, it’s turned into a comedy belt, especially with Robbie E holding it, a guy who’s only won 2 matches in the whole of 2011 and his first in 13 matches. Way to get the belt over on a guy with momentum right?

★ ½

Mexican America & Sarita vs Ink Inc & Toxxin (Mixed Tag Match for the Tag Team Championships)

Back-to-back boring matches, yet, back-to-back matches with clothing removal, this time on Anarquia’s pants. Wonderful. have to say I’m very happy to see Christina Von Eerie on TV given a shot as Toxxin, but this match is just another example of why TNA’s Tag Division is absolutely horrendous compared to when it was floriushing in 2008/2009. We’re down to the bare bones, and we’re getting the same sillyness from Mexican America. I mean god forbid a heel team winning clean in TNA these days. I miss Beer Money. I miss Chris Sabin. I miss Team 3D. I miss The British Invasion (Why are they on Explosion?!). *sighs*

★ ½

Austin Aries vs Kid Kash vs Jesse Sorensen (Triple Threat Match for the X-Division Championship)

Did all three men keep their clothes on for this one? They did? Excellent. Right, a good match here. I liked the story, and it was done well. Aries was in charge, with him and Kash being the heels, dictated the match, which they should due to their experience, and they gave Jesse Sorensen just enough to get back into the match and have some babyface comebacks, which I like because it gave him less of a chance to be sloppy, which he has done in the past. Given a good bit of time at 13 minutes as well. All good here.

★★★

Christopher Daniels vs Rob Van Dam (No DQ Match)

Is it just me, or is every RVD Match no DQ by default? It’s like he can’t work a normal match without half a ton of ladder and fancy barricade spots. But to be fair to him, I liked this match. Basic story, told well enough for the situation. Daniels was bending the rules, being the sneaky heel, and RVD gave Daniels what was coming to him, and RVD seemed more motivated in this game, visibly showing more effort. Why can’t RVD be like this more often? Daniels as usual, was good too. Again, little to complain about here besdies being slightly short on time at 11 minutes.

★★★

Matt Morgan vs Crimson

I liked this one too, surprisingly. Would YOU want to see two bigger guys have a mat wrestling match? No, of course not. You want two, big, 250+ pound guys to beat the tar out of each other, and that’s pretty much what they did here, and it worked. I couldn’t stand the finish though, it’s another cheap move by TNA by to keep Crimson’s unbeaten streak alive (Which I have no idea where they’re going with this, you’d think he’d have had 17 title shots by now), and most likely, set up a gimmicked rematch at Final Resolution. Which I actually wouldn’t mind seeing, maybe a Last Man Standing match considering how well they sold their big offence. Solid match, terrible ending.

★★

Scott Steiner & Bully Ray vs Mr Anderson & Abyss

This match just seemed flat out bizarre on paper, and in reality…I was pretty much right. Where the hell has Abyss been, and why should I suddenly care about him again? Why is Bully Ray here when he’s been pulling some of the best work of his career, and who is arguably, the best heel in Wrestling right now. And why is Steiner unintentionally hilarious?! All these questions answered and more, on the next exciting episode of Dragonball Z!

But seriously, this match was horrid chaos. Seemingly no structure here, match broke down numerous times, I was never into the action and the crowd didn’t give two hoots about Abyss or Anderson. Just a mess and the worst match on the card.

★

Velvet Sky vs Gail Kim (Knockout’s Tag Team Champion) (Knockout’s Championship Match)

Three guesses who won this match. No, it wasn’t Mickie James. It’s a damn shame that TNA are so predictable, to the point where if a former WWE worker comes over, TNA almost instantly book them on another planet. Velvet’s been the best consistent worker of the Knockouts in 2011, she finally had a shot to run with the belt, and it’s cut a month later to the expensive returning whiny import. Wonderful. I feel for Velvet, but the match was okay at least.

★ ½

Jeff Hardy vs Jeff Jarrett (x2?)

Well, this was different. Hardy hits a quick Twist of Hate for a three count, but Jarrett gets it restarted. This was a short, 6 minute match to give the fans something positive here, as the Main Event result is obvious. And I guess this match served its purpose where that’s concerned. Why not just have a lengthy 15 minute build up match? Because Jarrett isn’t horrible with the right guy and a motivated Hardy is as good as anyone. Odd-ass booking.

★ ½

Robert Roode vs AJ Styles (World Heavyweight Championship Match)

First of all, congratulations to Roode for winning the big one. Shame it wasn’t in the Main Event of BFG where it should belong, but still, he deserves it for his hard work. This match was very good, and it only got better down the stretch, really up-ing the pace towards the end, but I never was fully into it at no point did I believe that Styles was going to win, and that he was nothing more than another stand in, until TNA replays the super short Roode/Storm rivarly which is bound to happen again. Still, one of the better matches TNA has had this year, and a good Main Event to close the show.

★★★ ½ (Match of the Night)

Harrison’s Final Analysis on TNA Turning Point 2011

This wasn’t as bad as many made it out to be (Jared, I’m looking at you), but this was still just another, slightly above average, plodding TNA Show, with half a dozen matches that weren’t booked well, and overall, just a one and done show which you don’t need to see again. At all. Move along, nothing to see here. I’ve been Andre Harrison, thanks for reading, and sayonara!

Harrison’s TNA Turning Point 2011 Rating: 5.5 out of 10 – Average

TNA Turning Point 2011, 5.7 out of 10 based on 3 ratings

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