TNA iMPACT‘s big AMC debut featured a ton of surprise appearances. However, according to former WWE star Bishop Dyer, it didn’t deliver.
Speaking during a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio (via Wrestling Inc.), Dyer — who fans might know better as Baron Corbin — criticized the opening show. He said that although it was fun, the show featured a lack of what TNA is really known for.
“We can get into the million positives, but I think for me, when you look at TNA, it’s Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, literally by definition, what it stands for,” Dyer said. “I think my biggest issue with last night is we got three matches in two hours of television.”
Dyer went on to criticize the show for only having one match within its first hour. He felt that many of the show’s moments were done for the casual viewer, more so than anything else.
“We’re like an hour and ten minutes into the show, and we’ve had one match, and if I’m a casual viewer who’s viewing this for the first time, seeing these stars, I can promise you they were flipping channels for so many long promos of people that they don’t know who they are,” said Dyer. “… for you to sit there and watch a six or seven-minute promo, it’s difficult when you don’t know who they are. You can watch a 6, 12, or 15-minute match with talent you don’t know who they are, because it’s exciting.”
Dyer had problems with the lack of matches on TNA iMPACT
Dyer went on to say that the show would have been better served by running shorter video promos. He also said it should have highlighted its roster instead of having random appearances.
“The match they opened the show with, phenomenal,” Dyer said. “Let’s go, Hardys. How can you not be excited about that? Elijah’s doing his thing. Mustafa Ali is coming into some of his best character work and best in-ring work that he’s done, period. His group is awesome. Then give me a video package on maybe a little bit of the history of TNA and some of the talent, and then let’s go have another match. I think there should have been at least six matches on that show, or five, and you give the main event a half hour.”
Dyer also wasn’t a fan of the lack of Nic Nemeth, who recently re-signed with the company. To Dyer, he needed to be there. He also would’ve liked to see him potentially tease a new match against the new TNA World Champion, Mike Santana.
“They needed to have that on TV, because now, as a viewer, I saw a title change, and that was it. Well, what’s my draw to come back and watch next week?” Dyer asked.
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