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I caught some TNA finally and thought that this month's TV was a lot better handled.  It's still far from perfect, but the booking seems a little tighter, the characters more flushed out, and the storylines making more sense than usual.  Also, there's an occasional good match or two.

The 6-5-2008 episode was probably 75% on target.  From a PPV selling viewpoint, I wouldn't be completely sold on purchasing the PPV.  There's not enough from the TV and from TNA's PPV history that gives credibility to spending a few bucks on the PPV (I probably would be better off using that money for my car).  However, I have to say that the long term booking is starting to look better or at least certain characters are developing for potential long term usage.

AJ Styles is becoming a full star in his own right.  The beatdowns worked as they singled him out and made him important, leading to his match with Kurt Angle.  Both guys aren't looking to back down.  The whole "it's gotten personal" cliche actually works since both characters look motivated and not cute, but serious in their determination to beat the shit out of each other.  AJ Styles doesn't need to beat Kurt this time because they can have a prolonged feud with AJ Styles going over ultimately in the end as the payoff.  Also, this is a kind of cool match because it's a first for PPV.  I doubt it will be epic, but it might be more interesting than Samoa Joe vs Kurt Angle.  I don't think Angle and AJ are ready at this stage to have their epic fight, but at least the seeds should be planted.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the women's division is the best thing in TNA right now.  Their matches aren't fantastic (they need epics), but they have interesting characters and the TNA Knockouts are slowly developing into their own.  ODB is kinda like a new Terry Funk; she can't wrestle really well, but she's a chaotic brawler rather than just a generic spot machine.  The Beautiful People are great heels.  They can't wrestle well either (too inexperienced) but they are very good in their roles and have a nice gimmick.  Roxxi is a good wrestler and we can concentrate on her pure abilities since her head was shaved.  And of course there's Kong (whom I met btw in Japan a few years ago; hey, we're from the same hometown!!!!).  The division is interesting because there's a lot of development taking place and the booking is simple and makes sense.

The King of the Mountain X-Division match was a fun little crash-n-burn Top Gun type of show.  Unfortunately, as a division they pretty much are typecast as stunt people.  One reading I have of why they do these strange matches is that they want to do some American gladiators type of competition game thing rather than straight wrestling.  While it is progressive, it isn't wrestling at the end of the day and I wish that whoever books the X-Division watches the women's division because that's what they ought to be accomplishing.

Then there's the main title scene.  I'm still apathetic at this stage, but I'm hoping that they give Samoa Joe a fair run with the title.  Let him run the gauntlet.  Right now, there's a lot of good challengers; he's already beaten everyone as a challenger en route to becoming the champion.  Now, the context is reversed and he has to be the defending champion.

As of now, my biggest disappointment with TNA is that outside of the women's division, there's little new people coming up.  They really need 2-3 new people for both the heavyweight and X-Division.  Consequences Creed was a nice addition, but how long has it been since they've added anyone to that division?  Also, the tag division is once again toss apart.  2-3 months ago we had too many good or recognizable teams.  Now, there's probably 2-3 outside of LAX.   Of course, the X-Division's X Cup is coming up so we'll see a few new faces.  Until then though, the over divisions seem a little stale.