What’s really Before The Impact?
Photo Credit: IMPACT Wrestling
3rd voice of #TNIUK #IMPACTED Podcast on @WeTalkImpact
Impact Wrestling editor for #Wrestlebuddy
Find me with #SimplySteve
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Before the Impact was a breath of fresh air to the product and something that I think has really added a great deal, It acts as a third hour of Impact without being a third hour officially. It’s been utilised really well and it looks like it’s here to stay which is great as it is a really successful idea.
With every successful idea however as time goes on there can start to become a few creaks which need to just be ironed out, such as possibly the show being a little to formulaic perhaps? We would usually see every single segment appear at the same time in the show, which is understandable you want a format, but can get too predictable.
That was until this past week where for the very first time we saw a new change up in the format to BTI. We had Josh Alexander defending his X division title against TJP in a 60 minute Iron Man match, this match would go for the majority of Before the Impact and then bleed into Impact and that’s where it would culminate, on the main show. This was the main focus point and with it leading into Impact next it was certainly different and unique, this may be a one off change or may be something they’ll do more we’ll have to see.
Being that BTI Is still rather new and they’re learning what to do with it every step of the way lets take a look at a few ways that could possibly help BTI really make a move as a great pre Impact show.
3. Late Intel?
I always really liked George Iceman when he made a couple of appearances on Impact and when they announced he would have his own segment on BTI, that was nothing but good news. I was incredibly intrigued when they announced the Iceman’s Intel and wanted to see what kind of scoops we got, as you wondered what kind inside news/stories we may hear.
I was really pleasantly surprised to begin with as it was something that I always looked forward to (and in a way I still do) on BTI. However as time has gone on I often feel that maybe we get the information from the Iceman a little late (it does depend when he gets the Intel obviously), as the pay off’s feel like they happen a bit too soon (if at all) to me.
For example, something will get said on Iceman’s Intel, then more often then not on the Impact following BTI we’ll get the answer to whatever Iceman was talking about. The issue here is if I’m already tuned into BTI I’m more than likely going to be watching Impact too. Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to pay it off say a week later? If you use Iceman’s Intel as a way add intrigue for future shows it could make more people tune in as they’ll be interested to know when the pay off will happen. Don’t be so quick to pay things off, time can be your friend.
2. Let’s see the presenters
Personally I’m a big fan of the 3 person team we have on Before The Impact, I feel everyone knows where they stand, everyone clicks with each other, there’s awkwardness from Josh Matthews but that’s on purposes and it all just flows together really well. That’s why I’m so surprised that we don’t see much of them “presenting” on BTI, In total we only see them for roughly 9 minutes on a 40 minute show that just doesn’t seem enough.
It would also feel like they could utilise Jon, Gia and Josh (if they got the time) to maybe discuss topics about the matches and wrestlers a little more, that would then open up a whole new amount of possibilities when you watch these matches as you have 3 knowledgeable people who are giving their opinions on what they think and possibly opening up some brand new ideas.
1. Highlight Overboard
Sadly ever since Before The Impact started one thing has always stood out to me, that is that they’ve always had highlight reels that go far too long, They’re meant to be called highlights for a reason. On average the highlight reels get half the show devoted to them and when you think of it like that, it’s quite ridiculous.
Short sharp and sweet is all they need to be, enough that we get the information that we need and then back to the studio, plus if we’re being brutally honest most of us watching BTI probably saw last weeks Impact so it’s likely still fresh in our memory, we don’t need to see the whole match again. Then when they do it for every match, for me it’s sadly just a skip over section sadly. If there’s other people who enjoy them as they are then more power to you, however if more enjoy skiping also then think about that Impact, that’s half your show people aren’t watching that can be used in a better way?
Thanks for reading. Leave any other possibilities in the comments section below.
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