Impact Wrestling Discussion

[TripleSkeet]

Big Rob Terry gets Gold.

Desmond Wolfe gets nothing.

Get used to it. I have a feeling you are going to see guys like Rob Terry, Matt Morgan (who I like), Abyss, Tomko and any other big musclehead get pushed while talents like Wolfe, Daniels, Jay Lethal, Samoa Joe, and others routinely get pushed aside.

The only reason youll even see guys like Styles, Angle, and Hardy are because theyve made a name for themselves.

Its fucking WCW all over again like how they ignored people like Guererro, Booker T, Jericho, and Benoit for people like Steiner, Goldberg, Buff Bagwell and DDP.

[Chimee]

Big Rob Terry gets Gold.

Desmond Wolfe gets nothing.

Big Rob Terry gets the meaningless red belt and beats the X-Division champion in about a minute 3 weeks before the X-Division PPV. How far they've fallen from the Samoa Joe/AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels feud over the belt a few years back.

[cougarjake13]

Big Rob Terry gets the meaningless red belt and beats the X-Division champion in about a minute 3 weeks before the X-Division PPV. How far they've fallen from the Samoa Joe/AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels feud over the belt a few years back.

that was one thing i was worried about

plus are they gonna bring back the 6 sided ring for the x division ppv ??

[Gmann]

Am I the only person who didnt really like the 6 sided ring ??

[The Nature Boy]

I have watched about 3 minutes of Raw tonight, and about 25 of TNA(and I didn't get home til 9:15). It might be novelty and it might be the fact I'm taping Raw so I know I'll see it later, but TNA feels a whole lot fresher than the stale ass WWE.

[TripleSkeet]

My thoughts on TNA Monday Impact

- I like the new opening.

- I really like AJ Styles' hoodie Flair robe.

- Maybe its because Im an old school ECW diehard but I really liked the blackout Sting entrance.

- I dig heel Sting.

- Shannon Moore? Thats the big X Division challenger? He fucking stinks.

- It was great seeing RVD back again but I have a feeling like Jeff Hardy when he first appeared, we arent gonna see him again for awhile. Hence the Sting beatdown.

- Why the fuck is Bubba the Love Sponge still on my fucking tv?

- I am enjoying the Angle / Anderson feud

- I have seen this Nash/Hall/Pac/Young storyline coming a mile away. Im gonna go out on a limb here and predict at the PPV Nash turns on Young and you find out the whole angle was a plan to get Hall and Pac their contracts. So predictable.

- Was it really necessary for Flair and Hogan to have 2 matches tonight? Especially when you dont have time to put Matt Morgan, Hernandez, The MCMG, The Dudleys, Samoa Joe, Suicide, Homicide, Rob Terry, and others???

- Brooke Hogan needs to never be part of another backstage segment. Her acting is worse then her singing, if thats possible.

- The end was good, but kind of a clusterfuck just to bring in Jeff Hardy. Still if he actually keeps coming out I will like it.

[The Nature Boy]

I thought Brooke did ok.

I read reports of a nip slip tonight, is this true?

[TripleSkeet]

I thought Brooke did ok.

I read reports of a nip slip tonight, is this true?

I dont think so, but I do have it dvred so well see.

[Perrynoid On Demand]

TNA feels a whole lot fresher than the stale ass WWE.

Are you serious? Fresher? I wouldnt use the word "fresher" to describe TNA.
Was it more entertaining than WWE? Maybe ....I dunno... TNA just seems to be
recycling old WCW storylines and using the same old and boring talent.

I dont know what was worst... starting w/ Flair & Hogan or WWE starting with taker and michaels.

[foodcourtdruide]

Am I the only person who didnt really like the 6 sided ring ??

I didn't like it either. I didn't see the point of changing the ring.

[TripleSkeet]

TNA is much better at putting together a show filled with shockers and swerves. Vince used to be great at that but he eventually started listening to executives that told him that advertising these people before the show would pull in greater ratings.

He never realized that by having guys show up unannounced would have people talking and telling their friends, therefore building up the ratings of the NEXT show. The night Bret Hart came back shouldve been unannounced. People wouldve been curious as to how the WWE was going to respond to TNA on Mondays, and something like that wouldve had all kinds of people going crazy. They really dropped the ball with that.

But overall WWE knows how to tell and arcing story, with a beginning, middle and end that goes over the course of a few months. Bischoff and Hogan do not. They introduce people then dont mention them for weeks. They leave superstars off tv with no explanation why. Just poor storytelling overall.

[CYYYFYYY]

This week I actually like TNA better. They had the best match with the X division. There was more wrestling there and for once it made more sense. I have no idea what the heck was going on in the main event on the WWE. However while the Sting turning heel looked good, the problem with him is I can;t stand watching him wreslte. TNA has alot of guys who could cut good promos and you get all excited and then you see them wrestle and you cringe....Sting, Nash, Foley, Hall, Hogan and The Dudlies to just name a few.

P.S I could not stand the six sided ring as well

[paulisded]

TNA's lighting is not as complimentary to the aging performers as WWE's.

[Joe Pietaro]

I interviewed Kurt Angle at the Arnold Classic this past weekend and he was all pumped up for what he termed the 'new Monday Night War.' He gave props to Hogan for all the changes made but said that he was used to the six-sided ring and preferred that over the four-sided variety.

[conman823]

TNA definitely brought the bigger excitement factor this week.
Hogan and Flair doing it twice was way too much.
Still if they still draw ratings its a means to an end.
The story lines are still too many, with to little time to tell the respective stories.



Also I have already forgotten the 6 sided ring so I guess I didn't care.

[TripleSkeet]

I interviewed Kurt Angle at the Arnold Classic this past weekend and he was all pumped up for what he termed the 'new Monday Night War.' He gave props to Hogan for all the changes made but said that he was used to the six-sided ring and preferred that over the four-sided variety.

Did you flex for him like in your avatar? That wouldve been awesome.

[asayresk]

If RVD stays with TNA, the feud he has with Sting could bring TNA to a different level.

[CYYYFYYY]

I have no idea who would want to watch Sting wrestle. He cuts a good promo but the man is just so slow. At least he realizes it and wears a shirt unlike Tomko and MAtt Hardy. Besides they are setting up a feud with Sting and Abyss or Hogan, which has never been done before.....Whoops it has

[cougarjake13]

I have no idea who would want to watch Sting wrestle. He cuts a good promo but the man is just so slow. At least he realizes it and wears a shirt unlike Tomko and MAtt Hardy. Besides they are setting up a feud with Sting and Abyss or Hogan, which has never been done before.....Whoops it has

yeh what the hell happened to tomko ??

its like he was sitting on his couch eating mcdonalds until he got the call

[CYYYFYYY]

You could add Jarrett as guys who should always wear a shirt. Also Abyss has put on alot of weight. Why Abyss is getting a title shot is beyond my understanding.

[conman823]

You could add Jarrett as guys who should always wear a shirt. Also Abyss has put on alot of weight. Why Abyss is getting a title shot is beyond my understanding.

The only way Abyss should be getting a title shot is if it was the conclusion of a story arc that had the following points:

- He smashes Hogans Ring then Black Hole Slams him so hard he's off TV for 3 weeks.

- Chases Bischoff out of the Building and then when Foley tries to calm him down he black hole slams him so hard (in the backstage area) he's off TV for 3 weeks.

- Bischoff finds out Hogan (due to giving Abyss his HOF ring) made Abyss contract so solid Bischoff can't fire him. So he forces Abyss into a Gauntlet Style Match that Abyss ultimately loses but comes off as back to being a Monster and totally batshit crazy.

- On his way out of the building. Abyss runs into Flair and AJ Flair with thier entourage. At which point Flair and Little Naitch laugh at him etc. Abyss attacks them all and storms away.

- Following week AJ and Flair for the Old arrive to find there locker room trashed.....and Flair has had his HOF ring stolen.

-Abyss comes out to the ring and holds up Flairs HOF ring which sends Flair into crazies and there by getting Abyss his title shot. If he loses Flair gets his ring back.

- Flair then shits his old lady bloomers and we never see him on TV Again.

Well everything bu the last part....sorta.

[Crippler]

Here's what I took from the show:

- ENTIRELY too much time in front of the camera for Hogan. How big is your fucking ego that we have to have one segment every week where we drop all actual wrestling storylines for a few minutes while someone reminds you that you promised your family you wouldn't wrestle anymore? ENOUGH! Hit the music, walk the ramp, hit the "bow & arrow" pose, set up a match or two for the night, & get the fuck off the screen.

- Their timing is beyond awful...how fucking long did it take for Sting to get to the ring? Christ, you have had an entire commercial break & not missed any action.

- Continuing to use RVD completely wrong. Having him jump someone outside the ring & beat him around the outside where there is no room for him to jump, spin, kick, or anything else he does is stupid. Put him in a match & let him fly.

- The only compelling thing about AJ Styles (when he's not wresting) is noticing that he's somehow managed to break one of the horns off the center plate of the title belt.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL77/857148/1548180/384323686.jpg

[Bob Impact]

Here's what I took from the show:
Here's what I took from the show:

0.8 rating, ouch.

[TripleSkeet]

Heres my opinion of this weeks show...

- The Bischoff segment was kind of long, but that guitar shot was impressive.

- Girls wrestling...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

- Abyssamania is immensely gay and cringy, but I did like that segment with TNA involving Hogan, Flair, Styles, Abyss, Sting and The Pope all in this main event angle. Its how you build new stars, something Ive been wishing the WWE would do again for years now.

- I think fat ass Tomko lost all of his juice and Rob Terry found it and then some. That big fucker should play the Incredible Hulk in the Avengers movie. I havent been in awe at the size of a wrestler like that since Lesnar made his debut

- This whole Bischoff vs. Foley and Jarrett thing is getting old. I really wish him and Hogan would just stop being so involved in the storylines and just play the bosses.

- Mick Foley made the show for me with his exit. Not only does he tell the divas "Dont hug me my wife might be watching", but then he punches Bubba the Love Sponge.

- Christy Hemme is still hotter then anyone in the WWE

- Sigh. They still dont know how to tell a story. Morgan and Hernandez break up last night, and tonight they have a match. How about building it up for a few weeks? Then they go back to the same old WCW shenanigans of the "worked shoot" pretending Hernandez really got hurt. Using the old "X" symbol from the ref, even putting a plant in the crowd to cry. Ugh. So fucking dumb.

- Looks like my Wolfpack prediction was right on the money.

- The main event of Beer Money vs. RVD and Jeff Hardy was phenominal.

[CYYYFYYY]

Just about ever bit has Bishoff or Hogan and it is really getting annoying.

Abyss is getting as big as a house. Not Good.

Rob Terry is huge but let me see him have more than a 5 minute match

No X match is always a bad thing.

Can;t take the Foley and Jarrett story lines

Can;t stand the wolf pack and they are in the main event next week.... not good

Lights go out and Hogan is handcuffed... makes no sense at all. enjoying this evil Sting that is until I have to watch him wrestle

[TripleSkeet]

Can;t stand the wolf pack and they are in the main event next week.... not good



If Hardy and RVD cant get a good match out of them Dixie Carter should cut them all directly after the how ends.

[TripleSkeet]

Thank God someone from TNA is finally reading my posts. So far Ive been watching TNA 2 minutes and already we had the "Mega Powers" reunion with Hogan and Jay Lethal, and word online is The Nasty Boys have been released. Things are looking up!!!!

*EDIT
5 minutes in, Bubba The Love Sponge has a microphone. Apparently we still have a long way to go.

[CYYYFYYY]

How the heck did A.J bust his hand. AS for the main event. It looked like they botched the end with all of them pinning one guy rather than each of them pinning a separate guy.

[Crippler]

I re-watched it three times trying to figure that out. Best guess is he sliced it on the crappy unfinished wood of the ready-to-explode-on-impact guitar when he delivered the nut-shot.

[TripleSkeet]

Thats what I think too. It looked like he almost cut his hand in half.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Christopher Daniels has officially been released from TNA and has returned to Ring of Honor, showing up unexpectedly on the iPPV "Big Bang" which aired on GoFightLive.TV.

[TripleSkeet]

Impact was awful this week. The rundown...

- Hogan and Flair hogging the entire opening segment. Jarret asking Sting a question he doesnt answer. Random people fighting, Hardy and RVD to make the save after it takes them 5 minutes to get through the crowd. The whole opening was pointless.

- Orlando Jordan may now have the worst gimmick in wrestling history. Ok, we get it, youre bisexual. Fine. Its a bit Paul Heymanish, but ok. Then you come out hanging all over a guy and a girl. Again, ok, your painting a clear picture for those who dont get it. But tonight the fucking guy stands there wearing a masquerade mask and starts shooting suntan cream up his chest and onto his face. Really? Was it really necessary to simulate a gay cumbath on a wrestling show? Especially when it wasnt part of a promo or anything? It was just randomly thrown in.

- Rob Terry is the size of my house.

- Bubba the Love Sponge is still on tv. And still with the geriatric Wolfpack. Horrendous. And Nash needs to share some of his juice with Scott Hall.

- Matt Morgan has a gimmick that works already. Please dont try making him into some kind of schizo that refers to himself as "we". Pleeeeaaaseee!!!!

- When Jay Lethal talks to Hogan its fucking classic

- The Angle vs. Anderson ladder match shouldve been saved for a PPV. They took risks like they were main eventing Wrestlemania. There were times where both of them were lucky not to get seriously fucked up.

- You NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER end a fucking Impact show with any kind of womens angle. EVER. EVER. That was the dumbest ending Ive seen to any wrestling tv program in at least 10 years.

[TjM]

I- The Angle vs. Anderson ladder match shouldve been saved for a PPV. They took risks like they were main eventing Wrestlemania. There were times where both of them were lucky not to get seriously fucked up.



Bischoff fucked up WCW by giving away matches that could have drawn money on PPV for ratings now he's doing it with TNA

[MIKEYDAKEN]

Impact was awful this week. The rundown...

- Hogan and Flair hogging the entire opening segment. Jarret asking Sting a question he doesnt answer. Random people fighting, Hardy and RVD to make the save after it takes them 5 minutes to get through the crowd. The whole opening was pointless.

- Orlando Jordan may now have the worst gimmick in wrestling history. Ok, we get it, youre bisexual. Fine. Its a bit Paul Heymanish, but ok. Then you come out hanging all over a guy and a girl. Again, ok, your painting a clear picture for those who dont get it. But tonight the fucking guy stands there wearing a masquerade mask and starts shooting suntan cream up his chest and onto his face. Really? Was it really necessary to simulate a gay cumbath on a wrestling show? Especially when it wasnt part of a promo or anything? It was just randomly thrown in.

- Rob Terry is the size of my house.

- Bubba the Love Sponge is still on tv. And still with the geriatric Wolfpack. Horrendous. And Nash needs to share some of his juice with Scott Hall.

- Matt Morgan has a gimmick that works already. Please dont try making him into some kind of schizo that refers to himself as "we". Pleeeeaaaseee!!!!

- When Jay Lethal talks to Hogan its fucking classic

- The Angle vs. Anderson ladder match shouldve been saved for a PPV. They took risks like they were main eventing Wrestlemania. There were times where both of them were lucky not to get seriously fucked up.

- You NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER end a fucking Impact show with any kind of womens angle. EVER. EVER. That was the dumbest ending Ive seen to any wrestling tv program in at least 10 years.

your saying you didn't enjoy lacey shaking her tits and luscious ass of hers. god she is hot but looks dumber then a sack of hammers

[TripleSkeet]

your saying you didn't enjoy lacey shaking her tits and luscious ass of hers. god she is hot but looks dumber then a sack of hammers

Ive got no problem with that but thats not what you end the show with.

[Dirtbag]

Anderson/Angle went head-to-head with the start of Raw. TNA isn't worried about PPV buys, they want ratings. I don't know if it worked or not, but it was a smart idea.

[TripleSkeet]

Anderson/Angle went head-to-head with the start of Raw. TNA isn't worried about PPV buys, they want ratings. I don't know if it worked or not, but it was a smart idea.

Ratings are great, but if it comprimises story in the end your just fucking yourself. Something they shouldve learned in WCW.

[conman823]

Well the match kinda forwarded the story. See Mr. Anderson now has a key which gives him an advantage in the cage match for some reason or another.


This gimmick and the lock boxes proves that Vince Russo still is head of the writing team.

Also Angelina Love gets handed the Knockouts title so we can set up a match between her and Tara. I don't mind the 2 having a real match, but why the gimmick? Why "lessen" Love's title reign by handing her the title without a match? She can work, she isn't Lacey.

Lacey got my attention for the first time Monday night too BTW.

[TjM]

Russo loves his lock boxes

[TripleSkeet]

Russo loves his lock boxes

That and his "on a pole" matches.

[styckx]

I guess I spoiled it, so here is an edit.

[epo]

Again, the Bischoff/Russo/Hogan braintrust give away a title change on free tv.

Congrats to RVD.

[asayresk]

I hope RVD gets a decent run with the belt. Hopefully Longer then the ECW TV title reign:clap::clap::clap:

[cougarjake13]

I hope RVD gets a decent run with the belt. Hopefully Longer then the ECW TV title reign:clap::clap::clap:

and wwe title

[styckx]

It came off a bit phoney, since TNA is desperately trying to reel in Heyman, and what better way to do it then what they did tonight.

What kind of countered the phoney aspect of the Van Dam push was the reaction he got from the crowd during the opening segment. I haven't heard crowds like that since Austin/Rock were last in WWE during the dying days of the Attitude Era and I love he rubbed it in AJ Styles face. "You hear that? THAT'S crowd reaction"

Then the Hardy Vs Van Dam match the crowd chanting "THIS-IS-AWESOME*. I REALLY hope Hogan and such got the return message. THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE WANTED FOR AGES. These are the guys who deserve pushes, and the guys the crowds want to see pushed.

I have no idea who was booking TNA tonight, or writing, but it was a damn good show.

[TjM]

Wow TNA went all in with that one. Very good show. Also I will admit I never expected Samoa Joe to be the mystery partner. Well done

[CYYYFYYY]

I usually BAsh TNA but an amazing Show. The build up could have been better but still great. I hope we don;t forget about the Pope. I hate the 8pm start time but I will adjust

[TripleSkeet]

TNA was incredible tonight. Hopefully they are weeding out the weak phases of the game. I dont have a problem with a title changing hands on tv. Thats what made the Monday night wars great. Anything can happen. What they gave away was RVD's first match with AJ Styles. But where they are right now I guess they kind of have to do things like this. And if it helps them land Heyman, more power to them. Vince and his cunt daughter never knew how to use his genius.

Some things I noticed...

- No Bubba or The Band. Ahh if only it were forever.
- I hate Matt Morgans "refer to himself as we" gimmick
- I really hope they explain what happened to Joe. But it is weird having him kidnapped and brainwashed....then fight under Hogans banner
- If WWE decides not to put him back on tv I really hope Jim Ross jumps ship and takes Tenays place
- I missed Black Machismo this week

[styckx]

- If WWE decides not to put him back on tv I really hope Jim Ross jumps ship and takes Tenays place


I'm sure Tenay has a place in TNA as I'm sure he knows the business, but he really is an awful commentator. Jim Ross can oversell the crap out of stuff too but somehow pulls it off where he doesn't sound like a buffoon doing it and partially makes you believe whatever it is he's saying.

Tenay oversells everything to the umpteenth degree of gay and almost insults you at the same time. He oversells commericial breaks for christ sakes. *back from commercial* LIKE WE PROMISED FOLKS WE ARE STICKING WITH THIS FIGHT TILL THE VERY END AS IT"S SHAPING UP TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL MATCH IN TNA HISTORY!

Just stop with the theatrics and call the stupid show.

[TjM]

FUCK! My DVR only recored RAW. I had only read the report on IMPACT and was looking forward to seeing it

[RingWraith]

Tenay oversells everything to the umpteenth degree of gay and almost insults you at the same time. He oversells commericial breaks for christ sakes. *back from commercial* LIKE WE PROMISED FOLKS WE ARE STICKING WITH THIS FIGHT TILL THE VERY END AS IT"S SHAPING UP TO BE THE MOST POWERFUL MATCH IN TNA HISTORY!

Just stop with the theatrics and call the stupid show.

HAHA!!! You're so right about Tenay. The guy does oversell everything, but I still would rather have him calling a match than Michael 'fucking' Cole. To me, Michael Cole is by far the worst ever in wrestling. His voice just flat out irritates me.

[CYYYFYYY]

FUCK! My DVR only recored RAW. I had only read the report on IMPACT and was looking forward to seeing it

They replay it on Thursday

[Chob]

Credit: F4WOnline.com

Vince Russo, as we have reported over the last several weeks, said he is going to take a break from writing, but will remain with the company and move to Nashville as noted last week. Russo intends to continue giving his input, but will remove himself as head writer. The move to step down was based solely on Russo, as he has been cited as being burnt out over the last few weeks.

With Russo’s decision to step down as head writer, Dave Meltzer reports that there has been an escalation in talk regarding Paul Heyman coming in. Those within TNA, and are close to Heyman, believe he will indeed sign with the company. Heyman signing with TNA would come off as a surprise when you consider his past relationship with Bischoff, whom have both thrown verbal jabs against one another throughout the 90’s decade.

I'd really like to see this happen. And Paul pretty much said all ECW grudges died with the company. I'd like to see him at least book the X Division.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

If Heyman does indeed sign and does a vast improvement over Russo, they won't even consider bringing Russo back.

[foodcourtdruide]

I'd really like to see this happen. And Paul pretty much said all ECW grudges died with the company. I'd like to see him at least book the X Division.

I would love it too, but I don't want to see a bischoff/heyman feud. Resurrecting feuds from the 90's have been unsuccessful. Put the past behind, and start something new.

[TripleSkeet]

I would love it too, but I don't want to see a bischoff/heyman feud. Resurrecting feuds from the 90's have been unsuccessful. Put the past behind, and start something new.

Im already tired of seeing Biscoff and Hogan feuding with anyone. Your supposed to be the bosses....for real....stop getting phyiscally involved with the talent.

Personally Im hoping to see Heyman come in as head booker and on air manager for Rob Terry.

[conman823]

At least the whole RVD Title reign seemed like a real business decision. If you the champ and your not drawng ratings/PPV Buys & Mech $$ then a change needs to be made.

RVD's opening segment seemed unscripted and cut real close to the Heart. "THIS is a crowd reaction." Also his insinuation that when TNA was "small" Styles was a bigger fish. He basically nicely told him move out of the way son, let some REAL draws take the strap.

Unfortunatley they were right this time. I hated the AJ Heel turn, but he should have worked with it more. He honestly did NOTHING with his title reign but bury himself.

I would like to see a return to FACE AJ Styles with a Anderson or Wolfe Fued. Back to the mid-card for now AJ.

[TripleSkeet]

Jim Ross met with Dixie Carter this week. If she had half a brain shed offer him whatever he wanted to get him. She should also give him a talent relations role. Considering he was the main guy in charge of talent during the Attitude Era Id say thats a pretty impressive track record.

[conman823]

Ross is a WWE loyalist I'd be shocked if he went to TNA.

[TripleSkeet]

Ross is a WWE loyalist I'd be shocked if he went to TNA.

The thing is he really wants to keep announcing and I think Vince McMahon has finally decided to just move on. I never understood it but it seems like Vince never really thought much of JR's announcing style.

[CYYYFYYY]

Ross used to be an NWA loyalist

[CYYYFYYY]

When Sting was standing near Hogan he was almost as tall as him. IN WcW I recall Hogan having a huge eight advantage. Am I crazy or is Sting growing or Hogan Shrinking?

[whorehay]

Scott Hall moves like the Great Khali these days.

[foodcourtdruide]

The thing is he really wants to keep announcing and I think Vince McMahon has finally decided to just move on. I never understood it but it seems like Vince never really thought much of JR's announcing style.

Or Joey Styles, and they were both great. JR is a legit great announcer and Styles is a great wrestling announcer.

[RingWraith]

When Sting was standing near Hogan he was almost as tall as him. IN WcW I recall Hogan having a huge eight advantage. Am I crazy or is Sting growing or Hogan Shrinking?

I definitely believe that Hogan is shrinking! lol! Hell I remember Hogan being taller than most wrestlers back in his prime in the 80's.

[Crippler]

Scott Hall moves like the Great Khali these days.

And here we go again with the old dying days of WCW booking. One unnecessary back-stabbing/heel turn per week. This week's inductee, Eric Young. If it means we never have to see XPac again & they just needed someone to add to the "Band" faction who doesn't move like he's thigh-deep in mud, I'm all for it...but if XPac returns it makes no sense.

[styckx]

I'm all for hogan dumping his wallet in TNA, but for the love of god will Dixie please get him off my TV and quit passing him off as some insightful business man taking TNA to "new levels".

When you flash a nicely furnished office on TV, what else do you picture in it? A nicely groomed, well dressed, business like person sitting behind the desk doing business like things right? So why would ANYONE think a guy wearing a muscle shirt, bandanna, Just For Men facial hair, and a doo-rag is a believable person to represent this?

When Vince walks out, or makes an on air appearance it's a instant connection of "he controls everything in WWE". When you see Hogan walk out or make an on air appearance it's a instant connection with "attention whoring".

Hogan needs to be a heel manager or something. Give the occasional cheap shot, give the edge to his wrestlers. ie: Exactly what Flair is doing, and doing well mind you.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I've always been under the philosophy of "less is more." Eric Bischoff is wonderful as an on-air authority figure. Let him be the one seen as "Executive Producer" or "Director of Authority" or whatever official title they want to give him. Hulk can make the occasional appearance to check on what the man he left in charge is doing. Also, if Hogan has as much authority as he does, what exactly is his official title? Is he co-president? VP?

[TripleSkeet]

By the way, Jay Lethals impression of Flair was RIDICULOUSLY GREAT. Holy shit that kid has a knack for the whole impression thing. Even the voice was perfect. Hes one of my favorite parts of TNA. I was hoping Hogan was going to give him the ring as his Black Machismo character though. You know, throwing a shot at Vince considering the travesty of justice that Randy Savage still isnt in the Hall.

[cougarjake13]

By the way, Jay Lethals impression of Flair was RIDICULOUSLY GREAT. Holy shit that kid has a knack for the whole impression thing. Even the voice was perfect. Hes one of my favorite parts of TNA. I was hoping Hogan was going to give him the ring as his Black Machismo character though. You know, throwing a shot at Vince considering the travesty of justice that Randy Savage still isnt in the Hall.



if you remember a few years back before he settled on black machismo he was doin a shitload of impressions when he was working with kevin nash

all were great, machismo was the best of them

[TripleSkeet]

if you remember a few years back before he settled on black machismo he was doin a shitload of impressions when he was working with kevin nash

all were great, machismo was the best of them

Yea I remember. That Flair one was just alot better then I expected though.

[asayresk]

I like how he gives his sports jacket a knee drop.

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[conman823]

This past Impact was pretty solid. I like the "candid" backstage shots. Also the angles are finally starting to come around to make sense. RVD as world champ is a big help, no matter how dead the crowd is he gets them right back into it. There's still a lot of negatives but I was glad to see a return to some normal story telling.
Also its about time Jay Lethal gets some pushing.

TNA will be coming to Brooklyn July 2, Im most likely going to go just because its local, cheap and something different.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Roster cuts are coming, but we all know who needs to go; anyone and everyone involved with WCW.

- Hogan
- Bischoff
- Russo
- Terry Taylor
- Ed Ferrara
- Kevin Nash
- Scott Hall
- Sting
- Jeremy Borash
- Mike Tenay

I'd never thought I'd say this but it made sense to me when I was watching the early PPV's. When Jarrett was doing business and Vince Russo was not involved, the X-Division was main eventing nearly half of the series. Top independent talents were being exposed on a national level. Now it just seems that TNA consists of forgotten originals and WWE leftovers.

Jeff Jarrett needs to take his company back. He needs to do the right thing and trust the agents to book the matches. He needs to get Scott D'Amore onto creative. He needs to bring focus to what people want to see. But most of all he really needs to be open minded and trust taking chances with people who weren't apart of the past but can look towards the future of making TNA's stock rise high.

[TjM]

I like how he gives his sports jacket a knee drop.

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That could be the greatest thing I've ever seen

[conman823]

Roster cuts are coming, but we all know who needs to go; anyone and everyone involved with WCW.

- Hogan
- Bischoff
- Russo
- Terry Taylor
- Ed Ferrara
- Kevin Nash
- Scott Hall
- Sting
- Jeremy Borash
- Mike Tenay

I'd never thought I'd say this but it made sense to me when I was watching the early PPV's. When Jarrett was doing business and Vince Russo was not involved, the X-Division was main eventing nearly half of the series. Top independent talents were being exposed on a national level. Now it just seems that TNA consists of forgotten originals and WWE leftovers.

Jeff Jarrett needs to take his company back. He needs to do the right thing and trust the agents to book the matches. He needs to get Scott D'Amore onto creative. He needs to bring focus to what people want to see. But most of all he really needs to be open minded and trust taking chances with people who weren't apart of the past but can look towards the future of making TNA's stock rise high.

See I agree that the Hogan/Bischoff era must meet a quick end. I'm also thankful that most of the baggage Hogan came in with is gone.

That being said, I see no reason not to keep a some of the "older" talent.

RVD is a good solid champ with great crowd reaction and a fan base that will tune in to TNA just to see him.
Sting isn't drawing fly's at this point. He needs to get lost. I don't even know why he gets ANY crowd reaction at this point. His work in the ring stinks, his 100th attempt to be a heel stinks, and again HE IS'NT DRAWING A DIME OF PPV OR MERCH.
Team 3D could stay around, when they finally decide what they are heels or faces. Lets just stick with faces, and use them for PPV's to put over newer Tag Teams.

I believe that somebody out there has some fresh ideas and input. Hell I have fresh ideas and input, give me a job. Russo and Easy E were both know nothing marks and they were given a shot.

All of wrestling needs an injection of new ideas and new talent. The only truth is that none of the current old timers are ready to move out of the way.

[Kevin]

That could be the greatest thing I've ever seen

That was terrible..

He had the movements but he sounded little like him.


The rest was pure WCW shit.

[TripleSkeet]

No more Black Machismo = :glurps:

[CYYYFYYY]

I am thrilled to see Jay Lethal wrestle. I recall a long time ago Lethal had a title shot against Jarrett and it was absolutely amazing. I look forward to seeing him in the future as JAY LETHAL

[cougarjake13]

Roster cuts are coming, but we all know who needs to go; anyone and everyone involved with WCW.

- Hogan
- Bischoff
- Russo
- Terry Taylor
- Ed Ferrara
- Kevin Nash
- Scott Hall
- Sting
- Jeremy Borash
- Mike Tenay

I'd never thought I'd say this but it made sense to me when I was watching the early PPV's. When Jarrett was doing business and Vince Russo was not involved, the X-Division was main eventing nearly half of the series. Top independent talents were being exposed on a national level. Now it just seems that TNA consists of forgotten originals and WWE leftovers.

Jeff Jarrett needs to take his company back. He needs to do the right thing and trust the agents to book the matches. He needs to get Scott D'Amore onto creative. He needs to bring focus to what people want to see. But most of all he really needs to be open minded and trust taking chances with people who weren't apart of the past but can look towards the future of making TNA's stock rise high.




i heard something about russo not being involved anymore, not necessarily fired but not involved as much as he was previously

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Here's a report I found on recent house shows and how well they're doing in that aspect:

TNA's house shows have become the company's most successful division. Attendance numbers have improved to an average of about 1500 fans per show which is double what they were last year. They're also doing sometimes as much as $20 per head in merchandise, compared to just $6 per head last year. The difference seems to be Don West's presence at the live events, where he pushes the merchandise himself. Merchandise sales are way, way up because of this.

Besides West, Jeff Jarrett and Jeremy Borash are handling most of the house show production. Jarrett handles all creative writing for the house shows since he's not involved in the creative process for TV.

It was noted by a source that Eric Bischoff has been to two house shows since arriving in the company and Hulk Hogan has been to none. Better yet, Vince Russo has worked for the company for years now and has never been to a live event. TNA did a tour of Colorado last year, where Russo was living, and one show was taking place only five minutes from his home. He still didn't take the time to attend the show although in his defense - he may have had other plans. Who knows.

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

First of all, if you're highly invested in a company, why aren't you humbling yourself a little to go to these house shows to see what the fans really want to see? If I were apart of TNA creative, I'd realize that it doesn't take much in these live shows to keep the crowds entertained. I'd take that method and apply it to the television shows by letting the stories develop from the competition.

Second of all, remember when Michael Hayes would shill WWE merchandise as Doc Hendrix between segments? Put Don West on the mic in vignettes and have him do the same. Also, wouldn't these house shows prove to creative who the fans really want to see based on who is booked and who gets a better reaction? I mean it's just common sense. Plus the no-nonsense booking used for the house shows could easily translate to the television shows. It worked for ECW and territories of the past.

[CYYYFYYY]

I am tired of these second generation stars. HOWEVER if you are going to use Mr. Perfects son and tell people that is who he is, how about you give him the same last name

[Chimee]

I think they should call him Joe Perfect.

[Sue_Bender]

I am tired of these second generation stars. HOWEVER if you are going to use Mr. Perfects son and tell people that is who he is, how about you give him the same last name

Fuck yes...right here.

[TripleSkeet]

I am tired of these second generation stars. HOWEVER if you are going to use Mr. Perfects son and tell people that is who he is, how about you give him the same last name

I thought Mr. Perfects son was under contract to the WWE. Who was he?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Yeah, why are you talking about this in he TNA thread? Move it to the NXT one.

[CYYYFYYY]

I accidently posted it here. I thought it was NXT. Sorry about that

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So I'm gonna try and get a shot at becoming the next TNA ring announcer. I've started a campaign on Facebook and will be producing videos to further support my ability to become something they can use.

http://www.facebook.com/michael.sangregorio#!/pages/Mike-Sanz-for-TNA-Wrestling-Ring-Announcer/127011487318997?ref=mf

Spread the word! Instructions are in there as well on how to support beyond the Facebook page.

[TripleSkeet]

So I'm gonna try and get a shot at becoming the next TNA ring announcer. I've started a campaign on Facebook and will be producing videos to further support my ability to become something they can use.

http://www.facebook.com/michael.sangregorio#!/pages/Mike-Sanz-for-TNA-Wrestling-Ring-Announcer/127011487318997?ref=mf

Spread the word! Instructions are in there as well on how to support beyond the Facebook page.

Did you try applying?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I've sent in a demo tape before but it wasn't really anything worth looking at as I didn't have much footage. I figured since Carter spends so much time on Facebook, maybe this might be a way to gather attention.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Of all the people on the TNA roster who are not former WWE wrestlers, who would you put on the WWE roster? Here are my pics:

- Doug Williams: The breakout star of the British Invasion, by far. He found a nice niche with the X-Division but his grounded style would be well suited for WWE.
- Abyss: Turn him into a veritable threat of a monster, give him someone to speak for him, he's money.
- Hernandez: Big guy, Latin audience, and works various styles.
- Robert Roode: The guy has an old school style, look, and has enough character to spare.
- James Storm: I wouldn't sign him as Roode's tag team partner as I think he also has enough character to spare and would let him do the drunken Texan gimmick just under a different name.
- Roxxi: One of the best female wrestlers on the roster, definitely hot enough, and can work a great match.

Here's the wild card: Sting.

Before he ever regrets not signing with them, Sting could have the ultimate cap to his career by doing sporadic appearances in the rafters, no one knowing who his first opponent will be, which brand he's signed to, and why in fact he's in the WWE of all places. He doesn't have to do a regular tour, but he could definitely benefit from doing a WrestleMania to retire on.

[Chimee]

Of all the people on the TNA roster who are not former WWE wrestlers, who would you put on the WWE roster? Here are my pics:

- Doug Williams: The breakout star of the British Invasion, by far. He found a nice niche with the X-Division but his grounded style would be well suited for WWE.
- Abyss: Turn him into a veritable threat of a monster, give him someone to speak for him, he's money.
- Hernandez: Big guy, Latin audience, and works various styles.
- Robert Roode: The guy has an old school style, look, and has enough character to spare.
- James Storm: I wouldn't sign him as Roode's tag team partner as I think he also has enough character to spare and would let him do the drunken Texan gimmick just under a different name.
- Roxxi: One of the best female wrestlers on the roster, definitely hot enough, and can work a great match.

Here's the wild card: Sting.

Before he ever regrets not signing with them, Sting could have the ultimate cap to his career by doing sporadic appearances in the rafters, no one knowing who his first opponent will be, which brand he's signed to, and why in fact he's in the WWE of all places. He doesn't have to do a regular tour, but he could definitely benefit from doing a WrestleMania to retire on.

As much as I would love to see Roode and Storm in WWE, they probably wouldn't get past an initial feud with somebody before just sitting in the midcard until WWE needs to clear some roster space. Douglas Williams would be great as a mentor within the lockerroom, but he'd end up like Finlay where he'll be thrown in a battle royal every few months.

Out of all of them, Hernandez probably would have the best chance of succeeding because he's a big guy and he can appeal to the Latin crowd that Vince loves so much.

[asayresk]

Going to the WWE would be career suicide for any of those guys.

[conman823]

Anyone going to this show? I got some tickets, pretty cheap for a live event. Hoping its a good show for NYC.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So Dixie Carter keeps hyping a big change coming to TNA...again. How many times has this been and when will it actually deliver?

[cougarjake13]

So Dixie Carter keeps hyping a big change coming to TNA...again. How many times has this been and when will it actually deliver?

looking like never





my first guess is its batista

[conman823]

So Dixie Carter keeps hyping a big change coming to TNA...again. How many times has this been and when will it actually deliver?

Change DID come to TNA with Hogan and Bischoff the debate is if it was good or not.


I say....not.

But it was change!

[Section 8]

Well the only thing noticeable so far is that Tommy Dreamer showed up during the Brother Ray vs Jesse Neal match.

Not what I'd call big news...

[cougarjake13]

Change DID come to TNA with Hogan and Bischoff the debate is if it was good or not.


I say....not.

But it was change!




yeh but she is saying another change is coming in the next few weeks so that leaves out hogan bischoff that happened 6 months ago

[TripleSkeet]

I dont care what anyone says, this was awesome...
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The look on Flairs face is just priceless. I love that they are pushing Jay Lethal.

[asayresk]

if u are not giving TNA a chance after that segment then u dont like wrestling.That was classic.:lol:

[Kevin]

if u are not giving TNA a chance after that segment then u dont like wrestling.That was classic.:lol:

Yea too bad 90% of the other stuff is utter dog shit.

[Gmann]

That might have been the greatest thing Ive seen in a wrestling promo in years.

[asayresk]

Yea too bad 90% of the other stuff is utter dog shit.

I would say the state of the wrestling industry is utter dog shit. the only thing that makes the WWE more appealing is that they have a bigger audience. TNA needs to expand by traveling around the country and getting mor tv time.

[TripleSkeet]

Just got done watching Impact on my DVR.

Considering what Abyss has been saying with the whole "They are coming..." angle and Dixie saying big change is coming, the only thing I can see that makes any sense is an ECW invasion.

First you had Tommy Dreamer sitting in the crowd. This week it was Dreamer, Stevie Richards and Raven. Theyve got RVD, The Dudleys, and Taz on the show already. Plus plenty of rumors of Paul E. saying he would take over creative if they gave him full control. My only conern is what they will call themselves as WWE owns and has done everything they could to devalue the ECW name.

[Kevin]

Just got done watching Impact on my DVR.

Considering what Abyss has been saying with the whole "They are coming..." angle and Dixie saying big change is coming, the only thing I can see that makes any sense is an ECW invasion.

First you had Tommy Dreamer sitting in the crowd. This week it was Dreamer, Stevie Richards and Raven. Theyve got RVD, The Dudleys, and Taz on the show already. Plus plenty of rumors of Paul E. saying he would take over creative if they gave him full control. My only conern is what they will call themselves as WWE owns and has done everything they could to devalue the ECW name.

They are all too old to pull it off, and too unknown for anyone to give a shit.

If you are gunna have someone invade, have big stars or young guys..

Sorry to say ECW fits none of those categories...

Sad..

[TripleSkeet]

They are all too old to pull it off, and too unknown for anyone to give a shit.

If you are gunna have someone invade, have big stars or young guys..

Sorry to say ECW fits none of those categories...

Sad..

It depends on how they do it.

Ill tell you right now TNA already has a way better show then WWE. If they give Paul E. creative control to make a TV-14 show, TNA has the ability to be what ECW on TNN was never given a chance to be.

[Kevin]

It depends on how they do it.

Ill tell you right now TNA already has a way better show then WWE. If they give Paul E. creative control to make a TV-14 show, TNA has the ability to be what ECW on TNN was never given a chance to be.

I dunno..

It just looks mickey mouse to me.

I don't know what it is..

They live too much on old past stars and it just seems so small to me.

Plus Tanay is TERRIBLE.

Its too WCWish to me.

I try to get into it, just can't

[TripleSkeet]

I dunno..

It just looks mickey mouse to me.

I don't know what it is..

They live too much on old past stars and it just seems so small to me.

Plus Tanay is TERRIBLE.

Its too WCWish to me.

I try to get into it, just can't

I try to ignore the crowds because I know they are just tourists on a fucking soundstage. Hopefully they will get out of there soon. Im going strictly by storylines, promos and match quality. Right now they are head and shoulders above anything the WWE is doing. And I watch Impact and Raw every week.

WWE has the talent, they just either dont know or dont care how to use it right.

[TripleSkeet]

I dunno..

It just looks mickey mouse to me.

I don't know what it is..

They live too much on old past stars and it just seems so small to me.

Plus Tanay is TERRIBLE.

Its too WCWish to me.

I try to get into it, just can't

I dont get the "past stars" thing though.

These are the past stars I see...

Hogan: Doesnt wrestle
Flair: wrestles sparingly and does ALOT to get over the young guys
Jarrett: a Vet but not really old. Can still put on good matches
Sting: Same as Jarrett
The Dudleys: Still a good tag team
Nash: Barely wrestles
Kurt Angle: Not really old and the best wrestler in pro wrestling today
RVD: Still puts on great matches

Then youve got:
Jay Lethal
AJ Styles
Beer Money
Jeff Hardy
Samoa Joe
Abyss
Eric Young
Motor City Machine Guns
Kazarian
Doug Williams
Matt Morgan
Hernandez
Mr. Anderson
Desmond Wolfe

Alot more younger guys featured every week then the old heads.

[conman823]

Regarding Ric Flair the TNA version..
At first I thought the nature boy should have been anywhere but near a ring at this point. Still he is actually filling a great role as mentor for the younger guys. As it should be. No WWE mark complained when he was doing a similar thing in evolution. Now look at Batista and Orton. Ric Flair looks like he's enjoying himself which really is the best way to get the fans onto an angle.

[conman823]

I dunno..

It just looks mickey mouse to me.

I don't know what it is..

They live too much on old past stars and it just seems so small to me.

Plus Tanay is TERRIBLE.

Its too WCWish to me.

I try to get into it, just can't

I would say, as for WWE being better produced, you can put all the fireworks and videos around a turd. At the end its still a turd.
I think anyone who's into TNA wants to see them get out of that god forsaken "studio" . The fans are all rednecks and tourists.
Listen I'm in it for the story lines and in ring action. They could book it in a cargo container and I'd watch as long as those elements were there.
I was a huge ECW fan and the nothing was a bigger dump then the ECW arena. Still the stories and ring work kept me locked.
As for Tenay I raise u one Cole.

[Kevin]

I would say, as for WWE being better produced, you can put all the fireworks and videos around a turd. At the end its still a turd.
I think anyone who's into TNA wants to see them get out of that god forsaken "studio" . The fans are all rednecks and tourists.
Listen I'm in it for the story lines and in ring action. They could book it in a cargo container and I'd watch as long as those elements were there.
I was a huge ECW fan and the nothing was a bigger dump then the ECW arena. Still the stories and ring work kept me locked.
As for Tenay I raise u one Cole.



While Cole is fucking awful, Tenay is still the worst.

I dunno, they just seem to do alot of WCW shit.

Like

I'M BEING TOLD THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON BACKSTAGE..

The cut to backstage to a typical beat down or argument.

Stuff like that.

And the constant saying of WOW IS THIS GREAT ACTION, bothers me too.

If it is great, nothing needs to be said.

IDK...

WWE just seems like the majors, and TNA minors.

And with the new blood of the NXT classes, WWE will bridge the young talent gap too.

Though as of right now,TNA does have more overall talent.

Also the music sucks too.

[TripleSkeet]

While Cole is fucking awful, Tenay is still the worst.

I dunno, they just seem to do alot of WCW shit.

Like

I'M BEING TOLD THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON BACKSTAGE..

The cut to backstage to a typical beat down or argument.

Stuff like that.

And the constant saying of WOW IS THIS GREAT ACTION, bothers me too.

If it is great, nothing needs to be said.

IDK...

WWE just seems like the majors, and TNA minors.

And with the new blood of the NXT classes, WWE will bridge the young talent gap too.

Though as of right now,TNA does have more overall talent.

Also the music sucks too.

I agree about the announcers, Id love to see them get JR. But Michael Cole is just as terrible as Tenay. Josh Matthews would make a great sidekick for Taz. Maybe Joey Styles would come in.

As far as the NXT angle, Ill wait and see what they do with it first. Indivually, most of them are awful. Skip Sheffield, The one man rock band guy, Tarver, and the black John Cena guy all suck. Not to mention they fired the best one of the group, and the 2nd best is in the UK because they let his work visa expire.

I think the music is really good. When they first started I expected the generic WCW style music but it hasnt been that way at all. Angle, Foley, Abyss, Joe, Morgan, Lethal etc. they all have good entrance music.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

If I were Dixie Carter, I'd really take a look at the direction that the product is going in and perhaps do an evaluation of sorts. A president of a company always wants results. If one of those results is supposed to be higher ratings for their cornerstone product, a television series, then they should demand higher quality that brings in ratings. If what the employee creates does not bring it in, then she has to cut her losses with that employee and find ones that will do what she needs the product to do.

It's a very simple business model. The television show is used to showcase the following:

Who your TNA (emphasis on that) stars are
Stories that lead to PPV matches
Merchandise for fans


That's how you make your money. From what it seems, Dixie Carter is more concerned about people following her Twitter or friending her on Facebook because those graphics take up half the screen in the middle of a match.

If I were Dixie Carter and I wasn't getting the results I want, I'd see what works and adapt it to the television show. House shows do well because it's simple wrestling with big characters and no nonsense. Why not bring that to Impact? In fact, if you want to create a TNA brand, then make your television shows significant. From what I've seen on reports, TNA is trying to own Thursday nights with four hours worth of programming on Spike TV. Why not spread yourself out a little and do something different?

TNA Impact can remain on Thursday nights, in the Impact Zone, but should showcase specifically all the stars that fight for the TNA World Heavyweight, Global, and Tag Team Championship.

TNA Xplosion should showcase the X-Division and Knockouts and I'd go so far as to film those matches exclusively at house shows and compile the footage from different live events into an hour of television. Combine it with Don West shilling out TNA products. This promotes the live touring and merchandise as well as giving a different vibe to TNA programming.

TNA Reaction can be a sports documentary style show getting the inside look into these characters, their current situations storyline-wise, and how they develop. Save your longer interviews for here. Hype that they can be seen only on this show during Impact and Xplosion.

As far as Impact goes, that's your flagship show. That's where you get people to buy the PPV's. It's obvious that TNA needs to get rid of their current creative team. You don't have to hire Paul Heyman. Keep it internal. Have Jeff Jarrett work with Simon Diamond, D'Lo Brown, and Taz to craft the show together. Everyone works hands on with the wrestlers helping them make the matches worth watching instead of portraying them like actors on a television show. When the wrestling is better, the angles can develop from what the fans like to see, and then you can really market yourself as a WRESTLING television show.

TNA also needs to stop talking about everyone else. TNA needs to worry about TNA. No one should be a former "insert company name" performer. If they're in TNA, they're a TNA star. That's it and that's all. This way whenever someone thinks of that person, the first thing they think of is TNA and then all the acclimations AFTER that fact.

But what do I know? I'm just a fan.

[Kevin]

I agree about the announcers, Id love to see them get JR. But Michael Cole is just as terrible as Tenay. Josh Matthews would make a great sidekick for Taz. Maybe Joey Styles would come in.

As far as the NXT angle, Ill wait and see what they do with it first. Indivually, most of them are awful. Skip Sheffield, The one man rock band guy, Tarver, and the black John Cena guy all suck. Not to mention they fired the best one of the group, and the 2nd best is in the UK because they let his work visa expire.

I think the music is really good. When they first started I expected the generic WCW style music but it hasnt been that way at all. Angle, Foley, Abyss, Joe, Morgan, Lethal etc. they all have good entrance music.



You mean Wade Barret wasnt in the WWE offices communicating with the GM Via Email?

WHAAAAAA?

And he looks more like the black Shaemus than the black John Cena.

And Otunga is fucking awful and his hair is GAY.

[Dirtbag]

Otunga looks like he's wearing a 1920's football helmet. Its very distracting and awful.

[conman823]

While Cole is fucking awful, Tenay is still the worst.

I dunno, they just seem to do alot of WCW shit.

Like

I'M BEING TOLD THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON BACKSTAGE..

The cut to backstage to a typical beat down or argument.

Stuff like that.

And the constant saying of WOW IS THIS GREAT ACTION, bothers me too.

If it is great, nothing needs to be said.

IDK...

WWE just seems like the majors, and TNA minors.

And with the new blood of the NXT classes, WWE will bridge the young talent gap too.

Though as of right now,TNA does have more overall talent.

Also the music sucks too.

I love a lot of the TNA music.

This whole current NXT angle might be interesting, but its only interesting because WWE has not done a interesting angle since 2002.

Yes WWE is the majors, but it isn't the end all of Wrestling. TNA, ROH, Dragonsgate these are all fine alternatives to WWE. As a Wrestling Fan I enjoy good wrestling in any form.

Sounds like your just a WWE Fan, which is fine but it doesn't mean everything else sucks.

Mark my words before its all done WWE will fuck this NXT angle up (ooops already did with Danielson)

[Chimee]

I love a lot of the TNA music.

This whole current NXT angle might be interesting, but its only interesting because WWE has not done a interesting angle since 2002.

Yes WWE is the majors, but it isn't the end all of Wrestling. TNA, ROH, Dragonsgate these are all fine alternatives to WWE. As a Wrestling Fan I enjoy good wrestling in any form.

Sounds like your just a WWE Fan, which is fine but it doesn't mean everything else sucks.

Mark my words before its all done WWE will fuck this NXT angle up (ooops already did with Danielson)

Considering the only other person in the group that had anything going for them (Wade Barrett) is going to be out of the picture for a while, this angle already sucks.

[conman823]

Considering the only other person in the group that had anything going for them (Wade Barrett) is going to be out of the picture for a while, this angle already sucks.

Dark Forces in WWE actively work behind the scenes to ruin any real angle that might take off.

[TripleSkeet]

Dark Forces in WWE actively work behind the scenes to ruin any real angle that might take off.

Dark forces = Corporate executives, lawyers, campaign managers...

[Kevin]

Dark forces = Corporate executives, lawyers, campaign managers...

I can't wait until Nov.

She can't lose by enough % for me.

[conman823]

I can't wait until Nov.

She can't lose by enough % for me.

How much you want to bet that when she loses there is some horrible angle involving politics? Just to amuse the McMahons.

"Vintage Electoral RAW College King!"

[TripleSkeet]

How much you want to bet that when she loses there is some horrible angle involving politics? Just to amuse the McMahons.

"Vintage Electoral RAW College King!"

I just hope it makes him stop strictly catering to 5 year olds and he starts putting shit out there that adults can enjoy too.

Wrestling was and is supposed to be adult entertainment that kids enjoyed, not the other way around.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Let's try to keep the WWE talks in their respective posts.

BTW, it kills me now even more living in the same state where TNA does Impact and I STILL won't have that much more of a chance of giving them the common sense they need to change their company around.

I wish I was actually someone of significance...and had a lot of money, too, I guess. I'd buy that promotion in a heartbeat.

[styckx]

Here is the problem with wrestling now a days. Nothing is a surprise anymore. Just reading this thread, I pretty much can sum up what's going to be happening in TNA in probably the next month or so. WWE does the same crap. WCW did the same crap. They tell you what to expect by dropping very unsubtle clues for a month, then the big "surprise" happens, and no one is surprised.

Also, they over sell non-surprises. Typical scenario would be like, Hogan gets jumped by some faction, and then another faction comes out and saves hogan and a brawl ends the show as Tenay jerks off all over the microphone "OMG TNA FANS, WE HAVE TO GO, I CAN"T IMAGINE WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS MONUMENTAL SHOWING OF DISRESPECT IS GOING TO BE"

Next week: Blah blah blah, you will pay, blah blah blah, tonight in this very ring, blah blah blah, 4 way tag match...blah blah blah. NO RULES blah blah blah.

For once, can we actually not see a angle developed 50 shows away again?

[Chob]

Here is the problem with wrestling now a days. Nothing is a surprise anymore. Just reading this thread, I pretty much can sum up what's going to be happening in TNA in probably the next month or so. WWE does the same crap. WCW did the same crap. They tell you what to expect by dropping very unsubtle clues for a month, then the big "surprise" happens, and no one is surprised.

Also, they over sell non-surprises. Typical scenario would be like, Hogan gets jumped by some faction, and then another faction comes out and saves hogan and a brawl ends the show as Tenay jerks off all over the microphone "OMG TNA FANS, WE HAVE TO GO, I CAN"T IMAGINE WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS MONUMENTAL SHOWING OF DISRESPECT IS GOING TO BE"

Next week: Blah blah blah, you will pay, blah blah blah, tonight in this very ring, blah blah blah, 4 way tag match...blah blah blah. NO RULES blah blah blah.

For once, can we actually not see a angle developed 50 shows away again?
I agree. And TNA goes for "unpredictability," according to what their market research shows people want. But they go about it completely the wrong way. It's not the "Attitude Era" anymore. You can be unpredictable and not have ADD style booking and angles. I do think Impact has been steadily improving though, and I'm glad Kazarian is getting a push. But I'm skeptical after hearing about the planned Abyss/Hogan feud. No one wants to see that and it'll just take time away from what people really want to see.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

From what I see on reports online, TNA is being really aggressive in trying to get Paul Heyman to change around the creative process of TNA. However, what Heyman wants is pretty much the ultimate creative power and let his work be final.

Here's how I see it. Dixie Carter needs to make the sacrifice of relinquishing responsibility of the creative direction of a show to someone who is not afraid to make the changes that he and so many other people see necessary to make. If anything, Paul Heyman wants Dixie Carter to be President of everything in TNA but Creative. When he was executive producer of ECW television, booking alongside Tommy Dreamer, they made some pretty compelling television at a time when the other shows were pretty stagnant leading into the Attitude era.

If I were Dixie Carter, here's what I'd do. I'd admit to myself that the Hogan-Bischoff experiment has run its course, that overpriced names like Kevin Nash and Sting are not worth the time, and that Jeff Jarrett knows what he was doing during the original inception of TNA on PPV's. I would realize that what Vince Russo and Matt Conway are creating for my television show is not pulling in the ratings and PPV buyrates that should be coming in with so many fans watching the live shows outside of TV tapings.

The ECW storyline that they are building came simply from the fact that they did a poll and found that ECW was many modern wrestling fans favorite era. Okay, so where do you go from there? I'll tell you.

After Victory Road, Rob Van Dam retains the World Heavyweight Championship title. The ECW alumni's of Raven, Rhino, Stevie Richards, and Tommy Dreamer, come out from ringside and join him in the ring. There is a bit of hesitation but Dreamer shakes hands with Rob Van Dam. Meanwhile, they take Abyss with them to the back.

Next night on Impact, Rob Van Dam comes to the ring with the belt. He's happy to be the TNA World Heavyweight Champion still, and he was even happier that some old friends were there to see it happen, but he is going to ask the question that everyone's been too afraid to ask out loud. "Why are you guys even here?"

Tommy Dreamer, Rhino, Raven, and Stevie Richards enter. Tommy Dreamer takes the microphone. He announces that he is happy to announce that the three individuals behind him have been signed once again to TNA full time. Not only that, but Dreamer is coming along with them. "You see Rob, we haven't forgotten where we've come from. We haven't forgotten that this right here, is a Brotherhood. What we did together changed the face of professional wrestling. We were united by the blood we shed in the ring. We changed the world. We may have nearly killed each other by the end of it, yet we're still here standing. And no matter who or what tries to poorly recreate what we established, there will always be one Brotherhood. I was apart of it. You were apart of it. Taz, you were certainly apart of it. So Rob, don't forget where you came from. Your brothers are welcoming you with open arms. Believe me. This is just the beginning."

Later that night, Abyss has destroyed Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's office with his new weapon. He is literally looking to destroy TNA from the inside. Always repeating, "This is what they wanted and this is what they'll get." In the main event, a six man tag match takes place between Team 3D (who last night turned full heel against Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore with Devon putting Neal through a table and Brother Ray putting Moore through one as well) and Abyss, against Rob Van Dam, "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero, and Jeff Hardy.

At the end of the match, The Brotherhood enter and start to take out Jeff Hardy and The Pope, Team 3D join in, Rob Van Dam is on the outside, the match ends in DQ. Abyss is standing triumphantly behind them. With Team 3D celebrating with their former compatriots and their new ally, Rob Van Dam holds onto his title and watches as Stevie Richards takes the microphone. "Let this be a message to everyone in TNA. Because as of this moment....WE'RE...TAKING...OVER!"

Following Impact, no has seen or heard from Hulk Hogan or Eric Bischoff. Mike Tenay is alone at the announce booth with no idea where Taz could be. Dixie Carter makes an announcement on the big screen. She explains that "in order for a company to better itself and evolve into the next phase of becoming the best and maintaining excellence, extreme measures have to be taken. That is why effective immediately, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are no longer affiliated with this company. Among them several individuals have also been given their leave. In their place, a new company is growing for the better of TNA. Not only that, but from now on, the TNA Roster will only have one person to answer to. While some suggested it be myself, as President of TNA I will remain with the rest of my management team behind the scenes. Tonight however, that individual will be revealed as the new Executive Director of TNA Wrestling with full control over programming from here on in."

During the night, as Mike Tenay is reunited with old broadcasting partner Scott Hudson, who is just as suprised to be there as Mike is to see him, Scott explains he was given a call and next thing he knows he's on a plane to Orlando. The two of them call the matches throughout the night and promote the new version of Xplosion, an all X-Division program every night before Impact at 8. Jeff Jarrett comes out and grabs the mic.

"You know, this past year, change seems to be the theme in TNA. We've had more changes in our administration than Parliment. As founder of TNA, I worked to make this promotion noticed. When Dixie Carter took over, I was proud to have a partner that would help bring TNA to bigger heights. I gave her my trust and got back to doing what I love best, which is wrestling for all of you fans. Now I get to take TNA on the road as the official Live Event Coordinator, taking me back to my old Memphis promoting days. But now, instead of a team of people running the show, Dixie decided to give all decisive power to one man. I'll tell you right now, it isn't me. But whomever it is, I want you to know that as far as regime change goes, let's hope that you're the last we have to hear of it. Whoever you are, take the ball, run with it, and make all those promises all those other guys that got the power you had said they were gonna do and make them a reality."

When Taz joins back on the commentary table, he informs them that the Executive Director whom he just talked to, will reveal himself tonight. The three man team remain throughout the rest of the show. Hudson on Play-by-Play, Taz in color, and Tenay as an analyist.

More matches go on and in the main event, Abyss, accompanied by The Brotherhood faces off against Kurt Angle to protect his ranking in the Top 10. The match goes to a no contest when The Brotherhood gets involved and take out Kurt Angle. Rob Van Dam then comes out with a chair and while it looks like he's ready to help The Brotherhood, he starts attacking them he is soon taken out by Abyss. The Brotherhood, with Abyss, stand tall in the ring when all of a sudden music plays with "Executive Director of TNA Wrestling" on the graphic.

None other than Paul Heyman makes his way out into the Impact Zone to a huge ovation. He has a microphone in his hand. Wearing a suit and familiar black trenchcoat with a TNA Wrestling baseball cap, Heyman says, "Boys...it's good to be back. But let me explain something to you. Whether you're The Brotherhood, Fortune, the X-Division, the Knockouts, or anyone else here in TNA, from now on, you all have to answer...to ME."

The Brotherhood smiles, Kurt Angle is outside of the ring with a concerned look on his face as he helps Rob Van Dam cautiouslly, the commentary team can't believe it, and the last shot we see is Heyman's serious demeanor as this is a brand new era in TNA.

Of course none of this will ever happen.

[CYYYFYYY]

Sounds good but can Raven even wrestle anymore becuase sometimes I am not sure and I LOVE Raven. I don;t need a bunch of OLD ECW guys rather than OLD WcW guys that is my biggest worry. Also if I was to do this angle, you would have to explain how the Dudlies are united... To do this I would have the Dudlies and Neal turn on and beat the living crap out of Shannon Moore. I would Have Neal on the ECW side even though I don;t like him all that much but it puts some youth into the group. I would also have a returning Christopher Daniles inot the Group as well.

[TripleSkeet]

I liked that idea. Probably wont happen, but if they do bring them in I think The Brotherhood would be a great name for the stable.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Well hopefully the aftermath would be for them to be used in a limited capacity. Richards, Dreamer, and Rhino can obviously still work as can Team 3D. I would make Raven be the new manager to Abyss, guiding his monster on a path of destruction. The angle with Heyman would be similar to what Hogan was with the Band but more so along the lines of him not favoring them but encouraging them to bring out the best in the rest of TNA.

[conman823]

See the problem with starting a Heyman era is that its just another "era" for TNA. At this point you gotta ask, What is TNA? Is it Jarrett, Russo, Hogan, or Heyman?

I agree that Heyman would be a creative asset but to give him Ultimate control? I certainly wouldn't. He's never proven to be able to take any company to the level that TNA wants to be at.

Its a real shame that Bishoff Heyman and Jarrett couldn't put aside their egos to form a real think tank. Get rid of Hogan, the guys a fucking money sucking tumor on anyone's ass.

[MIKEYDAKEN]

paul has proven that when he doesn't have run the money issues of a promotion he can come with some good stuff. smackdown was at it's peak when he was writing, it if he did take over creative for tna it would be bigger the hogan and eric coming in.

[TripleSkeet]

See the problem with starting a Heyman era is that its just another "era" for TNA. At this point you gotta ask, What is TNA? Is it Jarrett, Russo, Hogan, or Heyman?

I agree that Heyman would be a creative asset but to give him Ultimate control? I certainly wouldn't. He's never proven to be able to take any company to the level that TNA wants to be at.

Its a real shame that Bishoff Heyman and Jarrett couldn't put aside their egos to form a real think tank. Get rid of Hogan, the guys a fucking money sucking tumor on anyone's ass.

Um...lets see...he took a tiny Independant wrestling company ran out of a bingo hall and made it a national product. Got it its own cable show, ppv's (when ppv was really hard to get), a video game, etc.

Then he wrote for Smackdown and had it kicking Raws ass in terms of quality.

He also was given creative control over the WWE independant farm system at the time (not sure which one it was then) and made it so compelling they went from selling 300 tickets a show to turning people away at the door on a weekly basis because it became so popular.

Anyone that knows anything about wrestling knows Paul Heyman is a creative genius. The WWE and Vince Russo basically stole all of his ideas and made the Attitude Era out of them, saving the company from going out of business. Now as a businessman hes terrible, but creatively, if Dixie Carter was smart shed give him whatever he wanted to get him in there.

[conman823]

I didn't deny his creative mind. But as you agreed his business mind stinks.

Um...a bingo hall isn't where TNA needs to be, its where it already is. When was ECW a national brand, yes it had TV but not national channels. When it was at its heights according to your memory all his talent was walking because they got sick of not being paid or the check bouncing. I think your idealistic memory of what ECW was is a little overboard.
Can't someone new be heard and given a chance? These 5 "geniuses " of wrestling have no new ideas.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Ideally, fantasy booking aside, if the creative team was Jarrett, Bischoff, and Heyman, it could work. Bischoff is high on guys like X-Division wrestlers. Heyman could give purpose to the mid carders. Jarrett always looks out for the boys who've been there since the beginning.

[conman823]

Ideally, fantasy booking aside, if the creative team was Jarrett, Bischoff, and Heyman, it could work. Bischoff is high on guys like X-Division wrestlers. Heyman could give purpose to the mid carders. Jarrett always looks out for the boys who've been there since the beginning.

Thank You. It's how I've been feeling for years. Vince has this at one time, instead he let Heyman walk away because he butted heads with his Daughter, and Bischoff was "talent" and forbidden to have any creative control.

The thing is they all have to put aside thier egos for the greater good.

[conman823]

Heres some video I took from last nights TNA Show in Brooklyn, NY. Had a great time, and they put on a great show. Jeff Jarrett came out and thanked the crowd for being there on behalf of himself and Dixie ( No mention of Hogan the whole night). Also he said that NYC was a great town to see what works and what doesn't.

I've been to a shit load of NYC shows, WWF, WWE, ECW, TNA, ROH and the crowd is not shy. Last night not one "Boring" chant.

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[TripleSkeet]

I didn't deny his creative mind. But as you agreed his business mind stinks.

Um...a bingo hall isn't where TNA needs to be, its where it already is. When was ECW a national brand, yes it had TV but not national channels. When it was at its heights according to your memory all his talent was walking because they got sick of not being paid or the check bouncing. I think your idealistic memory of what ECW was is a little overboard.
Can't someone new be heard and given a chance? These 5 "geniuses " of wrestling have no new ideas.

TNN was a national cable network. Hello? RAW went there the next year!

And business savvy has nothing to do with the job he wants. I dont look at ECW through rose colored glasses. They had the best storylines going in wrestling. WWE took them, redid them to fit their superstars, and took out WCW that way. Its something thats no secret in the wrestling community.

This job doesnt require him to handle business, money or anything else. Just writing storylines. Its what hes best at. He just doesnt want to write a storyline then have Dixie Carter and her team go over it and change it all around. Thats what happened when the WWE first started an ECW brand and look how that turned out. Hes learned from that mistake.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Interesting interview:

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I'm in agreement with him here. TNA needs to be like a superhero movie franchise and hit the reboot button. This is a man who understands trends, pop culture, and what's relevant in the world today and can adapt it to wrestling. He knows how to market stars. He knows how to utilize them correctly. He uses common sense booking. I say TNA needs to take the ultimate chance, wipe the slate clean, and let him do what he can.

[conman823]

Paul Heyman will come to TNA for $30 million and over Hogan and Bischoffs dead bodies. That isn't too say I don't think he would be a great head writer for them. He probably would get some real blood flowing in the TNA locker room. Still Dixie isn't gonna turn over the keys to Heyman with the nWo still running the place.

I still think your best bet for a strong TNA includes several key people, not just one.

Paul Heyman- Head Writer/Booker
Vince Russo- Writer

Eric Bischoff- Head of Marketing/ Venue Management

Jeff Jarrett- Talent Relations/ Scout
Jim Cornette- Scout

All of them form the writing team with Heyman having final yay or nay for what gets on TV, PPV, ect.
The biggest obstical they would have to overcome is the size of all the combined EGO's.

[TripleSkeet]

Interesting interview:

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I'm in agreement with him here. TNA needs to be like a superhero movie franchise and hit the reboot button. This is a man who understands trends, pop culture, and what's relevant in the world today and can adapt it to wrestling. He knows how to market stars. He knows how to utilize them correctly. He uses common sense booking. I say TNA needs to take the ultimate chance, wipe the slate clean, and let him do what he can.


Great interview. Wouldve been alot better tif they werent doing demolition on the fucking banquet room they were in. Jesus Christ I had to strain just to understand half of what he was saying. The guy is brilliant though.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So Dixie Carter recently tweeted in what could be interpreted as a jab towards the IWC (internet wrestling community) but was about watching the tv show Lost:

"Just finished watching the LOST series. Better late than never. I am more lost than ever but loved it," Carter wrote. "Not everything needs to make sense."

However, there is a difference between things not making sense, suspension of disbelief, and following through.

Take for instance these examples:
- Eric Bischoff makes a match between four men in the ring, one of them being the champion Rob Van Dam. When RVD requests that the match changes into a four way instead of a tag, Bischoff says he's gotta consult with Hogan because he doesn't know if he has that kind of pull. Dude, you JUST made a match! What's stopping you from changing it? That is something that doesn't make sense.

- Samoa Joe is kidnapped then many weeks later returns to his original badass form. TNA acknowledge that he was abducted upon his return. Then it slowly went away as if no one cared anymore. Who took him? Why never mention it again? How come he's back to the original Samoa Joe we saw debut in TNA? If it turns out that the ECW alumni were the ones to do it then it would be a good payoff but it doesn't look like that'll happen.

- Finally here's an example of things in wrestling we know don't make sense but we accept them anyway because they are a suspension of disbelief. Crazy finishing aerial moves that are more about movement in the air than an actual punishment on the mat. Somehow they finish a competitor in a match but a move like a DDT won't. Wrestlers coming back from "injuries," camera crews being at the exact place where a fight is breaking out or someone is talking to someone else in a "private" moment.. These are things that don't make sense because they don't happen in real life but because it's a TV show and principles of modern wrestling television, we accept it.

So Dixie, the point is that certain things in wrestling don't make sense, but that doesn't mean you can go crazy and think that we'll go, "Eh, it's just a tv show." We want to be entertained but we don't want to be treated like idiots.

[TripleSkeet]

- Samoa Joe is kidnapped then many weeks later returns to his original badass form. TNA acknowledge that he was abducted upon his return. Then it slowly went away as if no one cared anymore. Who took him? Why never mention it again? How come he's back to the original Samoa Joe we saw debut in TNA? If it turns out that the ECW alumni were the ones to do it then it would be a good payoff but it doesn't look like that'll happen.


That shit was vintage WCW right there.

[TjM]

That shit was vintage WCW right there.

Like when Ric Flair was in the Nut Hut then came back because Arn Anderson "bailed him out" (I didn't know that's all you had to do)

[TripleSkeet]

Like when Ric Flair was in the Nut Hut then came back because Arn Anderson "bailed him out" (I didn't know that's all you had to do)

I was thinking more about when Jericho spent 2 months in a 1 man feud with Goldberg just to have it dissapear like it never happened.

[conman823]

That shit was vintage WCW right there.

Like when Ric Flair was in the Nut Hut then came back because Arn Anderson "bailed him out" (I didn't know that's all you had to do)

Heres some great WCW memories:

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[SpicyMcHaggis]

I can't stand when TNA doesn't wrap up a storyline on a PPV. I'm pretty sure that ONE appearance from the ECW alumni is going to be the only time we them tonight and the main event just started.

[Melk]

Um...lets see...he took a tiny Independant wrestling company ran out of a bingo hall and made it a national product. Got it its own cable show, ppv's (when ppv was really hard to get), a video game, etc.
Heyman did take the ECW product and bring it up to a somewhat recognizable national product, but he also did it by running the company into an insane amount of debt (8.8 million dollars if memory serves me).

The ECW Hardcore show (which was aired sporadically in syndication since the mid-90s) was incredible. The ECW on TNA show was less impressive. The ECW video games were reskins of Acclaim's "Raw is War" games. ECW's merchandise started out awesome and gradually degenerated into dull black-light poster-quality T-shirts.

I believe that running the same kind of company in this era should be easier for a number of reasons. They wouldn't need to solicit local TV stations because of YouTube and LiveMotion. They wouldn't have to buy expensive cameras because there are many inexpensive cameras that would function as well as TV quality camersa. I just think there is nobody trying to make it happen. The pre-taped, heavily-edited programs that ECW produced were great because they covered the weaknesses of many of their performers. They actually had fans claiming that the Public Enemy were the second coming of the Midnight Express (anyone who watched a whole PE match knew better).

TNA can be a better product, but it is going to take a lot of time to develop its unique fan base. The WCW kind of stole the WWF's fan base while maintaining their own fans. Meanwhile, the WWF built a new group of fans and then stole the WCW's fans in the process. The TNA has to stop trying to build their product by stealing the WWE's fans, it doesn't work. They have to be willing to slowly and gradually build their audience before making the massive talent acquisitions.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So having nothing else to do I watched the TNA PPV last night.

Thoughts:

From what I can assume, the ECW storyline is being drawn out because no confirmation of Paul Heyman has been made. I remember him saying that if he were signed and got his demands reached, he'd just make one appearance to let everyone know he's there. No appearance, not there yet.
If Madison Rayne did not know who the mystery woman was who cost her the belt, why would she drive away with her?
I was happy to see that the Guns won the tag belts finally, but why couldn't it have been clean? The double swerve of having the match restarted after the two pinfalls was fine but I dunno. Still happy to see them finally holding the tag team titles.
The Team 3D feud would be fine if Jesse Neal wasn't wrestling in it. I just don't think that he should be thrust into this so quickly. The guy is still very new to the game. There are ways to book him being centric to the angle without him having to wrestle. Even then, he could have scored the pinfall if they like him so much.
Ric Flair's return to the ring should have been hyped more. Instead it felt like just another match. However, I'm pretty sure it was Flair's decision to put Lethal over with his own finisher. Let's face it the man can't take any of Lethal's actual finishing moves. Congrats to him on living a dream.
Kurt Angle vs D'Angelo Dinero was good but it wasn't spectacular. Going into it we pretty much knew Angle was going to win because he has stated before any match he loses could be his last. If Angle is going out, it'll probably be at Bound for Glory against Rob Van Dam for the title after he gets the number one spot. He's beaten three, seven more matches to go for him by October.
The X-Division title match had no reason to be Ultimate X if there was also a decision to win by submission. Yes I understand we're establishing that Douglas Williams won't do high flying moves because he's afraid of heights, but again, easier ways to book it without it becoming unnecessary.
The cage match was great until the handcuffs came into play. I hope that the gimmick of broken handcuffs fades away soon.
The main event was a good match but it wasn't anything worth reporting in headlines about. Yes I like that RVD is holding the title as long as he is and I hope he holds it for a whole year. The guy is proving that he is in fact taking the ball and running with it and making quality matches out of it. By the way, Abyss will never hit anyone with that weapon because if he did it would actually kill someone.
Overall it wasn't a bad show but I think it was a case of "too little, too late" on behalf of Russo because if TNA is as serious as they are about getting Heyman and letting him take total control, Russo's probably trying to do his best about securing his job but to no avail.

[conman823]

The Angle going throught the condenders storyline would have been better if he didn't throw in the whole "I'll retire if I lose". I think "If I lose I start back over at 10" would have been better. Then you could have working in the whole "He beat me last time, BUT this time I'm ready" angle with the guys he faced again. Also Pope was just off an injury and nobody goes 100% after an injury.

Team 3D, Jesse Neal sotryline is annoying. I get they are trying to hype Neal and this Ink, Inc team but come on you can do it without Bubba DOING EXACTLY WHAT RHINO WAS DOING TO NEAL BEFORE 3D RAN HIM OFF. Again TNA with short memories. Ugg.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I'd like to hope that something positive will come out of this ECW storyline...but what does it say about your promotion when you have to rely on a former promotion to boost interest in your own? All I know is that they're letting Dreamer book the angle personally so I hope that it leads to good ratings, good buyrates, and a change for the better. Lord knows the industry needs it.

[conman823]

I'd like to hope that something positive will come out of this ECW storyline...but what does it say about your promotion when you have to rely on a former promotion to boost interest in your own? All I know is that they're letting Dreamer book the angle personally so I hope that it leads to good ratings, good buyrates, and a change for the better. Lord knows the industry needs it.

I hope so too. As for right now they don't even have me roped into it yet. I was there for the nWo start, this isn't original yet.

Taz off commentary and working manager for these guys? BOOK IT!!

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I hate when they do gimmick matches cold. By the way, I'm gonna go on the record to say that I like watching Kevin Nash on television. I've been waiting for him to go for a main title hunt for a while. I'm surprised it was never done. A serious badass Kevin Nash is what TNA could use for their portrayal of him.

[CYYYFYYY]

The ECW Gimmick is nice but I doubt it has the staying power for more than 2 months. Never a good thing. As for Nash... can;t stand him...... Also what does it do for the X division... Kendrick pins the X Division champion Douglas and then Nash takes him out without breaking a sweat.

[Fallon]

I caught the tag team ladders match, it was pretty good.

But what's up with their women? They all look like pornstars, way too much makeup.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

That was the most underwhelming commentary for a "surprise" attack I ever heard.

[CYYYFYYY]

Stevie did hit some nice Stevie Kicks, you have to give that to him

[SpicyMcHaggis]

The attack was great but of all times for Tenay to not be his usual over excited self... they chose THAT occasion? An occasion where one should be genuinely flipping out?!?

[Chimee]

At least they treated the attack like it was a serious invasion, unlike everyone in the WWE staying in the back as the NXT guys beat up on the champion.

[CYYYFYYY]

Sadly though the combination of Dreamer, Raven, Rhino and Richards destroyed alot of TNA... This was before Van Dam AL Snow and D-Von helped out.

[MIKEYDAKEN]

I caught the tag team ladders match, it was pretty good.

But what's up with their women? They all look like pornstars, way too much makeup.

wow never thought i would here fallon complain about hot whores jiggling their tits in the ring.

[Bob Impact]

Wait they're bringing back ECW? AGAIN? Didn't that company end like a decade ago?

[Gmann]

At least they treated the attack like it was a serious invasion, unlike everyone in the WWE staying in the back as the NXT guys beat up on the champion.

Yea the 2 fat guys who tripped over each other and Terry Taylor running to the rescue.

[CYYYFYYY]

Wait they're bringing back ECW? AGAIN? Didn't that company end like a decade ago?

Don;t be INSANE that company ended 9 years ago! Don't you feel silly!!

[conman823]

Dixie Carter needs to never be on mic.

[Chimee]

Whenever Dixie Carter is on the screen I am transfixed by her one eye that kinda goes the wrong way.

[CYYYFYYY]

After the ECW story line ends in 2 months maybe thay can have a group led by Buff Bagwell and have a WcW invasion!

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Austin "Consequences" Creed, former tag team partner of "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal, Ron "The Truth" Killings" and Adam "Pac Man" Jones, has been signed to a developmental contract with the WWE.

That's a guy who is worth the time of any promotion. He's got a good look, good style, connects with the fans well, and I love the Apollo Creed gimmick. Here's hoping he's on a future season of NXT or straight to a main roster.

[Chimee]

Austin "Consequences" Creed, former tag team partner of "Black Machismo" Jay Lethal, Ron "The Truth" Killings" and Adam "Pac Man" Jones, has been signed to a developmental contract with the WWE.

That's a guy who is worth the time of any promotion. He's got a good look, good style, connects with the fans well, and I love the Apollo Creed gimmick. Here's hoping he's on a future season of NXT or straight to a main roster.

I can't wait to see what his awful NXT name is going to be.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So...TNA Presents: Hardcore Justice.

Here's my question...why? Why are we revisiting the past again? A focus group asked TNA fans what their favorite era of professional wrestling was and they all said the ECW days. So logically we should have some type of reunion right? WRONG! Can't we leave the past in the past? Why are we going back? Out of all those guys in that "invasion" group, Rhino and Richards are the only ones who can still work.

First of all, I have no idea how they're getting away with this because the competition OWNS THE RIGHTS TO THE COMPANY THEY'RE TRYING TO HAVE A REUNION FOR!!!

Dixie Carter has basically proven herself to not be a business woman at all but a glorified money mark who is using Panda Energy's funds to continue her little show that appears to wanting to make progress but if NO ONE takes it seriously, how can it ever make progress?

Someone needs to come in and push the reset button on the entire promotion. Someone needs to start something new, take the good talent out of TNA, and do the show they should have been doing. I can't take it anymore. I want variety in wrestling and Ring of Honor doesn't have the mainstream coverage yet to provide that even though they should. TNA wrestling has all these HUGE stars and just puts on glorified indy shows.

It's too frustrating for me to deal with. Until you do something worthwhile TNA, you're going to lose fans one by one. I'm done with them. I can't take it anymore. It's not worth the time or effort.

[CYYYFYYY]

Other than Vicki Guerro no one makes me turn the channel quicker than Dixie Carter. I have no idea why you would spend 2 months promoting something that has a very short shelf life. I do not even seeing it getting that much better ratings becuase not that many people even know about the REAL Ecw. I was a HUGE Raven fan and would not mind seeing him wrestle but would I pay for this? NO

[conman823]

I have no desire to relive any of the following although I enjoyed it when it first happened:

The ECW days
The nWo
Attitude Era
DX
Ric Flair and the 4 horsemen.
The Montreal Screwjob
The Nasty boys or anyone else who wrestled for the AWA

[Chimee]

I have no desire to relive any of the following although I enjoyed it when it first happened:

The ECW days
The nWo
Attitude Era
DX
Ric Flair and the 4 horsemen.
The Montreal Screwjob
The Nasty boys or anyone else who wrestled for the AWA

I want to relive the time when TNA cared about the X Division.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Thank you! Those PPV days with the focus on the X-Division like the World X Cup, the first Ultimate X matches, the amazing tag team feuds like AMW and Triple X, those were exciting. There's no focus on an identity anymore. No one knows what TNA actually is other than just another wrestling show.

[TripleSkeet]

It's too frustrating for me to deal with. Until you do something worthwhile TNA, you're going to lose fans one by one. I'm done with them. I can't take it anymore. It's not worth the time or effort.

Didnt you also just say you were done with the WWE a few weeks ago...but still continue to watch?

Personally, I dont criticize an angle until after Ive seen it play out. If its boring and predictable, I call it out, but I give it a chance.

I dont give a fuck what anyone says, in the last 2 months, with the exception of last week, Impact has put on a more entertaining show then Raw. It hasnt even been close. I dont even count the Nexus debut night for the WWE because the first 2 hours and 52 minutes was some of the worst horseshit Ive ever seen on Raw.

As far as "getting away with it", well they must be following legal guidelines, they havent promoted it as ECW, or the WWE would be on their ass. I did read that WWE wanted them to block out the ECW chants but Im pretty sure legally they dont have to. You cant sue a company for what fans chant at their shows. I personally love the fact that they are basically telling WWE lawyers to fuck off too.

I dont know how many people saw the original One Night Stand, but the Sandmans entrance that night was one of the best Ive ever seen in wrestling....ever. Then I bought the DVD and saw how the WWE took that and just totally ruined it by editing out the crowd singing and putting in some generic fucking elevator music. Awful.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Listen, I can't help it. I love wrestling. I want TNA to succeed. I just want to see them do it without having to rely on wrestling's past. What is so hard about using your own guys to establish you show? Heyman did it and only used "legends" when needed to put over the homegrown talent. It's a formula that's worked. Why not use it for themselves?

I just want wrestling to be cool again instead of just slowly fading into novelty.

[CYYYFYYY]

I myself NEVER want t see an NWO invasion, or ECW invasion or any of that. First we complain we want federations to make new stars but then when they bring back Jerry Lynn, Dreamer Raven, Kevin Nash and Scott HAll we rush to watch it. I will give you this, these guys make great promos, but when you see them in the ring you are like WHAT THE F! Now I am sure Lynn can still bring it but I don;t want to see the same match I saw 10 years ago with Lynn having NO CHANCE IN HELL OF WINNING! No way is there champ going to lose to a guy who is there for one match.

[Sinestro]

David Arquette. WTF was WCW thinking.

[TripleSkeet]

Listen, I can't help it. I love wrestling. I want TNA to succeed. I just want to see them do it without having to rely on wrestling's past. What is so hard about using your own guys to establish you show? Heyman did it and only used "legends" when needed to put over the homegrown talent. It's a formula that's worked. Why not use it for themselves?

I just want wrestling to be cool again instead of just slowly fading into novelty.

I get it, but I think you forget some of the beginnings of ECW. Yes Heyman made his own stars, but he did that bringing in guys that had wrestled in WWE and WCW and had some name recognition to get them over. Guys like 2 Cold Scorpio, Shane Douglas, Terry Funk, Abdullah the Butcher, Ron Simmons and Jimmy Snuka. Some would become stars all over again like Bam Bam Bigelow. Others would go on to help make stars out of guys like Sabu, RVD and the Sandman.

They did that throughout ECW's entire time. He would bring in guys like Sid Vicious, Rick Rude and Dusty Rhodes to help make the product better. And they all did.

There is a way to use former stars. They have name value, can contribute to making guys look good, and for the most part, its a respect thing to give these guys some work when they need it. The difference is Paul knows how to do it right. Youre not gonna see Scott Hall and Xpac come in looking like shit and beating young tag teams.

[conman823]

TNA does beat RAW in overall quality week after week. WWE has a lot of production behind a lot of shitty quality.

I have no problem letting the ECW invasion angle play out. Hope its well done and I hope when its over 90% of them are gone from TNA.

There next major angle should revolve around the X Division belt. I like Doug Williams but his fued with Kendrick is snore TV.
X Division angle should highlight Lethal Samoa Joe and Wolfe. 3 guys who could handle it and tear the house down.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I would love to see Samoa Joe do with the X-Division title what he did with the ROH world title and just be unstoppable with it. His first run was cool but it wasn't dominating.

Also, SPOILER ALERT if anyone cares, but this week on Impact, AJ Styles turns his newly won Global Championship into the TNA Television Championship. This will mark the third time this title has changed names.

Legend -> Global -> Television.

A TV title as a mid-card title makes more sense. Global sounded too similar to World title. They're practically the same word.

[CYYYFYYY]

I get it, but I think you forget some of the beginnings of ECW. Yes Heyman made his own stars, but he did that bringing in guys that had wrestled in WWE and WCW and had some name recognition to get them over. Guys like 2 Cold Scorpio, Shane Douglas, Terry Funk, Abdullah the Butcher, Ron Simmons and Jimmy Snuka. Some would become stars all over again like Bam Bam Bigelow. Others would go on to help make stars out of guys like Sabu, RVD and the Sandman.

They did that throughout ECW's entire time. He would bring in guys like Sid Vicious, Rick Rude and Dusty Rhodes to help make the product better. And they all did.

There is a way to use former stars. They have name value, can contribute to making guys look good, and for the most part, its a respect thing to give these guys some work when they need it. The difference is Paul knows how to do it right. Youre not gonna see Scott Hall and Xpac come in looking like shit and beating young tag teams.

You are right ECW did take WWE and WcW stars, but they repackaged Raven that he did not remind us Johny Polo, they brought in Shane Douglas and made him into a main eventer but before he was in EcW no one really knew of him. EcW mad him ECW home. It just comes across when TNA brings in a guy they are like WOW he was from the WWE HE IS THE BEST! From D-Lo Brown, to Rhino to Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson, to Angle to Van Dam and Sting. They tend to forget their stars. And now bringing in EcW guys and give them a WHOLE PAY FER VIEW!

[TripleSkeet]

You are right ECW did take WWE and WcW stars, but they repackaged Raven that he did not remind us Johny Polo, they brought in Shane Douglas and made him into a main eventer but before he was in EcW no one really knew of him. EcW mad him ECW home. It just comes across when TNA brings in a guy they are like WOW he was from the WWE HE IS THE BEST! From D-Lo Brown, to Rhino to Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson, to Angle to Van Dam and Sting. They tend to forget their stars. And now bringing in EcW guys and give them a WHOLE PAY FER VIEW!

You cant compare Johnny Polo to Sting or Kurt Angle. Come on! These guys are LEGENDS of wrestling. You dont repackage them. You repackage Raven because he was a nobody in the wrestling wrold.

And alot of people knew Shane Douglas before ECW. At least the guys that followed the NWA did anyway. He held the tag titles with Ricky Steamboat over there!

[CYYYFYYY]

You cant compare Johnny Polo to Sting or Kurt Angle. Come on! These guys are LEGENDS of wrestling. You dont repackage them. You repackage Raven because he was a nobody in the wrestling wrold.

And alot of people knew Shane Douglas before ECW. At least the guys that followed the NWA did anyway. He held the tag titles with Ricky Steamboat over there!

I did not mean to repackage Sting. I mean EcW were picky who they brought to there fed. When TNA brings in WWE talent they make them the gretest thing ever. I think Vince does the reverse too much but even when Jerricho was brought in he lost alot of matches at first. As far as Shane Douglas titele reign with Steamboat it was very short and no one thought much of Douglas. Make your own talent and when you bring in guys make them your guys! Of course it is ok to steal some jems like Angle and ANderson but TNA just does it too much

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I can see both sides of your arguments. I think that what most of us pure wrestling fans want to see is TNA build its identity without relying on people brought in from other promotions. Sure there are exceptions to the rules like D'Angelo Dinero who wasn't much in WWE but reinvented himself in TNA to become one of their own stars. Another exception would be Kurt Angle who goes out of his way to put over the product and has given some of his best work since starting there.

But having to rely on people like Kevin Nash who while is still a drawing name, or Sting who I don't think really is anymore other than to that particular Orlando crowd, and not letting AJ Styles be the John Cena of your show, it kinda makes me feel like all these guys who have been dubbed "home grown" talent in TNA are just being pushed to the wayside when the next big signing happens.

In the nine years they've been in existence, there hasn't been much development of their own home grown talent enough for us to truly care about them and see them as larger than life figures like the WWE does.

[TripleSkeet]

Ill agree with that. While Vince overburied the talent he would bring over, TNA does seem to overpush the guys that come over from WWE. The first example I saw of this was giving Christian the World title as soon as he got there. At least make them work their way up the ladder, like it seems Anderson is doing.

Angle I cant fault them though. I honestly believe hes one of if not the greatest professional wrestler ever.

[TripleSkeet]

Also, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles should constantly be in the main event scene.

[conman823]

Impact is still too overloaded as a show. You have: Heavyweight division, X Division, TV titles, Tag team, Knockout division and now the ECW Stars of yesterday. How much can 4 shows a month hold?

TNA needs to get lean, not add more

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Dixie Carter just doesn't like to say no or make enemies by firing people.

[TripleSkeet]

Dixie Carter just doesn't like to say no or make enemies by firing people.

Whikle I definitely agree they have too many storylines going on at once.....who would you fire?

[conman823]

Foley would go. Sorry just business.

Also every ECW star except Stevie and Dreamer.

Sting, again just business.

Homicide, Kendrick, Magnus, Serita, Taylor Wild, Chealsea, Matt Morgan, Brian Hebner, Lacey Von Eric.

Nash would get one more run then out. Hall and Waltman gone.

I would HIRE: Kong, Danielson, and try to get Christian back.

No on air Bischoff, camera hog. Only on air Hogan for big news.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

CUT:
- Eric Young
- Jeff Hardy
- Jesse Neal (kid needs to train more, still way too green)
- Kevin Nash (wrap up his current story then say goodbye)
- Matt Morgan
- All ECW Talent
- Orlando Jordan
- Rob Terry
- Shark Boy
- Tomko
- Mr. Anderson (I don't find any appeal in him)

HIRE:
- Bryan Danielson
- Awesome Kong
- Mickie James
- Cheerleader Melissa
- Christopher Daniels

[TripleSkeet]

Ok hold on hold on.


First off, its has been said the ECW guys they brought in are all for the short term to have this PPV and to help promote some TNA house shows in the Northeast. None of the 5 are supposed to be long term, except maybe Foley.

- Hall and Waltman are already fired.
- Kong quit. You cant make a person stay if they want to leave.
- Shark Boy? When was the last time he was on TNA???

Of the last 2 posts, the only ones I agree with letting go are:
Foley
Sting
Magnus
Jordan
Tomko
Jesse Neal
Serita??? Whos that?
Hebner??? a referee???

I cant believe you guys would get rid of Matt Morgan. The guys a legit main event wrestler. Hes huge, powerful and can work. Plus hes good on the mic. And young.

Eric Young is another young talent thats great on the mic and can work. I wouldnt let him go either.

Jeff Hardy?? This one baffles me. A former WWE World Champ who has a huge following and is awesome in the ring. Cut him??? No wonder wrestling execs are scared to listen to the internet.

As far as the women go, I find them all equally useless in wrestling so it wouldnt matter to me one way or another who they kept. As long as they dont give them more then 5 minutes of air time a week.

Rob Terrys a beast. He needs a gimmick change and heel turn. And a manager akin to a Paul E. or Jim Cornette. He could be like when Lesnar first came into the WWE.

I would make Homicide and Hernandez a tag team again as they can use some more bona fide tag teams. Also I would cut Shannon Moore. Hes useless.

[CYYYFYYY]

I would Fire

Foley
Nash
Hogan
Shannon Moore
Sting
E. Young (Have no idea why they keep pushing him)
O. Jordan
Dudley Bros (Talk about guys who have been living off the past)
Homicide (He is good but I have to get rid of some guys and he has been buried)
All Ecw except Raven and Richards and even they are iffy

Who I would Hire

Benjamen
Hass
Danielson
Bryan Danielson

RePackage

Kendrick
Magnus

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I'm a ruthless pseudo-promoter in my own mind, lol. However, I do see the points you made with the talents. They just need to do something with them that's interesting, like what you said.

[asayresk]

I would fire jeff hardy.

[conman823]

I would fire jeff hardy.

You wouldn't if u saw all the merch he sold at that Coney Island show I was at

[conman823]

Now that I'm at a desktop and not my cellphone I'll expand on my earlier changes:

I almost forgot Jordan, Moore, and Young. All are valid candidates for dismissal. Eric Young had a chance to show he could run with the big boys and failed. Say what you want about Hall, Nash, and Waltman but if you can't get a rub off those 3 then you should pack it in.

Matt Morgan is another guy who's had too many chances. They tried, Face, Tag Team, and now he's back to Heel. He isn't drawing PPV money and isn't selling merch. He's gotta go.

Raven would have to prove to me he could still work before I might consider keeping him. Even then it would be an angle crafted to put over someone young and then he could hit the skids.

Yes Brain Hebner a ref, watch him, he thinks he's part of the show. And I hate his face. Save's my company about 50K a year.

Hall "left on his own accord" due to personal reasons. It looks like the door is open for his return same with Waltman. The door needs to be closed for good.

Kong left under because of the Hogan/Biscoff era. I would do anything INCLUDING FIRING HOGAN to get her back. I would market her like fucking Andre was marketed by McMahon.

Also gone would be:

Hemme

[TripleSkeet]

Now that I'm at a desktop and not my cellphone I'll expand on my earlier changes:

I almost forgot Jordan, Moore, and Young. All are valid candidates for dismissal. Eric Young had a chance to show he could run with the big boys and failed. Say what you want about Hall, Nash, and Waltman but if you can't get a rub off those 3 then you should pack it in.

Matt Morgan is another guy who's had too many chances. They tried, Face, Tag Team, and now he's back to Heel. He isn't drawing PPV money and isn't selling merch. He's gotta go.

Raven would have to prove to me he could still work before I might consider keeping him. Even then it would be an angle crafted to put over someone young and then he could hit the skids.

Yes Brain Hebner a ref, watch him, he thinks he's part of the show. And I hate his face. Save's my company about 50K a year.

Hall "left on his own accord" due to personal reasons. It looks like the door is open for his return same with Waltman. The door needs to be closed for good.

Kong left under because of the Hogan/Biscoff era. I would do anything INCLUDING FIRING HOGAN to get her back. I would market her like fucking Andre was marketed by McMahon.

Also gone would be:

Hemme

If youre depending on a fat black woman to carry your wrestling company, youre doomed from the start.

Andre was so huge because:

A. He was an actual giant
B. Back then you couldnt find too many people even close to his size (no internet)
C. He was an actual main event male wrestler.

It should be illegal to mention both their names in the same sentence.

As far as Morgan goes, he was getting over HUGE. Especially when he was trying to get in the mafia. Its not his fault Hogan came in and they saddled him with this weak ass gimmick where he referred to himself as "we". Fucking retarded booking. They would be completely crazy to let him go.

[conman823]

Even at Morgans highest point being over. Kong was more over then him. Please the Tag Divison is still recovering from his "We" reign as champion. This is the same Tag Division that saw the Nasty Boys get a "W" over team 3D. Hogan has never respected anything but the Heavyweight Division.

Who said build my company around her? I just meant she should be used sparingly, and whenever she is used she should be shown too dominate.

Why do you feel the Womans Divison is so far inferior? WWE's Diva yes I can see that. TNA at least have Women who can work. On 411mania the ratings breakdowns always show that the Beautiful People boost ratings. Their angles are certainly more interesting then the Morgan Tag Title awfulness that (praise DVR) I FFWD'ed through every week.

[asayresk]

You wouldn't if u saw all the merch he sold at that Coney Island show I was at

Im not a Hardy fan. I dont care how much merch he sells, TNA could survive without him.

[asayresk]

My critique on Matt Morgan:
- The guy is huge but he needs to be more of a bad ass.
- needs a manger because he is boring on the mic
- work on in ring Skill (I cant stand the elbows in the corner move)

[TripleSkeet]

Even at Morgans highest point being over. Kong was more over then him. Please the Tag Divison is still recovering from his "We" reign as champion. This is the same Tag Division that saw the Nasty Boys get a "W" over team 3D. Hogan has never respected anything but the Heavyweight Division.

Who said build my company around her? I just meant she should be used sparingly, and whenever she is used she should be shown too dominate.

Why do you feel the Womans Divison is so far inferior? WWE's Diva yes I can see that. TNA at least have Women who can work. On 411mania the ratings breakdowns always show that the Beautiful People boost ratings. Their angles are certainly more interesting then the Morgan Tag Title awfulness that (praise DVR) I FFWD'ed through every week.

Nobody gives a shit about womens wrestling. Seriously. People watch for tits and ass. They are boring. And not just at TNA, but in wrestling across the board.

I dont know, maybe because I actually get real vagina I dont see their appeal.

And you said treat Kong like Andre the Giant...until the end of his career Andre was a HUGE part of the WWF. Even when Hogan came in Andres angles were always a big part of the company.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem's official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:

How supportive has Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff been about the ECW revival in TNA/the concept of the Hardcore Justice Pay-Per-View & the Hardcore Originals getting "the rub" from "The Hulkster" in the ring on last Thursday night's iMPACT: "I was at WrestleMania with my dad. I was at WrestleMania II. For anyone to say anything about Hulk Hogan, he walks slowly and has a bit of a limp from all the surgeries. He has given so much to this business. To be in the ring with him, and the fan in me & the kid in me, they kept showing me & D-Von, and we were flexing, almost doing the Hulk Hogan pose as Hulk was coming to the ring. In regards to Dixie Carter giving us her 100% blessing, I don't really know the guys' personal feelings towards it, but I don't think if Hulk Hogan didn't like what he saw, I don't think he would be out there. He has that stroke to say 'No, I don't wanna do something.' I don't know Eric Bischoff's personal feelings towards it. Obviously, they are going forward and giving whatever Pay-Per-View matches they were gonna do for Hard Justice; they are gonna do the following Thursday, which is great."

The Paul Heyman/TNA rumors & the "invitation" being extended to Paul for this Sunday night's Pay-Per-View: "I have spoken to Paul, and there is an invitation out there. I would love for him to be there, but I understand if he's not. He's also doing stuff for Brock Lesnar. Paul is Paul, and if he does come in, I think he could definitely help. If he doesn't, the business moves on without him. He's very, very talented, and I think it would be cool to get people to drink his Kool-Aid again. If he does come to terms, I think it would be a good deal for Paul, and hopefully it would be a good deal for TNA as well."

His thoughts on the refusal of several former ECW stars (such as "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, Mikey Whipwreck, & Lance Storm) choosing not to appear at HardCORE Justice: "Number one, there are only so many matches that you can truly have. I also don't wanna throw a bunch of people into Battle Royals just for the sake of throwing people into the show. Yes, I did reach out to Lance Storm, and he said 'Thanks for thinking of me, but I had my closure in 2005, and it was the perfect scenario for me.' He had some personal issues with TNA, but that didn't affect our friendship. Mikey Whipwreck has some serious health issues, and talking to Mikey he said 'Hey, when I sneeze, my fingers go numb, and I gotta get my neck worked on.' He also did not want to go out there and embarrass himself, and to me, if you can't go out to that ring, you shouldn't go out there anymore. If you're there, you're there. If you're not there, I respect that."

His reaction to the critics who think this PPV is being done to only make money for TNA & those that feel that the ECW legacy is being bastardized/prostituted yet again and the response he has received from World Wrestling Entertainment (including his long-time friends & colleagues who still work there): "I've gotten so many texts & phone calls from people who do work in the WWE congratulating me and wishing me tons of success. This was never about bashing the WWE, or we're better...that's not the case. My plan was to create a buzz for TNA. I've done that, and created some ratings for TNA, and we've done that too. After this, my goal is to help all that in TNA. I do have a different perspective, not saying that it's 100% right, but these are ways I could prove to other people that if this is a success, that we are on the right track here. Bastardizing it and all that stuff, no. Bottom line, this is a television show. If you don't like it, you don't have to watch it. Everything I have tried to do in my short time I've been in TNA, and trust me when I tell you: this is for TNA & for the future of this business. I wish I could have Joey Styles call the Pay-Per-View, but I can't, because he's under contract. If Chris Jericho was available, I would have Chris Jericho vs. Rey Mysterio, but I can't. The surprises I have in store I hope are good surprises for people, and I look at this as a celebration of guys who are getting another shot, and you'll never see us together again."

What can the fans can expect from him in TNA (both inside the squared circle and/or behind the scenes) after his "Final Showdown" with Raven at HardCORE Justice: "My goal is to contribute to TNA in any role given to me and to continue to contribute in the wrestling business that I love so much. I have a list of men & women that I have seen on the indies that are television ready, and I have a list of people that should go to a developmental system that I've seen them work live, and if I have the opportunity to introduce these new people to the world, I would love to do that. It's going out there and having to wrestle AJ Styles, finding a partner and wrestling Beer Money, wrestling Samoa Joe, or helping with a promo in the background behind the scenes, or helping on creative. Giving my experiences that I learned to show what I feel to help you take it to the next level. Just continue to contribute to the TNA product, as well as contribute to the business that I love."

[conman823]

TNA has suspended Samoa Joe for "having a bad attitude ". Reports say he was pissed back stage because of the stupid countdown finish to the Hardy match.

[CYYYFYYY]

I got an idea for Joe, stop eating and get in shape. Can;t stand how everyone goes insane when a wrestler is not that good of a wrestler but when a guy who has talent gets fat or just never hits the gym (Christain), they never get bashed. You best straighten up your act because in the wwe they will have you losing to Golddust

[conman823]

I never recall Joe being thin or Christian been buff.

[Chimee]

The closest you're ever going to get to a thin Samoan are the Usos. And who cares if Christian is thin, it's not like he's going out there trying to show how strong he is, he's a small guy that works a small guy style.

[TripleSkeet]

I got an idea for Joe, stop eating and get in shape. Can;t stand how everyone goes insane when a wrestler is not that good of a wrestler but when a guy who has talent gets fat or just never hits the gym (Christain), they never get bashed. You best straighten up your act because in the wwe they will have you losing to Golddust

He looks exactly how he did when he started. Why hit the gym? Some people just dont get built like that, and dont need it to be a great wrestler.

[Dirtbag]

I got an idea for Joe, stop eating and get in shape. Can;t stand how everyone goes insane when a wrestler is not that good of a wrestler but when a guy who has talent gets fat or just never hits the gym (Christain), they never get bashed. You best straighten up your act because in the wwe they will have you losing to Golddust

I wouldn't go so far as to call the brother fat, I mean he got a weight problem. What's the nigga gonna do? He's Samoan.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

With all this stuff that's going on and the next PPV being promoted has Jeff Hardy vs Kurt Angle on the poster, what does the future hold for TNA after HardCORE Justice? Predictions? Thoughts?

[conman823]

With all this stuff that's going on and the next PPV being promoted has Jeff Hardy vs Kurt Angle on the poster, what does the future hold for TNA after HardCORE Justice? Predictions? Thoughts?

Well lets hope whatever it is it incorporates some of the ideas we have already thrown around. Like trimming the roster and getting out of the Impact Zone for PPV's and Impacts.

Ratings are on an upswing, we'll see if it will hold after the PPV.

The crowd loves the Guns v Beer Money best of 5 series. I love it too, I would like to see something like that mixed with some X Divisoion features.

Angle vs Hardy could be a great build if done right, I hope they dont build a nice PPV around having it at the Impact Zone. I think its high time TNA do a northeast PPV.

[CYYYFYYY]

I feel they destroyed all the Angel matches when he announced he will retire if he loses. Thanks now we know you won;t lose.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Perhaps the change in format when they do "The Whole F'n Show" will be a comfortable change from the norm.

[CYYYFYYY]

Even if I was excited about this ECW pay fer view I would not get it simply because I only know two matches on the damn card. Van Dam vs Lynn and Dreamer vs Raven. Now they might have announced more matches but if they did; they did a very bad job in telling the people. I am very curious to see how this pay fer view does in the ratings.

[TripleSkeet]

Hardcore Justice was BY FAR the most entertaining PPV of the year for either TNA or WWE.

Loved the fact they basically poked fun of Vince and the WWE threatening to sue if certain things were said. Al Snows backstage segment was fucking hilarious.

[Sue_Bender]

Hardcore Justice was BY FAR the most entertaining PPV of the year for either TNA or WWE.

Loved the fact they basically poked fun of Vince and the WWE threatening to sue if certain things were said. Al Snows backstage segment was fucking hilarious.

My favorite thing was the blue-tinted, dimly-lit ring dealy-o.

I decent PPV for sure. WWE's MITB ladder matches were better, but they didn't carry the history to make it as interesting.

Hardcore Justice was good...but it's just sad that it was delivered by sloppy old fat fucks who in reality couldn't secure a contract with either promotion.

Nostalgia smoothes some very odd edges, eh?

It was fun, but it has NOTHING to do with TNA.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I hate to be negative here but that show just didn't click for me. Perhaps it's because I made my peace with ECW.

[CYYYFYYY]

Did they use a fake Blue Meanie? Was the Raven vs Dreamer match good?

[TripleSkeet]

Fuck that. Old or not they were completely entertaining from beginning to end.

- The FBI dance off was odd, quirky, and funny. Plus all the Taz references to Simon Diamond being fat were hilarious.

- 2 Cold Scorpio and CW Anderson had an awesome match. With Scorpio pulling off moves that guys in the WWE that are half his age cant do.

- The whole segment in the back with Stevie and Al Snow where Al kept poking fun of all the things they could get sued for was fucking hilarious. "They cant even use the real shirt! They cant even use the real guy!!!"

- Joel Gertner hit one out of the park as usual.

- The Dudleys match was good with a cool ending when the Gangsta came out.

- New Jacks promo with Borash and So Cal Val was hilarious.

- Sandmans appearance was ok, too bad they couldnt give him a real entrance.

- The Dreamer vs. Raven match was great. Bloody, violent, and an awesome match. Nothing short of what they did years ago.

- Same goes for RVD vs Sabu. The match was awesome.

Even the crowd chants were awesome from chanting the names of the guys that werent allowed to go by their real name (Balls Mahoney had to be called Cajones) down to the end when they were chanting "Fuck you Vince"

This post wasnt about nostalgia or making peace or any of that shit. It has to do with BEING ENTERTAINING. Thats all I want from my wrestling. Both have had very small spots here and there where they have ben entertaining but neither company, especially in the last 2 years, has been able to give me ONE ppv that was entertaining from top to bottom.

I watch every one of them for free on Paltalk and this is the only one in the last 2 years I wouldnt have minded paying for. I could care less if it had to do with TNA or not. These fucking wrestlers should watch this pay per view and maybe they could fucking learn something.

[Sue_Bender]

Fuck that. Old or not they were completely entertaining from beginning to end.

- The FBI dance off was odd, quirky, and funny. Plus all the Taz references to Simon Diamond being fat were hilarious.

- 2 Cold Scorpio and CW Anderson had an awesome match. With Scorpio pulling off moves that guys in the WWE that are half his age cant do.

- The whole segment in the back with Stevie and Al Snow where Al kept poking fun of all the things they could get sued for was fucking hilarious. "They cant even use the real shirt! They cant even use the real guy!!!"

- Joel Gertner hit one out of the park as usual.

- The Dudleys match was good with a cool ending when the Gangsta came out.

- New Jacks promo with Borash and So Cal Val was hilarious.

- Sandmans appearance was ok, too bad they couldnt give him a real entrance.

- The Dreamer vs. Raven match was great. Bloody, violent, and an awesome match. Nothing short of what they did years ago.

- Same goes for RVD vs Sabu. The match was awesome.

Even the crowd chants were awesome from chanting the names of the guys that werent allowed to go by their real name (Balls Mahoney had to be called Cajones) down to the end when they were chanting "Fuck you Vince"

This post wasnt about nostalgia or making peace or any of that shit. It has to do with BEING ENTERTAINING. Thats all I want from my wrestling. Both have had very small spots here and there where they have ben entertaining but neither company, especially in the last 2 years, has been able to give me ONE ppv that was entertaining from top to bottom.

I watch every one of them for free on Paltalk and this is the only one in the last 2 years I wouldnt have minded paying for. I could care less if it had to do with TNA or not. These fucking wrestlers should watch this pay per view and maybe they could fucking learn something.

I know, right?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

The only match I found entertaining was Sabu vs RVD. I just didn't really care for the rest. It felt like it would have been a great live show to see in person, but to be honest I don't think it deserved a PPV. That's just my opinion. It felt to me like it was Dreamer's audition to become a booker.

The entire PPV put TNA on pause. Hopefully the show that they're going to air this Thursday can do something positive for them.

[TripleSkeet]

The only match I found entertaining was Sabu vs RVD. I just didn't really care for the rest. It felt like it would have been a great live show to see in person, but to be honest I don't think it deserved a PPV. That's just my opinion. It felt to me like it was Dreamer's audition to become a booker.

The entire PPV put TNA on pause. Hopefully the show that they're going to air this Thursday can do something positive for them.

Tell me one ppv this year for either company that was more worth the money then this one? Thats my point. There wasnt one.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I'm not comparing it to other PPV's. That's my point. I'm judging it squarely on what it was. Yes, nostalgia is nice but in my OPINION it was poorly executed especially with all of the issues that had to be avoided in order to not be sued.

[TripleSkeet]

I'm not comparing it to other PPV's. That's my point. I'm judging it squarely on what it was. Yes, nostalgia is nice but in my OPINION it was poorly executed especially with all of the issues that had to be avoided in order to not be sued.

Ok I get ya. In MY opinion it executed fine. Not only did they stick to the ridiculous guidelines they had to deal with, but in true ECW fashion they took their restrictions and had fun with it and made it entertaining.

Sorry but not being able to call them The Dudley Boys didnt make it less entertaining for me. To me those are just little minute details that even though would be nice to have, doesnt change the quality of the product without it.

That PPV was better then Wrestlemania this year. Sad but true.

Overall, on its own, it stood as an 8/10.

[conman823]

If nothing else it was the most talked about event in the business this year.

Can wait to see it (for free on the interwebs).

[CYYYFYYY]

Shannon Moore the surprise match against Jeff HArdy. HORRIBLE
Van Dam vs Abyss Pretty Bad. That damn weapon never sticks to the turnbuckle
Machine Gunns vs Beer Money. AMAZING BEST TAG MATCHES IN FOREVER!
The Ending was Amazing. Loved how Raven came out to help the ECW guys. Sandmans entrance however was pretty bad. He was taking his time when his guys were getting destroyed. For once I am excited!

[SpicyMcHaggis]

That was a good Impact. It wasn't great, but it was very watchable. The immediate follow up with ReAction was well done. Let's hope this remains consistent. If they do all their promo segments with ReAction and leave the rest of the wrestling on Impact, I'll give it another chance. Let's hope this is the format they stick with.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

From TNAWrestlingNews.com:

Heyman confirmed that TNA has reached out to him many times in the last year but he didn't take it seriously until Dixie Carter contacted him and offered him potential ownership points and stock, as well as potential side projects with Spike TV. He concluded though that they weren't ready for his ideas, particularly using things from MMA to influence wrestling. He also said that TNA is not looking long term and only wants short term solutions and that they don't have their own vision for what they want to be.


"If you were over 40, I'd chop your f***ing head off. I want a guy who is entering the prime of his career and shape him and mold him."

"Imagine if all they did the entire show was promote the Beer Money vs. Motor City Machineguns match and had Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and the ECW guys saying they needed to see that match and said these guys are the future now. Then, if you put that match in the main event - as opposed to the middle of the card with no follow-up - and produce and present them as the main event. Then, if 'you buy this product, this is the progressive type of presentation we are going to present to you.' Instead, you have Hulk Hogan in his 50s thanking ECW guys in their 40s before the ECW guys are beat up by a group led by Ric Flair in his 60s."

[conman823]

From TNAWrestlingNews.com:

Heyman confirmed that TNA has reached out to him many times in the last year but he didn't take it seriously until Dixie Carter contacted him and offered him potential ownership points and stock, as well as potential side projects with Spike TV. He concluded though that they weren't ready for his ideas, particularly using things from MMA to influence wrestling. He also said that TNA is not looking long term and only wants short term solutions and that they don't have their own vision for what they want to be.


"If you were over 40, I'd chop your f***ing head off. I want a guy who is entering the prime of his career and shape him and mold him."

"Imagine if all they did the entire show was promote the Beer Money vs. Motor City Machineguns match and had Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and the ECW guys saying they needed to see that match and said these guys are the future now. Then, if you put that match in the main event - as opposed to the middle of the card with no follow-up - and produce and present them as the main event. Then, if 'you buy this product, this is the progressive type of presentation we are going to present to you.' Instead, you have Hulk Hogan in his 50s thanking ECW guys in their 40s before the ECW guys are beat up by a group led by Ric Flair in his 60s."

Bischoff responded:

Shut up Heyman! Me and Terry aren't done milking the cow!!

Note: I entirely made up that quote.

[conman823]

On a serious note I think that if Bischoff, Heyman, and Cornette could put aside ego's and create an unholy alliance they would be in a much better spot to contend with Vince and WWE.

Unfortunely that isn't going to happen, and Heyman still has the luxury of looking from the outside in. Given the reigns I don't know if his legendary "genius" could shine. They only legit "genius" promoter/booker is Vincent K. McMahon. I might hate his product right now but longevity and money don't lie!!

How about not just bashing wrestlers for there age, how about bookers too? Is nobody out there capable of new and fresh ideas who is maybe in thier 20's or 30's.

Like Spicy and Skeet and myself.

Hmmmmm..... Lets call Dixie.

[TripleSkeet]

On a serious note I think that if Bischoff, Heyman, and Cornette could put aside ego's and create an unholy alliance they would be in a much better spot to contend with Vince and WWE.

Unfortunely that isn't going to happen, and Heyman still has the luxury of looking from the outside in. Given the reigns I don't know if his legendary "genius" could shine. They only legit "genius" promoter/booker is Vincent K. McMahon. I might hate his product right now but longevity and money don't lie!!

How about not just bashing wrestlers for there age, how about bookers too? Is nobody out there capable of new and fresh ideas who is maybe in thier 20's or 30's.

Like Spicy and Skeet and myself.

Hmmmmm..... Lets call Dixie.

The thing that always made Vince great, and that put him in the position to finally crush WCW, was that he was a self made man. He didnt have to answer to anyone. As long as his product made money, advertisers and network execs couldnt order him how to put on his show. He did it the way he wanted to and if people didnt like it, fuck em. He could replace them. USA let him walk and got destroyed in the ratings so they came crawling back. Advertisers that walked got replaced within minutes.

That changed when he went public. It didnt have to, as Vince couldve gave his shareholders the same option to walk that he gave advertisers years ago and continued to put on a show for everyone....but hes not doing that.

He now cowtows to corporate shareholders and executives just like WCW had to do when they wanted to be able to fight Vince with the same weapons he was using and was told NO WAY. He went soft and lost his balls. Maybe if his wifes campaign fails miserably hell grow them back, but I doubt it.

I have a feeling 10 years from now the WWE will be laughed at by kids that outgrew it instead of followed like those of us that fell in love with it as kids and enjoyed when they would try to keep entertaining us after we hit puberty.

[conman823]

I could be over thinking this but....

What if 50% of this PG shit is the campaign and the other half is too hook a whole new audience from 12 up?

Start back with corny PG programing and evolve it back to a attitude era like point in the next 10 years. I think it would be genius.

As far as a board of directors goes I can't think of one occasion where the real BOD has limited Vince

[Dirtbag]

Even as batshit crazy as Vince has gotten, I'm even more worried about the future. Vince won't be around forever. Shane bailed and Stephanie is incompetent. Triple H may be able to keep her straight as stupid bullshit goes, but I think the nepotism with him could be even worse than it is now.

[Chob]

He also said that TNA is not looking long term and only wants short term solutions and that they don't have their own vision for what they want to be.
He pretty much nailed it there. I like TNA a lot. I ordered some of their weekly PPV's back in the day and was so glad to see someone stepping up to offer something different than Vince's product.

But they seem to reinvent themselves every few years and when you do that it's hard to keep an audience around long term. I saw some PPV's from 2005 recently and realized how much TNA has changed over time, and how quickly those changes occurred. I saw them tease the return of Sting and it was supposed to "change the face of the company." And nothing that they hype like that ever makes much of a difference. They never take the next step, they just stagnate or even lose some of the audience.

That Best of 5 series and that "Whole F'n Show" was a step in the right direction, so hopefully TNA can still pull themselves together before they lose talent to that new Florida promotion that is starting up.

[TripleSkeet]

I could be over thinking this but....

What if 50% of this PG shit is the campaign and the other half is too hook a whole new audience from 12 up?

Start back with corny PG programing and evolve it back to a attitude era like point in the next 10 years. I think it would be genius.

As far as a board of directors goes I can't think of one occasion where the real BOD has limited Vince

From what I read the PG era is due in part to their toy deal with Mattel, Lindas campaign, and the company being publicly traded.

I dont think the board tells Vince NOT to do something, but I think that when thinking about taking a certain risk with a program he sides on the side of caution more then he ever did. Before Vince used to go by the whole "no such thing as bad publicity" mentality. He definitely doesnt anymore. That much is obvious.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

There is a warped territorial war going on in TNA, story wise. EV2.0 with Dixie Carter, Nash and Sting, Fortune, and then Abyss being controlled by "them."

[Sue_Bender]

There is a warped territorial war going on in TNA, story wise. EV2.0 with Dixie Carter, Nash and Sting, Fortune, and then Abyss being controlled by "them."

A war or a convoluted mess?

[TripleSkeet]

There is a warped territorial war going on in TNA, story wise. EV2.0 with Dixie Carter, Nash and Sting, Fortune, and then Abyss being controlled by "them."

I thought "them" was revealed to be Fortune last week. I didnt see this week yet but is he still referring to someone else?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Indeed Abyss is referring to someone else. "They're coming!" he proclaimed as he beat down Jeff Hardy on ReAction. To which Mike Tenay replied, "It seems like they're already here." Thus revealing how retarded this whole angle is anyways.

[CYYYFYYY]

Of late TNA has gotten better. Alot of angles and all of them doing a decent job. Fortune attacking Jarrett, Nash Hogan and Sting I liked, even though I don't care that they are basically dead even though the lights were off for 10 seconds but that is nit picking. It has gotten better HOWEVER, the Jeff Hardy vs Rob Terry Match was HORRIBLE and I am blaming Hardy. He was moving in slow motion. He took off his shirt and he is very flabby, and I got an idea for you guys in TNA, if a man misses his finisher by a country mile (Jeff Hardy) Don't show the replay a bunch of times and say wow that move is devastating!

[Chimee]

Of late TNA has gotten better. Alot of angles and all of them doing a decent job. Fortune attacking Jarrett, Nash Hogan and Sting I liked, even though I don't care that they are basically dead even though the lights were off for 10 seconds but that is nit picking. It has gotten better HOWEVER, the Jeff Hardy vs Rob Terry Match was HORRIBLE and I am blaming Hardy. He was moving in slow motion. He took off his shirt and he is very flabby, and I got an idea for you guys in TNA, if a man misses his finisher by a country mile (Jeff Hardy) Don't show the replay a bunch of times and say wow that move is devastating!

I disagree, Rob Terry was the absolute worst thing in that match. He messed up his stupid spinning kick and you could see Jeff telling him to do it again. The missing the Swanton was entirely because when he hit the Twist of Fate, Terry went into the ropes and as Jeff was climbing to the top, Terry rolled himself too far away for Jeff to hit the move.

[CYYYFYYY]

I just felt Hardy was bad but I will give him the benefit of the doubt because Terry is horrible. But for the love of G-d leave your shirt on!

[conman823]

There is a warped territorial war going on in TNA, story wise. EV2.0 with Dixie Carter, Nash and Sting, Fortune, and then Abyss being controlled by "them."

If there isn't a well planned and executed ending to this story line I might turn away from Wrestling forever.

I like Fortune, it uses Flair in the role I imagined him in for years now. I like the angle with Nash and Jarrett. Except I find myself agreeing with Nash's end, and I'm wondering if its all just to "re-write" history about Hogan and Eric.

EV2.0 vs. Fortune is a good one.

Abyss......sigh.....I just don't even know anymore.

[Chimee]

The problem with Fortune vs EV2.0 is that Fortune is full of great workers who would have great matches with pretty much anyone else in the company, then they bring in the old ECW guys, most of them not even being able to work a passable match.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Don't forget the fact that the purpose of their storyline is that Hogan, Jarrett, and EV2 are defending the idea of the next generation taking over for TNA. Mind you, the members of Fortune are the very "next generation" wrestlers they speak of defending. It's all a convoluted mess.

[Bob Impact]

Don't forget the fact that the purpose of their storyline is that Hogan, Jarrett, and EV2 are defending the idea of the next generation taking over for TNA. Mind you, the members of Fortune are the very "next generation" wrestlers they speak of defending. It's all a convoluted mess.

I don't watch TNA, please tell me that's not really that obvious, because that literally makes no sense.

[conman823]

I don't watch TNA, please tell me that's not really that obvious, because that literally makes no sense.

Hello exactly!

That's y its a retirement angle for me. Flair is the only one pushing the new guys AND HE'S THE HEEL.

[SpicyMcHaggis]

So let's break down the fuzzy math of this angle.

- Hogan and Jarrett say that it's time for the younger guys of TNA to be the spotlight.
- Rob Van Dam was labeled by Hogan as the start of a new era for TNA as champion.
- Nash and Sting are fighting to keep their main event spots. Meanwhile they haven't been in a main event for quite some time in TNA.
- Fortune, comprised of AJ Styles, Kazarian, Robert Roode, James Storm, Matt Morgan, and Douglas Williams, are being lead by Ric Flair in opposition of Extreme Version 2.0, The Hogan/Bischoff Regime, and Hall and Sting.
- EV2.0, as lead by Tommy Dreamer, has publicly declared that they aren't here to be about the past anymore and are looking to usher in the future.

So, the younger guys who Hogan, Jarrett, and Dreamer are saying should be the spotlight of the show are the heels against them. Meanwhile, Abyss is still running around talking about how "they are coming" when several versions of who "they" could be (EV2.0, Fortune, Hall/Sting) have no allegiance to Abyss or are in cahoots with him.

No wonder Paul Heyman doesn't want to do this show. There's literally nothing that makes sense about this current angle. Although it is obvious that the public statements he's making about what he would do and his refusal is him jocking for position so that when Hogan and Bischoff leave (and inevitably Jeff Jarrett as well), he will wipe the slate clean with whatever happens up until Bound For Glory (which I'm sure is when it will all go down since it doesn't seem they have any plans for anything after it).

Either that or Panda Energy will say enough is enough and will take Carter out of it and sell TNA to the whomever wants it. I don't even think Vince would.