The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[Nedew]

Slash fiction is massively popular with a lot of women. Seriously.

[Self]

Recently heard that TNA's audience is 30% female (compared to UFC's 35% and WWE's 40%) which I find as interesting as I do baffling. Maybe some 'slash' storylines would increase that ;)

[The Celt]

I have heard the same figures used to show how large the female wrestling audience is. I not shocked women do like wrestling, what I am shocked by is wrestling's reluctance to cash in on that market every now and again. I mean John Morrison has a massive female fan base, I'm sure something could be done to make some money off that. Also whatever happened to romance angles and/or female managers? I mean I understand (but don't like) the phasing out of male managers, but one would female managers could be doing more than randomly being thrown on some guy like in the WWE.

[The Final Countdown]

Razor Ramon WAS Tony Montana from the film "Scarface"
I just watched this movie for the first time a month or two ago (sacrilege, I know), and you are 100% correct. It actually made it kind of hard for me to focus on the movie, because I kept waiting for Tony to bust out a Razor's Edge. :D

On Orlando Jordan: I'm not offended, but I don't care about him at all, either, and I don't see Orlando and his "bizarre" behavior bringing anything of value to TNA.

On The Pope: Not offended at all, and hadn't even really thought about him in an overly religious context until it was brought up in this topic.

[lazorbeak]

A quick check on wikipedia reveals:

Deadpool debut was in 1991, but didn't receive his own comic series until 1997. Reynolds broke out in the late 90s/early 2000s and I assume Deadpool's humour began taking on more and more of Reynolds style.

In fact I believe I got that idea of Deadpool/Reynolds from Reynolds himself saying it in a interview (He was very flattered to have Deadpool's humour based on him as a comic book fan).

And I agree, Deadpool is a great wrestling character. Good thing he'll be available in the 9000verse when it comes out for TEW10

No, Deadpool's humor has absolutely nothing to do with Ryan Reynolds. At all. Ryan Reynolds wasn't even on TV until 1998. By that point, Deadpool was a regular in X-Force and limited series' for over half a decade playing up the goofy, 4th-wall breaking humor before anyone ever heard of Ryan Reynolds.

Seriously saying Reynolds influenced Deadpool is like saying John Byrne's She-Hulk was inspired by 30 Rock. Also, for being "mad over," his series was canceled twice for flagging sales, and for several years he and Cable were both featured in a team-up book because neither could sustain a title on their own.

And no amount of examples is going to change the fact that no matter how over Lady Gaga is for being a bisexual female pop star, that is not going to generate interest in a bisexual male wrestler. It just isn't going to happen.

[The Celt]

Look, here's what it is for me:

The Gaga thing makes OJ different. It's gives him a character who has different motives to other characters in TNA. His character will do things different to others. In Wrestling being as different as possible is good because that allows you to find a niche in the roster that no one else has, and to do things that no else can do.

Do I think this gimmick is going to take OJ to the very top? Unlikey, considering TNA rarely gets anyone all the way over from their pushes (Matt Morgan and Hernandez have been pegged for pushes but just keep going around and around in circles.)

However, I really wouldn't be surprised if OJ got the global title, held for a while, possible renamed and personalized it and generally had some fun with it. If that works, like properly works out right and he's a bit over, I could see some kind of story bringing him towards the tag titles.


Bottom line is that I just want to support some being unique and not generic and bland. That's it.

[fatallylost]

You'd be surprised how many straight women enjoy all-male gay porn.

I didn't say no women liked it, but, trust me, I worked in that industry, to an extent, for almost 3 years.

I never saw, nor heard of one woman buying all male porn. Guys, yes, girls, no.

[Moe Hunter]

Ok Lemme see...

Deadpool's humour was legitimately based on Ryan Reynolds and that got mad over.
Flair's "wooh" was taken/stolen from Jerry Lee Lewis
Hart's "Best there ever" was taken/stolen the 1982 film "The Natural"
John Morrison would very much like to Jim Morrison from The Doors
Rob Van Dam started out just trying to be, shock and horror, Jean Claude Van Damme.

Matt Hardy has said he'd love to do "The Punisher" as a gimmick but isn't allowed.

Razor Ramon WAS Tony Montana from the film "Scarface"

But I suppose the most obvious is Sting IS the Crow, from the film, The Crow. It's the exact same character, taken from one medium to another.

Look, if you get a character from whatever is hot at the moment, go for it. Make Money Brothers. Gaga is money, so OJ is going to cash in.

So now going to the opposite end of the inapt comparisons... Guess what link all of those examples are missing? The Gender switch you were trying to justify in the first place!

Yes, wrestlers take characters from pop culture. Yes there have been female versions of males *within the same genre*. Making a male version of a female from an entirely separate world doesn't equal success, or history, or logic.

Look, here's what it is for me:

The Gaga thing makes OJ different. It's gives him a character who has different motives to other characters in TNA. His character will do things different to others.
And so far his motives seem to not involve wrestling. He just wants to sit down with some friends on a couch he set up with a fake wall in the audience. Or bring Mardi Grad and a money shot to the ramp. What exactly are these amazing motives he's supposed to have, in a wrestling context? He wants to win the Global Championship so he can have more sex with both genders?! I just don't see it.

[fatallylost]

I would strongly debate the connection between Eric Draven/Crow and Sting.

All that is similar is the face paint (or, it was similar, now it only has a color resemblance, as they've made it their own) and the coat.

Draven talked. Draven was never betrayed (ala Hogan betraying Sting and the fans) and so on.

Also, The Crow is one of my all time faves. So, I loved that they gave Sting the look, but, the character itself had less than, maybe 10% to do with the "gimmick" to the Crow character.

But, that may be a side point to have made.

[Linsolv]

And so far his motives seem to not involve wrestling. He just wants to sit down with some friends on a couch he set up with a fake wall in the audience. Or bring Mardi Grad and a money shot to the ramp. What exactly are these amazing motives he's supposed to have, in a wrestling context? He wants to win the Global Championship so he can have more sex with both genders?! I just don't see it.

Yeah, see, the more of a champion you are, the more sex permission you get from the government. See, for normal people, you can only have sex a very limited number of times, but for champions, you can get special permission from the government to be in two or more places at once, having sex at the same time. And the closer to WHC you are, the more places you can be at.

[Tag01]

I didn't say no women liked it, but, trust me, I worked in that industry, to an extent, for almost 3 years.

I never saw, nor heard of one woman buying all male porn. Guys, yes, girls, no.

I've known dudes that love porn, gay and straight. I'd say a decent number of girls I know are at least comfortable with and at most interested in straight porn or lesbian stuff. I've never met a girl in my life, straight, bi, anything, that's interested in gay porn.

[TommyDreamerFan]

I've known dudes that love porn, gay and straight. I'd say a decent number of girls I know are at least comfortable with and at most interested in straight porn or lesbian stuff. I've never met a girl in my life, straight, bi, anything, that's interested in gay porn.

wish I could find a girl in general that'll even admit to looking at porn.

[Comradebot]

wish I could find a girl in general that'll even admit to looking at porn.

1. Is this really the converstion we're having? There ARE a few younger folks on the board, might wanna change the subject before the freakin' TNA thread gets locked, of all things.

2. I know plenty of em'

[Stennick]

So when I think about the TNA scene I wonder who's going to take the title away from AJ. I don't see The Pope doing that this Sunday. I'm sure it'll be RVD or Hardy when the time is right. However I don't think Hardy or RVD need or would even benefit from the championship. I'm more looking at who's young, who's talented, who's marketable. Who's going to be their "homegrown" star. Guys I see that are fairly young (in TNA's case under 40) that have the look, the talent and the last ability to be TNA's "franchise" aside from AJ are Matt Morgan (good look, great size, he can talk), Mr. Anderson not home grown but he's still fairly young, his promos are improving and he's good a good look. Desmond Wolfe he's already shown he can work with the likes of Angle, he's original on the mic and of course young. The Pope the Impact Zone is really getting into this guy I'd like to see how people outside of Orlando react to him so when I'm at the ppv in St. Louis I'll be paying attention to see if his "Pope is Pimpin" spiel is over.

So basically TNA's future main even scene meaning guys that could stay in or be at the main event title scene successfully. Styles, Matt Morgan, Mr. Anderson, Desmond Wolfe and The Pope. These guys can talk, work, and have something original about their look or personality.

Joe can work but honestly his mic work bores me and when I see him in the ring I don't say "wow that guys got a great champion look" I see "hey theres a pudgy guy submitting people" he's not menacing in the least, his mic work is uninspiring and I just don't see him being able to be a draw. Now obviously in wrestling you never know but in my opinion the guys "star quality" would be low.

Guys like RVD and Hardy should be used as fodder to be getting these other guys over. They might have a good run left in 'em but I'm certainly not basing my promotion around a guy like RVD's thats mostly over for his innovative offense when he'll be pushing 40 and Hardy well he's been in the promotion about three different times before leaving for a variety of reasons and possibly the most recent could be drug charges so yeah not exactly the guy to plan for the future with.

Roode I like and I think he'll be a good upper mid carder but again not that great of a promo, his look is uninspiring, he's a good worker but nothing unique about him.

I used to think Alex Shelly was going to be a huge breakout star but after spending the last 4 years in a tag team that frequently disappears from television I don't see TNA or him resurrecting what could have been. He's a mid card tag team jobber these days and I don't see that changing.

Eric Young I've said it before the guy is versatile he's played several different characters well but I just don't think he's got the size/look to be something unique and special. Upper mid card guy and maybe do the whole underdog inspiring world title shot story with but not a guy thats going to be a franchise.

Kazarian was a good worker and entertaining seven years ago but honestly now he's bland and he's gone through so many different character changes. I'm of the belief you only get so many failed characters in pro wrestling before its just hard to look at you as a credible guy. He had a good thing going as "the future" but its hard to go back to a gimmick you had seven years ago especially since this IS the future his gimmick talked about then. He's gone on to be an occult lackey for Raven in one of the strangest gimmick pairings ever since not once has the guy ever looked like he would be something like that. Then they stuck him under a mask, and now he's just Kazarian I don't even know what his character is.

So yeah TNA has a lot of "talent" as far as in ring goes but I don't see many of them as future "franchise world champions". If even one or two of those guys breaks out though thats enough to elevate everyone else on the roster look at WWF in 1998.

[fatallylost]

wish I could find a girl in general that'll even admit to looking at porn.

Sometimes beware what you ask. Not all girls are pretty.

Some can be pretty scary.

[ChrisKid]

1. Is this really the converstion we're having? There ARE a few younger folks on the board, might wanna change the subject before the freakin' TNA thread gets locked, of all things.


Yo!

[Self]

So now going to the opposite end of the inapt comparisons... Guess what link all of those examples are missing? The Gender switch you were trying to justify in the first place!

Yes, wrestlers take characters from pop culture. Yes there have been female versions of males *within the same genre*. Making a male version of a female from an entirely separate world doesn't equal success, or history, or logic.

So if a woman wrestler took on a Punisher gimmick, would that automatically fail too?

The examples The Celt used aren't perfectly apt, but does that matter? Surely it's a good thing that TNA are trying something different. It's probably going to fail, but not because of a gender swap, but because of bad writing that can't overcome the general unpleasantness of watching two dudes make out, and can't turn the character into a worthy foe for a hero to overcome. Still, it's worth a try in my book.

[Remianen]

It's probably going to fail, but not because of a gender swap, but because of bad writing that can't overcome the general unpleasantness of watching two dudes make out, and can't turn the character into a worthy foe for a hero to overcome. Still, it's worth a try in my book.

I defy you to find me a writer who could make two guys making out palatable in this country. I'd really, really like to see someone accomplish the utterly unfathomable.

[Self]

I defy you to find me a writer who could make two guys making out palatable in this country. I'd really, really like to see someone accomplish the utterly unfathomable.

You may be right. It may be impossible. However, if I were writing wrestling, I'd give it a shot. It would be a slow step-by-step process though.

In this example, with Orlando Jordan, as a heel, the task wouldn't be to make his antics pleasant, but to make the unpleasantness worthwhile. He cavorts and frolics around, using the crowd's homophobia to get heat, then you use that heat to set up a triumphant hero to beat him up. Wrestling.

[The Celt]

I defy you to find me a writer who could make two guys making out palatable in this country. I'd really, really like to see someone accomplish the utterly unfathomable.

If you mean in the genre of Entertainment then maybe Will and Grace? Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? The Gay couple in Desperate Housewives (That really sure about that one, don't watch DH), Omar Little in The Wire.


If you meant in wrestling, someone (I forget who) had a great storyline for a gay character for a TCW game.

Basically Chance Fortune and Sammy Back are feuding. Chance is playing a somewhat badass character while Back is doing his dark rock god thing. During the course of the feud Back beginning alluding to things in Chance's personal life. At the peak of things Bach out Chance as begin gay. Chance response is like "Yeah. What of it?". Cue Chance beating Bach regardless This would establish a strong and gay character for the audience who would be on his side. I personally do believe something like that would be an awesome setup for a gay character.

And having seen Omar in the Wire, I totally believe that storyline could be easily achieved.

[Linsolv]

I defy you to find me a writer who could make two guys making out palatable in this country. I'd really, really like to see someone accomplish the utterly unfathomable.

They tried it for a couple in Spartacus. But as to how well it went over, I can't say; I found it very mildly uncomfortable myself.

[TommyDreamerFan]

If you mean in the genre of Entertainment then maybe Will and Grace? Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? The Gay couple in Desperate Housewives (That really sure about that one, don't watch DH), Omar Little in The Wire.


If you meant in wrestling, someone (I forget who) had a great storyline for a gay character for a TCW game.

Basically Chance Fortune and Sammy Back are feuding. Chance is playing a somewhat badass character while Back is doing his dark rock god thing. During the course of the feud Back beginning alluding to things in Chance's personal life. At the peak of things Bach out Chance as begin gay. Chance response is like "Yeah. What of it?". Cue Chance beating Bach regardless This would establish a strong and gay character for the audience who would be on his side. I personally do believe something like that would be an awesome setup for a gay character.

And having seen Omar in the Wire, I totally believe that storyline could be easily achieved.

The question is would the crowd warm up to this portrayal of a positive gay rolemodel thats never been done before. In theory, yes, that booking should make him a face. But you try to do this gimmick out in the midwest? I think they'd still boo him just because he's gay.

Of course that could bring about a different type of heel, the nWo was the cool heel, this would be the legitimate heel. Kinda like how Bret Hart was a hero to Canada and a heel in america.

[SaySo]

TNA Launching Brand New Show before iMPACT!

Source: PWTorch


TNA and Spike TV will begin airing a new one-hour show called "TNA Reaction" on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. EST leading into each week's TNA Impact episode at 8:00 p.m. EST.

TNA announced details on the show today, saying it will feature a "never-before-seen look at the combustible world of TNA Wrestling with exclusive backstage access and candid interviews featuring the biggest names in wrestling."

[djthefunkchris]

TNA Launching Brand New Show before iMPACT!

Source: PWTorch


TNA and Spike TV will begin airing a new one-hour show called "TNA Reaction" on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. EST leading into each week's TNA Impact episode at 8:00 p.m. EST.

TNA announced details on the show today, saying it will feature a "never-before-seen look at the combustible world of TNA Wrestling with exclusive backstage access and candid interviews featuring the biggest names in wrestling."

I hate to say this, but this isn't really a great idea. I don't really know why they keep trying to put in candid interviews and such.

If they would just start Impact an hour before Raw, and make it a three hour show, I think they would do alot better...as long as they don't hire another 12 to 15 people.

[dvdWarrior]

I think it'd be much more to their advantage to just accept the fact they're not going to beat Raw anytime soon, move on back to Thursday, and use the new show slot for a 'B' show to build up their undercard and midcard, give them something of a foundation to work with.

That's what I would do anyway.

[ChrisKid]

Eversince Hogan came in I have statred to dislike TNA,
No more 6 sided ring
More Ric Flair
Ric Flair bleeding and overall more blading that's obvious
Some talent haven't been seen for ages aka Jay Lethal and Kiyoshi
Bringing back The Nasty Boys (thank god there gone now) again bringing Ric Flair, firing Daniels need I say more

[mystic]

In watching last weeks impact I did not like the lock box challenge idea. Sure it uses the Knockouts but in this one "match" they killed off the daffney/tara fight over the spider and they took the title off tara without having her lose.

and it looks like they are trying to get us to buy into a Love/Tara fight over the title now as well as a possible daffney/ lacy match :eek:

I would have never had the match in the first place. I would have had Tara vs. Daffney at Lockdown over the title/spider. What a better way to have Tara face the crazy "zombie hot" Daffney then having them locked in a steel cage.

[pate]

Some talent haven't been seen for ages aka Jay Lethal and Kiyoshi

Bad example?

[SaySo]

Hey, here is the sneak peak to TNA Reaction airring tomorrow before iMPACT!

http://www.spike.com/video/tna-reaction-sneak/3372619

[Slagaholic]

That doesn't look that bad at all. If properly written it could end up being a great.

[Comradebot]

Eversince Hogan came in I have statred to dislike TNA,
No more 6 sided ring
More Ric Flair
Ric Flair bleeding and overall more blading that's obvious
Some talent haven't been seen for ages aka Jay Lethal and Kiyoshi
Bringing back The Nasty Boys (thank god there gone now) again bringing Ric Flair, firing Daniels need I say more


First off... the six sided ring was a bit gimmicky. With a standard four sided ring they come off as a bit more "professional" and mainstream, and less of a "oh look, we have a different ring, that makes us cooler!"

Again, they're trying to make a push for legitimacy compared to the WWE: brining in names like Ric Flair is a step towards it. Do I like a senior citizen Ric Flair geezering around? Not particularly, but again he IS a worker with name value and there are people who will tune in to see him.

Kiyoshi I'll agree with, Lethal... no. Not a bad worker, but by no means the future of any major company. It'd be like saying "oh no, Attitude Era WWF isn't using Val Venis enough!"

And as TALENTED of an in-ring worker as Danielson is... he really and truly lacks the "X factor" to be at the top of the company. Hard to say what, exactly, it is... but clearly I'm not alone in thinking that, for whatever reason, despite his talents he isn't top dog material in a company like TNA. Heading back to ROH is the best thing he can do for his career, as he'd just languish in the midcard if he stayed with TNA.

TNA has shown signs of life in the last couple of months. Not everything they've done is perfect, but... it's a start. Now if they'd just show Nash the door... :D

[djthefunkchris]

TNA has shown signs of life in the last couple of months. Not everything they've done is perfect, but... it's a start. Now if they'd just show Nash the door... :D

Although I admit to agreeing to most of your post, I can't help saying I like Nash. I like him more now then I did "back in the day".

I really don't think he needs to be doing much in the way of match's, but maybe getting him into a more manager type role would be nice.

In fact, I like all the old guys as managers. Believe it or not, it brings me back to the older days of wrestling, when there were far more managers that actually had talent, that helped in ring talents. This is where I would like the older guys to fall into place, even Hogan. Maybe give Bischoff a swerve where he somehow gets full reigns of the company, and Hogan has to "find" someone that will stand up against him, and get Hogan's rightfull place back in controll of the company.

Just thoughts they could do before some of these guys start keeling over.

[TommyDreamerFan]

In watching last weeks impact I did not like the lock box challenge idea. Sure it uses the Knockouts but in this one "match" they killed off the daffney/tara fight over the spider and they took the title off tara without having her lose.

and it looks like they are trying to get us to buy into a Love/Tara fight over the title now as well as a possible daffney/ lacy match :eek:

I would have never had the match in the first place. I would have had Tara vs. Daffney at Lockdown over the title/spider. What a better way to have Tara face the crazy "zombie hot" Daffney then having them locked in a steel cage.

The lock box, I didn't like. The sudden switch of feuds? I do like. If only because it's different, it's interesting, and it's the way I would book if I felt like challenging myself.

The spider storyline was a tad boring, theres only two ways to go with it. Tara wins, keeps her belt and the spider or Daffney ends up killing it in some whacky way ala Pepper... And I don't think Daff would get much heat for killing Tara's spider as Bossman got from killing a dog.

BTW am I the only one that things Angelina Love isn't very good looking? She looks like mall trash girl that spent time smoking ciggerates and stayed in the tanning bed to long. Her skin looks like leather.

[fatallylost]

BTW am I the only one that things Angelina Love isn't very good looking? She looks like mall trash girl that spent time smoking ciggerates and stayed in the tanning bed to long. Her skin looks like leather.

I kind of mentioned that earlier in this thread, I think. Since I started cutting pics, she just looked a bit old, or, something went wrong. She ain't horrible, but, she ain't the best either.

[BHK1978]

BTW am I the only one that things Angelina Love isn't very good looking? She looks like mall trash girl that spent time smoking ciggerates and stayed in the tanning bed to long. Her skin looks like leather.

I kind of mentioned that earlier in this thread, I think. Since I started cutting pics, she just looked a bit old, or, something went wrong. She ain't horrible, but, she ain't the best either.

Well I would not go as far as calling her mall trash, but yes I agree with you guys as well. I never thought she was all that attractive either. Now Velvet Sky on the other hand...:D

[spikedave]

I watched iMPACT yesterday and is just me or is TNA pushing Rob Terry to be like Goldberg?

[ColtCabana]

Although I admit to agreeing to most of your post, I can't help saying I like Nash. I like him more now then I did "back in the day".

I really don't think he needs to be doing much in the way of match's, but maybe getting him into a more manager type role would be nice.

In fact, I like all the old guys as managers. Believe it or not, it brings me back to the older days of wrestling, when there were far more managers that actually had talent, that helped in ring talents. This is where I would like the older guys to fall into place, even Hogan. Maybe give Bischoff a swerve where he somehow gets full reigns of the company, and Hogan has to "find" someone that will stand up against him, and get Hogan's rightfull place back in controll of the company.

Just thoughts they could do before some of these guys start keeling over.

I also am liking Nash and even Hall, it's Waltman I can't stand. I always thought TNA could use the Band as a way to give some younger guys a "rub". Have Hall and Nash run with two potential breakout guys instead of jobbing to Team 3D.

[stratusfaction]

What?!?! Angelina is hot! I think she is much hotter then Velvet. But not as hot as Lacey Von Erich! Angelina is by far my most favorite Knockout. I'm happy that she is the Knockout's Champion but I'm not happy with the way she got that title! I would have loved to see her feud with Tara and then win the title fair and square. I think the Daffney/Tara feud could have went on for a couple of weeks. Those 2 deserved a good ending....such a shame.

[shawn michaels 82]

I also am liking Nash and even Hall, it's Waltman I can't stand. I always thought TNA could use the Band as a way to give some younger guys a "rub". Have Hall and Nash run with two potential breakout guys instead of jobbing to Team 3D.


What the hell do some people have against Waltman? I already saw - dozens of times- a bunch of people here saying he's the worst thing that happened after George W. Bush, although no one used these actual words. :D I don't dislike Waltman. And i do understand that he's not anyone's favorite guy (Sure as hell ain't mine either) but he's not that bad, i think.



What?!?! Angelina is hot! I think she is much hotter then Velvet. But not as hot as Lacey Von Erich! Angelina is by far my most favorite Knockout. I'm happy that she is the Knockout's Champion but I'm not happy with the way she got that title! I would have loved to see her feud with Tara and then win the title fair and square. I think the Daffney/Tara feud could have went on for a couple of weeks. Those 2 deserved a good ending....such a shame.

Right On! Lacey is extremely Hot. In terms of LOOKS she is one of my favorite female workers.

[Linsolv]

a bunch of people here saying he's the worst thing that happened after George W. Bush

I always wonder what the political leanings of wrestling fans are. Always seemed like sorta a conservative-leaning demographic to me, when I was little.

[Tag01]

I always wonder what the political leanings of wrestling fans are. Always seemed like sorta a conservative-leaning demographic to me, when I was little.

Although I am an exception, I think mainstream wrestling fans are a very conservative audience, akin to NASCAR fans. I suspect that a lot of the smarkier, ROH type fans would be more liberal though.

[Linsolv]

Although I am an exception, I think mainstream wrestling fans are a very conservative audience, akin to NASCAR fans. I suspect that a lot of the smarkier, ROH type fans would be more liberal though.

That makes sense, and is roughly in line with what I'd have guessed.

However, I'd guess that also, the GDS forums are a poor microcosm of the wrestling world, given that (in my experience) analytical folks tend towards liberalism, and TEW tends towards analytical types.

[Nedew]

I don't think you can really put an ideology (or even a 'left or right'?) on wrestling fans - it's just too diverse a group. There are Anarchist wrestling fans and there are Fascist wrestling fans, i don't think it can really be tied down.

[CQI13]

Though typically, (right or wrong) wrestling is seen much like NASCAR (as a Southern thing). Yes, both are national/global, but the perception remains that it's a hillbilly thing.

--* in the U.S.

[Linsolv]

Though typically, (right or wrong) wrestling is seen much like NASCAR (as a Southern thing). Yes, both are national/global, but the perception remains that it's a hillbilly thing.

--* in the U.S.

Cody Deaner does NOT help things.

[Tag01]

Cody Deaner does NOT help things.

Cody Deaner helps everything, in my opinion. I miss him.

[Linsolv]

Cody Deaner helps everything, in my opinion. I miss him.

Well, suffice to say that I dunno about the later parts of his tenure, but I stopped watching not too long after he came on (Because they stopped the replays on saturdays, actually -- not because of Deaner) but it made TNA look, to my Michigan eyes, more southern than my family in Alabama.

[ColtCabana]

What the hell do some people have against Waltman? I already saw - dozens of times- a bunch of people here saying he's the worst thing that happened after George W. Bush, although no one used these actual words. :D I don't dislike Waltman. And i do understand that he's not anyone's favorite guy (Sure as hell ain't mine either) but he's not that bad, i think.


His ring work is okay, it's just he is the same now as he was in the late 90's. I used to like him 10+ years ago but now I just don't.

[Remianen]

However, I'd guess that also, the GDS forums are a poor microcosm of the wrestling world, given that (in my experience) analytical folks tend towards liberalism, and TEW tends towards analytical types.

What Nedew said. :p I'm an analytical type but I wouldn't identify myself as liberal.

Right On! Lacey is extremely Hot. In terms of LOOKS she is one of my favorite female workers.

I honestly don't get this. Lacey is basically Malibu Barbie, looks wise. She's like what you'd see in the lobby at Shutters on the Beach ("Lemme guess. You're a model slash actress?"). She's Maryse without the accent. :p

Oh and Angelina's problem is makeup. The makeup she uses doesn't work well with moisture and humidity. On camera, it makes the skin look somewhat reptilian. Gets even worse if you spackle it on like grout or something.

[fatallylost]

I honestly don't get this. Lacey is basically Malibu Barbie, looks wise. She's like what you'd see in the lobby at Shutters on the Beach ("Lemme guess. You're a model slash actress?"). She's Maryse without the accent. :p

I was thinking more a Kelly Kelly without a blank slate look in her eyes.

Oh and Angelina's problem is makeup. The makeup she uses doesn't work well with moisture and humidity. On camera, it makes the skin look somewhat reptilian. Gets even worse if you spackle it on like grout or something.

That could very well be it. I know most of them all weara hefty amount, but, that seems very logical, as the older pics I've seen of her aren't too shabby.

[Trashbear]

I was thinking more a Kelly Kelly without a blank slate look in her eyes.



That could very well be it. I know most of them all weara hefty amount, but, that seems very logical, as the older pics I've seen of her aren't too shabby.

I'm not gonna kick any of them out of bed, that's for damn sure.

They think they know how to wrestle? I'd show them so many holds they wouldn't what the hell to do. I'd pick up Lacey and scoop slam her right onto my living room floor and tag her out right there.

[Hive]

Judging from the recap, last night's Impact actually sounds pretty good and interesting. Was it so?

Though I wish they'd get rid of Hulk's friend Bubba and Orlando Jordan. And stop pushing dull and boring people like Eric Young, Rob Terry and Doug Williams.

[Self]

From reading the RAW & Impact reports, I'm probably going to check out more of Impact this week. It seems more interesting. Roode/Jeff. Kaz/Shannon. MCMG/Red&Morgan. Doug Williams doing commentary. Things I would like to see.

I was thinking more a Kelly Kelly without a blank slate look in her eyes.

I'd put Lacey & Kelly Kelly in the same category. They're very pretty, but not my cup of tea. I'm not sure if 'generic' is the word, but the only other one I can think of is 'soulless' and that's a bit mean.

[Linsolv]

What Nedew said. :p I'm an analytical type but I wouldn't identify myself as liberal.

You're a businessman, boss. In my experience, that tends to pre-empt most other traits. (I... I spend a lot of time thinking about classifications of things.)

Haven't watched iMPACT yet, but I'll probably have some snarky complaint to make after I do.

(Also, I used the word tend to imply a loose correlation -- not a strict one. Instead of, say, a 50/50 split, you'd have a 55/45 split, or maybe 60/40.)

[fatallylost]

Judging from the recap, last night's Impact actually sounds pretty good and interesting. Was it so?

Though I wish they'd get rid of Hulk's friend Bubba and Orlando Jordan. And stop pushing dull and boring people like Eric Young, Rob Terry and Doug Williams.

I don't recall OJ being there, Bubba was in a completely random, and lame ass spot. Young was on for a minute, Terry wasn't, but, Williams did commentary for the Kaz/Moore match.

Just to warn ya.

I'd put Lacey & Kelly Kelly in the same category. They're very pretty, but not my cup of tea. I'm not sure if 'generic' is the word, but the only other one I can think of is 'soulless' and that's a bit mean.

Yeah... when I mentioned Kelly, I was going to mention her "dead eyes" but, that seemed meaner than I wanted it to be.

[Gabbo]

I haven't seen alot of Rob Terry, but I kinda picture him as a Lex Luger, pushed and pushed but the fans never really taking to him.

He'll probably be a draw for TNA in the UK though.

[Marshall]

I haven't seen alot of Rob Terry, but I kinda picture him as a Lex Luger, pushed and pushed but the fans never really taking to him.

He'll probably be a draw for TNA in the UK though.

Not so sure about that - being from the UK, I for one can't stand him. He's no Davey Boy Smith, put it that way.

[TommyDreamerFan]

Not so sure about that - being from the UK, I for one can't stand him. He's no Davey Boy Smith, put it that way.

Hopefully he'll become Davey Boy Smith with time. If not, he could be Ultimate Warrior minus the ego.

Christ he's the only person on the roster who looks the part of a champion. I really want him to succeed.

[Gabbo]

He's from my home town, used to be a bouncer on the door of a few clubs. Never had a decent chat with him but apparently he's a ****.

[Marshall]

Hopefully he'll become Davey Boy Smith with time. If not, he could be Ultimate Warrior minus the ego.

Christ he's the only person on the roster who looks the part of a champion. I really want him to succeed.

I'd debate this. In 2010 moving forward, I don't think he looks the part of a champion - his over-muscled Scott Steiner-tribute physique belongs in another decade imo. He just looks outdated in today's wrestling culture, the same as an unprotected chairshot to the head.

[Slagaholic]

What do you mean belongs in another decade?

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/batista.jpg

[Hive]

I don't recall OJ being there, Bubba was in a completely random, and lame ass spot. Young was on for a minute, Terry wasn't, but, Williams did commentary for the Kaz/Moore match.

Just to warn ya.

I wasn't talking specifically about last night's episode, but more in general terms.

Wasting a good rub from people like Hall and Nash on guys like Eric Young and Jesse Neal, having Rob Terry squash Tomko (who a few months ago had a world title match against Styles and were involved in the main event scene), using Orlando Jordan just for the controversy of it, using Bubba... well, just using him... stuff like this bugs me.

[Hive]

Hopefully he'll become Davey Boy Smith with time. If not, he could be Ultimate Warrior minus the ego.

Christ he's the only person on the roster who looks the part of a champion. I really want him to succeed.

Matt Morgan does everything Rob Terry does, only better. And how many of that type do you really need?

[Self]

Rob Terry is Welsh, therefore I will support him. However, that's National pride. The guy himself doesn't particularly appeal to me. Maybe in a few years when he'll look the part. Strikes me a bit young now.

[Marshall]

What do you mean belongs in another decade?

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/batista.jpg

Maybe I worded that a little strong, but this is what I meant when comparing the over-built physique to the unprotected chairshot: it still exists in professional wrestling in 2010, but I'm wondering if it really should. Much like the chairshots, shouldn't wrestling be trying to move on from the sideshow freak aspect? Taking what Hive said, Matt Morgan does Rob Terry's schtick much better and doesn't look like he's going to explode when someone hits him. Someone should write to Russo and tell him not to put Terry in a thumbtack match with Abyss, otherwise there will be a worse mark on the mat than a spraypaint body outline :D

[PeterHilton]

Matt Morgan does everything Rob Terry does, only better. And how many of that type do you really need?

This. Absolutely this. Terry is a giant waste of time when you have far more talented guys with similar looks on the roster.

I haven't seen alot of Rob Terry, but I kinda picture him as a Lex Luger, pushed and pushed but the fans never really taking to him.

To be fair, Luger was monstrously over both as a heel with the Horseman and as a face chasing Flair in hos first WCW run.

[The Celt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFrV-_FlKo&feature=channel

Recapping iMPACT in 4 glorious minutes

[The Shape]

Firstly batista isn't as ripped now and secondly I think even then Terry was bigger. Batista looks huge but I wouldn't say freakishly so.

[Linsolv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFrV-_FlKo&feature=channel

Recapping iMPACT in 4 glorious minutes

Well... I can't lie... that seems like a pretty accurate representation, for only 4 minutes.

[TommyDreamerFan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cFrV-_FlKo&feature=channel

Recapping iMPACT in 4 glorious minutes

Infinitely amusing. :D

[thepeopleschamp]

I noticed last Monday how over Jesse Neal is with the Impact Zone he was the most over in the whole six man chaos that was going on I think they should focus on him a little more

[Linsolv]

I didn't enjoy the SE finish on the match between Angelina and Velvet. I'd at least liked to have seen someone win.

---

On another note, after some consideration, my comment directed at Remi (here (http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=955733&postcount=3554)) might be interpreted as rude, and I just want to clarify: I was in no way trying to offend anyone. Remianen is a nice guy and I wouldn't want to be rude to him.

[spikedave]

Rob Terry is Goldberg v2 but just not getting over with the fans at all.

[Slagaholic]

Rob Terry's push would be fine if he didn't have a title already.

[Remianen]

He's from my home town, used to be a bouncer on the door of a few clubs. Never had a decent chat with him but apparently he's a ****.

To be fair, it comes with the job. I know a lot of bouncers and you have to be a (richard) if you're going to be successful.

On another note, after some consideration, my comment directed at Remi (here (http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=955733&postcount=3554)) might be interpreted as rude, and I just want to clarify: I was in no way trying to offend anyone. Remianen is a nice guy and I wouldn't want to be rude to him.

It wasn't rude, it's true. :p

Rob Terry's push would be fine if he didn't have a title already.

He has a title?

Oh, the useless piece of bling he carries that means nothing (because it hasn't been booked to be meaningful). My bad.

[Hyde Hill]

Well to be fair they are trying to get the title over by getting him over. Sadly neither is working and they could or should have known that.

[Slagaholic]

I think they're just moving the push too fast. I am interested in what they do concerning him and OJ, however.

[jwt13]

I think Rob is a better wrestler than giving credit for I mean there is much worse wrestlers I've seen. As for the streak hes been givin I'd rather Rob get it than Nash or the bring in Goldberg and giveing him a streak, give him time and he'll get over but if he's not over in two months drop the whole thing

[Hyde Hill]

I do not think he is talentless but as has been mentioned before there where better alternatives within TNA and posibly outside of TNA for the same role and push who would have done better and not named Nash.

Edit: Finally saw Impact after my computer crash and I really liked it. Sure car and fireball are a bit over the top but still it as cool imho. Was I the only one wishing for Joe to come out for the Main Event though after Lethal got beaten up?

[Slagaholic]

I have a feeling Joe is coming back after AJ Styles has exhausted every challenger.

Unless Pope wins at Lockdown (which I doubt but would love to see happen).

[Stennick]

At Lockdown tonight from what I've read they got 3,000 paid or close to it like 2700. I'm hoping that something fun happens, blood, cool spot, something although Pope is the most over face in the company right now he's not winning tonight.

[The Final Countdown]

At Lockdown tonight from what I've read they got 3,000 paid or close to it like 2700. I'm hoping that something fun happens, blood, cool spot, something although Pope is the most over face in the company right now he's not winning tonight.
So...the majority of the arena will be blacked out still? :p

(The Family Arena can seat 10,000, for those who may not be familiar with it.)

Still, that's pretty good attendance for TNA I would imagine. I would have liked to go myself, but I don't feel like going alone, and the only friend who might've been willing to go is coming off of major surgery. Boo!

[Self]

At Lockdown tonight from what I've read they got 3,000 paid or close to it like 2700. I'm hoping that something fun happens, blood, cool spot, something although Pope is the most over face in the company right now he's not winning tonight.

With all of the blood in recent weeks I'm half-expecting them to have no blood just to be different/swerve us. :)

Tempted to watch the show, but I'm not that bothered, and I seem to remember their cage tends to obstruct the action.

[Slagaholic]

Doug Williams will not be at Lockdown tonight. Stuck in the UK thanks to the Volcano.

[TDubTNA]

Apparently Doug Williams got stripped of the X Division Title because he couldn't make a flight which I think is stupid to strip him of the title because of him not being able to fly due to the ash from the volcano. The 4 way of Shelley, Sabin, Kendrick and Homicide will go against Kaz and Shannon Moore later in the show for the X title.

I think it was wrong to strip Doug of the title because he was doing a good job with it but I guess TNA has to do what they think is right which is usually not right. I expect Shannon to win the belt even though I'd like to see Kendrick take it

[cappyboy]

Apparently Doug Williams got stripped of the X Division Title because he couldn't make a flight which I think is stupid to strip him of the title because of him not being able to fly due to the ash from the volcano. The 4 way of Shelley, Sabin, Kendrick and Homicide will go against Kaz and Shannon Moore later in the show for the X title.


And with this move, they strip away the one reason I'd have to tolerate Rob Terry. Now he can't ever properly get back at Williams for the chicanery that led Williams to have the X Division belt in the first place. Thanks for nothing, TNA.

[TDubTNA]

More news X-pac no showed so he won't be at the show. Guess there goes him taking this TNA run seriously. Wonder what they'll do with the tag match vs. 3d maybe Nash will take his place and it will be the outsiders vs. 3d

[Slagaholic]

Doug Williams will win it right back in the next month.

That intro video was hellacool. That's one thing Bischoff always does well.

[Slagaholic]

And with this move, they strip away the one reason I'd have to tolerate Rob Terry. Now he can't ever properly get back at Williams for the chicanery that led Williams to have the X Division belt in the first place. Thanks for nothing, TNA.

I sense sarcasm.

[haloed]

Doug Williams will win it right back in the next month.

That intro video was hellacool. That's one thing Bischoff always does well.

Yea he will probably win the belt back but its really really stupid to strip the belt from him because of something he can't control. If he no showed on purpose would be one thing but this... just dumb.

[TDubTNA]

This is my first TNA PPV i've ordered in a long ass time. Not sure why I ordered it but hopefully it doesn't disappoint. Hopefully TNA sucks me back in

and I def agree haloed that it is stupid. X-pac better be gone after this PPV because if Doug loses his belt and X-pac keeps his job i'll be disgusted

[jwt13]

they had promised a x division title match and they will give us one im sure doug will get a rematch

[Slagaholic]

Nice to see Homicide get retribution after getting squashed by Rob Terry.

Not sure if we can do spoilers or not.

[cappyboy]

I sense sarcasm.

You shouldn't. The storyline of Williams having screwed Terry out of the Feast or Fired case that provided that X Division title shot Williams used to win the belt was the only reason I cared about Terry. Doug's reign ending because of anything other than Big Rob is horribly unsatisfying story wise.

[Slagaholic]

Pope deserves the title just for that promo.

[Slagaholic]

You shouldn't. The storyline of Williams having screwed Terry out of the Feast or Fired case that provided that X Division title shot Williams used to win the belt was the only reason I cared about Terry. Doug's reign ending because of anything other than Big Rob is horribly unsatisfying story wise.

Going back to that story will be going back to an angle 4-5 months earlier? I know TNA gets heat for **** booking, but you can't use this against them. It's not like they dropped the whole thing and the angle was forgotten. Terry got his squash win over Williams. Terry got his squash wins over Magnus.

[Slagaholic]

Team 3D vs The Band is a real life application of the Overbook note.

[crownsy]

Apparently Doug Williams got stripped of the X Division Title because he couldn't make a flight which I think is stupid to strip him of the title because of him not being able to fly due to the ash from the volcano. The 4 way of Shelley, Sabin, Kendrick and Homicide will go against Kaz and Shannon Moore later in the show for the X title.

I think it was wrong to strip Doug of the title because he was doing a good job with it but I guess TNA has to do what they think is right which is usually not right. I expect Shannon to win the belt even though I'd like to see Kendrick take it

Because they couldnt just not defend the X-division title for a week. OR actually say "yea, that world event you all know about? affects us to."

Thats dumb, to strip a good champion due to events beyond his control.

[Slagaholic]

Because they couldnt just not defend the X-division title for a week. OR actually say "yea, that world event you all know about? affects us to."

Thats dumb, to strip a good champion due to events beyond his control.

This is wrestling, not MMA. Do you really think this hurts Doug Williams in any way shape or form?

Doug Williams still has the title in the storyline, he's not going to just hand it over.

I can see them doing something where Williams does his same X-Division schtick and telling Kaz to "come and get it"

Boom you get a feud, the title isn't hurt, Doug Williams isn't hurt.

[Slagaholic]

Angle and Anderson are putting on one of TNA's best matches ever.

Yes, it's this good.

[jwt13]

This is ****in Awesome

[haloed]

Angle and Anderson are putting on one of TNA's best matches ever.

Yes, it's this good.

It was indeed a great match. Probably one of the best feuds they've ever had in TNA up to this point. Great match again.

[Slagaholic]

Maybe it's because I'm watching it high, but that match was better than Taker-Michaels at WMXXV.

[jwt13]

Maybe it's because I'm watching it high, but that match was better than Taker-Michaels at WMXXV.
Agreed, and im not high lol

[The Celt]

Watching Lockdown right now. Some really stupid stuff happening tonight, but credit where credit is due, Angle and Anderson was a fantastic match

[Slagaholic]

The crowd is extremely hot for Pope-AJ.

[The Celt]

The crowd is extremely hot for Pope-AJ.

truth

[Slagaholic]

Oh Jesus how is Bischoff going to ruin this show?

[jwt13]

A PEN!!!!!!! WTF

[jwt13]

I'm calling FOR Joe to come out later in this match

[Slagaholic]

I'm calling FOR Joe to come out later in this match

I'd mark out like a bitch.

[cappyboy]

Going back to that story will be going back to an angle 4-5 months earlier? I know TNA gets heat for **** booking, but you can't use this against them. It's not like they dropped the whole thing and the angle was forgotten. Terry got his squash win over Williams. Terry got his squash wins over Magnus.

Sure I can. Terry squashing Williams and Magnus individually and that being the end of it is "yawn. ho hum" booking. There's no closure in that. There's no poetic justice. Only with Terry either winning the X Division belt or being the catalyst in Williams losing his ill-gotten reign can there be that proper closure. And now with this stripping Williams of the belt business, that's not possible. Usually, I'm willing to give TNA a pass on the booking issues folks cite because I don't notice the gaffe as badly. And yeah, it is like they dropped it. It may not have been INTENDED to be that way. But we know how the road to hell was paved, don't we?

[Slagaholic]

Sure I can. Terry squashing Williams and Magnus individually and that being the end of it is "yawn. ho hum" booking. There's no closure in that. There's no poetic justice. Only with Terry either winning the X Division belt or being the catalyst in Williams losing his ill-gotten reign can there be that proper closure. And now with this stripping Williams of the belt business, that's not possible. Usually, I'm willing to give TNA a pass on the booking issues folks cite because I don't notice the gaffe as badly. And yeah, it is like they dropped it. It may not have been INTENDED to be that way. But we know how the road to hell was paved, don't we?
Yawn Ho Hum? If Terry was to cost Williams the title at say Sacrifice, do you really think ANYONE other than you would remember that angle from 4 months earlier? And better yet, that they would care? British Invasion hasn't even teamed together since then.

[Slagaholic]

That was a very bizarre finish. But the most hilarious thumbtack bump ever.

[jwt13]

The end was ummm crazy to say the least. But a good PPV altogether

[haloed]

What a junk main event. Hardy's spot was crazy but looked way too planned, a spot for the table to sit and the ladder modded to sit on the cage, laughable. Still like the heel Sting though, wish we'd see more of him on TV to be honest, of course him being my fav all time I'm biased.

Angle and Anderson definitely stole the show. Great match and nice end to the feud.

[TDubTNA]

Was a good PPV other than the Main Event. Why does Hogan feel like he needs to continue to put himself over at the end of shows. He did it on Impact and now a PPV. I'm so tired of Hogan. I really wanted to see Joe come back the crowd would have went crazy instead Hogan puts himself over as always.

[Slagaholic]

Stop looking at wrestling as if it's trying to be kayfabe. The stories are most often kayfabe. But the spots aren't. The spots are there to increase your entertainment. The stories there to make you care. Just because they set up a ladder and a table on top of the cage doesn't take away from it.

Story issues? Fine, they should explain everything. But having a ladder on top of a cage? Is that really so much different than a sledge hammer being under the ring? Or a barbed wire baseball bat being under the ring?

If you need everything explained spot-wise, then how can you enjoy matches at all? They are nothing like real fights. Why would someone go on the top rope, do a little dance, and then do a big flippy-de-doo in a real fight? If you can accept that, I ask you to accept ladders magically appearing on top of cages.

You'll enjoy wrestling a lot more this way.

[Slagaholic]

Was a good PPV other than the Main Event. Why does Hogan feel like he needs to continue to put himself over at the end of shows. He did it on Impact and now a PPV. I'm so tired of Hogan. I really wanted to see Joe come back the crowd would have went crazy instead Hogan puts himself over as always.

You may be tired of him, but the crowd went nuts for Hogan.

That being said, I think with what happened with Bischoff tonight, we're going to see less and less Bischoff and Hogan on TV. Especially in the ring. There's really nothing else they can do from a storyline standing point after what happened with Bischoff.

[Daffanka]

That was awful

[Tha Black Phenom]

My God, I finally watched a TNA PPV. Well, the latter half of it.

Angle/Anderson was masterful, well done between the two men. I knew there's a reason I kept faith in both of them, even during their fallouts with the 'E.

Pope/AJ was sweet as well, one part that irked me though was when AJ flew off the top of the cage. The guy fell flat on the canvas and... he got right back up(for the roll-up sequence). That just looked wrong, one would usually stay down after missing simply a top rope spot, let alone a diving spot of this magnitude. Missed the ending but for what it was, alright contest.

Don't get me started on the ending. I saw everyone from the outside whining about Hogan always stealing the spotlight, but I saw in and it was ridiculous. Do they not seriously see what they're doing? All the wrestlers were squatted around the ring, immobile while Hogan parades around and proceeds to hand a pointless brutal beatdown to Flair with Bischoff casually on the sidelines. The crowd seemed hot for it when I bet a good portion of them saw it coming, and tried to reluctantly embrace the moment by giving into it. They couldn't do much of anything else, it's a PPV and they're bracing for big things. Match itself was cool though.

[foolinc]

I am still stunned that the faces won the advantage for the match. How do you possibly screw up as something as simple as "the bad guys win the advantage to draw sympathy for the faces"!? It's suppose to be fool proof.

[cappyboy]

Yawn Ho Hum? If Terry was to cost Williams the title at say Sacrifice, do you really think ANYONE other than you would remember that angle from 4 months earlier? And better yet, that they would care? British Invasion hasn't even teamed together since then.

Okay man. You're really pushing it. ANYONE? Really? You want to go that monolithic route? REALLY? Of course I think other people other than me would notice and care. Enough to where I think TNA would care to correct this error? We can have that discussion and you might, MIGHT sway me. But this monolothic "Nobody" type stuff really needs to die. I suppose it could be worse though. You could have told me that Any Normal Human Being "could care less."

So Terry squashed both Williams and Magnus with nothing much at stake. I repeat. Yawn. Ho hum. Good step along the path but hardly a conclusion to anything.

[Slagaholic]

I am still stunned that the faces won the advantage for the match. How do you possibly screw up as something as simple as "the bad guys win the advantage to draw sympathy for the faces"!? It's suppose to be fool proof.

Because it gave false hope and the heels got the advantage anyway...

Okay man. You're really pushing it. ANYONE? Really? You want to go that monolithic route? REALLY? Of course I think other people other than me would notice and care. Enough to where I think TNA would care to correct this error? We can have that discussion and you might, MIGHT sway me. But this monolothic "Nobody" type stuff really needs to die. I suppose it could be worse though. You could have told me that Any Normal Human Being "could care less."
The beauty of the English language is that it does not have to be taken literally.

So Terry squashed both Williams and Magnus with nothing much at stake. I repeat. Yawn. Ho hum. Good step along the path but hardly a conclusion to anything.
But you're asking for a conclusion 4 months and two separate feuds later!

What would you want to happen?

Rob Terry costs Doug Williams his X-Division title.

"If you remember back in January, Doug Williams won the title after taking the Feast or Fired case from Terry! Terry promptly squashed him in 40 seconds. But Terry wasn't done! He waited stalking from the shadows, waiting months to cost Doug Williams his title!"

I guess now this means Terry whom is being built as an unstoppable monster has to feud with Doug Williams whom is being built as a wrestling technician who hates high flyers.

Whoever comes out on top in the feud will ultimately kill the other person. Doug Williams will just stop caring about the X-Division and all those promos will stop so he can fight Rob Terry. If Rob Terry wins, he'll have just as much heat as he had before and Doug Williams will be without his title and will have much less heat to trash the high flyers. If Doug Williams wins, Rob Terry might as well be fired since it'll toss months or booking out the window.

[haloed]

Stop looking at wrestling as if it's trying to be kayfabe. The stories are most often kayfabe. But the spots aren't. The spots are there to increase your entertainment. The stories there to make you care. Just because they set up a ladder and a table on top of the cage doesn't take away from it.

Story issues? Fine, they should explain everything. But having a ladder on top of a cage? Is that really so much different than a sledge hammer being under the ring? Or a barbed wire baseball bat being under the ring?

If you need everything explained spot-wise, then how can you enjoy matches at all? They are nothing like real fights. Why would someone go on the top rope, do a little dance, and then do a big flippy-de-doo in a real fight? If you can accept that, I ask you to accept ladders magically appearing on top of cages.

You'll enjoy wrestling a lot more this way.


I never said I needed it explained, its Jeff Hardy, something like that was going to happen. I just don't like it looking so planned out, atleast try to make it look spontaneous (sp?) is all I'm saying. I was entertained by that, I even said that in a way. Just didn't like the way it was executed is all.



I am still stunned that the faces won the advantage for the match. How do you possibly screw up as something as simple as "the bad guys win the advantage to draw sympathy for the faces"!? It's suppose to be fool proof.

Agree with this completely. The faces are supposed to be at the disadvantage, its booking 101. Of course with Sting taking out Hardy I guess they still were.

Besides that was probably the highlight of the whole cluster of a match. Decent PPV for the most part and was actually surprised by the Beautiful People victory to be honest.

[Slagaholic]

I never said I needed it explained, its Jeff Hardy, something like that was going to happen. I just don't like it looking so planned out, atleast try to make it look spontaneous (sp?) is all I'm saying. I was entertained by that, I even said that in a way. Just didn't like the way it was executed is all.

Fair enough.

[foolinc]

Because it gave false hope and the heels got the advantage anyway...

It happened FAR too late in the match. Jeff needed to be attacked about half way through the show or attacked as the 1st member of Team Hogan.

[Slagaholic]

What would the difference have been? Would it have been more exciting when his music hit?

[Remianen]

If you need everything explained spot-wise, then how can you enjoy matches at all? They are nothing like real fights.

Neither is MMA. I can recall very few fights ending with some guy telling both (or all) participants to stop. Even if that guy is a cop.

Just sayin', use the same brush if you're going to paint two things similarly.

Okay man. You're really pushing it. ANYONE? Really? You want to go that monolithic route? REALLY? Of course I think other people other than me would notice and care. Enough to where I think TNA would care to correct this error? We can have that discussion and you might, MIGHT sway me. But this monolothic "Nobody" type stuff really needs to die. I suppose it could be worse though. You could have told me that Any Normal Human Being "could care less."

So Terry squashed both Williams and Magnus with nothing much at stake. I repeat. Yawn. Ho hum. Good step along the path but hardly a conclusion to anything.

One out of two for me. I remembered that angle but I didn't care, mainly because I don't care about Terry and I barely care about Williams (and that's only because he trained a few of my favorite workers).

Besides, are you new? :p This isn't a new thing for TNA. The issues were resolved by the squashes. Whether you like it or I like it or Slagaholic likes it, it doesn't matter. Williams costs Terry the case, Terry squashes Williams and Magnus. The End.

[Slagaholic]

Neither is MMA. I can recall very few fights ending with some guy telling both (or all) participants to stop. Even if that guy is a cop.

Just sayin', use the same brush if you're going to paint two things similarly.

True. Good point.

[TommyDreamerFan]

okay **** SEAN WALTMAN! I've had it with this guy months ago when he was on outs with the company after no showing the Chris Candido tourney. Then the guy redeems himself by filling in for Hardy and is actually working hard, then No-Shows again.

Now I can excuse Jeff Hardy doing it, the iMPACT Zone fans were riding him and all TNA wanted him to do at the time where garbage hardcore matches plus he was confronting his personal demons.

This is the millionth time he's screwed over TNA, Eric better fedex his ass.

[liontamer]

Sounds like the ppv was pretty good from all the posts.

The ratings should be interesting this week. I've been reading the last few days that the Raw crew is not expected to make it back due to the volcano and they may have the smackdown crew run it or possibly cancel.

[Hive]

I am still stunned that the faces won the advantage for the match. How do you possibly screw up as something as simple as "the bad guys win the advantage to draw sympathy for the faces"!? It's suppose to be fool proof.

Everyone expected that to happen as a sure thing, so I actually like that they didn't do it.

[Daffanka]

I'm amazed Angle didn't kill Anderson and himself with that moonsault. I couldn't enjoy the match because god damn son those two men should not have been doing what they were doing.

Also Ric Flair fell on some thumbtacks in what must be in contention for the dumbest spot ever. I turned it off after that.

There's my review of Lockdown.

[Moe Hunter]

I'm definitely going to watch Lockdown. If Angle/Anderson is as good as everyone's saying, it'll be worth it just for that.

By the way, about the idea of "no one will remember what happened four months ago"... TNA has been LOSING viewers, not gaining a bunch of new ones who weren't watching before. Chances are almost everyone's going to remember!

[cappyboy]

The issues were resolved by the squashes. Whether you like it or I like it or Slagaholic likes it, it doesn't matter. Williams costs Terry the case, Terry squashes Williams and Magnus. The End.

I get that this is what PASSES FOR the logic. I also get it's probably unrealistic to hold out hope for something more conclusive this late in the game. But it feels weak. Maddeningly so.

Right after they had both squashes I was wondering why Magnus and Williams weren't trying to make excuses for themselves and force Terry into doing something more conclusive. Not so much because I cared particularly deeply about any of the characters involved. So much as this needed doing for the sake of logic and the fact it never happened made me care about why. Sort of the "at least give me a reason to have put up with this stuff" type of deal. As is, the best thing I can say is about this "resolution" is that it fits right in with the inexplicable way World Elite grew apart in the first place.

[Stennick]

Went to the show and Kurt Angle got the biggest reaction of the entire show I don't know if that came across on television but Angle was just on and fed off the crowd.

There wasn't much "Heat" for the title match just your everyday "lets go AJ" "Pope is Pimpin" chants.

The whole show people wanted to see Flair the "we want Flair" chants were in abundance throughout the night.

Although the ending came across stupid for a pay per view this is what the live crowd wanted to see Hogan coming out and beating down Flair with Flair bleeding everywhere chanting "whoo". This would have been ideal for a house show to apease the live crowd but not for the pay per view. Nobody cared about Abyss, RVD was popular, the crowd went NUTS for Hardy period.

The way the arena was set up is you had seats on three sides of the arena. Of the three sides only the side opposite the ramp was completely filled. On both of the other sides they were filled about halfway across. The arena was roughly half full it was set up to seat about 5,000 and maybe dragged 3,000 in there.

Fun show, amazing to see Angle with that moonsault.

[brashleyholland]

He's baaaaaaack!!!

[Slagaholic]

Hopefully they rebuild the badassness they spent a good year and a half destroying.

[haloed]

Hopefully they rebuild the badassness they spent a good year and a half destroying.

I hope so, too. Awesome return and a good start!

[Slagaholic]

_____ vs _____?

Ugh...

[NoNeck]

Holy sh*t.

[Slagaholic]

___ ___ ___ is the new ___ _____ ___________ ________.


Wow.

[brashleyholland]

I'll hand it to them, didn't see that one coming! Quite enjoyed that Impact as it goes.

[The Final Countdown]

Nice job building up to the moment, TNA.

Good Impact, and I have no problem with RVD as champ. But why not build up to it a bit?

[Johnny Fenoli]

Why is it the show is so good live, and such crap taped??? It's frustrating...

[fatallylost]

Just thought I should point out.. that anyone who doesn't live on the East Coast just got the main event ruined.

But, I already read the spoiler anyway.

What a great week for RVD, eh? Today a world title, tomorrow is 4/20, a.k.a Hitler's birthday (how I'd prefer to remember it, since I'm not a potwhore)

[Slagaholic]

Just thought I should point out.. that anyone who doesn't live on the East Coast just got the main event ruined.

But, I already read the spoiler anyway.

What a great week for RVD, eh? Today a world title, tomorrow is 4/20, a.k.a Hitler's birthday (how I'd prefer to remember it, since I'm not a potwhore)

If you haven't seen the show why would you read this thread? I understand PPVs since not everyone orders them, but TV shows on basic cable you're just asking for it to be spoiled if you're reading the thread.

Nice job building up to the moment, TNA.

Good Impact, and I have no problem with RVD as champ. But why not build up to it a bit?

The shock of the win is supposed to be the catch.

[Tha Black Phenom]

How fitting since tomorrow is 4/20. Guess I'll have more than one thing to celebrate.

RVD!!! :D

[Johnny Fenoli]

Just thought I should point out.. that anyone who doesn't live on the East Coast just got the main event ruined.

But, I already read the spoiler anyway.

What a great week for RVD, eh? Today a world title, tomorrow is 4/20, a.k.a Hitler's birthday (how I'd prefer to remember it, since I'm not a potwhore)

you'd PREFER to remember it as Hitler's birthday?...

I'm not a pothead either, but definitely don't wanna remember Hitler's birthday...

[fatallylost]

That's neither here nor there. Notice, all that was posted about the return, was "heeeee's back" not who he is. Soooooo...

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Just thought I should point out.. that anyone who doesn't live on the East Coast just got the main event ruined.

But, I already read the spoiler anyway.

What a great week for RVD, eh? Today a world title, tomorrow is 4/20, a.k.a Hitler's birthday (how I'd prefer to remember it, since I'm not a potwhore)

? I don't get the last line at all. You saying weed is worse than Hitler? lol

[fatallylost]

you'd PREFER to remember it as Hitler's birthday?...

I'm not a pothead either, but definitely don't wanna remember Hitler's birthday...

I worded it wrong. I just wanna rip on potheads for celebrating his birthday.

364/5 other days a year... and they pick the birth of the most monstrous man in the modern era.

Although, it technically makes perfect sense.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

If you haven't seen the show why would you read this thread? I understand PPVs since not everyone orders them, but TV shows on basic cable you're just asking for it to be spoiled if you're reading the thread.

It's common practice on these boards not to post spoilers until the show has aired in the UK seeing as a large amount of posters are from there.

[The Celt]

Read the live report. More Wrestling than angles? Logical Plots? Interesting Surpises? Can it be true TNA? And espeically on a night when WWE is very weak.

Looks like iMPACT is going to take it this week, despite 411's comment section already sh*tting on RVD's title win, but f*ck it, what else is new with the 411 comment boys?

[Slagaholic]

It's common practice on these boards not to post spoilers until the show has aired in the UK seeing as a large amount of posters are from there.

Fine, I'm a jackass then. Still don't understand why someone would read the thread on Monday Night EST and not expect to see spoilers.

[brashleyholland]

It's common practice on these boards not to post spoilers until the show has aired in the UK seeing as a large amount of posters are from there.

Pretty much every week I see Impact being discussed as it's taking place live, and certainly in the days following. When does it air here now? Friday? Saturday?..that's a long time not to be posting spoilers and kills the point of a TNA discussion thread IMO.

I can understand no spoilers on the night if it airs at different times in the US, but I'd question the sanity of anyone clicking on a TNA thread on a Friday morning and being surprised to see the Impact from four nights ago being discussed :-p

[Slagaholic]

Read the live report. More Wrestling than angles? Logical Plots? Interesting Surpises? Can it be true TNA? And espeically on a night when WWE is very weak.

Looks like iMPACT is going to take it this week, despite 411's comment section already sh*tting on RVD's title win, but f*ck it, what else is new with the 411 comment boys?

But next week we get treated with ___ _____ vs _____. I really hope it doesn't happen.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Fine, I'm a jackass then. Still don't understand why someone would read the thread on Monday Night EST and not expect to see spoilers.

I'm not having a go, just saying thats how it used to go down in here.

Pretty much every week I see Impact being discussed as it's taking place live, and certainly in the days following. When does it air here now? Friday? Saturday?..that's a long time not to be posting spoilers and kills the point of a TNA discussion thread IMO.

I can understand no spoilers on the night if it airs at different times in the US, but I'd question the sanity of anyone clicking on a TNA thread on a Friday morning and being surprised to see the Impact from four nights ago being discussed :-p

You make a good point, this thread would be pointless.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

But next week we get treated with ___ _____ vs _____. I really hope it doesn't happen.

Yo know if you want to avoid spoilers you could just white out the text and put a spoiler warning before it.

[Remianen]

I worded it wrong. I just wanna rip on potheads for celebrating his birthday.

364/5 other days a year... and they pick the birth of the most monstrous man in the modern era.

Although, it technically makes perfect sense.

Um, while I don't really expect you to know this, it has nothing (read: NOTHING) to do with Hitler's birthday. The significance of 420 (which contributes to 4/20) is this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_%28cannabis_culture%29). It's like most things in American culture. It starts small then snowballs (for good or ill) as more people latch on to it.

And I see they're actively trying to give Rob Terry some purpose for existing.

[The Final Countdown]

And I see they're actively trying to give Rob Terry some purpose for existing.
Unfortunately.

[Slagaholic]

Yo know if you want to avoid spoilers you could just white out the text and put a spoiler warning before it.

Someone may accidentally highlight the text, I don't want to risk it.

[fatallylost]

Um, while I don't really expect you to know this, it has nothing (read: NOTHING) to do with Hitler's birthday. The significance of 420 (which contributes to 4/20) is this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/420_%28cannabis_culture%29). It's like most things in American culture. It starts small then snowballs (for good or ill) as more people latch on to it.

Oh, I know that, I'm just saying.

I was thinking of starting a grassroots movement to have an unofficial holiday/celebration started for enjoying hamburgers. I'm thinking December 7th. It's just far enough away from Thanksgiving, and Christmas is still 3 weeks away

/sarcasm

Someone may accidentally highlight the text, I don't want to risk it.

so, why not act like a baby then, cause, you know, it's constructive.

[Slagaholic]

Nobody puts Baby in a corner!

I find it very hard that you believe someone can act like a baby over posting ****ing spoilers. Come on now, stop taking stuff so seriously.

[fatallylost]

Nobody puts Baby in a corner!

I find it very hard that you believe someone can act like a baby over posting ****ing spoilers. Come on now, stop taking stuff so seriously.

Nope, not about the spoilers, about the whiney post you made that I quoted....


...hence....


why I quoted it.

Now, onto important things....

Is it in Hardy's contract to say, or, sing the word "modest" every week now? Isn't that the same as the saying "I'm the most humble man you'll ever meet"?

[Slagaholic]

Again who are you to define the post as whiny? My cheek is bleeding due to me jamming my tongue through it with that post. Somehow you take it as me being srsly.

C'mon!

[Hyde Hill]

Have not seen Impact yet but just saw Lockdown and despite the screwy stuff it was very entertaining imho.

[BHK1978]

And I see they're actively trying to give Rob Terry some purpose for existing.

Rob Terry is just so....bad....

I did not see the eight man tag (sorry but I would rather watch 24), but he damn near dropped Nigel on his head in that opening segment.

Is it in Hardy's contract to say, or, sing the word "modest" every week now? Isn't that the same as the saying "I'm the most humble man you'll ever meet"?

I hate that song and I hate the fact that he has to repeat that line over and over again.

I thought the ending was a nice touch, maybe because I am a bit of a sap.

[fatallylost]

I was OK with the ending as well. It's not often they give a real "we did it" feel to title wins anymore.

Speaking for myself, I'm modest.. to the top.

[wilts]

Just watched Impact and thought it was an awesome show. It has been a very long time since I haven't fast forwarded through a wrestling show of any kind (I only actually watched about 30 mins of 'Mania) but I loved this show and watched every second. Major props to TNA for putting on such an awesome show. Hopefully the boo-boys will take a week off now.

[Hyde Hill]

Read the live report. More Wrestling than angles? Logical Plots? Interesting Surpises? Can it be true TNA? And espeically on a night when WWE is very weak.

Looks like iMPACT is going to take it this week, despite 411's comment section already sh*tting on RVD's title win, but f*ck it, what else is new with the 411 comment boys?

Lol yeah their comment section is so annoying smarkish its crazy. Great Impact and yeah it was all a bit much but it was damn entertaining and that is what matters.

[Hyde Hill]

Just watched Impact and thought it was an awesome show. It has been a very long time since I haven't fast forwarded through a wrestling show of any kind (I only actually watched about 30 mins of 'Mania) but I loved this show and watched every second. Major props to TNA for putting on such an awesome show. Hopefully the boo-boys will take a week off now.

Well it depends as soon as the rating is not as high as RAW they will come out in droves again. Just not here fortunatly.

[The Celt]

Lol yeah their comment section is so annoying smarkish its crazy. Great Impact and yeah it was all a bit much but it was damn entertaining and that is what matters.

Which is sad because 411's articles and reports are top notch

[Hyde Hill]

Yep just a lot of guys or some guys reposting trying to be funny etc. Actually this week the which was the better show one was not bad. Just the Impact report comments section and others as well turns into who can bash this the best contests.

Yeah the articles are pretty good even if I do not agree with everything but it is generally well written and layed out. Byers as a wrestler of the week voter pisses me off though. If you have one guy not voting for TNA but voting for E and Indies and international alone, with the E dominating his voting, you need a guy not voting for E but TNA and Indies and International alone to balance him out.

[critical-23]

I was OK with the ending as well. It's not often they give a real "we did it" feel to title wins anymore.

For the following comment, most of my friends would probably ask for me to turn in my wrasslin' fan card: i didn't like the end to Impact last night.

RVD winning after like zero build-up just made AJ look bad, IMO. RVD is super over and I creamed my pants on his debut, however, after building up D'Angelo so much and having AJ beat him, I expected Dinero to challenge him at the next PPV or at least another PPV later on down the road.

Having RVD win the title is what makes alot of people turn away from TNA and claim that the old stars are taking over again. RVD is old and with a little paunch and I would gladly love to see him with the TNA title but only after a proper build up. Give him the Dinero treatment (RVD on the mic without a script made me believe in him during his WWE title run), knock down some obstacles in the form of Beer Money/Desmond/whoever can look credible, and THEN have him beat AJ Styles.

Once again, I like having RVD as a champ, I really do, but let's have some buildup, some heat, something besides just winning the Lethal Lockdown match or beating Jeff Hardy earlier in the night.

That is my long-winded and probably non-sensical rant about last night's main event. I am pretty sure you guys will bury me and c all me stupid which I welcome but that is how I feel about it all.

[Slagaholic]

Not every World Title win needs a huge build up. Like you said RVD is super over, if he's super over he doesn't really need a big build up. He wrestled 4 full matches in 48 hours, I'd say that's pretty good build up.

How does the loss make AJ look bad? Do you really think people will care less about AJ Styles now that he lost the title?

[The Final Countdown]

Not nonsensical, critical. At least not as far as I'm concerned. I feel exactly the same way. I don't mind RVD winning the title, but winning it with no build up makes no sense to me. I know, I know, "shock value" and all that. But I just feel like it would've been better for the company long term if they had actually spent some time building up towards RVD winning the title. I'm with you on how it makes Styles look, too.

[The Final Countdown]

How does the loss make AJ look bad? Do you really think people will care less about AJ Styles now that he lost the title?
The fact that RVD had just wrestled a rather lengthy match with Hardy, and should theoretically be weakened heading into his 2nd match of the night. Will people care about AJ less? No, probably not. I still think it made him look sorta weak.

[Self]

I don't like the lack of build, and I'm not crazy about another ex-WWE guy picking up the strap... but I like RVD, his fighting style, his character, and what I saw of last night's show was pretty good. It seemed important. Could have stretched it out though.

The one thing on the show I HATED with a fiery passion was the backstage segment with Hogan and Bischoff congratulating each other on their amazing booking. Total man-on-man love-fest... with Brooke wandering in at the end to remind us they're straight.

[Slagaholic]

The fact that RVD had just wrestled a rather lengthy match with Hardy, and should theoretically be weakened heading into his 2nd match of the night. Will people care about AJ less? No, probably not. I still think it made him look sorta weak.

If no one will care less about AJ, how does it make him look weak?

The one thing on the show I HATED with a fiery passion was the backstage segment with Hogan and Bischoff congratulating each other on their amazing booking. Total man-on-man love-fest... with Brooke wandering in at the end to remind us they're straight.

Oh my god that was awful.

[infinitywpi]

I like the change from a booking standpoint... the old-school TNA fan has seen AJ fight pretty much everyone but Waltman, Hall, and... well,you know. RVD has whole string of "for the first time ever" matches ahead of him, with established-in-TNA names.

Thinking in TEW terms, if I want to avoid repeat-match penalties, I can either a) hire a new main eventer every month to challenge my champ, or b) hire a new main eventer for nine months, make him champ, have him run through the roster, and then have someone dethrone him at the end. One of those is much cheaper and easier to pull off.

[Slagaholic]

That's a good point. Who is left for AJ to face? Did anyone really want to see AJ vs Jarrett for the 73rd time?

[critical-23]

That's a good point. Who is left for AJ to face? Did anyone really want to see AJ vs Jarrett for the 73rd time?

Now, that is good point. I certainly don't want to see Style/Jarrett whatever the Roman numeral would be for 73 but once again, I would like for them to build up credible challengers for the title. RVD wrestling four matches in incredible because I knew he can do things like that and be happy to do it.

As far as AJ looking bad, Aj looks bad after beating a game Dinero and then losing the next night to a battered RVD. That's what I truly mean.

And speaking ill of Ric Flair makes me not want to return to North Carolina for fear of having my car turned into a fireball, lol, but Ric mentoring AJ was a small mis step. I feel he could have put his energy into Eric Young or someone else, just not the champ. Just my opinion about Ric Flair as well.

I have always seen AJ as a superior athlete who was too good to cheat even though in early TNA years he cheated. Then Aj I am used to seeing is the one from the early Ring of Honor days. I understand he has evolved but he should have stayed a face champion and have Hogan and co build up some more credible challengers but they didn't.

Oh well, here's hoping for a credible RVD reign!

[liontamer]

I have to admit, I honestly didn't like the show last night. There was a lot of good matches, but it seemed as a whole to lack energy to me. I even found myself flipping back and forth to Raw (HHH's promo) during the RVD vs Hardy match. Didn't even really care for the ME, and that's a match I've been waiting for. The matches just seemed too slow.

It may have to do with the crowd as well because they didn't seem as hot. And I was suprised at the lack of reaction for RVD's entrances given the usual pop (glad to see he got a finally decent pop after winning). Also found the Hogan Bischoff promo and the post match RVD Hardy promo to be incredibly akward.

Don't mind RVDs title win, I like a surprise, but with a little more build up the crowd would have been way hotter. On the bright side, it turns RVD vs Sting into a title match.

My gut says AJ will take the title back pretty quickly though.

[Marshall]

Impact was right on the money last night - they established the world title as a really, really big deal, and RVD's win gives TNA so many options going forward. Couple of good matches from RVD and he finally gets a chance to run with the ball. Little disappointed AJ lost the belt though - could really see a long term run as the face of the company, maybe breaking from Flair and turning face at the end of the year as a bonafide superstar, but they went for the instant recognition route, which is just fine tbh.

Also, had the sound off for most of the show - but did the announcers talk about Pope much? Seems they planned to push him hard, then brought in RVD and changed their minds. I'd rationalised that AJ was going to have a long run, which is why he retained over Pope at Lockdown, but if they were having him drop the belt, I would've liked to see it on Pope - granted, he's not as popular as RVD yet, but he's fairly over, and it would've been someone completely new and just as charismatic, but nevermind.

Avoiding spoiler issues, the mystery partner in the 8 man tag was perfect - really good booking and the characterisation was flawless. Simple and effective, something TNA seems to be learning, and good for them. Great show maybe helped by a really lacklustre Raw understandably. You never know, a freak incident like the volcano could cause a swing in momentum - sometimes it's the coincidences that start to turn the tide. Be interesting to see the ratings when they come out.

[The Final Countdown]

I don't think I heard Pope's name mentioned once. I did flip to Raw occasionally, though, so I may have missed it.

[shawn michaels 82]

If no one will care less about AJ, how does it make him look weak?



Oh my god that was awful.

I'm not gonna quote all your posts but...shouldn't your name ne TNAholic? :D

Seriously, not trying to ofend,but sometimes it seems like you defend them...just because. Any title win without a proper build up will hurt a champion, no matter how over his opponent is. As for AJ,think about it in TEW terms. People won't think less of him but he will certainly lose momentum.

[BHK1978]

The fact that RVD had just wrestled a rather lengthy match with Hardy, and should theoretically be weakened heading into his 2nd match of the night. Will people care about AJ less? No, probably not. I still think it made him look sorta weak.

AJ will bounce back from it, I mean when he was doing the whole Prince AJ gimmick a few years back I thought for sure that would have killed his career. And I am talking kill his career much like what the Red Rooster gimmick did to Terry Taylor.

However, he came back from that and I am sure he will be made to look strong again.

I agree with Critical, I think putting Flair with him was a mistake. AJ just does not have the personality to carry that role. And this is just my opinion.

[Franchise22]

my take:

Rob Terry botches a guerilla press, then falls over himself. hilarious. i cant take him seriously.

i like RVD as champ, but i have 2 beefs: one was the match length. it was short. i would have preferred hardy/rvd shortened and lengthed main event title match. it just seemed too short. #2: the celebration did really match to me. it wasnt a long heated match. it wasnt the culmination of a looong bitter fued. it wasnt like when luger beat hogan back in the day. what were we celebrating really? I like the title win, but dont like how it went down.

other side notes:

im confused, Easy E had been playing a bit heelish recently. he had been torturing Jarrett ect, giving hogan dirty looks and such. but last night he was quite the face. he was "punishing" the team flair heel squad by matching them up against team hogan again and trash talking team flair. a team hogan squad that includes jarrett.... can anyway fill me in on what i missed to cause this?

Sting wearing a tshirt in ring. makes me feel like hes ashamed of his physique.

all things said, i enjoyed it more than raw. raws openeing promo was money (punk is awesome), but was trash after that in my opinion. but ill put that peice in the other thread.....

[BHK1978]

my take:

Rob Terry botches a guerilla press, then falls over himself. hilarious. i cant take him seriously.

Yeah, Rob Terry should not be getting that push. Heck I would rather see someone like Kaz or even Eric Young getting that push, instead of Rob Terry.

I also hate Sting as a heel, there are just some people that I could never buy as a heel (Magnum TA, John Cena, The Rock n Roll Express, and Ricky Steamboat) and Sting is one of them.

[Hyde Hill]

He is not doing to bad as a heel so far imho although some explanations do need to be forthcoming. On Bischoff you missed Lockdown which apperantly squared everything between him and Hulk. Bisch still has heelish tendencies though and we will see these again soon enough I bet.

[Bigpapa42]

Last night's title change was completely symptomatic of the issues I have with TNA. Don't mind RvD with belt and I understand why they'd want him as champ. Makes sense and its a safer pick than Hardy. But to do the #1 contender match and title change on the same show, without much build seems really rushed. I get the feeling it was done to establish a "you can't miss Impact or look at what you could miss" thought. To put two of their biggest money matches on a single episode of Impact with no lead-in build... Unbelievable. I just don't get why you would do that. Why rush things to that extent?

I'm usually a sucker for big celebrations like the one they did, but the one felt... forced. I just don't get why most of those guys are supposed to be so happy RvD won the belt or AJ lost it. Save those kind of celebrations for a title change after a long chase, or for an ultimate underdog winning it. Not RvD.

[fatallylost]

He is not doing to bad as a heel so far imho although some explanations do need to be forthcoming. On Bischoff you missed Lockdown which apperantly squared everything between him and Hulk. Bisch still has heelish tendencies though and we will see these again soon enough I bet.

While that is true, it hit me last night that the Jarrett dynamic confused me.

So, since Bischoff swerved the swerve and help Hogan, all the crap that was done to Jarrett is forgotten? Or, it is maybe just a usual TNA "we'll deal with that in the next few weeks" kind of storyline?

[Trashbear]

Last night's title change was completely symptomatic of the issues I have with TNA. Don't mind RvD with belt and I understand why they'd want him as champ. Makes sense and its a safer pick than Hardy. But to do the #1 contender match and title change on the same show, without much build seems really rushed. I get the feeling it was done to establish a "you can't miss Impact or look at what you could miss" thought. To put two of their biggest money matches on a single episode of Impact with no lead-in build... Unbelievable. I just don't get why you would do that. Why rush things to that extent?

I'm usually a sucker for big celebrations like the one they did, but the one felt... forced. I just don't get why most of those guys are supposed to be so happy RvD won the belt or AJ lost it. Save those kind of celebrations for a title change after a long chase, or for an ultimate underdog winning it. Not RvD.

Yeah, I pretty much agree. RVD with the belt is a good thing, but it seems like they could have slow-cooked things a bit more. At least until the next PPV. But Russo and Bischoff have never been afraid of hotshotting, have they?

We'll see if they can keep things interesting, or if they'll burn themselves out.

[Instant Classic]

Last night's title change was completely symptomatic of the issues I have with TNA. Don't mind RvD with belt and I understand why they'd want him as champ. Makes sense and its a safer pick than Hardy. But to do the #1 contender match and title change on the same show, without much build seems really rushed. I get the feeling it was done to establish a "you can't miss Impact or look at what you could miss" thought. To put two of their biggest money matches on a single episode of Impact with no lead-in build... Unbelievable. I just don't get why you would do that. Why rush things to that extent?

I'm usually a sucker for big celebrations like the one they did, but the one felt... forced. I just don't get why most of those guys are supposed to be so happy RvD won the belt or AJ lost it. Save those kind of celebrations for a title change after a long chase, or for an ultimate underdog winning it. Not RvD.

It's actually the simplest explanation there is.

TNA found out the WWE guys were stuck in Europe, and they rewrote the show for RVD to win the belt.

They came out and celebrated because they were all RVD's friends and because Styles was the heel Champion going after all those guys in some fashion.

I mean really, TNA could very well have put a dent in WWE viewership last night for all we know. They put on a very superior show. While WWE didn't have much to work with on such short notice, the McGruber garbage will no doubt be the main reason in any viewership changes.

[Bigpapa42]

It's actually the simplest explanation there is.

TNA found out the WWE guys were stuck in Europe, and they rewrote the show for RVD to win the belt.

They came out and celebrated because they were all RVD's friends and because Styles was the heel Champion going after all those guys in some fashion.

I mean really, TNA could very well have put a dent in WWE viewership last night for all we know. They put on a very superior show. While WWE didn't have much to work with on such short notice, the McGruber garbage will no doubt be the main reason in any viewership changes.

The problem I have with TNA trying to take advantage of the WWE's issues - which is a smart move - is that they didn't hype things. If they decided 2-3 days ago to do this, hype the crap out of it on Spike TV. Because doing the build in-show means you aren't drawing in new veiwers. At best, you might keep some from swtiching to Raw. That's it.

And by that basic logic for the post-change celebration, shouldn't every babyface title win have such a celebration? Why not do it every time a heel champion loses their belt? By memory, they did it back when AJ first won the belt. It felt right then. This one felt forced. How many of those guys in the ring had any sort of kayfabe relationship with RvD, let alone a historical wrestling one? It just made the whole thing feel useless and tacked on.

[shawn michaels 82]

The problem I have with TNA trying to take advantage of the WWE's issues - which is a smart move - is that they didn't hype things. If they decided 2-3 days ago to do this, hype the crap out of it on Spike TV. Because doing the build in-show means you aren't drawing in new veiwers. At best, you might keep some from swtiching to Raw. That's it.

And by that basic logic for the post-change celebration, shouldn't every babyface title win have such a celebration? Why not do it every time a heel champion loses their belt? By memory, they did it back when AJ first won the belt. It felt right then. This one felt forced. How many of those guys in the ring had any sort of kayfabe relationship with RvD, let alone a historical wrestling one? It just made the whole thing feel useless and tacked on.


Yup...Bischoff and Russo are probably the only guys capable of ruining RVD's victory night. Not even vince acomplished that one...RVD's reign on the WWE ended up as we all know...but at least he didn't won it like last night. Only those two to f*** that up!

[Hyde Hill]

I think ruining it is kind of an overstatement. It did not feel as great as when they did it with AJ but it did not take away from the win either and added a small bit too it.

[Bigpapa42]

I think ruining it is kind of an overstatement. It did not feel as great as when they did it with AJ but it did not take away from the win either and added a small bit too it.

I don't think it "ruined it". I just don't think it added anything at all. And the next time they have a big title celebration win, whether the situation calls for it or not, its going to feel less important.

Its about moderation. I would be so much happier with TNA if they could learn moderation. Like blood. Not every match on the PPV needed blood. Yet they did in nearly every match. It kills the effect when you overuse it.

[Stennick]

I liked last night but I fear TNA is still TNA.

Pope competed for the World Title last night and got not a single mention on television.

Where were Hall and Nash and Young? Nash basically jobbed Young out at the pay per view. After being betrayed and beaten up as well as mocked for weeks and what revenge did Young get? Being beaten clean in the middle of the ring.

As said before you could have RVD vs. Hardy this week, next week promote AJ vs. RVD first ever meeting, then book the rematch for the pay per view. Instead they pulled a Goldberg winning the championship, the threw a spike in ppv buyrates and even drawing out television ratings possibly by blowing their load in one night. I get what they were trying to do but its not like their an RVD vs. AJ television match away from winning the ratings war. Its a marathon at this point and its not going to matter if they delay a match for a week and give it proper hype and build.

I like that their pushing Rob Terry but why? The guy is big and muscular and thats it. I also hate how Desmond Wolfe is an after thought whipping boy for Flairs group.

I don't like the confetti thing unless one its a huge underdog victory ala Shawn Michaels first title win at Wrestlemania 12, or some huge triumph over evil over a long period of time ala Sting at Starrcade. They treated this like Flair's group was the nWo and they terroized everyone. 90 percent of the guys out there had never been in contact with Flair's group and the over the top celebration was a bit silly.

RVD as champion isn't bad but they had a chance to put the title on a "home grown" main eventer with Pope if they were taking the title off of A.J. Instead once again they show they'd rather pick up other companies upper mid carders and hand them championships rather than push the guys that can only be associated with TNA. If Pope wins the title he's known more as the Pope with TNA than he ever was Elijah Burke. If RVD wins the title he's remembered for ECW and the WWE not TNA. What it tells me is that Pope wasn't good enough, TNA guys like Daniels and Joe weren't good enough but RVD was.

I think Pope has the potential to make more money for TNA than RVD. RVD is a good worker but what is his drawing power? With six months of build up I think the Pope could have been red hot drawing in a demographic that Vince doesn't draw as well.

I liked the show I did but I still don't like the logic and I really want this stupid Flair vs. Hogan storyline to end. As well as some sort of explaination why Sting turned.

[sabataged]

I liked last night but I fear TNA is still TNA.

Pope competed for the World Title last night and got not a single mention on television.

Where were Hall and Nash and Young? Nash basically jobbed Young out at the pay per view. After being betrayed and beaten up as well as mocked for weeks and what revenge did Young get? Being beaten clean in the middle of the ring.

As said before you could have RVD vs. Hardy this week, next week promote AJ vs. RVD first ever meeting, then book the rematch for the pay per view. Instead they pulled a Goldberg winning the championship, the threw a spike in ppv buyrates and even drawing out television ratings possibly by blowing their load in one night. I get what they were trying to do but its not like their an RVD vs. AJ television match away from winning the ratings war. Its a marathon at this point and its not going to matter if they delay a match for a week and give it proper hype and build.

I like that their pushing Rob Terry but why? The guy is big and muscular and thats it. I also hate how Desmond Wolfe is an after thought whipping boy for Flairs group.

I don't like the confetti thing unless one its a huge underdog victory ala Shawn Michaels first title win at Wrestlemania 12, or some huge triumph over evil over a long period of time ala Sting at Starrcade. They treated this like Flair's group was the nWo and they terroized everyone. 90 percent of the guys out there had never been in contact with Flair's group and the over the top celebration was a bit silly.

RVD as champion isn't bad but they had a chance to put the title on a "home grown" main eventer with Pope if they were taking the title off of A.J. Instead once again they show they'd rather pick up other companies upper mid carders and hand them championships rather than push the guys that can only be associated with TNA. If Pope wins the title he's known more as the Pope with TNA than he ever was Elijah Burke. If RVD wins the title he's remembered for ECW and the WWE not TNA. What it tells me is that Pope wasn't good enough, TNA guys like Daniels and Joe weren't good enough but RVD was.

I think Pope has the potential to make more money for TNA than RVD. RVD is a good worker but what is his drawing power? With six months of build up I think the Pope could have been red hot drawing in a demographic that Vince doesn't draw as well.

I liked the show I did but I still don't like the logic and I really want this stupid Flair vs. Hogan storyline to end. As well as some sort of explaination why Sting turned.

I feel the same as a lot of this. I think they have a lot of good things goings but I thought Hogan said that if you can't wrestle and can't talk then get the hell out. Then they go push Rob Terry... uhhh come on. Of all people to give the sudden push too they give it to Rob Terry. I would have rather seen Pope or Eric Young thrown into that roll instead of Robb Terry.

Also it is good to see Samoa Joe back. I am not a fan but he is a bigger name in TNA. I seen TNA moving towards a Ken Anderson vs RVD eventually. I can also see another AJ vs Joe showdown coming soon. Lets hope Wolfe gets a push by taking on Hardy or atleast winning some matches soon. They need to get the TNA tag titles off of Morgan and move him to that Upper Mid Card slot where he can start taking on Abyss as Flair's new goto guy.

Overall I like how the direction is going

[TommyDreamerFan]

I feel the same as a lot of this. I think they have a lot of good things goings but I thought Hogan said that if you can't wrestle and can't talk then get the hell out. Then they go push Rob Terry... uhhh come on. Of all people to give the sudden push too they give it to Rob Terry. I would have rather seen Pope or Eric Young thrown into that roll instead of Robb Terry.

Also it is good to see Samoa Joe back. I am not a fan but he is a bigger name in TNA. I seen TNA moving towards a Ken Anderson vs RVD eventually. I can also see another AJ vs Joe showdown coming soon. Lets hope Wolfe gets a push by taking on Hardy or atleast winning some matches soon. They need to get the TNA tag titles off of Morgan and move him to that Upper Mid Card slot where he can start taking on Abyss as Flair's new goto guy.

Overall I like how the direction is going


I don't mind Rob's push provided its a long slow one.

[Bigpapa42]

I liked last night but I fear TNA is still TNA.

Pope competed for the World Title last night and got not a single mention on television.

Where were Hall and Nash and Young? Nash basically jobbed Young out at the pay per view. After being betrayed and beaten up as well as mocked for weeks and what revenge did Young get? Being beaten clean in the middle of the ring.

As said before you could have RVD vs. Hardy this week, next week promote AJ vs. RVD first ever meeting, then book the rematch for the pay per view. Instead they pulled a Goldberg winning the championship, the threw a spike in ppv buyrates and even drawing out television ratings possibly by blowing their load in one night. I get what they were trying to do but its not like their an RVD vs. AJ television match away from winning the ratings war. Its a marathon at this point and its not going to matter if they delay a match for a week and give it proper hype and build.

I like that their pushing Rob Terry but why? The guy is big and muscular and thats it. I also hate how Desmond Wolfe is an after thought whipping boy for Flairs group.

I don't like the confetti thing unless one its a huge underdog victory ala Shawn Michaels first title win at Wrestlemania 12, or some huge triumph over evil over a long period of time ala Sting at Starrcade. They treated this like Flair's group was the nWo and they terroized everyone. 90 percent of the guys out there had never been in contact with Flair's group and the over the top celebration was a bit silly.

RVD as champion isn't bad but they had a chance to put the title on a "home grown" main eventer with Pope if they were taking the title off of A.J. Instead once again they show they'd rather pick up other companies upper mid carders and hand them championships rather than push the guys that can only be associated with TNA. If Pope wins the title he's known more as the Pope with TNA than he ever was Elijah Burke. If RVD wins the title he's remembered for ECW and the WWE not TNA. What it tells me is that Pope wasn't good enough, TNA guys like Daniels and Joe weren't good enough but RVD was.

I think Pope has the potential to make more money for TNA than RVD. RVD is a good worker but what is his drawing power? With six months of build up I think the Pope could have been red hot drawing in a demographic that Vince doesn't draw as well.

I liked the show I did but I still don't like the logic and I really want this stupid Flair vs. Hogan storyline to end. As well as some sort of explaination why Sting turned.

Agree pretty much all the way around. I understand why they did a lot of this... just don't agree with it.

The Goldberg title win is what I thought of as well. TNA left money on the table, just WCW did. And for what? Some ratings. What TNA need to realize that is winning away the WWE's entire audience last night won't matter a lick if they cannot keep them.

As for the confetti celebration, it just didn't feel warranted given the situation. They threw it on there to try to make the title change more than it was, and I just felt like it failed.

[TommyDreamerFan]

Smartest move in the world by TNA putting the belt on Rob Van Dam. Really the only WWE-send off save Kurt Angle that has any name value, and can still wrestle. Best of all, RVD isn't looked upon as a WWE-guy or a WCW-guy.

I really think Jeff Hardy would of gotten it though, if only he had better microphone skills. WWE was very careful in hiding this, in TNA he's obviously trying to work on it but it's painful. Not that RVD is the world's greatest promo guy, but he's adequate enough to do the job.

Agree pretty much all the way around. I understand why they did a lot of this... just don't agree with it.

The Goldberg title win is what I thought of as well. TNA left money on the table, just WCW did. And for what? Some ratings. What TNA need to realize that is winning away the WWE's entire audience last night won't matter a lick if they cannot keep them.

As for the confetti celebration, it just didn't feel warranted given the situation. They threw it on there to try to make the title change more than it was, and I just felt like it failed.

Money from whom? What little fanbase they got?

Build the fanbase, then start worrying about "money" matches. Wrestling fans like shocking, unpredictable booking, Bischoff knows this. And I believe in it.

[GDE71]

I read it on 411wrestling.com who got it from Pwtorch.com

TNA 1.0 1.3 million viewers

RAW 3.05 with hours of 3.0/3.1 4.15 millionn average viewers

[Self]

PPV buy aren't their number one concern. TV ratings are. I imagine this show was good for ratings. If you were getting ready to watch RAW, and flicked over to Impact as any point during that unopposed hour, you'd have heard about the RVD/Jeff/AJ thing, which is good. It gives viewers something to stay for, or turn back for if RAW gets boring.

I like RVD and Jeff getting the screen-time, but I wish they'd ease up on the 'such good buddies' thing and focus on what makes them different. Jeff's more wacky & intense. RVD's laid back. They have no reason to hate each other, sure, but making out like they're best friends feels fake to me.

... and I'm just going to take a second to mark out for Madison Rayne being the Knockout's Champion. The last person I'd expect to win it, but I've got a bit of a thing for her so YEAH! WHOO!

[Bigpapa42]

Money from whom? What little fanbase they got?

Build the fanbase, then start worrying about "money" matches. Wrestling fans like shocking, unpredictable booking, Bischoff knows this. And I believe in it.

Money for pay per view buys. RvD vs Hardy and RvD vs AJ are two of the bigger matches they can put on at this point. TV doesn't make a promotion much money. PPV does.

Do they? Given the shocking, unpredictable booking TNA has had for the past four and a half months, wouldn't things be looking up if this was the case? And yet it takes a one-time situation for the WWE and TNA giving away two big matches to get them back to where they were pre-Hogan. I'm not so sure ratings bear out Bischoff's theory.

[PeterHilton]

Money for pay per view buys. RvD vs Hardy and RvD vs AJ are two of the bigger matches they can put on at this point. TV doesn't make a promotion much money. PPV does.



To be fair, PPV doesn't make TNA the majority of their money. Their buys are garbage. TV is their money maker.

So this approach of trying to boost ratings first does actually make sense.

[GDE71]

I don't think with 1.3 million viewers that they have a great shot at increasing their PPV buys.

Now if they can get that to 2.5 million viewers, then they can go for a more PPV model.

[Bigpapa42]

To be fair, PPV doesn't make TNA the majority of their money. Their buys are garbage. TV is their money maker.

So this approach of trying to boost ratings first does actually make sense.

Are TNA not on a set contract with Spike? I thought I read that they are contracted for a certain number of shows and get essentially the same amount of money from Spike whether they get great ratings or poor, live or taped, Monday or Thursday...?

[Hyde Hill]

They get a set amount for each show with a bonus for good ratings for what is now about 2 and a half more years. Still at the moment their main goal is increasing their fanbase and their television show is the main outlet for that. Once that fanbase is big enough I expect them to become more ppv focused etc. Still all numbers except ratings are up since the regime change so they are doing something right just not right enough imho.

[Hyde Hill]

Seems Daffney was injured heavily during a dark or webmatch when being powerbombed by a student of 3D school called Miss Betsy, hope she will be ok. Source PWI.

[Bigpapa42]

They get a set amount for each show with a bonus for good ratings for what is now about 2 and a half more years. Still at the moment their main goal is increasing their fanbase and their television show is the main outlet for that. Once that fanbase is big enough I expect them to become more ppv focused etc. Still all numbers except ratings are up since the regime change so they are doing something right just not right enough imho.

That makes sense.

Even if they aren't worried about building toward the PPV, though, building up from show to show still makes more sense to me. Did telling people there was going to be a world title match in the 2nd hour draw in any more viewers when you are only telling people that have already tuned in? At best, it kept some people from flipping over to Raw. But if they had build up the #1 contender match throughout the hour and promoted the RvD vs Styles match for the next week on Spike TV, it might actually make a difference in people tuning in.

Trying to take advantage of the WWE's situation was not a bad move at all. But blowing your whole load to do so just seems iffy to me. If it works for them in the long run, great. But based on the reported returns, its hardly a big step forward.

I really just wish TNA woudl slow things down and build things properly. trying to do everything with swerves and surprises does not appeal to me, and based on the ratings, it doesn't look like its building them a fanbase in any hurry. Swerves are great, but as I keep saying, TNA needs to learn moderation.

[Hyde Hill]

Thing is that if you did Stlyes vs RVD next week and had the title change it would have been spoiled all over the net, that might have been a consideration. And unfortunatly TNA does not spend a lot in marketing in general and yes that is a very big flaw budget wise imho. All the money that has gone into The Band and OJ and the Nasties and Morley etc would have been better spent there imho. The two shows that have been marketed heavily have done pretty well though. Well at least the first one hehe.

[shawn michaels 82]

Smartest move in the world by TNA putting the belt on Rob Van Dam. Really the only WWE-send off save Kurt Angle that has any name value, and can still wrestle. Best of all, RVD isn't looked upon as a WWE-guy or a WCW-guy.

I really think Jeff Hardy would of gotten it though, if only he had better microphone skills. WWE was very careful in hiding this, in TNA he's obviously trying to work on it but it's painful. Not that RVD is the world's greatest promo guy, but he's adequate enough to do the job.



Money from whom? What little fanbase they got?

Build the fanbase, then start worrying about "money" matches. Wrestling fans like shocking, unpredictable booking, Bischoff knows this. And I believe in it.


True. But as everyone knows, just because something is unpredictable, doesn't mean it's good. And it wasn't good. Sure it wasn't bad either...but it failed. As for the money from whom question, that's obvious, money from THEM! They lost their own money, or the ability to make it grow on a long term basis.

[haloed]

True. But as everyone knows, just because something is unpredictable, doesn't mean it's good. And it wasn't good. Sure it wasn't bad either...but it failed. As for the money from whom question, that's obvious, money from THEM! They lost their own money, or the ability to make it grow on a long term basis.

And you know this as fact how?

[Bigpapa42]

Thing is that if you did Stlyes vs RVD next week and had the title change it would have been spoiled all over the net, that might have been a consideration. And unfortunatly TNA does not spend a lot in marketing in general and yes that is a very big flaw budget wise imho. All the money that has gone into The Band and OJ and the Nasties and Morley etc would have been better spent there imho. The two shows that have been marketed heavily have done pretty well though. Well at least the first one hehe.

The Net thing is a consideration... though one that could work in favor of TNA.

I just don't like seeing them jam it all together like that. Its as simple as:

This week - hype up RvD vs Hardy #1 contender match for next week (taped same week), with a RvD & Hardy vs Styles and wheover tag match main event, teasing tension between RvD and Hardy in the match

Next Week - #1 contender match which RVD wins, already taped.

Following Week - once again live, you do the RvD vs Styles title change, having two weeks to hype the living crap out the match.

That builds nicely toward a PPV RvD vs Styles rematch, or even a RvD vs Styles vs Hardy threeway, or possibly even RvD vs Hardy. You give viewers reason to tune in week after week instead of doing everything in one week.

[shawn michaels 82]

And you know this as fact how?

Because i'm Shawn Michaels and i have privileged info about the wrestling business that include TNA. What? You thought that this was just a nickname?

[The Celt]

1. TNA was right to put on PPV quality matches this iMPACT in an attempt to draw fans over to the show against a weak RAW.

2. One of Team 3D's students, Miss Betsy has just injured Daffney after giving her a Sitout Powerbomb, which Daffney didn't get from for literally 20 minutes and had to have the help of EMTs and all of TNA road agents. [source: 411mania].

I'll be leading to a murder party to find Miss Betsy if anyone cares to join me. I've got enough knives for anyone lacking in weapons.

[LoganRodzen]

Last night's title change was completely symptomatic of the issues I have with TNA. Don't mind RvD with belt and I understand why they'd want him as champ. Makes sense and its a safer pick than Hardy. But to do the #1 contender match and title change on the same show, without much build seems really rushed. I get the feeling it was done to establish a "you can't miss Impact or look at what you could miss" thought. To put two of their biggest money matches on a single episode of Impact with no lead-in build... Unbelievable. I just don't get why you would do that. Why rush things to that extent?

I'm usually a sucker for big celebrations like the one they did, but the one felt... forced. I just don't get why most of those guys are supposed to be so happy RvD won the belt or AJ lost it. Save those kind of celebrations for a title change after a long chase, or for an ultimate underdog winning it. Not RvD.

I agree with you 110 percent. The entire thing felt forced. I don't follow closely enough besides reading a few news sites, so I was aware Hardy vs RVD was happening, but because the Bruins in the playoffs is more important than wrestling I missed all of the supposed "build up" to the World title match.

I caught the ending of Impact and honestly... words cannot explain what I thought. AJ Styles - the guy you were building up to be "THE MAN". The top draw, the guy who goes to all of the house shows, and doesn't miss an appearance. The face of the company. What does TNA do? They have a guy who doesn't want the heady schedule and barely just showed up beat the 'established' World champion.

The ending was cheesy as hell. You hit the nail on the head. These type of endings are for people like Tommy Dreamer who if he had won the ECW title deserved this type of reaction from his peers. The only people who should have congratulated him (in my opinion) were Hardy and Team 3D. Dixie and Hogan? What the ****?

I'm sure everyone loves it. Surprises are awesome in wrestling - it's the best. First thing that came to mind for me when watching this? Goldberg vs Hogan in '98. That match could have sold out a 70k+ arena and pulled in a huge buyrate. This Styles vs RVD match is a DREAM MATCH for most people. I'm not even going to pretend like what they did last night was a good move. In the long run this is going to bite them in the ass. :rolleyes:

[Bigpapa42]

Speaking of Daffney, its being reported she is okay. Just shaken up.

[The Celt]

Speaking of Daffney, its being reported she is okay. Just shaken up.

Doesn't matter. We almost lost Lufisto, now someone almost cost us Daffney? To qoute the three 6; Somebody gonna get it.

[Instant Classic]

People on the net don't get it. AJ Styles is easily the best talent in the world. The problem is, we're the only ones putting money into TNA PPV right now, so they would not have gotten more buyrates for having RVD and Styles at Sacrifice. But what ever I guess, most of you are complaining about that and saying Pope should have gotten the belt and he draws far less than Styles, so I think the whole debate is pretty sad.

[Comradebot]

Daffney!!!! :(

I hope she gets better.

I'll massage her aching parts if it'll help any.

But yeah, looks like she's just shaken up. Still, hope that's all it is.

[Linsolv]

1. TNA was right to put on PPV quality matches this iMPACT in an attempt to draw fans over to the show against a weak RAW.

2. One of Team 3D's students, Miss Betsy has just injured Daffney after giving her a Sitout Powerbomb, which Daffney didn't get from for literally 20 minutes and had to have the help of EMTs and all of TNA road agents. [source: 411mania].

I'll be leading to a murder party to find Miss Betsy if anyone cares to join me. I've got enough knives for anyone lacking in weapons.

The Torch says that she got hurt by being tackled against the turnbuckle (I know there's a better word for this, but I can't recall what it was for the life of me).

Either way, she's supposed to be okay, so that's good.

[Slagaholic]

I'm not gonna quote all your posts but...shouldn't your name ne TNAholic? :D

Seriously, not trying to ofend,but sometimes it seems like you defend them...just because.
And you like to bash them...just because. And now you'll go into why you dislike TNA and why you feel it's right to bash them. Of course you'll also say "and I want TNA to succeed" but really you don't. Many fans don't want TNA to succeed. TNA bashing is the latest wrestling fan fetish. With Hogan and Bischoff in charge TNA can officially do no right and that erection will not go away.

Any title win without a proper build up will hurt a champion, no matter how over his opponent is. As for AJ,think about it in TEW terms. People won't think less of him but he will certainly lose momentum.

Think about it in TEW terms: now AJ will chase the title and will regain all the momentum he lost in the matter of weeks.

[Hyde Hill]

People on the net don't get it. AJ Styles is easily the best talent in the world. The problem is, we're the only ones putting money into TNA PPV right now, so they would not have gotten more buyrates for having RVD and Styles at Sacrifice. But what ever I guess, most of you are complaining about that and saying Pope should have gotten the belt and he draws far less than Styles, so I think the whole debate is pretty sad.

That is not being said on here at all. Maybe other sites. Just that they could have executed it better but given the fact that RAW was weak because of the ash cloud they took full advantage. Kind of a coinflip consideration but both sides have valid points. I would have gone with Bigpapas version and that was my idea as well but I just threw that out there as a consideration.

[Hyde Hill]

BTW Logan RVD will be doing house shows and is a more established talent then AJ and that is a fact. So he is not a bad choice as new champ and AJ had a hell of a long reign. Longest TNA champ ever.

[Slagaholic]

Apparently Jim Ross had a meeting with Dixie Carter today, he didn't sign a contract but is interested in joining TNA as possibly an announcer and definitely in a backstage talent relations capacity.

I kinda feel sorry for Jim Ross as he's been relegated to being Vince McMahon's personal lapdog. Using his credibility to wipe Vince McMahon's dirty sanitary napkins on the face of wrestling fans.

[LoganRodzen]

BTW Logan RVD will be doing house shows and is a more established talent then AJ and that is a fact. So he is not a bad choice as new champ and AJ had a hell of a long reign. Longest TNA champ ever.

Wasn't aware that he'd be participating in house shows. If that's true then great for them. I didn't say Styles was more established than RVD - I simply said having RVD beat TNA's established talent the way it went down was mediocre at best. Six and a half months (almost seven) is a nice reign indeed.

[Hyde Hill]

He would be good in the talent department and as a third chair on ppv deal or something.

And yeah TNA bashing goes way to far sometimes and is kind of a hobby on the net. So is E bashing though but to a lesser extent. They get away with a lot more stuff because they are no1 and do the same bad stuff all the time that its kind of a moot point. Like their non existent tag division and their excuse for a women's division.

Well the AJ vs RVD match not being epic kind of left you wanting more and I think that is what they where going for plus commercials always screw with it.

[shawn michaels 82]

And you like to bash them...just because. And now you'll go into why you dislike TNA and why you feel it's right to bash them. Of course you'll also say "and I want TNA to succeed" but really you don't. Many fans don't want TNA to succeed. TNA bashing is the latest wrestling fan fetish. With Hogan and Bischoff in charge TNA can officially do no right and that erection will not go away.



Think about it in TEW terms: now AJ will chase the title and will regain all the momentum he lost in the matter of weeks.

I don't want them to fail and i don't like to bash them, i simply criticize the things i don't like (Wich ahve been quite a few lately) but i can also praise the good ones when they happen. Besides, it's obvious i want them to succeed, as it is the only way to assure that the mainstream product will not remai nstale forever. Competition is good, and i hope that this war brings the best of both companies. Besides why the hell would i dislike TNA or adore WWE? I like wrestling, period, don't have personal preferences about the promotions. As a fan all i want is to be entertained with quality.

[PeterHilton]

Apparently Jim Ross had a meeting with Dixie Carter today, he didn't sign a contract but is interested in joining TNA as possibly an announcer and definitely in a backstage talent relations capacity.

I kinda feel sorry for Jim Ross as he's been relegated to being Vince McMahon's personal lapdog. Using his credibility to wipe Vince McMahon's dirty sanitary napkins on the face of wrestling fans.

His blog:

http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/jr-vegas-cac

Expect to hear from WWE regarding my next assignment w/ them in a day or two. Contrary to what is being carelessly reported, WWE is still my top priority as it relates to wrestling gigs.

Amazed at the amount of inaccurate info regarding my future. Can only say that my future is bright, that I'm very happy, and looking forward to an interesting next few days.

When something is finalized I will accurately report it. Until then, be leery of all the nonsense that you read on line. Many interesting, high road projects are being presented to me of which I've previously discussed. Nothing is a done deal. I'm merely listening to some of them. Many projects that the internet are reporting are completely false. You can believe that or not. Whatever I decide to do will be things that are classy, fun and things that I have been wanting to become involved with.

Right now I'm enjoying a special week for my wife and me and hoping to sell some JR's products to you here on line.

Now the conspiracy theorists can go back to work. Have a great day because we certainly are. Thanks

I don't know where the Carter meeting is being reported, but I kinda tend to tak e JR at his word on this kind of stuff. I don't agree with his views on the business but he tends to be pretty straightforward on his blog.


And yeah TNA bashing goes way to far sometimes and is kind of a hobby on the net. So is E bashing though but to a lesser extent. They get away with a lot more stuff because they are no1 and do the same bad stuff all the time that its kind of a moot point. Like their non existent tag division and their excuse for a women's division.

Unless you can show that a tag division or a legit woman's division would somehow generate more revenue than normal for the E, it's only a 'mistake' in the minds of internet wrestling nerds.

Well the AJ vs RVD match not being epic kind of left you wanting more and I think that is what they where going for plus commercials always screw with it.

AJ vs RVD in a ladder match would beb a perfect PPV headliner, so yeah..leaving us wanting for more is a great strategy.

[The Final Countdown]

Why does wanting to see a good tag team division make someone a nerd?

[Bigpapa42]

And yeah TNA bashing goes way to far sometimes and is kind of a hobby on the net. So is E bashing though but to a lesser extent. They get away with a lot more stuff because they are no1 and do the same bad stuff all the time that its kind of a moot point. Like their non existent tag division and their excuse for a women's division.

I do agree completely that the WWE get more leeway from a lot of fans. In a way, its "earned" leeway. As you say, they are the top dog.

As a fan, I have simply come to accept that the WWE are set in their ways. I have come to accept they are not targeting me as a fan anymore, and may never do so again. The WWE doesn't really need to worry about growth - they can be sustained on their current fanbase quite successfully for a long time, and really only have to worry about some degree of renewal. The current WWE product has plenty of flaws, but I know what I'm getting. Week after week, you pretty know what you will get. That's both good and bad.

The WWE has their formula. But TNA is still trying to find theirs. And that is where much of critism I voice comes from - the hope and belief that TNA can and will get better. "Better" is obviously a subjective thing, but really what I want to see them be "about wrestling" and a true alternative to the WWE. I know there are plenty of fans who love TNA for what it is today, and that's great for them. I think they still have significant areas they can improve that is what I would like to see them do.

[shawn michaels 82]

Why does wanting to see a good tag team division make someone a nerd?


Great question. And since when does discussing wrestling online makes someone a nerd, or a full time basher? As people would say around here: Menos. Bem menos.

[PeterHilton]

Why does wanting to see a good tag team division make someone a nerd?

That's not even close to what I said.

I refer to ALL internet wrestling fans as nerds.

The point I was making is that the lack of a tag division is only really important to net fans (or nerds), it doesn't affect the E in any significant way, so they have no reason to change it.

So wanting a tag division doesn't make you a nerd...hanging out on these boards and checking wrestling news sites does.

[PeterHilton]

Great question. And since when does discussing wrestling online makes someone a nerd, or a full time basher? As people would say around here: Menos. Bem menos.

I would say that if you play a text based wrestling simulator, hang out on boards to talk about said simulator, go to message boards ot talk about pro wrestling, and visit news site to do the same..you're a wrestling nerd.

it's cool. Just accept it. Nerd run things these days.

[The Final Countdown]

That's not even close to what I said.

I refer to ALL internet wrestling fans as nerds.

The point I was making is that the lack of a tag division is only really important to net fans (or nerds), it doesn't affect the E in any significant way, so they have no reason to change it.

So wanting a tag division doesn't make you a nerd...hanging out on these boards and checking wrestling news sites does.
Ahh, OK. I can get behind that. I thought you were being derogatory, but you weren't, really. And yeah, you're right, it's not vital for WWE to establish a strong tag division. Just something many people (myself included) think would make their product a bit more interesting.

But hey, who needs a tag division when you can have a movie character blow up R-Truth? :D

[brashleyholland]

I would say that if you play a text based wrestling simulator, hang out on boards to talk about said simulator, go to message boards ot talk about pro wrestling, and visit news site to do the same..you're a wrestling nerd.

it's cool. Just accept it. Nerd run things these days.

Exactly. We're all nerds, nerds are everywhere. I'd say once you hit early 20's, all of a sudden it doesn't matter any more, unless you're really insecure in yourself I guess. I'm proud of the fact that I'm a geek. I love hitting the comic book store. My Mrs bought me a set of massive Transformers for my birthday last year that I proudly display in my living room...they are *NOT* to be played with though :-p

We a day at the Wolfslair recently to get some footage of Rampage and Bisping hitting the pads, and do a video interview with Rampage. Know what he does literally every second he isn't on the mats? XBox360. He bought one and a big TV for the 'lair. He literally doesn't stop playing. Nerd.

Know why Dan Hardy has the red stripe in his mohawk? Tribute to Raphael of the Ninja Turtles, which he watches religiously, along with collecting the toys and comics. Nerd.

Nerds are everywhere...and we're takin' over....

[PeterHilton]

Exactly. We're all nerds, nerds are everywhere. I'd say once you hit early 20's, all of a sudden it doesn't matter any more, unless you're really insecure in yourself I guess. I'm proud of the fact that I'm a geek. I love hitting the comic book store. My Mrs bought me a set of massive Transformers for my birthday last year that I proudly display in my living room...they are *NOT* to be played with though :-p

We a day at the Wolfslair recently to get some footage of Rampage and Bisping hitting the pads, and do a video interview with Rampage. Know what he does literally every second he isn't on the mats? XBox360. He bought one and a big TV for the 'lair. He literally doesn't stop playing. Nerd.

Know why Dan Hardy has the red stripe in his mohawk? Tribute to Raphael of the Ninja Turtles, which he watches religiously, along with collecting the toys and comics. Nerd.

Nerds are everywhere...and we're takin' over....

This. Exactly this.

I love buying comics. I tried to explain TEW to my new gf and eventually she just calls it my "nerdy wrestling game." Anyone who really gets into fantasy sports is nerdy and that's half of sports fans these days...not to get completely off topic but (like brashley said) unless you're an insecure teenager, being called a nerd these days isn't a big deal.

Back to wrestling talk..:p

[critical-23]

I don't mind Rob's push provided its a long slow one.

Neither do I, TommyDreamerFan. What sticks out the most to me about Terry's push is the fan reaction: it's like they are giving him a chance to show what he's made of. For example, when he bobbled Wolfe, I didn't here a you f'd up chant at all. Long and slow is the way to go for Mr. Terry and I am sure he has a locker room full of great wrestlers willing to show him how not to botch like that again, lol.

[Slagaholic]

Just read the results for next week's Impact. Good lord...

[PeterHilton]

Just read the results for next week's Impact. Good lord...

Ditto. It's like they went out of their way to kill any momentum from this week's show.

[GDE71]

Ditto. It's like they went out of their way to kill any momentum from this week's show.


They couldn't ask RVD to work a 5th match in 3 days could they? Plus you know he was burnin it all day long it being 4/20 and all.....

[PeterHilton]

They couldn't ask RVD to work a 5th match in 3 days could they? Plus you know he was burnin it all day long it being 4/20 and all.....

RVD didn't have to wrestle for that show to not be a hot mess. And - unless something really changes - that show sounds like it's a hot mess.

(he was totally burnin it for 420 )

[Hyde Hill]

That's not even close to what I said.

I refer to ALL internet wrestling fans as nerds.

The point I was making is that the lack of a tag division is only really important to net fans (or nerds), it doesn't affect the E in any significant way, so they have no reason to change it.

So wanting a tag division doesn't make you a nerd...hanging out on these boards and checking wrestling news sites does.

I think this discussion came up a while back in the E thread as well. It is because I think a good tag division can draw. Main eventers are the main draw but not the only draw. Evidence would be the highpoints in wrestling in the 80's and 90's, yes there was always a strong ME scene but it was accompanied by a good tag team scene. As far as women's wrestling goes there is little evidence as it has never really been tried. But given Richter's induction in her peak she was near as popular as Hogan.

[PeterHilton]

I think this discussion came up a while back in the E thread as well. It is because I think a good tag division can draw. Main eventers are the main draw but not the only draw. Evidence would be the highpoints in wrestling in the 80's and 90's, yes there was always a strong ME scene but it was accompanied by a good tag team scene. As far as women's wrestling goes there is little evidence as it has never really been tried. But given Richter's induction in her peak she was near as popular as Hogan.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

c'mon ...

[Hyde Hill]

Hell there are PWI's claiming that fact. Its not that I say its true but she was very over given the whole Lauper connection etc. Trish, Chyna and to a lesser extent Lita where pretty over as well in recent times. Hell I will leave this to Remi as he is the expert hehe. Still as it has never been seriously tried there is no evidence either way if serious womens wrestling can be a draw on a major scale.