The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[BHK1978]

Considering the personality she's shown thus far and the incredibly sad, dysfunctional, and violent family she's come from (and I know this isn't a nice thing to say but it's true) there's a prett goody chance she's not easy to deal with.

Wait a second you could not possibly be talking about the Von Erich's right?:D

I agree with Hyde, to me the BP should just be Love and Velvet. Madison and Lacey just don't have it. What it is, I am not sure but I have never been impressed with them.

I am in favor of the KO Division going back to what it originally was meant to be, a more legit womens wrestling division. Just as long as they keep Velvet around.:D

[eayragt]

Oh when will the Bubba Era end???


Well, if I was in the US with a Nielsen box, I'd be making sure I tuned into TNA this week after that interview.

[Hyde Hill]

Oh when will the Bubba Era end???

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/137860/Bubba-The-Love-Sponge-Discusses-His-TNA-Termination.htm

It ends as soon as everybody stops giving him attention which is the only thing he aims for.

From Dixie and TNA Wrestling:

"TNA will make a major announcement during tonights TNA iMPACT! on Spike TV at 8ET/7CT. We strive to deliver what our fans want, and the next step in the evolution of the TNA brand will do just that."

Probably just that Wolfe and or Hardy will get a shot, but since they already advertised that earlier on Twitter and Facebook I hope this is something different.

[Hyde Hill]

So what would people actually like to see as the evolution of the TNA brand?

Some options:

- Heyman as heabooker

- Taking Impact and all ppv on the road

- Name change

- Rebranding the Global title

- B show

- Fan getting the chance to join the creative team via a contest

- A much bigger advertising budget lolz.

- Working relations with UFC, hello Brock!

- Other?

[Slagaholic]

I don't think Heyman wants to come back.

They aren't popular enough to take Impacts and PPVs on the road.

TNA could certainly change their name to a more "wrestling" sounding name.

The Global Title would be better called the TV Title since thats essentially what it is. I don't mind having a Global Title but the original premise was that it'd only be defended overseas. Which I think is a good idea.

A 1-hour long B-Show on Thursday Nights based around the X-Division wrestlers would be great. Follow it up with the Impact replay if necessary.

Fans joining the creative team via a contest sounds nice in theory but really it'd just be them throwing money down the toilet since no one on the creative team would take them serously.

More advertising is a must.

Brock may show up and wave to the crowd at a TNA show but that's it.

TNA needs to emphasize what makes them different from the WWE. If they want to get as big as they want to be, they have to change their product entirely. A name change along with moving away from "sports entertainment" and do something different. I really think if they went old school they'd do very well. "Sports entertainment" has dominated pro wrestling for 20 years now. No one is going to beat the WWE at that product. TNA needs to do something different and carve their own niche. I think going back to the old school style would help them out. Keeping a semblance of kayfabe is something that will help them. Fans want to believe, they don't want the fact they're watching something "fake" rammed into their heads.

[Self]

To me, the two most interesting things on that list are Heyman & UFC. I'm not a huge fan of Heyman, I liked ECW fine, but I don't think he's some 'wrestling messiah' or anything. Frankly, I'd be interested in anyone taking the show into a new direction. I was super-psyched for Hogan's 'new direction', but found it far too similar to the old. A new creative force with a new vision and the sheer force of will to do it his way... that interests me.

While I don't think a relationship with UFC is necessary 'good' or 'possible' it would certainly make me peek across the line.

... and I've said it before, I'll say it again. TNA don't deserve a second show.

[pate]

Maybe it's moving Impact back to Thursdays. Although that doesn't really fit under rebranding.

[Wrestling Century]

TNA have announced that whoever wins the Top 10 Contenders vote will get a title shot this Monday; thing is...

There's literally less than a thousands votes between the two leaders: Jeff Hardy in 2nd and surprise surprise

Desmond

"McLariat"

Wolfe

Go vote for McLariat ok?

I voted for Mr. Anderson.

[PeterHilton]

Maybe it's moving Impact back to Thursdays. Although that doesn't really fit under rebranding.


http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/137909/TNA-Impact-Is-Moving-Back-To-Thursday.htm


The war is over...

According to Dave Meltzer, tonight's big announcement on TNA is that the company will be moving Impact back to Thursday nights. This is due to the "disastrous" rating from last week.

[jesterx7769]

Jeeze, I dont think anyone on this board predicting it wouldn't last... interested to see if ratings on Thursday will go higher than what they were before the move to see if the Monday publicity generated any extra viewers

[cappyboy]

To me, the two most interesting things on that list are Heyman & UFC.



Would probably tend to agree. But don't underestimate the name change thing. If TNA would do that, it would probably bring in a whole new set of eyes that had dismissed them either due to product confusion or moral objection to an acronym they'd never had accurately broken down for them. You might even get some first time viewers who don't make the connection to the old TNA name and look in thinking it's a brand new promotion.

Now clearly the name change would be far from a panacea. Alone it would be cosmetic crap. So naturally, you'd need to do it conjunction with some other items on the list. Most ideally one of your two choices for most interesting. But the Total Nonstop Action name and the TNA acronym in particular have been barriers to growth ever since the NWA affliation ended. If they've finally recognized and acted on that, I can't help but think that would be a good thing.

[Slagaholic]

Name change idea: Wrestling Championship World-Wide!

[cappyboy]

Name change idea: Wrestling Championship World-Wide!

Actually the name I've like to see them take up is Total Nonstop WRESTLING. That way you don't start totally from scratch and retain continuity. Going from being TNA to TNW would be a lot easier than trying to establish brand value to a complete new acronym.

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/137909/TNA-Impact-Is-Moving-Back-To-Thursday.htm


The war is over...

According to Dave Meltzer, tonight's big announcement on TNA is that the company will be moving Impact back to Thursday nights. This is due to the "disastrous" rating from last week.

If true, I can only hope this means a return of the replay being on Saturday mornings. Having both the original airing and the replay be on work nights has been ridiculous. The Saturday morning replay gave me that syndie-era feeling with TNA and I miss that.

[Hyde Hill]

Those where just some suggestions though and as mentioned before TNA wrestlers often show up on UFC events would be nice if that happened conversely.

I would go for the name change as a signal for a true rebranding of TNA. I would go for TWA Total Wrestling Action and go for a Modern more serious Entertainment style as opposed to traditional or comedy entertainment.

With that name you can focus on the fact that they have a real tag team division, a real knockout's division, the X-Division, Different styles of main eventers with a higher more intense pace without losing psychology. Hardcore, swearing, blood etc at times when applicable and a higher match/angle ratio but keeping storylines etc.

As said before it needs to be a total package, they have the tools in the roster they just need to use them right. Heyman and Bisch together should be able to make it work. If those two can not then it is time for someone new altogether.

[Hyde Hill]

On moving back to Thursday's I would call it a tactical retreat after a lost battle. Hope the gained awareness causes increased viewership on Thursday's though or it will have been for naught ratings wise.

Edit: Also moving back to Thursday would not exactly be the next step in the evolution of the brand or responding to the fans really apart from the lower ratings, so do not see the direct correlation. Of course it could just be spin.

[cappyboy]

I would go for the name change as a signal for a true rebranding of TNA. I would go for TWA Total Wrestling Action and go for a Modern more serious Entertainment style as opposed to traditional or comedy entertainment.

With that name you can focus on the fact that they have a real tag team division, a real knockout's division, the X-Division, Different styles of main eventers with a higher more intense pace without losing psychology. Hardcore, swearing, blood etc at times when applicable and a higher match/angle ratio but keeping storylines etc.



That might work for me as well. Serves the points I was making as well as Total Nonstop Wrestling would. My concern there would be the TWA acronym and the connection to the late, lamented airline. May be better to be TNW and not have that baggage. (Pardon the pun.) But I wouldn't turn my nose up if they went that route.

[Hyde Hill]

The problem with Total Nonstop Wrestling name would be that it would have one of the problems of the current name as in any angle would/could be frowned upon due to the name. I know about TWA but that is quite a while ago now is it not? TAW then? Total Action Wrestling?

Edit TWA the airline ended in 2001 with December 1st being the last ceremonial TWA flight. The one plane crash was in 1996 if wiki is correct.

[Slagaholic]

They spun it well. "TNA listened to the fans"

And TNA Reaction has been added fulltime.

LOL Jay Lethal!

Jay Lethal is awesome at everything he does.

[Slagaholic]

Great start to the show.

[GDE71]

I wish the move to Monday had worked, but they just weren't ready. I don't know if they ever will be, but let's hope starting May 13th they can get a 1.0 and build from there.


Jay Lethal is too good at what he does.

[PeterHilton]

Abyss looks retarded. Of all the things Bischoof and Hogan have done, the 'Abyss as a pathetic fanboy' idea was the worst.

[Slagaholic]

And then Hogan shows up and destroys every big heel in the company outside of Mr. Anderson.

Sigh...

[LoganRodzen]

And then Hogan shows up and destroys every heel in the company.

Sigh...

It was really cool until Hogan came out... his knees and legs are just too ****ing horrible for him to be doing physical stuff anymore.

[GDE71]

And then Hogan shows up and destroys every heel in the company.

Sigh...

I didn't see your white text until I quoted you....

It's exactly what I was going to type....

[PeterHilton]

OH FOR CHRIST'S SAKE...

So this is 'listening to the fans?'

Having a 70 year old Hulk Hogan come out to the ring, decimate the bad guys (doing more damage than Team 3D, Abyss, and RVD combined) and blow off the segment by having him take out AJ Styles with one punch and the 4 millionth Hogan/Flair face-off.

I have no idea how the move to Mondays didn't work out. :rolleyes:

[LoganRodzen]

Using him in a GM role would be perfectly fine. With all of those guys brawling the only thing that came to mind was, "how in the world are things going to get under control?" Having someone like Hogan come out and JUST talk on the mic to set something up would be cool, but they push the limit every single time. Nobody wants to see Hogan blocking punches and taking guys down. He's been doing it since the late 70's and it's ridiculous.

[Slagaholic]

"TNA is the best thing going today"

*spattering of applause*

Wolfe won the vote. Glad they stuck to their guns.

[GDE71]

Not live on Thursday either......

Moving back to where they were and on tape. So the first 4 1/2 months were a failure.

[LoganRodzen]

Not live on Thursday either......

Moving back to where they were and on tape. So they first 4 1/2 months were a failure.

It's not even going to be live? Wow. I guess I won't be watching TNA anymore. I only watched the live Impact shows anyway.

[Linsolv]

Not live?! Bull crap!

I'm offended.

[PeterHilton]

Using him in a GM role would be perfectly fine. With all of those guys brawling the only thing that came to mind was, "how in the world are things going to get under control?" Having someone like Hogan come out and JUST talk on the mic to set something up would be cool, but they push the limit every single time. Nobody wants to see Hogan blocking punches and taking guys down. He's been doing it since the late 70's and it's ridiculous.

Have him come out with a battalion of security.

Have him use Joe as a 'personal enforcer.'

Have him use pyro and/or effects to get their attention.

ANYTHING ..literally ...ANYTHING...would've been better than having Hogan storm the rign and upstage the entire main event scene in basically thirty seconds flat.

[LoganRodzen]

Lacey Von Erich makes me laugh. :o

[Slagaholic]

Jesus TNA wasn't kidding they really just saw two guys with mohawks and said "hey lets make em a tag team"

And Doug Williams still has the X-Division belt, which makes up for stripping him and gives them storylines for a good bit.

[Slagaholic]

If Matt Morgan was made permanent 3rd mic when they weren't wrestling, I'd be happy.

I guess Rhino's not coming back any time soon.

[Slagaholic]

This is how Ric Flair should have been used from the start.

I swear to ****ing god if Sting vs Hogan happens I will stop being a wrestling fan.

[The Celt]

Alter boy Anderson?

[LoganRodzen]

Alter boy Anderson?

Mr Anderson as an altar boy is how they're keeping viewers from turning to RAW? Dunno about this. :rolleyes:

[Slagaholic]

Jeff Hardy is keeping viewers from turning to RAW :P

[LoganRodzen]

Jeff Hardy is keeping viewers from turning to RAW :P

Is it just me or does Hardy look like he's gained a few lbs? Munchies aren't always a good thing. ;)

[Slagaholic]

It looks like he's built up a bit actually. And if he's going to be taking the kinda bumps and hits he's expected to take, a little meat on the bones won't hurt.

Mr. Anderson's trunks are awesome

[GDE71]

Talk Into...

The Mic




Vintage trunks from Misterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr rrr Anderson




































Anderson

[The Celt]

Okay, It made sense in the end.

Also, before anyone says anything negative about Anderson getting striped, it's called (metaphorical) "showing your ass" and all the best heels should do it. It stops you from thinking the heels are cooler than the faces. If you think the heel is cooler than the face then you're more likely to cheer the heel.

Also, I thought you had to be starved for 3 days before you be in a Monster's ball?

[Slagaholic]

Mr. Anderson has revived his career in TNA.

Pretty sure they stopped the starving gimmick years ago.

[Hyde Hill]

Okay, It made sense in the end.

Also, before anyone says anything negative about Anderson getting striped, it's called (metaphorical) "showing your ass" and all the best heels should do it. It stops you from thinking the heels are cooler than the faces. If you think the heel is cooler than the face then you're more likely to cheer the heel.

Also, I thought you had to be starved for 3 days before you be in a Monster's ball?

That was the original monsters ball, and I think it was isolation for 24 hours or something. Since then it just means multi man hardcore carnage.

[Hyde Hill]

OH FOR CHRIST'S SAKE...

So this is 'listening to the fans?'

Having a 70 year old Hulk Hogan come out to the ring, decimate the bad guys (doing more damage than Team 3D, Abyss, and RVD combined) and blow off the segment by having him take out AJ Styles with one punch and the 4 millionth Hogan/Flair face-off.

I have no idea how the move to Mondays didn't work out. :rolleyes:

Lolz, yeps. I do not mind Hogan per se but he should be a supporting and hyping role not the spotlight, same goes for all the nostalgia guys.

Edit: Oh btw Sting vs Hogan at BFG or sooner pretty much a done deal after the heel turn and Hogan saying to Brooke it would be the last time. Lets see if they did up Nick Patrick to do the count right, or is it wrong? lol, this time lolz.

[GDE71]

Tara just did Career VS Title Challenge

[Slagaholic]

Someone needs to teach the refs that not every pinfall is a 2-count.

[Hyde Hill]

Tara just did Career VS Title Challenge

Well that is at least a logical way to write her out instead of just disappearing.

[Slagaholic]

Well at least this means all of Eric Young's momentum is killed.

And MCMG actually looked strong against the Band, another positive.

[The Celt]

BOO at Tara putting her career on the line, it pretty much means she's out. And it's pretty stupid having her final match be a 1 on 1, heel vs heel match.

BOO at Eric Young's pointless swerve. The second he appeared I knew we'd be swerved. They might give us some logic later but I know it won't makes enough sense considering Nash has already beaten the crap out of Young at lockdown.

[LoganRodzen]

Edit: Oh btw Sting vs Hogan at BFG or sooner pretty much a done deal after the heel turn and Hogan saying to Brooke it would be the last time. Lets see if they did up Nick Patrick to do the count right, or is it wrong? lol, this time lolz.

Wow. I don't even know what to say... but you're probably right. Six months for Hogan to get in the best shape of his old as **** life? :eek:

Edit: The look on Taz and Tenay's faces when they panned to them during the Orlando segment... when they didn't really know it yet = priceless.

Double Edit: Why is TNA wasting TV time on this guy?

[Slagaholic]

I guess Syxx-Pac is done with in TNA.

[PeterHilton]

I guess Syxx-Pac is done with in TNA.

???

I flipped to Impact to avoid Waytne Brady and saw Orlando Jordan.

I flipped back.

[Slagaholic]

OJ definitely just said "This is my ****"

I like his character.

[Slagaholic]

???

I flipped to Impact to avoid Waytne Brady and saw Orlando Jordan.

I flipped back.

Well he's been MIA since being beat down last week, Hall and Nash talked about getting a 3rd man. They got him.

[Hyde Hill]

Wow. I don't even know what to say... but you're probably right. Six months for Hogan to get in the best shape of his old as **** life? :eek:

Edit: The look on Taz and Tenay's faces when they panned to them during the Orlando segment... when they didn't really know it yet = priceless.

Double Edit: Why is TNA wasting TV time on this guy?

Because Bischoff likes him as a talent and for controversy purposes unfortunately and Hogan owed a lot of the Tour performers dates which got them on the radar. I wouldn't mind a Sting vs Hogan redo if it did not get so much damn attention and Hogan was not a cripple.

[Hyde Hill]

I guess Syxx-Pac is done with in TNA.

Nope last week he was beat down and Nash and Hall said they would get a third man to fill in. Young being it is so TNA. It is so predictable in its unpredictability sometimes grrr. Also pac warned management beforehand that he could not make the ppv so it was not a full now show. Just shows the administrative chaos in TNA that they did not check all their workers availability before booking them. Much like Love's visa issues. Off course it is also the responsibility of the talent but its the office's responsibility to make sure the talent checks in time.

[PeterHilton]

Because Bischoff likes him as a talent and for controversy purposes unfortunately and Hogan owed a lot of the Tour performers dates which got them on the radar. I wouldn't mind a Sting vs Hogan redo if it did not get so much damn attention and Hogan was not a cripple.

Jordan's character isn't bad. But for something like that you need someone who can cut the hell out of a promo and OJ didn't deliver.

I mean..those were good lines .."no batteries necessary, it'll be our little secret"..but he mumbled through them and the promo lost the creepy Rocky Horror Picture Show vibe it should've had.

[Hyde Hill]

OJ definitely just said "This is my ****"

I like his character.

Too bad he does not have the skills to carry a character like that or that it has been presented in an interesting way so far. His promo last week was horrendous. Goldust, Adrian Street style etc is fine imho but takes a lot of skill as a performer and as a writing team. Lenny and Lodi, Billy and Chuck blegh.

[Slagaholic]

RVD vs Wolfe got six ****ing minutes counting entrances.

[Slagaholic]

Too bad he does not have the skills to carry a character like that or that it has been presented in an interesting way so far. His promo last week was horrendous. Goldust, Adrian Street style etc is fine imho but takes a lot of skill as a performer and as a writing team. Lenny and Lodi, Billy and Chuck blegh.

I wish they would let me do it godammit. I have 10x the charisma OJ has.

[The Celt]

I didn't vote for Wolfe only for him to see him in a 5 minute match. Damnit TNA the reason I watched tonight was for that match.

[Hyde Hill]

Jordan's character isn't bad. But for something like that you need someone who can cut the hell out of a promo and OJ didn't deliver.

I mean..those were good lines .."no batteries necessary, it'll be our little secret"..but we mumbled through them and the promo lost the creepy Rocky Horror Picture Show vibe it should've had.

Lol Peter agreed with you before I read it. Not seeing Impact right now just reacting so not fully informed.

[PeterHilton]

Too bad he does not have the skills to carry a character like that or that it has been presented in an interesting way so far. His promo last week was horrendous. Goldust, Adrian Street style etc is fine imho but takes a lot of skill as a performer and as a writing team. Lenny and Lodi, Billy and Chuck blegh.

haha..like minds etc

I didn't vote for Wolfe only for him to see him in a 5 minute match. Damnit TNA the reason I watched tonight was for that match.

THEY JUST TOLD YOU THEY WERE LISTENING TO THE FANS, OK?

[Hyde Hill]

I didn't vote for Wolfe only for him to see him in a 5 minute match. Damnit TNA the reason I watched tonight was for that match.

FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Times like these I really despair. Might be time to give ROH 2 to 3 months to convince me as the E style really does not convince me at this time.

Edit: Seriously most of the guys on these boards could book better then this I sometimes feel. Maybe not solo due to the weekly nature and unfamiliarity etc but three of us sure.

[Slagaholic]

I didn't vote for Wolfe only for him to see him in a 5 minute match. Damnit TNA the reason I watched tonight was for that match.

I at least hope this tells them that Wolfe is over and put him in a program with somebody ANYBODY. Hell put him in the X-Division, give him something to do instead of being the guy with the hot chick that looks like he doesn't want to be there.

I think the Hogan - Sting confrontation would have been better set as part of the re-debut of TNA Reaction.

[PeterHilton]

Hey at least the show ended with that young up and comer 'Hulk' Hogan getting some TV time. In a segment about Sting and Jarret.

It's been almost 20 minutes I was wondering what happened to those guys. Hopefully, the show ends with another Hogan segment.

EDIT: :rolleyes:

[Slagaholic]

You get your wish!

Why has Sting avoided all the same **** his contemporaries have gotten for sticking around in the spot light too long?

[haloed]

You get your wish!

Why has Sting avoided all the same **** his contemporaries have gotten for sticking around in the spot light too long?

I think its because we usually get Sting in small doses instead of every segment like some. We usally see him lurking and hardly on screen all the time. Plus he's awesome!!! But that's just me.

[PeterHilton]

You get your wish!

Why has Sting avoided all the same **** his contemporaries have gotten for sticking around in the spot light too long?

I don't know. He's been 'retiring' for like seven years now. His feud with JJ went on waaaaaaaayyyyy too long. His 'EPIC' showdowns with Angle and AJ didn't do the business people thought it would.

Honeslty, I think no one complains because there are never any net rumors about him being a jerk.

[Slagaholic]

I am so confused by this segment. What does all of this mean?

For a second I thought they were making Sting the internet yappers voice complaining about Hogan being the focus. Then Hogan made it about him. Then Sting turned face? Then Hogan protected him?

WHAT IS GOING ON!?

That was the worst final segment TNA's had on Monday Nights. At least they saved the worst for last.

[Hyde Hill]

And he can still deliver to a certain extent and always goes away a couple of months etc. And he actually puts over the young talent from time to time.

Just read the report and thought they announced a Monster's ball. But a one on one on Impact???? FFFS. Monster's ball was one of the few matches that still had worth because it was not overdone.

[Slagaholic]

I don't know. He's been 'retiring' for like seven years now.

Well everyone in that final segment has been retiring for more than seven years now. Jarrett "retired" a few years ago. Hogan "retired" in ****ing 93.

[Slagaholic]

And he can still deliver to a certain extent and always goes away a couple of months etc. And he actually puts over the young talent from time to time.

Just read the report and thought they announced a Monster's ball. But a one on one on Impact???? FFFS. Monster's ball was one of the few matches that still had worth because it was not overdone.

It was a Monster's Ball in name only. I guess that hurts the match's prestige but it wasn't the bloody spotty spotfest they usually are.

[Linsolv]

For those of you (Hyde) talking about watching ROH, you can find the weekly show on YouTube, put up by a user named ROHbrazil. You know, if you don't have HDNet.

[The Celt]

It was a pretty weird segment to go out on alright.

Also Hyde Hill, check out http://www.youtube.com/user/ROHBrazil for all your convincing needs. Wrestlings sites are rated the main event of the last episode of RoH on HDnet 4 and half stars or there about, plus much more including Daivari cutting loose on the mic in a big way and the Steen/Generico fued continued.

[Linsolv]

Am I the only guy who likes Tyler Black other than TylerBlackMark?

Wait. This is the wrong thread.

Sadly, House pre-empted my TNA taping, so I probably won't be saying anything about today's match until thursday.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah knew about that user and the ratings etc they get and have seen ROH of and on for some time, just not seriously following. Could be because I really really dislike the commentating team, both of em and that coming from someone who could tolerate face Don West. Still thanks for the info guys.

[Linsolv]

I just don't like Prazak. Something about his voice, I'm not sure.

If it were someone else saying the same words I'd probably like it more -- though, his like, half-heel character has me confused. Guess I'm not cult enough yet.

[Hyde Hill]

I am so confused by this segment. What does all of this mean?

For a second I thought they were making Sting the internet yappers voice complaining about Hogan being the focus. Then Hogan made it about him. Then Sting turned face? Then Hogan protected him?

WHAT IS GOING ON!?

That was the worst final segment TNA's had on Monday Nights. At least they saved the worst for last.

Always one of the fault's in TNA not finding the fine line between supsense and confusion. Although sometimes they get criticized unduly for it.

[The Final Countdown]

I'd go and vote for Nigel, but I'm sure if he gets voted in, he'll just lose in 5 minutes anyway.

Daniel Bryan would lose in 15 seconds, but that's neither here nor there.
I am smart.

Except Daniel Bryan actually looked BETTER than Nigel tonight.

[Trashbear]

I am so confused by this segment. What does all of this mean?

WHAT IS GOING ON!?

That was the worst final segment TNA's had on Monday Nights. At least they saved the worst for last.

Well lemme tell ya something brother, Hulk Hogan has his finger on the pulse of the wrestling fan, dude. He and all of his AARP-a-maniacs are taking over TNA, brother. They're drinking their prune juice, activating the Medic Alert bracelets, and watching Wheel of Fortune, man. So whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulk Hogan and the rest of the Over The Hill crew limps mild on youuuuuuu?!

[The Celt]

It's downright scary how accurate Final Countdown's prediction was.

[Trashbear]

It's downright scary how accurate Final Countdown's prediction was.

Yeah, I'd accuse him of being one of the writers, but that's just too low of an insult.

[Stennick]

Its almost like their giving up, almost like whatever fire they had is gone. This was BY FAR the worst Impact since they moved to Monday nights. I tuned in to watch Wolfe vs. RVD and Wolfe got in what a handful of moves at best. Anyway I like how they just ran something across the screen so they wouldn't have to say it out loud on the show about the move back to Thursdays.

Best part of the night was Anderson.

[alden]

I have to admit lethals flair was GREAT

[The Final Countdown]

It's downright scary how accurate Final Countdown's prediction was.
Not as scary as the fact that he's gone from putting on MOTYCs with Kurt Angle to looking like less of a threat than Daniel friggin' Bryan.

Yeah, I'd accuse him of being one of the writers, but that's just too low of an insult.
Thank you for refraining from that vicious assault on my dignity. :eek:

I have to admit lethals flair was GREAT
It really was. He had his mannerisms and speech patterns down perfectly. And I loved the knee drop on the jacket.

[liontamer]

curious to see how the move to thursdays affects things.....

now that they aren't head to head, will we see less of the older crowd that everyone is complaining about? (thinking it is a slim possiblility as they seem to be essentailly name dropping to prove they are cool)

Also interested to see if they will have a monday or friday replay to still go head to head with a WWE product.

[Comradebot]

Its almost like their giving up, almost like whatever fire they had is gone. This was BY FAR the worst Impact since they moved to Monday nights. I tuned in to watch Wolfe vs. RVD and Wolfe got in what a handful of moves at best. Anyway I like how they just ran something across the screen so they wouldn't have to say it out loud on the show about the move back to Thursdays.

Best part of the night was Anderson.

This match was a HUGE letdown. Easily two of the best in-ring workers in the company, and it was what... a five minutes snoozer? It's like they were told not to try and they spent not NEARLY enough time on the match. Feels like they went "yup, here you go fans, the match you wanted! But guess what... we aren't giving ANY time or effort to it! HAH, suck it fans!"



And on the other point, I'm going to go ahead and say it now: Mr. Anderson is THE best heel in the business today. I think the WWE overreacted in outright releasing him, as he very well could be the top heel in the WWE right now. Honestly, I would LOVE to see him feud with John Cena. Built right, it could be epic.

Right now, he IS the reason I watch TNA. Wolfe, RVD, Jeff Hardy (who actually wasn't horrid on the microphone tonight, I must say), AJ Styles, Matt Morgan... these guys are gravy to me right now. Can't say I particularly care about Hall, Nash, Hogan, Flair, ect... But Anderson is THE man, and is almost enough for me to forgive TNA for letting Scott Steiner go. Sure Scott Steiner is pushing 50 and is virtually incapable of putting on a solid match anymore, but my GOD is he amusing...

Well, so is Anderson. All he needs is a few faces to feud with of relative awesomeness and for TNA to stop doing moronic ****, and it could be huge. If they don't, I implore the WWE to bring Anderson in and give him the push to the very top like he deserves.

[The Final Countdown]

I never thought much of Kennedy/Anderson when he was in WWE, but he's quickly become maybe the most interesting guy in TNA. His rivalry with Angle was gold, and he doesn't seem to be missing a beat with his attacks on Pope. If he were the guy to eventually dethrone RVD, I would not object in the least.

[alden]

I think anderson is a risk to be honest. He is great on the mic no question....he is not bad in the ring and with the right person can put on a good match. BUT his health has been an issue....AND he does have a bit of a "big head". He is not well liked in the locker room from what i understand. I mean that is not huge coughHHHcough.......but i don't think he has the main event "it factor". He is a solid mid/ upper mid level guy....just not main event. Not yet alteast.........although i said the same thing about the pope.......and i was wrong about that.

[Stennick]

I disagree who in TNA is more of a "main event" heel than Anderson right now? AJ is a joke, they've killed Wolfe off, who has more of an "it" main event feel in TNA right now than Anderson? His A hole promo was classic, he followed that up with a great promo with Pope last week.

The guys promos are on fire, he's capable of putting on great matches with guys like Angle who easily had MOTY at the last ppv.

Also its a lot easier to stay healthy working a few weeks out of the month rather than all but a few days out of the month. His schedule has been cut back, he's not rushing to rehab an injury to get his spot back like he was in the E.

That being said Orton and him have some bad blood and I doubt Anderson is blowing them away enough for them to bring him back and put up with Orton having a spaz attack.

[liontamer]

the only person I would argue over anderson at this point would be Morgan because of the circumstances he's successfully defended the tag titles in (granted he caused the circumastances). And I'm still not getting the whole 'we' thing

Anyway, a question on EB's new and innovative rating system..... didn't TNA use the same system in the early days of impact on FSN (and possibly before that - I didn't follow until they were on fsn)

Edited to add that if I'm WWE right now, I'eve heard Smackdown is going to syfy..... I'd ask to move it to impacts time slot. That could be a definitive blow.

[SaySo]

TNA had rating of 0.78. I believe a high 0.90 first hour, then followed by 0.66 second hour.

0.92 Lethal and Flair talk in the ring, they brawl, Beer Money/Wolfe/Styles/Abyss/Team 3D come to the ring and brawl, A couple brief talks in the limo for Hogan/Bischoff .

0.90 RVD and Hogan come to the ring for the brawl, Hogan announces matches for the show.

0.93 The Beautiful People talk backstage, Williams/Kendrick vs Moore/Neal, Joe comes out and attacks Kendrick.

0.87 Flair talks to Beer Money/Styles/Wolfe backstage, Hogan talks backstage, Mr. Anderson attacks Pope backstage, Anderson talks in the ring.

0.66 Hardy comes to the ring to confront Anderson, The Beautiful People vs Tara/Wilde/Sarita.

0.56 Tara interview backstage, Team 3D vs Beer Money vs Motor City Machine Guns, Hall and Nash come to the ring and attack, Young comes to the ring.

0.66 Orlando Jordan O-Zone segment, Rob Terry comes out, Jordan attacks Terry, Styles vs Abyss, Flair and Chelsea come to the ring to celebrate.

0.77 Wolfe vs RVD, Jarrett shown on the ground backstage, Hogan calls out Sting and Sting comes to the ring and they talk, Jarrett comes to the ring and attacks Sting.

[Remianen]

I never thought much of Kennedy/Anderson when he was in WWE, but he's quickly become maybe the most interesting guy in TNA.

Let's be honest though. Besides Pope, it's not like he has competition for 'most interesting' in TNA. If you put a rose in the middle of a cowpie, it makes the rose look all the more impressive.

Note, I'm not saying Anderson isn't performing his ass off. What I'm saying is, I'd be more impressed if he was outshining everyone at a high point rather than this rock bottom point. I have to give Jay Lethal props too. Since he's started appearing regularly again, he's been really good too (with the 'I'm stuck in the past' Macho Man schtick). Calling Abyss Andre the Giant and referencing the Mega Bucks was a hoot and that Flair promo was ridiculous.

I think if they had more Anderson, Pope, and Lethal (and maybe Morgan) and less Hogan and Flair, the show would be more entertaining. Of course, then they'd flub everything up by booking matches people actually WANT to see to go 5 minutes or some crap. Yeah, RVD-Wolfe could be a PPV main event if built right....but this one wasn't built right.

[Bigpapa42]

I loved the Flair impersonation by Lethal. Awesome segment that turned to crap. He looked weak in begging off a 90-year old Flair, then handing back the "ring of power" that was such a big deal the week before. Then the whole thing culminates in Hulk Hogan saving the day. I would be a lot more comfortable with the Hogan era of TNA if the whole thing wasn't coming across like a giant Hogan ego stroke.

[Comradebot]

Let's be honest though. Besides Pope, it's not like he has competition for 'most interesting' in TNA. If you put a rose in the middle of a cowpie, it makes the rose look all the more impressive.

Note, I'm not saying Anderson isn't performing his ass off. What I'm saying is, I'd be more impressed if he was outshining everyone at a high point rather than this rock bottom point. I have to give Jay Lethal props too. Since he's started appearing regularly again, he's been really good too (with the 'I'm stuck in the past' Macho Man schtick). Calling Abyss Andre the Giant and referencing the Mega Bucks was a hoot and that Flair promo was ridiculous.

I think if they had more Anderson, Pope, and Lethal (and maybe Morgan) and less Hogan and Flair, the show would be more entertaining. Of course, then they'd flub everything up by booking matches people actually WANT to see to go 5 minutes or some crap. Yeah, RVD-Wolfe could be a PPV main event if built right....but this one wasn't built right.

I agree on, well... all points.

That said, I still think I'd mark just as heavily for Anderson if he was doing what he's doing in WWE instead as I mark for him now. I watch both companies, and can say with honesty he's the best part of either at the moment in my book.

But him, Pope, Lethal, and Morgan ALL deserve more time. Matt Morgan is a rare exception in being a big man who not only has a FANTASTIC look, but can work the microphone AND wrestle better than the majority of men his size. His "I'm both tag champs!" thing is awesome, too.

Also: they need to stop treating Desmond Wolfe like "Kane UK". He's far too talented to be a jobber to the stars, and I can't help but think politics are responsible. TNA KNOWS the fans want to see him at the top, but I doubt all the old folks who have been the "face of the business" for the last few decades (I'm looking at you, Nash n' Co.) would be pleased to have some guy from that "silly little ROH indie company" get pushed ahead of them instantly. Just a theory. Doesn't change the fact he's gold both on the mic and in the ring, and him and RVD should've been given 12 minutes minimum to work their match.

For every great thing TNA has, they make atleast two stupid decisions. I WANT to like them, I really do... but lord they try just as hard to make sure I never do. Again, right now I watch for Mr. Anderson.




Oh, and I need to eat some crow here... Jeff Hardy was actually good on the microphone this week. No, seriously. I enjoyed his promo, and not just because Anderson was out their. He legitimately showed some energy in it, and I hope he can keep it up in the future.

[Self]

Question, and let it be known I haven't been paying a massive amount of attention but... Did MCMG get their tag title shot? You know, the one they won in the Ultimate X match with Generation Me?

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah against Morgan and Red. Red picked up the pin and because of that Morgan attacked him. Guns then rescued him.

[Hyde Hill]

TNA had rating of 0.78. I believe a high 0.90 first hour, then followed by 0.66 second hour.

0.92 Lethal and Flair talk in the ring, they brawl, Beer Money/Wolfe/Styles/Abyss/Team 3D come to the ring and brawl, A couple brief talks in the limo for Hogan/Bischoff .

0.90 RVD and Hogan come to the ring for the brawl, Hogan announces matches for the show.

0.93 The Beautiful People talk backstage, Williams/Kendrick vs Moore/Neal, Joe comes out and attacks Kendrick.

0.87 Flair talks to Beer Money/Styles/Wolfe backstage, Hogan talks backstage, Mr. Anderson attacks Pope backstage, Anderson talks in the ring.

0.66 Hardy comes to the ring to confront Anderson, The Beautiful People vs Tara/Wilde/Sarita.

0.56 Tara interview backstage, Team 3D vs Beer Money vs Motor City Machine Guns, Hall and Nash come to the ring and attack, Young comes to the ring.

0.66 Orlando Jordan O-Zone segment, Rob Terry comes out, Jordan attacks Terry, Styles vs Abyss, Flair and Chelsea come to the ring to celebrate.

0.77 Wolfe vs RVD, Jarrett shown on the ground backstage, Hogan calls out Sting and Sting comes to the ring and they talk, Jarrett comes to the ring and attacks Sting.

Reading that I would say matches are ratings, Hogan and the band lose em.

[Hyde Hill]

Bill Behren's being very on point and more aggressive then usual, as normally he is purely objective but much like me it seems he has been kinda exasperated by TNA. Really excellent stuff:

http://whosslammingwho.podomatic.com/entry/2010-05-04T13_04_03-07_00

[Stennick]

Why do they refuse to push the MCMG?

[Hyde Hill]

Why do they refuse to push the MCMG?

Because unfortunately it seems they view them as guys to make others look good and give them heat and overness as the Guns are kinda perma over. Kinda like a younger and lowercard version of Kane but not in sympathy jobber territory. That is the long version.

Short version: The people on the booking team are dumb!

Edit: And I mean that as a team. Bischoff has certain skills, Russo has certain skills, Hogan has certain skills. Do not know about Ferrara or Conway. But they also have bad points, unfortunately they are all working towards their weaknesses instead of strengths. Only Bischoff's presentation/production/pacing improvements and the ability of Hogan to get RVD and Hardy seem have been the positives.

[GDE71]

Just read a tag team spoiler and it's totally awful.......

[Candyman]

Because unfortunately it seems they view them as guys to make others look good and give them heat and overness as the Guns are kinda perma over. Kinda like a younger and lowercard version of Kane but not in sympathy jobber territory. That is the long version.

Short version: The people on the booking team are dumb!

Edit: And I mean that as a team. Bischoff has certain skills, Russo has certain skills, Hogan has certain skills. Do not know about Ferrara or Conway. But they also have bad points, unfortunately they are all working towards their weaknesses instead of strengths. Only Bischoff's presentation/production/pacing improvements and the ability of Hogan to get RVD and Hardy seem have been the positives.

The biggest difference between TNA and WWE's booking team, and WCW had the same problem TNA has, is that WWE has Vince McMahon and they don't. I don't mean that literally, I mean the roll he plays...WWE has one person that's there to make the final decision and make sure they're going in the right direction. TNA doesn't. WCW didn't. It's hard to make consistent, logical booking decisions when you have a different person making the call every day.

[Trashbear]

Just read a tag team spoiler and it's totally awful.......

WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT???!!!

"Awful" doesn't do it justice.

[Stennick]

Next weeks TNA spoilers in white

Warning the show looks dreadful so read at your own risk


TNA Wrestling taped next Thursday's edition of TNA Impact tonight from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to Wrestling News World Orlando correspondent Tim Capture for sending us text-message updates:

Pre-Show Tryout Match:

* Los Ben Dejos w/Simon Diamond vs. Generation Me. Simon was introduced as El Grando Wizard. Winners via combo springboard leg drop and standing shooting star press, Generation Me. Los Ben Dejos are local graduates of the Team 3D Academy and wrestle local indies.

TNA Impact (Airing Thursday, May 13, 2010 on Spike TV):

* Impact opening

* Eric Bischoff out first. He says he really does love each and everyone of us. He introduces the TNA Heavyweight Champion, Rob Van Dam. TNA has a poll to see the top ten rankings to see who he'd face. Jeff Hardy is the next on the list after Desmond Wolfe, so nothing would be better than RVD vs. Hardy tonight. Only problem is no one can find Hardy so they'll give him the night off. RVD says he loves being champ and the best thing is defending the belt so no night off for because he's the whole F'N show. AJ Styles' music hits and he comes out and says watch your mouth, you're a champion for God's sake and a role model. He asks RVD if he wants to wrestle because AJ is in the mood to hurt someone. AJ asks if he thinks the people came to see RVD? No, they came to see AJ because he is TNA. He says even though he has RVD in 3 days, he still wants the match tonight because he will always be champ. Jeff Hardy's music hits and out he comes. He says he's been confused by the new days to show up and doesn't have a secretary but he's here tonight for his match. AJ protests and says it's his match. Hardy says RVD is the champ so how about he makes it a 3 way? Bischoff says that's a great idea and says the match is tonight.

* JB backstage with the Beautiful People talking about Tara. Madison Rayne says Tara needs to get over it that she's not the champ anymore and she is now. Velvet Sky says they're going to stay champs after the PPV because she said so. Lacey interrupts because she really has to pee and runs off. Madison asks why she's here and Velvet says it's because she's pretty, that's why.

* Taylor Wilde vs. Tara. Taylor went for a springing splash off the second turnbuckle and Tara kicked her in the gut and got the pin. Afterward Tara beat Taylor with her knee brace. Sarita ran out for the save. Afterwards they'd showed footage of Chelsea in the back crying while a major scene was going down with security and officials trying to find out what's going on. Desmond was trying to get some room for her as this was going on.

* Brian Kendrick vs ?. Before we find out we go back to Chelsea crying as police are coming to investigate. Brian Kendrick vs. Douglas Williams. He still has the X Division belt with him. Before the match, Douglas calls Kendrick a loser and hasn't seen him a single Match so he isn't worthy of a shot at the title so this is non title. Kazarian comes out to join the commentary table. During the match, Kaz comes to the ring to get the belt and it distracts Williams long enough for Kendrick to get the win via schoolboy.

* Christy Hemme in the back tries to get a word with Pat Kenney (Simon Diamond) about a possible assailant. Kenney says he can't believe what he heard and leaves.

* Generation Me vs ?. They go to the back and Christy Hemme says if the assailant is true it will be major news. Police aren't allowing the name to be released. Generation Me vs Matt Morgan Morgan gives one the Hellevator and the other the Carbon Footprint. Morgan gets on the mic and says they warned Hogan there'd be carnage if he didn't tell him who their partner would be at Sacrifice. Morgan gets ready to stomp one of the Me's and Samoa Joe comes out for the save and Musclebusters Morgan and takes off.

* After Joe is gone and Morgan is out, the Band come out with the briefcase for the tag title shot. Nash and Hall cash it in. Nash just pins Morgan immediately. Winner and new TNA Tag Team Champions, the Band.

* Beer Money, Inc. vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Team 3D vs. Ink Inc. One of Shannon Moore's earrings was ripped out and he's bleeding profusely Winner via Spear from Neal on Brother Ray, Ink Inc. Team 3D gets in Jesse's face afterwards, mad that they're the ones who trained him and got him here and this the thanks they get.

* For the Global Championship, Rob Terry vs. Abyss. Abyss doesn't come out when his music plays. Orlando Jordan sneaks in from the crowd and low blows Terry and holds onto Terry's package for a prolonged time. Jordan gets a pipe and beats Terry with it. He shows Terry a playing card, probably the queen of hearts, and then throws the deck on Terry. Jordan gets on the mic and says it's about time to cut the foreplay. He does what he wants, says what he wants and acts how he wants because he's the TNA wildcard. He asks if the people want him to leave. They say yes. OJ says he'll let them fulfill their every fantasy. He challenges anyone in the back to make him leave. Tomko comes out and we get Orlando Jordan vs. Tomko. Winner via guillotine choke, Orlando Jordan.

* Backstage, Bischoff says Tara sure is going to wrestle again. Her attitude has been piss poor and what she did to Taylor was uncalled for. He tells her to get out to the ring right now.

* Sarita vs. Tara. Winner via knee brace shot to Sarita while the ref was blinded, Tara. Afterwards she attacked Sarita but the ref broke it up.

* TNA Champion Rob Van Dam vs. Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles. Mr. Anderson came out during the match and attacked Hardy. At the same time, AJ pulled the referee in the way of an RVD top rope sidekick. AJ dove onto everybody on the outside. RVD got spiked with a DDT on the outside and AJ rolled him in for the win.

* Hardy gets on the mic with RVD afterwards. He tells RVD to leave because he's got this. He calls Anderson to the ring right now and let's do this. Anderson makes like he's going to the ring but goes to leave instead. Hogan's music hits and Hogan won't let him leave. Hardy attacks Anderson and they begin to brawl all over the place. Hardy swantons off the announce table onto a prone Mr. Anderson who was on a table below.


Xplosion:

* Matt Buck vs. Kazarian. Winner via his finisher, Kazarian. It's like if someone goes for a code red and the person taking it holds on and drops down to his knees, I just don't know what to call it.

* Homicide & Okada vs Ink Inc. Winner via Spear from Jesse Neal to Homicide, Ink Inc.

[Hyde Hill]

The biggest difference between TNA and WWE's booking team, and WCW had the same problem TNA has, is that WWE has Vince McMahon and they don't. I don't mean that literally, I mean the roll he plays...WWE has one person that's there to make the final decision and make sure they're going in the right direction. TNA doesn't. WCW didn't. It's hard to make consistent, logical booking decisions when you have a different person making the call every day.

Its also WWE's problem sometimes as Vince can be out of touch sometimes. But I do get what you are saying. Its also the whole support structure, professionalism within that support structure and a clear vision even if that vision is not the right one all the time. Also do not forget the power of Stephanie as since she took over the whole pg, predictable movement started.

[GDE71]

Well at least that tag result is different than what I had read.

[Stennick]

I'm assuming its different but not better

[Hyde Hill]

Well at least it is continuity and the ME does not sound to bad. The rest very dire.

On a specific spoiler: Wait Tara is leaving and we have her winning???? They could have accomplished the same with her just getting dqed

[Trashbear]

Damn, Hyde, that would be down right...logical.

We can't have that, now can we?

[Slagaholic]

Well at least there was continuity from the Feast or Fired match 6 months ago.

[Stennick]

Well

The Tag Team thing has me questioning everything. They have been building towards Morgan and this mystery parnter and his whole "we" gimmick and they decide to give Nash and Hall the tag titles? Why its not like they need it for the 3D feud. Two legendary tag teams that have never crossed paths. Meanwhile Morgan has been killing it with this gimmick. Now is he going to still face Ink at the pay per view? Why? The titles aren't on the line so whats the point of his character and any match that you know they've been building for weeks now.

The Tara stuff makes zero sense so I won't even try and figure that out.

No Flair, no Wolfe that I remember hearing about, No Hogan, No Abyss very strange. The main event is fine I guess but at this point its going to take more than a decent sounding main event to make me care. I've watched every week since they went to Monday nights and right around Lockdown the few weeks before and the week after they did a good job. This is the second horrible sounding show in a row. It sounds like their right back to the drawing board at this point so I think I'll tune in when the next "era" in TNA begins. I hear Heyman's not doing much these days.

[Stennick]

Well at least there was continuity from the Feast or Fired match 6 months ago.

Sure but thats like saying that in the WWF when Foley was commish and signed all those "special contracts" that they would pull out to book matches that otherwise made zero sense its a lot like that. Sure their bringing something back from six months ago thats fine but they bring it back and do something completely stupid with it making it one step forward nine and a half thousand steps back.

[TakerNGN74]

So I guess with TNA moving back to Thursdays the Monday Night War Part 2 as some people were calling it is officially over. They shouldn't have even of tried they should have known right away that they had no chance in hell of competing with the WWE and this just proves it (and makes me laugh at the same time).

[fatallylost]

I think moving to Monday wasn't a bad idea, but, they needed to grow much more than just getting Hogan. I watch the show, sparingly fast forwarding through stuff, naturally. But, they either need to be completely opposite, or, more of a household name to have even tried taking on a show that's been on Monday nights at 9pm for, how long now? 17+ years?

[Self]

I dunno. Seems like it was worth a try to me. I know I really enjoyed the first couple of head-to-head shows, streaming both simultaneously on my computer, switching the audio to whichever was the most interesting at the time. Good times. I never got to do that with the original Monday Night Wars.

... but ultimately I think there aren't enough fans of this modern wrestling product to keep head-to-head shows afloat. Back in the 90's, this product was new and exciting and it created wrestling fans. Now, the product is... stale, stagnant, familiar. Going head-to-head was never going to create many new fans, just pit existing fans against each other.

I think there are a lot of potential wrestling fans who could have been reeled in. There are ex-fans who don't enjoy 'Sports Entertainment just begging to be lured back. There are people who have no idea they like wrestling, but can be drawn in by some as-yet-undiscovered product. TNA didn't cater to either of them. It was exactly the same as RAW, albeit with a slightly different cast and paced a bit quicker. If you put CSI:New York and CSI:Miami on head-to-head, will that really generate new fans?

[Stennick]

So couple of things Morgan has shot up to 29 percent of the vote which I find strange considering well considering the spoilers.

Also I thought we could vote as many times as possible but I voted yesterday came back to vote today and it says "your vote has already been submitted".

"vote for your Top Contender often." is exactly what it says on the poll page. I almost feel like maybe it might be not as on the up and up this week considered their obvious unhappyness with the poll results last week. That and with only being able to vote once I think its their way of saying "we're going to stop you internet guys from pounding your choices down our throat" although I think thats ironic since its became obvious the internet fans make up a good majority of that fragile fanbase they have left.

Anyway if its rigged then thats fine but really what is the point in a rigged setting like this? They say they want what the fans want but then their going to say "well if we tell them this is what they wanted thats the same thing". Just bothers me when they tell me their doing this for me when everything they do only frees up my Thursday night viewing schedule a little more.

[Hyde Hill]

Do not think the vote is rigged and do think it is a good idea to make it one vote pp so that the vote represents as wide a fanbase as possible and not a passionate internet or UK minority. As although those fanbases are passionate they are a fraction and less likely to spend money on the product due to being more internet savy.

[Hyde Hill]

On the move to Monday's it could have workerd if A) It had been booked better B) It had been promoted better C) If they had done 8-10 immediately D) If they had done so immediately after Monday the 4th.

Monday the 4th showed that people where interested as even for a part head to head the total wrestling audience was bigger then ever plus it was a cheap way for TNA to increase brand awareness among existing wrestling fans, the follow up after simply pissed that momentum and goodwill away though and then going immediately 9-11 killed the possibility of a lead in audience.

Anyone want a good analysis I recommend the Bill Behren's podcast that I posted a while back. He has worked for TNA has booked NWA Wildside is the representative/agent of many current and past TNA talent and has worked in television.

[Self]

Did Desmond Wolfe really top the poll because of a "UK Minority"? Is this like people thinking William Regal is especially popular in the UK? Our wrestling mostly comes from the States, so whoever's popular over there is popular over here. We have a little National pride, we'll give Rob Terry a courtesy pop when they announce he's from just down the road, but there hasn't been anyone of Davey Boy Smith level for a while... Mostly because the Brits are so often portrayed as heels.

Personally I'd put the 'blame' on Desmond's dominance on RoH-fans and typical internet smark/heel-marks trying to buck the system (or clamouring for a RVD-Desmond match of a decent length) rather than the British element.

[Comradebot]

Did Desmond Wolfe really top the poll because of a "UK Minority"? Is this like people thinking William Regal is especially popular in the UK? Our wrestling mostly comes from the States, so whoever's popular over there is popular over here. We have a little National pride, we'll give Rob Terry a courtesy pop when they announce he's from just down the road, but there hasn't been anyone of Davey Boy Smith level for a while... Mostly because the Brits are so often portrayed as heels.

Personally I'd put the 'blame' on Desmond's dominance on RoH-fans and typical internet smark/heel-marks trying to buck the system (or clamouring for a RVD-Desmond match of a decent length) rather than the British element.

This.

More specifically, I think its ROH/general "smart marks" who all wish to lose their virginity to the glory that is Nigel McGuiness.

That said, I don't mind. Desmond Wolfe rocks, and if I voted a second time it'd be for him. But I'll be honest and stick with my one vote for now (on Mr. Anderson... Anderson...).

[Hyde Hill]

Combo of that vote in my mind. Sorry if I was not clear about that, I meant them with the passionate internet people.

And Desmond unlike Regal has actually been a cool heel while still having British accents to his character which would help. Not the typical smarmy Brit.

[Stennick]

He's back in the lead as of today with 30 percent of 7,000 votes. Its even more interesting this time since you can only vote once so in theory even more "people" are voting for Desmond this time in theory. I hope he keeps winning every week until they figure out we want to see this guy.

[The Final Countdown]

He's back in the lead as of today with 30 percent of 7,000 votes. Its even more interesting this time since you can only vote once so in theory even more "people" are voting for Desmond this time in theory. I hope he keeps winning every week until they figure out we want to see this guy.
The more likely scenario: he wins every week, and the matches get shorter and more decisive every week. :p

[Wrestling Century]

I voted for Rhino this time around. I think that he should get the nice long world title reign that he deserves, IMO he is one of the most underrated wrestlers ever.

[The Stallion]

I voted for Rhino this time around. I think that he should get the nice long world title reign that he deserves, IMO he is one of the most underrated wrestlers ever.

Rhino has gotten the short end of the stick since coming to TNA. He was not even given a chance to run with the ball as the World Champion after winning the Title at the first Bound for Glory. It was a huge night for Rhino and everybody was pumped to see Rhino as the World Champion and what does TNA do? They have him lose it right back to Jarrett on the very next Impact. I was so pissed. Rhino could very well be a top-level talent if given the chance.

[Trashbear]

Rhino has gotten the short end of the stick since coming to TNA. He was not even given a chance to run with the ball as the World Champion after winning the Title at the first Bound for Glory. It was a huge night for Rhino and everybody was pumped to see Rhino as the World Champion and what does TNA do? They have him lose it right back to Jarrett on the very next Impact. I was so pissed. Rhino could very well be a top-level talent if given the chance.

I think there was a point right around the time that WWE started the ECW rehash that Rhino could have been huge. He cut this super emotional promo about what the old ECW stood for, what he stood for and all that stuff. The live crowd was so into it, but they never went anywhere with it. Typical TNA. Too bad, because he had a great look and was a good worker that the people really bought into.

[thepeopleschamp]

I've always liked Rhino but in every fed he's been in he hasn't gotten a real solid push outside of ECW so that has me thinking does it have something to do with Rhino's atitude I haven't heard about anything but thats the only thing I can think of instead of just politics backstage holding him back but idk I hope he gets a good push but since i haven't seen Rhino on my TV in about 4 weeks maybe longer I doubt he will get a shot at the title any time soon

[Hyde Hill]

I know the penchant of people to compare TNA to WCW in its dying days, but after reading up some stuff it is equally comparable booking wise to the early Hogan days so lets just hope for that because after that cluster f period came the great period.

[PeterHilton]

Rhino is meh.

That's the problem. He's not spectacular at any one thing.

He's a power based wrestler who's like 5'10" tops. He's a decent interview, but nothing to write home about. Little repetitive to be honest.

He's good in the ring, but I don't think i've ever seen a Rhino match I'd say was truly 'memorable.'

He's a perfectly acceptable midcard worker that can play face or heel, but that's about it.

He needs a monster push to really get over with the crowd, but 5 years into his TNA career, on a roster where he's nowhere near the most well known or talented, I think you can hang up the idea of Rhino being turned into a superstar any time soon.

[Hyde Hill]

Yep he is good midcarder and at best uppermidcarder given the current TNA roster imho. But hell if The Band and others get so much TV time why not Rhino?

[PeterHilton]

Yep he is good midcarder and at best uppermidcarder given the current TNA roster imho. But hell if The Band and others get so much TV time why not Rhino?

Because, at one point in time, Hall and Nash were among the biggest names, biggest draws, and most well known names in the history of the industry.

They are 'has beens'

Rhino - in comparison - is a never was.

[Stennick]

I find it amazing that they have brought in Hogan, Flair, The Outsiders, Sting, Hall, Nash, Randy Savage, Booker T, Micky Foley, Eric Bischoff, The Dudley Boys, the New Age Outlaws, Scott Steiner, RVD, Jeff Hardy, Rick Steiner, Christian, Rhino and ALL of these names that have been a draw and made money all over the place.

Out of all of those names not one of them has ever brought them past 1.0 I remember when Sting debuted it was a big deal back in 2006 TNA got to a 1.0 for the first time. FOUR years later and they have stayed put.

They have made millions of dollars out to all of these old stars and not one of them has done a single thing to grow this companies brand. Thats millions of dollars I wouldn't bat an eye if you told me there was over ten millions dollars spent in total on those names. Heck Hogan, Flair, and Eric are probablly 2.5 mil just there by themselves. You add in RVD, Hardy, Angle, Sting and your into the 5 mil range then you take into account Nash, Foley and whoever else and you can easily say they have dropped ten million on all of these names.

Just think of the marketing campaign you could do with ten million dollars. Whats a Super Bowl commerical go for these days? They have spent a lot of money on these guys and they don't get it. Not ONE of them was drawing anything by themselves when they were brought in. When WCW brought in Hogan he was two years removed from being the biggest wrestling star on the planet and nobody had filled that void over in the WWF. He was still the biggest name in pro wrestling. The Outsiders haven't been draws since about 1998 or so.

I'm all for bringing in RVD, Angle, Hardy, I'm all for bringing these guys in. At some point you have to look at what your paying and what concessions you're making to bring these guys in and what you're getting out of it. Is Hulk Hogan really that relevant of a name inside pro wrestling? Not really. Sure to the media he looks "credible" but what does that matter when the media don't have neilson boxes to bump the ratings and don't have a 100,000 people laying around to increase buy rates.

In four years they haven't grown a lick, they've moved time slots, they've moved days they've brought in every available mega star of the last twenty years and still not a single blip in the ratings.

[Hyde Hill]

He's back in the lead as of today with 30 percent of 7,000 votes. Its even more interesting this time since you can only vote once so in theory even more "people" are voting for Desmond this time in theory. I hope he keeps winning every week until they figure out we want to see this guy.

According to 411 Mania someone got by the 1 vote pp system and set it up so he voted for Wolf every second. Thanks for ruining the system mate grrr.

[Hive]

Does it really matter who gets a title shot when it only results in a 3-minute loss anyway...?

[Linsolv]

According to 411 Mania someone got by the 1 vote pp system and set it up so he voted for Wolf every second. Thanks for ruining the system mate grrr.

That seems hard to believe. He's only ahead of the next highest guy by a couple thousand votes. That's only like half an hour of 1 guy spamming once per second.

[Hyde Hill]

That seems hard to believe. He's only ahead of the next highest guy by a couple thousand votes. That's only like half an hour of 1 guy spamming once per second.

Source:

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/138199/Various-News:-Beth-Phoenix-Injured,-WWE-to-Announce-Earnings,-More.htm

Apparently it allowed him to do it every second for a couple of hours, so not automatically my bad. It is still screwing with the system and gives TNA a valid reason to pull the plug or ignore it even more. And yeah not that it matters much given the squash Wolf got but still.

[The Final Countdown]

So is this current poll for next week? If so...didn't they already tape next week's show?

[Hyde Hill]

No its for post ppv as originally intended, is my understanding, so 411 kinda got that wrong. The Wolf shot was a one off to cap off the introduction of the system.

[sheepy]

I find it amazing that they have brought in Hogan, Flair, The Outsiders, Sting, Hall, Nash, Randy Savage, Booker T, Micky Foley, Eric Bischoff, The Dudley Boys, the New Age Outlaws, Scott Steiner, RVD, Jeff Hardy, Rick Steiner, Christian, Rhino and ALL of these names that have been a draw and made money all over the place.

Out of all of those names not one of them has ever brought them past 1.0 I remember when Sting debuted it was a big deal back in 2006 TNA got to a 1.0 for the first time. FOUR years later and they have stayed put.

They have made millions of dollars out to all of these old stars and not one of them has done a single thing to grow this companies brand. Thats millions of dollars I wouldn't bat an eye if you told me there was over ten millions dollars spent in total on those names. Heck Hogan, Flair, and Eric are probablly 2.5 mil just there by themselves. You add in RVD, Hardy, Angle, Sting and your into the 5 mil range then you take into account Nash, Foley and whoever else and you can easily say they have dropped ten million on all of these names.

Just think of the marketing campaign you could do with ten million dollars. Whats a Super Bowl commerical go for these days? They have spent a lot of money on these guys and they don't get it. Not ONE of them was drawing anything by themselves when they were brought in. When WCW brought in Hogan he was two years removed from being the biggest wrestling star on the planet and nobody had filled that void over in the WWF. He was still the biggest name in pro wrestling. The Outsiders haven't been draws since about 1998 or so.

I'm all for bringing in RVD, Angle, Hardy, I'm all for bringing these guys in. At some point you have to look at what your paying and what concessions you're making to bring these guys in and what you're getting out of it. Is Hulk Hogan really that relevant of a name inside pro wrestling? Not really. Sure to the media he looks "credible" but what does that matter when the media don't have neilson boxes to bump the ratings and don't have a 100,000 people laying around to increase buy rates.

In four years they haven't grown a lick, they've moved time slots, they've moved days they've brought in every available mega star of the last twenty years and still not a single blip in the ratings.

Agreed, they managed to snare the biggest name in wrestling in 2008 / 2009 - the guy selling the most merchandise, the guy who won multiple world titles, performed in the best matches and not make a big deal out of it having him debut during an opening match and then not appear.

Hulk Hogan 2010 was not as big a draw as Jeff Hardy 2010 but you wouldn't know that considering their respective pushes. If they were worried about his drug issues and were waiting to see what happened with that then they should have not debuted him and just sat tight.

Grrrrr, I've gone from a regular viewer to a occasional viewer just cause they killed what TNA used to be about.

Bring back 6 sides and Cornette!!!!!!

[Trashbear]

Agreed, they managed to snare the biggest name in wrestling in 2008 / 2009 - the guy selling the most merchandise, the guy who won multiple world titles, performed in the best matches and not make a big deal out of it having him debut during an opening match and then not appear.

Hulk Hogan 2010 was not as big a draw as Jeff Hardy 2010 but you wouldn't know that considering their respective pushes. If they were worried about his drug issues and were waiting to see what happened with that then they should have not debuted him and just sat tight.

Grrrrr, I've gone from a regular viewer to a occasional viewer just cause they killed what TNA used to be about.

Bring back 6 sides and Cornette!!!!!!

Given Cornette's violent and graphic tirade that earned him a cease and desist letter from TNA's lawyers, I think you have about as much chance of him going back to that company as you have of seeing a donkey fly over your house.

ROH, baby. That's the place to be.

[Remianen]

Given Cornette's violent and graphic tirade that earned him a cease and desist letter from TNA's lawyers

Have a link to this? I find it hard to believe that a corporate entertainment entity would legally insist that someone stop talking about them. Threatening a libel or slander suit wouldn't have teeth since the plaintiff (TNA) would have to prove that the libelous comments are false (hard to do given the nature of the product).

Not saying it didn't happen but it seems like an act of desperation. If the Yankees sent C&Ds to every commentator who slammed them, they wouldn't have the time or resources to win titles. WWE has been criticized by Heyman (among many, many, many others) several times (often in graphic and violent terms by those other than Heyman) but they didn't resort to throwing lawyers at them.

[Slagaholic]

http://jimcornette.com/Commentary.html

[MichiganHero]

http://jimcornette.com/Commentary.html

Wow. Just, wow.

[Hyde Hill]

Lol thought everyone knew about this. Apparently not. Cornette has also ceased speaking to Taylor because of this as he immediately sent the mail on to Russo and he can prove that.

[lazorbeak]

Hahahaha oh my God any respect I had for TNA management is forever gone.

"It is our view that the foregoing statements constitute "terroristic threats" under virtually every jurisdiction in the country, including under the US Code (18 USC 875) and Kentucky State Law (KRS 508.080)."

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/875.html

(this law is about interstate extortion and kidnapping, and is completely irrelevant)

"508.080 Terroristic threatening in the third degree.
(1) Except as provided in KRS 508.075 or 508.078, a person is guilty of terroristic threatening in the third degree when:
(a) He threatens to commit any crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury to another person"

Of course since, even if we assume Cornette's statements were intended as a threat, it wouldn't hold up in criminal charges because 1) it's conditional and 2) it's not immediate and 3) it's not being sent to Russo or with intent that it goes to Russo! Seriously, TNA lawyers? Seriously?

"Indeed, the language of the email is so specific, unequivocal and unconditional..."

Yes, because this:

"I have sworn to myself that I will willingly go to jail if I ever see him in person again, and he had better pray to his fictitious invisible man in the sky that that day never comes." (emphasis added)

is specific, unequivocal, and unconditional. Does he say how he's going to do it? Or that he's going to go to Florida? Or what time? Seriously TNA, hire better lawyers if you want to scare anyone. Otherwise you just look incompetent.

[Remianen]

Thanks for the link. I'm flabbergasted. That "case" is so specious, I would've thought no one who had ever even seen the inside of a law school would actually go through with it. Then again, most lawyers will do anything the client asks for as long as there are billable hours involved.

But wow, just....wow. Yes, there are statements in the email that can be construed as threats in some jurisdictions. Not surprisingly, those jurisdictions also tend to have laws against white women and black men being seen together and sex with animals (sorry Seattle :p). The problem is using the 'terroristic' part. It's a hotbutton, loaded word in these times so it makes TNA's case look even more silly than it really is, in my view.

Wow, I didn't realize that TNA was so absolutely vapid and dense since they obviously don't realize how much money Cornette's rants COULD be making them. Spread virally, even non-wrestling fans would be intrigued to see what the big deal is and (here's the key part) TUNE IN TO IMPACT.

I truly hope Cornette calls their bluff. I also hope Terry Taylor gets the same treatment Cornette wishes on Russo if he indeed snitched by forwarding the email. If it was indeed intercepted and not passed on (companies often say this to protect rats...err, workers) then Cornette should've known better than to send it to a guy's work email.

[ampulator]

This has been news for a quite a while. And Terry Taylor... I don't know. He's a weird case. Outwardly, he's not a bad guy, but for some reason, a lot of people accuse him of being backstabber (too many). When people confront him on it, he never answers the charge; he never disputes it either.

However, most jurisdictions aren't going to do a thing about it. It's not like Cornette has being circling around TNA's set saying "I'm gonna getcha, Russo, you mother!@$%@#$" He's saying this from a far away position. And, since Cornette is doing a lot of commentary these days, you can tell whether he's stable or not... and he's stable. He's very happy at ROH, and very friendly (when you don't piss him off).

And knowing Cornette, he has said he will update us if they send him another letter, which they haven't. Shows you who won.

In fact, Russo has more to worry from Flair and Hogan, who need the money they are getting from TNA. If they even think they are getting screwed by him, they might unload on him. Flair's Old school and Hogan's somewhat as well, so they aren't take crap from Russo.

[Hyde Hill]

Cornette claims that included in the filing was a copy of the e mail he sent where it was clear to see that Taylor had sent it on to Russo. Cornette who used to like Taylor has now added him to his you know what list.

[ampulator]

I know. I listen to Cornette's podcast every week. In fact, I have to say he probably is the "star" of the "Who's Slamming Who?" podcast. They need him for that.

[Blackman]

So wait... IF I claim that I want to murder every single member posting on this page IF they post anything else and call everyone by name, I'm a frickin' terrorist??? Come on...

btw don't sue me!!!! this was exemplary!!!

Russo now lives in fear and fears for his family's health? Oh...my...god, he's even more retarded then we thought.

[justtxyank]

To be honest, that letter was pretty egregious and I lost a lot of respect for Cornette because of it.

I will say it because I am trying to quell the burning in my heart--I hate Vince Russo. I despise Vince Russo. I want Vince Russo to die. If I could figure out a way to murder him without going to prison, I would consider it the greatest accomplishment of my life.

I regularly wake up from dreams in which I am in the act of murdering him. I literally burn whenever I think of him. I have sworn to myself that I will willingly go to jail if I ever see him in person again, and he had better pray to his fictitious invisible man in the sky that that day never comes.

Cornette is insane. Anyone who put these things in writing and actually mean them is disturbed. It amuses me that he writes this hateful garbage and the people getting heat are TNA management. LOL

[Linsolv]

Mostly, Justtyank, because Cornette's got a penchant for hyperbole, and I think it's pretty well known.

So TNA management freaking out over it is pretty skiddish, never mind that as the above folks have said, it's a weak case to begin with.

[Comradebot]

Let's be honest... who here hasn't thought about killing Russo at least once.

[Trashbear]

Mostly, Justtyank, because Cornette's got a penchant for hyperbole, and I think it's pretty well known.


That may be the understatement of the year.

But hey, maybe if I saw Russo crossing the street, my foot might just become paralyzed and thus be unable to reach my brake.

Don't sue me!

[justtxyank]

Mostly, Justtyank, because Cornette's got a penchant for hyperbole, and I think it's pretty well known.

So TNA management freaking out over it is pretty skiddish, never mind that as the above folks have said, it's a weak case to begin with.

I'm not worried about the case. I don't care what he has a penchant for on his blogs and podcasts, that was a personal email. If you mean to tell me that any communication he ever makes is to be taken with a grain of salt, well that's fine but it makes me think even less of him.

By the way, if a friend of mine sent me that letter about my boss and I didn't send it on, I'd be fired if they pulled it up on the server. I also can't say that most corporate honchos wouldn't have their attorneys send letters.

[Self]

Let's be honest... who here hasn't thought about killing Russo at least once.

I haven't. Not because 'killing is wrong' but because Russo's not on my list. Not the best writer, sure, but nothing I lose sleep about. TNA perhaps over-reacted, but it serves Jim Cornette right for saying those things. If someone had emailed me saying he wanted to kill someone I worked with, the least I'd do is tell the 'intended victim' no matter how prone to hyperbole the guy is. Cornette needs to chill out and let it go.

[justtxyank]

I haven't. Not because 'killing is wrong' but because Russo's not on my list. Not the best writer, sure, but nothing I lose sleep about. TNA perhaps over-reacted, but it serves Jim Cornette right for saying those things. If someone had emailed me saying he wanted to kill someone I worked with, the least I'd do is tell the 'intended victim' no matter how prone to hyperbole the guy is. Cornette needs to chill out and let it go.

Agree with this entirely.

I haven't though of killing Russo either. Not because it is illegal, but because I'm not an irrational human being who fantasizes about murder.

[Linsolv]

I would like to add that I read that email a few days before it got linked here (I thought it was a funny coincidence, actually, that the timing was so close together).

Having been listening to Cornette give his shoot interviews for a few hours before that, I really didn't take what he said as particularly threatening but given the stated purpose of the email, it did seem childish to me.

"Hey, Terry, I just wanted to say that me and everyone at TNA are cool. It's not that I don't like you guys, it's just Russo. So that's all.

By the way I wanna ****ing kill that guy Russo, man. I really hate him. Wanna know how much I hate him? Sometimes I think about killing him without even realising it. I mean, I just hate him so much.

OH MY GOOOOOD I HATE VINCE RUSSO. Jeezus, man. I hate him.

But anyways. We're cool, bro.

Yours truly,
Jim Cornette"

[Hive]

It amuses me that he writes this hateful garbage and the people getting heat are TNA management. LOL

It's both amusing and disturbing, actually.

[ampulator]

Agree with this entirely.

I haven't though of killing Russo either. Not because it is illegal, but because I'm not an irrational human being who fantasizes about murder.
I haven't thought of killing Russo, but I sure won't save or help him if got into any trouble. If he drowns in water, I'll let him. I'm not going to risk my life for a guy like Russo.

By the way, Cornette ALWAYS says these things. He's ALWAYS been like this. Besides, there are MANY, MANY, MANY other people that would want to kill Russo more than Cornette would. They just don't say it.

[The Final Countdown]

I haven't. Not because 'killing is wrong' but because Russo's not on my list. Not the best writer, sure, but nothing I lose sleep about. TNA perhaps over-reacted, but it serves Jim Cornette right for saying those things. If someone had emailed me saying he wanted to kill someone I worked with, the least I'd do is tell the 'intended victim' no matter how prone to hyperbole the guy is. Cornette needs to chill out and let it go.
Well put. My taste in wrestling is far closer to Jim Cornette's than Vince Russo's. I think Russo is an absolutely dreadful booker/writer who doesn't belong anywhere near a wrestling promotion. But what Cornette wrote in that e-mail was way over the rope, whether he has a penchant for hyperbole or not. And sending it to Taylor, a TNA employee, was stupid. On the (extremely unlikely) chance that Cornette had actually done something to Russo, what do you think would have happened to Taylor if they'd found that e-mail and he'd never passed it on?

[ampulator]

I don't disagree with Taylor's actions. I just question his motives behind them. Was he really doing it to protect Russo or himself? It was those two, why would I care? But it was to get in good with the management as a way to promote himself (which he has done in the past), and when he knew Cornette well enough (Cornette implies he has said these things to Taylor in the past), then he's scumbag.

Motives behind actions matter. I would do the same, but for different motives. i would never do such a thing for self-promotion, only self-protection or to protect others.

[justtxyank]

I haven't thought of killing Russo, but I sure won't save or help him if got into any trouble. If he drowns in water, I'll let him. I'm not going to risk my life for a guy like Russo.

Well, that's awfully sad. I don't like Russo as a booker, but he's never done anything to me that would mean I'd watch him drown. But hey, if you are the type of person who thinks people should die for doing things you don't like, more power to you.

By the way, Cornette ALWAYS says these things. He's ALWAYS been like this.

So your defense of him saying hateful, violent and disturbing things in a personal email to a TNA employee about another employee (and possibly friend of said employee) is that he always says that stuff? OK I guess?

[justtxyank]

I don't disagree with Taylor's actions. I just question his motives behind them. Was he really doing it to protect Russo or himself? It was those two, why would I care? But it was to get in good with the management as a way to promote himself (which he has done in the past), and when he knew Cornette well enough (Cornette implies he has said these things to Taylor in the past), then he's scumbag.

Motives behind actions matter. I would do the same, but for different motives. i would never do such a thing for self-promotion, only self-protection or to protect others.

Maybe he turned it in because he has no particular loyalty to Cornette, was disturbed by the email, and was equally concerned that if they found out about the email without him turning it in he'd lose his job.

[ampulator]

That's possible. Actually, Taylor has no particular loyalty to anyone that I know about... but's another story altogether...

but in any case, this isn't the first time cornette has said something like this. HE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO RUSSO IF HE EVER SAW HIM, and that's in Interviews, podcasts, radio, paper, you name it, he's said something about Russo and doing something to him on any Medium.

[justtxyank]

That's possible. Actually, Taylor has no particular loyalty to anyone that I know about... but's another story altogether...

but in any case, this isn't the first time cornette has said something like this. HE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO RUSSO IF HE EVER SAW HIM, and that's in Interviews, podcasts, radio, paper, you name it, he's said something about Russo and doing something to him on any Medium.

But, he's in the pro-wrestling business. What he says in interviews, podcasts, etc. can be written off as hyperbole because he is playing to a public audience. What he writes in a private letter is entirely different. I know you guys see that.

[ampulator]

Actually, that's a good point. But he has said it so many times publicly, wouldn't it seem hypocritcal for Cornette to say something different privately? And he's not one to be hypocrite, if you ask me.

And two, Cornette always uses Hyperbole. He may not lie, he may not bend the truth, but he has a tendency to go hyper because he gets worked up easily. And two, he isn't playing to crowd when he says he things. He believes what he says is the truth (even though I disagree with him on that).

[Trashbear]

That's possible. Actually, Taylor has no particular loyalty to anyone that I know about... but's another story altogether...

but in any case, this isn't the first time cornette has said something like this. HE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HE'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING TO RUSSO IF HE EVER SAW HIM, and that's in Interviews, podcasts, radio, paper, you name it, he's said something about Russo and doing something to him on any Medium.

To be fair, I think we're all still waiting for the "Cornette Hates and Murders Russo" videogame series. So there's one medium.

I certainly question the intelligence of sending something like this to someone in Taylor's position, but I never really considered that there was any real intent. I just saw it as venting, however over the top and ridiculous it might be. He would have been better served putting something like this in a journal.

Cornette's never killed a fly so far as I know, so he's cool with me. Hell, you can bet your ass I've thought about killing people I really dislike. Not Russo, since he's not on my personal list. And not over something like wrestling or entertainment. But other people of varying degrees of badness? Yeah, I would very much like five minutes in a room without windows taking extreme liberties with these people.

But then, some people say I'm an angry person.

[ampulator]

Well, I doubt Cornette only knows TAYLOR in TNA, he must have sent (knowing Cornette) something similar to other friends in TNA. But I agree, he shouldn't, but he probably trusted Taylor.

Oh yeah, on the video games... that's just hilarious if I ever such a reference in a video game.

[justtxyank]

Actually, that's a good point. But he has said it so many times publicly, wouldn't it seem hypocritcal for Cornette to say something different privately? And he's not one to be hypocrite, if you ask me.

And two, Cornette always uses Hyperbole. He may not lie, he may not bend the truth, but he has a tendency to go hyper because he gets worked up easily. And two, he isn't playing to crowd when he says he things. He believes what he says is the truth (even though I disagree with him on that).

If he believes what he says to be the truth, then what he said in that email is very disturbing.

[ampulator]

No, he doesn't believe he's going to kill Russo... but he probably believes he should die.

[justtxyank]

No, he doesn't believe he's going to kill Russo... but he probably believes he should die.

He claims to dream about murdering Russo and believes he should die. Because he doesn't like the product he puts out in a wrestling company.

He's messed up.

[ampulator]

Hey, Cornette's always been quirky. If you follow his career, he's been like that for years. And trust me, he isn't the worst. At least he doesn't do anything. Hell, I bet some people believe they shouldn't hurt anyone yet they do so anyway. Those are the people we need to look out for.

[Slagaholic]

He claims to dream about murdering Russo and believes he should die. Because he doesn't like the product he puts out in a wrestling company.

He's messed up.

Cornette blames Russo for doing more than writing a **** product. He blames Russo for ruining lives, ending careers, etc. It isn't just that he wrote a bad product, it's that he had guys doing stunts that wouldn't draw a penny.

Example: Vince Russo is the one who asked Owen Hart to descend from the roof on May 23, 1999.

Just giving some perspective.

[CQI13]

Do we know this as a fact? Besides, in WWF wasn't Russo very filtered as to what he did, meaning McMahon had final say. Shouldn't that anger be directed at VKM and not Russo? Cornette can be entertaining, and he's clearly a bright guy in wrestling. But he's completely off his rocker.

[Remianen]

To be honest, that letter was pretty egregious and I lost a lot of respect for Cornette because of it.

Cornette is insane. Anyone who put these things in writing and actually mean them is disturbed. It amuses me that he writes this hateful garbage and the people getting heat are TNA management. LOL

I have to wonder what world you live in. Either that or me and EVERYONE I KNOW PERSONALLY are so out of whack, we should all be incarcerated. I've seen and heard far worse in a corporate workplace environment (let's see, American Express comes to mind. EMI Records too). People blow these things off because they're the very definition of 'in the heat of the moment'. Let's not even get into email exchanges between friends ("So help me God, I'm gonna put my foot so deep in his ass, his tongue will have a swoosh on it").

I'm not worried about the case. I don't care what he has a penchant for on his blogs and podcasts, that was a personal email. If you mean to tell me that any communication he ever makes is to be taken with a grain of salt, well that's fine but it makes me think even less of him.

By the way, if a friend of mine sent me that letter about my boss and I didn't send it on, I'd be fired if they pulled it up on the server. I also can't say that most corporate honchos wouldn't have their attorneys send letters.

Problem with this logic. First, Russo wasn't Cornette's boss. He was a co-worker. That kills the scale of your example (it's a spat between colleagues, not some grand scheme to take down authority). And similar things have been done at the places I named previously. No 'corporate honchos' sent their lawyers against the employees involved. Then again, American Express might not be 'big enough' to use the methods TNA found necessary. Tempers tend to flare when you get people of different backgrounds and WIDELY different experiences together in a high pressure environment. For example, put a guy from Diner's Club or Discover on an Amex card development team. He's bound to be ROUNDLY hated because his ideas all come from a failed venture with no wide appeal with the target audience to speak of.

[Remianen]

Do we know this as a fact? Besides, in WWF wasn't Russo very filtered as to what he did, meaning McMahon had final say. Shouldn't that anger be directed at VKM and not Russo? Cornette can be entertaining, and he's clearly a bright guy in wrestling. But he's completely off his rocker.

I believe the Owen Hart thing was detailed in 'Wrestling with Shadows' or some documentary about the Harts. Plus, I think more than enough hate is directed at VKM (which partially contributed to the success of the 'Mr. McMahon' gimmick). So even if he is the filter, the person who conceived the idea should also bear some of the blame.

[CQI13]

Fair point. I still think Cornette does and says a lot of these things for shock value. And he does that well I guess.

[lazorbeak]

It amuses me that he writes this hateful garbage and the people getting heat are TNA management. LOL

It's both amusing and disturbing, actually.

I am criticizing TNA management because TNA management's actions were equally childish and laughable, moreso because they instructed an attorney to write such a childish and laughable letter. Should Cornette give himself time to cool down before he hits "send"? Absolutely. He is a performer in everything he does, and it gets him in trouble.

But what do you think the reaction was when TNA received that e-mail? "Oh no he's gonna go hurt Vince!" Please. If anyone there even took what Cornette said to be even an idle threat I would be shocked and amazed. But instead of either a) have someone in the company contact Cornette, a former employee of theirs in person, or b) ignore it as a correspondence between friends, they went with c) threaten hilariously impossible legal action accusing Cornette of making "terroristic" threats. TNA: where no problem is small enough to ignore. Say something sarcastic about TNA on twitter and Eric Bischoff will personally write you a message saying how haters have tiny penises. This really happened (http://www.kickoutwrestling.com/2010/04/kick-out-radio-episode-35_29.html).


By the way, if a friend of mine sent me that letter about my boss and I didn't send it on, I'd be fired if they pulled it up on the server. I also can't say that most corporate honchos wouldn't have their attorneys send letters.


You're assuming a lot of facts not in evidence. Facts like: Russo is Taylor's boss. Cornette sent it to Taylor's TNA work account.

And sending a letter isn't the worst part, it's threatening criminal charges, something that is both preposterous and non-threatening. Tell him to shut up and remind him of his contractual obligations and tell him if he ignores that, it could cost him money.

Because he doesn't like the product he puts out in a wrestling company.

How absurd that a man that has made his livelihood in professional wrestling gets upset when people's poor decision-making hurts that livelihood! It's not as though Jim Cornette is some armchair booker who doesn't have a stake in this. Russo is as personally responsible for WCW folding when it did as AOL, Hogan and Bischoff, in that he took over a company that was still competitive and drove it completely into the ground so that it was gone two years later. Quick, has this helped or hurt the wrestling industry in the past 9 years? Perhaps it cost Jim Cornette money? Perhaps leaving the #2 wrestling promotion in the US cost Cornette more money? I mean, when you don't like someone AND you think they've cost you thousands of dollars and hurt your industry as a whole, is it so ridiculous to say you hate them in an e-mail not addressed to them?

This isn't a fan whining about a hobby, this is someone in a profession that's upset with someone else in the profession, so to act as though this is absurd ignores the fact that this sort of thing does, in fact, happen ALL THE TIME.

[Linsolv]

I think Cornette dislikes Russo primarily because he's got the anti-Midas touch.

Being a youngin relatively new to wrestling I've been working my way through the history of Nitro from 1995 on (which is to say, from the beginning, but I haven't been watching the PPVs), and I gotta say. Bischoff did good work. Russo came in and everything went to ****.

Cornette knows this, and based on his commentary in the past, seems to have a professional disrespect for Russo. Then, after working with him for years at TNA, despite being personally opposed to the fellow, I can only imagine how Cornette, who clearly despises hypocrisy, feels about himself. And that anger can only help to fuel the fire of distaste for Vince.

Then, add in the fact that Jim tends to talk really big -- I don't think it's about what crowds like, I suspect that's his natural way of speaking -- and you get a letter like that.

[Hyde Hill]

Imho everyone comes off bad with this stuff. Cornette is indeed known for hyperbole but he went a bit far here. Still Taylor should have known it was not mean seriously and should have seen it as a personal e-mail even though it was to his corporate account. Russo comes over as a wimp. TNA management comes over as over reacting and being ridiculous.

All in all bad for all involved.

[ampulator]

I just want to point out that Cornette dislikes Heyman, McMahon, Bischoff, Hogan, yet he has never threatened to kill them.

That's because he probably believes Russo is on a whole different level of "****".

[Hyde Hill]

I just want to point out that Cornette dislikes Heyman, McMahon, Bischoff, Hogan, yet he has never threatened to kill them.

That's because he probably believes Russo is on a whole different level of "****".

If I remember correctly though Russo was not even in hist top 5 **** list on his youshoot. He definitely was not no1.

[Hyde Hill]

At 7.15 Eastern (20 mins from now) Bischoff will be on Mondaynightmayhem show answering questions from callers and posted on his facebook page. Should be interesting.

[Moe Hunter]

So your defense of him saying hateful, violent and disturbing things in a personal email to a TNA employee about another employee (and possibly friend of said employee) is that he always says that stuff? OK I guess?

You don't think it's relevant that he's been "threatening" everyone forever, and has zero *actual* incidents? I'd say it's solid character evidence towards it being completely empty "threats", with no real intent.

[Mr.Macho]

Cornette doesn’t hate Heyman, Bischoff or Hogan. He dislikes them, although respects Heyman – just thought I would point them out after watch his shoot, which did include a lot of ****** and mentions of Vince Russo in the same sentence lmao.

[justtxyank]

How absurd that a man that has made his livelihood in professional wrestling gets upset when people's poor decision-making hurts that livelihood! It's not as though Jim Cornette is some armchair booker who doesn't have a stake in this.

It is certainly not absurd for him to be upset or to dislike Russo. There is a big leap from "upset" to the email he wrote.

Russo is as personally responsible for WCW folding when it did as AOL, Hogan and Bischoff, in that he took over a company that was still competitive and drove it completely into the ground so that it was gone two years later.

Ratings went up when he first took over didn't they? He didn't sign any contracts did he?

Quick, has this helped or hurt the wrestling industry in the past 9 years?

Neutral? I can't say he's hurt the industry. I don't think if we pulled him out of the last 9 years much would change.

Perhaps it cost Jim Cornette money? Perhaps leaving the #2 wrestling promotion in the US cost Cornette more money? I mean, when you don't like someone AND you think they've cost you thousands of dollars and hurt your industry as a whole, is it so ridiculous to say you hate them in an e-mail not addressed to them?

Not at all. Hate /= fantasizing about murder

This isn't a fan whining about a hobby, this is someone in a profession that's upset with someone else in the profession, so to act as though this is absurd ignores the fact that this sort of thing does, in fact, happen ALL THE TIME.

Find me another example where someone has said the things Cornette said since it happens all the time.

[Trashbear]

Neutral? I can't say he's hurt the industry. I don't think if we pulled him out of the last 9 years much would change.



Then I think you would be wrong.

[lazorbeak]

It is certainly not absurd for him to be upset or to dislike Russo. There is a big leap from "upset" to the email he wrote.

Agreed, but my point is you're marginalizing/failing to understand his frustration by saying it's because he doesn't like Russo's booking.

Ratings went up when he first took over didn't they? He didn't sign any contracts did he?

Yes, when he first took over. Then in a matter of months their ppv buyrates had nose-dived. Again, WCW in 1999 was competitive, WCW in 2000 was a joke and WCW in 2001 didn't exist. Do you really think it did anyone any favors to book an angle where Jarrett lays down for Hogan, then Russo shoots on him? What is the pay-off for something like that, other than costing everyone piles of money?


Find me another example where someone has said the things Cornette said since it happens all the time.

Why is the burden on me to do that? If a testimonial from someone like Remi isn't good enough I don't know what to tell you, because you're not going to find a dozen cases on stuff like this because it is so harmless and common-place it doesn't even go to court.

Again, I wouldn't do what Cornette did, and certainly he could stand to learn some restraint, but acting like he is the bad guy because he went on a rant in an e-mail is just silly.

[justtxyank]

Then I think you would be wrong.

Unfortunately we'll never know. Russo is a pretty lame booker, but I don't know that anyone who would do any better was ever going to run TNA, and WCW didn't do much better when they took power from him and were doing poorly when they gave it to him. Certainly I don't think he is responsible for the WWE sucking.

Agreed, but my point is you're marginalizing/failing to understand his frustration by saying it's because he doesn't like Russo's booking.

I'm not marginalizing it. I know he has good reason to have issues with Russo. I get that.

Yes, when he first took over. Then in a matter of months their ppv buyrates had nose-dived. Again, WCW in 1999 was competitive, WCW in 2000 was a joke and WCW in 2001 didn't exist. Do you really think it did anyone any favors to book an angle where Jarrett lays down for Hogan, then Russo shoots on him? What is the pay-off for something like that, other than costing everyone piles of money?


Of course all that stuff was crap. WCW was doing a lot of crappy stuff in their desperation. It was crappy with him and without him in the end.


Why is the burden on me to do that? If a testimonial from someone like Remi isn't good enough I don't know what to tell you, because you're not going to find a dozen cases on stuff like this because it is so harmless and common-place it doesn't even go to court.

The burden is on you because you made the claim. Not me. And who is Remi and why should what he said be relevant to me? I don't mean offense by that, but I don't know him at all.

Again, I wouldn't do what Cornette did, and certainly he could stand to learn some restraint, but acting like he is the bad guy because he went on a rant in an e-mail is just silly.

He's not the bad guy. He's unstable. TNA management may be petty or silly or whatever word you want to use, but if it were Vince Russo saying these things about Jim Cornette I think the reaction here would be totally different.

[Linsolv]

"I'm gonna kill that guy" is a common hyperbole. A milder form (but not saying anything different) is "When I get my hands on him..." implying "what's gonna happen is I'm gonna kill him."

Normally, the burden of proof would indeed be on us, except that everyone here other than you agrees that it's commonplace enough that particular cases aren't even noteworthy.

[Stennick]

I can't believe we've wasted two or three pages on this argument.

Cornette is without a net these days. He's on the outer fringes of the industry hanging around ROH because its the only place he could get a job thats even somewhat relevant in this business.

What he said was stupid but clearly it was just Bischoff and company trying to put a gag on Cornette for all of his tirades against TNA's bad booking. Not because Cornette would effect them but because its what happens in this industry. Hell even Vince screws with TNA whenever the mood strikes just not in such public ways. They did it because Cornette most likely left on bad terms, he was on the internet running them down, they couldn't do anything about it and then bam he says something stupid and all of the sudden they have a way to shut the guy up. Again not because he was effecting their day to day lives but because he was annoying and we all wanna shut annoying people up.

The truth is though that who knows what Cornette would do. Would Cornette try to kill Russo? Most likely not, would he take a few shots at him if they were in the same place together? Maybe. This is the guy that smacked around Santino when he wasn't getting Cornette's angle over. He's unpredictable but I believe it has its limits.

I don't get what the argument is. Cornette was 100 percent wrong for his stupid outbursts. You can't threaten someone's life in a public setting. You can't do it, no matter how empty or how much of an expression it is. This world has shown us time and time again (benoit) that anybody is capable of anything no matter how unlikely it seems. Its not like TNA is trying to seek this guys entire life savings I'm sure its more of a "hey get this guy to stop saying stupid things on the internet" sort of deal. Is TNA wrong for doing that? Certainly not.

There is no issue. Cornette said something dumb he shouldn't have said and TNA at the very least wants to make sure thats documented and more or less wants to use it as a tool to keep their name out of Cornette's mouth. The argument is non existent and silly for it to take up three pages.

[justtxyank]

"I'm gonna kill that guy" is a common hyperbole. A milder form (but not saying anything different) is "When I get my hands on him..." implying "what's gonna happen is I'm gonna kill him."

Normally, the burden of proof would indeed be on us, except that everyone here other than you agrees that it's commonplace enough that particular cases aren't even noteworthy.

You are trivializing what he said and using minimization to reduce it to a generic form that is less abrasive. He did not say "I'm gonna kill that guy!"

He said

I will say it because I am trying to quell the burning in my heart--I hate Vince Russo. I despise Vince Russo. I want Vince Russo to die. If I could figure out a way to murder him without going to prison, I would consider it the greatest accomplishment of my life.

I regularly wake up from dreams in which I am in the act of murdering him. I literally burn whenever I think of him. I have sworn to myself that I will willingly go to jail if I ever see him in person again, and he had better pray to his fictitious invisible man in the sky that that day never comes.

That is significantly more than some benign "I'm gonna kill that guy." You make it sound as if it were a throw away line in an otherwise simple email. It wasn't. The point of the email was to express Cornette's deep seeded hatred for someone in particular.

With that, there is nothing else to say. If you believe what Cornette said to be rational, reasonable, justifiable and not meriting a response from TNA, fine. More power to you. We'll just have to agree to disagree. I will say I would be disappointed if I worked for a company that when given that email simply said "lol no big deal!"

[lazorbeak]

With that, there is nothing else to say. If you believe what Cornette said to be rational, reasonable, justifiable and not meriting a response from TNA, fine. More power to you. We'll just have to agree to disagree. I will say I would be disappointed if I worked for a company that when given that email simply said "lol no big deal!"

Seriously let. It. Go. Nobody's saying that, and you still don't seem to get it. Whatever, move on with life.

There is no issue. Cornette said something dumb he shouldn't have said and TNA at the very least wants to make sure thats documented and more or less wants to use it as a tool to keep their name out of Cornette's mouth. The argument is non existent and silly for it to take up three pages.

Agreed that it's stupid that it's been talked about for 3 pages, but as I've said, the problem is TNA's comically ineffective overreaction. Nobody gets scared over criminal charges when the language of the statute obviously contradicts the letter. If you want to shut someone up, threaten their wallet.

[Hyde Hill]

Everybody involved in this farce comes off as stupid and if this continues longer so will we for wasting so much time on something this nonsensical.

[Stennick]

After reading that its obvious that he was going into hyperbole but none the less thats some pretty crazy stuff to say out in public. I would be willing to bet that Vince's lawyers would contact somebody if that were said about him.

I don't think any of us can claim to know just how serious or non serious Cornette was. How many times have we thought somebody was joking only for them to be dead serious about something at the very least awkward and sometimes downright creepy.

I don't see a problem with them alerting the authorities of it and beyond that I don't know and don't care what they have done with it.

Since there are so much more credible things to hammer on TNA about I'm going to switch gears of this thread.

In Eric's interview online he kept saying "the research told us this and that". My question is who was pegged for this research? Where they wrestling fans? Where they just random people who they pulled off the streets? You can't hire a research firm full of people who don't know the genre to tell you what to do.

One curious thing that has me baffled is he was asked about Matt Morgan. He said he's not the head of creative (which he's not) so he can't speak on future plans for Matt Morgan. He thought Morgan was talented and he enjoyed his work but he couldn't say what the future held for Morgan. He said he didn't want to give away any insight into the companies stories since so much of that is leaked the way it is.

What makes me wonder is why wouldn't you talk up Matt Morgan more? I'm not saying "omgz Matt's in the doghouse". I'm sure they got plans to feature Matt heavily on their shows for a long time to come. What I find curious though is that why wouldn't Eric talk this guy up as a five tool guy, the best big man in the business, buckets of charisma and he's taken the ball and ran at every level they've asked him to. I mean they could have really laid it on thick. Also although he's not head of creative much like in WCW he's Russo's filter. He doesn't like writing full scripts so he just tweaks Russo's. So although he's not the head of creative he's the last stop before the script is put on the air.

There is talk of a Matt Morgan vs. Joe match at the ppv. I'm baffled since what the hell does this have to do with anything. Joe is a killing machine coming back and beating everything in his path down. Matt is on a big roll in the gimmick of being able to defend the tag team championships on his own. The two shouldn't be crossing paths yet. It seems like its a "hey people want to see Joe vs. Morgan we should do that". Instead lets have some build up to it. Morgan was set for his own storyline with Ink and now thats been thrown out the window.

It just seems weird that Eric was reluctant to talk about Morgan yet said RVD was the type of guy that could carry the company and attract new fans and would be a good representative of the TNA Title.

[Linsolv]

I also come off as stupid and nonsensical.

Anything good happened in the last few weeks?

With House coming back, TNA had to get pushed off the DVR. It'll come back on when it moves back to Thursday in a few weeks.

[GDE71]

I also come off as stupid and nonsensical.

Anything good happened in the last few weeks?

With House coming back, TNA had to get pushed off the DVR. It'll come back on when it moves back to Thursday in a few weeks.

It's on Thursday in two days.....

[Linsolv]

Oh. I thought it was in June. That must be Lie To Me. Scheduling's so tricky.

[Hyde Hill]

Oh. I thought it was in June. That must be Lie To Me. Scheduling's so tricky.

And In June TNA Reaction, 1 hour before Impact starts, might be the reason you got mixed up.

[The Stallion]

Diva-Dirt.com is reporting that TNA has signed indy female Betsy Ruth for the Knockout's division. Ruth who was trained by Team 3D recently had a tryout match where Daffney was injured on a botched spot. Ruth posted the following on her Twitter: “One of the most emotional days EVER!!!!! That’s all I gotta say.”

Anybody have any info on her. Any pictures, video or anything. Thanks in advance.

[djthefunkchris]

Anybody have any info on her. Any pictures, video or anything. Thanks in advance.

Lot's come up on google with her... at a glance she is a bigger girl, but not HUGE, just thicker then most. Probably signing her to take the place of Amazing Kong or something (Just a guess). I didn't take the time to watch any match's or anything.

EDIT: Yeah, I just watched a couple match's (fast forward). I'm going to say she's probably there to be their next monster girl. After watching, I'm more confident of that..>She is pretty big.

[lazorbeak]

Lot's come up on google with her... at a glance she is a bigger girl, but not HUGE, just thicker then most. Probably signing her to take the place of Amazing Kong or something (Just a guess). I didn't take the time to watch any match's or anything.

EDIT: Yeah, I just watched a couple match's (fast forward). I'm going to say she's probably there to be their next monster girl. After watching, I'm more confident of that..>She is pretty big.

Yeah I'd say she's pretty huge. She's listed at 6'1, 250. Her gimmick has apparently been that she's the great-granddaughter of Babe Ruth. Kind of a shame Kong's gone as I think there'd be some interest in seeing the two feud.

[djthefunkchris]

Yeah I'd say she's pretty huge. She's listed at 6'1, 250. Her gimmick has apparently been that she's the great-granddaughter of Babe Ruth. Kind of a shame Kong's gone as I think there'd be some interest in seeing the two feud.

Well, I was thinking along those lines. I have my thoughts about Kong though, as far as now that the "problem" has been shown the door, perhaps they might bring her back (after she cools off about being released).

I would, anyways. She's a ton of fun. Has the "cartoony" looks down better then most any female I've ever watched, and tells a story in the ring that is better then most men.

[The Stallion]

Yea I finally saw a video with Bety Ruth. She's ok, still very green by the looks of the match on her web site. If TNA does bring her in she will need a new gimmick since the baseball player gimmick went out in the late 80's.

[Comradebot]

Yea I finally saw a video with Bety Ruth. She's ok, still very green by the looks of the match on her web site. If TNA does bring her in she will need a new gimmick since the baseball player gimmick went out in the late 80's.

So did half the roster, but that didn't stop TNA from signing them!

[justtxyank]

[/B]

So did half the roster, but that didn't stop TNA from signing them!

Haha zing!:D

[djthefunkchris]

Yea I finally saw a video with Bety Ruth. She's ok, still very green by the looks of the match on her web site. If TNA does bring her in she will need a new gimmick since the baseball player gimmick went out in the late 80's.



So did half the roster, but that didn't stop TNA from signing them!

Haha zing!:D

I was going to post "Yeah, but if maybe they gave her a bat and had her come down from the rafter's every now and then, it would be GREAT!"... but decided not to... well, till now, lol.

[ampulator]

Well, I was thinking along those lines. I have my thoughts about Kong though, as far as now that the "problem" has been shown the door, perhaps they might bring her back (after she cools off about being released).

I would, anyways. She's a ton of fun. Has the "cartoony" looks down better then most any female I've ever watched, and tells a story in the ring that is better then most men.
The problem is Awesome Kong wasn't paid enough, from what I heard. If Kong thinks she can get more money outside of TNA, I doubt she's going back.

In fact, it's not because of Bubba she wanted to leave... she wanted to leave before that. But Bubba only made even more mad and determined to leave.

[djthefunkchris]

The problem is Awesome Kong wasn't paid enough, from what I heard. If Kong thinks she can get more money outside of TNA, I doubt she's going back.

In fact, it's not because of Bubba she wanted to leave... she wanted to leave before that. But Bubba only made even more mad and determined to leave.

I skimmed that discussion before, but I don't believe most of the debate about it.... I believe she wanted more, I don't believe she makes more outside of TNA though. I know there has been alot of debate about that, however I believe the only way she could is to work alot more (and I mean like five shows a week).

I agree with her though. If your doing the work that the other's are, drawing the numbers etc.. then you need to be paid as well as they are. However, that's not saying running over to Shimmer or someplace is going to actually pay you better. IF you work for a high classed place on Wall Street, that pays everyone around 100k a year, but your only making 75k, you should be upset. However, it's not likely you can turn around and work for some Mom and Pop's place and make more doing the same thing. Sure, if you take up three or four jobs as a replacement you can make a little more, but it's going to take alot more work.

So, although I agree with her, I don't believe her.

[ampulator]

Actually, it's not Kong that said she wasn't paid enough. It was actually some inside source that said it first. Kong didn't actually confirm it until later. In fact, the inside source also showed how little most of other Knockouts are paid, but some them were allowed more indy bookings.

I think they didn't allow, contractually or mangerially, Kong to take more Indy bookings... probably because they wanted to use her more often.

Also, she wanted to leave, at first, not for monetary reasons, but for personal reasons. It's why she was so reluctant to confirm the pay she was getting in the first place.

[The Final Countdown]

So this girl injures someone in her tryout match...and gets signed anyway? That doesn't make much sense to me, unless what happened to Daffney wasn't her fault.

[Linsolv]

Well, and I don't mean any offense here, but looking at her size I don't find it hard to believe that getting tackled into the corner might cause an injury.

[The Celt]

The Entire Monday Night Wars 2k in 4 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH1xm2fOXD4&playnext_from=TL&videos=wFv64Wm_7S0&feature=sub

[The Final Countdown]

"It's not about me, it's really not."

*Cut to Hogan punching out Wolfe, Beer Money and AJ Styles.*

Brilliant.

[The Celt]

After seeing that video, I legitimately know now that if I should ever meet Bubba the Love Sponge in my lifetime, I will punch his lights out.

[The Final Countdown]

After seeing that video, I legitimately know now that if I should ever meet Bubba the Love Sponge in my lifetime, I will punch his lights out.
But then the "Bubba Army" would harass you via the Interwebs! ZOMG!

[Linsolv]

The Bubba Army's more scary than the Scientology navy! Oh noes!

[The Celt]

But then the "Bubba Army" would harass you via the Interwebs! ZOMG!

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/c/c9/Good_Luck_I%27m_Behind_7_Proxies.jpg

[dvdWarrior]

After seeing that video, I legitimately know now that if I should ever meet Bubba the Love Sponge in my lifetime, I will punch his lights out.

He could use a stomp or two as well.

Anywho...

Congratulations to WWE for winning their second Monday Night War. When reached for comments, WWE responded with a thoroughly baffled expression...

"There was a second Monday Night War?!?!?!?!?!"

:eek:

[Trashbear]

He could use a stomp or two as well.

Anywho...

Congratulations to WWE for winning their second Monday Night War. When reached for comments, WWE responded with a thoroughly baffled expression...

"There was a second Monday Night War?!?!?!?!?!"

:eek:

If ever there were a man who needed a good old-fashioned punch-to-the-junk, it's Bubba.

This war...it would be like if one side of the war had tanks and napalm and Green Berets, and all you had were a bunch of crippled kids throwing dirt rocks at the tanks. I would watch Impact tonight, but I think "The Jetsons" is on so...I dunno...35 year-old cartoon, or 55 year-old wrestlers? Tough call.

[MrCanada]

anyone know the status of Kiyoshi? He's not hurt, as he's made appearences in Japan. But is he still with TNA or not?

[Slagaholic]

I think he's still under contract, just not booked.

[dvdWarrior]

anyone know the status of Kiyoshi? He's not hurt, as he's made appearences in Japan. But is he still with TNA or not?

I think he's still under contract, just not booked.

Check YouTube. I think he finds his way into some of the 'Web Matches' they post on there every week.

Come to think of it, I think it might have been a couple of weeks since I've seen him though.

[Slagaholic]

I have to admit, the segment in which The Band win the tag titles wasn't so bad.

[The Final Countdown]

Hall and Nash? In 2010? Really?

Wow.

[Slagaholic]

Motor City ****ing rules.

Hall and Nash? In 2010? Really?

Wow.

It's more likely Nash and Young.

[Linsolv]

I'm less than impressed with this episode. On the other hand, it's pretty good for TNA.

But Ric Flair looked horrible in his promo, and the whole angle with Chelsea... I have trouble not thinking of jokes to make instead of taking it seriously.

Speaking of the Chelsea bit, watching the "arrest" was hilarious -- clearly, the handcuffs weren't on his hands. You can actually see the other cuff being held up by the back of his hand, nowhere near his wrist. (whee! Spoiler averted!)

[The Final Countdown]

Motor City ****ing rules.



It's more likely Nash and Young.
Pretty sure they announced it as Nash and Hall as the champions after the match. Guess they could do the Freebird routine, though. They probably would have to.

And yes, Motor City rules.

[PeterHilton]

Didn't they just do something similar with Chelsea where she "lied" to Pope? How many times can they do the female valet sets-up the face routine?

The backstage interview bits with the more rough handheld camera feel are different, and in a good way.

If the three way is solid then this is a decent episode. If its ruined by bad booking, then not so much.

[Slagaholic]

Desmond Wolfe involved in his own angle!? At least they sorta listened.

They are really pushing the title, good to see.

[Slagaholic]

If you ask me, tonight's show was a big step in the right direction.

[cappyboy]

You know, I gotta give TNA credit for using some less desirable (in my world anyway) talents in interesting ways tonight.

Though I'm not watching the three-way because I don't have much use for Jeff Hardy, I did like how they inserted him into it. The whole thing about the fan voting but oh wait who knows where he even is only to show when AJ's trying to use his flakiness as a reason usurp his spot in the match was quite dramatic. Even as a Jeff hater, I have to admit that was pretty cool.

Also liked how the put the belts on The Band. Not sure I'd have made that booking move myself. But since they did, this was a pretty cool way to do it. Between the surprise element of them showing up, resolving the one man title team, and remembering the woebegotton Feast or Fired shot = taking lemons and making lemonade in my book.

Even Tomko being the one to answer Orlando Jordan's open challenge worked for me. I'll never have any great love for the guy but it was pretty cool in the "Wait. Where'd HE come from" kind of way. I'd pretty much forgotten he was even with TNA before his music started.

They may have been other people I'd have preferred to see in every one of those instances. But I'll give them credit for making the most of Hardy, Tomko and The Band. TNA managed to make all those guys as entertaining to me tonight as they will probably ever be. Makes me almost sad Mr. Anderson wasn't around. ALMOST.

[Linsolv]

Final thoughts: von Erich face turn?

This thing with Chelsea telling obvious lies is getting kinda tiring. Even though it's only happened twice.

[cappyboy]

Final thoughts: von Erich face turn?



Could be. And if that is where they are going, then I'm anxious to see how Angelina responds to Lacey. Will Angelina have a long memory and still resent her for replacing her in The Beautiful People or will they bond over having run afoul of Velvet? The dynamic between them is an interesting one. Kinda reminds me of when The Undertaker replaced Sid in The Skyscrapers and then Sid came back. And while WCW never really explored that to it's full potential, I hope TNA does if Lacey does turn face on The Beautiful People.

[fatallylost]

This is a random thing but, something I noticed while watching impact today.

I've watched TNA on and odd since the weekly ppv days, and, I think I've seen every impact this year, maybe missed one or two.

Anyway.

They have the most generic music for most people. At this point, almost 6 months into the year, where I can definitely say I've seen it week in and week out. Why is it that everytime music hits, I have no clue who it is? Sure, I know a handful of people, cause they have the knock off of whatever song they've used elsewhere.. but, is this just me?

Also, holy crap, did Tomko eat Amazing Red or something?

[Slagaholic]

WWE makes amazing music, in comparison TNA looks poor. They're a lot better than some mid-90s WCW were though. Jesus Christ some of those theme songs were just downright un-listenable.

[fatallylost]

There is truth in that. I had hoped that once TNA really caught on, that maybe the production value would go up. But, not so much. I think they need to find some bands, or, someone out there who they can hook up with, like WWE has on some occasions. Maybe that'll kick start something.

[Stennick]

In in the NWA, WCW whatever and whenever the music was clear and you could atleast tell who it was. You can barely hear the music and their in a t.v studio. Never once have I ever recognized a single TNA them other than one of the Abyss themes. You can barely hear them, they all sound generic. Really its hard to take them serious when you see how small the studio their in.

The WWE is filling up stadiums and arenas world wide and TNA jams roughly 1300 fans into the arena. When I tune into the WWE they have these huge titan trons and big sets and then I tune over to TNA and its hard to hear, its dimly lit, sometimes its so quiet you can hear a pin drop and when it is loud it sounds more like a feisty night at grandma's bingo more than a major wrestling t.v show.

TNA is so focused on guys like Flair and Hogan lending them cred when in reality the casual fan is going to tune in and say "man they must be hurting for money bad if their in this dingy little place".

If I were in TNA the first thing I would do is completely change its appearance. They made a big deal out of the new logo when it looks worse than the last one and its a barely noticable difference. I'd go with something completely new. Then I'd change the set I'd make it stand out more, then I'd focus on getting better equipment in there for production/sound. As well as making "backstage" look more like a "backstage" and not a storage closet with prop walls being put up. They take shots to the outside and you don't see giant parking lots and city landmarks you see roller coaster rides and it all screams second rate.

The WWE has its brand and then brands each worker as well. Everyone from Cena to Taker to Dolph Ziggler has a specified theme, logo, and outfit.

Its not like Eric writes the shows Russo still scripts them and the Bischoff tweaks them and who the hell knows what Hogan does aside from collect a paycheck. Its like everything Bischoff did in 95 to be smart he hasn't even bothered to do. They can put on the best stories ever with the best wrestlers ever but thats only half of the equation. With pro wrestling its about ALL the presentation and no matter how hard you try throwing some "legends" in there with some chaotic storylines and channeling the president with the word "change" every few moments won't cut it. They need a complete overhaul after watching this show tonight I continued to get sucked out of the show by realizing just how bush league they look. I think ROH's HDnet show comes across as TNA's equal as far as production and thats sad considering the budget difference and the fact that you know.......TNA is broadcasting FROM A STUDIO!

[Trashbear]

WWE makes amazing music, in comparison TNA looks poor. They're a lot better than some mid-90s WCW were though. Jesus Christ some of those theme songs were just downright un-listenable.

American Males, American Males, American Males, American Males, American Males, American Males.

[Dragonmack]

I haven't watched TNA too much since the Hogan era started as I am not all that thrilled in seeing every 'big name' from WCW's heydey in the late 90's being the focus of every show. However the few times I have caught some of it, including last night, I can't help but notice how godawfully long most of their angles are. They linger over them well after the point of the angle has already been made and it just drags down everything else around it. The Abyss arrest angle was a good case in point, that just went on too long.

[crownsy]

ya know, I'm well aware it's a set up storyline, but does anyone else find the implied sexual assault angle cringe worthy?

I mean, yea, it's silly and keyfab but do we really need to be sending the scary guy to jail for "assault" on a girl? Can you imagine if abyss turns Heel later? does anyone seriously think the fans won't have some...inappropriate chants about this storyline ready for him?

Between that and using Orlando's sexuality for cheap hateful heat, I'm not sure TNA's booking is moving in the right direction.

This si like, the absolute WORST part of the attutide/WCW era with little to none of the good stuff (see: The band as champs in 2010 when they can barley walk)

I'm also less than thrilled with AJ's "I'm Ric Flair JR!!!" character....just seems so contrived. AJ was a great babyface, not sure you needed to pigion hole him into this role...are people really desperate for the new rick flair? or the new hulk hogan in abyss?

Just seems to me like a bad storyline driven by two guys who can't let it go. Both AJ and Abyss own characters were better...

That's just me though, not impressed with TNA's booking at all, though they continue to put on decent in ring action to keep me tuning in.

[Slagaholic]

I haven't watched TNA too much since the Hogan era started as I am not all that thrilled in seeing every 'big name' from WCW's heydey in the late 90's being the focus of every show. However the few times I have caught some of it, including last night, I can't help but notice how godawfully long most of their angles are. They linger over them well after the point of the angle has already been made and it just drags down everything else around it. The Abyss arrest angle was a good case in point, that just went on too long.

This is very true. They could have told the entire arrest story in 2 segments instead of 5, and in 5 minutes instead of almost 15. The awkward delay between Abyss getting arrested and Hogan taking his mask off was like nails on a chalkboard to me. I hate when segments aren't doing anything. You're on TV dammit, the show is taped! Edit the segment down! Don't just have Hogan standing with his arm around Abyss for 5 minutes while a few rent-a-cops just stare at him...and stare...and nothing happens. That was the one thing that bugged me most about last night.

And with the background segments, just mic em better. I know the feeling is supposed to be voyeuristic, but even ****ty voyeurs have above average mics.

[nucleardonkey]

This is very true. They could have told the entire arrest story in 2 segments instead of 5, and in 5 minutes instead of almost 15. The awkward delay between Abyss getting arrested and Hogan taking his mask off was like nails on a chalkboard to me. I hate when segments aren't doing anything. You're on TV dammit, the show is taped! Edit the segment down! Don't just have Hogan standing with his arm around Abyss for 5 minutes while a few rent-a-cops just stare at him...and stare...and nothing happens. That was the one thing that bugged me most about last night.

I think you missed the point of the segment then. The reason for the delay in taking off the mask was obviously that Hogan didn't want to take it off. He wanted to protect Abyss and Abyss didn't want to lose his mask and thus lose his identity. Plus Desmond Wolfe was still running around threatening Abyss and Hogan was trying to make sure the cops got rid of him.

Of course that all comes back to needing better production because Desmond Wolfe was yelling about how he was going to kill Abyss but you could barely hear him making it look like Hulk was just standing around.

[Slagaholic]

I think you missed the point of the segment then. The reason for the delay in taking off the mask was obviously that Hogan didn't want to take it off. He wanted to protect Abyss and Abyss didn't want to lose his mask and thus lose his identity. Plus Desmond Wolfe was still running around threatening Abyss and Hogan was trying to make sure the cops got rid of him..

Of course that all comes back to needing better production because Desmond Wolfe was yelling about how he was going to kill Abyss but you could barely hear him making it look like Hulk was just standing around.

They never showed Desmond Wolfe on camera. And Hogan milked that "but I don't want to" for far too long. The segment was poorly filmed.

Back to the Orlando Jordan character. I think building him up as a Weirdo Bi Bad Ass could work.

[crownsy]

I think you missed the point of the segment then. The reason for the delay in taking off the mask was obviously that Hogan didn't want to take it off. He wanted to protect Abyss and Abyss didn't want to lose his mask and thus lose his identity. Plus Desmond Wolfe was still running around threatening Abyss and Hogan was trying to make sure the cops got rid of him.

Of course that all comes back to needing better production because Desmond Wolfe was yelling about how he was going to kill Abyss but you could barely hear him making it look like Hulk was just standing around.

I think we all understood Hogan was reluctant to take the mask off. I didn't need to see Hogan going

"I know.....I Know brother.....I know..I...Know" for 5 minutes before he did it. that could have been done in about two.

The point was fine, it was an awfully produced segment.

[GDE71]

Read it on 411wrestling.com who credits PWInsider

In its first show back on Thursdays, last night's Impact scored a 0.93 rating with 1,275,000 viewers.


So not a 1.0 or better but well over a million viewers.