The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[lazorbeak]

The Great Khali is popular in his current role, so I see little reason why Isis doesn't have a chance to be likewise. You can't push clumsy giants to the top any more, but I maintain there's a spot for them, especially when 6'9 and a woman. Chyna wasn't much of a worker, and she had a pretty strong fanbase for a while.

I just don't understand the mindset of anyone who can't think of a place for a giant woman on television. That has the potential to be so over that even if it's a failure that makes sense.

I haven't seen her work, but if she can't wrestle, don't have her wrestle. The crowd resents people pushed beyond their ability, but they also love freaks. As Self said, once Khali stopped going after belts the crowds loved him.

Just have her manage somebody important (read: no one in the x-division). Hell, put her with one of the Hardyz. Or Dinero. There's no shortage of heels in TNA that could use muscular back-up. She doesn't have to do anything but stand in the background with her arms crossed during promos and angles, and then have one to two spots per match, and assuming she's still training, by the time she's ready to go off on her own she will already be hugely over.

It worked for Chyna, but it also worked for Diesel, Batista, and everybody else who got over as a silent bodyguard. But there's always a place for marginally talented folks when they look like they could genuinely hurt somebody.

[ampulator]

Also, TNA has managed to make disasters after miracles are given to them... take defeat right out of the jaws of victory. What makes anyone think that TNA will use anyone properly? If they can't use AJ Styles or Christopher Daniels properly, they certainly aren't going to use her properly.

[juggaloninjalee]

I just don't understand the mindset of anyone who can't think of a place for a giant woman on television. That has the potential to be so over that even if it's a failure that makes sense.

I haven't seen her work, but if she can't wrestle, don't have her wrestle. The crowd resents people pushed beyond their ability, but they also love freaks. As Self said, once Khali stopped going after belts the crowds loved him.

Just have her manage somebody important (read: no one in the x-division). Hell, put her with one of the Hardyz. Or Dinero. There's no shortage of heels in TNA that could use muscular back-up. She doesn't have to do anything but stand in the background with her arms crossed during promos and angles, and then have one to two spots per match, and assuming she's still training, by the time she's ready to go off on her own she will already be hugely over.

It worked for Chyna, but it also worked for Diesel, Batista, and everybody else who got over as a silent bodyguard. But there's always a place for marginally talented folks when they look like they could genuinely hurt somebody.

I actually agree with this a lot. She could manage any of the heel knock outs the same way. This could work and she could easily interfere by just pulling down the top rope making a guy spill to the floor ending all his momentum. When that guy gets back in the ring momentum changes and the match is over.

[jwt13]

I wonder how TNA got God and the Anti-Christ to work together?? :)

[Wrestling Century]

Aligning him with Isis wouldn't just stunt his growth it would regress it entirely. Red is someone that can still be the centrepeice of the X-Division and putting him with Isis would kill him and once the novelty wears off, there's nowhere else to go.


First off, the X Division has been a shell of its former self the past few years, to the point that now there almost isn't a division at all. Secondly, wrestlers that have been in the "bodyguard" role for another wrestler have never overshadowed them. They are in that role to do one of these three things:

1. Job out to everybody (example: Gunner and Murphy)
2. Break into the company (example: Batista) or
3. To make the other wrestler look good (example: Alex Riley)

Name one time when a bodyguard overshadowed the wrestler they were guarding! Until you come up with an example, this discussion is over.

[Astil]

First off, the X Division has been a shell of its former self the past few years, to the point that now there almost isn't a division at all. Secondly, wrestlers that have been in the "bodyguard" role for another wrestler have never overshadowed them. They are in that role to do one of these three things:

1. Job out to everybody (example: Gunner and Murphy)
2. Break into the company (example: Batista) or
3. To make the other wrestler look good (example: Alex Riley)

Name one time when a bodyguard overshadowed the wrestler they were guarding! Until you come up with an example, this discussion is over.

Ezekiel Jackson and The Brian Kendrick

[jwt13]

First off, the X Division has been a shell of its former self the past few years, to the point that now there almost isn't a division at all. Secondly, wrestlers that have been in the "bodyguard" role for another wrestler have never overshadowed them. They are in that role to do one of these three things:

1. Job out to everybody (example: Gunner and Murphy)
2. Break into the company (example: Batista) or
3. To make the other wrestler look good (example: Alex Riley)

Name one time when a bodyguard overshadowed the wrestler they were guarding! Until you come up with an example, this discussion is over.

Nash/HBK

[Wrestling Century]

Ezekiel Jackson and The Brian Kendrick

Nash/HBK

The reason Ezekiel Jackson overshadowed Kendrick is because they were pushing Jackson more than they were pushing Kendrick. Nash didn't overshadow HBK, Nash was just being pushed to the Main Event and the bodyguard thing was just the setup for a fued with HBK. Those aren't examples. At all. :p

[lazorbeak]

I actually agree with this a lot. She could manage any of the heel knock outs the same way. This could work and she could easily interfere by just pulling down the top rope making a guy spill to the floor ending all his momentum. When that guy gets back in the ring momentum changes and the match is over.

Exactly. It gets her over with the crowd so that they want to see her do something without exposing her limitations.

[brashleyholland]

The reason Ezekiel Jackson overshadowed Kendrick is because they were pushing Jackson more than they were pushing Kendrick.

Exactly, so he overshadowed him.

Nash didn't overshadow HBK, Nash was just being pushed to the Main Event and the bodyguard thing was just the setup for a fued with HBK.

No, because Nash didn't go on to be part of the biggest angle in wrestling ever, while HBK languished on the shelf with injuries.

Those aren't examples. At all.

I say this in the kindest way possible, but if there is one person that really doesn't need to be using 'Internet Sarcasm', it's you ;)

[MattitudeV2]

I can't believe I would say this on TNA but they have their verisons of Austin and Rock right in front of them in Anderson and Pope.

Ken Anderson-feeling scorned by WWE and he wants to prove he doesn't need to be told how to act.

Elijah "Pope" Burke-Really can be one of the many who has the mic skills to be a star and also has a good moveset to do it.

BUT, can TNA produce with both of these guys?

[BHK1978]

I can't believe I would say this on TNA but they have their verisons of Austin and Rock right in front of them in Anderson and Pope.

Ken Anderson-feeling scorned by WWE and he wants to prove he doesn't need to be told how to act.

Elijah "Pope" Burke-Really can be one of the many who has the mic skills to be a star and also has a good moveset to do it.

BUT, can TNA produce with both of these guys?

You know the odd thing is I was thinking the same thing tonight while I was watching it. I highly doubt they will get to the level of Austin and the Rock (And really I highly doubt we will see any wrestler get to that level in the near future.) but I do see the connection and I hope TNA lets them both run with their respective characters.

[Slagaholic]

Heel pope rules. His "Jesus just texted me" line gave me a hernia.

With all the babble about no one knowing what side anyone is on and such in TNA, that argument has been pretty null for a while now. They still have angles that go absolutely no where, but we all know who is on who's side and if we don't know we find out quickly instead of it dragging on for months and months. You can hate on the characters and the booking, but the stories are making complete sense now. I have to imagine that there has either been some creative upheaval or creative have been re-invigorated somehow.

[Self]

Really? Ezekial overshadowed The Brian Kendrick? Until I read this thread, I had totally forgotten Ezekial existed, while The Brian Kendrick will be etched in my mind for eternity. Remember when he was temporary World Champion in that Scramble match? I do. Remember his matches with Jeff Hardy on Smackdown? I do (Jeff doing power moves!) Sure, he eventually was released, but that was the road he was on anyway, and that gimmick propelled him to a higher position on the roster, including fighting for the World Title, and the gimmick wouldn't have worked without Ezekial.

[Fantabulous]

First off, the X Division has been a shell of its former self the past few years, to the point that now there almost isn't a division at all. Secondly, wrestlers that have been in the "bodyguard" role for another wrestler have never overshadowed them. They are in that role to do one of these three things:

1. Job out to everybody (example: Gunner and Murphy)
2. Break into the company (example: Batista) or
3. To make the other wrestler look good (example: Alex Riley)

Name one time when a bodyguard overshadowed the wrestler they were guarding! Until you come up with an example, this discussion is over.

Just because the X-Division has been a shell of it's former self, which is a great commentary on how it's been handled, doesn't mean TNA can't try and out some steam behind it. And even if examples have been shown of bodyguard's overshadowing their clients hadn't been give, even if it had never happened before is no reason to think it couldn't happen at all. Especially when the potential combo is 6ft 9 Isis guarding 5ft 6Amazing Red. Seriously, does anyone think she wouldn't overshadow Red?

[shamelessposer]

Anyone have thoughts on this?

http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/2/11/1988877/a-closer-look-at-how-the-tna-office-handles-outside-bookings

[Self]

Anyone have thoughts on this?

http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/2/11/1988877/a-closer-look-at-how-the-tna-office-handles-outside-bookings

Fun read. It would be nice if the system worked. To me, TNA should be no obligation to provide wrestlers with a living wage, given the light schedule they're clearly comfortable running. However, neither should they have the power to prevent their roster from earning a living wage elsewhere. If I were in charge (and I'm no businessman) I like to think I'd allow the bottom half of my roster to do whatever they wanted. My top guys are available at a price, but Madison Rayne, the Young Bucks, Daffney, Robbie E et al... Feel free to take 'em. They need experience anyway.

Although I may be underestimating the drawing power of being on TV. After all, I skipped a recent TNA show, with all the stars, 2 hours from my house... but one month earlier I drove 4 hours to go to an indy show with Paul London and El Generico. Clearly I have a skewed perspective on the value of tv stars.

[lazorbeak]

Not sure if Behrens was just given the promoter side of this, but he comes off pretty idiotic with the old standby "nobody is forcing anyone to book TNA talent." TNA just sounds like an absolutely awful place to work. They don't pay the way WWE does and at the same time they insert themselves into any 3rd party contracts with their "independent contractors" (which is legally questionable and ethically repugnant), with the end result being that their talent is limited in what they can do and where they can go, while not being paid a real wage. It's no wonder their midcard champions end up being recognized at the Sunglasses Hut. As the situation stands, if I was an indy wrestler I'd be way more interested in getting onto ROH's roster. While you may not be as recognizable when working other indy dates, you can at least retain some control over your brand.

[PeterHilton]

Didn't we do this argument a few months back? Based on a report written on the exact same site? And the TNA defenders used the old "hey we can't believe anything written on the internet because we have no proof" deal?

Just wanted to be sure before this ball gets rolling again...

I think TNA is right to assume that they are adding value to their talent. I'm sure there are quite a few guys on that aroster that would get bookings based solely on their TV appearances for TNA. But if you hinder the process, or make it so costly that other promoters won't bother, and then pay so little that even working TNA's vaunted "house show circuit" doesn't leave you with a livable wage, then being a part of the TNA roster really is worthless.

[juggaloninjalee]

If TNA makes a wrestlers pay not worthy enough then shouldn't an Indy guy go to TNA and then when the original hopefully short contract runs up go back to the Indys since they can now use it as a boost to their value?

[PeterHilton]

If TNA makes a wrestlers pay not worthy enough then shouldn't an Indy guy go to TNA and then when the original hopefully short contract runs up go back to the Indys since they can now use it as a boost to their value?

The short answer is "yes" but no one rally knows how long the contracts are.

Plus, I'm sure every indy guy who goes there hopes to make it big and become a TNA star (although god knows how long it's been since TNAmade an indy guy a main event level star)

And (and this is the bit about the article i dont really believe) I guess some people are claiming that being poorly booked by TNA decreases their value..but its hard for me to think that Samoa Joe (the example they used) isn't still in demand by indy groups now, despite the relative misuse by TNA

[Self]

And (and this is the bit about the article i dont really believe) I guess some people are claiming that being poorly booked by TNA decreases their value..but its hard for me to think that Samoa Joe (the example they used) isn't still in demand by indy groups now, despite the relative misuse by TNA

To use a potentially misfiring analogy, back in the early days of cinema, there were movie stars and television stars. TV stars could be seen from the comfort of your own home, but to see a movie star you had to leave your house, go to the cinema, and pay money. You only got to see them a couple of times a year. Movie stars were considered the more special, even more so than today, with our dedicated movie channels and widespread dvd rental services.

When Samoa Joe was an Independent wrestler, he was something special, in many ways akin to the movie star. The only way to see him fight was to buy a DVD or attend a show. Now he's in TNA, he's on TV every week, for free, and has been for many years. He's become more akin to the TV star, and while yes, his name is more widely known to casual fans. the loss of a little excitement is inevitable. Booking aside, what is Joe going to do at a local indy show that the crowd haven't seen him do a billion times on Impact?

It depends who the indy promoter's audience is. Some go after the hardcore wrestling fanbase. Some cater to kids and such. This theory obviously reflects the hardcore fans more. As I said before, I skipped a TNA show, mostly because if I wanted to watch those guys I could save £100 (fuel prices are a killer) and watch them on TV. They weren't special to me. They were just TV stars.

[ampulator]

Actually, books people SO bad, people ignore them. They use people so badly, it CAN'T affect their value, because people don't can't take TNA booking seriously. In other words, their booking is rather inconsequential. Would YOU take TNA booking seriously?

Hell, they could probably put Kurt Angle in one those Japanese "Hard Gay" (seriously, there's such a thing, look it up) costume, and people would ignore it. Well, not ignore it... everyone would be up in arms, but no one would bother to assess the "loss of value", because it's TNA making him do it. Come on.

[Slagaholic]

Actually, books people SO bad, people ignore them. They use people so badly, it CAN'T affect their value, because people don't can't take TNA booking seriously. In other words, their booking is rather inconsequential. Would YOU take TNA booking seriously?

Hell, they could probably put Kurt Angle in one those Japanese "Hard Gay" (seriously, there's such a thing, look it up) costume, and people would ignore it. Well, not ignore it... everyone would be up in arms, but no one would bother to assess the "loss of value", because it's TNA making him do it. Come on.

You're assuming that everyone or even most people that watch wrestling and go to indy shows watch wrestling as if they're Roger Ebert. They don't. Not every wrestling fan is like you. The question of "taking booking seriously" isn't an issue for the vast majority of wrestling fans.

Most wrestling fans don't watch a wrestling show and go "well I wouldn't have booked it that way, UGH what terrible booking, they need to push _______!" Instead they actually watch it for fun, not to analyze every aspect of the show and compare it to what you would have done had you gotten off your ass, worked hard, built relationships in the business, got lucky and got to book the show yourself.

It's the same thing with many movie reviewers who babble about spotty script writing, lazy directing and poor character development as if John Q. Moviefan is going to give a damn. The average movie goer doesn't watch it with those things in mind, they watch movies to be entertained by the writing and directing. They don't sit back adjusting their monocle sipping 1953 Merlot waiting to be impressed and at the same time looking for every thing to hate about the movie.

There are many wrestling fans who hate wrestling, that is unless it's presented the way they think it should be presented. You don't get that in many other entertainment mediums, in other mediums if you dislike it you just turn it off and quit bitching. When wrestling is being presented the way they want it to be they can do no wrong, all the great leaps in logic and bizarre booking is ignored. When it's not what they want they can do nothing right and all the issues with the booking become huge problems that are killing the company.

I sorta went on a rant here on a subject that I usually go on a rant on. It's nothing new for me but I'm just tired of the constant childish bitching about booking and the assumption that the 2 million+ people who watch Raw and not Impact do so because of what they say is wrong with TNA.

[Fantabulous]

You're assuming that everyone or even most people that watch wrestling and go to indy shows watch wrestling as if they're Roger Ebert. They don't. Not every wrestling fan is like you. The question of "taking booking seriously" isn't an issue for the vast majority of wrestling fans.

The people you describe are casual fans and most casual fans are satisfied with what they see on TV. Generally speaking, they don't go to an Indy. The fans that do to see Indy wrestling are mostly the ones who care about how people are booked.

[PeterHilton]

The people you describe are casual fans and most casual fans are satisfied with what they see on TV. Generally speaking, they don't go to an Indy. The fans that do to see Indy wrestling are mostly the ones who care about how people are booked.

Yup

For the most part, the same fans who will go to an indy are EXACTLY the same fans that wil tear apart a TV show based on smarky ideas like 'work rate.'

So while I agree that a lot of indy goers will just disregard TNA's booking, I also think it's definitely something they notice.

[Slagaholic]

The people you describe are casual fans and most casual fans are satisfied with what they see on TV. Generally speaking, they don't go to an Indy. The fans that do to see Indy wrestling are mostly the ones who care about how people are booked.

Yup

For the most part, the same fans who will go to an indy are EXACTLY the same fans that wil tear apart a TV show based on smarky ideas like 'work rate.'

So while I agree that a lot of indy goers will just disregard TNA's booking, I also think it's definitely something they notice.

But will they go "I was going to pay to go to this show...but TNA didn't book the co-main eventer well so...not gonna go now"

It also depends heavily on what indy promotion's fan base we're looking at and in which part of the country.

I was wrong for using a sweeping statement, I'm terribly sorry and will try very hard to never do it again.

[PeterHilton]

But will they go "I was going to pay to go to this show...but TNA didn't book the co-main eventer well so...not gonna go now"



Probably not. I don't think they completely disregard it and I think a lot of it has to do with that talent's particular reputation to begin with.

The example the article gaveof Samoa Joe, for instance: I thnk it's ridiculous to think there's less demand for Joe on the indy based on his TNA run. If he left TNA today he'd be a headliner for ROH (or PWG etc) the instant he set foot in their ring. After all, the same thing happened with Daniels and I don'tthink his TNA run was expecially noteworthy.

So what I'm saying is: Indy fans probably DO care about TNAs booking. But they probably DON'T care enough to not go to an event

[Slagaholic]

So in the end, we agree anyway!

[PeterHilton]

Regarding your rant


There are many wrestling fans who hate wrestling, that is unless it's presented the way they think it should be presented. You don't get that in many other entertainment mediums, in other mediums if you dislike it you just turn it off and quit bitching. When wrestling is being presented the way they want it to be they can do no wrong, all the great leaps in logic and bizarre booking is ignored. When it's not what they want they can do nothing right and all the issues with the booking become huge problems that are killing the company.

I totally disagree. If you go to music or movie or TV or sports websites and fan forums, you get the exact same kind of feedback.

The more invested/hardcore the fan, the more likely you are to hear that kind of analysis and negativity

EDIT: keep in mind, I wrote an NFL column for 411mania and have written for Walterfootball; so I have first hand experience on that sports deal. I was physically threatened on a weekly basis lol. Just go to any SEC fan fourm: the amount of time spent breaking down the most minute of details and the over-all sense of " nothing makes me happy" completely blows wrestling sites out of the water

I sorta went on a rant here on a subject that I usually go on a rant on. It's nothing new for me but I'm just tired of the constant childish bitching about booking and the assumption that the 2 million+ people who watch Raw and not Impact do so because of what they say is wrong with TNA.

And again - to be fair - TNA tends to attract a much larger percentage of the snarky smart fans. WWE makes it's living on the mainstream, so realistically as much as smart fans complain, they aren't who the E is marketing to.

Not so with TNA; they try to go after the net fans, so they are going to get more negative feedback because they care so much what the IWC thinks

[Fantabulous]

The example the article gaveof Samoa Joe, for instance: I thnk it's ridiculous to think there's less demand for Joe on the indy based on his TNA run. If he left TNA today he'd be a headliner for ROH the instant he set foot in their ring

Not right away and for the same reasons that Daniels didn't go right to the main events. ROH attracts the type of fan who isn't going to accept a TNA dropout as top star until he's earned his way back to the top.

[Self]

Most wrestling fans don't watch a wrestling show and go "well I wouldn't have booked it that way, UGH what terrible booking, they need to push _______!" Instead they actually watch it for fun, not to analyze every aspect of the show and compare it to what you would have done had you gotten off your ass, worked hard, built relationships in the business, got lucky and got to book the show yourself.

It's the same thing with many movie reviewers who babble about spotty script writing, lazy directing and poor character development as if John Q. Moviefan is going to give a damn. The average movie goer doesn't watch it with those things in mind, they watch movies to be entertained by the writing and directing.

What? Casual movie fans do care about spotty script writing, lazy directing and poor character development, but they do so on a subconscious emotional level rather than an intellectual level. If a character doesn't develop in a satifying way throughout the movie, it can be an empty and unfulfilling experience. Casual viewers might not know why it feels empty, but they'll feel it all the same. It's the same with wrestling. When the heel Bully Ray faces tremendous 3-on-1 odds going into a PPV, a casual fan won't critique it like a hardcore fan, they won't rationlize it, but it might not feel compelling to them either. That's the dangerous thing. Not fury. Apathy. I doubt many casual fans would turn off infuriated at the booking. Rather they would simply not tune in the next week due to lack of emotional fulfillment. Done that with plenty of tv shows myself.

[PeterHilton]

Not right away and for the same reasons that Daniels didn't go right to the main events. ROH attracts the type of fan who isn't going to accept a TNA dropout as top star until he's earned his way back to the top.

Maybe. Joe had an epic run in ROH...

BUt to be fair let's say they expect him to "earn his way to the top."

That's not the same as "they wouldn't pay to see him" which is what that article was claiming; that the booking on Impact was so bad that TNA stars were literally losing indy dates.

And I doubt that. Which was my point.

[20LEgend]

So at the PPV Kaz referenced the TNA website but on iMPACT Jeff was oblivious to the fact he was facing Rob V?

[Slagaholic]

I totally disagree. If you go to music or movie or TV or sports websites and fan forums, you get the exact same kind of feedback.

The more invested/hardcore the fan, the more likely you are to hear that kind of analysis and negativity

EDIT: keep in mind, I wrote an NFL column for 411mania and have written for Walterfootball; so I have first hand experience on that sports deal. I was physically threatened on a weekly basis lol. Just go to any SEC fan fourm: the amount of time spent breaking down the most minute of details and the over-all sense of " nothing makes me happy" completely blows wrestling sites out of the water
I know where you're coming from. Perhaps I'm wrong in this assumption but I believe that the internet is a larger percentage of wrestling fandom than the percentage of internet fandom in those other mediums. Which is why I said what I said in the manner in which I said it. Again, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

When it comes to sports, that's a completely different animal than any other form of entertainment so I chose to exclude it. The emotional investment that goes into sports rivals that of political affiliation. For example you never would hear a fan yelling "we won!" when Mad Men wins an Emmy.

And again - to be fair - TNA tends to attract a much larger percentage of the snarky smart fans. WWE makes it's living on the mainstream, so realistically as much as smart fans complain, they aren't who the E is marketing to.

Not so with TNA; they try to go after the net fans, so they are going to get more negative feedback because they care so much what the IWC thinks

A good point but I don't believe that the principle cause of the whining aimed at TNA is because they care about what the IWC thinks.

What? Casual movie fans do care about spotty script writing, lazy directing and poor character development, but they do so on a subconscious emotional level rather than an intellectual level. If a character doesn't develop in a satifying way throughout the movie, it can be an empty and unfulfilling experience. Casual viewers might not know why it feels empty, but they'll feel it all the same. It's the same with wrestling. When the heel Bully Ray faces tremendous 3-on-1 odds going into a PPV, a casual fan won't critique it like a hardcore fan, they won't rationlize it, but it might not feel compelling to them either. That's the dangerous thing. Not fury. Apathy. I doubt many casual fans would turn off infuriated at the booking. Rather they would simply not tune in the next week due to lack of emotional fulfillment. Done that with plenty of tv shows myself.

While agree with your sentiments to a point, I don't believe that what you're saying is necessarily true in most or even many cases. There are plenty of examples of spotty script writing, lazy directing, and poor character development being attributes of blockbuster, award winning, movies and TV shows. Attributing all of that lack of emotional fulfillment to a subconscious reviewer is a bit of a stretch. There are many things that can cause that feeling.

[PeterHilton]

I know where you're coming from. Perhaps I'm wrong in this assumption but I believe that the internet is a larger percentage of wrestling fandom than the percentage of internet fandom in those other mediums. Which is why I said what I said in the manner in which I said it. Again, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.

It would be hard to prove. I think in either case, they net fans tends to be the 'vocal minority.'

And in both cases, they ( the net fans )wrongly assume - as you've stated in the past - that the majority of 'casual' fans feel the way they do.

When it comes to sports, that's a completely different animal than any other form of entertainment so I chose to exclude it. The emotional investment that goes into sports rivals that of political affiliation. For example you never would hear a fan yelling "we won!" when Mad Men wins an Emmy.

Fair enough. I just use it as an example because they are forms of entertainment.

A good point but I don't believe that the principle cause of the whining aimed at TNA is because they care about what the IWC thinks.

No. Neither do I. I just think - and again this would be hard to prove - is that the TNA audience has a larger percentage of "internet wrestling nerds" than the WWE does.

So it's easier for those fans who are happily entertained by what TNA does to be drowned out by the complaining of those who pick apart every segment.

[ampulator]

I'll say this again... no one really cares about how TNA books. Even if markiest mark knows TNA is the one is screwing up, not the workers.

If anyone really considered workers stocks to drop, it's working for TNA in the first place, not how TNA uses them.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Isis the Amazon, the six foot nine woman who was to have appeared as the protégé of Vickie Guerrero on the third season of WWE's NXT, wrestled a dark match against Florida independent women's wrestler Leva Bates prior to Tuesday night's TNA Impact taping in Orlando, Florida. Company officials were aware of her prior to her involvement with WWE last year, but showed no interest after watching tapes of her wrestling. They reportedly changed their tune on her because she appeared for WWE.

Thats pretty sad if true and says a lot about the management.

[Bigpapa42]

So TNA is hyping this week's Impact as having the "Most Shocking Surprise of the Year" on it.

[20LEgend]

So TNA is hyping this week's Impact as having the "Most Shocking Surprise of the Year" on it.

STING! :p

TBH I'm bored of it

They are Guaranteeing it as well, bigger than The Rock's return, bigger than Matt Hardy making a fool of him self :p, bigger than THEY being Fortune :O [yawn]

[juggaloninjalee]

Sting returning to TNA wouldn't be even close to comparing to Rock returning to WWE for a night.

[Bigpapa42]

Sting returning to TNA wouldn't be even close to comparing to Rock returning to WWE for a night.

In the minds of those who run TNA, its probably equal. Which unfortunately says a few things by itself.

How the WWE did 21.2.11 and how TNA is doing this clearly illustrate the difference between the two companies. TNA seems to feel the need to hype everything, which basically nullifies situations when hype actually is appropriate. TNA needs to learn the value of subtlty. I realize that a lot of people were choked that the 21.2.11 hype only turned out to be the return of the Taker, but those ads had people talking. A lot.

[juggaloninjalee]

In the minds of those who run TNA, its probably equal. Which unfortunately says a few things by itself.

How the WWE did 21.2.11 and how TNA is doing this clearly illustrate the difference between the two companies. TNA seems to feel the need to hype everything, which basically nullifies situations when hype actually is appropriate. TNA needs to learn the value of subtlty. I realize that a lot of people were choked that the 21.2.11 hype only turned out to be the return of the Taker, but those ads had people talking. A lot.

I agree about TNA needing to stop trying so hard.

Imagine if TNA one week had a show with the same amount of talking per say but more focused on an upcoming PPV than fighting right then. TNA seems to book their shows with only that particular show in mind. No foresight it seems and it's really weighing on me as a viewer.

[PeterHilton]

I've read the taping results,and there was only one RETURN.

I sincerely hope that is not what they're hyping and that it is some other segment or announcement.

[Bigpapa42]

I've read the taping results,and there was only one RETURN.

I sincerely hope that is not what they're hyping and that it is some other segment or announcement.

From what I've read about it, its probably not part of the taping. It sounds as if its possible that they will do as video or something similar to end the show, to avoid spoilers. As well, they have apparently had a nasty trend of having the ratings drop during the final quarter of Impact, so this is probably also an attempt to curb that.

[PeterHilton]

From what I've read about it, its probably not part of the taping. It sounds as if its possible that they will do as video or something similar to end the show, to avoid spoilers. As well, they have apparently had a nasty trend of having the ratings drop during the final quarter of Impact, so this is probably also an attempt to curb that.

I'm sure you're right. Dixie's not the sharpest crayon in the box, but she's not that bad.

[Fantabulous]

I'm sure you're right. Dixie's not the sharpest crayon in the box, but she's not that bad.
Ever the optimist, eh?

From PWI:

Dave: First, let me say that when TNA makes claims like this I ALWAYS take it with a grain of salt because they seem to have a different idea of shocking surprises than I do (since I tend to think that they should actually shock and surprise you). With that said, while not confirmed by TNA I have heard from two sources that Sting has re-signed with the company. It would not surprise me if he is somehow part of or is the big surprise. I have been told that he will be brought back in a big role, so I expect something along the lines of him challenging Jeff Hardy for the TNA Title. Since TNA creative lives on the internet, I guess this would qualify as "shocking" to them since "so many people" thought Sting was going to WWE. If they really want to make it shocking, do a live cut-in from the Impact taping in Fayetteville, NC. That will give it a big time feel, especially if they do a title change right then and there.

Mike: All I know is that when I ask people in the company about Sting, they are very tight-lipped. They won't admit that he has signed a new deal but they won't say he's gone either. I bet Dave is on the right trail.

Sting returning is kind of a big deal but if that's all it is, it's the usual overinflated hype from TNA. Although if they did do the live cut-in deal and change the title, that would be a big deal

[PeterHilton]

Ever the optimist, eh?

I was actually speaking about the fact that ODB returns tonight. I was saying that there's NO WAY Dixie would hype her return.

If it's Sting, it wouldn't surprise me in the least.


Specifically, it would make me feel like "yes she's this oblivious" but she's not dumb enough to hype up the aforementioned returnee.

[Wrestling Century]

So is Desmond Wolfe just completely done with wrestling? I hope not, as he could've become a british version of Kurt Angle. :(

So is Desmond Wolfe gone from TNA?

[Jaysin]

Dixie tweeted a month or so ago that Wolfe should be returning soon. But then they cut out the footage of him and Magnus saving Doug Williams from Immortal. So I don't know.

[BHK1978]

Dixie tweeted a month or so ago that Wolfe should be returning soon. But then they cut out the footage of him and Magnus saving Doug Williams from Immortal. So I don't know.

To add to what Jaysin said, I have read that he shows up every week (that they tape shows) and visits friends on the roster but he leaves well before the show starts taping.

[juggaloninjalee]

To add to what Jaysin said, I have read that he shows up every week (that they tape shows) and visits friends on the roster but he leaves well before the show starts taping.

Why would you show up every week only to leave before the show? I want Desmond Wolfe back. Does anyone go to these Impact tapings? If so you should try getting a chant for Desmond Wolfe going in the middle of a divas match or something.

[jwt13]

Why would you show up every week only to leave before the show? I want Desmond Wolfe back. Does anyone go to these Impact tapings? If so you should try getting a chant for Desmond Wolfe going in the middle of a divas match or something.

I mean its in his best interest he dont wrestle atm with his health and TNA is doing the right thing by playing it safe.

Also tonights huge ending that will happen any thoughts I thing Sting will be back or Chris Jericho (very unlikely)

[Fantabulous]

Also tonights huge ending that will happen any thoughts I thing Sting will be back or Chris Jericho (very unlikely)

It's one of those and I'll give you a hint; it's not the guy who has openly criticized TNA in recent weeks and said he'll only ever wrestle for WWE.

Plus, some c-list 'celebrities' to rehash the Jersey Shore angle that went over like a lead balloon and meant nothing.

[1234]

Also tonights huge ending that will happen any thoughts I thing Sting will be back or Chris Jericho (very unlikely)

Out of those two it would be Sting, but hoping for more of a suprise instead of something guessable, but doubt we will get that.

[jwt13]

Big Spoiler for the march 3rd Impact Sting Beat Jeff Hardy for the TNA World title.

[20LEgend]

LOL, Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, I knew they'd pull a parody ass holes.

[Teh_Showtime]

knew sting was probably headed back to TNA, but what goood will they get out of running the same video packages?

at least don't make it so obvious

[20LEgend]

knew sting was probably headed back to TNA, but what goood will they get out of running the same video packages?

at least don't make it so obvious

Just a pop at WWE I think.

[Jaysin]

I honestly think that was more of a jab at WWE than trying to emulate them.

[angeldelayette]

Is it just me or was that Sean Waltman down in the first or second row throughout the night?

[Johnny Fenoli]

I've been watching TNA since day one... I'd spend the 5 bucks or whatever it was back in the day for the weekly PPV's. But, lately, even though the talent is a 100X better, I find myself fastforwarding through it more and more. I find myself caring about it less and less. I dont claim to have the answers to fix it, I'm not even 100% sure what it's wrong with it. All I know is tonight I had my finger on the fast forward button nearly the entire show. All the way to the big suprise... SMH. Thanks TNA.

[crownsy]

I honestly think that was more of a jab at WWE than trying to emulate them.

Stupid on there part.

This gets back to my problem with TNA and why i don't watch anymore, which jericho said far more eloquently than i will here. They are so concerned with taking shots at WWE and being seens as the "edger" alternative that they don't have there own identity.

TNA's entire identity is tied up in fighting the good underdog fight against the E for fans hearts and minds. The problem is, that sets you up as the underdog, and tailors your product to simply be "different than the more popular company"

TNA would do so much better for itself if it would just pick it's own direction and stick with it, rather than trying to sell themselves as the young upstart company you should watch because the more popular company is popular.

to put it another way, Your never going to be the biggest and best company on the block when your essentially trying to be Goth alternative to WWE's pop/rock. Build your own brand and identity, not a company who tries to appeal to the disfranchised fans of another more popular company.

[BHK1978]

Is it just me or was that Sean Waltman down in the first or second row throughout the night?

Not just you, I thought that was him as well. I sure hope this doesn't mean that we are going to see his return.

[dvdWarrior]

Damn, that video at the end of Impact may have ever so slightly been an EPIC FAIL. 'Jab' at WWE or not, all I could see was 'shameless ripoff', and I was even singing "Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down" as it aired.

Bad move, TNA.

Can't help but think this is gonna be bad for the company's image - some of the more.... um... let's call them passionate... fans have already Tweeted Dixie a river of flame.

To me, the vid made TNA look a little bad, and some of the response has made wrestling fans look pretty bad, (some of the things they're saying go just a way bit too far IMO).

:o with a side order of :( .

[BHK1978]

Damn, that video at the end of Impact may have ever so slightly been an EPIC FAIL. 'Jab' at WWE or not, all I could see was 'shameless ripoff', and I was even singing "Ain't No Grave Can Hold My Body Down" as it aired.

Bad move, TNA.

Can't help but think this is gonna be bad for the company's image - some of the more.... um... let's call them passionate... fans have already Tweeted Dixie a river of flame.

To me, the vid made TNA look a little bad, and some of the response has made wrestling fans look pretty bad, (some of the things they're saying go just a way bit too far IMO).

:o with a side order of :( .

I have not looked on Twitter but I agree with you. That video made TNA look like a low rent rip-off. There was so much they could have done to promote him coming back and it is sad that was the best that they could come up with.

[Eisen-verse]

Just saw the TNA/Sting video and felt it was child's play versus what the WWE did for the Undertaker. Obviously, there's going to be comparisons given the way it was shot, presented, and the whole 'upcoming date' deal; however, the vignette felt like a sad, sad, attempt at making Sting look cool.

To be honest, I would expect more from TNA. In most ways, they're doing a GREAT job of presenting Pro Wrestling from a new perspective; giving more of a unique tone to their video packages, backstage stuff, etc. With that said, it just fell flat in my eyes.

I'm not one to jump off a bandwagon just for one simple 'let down' but, I must say, I felt that TNA creative missed the mark on this one.

[Slagaholic]

Eric Bischoff was actually the first to have the trench coated dark figure in the rain promos!

[juggaloninjalee]

I felt like they wanted to rip off the Undertaker videos so they took the footsteps in the rain from that. The writing at the end is also styled like that. Then they threw a couple random clips in that all just felt rushed. I didn't like it at all.

[20LEgend]

Eric Bischoff was actually the first to have the trench coated dark figure in the rain promos!

Fair point

[PeterHilton]

Eric Bischoff was actually the first to have the trench coated dark figure in the rain promos!

C'mon...I know you don't like fan negativity...but seriously???? :p

[Slagaholic]

That's why they call me The Nitpick Kid

[jwt13]

I'm pretty sure it was making fun of wwe who wanted sting anbd them saying hahaha we got him you cant have him

[PeterHilton]

I'm pretty sure it was making fun of wwe who wanted sting anbd them saying hahaha we got him you cant have him

Well....

Let's be real: the idea that Sting was the one in those videos was entirely started by and kept alive by net fans.

The WWE obviusly planned it to be Undertaker all along.

Sting had made no move to sign with the WWE.

Maybe it made fun of the idea that the WWE could get so much hype and excitement generated among fans for the "return" of a guy who is on the roster and takes a long break every year and returns before a big PPV, every year (just like Sting does)

But here's my issue:

TNA is AGAIN creating the comparison to the WWE, and they don't really look good in doing it. Not bad. But not good. And - after reading the spoilers - they are relying on the hype for a video that they didn't create to push a character who - the last time he was on TNA TV - was being booked to look like crap.

Soooo..you are hyping the return of a guy that's been around forever, that was turned heel then face then super secret face because of storylines, and who *probably* is no longer that big a deal in your company.

And you promoted it as 'the biggest thing in the history of the industry'...which pretty much set yorself up to mocked by the haters and to get a bunch of heat from your actual fans

It's not that the video is bad per se, so much as I don't see the benefit. At all.

[PeterHilton]

These are her own Twitter fans..

Dixie Carter Gets Blasted By Pissed Off Fans
by TNAWrestlingNews.com Staff on 02/25/2011 - 05:54 PM

Dixie Carter took a lot of heat via her Twitter account last night for the 3-3-11 video.

cherberrie: @tnadixie I caught the last five minute of your programming and it blows.. It is terrible... You will never be WWE. stop trying to be!

canadianbulldog: Dear @TNADixie - Nice "Surprise". Maybe next time you can surprise us with a wrestling promotion that doesn't absolutely f***ing suck.

JAVincen: @TNAwrestling @TNADixie Wow...The big surprise ending is a rip off of WWE's Undertaker promo for Sting.... Disappointing......

trtx84: Oh lord. Really @TNADixie? We're just gonna straight up copy WWE wholesale now? Embarrassing... #3311

TweepzMostLuvd: @TNADixie anything to keep them away from #1 huh? That's why this cpmpany will go down. What a let down.

jakeblckmn: @TNADixie could you please be more original, 3-3-11 really? and you wonder why your company sucks and is in the gutter, get new writers

WrestleWrestle: Y'know @TNADixie , if you're that driven to flush money down the toilet, you could just send it to me and save everyone a lot of pain.

MrGamer2558 : @TNADixie a mock video of WWE's 2-21-11 for Sting is your big surprise? you're kidding? this is a f***ing joke right?

thedylan2296: @tnadixie tna is officially dead... dixie... why? at victory have someone squash sting very quick... i wont care as long as sting looses

PocketVolcano: @TNADixie Seriously, just close up the company. Your talent is severely underpaid (esp the women) and you keep rehashing WCW stuff. Stop.

AreYouHie: @TNADixie when can i take over creative control of TNA? im pretty sure i'd bring in more viewers with much better "surprises"

bookerg: Only 1/2 an hour to go till @TNAwrestling & @tnadixie disappoint me with another overhyped "shocking surprise"! Who-hoo!

Lamou420: @TNADixie enough with the surprises already. We all know you can't deliver. Every time #tna announce a "big surprise" it's a let down.

Morris272: Sting in WWE would of been great in TNA its boring and predictable.

CdnOtakuGamer: Actually, the big surprise is that @TNADixie brought a big cake for everyone... But Matt Hardy ate it all backstage.

GrappleKingdom: Dear @TNADixie and @TNAwrestling - see how @WWE announced Sin Cara? THAT is how you make an impact in the wrestling world.

xthegunshow: @TNADixie Oh wow Sting vs Jeff Hardy...you really know how to keep those viewing figures down.

EmJayEch: The WWE is horrible & they lost me as a fan years ago, TNA is my CHOICE but TNA has opportunity and they BLOW IT BIG TIME. F-THIS @tnadixie

NotTripleH: Are we sure that TNA has the real Sting backstage, or the NWO Sting? Because I doubt @TNADixie knows the difference. #VintageDixie.

xthegunshow: @TNADixie No one gives a f*** that Sting is at tonights Impact Taping, people want him in WWE. You use him horribly.

XDustinEFLX: @TNADixie: Instead of paying your wrestlers more,you're wasting more money on a second Jersey Shore 'star'? Are you stupid?

gersfan22331: @TNADixie wow dixie the big suprise was sting wow the old man chose to stay with the 5TH rate trash that is tna

awesome_since88: @TNADixie OMG I wonder who 3-3-11 is??? This is going to change pro wrestling forever!! If I can only control myself for a whole week #TNA

EdgeUniversity: @TNADIxie so...your huge surprise for Impact was that you can copy a promo video that @WWE has been doing for the past month? GREAT JOB!

james_donald: YAY FOR COPYING WWE!!!! f*** you you dumbass bitch @TNADixie.

bookerg: I'M OFFICIALLY DONE WITH TNA. Don't say "SHOCKING SURPRISE" and not deliver. @TNAwrestling and @tnadixie. You just lost a viewer. FU.

Joerrd: @TNADixie LOL. That little 3-3-11 promo? That's the reason nobody takes your bingo hall company seriously.

The_Kliq_Army: @TNADixie so #TNA just basically stole the #WWE #Taker22111 promo lame

divalover159: @TNADixie learn to be original and never EVER copycat. if you want to be taken very seriously and not as a joke that you just made yourselfs tonight. learn to be original or your nothing more but a joke. just saying.

wmkrow: wow, @tnadixie, good job ripping off WWE and their 2-21-11 bit. Same font and everything.

Relentless_J: Lmfaoooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! TNA really copied WWE by making a 3-3-11 video??? @TNADixie can't use ORIGINALITY!?!?!?

JeebusOMalley: @TNADixie Seriously? Not even gonna pretend to have an original thought huh? Unbelievable. Impact is garbage.

PhantomLordNYC: @TNADixie Jesus Christ can't you people come up with anything original at all???

DarkMatchRaslin: @TNADixie we liked the Sting promo the first time we saw it...when it was for Undertaker in WWE a month ago...seriously, even the numbers?

J712v2: A mock 2/21/11 video? Really TNA? Really? Dear Spike: Take TNA off TV, and put ROH on instead!

1ISchmo: Wow. Creative means being creative, not copying something from another show. The s***s beyond. @TNADixie, enjoy the final year.

Credit: Mike Shalik/Sescoops



Source:

http://www.tnawrestlingnews.com/headlines/300681191.shtml

[The Stallion]

Well....

Let's be real: the idea that Sting was the one in those videos was entirely started by and kept alive by net fans.

The WWE obviusly planned it to be Undertaker all along.

Sting had made no move to sign with the WWE.

Maybe it made fun of the idea that the WWE could get so much hype and excitement generated among fans for the "return" of a guy who is on the roster and takes a long break every year and returns before a big PPV, every year (just like Sting does)

But here's my issue:

TNA is AGAIN creating the comparison to the WWE, and they don't really look good in doing it. Not bad. But not good. And - after reading the spoilers - they are relying on the hype for a video that they didn't create to push a character who - the last time he was on TNA TV - was being booked to look like crap.

Soooo..you are hyping the return of a guy that's been around forever, that was turned heel then face then super secret face because of storylines, and who *probably* is no longer that big a deal in your company.

And you promoted it as 'the biggest thing in the history of the industry'...which pretty much set yorself up to mocked by the haters and to get a bunch of heat from your actual fans

It's not that the video is bad per se, so much as I don't see the benefit. At all.

The video did have that TNA feel to it with the chain fences and the backstage area's, but it was way too like the WWE video with a guy who has not been that big of a deal in a long time, especially in TNA. If he would have went to the WWE to feud with Taker then I may have turned in to Mania (my first WWE program in many, many years) just to see that. However Sting beating Hardy for the Title next week does not spark my interest at all. Where's Mr Anderson's rematch? Wheres the focus on the younger wrestlers that was in the news a few weeks ago. How come AJ is not going for the Title not that Fortune is not a part of Immortal any longer? Im not claiming to be any great booker but Sting should not be there world champion. Sting should be that crow on the shoulder of Fortune or the rest of the TNA roster, helping them get rid of Immortal. He should be the thorn in the side of Hogan and Bischoff, have them pull out there hair in frustration (or in Hogans case whats left of his hair). Sting should be the guy that appears out of nowhere to foil outside interference, he should be the guy that when a face is getting beat down the lights go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring to clear house. Maybe a few high profile matches with members of Immortal down the line. Hell a Sting / Flair match could be awesome just for nostalgia's sake. Its reasons like this that I have stoped watching wrestling all together.

[20LEgend]

^^ I agree

[sebsplex]

Sting should be that crow on the shoulder of Fortune or the rest of the TNA roster, helping them get rid of Immortal. He should be the thorn in the side of Hogan and Bischoff, have them pull out there hair in frustration (or in Hogans case whats left of his hair). Sting should be the guy that appears out of nowhere to foil outside interference, he should be the guy that when a face is getting beat down the lights go out and when they come back on Sting is in the ring to clear house. Maybe a few high profile matches with members of Immortal down the line.

My thoughts exactly. Book Sting as a figure that acknowledges the bell is soon to toll on his career, but refusing to walk away and leave TNA in the clutches of the self-indulgent and self-gratifying Immortal regime. He feels it is his obligation to cleanse the promotion of the group, to finally drag Hogan & Bischoff from the spotlight and allow TNA and the business as a whole to move on without their oppressive presence. I dunno, I just have these flowery visions of this storyline eventually ending in however many months/years time with Hogan completing one final turn to go full-circle, sending Bischoff packing (I never should have you to corrupt me, for all these years my priorities were skewed, blah, blah) standing alongside Sting and walking off into the sunset, leaving the younger stars of TNA to breath and carry the promotion on to it's next stage.

The reality though is far different and TNA show no signs of providing me with the coherency their product to change my increasingly casual viewing of iMPACT or that they've decided on any sort of stable direction. Kicking their main title around like a football isn't exactly helping that cause.

And judging them on past form, Sting will probably turn heel within a month and join Immortal anyway.

As for the 'shot' at the WWE with the Sting video. tbh the whole affair amuses me. Inadvertantly the WWE prompted this frenzied net-hype about a dream Wrestlemania encounter that there exists no real evidence they ever explored the possibility of delivering. That turned the completely anti-climatic return of the Undertaker for the 294th time into something completely different and in seemingly trying to capitalise of the perceived WWE letdown, TNA did their usual "HUGE MEGA SURPRISE OF ALL TIME ON IMPACT THIS WEEK~!!!!1!11!" tease and managed to leave nothing more than a sense of deflation whilst evoking the style of the WWE's video to provide opening season for all their usual critics.

[PeterHilton]

Jericho spoke about seeing the TNA video (I'm sure it around most news site)

On TNA's 3-3-11 video from 'Impact': 'It drives me nuts and I'll tell you the reason why. I am the biggest fan of TNA as a concept. I want them to be huge, Vince wants them to be huge because the more competition there is, it's better for the business, it's better for the boys, it's better is for the fans. I don't understand their obsession with copying the WWE I think it's lame, I think its bush league and I don't get it, they have some of the best talent, some great idea men. Why do they do this? Why do their guys go out there and say 'When I was in the WWE I was left behind and I was held back'. If I was working for TNA I would project that it's the greatest wrestling company in the world because if you're not projecting it, why is anyone going to believe it? When we were in ECW it was small, I never made more than $250 a show but you would die for that company and when you came across that way, the fans came across that way and suddenly you have this underground revolution going on and it was real, it was a revolution, people believed it was the best. No one in TNA believes they are in the best company and if they don't believe it then why am I going to believe it as a fan? Why am I going to buy their product? It's just so bush league, they can do better than that and the guys on top there should know better and it really makes me mad because they're wasting money and they don't have to be wasting money but I'm not burying TNA I'm saying you should be ashamed of yourself because you can do better.'

[Hive]

I agree fully with Jericho. TNA has so much potential, but throws it all away with illogical decisions that go against anything that makes even remotely sense.

I'm not a big fan of WWE's product these days, and think they make some horrible booking decisions... but the sad truth is that TNA is even worse, which is quite an accomplishment.

[20LEgend]

Jericho is spot on.

[juggaloninjalee]

Jericho was spot on. I feel like a group of us from these forums could do a better job as the booking team for TNA even. We all have different tastes but could come together and agree on a good show.

[Jingo]

Jericho was spot on. I feel like a group of us from these forums could do a better job as the booking team for TNA even. We all have different tastes but could come together and agree on a good show.

At this point in time i feel the writers of Hollyoaks could do a better job.

[20LEgend]

At this point in time i feel the writers of Hollyoaks could do a better job.

:eek:

[Slagaholic]

Jericho was spot on. I feel like a group of us from these forums could do a better job as the booking team for TNA even. We all have different tastes but could come together and agree on a good show.

Spamming AJ Styles vs Chris Daniels 100 shows a year = ratings.

[Fantabulous]

Spamming AJ Styles vs Chris Daniels 100 shows a year = ratings.
On both Impact and Xplosion?

Joe/Styles/Daniels in a Best of 52 match series?

[eayragt]

On both Impact and Xplosion?

Joe/Styles/Daniels in a Best of 52 match series?

Team up two of them to take on Beer Money or MCMG every so often to break it up?

[Fantabulous]

Or have every match be Loser Must Retire.

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Or have every match be Loser Must Retire.

No Contests abound

[Fantabulous]

No Contests abound

Pinfalls every week and nobody retires. To pay homage to the spirit of TNA.

[BHK1978]

If TNA wants to bring the ratings up, all they have to do is bring back the Johnsons!

[Fantabulous]

If TNA wants to bring the ratings up, all they have to do is bring back the Johnsons!

I can see Russo going for it purely so he can write the line "The Johnsons are coming" for someone.

[Jingo]

If TNA wants to bring the ratings up, all they have to do is bring back the Johnsons!

Your wrong i think it's the Rainbow Express they need!

.. And of course they need the Miss TNA Championship Tiara back .. Orlando Jordan vs Bruce smell the ratings.

[Fantabulous]

A month of vignettes and such to hype the return of "The Johnsons".

A fraction of a second after the tag titles change hands we go TO THE BACK to see a limo pull up and JB telling us The Johnsons are here.

And out steps former referee Mark Johnson and his black 'twin brother' Amos.

Cue Tenay and Tazz looking disappointed and Tazz going, "Well, that was a disappointing climax."

[20LEgend]

I'd say Taz and Tenay would put it over as amazing and say they are the best tag team ever and Taz;ll say something about I used to wrestle so I know!

[Slagaholic]

Gotta say I hope TNA is able to go on the road more often, the whole atmosphere of the show and the stage is pretty damn cool.

[Teh_Showtime]

pretty good size crowd it looks like too.

[Jaysin]

Really diggin the stage.

[Teh_Showtime]

Im only a casual TNA watcher, but did James Stoorm get pudgy or what?

[Jaysin]

Im only a casual TNA watcher, but did James Stoorm get pudgy or what?

He's been about that size for awhile. Standing next to someone like Robert Roode doesn't make his gut look much better either.

I kinda hope Ink Inc wins the titles though. I'm a giant Shannon Moore fan though. Though, though I won't be too heartbroken if Beer Money retains.

[jwt13]

Beer money and Velvet sky are Trending on twitter right now

[Slagaholic]

Scott Steiner vs Rob Terry...wasn't half bad?

[Jaysin]

God I love Big Poppa Pump.

[Hashasheen]

Gunner and Murphy's tights are badass. Also, James Storm is starting to remind me too much of Braden Walker.

[Slagaholic]

Holy ****ing **** he brought a ****ing axe? Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

LOL Mike Tenay 'the Jets have been tapping out since 1969'

[Jaysin]

Tenay is awesome tonight.

[Slagaholic]

When Sting came out I half-expected him to start singing Jesus Christ Superstar.

[jwt13]

I just had a WCW flash back with Sting and then the crowd shots looked like WCW crowd used to

[Jaysin]

Sting <3

Loving the face paint design. Not sold on the glittery tights, but I'm glad he's no wearing a t shirt during the mach this time.

[jwt13]

He looked great and can still go he is TNA's Undertaker. They can give him title and he can put some one over.

[Jaysin]

He looked like he was in pretty good shape. Considering when he left he wouldn't wrestle without a shirt on.

He's my favorite of all time and after hearing the spoiler I wasn't too excited about it, but as soon as he made his entrance I felt like a little kid again :o

[Eisen-verse]

Just have to say....


iMPACT was enjoyable tonight. Sting beating Jeff hardy for the title, Fortune standing up to Immortal (making them the 'face' of TNA vs. the Bischoff/Hogan regime), and the whole Jarrett wedding was pretty entertaining.

All around, good show from my perspective.

[Synticha]

Didn't like the choice... I mean that Sting just isn't a man to be you champion in 2011. I'm no Jeff Hardy fan and I didn't enjoy him being the champion but god damnit.. Give the title to AJ!

[LoganRodzen]

Just have to say....


iMPACT was enjoyable tonight. Sting beating Jeff hardy for the title, Fortune standing up to Immortal (making them the 'face' of TNA vs. the Bischoff/Hogan regime), and the whole Jarrett wedding was pretty entertaining.

All around, good show from my perspective.

I agree with you. I did fast-forward through a bit of the show, but I liked what I did stop to watch. I really can't say anything bad about TNA or WWE these days because of the handy dandy DVR. Not having to watch the CRAP I don't want has made it extremely easy to not complain. I watch what I want and if they can sell me with that alone... then maybe they'll get me to keep watching and perhaps buy a PPV.

I was just blown away by the talk of Sting going to WWE (I never thought it would happen, at least not YET) and the fact he showed up on TNA. It brought me back to the late 90's when you didn't know who was going to be on what show. TNA made it pretty obvious (the Hogan / Bischoff segment) that Sting was the mystery opponent, but at the same time I thought they were setting us up for a let down.

Want to know what impressed me the most? That building was pretty full and it sort of shocked me. I understand there were empty seats around the place and I'm sure they black-curtained off some areas, but overall it looked like a good amount of people attended the show. The fact they hyped it and advertised for a month or two in advance definitely helped, but TNA needs to slowly do this and produce more TV shows / PPVs on the road.

It's an overly done topic, but I think after last night they have to really think about it in order to keep growing. I honestly think they could sell-out the Cumberland County Civic Center here in Portland, ME for a live TV show. They've only been here once for a house show and WWE neglects the state of Maine like crazy (maybe once every two years they come here; only house shows though). I'd love to see them go to small arenas around the country for Impact if it was financially possible for them.

[brashleyholland]

Just started watching Impact, because I heard Sting was on it and I have nothing better to do this afternoon.

"Who are you, Jermaine Hardy?" - line of the year from Kazarian.

[juggaloninjalee]

I just had a WCW flash back with Sting and then the crowd shots looked like WCW crowd used to

I thought the same thing watching it on tnawrestling.com

So next week will Sting drop the belt back to Jeff?

[Self]

He looked great and can still go he is TNA's Undertaker. They can give him title and he can put some one over.

Couldn't he come in and put someone over without beating the champion first? I mean... he's a legend, but he's also a 50 year old man. If you want him to put someone over, you just do it. You don't need to give him the belt first. He's as credible and over as he can possibly be.

A couple of years ago, I bitched and moaned when Undertaker hobbled in to end CM Punk's title reign and sent him packing to the midcard (Punk's back on top now, but took a while) and I'll do similar here, albeit more quietly because Jeff's already a bonafide top guy. I understand wanting to bring Sting back, due to all of the 2.21.11 stuff. I just don't dig old guys being cast in the role of "Best fighter in the world".

[juggaloninjalee]

Couldn't he come in and put someone over without beating the champion first? I mean... he's a legend, but he's also a 50 year old man. If you want him to put someone over, you just do it. You don't need to give him the belt first. He's as credible and over as he can possibly be.

A couple of years ago, I bitched and moaned when Undertaker hobbled in to end CM Punk's title reign and sent him packing to the midcard (Punk's back on top now, but took a while) and I'll do similar here, albeit more quietly because Jeff's already a bonafide top guy. I understand wanting to bring Sting back, due to all of the 2.21.11 stuff. I just don't dig old guys being cast in the role of "Best fighter in the world".

I agree 100%

[Hive]

I just watched an entire episode of Impact for the first time in a very long time, and I'm utterly shocked at how bad it has become. :(

It was virtually nothing but boring brawl-based matches with no interesting spots, though the opening tag match was not half-bad. That's something TNA at least still has got going: a fine tag division with real tag teams. Kudos for that at least. But the rest... meh. How come a promotion such as TNA with such great talent on the roster can only produce boring, slow paced brawls? Even watching Sting win the title was a huge dissapointment, as the match was crap and poorly executed. I expect more from a title match between two greats of their caliber. And if they can't go better than this, they shouldn't be main eventing.

And the segments/angles... what the hell? That whole Jarrett/Karen Angle wedding thing is grossly inappropriate, boring and awkward. Hogan and Bischoff spending all show being lame and trying to figure out who Hardy's opponent was going to be rather ruined the "surprise". Why didn't they just assume it was Anderson, take him out right before the match and then get hit by the surprise when Sting appeared instead? And why did noone from Immortal try to interfer in the match?

Also, what the f... is up with Flair's voice? I can't stand listening to the man, he sounds terrible! Send him to retirement already (again), before it gets even more embarrasing for him...

As terrible as I think WWE is, this was even worse. Which depresses me.

[PeterHilton]

-Last night's episode of TNA Impact did a 1.36 rating with 1,847,000 viewers. That is the highest rating for the show on Thursday night and second only to the show's first Monday rating, which did a 1.41.

Apparently, they know what they're doing ..despite whatever criticism the Sting return and spoof may have brought

[Slagaholic]

Pfft if TNA knew what they were doing they'd be pulling 2s by now.

[djthefunkchris]

Couldn't he come in and put someone over without beating the champion first? I mean... he's a legend, but he's also a 50 year old man. If you want him to put someone over, you just do it. You don't need to give him the belt first. He's as credible and over as he can possibly be.

A couple of years ago, I bitched and moaned when Undertaker hobbled in to end CM Punk's title reign and sent him packing to the midcard (Punk's back on top now, but took a while) and I'll do similar here, albeit more quietly because Jeff's already a bonafide top guy. I understand wanting to bring Sting back, due to all of the 2.21.11 stuff. I just don't dig old guys being cast in the role of "Best fighter in the world".

I agree 100%

Sting isn't as over and credible these days as you think, at least not in my opinion.... Beating Hardy was a good idea in my opinion... pluss Hardy didn't look like an easy win by no means.

My opinion, you don't bring someone back with that kind of build up, without giving them a couple of wins first. The fact it was the Champ, in my opinion, gives him more credibility, more reason to feel he is a huge threat to the Heels that run the place, and more reason to get into what is going to happen next. IF he had come in just to job to Hardy, it would have been a huge let down, at least to me. Just why in the world would you build someone up like that, to eliminate them as a threat just so a "younger" guy might get a rub off it (which they won't).

What most people I feel fail to see... is beating a man one time doesn't lend the "overness" people tend to believe it does.... Beating a seemingly unbeatable force a few times, while that force is still unbeatable to everyone else... that will get you over. That will get you a rub, etc.

Sting needs to be the scariest thing Hogans Hero's has to worry about at this point, so that whomever does beat him actually gets something out of it. The other fact is, it's not a hard thing to do with that particular wrestler. He easily win's crowds over with just a couple of looks. The only other person they have that could help anyone this way is Angle, and he's busy with Jarret for some dumb reason (dumbest storyline I've seen in years IMO).

It always amazes me how people talk about letting the other guy get over, when if they did it the way most people say to do it, it wouldn't help the other guy at all. This is something that TNA has proven over and over again.... if they haven't proven anything else.

[Eisen-verse]

Sting isn't as over and credible these days as you think, at least not in my opinion.... Beating Hardy was a good idea in my opinion... pluss Hardy didn't look like an easy win by no means.

My opinion, you don't bring someone back with that kind of build up, without giving them a couple of wins first. The fact it was the Champ, in my opinion, gives him more credibility, more reason to feel he is a huge threat to the Heels that run the place, and more reason to get into what is going to happen next. IF he had come in just to job to Hardy, it would have been a huge let down, at least to me. Just why in the world would you build someone up like that, to eliminate them as a threat just so a "younger" guy might get a rub off it (which they won't).

What most people I feel fail to see... is beating a man one time doesn't lend the "overness" people tend to believe it does.... Beating a seemingly unbeatable force a few times, while that force is still unbeatable to everyone else... that will get you over. That will get you a rub, etc.

Sting needs to be the scariest thing Hogans Hero's has to worry about at this point, so that whomever does beat him actually gets something out of it. The other fact is, it's not a hard thing to do with that particular wrestler. He easily win's crowds over with just a couple of looks. The only other person they have that could help anyone this way is Angle, and he's busy with Jarret for some dumb reason (dumbest storyline I've seen in years IMO).

It always amazes me how people talk about letting the other guy get over, when if they did it the way most people say to do it, it wouldn't help the other guy at all. This is something that TNA has proven over and over again.... if they haven't proven anything else.

My thoughts exactly, DJ.

In all honesty, to those who want Sting to 'rub', he needed a moment, or in this case a win, like this to give him the ability to do such a service. Yes, Sting is a big-name amongst those of us who remember how great he was in the 80's and 90's but, since then, he's been in-and-out of the industry quite a bit. In reality, to restore his star power in TNA is really the greatest thing they could have done.

Let's face it. We can all hope to see TNA pull off our own vision of what they should be but, in reality, they are who they think they are. (yep, play off of Denny Green).

In TNA, Hogan, Bischoff, Sting, etc., are all getting air-time because they are the big guns; the people who add a sense of intrigue to a company hoping to compete with the WWE some day.

Having him go over Jeff Hardy, which I'm happy for since I can't stand the guy, was not a bad booking decision in my mind. In the end, it gives them an immediate bump, gives TNA a big-time babyface to combat Hogan (again), and also makes room for a big rub down the road.

As always, lets see how this pans out before we completely jump all over a booking decision. We, the modern wrestling fanbase, need to find some more patience rather than looking for gigantic payoffs every week. Things take time. Storylines take time. Characters, and the rise or fall of them, take time.

Cheers.

E-V

[Self]

Give him a win, sure. You're right about that. No one wants to see a returning legend get punked out on his first night. Why does he have to beat the Champion though? If he's the new top guy, who you're building things around, that's fine. Put him on the top of the pile. If the plan is to 'put someone over', then why sacrifice your champion to make Sting relevant again.

Settling into my booking armchair, what I would have done is have Sting make his return in vibrant technicolor dreamcoat fashion. Beat up Immortal. Set up a PPV match with Jeff. On the way, have him beat... who are in Immortal these days? Matt Hardy. Rob Terry. Some third guy. Granted, the matches wouldn't get the same reaction as beating Jeff. I think the promos between Sting and Jeff (a massive Sting fan) will be really interesting. Build to the PPV match where Jeff beats him, perhaps by cheating his socks off. Now, even the powerful Stinger couldn't take Immortal, so he bands together with Fortune to take the belt teamwork-style.

Modern title reigns, I guess. Where no one's unbeatable and belts change hands at the drop of a hat.

[QFresh]

My only real problem with Sting beating Hardy for the title has nothing to do with how old the guy is. If TNA wants to put the belt on him, by all means, go for it. My problem with it is the kinda terrible booking decision on where the title change took place.

Why in the hyell would you have Hardy, from North Carolina, drop the World title to Sting in North Carolina. Hometown guys always get the biggest pop, and the crowd is behind them more then anyone else. I haven't watched it yet (pvr'ed it) so maybe I'm wrong, but I would think that the crowd wouldn't be all that happy about thier hometown guy losing. Just my opinion.

[20LEgend]

Watching TNA Superstars "reaction" to Sting returning and Pope said he couldn't care less, I would like to think Pope's alliance w/ Nash and Sting would be referenced at least just touched on but know I'd imagine not, I hope they do put them in a feud or something and that atleast gives you a new heel challenger rather than just JHardy

[juggaloninjalee]

My problem with Sting winning the title is that his first match back in about 6 months is a title match. I agree he should get big wins to establish himself but they should be over Immortal lackeys. Sting could go over Matt Hardy and that would allow him to earn his title shot.

[Huntman]

I just don't like Sting's deathly gray hair. Him coming back may give me some hope to start watching TNA again. As well as Kurt Angle with an ax.

[Remianen]

As always, lets see how this pans out before we completely jump all over a booking decision. We, the modern wrestling fanbase, need to find some more patience rather than looking for gigantic payoffs every week. Things take time. Storylines take time. Characters, and the rise or fall of them, take time

E-V, how long have you been watching TNA? I'm sure you're familiar with the phrase, "once bitten, twice shy", yes? If there is one thing TNA has proven over the years, it's that they often have no clue how to seal the deal. From Angle-Joe to the Main Event Mafia, the longer a storyline tends to go, the worse it seems to get before finally "concluding" in some nonsensical manner. So I tend to give a pass to folks who poo poo on TNA's storylines before they reach their conclusion. They have reason to do so IMO.

[Slagaholic]

From Bischoff's Monday Night Mayhem interview:
3-3-11 vignettes. What is the thought process of using that style of vignette when WWE did it with 2-21-11 for Undertaker. Bischoff said he had nothing to do with it. Bischoff was rather surprised when he saw it. He won't go deeper into that. He doesn't understand the thought process as he wasn't a part of it

http://obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/v/vincerusso/03.jpg

[smurphy1014]

As well as Kurt Angle with an ax.

Consider me intrigued. :D

[liontamer]

Not sure I'd say sting has deathlly grey hair. Heck with the likes of Nash, Hogan, Flair and EB around he's practically a spring chicken (and yes I know Nash left recently).

Anyhow, I was checking out the TNA roster page.... when has sting ever had the face paint the show with the title history/current champs?

[brashleyholland]

Good lord, HD is not kind to Sting's hairline...

If it got that bad, and you're supposed to look all painted up and cool for a living, you'd shave your head, right?

[Slagaholic]

Well you can't say that main event didn't tell a story.

[juggaloninjalee]

Not sure I'd say sting has deathlly grey hair. Heck with the likes of Nash, Hogan, Flair and EB around he's practically a spring chicken (and yes I know Nash left recently).

Anyhow, I was checking out the TNA roster page.... when has sting ever had the face paint the show with the title history/current champs?

Sting wore that paint last night.

Sting cut a decent promo. Mr Anderson acts too over the top and needs to tone it down some. I like Mr Andersons promos when he isn't blurting stuff out and acting weird.

Is it weird that I wish Hogan could go in the ring like in the early 2000's? If so I would want him and Sting to face off in the ring with Sting getting the win he rightfully deserved over a decade ago.

[Eisen-verse]

I normally don't talk bad about anyone as It's just not the way I go about things but...................

Can someone just take the Hardy brothers away? I mean, not in a violent way but just take them away from wrestling on TV. I was a fan in the early days; however, at this point, they've become... well... un-watchable in a lot of ways.

I don't like them but it's not a good 'heel heat'. I legitimate don't like them & typically turn the channel when they come on. Sad, but true.

[20LEgend]

I normally don't talk bad about anyone as It's just not the way I go about things but...................

Can someone just take the Hardy brothers away? I mean, not in a violent way but just take them away from wrestling on TV. I was a fan in the early days; however, at this point, they've become... well... un-watchable in a lot of ways.

I don't like them but it's not a good 'heel heat'. I legitimate don't like them & typically turn the channel when they come on. Sad, but true.

I would if I could...

I did hear that the Bucks are going to tie them up and take their clothes and see if anyone notices.

[jwt13]

Is it bad that I really really like Sting being World Champ and want to see Hogan V. Sting sometime down the line maybe at BFG VII (Not for the title)

[TheEdgeOfReason]

Yeah thats p bad.

[Eisen-verse]

Is it bad that I really really like Sting being World Champ and want to see Hogan V. Sting sometime down the line maybe at BFG VII (Not for the title)

Honestly, while it would be playing off of the old WCW way, I wouldn't mind seeing them in the ring for the last time. Sure, it may feel like TNA trying to bank off of WCW's popularity instead of creating their OWN... but... It'd be interesting from a historical perspective to see it one last time (something the WWE was never able to cash in on; Sting vs. Hogan).

Cheers.

E-V

[masterded]

I normally don't talk bad about anyone as It's just not the way I go about things but...................

Can someone just take the Hardy brothers away? I mean, not in a violent way but just take them away from wrestling on TV. I was a fan in the early days; however, at this point, they've become... well... un-watchable in a lot of ways.

I don't like them but it's not a good 'heel heat'. I legitimate don't like them & typically turn the channel when they come on. Sad, but true.

I was never huge on the Hardys though at different time I was almost a fan of them. Seeing them now makes me a tad uncomfortable. I can’t see them without thinking they have lost their minds and that wrestling is somewhat to blame. Almost makes me feel a little guilty as a fan of wrestling.

I would if I could...

I did hear that the Bucks are going to tie them up and take their clothes and see if anyone notices.

That being said the Hardys vs the Young Bucks is one of the few things I would actually still like to see the Hardys due (along with Hardys vs. MCMG once Shelly comes back).

[TheEdgeOfReason]

I liked Jeff up until he started all the face paint stuff. Matt up until after his MVP feud. He hasn't been entertaining since.

[Jaysin]

Dreamer is wearing pants instead of the stupid MMA shorts. WOO!

[jwt13]

This has sucked so bad so far how many russo finshes will there be?

[Jaysin]

This has sucked so bad so far how many russo finshes will there be?

What exactly was wrong with Dreamer/Ray's finish?

[jwt13]

What exactly was wrong with Dreamer/Ray's finish?

Not too much just had russo all over it the X division match made the show a little better but so far its been boring and bad

[Jaysin]

Not too much just had russo all over it the X division match made the show a little better but so far its been boring and bad

How? Seriously, the heel was about to win and the faces got their revenge...it wasn't a bad finish at all.

Hernandez vs Morgan sucked and the knockouts match sucked even worse with horrible endings, but Dreamer/Ray was a decent brawl and the faces got their revenge in the end.

Ultimate X was cool though. I did enjoy it a lot.

[jwt13]

How? Seriously, the heel was about to win and the faces got their revenge...it wasn't a bad finish at all.

Hernandez vs Morgan sucked and the knockouts match sucked even worse with horrible endings, but Dreamer/Ray was a decent brawl and the faces got their revenge in the end.

Ultimate X was cool though. I did enjoy it a lot.

Yea the X division looks to be on a rise lets hope that continues

[Jaysin]

Matt has braids again v.v
At least he's in shape though

[jwt13]

How was the AJ/Matt match I didnt see it and who won

[Jaysin]

AJ won, but it was waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy better than I expected it to be. There was a botch, but they recovered it quickly(Hebner didn't notice in time though)

[sabataged]

Honkey Tonk Man (reliable source I know) posted on his Facebook the following....

WWE legend The Honky Tonk Man has posted the following on his Facebook account: "HTM has been told Hogan will bolt to WWE if asked. Sources within TNA have said Hogan will leave [Eric Bischoff] behind like a rat. Hogan is on his way out of TNA. Dixie has had to advance Flair money to pay his debts. Strange things are happening at TNA! Hogan's TNA contract is results and incentive based. Either party can walk anytime. HTM said it first Hogan is on the way out."

source: http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/wwe-legend-claims-hulk-hogan-is-leaving-tna-wrestling-125927

[Jaysin]

Honky Tonk Man is a troll though.

[sabataged]

Honky Tonk Man is a troll though.

True but a lot of the stuff he says seems to be true. Not all but a lot

[jwt13]

They jobbed Hardy I most say the show turned out better than it started it was a ok 6.5/10

[Jaysin]

Ugh that ending pissed me off so bad. Beyond irritated with it. I read they wanted to make it a fatal fourway at Lockdown, but they could have made Sting/Hardy actually have a match...

I'm probably the biggest TNA supporter on this site and I'm beyond pissed off right now.

[sabataged]

Ugh that ending pissed me off so bad. Beyond irritated with it. I read they wanted to make it a fatal fourway at Lockdown, but they could have made Sting/Hardy actually have a match...

I'm probably the biggest TNA supporter on this site and I'm beyond pissed off right now.


Seriously....that was horrible

[jwt13]

I just heard that Sting refused to work with Jeff because he was drunk this however is no way confirmed just what i heard.

Edit: As Sting was walking up the ramp the crowd was chanting bull sh.t and Sting was saying I agree I agree you could read his lips so wasn't too happy.

Edit 2: there was lots of confusion among the live audience at the Impact Zone following the quick main event result. According to Steven, Bischoff was noticeably seen telling Sting something after dropping the mic. Security quickly rushed Jeff Hardy to the back who was trying to rile up the crowd to chant "BULLSH*T" over the finish. We'll have a breaking update on this within the next hour or so. Stay awake as we're working on the story now!
From Ewrestlingnews sent from someone who was there

[TracyBrooksFan]

From what i heard from someone at the show Jeff got arrested for violation of Probation

[b0shey]

OMG, best Main Event in history

[BHK1978]

Well if Jeff really was in "no condition" to fight (I did not see the PPV, just going by what I read on here and other sites.), I cannot really blame Sting or TNA for cutting the match short. Sting could have been in danger if Jeff was on cloud nine.

I guess that is what TNA gets for putting a degenerate junkie in the main event.

[Eisen-verse]

I guess that is what TNA gets for putting a degenerate junkie in the main event.

Amen; brother-friend. Amen.

[Slagaholic]

Missed the PPV read the results. What a shame. They were just beginning to pick up some momentum and this happens. Luckily no one buys their pay-per-views anyway so there weren't any angry customers.

[borman_48]

Wow. Watched everything thanks to youtube, and that was... the wrong kind of amazing. Jeff is definitely high on something, he almost fell off the steps going into the ring. I'm not always in agreement with everything Sting does, but I certainly can't blame him not wanting to risk his life/health trying to carry a match with the mess Jeff Hardy was.

[pauls07]

i just read this comment on youtube

Dear Sting,

Victory Road= Couldve been Wrestlemania

Jeff Hardy= Couldve been Undertaker

iMPACT Zone= Couldve been the Georgia Dome

1,000+ people in the crowd = Couldve been 50.000+ people in the crowd

The $ TNA is giving you= Couldve been topped by WWE

Your match against Taker= Couldnt have been any worse than ur match w/Hardy

[Candyman]

i just read this comment on youtube

Dear Sting,

Victory Road= Couldve been Wrestlemania

Jeff Hardy= Couldve been Undertaker

iMPACT Zone= Couldve been the Georgia Dome

1,000+ people in the crowd = Couldve been 50.000+ people in the crowd

The $ TNA is giving you= Couldve been topped by WWE

Your match against Taker= Couldnt have been any worse than ur match w/Hardy

Yeah, I liked that one. Not so much the comment that called it the best main event ever because controversy creates cash. :rolleyes:

Just watched the whole thing again on Youtube, and...wow. What is TNA doing? Jeff's not even the champion anymore, how can you not replace him in the match? I've actually been watching their TV shows lately, and I caught a live stream of this PPV(I would never pay to watch a wrestling PPV), but after this...you end a PPV with a drunk/high/both challenger losing your main event in a minute, followed by the crowd chanting "bull****" and your champion audibly saying "I agree." I simply can't keep watching them as long as this man is employed.

This could either be the moment TNA wakes up and gets their act together, or it'll be the beginning of the end for them.

[Save_Us.Necro]

I have a VERY bad feeling TNA keeps him around and does a Charlie Sheen gimmick with him. Seriously. They would too.

[juggaloninjalee]

i just read this comment on youtube

Dear Sting,

Victory Road= Couldve been Wrestlemania

Jeff Hardy= Couldve been Undertaker

iMPACT Zone= Couldve been the Georgia Dome

1,000+ people in the crowd = Couldve been 50.000+ people in the crowd

The $ TNA is giving you= Couldve been topped by WWE

Your match against Taker= Couldnt have been any worse than ur match w/Hardy

I haven't watched the video of the main event but this comment ^ is so true!

I have a VERY bad feeling TNA keeps him around and does a Charlie Sheen gimmick with him. Seriously. They would too.

This would suck! The guy needs to be let go. Charlie Sheen is not "winning" he is LOSING! I am tired of that guy getting more rich over how ridiculous this crap is.

[Hashasheen]

I give up. Peter Hilton, you're right. I've been watching since Bound For Glory, and witnessed catastrophe after catastrophe. I love AJ Styles, I love Kazarian, Beer Money, MCMG, the Knockouts and Sting but this is too much. I'm not watching anymore TNA programming.

[Hive]

Wow. Read the match reports. I'm shocked. I knew TNA had fallen deep below previous standards, but this finish in the main event... just wow. This is why they're still, and will likely ever be with this management, a minor league thing. WWE would NEVER have let something like this happen. EVER.

Why didn't they just throw Anderson and Van Dam into the main event to compensate? Make it an elimination match where Hardy still is outed early. Of course, it wouldn't garner the same kind of heat... Van Dam and Anderson both being faces (as far as I know)... but this thing was dreadful. Do they even have another main event heel to replace Hardy with? Or will they just throw in his fat brother?

R.I.P. TNA... it's about time. :(

[juggaloninjalee]

Wow. Read the match reports. I'm shocked. I knew TNA had fallen deep below previous standards, but this finish in the main event... just wow. This is why they're still, and will likely ever be with this management, a minor league thing. WWE would NEVER have let something like this happen. EVER.

Why didn't they just throw Anderson and Van Dam into the main event to compensate? Make it an elimination match where Hardy still is outed early. Of course, it wouldn't garner the same kind of heat... Van Dam and Anderson both being faces (as far as I know)... but this thing was dreadful. Do they even have another main event heel to replace Hardy with? Or will they just throw in his fat brother?

R.I.P. TNA... it's about time. :(

I can see a few things happening now. Jeff Jarrett and Sting AGAIN! BLAH! Or Matt Morgan goes back to Immortal and feuds for the belt.

I mean what else are they going to do? I'd leave it as is and have RVD, Anderson, and Sting have a 3 way. RVD could turn heel which is more fun than anything but have it happen very naturally and subtle.

[Bigpapa42]

What a sequence of poor decision-making by TNA. From what I've read here and elsewhere, it seems like a lot of fans are really frustrated with TNA over this. I guess they've finally realized or seen what some of us have for awhile. I type that without any self-satisfaction, because I really really wish TNA would stop f$@%ing up and realize their potential.

[PeterHilton]

Yeah...I know I kill TNA but for the most part its because they are incredibly frustrating because they fall so short of their potential

They have talent ..they have recognizable names..they have a product that in general appeals more to my age ...but they still manage to eff it up through sheer incompetence.

Slag's right in that TNA's PPV numbers are so bad that this won't make a huge difference to them on the business side of things, but it's a black eye for the company and only the snarkiest of TNA fanboys will try to say it isn't

If I were Sting I'd take a good hard look at getting out of this contract; the company repaid his loyalty by taking a giant dump on his big return. And Kurt ...as much as he says that he's never leaving and the he is just negotiating how much he'll be active in his next deal...he has to consider a return to the WWE.

[LoganRodzen]

I don't even know what to say right now. That finish was horrible. This was practically a burial in TEW terms. It was horrendous and I can't believe it happened.

[20LEgend]

Wow, I can't believe how paying customers are feeling right now. The Sting I agree part is pretty crazy and this should see the end of Hardy in TNA, really just release him and hopefully his fat ass of a brother will go too. Really dreadful, Sting's look when re-watching it looked less like storyline and more real and the near fall on the steps I seriously have to say depush him to X Division or get him out of their and Sting is dead on with his reaction of essentially breaking character. In the end it was kinda funny unless you paid (I couldn't if I wanted to it's on free tv in the UK.)

On the positive side, I really like Robbie E, his crazy in-character like selling is awesome :D

Can't wait to the Rise (was there a rise?) and Fall of TNA DVD, it is a finger poke of doom moment. No but this actually for once isn't TNA fault Hardy is a dick

[The Final Countdown]

Yeah, I liked that one. Not so much the comment that called it the best main event ever because controversy creates cash. :rolleyes:

I guess this explains why their product is so bad--Eric Bischoff spends all his time commenting on random YouTube videos.

[LoganRodzen]

OK. I literally just watched the Bischoff piece of the main event because I read somewhere that he said something to Hardy. As he's exiting the ring and covering his mouth with his two hands it seems like he says, "AHHH (in pain from Sting attack) lay down make it quick!" If this is true and Hardy continued to prance around the way he did... wow. Just wow.

[MichiganHero]

Looks like Jeff Hardy has a new character. I'm just waiting for him next week to say that he is high on Jeff Hardy.

[20LEgend]

Also a comment on youtube saying Jeff is trying to kick out. It does sorta look that way

[LoganRodzen]

Also a comment on youtube saying Jeff is trying to kick out. It does sorta look that way

I saw the match in its entirety and from the camera angle TNA gives you, you can clearly see Sting forcibly pinning him while Jeff tries kicking out. I'm genuinely intrigued as to what happened backstage.

[20LEgend]

I saw the match in its entirety and from the camera angle TNA gives you, you can clearly see Sting forcibly pinning him while Jeff tries kicking out. I'm genuinely intrigued as to what happened backstage.

I watched it first time and didn't notice but it definitely looks that was, and I hope what happened gets out, everyone loves a bit of "gossip".
Also,


FIRE JEFF! FIRE JEFF! FIRE JEFF! (Hardy, Jarrett is gold :()

[Jaysin]

Evidently, Jeff was sent home from the tapings.

[PeterHilton]

For those that didn't see, this is not a bad recap, surprisingly enough from the comments section of 411mania:

This mess made TNA look terrible. Hardy looked BAD coming to the ring. For those that missed it, here is a rundown of what happened:

It took him forever to come out after his music hit. His eyes were glazed, he was swaying, he stumbled on his way inside the ring.

The ref spoke a few words to Hardy. He then made the "X" sign with his arms to signal something legit was happening. He calls over an agent. Sting comes in the ring and you can see the ref talking to the agent. The ref tells Sting something and Sting mouths "are you kidding me?" Then Sting mumbles while Hardy is acting high as a kite in the corner. The camera zooms in on his face and his nose is running badly. He does the cocaine sniff throughout.

Cue Bischoff music and he runs in with what looks like a live audible on TV. He says something like, "there's a change of plans in the main event" and quickly goes to Hardy and tells him something off mic. It seemed almost like he was checking up on him before making a further announcement. Then Bischoff goes to Sting, hides the mic behind his back, and Sting says either "why is he even here or why are you even here?" Then we get an awkward explanation from Bischoff before Sting punches him out to start the match.

Before the match starts, Hardy teases throwing his shirt to the crowd for what seems like forever. It looked weird. Then Sting gets the match started and quickly hits the death drop, and forces Hardy down for the pin. There was an awkward kick-out by Hardy, and the replays show Sting bearing his weight down on the pin. Sting almost looks disgusted at Hardy, and there is a closeup of Jeff looking fried as he tries to make sense of what just happened.

Hardy starts getting pissed, while Sting goes up the ramp saying "I agree, I agree," to the "bull****" chants.

[PeterHilton]

Can't wait to the Rise (was there a rise?) and Fall of TNA DVD, it is a finger poke of doom moment. No but this actually for once isn't TNA fault Hardy is a dick

I disagree vehemently.

From a long-term standpoint, they made the decision to center all their storylines and put the belt on a guy who is a known drug abuser, with an upcoming court case, who has a history of flaking (and specifically a history of flaking on TNA)

From a PPV standpoint, they saw that hardy was unfit to perform and made the terrible terrible decision to do absolutely nothing about it. They could've had someone win the RVD/Anderson match and then giv them the shot at Sting, they could've run a 3-way, or a 4-way and had Hardy taken out on the ramp...there is literally a dozen possibilities to handle that situation that would've bene better than allowing Hardy to stagger out to the ring and lose in under a minute like that.

They were faced with a tough situation and completely choked.

Of course it was their fault. Just as much as Hardy, if not more so.

[juggaloninjalee]

Either way it is TNA's fault. Bischoff could have told Jeff that he had the night off and that Sting would face someone else.

Did TNA realize Hardy was messed up before he came out?

[20LEgend]

Maybe I'm naive but I wouldn't expect it myself, plus I didn't know he'd done it before. Still blame Jeff more, the prick maybe they could have changed it around though, must still mostly Jeff;s fault :p

[juggaloninjalee]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmMaF1tIgyk

Just in case you guys haven't seen it. Personally I think this was the most awkward thing I have seen in wrestling. Based on this I don't think anyone realized until Jeff came out that he was high or drunk or whatever.

[20LEgend]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmMaF1tIgyk

Just in case you guys haven't seen it. Personally I think this was the most awkward thing I have seen in wrestling. Based on this I don't think anyone realized until Jeff came out that he was high or drunk or whatever.

That was my thought

[PeterHilton]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmMaF1tIgyk

Just in case you guys haven't seen it. Personally I think this was the most awkward thing I have seen in wrestling. Based on this I don't think anyone realized until Jeff came out that he was high or drunk or whatever.

Which would again show total incompetence by the people in charge

[LoganRodzen]

For discussion purposes, what does this face say to you?

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m521/Logan_Rodzen/hardyshocked.jpg

"Whoa, I just lost my title match that quick?!" (fake surprise) or "What the hell just happened?" (real surprise).

[Jaysin]

For discussion purposes, what does this face say to you?

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m521/Logan_Rodzen/hardyshocked.jpg

"Whoa, I just lost my title match that quick?!" (fake surprise) or "What the hell just happened?" (real surprise).

I'm going with "What the hell just happened?"

He looked confused as hell when he asked Hebner what was going on.

[jhd1]

Having just watched the clip (I didn't watch the show), all I can think of is WCW - and I didn't even watch WCW during the 90s. Sting looks incensed throughout, and I can't blame him, Eric Bischoff looks both embarrased and like a man who is completely desperate to get through the next few minutes. Hardy even looks like he's trying to kick out of the pin (thankfully the ref wasn't bothered).

I suspect very little will come of this (i.e. I don't think Sting, Angle, Hardy, Hogan will leave), but anyone who let that go ahead should be ashamed.

[Fantabulous]

I reiterate what I've said previously in this thread; TNA just cannot help themselves but make the absolute worst decision in any situation.

If Jeff Hardy was that messed up that they couldn't go any longer than 1:00, replace the guy. You might get a few people unhappy about not getting the advertised main event, but at least you're not pissing off what few paying customers you have left, and at this point, you've got to think TNA are now down to their super hardcore fanbase when it comes to buying the PPV's.

If this is some kind of bizarro worked shoot deal, it may be the dumbest one that Vince Russo/Eric Bischoff have ever tried. It literally does nothing but piss off what little remains of your paying customer fanbase and pisses off the people who came to see the show live.

[juggaloninjalee]

Having just watched the clip (I didn't watch the show), all I can think of is WCW - and I didn't even watch WCW during the 90s. Sting looks incensed throughout, and I can't blame him, Eric Bischoff looks both embarrased and like a man who is completely desperate to get through the next few minutes. Hardy even looks like he's trying to kick out of the pin (thankfully the ref wasn't bothered).

I suspect very little will come of this (i.e. I don't think Sting, Angle, Hardy, Hogan will leave), but anyone who let that go ahead should be ashamed.

I dunno after seeing that I think that Hardy will be out the door.

[Jaysin]

I reiterate what I've said previously in this thread; TNA just cannot help themselves but make the absolute worst decision in any situation.

If Jeff Hardy was that messed up that they couldn't go any longer than 1:00, replace the guy. You might get a few people unhappy about not getting the advertised main event, but at least you're not pissing off what few paying customers you have left, and at this point, you've got to think TNA are now down to their super hardcore fanbase when it comes to buying the PPV's.

If this is some kind of bizarro worked shoot deal, it may be the dumbest one that Vince Russo/Eric Bischoff have ever tried. It literally does nothing but piss off what little remains of your paying customer fanbase and pisses off the people who came to see the show live.

I don't think anyone knew that Jeff was screwed up until he made his way to the ring. Hence the ref throwing the X up and Sting getting pissed.

I highly doubt they could have RVD or Anderson improvise a match with Sting in Jeff's place.

[Fantabulous]

I don't think anyone knew that Jeff was screwed up until he made his way to the ring. Hence the ref throwing the X up and Sting getting pissed.


TNA just might be that incompetent to not notice that one of the guys in their main event is screwed up until he walks through the curtain.

[jhd1]

I dunno after seeing that I think that Hardy will be out the door.

If I was Sting I'd run a mile. If I was Jeff Hardy I'd resign. If I was Dixie Carter I'd fire Jeff Hardy and whoever said he'd be okay to go out on the night.

But I'm not, and I find that all too often the 'name value' and money gets in the way of logic. Call me a pessimist :D

[PeterHilton]

I don't think anyone knew that Jeff was screwed up until he made his way to the ring. Hence the ref throwing the X up and Sting getting pissed.

I highly doubt they could have RVD or Anderson improvise a match with Sting in Jeff's place.

That's probably right and it's really dumb

So you're telling me on the night of a live PPV, no one bothered to check in on the two performers in the main event? Even if it was just to say.."hey this is what we alked about..are you all good with that?"

Unless Hardy literally went and got wasted a few minutes before the curtain raised, there's no excuse for management not to know

[juggaloninjalee]

I don't think anyone knew that Jeff was screwed up until he made his way to the ring. Hence the ref throwing the X up and Sting getting pissed.

I highly doubt they could have RVD or Anderson improvise a match with Sting in Jeff's place.

They could have made it a 3 way that ended when Immortal's Gunner and Murphy ran in causing it to get thrown out. Just my thoughts.

[Slagaholic]

That's probably right and it's really dumb

So you're telling me on the night of a live PPV, no one bothered to check in on the two performers in the main event? Even if it was just to say.."hey this is what we alked about..are you all good with that?"

Unless Hardy literally went and got wasted a few minutes before the curtain raised, there's no excuse for management not to know

Would it really surprise you if that was the case?

[Jaysin]

Would it really surprise you if that was the case?

That's what I was thinking. I'm reading Motley Crue's autobiography The Dirt and there were times that everyone thought Nikki Sixx was sober and right before they went out on stage he'd end up shooting up or snorting and no one knew until right then.

[Hive]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmMaF1tIgyk

Just in case you guys haven't seen it. Personally I think this was the most awkward thing I have seen in wrestling. Based on this I don't think anyone realized until Jeff came out that he was high or drunk or whatever.

Thanks for the link.

This was every bit as terrible as people had said. On the positives however, I think Sting looks in his best shape for years. And his reaction and professionalism during this only made me respect him more.

[PeterHilton]

Would it really surprise you if that was the case?

No it really wouldn't

That's what I was thinking. I'm reading Motley Crue's autobiography The Dirt and there were times that everyone thought Nikki Sixx was sober and right before they went out on stage he'd end up shooting up or snorting and no one knew until right then.

Which brings me back to my point: if you are dealing with a guy with a KNOWN DRUG HABIT WHO HAS REFUSED TREATMENT AND IS CURRENTLY FIGHTING DRUG FELONY CHARGES, and then he goes out and does something like this, it's still the fault of management for putting themselves in that position where they are relying on someone with Hardy's particular set of problems.

I don't care if Hardy snorted coke while his intro music was playing, TNA still shares some of the blame for having him in the main event and having him in a position in the company where he was headlining PPV after PPV despite his drug habit.

[PeterHilton]

This was every bit as terrible as people had said. On the positives however, I think Sting looks in his best shape for years. And his reaction and professionalism during this only made me WISH HE HAD ENDED HIS CAREER AFTER A MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA more.

fixed

[Bigpapa42]

Which brings me back to my point: if you are dealing with a guy with a KNOWN DRUG HABIT WHO HAS REFUSED TREATMENT AND IS CURRENTLY FIGHTING DRUG FELONY CHARGES, and then he goes out and does something like this, it's still the fault of management for putting themselves in that position where they are relying on someone with Hardy's particular set of problems.

I don't care if Hardy snorted coke while his intro music was playing, TNA still shares some of the blame for having him in the main event and having him in a position in the company where he was headlining PPV after PPV despite his drug habit.

The exact point I was going to make. Jeff Hardy did what Jeff Hardy should be expected to do. He has a history of it, refuses the idea that he has a problem, and had an issue just a few months ago that was passed off as "fatigue".

And if he was getting high at the event, I would quite honestly see the situation as far worse. Getting high on yoru time and having that affect your ability to do you job is bad. Getting high at work is an instant-fired offense in any line of work.

If Hardy isn't severely punished for this, I'm losing even more respect for TNA. They have a real late-WCW vibe going on with this crap right now. And that is now a good thing.

[jhd1]

I don't care if Hardy snorted coke while his intro music was playing, TNA still shares some of the blame for having him in the main event and having him in a position in the company where he was headlining PPV after PPV despite his drug habit.

As ever, this sentence from Pete pretty much sums it up. TNA don't deserve sympathy because everyone knew about Hardy's issues well before he joined the company. If Sting had turned up kettled then you might be a bit more understanding.

[Hive]

fixed

Yeah... I really did wish he had signed with WWE. Not that I'm a huge fan of their product either, but at least they're professional - and it would have given Sting the sendoff he deserves. TNA can never do that.

[juggaloninjalee]

TNA should have assumed the risk pushing him yes. We all agree TNA is at fault. I don't see anyone saying otherwise. I do see people understanding why the main event was such a cluster---- though.

They need to bury Hardy and fire him. Never bring him back to the main event again. Once he gets help and such maybe bring him back as a curtain jerker but don't give him titles, push him, or use him in any major storylines. That's my opinion.

[Tha Black Phenom]

If I was Sting I'd run a mile. If I was Jeff Hardy I'd resign. If I was Dixie Carter I'd fire Jeff Hardy and whoever said he'd be okay to go out on the night.

But I'm not, and I find that all too often the 'name value' and money gets in the way of logic. Call me a pessimist :D

TNA should have assumed the risk pushing him yes. We all agree TNA is at fault. I don't see anyone saying otherwise. I do see people understanding why the main event was such a cluster---- though.

They need to bury Hardy and fire him. Never bring him back to the main event again. Once he gets help and such maybe bring him back as a curtain jerker but don't give him titles, push him, or use him in any major storylines. That's my opinion.

It's sad that you even have to wonder IF they're going to bury/sack him or not.

Saw the footage and I have no words. Inconceivable. And I honestly do think some talent one way or another are gonna say "peace out" if Hardy stays and/or receives the same treatment.

[pate]

I usually give TNA the benefit of the doubt...but seriously?

[foolinc]

Does anyone else thing that this thing is a complete and total work? Going with a Jeff's falling off the wagon storyline is something TNA isn't above and putting an angle on PPV that should have been on TV is something TNA does all the freaking time.

[20LEgend]

Does anyone else thing that this thing is a complete and total work? Going with a Jeff's falling off the wagon storyline is something TNA isn't above and putting an angle on PPV that should have been on TV is something TNA does all the freaking time.

I can't see it as work, result aside watching it all just looked to awkwardly legit to me, plus pull Jeffro losing a 2 minute match on iMPACT, but on a $20(???) PPV no way, not even TNA could do that... I think :p

[Slagaholic]

It'd certainly be much better for TNA if it was a work.

[Fantabulous]

It'd certainly be much better for TNA if it was a work.

Not really, because if it's a work then it just means they're a different kind of moron.

[Slagaholic]

Not really, because if it's a work then it just means they're a different kind of moron.

Wrestling can only be what you think it should be. I understand.

That being said I highly doubt it was a work.

Even without the main event the PPV was horrible top to bottom, this monthly PPV **** needs to stop. Too many throw away PPVs in both WWE and TNA.

[eayragt]

Ouch. I know it ended up a BS Main Event, but once Hardy and Sting were out there, they did the best they could. Bisch' did well (even if perhaps he was going to make it no DQ anyway), there really just wasn't the time to get anyone involved. I fully believe whatever Hardy did he did moments before he came out.

So, can anyone answer the question why would you want to keep Hardy around? Name value? Na-ah. To job to someone? Er, risky. Fire him publically on Impact. Storyline wise of course. Then carry out internal disciplinary. Where you fire him.

[Fantabulous]

Wrestling can only be what you think it should be. I understand.

If it's a work, it not only pissed off their usually easy-to-please Impact Zone fans, it pissed off the few fans they have who will pay to see their product. Who could possibly have paid $30 or whatever for that PPV and been happy with that as their main event? And that's not even getting into the idea of the semi-main event going to a non-finish with it being used as a hook for the free TV.

[PoisonedSuperman]

I guess I can see it from both sides but in my eyes I do place blame on both but I'm not totally against those who say its only Hardy's fault because most people try to give others the benefit of the doubt and I guess thats what TNA tried to do.


Just youtubed the video and I must say that was extremely awkward. It's not a work, kudos to Tenay who tried to stay professinal but when Hardy tried to kick out but couldn't, he seemed surprised. Also when Hardy was playing with the T-Shirt Tazz's "What the hell is Hardy doing here?" didn't seem like it fit. The way sting cautiously went towards Hardy at the begining and the look he gave him at the end also makes it seem real.

All I have to say is LOL

Another thing; I can see them giving a credit to the PPV customers for the next one.

[Slagaholic]

If it's a work, it not only pissed off their usually easy-to-please Impact Zone fans, it pissed off the few fans they have who will pay to see their product. Who could possibly have paid $30 or whatever for that PPV and been happy with that as their main event? And that's not even getting into the idea of the semi-main event going to a non-finish with it being used as a hook for the free TV.
The Impact Zone fans don't pay anything. I'm sure that next week the Impact Zone will look like stands of a beer league softball game, not even little league. No one was happy, if they booked a finish like that no one was supposed to be happy. Again I'll the re-emphasize that I don't think it was a booked finish.

I didn't mind the finish to the semi-main event, I did mind that it was a match well below RVD and Mr. Anderson's standards.

[Fantabulous]

The Impact Zone fans don't pay anything. I'm sure that next week the Impact Zone will look like stands of a beer league softball game, not even little league. No one was happy, if they booked a finish like that no one was supposed to be happy. Again I'll the re-emphasize that I don't think it was a booked finish.


I don't think it was a finish they planned going in either, but the idea that it would be better if it was worked is absurd because it would be a horrible idea with no upside.

[The Stallion]

Wow, just wow. Thats all I have to say. Well not really. I have not watched in a while because I am losing interest in wrestling as a whole, but I do read whats happening in TNA because I am a huge fan of a lot of the guys they have there. However what happened last night was something that would have happened in WCW in there final years. Is this a sign of things to come? I just dont know. Jeff Hardy should be fired if he was truly high. No if and or butts about it. The next question is, who can take the place of the top heel in TNA now?

[PoisonedSuperman]

Jeff Jarrett has to be the top heel now, I mean sure its been done before but he just has to keep the seat warm as they build someone up.

Hernandez? Morgan? Kurt turning on Sting? There's a few ways to go but I'd start with J-E- double F


Jeff Jarretts new MMA inspired super submission gimmick vs. Sting in a submission match where Sting brings back the Scorpion Death Lock (as a finisher)!!!

[PeterHilton]

Jeff Jarrett has to be the top heel now, I mean sure its been done before but he just has to keep the seat warm as they build someone up.



Im even less interested in seeing JJ than the Hardy train wreck

[Hive]

Jeff Jarrett has to be the top heel now, I mean sure its been done before but he just has to keep the seat warm as they build someone up.

Hernandez? Morgan? Kurt turning on Sting? There's a few ways to go but I'd start with J-E- double F

Hernandez, Morgan and Angle has been turned so many times already in recent years that everyone in the Impact zone must be dizzy from it by now. Other than that, Hernandez will NEVER be the top heel in any promotion. Morgan might have the potential to be, but he's not there yet. Angle could do it, of course, but his current feud with Jarrett as the loveable face would make it extremely weird and wasteful.

Matt Hardy is not up for it, Anderson hasn't been face long enough for another turn, Styles just turned himself... so that leaves what, Van Dam? Or possibly Samoa Joe, if they start treating him right again?

Jeff Hardy really screwed TNA with this on so many levels. Then of course, TNA partially screwed TNA for being dumb enough to run with him for so long in the first place...

[Jaysin]

Not to mention, Hernandez sucks horribly.

[BHK1978]

Does anyone else thing that this thing is a complete and total work? Going with a Jeff's falling off the wagon storyline is something TNA isn't above and putting an angle on PPV that should have been on TV is something TNA does all the freaking time.

The thought did cross my mind. However, I quickly dismissed it because there is no way Jeff Hardy is that good of an actor.:D

[LordJaguar]

Maybe it's the latino in me...but I love SuperMex! LAX was the thing that got me into TNA in the first place.

[PeterHilton]

Maybe it's the latino in me...but I love SuperMex! LAX was the thing that got me into TNA in the first place.

That must be it. Because he is painfully uninteresting. And I'm Mexican too.

He's just a generic big guy brawler with a generic big guy brawler look. Honestly, he was more interesting in Mexico because there are less workers like him.

In TNA, he's just *meh*

[LoganRodzen]

Hernandez is just big and that's why they push him. He's too dangerous for my liking.

[Slim Jim]

What's Abyss up to? They could bring him back and continue ramming him down people's throats like they seemed to be a few months ago.

[20LEgend]

What's Abyss up to? They could bring him back and continue ramming him down people's throats like they seemed to be a few months ago.

Nothing, he's the TV champ though. Please TNA do not push that piece of monkey crap

[The Stallion]

Hernandez just needs a little something to freshen up his character. I dont think he is a generic big guy, he has a bit more in his arsenal. Plus he can move like not many other big guys can.

Matt Morgan could be another Hulk Hogan (and I mean that in a good way) if pushed right. He's big, athletic, charismatic and can work a crowd. Have him turn in a big way and he could be THE heel moving forward.

Abyss has always been an interesting character to me. He is a bit Mankind, bit Undertaker, bit Kane all thrown into a mixer and then poured out. He has not been too bad on the mic either but if they give him a good manager then he could be that monster bad guy.

Hell turn Joe heel again and have him go on a dominating winning streak. Wins over top faces and maybe some DQ's because he is so violent during the match. Set him up as a big threat to Sting.

I do not want to see Jeff Jarrett in the Title scene again. I have nothing against the guy at all and I think he is a great worker who can work a crowd, but it would be in TNA's best interest to keep him away from the Title scene for now. Maybe a run for the gold a few months to a few years down the road but for now he should be the guy that the young faces have to go through to go from that midcard to main event scene.

Pope is a big contender for top heel, but he needs a bigger push outside this feud with Joe. He's got the charisma, the ability and the drive to be a top guy. Maybe he is pissed that Sting left him to fight against Immortal all by himself and now he wants revenge on Sting.

And just for Nostalgia sake put Sting vs Flair for one last hurray.

Thats just some quick ideas on who could be the top heel in TNA right now.

[Hive]

Hernandez just needs a little something to freshen up his character. I dont think he is a generic big guy, he has a bit more in his arsenal. Plus he can move like not many other big guys can.

What else does he have in his arsenal, really? He's the kind of wrestler that should never have been given a solo run, as he's much better in a tag team with the right partner. Like Homicide. Plus, he's not exactly the safest worker around.

Matt Morgan could be another Hulk Hogan (and I mean that in a good way) if pushed right. He's big, athletic, charismatic and can work a crowd. Have him turn in a big way and he could be THE heel moving forward.

I definately think Morgan has potential, but a new Hulk Hogan? Never. Noone can be a new Hulk Hogan. Why? Because someone like Hulk Hogan wouldn't get as over doing what he does today as he did in the 80's. Times have changed, and Hogan could never get to where he is today if he had to start all over in 2011. Also, while Morgan is good, he has nowhere the level of charisma that Hogan has. He's a better worker though.

Abyss has always been an interesting character to me. He is a bit Mankind, bit Undertaker, bit Kane all thrown into a mixer and then poured out. He has not been too bad on the mic either but if they give him a good manager then he could be that monster bad guy.

I definately agree that Abyss is a cross between especially Mankind and Kane and, to a lesser degree, The Undertaker. However, he's a watered down version inferior to all three. That's not to say he can't be useful, but TNA already tried pushing him to the stars... and failed. He's fairly interesting, but he's not *that* interesting. And he's not exactly spectacular in the ring.

Common for all three above is that they would have to be built for a while before being anywhere near the top heel spot of TNA... and TNA desperately needs one NOW.

Hell turn Joe heel again and have him go on a dominating winning streak. Wins over top faces and maybe some DQ's because he is so violent during the match. Set him up as a big threat to Sting.

Can't disagree with you here. I love Joe. But the way TNA has been treated him in later years, would the crowd buy him as the top heel just like that...? Anyway, he's still a face and in a feud with Dinero... isn't he? Would take time.

I do not want to see Jeff Jarrett in the Title scene again. I have nothing against the guy at all and I think he is a great worker who can work a crowd, but it would be in TNA's best interest to keep him away from the Title scene for now. Maybe a run for the gold a few months to a few years down the road but for now he should be the guy that the young faces have to go through to go from that midcard to main event scene.

In complete agreement here. Except the part about giving him a "run for the gold" anytime in the future. His time has past, and while he's still somewhat over he doesn't quite have the star quality of Sting.

Pope is a big contender for top heel, but he needs a bigger push outside this feud with Joe. He's got the charisma, the ability and the drive to be a top guy. Maybe he is pissed that Sting left him to fight against Immortal all by himself and now he wants revenge on Sting.

He could be the top heel eventually, but like with others above he needs time. And TNA does not have that time right now.

And just for Nostalgia sake put Sting vs Flair for one last hurray.

I would prefer not seeing Flair embarrass himself in the ring anymore than he already has at this point in TNA. And to be honest, I thought the Sting vs. Flair match of the last Nitro was pretty damn average... and that was 10 years ago! I can't imagine such a matchup would be anything but a disaster now...

Really, the more I think about it, the more I feel they have only one choice: turn Van Dam heel. NOW.

...but knowing TNA, they'll probably just push Matt Hardy or Abyss.

[PeterHilton]

Hernandez just needs a little something to freshen up his character. I dont think he is a generic big guy, he has a bit more in his arsenal. Plus he can move like not many other big guys can.

Matt Morgan could be another Hulk Hogan (and I mean that in a good way) if pushed right. He's big, athletic, charismatic and can work a crowd. Have him turn in a big way and he could be THE heel moving forward.

Abyss has always been an interesting character to me. He is a bit Mankind, bit Undertaker, bit Kane all thrown into a mixer and then poured out. He has not been too bad on the mic either but if they give him a good manager then he could be that monster bad guy.

Hell turn Joe heel again and have him go on a dominating winning streak. Wins over top faces and maybe some DQ's because he is so violent during the match. Set him up as a big threat to Sting.

I do not want to see Jeff Jarrett in the Title scene again. I have nothing against the guy at all and I think he is a great worker who can work a crowd, but it would be in TNA's best interest to keep him away from the Title scene for now. Maybe a run for the gold a few months to a few years down the road but for now he should be the guy that the young faces have to go through to go from that midcard to main event scene.

Pope is a big contender for top heel, but he needs a bigger push outside this feud with Joe. He's got the charisma, the ability and the drive to be a top guy. Maybe he is pissed that Sting left him to fight against Immortal all by himself and now he wants revenge on Sting.

And just for Nostalgia sake put Sting vs Flair for one last hurray.

Thats just some quick ideas on who could be the top heel in TNA right now.

Those are some incredibly generous and optimistic assessments of TNA's talent. :rolleyes:

[Jaysin]

Hernandez just needs a little something to freshen up his character. I dont think he is a generic big guy, he has a bit more in his arsenal. Plus he can move like not many other big guys can.


He looks like a big goof. He walks on his toes. He has zero acting ability. His facial expressions and taunts just make him look like a mentally handicapped gorilla.

Then again, other than the walking on his toes, those are my same feelings about Thwagger

[20LEgend]

Walking on his toe and the hands down by his side deal, I really dislike

[jwt13]

TNA's is going to do a charlie sheen storyline with Hardy being TNA's Sheen. #Winning

[Eigan]

TNA's is going to do a charlie sheen storyline with Hardy being TNA's Sheen. #Winning

I can see TNA doing something like that.

He needs wittiness and tiger blood to pull that off.

Also, he needs goddesses. Who's that gonna be, Gunner and Murphy? Yikes.

Until then, he's not Winning. (http://www.omgnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/0307-charlie-sheen-winning-00-480x443.jpg)

[Unregistered]

Am I the only one who just see's another terrible TNA/Russo type storyline being played out when watching this? Sure, it's bad. But it's the usual TNA trying to work the smarks bad. If it's real, that sad. If it's them working a gimmic, that's even sadder, but more likely too.

[crownsy]

Am I the only one who just see's another terrible TNA/Russo type storyline being played out when watching this? Sure, it's bad. But it's the usual TNA trying to work the smarks bad. If it's real, that sad. If it's them working a gimmic, that's even sadder, but more likely too.

Spoilers in white

He was sent home and wasent even mentioned on the impact tapings yesterday. Sting also got rid of his belt.

If it's a work, which would be stupid but this is TNA, I think they would have at least mentioned the incident. They tried to play off to the live audience like it was a regular match and Jeff didn't matter anymore since sting won by not mention him outside of "I won last night, lets get rid of this belt" by sting

I would think if it was a work they would have alluded to what happened/ mentioned Jeff hardy

Side annoying note, a no DQ 4 way for the new #1 contender ended in a no contest. That was the main event. are you kidding me TNA?

How many matchs can you end on PPV or free TV with a no contest? once in a while for the correct storyline purpose, ok fine. But it seems like EVERY STINKING WEEK tna ends a major match, some of them no DQ, with a no contest and the "Tune in next week to find out the (shades down) Impact of this revelation!

stupid. fans don't want to tune in week after week to see a poop storm no contest finish and be told "to be continued! mabey! watch next weel! please!!"

[juggaloninjalee]

I am glad things seem to be going down that way on Impact this week. Maybe Hardy will be gone for a really long time now... hopefully.

I liked his darker character though which is sad but he is a joke if that was real.

[sebsplex]

Really, the more I think about it, the more I feel they have only one choice: turn Van Dam heel. NOW.

...but knowing TNA, they'll probably just push Matt Hardy or Abyss.

Heel RVD could work in theory. You could even go as far as to suggest that RVD was considering joining Bischoff's side throughout the whole EV2.0 'inside man' shenanigans. But considering Immortal started by screwing the belt from RVD and basically maiming him, it'd be a bit of a stretch.

That said, this is TNA and wrestlers turn on a dime. Look at how Morgan's face turn was rushed through when Anderson got injured.

As for Hardy/Sting. No chance of that being a work, otherwise somebody needs to put IMPACT! up for the next round of oscars and honestly after that debacle and considering he's already dropped the belt, there's no better time to cut Jeff Hardy loose.

[thommohawk]

At first I thought it was quite possibly a work, especially after the reactions of them all, but now I'm not quite sure what to think.....on the one hand, with Hardy in that state TNA were out of their minds to let him walk out there in front of not just those fans but the free world watching the PPV. I can't see any company allowing that legitimately, not even TNA. What makes me think it's a work is A) the fact that he was allowed by TNA to represent TNA publicly when he was clearly in such a state. B) As of right now Hardy is still employed, and C) thus far he has not even so much as received a fine or anything.

Another thing that makes me think it's a work is the fact that Sting looked as though he was following orders but wasn't happy with what he was asked to do.

But ultimately if TNA are to step away from monthly PPV in favour of product placement-heavy big events away from Orlando like the Impact they had recently, with this 'angle' and also with The Network having been suddenly worked in to storylines it would only take 1 promo to bring about such a change. I think TNA made quite a bit more money from their big event (as they had paying customers and a heck of a lot of promotionals on the show which will have been yet more money for them) than they get for their PPVs which the buyrates are paltry.

As I say I'm not sure what to think, if it's legitimate then it was a retarded move by TNA management to allow Hardy to go out like that when even they know the basics of when and where to alter an advertised match up - they've done it before not so long ago so why not here ? Also the fact that TNA catch a lot of hate by the majority of the IWC regardless of what they do so it wouldn't surprise me if this was a staged incident. This is why I suspect it could be a work. That's always a possibility in wrestling, right ?

If it's not a work - I sincerely hope not and I don't think even TNA are that stupid - but if it's not a work then to make such an elementary error well then in that case even TNA die-hards should be asking serious questions about the long term well being of that company....but....I don't think we'll get a definitive answer unless wrestlers start resigning over it, because I think no matter what that TNA will turn this into a work whether it was one to begin with or not.

[Hive]

I doubt even TNA would pull off a 'work' like that for the main event of a PPV. Even they can't be that stupid. Also, Jeff Hardy clearly tried to kick out of the pin with Sting holding him down legitimately. Why would Hardy do that if it was a work? It seems to me that some people these days would rather claim something legit is a work than risk being worked.

[Fantabulous]

IIt seems to me that some people these days would rather claim something legit is a work than risk being worked.

I think that's why it took some people, including those within wrestling, a long time to acknowledge that the Montreal Screwjob was real, even though it was pretty clear very quickly how real it was.

Some of it also goes back to the Pillman deal where WCW repeatedly tried the worked shoot angle to the point that they had so little credibility that when obvious shoots did happen, nobody wanted to believe it because they had been lied to so often before.

[PeterHilton]

At first I thought it was quite possibly a work, especially after the reactions of them all, but now I'm not quite sure what to think.....on the one hand, with Hardy in that state TNA were out of their minds to let him walk out there in front of not just those fans but the free world watching the PPV. I can't see any company allowing that legitimately, not even TNA. What makes me think it's a work is A) the fact that he was allowed by TNA to represent TNA publicly when he was clearly in such a state. B) As of right now Hardy is still employed, and C) thus far he has not even so much as received a fine or anything.

Another thing that makes me think it's a work is the fact that Sting looked as though he was following orders but wasn't happy with what he was asked to do.

But ultimately if TNA are to step away from monthly PPV in favour of product placement-heavy big events away from Orlando like the Impact they had recently, with this 'angle' and also with The Network having been suddenly worked in to storylines it would only take 1 promo to bring about such a change. I think TNA made quite a bit more money from their big event (as they had paying customers and a heck of a lot of promotionals on the show which will have been yet more money for them) than they get for their PPVs which the buyrates are paltry.

As I say I'm not sure what to think, if it's legitimate then it was a retarded move by TNA management to allow Hardy to go out like that when even they know the basics of when and where to alter an advertised match up - they've done it before not so long ago so why not here ? Also the fact that TNA catch a lot of hate by the majority of the IWC regardless of what they do so it wouldn't surprise me if this was a staged incident. This is why I suspect it could be a work. That's always a possibility in wrestling, right ?

If it's not a work - I sincerely hope not and I don't think even TNA are that stupid - but if it's not a work then to make such an elementary error well then in that case even TNA die-hards should be asking serious questions about the long term well being of that company....but....I don't think we'll get a definitive answer unless wrestlers start resigning over it, because I think no matter what that TNA will turn this into a work whether it was one to begin with or not.

:rolleyes:

Y'know when I said this...


Slag's right in that TNA's PPV numbers are so bad that this won't make a huge difference to them on the business side of things, but it's a black eye for the company and only the snarkiest of TNA fanboys will try to say it isn't

..I was totally thinking of you :p

This is obviously not a work, or else the results at those tapings would've been different.

I just think they screwed up. However, I think you're right in that - no matter what - this is going to end up as part of a storyline. It's the Russo way.

[Eisen-verse]

Just read this and absolutely loved it. It's Mark Madden's take on TNA, The Hardy Boyz, and the call for Jim Ross to join the company. Yep, the last part would never happen but it's an interesting take. Also, the only part I wouldn't agree with is where he said "let em die". I honestly hope he didn't mean that literally, and I'm sure he didn't, but it came across a little harsh.

Either way, here is the article:

Mark Madden: "Every Junky's Like a Settin' Sun". (http://www.wrestlezone.com/editorials/article/every-junkys-like-a-settin-sun-126051)

[Fantabulous]

Also, the only part I wouldn't agree with is where he said "let em die". I honestly hope he didn't mean that literally, and I'm sure he didn't, but it came across a little harsh.

Either way, here is the article:

Mark Madden: "Every Junky's Like a Settin' Sun". (http://www.wrestlezone.com/editorials/article/every-junkys-like-a-settin-sun-126051)

Knowing Madden, he probably did, and at this point I agree with sentiment. Hardy doesn't want help. He never has; he quit a well paying job with the WWF rather than get help. Fire the guy and let him shoot up or snort his way to death on his own time.

[Slagaholic]

AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO TNA WRESTLING FANS REGARDING SUNDAY’S VICTORY ROAD PAY-PER-VIEW

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To receive your free offer, please send us a copy of your Victory Road pay-per-view purchase receipt to :

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http://www.tnawrestling.com/news/item/2 … ctory-Road

Please be sure and submit your name, address, and email address, as we will be emailing a special code that will unlock over 300 hours of great TNA Wrestling action.
At least they did something for the 19 people who ordered the PPV.

[PeterHilton]

Just read this and absolutely loved it. It's Mark Madden's take on TNA, The Hardy Boyz, and the call for Jim Ross to join the company. Yep, the last part would never happen but it's an interesting take. Also, the only part I wouldn't agree with is where he said "let em die". I honestly hope he didn't mean that literally, and I'm sure he didn't, but it came across a little harsh.

Either way, here is the article:

Mark Madden: "Every Junky's Like a Settin' Sun". (http://www.wrestlezone.com/editorials/article/every-junkys-like-a-settin-sun-126051)

I pretty much agree with everything he wrote: Hardy is a waste and TNA needs a back-to-basics, nuts and bolts type of booker who can get away from the Crash TV a bit and get their roster in order.

I sincerely doubt it's Jim Ross per se, but someone like that would help.