The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[cappyboy]

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.

WAIT!!

STOP THE DERN PRESSES!!

This is the same bloated buffoon who once went on live WCW television and declared Bruno Sammartino prematurely dead? I didn't think you could suddenly get a working brain this late in life.

[thommohawk]

:rolleyes:

Y'know when I said this...



..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.

Lol, snarky TNA fanboy ? Nah more like wrestling realist! ;) Well it seems now that TNA are offering 6 months worth of free access to TNAondemand.com or whatever for the people who paid for Victory Road - so I guess that's the confirmation that it was legit and not worked. That being the case can I just say this - RETARDED MOVE to allow Hardy out there!! All they did was whizz on the audience and the people who ordered the PPV, alienated their wrestlers not least of which the icon Sting who they've only just re-signed, and they've made themselves a laughing stock for everyone else not that they weren't in the first place.

Even though ratings are up, I think TNA's best move is to go back to showcasing 'TNA GUYS' who are dependable and actually wrestling...cuts out a lot of artistic screw ups like this and Hogan's 'tsunami' blunder. I think if TNA keeps Hogan/Bischoff on board or on screen at least and carries on like this they're going to lose more fans in the long run than they'll gain because all they're doing is showcasing the people in charge are acting like idiots.

[juggaloninjalee]

Sting unveiled a new TNA Title. Looks like we are rid of the most hideous belt in wrestling history.

[Jaysin]

Sting unveiled a new TNA Title. Looks like we are rid of the most hideous belt in wrestling history.

The Miz is still holding it though?

[juggaloninjalee]

The Miz is still holding it though?

Haha yeah that one may be more hideous than the former Immortal belt.

[Jaysin]

Haha yeah that one may be more hideous than the former Immortal belt.

The there's always the US Spinner belt...ugh I just reminded myself of the level of hatred I have for that god awful thing.

[juggaloninjalee]

The there's always the US Spinner belt...ugh I just reminded myself of the level of hatred I have for that god awful thing.

Yeah I hate that belt too.

The only personalized belt I really liked was the Smoking Skull belt. It worked for Austin.

[Jaysin]

I liked the Rated R Spinner Belt a lot for some reason, its just the regular spinner belt that really irks me.

[Zeel1]

I liked the Rated R Spinner Belt a lot for some reason, its just the regular spinner belt that really irks me.

Ha, I thought I was the only one that remembered that. It was only around for like, what, a couple of weeks? :p

[Jaysin]

Ha, I thought I was the only one that remembered that. It was only around for like, what, a couple of weeks? :p

My friend bought a replica of it. Its awesome

[BHK1978]

Even though ratings are up, I think TNA's best move is to go back to showcasing 'TNA GUYS' who are dependable and actually wrestling...cuts out a lot of artistic screw ups like this and Hogan's 'tsunami' blunder. I think if TNA keeps Hogan/Bischoff on board or on screen at least and carries on like this they're going to lose more fans in the long run than they'll gain because all they're doing is showcasing the people in charge are acting like idiots.

I agree with this fully. I thought TNA was getting really good right before they made the Hogan announcement. The minute he joined, the promotion seemed to go down hill from there.

[20LEgend]

Signing Hulk was BS, I didn't care when he joined and now I just can't stand the guy. I think Eric Bischoff can be useful but Hulk Hogan turns up once a month, he is a prick.

[cappyboy]

I agree with this fully. I thought TNA was getting really good right before they made the Hogan announcement. The minute he joined, the promotion seemed to go down hill from there.

Amen, my brudda. We may ot find the same things funny but we can certainly agree about the fall of 2009 in TNA. Had the company stayed on that course it had the potential to be really awesome right now. Would they be what they are always saying they are supposed to be? Probably not. But they'd be a lot closer to being the company in their delusions of grandeur than they are in reality.

[The Two]

So I watched the PPV last night and I've been turning the whole thing over in my head most of the day, and I've come to one simple conclusion: Jeff Hardy got high during the show; probably in the last half hour before he stepped through the curtain.

Quite simply, I don't believe TNA would knowingly allow Jeff to go out to the ring stoned. If he showed up wasted that afternoon, they would have pulled him from the card. If he got high at the start of the show, I still think they could have worked it and pulled him. That leaves the final half hour or so, after the agents have made their final checks and left the guy to get into character and psyched up for the match. At that point, Jeff decided to get wasted.

Even if you have less faith than I do, if you believe that they actually would allow Jeff to go to the ring high, if that were the case, you wouldn't need Bischoff to go out and "call an audible". They would just have told Sting before he went out there what to do. They'd have told him Jeff wasn't fit to work and to squash him. The fact that Bischoff had to go out, change the plans and give new instructions on camera is enough to tell you they had no warning.

If you watch the footage back, you can see during Sting's entrance the moment the referee speaks to Jeff and realises he's not fit to work, you see him throw up the X, you see him relay a message to the back via So Cal Val, you see him telling Sting that Jeff is away with the fairies and Sting's response ("Are you kidding me?"), you see the frustration on Sting's face, you see the look of disdain that Borash gives Jeff during his intro, it's all there.

You've actually got to give HUGE credit to Brian Hebner, he took charge of that situation, he made the call. He saw the look in Jeff's eyes, knew he wasn't good to go, and alerted the backstage area that something had to be done. It takes balls to do that, so kudos to him.

You also have to respect Sting's professionalism in ending the match quick while still protecting Jeff. With the exception of a very forceful hair pull to get him to do what needed to be done, he pulled his punches. I can't help feeling that if you pulled that crap against Undertaker, he would legitimately beat the hell out of you before ending it. Taker's not the only one who would, but he's the first that comes to mind. He wouldn't have been wrong to do that either.

So yeah, that's my take on it.

Jeff really should be fired for what he did, or at the very least given an ultimatum - long spell in rehab, or there's the door.

[Fantabulous]

Jeff really should be fired for what he did, or at the very least given an ultimatum - long spell in rehab, or there's the door.
If they want Jeff gone but don't have the stones to outright do it, then giving him that ultimatum would be the same thing. Jeff doesn't want help because he doesn't think he needs it. Remember, he quit a good mid six-figure role in the WWF back in 2002 rather than enter rehab. And whatever drug issues he has now are considerably worse. If TNA had any guts, any at all, they would have fired Hardy on the spot the moment he walked back through the curtain.

Jeff has shown up in a bad way before and his lifestyle makes it clear he won't stop his drug abuse. And why should be? Have TNA done anything to tell Jeff that his behaviour won't be tolerated? Yeah, they took their world title off of him. And put it right back on him a few weeks later. Any blame for this mess is all TNA's. They know what the score with Jeff is and have done absolutely nothing to tell Jeff that it has to stop.

[thommohawk]

I agree with this fully. I thought TNA was getting really good right before they made the Hogan announcement. The minute he joined, the promotion seemed to go down hill from there.

Well correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't TNA hitting somewhat of an apex just before Hogan came in ? Didn't they hold that epic 3-way dance between AJ/Joe/Daniels that was right up there as match of the year....the crowd that night were screaming 3 things; 1) screw hogan, and 2) this is awesome and 3) one guy loudly shouted 'this is what we want!!' - and to be fair, the fans cannot make it a whole lot clearer....and you have a talent roster and bookers who really aren't great at storytelling shall we say....but they're awesome at in ring action, surely then logistics would say focus on ring action with story backdrop as background noise rather than overshadow everything with mostly limited talkers and very limited bookers ?

That's why WWE has been on top for so long, Vince McMahon fundamentally knows what he's doing. More to the point he knows when and where to change tac and for the most part knows what not to do. That's why you next to never see WWE with serious fails and if you ever see workers act like Hardy they're usually fired very quickly!

But getting back to TNA, I feel booking has been more consistent since Hogan came in - certainly a lot more build and promotion - but I honestly felt they had a much better product before those guys came in and to be honest it seems like they had a much happier locker room as well. At least back then it was all about TNA and everyone pulling in the same direction. Now it's all about Hogan and Immortal. But the ratings are up....well ratings aren't everything....but the ratings are up!

@ The Two, I totally agree with everything you said there....makes a lot of sense.

[Jaysin]

Just read spoilers for the March 31st episode, which I usually don't read spoilers ahead of time. But the whole Jeff Hardy thing irritated me to the point where I didn't want to wait to figure out what happened.

Highlight below for what I'm excited about
Christopher Daniels comes back! <3<3 Yes, I'm going into fanboy mode :p

[Eisen-verse]

So, I just watched the infamous match and I have a few thoughts on the matter:


Jeff Hardy looked like crap.
It was crazy awkward throughout; from Sting's reaction, Hardy's condition, the Bischoff moment (calling and audible), and the way the match takes place.
Did you see Hardy's collar-elbow-tie-up? I don't think he's a good enough actor to look that 'gone'.
Sting looked pissed; as he should be. You can almost see it in his eyes: "I stuck around for this?"
Bischoff did a good job of selling a punch; it seemed pretty real.


Is it a work? I have no idea. I mean, to be honest, I would expect something like this from TNA; knowing that they want to blur the lines with their product. That said, if it is a work, then they chose a terrible, terrible, time to do something of this manner. With that in mind, I think it's legit; then again what do I know for sure?

Will this kill TNA as some say it will? No. Sure, they handled this pretty badly thus far. In reality, they should have suspended him indefinitely after the PPV if this IS real; giving him an ultimatum to 'get clean' (go to rehab... again) or instantly be shown the door. By dragging this out, and by doing very little in the public forum, it's only hurting them more than helping. All in all though, I don't see it 'killing TNA' (as some claim it will).

To be honest, the culture of TNA needs to be re-developed. At this point, they appear to be, and sound to be, a complete mess backstage.

[Derek B]

So I watched the PPV last night and I've been turning the whole thing over in my head most of the day, and I've come to one simple conclusion: Jeff Hardy got high during the show; probably in the last half hour before he stepped through the curtain.

Quite simply, I don't believe TNA would knowingly allow Jeff to go out to the ring stoned. If he showed up wasted that afternoon, they would have pulled him from the card. If he got high at the start of the show, I still think they could have worked it and pulled him. That leaves the final half hour or so, after the agents have made their final checks and left the guy to get into character and psyched up for the match. At that point, Jeff decided to get wasted.

Even if you have less faith than I do, if you believe that they actually would allow Jeff to go to the ring high, if that were the case, you wouldn't need Bischoff to go out and "call an audible". They would just have told Sting before he went out there what to do. They'd have told him Jeff wasn't fit to work and to squash him. The fact that Bischoff had to go out, change the plans and give new instructions on camera is enough to tell you they had no warning.

If you watch the footage back, you can see during Sting's entrance the moment the referee speaks to Jeff and realises he's not fit to work, you see him throw up the X, you see him relay a message to the back via So Cal Val, you see him telling Sting that Jeff is away with the fairies and Sting's response ("Are you kidding me?"), you see the frustration on Sting's face, you see the look of disdain that Borash gives Jeff during his intro, it's all there.

You've actually got to give HUGE credit to Brian Hebner, he took charge of that situation, he made the call. He saw the look in Jeff's eyes, knew he wasn't good to go, and alerted the backstage area that something had to be done. It takes balls to do that, so kudos to him.

You also have to respect Sting's professionalism in ending the match quick while still protecting Jeff. With the exception of a very forceful hair pull to get him to do what needed to be done, he pulled his punches. I can't help feeling that if you pulled that crap against Undertaker, he would legitimately beat the hell out of you before ending it. Taker's not the only one who would, but he's the first that comes to mind. He wouldn't have been wrong to do that either.

So yeah, that's my take on it.

Jeff really should be fired for what he did, or at the very least given an ultimatum - long spell in rehab, or there's the door.

Just quoting this because this is really our shared conclusions and I wanted to add one thing...

With the WWE clearly not about to try to sign Jeff and TNA now in a position where they should do something, this is the perfect time to make a very public statement about Jeff Hardy and drug use in pro wrestling. TNA needs to tell Jeff Hardy "go to rehab (care of WWE) or you will never be allowed to wrestle again", making it very clear that any promoter who books him without Jeff going through rehab first will be blacklisted. If TNA really tries to strongarm Jeff into doing what is best for him, I would hope Jeff would realise he has a problem and get the help he needs. While at the same time doing as much as possible to ensure that Jeff can't just go lower down the foodchain until he ends up truly in the gutter. It's just not a slope I want to see him going down, but can see him sliding further and further down if someone doesn't intervene on his behalf.

[Fleisch]

In any other employment if you turned up in the state Jeff was in, you'd be fired on the spot so why is he still employed? TNA don't need him, there are plenty of people more talented than Jeff on the roster. I think TNA need to just say "we tried... we failed. New chapter".

[juggaloninjalee]

If TNA cuts Jeff Hardy nothing bad will happen to TNA. Nobody can argue that they did the wrong thing by firing him. The worst that will happen is some indy promotion out of the Carolinas would bring in Jeff Hardy for some shows.

The things I would do.

Sting is a professional let him carry the belt for awhile.

Let AJ build some credibility again and let Fortune be your main stable that gets maybe 8 minutes of angle time a week and a couple matches each week.

Let Mr. Anderson and or RVD turn heel. RVD could be mad that he is the deserving champion but hasn't gotten his shot since being stripped. RVD then begins a rampage using chairs for his Van Daminator and such again. Mr. Anderson just makes a better heel than face so that's why I would turn him.

I would make the X-Division title be a reputable title again. Start most Impacts with an X-Division match and end the 1st hour with another X-Division match possibly for the title. My X-Division would be Doug Williams, Frankie Kazarian, Amazing Red, Christopher Daniels, Generation Me, MCMG, and Ink Inc.

Once people become pretty dominant in the X-Division they would be in the TV title picture. I would almost always have this belt on someone who can wrestle really well. A person who could put on good matches with X-Division guys and slow brawlers. Doug Williams would fit this position. I'd even consider letting Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle, or Mr. Anderson hold this spot for short periods of time.

My world title picture would eventually be Sting, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe (with a monster build up.), Kurt Angle, and Jeff Jarrett (wouldn't allow him to win it though).

[Eisen-verse]

Just quoting this because this is really our shared conclusions and I wanted to add one thing...

With the WWE clearly not about to try to sign Jeff and TNA now in a position where they should do something, this is the perfect time to make a very public statement about Jeff Hardy and drug use in pro wrestling. TNA needs to tell Jeff Hardy "go to rehab (care of WWE) or you will never be allowed to wrestle again", making it very clear that any promoter who books him without Jeff going through rehab first will be blacklisted. If TNA really tries to strongarm Jeff into doing what is best for him, I would hope Jeff would realise he has a problem and get the help he needs. While at the same time doing as much as possible to ensure that Jeff can't just go lower down the foodchain until he ends up truly in the gutter. It's just not a slope I want to see him going down, but can see him sliding further and further down if someone doesn't intervene on his behalf.

110% agree with you, Derek B. It's the perfect time to send a strong message to Hardy, and the rest of the industry, about how something like this simply won't be tolerated.

[Hive]

Just quoting this because this is really our shared conclusions and I wanted to add one thing...

With the WWE clearly not about to try to sign Jeff and TNA now in a position where they should do something, this is the perfect time to make a very public statement about Jeff Hardy and drug use in pro wrestling. TNA needs to tell Jeff Hardy "go to rehab (care of WWE) or you will never be allowed to wrestle again", making it very clear that any promoter who books him without Jeff going through rehab first will be blacklisted. If TNA really tries to strongarm Jeff into doing what is best for him, I would hope Jeff would realise he has a problem and get the help he needs. While at the same time doing as much as possible to ensure that Jeff can't just go lower down the foodchain until he ends up truly in the gutter. It's just not a slope I want to see him going down, but can see him sliding further and further down if someone doesn't intervene on his behalf.

You really believe TNA should prevent Hardy from working elsewhere? I see legal troubles for TNA if they seriously tried something like that. And why should they? If Hardy wants to **** up his life, that's really no business of theirs - as long as he's not ****ing it up on their time and money.

[eayragt]

In any other employment if you turned up in the state Jeff was in, you'd be fired on the spot so why is he still employed? TNA don't need him, there are plenty of people more talented than Jeff on the roster. I think TNA need to just say "we tried... we failed. New chapter".

I was thinkig about this and... TNA might not be able to sack him.

If I turned up to work high, I could be sacked, easy. I think my contract covers drugs, but if not there's the all encompassing gross misconduct.

However, TNA probably has some drug rules, even if they're lax at enforcing them. Rules and punishments. Whatever Jeff took could well be under those rules. And the punishment for doing those drugs? Not being sacked, that's for sure.

Now, you could argue the gross misconduct issue again, but if there are specific drug rules and punishments, it could become a grey issue. The last thing they want is to get involved in a legal argument, where Jeff can say what he's been getting up to backstage with RVD with the full knowledge of some senior management at TNA without being punished (that's pure speculation, of course). At the end of the day you'd probably have to pay him off in some way, and I'm sure Jeff's got a very nice contract that doens't make it attractive. At the end of the day, perhaps TNA think a month off and then bring him back as a hated loner is the best option.

Some may consider that irresponsible by TNA, but if they've already been irresponsible, sometimes it's hard to stop.

[Derek B]

110% agree with you, Derek B. It's the perfect time to send a strong message to Hardy, and the rest of the industry, about how something like this simply won't be tolerated.

You really believe TNA should prevent Hardy from working elsewhere? I see legal troubles for TNA if they seriously tried something like that. And why should they? If Hardy wants to **** up his life, that's really no business of theirs - as long as he's not ****ing it up on their time and money.

Jeff clearly is doing it on TNA's time and money, so it is their business. While he's under a TNA contract he has to play by TNA's rules, and if he doesn't do that then TNA should use their connections to other promotions to stop Jeff Hardy from putting his own life and the life of his opponents in danger. Pro wrestling is a dangerous business based on trust, and if Jeff (or anyone else for that matter) is capable of getting himself into such a state that he is a danger to themselves or others then absolutely he should be prevented from being put into that position.

The way TNA has their talent contracted means that their workers do indy dates through them... in Jeff's case that means he won't be working dates elsewhere while under TNA contract without going through rehab. And if Jeff leaves then that means that any promotion/promoter using Jeff Hardy won't get any TNA talent ever again.

With WWE clearly not going to touch Jeff Hardy after this incident that means that TNA can really pressure Jeff Hardy to clean up his act. If it was any other job he'd be fired on the spot for what he did, with him being let go (or walking away) from his previous job for drug issues too he'd have no way of getting a reference for a future job. WWE has an open door policy for the rehab line on any current or former talent... the combined efforts of TNA and WWE might actually be able to save Jeff Hardy from himself and prevent a tragedy from occurring somewhere down the line.

I don't want to see Jeff Hardy go down the same path as a Jake Roberts or a Scott Hall... if TNA have to play hardball with Jeff to prevent that, and I feel they'd have to, then so be it.

[PeterHilton]

I was thinkig about this and... TNA might not be able to sack him.

If I turned up to work high, I could be sacked, easy. I think my contract covers drugs, but if not there's the all encompassing gross misconduct.

However, TNA probably has some drug rules, even if they're lax at enforcing them. Rules and punishments. Whatever Jeff took could well be under those rules. And the punishment for doing those drugs? Not being sacked, that's for sure.

Now, you could argue the gross misconduct issue again, but if there are specific drug rules and punishments, it could become a grey issue. The last thing they want is to get involved in a legal argument, where Jeff can say what he's been getting up to backstage with RVD with the full knowledge of some senior management at TNA without being punished (that's pure speculation, of course). At the end of the day you'd probably have to pay him off in some way, and I'm sure Jeff's got a very nice contract that doens't make it attractive. At the end of the day, perhaps TNA think a month off and then bring him back as a hated loner is the best option.

Some may consider that irresponsible by TNA, but if they've already been irresponsible, sometimes it's hard to stop.

:rolleyes:

Seriously? You think there's nothing in the language of the deal that covers this kind of indicent?

How about this: he's on a PPA so just send him home and don't have him return and then you're not paying him for the lengh of the remainder of the deal.

Same difference

[PoisonedSuperman]

Someone said that Undertaker would probably really kick the guy ass but do you think the drug abuser is just going to sit there and take it? He would def fight back. I mean I'm not saying that Jeff Hardy can beat up the Undertaker but why would he want to put his health at risk by risking an injury?

As far as the Hogan thing, I'm not sure about most people but the reason I started watching TNA again is because they hired Hulk Hogan. I like Bischoff, I like Flair, I like RVD and all those other guys they brought in but without Hogan I wouldn't be watching, even if he's barely ever on tv.

As far as the Hardy thing killing TNA, I'm sure that most people who aren't "smarks" even know that Jeff showed up high. Sting just dominated Hardy, making him look pretty bad ass.

As far as the guy showing the spoiler, that's awesome!! I can't wait to see what happens with that.

[PeterHilton]

As far as the Hardy thing killing TNA, I'm sure that most people who aren't "smarks" even know that Jeff showed up high. Sting just dominated Hardy, making him look pretty bad ass.



Wow

People aren't IDIOTS. They may not know the circumstances, but any paying customer knows that the main event wasn't supposed to go under a minute

It did not make Sting look "bad ass"

It made TNA look like a rip-off

[Jaysin]

I also had the thought about Jeff becoming the next Scott Hall or Jake Roberts. I loved both of them as kids, and I'm still a fan of Jeff. Even with his issues, I'd still love for him to get his act together. His wife is on twitter telling everyone that the dirt sheets are wrong about everything that's going on. I'd like to believe her, but I think she's probably just defending Jeff cause he's her husband.

[Jaysin]

Hernandez, Sarita, and Rosita aka Team Mexican't Entertain

[ampulator]

Hold on one moment. Was he weed high, or was like ACID high?

[Jaysin]

Hold on one moment. Was he weed high, or was like ACID high?

Jeff? Some people have been suggesting cocaine.

[jwt13]

That spot was great. I really like this Bully Ray Character when he's not feuding with D-Von

[Jaysin]

The start of the show(Sting/Hogan/Bully/Anderson/AJ) was awesome and it ended with an awesome segment.

Too bad the in between was awful...Really, less than 10 minutes of wrestling? Am I watching WWE or TNA? ugh

[ampulator]

Jeff? Some people have been suggesting cocaine.
...now that's over the line. That stuff can get TNA in serious trouble.

[jwt13]

...now that's over the line. That stuff can get TNA in serious trouble.

There is also rumors about Jeff being passed out in the bathroom right before his match (or shortly before) just laying in a corner.

[ampulator]

There is also rumors about Jeff being passed out in the bathroom right before his match (or shortly before) just laying in a corner.
Holy moly doly! Are you serious?! TNA, get Jeff's Hardy act together! (if possible).

In any case, seriously, in this day and age, getting so high that you can't work is unprofessional.

[The Final Countdown]

The start of the show(Sting/Hogan/Bully/Anderson/AJ) was awesome and it ended with an awesome segment.

Too bad the in between was awful...Really, less than 10 minutes of wrestling? Am I watching WWE or TNA? ugh
WWE has more action than "Total Nonstop Action" these days. Not exactly a new development, either.

[Jaysin]

WWE has more action than "Total Nonstop Action" these days. Not exactly a new development, either.

I don't know, the last few Raw's haven't exactly had much at all.

[The Final Countdown]

I don't know, the last few Raw's haven't exactly had much at all.
I'll take that Daniel Bryan/Sheamus match from this past week over anything I've seen on Impact in recent memory.

[brashleyholland]

Hold on one moment. Was he weed high, or was like ACID high?

Lol, have you ever seen anyone weed or acid high? They don't act like he did. Also, coke = Alert and hyper, not stumbling at tripping over things.

I'm guessing a mix of painkillers and booze.

[ampulator]

Lol, have you ever seen anyone weed or acid high? They don't act like he did. Also, coke = Alert and hyper, not stumbling at tripping over things.

I'm guessing a mix of painkillers and booze.
Uh, actually, unfortunately, yes.

[Jaysin]

I'll take that Daniel Bryan/Sheamus match from this past week over anything I've seen on Impact in recent memory.

Granted, that was a good match, but WWE has been angle heavy too. It used to be TNA had more in ring action, and now its all gone it seems.

[ampulator]

Granted, that was a good match, but WWE has been angle heavy too. It used to be TNA had more in ring action, and now its all gone it seems.
I hate Vince Russo. He needs a filter whether he likes one or not. TNA could have on with Modern trends, but because of Dixie's (I refuse to call her by her last name) naivete, and HIS own naivete, they have reduced TNA to WWFE-lite.

[eayragt]

:rolleyes:

Seriously? You think there's nothing in the language of the deal that covers this kind of indicent?

How about this: he's on a PPA so just send him home and don't have him return and then you're not paying him for the lengh of the remainder of the deal.

Same difference

That would work fine, but given that Hardy's one of there biggest names I'd assume that his contract is loaded with guarantees so TNA would either have to pay him off of pay him to do nothing. Although this would be the correct move the temptation will be for them to try and get a return on their money.

And do I reckon that it was written into his contract that if he was high or wired on duty he'd be fired? No idea. Perhaps if due to drugs / alcohol he was unable to perform? Perhaps. Not neccessarily - and Hardy would argue all day that given the opportunity to perform he could have done (and he can probably produce matches that he has performed under the influence). Do I reckon it's more likely that it's written that if he takes drugs on duty at TNA he'll get a suspension? Sure. It doesn't look like we're talking crack or anything like that (which a sacking would be much easier) - it looks like the usual mix or stims / pain killers / alcohol that wrestlers have been taking for decades (although not in the same level or with such poor timing). Maybe the contract does cover abuse of them as a sackbable offence - but equally, it may just mention fines and suspensions and nothing more. Now, if that's the case the T&C's will be being rewritten pretty quickly (hopefully), but it could potentially make Hardy less sackable while sitting on a nice guaranteed contract.

Perhaps I'm wrong and he has no guarantees, perhaps guarantees are invalidated during any legal processes, I don't know. If anyone has a copy of Hardy's contract and TNA's drug policy, it'll enlighten me more.

[juggaloninjalee]

I think most of us in the IWC feel that TNA has a long way to go before they will be good and make sense more often than not. Maybe this incident will force them to think twice about who they push and such.

[Fantabulous]

If anyone has a copy of Hardy's contract and TNA's drug policy, it'll enlighten me more.

Why, when you already seem to so sure of what you know about both?

Back in 2006 Dixie claimed TNA had a very strict drug and alcohol policy. A year later, Matt Bentley gave an interview and said he had been never been drug tested at all. Regardless of what TNA's 'official' drug policy might be, the fact is they let a druggie in no condition to perform go out and perform and that tells you what the real policy is.

[eayragt]

Why, when you already seem to so sure of what you know about both?

Really? I made sure I typed "I'm assuming" and "maybe it's like this". I don't know either way, but I was describing a scenario that I thought was plausible, which might explain why they wouldn't sack Hardy. Not that I think that would be a good enough reason not to sack him (or pay off his contract / sit him out for the rest of his contract), but I'm not running the business and it's eaasy for me to sit outside making the decisions.

Perhaps he has a straight PPA contract, and TNA never have to pay him a penny ever again (apart from merchandise money which will certainly dwindle). His contract may be explicit that his behaviour was gross misconduct. Those are all equally plausible - but I was offering an alternative that as I saw hadn't been discussed and I had no reason to rule out. Apologies if it came over that I thought I was right, and I see how my last sentence could have been read that way, but it's not how it was meant.

Back in 2006 Dixie claimed TNA had a very strict drug and alcohol policy. A year later, Matt Bentley gave an interview and said he had been never been drug tested at all. Regardless of what TNA's 'official' drug policy might be, the fact is they let a druggie in no condition to perform go out and perform and that tells you what the real policy is.

My assumption when that came out was that TNA had really strict punishments, but a really lax testing regime, and TNA would always point to the punishments if questioned. Thing is, if that's right then Hardy could be in trouble, although it really depends if they ever actually tested him or not. Without a test it's more debatable, although I think in a disciplinary you could come to the conclusion that on the balance of probabilities that there was substance abuse. Again, depends on whether the policy specifically mentions failed tests / being caught with drugs or just being under the influence.

[juggaloninjalee]

I wouldn't be surprised if TNA dropped the price of Jeff Hardy's merchandise significantly just to get rid of it all.

[Eisen-verse]

I didn't see all of iMPACT, really only the opening segment, but damn... I'm liking Bully Ray right now. Honestly, he's always had it in him but it seems like the big-man has a fire under him right now.

He's got great entertainment skills.

A menacing look.

A classic 'heel' persona; one that gets you to hate him.

Yea, he may be 'old news' but, for one, really like this new character out of him. Should he be the TNA Champion? Not right now. That said, I'm open, if they develop him further, to see him on top of the game.

I'd rather see him there than Anderson... ;)

[TakerNGN74]

I never am able to catch impact because I have something going on during THursday Night but I do occasionally catch the last segment or whatever. I did see the beginning of Impact this week online (I think it was the beginning so correct me if I am wrong) but I thought that the segment where Sting came out with the New TNA WOrld Title was kind of over booked because it seemed like everyone and their mothers were in the ring at one point or another during the segment.

On a side note though I am glad that TNA decided to get a new belt replacing the Jeff Hardy belt because that belt is the worst i have ever seen. They could have easily gone back to the old TNA Title but I like the new title and its a sign that Jeff Hardy won't get the title back for a long long time and he shouldn't until he gets his personal life together.

[Lo-Drew]

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

TNA really was put on the map when the X-Division was hot and that was from 2004-mid 2006. The best year for TNA in my opionion was 2005. So many great matches that now watching those same matches make me depressed.

TNA has potenial. Angle Vs Joe Lockdown 08 proved that when their little MMA like match was a big hit and actually got good buyrates and a solid show. They haven't even come near that since.

[ampulator]

TNA really was put on the map when the X-Division was hot and that was from 2004-mid 2006. The best year for TNA in my opionion was 2005. So many great matches that now watching those same matches make me depressed.

TNA has potenial. Angle Vs Joe Lockdown 08 proved that when their little MMA like match was a big hit and actually got good buyrates and a solid show. They haven't even come near that since.
I share your sentiment. I think TNA went awry when it moved away from modern wrestling.

[20LEgend]

Yeah I actually agree as well some great matches from back then.

[Fantabulous]

TNA has potenial. Angle Vs Joe Lockdown 08 proved that when their little MMA like match was a big hit and actually got good buyrates and a solid show. They haven't even come near that since.
Possibly because TNA's reaction to the approach that got them one their biggest number of buys in history was was to completely disregard it in favour of their typical goofy style and never go back to it again. Unsurprisingly, they've also never gone back to having that many people buy one of their PPV's. Not only can TNA not learn from their mistakes they can't, or won't, even learn from their successes.

[Carmichael]

i really believe that bubba ray should be challeging sting. i really do believe his feud with devon, that included jesse neal at the start, was the best storyline in wrestling over the past year, it got a bit stale towards the end but at the beginning i was big into it and i've never been more than indifferent on the dudleys. i felt it was the only storyline at the time that made legit real world sense. i actually looked forward to watching impact because of that

lets be honest bubba or bully, is a fantastic heel on the mic, just wonder if at this stage in his career he could push on a become a legit singles contender after being in a midcard tag team for like 15 years and whether hes good enough on his own in the ring.

[thommohawk]

i really believe that bubba ray should be challeging sting. i really do believe his feud with devon, that included jesse neal at the start, was the best storyline in wrestling over the past year, it got a bit stale towards the end but at the beginning i was big into it and i've never been more than indifferent on the dudleys. i felt it was the only storyline at the time that made legit real world sense. i actually looked forward to watching impact because of that

lets be honest bubba or bully, is a fantastic heel on the mic, just wonder if at this stage in his career he could push on a become a legit singles contender after being in a midcard tag team for like 15 years and whether hes good enough on his own in the ring.

Well the Bully Ray character is a new direction for him, what of Devon I do not know - but Bubba Ray looks and acts like a bully and always did do so why not make a gimmick out of it. He's right too, without Devon there'd be no Team 3D or Dudley Boyz but honestly Bubba Ray made that team as he was the mouthpiece and he was the one that made the hate.

I don't know that I want to see Bully Ray as a main event guy going up against the likes of Sting but he could make a good heel going up against the likes of X Division guys or something. Typically picking on the smaller guys and running for the hills when a Matt Morgan stands in his way, but then that would be the whole point and essence of what a bully is.

[Jaysin]

Honestly, I feel like Bully Ray is one of the few things TNA is doing right at the moment. I've always hated Bubba Ray. I didn't care for the Dudleys really. I liked Devon to an extent, but I just got sick of them easily.

This whole thing with Bully Ray is just awesome and its making me like him. Especially that sick powerbomb spot on the last Impact.

Do I want to see him win the title? Hell no, but I don't really mind him being injected to a main event or two.

[thommohawk]

Honestly, I feel like Bully Ray is one of the few things TNA is doing right at the moment. I've always hated Bubba Ray. I didn't care for the Dudleys really. I liked Devon to an extent, but I just got sick of them easily.

This whole thing with Bully Ray is just awesome and its making me like him. Especially that sick powerbomb spot on the last Impact.

Do I want to see him win the title? Hell no, but I don't really mind him being injected to a main event or two.

I would agree with this totally, I don't mind seeing him in the odd main event or two but he's not a permanent fixture in the main event scene imo. I've also never liked Bubba and I still don't - but - this character he's playing now certainly makes him much more interesting to watch and it fits him like a glove.

This might just be me, but just lately Ken Anderson has been annoying me a little bit, the past month or two he's done nothing but scream about his title rematch and it's been really cut & paste stuff from him lately. I think he's great and he often makes me laugh but lately his material's starting to get a bit meh, I hope his story goes somewhere soon as it's due.

RVD is the only one in the title picture with a legitimate beef as he never lost the title - yet he's screaming a lot less than Anderson is - I wonder if RVD will attack Anderson and become the heel even though morally he's correct. Kind of like how Punk went heel on Hardy even though he was morally right.

Also I can see Angelina Love turning heel on Velvet Sky...is it just me that thinks she's just the best and completely gorgeous or is Vevet Sky the most over female wrestler in TNA ? Or would you say that's Mickie James ?

[BHK1978]

Also I can see Angelina Love turning heel on Velvet Sky...is it just me that thinks she's just the best and completely gorgeous or is Vevet Sky the most over female wrestler in TNA ? Or would you say that's Mickie James ?

Looks wise I have to give Velvet the nod with Winter being a close second (Hot English chicks do it to me all of the time.). As far as overness, I am not sure if there really is one woman that stands out over the rest. I guess Mickie might be the one.

I have said this in the past but I really enjoy Madison Rayne as the Queen Bee heel. I am not sure why I enjoy her so much now because before she was just cannon fodder, just the Buddy Roberts of the Beautiful People. However, she has really stepped it up now and I love seeing her on screen.

[20LEgend]

Anderson is getting really, really, REALLY! ANNOYING!!

[juggaloninjalee]

Anderson does Austin/Rock mannerisms and then has these terrible promos as of late. He isn't really original which is fine but these promos make him seem annoying. The sad part is I like him but can't stand these promos.

[The Stallion]

I have to agree with the Bully Ray topic. He is top notch on the mic and the best on-mic heel TNA has right now. He very well could do a storyline with Sting while TNA builds up some other mega heel because, lets face it, TNA is lacking on big name heels right now. Bully Ray could fit that mold, buying TNA time to get some other guy ready to go for a shot at Sting. Will a Sting vs Bully Ray match steal the show? No. Will it be a decent match? I think so. Plus, judging from there confrontation from last Impact, the build up could be excellent.

[LoNdOn]

Quick question: Haven't watched TNA in a while, but when did Anderson take Flair's gimmick? Talking nonsense at 150mph, sometimes funny, othertimes Madison Rayne levels of annoying... (seriously, her voice is like a cheese-grater to the nads)

[Renegade MMA 037]

As a long time wrestling fan who has been spoiled only a few things in wrestling get a reaction out of me and when Bully Ray and AJ were brawling it was actually pretty exciting....... anyone else looking forward to that fued ?

[Jaysin]

Quick question: Haven't watched TNA in a while, but when did Anderson take Flair's gimmick? Talking nonsense at 150mph, sometimes funny, othertimes Madison Rayne levels of annoying... (seriously, her voice is like a cheese-grater to the nads)

Madison is AWESOME! My favorite current female act out there. She's nailing this gimmick.

As a long time wrestling fan who has been spoiled only a few things in wrestling get a reaction out of me and when Bully Ray and AJ were brawling it was actually pretty exciting....... anyone else looking forward to that fued ?

Yeah, I enjoyed that a lot. I've got high hopes for it.

[Self]

Madison Rayne is the only thing that makes me sad about not watching TNA any more. She was my favourite in the Beautiful People. Seeing her flourish would be awesome.

[Eisen-verse]

Madison Rayne is the only thing that makes me sad about not watching TNA any more. She was my favourite in the Beautiful People. Seeing her flourish would be awesome.

I've always been drawn to Madison Rayne. Sure, she's insanely attractive but that's not just it; she's a pretty strong in-ring performer as well! Would love to see her get some ground over time.

[thommohawk]

I think Madison Rayne is hot and talented but honestly her voice is crazy sharp....I know it's not her fault and all that but she has to have the shriek of TNA - every time she cuts a promo or whatever I find myself turning the volume down 30% lol.

Whatever happened to Lacey Von Erich ? Is she still under employment with TNA ? She was useless in the ring but insanely hot and could have been used as Madison's lackey rather than Tara.

[TDubRaiders]

Lacey left a while back to pursue acting I believe, don't quote me on that but I believe that's why she left

[LoNdOn]

Madison is AWESOME! My favorite current female act out there. She's nailing this gimmick.


What she is doing she is doing well, I just don't like her.

[alphadraighon]

Thought you guys and dolls might get a kick out of this....seems a certain gold medalist and TNA main eventer got busted near my old stomping grounds.


http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/198029/group/Sports/

[Blackman]

I'd also get drunk and go all 'FML' if I'w work in TNA right now. :p

[juggaloninjalee]

Thought you guys and dolls might get a kick out of this....seems a certain gold medalist and TNA main eventer got busted near my old stomping grounds.


http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/198029/group/Sports/

He looks so happy in his mug shot. That guy is so happy.

[Jaysin]

Watching Impact(late I know, but I spent the day with my ex <3), OH MY GOD! This Impact is actually good so far. Scotty Steiner vs Shannon was surprisingly good and the British Invasion coming back after the match? **** YEAH!! I really wish Desmond would come back though.

Right now I'm on the GenMe match. Fun match so far.

[Jaysin]

Good Impact this week. I enjoyed it a lot compared to the last few weeks.

I'm pretty excited for Lockdown now.

[20LEgend]

Nice show tbf. CD is awesome!

[Jaysin]

Just read that its rumored Jeff Hardy is actually entering rehab. So glad to hear that if its true. He's got a wife and a kid to worry about.

[Slim Jim]

4/10

[juggaloninjalee]

Just read that its rumored Jeff Hardy is actually entering rehab. So glad to hear that if its true. He's got a wife and a kid to worry about.

If that's true I could see it being advised to him by his lawyer. He could be doing it for a lesser sentence and also to keep himself employed by TNA.

I've known people to go to jail and do rehab only to go right back to how they were when further punishment wasn't looking them dead in the face.

[Eisen-verse]

From wrestlezone.com
Randy Ricci of NAWF.com has posted the following blog:

"Below are things that I have heard through reliable sources. I can’t claim they are 100% “dead on balls” true but, I’m pretty sure there is more then a little truth to all of these items below.

First item is and I’m not sure if this is online yet but, TNA plans on “terminating” Jeff Hardy. Not really though its kind of a “gimmick”. The plan is for Jeff to go into rehab (not sure if it will be on Vince’s dime or not yet) and then to bring him back as a recovering “baby face”.

As someone in recovery, I can tell you there are soooo many facets to this that “TNA creative” is not considering.And its IMO SICK! To make a storyline out of this especially if Hardy is willing to try and “recover”."

Thoughts?

I, honestly, feel like TNA should officially cut ties with the man but, from a purely creative standpoint, the characters that often resonate are those who feel entirely realistic to the real person. That said, I don't think I could ever buy into cheering for Hardy. In a way, I'm a traditionalist and really care for the craft in general. With Hardy, he's done enough to prove that he doesn't really care about Pro Wrestling anymore. He may, underneath it all, but he's too drugged out to even realize what he's doing to himself I'm sure.

[20LEgend]

So setting up 'trying to kill' RVD will be forgotten no doubt and Hardy will come back to huge cheers, not from me though :D. Hardy OUT!

[masterded]

From wrestlezone.com


Thoughts?

I, honestly, feel like TNA should officially cut ties with the man but, from a purely creative standpoint, the characters that often resonate are those who feel entirely realistic to the real person. That said, I don't think I could ever buy into cheering for Hardy. In a way, I'm a traditionalist and really care for the craft in general. With Hardy, he's done enough to prove that he doesn't really care about Pro Wrestling anymore. He may, underneath it all, but he's too drugged out to even realize what he's doing to himself I'm sure.

If true TNA better bay for his rehab or it will just make them lost worst, even more so if the WWE pays for it. You would have one company trying to help a former employee and another taking advantage of an employees situation (even if the employee is the one to blame). It sounds like some bad PR to me.

[Jaysin]

I don't know who is more annoying, Hernandez or Winter(Katie Lea).

[Teh_Showtime]

watching TNA for the first time in bout a month (maybe a little over)

when did Daniels return?

[Teh_Showtime]

And this segment is awesome. This is why RVD is my favorite ever.

Even though the 4:20 joke wasnt that funny.

[Russo]

watching TNA for the first time in bout a month (maybe a little over)

when did Daniels return?

Last week.

This weeks show has been good I'm thinking Bischoff is the "Network" because he was just promoted irl to Executive Producer so they could say he's for the network. Him or Mick Foley

[Jaysin]

I think Dixie is the Network. Sting warned Dixie. Dixie didn't listen. Dixie begged for help, but didn't happen and now she has no power. So why not get a job at the Network to get some kind of power? I dunno, makes sense to me :p

[Eisen-verse]

Just watched iMPACT and i've got to say that I was thoroughly entertained. I really like Bully Ray; however, funny enough, his match with Daniels felt like, in TEW terms, that they don't really 'click'. It wasn't a bad bout by any means but felt a little awkward. Outside of that, I really loved the whole Kennedy thing (which is saying a lot since I'm not really a fan at all).

The "network" thing is already seeming a little weird to be honest. If Bischoff/Hogan took over then why are they, all of a sudden, cronies for the network? Also, why would the network add stipulations to a match that's going to be shown on PPV? Just seems a little weird. That said, it didn't bother me enough to deter me from enjoying the show.

Good stuff.

Cheers.

E-V

[Jaysin]

Just watched iMPACT and i've got to say that I was thoroughly entertained. I really like Bully Ray; however, funny enough, his match with Daniels felt like, in TEW terms, that they don't really 'click'. It wasn't a bad bout by any means but felt a little awkward. Outside of that, I really loved the whole Kennedy thing (which is saying a lot since I'm not really a fan at all).

The "network" thing is already seeming a little weird to be honest. If Bischoff/Hogan took over then why are they, all of a sudden, cronies for the network? Also, why would the network add stipulations to a match that's going to be shown on PPV? Just seems a little weird. That said, it didn't bother me enough to deter me from enjoying the show.

Good stuff.

Cheers.

E-V

This week and last week were both pretty good shows I thought. My only real complaints are the lame Mexican America story line(mainly because Hernandez is awful) and the Winter/BP stuff...mainly because its retarded and Winter is a wasted paycheck.

[Eisen-verse]

This week and last week were both pretty good shows I thought. My only real complaints are the lame Mexican America story line(mainly because Hernandez is awful) and the Winter/BP stuff...mainly because its retarded and Winter is a wasted paycheck.

I actually don't mind the winter/BP stuff. Is it amazing? Nah. Will I turn the station? Probably not. I at least have somewhat of an intrigue on where this goes from here; how TNA is going to explain this all.

[BHK1978]

Is it me or does it seem that TNA is using crowd sweetner for a lack of a better word. I hear this raucous reacting to every wrestler and yet what I see is just a few people clapping and cheering.

[Save_Us.Necro]

wouldn't be shocking...most impacts/ppv are either impact zone marks or tourists so they def need to supliment those tourists who may not know whats going on.

i legit dont watch tna anymore, what has been happening with Magnus? he's grown to be one of my favorite talents before him and Nigel went off screen.

[BHK1978]

wouldn't be shocking...most impacts/ppv are either impact zone marks or tourists so they def need to supliment those tourists who may not know whats going on.

i legit dont watch tna anymore, what has been happening with Magnus? he's grown to be one of my favorite talents before him and Nigel went off screen.

It seems he and Doug Williams are a back to teaming again and they will be in a match at the PPV. At least that is what I think was happening last week, it is TNA after all so one never knows exactly what is going on.:D

[Hive]

The "network" thing is already seeming a little weird to be honest. If Bischoff/Hogan took over then why are they, all of a sudden, cronies for the network? Also, why would the network add stipulations to a match that's going to be shown on PPV? Just seems a little weird.

Wow. That sounds incredibly dumb, even for TNA.

[Eisen-verse]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm more of a cruiserweight, modern-wrestling, fan; however,...

How can TNA continue to subdue Rob Terry as an unstoppable singles force? I mean, come on! ha. His look, the kind of demeanor he can play (does a pretty good pissed off look), could be absolute gold for them but it seems like don't really care to create him into a monster heel of sorts.

I was never a huge Batista fan... BUT... His immense look made you think of him as an absolute juggernaut. With Terry, they could have the same thing really; start him off as a bruising heel who goes on a streak of destruction (doesn't even need to be Win's really). He could think he's being 'overlooked' and ultimately destroys others until someone takes notice (a la typical monster heel move). In the end, you'd have a major force that could, possibly, collide with Sting down the line. At that point, have Terry win, Sting puts up a good fight, but in the end you have a NEW Main Event Powerhouse after months of destroying others & then ultimately getting the rub from Sting.

Just seems odd to me that he continues to be booked in, somewhat of, a weak manner.

Cheers.

E-V

[BHK1978]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm more of a cruiserweight, modern-wrestling, fan; however,...

How can TNA continue to subdue Rob Terry as an unstoppable singles force? I mean, come on! ha. His look, the kind of demeanor he can play (does a pretty good pissed off look), could be absolute gold for them but it seems like don't really care to create him into a monster heel of sorts.

I was never a huge Batista fan... BUT... His immense look made you think of him as an absolute juggernaut. With Terry, they could have the same thing really; start him off as a bruising heel who goes on a streak of destruction (doesn't even need to be Win's really). He could think he's being 'overlooked' and ultimately destroys others until someone takes notice (a la typical monster heel move). In the end, you'd have a major force that could, possibly, collide with Sting down the line. At that point, have Terry win, Sting puts up a good fight, but in the end you have a NEW Main Event Powerhouse after months of destroying others & then ultimately getting the rub from Sting.

Just seems odd to me that he continues to be booked in, somewhat of, a weak manner.

Cheers.

E-V

Here is the thing that I think holds him back, much like Hernandez, Terry does not speak well. They could either make Flair (or another manager) his mouthpiece or make him a silent assassin type face or heel. Also, he is not all that great in the ring but that can be covered up.

[Eisen-verse]

Here is the thing that I think holds him back, much like Hernandez, Terry does not speak well. They could either make Flair (or another manager) his mouthpiece or make him a silent assassin type face or heel. Also, he is not all that great in the ring but that can be covered up.

Yea, I thought it may be because he isn't all that 'strong' in the ring but, I guess, look at what Goldberg did with a pretty limited move-set. As you said, if booked right, a guy of Terry's size could really have his pitfalls masked by the sheer power of his game.

I do like the idea of Flair at his side; however, in most cases, whenever Flair is around, especially in a managing standpoint, others don't seem to really exist. Maybe it's because Flair is MORE about his own legacy; even while trying to put over another?

I'd love to see him as a silent heel. Truthfully, at least with the way they've kind of killed Abyss's credibility as an evil force in the past, I think they could have someone FAR more menacing in Terry becoming a silent powerhouse than Abyss could be right now. No need for him to be anything but who he is... Just book him in a way where he looks unstoppable and wahla...

Instant Main Event Monster on your hands!

[Jaysin]

Another good episode of Impact, certainly not the best ever, but at least its not as bad as it was for a for awhile. When Hogan looked like he was going to powerbomb Anderson I actually thought he would :p

[TakerNGN74]

Haven't seen it talked about much in this thread maybe I missed it but I thought I would bring it up regardless. What do you guys think about TNA changing their name when the company is only a little less than nine years old. I believe it will hurt them to be honest because even though its not very recognizable people still do recognize the TNA name and if the change their name then they might have to start over completely as far as building a loyal fanbase is concerned.

[BHK1978]

Haven't seen it talked about much in this thread maybe I missed it but I thought I would bring it up regardless. What do you guys think about TNA changing their name when the company is only a little less than nine years old. I believe it will hurt them to be honest because even though its not very recognizable people still do recognize the TNA name and if the change their name then they might have to start over completely as far as building a loyal fanbase is concerned.

I have not read about this yet. What are they changing their name to?

[TakerNGN74]

I heard they were thinking Impact Pro Wrestling which is already taken by a company down in Flordia. They had a few other names too but I can't remember what else they were thinking of besides the one that they can't use because its being used already.

I heard that it will have Impact and Wrestling in the name but as far as what the third word of the name would be I have no idea.

[Fantabulous]

I believe it will hurt them to be honest because even though its not very recognizable people still do recognize the TNA name and if the change their name then they might have to start over completely as far as building a loyal fanbase is concerned.

TNA have such a loyal fanbase that anyone they haven't run off already is unlikely to be run off at all. In any event, it won't matter what the new name is because it's not the name that's the problem with TNA. Unfortunately, it's not like TNA are the first wrestling company to be unable or unwilling to address their real problems.

[ZMAN]

Changing their name isn't going to a damn thing for them.

The article I read also had, "TNA has been spending millions and millions of dollars in recent years establishing the company as a "WWE lite" sports entertainment company. They've signed Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, RVD, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and plenty more WWE castoffs with little-to-no return on their money.It's been suggested that TNA drastically cut its budget, release most of the expensive top-tier talent and run a promotion that focuses on younger, smaller performers - which would finally give the company an identity that's completely different from WWE."

I'm all for those changes. Cutting the old guys or failed WWE talent would free up at least 10 spots. After that, merge the X Title with the World Title and make the X division style the actual standard for the promotion. Would be a major overhaul, but I think it would be exciting.

Doubt it actually happens though.

[Jaysin]

Steel Cage Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship:
Sting (c) vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Rob Van Dam

Steel Cage Match:
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett (with Karen Jarrett)

Lethal Lockdown Match:
Team Immortal (Abyss, Bully Ray, Matt Hardy and Ric Flair) vs. Team Fortune (James Storm, Kazarian, Robert Roode and Daniels)

Steel Cage Match:
Hernandez vs. Matt Morgan

Steel Cage Match:
D'Angelo Dinero vs. Samoa Joe

Steel Cage Title vs. Hair Match for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship:
Madison Rayne (c) vs. Mickie James

X Division Ultimate Xscape Match:
Amazing Red vs. Brian Kendrick vs. Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Max Buck vs. Robbie E vs. Suicide

Four Way Tornado Tag Team Steel Cage Match:
Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore vs. Crimson and Scott Steiner vs. Eric Young and Orlando Jordan vs. Douglas Williams and Magnus

[20LEgend]

Steel Cage Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship:
Sting (c) vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Rob Van Dam

Steel Cage Match:
Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett (with Karen Jarrett)

Lethal Lockdown Match:
Team Immortal (Abyss, Bully Ray, Matt Hardy and Ric Flair) vs. Team Fortune (James Storm, Kazarian, Robert Roode and Daniels)

Steel Cage Match:
Hernandez vs. Matt Morgan

Steel Cage Match:
D'Angelo Dinero vs. Samoa Joe

Steel Cage Title vs. Hair Match for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship:
Madison Rayne (c) vs. Mickie James
Don't ruin Mickey. Please!
X Division Ultimate Xscape Match:
Amazing Red vs. Brian Kendrick vs. Chris Sabin, Jay Lethal vs. Jeremy Buck vs. Max Buck vs. Robbie E vs. Suicide
Everything crossed :D
Four Way Tornado Tag Team Steel Cage Match:
Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore vs. Crimson and Scott Steiner vs. Eric Young and Orlando Jordan vs. Douglas Williams and Magnus

ALL FACES TO WIN!?! :D

[Nedew]

"It's been suggested that TNA drastically cut its budget, release most of the expensive top-tier talent and run a promotion that focuses on younger, smaller performers - which would finally give the company an identity that's completely different from WWE."

So... basically... ROH?

[The Stallion]

Changing their name isn't going to a damn thing for them.

The article I read also had, "TNA has been spending millions and millions of dollars in recent years establishing the company as a "WWE lite" sports entertainment company. They've signed Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, RVD, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and plenty more WWE castoffs with little-to-no return on their money.It's been suggested that TNA drastically cut its budget, release most of the expensive top-tier talent and run a promotion that focuses on younger, smaller performers - which would finally give the company an identity that's completely different from WWE."

I'm all for those changes. Cutting the old guys or failed WWE talent would free up at least 10 spots. After that, merge the X Title with the World Title and make the X division style the actual standard for the promotion. Would be a major overhaul, but I think it would be exciting.

Doubt it actually happens though.

I dont know man. I think there is a place in TNA for guys like Kurt Angle and Sting, while still making them different than the WWE. All TNA needs to do to differentiate themselves would be to do what TNA does best, and thats focus on the the in-ring talent over the entertainment portion of it all. There is a place for the sports-entertainment side of it all, heck thats what gets people interested. You need those back stories and rivalries to fuel the fire so to speak. If you totally cut out the entertainment portion of it you would have a niche product like that of ROH. ROH, while a great promotion, will never be more than it is unless it evolves to incorporate that sports-entertainment side of it. Not saying that that should be front and center, but it needs to be a part of it. I dont particularly mind Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, however there role needs to be cut back drastically. Hogan should be the spokesman for TNA. He should be doing the talk shows and radio shows, hyping up TNA. Bischoff could still be an on air character much in the role he is in now. If they are going to go this whole Immortal route, then somebody other that Sting needs to be the guy trying to bring them down. It needs to be the next big star. Someone like AJ, Joe, Daniels or Pope. TNA can be different while not getting ride of anybody at all.

[Rone Rivendale]

This is a bit off topic but I really dislike when people talk about WWE cast offs like they are damaged goods.

If I worked at Wal-Mart and they fired me, would you discourage me to work at K-Mart?

It's a matter of working in the profession that you are trained in. If you trained to be a welder and you got fired at the factory you worked at, you wouldn't become an exile, you would move on to another job welding at another place.

Long story short, there is nothing wrong with someone who used to be in WWE, working for another wrestling company. And people shouldn't call them cast offs, or rejects, or has beens. It's their chosen career.

[20LEgend]

This is a bit off topic but I really dislike when people talk about WWE cast offs like they are damaged goods.


I agree with this, I think the issue is when there are more talented guys out there but they sign old WWE is when it's an issue. Dinero is barely recognisable from his WWE and I say as long as they use these guys well and think about their characters rather than just using them because they are WWE guys it's great that they are getting another chance, it's just a shame some more talented guys are being left on the indies,

[cappyboy]

Haven't seen it talked about much in this thread maybe I missed it but I thought I would bring it up regardless. What do you guys think about TNA changing their name when the company is only a little less than nine years old. I believe it will hurt them to be honest because even though its not very recognizable people still do recognize the TNA name and if the change their name then they might have to start over completely as far as building a loyal fanbase is concerned.

I don't think it's any secret what I think. It doesn't matter if it hurts them in the short term. It NEEDS to happen if they ever want to be the company they try to project themselves as. The TNA acronym was just fine when they were part of the NWA and Total Nonstop Action was just a subtitle. But ever since they left the NWA, that acronym has been a potential problem.

If you're not a die-hard wrestling fan, what do you think of when you hear the letters TNA? I'll tell you what you think of. You expect the N to be an ampersand and you expect to see skin on display as far as the eye can see. You expect a show that essentially wrestling flavored soft porn. That perception will eventually impede their growth as more conservative would-be fans won't tune in to start with and the randy uninitiated will get annoyed by the lack of boobies on parade.

They either need to embrace the mental image inherent in their current acronym and be prepared to remake their audience and roster accordingly. Or they need to ditch the TNA name for something that more clearly says "wrestling promotion." As long as they try riding high in the straddle with their identity, they are always going to be a cult promotion that only we base fans know for what they actually are.

[Derek B]

Just popping in to make my last contribution to this thread for a few days since I won't be watching the PPV for a few days and will need to avoid spoilers.

TNA has run a number of polls on Facebook asking fans to predict the winners of matches. Here's the internet's quick picks, which I feel is surprising given that I would assume most internet fans to be more smarky in their choice of picks.

Sting
Fortune
Kurt Angle
Matt Morgan
Samoa Joe
Mickie James
Scott Steiner/Crimson
Chris Sabin

All faces for those keeping score at home... anyone else find that interesting or is it just me? :)

[20LEgend]

Just popping in to make my last contribution to this thread for a few days since I won't be watching the PPV for a few days and will need to avoid spoilers.

TNA has run a number of polls on Facebook asking fans to predict the winners of matches. Here's the internet's quick picks, which I feel is surprising given that I would assume most internet fans to be more smarky in their choice of picks.

Sting
Fortune
Kurt Angle
Matt Morgan
Samoa Joe
Mickie James
Scott Steiner/Crimson
Chris Sabin

All faces for those keeping score at home... anyone else find that interesting or is it just me? :)

It is weird but I just seems right on this PPV, Sting needs a long reign, Flair doesn't win, Kurt needs the win after losing 2 in a row and it is the blow off match, Morgan lost last month, Joe has looked a lot better than Pope in the feud (although a win could see him into a Sting story [they have the "they" storyline bckgrnd],) Mickie CAN NOT lose her hair, Steiner is above pop wise everyone in that match, and most people love Sabin.

[SaySo]

Shame they can't get the rights to NWA and use the name "Nonstop Wrestling Action."

[cappyboy]

Shame they can't get the rights to NWA and use the name "Nonstop Wrestling Action."

Indeed. That name would ease the transition and solve the identity problem that comes with the TNA acronym. Maybe they could be NAW. Nonstop Action Wrestling.

[Russo]

that crowd is huge

[Jaysin]

Ok, that Red/Sabin Cradle Shock spot was awesome.

[Astil]

Those two signs at the beginning of the KO match = me turning off the PPV and declaring TNA dead to me. Tasteless by the fans and tasteless that the company would highlight them.

[20LEgend]

What was that? Why?

[Astil]

What was that? Why?

What Women Are Good At
Jello Wrestling
Pudding Wrestling
Pro Wrestling <- Crossed Out

as well as

Hey Mickie, winning the belt will add ten pounds to your waistline.

I remember Kim v. Kong and the division being built around talent. They've gone so far away from that it's disgusting. Wasted potential.

[Russo]

What Women Are Good At
Jello Wrestling
Pudding Wrestling
Pro Wrestling <- Crossed Out

as well as

Hey Mickie, winning the belt will add ten pounds to your waistline.

I remember Kim v. Kong and the division being built around talent. They've gone so far away from that it's disgusting. Wasted potential.

they made me lol tbh

[Jaysin]

I'm sorry, but how is Mickie or Madison bad? They're both above average workers.

[Astil]

I'm sorry, but how is Mickie or Madison bad? They're both above average workers.

Didn't say they weren't.

It's focus of the division. It's an eye candy division, like in WWE. They used to show these promos about how they weren't about looks, but now they're showing these kinds of signs on there PPVs. It's sad.

[liontamer]

Agreed. The talk of signing the 'castoffs' just reminds of how epically bad WWF failed when it tried to become WCW-lite by signing losers like Mean Mark Callous, Jean Paul Levesque, or those two nobody's in the hollywood blondes. Like those guys had any potential...What a flop that turned out to be.....


also reminds me of the even more epic failure of WCW to then return the favor by stealing a bunch of big WWE names and throwing them all in some big group of invaders. Like that was gonna work...


Personally the biggest mistake TNA made in my eyes was the unsuccessful move to Mondays. It was a good idea to try, but had too many problems with logistics (constantly changing timeslots, adding/subtracting reaction, bad timing relative to WM and to Hart's return, etc) and not having enough big storylines to keep the crowd from turning to WWE. That said, I applaud them for taking the risk as I think it needed to be done and had potential for a huge upside if it had gone remotely well.

[Jaysin]

Didn't say they weren't.

It's focus of the division. It's an eye candy division, like in WWE. They used to show these promos about how they weren't about looks, but now they're showing these kinds of signs on there PPVs. It's sad.

I'm sure it wasn't on purpose. I didn't even notice the signs haha

I think this is a pretty good show so far honestly.

[Astil]

Agreed. The talk of signing the 'castoffs' just reminds of how epically bad WWF failed when it tried to become WCW-lite by signing losers like Mean Mark Callous, Jean Paul Levesque, or those two nobody's in the hollywood blondes. Like those guys had any potential...What a flop that turned out to be.....


also reminds me of the even more epic failure of WCW to then return the favor by stealing a bunch of big WWE names and throwing them all in some big group of invaders. Like that was gonna work...


Personally the biggest mistake TNA made in my eyes was the unsuccessful move to Mondays. It was a good idea to try, but had too many problems with logistics (constantly changing timeslots, adding/subtracting reaction, bad timing relative to WM and to Hart's return, etc) and not having enough big storylines to keep the crowd from turning to WWE. That said, I applaud them for taking the risk as I think it needed to be done and had potential for a huge upside if it had gone remotely well.

You want to compare histories check out the constant turns of late WCW and current TNA.

[Astil]

I'm sure it wasn't on purpose. I didn't even notice the signs haha

I think this is a pretty good show so far honestly.

They stopped on them for a solid minute.

[Russo]

Angle used the RKO on Jarrett lol

[20LEgend]

Angle used the RKO on Jarrett lol

That a reference to Angle slam by R.K.O do you think?

[Russo]

That a reference to Angle slam by R.K.O do you think?

yea thats what I was thinking when i saw it.

[Jaysin]

Robbie E was using the RKO before haha

[Russo]

good match besides the end

[20LEgend]

I. Riot. (behind my keyboard)

[Russo]

Huge pop for Sting

[20LEgend]

Yes I have seen that before Neidhart, Taz and Tenay. Same as WWE pretending it didn't happen so they could hype it on commentrry , now TNA.

[Im tired excuse spelling]

[slack]

I'm bummed I had to work. I literally can see US Bank Arena from the studio I'm at right now. I wanted to go to the Meet and Greet yesterday, but 99 bucks was... steep.

[Russo]

here comes a swerve

Edit: Nevermind :)

[Russo]

Anybody have word on the attendance for this show?

[slack]

The building only holds like 13,000 or so. My station had a deal worked out buy one get one tickets for the week up to the show.

[Russo]

pretty good show the end was the best which is usally when TNA messes up bravo TNA that was an enjoyable show

[liontamer]

You want to compare histories check out the constant turns of late WCW and current TNA.

I don't think they are comparable though. TNA's recent turns actually make sense (go back and see the incredibly long email of mine a few months back if you still aren't getting it). I think if this as a less successful, but similar stage as the turns setting up the nWo. The only turn I don't get from within the context of the whole storyline is Pope's.


Late WCW's problem wasn't the turns so much as the crappy storylines and bad characters. I never conected to people like Berlyn, the wall, the Harris Brothers, 7even/Dustin, champion David Arquette, etc. That was also part of early WCW's problem with characters such as the toilet paper covered Yeti and his hump of doom.

[Teh_Showtime]

Soo, I guess Angle did the RKO and said it was out of respect and not trying to get back at him

[20LEgend]

Soo, I guess Angle did the RKO and said it was out of respect and not trying to get back at him

Well that doesn't make sense after complaining about R.K.O using the Angle Slam. Oh I forgot, it was a "family member after he'd gone to bed" :rolleyes:

[Fantabulous]

Agreed. The talk of signing the 'castoffs' just reminds of how epically bad WWF failed when it tried to become WCW-lite by signing losers like Mean Mark Callous, Jean Paul Levesque, or those two nobody's in the hollywood blondes. Like those guys had any potential...What a flop that turned out to be.....

also reminds me of the even more epic failure of WCW to then return the favor by stealing a bunch of big WWE names and throwing them all in some big group of invaders. Like that was gonna work...

I know what you were going for but you only made yourself look foolish because you missed the point in epic fashion.

It's not about TNA taking WWE rejects and using them. It's taking WWE rejects and immediately putting them in the mix with your top guys. It gives the message that wrestlers who couldn't make it past the midcard in the big leagues are on the same level as the main event guys in TNA. Not a good message to send. It's one thing if it's a guy who everyone knows is talented but never got a chance, like Christian, because it can be positioned as them finally getting the chance to make it big and they haven't got the stench of midcard or failed main eventer all over them. But when it's a career midcarder like Test or a failed main eventer like Rikishi or any one that ilk, who you bring in and immediately put in the top mix, it just drags everyone else down. It makes your top wrestlers look inferior when you put them on the same level as guys who either never made it past the midcard in the big leagues or failed to cut it at the top of the big leagues.

Where you especially miss the point when using the Mean Mark and Jean Paul Levesque analogy, is that WWF didn't immediately put them in the top mix with their main event guys. Undertaker spent almost a year climbing up the ladder, squashing jobbers then midcarders then near-the-top guys before being put in the mix with the main event talent. By the time he got there, Mean Mark was a distant memory and it was The Undertaker who had made it to the top and not Mean Mark. With JPL, again, he wasn't put in the main event mix right away. He spent a year or so climbing up the ladder, squashing jobbers and midcarders, getting the Hunter Hearst Helmsley character over, so that when they were going to pull the trigger on his run at the top, it was WWF's Hunter Hearst Helmsley who was in the main event, not WCW opening match guy, Jean Paul Levesque.

When WCW 'stole' Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, at least they were big names. They had made it to the top of the mountain and the fans could take them seriously as main event players because they had been main event players elsewhere. They weren't perennial midcarders who didn't have what it took to rise above that status. They weren't guys who failed miserably on top and had been shunted back down to the middle of the card or lower. Granted, Nash was a bomb as WWF Champion, but he was never pushed back down to midcard status and, in fact, was in main events on his way out of the door.

[Basmat01]

Soo, I guess Angle did the RKO and said it was out of respect and not trying to get back at him

Angle clearly hasnt gotten the memo that no-one cares.

I really enjoy it when wrestlers mix it up and use different moves

[TracyBrooksFan]

What Women Are Good At
Jello Wrestling
Pudding Wrestling
Pro Wrestling <- Crossed Out

as well as

Hey Mickie, winning the belt will add ten pounds to your waistline.

I remember Kim v. Kong and the division being built around talent. They've gone so far away from that it's disgusting. Wasted potential.

Well Mickie vs Tara not long ago was turning the division to the good side. I still don't think it bad it better then WWE diva division

[Eisen-verse]

When it comes to the whole 'cast-off' scenario with TNA bringing in old faces, recently fired WWE wrestlers, and those who are seen as Bischoff/Hogan cronies, I continually come to this...

As long as I'm entertained; I don't really care WHO TNA hires. That's what it comes down to for me.

It's true, they're often seen as 'WWE-lite' to some; however, I've come to think that their production re-branding has ALREADY set them apart from McMahon's product. Honestly, between the two, I value TNA's production value, the way they shoot, their visual filter, and the way they utilize their surroundings well, as far more interesting than the WWE's tried-and-true method.

In the end, It doesn't really bother me who they bring on; as long as it's though out, well-developed, and interesting from a storyline perspective. Now, just picking up someone like Shelton Benjamin tomorrow and saying 'hey, look, you use to see him on the WWE and now he's here', is simply not enough. IF he comes in with a storyline of his own, a new viewpoint of sorts, and shot in their fashion, then I think it's entirely okay.

[Remianen]

Well Mickie vs Tara not long ago was turning the division to the good side. I still don't think it bad it better then WWE diva division

That's like saying vomit is better than horse (poop). You might have a point, but neither of them would qualify as 'good'.

And Astil, cut them some slack. If you're familiar with the indy scene, diva type women's "wrestlers" outnumber the real in-ring talents like 150 to 1. Everyone's goal seems to be to get to WWE and to do that, actually being skilled often works against you. It's easier to find diva-like talent than it is to find actually skilled in-ring workers, especially considering how much skilled workers cost. Few of them are going to take a pay cut just to get on TV. Plus, several of them have body types that make them stand out from the typical Knockout crowd (witness Sara del Rey's caboose and "child bearing hips"). How long did "Rosie Lottalove" last again?

Seriously, just let it go. Hell, I have. My expectations for TNA's women's product is similar to my expectations for WWE's. If I want to see women's wrestling, I'll go to a JAPW show (or order the DVDs). Besides, I completely missed the title vs hair match though I have no idea how that could've happened. Hmmm....:p

[liontamer]

I know what you were going for but you only made yourself look foolish because you missed the point in epic fashion.

It's not about TNA taking WWE rejects and using them. It's taking WWE rejects and immediately putting them in the mix with your top guys. It gives the message that wrestlers who couldn't make it past the midcard in the big leagues are on the same level as the main event guys in TNA. Not a good message to send. It's one thing if it's a guy who everyone knows is talented but never got a chance, like Christian, because it can be positioned as them finally getting the chance to make it big and they haven't got the stench of midcard or failed main eventer all over them. But when it's a career midcarder like Test or a failed main eventer like Rikishi or any one that ilk, who you bring in and immediately put in the top mix, it just drags everyone else down. It makes your top wrestlers look inferior when you put them on the same level as guys who either never made it past the midcard in the big leagues or failed to cut it at the top of the big leagues.

Where you especially miss the point when using the Mean Mark and Jean Paul Levesque analogy, is that WWF didn't immediately put them in the top mix with their main event guys. Undertaker spent almost a year climbing up the ladder, squashing jobbers then midcarders then near-the-top guys before being put in the mix with the main event talent. By the time he got there, Mean Mark was a distant memory and it was The Undertaker who had made it to the top and not Mean Mark. With JPL, again, he wasn't put in the main event mix right away. He spent a year or so climbing up the ladder, squashing jobbers and midcarders, getting the Hunter Hearst Helmsley character over, so that when they were going to pull the trigger on his run at the top, it was WWF's Hunter Hearst Helmsley who was in the main event, not WCW opening match guy, Jean Paul Levesque.

When WCW 'stole' Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, at least they were big names. They had made it to the top of the mountain and the fans could take them seriously as main event players because they had been main event players elsewhere. They weren't perennial midcarders who didn't have what it took to rise above that status. They weren't guys who failed miserably on top and had been shunted back down to the middle of the card or lower. Granted, Nash was a bomb as WWF Champion, but he was never pushed back down to midcard status and, in fact, was in main events on his way out of the door.

so the Hardy's, RVD, and Anderson aren't Big names like Hall and Nash? RVD is one of the biggest names of the last decade, the Hardy's are one of the top tag teams and Jeff was WWE champion not too long ago and if I recall correctly #1 on Merch. And before the Orton incident a lot of people regarded Anderson as the next Rock. While pope never hit the top in WWE I think TNA have sufficiently reinvented him as Pope, although I think they dropped the ball backing off the crazy push he was on; should have had a major title feud with AJ.

Go back further and you have Angle, Christian and Booker which were all good pickups, Steiner is still entertaining, and Morgan has had a slow climb up the ladder. I don't see many people that fit what you're talking about. If I'm not mistaken even the Dudleys only had the TNA tittles once maybe twice and it wasn't instantaneous on arrival. The only person I've seen (I starting watching when they debuted on FSN) that fits the bill is Shannon Moore as he was given a major X-division push in his first run in TNA.

On the other hand Kaz, and whatever the name was of Lance Hoyts tag buddy, got instantaneous WWE pushes

There's also a difference between WWF/E during those signings mentioned previously and WCW/TNA. In WWF/E's case they were the place to be, the king on top of the mountain. WCW and TNA were both trying to portray themselves as the new place to be by bringing in the big names to fight for the title. What are you going to bring in Angle or Jeff Hardy and have them job their way up the card and lose name value? No, you throw them in the ME and have them bring in new fans in hopes of boosting ratings. And people b*^$# enough about how much they are spending on these guys, are you going to spend what it takes to bring them in and stick them in the low card?

My point is that TNA (and WWE) have the right to bring in whatever talent they want and it doesn't bother me at all as long as they are used well. If TNA steals Cena tomorrow, I don't want to see him in the Mid-low card trading wins and losses with sabin and Shelly, I want him in the ME or there's no point. And if they can bring in the next underrated worker and make them an icon like HHH or Taker, awesome (and while it may take some time before an official ME feud, I think a series of squash victories generally shows you're pretty high on the guy and have big plans).

here's my take on TNA's use of WWE guys

Shannon Moore - never got into him, personally I'd cut him
Christian - used way better than in WWE
Hogan and EB - used well, no complaints currently (slightly overused early on)
Flair - used well
Booker T - under used, but was getting stale
Anderson - used as well, possibly better than in WWE. That said, he did get the title a little soon and I don't get the purpose of him losing the title to Hardy to then pass it to Sting
Pope - used better than in WWE, should have held a title by now
Dudley's - Overused currently, but were used well until recently
Jeff Hardy - used well even though I never got the hole antichrist bit, was very risky though given legal issues
Matt Hardy - too early to tell, aside from may tag titles I'm not sure I want him in a title picture
Angle - used well, but the current storyline is getting stale
Matt Morgan - used fairly well most of the time, surprised he hasn't held a singles title
Hall and Waltman - no longer much use and they were cut anyway, same with the outlaws although they lasted longer
RVD - used very well - the RVD/sting feud was the only thing that gave TNA a chance in the brief return to Mon night wars. Needs to get the title or have character change soon though because his persona and story has been static for a while now

Since the FSN era, give me 5 examples of what you're talking about and how you would have done things differently.

And mentioning Flair reminds me, what the heck happened to Lethal's push? He seems to only have charisma when pretending to be someone else.

[haloed]

There's atleast of a couple of those guy's on liontamer's list that I would consider WCW guys more than WWE guys.

Enjoyed Lockdown, first PPV I've ordered in awhile. The Mickie James/ Rayne match was a joke though. Really happy that Sting retained and the pop he got from the crowd was crazy.

[Astil]

so the Hardy's, RVD, and Anderson aren't Big names like Hall and Nash? RVD is one of the biggest names of the last decade, the Hardy's are one of the top tag teams and Jeff was WWE champion not too long ago and if I recall correctly #1 on Merch. And before the Orton incident a lot of people regarded Anderson as the next Rock. While pope never hit the top in WWE I think TNA have sufficiently reinvented him as Pope, although I think they dropped the ball backing off the crazy push he was on; should have had a major title feud with AJ.

Go back further and you have Angle, Christian and Booker which were all good pickups, Steiner is still entertaining, and Morgan has had a slow climb up the ladder. I don't see many people that fit what you're talking about. If I'm not mistaken even the Dudleys only had the TNA tittles once maybe twice and it wasn't instantaneous on arrival. The only person I've seen (I starting watching when they debuted on FSN) that fits the bill is Shannon Moore as he was given a major X-division push in his first run in TNA.

On the other hand Kaz, and whatever the name was of Lance Hoyts tag buddy, got instantaneous WWE pushes

There's also a difference between WWF/E during those signings mentioned previously and WCW/TNA. In WWF/E's case they were the place to be, the king on top of the mountain. WCW and TNA were both trying to portray themselves as the new place to be by bringing in the big names to fight for the title. What are you going to bring in Angle or Jeff Hardy and have them job their way up the card and lose name value? No, you throw them in the ME and have them bring in new fans in hopes of boosting ratings. And people b*^$# enough about how much they are spending on these guys, are you going to spend what it takes to bring them in and stick them in the low card?

My point is that TNA (and WWE) have the right to bring in whatever talent they want and it doesn't bother me at all as long as they are used well. If TNA steals Cena tomorrow, I don't want to see him in the Mid-low card trading wins and losses with sabin and Shelly, I want him in the ME or there's no point. And if they can bring in the next underrated worker and make them an icon like HHH or Taker, awesome (and while it may take some time before an official ME feud, I think a series of squash victories generally shows you're pretty high on the guy and have big plans).

here's my take on TNA's use of WWE guys

Shannon Moore - never got into him, personally I'd cut him
Christian - used way better than in WWE
Hogan and EB - used well, no complaints currently (slightly overused early on)
Flair - used well
Booker T - under used, but was getting stale
Anderson - used as well, possibly better than in WWE. That said, he did get the title a little soon and I don't get the purpose of him losing the title to Hardy to then pass it to Sting
Pope - used better than in WWE, should have held a title by now
Dudley's - Overused currently, but were used well until recently
Jeff Hardy - used well even though I never got the hole antichrist bit, was very risky though given legal issues
Matt Hardy - too early to tell, aside from may tag titles I'm not sure I want him in a title picture
Angle - used well, but the current storyline is getting stale
Matt Morgan - used fairly well most of the time, surprised he hasn't held a singles title
Hall and Waltman - no longer much use and they were cut anyway, same with the outlaws although they lasted longer
RVD - used very well - the RVD/sting feud was the only thing that gave TNA a chance in the brief return to Mon night wars. Needs to get the title or have character change soon though because his persona and story has been static for a while now

Since the FSN era, give me 5 examples of what you're talking about and how you would have done things differently.

And mentioning Flair reminds me, what the heck happened to Lethal's push? He seems to only have charisma when pretending to be someone else.

Bobby Lashley
Val Venis
Steven Richards
Nasty Boys
Davari

I would have ... not hired them.

[Fantabulous]

Bobby Lashley
Val Venis
Steven Richards
Nasty Boys
Davari

I would have ... not hired them.

I remember Venis, career midcarder, beating Daniels clean and Venis repaying the favour by leaving the company a few weeks later. Shannon Moore wasn't even a midcarder but he had a brief feud with AJ Styles that saw him beat AJ on TV and then...sign with WWE. It's funny the RVD/Sting was mentioned as a positive when RVD's debut was an eight-second win over Sting followed by an eight-minute destruction at the hands of Sting. The Nasty Boys, well, they had no place in any major promotion in the year 2010 and luckily weren't in for long.

Of those five, I would have hired Lashley but I sure wouldn't have booked him like a midcarder.

[Hive]

Watching Lockdown now. X-division cage match was good, though I find it hard to care for The Young Bucks as singles competitors. And what on earth is that Robbie E guy doing in the division at all? And as a former champion, even??? His ringwork looked rather bland and his look is awfully annonying, not exactly making me like him more.

[liontamer]

I remember Venis, career midcarder, beating Daniels clean and Venis repaying the favour by leaving the company a few weeks later. Shannon Moore wasn't even a midcarder but he had a brief feud with AJ Styles that saw him beat AJ on TV and then...sign with WWE. It's funny the RVD/Sting was mentioned as a positive when RVD's debut was an eight-second win over Sting followed by an eight-minute destruction at the hands of Sting. The Nasty Boys, well, they had no place in any major promotion in the year 2010 and luckily weren't in for long.

Of those five, I would have hired Lashley but I sure wouldn't have booked him like a midcarder.

Would agreee that the nasties didn't belong, but they didn't stick around long either. And while he was brutally boring, lashley was another pretty big name so I don't fault them for trying - but I don't recall him doing much either, and I'm not sure he was alllowed to given his other contracts. Agreed on the shannon moore thing as already stated.

Val I completely forgot about and yes he fits what you're saying. Although Daniels had a brutal record over that time period so he was booked as highly as in the past

And the Sting turn, particularly on RVD is what had people talking more than any of the other storylines, exept maybe the Lethal stuff with Flair that came a bit later, so yes I consider it a positive. There's only so much hogan vs flair we can watch. I'm glad AJ stopped wearing the Flairesque robe, it looked like he was in drag

Davari actually played his role well, but I don't know that he was over pushed (he had the x title, but it wasn't really pushed at ME status anymore was it?). And while Stevie is in the best shape I've seen him, he's still not interesting enough for me to care. however by the time he got his brief mid-upper card run he'd already been in TNA on/off a while so he wasn't exactly a newcomer even though the forcefed ECW storyline made it feel that way. Stevie/the ECW group all fit into the larger storyline and supported the immortal/RVD feud so, while it went on a bit long, I'm fine with it.

And while I think it was completely genius, I'm wondering what you thought of WWE bringing in WCW midcarder Chris Jericho to immediately feud with the Rock. And given that most people don't know anything about him, what about WWE's current Sin Cara push? or even someone like the Miz?

[Hive]

Kurt Angle should really stop tweeting:

"We kicked Butt. You need to see my match. Match Of The Year. Me @ Jarrett. What a great match. Jeff broke ribs. I dislocated my shoulder. Plez buy Encore. It was so good. I Love You all. U r my friends. It wad as good as Me and Shawn Michaels at W-Mania. It is Awesome!!!!"

Yeah, it was a fine match. But MOTY? And as good as Angle vs. Michaels at WM? Nah...

Angle was very good though, no doubt about it. He made the match.

[Bigpapa42]

Looks like Jay Lethal is gone from TNA.

[20LEgend]

Looks like Jay Lethal is gone from TNA.

Madness, beating Flair and then leaving any word on how, I kinda hope he requested the release rather than being dropped. TNA dropped the ball with him when he was hot, they had him loose to Robbie E, who was getting chants of boring at the time.

http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/4155/medium/CornetteFace.jpg?1287202839
F.T.C

[Bigpapa42]

Have not seen specifics yet. Just this and it doesn't have much detail...

Former TNA X-Division and Tag Team champion Jay Lethal is gone from TNA, PWInsider.com has confirmed. As of this writing, we haven't heard details. Lethal has already been removed from the roster page of the TNA website.

Lethal, who hadn't been used much in recent months but worked the Lockdown PPV over the weekend, had been with the company since 2005 and had several big runs, including his Randy Savage homage "Black Machismo", and wins over Ric Flair and Kurt Angle.

pwinsider

[juggaloninjalee]

I am convinced TNA has too many hands in the pot and not only that but they have the wrong hands there too. Russo and or Bischoff = idiots! Bischoff is a good on screen character but terrible decision maker. Russo is probably one of the worst decision makers this business has ever had.

How can they not see what they are doing?

[20LEgend]

This just on PWI

The word making the rounds is that TNA opted to release Jay Lethal.

[jwt13]

Madness, beating Flair and then leaving any word on how, I kinda hope he requested the release rather than being dropped. TNA dropped the ball with him when he was hot, they had him loose to Robbie E, who was getting chants of boring at the time.

http://cdn1.knowyourmeme.com/system/icons/4155/medium/CornetteFace.jpg?1287202839
F.T.C

TBH he just was boring to me when they droped the macho man gimmick when he was doing impressions it was good but he was boring to me. Good wrestler though

[20LEgend]

TBH he just was boring to me when they droped the macho man gimmick when he was doing impressions it was good but he was boring to me. Good wrestler though

But they put him over Ric Flair made a big deal of it and then dropped him to job to Robbie E, he never amazed me but beating Flair should have legitamised him and he shouldn't have been sacked less tham a year after that IMO. I'm sick of them pushing a guy up a bit (Douglas Williams went over AJ Styles cleanly) and then forgetting them completely.

[juggaloninjalee]

But they put him over Ric Flair made a big deal of it and then dropped him to job to Robbie E, he never amazed me but beating Flair should have legitamised him and he shouldn't have been sacked less tham a year after that IMO. I'm sick of them pushing a guy up a bit (Douglas Williams went over AJ Styles cleanly) and then forgetting them completely.

Me too since I would kill for a career booking for a company with TNA's roster, and exposure. How can these guys run a promotion like this? It blows my mind when that is their only job to book a wrestling promotion and they suck so bad at it.

[jwt13]

IMO they gave him a shot at the top and he just couldn't do it, because even after Fliar he was against other top guys.

[juggaloninjalee]

IMO they gave him a shot at the top and he just couldn't do it, because even after Fliar he was against other top guys.

Do you think it is his move set? Think it would have worked if he ran with an underdog gimmick?

[Bigpapa42]

IMO they gave him a shot at the top and he just couldn't do it, because even after Fliar he was against other top guys.

Who were the top guys he feuded with after Flair? Immedatialy after that, he was working with Doug Williams and Amazing Red. Solid workers, but just other X Division guys, not "top guys". Then he feuded with the Jersey Shore guy for awhile. None of those feuds gave him much of a chance to show any character. Really don't see where he "got a chance" after the whole Flair thing.

[jwt13]

Do you think it is his move set? Think it would have worked if he ran with an underdog gimmick?

he just dosn't fell like a main event talent to me idk what it is but he dont have the IT factor imo

[Hive]

Looks like Jay Lethal is gone from TNA.

That's madness! Lethal was awesome. They should have let him keep his impressions gimmick though.

[Self]

Oh, TNA and their priorities. Hopefully he can transition well into the indies, travel the world, and get a chance to have some awesome matches.

[juggaloninjalee]

Oh, TNA and their priorities. Hopefully he can transition well into the indies, travel the world, and get a chance to have some awesome matches.

I would laugh so hard if the WWE picked him up and started an "Action Division" showcasing Sin Cara, Daniel Bryan, Jay Lethal, and many other guys. Ok they won't ever do that but still.

Jay Lethal could do some good stuff in ROH, Japan, or even Mexico.

[Bigpapa42]

he just dosn't fell like a main event talent to me idk what it is but he dont have the IT factor imo

He definitely lacks the size that is typical for a main event level star. So do most of the X division guys. He's listed as 225 pounds, but I seriously doubt he's much above 210-215. That said, he is capable of putting on some quality matches, plus he has great charisma and works the mic fairly well. The charisma and mic skills mostly came across when he was mimmicking other workers, but at least its there. I can't say he's unable to have that same charisma and mic appeal in other situations, because I don't think TNA really allowed him to even try - has he been given any on-air mic time at all since that Flair feud?

Not seeing his appeal is fine. But saying he had his chance and blew it... I just don't see it. It really comes across as a wasted opportunity to me. I recall the Flair-Lethal segments as being great. He had some strong matches against guys like AJ Styles in that feud. He was probably the hottest thing TNA had at that time and fans online seemed to be buzzing about it. Then they did zero to take advantage. They just put him right back into the same situation he had been in before - just another X Division guy... and the X-Division was not and is not a focus for TNA.

Its bad enough when a promotion refuses to take advantage of a situation that simply happens outside their intent - like the WWE doing nothing with Zach Ryder despite his popularity. This is worse, because TNA made an obvious and overt effort with Lethal. It worked, and then they not only didn't capitalize, but seemed to sabotage it by putting Lethal back into the same situation he had come from. It made the entire effort that was put into the Lethal-Flair build a complete waste. Making use of that would not have necessarily meant using him as a main event star, but simply making better use of what was gained. Even what TNA is doing now with Bully Ray would be better - its not like Ray is about to win the world title or main event PPVs, but they make use of the character and its heat.

When people complain about TNA and call their management inept and such, its stuff like this which makes that look true.

[TheOmniWarrior]

He definitely lacks the size that is typical for a main event level star. So do most of the X division guys. He's listed as 225 pounds, but I seriously doubt he's much above 210-215. That said, he is capable of putting on some quality matches, plus he has great charisma and works the mic fairly well. The charisma and mic skills mostly came across when he was mimmicking other workers, but at least its there. I can't say he's unable to have that same charisma and mic appeal in other situations, because I don't think TNA really allowed him to even try - has he been given any on-air mic time at all since that Flair feud?

Not seeing his appeal is fine. But saying he had his chance and blew it... I just don't see it. It really comes across as a wasted opportunity to me. I recall the Flair-Lethal segments as being great. He had some strong matches against guys like AJ Styles in that feud. He was probably the hottest thing TNA had at that time and fans online seemed to be buzzing about it. Then they did zero to take advantage. They just put him right back into the same situation he had been in before - just another X Division guy... and the X-Division was not and is not a focus for TNA.

Its bad enough when a promotion refuses to take advantage of a situation that simply happens outside their intent - like the WWE doing nothing with Zach Ryder despite his popularity. This is worse, because TNA made an obvious and overt effort with Lethal. It worked, and then they not only didn't capitalize, but seemed to sabotage it by putting Lethal back into the same situation he had come from. It made the entire effort that was put into the Lethal-Flair build a complete waste. Making use of that would not have necessarily meant using him as a main event star, but simply making better use of what was gained. Even what TNA is doing now with Bully Ray would be better - its not like Ray is about to win the world title or main event PPVs, but they make use of the character and its heat.

When people complain about TNA and call their management inept and such, its stuff like this which makes that look true.

He reminds me alot of Jericho. When they had been pushing Lethal against Flair, I thought they were gonna turn Lethal into TNAs Chris Jericho.

[The Final Countdown]

Fun fact: today is Jay Lethal's birthday. Seriously.

[TheOmniWarrior]

Gail Kim took to Twitter to comment on TNA releasing her good friend, Jay Lethal. Kim tweeted:

“Tna just lost one of the most talented guys I know in this business and also one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. What happened to building future talent? I hope wwe picks him up. Too talented to be wasted!”

[jwt13]

Kevin Nash wrote the following about Scott Hall

"Over the last few weeks, since the horrifying New England appearance of Scott Hall, my Twitter page has blown up with plea's to help Scott. First of all, nobody has to ASK me to help Scott Hall. I consider Scott like a brother. He's much more than a friend. I have spent more time with Scott Hall in the last 18 years than I have with my wife in the 23 years we've been married. We have no secrets between each other. This is ‘real life'. Nobody knows what Scott has gone thru since early childhood to what he has gone thru up unto this point, except for me. I can tell you Scott Hall has neither a drug or alcohol addiction, Scott's problem is he suffer's from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Drugs and alcohol aren't the problem, to Scott they are the solution. He is a fragile and broken human being, not a race horse that you take a whip to to perform. Scott Hall is in bad shape and each time I talk to him I feel it may be the last. It's gotten to the point where I save his voice mails, much like I would've saved Andrew's (Tess), because I knew sometimes when I heard his message it could be the last. The media will want to blame wrestling when Scott passes. Scott was broken way before he broke into the ring for the first time."

[SaySo]

Link: http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/4/21/2125160/the-sad-story-of-shannon-daffney-spruill

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/1088753/800px-daffney_july_2010_large.jpg

Lack of respect, low pay, lack of medical care, lousy and degrading treatment on television (Mr Russo: We all know the attractive, popular girls all laughed in your face in high school because you were a dork. But please, get over it and stop subjecting us all to your women-hating issues)... Yes, the emerging stories about the hideous treatment TNA Knockouts are sad ones indeed. But Shannon “Daffney” Spruill's story seems to be the saddest one of all. I have to admit: when I reported them, I thought the stories of embarrassing side jobs and an inability to afford to go to house shows (while champion, no less!) were about as bad as it got in TNA. However, I now realize Madison and Taylor may have had a relatively easy of it compared to Daffney- a young woman who, as I will discuss, has faced outrageous and inhumane treatment at the hands of America's number 2 wrestling promotion in the last 2 years. Indeed, the fact that Daffney has taken legal action should come as no surprise to anyone. The only real surprise may be that she didn't do it sooner.

Announcing she was through with TNA after her profile was taken down, Daffney wrote this on her Facebook and Twitter pages:

“Yesterday my picture was taken down off of the TNA roster page. My contract expires today and TNA did not renew it. I do not know if it has anything to do with it, but I've filed a Workers Comp claim against them for injuries I've sustained in the ring and my lawyers said to not go into anymore details.”

Interestingly, Daffney’s announcement that she had filed a worker’s comp lawsuit against TNA came less that two weeks after I wrote this article. Her announcement made TNA’s Head of Talent Relations Terry Taylor’s email response to my query about the company’s refusal to pay for medical care appear even more fraudulent than it already was (“Where is your source for this?” he’d asked, ignoring the piles of sources, interviews and reports confirming that TNA had an extremely poor track record when it came to paying hospital bills.)

The lawsuit stemmed from the litany of injuries Daffney had suffered since she joined TNA in late 2008 as the dire Governor Palin character for an awful angle with The Beautiful People (thankfully, Daffney was allowed to ditch the gimmick after a few months and return to the enjoyable Harley Quinn-like goth character she was known for towards the end of WCW’s run.) It’s a grisly list by any standards: a serious concussion at Bound For Glory 2009 after she was chokeslammed from the ring apron by Abyss onto a barb-wire board, another concussion in her program with Tara after she got clobbered on the head with a toolbox, and then a deeply bruised sternum, a severe stinger and yet another concussion in the now infamous try-out, dark match for indie wrestler Miss Betsy after a botched sunset flip.

Some claimed Daffney was just bitter because TNA had stopped using her. (Dave Meltzer contested this on the F4W board, noting: “My understanding was she filed the claim and then stopped being used, not the other way around.”) And, of course, many TNA defenders (yes, they still exist) would point to the fact that no-one forced Daffney to take these bumps, and if she was stupid enough to volunteer to take them it was her own fault. However, as I noted in my article about the working conditions in TNA, it is common for TNA wrestlers to face pressure from management to take high-risk bumps and/or work hurt. Indeed, rather than happily volunteering, it seems many wrestlers are talked into these dangerous stunts. Had this happened to Daffney, I wondered? Interestingly, shortly after the working conditions article came out, I was contacted by a current TNA employee (who shall, of course, remain nameless). While noting I had “hit the nail right on the head” on several things, he claimed I had overlooked some issues, notably Daffney’s case. I asked why is he was so willing to talk so honestly and negatively about TNA. He responded: “Because the company needs to change to grow, and if the company can’t see the truth, maybe an enlightened fan base can help change the company. TNA fears greatly for their public image.” Noble enough, I thought. This long-term employee then proceeded to give me a staggering account of Daffney’s first major injury at Bound For Glory, confirming my worst fears about Daffney and TNA:

"Daffney was asked to do the spot to which she would go through a table full of tacks. She was hesitant to take the spot. Terry Taylor assured Daffney that she would be fine that she would be taken care of. After a lot of convincing from both Terry and Vince Russo, who was telling her how important the spot was for the feud that was going on, Daffney goes through with the spot and was injured. Following the injury she is treated at the hospital and taken via ambulance. Worse still is that Spike wouldn’t let TNA air the spot on Impact. They refuse to air it on their policy of violence towards women. To put a cherry on the top of this story, a huge bill from the hospital would follow for Daffney.

TNA and Daffney went go back and forth for several months about TNA not paying the bill. There were emails back and forth between Terry and Daffney which would result in Terry forwarding the emails to the responsible parties and then Terry delivering news that the matters were being tended to. This however would all be a smoke screen as more notices of delinquencies would follow for Daffney. TNA would hold out on paying certain bills and make claims that the agencies would settle for lower amounts if they held out. When this method didn’t work, they would turn around and claim that they are not responsible for the bill and that Daffney herself would be the one responsible for the bills."

More after the jump.

***

Another TNA-connected name I spoke to verified this account, claimed this type of pressure was common, and blamed Russo (who is often known for encouraging risky and hardcore spots in a bid to get his car-crash style angles over) for “being personally responsible for the situation of Daffney and many, many others.”

When Daffney announced she was taking legal action, many noted the hypocrisy of TNA. Indeed, as most know, late last year TNA storylines were dominated by an angle exploiting Mr Anderson’s real-life concussion. Despite the ethical issue about whether the company should be using a serious real-life issue for television, it did seem that TNA had finally grown up on the issue: Mr Anderson would claim at house shows the company had taken “unprecedented measures” to protect him following his issues, babyfaces Matt Morgan and Mick Foley would tell Ken- and the viewers- of the studies of the Sports Legacy Institute, Ken was encouraged to keep out of the ring a decent amount of time and heel Eric Bischoff, who wanted Anderson to wrestle as soon as possible, was presented as clearly in the wrong. But, of course, while all this was going on (and we were reminded, at least 10 times on TNA television that “Dixie Carter has always looked out for the welfare of her performers”) TNA were refusing to pay the medical bills of performers who sustained serious concussion issues working for them. In fact, the hypocrisy got even more staggering; as the employee I spoke then went on to tell a horrifying story:

“Daffney suffered another concussion working with Angelina in a tag match. This is during the holiday tapings in December. They have a solid week of tapings and this happens on day 1 of 5. Daffney goes to Terry and management about the injury and is told that she can work the next two days and the she will be ok. This is the same time they are doing the story line with Anderson not being able to wrestle with the concussion. Daffney gives it sometime and decides she can’t risk going in the ring that night because she is, in fact, injured. She was however willing to do another photo shoot that was already on the schedule while she was there. As she prepares for the shoot she is then notified by Terry that management decided that she can’t do the shoot because if she ‘won’t’ work the match they have planned then they don’t want her to do the shoot.

As if all this wasn’t enough to put a person over the edge, while this was going, TNA was refusing responsibility for the hospital bill from the Rosie injury.”

The Rosie Lottalove debacle is probably deserving of a column all on its own. While almost maiming another performer should have probably disqualified her from a job (Rosie was clumsy, un-coordinated and barely out of the Team 3D training school when Bubba recommended her for a tryout) she was signed shortly after the Daffney incident. In fact, TNA even showed the disturbing footage of the Daffney injury on television in an attempt to get Rosie over as a monster. She was later released when TNA realized after a few matches how clueless she was (almost killing poor Daffney didn’t set off the alarm bells, apparently.) To top it all off, scuttlebutt was, Bubba was furious with management for not giving his trainee what he thought was a decent chance, and proceeded to give Daffney the cold shoulder when she returned, feeling that she had made Rosie look bad. Charming.

Well, to stray from the topic a little here, it seems injured performers- female ones in particular- are often treatment with contempt in TNA. Female wrestler Kim Neilson, aka Desire, wrestled for the company in its early years, during which time she suffered an extremely serious back injury wrestling for them. In a 2005 audio interview (the highlights of which can be found here) she referred to TNA as “A Boy’s Club”, as well as complaining to Steve Gerwick that “I wasn’t treated with equal respect.” She complained about Dutch Martell (“he’s horrible”) Jeff Jarrett (“a complete idiot”) and said she felt that she had broken her back for the company, just to be disrespected. She also noted Jeff had only spoken to her twice during her TNA tenure and “uttered one word each time”. Thankfully, she didn’t mention what those particular words were. Regarding sexism in TNA one fan made some astute remarks after it came out that Kong had been released from TNA, with TNA feeling it would be easier simply to find another woman, than give her the pay raise she had asked for. Reports indicate that TNA see all their female performers this way.

“I figure there are probably some people in TNA who have women issues and seeing a bunch of women outdraw and out perform the people that were supposed to be the top stars pissed them the hell off. The reason why Gail, Kong, ODB, and Daffney were so over were because they weren't the usual diva's. The interchangeable theory is bulls*** and they know it. They had something special with Gail, Kong, and ODB especially and the usual backstage politics that sabotage people came into play and those three eventually walked because they weren't getting the money they deserved.”

Back to the topic at hand, it should be noted here, that Daffney’s story is not wholly a sad one. Rather than sitting back and taking all this shoddy treatment, she went out, hired a lawyer and is fighting back. Furthermore, there is every indication that this lawsuit may have opened up a giant can of worms for TNA. Indeed, her legal team, realizing how bad the working conditions are in TNA are currently holding meetings and interviews with current and former employees, in an attempt to get the bottom of Daffney’s case. Similar to the Konnan case, it seems clear TNA would have saved themselves a colossal amount of hassle simply by paying the hospital bill and moving on. But, as everyone knows: common sense has never been this company’s strong suit.

Following on from this, is the news that Daffney may not be the only TNA wrestler considering legal action. Former TNA production manager Randy Ricci told me that many other TNA wrestlers were currently in the process of filing suits with Tennessee’s Department of Employment over injuries they sustained on the job too. Rumours abound that at least one woman is filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against TNA. One other person close to the situation acknowledged this was true when I asked him about these stories, noting:

“There are plenty of other talent who are considering filing suit with the company. TNA is an interesting monster, though. Their legal is based in Texas as a sub company of Panda Energy but the company is an LLC registered in Delaware for tax purposes but all the contracts are written on and legal matters must be settled in TN.”

Ricci then said he was hopeful that things in TNA were changing, and urged fans to take action if they were angry about TNA’s treatment of wrestlers:

"I am very happy that the business practices of TNA wrestling llc are finally coming out and legal action is being taken. What has happened with "Daffney" is a terrible tragedy and unfortunately she is not the only one. It’s my hope that all these questionable actions by the company will not only grab the attention of the U.S. legal system but, also that wrestling fans worldwide take these things into consideration before the decide to watch IMPACT, buy a TNA PPV,TNA live event ticket, or any TNA wrestling merchandise.

This is a perfect time for a wrestling alternative and it’s up to the fans to send SPIKE TV a strong message that a company that mistreats its talent, free lance workers, and employees the way that TNA does clearly shows that TNA wrestling LLC is not that alternative."

Really, the sad fact may be that no matter how many columns I can write, how many reports Cagesideseats can do, or how often and heavily TNA can be criticised for their lack of concern for wrestlers (“Jesus Christ, these people running TNA don't give a s*** about the well-being of their performers,” Bryan Alvarez railed in his newsletter after Kurt’s reckless bumps at this past Sunday’s Lockdown PPV) it will ultimately not do that much good. It is up to TNA management to smarten up (fat chance, I know) or someone from Panda Energy to take a closer look at the company and step in, or, and this may be the most likely option to instigate changes, heavy litigation and lawyers from mistreated wrestlers. Unfortunately, if/when the third option happens, by the time it’s over there may not even be a company left for there to make any changes in.

[Jaysin]

Surprisingly good match between Sting and Matt Hardy. Decent Impact over all.

[Tha Black Phenom]

I gotta say, I liked the RVD/Hogan/Sting segment. Though I'm not so fond of them overusing wrestling lingo like they do.. it's good when they do it sparingly to prove a point.. maybe it's just me.

The Karen/JJ spot was so predictable when Angle mentioned buckets, but I guess it was still entertaining.

[GatorBait19]

I use to love watching TNA because they featured different wrestlers. Now Eric and Hulk pretty much made it WCW (or old men on top) 2.0.

It's no disrespect, but I love AJ Styles, Beer Money, Lethal (when he was there) MCMG, and many more

[Jaysin]

I use to love watching TNA because they featured different wrestlers. Now Eric and Hulk pretty much made it WCW (or old men on top) 2.0.

It's no disrespect, but I love AJ Styles, Beer Money, Lethal (when he was there) MCMG, and many more

This argument really is getting old. There is a good mix of people featured on Impact every week now.

Fortune happen to be featured heavily almost every week. I'm sure when Alex Shelley gets healthy, the Guns will be back in the spotlight.

[Lo-Drew]

I don't think they are comparable though. TNA's recent turns actually make sense (go back and see the incredibly long email of mine a few months back if you still aren't getting it). I think if this as a less successful, but similar stage as the turns setting up the nWo. The only turn I don't get from within the context of the whole storyline is Pope's.


Late WCW's problem wasn't the turns so much as the crappy storylines and bad characters. I never conected to people like Berlyn, the wall, the Harris Brothers, 7even/Dustin, champion David Arquette, etc. That was also part of early WCW's problem with characters such as the toilet paper covered Yeti and his hump of doom.

Disagree there. Until that match with Hacksaw the Berlyn character(Alex Wright) was picking up good heat plus he wasn't that bad as a wrestler. His entrance was cool, the strobe lighting in a NWO-light manner. Sure I'm still in high school but from what I've seen about Berlyn up until that point he could have been big in WCW.

[jwt13]

I use to love watching TNA because they featured different wrestlers. Now Eric and Hulk pretty much made it WCW (or old men on top) 2.0.

It's no disrespect, but I love AJ Styles, Beer Money, Lethal (when he was there) MCMG, and many more

Have you been watching the last 6 months or so?

[GatorBait19]

Have you been watching the last 6 months or so?

Not really more reading the spoilers to check up on it. I know the main storyline though right now is Fortune vs Immortals which reminds me a lot of NWO vs Horsemen and New Breed vs Millionaire club

[Hive]

Not really more reading the spoilers to check up on it. I know the main storyline though right now is Fortune vs Immortals which reminds me a lot of NWO vs Horsemen and New Breed vs Millionaire club

Of course it does, all stable wars are alike in certain ways. Having been on national TV since the 80's, it astounds me that some people seem to expect that the wrestling business only feature brand new and never before used storylines... I mean, it's unavoidable that they do things that has more or less been done before.

[Eisen-verse]

Of course it does, all stable wars are alike in certain ways. Having been on national TV since the 80's, it astounds me that some people seem to expect that the wrestling business only feature brand new and never before used storylines... I mean, it's unavoidable that they do things that has more or less been done before.

100% agree with you here. For awhile there, I was constantly pining for new storylines that hadn't been done before; however, came to realize that it was damn near impossible. The only way it IS is by thinking outside the box and going a route more like a movie/TV-show drama (Which it seems TNA is trying).

Once I took a step back and realized this, watching wrestling was far more comfortable. Sure, things seem rather uninspired lately; however, that could just be me growing older and falling out of the 'mystique' of Pro Wrestling.

Cheers.

E-V

[BHK1978]

Of course it does, all stable wars are alike in certain ways. Having been on national TV since the 80's, it astounds me that some people seem to expect that the wrestling business only feature brand new and never before used storylines... I mean, it's unavoidable that they do things that has more or less been done before.

I agree, I once read somewhere that Vince McMahon liked to recycle storylines every seven years or so. The thought is that there is enough audience turn over to do it where the people that would remember would not matter because they are in the minority and they are the type of fans that would watch no matter once.

A prime example of this for me was the Master Lock Challenge which very much like what Hercules Hernandez and Billy Jack Haynes did in the WWF (A little different but there were similar aspects to it.).

[Fantabulous]

The thought is that there is enough audience turn over to do it where the people that would remember would not matter because they are in the minority and they are the type of fans that would watch no matter once.

A mindset that speaks wonders about the ability to retain an audience over the long-haul.

It really doesn't matter whether a storyline is new or old but whether you can get people interested in it and caring about it, preferably to where they will invest time and/or money to see the matches surrounding said storyline. In this case, I can see where Immortal vs. Fortune comes off like a rehash because we're not much more than a year from the last time they built things around a stable vs. stable feud, which started off strong and fizzled badly before being quietly dropped.

[mike b]

Link: http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/4/21/2125160/the-sad-story-of-shannon-daffney-spruill

http://cdn2.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/1088753/800px-daffney_july_2010_large.jpg

Lack of respect, low pay, lack of medical care, lousy and degrading treatment on television (Mr Russo: We all know the attractive, popular girls all laughed in your face in high school because you were a dork. But please, get over it and stop subjecting us all to your women-hating issues)... Yes, the emerging stories about the hideous treatment TNA Knockouts are sad ones indeed. But Shannon “Daffney” Spruill's story seems to be the saddest one of all. I have to admit: when I reported them, I thought the stories of embarrassing side jobs and an inability to afford to go to house shows (while champion, no less!) were about as bad as it got in TNA. However, I now realize Madison and Taylor may have had a relatively easy of it compared to Daffney- a young woman who, as I will discuss, has faced outrageous and inhumane treatment at the hands of America's number 2 wrestling promotion in the last 2 years. Indeed, the fact that Daffney has taken legal action should come as no surprise to anyone. The only real surprise may be that she didn't do it sooner.

Announcing she was through with TNA after her profile was taken down, Daffney wrote this on her Facebook and Twitter pages:

“Yesterday my picture was taken down off of the TNA roster page. My contract expires today and TNA did not renew it. I do not know if it has anything to do with it, but I've filed a Workers Comp claim against them for injuries I've sustained in the ring and my lawyers said to not go into anymore details.”

Interestingly, Daffney’s announcement that she had filed a worker’s comp lawsuit against TNA came less that two weeks after I wrote this article. Her announcement made TNA’s Head of Talent Relations Terry Taylor’s email response to my query about the company’s refusal to pay for medical care appear even more fraudulent than it already was (“Where is your source for this?” he’d asked, ignoring the piles of sources, interviews and reports confirming that TNA had an extremely poor track record when it came to paying hospital bills.)

The lawsuit stemmed from the litany of injuries Daffney had suffered since she joined TNA in late 2008 as the dire Governor Palin character for an awful angle with The Beautiful People (thankfully, Daffney was allowed to ditch the gimmick after a few months and return to the enjoyable Harley Quinn-like goth character she was known for towards the end of WCW’s run.) It’s a grisly list by any standards: a serious concussion at Bound For Glory 2009 after she was chokeslammed from the ring apron by Abyss onto a barb-wire board, another concussion in her program with Tara after she got clobbered on the head with a toolbox, and then a deeply bruised sternum, a severe stinger and yet another concussion in the now infamous try-out, dark match for indie wrestler Miss Betsy after a botched sunset flip.

Some claimed Daffney was just bitter because TNA had stopped using her. (Dave Meltzer contested this on the F4W board, noting: “My understanding was she filed the claim and then stopped being used, not the other way around.”) And, of course, many TNA defenders (yes, they still exist) would point to the fact that no-one forced Daffney to take these bumps, and if she was stupid enough to volunteer to take them it was her own fault. However, as I noted in my article about the working conditions in TNA, it is common for TNA wrestlers to face pressure from management to take high-risk bumps and/or work hurt. Indeed, rather than happily volunteering, it seems many wrestlers are talked into these dangerous stunts. Had this happened to Daffney, I wondered? Interestingly, shortly after the working conditions article came out, I was contacted by a current TNA employee (who shall, of course, remain nameless). While noting I had “hit the nail right on the head” on several things, he claimed I had overlooked some issues, notably Daffney’s case. I asked why is he was so willing to talk so honestly and negatively about TNA. He responded: “Because the company needs to change to grow, and if the company can’t see the truth, maybe an enlightened fan base can help change the company. TNA fears greatly for their public image.” Noble enough, I thought. This long-term employee then proceeded to give me a staggering account of Daffney’s first major injury at Bound For Glory, confirming my worst fears about Daffney and TNA:

"Daffney was asked to do the spot to which she would go through a table full of tacks. She was hesitant to take the spot. Terry Taylor assured Daffney that she would be fine that she would be taken care of. After a lot of convincing from both Terry and Vince Russo, who was telling her how important the spot was for the feud that was going on, Daffney goes through with the spot and was injured. Following the injury she is treated at the hospital and taken via ambulance. Worse still is that Spike wouldn’t let TNA air the spot on Impact. They refuse to air it on their policy of violence towards women. To put a cherry on the top of this story, a huge bill from the hospital would follow for Daffney.

TNA and Daffney went go back and forth for several months about TNA not paying the bill. There were emails back and forth between Terry and Daffney which would result in Terry forwarding the emails to the responsible parties and then Terry delivering news that the matters were being tended to. This however would all be a smoke screen as more notices of delinquencies would follow for Daffney. TNA would hold out on paying certain bills and make claims that the agencies would settle for lower amounts if they held out. When this method didn’t work, they would turn around and claim that they are not responsible for the bill and that Daffney herself would be the one responsible for the bills."

More after the jump.

***

Another TNA-connected name I spoke to verified this account, claimed this type of pressure was common, and blamed Russo (who is often known for encouraging risky and hardcore spots in a bid to get his car-crash style angles over) for “being personally responsible for the situation of Daffney and many, many others.”

When Daffney announced she was taking legal action, many noted the hypocrisy of TNA. Indeed, as most know, late last year TNA storylines were dominated by an angle exploiting Mr Anderson’s real-life concussion. Despite the ethical issue about whether the company should be using a serious real-life issue for television, it did seem that TNA had finally grown up on the issue: Mr Anderson would claim at house shows the company had taken “unprecedented measures” to protect him following his issues, babyfaces Matt Morgan and Mick Foley would tell Ken- and the viewers- of the studies of the Sports Legacy Institute, Ken was encouraged to keep out of the ring a decent amount of time and heel Eric Bischoff, who wanted Anderson to wrestle as soon as possible, was presented as clearly in the wrong. But, of course, while all this was going on (and we were reminded, at least 10 times on TNA television that “Dixie Carter has always looked out for the welfare of her performers”) TNA were refusing to pay the medical bills of performers who sustained serious concussion issues working for them. In fact, the hypocrisy got even more staggering; as the employee I spoke then went on to tell a horrifying story:

“Daffney suffered another concussion working with Angelina in a tag match. This is during the holiday tapings in December. They have a solid week of tapings and this happens on day 1 of 5. Daffney goes to Terry and management about the injury and is told that she can work the next two days and the she will be ok. This is the same time they are doing the story line with Anderson not being able to wrestle with the concussion. Daffney gives it sometime and decides she can’t risk going in the ring that night because she is, in fact, injured. She was however willing to do another photo shoot that was already on the schedule while she was there. As she prepares for the shoot she is then notified by Terry that management decided that she can’t do the shoot because if she ‘won’t’ work the match they have planned then they don’t want her to do the shoot.

As if all this wasn’t enough to put a person over the edge, while this was going, TNA was refusing responsibility for the hospital bill from the Rosie injury.”

The Rosie Lottalove debacle is probably deserving of a column all on its own. While almost maiming another performer should have probably disqualified her from a job (Rosie was clumsy, un-coordinated and barely out of the Team 3D training school when Bubba recommended her for a tryout) she was signed shortly after the Daffney incident. In fact, TNA even showed the disturbing footage of the Daffney injury on television in an attempt to get Rosie over as a monster. She was later released when TNA realized after a few matches how clueless she was (almost killing poor Daffney didn’t set off the alarm bells, apparently.) To top it all off, scuttlebutt was, Bubba was furious with management for not giving his trainee what he thought was a decent chance, and proceeded to give Daffney the cold shoulder when she returned, feeling that she had made Rosie look bad. Charming.

Well, to stray from the topic a little here, it seems injured performers- female ones in particular- are often treatment with contempt in TNA. Female wrestler Kim Neilson, aka Desire, wrestled for the company in its early years, during which time she suffered an extremely serious back injury wrestling for them. In a 2005 audio interview (the highlights of which can be found here) she referred to TNA as “A Boy’s Club”, as well as complaining to Steve Gerwick that “I wasn’t treated with equal respect.” She complained about Dutch Martell (“he’s horrible”) Jeff Jarrett (“a complete idiot”) and said she felt that she had broken her back for the company, just to be disrespected. She also noted Jeff had only spoken to her twice during her TNA tenure and “uttered one word each time”. Thankfully, she didn’t mention what those particular words were. Regarding sexism in TNA one fan made some astute remarks after it came out that Kong had been released from TNA, with TNA feeling it would be easier simply to find another woman, than give her the pay raise she had asked for. Reports indicate that TNA see all their female performers this way.

“I figure there are probably some people in TNA who have women issues and seeing a bunch of women outdraw and out perform the people that were supposed to be the top stars pissed them the hell off. The reason why Gail, Kong, ODB, and Daffney were so over were because they weren't the usual diva's. The interchangeable theory is bulls*** and they know it. They had something special with Gail, Kong, and ODB especially and the usual backstage politics that sabotage people came into play and those three eventually walked because they weren't getting the money they deserved.”

Back to the topic at hand, it should be noted here, that Daffney’s story is not wholly a sad one. Rather than sitting back and taking all this shoddy treatment, she went out, hired a lawyer and is fighting back. Furthermore, there is every indication that this lawsuit may have opened up a giant can of worms for TNA. Indeed, her legal team, realizing how bad the working conditions are in TNA are currently holding meetings and interviews with current and former employees, in an attempt to get the bottom of Daffney’s case. Similar to the Konnan case, it seems clear TNA would have saved themselves a colossal amount of hassle simply by paying the hospital bill and moving on. But, as everyone knows: common sense has never been this company’s strong suit.

Following on from this, is the news that Daffney may not be the only TNA wrestler considering legal action. Former TNA production manager Randy Ricci told me that many other TNA wrestlers were currently in the process of filing suits with Tennessee’s Department of Employment over injuries they sustained on the job too. Rumours abound that at least one woman is filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against TNA. One other person close to the situation acknowledged this was true when I asked him about these stories, noting:

“There are plenty of other talent who are considering filing suit with the company. TNA is an interesting monster, though. Their legal is based in Texas as a sub company of Panda Energy but the company is an LLC registered in Delaware for tax purposes but all the contracts are written on and legal matters must be settled in TN.”

Ricci then said he was hopeful that things in TNA were changing, and urged fans to take action if they were angry about TNA’s treatment of wrestlers:

"I am very happy that the business practices of TNA wrestling llc are finally coming out and legal action is being taken. What has happened with "Daffney" is a terrible tragedy and unfortunately she is not the only one. It’s my hope that all these questionable actions by the company will not only grab the attention of the U.S. legal system but, also that wrestling fans worldwide take these things into consideration before the decide to watch IMPACT, buy a TNA PPV,TNA live event ticket, or any TNA wrestling merchandise.

This is a perfect time for a wrestling alternative and it’s up to the fans to send SPIKE TV a strong message that a company that mistreats its talent, free lance workers, and employees the way that TNA does clearly shows that TNA wrestling LLC is not that alternative."

Really, the sad fact may be that no matter how many columns I can write, how many reports Cagesideseats can do, or how often and heavily TNA can be criticised for their lack of concern for wrestlers (“Jesus Christ, these people running TNA don't give a s*** about the well-being of their performers,” Bryan Alvarez railed in his newsletter after Kurt’s reckless bumps at this past Sunday’s Lockdown PPV) it will ultimately not do that much good. It is up to TNA management to smarten up (fat chance, I know) or someone from Panda Energy to take a closer look at the company and step in, or, and this may be the most likely option to instigate changes, heavy litigation and lawyers from mistreated wrestlers. Unfortunately, if/when the third option happens, by the time it’s over there may not even be a company left for there to make any changes in.

Im shocked

[GatorBait19]

Of course it does, all stable wars are alike in certain ways. Having been on national TV since the 80's, it astounds me that some people seem to expect that the wrestling business only feature brand new and never before used storylines... I mean, it's unavoidable that they do things that has more or less been done before.

It's not that, Eric and Hulk are trying to recapture the Magic that NWO did for WCW and it isn't working.

[Russo]

I'm hearing that Dixie Carter is being forced to step down along with other top officals due to the recent law suits

[20LEgend]

I read that not sure how true it is though

[Tha Black Phenom]

Well, I would guess something will and should happen from this. Just read the article finally and it's a bit discouraging. They can't get with that stuff forever.

[SaySo]

Rumors from late last year suggest Janice Carter has stepped into overseeing the operations of TNA.

They even involve her name with Abyss....remember that thing he used to carry around, he called it Janice.

[PoisonedSuperman]

I don't feel too bad as a lot of companies don't offer health insurance to employees but going to workers comp is something that she is legally allowed to do so nothing wrong there but I always thought that wrestlers were hired as independant contractors? If this is true then she's got to pay her own insurance.

As far as the sexual harrassement and that kind of stuff.. there's no excuse or place for it in this world and I'm glad that those cases will be going to the courts.

[ChrisKid]

A little late but relesing Jay Lethal, seriously, wow TNA is just stupid

[sebsplex]

It really doesn't matter whether a storyline is new or old but whether you can get people interested in it and caring about it, preferably to where they will invest time and/or money to see the matches surrounding said storyline. In this case, I can see where Immortal vs. Fortune comes off like a rehash because we're not much more than a year from the last time they built things around a stable vs. stable feud, which started off strong and fizzled badly before being quietly dropped.

This pretty much - or before that the Main Event Mafia storyline that ended in a fashion that made it seem like somebody just forgot to book any more segments for it.

Stable vs Stable feuds can only unfold a limited number of ways. The trick though is to get the fans invested in a much-used story by developing the characters their owns stories inside the over-arching group vs group scenario, using it as a vehicle to set up appealing matches, but most importantly provide a pay-off at the end. Plus where possible try an differentiate small aspects of the storyline to make it last in the memory... i.e. what the WWE did with the original Nexus 'takeover/ring destruction' segment to introduce the faction.

The fact that the storyline mechanics are nothing new isn't a problem, it's TNA's continual failure to provide any closure or meaningful structure to these storylines from month-to-month. I just find it impossible to truly follow where the whole Immortal storyline goes, because from the moment 'They' were revealed, people have turned all over the place, numerous wrestlers have played a seemingly important roles in the storyline only to become uninvolved or just or suddenly picked up new feuds as if nothing ever happened. I don't understand how as a viewer I'm supposed to care whether Immortal has 'power' in TNA or not when I can't tell which wrestlers are even bothered by it from one moment to the next. I just can't believe there's any medium-to-long term direction for the story at all.

Granted, I've only been watching bits and pieces of IMPACT the last few weeks because I'm a bit burnt out on TNA at the minute, but off the top of my head a few wrestlers who spring to mind as constantly shifting priorities who've featured somewhere in this storyline - Samoa Joe, The Pope, Matt Morgan, Crimson, Scott Steiner, Doug Williams, Jay Lethal (now released - stupid TNA), whoever's left from EV 2.0 sans RVD, etc...

[Fantabulous]

And currently we've got 'The Network', a mystery power or person who have yet to be named, and we've only just suffered through the meandering saga of 'They'.

Match making power is thrown around with impunity as well. It seems to change from week to week as to who has power and who has the most. Is Hogan higher up the ladder than 'The Network'? Can one person overrule another?

[dvdWarrior]

And currently we've got 'The Network', a mystery power or person who have yet to be named, and we've only just suffered through the meandering saga of 'They'.

Match making power is thrown around with impunity as well. It seems to change from week to week as to who has power and who has the most. Is Hogan higher up the ladder than 'The Network'? Can one person overrule another?

I'm starting to think The Network might be TNA's bid for an "anonymous general manager', since no one knows who he is.

All they'd need is a Michael Cole, and a "Can I have your attention, please?"

[tjb000]

I'm starting to think The Network might be TNA's bid for an "anonymous general manager', since no one knows who he is.

All they'd need is a Michael Cole, and a "Can I have your attention, please?"

I wouldn't put it past them to do something just like that. Imagine Jeremy Borash coming out...

"May I have your attention, please?!? I have just received a tweet from The Network..."

:rolleyes:

[PoisonedSuperman]

That would be sweet, everyone could check their twitters and get the messages right as Borash is saying that.

[sebsplex]

I wouldn't put it past them to do something just like that. Imagine Jeremy Borash coming out...

"May I have your attention, please?!? I have just received a tweet from The Network..."

:rolleyes:

"Correction, that last tweet was not from The Network, but in fact one of The Network's family members who happened to use The Network's account whilst The Network was getting a glass of milk. Thanks for clarifying, Kurt." ;)

Actually speaking of 'The Network', didn't Cyrus appear on TNA for a short while ages ago as some sort of management/liason type guy?

[20LEgend]

"Correction, that last tweet was not from The Network, but in fact one of The Network's family members who happened to use The Network's account whilst The Network was getting a glass of milk. Thanks for clarifying, Kurt." ;)

Actually speaking of 'The Network', didn't Cyrus appear on TNA for a short while ages ago as some sort of management/liason type guy?

:D.

[PoisonedSuperman]

Yes, Cyrus worked for the network that became SpikeTV.. I believe it was called TNN? Maybe they force companies to mention them. LOL

[Rone Rivendale]

I think he means when Don Callis was in TNA during the weekly PPV era. He was the manager for Abyss when he was fueding with Raven.

[PoisonedSuperman]

Oh man I remember that too, remember that fat guy he used to manage? That guy lost a match to Raven (I believe) and Don put on some white gloves just to shake the guys hand and tell him his services were no longer needed!

Was awesome.

[juggaloninjalee]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned but I know I have seen people here request more Desmond Wolf.

According to nodq.com

Randy Ricci, a former production manager for TNA Wrestling, claimed in a blog post on Friday that the reason Desmond Wolfe has not been wrestling in recent months is because he has Hepatitis C—a viral disease that leads to inflammation of the liver.

Ricci adds that the former ROH World Champion will be offered an office job.

Wolfe last wrestled for the organization in August. He and Magnus were scheduled to receive a shot at the TNA World Tag Team Championship against The Motor City Machine Guns at No Surrender, but were pulled from the event at the last minute, with TNA citing a "personal issue" as the reason. It was later reported that Wolfe was pulled from the event due to an undisclosed medical situation that would sideline him indefinitely.

Hulk Hogan is the only TNA Wrestling employee to publicly address Wolfe's status with the organization. When asked recently on Twitter about Wolfe returning to television, Hogan responded, "Desmond's situation is beyond TNA's control, the ball is completely in his court."

[brashleyholland]

I am not sure if this has been mentioned but I know I have seen people here request more Desmond Wolf.

According to nodq.com

If it's Hep C then I imagine he's finished. It's a career ender for boxers/fighters that aren't willing to compete in backwater states without commissions or overseas. I don't know what power US state athletic commissions have over wrestling, but I can't see a company worth its salt letting him wrestle. Even if they did, who would want to wrestle him?

Sucks to be that guy :(

[Basmat01]

According to TNAinsider.com, Fox 8 representatives have been telling eager TNA fans on the Fox8 facebook page that TNA Impact is set to air once again in Australia. It will however be on Fox Sports subsidiary channel, FuelTV.

For those that live in Australia and didnt know. Fuel TV already has TNA Epics I think. Maybe they will put it on at a better time then 11pm Saturday night like Fox8 did

[TheEffect]

Desmond is probably not going to wrestle anymore as he is such a huge liability if he bleeds.
What a horrible thing to happen to such a good prospect for the future.

Though I suppose he could be a manager for The British Invasion but Hepatitis C is usually very quick so this would be waste of time for him.

[Russo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0WEA28HL9I

This should be Ric Flairs new theme in TNA.

[Fantabulous]

And the role of Kurt Angle's mistress will be played by...

Chyna

[liontamer]

are you serious? (reponding to the spoiler above)

[pate]

Ugh...this won't end well.

[cappyboy]

Hey guys, been meaning to ask for a couple days now. With the death of Osama Bin Laden, has there been any blog posts or tweets or anything of the like from Jesse Neal? Considering he's been supposed to have been on the Cole and that attack was a Bin Laden brainchild, it could be really interesting to hear from him.

[Save_Us.Necro]

Biggest TNA News in a while (spoilers)


CHRIS "dont call me Braden Walker" HARRIS MADE HIS RETURN ON TONIGHT'S TV TAPINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



awful.

[Russo]

Hey guys, been meaning to ask for a couple days now. With the death of Osama Bin Laden, has there been any blog posts or tweets or anything of the like from Jesse Neal? Considering he's been supposed to have been on the Cole and that attack was a Bin Laden brainchild, it could be really interesting to hear from him.

He lead the TNA roster and crowd with national anthem befor the tapings on Monday they have the video on TNAwrestling.com

[The Final Countdown]

Hey guys, been meaning to ask for a couple days now. With the death of Osama Bin Laden, has there been any blog posts or tweets or anything of the like from Jesse Neal? Considering he's been supposed to have been on the Cole and that attack was a Bin Laden brainchild, it could be really interesting to hear from him.
I think I saw him say something on Twitter along the lines of, "Great, now we can bring the troops home...oh, wait, we don't have all the oil yet."

[20LEgend]

Watching Xplosion last night, and although I'd seen iMPACT online, has Bubba Ray lost a lot of weight recently.

[20LEgend]

Biggest TNA News in a while (spoilers)

.[/COLOR]

But that isn't even the worst one of the night. TBF it should be funny to watch this.

[Slagaholic]

It seems that Read a Gerweck.net report a while ago saying that TNA are flirting with the idea of dropping the name TNA. At the 5/12 impact it was announced that the SHOW will be dropping the name TNA and going with just 'Impact Wrestling' however the company will still be called TNA. It's been suspected (by me) that they will begin a rebranding campaign and one of the main points of the campaign will be to push the word 'wrestling' I can't confirm that last part for sure (:P), but there's enough evidence for conjecture imo.

[juggaloninjalee]

Why is that a spoiler?

[pate]

Hey guys, been meaning to ask for a couple days now. With the death of Osama Bin Laden, has there been any blog posts or tweets or anything of the like from Jesse Neal? Considering he's been supposed to have been on the Cole and that attack was a Bin Laden brainchild, it could be really interesting to hear from him.

From PWInsider:

"Wow!!!!! Everything is getting in its right place! He is lucky it wasn't me that caught him!!! Ya I said it! Karma is a bitch! Although he is caught and dead, it don't bring them back, but ust tells us to always remember "The Fallen"! We r here for a reason"

[UkWrestleFan]

Been enjoying TNA lately thanks to having regular access to Sky & Challenge TV. But, Chyna as Kurt's mistress/helper? Come on, TNA.

Also, Chris Harris coming back would only be fun if they got AMW back together otherwise it's pointless.

[20LEgend]

Does anyone know which PPV carrier showed the 1st TNA PPV's? When they were weekly

[ZMAN]

Why did Harris leave anyways? I remember AMW being one of TNA's most popular teams.

[Gabbo]

Thought he could do better in the WWE. Had a real ego, constantly pushed for AMW to split up so he could be the break-out star, considered himself main event material in the making. Moving to the WWE was his chance.

Laughable in hindsight.

[juggaloninjalee]

Thought he could do better in the WWE. Had a real ego, constantly pushed for AMW to split up so he could be the break-out star, considered himself main event material in the making. Moving to the WWE was his chance.

Laughable in hindsight.

Harris has the talent but lacks the it factor. He is a little generic to be a main eventer on the WWE level I feel.

[Gabbo]

Didn't help that he couldn't be bothered to stay in shape and the WWE forced him to wear a goofy singlet to hide his flab.

[Eisen-verse]

Great promo from Robert Roode to open iMPACT. Honestly, this guy, if booked right, could be a star for TNA.

[angeldelayette]

Mmmmm...Velvet Sky in a towel...*Drools*

[Eisen-verse]

Mmmmm...Velvet Sky in a towel...*Drools*

I forgot what website I was on and, for a brief second, looked to 'like' this...

:D

EDIT: Wait a minute. Why did Eric Bischoff and Hogan seem pissed about those two guys fighting for their spot in Immortal; as if the network booked it? In case I was sleeping at the time, hazy and what not, didn't Bischoff book that match with the same conditions right before it started?

[Russo]

Crimson is the future of TNA. This feud with Joe is going to put his career in a new gear. I hope they have his streak go on for a long time.

[angeldelayette]

I forgot what website I was on and, for a brief second, looked to 'like' this...

:D

EDIT: Wait a minute. Why did Eric Bischoff and Hogan seem pissed about those two guys fighting for their spot in Immortal; as if the network booked it? In case I was sleeping at the time, hazy and what not, didn't Bischoff book that match with the same conditions right before it started?

My guess is that he just did it to shut them up. My take is that they didn't think that either of them was worthy of a spot in Immortal.

[GatorBait19]

Great promo from Robert Roode to open iMPACT. Honestly, this guy, if booked right, could be a star for TNA.

I have been waiting for this. I really thought when they hyped him to the moon a couple years ago it was going to happen, then they stuck him and James Storm together (another wrestler I love)

[Eisen-verse]

I have been waiting for this. I really thought when they hyped him to the moon a couple years ago it was going to happen, then they stuck him and James Storm together (another wrestler I love)

The promo was golden in my eyes; a great way to sell Bobby Rude as a blue-collar worker feeling he's being held down by manipulative men (Hogan and Bischoff). If booked right, and given proper ability to talk, I honestly see a lot of promise in the guy. Out of ALL the guys in Fortune, AJ Styles included, I foresee Rude has having the highest ceiling. I know that may annoy some, as AJ is the 'prodigal son', but Rude is a strong wrestler who can bring something more on the mic (where AJ fails slightly).

[juggaloninjalee]

Honestly TNA has a lot of unique talent that in themselves give TNA a different feel. James Storm, Bobby Roode, AJ Styles, Petey Williams, Sting, Samoa Joe, and Crimson. None of those guys really seem like WWE guys.

In the 90s WWE had characters that were unique to them while WCW had a completely different style.

Now if TNA can try to find their own style instead of trying to be like WWE 1998 they may be on to something.

[crownsy]

So i broke my streak of not watching TNA for the last 3 months last night, and boy, did it not convince me to do otherwise.

So, Winter is a time traveler or something? and If she gets Angelina high enough she'll get a perma buzz? and why on earth would that make you turn on your friend as velvet? shouldn't she be like, concerned that her friend is being brainwashed instead?

And the come back to the midcarders by bischoff is "your to short"? what are you, vince in 1998?

I tried, i really did, but i turned it off after about half an hour. garbage.

[TheOmniWarrior]

Matt Hardy just tweeted that Shane Helms has apparently been in a motorcycle accident with his girlfriend.

[jhd1]

EDIT: Wait a minute. Why did Eric Bischoff and Hogan seem pissed about those two guys fighting for their spot in Immortal; as if the network booked it? In case I was sleeping at the time, hazy and what not, didn't Bischoff book that match with the same conditions right before it started?

I thought it was EB and HH's frustration at their desperation to be in Immortal, the fact they are willing to fight each other for it, and because it turns out they are both useless too.

Like Crownsy I decided to watch Impact this week after a long hiatus, although I did enjoy it - I'll watch again next week for sure. I think TNA have a good roster, they just need to make sure they use it properly. Daniels and Styles together are fantastic, Crimson looks like a beast (although being Amazing Red's brother is a bit daft), and Bobby Roode! I'd like to see Bobby get a bit of a push, preferably not with a month of feuding with James Storm beforehand. Tag teams can break up amicably you know! I think Velvet Sky is coming on leaps and bounds as well, but this Winter-Angelina thing is a bit...strange. Considering that the vast majority of storylines they are running at the moment are based in reality (Jay Lethal was mentioned more in this episode than he normally is in a month!), Angelina's zombification seems really out of place. Still, you can't expect miracles :D

[angeldelayette]

So, Winter is a time traveler or something? and If she gets Angelina high enough she'll get a perma buzz? and why on earth would that make you turn on your friend as velvet? shouldn't she be like, concerned that her friend is being brainwashed instead?

I think Velvet Sky is coming on leaps and bounds as well, but this Winter-Angelina thing is a bit...strange. Considering that the vast majority of storylines they are running at the moment are based in reality (Jay Lethal was mentioned more in this episode than he normally is in a month!), Angelina's zombification seems really out of place. Still, you can't expect miracles :D

I'll let you guys in on the feud since you haven't been watching in awhile. When Winter first arrived on the scene, she appeared wherever Angelina was and it appeared that she was obsessed with her. Velvet Sky took exception to this because it seemed like Winter was trying to worm her way in to her place in the Beautiful People. When the finals of the Knockout tag team title tournament came, Velvet was attacked backstage and Winter came out during the match and took her place. Winter and Angelina won the TNA Knockout tag team titles.

A war of words broke out between Winter and Velvet nearly every week and sometimes it would come to fighting between the two with Angelina caught in the middle. In recent weeks, it has been shown that Winter has been giving some kind of drug to Angelina in a liquid form. We don't know what the drug is but apparently it makes her subserviant to Winter and gives her that dazed/zombified look.

At the behest of Winter, Angelina has attacked Velvet Sky several times and seems at times impervious to pain. So that gives the reason why Velvet Sky has grown angry as she didn't turn on Angelina but Angelina turned on her.

[cappyboy]

I'll let you guys in on the feud since you haven't been watching in awhile. When Winter first arrived on the scene, she appeared wherever Angelina was and it appeared that she was obsessed with her. Velvet Sky took exception to this because it seemed like Winter was trying to worm her way in to her place in the Beautiful People. When the finals of the Knockout tag team title tournament came, Velvet was attacked backstage and Winter came out during the match and took her place. Winter and Angelina won the TNA Knockout tag team titles.

A war of words broke out between Winter and Velvet nearly every week and sometimes it would come to fighting between the two with Angelina caught in the middle. In recent weeks, it has been shown that Winter has been giving some kind of drug to Angelina in a liquid form. We don't know what the drug is but apparently it makes her subserviant to Winter and gives her that dazed/zombified look.

At the behest of Winter, Angelina has attacked Velvet Sky several times and seems at times impervious to pain. So that gives the reason why Velvet Sky has grown angry as she didn't turn on Angelina but Angelina turned on her.

Reading through this a thought occurs to me. Do the recent developments remind anybody else of the syringe storyline from DOTT?

[crownsy]

I'll let you guys in on the feud since you haven't been watching in awhile. When Winter first arrived on the scene, she appeared wherever Angelina was and it appeared that she was obsessed with her. Velvet Sky took exception to this because it seemed like Winter was trying to worm her way in to her place in the Beautiful People. When the finals of the Knockout tag team title tournament came, Velvet was attacked backstage and Winter came out during the match and took her place. Winter and Angelina won the TNA Knockout tag team titles.

A war of words broke out between Winter and Velvet nearly every week and sometimes it would come to fighting between the two with Angelina caught in the middle. In recent weeks, it has been shown that Winter has been giving some kind of drug to Angelina in a liquid form. We don't know what the drug is but apparently it makes her subserviant to Winter and gives her that dazed/zombified look.

At the behest of Winter, Angelina has attacked Velvet Sky several times and seems at times impervious to pain. So that gives the reason why Velvet Sky has grown angry as she didn't turn on Angelina but Angelina turned on her.

Yea, i mean i got that, i read the show write ups on torch

but this week they implied that Winter and Angelina are "forever linked" in time and the Winter has finally "found her" implying shes some sort of time traveling puppet master.

And again, considering half the show is hogan scraming about how stupid anything but a "shoot" story is and how TNA "won't do that crap up north brotha" What exactly is TNA's product?

It seems like it changes by quarter hour segment. In the half hour I watched we went from "Your holding us down" insider shoot promo to a zombie girl whos hooked on crack by a time traveler being treated as normal.

That's my problem with TNA, they have the roster, but their creative department is awful and can't decide what to do with it.

[jhd1]

but this week they implied that Winter and Angelina are "forever linked" in time and the Winter has finally "found her" implying shes some sort of time traveling puppet master.

I would imagine it's to do with past lives (i.e. reincarnation) rather than time travel. Not much better, admittedly, but still... :)

[cappyboy]

I would imagine it's to do with past lives (i.e. reincarnation) rather than time travel. Not much better, admittedly, but still... :)

Right. But with the past lives thing, there would be ways to make it more realistic and believable. Granted it's still kind of "out there". But tightening the rules would make it less woo-woo and Wrestlecrap worthy.

Like for instance, Angelina and Velvet have been BFF's for pretty much the whole time The Beautiful People have existed. And even when the relationship was strained by the Lacey Von Erich substitution, they patched things up and got back to their old bond. It makes much more sense that Angelina and Velvet would have a tight past life bond than Angelina and Winter. Maybe Angelina and Velvet are so like sisters because they've tended to BE sisters over their lifetimes.

This is not the arena to be getting into further-flung but widely held ideas about reincarnation like the soul being genderless. Although I could understand touching on that to tittilate fans with the mental image of Angelina and Velvet having been lovers in some past life. And in that case, I'd cast Angelina as the one who'd been the man because Velvet is more widely lusted after.

Unless you're TRYING for Wrestlecrap, this is something to keep as simple as possible. A significant chunk of the crowd is going to be resistant to the notion because it is so "unrealistic". So you have to break through that, you have to make it feel as realistic and reasonable as possible. And being all mystical or cleaving too closely to what's really believed about it will only confuse the uninitiated and annoy the resistant. People aren't going to enjoy this type of story unless they get it or at least WANT to get it. The way to ensure that happens is to keep it simple. Plain and simple.

[liontamer]

not sure I would have even recognized chyna if they had tried to pass her as someone else.

Also wondering why they didn't pick a newer face to be the network exec. This was ok, but I would have rather he was in the corner of the exc than actually be the exec. This just seems like they hit replay.

[BHK1978]

not sure I would have even recognized chyna if they had tried to pass her as someone else.

Also wondering why they didn't pick a newer face to be the network exec. This was ok, but I would have rather he was in the corner of the exc than actually be the exec. This just seems like they hit replay.

In regards to Mick, I think it was more of who they could get for the role.

[ZMAN]

I kind of have the same feeling about Mick. It's like they just followed the criteria of: 1. whos not doing anything 2. who dont we have anything for 3. whos face is recognizable. Really, not that impressive as far as creativity goes, but I guess it's not the most offensive thing seen on a wrestling tv show. It's just kind of there, I don't see what there is to pop about. It's just Foley poking his fat head in like he does every 1-2 years.

I would have gone with someone new, but that's just me. I really dig WWE's youth movement (even if there are a lot of flaws in the system), and I think TNA could benefit from taking on something like that. Take someone unknown with some decent mic skills, give them a personality that sticks out, and let them go to work. Kind of like how WWE did with Armando Estrada or Abraham Washington. Neither were that good, but I'll take it over Foley version 230843048732.

But w/e I guess two personalities showing up from the attitude era "works." That's what I hate about TNA, is that they go with what just works. Never taking a risk or going at something from a different angle.

[jhd1]

So, I haven't had chance to watch impact yet but I have read the spoilers and been on their website. Has the entire company been rebranded, or just the TV show? I'm assuming that for the time being its just iMPACT but everything I've read seems a bit contradictory.

Either way, as I said a couple of pages back, I think that playing up 'wrestling' begins to set them apart from the WWE in terms of identity. They just need to remember to include some wrestling on their shows as well :D

[ZMAN]

So, I haven't had chance to watch impact yet but I have read the spoilers and been on their website. Has the entire company been rebranded, or just the TV show? I'm assuming that for the time being its just iMPACT but everything I've read seems a bit contradictory.

Either way, as I said a couple of pages back, I think that playing up 'wrestling' begins to set them apart from the WWE in terms of identity. They just need to remember to include some wrestling on their shows as well :D

Just the tv show. tnawrestling.com has the new logo and color scheme, but still has the TNA logo hanging around. I don't get it, part of me thinks the whole thing is just another way to take a shot at WWE for their recent bans on the "wrestling" terminology. For me it's gonna take more than Foley and Chyna showing up and some pot shots. I would have rather seen them actually make the big changes without them actually saying it. When the WWF went through changes in 97/98, Vince didn't just come out and say "were overhauling everything!" They changed up their product over time and let the fans decide what it was.

New logo and colors look ok, I guess. Preferred the red and black.

[jhd1]

Just the tv show. tnawrestling.com has the new logo and color scheme, but still has the TNA logo hanging around. I don't get it, part of me thinks the whole thing is just another way to take a shot at WWE for their recent bans on the "wrestling" terminology.

That's what I thought, but I keep seeing comments like this...

Kurt Angle on name change to Impact Wrestling, and if "TNA" is gone: “Gone, yeah. Impact Wrestling is the new name of the company. I personally believe in it because when it comes down to it, you can’t take the word wrestling out of pro wrestling. Any storyline, or any feud...when you do that, it’s entertainment and you’re doing the storylines, but where does it ultimately end up? In the wrestling ring. At the PPV, the payoff. So how can you take wrestling out of pro wrestling….you can’t. That’s what they (the fans) buy tickets for. They buy tickets to watch guys wrestle. Not to be actors and entertain us. They pay to watch great wrestling."

From an article on wrestlezone.com (http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/article/kurt-angle-on-tnas-name-change-chynas-debut-hogan-129783).

As I said earlier, I think a re-brand could be a good thing for TNA, but only if they do it properly. Like, by making it obvious if they are rebranding the entire company or not :p