The Official TNA Discussion Thread

[Basmat01]

just had a random thought earlier today.. but it, for me at least, is a poor thing for TNA..

hopefully this is easy to follow...

a brand new fan tunes into TNA (this fan doesnt use the internet for Wrestling and has never seen or heard of any wrestling company ever).. the new fan enjoys TNA and begins to watch it.. but TNA keeps mentioning this WWE, so the new fan checks out WWE and begins to watch that as well.. which he likes better is irrelevant, its TNA pointing out the competition to its fans thats the problem..

on the flip side, a brand new fan tunes into WWE.. all that is talked about is the WWE.. this fan has no idea what TNA is and has no inclination to find it.. this fan stays with WWE and only WWE unless he goes out of his way to find an alternative on the internet (or another TV Channel)..

my point, WWE doesnt advertise its competition.. TNA does.. not really sure whether this can lead to a discussion is just the random thoughts of myself.. and as a disclaimer.. no Im not anti-TNA or 'bashing' TNA.. I just had the random thought and believed it was worth noting as a downside of TNA's business plan..

I agree TNA mention WWE WAYYYY to much. Just like Hogan likes to bring up Vince McMahon alot.

Even when WWE takes the odd shot at TNA they are never mentioned by name lol

[Hyde Hill]

This is one thing I have to give TNA credit for. They work with Youtbue. Its great promotion for your show and really its gonna be on there no matter what. Do you want some fan boys that don't work for you and have no idea how you want your company representing it for you? Or do you want to take control of your own representation to a giant internet community. They do a great job of getting things up on youtube as well as their website, the WWE for all their media marketing greatness falls down horribly both on their site and on things such as Youtube when it comes to this sort of thing.

Forgot to mention the awesome fact that TNA has a very large collection of their best matches hosted on Youtube as well. For those people that haven't seen them or don't know much of TNA's history.

[Hyde Hill]

So who do you think will be the surprise TNA debut/redebut on Genesis? My ods

Ken Anderson: 75%
Goldberg: 15%
RVD: 9.999999999%
Leslie, Macho Man, Rock, Austin, Lesnar, DDP: Sharing the rest.

[jwt13]

So who do you think will be the surprise TNA debut/redebut on Genesis? My ods

Ken Anderson: 75%
Goldberg: 15%
RVD: 9.999999999%
Leslie, Macho Man, Rock, Austin, Lesnar, DDP: Sharing the rest.

Heres my odds

Ken Anderson: 60%
Lesnar: 35%
The Rock: 15%
RVD: 10% (Due to prior comentments)

[Hyde Hill]

Ehm thats 110 percent lol.

[jwt13]

Ehm thats 110 percent lol.

I wasnt even keeping up with that so I'm surprised I got that close so just take ten off of Lesnar

[Bigpapa42]

I would put Lensar at somewhere below 0 percent chance. Unless he's released from his UFC contract, I cannot imagine them possibly allowing it, even if Spike was requesting them to do it to help out TNA. Plus, Lesnar hasn't exactly tried to play up his pro wrestling past.

Kennedy, with a slim chance of being RvD.

[The Final Countdown]

Heres my odds

Ken Anderson: 60%
Lesnar: 35%
The Rock: 15%
RVD: 10% (Due to prior comentments)
15% for The Rock? Seriously?

I would bet everything that I own that The Rock will not be on Genesis.

[Zeel1]

Ehm thats 110 percent lol.

That's how much coaches say to give, he was just following their orders. :p

[Hive]

While Mr./Ken Anderson seems like the best bet, with RVD as an outsider... didn't TNA say it would be a BIG surprise, eg. a big name? While I'm not saying those two doesn't have name value, I must admit that I'm hoping for someone bigger... I mean, they're going up against the likes of Hogan, Flair and Jeff Hardy in name value... can those two really do that?

Given that TNA is now the new WCW, I could see Goldberg showing up if Easy E and Hogan has convinced them to splash out the big cash. Maybe Sid Vicious as an outsider.

[PeterHilton]

First off..guys..this adds up to 120%.

Not 110.

Heres my odds

Ken Anderson: 60%
Lesnar: 35%
The Rock: 15%
RVD: 10% (Due to prior comentments)

Secondly, having Lesnar and Rock on this list is f'n ridiculous. RVD would be a cool debut. Kennedy would be ok.

The one debut that I think is actually possible that would garner some attention would be Goldberg

(Of course, as I've seen before, TNA should be figuring out what to do with their roster instead of constantly adding and then having workers stuck in limbo)

[jwt13]

15% for The Rock? Seriously?

I would bet everything that I own that The Rock will not be on Genesis.

Yea its a good chance that he will not but just the concept of him turning down WWE for this weeks hosting job and him liveing in Florida it would be easy for him to wrestle + make movies.

Edit: as for Lesnar I was thinking maybe spike or TNA could fork over enough cash to UFC to get White ok with the deal for thats say 6 dates to wrestle and may 4 more to appear on screen

[Hyde Hill]

First off..guys..this adds up to 120%.

Not 110.



Secondly, having Lesnar and Rock on this list is f'n ridiculous. RVD would be a cool debut. Kennedy would be ok.

The one debut that I think is actually possible that would garner some attention would be Goldberg

(Of course, as I've seen before, TNA should be figuring out what to do with their roster instead of constantly adding and then having workers stuck in limbo)

Yeah lol it's late here for me as well I forgot to count RVD.

[Hyde Hill]

While Mr./Ken Anderson seems like the best bet, with RVD as an outsider... didn't TNA say it would be a BIG surprise, eg. a big name? While I'm not saying those two doesn't have name value, I must admit that I'm hoping for someone bigger... I mean, they're going up against the likes of Hogan, Flair and Jeff Hardy in name value... can those two really do that?

Given that TNA is now the new WCW, I could see Goldberg showing up if Easy E and Hogan has convinced them to splash out the big cash. Maybe Sid Vicious as an outsider.

Sid is quite tall isn't he lolz. Ad him to my list of rest percenters.

[Johnny Fenoli]

OK, last week, did they not advertise when TNA NORMALLY comes on, during their show?

Because, I'm getting txt's from friends asking where TNA is, who wanted to watch it again this week....

[PeterHilton]

OK, last week, did they not advertise when TNA NORMALLY comes on, during their show?

Because, I'm getting txt's from friends asking where TNA is, who wanted to watch it again this week....

Yknow..if they did..they didn't do it in a way to drive the point home. Because I honestly can't recall.

[jwt13]

Its on This Thursday same time as it always is just look on the web site

[Johnny Fenoli]

Yknow..if they did..they didn't do it in a way to drive the point home. Because I honestly can't recall.

Me either... I cant remember it at all... just them talking about the new monday night wars.... well, it's not a war if you just shoot once and retreat...

Seems like they dropped the ball with the communication.

[Johnny Fenoli]

Its on This Thursday same time as it always is just look on the web site

I know that... I've watched it from the start... but my friends who just started watching again last week... they didnt. I'm sure there's a ton of new viewers who are in the same spot.

[Hyde Hill]

Yeah they just showed one ad mentioning their normal time if I remember correctly, mad fumble on their part. Although anyone really interested can just look for their website. Still dumb not to mention it multiple times as it would just take a sec. On moving to Monday's its really Spike's and Viacom's decision and as it is more targeted against USA then RAW it will also matter how much UFC will cut into RAW's rating tonight if at all. Was dumb for them not to do a show and just a replay on Thursday though seeing as the PPV is so close already. (Or moved the ppv date.)

[jwt13]

I know that... I've watched it from the start... but my friends who just started watching again last week... they didnt. I'm sure there's a ton of new viewers who are in the same spot.

Oh ok I missunderstood you but yea they didnt push the point last week about what time or what day to watch it

[Bigpapa42]

Yea its a good chance that he will not but just the concept of him turning down WWE for this weeks hosting job and him liveing in Florida it would be easy for him to wrestle + make movies.

Edit: as for Lesnar I was thinking maybe spike or TNA could fork over enough cash to UFC to get White ok with the deal for thats say 6 dates to wrestle and may 4 more to appear on screen

Be realistic about Lesnar for a second. The UFC is a very profitable promotion. Lesnar is one of their two most bankable and reliable stars based on his PPV drawing power (at a time when drawing power is at a premium for the UFC), plus he's a dominant champion. He's coming off a career-threatening illness. Factor in that it would be undoing all that Lesnar and the UFC have done to distance him from his pro wrestling past. How much is that worth to the UFC? Do you really think there's just a dollar value they can slap on that?

Sure, its fun to consider the possibility... but why not consider Triple H or John Cena walking out on the WWE to show up on TNA! Honestly, its about as realistic...

[Johnny Fenoli]

Be realistic about Lesnar for a second. The UFC is a very profitable promotion. Lesnar is one of their two most bankable and reliable stars based on his PPV drawing power (at a time when drawing power is at a premium for the UFC), plus he's a dominant champion. He's coming off a career-threatening illness. Factor in that it would be undoing all that Lesnar and the UFC have done to distance him from his pro wrestling past. How much is that worth to the UFC? Do you really think there's just a dollar value they can slap on that?

Sure, its fun to consider the possibility... but why not consider Triple H or John Cena walking out on the WWE to show up on TNA! Honestly, its about as realistic...

quoted for truth...

[PeterHilton]

quoted for truth...

And as crazy as the Lesnar scenario sounds once you explain it, The Rock is even less likely.

[jwt13]

And as crazy as the Lesnar scenario sounds once you explain it, The Rock is even less likely.

I agree Lesnar is unlikly, as for the rock he is more likly than lesnar and were all probly wrong it will end up being some one like Horace Hogan, Nick Hogan, or Ed Leslie lol:eek:

[PeterHilton]

I agree Lesnar is unlikly, as for the rock he is more likly than lesnar and were all probly wrong it will end up being some one like Horace Hogan, Nick Hogan, or Ed Leslie lol:eek:

How??? How is he more likely?

How is Lesnar's UFC career more worthwhile than The Rock's movie career where he makes 10 times the money and has almost zero chance of injury? Why in gods name would The Rock come back to TNA to work for a second rate fed with minimal mainstream coverage when coming back to the WWE (if he ever felt the need towrestle again) and working a WM would probably pop the biggest buyrate in company history.

Why would The Rock ever think about considering about hoping to possibly entertain the notion of coming back to wrestling and doing it in TNA.

[The Final Countdown]

And as crazy as the Lesnar scenario sounds once you explain it, The Rock is even less likely.
Absolutely. There is simply no incentive for The Rock to work with TNA in any capacity.

[BHK1978]

Actually forget my post as I just said exactly what you said.

[tristram]

My pick is Ken Kennedy.

The simple reason is this, it seems to me that the Hulkamania tour was a big chance for him to politic many of the outsiders in the industry. Nasty Boys, Flair, Venis, Shannon Moore, Jordan, all on that tour, all part of the show now. I suspect Umaga was a great chance. To me, the best match that night by a mile was Umaga-Kennedy, so my pick off the back of that is Kennedy.

[Bigpapa42]

The Rock also stands to potentially make a lot more money off the WWE, even if he never wrestles or even really works for them again. Being one of the biggest stars ever for them, retrospective DVD sets seem inevitable (there hasn't been one yet, I don't believe). Mr. Johnson stands to make a fair amount of money off any such project, especially since I believe he still owns the name The Rock. But if he burns the WWE bridge by working for TNA, that's done. Vinny Mac holds a grudge and a serious one. The Rock may no longer "need" the WWE, but I don't think he burns them without very very very good reason.

[justtxyank]

Kennedy has no drawing power so if TNA uses him as a big surprise they are stupid. He was a forced midcarder in WWE that people only cared about because of his stupid little microphone entrance.

[Basmat01]

Kennedy has no drawing power so if TNA uses him as a big surprise they are stupid. He was a forced midcarder in WWE that people only cared about because of his stupid little microphone entrance.

Agreed I wont be very impressed if Kennedy is the "Big Name"

I do find it very funny that both The Rock and Lesnar are even being considered or even brought up at all.

Jeff Hardy would of made more sense tbh lol

[Hyde Hill]

Just wondering has anybody ever broken the 90 day compete clause (without permission) and if so what is the penalty or what would the penalty be? Maybe TNA has a current E wrestler set up and promised him to pay any fine for breaking contract etc. Highly unlikely yeah but just wondering.

[Self]

Just wondering has anybody ever broken the 90 day compete clause (without permission) and if so what is the penalty or what would the penalty be? Maybe TNA has a current E wrestler set up and promised him to pay any fine for breaking contract etc. Highly unlikely yeah but just wondering.

Depending on how vindictive Vince & his lawyers wanted to be, I imagine WWE could sue them for everything they've got. It's a blatant breach of contract and the law would be on WWE's side.

Not a lawyer, just my understanding of what the 90 day no compete thing is.

[justtxyank]

Well to be fair, has anyone ever challenge the E on that 90 day non compete? And what state's laws would have jurisdiction? Is it Conneticut?

I know in Texas the non-compete laws are not as strong as they are elsewhere.

[Bigpapa42]

Well, Brock Lesnar signed a no-compete clause that covered through 2010 to be released by the WWE, then legally challenged it. I believe it was settled out of court, but Lesnar would have won. The WWE basically couldn't justify it. But that's a 5-plus year no-compete period. A 90-day period would be much more defensible, I believe, as you could argue that the WWE has historically had their reputation hurt by workers leaving and showing up immediately on other promotions.

Could someone break the clause and show up on TNA within the 90 days? Sure. But they would definitely face some seriousl legal repercussions. The WWE contracts could specify the exact penalties - monetary, most likely. Or it could simply be that the WWE sues. Regardless, it would be a bad move.

[Tag01]

I'm thinking Kennedy. Brock will never wrestle again. Rock will probably never wrestle again, and if he does it would be in a limited capacity and for the WWE.

[justtxyank]

Well, Brock Lesnar signed a no-compete clause that covered through 2010 to be released by the WWE, then legally challenged it. I believe it was settled out of court, but Lesnar would have won. The WWE basically couldn't justify it. But that's a 5-plus year no-compete period. A 90-day period would be much more defensible, I believe, as you could argue that the WWE has historically had their reputation hurt by workers leaving and showing up immediately on other promotions.

Could someone break the clause and show up on TNA within the 90 days? Sure. But they would definitely face some seriousl legal repercussions. The WWE contracts could specify the exact penalties - monetary, most likely. Or it could simply be that the WWE sues. Regardless, it would be a bad move.

I agree in theory, but I'd like to see somebody do it just because it's outrageous to me. Right to work all the way.

As for the idea that it's Brock or Rock, both of those suggestions are absolutely ridiculous.

[sebsplex]

No odds for Dennis Rodman? :p

[CQI13]

I agree in theory, but I'd like to see somebody do it just because it's outrageous to me. Right to work all the way.

As for the idea that it's Brock or Rock, both of those suggestions are absolutely ridiculous.

They have the right to work. They just can't compete against them during that time. But in the meantime he can work overseas...or as something else entirely.

[justtxyank]

They have the right to work. They just can't compete against them during that time. But in the meantime he can work overseas...or as something else entirely.


That's a very limited right to work. You can either go to another country or change careers.

[MrCanada]

They have the right to work. They just can't compete against them during that time. But in the meantime he can work overseas...or as something else entirely.

No Compete clauses are different contract-to-contract. The standard 90-day no compete clause that WWE makes you sign means you cant compete for promotions in North America with national DVD distribution or national TV/PPV deal. WWE doenst care about guys going to Japan, and actually most of the time, when releasing someone they think they may re-hire or they like, try to help them get into Japan.

However their are different versions of everything. Lesnar, for example, was forced to sign a 5-year no compete, no where clause, in any form of wrestling/combat (including MMA). He signed the deal to get his release and what was later argued in court was the no-compete clause was to intense and Brock signed the deal out of distress. So the deal was reverted to allow work outside of the Continental North America, and MMA.

[justtxyank]

The standard 90-day no compete clause that WWE makes you sign means you cant compete for promotions in North America with national DVD distribution or national TV/PPV deal.

I'd love to see this challenged in court. I'd like to see the WWE argue that they need non-competes to protect a legitimate business interest.

[MrCanada]

I'd love to see this challenged in court. I'd like to see the WWE argue that they need non-competes to protect a legitimate business interest.

That doesnt really matter. If you sign a contract, you sign a contract. You also must remember when someone is fired, they do get the rest of their guarantee paid from the company. Thats usually a good chunk of change, and it isnt paid at once, usually paid out over some duration of time in comparison to the length of the deal. Granted in wrestling, most people the guarantee is a fairly low figure (still decent) but being on TV/PPV, merch sales, even house show's is what earns them extra green.

So the 90-day makes sense so its not like the person is without income.

Also this (be it no-compete or just weird contract clauses) is common practice in many lines of work, especially entertainment. Look at the Conan/Leno situation on NBC. If Conan leaves, NBC still owes him money. If he goes to another network, NBC STILL has to pay him the differance of his deal (20 million a year) and whatever he makes on a new network (say 12 million on Fox as a guess). Meaning NBC still has to pay him 8 million a year, to work on another network. Thats an example of someone who signed a deal that worked in their favour, and no one will complain about that, because this time its "the man" getting the shaft.

[justtxyank]

I was taught that non-competes had to protect legitamete business interests.

[Bigpapa42]

I'd love to see this challenged in court. I'd like to see the WWE argue that they need non-competes to protect a legitimate business interest.

Look at the impact that having guys walk out on the WWE and show on WCW had. It was a coup for their competition. So it did hurt the WWE's business interests. If someone went to the WWE and asked to be released from their contact for personal or family reasons, then showed up on the next day on TNA, that would obviously reflect negatively on the WWE.

The Lesnar situation was different, because it was an unreasonably long clause and I don't think that's defensible. But 90 days is reasonable and not causing undue hardship in terms of the worker being able to earn a living - they have options available, plus its not an extended period.

[Hyde Hill]

Just my idea what the TNA roster should be used as and look as in the hopefully near future let me know what you guys think. It is basically using the Heyman 6 per spot rule with twice as many women and tag teams counting as one for competitive divisions. Also note that most tag teams can work as singles especially in the X-Division.

Main Event:

Angle
Styles
Joe
Daniels
Hardy
RVD

Upper Midcard:

Morgan
Hernandez
Abyss
Wolfe
Lashley
Anderson

Midcard:

Young
Homicide
Dinero
Suicide
Rhino
Red

Undercard / Sympathy Jobbers:

Moore
Shark Boy

Tag Teams:

3D
MCMG
Beer Money
British Invasion
Generation Me
Lethal Consequences

Women:

Kong
Tara
Hamada
ODB
Wilde
Sarita
Flash
Daffney
Roxxi
Love
Sky
Rayne

Occasional/Personalities:

Foley
Jarrett
Raven
Steiner
Nash
Flair
Hogan

Without RVD and Anderson move up Lashley or Wolfe and Dinero and include Stevie and Morley in the midcard.

[haloed]

I suppose Genesis is too soon for Tommy Dreamer to debut for TNA? I'm almost certain he will at some point, but he may have the 90 day clause.

[justtxyank]

Hyde, out of curiosity, why are you big on Anderson?

[MrCanada]

I suppose Genesis is too soon for Tommy Dreamer to debut for TNA? I'm almost certain he will at some point, but he may have the 90 day clause.

Well I'm pretty sure he might be debuting with EVOLVE wrestling on their debut show....

[Hyde Hill]

Hyde, out of curiosity, why are you big on Anderson?

Like his promo skills and think/hope has more to offer then he showed on WWE plus (,unfortunately,) overness matters. Plus I am looking at it from a free agent perspective and comparative overness/talent/star quality etc. Of the possible signings with name value I am only high on RVD but can see what Anderson could bring to the table. Personally I would much rather see Petey, Dutt, Aries return or other Indie talent. Also on that roster you can remove 3D and place in the Hooliganz (Kendrick and London) over time.

Edit: don't forget those percentages where the ods I guess of them appearing not how much I want them to appear.

[Hyde Hill]

Well I'm pretty sure he might be debuting with EVOLVE wrestling on their debut show....

Yeah but recently the E has waved the no compete for the smaller competitors. ATM its just no ROH or TNA.

[Franchise22]

posting in both fed threads:

Scott Hall now plays wideout for the arizona cardnials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezA-LmQXWsM

:p

[Franchise22]

my 2 cents on no compete clause:

im a store manager for a major wireless carrier. one of our competitors has a clause that states they cant be hired by another carrier for ONE YEAR after they leave the company.
The potential exception: To be hired, the former employee must provide a letter from the companies HR department that they are released from this restriction. I actually had to turn down a potential new hire for this. INSANE!

hows that for no compete cluase from the "real world"?!?!!:confused::(:mad:

[darthsiddus2]

it sucks but its necessary

[Bigpapa42]

my 2 cents on no compete clause:

im a store manager for a major wireless carrier. one of our competitors has a clause that states they cant be hired by another carrier for ONE YEAR after they leave the company.
The potential exception: To be hired, the former employee must provide a letter from the companies HR department that they are released from this restriction. I actually had to turn down a potential new hire for this. INSANE!

hows that for no compete cluase from the "real world"?!?!!:confused::(:mad:

It makes sense to me. By switching jobs to the competition, you could potentially take a lot of valuable and damaging information with you. Depending on what area of the company you worked for, that could cause a ton of problems for your former employer.

[Franchise22]

It makes sense to me. By switching jobs to the competition, you could potentially take a lot of valuable and damaging information with you. Depending on what area of the company you worked for, that could cause a ton of problems for your former employer.

i dont disagree, it was more of a real world example to back up the stance of the wwe. a few posts back, some questioned the validity of the no compete clause.

the emoticons were for effect as it cost me a potentially great employee. which in the wrestling world would be tna ect not getting a wwe talent for a period of time.

[Franchise22]

posting in both fed threads:

Scott Hall now plays wideout for the arizona cardnials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezA-LmQXWsM

:p

i also want to make sure the sheer awesomness of this gets its due dilligence lol

[tristram]

It doesn't happen down here, at least not in my industry. It would be a restraint of trade. All we are required to sign upon joining our company is a conflict of interest clause and a clause agreeing that the businesses intellectual property is their's and their's alone.

[PeterHilton]

i also want to make sure the sheer awesomness of this gets its due dilligence lol

Steve Breaston oozes machismo obviously

[Remianen]

Mr. Johnson stands to make a fair amount of money off any such project, especially since I believe he still owns the name The Rock.

He does not. I don't think he ever has. There's a reason he phased it out of his billing name. If you look at his movie credits, in every movie he's done with 'The Rock' moniker, there's a little blurb in the opening credits that says, "In Association with WWE Films". That means WWE was getting a cut (however small) for licensing the name for the use of the movie. By dropping it altogether, WWE gets nothing for 'Tooth Fairy' or 'Spy Hunter' or 'Get Smart' or 'Doom'. Think about it. The Rock name has value. Why would he stop using it altogether if he owned it?

It makes sense to me. By switching jobs to the competition, you could potentially take a lot of valuable and damaging information with you. Depending on what area of the company you worked for, that could cause a ton of problems for your former employer.

*shrug* It's not universal though. When I worked for American Express, I was on the team that developed the 'Blue' card (with the gimmick microchip in the center?) from conception to launch. I signed an NDA but there was no non-compete clause in it. To this day I can tell you how the Centurion card (aka "the black card") was developed since it was based largely on Blue and the Platinum card (which Blue took a lot of internal elements from). In fact, three members of that team went to Visa and helped them develop their Black card. Now, maybe I'm not seeing something here but I'm guessing internal details on credit card programs might be considered a bit more sensitive than a wireless salesperson's knowledge. Could definitely be wrong though and the two industries might have very different priorities.

Non competes are often a fact of corporate life though. A friend of mine is a litigator with a top firm here and if she leaves her job (or is fired for incompetence or something), she has to cool her heels for 3 months before she can get back on the horse, with a few stated exceptions (lobbying or non-legal fields).

[Bigpapa42]

Thought I had read he still owned the rights, but was transitioning to Dwayne Johnson by choice, which is why he went from "The Rock" to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and now to Dwayne Johnson. Been wrong on things before. Eh.

I do find it interesting that there doesn't seem to be uniform approaches even within industries. Maybe corporations that have been burned in the past are more likely to take the more severe approach...?

[Hyde Hill]

Also one big problem for the WWE is they list their employees as independent contractors. That just doesn't fly with a no compete in my view as do a lot of other things in the contracts and how they treat talent. So depending on the court and judge they (TNA or the employee) might find a way around it.

Just had a thought hasn't Edge's contract been officially expired and they have an not on paper agreement to let it run on till his injury is over?
That would mean that he is without a real contract and hasn't competed for the E in over 90 days.
I know this is absolute dreamland like with Rock and Lesnar but still that would be total mark out and a real blow to the E.

btw cool stuff with that Cardinals vid.

[lazorbeak]

He does not. I don't think he ever has. There's a reason he phased it out of his billing name. If you look at his movie credits, in every movie he's done with 'The Rock' moniker, there's a little blurb in the opening credits that says, "In Association with WWE Films". That means WWE was getting a cut (however small) for licensing the name for the use of the movie. By dropping it altogether, WWE gets nothing for 'Tooth Fairy' or 'Spy Hunter' or 'Get Smart' or 'Doom'. Think about it. The Rock name has value. Why would he stop using it altogether if he owned it?

Did a lot of research before this post, huh? You're 100% wrong, Dwayne Johnson owns "The Rock" trademark. He stopped using it because he wanted to re-invent himself without the stigma the name carried over in mainstream and family friendly movies, which is what he is doing now (and is making far more money doing). Note that Vince McMahon was not an executive producer on Doom, Be Cool, the Gridiron Gang, or the Gameplan, all of which credited either "The Rock" or Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Johnson bought the trademark sometime after the Rundown, which was 2003.

[Stennick]

Research is our friend when it comes to murky things such as contracts and trademark copywrights. Nicely done on the research Beak

[justtxyank]

The Rock is also billed as Dewayne the Rock Johnson for the Toothfairy.

[jwt13]

Indeed although WWE's core website is way better then TNA's just compare the profiles etc. Seriously one of the points TNA should work on imho.

I was just on twitter and Dixie had this posted

Expect a new tnawrestling.com website this weekend. Lots of changes going on. Check it out
So I guess you'll get your wish :D

[Hyde Hill]

Hmmmmm is Dixie reading these boards? Lol. If she is she is dam smart as this is the most unbiased and wrestling savy board I know of and prolly out there. Good move anyways now for them to work to that roster I had up and I am one happy camper. Not mentioning the obvious 3 hours in 2 hours adhd booking.

[The Final Countdown]

Generation Me? Ugh.

[PoisonedSuperman]

I have no clue who they are on the indy scene or whatever it is called but I like Generation Me!!

[MattitudeV2]

Generation Me? Ugh.

Max and Jermey Jackson nice job,TNA now they will sound like Matt and Jeff.

[MattitudeV2]

I have no clue who they are on the indy scene or whatever it is called but I like Generation Me!!

The crowd is giving it to you "The Young Bucks".

[The Final Countdown]

Fun match, even if I hate the pointless re-branding of The Young Bucks.

When they showed Hall & Waltman, I was afraid they would come down & beat all four of them down. I'm glad that didn't happen.

[PoisonedSuperman]

Wow I like them a lot! Sorry I had it on really low, just turned it up. I only put I don't know who they are on the indy scene because the person before put "UGH" so I thought maybe they were crappy or something.

I'm not sure if the Nasty Boys can wrestle still, I"m pretty sure that they can't but this is pretty entertaining. I haven't liked the Dudley Boys in yearsss so lets see what happens in this fued..

Also glad that the "NWO" didn't come down there, I had the same bad feeling that they would. What's with Shelley and Saban now a days? When they first were together I loved them but lately I just haven't been "feeling them."

[MattitudeV2]

Fun match, even if I hate the pointless re-branding of The Young Bucks.

When they showed Hall & Waltman, I was afraid they would come down & beat all four of them down. I'm glad that didn't happen.

Yeah it was a good match and I agree with the wierd rebranding as now everytime I'll hear their names I'll think off the Hardys.

[The Final Countdown]

Wow I like them a lot! Sorry I had it on really low, just turned it up. I only put I don't know who they are on the indy scene because the person before put "UGH" so I thought maybe they were crappy or something.

I'm not sure if the Nasty Boys can wrestle still, I"m pretty sure that they can't but this is pretty entertaining. I haven't liked the Dudley Boys in yearsss so lets see what happens in this fued..
Nope, my "ugh" was definitely not in response to the team. Just their new name, which I think sounds ten times worse.

Could The Nasty Boys ever wrestle?

[PoisonedSuperman]

Very true about the Nasty Boys not being able to wrestle, but they might of have gotten worse.. :S

[haloed]

First time I've seen the Young Bucks, now Generation Me obviously, and I was impressed. Like them a lot. They have some great agility and are exciting in the ring. Look forward to seeing more of them in the future.

[PeterHilton]

Hate the names. Loved the match. My 10 year old, who only takes a passing glance, stayed glued to the couch during the whole thing.

THAT is the stiff that separates TNA from the E

Of course, then the Nastys came on and my skin started to crawl..so this re-launch is still a work in progress IMO.

[PoisonedSuperman]

I remember when TNA first got to Spike TV and one of my all time favorites, Raven was the champion but they had him lose the belt to Jarrett. I am hoping that at the PPV that Hogan doesn't do that to Styles.

Raven was just shot after that and never really got back to the championship level.

[The Final Countdown]

First time I've seen the Young Bucks, now Generation Me obviously, and I was impressed. Like them a lot. They have some great agility and are exciting in the ring. Look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
Yeah, The Young--err, Generation Me are a fun team to watch. They could be a nice addition to TNA's tag division if they're used correctly. That match with the Guns was a good start.

[haloed]

Yeah, The Young--err, Generation Me are a fun team to watch. They could be a nice addition to TNA's tag division if they're used correctly. That match with the Guns was a good start.

Definately a good start and TNA seems to be able to give debuting wrestlers good starts but they all seem to get lost in the shuffle afterwards. Hopefully with Bischoff around this trend won't contine.

[The Final Countdown]

Definately a good start and TNA seems to be able to give debuting wrestlers good starts but they all seem to get lost in the shuffle afterwards. Hopefully with Bischoff around this trend won't contine.
You've got that right. See: McGuinness, Nigel.

[PoisonedSuperman]

I'm not a fan of like pure wrestling, I watch more for the entertainment but I have to say that I really enjoyed that first match and then the Nasty Boys segment but I am getting bored with the rest of the show thus far.

Beautiful People!! Oh man I was hoping for Angelina to rejoin beautiful people but looks like a face turn! She's the most beautiful of the people!!

[PeterHilton]

Honestly, I'm stunned that anyone finds the Nasty Boys entertaining. It's 2010. I've been tired of their act since the late 90s.

Love Hamada/Kong.
Angelina coming back was strong. W/o her TBP are still entertaining but not as credible in the ring. You almost want them to recruit Tara or something.

[TracyBrooksFan]

Love Angelina's return

[jwt13]

I think see the uglist TBH Lacy's the hotest to me but anyway so far so good I like the Tomko Styles attack they played well has the potential to be a good former team feud I love the show alltogether so far and The Nasty Boyz were really entertaining in their segment

[The Final Countdown]

I can't believe I just heard "Welcome to Nastyville" on my television in 2010.

[PoisonedSuperman]

Honestly, I'm stunned that anyone finds the Nasty Boys entertaining. It's 2010. I've been tired of their act since the late 90s.

Love Hamada/Kong.
Angelina coming back was strong. W/o her TBP are still entertaining but not as credible in the ring. You almost want them to recruit Tara or something.

Come on! Welcome to Nastyville!!! You didn't enjoy that? :)

[PeterHilton]

Come on! Welcome to Nastyville!!! You didn't enjoy that? :)

No.

They suck. They've always sucked. Their gimmick is asinine. They make the Bolsheviks look like Gordy/Dr Death in the ring.

This feud might have been interesting in 1998.

But every single segment they are on - and they are getting like ten minutes of TV time on every Impact so far - makes me less hopeful about Hogan's "new outlook" on booking.

[Remianen]

Come on! Welcome to Nastyville!!! You didn't enjoy that? :)

No. And if the Nasty Boys show up on Genesis, it's a guaranteed 'pass' for me. Nasty Boys-3D is bound to be as awful as Angle-Styles is good (probably moreso). It's like saying in order to get with the hot girl, you have to do the grenade first. Ugh.

Those two probably look as bad as Jim Neidhart did.

[The Final Countdown]

If Christopher Daniels loses to Sean Morley at any point, I may tune out of TNA completely.

[Bigpapa42]

No. And if the Nasty Boys show up on Genesis, it's a guaranteed 'pass' for me. Nasty Boys-3D is bound to be as awful as Angle-Styles is good (probably moreso). It's like saying in order to get with the hot girl, you have to do the grenade first. Ugh.

Those two probably look as bad as Jim Neidhart did.

Same.

It quite bugs me that the Nasty Boys are getting notable TV time. I don't hate them, I just don't see why teams like Beer Money and the MCMG are barely getting face time, but the Nasty Boys are getting several segments. Actually, I know why - because they're buddies with Hogan. Which means Hogan is just playing the same old political games and putting himself (and his buddies) all over.

[PoisonedSuperman]

It'll be a gimmicked match most likely after that beatdown a hardcore match. It might be able to hide a few flaws of both teams. I have a feeling that the band is going to interfer in this one and we will hear an "ay yo"

[PeterHilton]

It'll be a gimmicked match most likely after that beatdown a hardcore match.

It doesn't even matter. Because there's absolutely ZERO reason to feature the Nasty Boyz on the PPV.

Every time I see them I just think: Why? Why are they wasting our time with these two. I can barely see 3D's purpose on the roster these days..

Like papa said, it genuinely bothers me to see them on the tv.

[haloed]

While I don't care to see the Nasty Boys, I agree they could be featuring so many others instead of them but I won't tune out just due to the Nasty Boys being on TV. Hopefully their stay in TNA is a short one.

On a side note, Bischoff is great and I love seeing him back on TV.

[Bigpapa42]

It doesn't even matter. Because there's absolutely ZERO reason to feature the Nasty Boyz on the PPV.

Every time I see them I just think: Why? Why are they wasting our time with these two. I can barely see 3D's purpose on the roster these days..

Like papa said, it genuinely bothers me to see them on the tv.

Yeah. Its not even so much the Nasty Boys themselves that bugs, but rather what they are preventing (other, young, better talent from being on TV) and why they are there (friends with Hogan).

While I don't care to see the Nasty Boys, I agree they could be featuring so many others instead of them but I won't tune out just due to the Nasty Boys being on TV. Hopefully their stay in TNA is a short one.

No. I won't tune out just because of the Nasty Boys, or what's behind them being on TNA. But its rapidly convincing me that the Hogan-era of TNA won't be any "better" (what I consider "better", at least) than the pre-Hogan era. And that's what is making me want to tune in less and less.

[haloed]

Yeah. Its not even so much the Nasty Boys themselves that bugs, but rather what they are preventing (other, young, better talent from being on TV) and why they are there (friends with Hogan).



No. I won't tune out just because of the Nasty Boys, or what's behind them being on TNA. But its rapidly convincing me that the Hogan-era of TNA won't be any "better" (what I consider "better", at least) than the pre-Hogan era. And that's what is making me want to tune in less and less.

I hear you there. It's still early though so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I've enjoyed tonights show quite a bit so far.

[The Final Countdown]

So last week, Desmond loses to Pope. This week, he beats Joe. Cleanly. Huh?

[PeterHilton]

I hear you there. It's still early though so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I've enjoyed tonights show quite a bit so far.

Yep...a little heavy on the Eric Bischoff segments..and they're building the PPV a little late in the game..but the matches have been really good and at least they are pairing the new faces with the established TNA guys and creating some interesting match ups.

[PeterHilton]

So last week, Desmond loses to Pope. This week, he beats Joe. Cleanly. Huh?

Not entirely shocking. TNA management has made it pretty clear they heart Pope.

[The Final Countdown]

Not entirely shocking. TNA management has made it pretty clear they heart Pope.
My surprise was more with Joe losing.

[haloed]

My surprise was more with Joe losing.

Joe's lost a ton of momentum in the past year and doesn't seem nearly important in the scheme of things within TNA. Shame too, I like Joe and think he could be a solid star as TNA moves forward.

[MrCanada]

My surprise was more with Joe losing.

Joe has gotten lazy if you ask me. I dont blame TNA for pushing him down the card. Sure he can have the standard good matches with Styles and or Daniels, but with everyone else he seems to just be going through the paces. Reminds me of RVD near the end of his WWE run (sans the part where he got motivated again with ECW for a bit). Why wouldnt you highlight Burke & Wolfe, guys who are trying to make their mark just as hard and have as much name value a Joe (to new fans at least) and seem a lot more impressive (to new fans).

I was never a big fan of Joe anyway. He always fell into the catagory of guy who works stiff for the sake of being stiff (sometimes) and claims 'big man' status while throwing around the super little guys of TNA. I met Joe, good guy, but I'm bigger then him. I'm 6'0" and 3/4 of an inch (most people who see me think I'm 6'2" or something because SO many people in real life say they are 6 feet when they are barley 5'10" or such). And was noticeably taller then him. Whats going to happen if Joe has to work with guys like Val Venis and such? He's going to look stupid.

EDIT:

Tomko looks a lot... puffier than last time I saw him.

[PeterHilton]

Joe's lost a ton of momentum in the past year and doesn't seem nearly important in the scheme of things within TNA. Shame too, I like Joe and think he could be a solid star as TNA moves forward.

He's totally lost in the shuffle. I'd like to see him go back and revitalize the X Division.

That promo by Eric on Jarrett was tremendous (and mostly true) and it looks like they are going out of their way to pain Jarrett as a heel after the mixed reaction last Monday.

Flair...eh. He sounds like he's phoning it in a little.

[PeterHilton]

Tomko looks a lot... puffier than last time I saw him.

Oh man..yeah he does.

[MrCanada]

He's totally lost in the shuffle. I'd like to see him go back and revitalize the X Division.

Red's opponent at Genesis is a "mystery". Joe would fit in nicely there. Who else could it be? Only logical choices are Joe, Hardy, Moore, or Homicide.

I'm waiting for a "Stay Puft Tomko!" chant. Would fit perfect.

[MattitudeV2]

Red's opponent at Genesis is a "mystery". Joe would fit in nicely there. Who else could it be? Only logical choices are Joe, Hardy, Moore, or Homicide.

I'm waiting for a "Stay Puft Tomko!" chant. Would fit perfect.

Three letters for ya R...V...D and it wouldn't suprise me if the mystery acquistion is Mr. Anderson!!!!!

[haloed]

He's totally lost in the shuffle. I'd like to see him go back and revitalize the X Division.


Joe going back to the X Division could be awesome actually. Have him basically run over the division for awhile after winning the X Title and give him a good lengthy run with the belt. Make him look almost unbeatable and than pick a guy to get the huge upset over Joe to push whomever into the territory of being a star and the X title in general importance.

[Moe Hunter]

On pure name alone, as soon as I heard people talking about "The Young Bucks" I shuddered. Awful name. Completely generic, limited time potential (not gonna be young forever), just no value to it at all.

"Generation Me" isn't a WHOLE lot better, but it definitely is better. Their individual names being changed slightly, and still sounding like "Matt" and "Jeff" is troublesome - couldn't they go the Major Bros / Ryder & Hawkins route?

[PeterHilton]

Three letters for ya R...V...D and it wouldn't suprise me if the mystery acquistion is Mr. Anderson!!!!!

Mmmmm...RVD is kind of a waste in the X Division.

Plus if it's that way then your 'mystery opponent' totally overshadows your GIANT mystery aquisition...unless you want to say that Kennedy is somehow a bigger name than RVD.

[Bigpapa42]

Joe going back to the X Division could be awesome actually. Have him basically run over the division for awhile after winning the X Title and give him a good lengthy run with the belt. Make him look almost unbeatable and than pick a guy to get the huge upset over Joe to push whomever into the territory of being a star and the X title in general importance.

Uh, didn't we just try going this route in August through October?

[The Final Countdown]

Three letters for ya R...V...D and it wouldn't suprise me if the mystery acquistion is Mr. Anderson!!!!!
If Anderson is the surprise, I consider it a letdown.

[TracyBrooksFan]

Red will face Shannon Moore

[haloed]

Uh, didn't we just try going this route in August through October?

Could be, was probably poorly executed than because I honestly don't remember. I actually don't remember who Red beat for the title to be honest.

If Anderson is the surprise, I consider it a letdown.

I agree. The only name that I know of out there that I would consider to be a good surprise at this point is Rob Van Dam.

[Bigpapa42]

Could be, was probably poorly executed than because I honestly don't remember. I actually don't remember who Red beat for the title to be honest.

Joe.

Yeah, it wasn't done particularly well, in my opinion. While I like the basic idea, I didn't think it did much when they did in the summer, so I don't really have much hope it would be different now.

[PeterHilton]

Uh, didn't we just try going this route in August through October?

It's a re-boot so none of that happened. :p

Plus...you go title vs title down the line somewhere.

(it's a reach, but there's roughly 278 people on the roster, Hernandez and Morgan are now teaming regularly so it completely wasted their push; i have no clue what else to do with Joe.)

[haloed]

Joe.

Yeah, it wasn't done particularly well, in my opinion. While I like the basic idea, I didn't think it did much when they did in the summer, so I don't really have much hope it would be different now.

You're probably right about it not being a whole lot different. The X Division does need some help though. It really seems to of lost its focus, where it used to be one of the highlights of TNA Wrestling.

[Astil]

Here's what I have to say about this show, and it's not from my mouth, but from Orange-kun's (my long time lady for those not privy):

"When we saw them live they were good, but on tv they looked like a high school show. They look all grown up now."

All grown up. Nice way of summing it up.

Love generation me, and will always love MCMG.

Liked angry Dudley's

Liked Desmond v. Joe.

Loved the Angle and AJ showdown. Subtle. Nice.

Disliked Flair on commentary.

I like the idea of the mystery opponent being Paul London and the BIG name being RVD or Mr. Anderson.

[Bigpapa42]

I question more and more why I watch now.

Hall and Nash on the PPV. Awesome. I loved them in 1996. They were great. So instead of watching this PPV and cringing, I'll watch some of their work from back then. Thanks anway.

The Jarrett-Hogan-Bischoff segment was so messy. Just Jarrrett and Bischoff trying to out-shout each other, yet no real emotion. It felt sloppy as Jarrett seemed off the mark. It didn't start well, with Jarrett yelling at Hogan that no, its his turn talk... then giving Hogan a chance to talk... Downhill from there...

A McGuiness-Joe match should be awesome, especially when it has a pretty cool ending. Except, of course, when its a 4-minute match which absolutely wastes a cool finish. All about the wrestling, TNA... Right...

How many months was Tomko stalking and attacking AJ for? How many promos did they run for Tomko through the show. For a 5 minute main event here where AJ wins clean. What a waste. If the Hogan regime didn't want to do anything with the angle, find a way to drop it better than that. I just don't get it sometimes...

[Astil]

A McGuiness-Joe match should be awesome, especially when it has a pretty cool ending. Except, of course, when its a 4-minute match which absolutely wastes a cool finish. All about the wrestling, TNA... Right...

If I may, I think it was supposed to be a shock finish, as Joe was kind of winning the match more often than not iirc.

[Astil]

Oh and NO JEFF HARDY!

BOOO!

[Hyde Hill]

Fun match, even if I hate the pointless re-branding of The Young Bucks.

When they showed Hall & Waltman, I was afraid they would come down & beat all four of them down. I'm glad that didn't happen.

Only pointless if the Young Bucks didn't agree on TNA getting full rights for that name, otherwise decent new name.

[Hyde Hill]

You've got that right. See: McGuinness, Nigel.

How can you say he is already lost in the shuffle? After one pinfall loss to Dinero?

[Hyde Hill]

It's a re-boot so none of that happened. :p

Plus...you go title vs title down the line somewhere.

(it's a reach, but there's roughly 278 people on the roster, Hernandez and Morgan are now teaming regularly so it completely wasted their push; i have no clue what else to do with Joe.)

Especially seeing as Joe has the feast or fired briefcase for the world championship belt. If the briefcases are still in effect that is.

Can't wait to see the show but based of the comments its a mixed bag again with short matches. A well giving them time.


Oh and yeah Joe lost the X Belt to Red due to distraction from Lashley but he only held it shortly after winning it of Homicide who won it using his briefcase on Suicide.

[The Final Countdown]

How can you say he is already lost in the shuffle? After one pinfall loss to Dinero?
Yes, probably a bit of an overreaction. It just seemed like such a fall from grace, going from having a great PPV match with Angle to getting pinned by a mid-carder. The clean win over Joe has me more optimistic as far as Nigel's status goes.

[BHK1978]

Yes, probably a bit of an overreaction. It just seemed like such a fall from grace, going from having a great PPV match with Angle to getting pinned by a mid-carder. The clean win over Joe has me more optimistic as far as Nigel's status goes.

I agree, I loved Nigel's debut but over the last few weeks he has sort have been stuck. So hopefully this win over Joe will mean that he is not forgotten. Also, I would like to see him talk more. I think he is good on the mic.

[Craig Edwards]

is it me or does Angelina Love look was to skinny her boobs look like they weigh more than the rest of her. I don't get why girls think tooth pick skinny makes them looks hot. the girl needs more meat on her bones

[Hyde Hill]

Aye but she looked better then last time I saw her on TNA. Saw the episode and it was decent and some of the ppv match-ups look interesting just hoping they don't turn AJ heel. Generation Buck Me was exciting but don't have a great look on them. The dark haired one is alright but the blond guy looked mediocre at best and I don't mean in ring wise but Star Quality wise.

Edit: No Jeff Hardy = Bad, No Jordon = Good although it doesn't balance out. Still no Leslie = very good.

[Remianen]

I don't get why girls think tooth pick skinny makes them looks hot.

You have got to be kidding me. You can't possibly be serious. You really don't know why? :confused:

I used to laugh at the Beautiful People's entrance, when they straddled the ring ropes and Velvet would point the cameraman at her postage stamp booty. :p

I'm hoping this pointless booking has...a point. I'm also praying to every diety on Earth (as well as Faerun) that Beer Money doesn't lay down for Hall & Nash. I did like Jarrett's heel turn though ("There aint enough talent in this company to fill a coffee cup").

[Craig Edwards]

You have got to be kidding me. You can't possibly be serious. You really don't know why? :confused:

I used to laugh at the Beautiful People's entrance, when they straddled the ring ropes and Velvet would point the cameraman at her postage stamp booty. :p

I'm hoping this pointless booking has...a point. I'm also praying to every diety on Earth (as well as Faerun) that Beer Money doesn't lay down for Hall & Nash. I did like Jarrett's heel turn though ("There aint enough talent in this company to fill a coffee cup").

Don't know why because i don't talk to girls like that, I'm more like a black guy when it comes to women, I like them Thick and Juicy

[justtxyank]

I look at the Genesis card and I think, wow, that looks like a really good card. The booking can't be all that bad. Red font is my comments

*TNA champ AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle in what is billed as Angle's last shot at Styles
This should be another really good match. I hope they don't copy the same format with both guys hitting their finishers over and over. To be honest, I'd like to see AJ pull out an awesome spot to win the match and put Kurt out for a little bit.
*The debut of a new "acquisition"
Lots of hype on this for me. It better not be Sid Vicious though lol.
*Beer Money vs. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
Really pumped for this one. Love the Outsiders. I know internet smarks will be mad if the Outsiders win, but I think either outcome can be good depending on how it's booked.
*Abyss vs. Bobby Lashley
This has good potential.
*TNA Tag Team champions The British Invasion vs Matt Morgan and Hernandez
Don't care about this match at all
*TNA Knockouts champ ODB vs Tara - best of Three Falls
I love Tara, hate ODB. Should be a good match.
*TNA X-Division champ Amazing Red vs. mystery opponent
Jeff Hardy?
*Daniels vs. Sean Morley
I'm glad to see Sean Morley getting a real run in a promotion. This should be an entertaining match.
*Desmond Wolfe vs. D'Angelo Dinero
Both of these guys have really bright futures in TNA. Feuding them together should elevate both of them.

[cappyboy]

I used to laugh at the Beautiful People's entrance, when they straddled the ring ropes and Velvet would point the cameraman at her postage stamp booty. :p

Not so much here. I've tended to play along with that part of the entrance only because it fits the gimmick. Never been much of a booty guy. I figure if I'm looking at a girl's booty, I'm facing the wrong direction. ;)

I'm hoping this pointless booking has...a point. I'm also praying to every diety on Earth (as well as Faerun) that Beer Money doesn't lay down for Hall & Nash.

Amen, Brother. Beer Money represents what's great about TNA. If they are fed to Hall & Nash? Well I won't be resort to the animal violence analogies you would but it's not going to be pleasant.

I did like Jarrett's heel turn though ("There aint enough talent in this company to fill a coffee cup").

Couldn't disagree me more. This was a a WWE type moment here for me. This was so bizarre and so far out in left field it shook me right out of the illusion and had me asking what the hell they thought they were doing. If the company's so bereft of talent, then why in God's name did he spend so much time fighting with the Main Event Mafia? Why didn't he just join them? He wouldn't have been the first guy to have suddenly gone from blood feuding with a guy to teaming up with him. And why did he endure (with all due respect) the mercurial nutburger that is Mick Foley? At least with the MEM, he'd have known from week to week whether they were going to shake his hand or kick him in the nuts. Jarrett's spent an awful lot of time defending the roster and fighting for them to suddenly find them unworthy.

I thought this turn to be THE big failing of the show. It boggled my mind and made absolutely no sense. Being miffed at Dixie and Hulk I could understand. But turning on the talent? He's the one who put them together. If there "aint enough talent in this company to fill a coffee cup", he's undermining his whole case for being upset in the first place. He was so irrational and all over the place I was having to stop and try to puzzle out what the writers were thinking because I wasn't following it as Jarrett expressed it. The coffee cup line was a good one. But good zingers don't mean much if the context doesn't work and this context seemed to be sputtering for power.

[Hive]

just hoping they don't turn AJ heel.

Why not? I think it would be great if Ric Flair makes him his protege and they bill him as the new 'Nature Boy', with Flair working the mic for him (AJ's main weaknes imo).

While I didn't see the last show, I really don't get the reports on Jarrett going heel. It would make so much more sense for Hogan, Bischoff and Dixie to be the bad guys and the founder of TNA, now seemingly without power, trying to fight off the evil and win back his company. And given his very face-ish speech at Jan 4 (with Hogan's extremely weird heel-ish promo to counter it), it just seems very off to me.

But it looks like an exciting PPV card, the most exciting card I've seen on any PPV for quite a while. It's too bad I have no way of watching it.

[Bigpapa42]

If I may, I think it was supposed to be a shock finish, as Joe was kind of winning the match more often than not iirc.

That's fine. I liked the finish. I just disliked that they used it on a short, unimportant match. Whether it would have been them actually letting Nigel and Joe have a decent match (given that TNA is "about the wrestling" and all) or save it for a PPV, I just think they could have made a lot better use of that kind of finish.

Amen, Brother. Beer Money represents what's great about TNA. If they are fed to Hall & Nash? Well I won't be resort to the animal violence analogies you would but it's not going to be pleasant.

Couldn't disagree me more. This was a a WWE type moment here for me. This was so bizarre and so far out in left field it shook me right out of the illusion and had me asking what the hell they thought they were doing. If the company's so bereft of talent, then why in God's name did he spend so much time fighting with the Main Event Mafia? Why didn't he just join them? He wouldn't have been the first guy to have suddenly gone from blood feuding with a guy to teaming up with him. And why did he endure (with all due respect) the mercurial nutburger that is Mick Foley? At least with the MEM, he'd have known from week to week whether they were going to shake his hand or kick him in the nuts. Jarrett's spent an awful lot of time defending the roster and fighting for them to suddenly find them unworthy.

I thought this turn to be THE big failing of the show. It boggled my mind and made absolutely no sense. Being miffed at Dixie and Hulk I could understand. But turning on the talent? He's the one who put them together. If there "aint enough talent in this company to fill a coffee cup", he's undermining his whole case for being upset in the first place. He was so irrational and all over the place I was having to stop and try to puzzle out what the writers were thinking because I wasn't following it as Jarrett expressed it. The coffee cup line was a good one. But good zingers don't mean much if the context doesn't work and this context seemed to be sputtering for power.

I don't see the possible upside to having Hall & Nash go over Beer Money, especially as Hall is rumored to only be contracted until the PPV. Unless Hall leaves and Nash finds a new partner to continue the feud with... but if that's the intent, why bring in Hall at all?

As for the Jarrett-Hogan angle, much like the segment this week, it just feels sloppy to me. Disjointed somehow. Maybe I just expected more out of two guys who are good on the mic and have so much experience in the business. If I'm not mistaken, Hogan said last week that Jarrett's status as minority ownership stake in TNA had been taken away and given to Hogan... it doesn't work that way. If Hogan just meant that JJ's authority within TNA had been taken away, fine, but state it logically. So far, its hard to tell who is supposed to be the face and heel in the storyline. And Jarrett doing a complete 180 and now being against all the TNA talent.... an about-face of that size needs justification to me. Its not as if its impossible to justify, but giving it none just makes it seem like an abrupt adjustment of the character rather than an evolution. The writing and the promos need to be careful and sharper, I think.

It feels like I'm hating on everything in TNA at this point. Quite honestly - TNA is doing what its always done for me - teasing me with some "good" stuff and then annoying me with negatives.

[Self]

Generation Buck Me was exciting but don't have a great look on them. The dark haired one is alright but the blond guy looked mediocre at best and I don't mean in ring wise but Star Quality wise.

I immediately downloaded Impact when I heard the Young Bucks were facing the Machine Guns on it. "Max & Jeremy" did look a little bland, but I think that was half the point. It was supposed to be unexpected... Although how TNA found a way for them to look MORE like Hardy rip offs is beyond me. Spend the next few weeks tweaking their look, evolving from job-guy-look to superstar-stylings, and they'll be fine.

Cool match too. I totally marked out when they hit More Bang For Your Buck.

Turned off the show after that. Might watch the rest if I get bored over the weekend.

[cappyboy]

Generation Buck Me was exciting but don't have a great look on them. The dark haired one is alright but the blond guy looked mediocre at best and I don't mean in ring wise but Star Quality wise.


You know it's funny. Right from the beginning with the Hardys I was a Matt guy. Never quite got Jeff. But with these guys, I like the blond. He entertained me more in that one match than I remember Jeff Hardy ever doing. Jeff may have it all over him on Star Quality but I look more forward to seeing more "Jeremy".


I immediately downloaded Impact when I heard the Young Bucks were facing the Machine Guns on it. "Max & Jeremy" did look a little bland, but I think that was half the point. It was supposed to be unexpected... Although how TNA found a way for them to look MORE like Hardy rip offs is beyond me. Spend the next few weeks tweaking their look, evolving from job-guy-look to superstar-stylings, and they'll be fine.

Cool match too. I totally marked out when they hit More Bang For Your Buck.

Turned off the show after that. Might watch the rest if I get bored over the weekend.

I agree that it was a cool match. Speed vs speed really makes the whatever weaknesses the guys may have with Performance Skills stand out less. Not saying either Generation Me or the Guns have those. I don't generally consider it my place to judge that unless it's glaringly obvious. But I loved the pacing and the fluid feel of the match. The two teams matched speed for speed beautifully. Rip either or both teams for Performance reasons if you want but that match was pure performance art. And there's very much a place for that on an undercard.

The think that really got me with the whole Hardy-alike thing was MAX and JEREMY. REALLY? Did you really have to go there? I guess you can make it part of their gimmick that they sluff those names off later and claim to have used them because they were made to feel they had to. Although I will say if they want to play off the Hardy thing I would have marked hard if they had been called Frank and Joe. :)

[UkWrestleFan]

So, who do we really think the big reveal at Genesis going to be? Would be amazing if it was Brock or The Rock but that's not gonna happen. Likely to be RVD or Kennedy, surely? But then there's news of Hall pushing Hogan to sign Sid. Would he really be that big of a coup? I'm not so sure.

Who else? Anybody reckon it could actually be Shane O Mac? It doesn't say that this big surprise will be involved in a wrestling capacity.

[Craig Edwards]

Hogan said he took come in and take the Title so it has to be someone big enough to do that. I think it has to be Goldberg, RVD, or Kennedy. can't think of Anyone Else it could be.

[justtxyank]

Who else? Anybody reckon it could actually be Shane O Mac? It doesn't say that this big surprise will be involved in a wrestling capacity.

LOL

I can't even believe people are suggesting Shane McMahon. Andre the Giant is more likely.


Anyway, I think it's going to be Kennedy which is really stupid.

[GDE71]

During the Generation Me/MCMG match, did anyone catch Taz say "Who are these Young Bucks" or something like that.

[Hyde Hill]

Yep he said these Young Bucks are really impressive or something like that. He did the same with Desmond Wolfe telling people he used to be known as Nigel McGuiness.

My favorite line was actually Bisschoff telling Hogan that Jarrett really needed an "attitude adjustment" lolz. Now those kind of insider references I can appreciate as for non insiders they don't matter and for those getting it they are funny.

[Hive]

I can't even believe people are suggesting Shane McMahon. Andre the Giant is more likely.

ROFL

[Bigpapa42]

Yep he said these Young Bucks are really impressive or something like that. He did the same with Desmond Wolfe telling people he used to be known as Nigel McGuiness.

My favorite line was actually Bisschoff telling Hogan that Jarrett really needed an "attitude adjustment" lolz. Now those kind of insider references I can appreciate as for non insiders they don't matter and for those getting it they are funny.

Yeah, those were fine "insider" references. I have issue with overt ones, where it makes no sense unless you get what they're referring to - like some of the stuff Russo used to do in WCW. But the ones on the show last night were not like that.

[Gouge]

Sort of reminded me of when Matt Hardy told Braden Walker that he was quite the wildcat, lol. But yeah, I don't really get why they changed the Bucks to look they way they did. They're already compared to the Hardy Boyz.... that doesn't mean changing them right down to their attire and names to resemble them even more. Who knows, maybe it'll lead to something with Jeff. That just kept bothering me throughout the match though, couldn't help it.

The PPV looks really, really weak. It looks thrown together. I have no reason to care about the bulk of the matches save for maybe the main event and the big surprise. But even the main event, we just saw it last week, so the magic on that is kinda tainted too. I know they only had two weeks to develop it, but gosh. Will be interesting to see the buyrate nonetheless.

[Self]

Sort of reminded me of when Matt Hardy told Braden Walker that he was quite the wildcat, lol. But yeah, I don't really get why they changed the Bucks to look they way they did. They're already compared to the Hardy Boyz.... that doesn't mean changing them right down to their attire and names to resemble them even more.

I think changing it from Matt to Max was a good move, but Jeremy is a bit mind boggling. It's not even a cool/modern name. If you have to go with J, what about 'Joshua' or 'Jonas' or 'Jacob' or 'Jackson'? They didn't specify a last name or anything.

[BHK1978]

The PPV looks really, really weak. It looks thrown together. I have no reason to care about the bulk of the matches save for maybe the main event and the big surprise. But even the main event, we just saw it last week, so the magic on that is kinda tainted too. I know they only had two weeks to develop it, but gosh. Will be interesting to see the buyrate nonetheless.

I agree, all though it would take a lot for me to buy a PPV. Heck the last time I saw any wrestling PPV was a ROH PPV and the only reason why I bought it was because I was there. To me that is the problem with having monthly PPV's there is really no time to build a feud.

[Moe Hunter]

Hogan said he took come in and take the Title so it has to be someone big enough to do that. I think it has to be Goldberg, RVD, or Kennedy. can't think of Anyone Else it could be.
Ed Leslie! Remember, this is Hogan talking.


The PPV looks really, really weak. It looks thrown together. I have no reason to care about the bulk of the matches save for maybe the main event and the big surprise.
Yeah, three of the matchups are the same as the 1/4 show. At least they'll get more than 4 monutes this time!

[Hyde Hill]

Yep and no commercials or in the case of AJ vs Angle no run in or Naitch randomness (hopefully). I think the commercials really hurt the AJ vs Angle match on Impact making it too much of a highlight real by cutting out the jockying and exchanges in between. TraciBrooksfan you where there am I correct in this?

As for the big acquasition I stand by my earlier percentages and hope to hell it's RVD. Red's mystery opponent I would go with Hardy or Petey.

[Remianen]

Couldn't disagree me more. This was a a WWE type moment here for me. This was so bizarre and so far out in left field it shook me right out of the illusion and had me asking what the hell they thought they were doing. If the company's so bereft of talent, then why in God's name did he spend so much time fighting with the Main Event Mafia? Why didn't he just join them? He wouldn't have been the first guy to have suddenly gone from blood feuding with a guy to teaming up with him. And why did he endure (with all due respect) the mercurial nutburger that is Mick Foley? At least with the MEM, he'd have known from week to week whether they were going to shake his hand or kick him in the nuts. Jarrett's spent an awful lot of time defending the roster and fighting for them to suddenly find them unworthy.

cappyboy, did you really expect for a new regime to "take over" and be held to the old regime's characterizations? Honestly. As PeterHilton said, this is a reboot. When you take over a promotion in TEW, do you have to keep with everything the previous booker did?

To me, that line made the promo because it's so absurd. That's like 'Susan Boyle is gorgeous' or 'Kevin Nash is easily the best technician on the planet'. Everything else was 'meh' about it with Bischoff as the only person who seemed to hit his lines properly.

[cappyboy]

cappyboy, did you really expect for a new regime to "take over" and be held to the old regime's characterizations? Honestly. As PeterHilton said, this is a reboot.

All well and and good as far as your point goes. But when they are changing a guy's character as dramatically as Jarrett's appears to be, I do expect more grounding into what's bringing about the change. From a smark perspective, your answer is perfectly reasonable. But when I'm watching the show, I want to drop the S as much as possible and just believe for the time the show's on. This promo left far too many questions in my mind I don't feel belong there. In my smarkish head, I know what's changed. In my markish heart, not so much.

When you take over a promotion in TEW, do you have to keep with everything the previous booker did?

Dude, do you have any idea how bad a question that is? What's happening with the TNA reboot and how I'd handle a promotion in TEW is completely apples and oranges. I'm not one of these guys who feels I gotta change three quarters of the gimmicks and fire everyone who isn't a potential Cornell Day 1.

So HAVE to? No. Not in the least.

TEND to? Pretty much. I may push the guys I feel like pushing and eliminate the dead weight as I see it. But as much as possible, I prefer to play the junk off the scene rather than just flat out firing them.

Take the transition of Jay Darkness into Danny Fonzarelli that Adam made in 08 for example. That was based on an alt request I made because I was planning to play The Dark Brotherhood and Painful Procedure off the landscape. I hated both gimmicks because they felt played out and wanted a TCW without them. But I wasn't about to just fire all the people connected to them because I saw potential for future uses once the old crusty gimmicks were clearly stripped away. So I set up the stable war of attrition that you may have seen in storyline mods as A House Divided.

Now I suppose I could have treated my arrival as a reboot and just changed those guys around by fiat. But coming up with the stable war and the Jay Darkness/Nicole Kiss romance to spark the gimmick change was far more fun for me. But Bischoff and Hogan are far less paranoid about dramatic change than I am. So apples and oranges.

To me, that line made the promo because it's so absurd. That's like 'Susan Boyle is gorgeous' or 'Kevin Nash is easily the best technician on the planet'. Everything else was 'meh' about it with Bischoff as the only person who seemed to hit his lines properly.

And I acknowledged it was a good line. Just that the context in which is was used had me so far off balance trying to get on the page Bischoff and Hogan want me on that I couldn't properly appreciate it in the moment. It was just another "hold up there, dude" for me. Give me a feel for "what's gotten into Jarrett" and maybe I'll buy in. But as I post this, I wouldn't give you the empty water glass here on my desk for this version of Jarrett. Just too dramatic of an unexplained shift.

[alden]

I have been watching the old tna weekely ppvs. Wow......i never got a chance to see the early stuff. I have LOVED the early tna stuff. The odd part is it got great when russo became a onscreen char. S.E.X. was a great angle and it really pushed alot of stuff. It was wwf additude era. This is some of the best tna wrestling i have seen. If anyone gets a chance to see it the early stuff is great. i am at ppv 30 right now.

[PeterHilton]

cappyboy, did you really expect for a new regime to "take over" and be held to the old regime's characterizations? Honestly. As PeterHilton said, this is a reboot. When you take over a promotion in TEW, do you have to keep with everything the previous booker did?



To piggyback off this...

cappy, you have to understand: JJ is the heel now. It wasn't done well last Monday, but after the promo Eric cut blaming Jarrett for TNA's previous failures, saying he conned Dixie out of money, saying that he set up the company in order to put himself over the talent and held others down (which..y'know..pretty close to the truth) I think it's oobvious JJ is going to be painted as the selfish prick who doesn't want things to change in order to hold onto his spot.

I mean..he showed up with a lawyer. There has never, in the history of the business, been a good guy who fought for his cause using a lawyer.

JJ's a heel. He's the 'old regime.' It's cool to ignore the last few months.

[Wrestling Century]

Alden, how are you watching the old TNA Weekly PPVs?

[PeterHilton]

But as I post this, I wouldn't give you the empty water glass here on my desk for this version of Jarrett. Just too dramatic of an unexplained shift.

See..I disagree.

But mainly because, to put it bluntly, the ONLY reason people started cheering for JJ was because the fans sympathized with him after the death of his wife.

He'd spent the previous two years drawing the wrong kind of heat and a lot of the live crowds were pretty vocal about how tired they were of seeing him.

And then ..whammo!..real life tragedy and suddenly he's the inspirational leader of a band of plucky go-getters.

[alden]

Alden, how are you watching the old TNA Weekly PPVs?

Parden? lol..........old tapes that i legaly bought ;).

[justtxyank]

See..I disagree.

But mainly because, to put it bluntly, the ONLY reason people started cheering for JJ was because the fans sympathized with him after the death of his wife.

He'd spent the previous two years drawing the wrong kind of heat and a lot of the live crowds were pretty vocal about how tired they were of seeing him.

And then ..whammo!..real life tragedy and suddenly he's the inspirational leader of a band of plucky go-getters.

Agreed. What people forget is that prior to his wife dying, Jarrett was hated by the IWC and the Impact fans were sick to death of him. He was being compared to HHH without the look or talent. People were saying he was the one holding everyone down in TNA to keep himself relevant when he couldn't draw a single viewer.

Then his wife dies, he takes time off and comes back on the side of the righteous and everyone is proud to call him the "founder of TNA" and cheer for him.

[Remianen]

Dude, do you have any idea how bad a question that is? What's happening with the TNA reboot and how I'd handle a promotion in TEW is completely apples and oranges. I'm not one of these guys who feels I gotta change three quarters of the gimmicks and fire everyone who isn't a potential Cornell Day 1.

So HAVE to? No. Not in the least.

TEND to? Pretty much. I may push the guys I feel like pushing and eliminate the dead weight as I see it. But as much as possible, I prefer to play the junk off the scene rather than just flat out firing them.

Which is your right. However, typically the reason why a booker is replaced is because....what s/he was doing wasn't working (or wasn't working well enough). Most people look to immediately correct that while at the same time putting their own stamp on things. This is no different to Allen & Shanahan in Washington (if you think that team is returning intact, I've got oceanfront property in Nevada you might like to see) or any coach/GM taking over a team.

Trust me, I am not a fan of Hogan (though Bischoff has his moments) but I totally understand TNA's choice to basically turn away from old characterizations. If you're trying to sell 'NEW', you don't begin by continuing the OLD. (Yes, I realize the irony in that statement :p) It's like promising someone a new car and giving them a Dodge Dart. Yes, technically it's new (to them, because they didn't own it previously) but it doesn't fit the image of the statement.

[Wade]

Parden? lol..........old tapes that i legaly bought ;).

I legally bought :D every weekly PPV and TNA iMPACT! up through 2008. Was great re-watching it all the way through, I might have to do that again over the summer when work slows down.

[cappyboy]

To piggyback off this...

cappy, you have to understand: JJ is the heel now. It wasn't done well last Monday, but after the promo Eric cut blaming Jarrett for TNA's previous failures, saying he conned Dixie out of money, saying that he set up the company in order to put himself over the talent and held others down (which..y'know..pretty close to the truth) I think it's oobvious JJ is going to be painted as the selfish prick who doesn't want things to change in order to hold onto his spot.


All well and good. But ESTABLISH this. I'm not saying the concept is bad. It's the execution I'm balking at. Explain the dramatic shift and I'm willing to play ball. Develop the heelish corporate Jarrett more. Don't just throw him at me and expect me to bite. The more I have to think about what I'm seeing in the moment, the less energy I have to devote to caring. In other forms of entertainment, making me think is fine. In wrestling, just let me feel.

[jwt13]

The TNAWrestlingNews.com website is now confirming that former WWE performer Ken Anderson (a/k/a Mr. Kennedy) will be debuting with TNA Wrestling next week, according to company sources.

According to the TNAWrestlingNews.com source, Anderson will either debut at Sunday's Genesis as the 'Major TNA Wrestling Superstar Acquisition' teased on Thursday's iMPACT!, or he will debut at the following night's television taping.

Current plans call for Anderson to debut at Genesis, but should the company decide to hold out, he will debut at the following evening's television tapings.

Either way, Anderson will debut with TNA next week.
So he is set to debut next week if this is true

[PeterHilton]

All well and good. But ESTABLISH this. I'm not saying the concept is bad. It's the execution I'm balking at.

Truthfully, I don't think the execution is that bad.

The promo on Monday was a mess, but that seems like it was a combination of Jeff giving in to the emotion and some iffy writing.

But last night...that was a clear promo and a pretty standard segment (maybe the confusion would be that JJ fumbled his lines and Eric just comes off as a heel no matter what he says)

To be fair though, I'm waaaaaay more willing to accept Jarrett the conniving weasel than Jarrett the founding father.

[PeterHilton]

So he is set to debut next week if this is true

Yeah...that site isn't exactly reliable...

But if you guys thought the booking was getting too convoluted before, have I got something for YOU..

Jeff Jarrett appeared on the Danny Bonaduce radio show today and worked an angle with Danny Bonaduce, setting up a match between the two down the line. Here's a recap by Phil Lions & PWInsider.

Jeff Jarrett was on Danny Bonaduce's Philly radio show today and ended up geting into a heated argument with Bonaduce. On this particular day Bonaduce wasn't in the studio because he was in New York City so Jarrett (along with Jeremy Borash) was in the studio only with the other hosts of the show.

The interview started off with Bonaduce (broadcasting from New York) putting over Jarrett and TNA big time. Jarrett then plugged tonight's TNA house show in Reading, PA. Talk then moved to Bonaduce's match against Eric Young at last year's Lockdown and Jarrett was complimentary of Bonaduce's work. Danny said he wants one more shot at Eric Young.

Anyway, at one point Bonaduce brought up his stint in Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling and that's when Jarrett went into heel mode. Jarrett was pissed off that Bonaduce was wasting time talking about that "miserable failure" known as CCW instead of talking about TNA. Jarrett buried CCW pretty hard here. There was a CCW Danny Bonaduce poster on the wall in the Philly studio and Jarrett wrote "CCW sucks hard" on it and drew bunny years on Bonaduce You can see a photo of the poster here.

Bonaduce called Jarrett a d***. Danny said he really, really likes TNA and wants to wrestle there once again but he's not going to suck up to Jarrett to get in. Jarrett then proceeded to steal Bonaduce's CCW Title belt (which was in the Philly studio) and challenged Bonaduce to come to Genesis and take it back, or if he can't make Genesis he can show up whenever he wants. Bonaduce promised that he'll eventually get his belt back but he would first need to train for about 3 months or so and be in top condition if he's to fight Jeff Jarrett. He said he could beat Eric Young today but he would need to be in better shape in order to defeat Jarrett.

Bonaduce then talked about being good friends with Hogan and possibly using that connection to get back in TNA. Danny finished off his promo on Jarrett by swearing that he'll get his belt back or he'll spill more blood than TNA's ever seen before. At that point Jarrett had already left the studio with Danny's belt.

And apparently Bonaduce has already confirmed this is part of a setup for him to work a match on a PPV with JJ in a few months time.

[Bigpapa42]

Which is your right. However, typically the reason why a booker is replaced is because....what s/he was doing wasn't working (or wasn't working well enough). Most people look to immediately correct that while at the same time putting their own stamp on things. This is no different to Allen & Shanahan in Washington (if you think that team is returning intact, I've got oceanfront property in Nevada you might like to see) or any coach/GM taking over a team.

Trust me, I am not a fan of Hogan (though Bischoff has his moments) but I totally understand TNA's choice to basically turn away from old characterizations. If you're trying to sell 'NEW', you don't begin by continuing the OLD. (Yes, I realize the irony in that statement :p) It's like promising someone a new car and giving them a Dodge Dart. Yes, technically it's new (to them, because they didn't own it previously) but it doesn't fit the image of the statement.

You know, I think it sums up the issues I'm having with TNA-era Hogan perfectly. TNA is moving forward and creating the future of wrestlling... by relying stars and storylines from the 90s... Maybe its just a transition period, but its one that I find frustrating and very contradictory.

I understand the idea of the new regime wanting a "reset" and an immediate change of things that weren't working. But I do think it can be hard for viewers in regard to continuity. Not that wrestling has great continuinty, but its also shouldn't ignored entirely. And a lot of it comes down execution. I don't really have any issue with a Hogan-JJ storyline with Jarrett as a heel... I'm just not thrilled with its execution thus far.

[jwt13]

Yeah...that site isn't exactly reliable...

But if you guys thought the booking was getting too convoluted before, have I got something for YOU..



And apparently Bonaduce has already confirmed this is part of a setup for him to work a match on a PPV with JJ in a few months time.

Yea that would suck but hasn't Danny been saying he was going to wresle a PPV match for TNA for over a year know?

[MrCanada]

- The January 14 edition of TNA Impact scored a 1.26 rating, down from the 3-hour live show's
1.5 rating but up from the previous Thursday's 0.7 average (for the 4-hour New Year's Eve show).

Credit: Wrestling Observer

[cappyboy]

Eric just comes off as a heel no matter what he says

Quoted for truth. And that's another part of why I feel the execution's off. I heard Bischoff's charges against Jeff on the Monday show and it sounded like just more typical unfounded Bischoff mudslinging. I'd probably have shown up with a lawyer in tow as well. At least in the story world of wrestling I probably would have.

And really Bischoff's been the weasel so long I'm going to have to have more than just his say-so that Jarrett's such a snake that I should hate him as much or more than Bischoff. With what they've done so far, I know I'm supposed to think Jarrett's a bad guy. But he's going to have to be bad to someone more likable than Hogan and Bischoff before I'm sold. Throwing the young talent under the bus like he did is a start. But that's all it is. A start.

It's just not translating for me on the strength of what's been on screen. Even with the Triple H-ish Internet rep, I tend to favor Jarrett. Always have. You want my inner mark to hate him, have him messing with AJ or Beer Money. Maybe Taylor and Sarita. People who represent what's right with the company. If the slimiest thing he does is lip off to Bischoff, then I'm still on Jarrett's side. And apparently, if I'm still on Jarrett's side, something's wrong.

[Bigpapa42]

The PPV looks really, really weak. It looks thrown together. I have no reason to care about the bulk of the matches save for maybe the main event and the big surprise. But even the main event, we just saw it last week, so the magic on that is kinda tainted too. I know they only had two weeks to develop it, but gosh. Will be interesting to see the buyrate nonetheless.

To me, its not "weak" so much as not that appealing. It does have a strong main event, as Styles-Angle is almost certain to be at least a good match. It just becomes less appealing because it happened on TV two weeks ago. The Wolfe-Dinero match could be quite good. The tag title match could be solid. A lot of the rest of the card seems kinda thrown together, but I can see how Abyss-Lashley, Beer Money vs Nash-Hall, or Daniels-Morley could appeal to some people. I can't say they honestly appeal much to me, so there just isn't enough there to intrigue me to drop the money. I also have a bad feeling the "big debut" is not going to be worth the hype. But at the very least, its going to have a strong main event (short of a retarded ending).

- The January 14 edition of TNA Impact scored a 1.26 rating, down from the 3-hour live show's
1.5 rating but up from the previous Thursday's 0.7 average (for the 4-hour New Year's Eve show).

Credit: Wrestling Observer

Still, that's not bad. It was bound to drop, but they kept at least some of the audience from the week before, beyond what they normall draw.

[MrCanada]

Still, that's not bad. It was bound to drop, but they kept at least some of the audience from the week before, beyond what they normall draw.

I honestly think only the internet is watching TNA. The thing is not all the internet does, now that Hogan is there and people are expecting change, the internet is watching it again. So it will hold 1.2 for a whole going up and down between 1.1-1.4 until it either starts to grab viewers or they die off and it drops to 0.7 again.

[GDE71]

Well the 0.7 wasn't for a regular show. They were consistently a 1.0.

If they can stay 1.2 or higher on Thursday, I can see them moving to Monday specials maybe after each PPV. If those do well(1.2-1.5) consistently, then I can see them moving to Mondays permanently.

[Wrestling Century]

Seriously, is there any way to watch the TNA Weekly PPVs legally?

[justtxyank]

I just read that the live Monday show drew a 1.8 in the key demo (male, 18-34) which is more than twice the average .7 in that demo.

I hope TNA can build some momentum. I was thinking about ordering the ppv, but I don't want to if the surprise is going to be Kennedy. I don't want my money to make them think I like him. :)

[alden]

Seriously, is there any way to watch the TNA Weekly PPVs legally?

I think you can through the tna vault. it is like 5 bucks a month.

[Hyde Hill]

Well he is the most likely choice but with Hogan saying he would be someone that is able to directly challenge for the title based on past accomplishments I think the percentages for RVD and Goldberg being it have gone up.

On the Jarrett thing I think if his promo on Monday would have gone as scripted it would be fine and I am glad they are transitioning fast as opposed to slow as this should also mean that Hall, Waltman, OJ, Nasties will be of my screen faster.

Just too bad that Russo isn't headbooker atm as he was doing pretty good still not great and too busy but better then before in the period when he finally got the reigns. July till Jan 4th.

And yeah 0.7 was a four hour show knockout new year's special and was their lowest rating for a very long time so it doesn't wholly count, and Spike bumbed TNA for Star Wars on Christmas so in essence TNA only had two shows to build for the ppv due to bad timing. In lieu of that pretty good job.

[Hyde Hill]

I think you can through the tna vault. it is like 5 bucks a month.

Yeps and they have their greatest matches on Youtube for free.

Edit: On Bonaduce that radio spot was quite fun and he wrestled on lockdown last year in the pre-show wouldn't be surprised to see him on the pre-show again and not more if at all.

[PeterHilton]

It's just not translating for me on the strength of what's been on screen. Even with the Triple H-ish Internet rep, I tend to favor Jarrett. Always have. You want my inner mark to hate him, have him messing with AJ or Beer Money. Maybe Taylor and Sarita. People who represent what's right with the company. If the slimiest thing he does is lip off to Bischoff, then I'm still on Jarrett's side. And apparently, if I'm still on Jarrett's side, something's wrong.

Meh. You may just be a Jarrett fan so you're resisting more than most viewers would.

I mean...it's not like this was JUST an internet rep. Jarrett was the biggest heel in the company on-screen for the majority of TNA's existence. And since the majority of TNA fans are net fans, that internet rep translated to him being reviled at the Impact shows...I mean when Christian won the title but JJ/Sting was still the focal point, the man started drawing X-Pac heat.

It got ugly at some points.

Take away the sympathy face turn and he was actually hurting the product.

So...it will probably be much easier for the majority of viewers to turn on him than for you to turn on him. Having Eric play the face isn't a great idea, granted. But if JJ cuts a promo or two running down the talent or saying that TNA will fail if he's not in the main event, then JJ will be getting major heel heat very quickly. No problem.

[PeterHilton]

Edit: On Bonaduce that radio spot was quite fun and he wrestled on lockdown last year in the pre-show wouldn't be surprised to see him on the pre-show again and not more if at all.

If it's Jarrett/Bonaduce I have a feeling that will be on a PPV. Which would suck hard.

[cappyboy]

Meh. You may just be a Jarrett fan so you're resisting more than most viewers would.

Probably something to that. My Jarrett fandom does go back to the Simply Irresistible days after all. :)

I mean...it's not like this was JUST an internet rep. Jarrett was the biggest heel in the company on-screen for the majority of TNA's existence. And since the majority of TNA fans are net fans, that internet rep translated to him being reviled at the Impact shows...I mean when Christian won the title but JJ/Sting was still the focal point, the man started drawing X-Pac heat.

It got ugly at some points.

Take away the sympathy face turn and he was actually hurting the product.

So...it will probably be much easier for the majority of viewers to turn on him than for you to turn on him.

And it probably doesn't help as far as all this goes that my cable company was playing cheeky little games with Spike's availability until shortly before the face turn. Which means I wasn't able to follow TNA with any kind of consistency before that. Had seen some of the heelish games he'd been playing with Sting. But not enough to have developed a firm grasp on heel Jarrett and properly hate him as such.

Having Eric play the face isn't a great idea, granted. But if JJ cuts a promo or two running down the talent or saying that TNA will fail if he's not in the main event, then JJ will be getting major heel heat very quickly. No problem.

And at that stage, I'll probably buy in more. After all, I try to watch as markishly as possible while it's on and save the smark stuff for after the show's over and I'm on a board like this. When the smarkish thoughts start to intrude on that focus, that's the WWE type moment I was describing. WWE has a terrible knack for distracting me that way.

[masterded]

I have one small thing that is really bothering me about Samoa Joe right now. He gets a new theme which I actually kind of like, but he comes out to it at the wrong time. It has an intro then goes to the new beat which is the perfect time to walk out, yet he comes out right away during the intro part. It just doesn't seem right and bothers me much more then it should.

[Hyde Hill]

Actually originally and most often he pauses and then starts walking down the ramp once the beat starts which works just fine. Also the beat was added after his heel turn. There are a lot bigger problems in TNA atm though lolz.

[masterded]

Actually originally and most often he pauses and then starts walking down the ramp once the beat starts which works just fine. Also the beat was added after his heel turn. There are a lot bigger problems in TNA atm though lolz.

I know he pauses at the top of the ramp and then goes down when the beat starts, but it just looks funny watching him walk to the top of the ramp during the into. Also I know it isn't a big deal and they have many more and much bigger problem, but it just bothers me for some reason.

[alden]

Just watched impact this week. I enjoyed the show.....it was good. BUT and that is a big but a few things got to me.

first shawn morley. The guy use to be a great talker. What the hell happend to that guy? his laugh every few seconds.......it seamed like he stumbled through the entire thing..........and his ladys i'm here was annoying as hell. I like that daniles is getting a feud going but this guy was just tarible.

tomko as the attacker, but it was not the fact that he was the attacker. It was the fact that after he was revealed on that show.....they ran a four video pacages telling why he was the attacker. Now i get that we are ment to give a certain amount of disbelife........BUT they did interviews and put togeter a whole package about it. unless this was ment to happen at the live show and they wanted to get it in before the ppv i don't get why they would run interviews with him about why he did it on the same show.

and JOE. O my gosh did i mark out when joe joined tna. He was the indy golden boy. The man that was going to bring indy cred to tna. now he is a sloppy lazy shell of the man he once was. I am watching each weak praying for a olay kick. How awsome would it be just one last time. Joe sets up the guy by the railing and hits one last olay kick. Half the people would not even know what it was but the other half would mark out like mad. But onto my problem. The whole nation of violence thing.........what was that all about. was it simply to bring in taz who they drop managing him within one month? i mean......come on you can do better then that tna.

[Nedew]

http://www.tnawrestling.com/media/k2/items/cache/e3f5bf88b546a18f08e48e3a89d4814b_XL.jpg

Does anyone reckon that's his *actual* silhouette? Doesn't really look like anyone mentioned, that hair especially.

[Hive]

http://www.tnawrestling.com/media/k2/items/cache/e3f5bf88b546a18f08e48e3a89d4814b_XL.jpg

Does anyone reckon that's his *actual* silhouette? Doesn't really look like anyone mentioned, that hair especially.

Maybe it's Warrior. :p

[The Bus]

Maybe it's Warrior. :p

Unfortunately that is the thing that came in to my mind too...

[Hive]

Come to think of it, it kinda looks a bit like Sid... doesn't it?

[Nedew]

Come to think of it, it kinda looks a bit like Sid... doesn't it?

I thought this, but his arms look too skinny to be Sid.

As for Warrior, well... :p If it's Warrior, the internet will have a field day.

[sebsplex]

Does anyone reckon that's his *actual* silhouette? Doesn't really look like anyone mentioned, that hair especially.

When I first saw it on Impact, I thought they'd just used a cutout of Chris Sabin tbh.

[justtxyank]

Sid actually has a new hairstyle so it could be him.

[sebsplex]

Sid actually has a new hairstyle so it could be him.

Yeah, it fits with his strange new straight blond hairstyle. Whether he justifies the tag of 'major talent acquisition' in 2010 is another matter altogether.

You know, I think it sums up the issues I'm having with TNA-era Hogan perfectly. TNA is moving forward and creating the future of wrestlling... by relying stars and storylines from the 90s... Maybe its just a transition period, but its one that I find frustrating and very contradictory.

I understand the idea of the new regime wanting a "reset" and an immediate change of things that weren't working. But I do think it can be hard for viewers in regard to continuity. Not that wrestling has great continuinty, but its also shouldn't ignored entirely. And a lot of it comes down execution. I don't really have any issue with a Hogan-JJ storyline with Jarrett as a heel... I'm just not thrilled with its execution thus far.

Same here. I get 'resetting' to a point, but with two weeks until Genesis, TNA basically cut the legs from under numerous storylines/characters and really seem to have cobbled together a PPV focussing on personalities who I'm hoping won't be around long after the ppv. Perhaps that's part of the reason for tossing so much aside and trying to get something from the likes of Hall & co before they're ushered out again, but I can't say I'm in favour of it.

This is a transition period no doubt, but having watched this week's Impact, it's been far sloppier and more confusing than it needs to be. Random issues following...

Tomko - No problem with him as the masked attacker. It makes sense and although the drama of the reveal was somewhat lost by Tomko reappearing the other week on Impact, it also helped shift the focus from him obviously being the attacker. That said, the pre-videoed segments killed it for me. Suspension of disbelief and all that I know, but it defeats the point of the attacker being a mystery if he's obviously sat down to cut a bunch of mini promos on it AND someone has already spliced the video flashback footage. Could this (and the main event) not have been saved for the Impact after Genesis?

Bobby Lashley - Lashley wants his release from TNA to focus on MMA. Fair enough, not a bad storyline, but the guy won an Impact-spanning tournament for a title shot only a couple of weeks ago and it 'seems' to have been dropped. Perhaps it could (or will) be worked in by Bischoff as a reason for Lashley to stick around, possibly fast-tracking his title shot to keep him happy. Even so, surely Tazz or Tenay would have been able to mention it at least once.

Team 3D - I'm hoping the 'Wrecking Crew' isn't a storyline/push that's dead in the water already. It was a great focus for bringing in Jesse Neal and adding Rhino. Heck in my TEW game, I added Richards and Raven to the mix. Which brings me onto...

The Nasty Boys - I don't want to see them. I didn't care for them in the early 90's and I sure as hell don't want to see them in 2010. I could handle a one-off segment or cameo for the special, but to put them in a PPV match when so many other TNA talents can't get camera time... BLEH!

Abyss - A fearsome opponent for Lashley eh? Did I blink and miss him this week? Last thing I remember, Joe went over him in a fairly random match last week without much trouble, then Wolfe went over Joe... if anything wouldn't that make Wolfe a more obvious 'test' for Lashley? I know Joe didn't go over Abyss entirely cleanly, but Abyss didn't exactly look an unstoppable force in that match... more like Joe only cheated as the fastest route to victory, rather than needing to do it. It seems such basic booking, but I don't see how it helps to sell a PPV match to have the opponent lose one week and then not feature him the next, even if there's a shock Abyss win in store for Sunday.

Jeff Hardy - Great seeing him turn up last week, but where was he this week? A bit of a momentum killer to say the least.

The Major Talent Acquisition - Doesn't really appeal right now, because it just feels like throwing another name into the pot to pop a buyrate/rating. The other new names haven't even started to bed in yet.

Hulk Hogan - Massive focus last week and this week he doesn't even seem to be there at all, but then only pops up in the segment with Jarrett as if he's been there the whole night only to not feature again. Less Hogan isn't a dreadful thing, but it just felt weird.

As for that Hogan/Jarrett segment itself, the turn just felt like telling a 2 hour story in about 20 seconds. Poor/rushed execution. Since Jarrett/Hogan isn't a match on Genesis, surely they could have at least built up to this segment by another show or two. Hell, even a previous segment or two with Jarrett being belittled by some of the roster for having no power/stroke in TNA (following the Hogan promo last week) would have been something. It was just such an abrupt turn and change of character and completely flies in the face of the whole MEM feud that dominated last year. Yeah, yeah, I get new beginnings, but out of that 1.49 (or whatever) ratings, I suspect 0.9 of that have watched TNA for most of 2009 and I'm not a great believer in disregarding the continuity they were following for the sake of the extra .4 (or .2 this week) who may not even stick around.

I know that's a whole heap of negatives. There's a few things I've enjoyed over the last couple of shows like the focus on AJ as a champion, Bischoff (he's clearly in his element), the Bucks/Gen Me vs MCMG, heck I even like Sting watching from the rafters, since it's a rehash angle that actually makes sense, watching the 'new' TNA unfold before deciding whether to jump in. Overall though, I'm feeling rather uneasy and hoping that TNA settles down sooner rather than later, builds a new 'core' roster and sticks with it, because right now it seems a really incoherent product... even by TNA's standards.

[MrCanada]

I read the guy coming in is Ken Anderson... I'll be surprised if it isnt.

[justtxyank]

I read the guy coming in is Ken Anderson... I'll be surprised if it isnt.

Me too. So stupid. He is just not worthy of this kind of hype.

[cappyboy]

As for that Hogan/Jarrett segment itself, the turn just felt like telling a 2 hour story in about 20 seconds. Poor/rushed execution. Since Jarrett/Hogan isn't a match on Genesis, surely they could have at least built up to this segment by another show or two. Hell, even a previous segment or two with Jarrett being belittled by some of the roster for having no power/stroke in TNA (following the Hogan promo last week) would have been something. It was just such an abrupt turn and change of character and completely flies in the face of the whole MEM feud that dominated last year. Yeah, yeah, I get new beginnings, but out of that 1.49 (or whatever) ratings, I suspect 0.9 of that have watched TNA for most of 2009 and I'm not a great believer in disregarding the continuity they were following for the sake of the extra .4 (or .2 this week) who may not even stick around.


THANK YOU!!

I was starting to feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness on this one. I get what to play Jarrett heel for being the old regime that "held TNA down". I get that he's reviled by the base for all the Internet/backstage reasons Brother Hilton cited. But I got whiplash from the breaks being applied so fast on the face Jarrett. Nothing's been done recently that makes him so incredibly heelish to want to hate him yet. Some man to man mocking of the roster he was supporting and cheerleading for the last year or two. That coffee cup line, good as it was, can be dismissed as heat of the moment by Jarrett apologists. Maybe beating Foley around and decrying the idea he used his grief over Jill as an excuse to just put up with him like that was a failing. Something genuinely hateful. Nebulous accusations that Bischoff would make about his own mother to get his way and taking a lawyer to his confrontation with much more profoundly sleazy Bischoff aren't going to cut it on their own.

For those predisposed to hate Jarrett, all well and good. But are the newcomers really going to take Bischoff at his word when they've presumably seen how Easy E operates before? As one would figure most of the newcomers have if Hogan and his boys have the drawing power to be worth bringing on board in the first place. The concept of the turn is fine. I have no complaint on that front. But if it's really gonna take root, could we slow down and have Jeff treat people badly who don't deserve it first?

[PeterHilton]

But if it's really gonna take root, could we slow down and have Jeff treat people badly who don't deserve it first?

You want the TNA writers, led by Vince Russo, to slow down???

Have you watched TNA the last year or so? :p

[MrCanada]

Apparentley TNA is going with a 4-sided ring tonight... And I guess from now on. THANK GOD!

[rodzillahotrod]

Apparentley TNA is going with a 4-sided ring tonight... And I guess from now on. THANK GOD!

http://rajah.com/base/node/18208

looks confirmed (yea i know its not the most legit site). i actually dont like this idea it was something that made tna different and i always felt it added something special to the matches it seemed to me it was easier for wrestlers to move around and it their moves beter

[Hyde Hill]

When I first saw it on Impact, I thought they'd just used a cutout of Chris Sabin tbh.

Yeah they have used this cutout/blackout of Sabin on multiple occasions already so no way of telling who it is by looking at the pick.

What has me worried though is what Jeff Jarrett said on twitter:

"At Genesis the cream will rise to the top" If I take this as a hint I am worried that it is Vicious given that he had that promo with cream/yogurt all over his face. If it's Red surprise opponent no biggie as long as Red beats him hehe but they should have saved it for TV then.

[PeterHilton]

http://rajah.com/base/node/18208

looks confirmed (yea i know its not the most legit site). i actually dont like this idea it was something that made tna different and i always felt it added something special to the matches it seemed to me it was easier for wrestlers to move around and it their moves beter

I actually think it looked overly gimmicky. I'm happy about the change.

[MrCanada]

http://rajah.com/base/node/18208

looks confirmed (yea i know its not the most legit site). i actually dont like this idea it was something that made tna different and i always felt it added something special to the matches it seemed to me it was easier for wrestlers to move around and it their moves beter

Slicing your penis off will make you "different" wont mean you'll attract any more girls though.

[stratusfaction]

The death of TNA is upon us! It's so sad that TNA is fastely becoming another WCW. A great company with such promise and so much energy turned into something that is being ran by a bunch of early 90's wrestlers! Thank you Hulk Hogan!

I would rather see AJ Styles wrestle a 5 star match then to see AJ Styles all over late night. TNA was supposed to be about wrestling right?

I fear for some of the knockouts. I guarantee now that with all these washed up has beens popping up every week that the knockouts are going to be pushed to the corner. Such a shame. Maybe, Hulk should hire Major Gunns and Leia Meow so that they can cat fight for 3 minutes.

I really thought Dixie Carter was a smart business woman. Starting to think otherwise.

Sorry just ranting... TNA was my favorite because they were different. Bring in Hulk and Sean Waltman and you've got WCW/WWE. At least TNA has a 6 sided ring...ooooh wait not after this week. TNA is just another company now :(

[PeterHilton]

The death of TNA is upon us! It's so sad that TNA is fastely becoming another WCW. A great company with such promise and so much energy turned into something that is being ran by a bunch of early 90's wrestlers! Thank you Hulk Hogan!

I would rather see AJ Styles wrestle a 5 star match then to see AJ Styles all over late night. TNA was supposed to be about wrestling right?

I fear for some of the knockouts. I guarantee now that with all these washed up has beens popping up every week that the knockouts are going to be pushed to the corner. Such a shame. Maybe, Hulk should hire Major Gunns and Leia Meow so that they can cat fight for 3 minutes.

I really thought Dixie Carter was a smart business woman. Starting to think otherwise.

Sorry just ranting... TNA was my favorite because they were different. Bring in Hulk and Sean Waltman and you've got WCW/WWE. At least TNA has a 6 sided ring...ooooh wait not after this week. TNA is just another company now :(

Wow...and I used to think Hyde Hill was the insane TNA mark...

Since the 're-launch' the Knockouts are still getting a strong push and multiple segments are being devoted to both the single and tag titles.

I think Dixie is a little naive, but considering she got a company that was bleeding money to turn a profit and has noticeably incresed their public profile...

No one know how the roster additions will work out. It's too early.

TNA started with a four sided ring. What set it apart was the X Division and the in-ring style. Losing the six-sided ring won't affect that for good or bad.

Seriously. It's fine. Get over it.

EDIT: Man, when did I become the designated defender of TNA?

[jwt13]

Thats crazy man TNA is doing good right now I've heard that The Outsiders are laying down to Beer Money tonight and once the Nasty Boyz are gone thats good. But IMO TNA needs that one star all over late night all over talk shows to represent TNA. They wont gain new veiwers with just wrestling, I know I wouldn't watch if they had a hour and a half wrestling on Impact ever week I like the unexpected twist and turns of TNA. And as for wrestling have you seen their last three PPVs awsome so just give it time you can't judge what they're going to do in two show so please give it more than two shows and see were everythings going before you say its they death of something.

[jwt13]

Wow...and I used to think Hyde Hill was the insane TNA mark...

Since the 're-launch' the Knockouts are still getting a strong push and multiple segments are being devoted to both the single and tag titles.

I think Dixie is a little naive, but considering she got a company that was bleeding money to turn a profit and has noticeably incresed their public profile...

No one know how the roster additions will work out. It's too early.

TNA started with a four sided ring. WHat set it apart was the X Division and the in-ring style. Losing the six-sided ring won't affect that for god or bad.

Seriously. It's fine. Get over it.

EDIT: Man, when did I become the designated defender of TNA?

Haha I was just thinking the samething reading your post but I agree with everything you said here

[cappyboy]

You want the TNA writers, led by Vince Russo, to slow down???

Have you watched TNA the last year or so? :p

I know, I know. Probably a bit hopeful and unrealistic to expect that of a Russo writing team. But since the rush job is sticking out like a sore thumb here, I most likely would propose it to him. And then deal with getting laughed at afterward.

[jwt13]

TNA is also having a UFC coutdown style show tonight as well as a speical on Direct TV on 101 that comes on at 4EST

[PeterHilton]

Thats crazy man TNA is doing good right now I've heard that The Outsiders are laying down to Beer Money tonight and once the Nasty Boyz are gone thats good. But IMO TNA needs that one star all over late night all over talk shows to represent TNA. They wont gain new veiwers with just wrestling, I know I wouldn't watch if they had a hour and a half wrestling on Impact ever week I like the unexpected twist and turns of TNA. And as for wrestling have you seen their last three PPVs awsome so just give it time you can't judge what they're going to do in two show so please give it more than two shows and see were everythings going before you say its they death of something.

Good point. They actually have delivered some great PPVs the last three months and there's a couple of matches on this card that could be very good.

If the Outsiders lose clean to Beer Money, then I wouldn't be surprised if Nash uses his tag title shot from Feast or Fired to get the belts from the winner of Morgan/Hernandez vs The Brits.

If there's one real complaint I have about the new direction, it's the total lack of Scott Steiner.

[Hive]

Apparentley TNA is going with a 4-sided ring tonight... And I guess from now on. THANK GOD!

Amen.

Yes, the 6-sided ring made TNA different... but I'm against doing stuff that makes you different only for the sake of being different and with no real purpose. I have never seen a TNA match that could not as easily have been held in a 4-sided ring, I have never seen anything done that specifically utilized the different ring shape. It was just weird, nothing else.

[Hive]

If there's one real complaint I have about the new direction, it's the total lack of Scott Steiner.

If Rick can still go, they should totally bring him in and insert The Steiner Brothers into a the tag division. Maybe with more tag teams, we wouldn't have to watch British Invasion all the time.

[MrCanada]

Thats crazy man TNA is doing good right now I've heard that The Outsiders are laying down to Beer Money tonight and once the Nasty Boyz are gone thats good. But IMO TNA needs that one star all over late night all over talk shows to represent TNA. They wont gain new veiwers with just wrestling, I know I wouldn't watch if they had a hour and a half wrestling on Impact ever week I like the unexpected twist and turns of TNA. And as for wrestling have you seen their last three PPVs awsome so just give it time you can't judge what they're going to do in two show so please give it more than two shows and see were everythings going before you say its they death of something.

I feel that something like this is going to happen.

All the people who are going "Why old guys!" will so quickly change their tune if Beer Money beats The Outsiders, Team 3D destroys the Nasty Boys (they dont have a match, but i just imagine a huge brawl breaking out). Morley can stick around, I dont think anyone will get upset with that. If he really just goes full on face/heel and is a bit more serious everyone will like him. He's at the point kind of like Dreamer where you just respect him for all he's done.

If this whole thing is a scheme to have new talent defeat older talent to show 'new is better' all the power to it.

If its the other way though, and the old guys dominate (even if they EVENTUALLY lose in like 3-6 months) then I'll be the first hanging TNA from a tree.

[Bigpapa42]

I feel that something like this is going to happen.

All the people who are going "Why old guys!" will so quickly change their tune if Beer Money beats The Outsiders, Team 3D destroys the Nasty Boys (they dont have a match, but i just imagine a huge brawl breaking out). Morley can stick around, I dont think anyone will get upset with that. If he really just goes full on face/heel and is a bit more serious everyone will like him. He's at the point kind of like Dreamer where you just respect him for all he's done.

If this whole thing is a scheme to have new talent defeat older talent to show 'new is better' all the power to it.

If its the other way though, and the old guys dominate (even if they EVENTUALLY lose in like 3-6 months) then I'll be the first hanging TNA from a tree.

Having the younger guys go over is the only reason to have some of these older guys on there. There is absolutely no reason for Hall & Nash to go over, or the Nasty Boys to go over Team 3-D when that happens. None. The problem I have is what does going over Hall & Nash do for Beer Money? Or a Dudley's win over the Nasty Boys? They didn't build up the Beer Money versus Hall & Nash long enough for him to make it a great payoff to a feud. There's really not that much purpose to in the bigger picture. Yes, it emphasizes the value of the younger talent, but it still seems like going a step backward to move a step and a half forward.

[MrCanada]

Having the younger guys go over is the only reason to have some of these older guys on there. There is absolutely no reason for Hall & Nash to go over, or the Nasty Boys to go over Team 3-D when that happens. None. The problem I have is what does going over Hall & Nash do for Beer Money? Or a Dudley's win over the Nasty Boys? They didn't build up the Beer Money versus Hall & Nash long enough for him to make it a great payoff to a feud. There's really not that much purpose to in the bigger picture. Yes, it emphasizes the value of the younger talent, but it still seems like going a step backward to move a step and a half forward.

The Outsiders / Beer Money makes sense. And I could except that getting dragged out a bit, assuming the work of Nash/Hall/Waltman isnt terrible. But more people are paying attention to TNA now (ratings proof) so simply have Beer Money beat Nash/Hall, even with little to nothing of build, will have a new fan go "oh, those guys look good, and they just beat THOSE guys!". I can see Waltman helping Nash/Hall win or causing a DQ or whatever, leading to Beer Money + another new guy vs. "The Band" at the next PPV. And as I said, as long as Beer Money doesnt look bad and goes over in the end, I'm all for it. I dunno, but to me Beer Money & Samoa Joe or Abyss vs. The Band seems decent.

[PeterHilton]

I think we should all be prepared to see Nash, Hall, Waltman, even Morley and Flair pick up some wins over establsihed TNA talent at first.

Or else what's the point? If they aren't a credible threat, then having TNA vets beating the known commodities is meaningless.

The problem will be if those early losses don't turn into wins down the road, which is what happened in WCW and truthfully is why the MEM did nothing for the roster.

The only new face I have a real issue with seeing get a win is the Nastys, and that's mainly because they're been irrelevant for far longer than any of the other wrestlers brought in, and even when they were 'hot' they weren't really much of a draw.

[Bigpapa42]

The Outsiders / Beer Money makes sense. And I could except that getting dragged out a bit, assuming the work of Nash/Hall/Waltman isnt terrible. But more people are paying attention to TNA now (ratings proof) so simply have Beer Money beat Nash/Hall, even with little to nothing of build, will have a new fan go "oh, those guys look good, and they just beat THOSE guys!". I can see Waltman helping Nash/Hall win or causing a DQ or whatever, leading to Beer Money + another new guy vs. "The Band" at the next PPV. And as I said, as long as Beer Money doesnt look bad and goes over in the end, I'm all for it. I dunno, but to me Beer Money & Samoa Joe or Abyss vs. The Band seems decent.

Its not that I think its guaranteed to be terrible. And I do understand their intent here. I just don't think its the best way to go about it.

Nash is still decent enough in the ring and is still great on the mic. The problem is Hall. Can he still do anything at all in the ring? He seems a mess on the mic so far. Waltman can still go, based on what I've seen of his recent AAA work, but he didn't seem so great on the mic either. Can Beer Money carry Hall & Nash to a pretty good match? Probably. Here's the problem... How many fans are tuning in who haven't paid attention to the past decade, so they are clueless that Hall hasn't been relevant or reliable in a decade, and who don't know that Waltman became so hated by the WWE fans that they've named that type of heat after him? To those fans, things might not need much build-up and seeing Beer Money go over would still be a "wow, they just beat the NWO!" moment. But not so much to everyone else. To everyone else, some build would have made it mean a lot more. The problem with trying to build up - much like the problem with having "The Band" go over so this can be dragged out - is that Hall is notoriously unreliable. Nash doesn't exactly have the greatest reputation at putting over younger talent (even if he has been better about in TNA), so the risk of it not playing out that way - as Peter points out - is high.

Put it this way... What feud is likely going to get those new fans to keep tuning in - Nash & Hall against Beer Money Inc, or Beer Money Inc against Motor City Machineguns? The fact-time that Nash & Hall are getting could be given over to MCMG and TNA could be building new stars, in my opinion.

[Wrestling Century]

Is anybody else going to order the Genesis 2010 PPV? I probably am.

[PeterHilton]

Put it this way... What feud is likely going to get those new fans to keep tuning in - Nash & Hall against Beer Money Inc, or Beer Money Inc against Motor City Machineguns? The fact-time that Nash & Hall are getting could be given over to MCMG and TNA could be building new stars, in my opinion.

I mentioned it earlier, I have a feeling that Hall & Nash are going to do something underhanded to grab the belts in short measure.

After that, the story will be watching the rest of the tag divisions 'chase' the champs, with teams like Beer Money and MCMG doing the heavy lifting in the ring, and Hall & Nash wrestling only on PPVs against 'the top contenders'

Sort of what the E is doing with DX.

[PhenomenalPat]

I mentioned it earlier, I have a feeling that Hall & Nash are going to do something underhanded to grab the belts in short measure.

After that, the story will be watching the rest of the tag divisions 'chase' the champs, with teams like Beer Money and MCMG doing the heavy lifting in the ring, and Hall & Nash wrestling only on PPVs against 'the top contenders'

Sort of what the E is doing with DX.

I see it playing out that Waltman gets Hall and Nash DQed during tonight's match, giving Beer Money the DQ win. I predict Hernandes and Morgan beat British Invasion, but Hall and Nash immediatly attack them and cash in the Feast or Fired case to win the belts. Then Fued with Morgan and Hernades while The Band does everything in thier power to keep Beer Money from getting a shot at the titles, until Lockdown, or possibly Slammiversary depending on if Hall shows them he can be reliable, where Beer Money wins the titles. That's what I can envision.

[PhenomenalPat]

Didn't see this mentoined yet, but several sites are reporting that THE Brian Kendrick will be the mystery opponant in the XDivision title match tonight.

[Hyde Hill]

Wow...and I used to think Hyde Hill was the insane TNA mark...

Since the 're-launch' the Knockouts are still getting a strong push and multiple segments are being devoted to both the single and tag titles.

I think Dixie is a little naive, but considering she got a company that was bleeding money to turn a profit and has noticeably incresed their public profile...

No one know how the roster additions will work out. It's too early.

TNA started with a four sided ring. What set it apart was the X Division and the in-ring style. Losing the six-sided ring won't affect that for good or bad.

Seriously. It's fine. Get over it.

EDIT: Man, when did I become the designated defender of TNA?

Lolz. Defending decisions or pointing out positives does not an insane mark make lolz.

[Hyde Hill]

Good point. They actually have delivered some great PPVs the last three months and there's a couple of matches on this card that could be very good.

If the Outsiders lose clean to Beer Money, then I wouldn't be surprised if Nash uses his tag title shot from Feast or Fired to get the belts from the winner of Morgan/Hernandez vs The Brits.

If there's one real complaint I have about the new direction, it's the total lack of Scott Steiner.

According to reports he is sitting out his contract which won't last long so they are not involving him in anything. Why not job him out? Is my question though.

Also agree with the earlier points. I asked around on these and other forums before there are more people that don't watch/like TNA because of the 6 sides then there are people that would stop watching if it went back to 4 so good move as long as the tighter ropes for better springboard remain imho.

[Hyde Hill]

TNA is also having a UFC coutdown style show tonight as well as a speical on Direct TV on 101 that comes on at 4EST

It's on their site as well and is called be 4 the bell. Actually spelled that way, but if you liked the big package leading to BFG you will like this imho.

Edit: Both Kendrick and Anderson have been heavily rumored to appear soon so far. *crosses RVD fingers*

[MrCanada]

Edit: Both Kendrick and Anderson have been heavily rumored to appear soon so far. *crosses RVD fingers*

I still think the most we are going to get for an RVD return is a Royal Rumble one-off. I just done see him returning full time at this point. I think he is the kind of guy who will wait for TNA to calm down a bit. Do you think RVD, who is tired of politics in wrestling, is going to walk into a promotion with Hogan, Bischoff, Hall, Nash, Waltman, Angle, Jarrett, Russo, & Abyss?

[alden]

I still think the most we are going to get for an RVD return is a Royal Rumble one-off. I just done see him returning full time at this point. I think he is the kind of guy who will wait for TNA to calm down a bit. Do you think RVD, who is tired of politics in wrestling, is going to walk into a promotion with Hogan, Bischoff, Hall, Nash, Waltman, Angle, Jarrett, Russo, & Abyss?

Ok.....i know about the other guys but abyss? I have never heard anything of him being a backstage problem......heck the guy has not been around a long enough time to get a back stage additude has he?

[MrCanada]

Ok.....i know about the other guys but abyss? I have never heard anything of him being a backstage problem......heck the guy has not been around a long enough time to get a back stage additude has he?

I said politics. Not always a problem. Abyss is like Russo's new Big Vito. I've read stuff a while ago, but he was the guy who was in charge of and pushing his characters direction when he was getting so much TV time and his character really started to dominate TNA TV.

[alden]

i guess i am assuming politics as in a bad additude lol. I figured abyss was getting a push because people just were getting into his super hardcore stuff. I think the guy has a good worth ethic and is willing to do some crazy stuff to get over.

[PeterHilton]

Lolz. Defending decisions or pointing out positives does not an insane mark make lolz.

True. You used to not be so reasonable though. ;) :p

According to reports he is sitting out his contract which won't last long so they are not involving him in anything. Why not job him out? Is my question though.



I kinda figured as much...and Scott has so much animosity for Hogan and Bischoff that it's probably best they let him sit at home.

Too bad though. I thought he was one of the most underated performers of last year. It'd be interesting to see him back in the E; he probably can't handle the schedule but he's got more character than half the current roster.

Maybe he'll do a Teddy Hart and go down to AAA..which would be all kinds of awesome.

[justtxyank]

I just read that RVD basically said the only thing TNA has is that they aren't WWE. He went on to say WWE is the king. Better storylines, more fans, bigger arenas, etc.

From the way that article read, I don't think there is anyway he is going to work for them.

[MrCanada]

from WrestleZone... so sources are "so-so"

Hall & Waltman already screwing up

According to a source within TNA, Scott Hall is saying he has a groin injury and that's why he won't wrestle tonight at Genesis. However, in reality, Hall recently put on trunks for the first time in a long time and was concerned that his body did not appear to be in ring shape. Therefore, when Hall begged to be taken off the card, Sean Waltman was put in the tag match with Nash for tonight, but even Waltman is said to be begging off the card as well. It is not known at this time why Waltman feels uncomfortable wrestling, so as a precaution, Eric Young will be at the PPV and will serve as Nash's partner if Waltman no-shows or is "unable" to wrestle.

Despite reported TNA satisfaction with Hall and Waltman, both are said to be constantly wrecked on pills and will not last long. Nash did not vouch for Hall and Waltman prior to or at the beginning of their employment by TNA, and has made it very plain that they are not his responsibility, so there is NO heat on Nash as far as TNA management is concerned.

[NicoTheUnique]

As for now, it has come out that TNA has set up a tradisonal four sided ring for their Genesis PPV, what are your guys though?

IMO, this is the most stupide move TNA have done, the six-sided ring was their trademark for years, since the first Impact, they have had 6 sides. Six sides means alot more space, that fits for TNA and their x-divison.

What do you guys think?


-Nico

[PeterHilton]

As for now, it has come out that TNA has set up a tradisonal four sided ring for their Genesis PPV, what are your guys though?

IMO, this is the most stupide move TNA have done, the six-sided ring was their trademark for years, since the first Impact, they have had 6 sides. Six sides means alot more space, that fits for TNA and their x-divison.

What do you guys think?


-Nico

We went over this :rolleyes:

First, the company started with a four sided ring. Their trademark should be the performers, not a gimmicked up ring.

Secondly, the ring they use is tiny. It has LESS space than a standard ring, not more. It's @16 feet across. It's actually making it harder for the bigger wrestlers to perform (Angle's rolling Germans always look awkward for instance)

If they go to an 18 foot ring with high tension ring ropes, it will actually make it even better for the fliers. Just like it was when TNA first opened and the X Division really was the central focus of the show.

[jwt13]

Just read that Anderson will replace Bobby Lashley in tonights PPV match Vs. Abyss Abyss is set to attack Lashley

[NicoTheUnique]

Where did you read that?

[jwt13]

http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/stories/Major_TNA_Genesis_SPOILER_-_Huge_Name_Tonight.shtml

[PeterHilton]

According to Dave Meltzer(the Wrestling Observer), the plan for tonight's PPV is for Abyss to layout Bobby Lashley before their scheduled match tonight. Lashley will then be replaced by the debuting Ken Anderson. Anderson is the hyped "surprise who will turn the business around." Lashley is scheduled to fight for Strikeforce on January 30th in Miami, and many questioned him wrestling so close to that show.

This is pretty much why TNA should stop pushing Lashley.

Also..from a storyline standpoint, if that's how it plays out, wouldn't it make more sense for Kristal to have Bobby 'refuse' to wrestle because he's too good for TNA? You could even bring up the upcoming fight for Strikeforce and say Bobby doesn't want to risk his 'real' career for 'the inbreds in the stand'?

[Johnny Fenoli]

With the talk of all the changes being made cosmetically... The biggest change i think TNA has to make is getting out of the iMPACT Zone. I dont care if it's just in a different local armory in FL every week... The problem I guess with this is the Impact zone is free to get into, so it's sold out every time... But, I personally think it would benefit TNA to take the show on the road.

[Bigpapa42]

This is pretty much why TNA should stop pushing Lashley.

Also..from a storyline standpoint, if that's how it plays out, wouldn't it make more sense for Kristal to have Bobby 'refuse' to wrestle because he's too good for TNA? You could even bring up the upcoming fight for Strikeforce and say Bobby doesn't want to risk his 'real' career for 'the inbreds in the stand'?

I've said for awhile that TNA needs to be careful with Lashley, as his focus is on his MMA career. I'm actually surprised that SF is okay with him continuing to wrestle at all... but when he starts getting more serious opponents, he's going to need to run real training camps prior, which means he won't be able to do much in the month leading up to the fight, basically.

[jwt13]

I still dont want to belive that the big surprise will be faceing abyss so I hope Anderson isnt the big surprise as it hasn't been confirmed that its him.

[Self]

I liked the 6 sided ring, so to protest this change I will not be ordering the PPV tonight.

I'm half-joking, I'm having an early night so wouldn't be getting the show anyway... I am going to miss the 6-sided ring though. I really dug it.

[lazorbeak]

Maybe he'll do a Teddy Hart and go down to AAA..which would be all kinds of awesome.

Wouldn't Mark Jindrak be the more obvious parallel? I guess he started in CMLL, but still, the opportunities for parallels to questionable drug use and anatomical impossibilities are tremendous.

Also it kind of hurts the idea that Hall and Waltman have anything to contribute at all when neither wants to actually get in the ring and wrestle somebody. Both are still total disasters backstage and probably both need to be released sooner rather than later.

I didn't watch Impact last week, but are they really teasing some sort of ongoing program between Jarrett and Hogan? If so, in God's name, why? I know Hogan has said he doesn't want to get back in the ring, but if he does, it needs to be against somebody who isn't a 40 year old career midcarder. Under the right circumstances, I'd watch Hogan/Joe or Hogan/Styles or even Hogan/Angle (just because I know Angle could protect Hogan and still have a pretty decent match), but Hogan/Jarrett would be absolutely pointless.

[Craig Edwards]

With the talk of all the changes being made cosmetically... The biggest change i think TNA has to make is getting out of the iMPACT Zone. I dont care if it's just in a different local armory in FL every week... The problem I guess with this is the Impact zone is free to get into, so it's sold out every time... But, I personally think it would benefit TNA to take the show on the road.

why would tna do that when they get paid to host the shows there

[masterded]

Also it kind of hurts the idea that Hall and Waltman have anything to contribute at all when neither wants to actually get in the ring and wrestle somebody. Both are still total disasters backstage and probably both need to be released sooner rather than later.

With the Hall and Waltman like the person who posted it said it was a so-so source. It could be true it could also be like a lot of dirt sheet reporting using ones past to make up bs.

[Johnny Fenoli]

why would tna do that when they get paid to host the shows there

Because it makes them look small time.

[PeterHilton]

Because it makes them look small time.

Right. But not being able to sell out a small to medium sized venue would be even worse

Until they're certain that they can do Impact in front of a packed haouse, they don't need to hit the road. (not to mention the logistic behindd taping those 'behind the scenes' segments without the stages they specifically built for the Impact Zone)

[PeterHilton]

So I odered Genesis.

I've got a few people over here..it's my birthday...and we're gonna try and do a little PPv sit down.

I'll do some updates..here and there..so beware: spoilers a plenty.

[masterded]

So I odered Genesis.

I've got a few people over here..it's my birthday...and we're gonna try and do a little PPv sit down.

I'll do some updates..here and there..so beware: spoilers a plenty.

Happy Birthday

[Johnny Fenoli]

Right. But not being able to sell out a small to medium sized venue would be even worse

Until they're certain that they can do Impact in front of a packed haouse, they don't need to hit the road. (not to mention the logistic behindd taping those 'behind the scenes' segments without the stages they specifically built for the Impact Zone)

Yeah, that's what I was saying in my earlier post... They have to wonder if they can sell out a 2000 seat arena for TV. What are their house show numbers? Rarely over 1500, right?

[MrCanada]

Yeah, that's what I was saying in my earlier post... They have to wonder if they can sell out a 2000 seat arena for TV. What are their house show numbers? Rarely over 1500, right?

There house show numbers are closer to an ROH indy show, like 500. Every now and then they get 1500, usually when in a hot bed they dont go to often (New York / Toronto are about it). Kind of reminds you how small TNA is.

[masterded]

There house show numbers are closer to an ROH indy show, like 500. Every now and then they get 1500, usually when in a hot bed they dont go to often (New York / Toronto are about it). Kind of reminds you how small TNA is.

Yeah when I went is was like 600. It doesn't help they don't seem to advertise at all. I mean when WWE comes to town you have radio and TV ads telling you. When TNA comes to town you better check the website or have a good chance of missing it.

[Bigpapa42]

Yeah when I went is was like 600. It doesn't help they don't seem to advertise at all. I mean when WWE comes to town you have radio and TV ads telling you. When TNA comes to town you better check the website or have a good chance of missing it.

Advertising costs money. Wonder if it just comes to them not wanting to spend the extra, or if they don't focus on that aspect for some reason?

[b0shey]

According to a source within TNA, Scott Hall is saying he has a groin injury and that's why he won't wrestle tonight at Genesis. However, in reality, Hall recently put on trunks for the first time in a long time and was concerned that his body did not appear to be in ring shape. Therefore, when Hall begged to be taken off the card, Sean Waltman was put in the tag match with Nash for tonight, but even Waltman is said to be begging off the card as well. It is not known at this time why Waltman feels uncomfortable wrestling, so as a precaution, Eric Young will be at the pay-per-view and will serve as Nash's partner if Waltman no-shows or is "unable" to wrestle.

already Hall/Waltman problems.

[MrCanada]

TNA's new look. I like it. No more dumb tube entrances. Normal ring. And I've always loved the flush to the ring entrance.

http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/wilhelmce/tnaring.jpg
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/wilhelmce/tnaring3_41642.jpg
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr2/wilhelmce/tnaring2_41641.jpg