Booker T Returning to the WWE

[Sunsetter.JSteele]

In My Opinion I Don't Think Booker T Should Return To WWE I Mean Hes Accomplished Basically Everything There Except The Ecw Title But Thats Not The Real Title Rhino Was The Last Champion Ok RVD Was Not A Ecw Champion He Was A WWECW Champion And Booker Is So Much Better Then That He Should Just Continue Training People In His School

 

[LUMPYSULLIVAN]

Sorry folks, after thinking more about this I dont see Booker in WWE for long, if at all. I've read different scenarios, time off possibilities but lets think this through. Booker probably feels this is his last run (which it is). I think he would peak at the beginning and would drop off after 3-4 months. His work rate has not been great, that may because he teams with Steiner, or his unhappiness in TNA, who knows.

WE do know this:

- his best matches are behind him
- he values family and time at home
- he wants his wife in an active role ON CAMERA
- he thinks he is at an elite level
- he, like most, wish to control who they job to
- Booker has had strength and power in TNA, he wont have anywhere near that kind of power unless on ECW (HHH/Michaels on Raw; Taker/Jericho on Smackdown)

If I am Vince and creative I am only thinking 1-3 years max. Booker starts strong, but is he in Orton/Cena or Undertaker/J Hardy/punk like status?? Perhaps the latter. Does Booker see himself on the Smackdown (2nd tier) roster?? WWE is using Christian and Steve Regal to help groom the next generation on the third tier.

Booker's best bet is to have that similar role on Smackdown. Now Undertaker is the KING there. Can Booker be off the road like Taker, and be and immediate sensation, after, not after his initial run, he will be played out. He does not have the status of Michaels/Taker/Flair. So if he's not the champ but helping younger talent get over, how long will he do that until he gets frustrated again, and wants to quit.

(Remember, his contract didn't expire on his last WWE run, he was allowed to take his smile and go home... he wanted out, and the bookers wanted him out because he wanted to control his matches and the jobs etc. Everyone was frustrated, so they let him leave)

If I am Vince these are the questions I have:
- How long till this Booker T (frustrated, see above) comes back??
- Do they give him a goofy King title and let him defend that??
- If they dont want his wife on camera, will he come back?
- Who is Bookers fan base? How long can he sustain them?

I am not a Booker hater just looking at it from Vince's perspective, what do I gain by bringing him in. How long do I being him in? What do I do with him? Once those questions are mapped out, I have a sit down with Booker and sort it all out.

 

[NOD_FAN]

Gee, stereotype much? Do you have any creative talent or ambition? What a stupid, stupid, STUPID STUPID idea!

If Booker was smart, he should retire from wrestling to avoid looking like a jobber at the end of his career. Jobbing to people like The Miz is not a wise career move. Nor is holding back emerging stars a positive direction for the wrestling business in general. I can understand the whole mentality that people have about wanting to stay on top. And why is it always guys like Booker who always say they have to help out and sacrifice to the younger talent? What about Triple H, HBK, Batista or The Undertaker? And since when did that phrase enter into the WWE lexicon? Wasn't that a WCW thing?

If there was some sort of Wrestler's Guild where everybody contributes to a pension or retirement fund to take care of those who aren't able to earn and who gave their lives to the business, then there wouldn't be this situation.

Already established stars would gladly invest their time or step away to in create new stars as that'll keep the revenues flowing and more stars investing their earning power into the pension fund. The established guys can then retire with dignity and without fear of permanent injury and give up their spots without having to worry about their financial future.

Why can't wrestlers organize a union? Are they that stupid to recognize it's in their own individual best interests? What's Vince or TNA going to do? Fire them all and try to maintain their fortunes by hiring scabs?

You are a idiot..... This is a great idea. Reforming the NOD are paring him with a black wrestler would be the idea fit for him. The WWE needs a force that can really intimidate you and right now legacy is not a intimidating. force in my opinion they are the one of the weakest factions besides the misfits ever formed.. If it wasn’t for Randy carrying them TD and CR would be jobbers. So black wrestles teaming with other black wrestlers is stereotypical? You’re an idiot… You don’t say that when a white wrestlers teams with another white wrestler jerk off.

 

[Super Crazy]

I think if and when Booker comes back it will be either on ECW or Smackdown. I think he would be given a similar treatment to Christian if thrown on ECW. He would be the guy that would be the champion or feuding with the heel champion and helping establish the young talent. I also believe he would do the same on Smackdown. Although I would work him into the World Heavyweight Championship picture at some point down the road as I believe he would be a good fit to feud with the supposed future main eventers and it would be good to learn from Booker in the ring and behind the curtains.

 

[johnbragg]

So black wrestles teaming with other black wrestlers is stereotypical? You’re an idiot… You don’t say that when a white wrestlers teams with another white wrestler jerk off.

Well, to be fair, we do say so when their gimmick is that they're Italian(FBI), or French (La Resistance), or Canadian (Team Canada), or British (British Invasion), especially when that's pretty much their whole gimmick.

We don't say anything about most all-white teams, because there's nothing to say. Now if there was a Team White Pride, there would be something to say. Likewise, there's not much to say about MVP&WSM or Cryme Time, because MVP and Mark Henry and Cryme Time have stuff going on besides being black, although Cryme Time is all about a black stereotype.

The person you're responding to might not have noticed your NOD FAN handle. If you loved loved loved NOD, then yeah, you'll take any opportunity to try to bring it back

 

[Kenny_D_312]

I think what people are forgetting is that WWE released Booker, due to his wellness violations. They will bring him back, they did Hardy, but he isnt oging to gain instant success. He will work his way up to be upper mid card of smackdown, feuding with people like Jericho, Punk, and JOMO and ziggler

 

[gd]

I don't even think Booker would be accepted back into the WWE to be honest. I think the assumes he will because he's hot shit and all that, but I doubt the WWE really wants him that bad. I could see him leaving TNA and being shut down by WWE, leaving him time to do whatever he does.

If he did come back, I'd assume Raw would be the best place since he's a "big" name, but I think it's a moot point, as I don't see him returning.

 

[Kanye South]

I said it in the TNA thread, and I'll say it again in here: if Booker has any pride, he'll stay in TNA. He was apart of the biggest thing to ever hit TNA: The Main Event Mafia. In 10 years, The MEM will be looked at as one of the greatest professional wrestling stables ever. And he wants to throw away that legendary status just because he can't win a few World Titles? And he thinks that he'll be main-eventing in the WWE? With guys half his age, but 10 times better on the same fucking roster? If Booker goes back to the WWE, he'll be put at the bottom of the barrel.

And hopefully he realizes that before he ends up losing a roasted pig shit match to the returning Santina.

 

[Kidgloves]

Is there even a question where he'll go?

Vince will send him to ECW for punishment and he'll stay there for the better part of the remainder of his career.

We all no Vince holds grudges and is all about making people pay for crossing him. Vince will do it to show that he doesn't need Booker and that Booker needed him.

I really like Booker, but the truth is he doesn't draw. If he did TNA would have gotten a boost in ratings.

Booker not drawing means that Vince can put him in ECW and not loose anything. He'll just sit back and laugh.

Do you think Christian will ever get a spot on RAW or Smackdown? Highly unlikely.

It's basically Vince saying, "You wanted to leave for a company that draws a 1.0? Cool, you can go to ECW. It draws 1.0s all the time."

 

[johnbragg]

Do you think Christian will ever get a spot on RAW or Smackdown? Highly unlikely

I expect that he'll be on one of the main shows after the next draft. Maybe with the MITB briefcase, probably not. He's on ECW so that he can be the star of a brand.

We all no Vince holds grudges and is all about making people pay for crossing him.

But when Vince can use you, he's willing to put the grudge aside. Hogan, Nash, Hall, Bischoff all worked with Vince after actively trying to run him out of business. Jesse Ventura said all kinds of things about WWF and Vince, and he came back to call XFL games. Jerry Lawler quit his announcing job because of some nonsense with Kat, and got his job back during the divorce.

It's about what you can do for Vince. If Vince sees Booker as someone who can work with Miz, MVP, Kofi, Bourne or Swagger for six months or so and get them to the next level where they can call out Cena or Orton or HHH and have a credible feud, then he'll probably do it. And when Vince is done using Booker up, well, sorry Booker, Creative just doesn't have anything for you.

I would be really, really surprised to see Booker on ECW. ECW already has Christian, Regal, Dreamer and Goldust. Add in Shelton Benjamin and half of their roster are veterans, and they're supposed to be developmental TV.

 

[Sean Valjean]

If Booker does come back to the E, he'll probably be sent to ECW. Mainly because he didn't exactly leave the WWE on the best terms and he was in TNA, so if Christian was sent there, can't see why Booker would be. If he does go to ECW, he'll probably (and should) be a face since they need more big faces; Christian is the only one.

If he doesn't go the ECW, he'll most likely go to Raw. Booker is a big name and if the WWE are willing to get over how he "left" (released would be the better term) and his TNA stint, I can't see him anywhere else. If he goes to Raw, he should definately be heel because Randy Orton is the only main event heel they have.

Personally, I think Booker should just retire. The guy's like 40-something and though he can still put on decent matches, he'll never be as high in WWE as he is in TNA. And that's if the WWE will take him back at all, which I doubt.

 

[Tastycles]

I don't really see the point in rehiring Booker T at all to be honest with you, he isn't that good and he's getting on. However, the role he is absolutely perfect for is as an ECW main eventer. For years now, ECW has centred around an established upper midcarders with a load of new talent around them Kane, Hardy, Mark Henry, Finlay and Christian all fit this bill, as would have Chris Benoit. Booker is perfect for this role as he is someone that the fans recognise and like, but he is also somebody that you don't really need on either of the main two brands. His signing could free up Christian to make the step up, but we shall wait and see.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

I said it in the TNA thread, and I'll say it again in here: if Booker has any pride, he'll stay in TNA.

What does pride have anything to do with it? if he had "pride", surely he would have stayed in the WWE through thick and thin after being rewarded with a World title? No wait, if he had pride, he would have retired from wrestling after WCW was bought out. Screw Pride.

He was apart of the biggest thing to ever hit TNA: The Main Event Mafia.

Key words. Biggest thing to ever hit TNA. If he stayed in the upper mid card on Raw/Smackdown or headlined ECW, he'd probably get the same amount, if not more exposure. Plus they might let him speak properly.

In 10 years, The MEM will be looked at as one of the greatest professional wrestling stables ever.

I highly doubt it. I mean you're in contention with factions like the Four Horsemen, NWO, DX. I appreciate that they are a big faction, but they aren't anything more than the sum of their parts, which is a big thing in stables. Booker T didn't gain anything from it in particular, besides the "consolation prize" of the Legends title.

And he wants to throw away that legendary status just because he can't win a few World Titles?

He has legendary status in TNA? After being there for 2 whole years? May as well sign up Curry Man and Sharkboy into his HOF Class of 2015

And he thinks that he'll be main-eventing in the WWE? With guys half his age, but 10 times better on the same fucking roster? If Booker goes back to the WWE, he'll be put at the bottom of the barrel.

So you say he's a legend in TNA, but ten times worse than guys on the WWE roster? Way to degrade TNA man. I don't think the idea is for him to be main eventing Wrestlemania. I think the idea for him is to get a lot more exposure and for him to help elevate younger talent, which he can do.

And hopefully he realizes that before he ends up losing a roasted pig shit match to the returning Santina.

Santina was fired by Donald Trump. You obviously aren't abreast of current happenings in the E'

 

[Viola Moonlight]

I personally would like to see Booker go back to the E and help out the younger stars get over as the E is looking for men to take the job. Since most people that defect from the E to TNA and switch back to the E later on gets a really bad treatment for the first few weeks such as the likes Gail Kim has received, it would be most appropriate to pace him on the ECW brand as many have stated and help get the other guys over. He has good name value and still go pretty well in the ring. It gives him a chance to re-establish that fan relationship again and find his true character in Booker T and not as the King as well as giving others the chance to make a transition to one of the other brands.

Who knows, if Booker can prove for about the year and a half before the next major draft after the next one that will happen sometime in 2010, he could get a spot on RAW or SmackDown. I'd doubt it, but it would be good to see Book back on the main brands showing what he has to offer.

 

[Freddy4190]

He doesn't really need to be in the WWE at all. It's most likely just monetary reasons, if anything else. The man has accomplished alot in his career, he doesn't really have anything else to prove. I'd be glad to have him back in the WWE as long as he doesn't rehash that damn King Booker gimmick and have Sharmell's loud ass by his side 24/7. That annoyed me so bad. Booker T > King Booker. Hell, put him on Smackdown! That's his home anyways, he shined on Smackdown, held all kinds of gold on Smackdown. A face to face with Goldust is the only reason to put him on ECW? Pft.

 

[Kanye South]

What does pride have anything to do with it? if he had "pride", surely he would have stayed in the WWE through thick and thin after being rewarded with a World title? No wait, if he had pride, he would have retired from wrestling after WCW was bought out. Screw Pride.

When WCW was bought out, he was only 36. It would've been stupid for him to stop getting an income just because of a petty wrestling feud between two companies.

Rewarded with the title? There was nobody else on Smackdown that could have been a believable champion at the time. He was made champion only to intensify the feud between Chavo and Rey, which is sad.

Key words. Biggest thing to ever hit TNA. If he stayed in the upper mid card on Raw/Smackdown or headlined ECW, he'd probably get the same amount, if not more exposure. Plus they might let him speak properly.

No he wouldn't. Jobbing to Cena and talking with a fake British accent isn't what I'd consider "exposure". Holding the tag titles and dominating everyone in TNA gives him alot more exposure than being Triple H's bitch.

I highly doubt it. I mean you're in contention with factions like the Four Horsemen, NWO, DX. I appreciate that they are a big faction, but they aren't anything more than the sum of their parts, which is a big thing in stables. Booker T didn't gain anything from it in particular, besides the "consolation prize" of the Legends title.

The MEM is doing for TNA what the nWo and DX did for WCW and WCW, they're putting them on the map.

And Booker is gaining something. Scott Hall didn't do shitfuck in the nWo, yet he's still mentioned in the same breath as Nash and Hogan.

He has legendary status in TNA? After being there for 2 whole years? May as well sign up Curry Man and Sharkboy into his HOF Class of 2015

Yeah, that would've been funny if you were funny. But that joke left alot to be desired.

Booker is a legend in TNA. Quality>Quantity. Kane's been in the WWE for 14 years or so, but Cena has been there for half of that time. Who's more likely to be in the Hall Of Fame at the end of their careers?

So you say he's a legend in TNA, but ten times worse than guys on the WWE roster? Way to degrade TNA man. I don't think the idea is for him to be main eventing Wrestlemania. I think the idea for him is to get a lot more exposure and for him to help elevate younger talent, which he can do.

The whole reason he's wanting to leave TNA apparently is because he isn'tmain eventing and he doesn't want to help young talent like Matt Morgan.

Santina was fired by Donald Trump. You obviously aren't abreast of current happenings in the E'

You obviously:

1) Are too stupid to realize that my statement was a joke

and

2) Are illiterate, because I clearly stated the word "returning".

Dumbasses are the shit stains of this world.

 

[johnbragg]

The MEM is doing for TNA what the nWo and DX did for WCW and WCW, they're putting them on the map.

And Booker is gaining something. Scott Hall didn't do shitfuck in the nWo, yet he's still mentioned in the same breath as Nash and Hogan.

MEM put TNA on the map. LEt's see, in 2007--before MEM--Impact averaged a rating of 1.04. In 2009, the MEM era, they've averaged 1.17. Oooh. They're on the map now.

Like it or not, Hall became a wrestling immortal at Bash at the Beach 1996 when he was a key part of the heel turn of the most popular wrestler in history. He was one of the three original members of one of the two greatest heel stables in history along with the Four Horsemen.

The MEM angle is dying, not because it has come to a logical culmination of new talents becoming stars by overcoming this dominant faction, but because age and ego is decimating the group. Angle has built Morgan, but on the other hand Joe has been badly hurt by his stupid heel turn. STeiner and Booker have held the tag belts while 3D and Beer Money have carried the division.

As a stable, when it's all done in a month or so, MEM will rank with Evolution, the McMahon-Helmsley regime, the WWE Corporation. It will rank better than Planet Jarrett or the Corporate Ministry, so you've got that.

Say what you want about Kevin Nash, but he's always been good for Kevin NAsh. And he's distancing himself more and more from the MEM turd soup.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

When WCW was bought out, he was only 36. It would've been stupid for him to stop getting an income just because of a petty wrestling feud between two companies.

Yet you want him to stay in TNA for the same reason? That WWE snubbed him a little bit? And he should not have hundreds of thousands of dollars thrown at him?

Rewarded with the title? There was nobody else on Smackdown that could have been a believable champion at the time. He was made champion only to intensify the feud between Chavo and Rey, which is sad.

I don't think this was the case at all. People are really forgetting how well the King Booker character worked, and it really got him some serious heel heat. The belt could have just as easily gone to Taker or Orton or any number of people, but Booker was the right choice. Especially after that Boogeyman feud.

No he wouldn't. Jobbing to Cena and talking with a fake British accent isn't what I'd consider "exposure". Holding the tag titles and dominating everyone in TNA gives him alot more exposure than being Triple H's bitch.

Cyber Sunday 2006. King Booker pins John Cena in a Champions of Champions match. I remember it distinctly because Maria is a babe in the promotional picture

Spoiler: see what I mean?

But you are wrong, it's all I'm saying. Before he left, he was having a great run off a strong title run. He lost to HHH because Trips was returning from a long half year rehab stint. What did you expect to happen? Book End in the opening minutes to end it? Being weighed down by an aging Scott Steiner in a second rate promotion does less for him exposure wise than even being a Guest Host on RAW.

The MEM is doing for TNA what the nWo and DX did for WCW and WCW, they're putting them on the map.

The MEM are nowhere close to being as big as either of those two. Stop saying that. Also, TNA isn't on the map. Without a good marketing machine behind them, they're barely in the phonebook.

And Booker is gaining something. Scott Hall didn't do shitfuck in the nWo, yet he's still mentioned in the same breath as Nash and Hogan

Are you dissin' Razor Ramon chico? No but seriously, you are wrong. Lets ignore all those Tag Team titles. He is mentioned in the same breath because he was part of the faction. One of the biggest ever. Booker T is part of a semi-good one. And he isn't even the leader. He is the Farooq of MEM.

Yeah, that would've been funny if you were funny. But that joke left alot to be desired.

I would make a metaphor of a pot and kettle, but fuck that. I'm funnier than you. Period.

Booker is a legend in TNA. Quality>Quantity. Kane's been in the WWE for 14 years or so, but Cena has been there for half of that time. Who's more likely to be in the Hall Of Fame at the end of their careers

I made that word bold. Quality. What has Booker T done of real quality since coming to TNA? I mean, I can't remember a genuinely good Booker T match since he got there.

The whole reason he's wanting to leave TNA apparently is because he isn'tmain eventing and he doesn't want to help young talent like Matt Morgan.

All it comes down to is that money money, yeah yeah. And also, Matt Morgan doesn't need to pin Booker T at a house show, it doesnt need to happen. Its the equivalent of the Stone Cold / Brock Lesnar situation. Appropriately scaled down of course, Stone Cold being better than Booker, and Morgan being crap.

You obviously:

1) Are too stupid to realize that my statement was a joke

and

2) Are illiterate, because I clearly stated the word "returning".

Dumbasses are the shit stains of this world.

Because my statement wasn't. God. The irony in that statement is so thick you could build a house on it and peacefully live the rest of your days.

 

[Freakzilla420]

I DNK Booker T seems to have really changed into a prick lately didn't he complain about everything in WWE before he left for TNA? plus I don't see what's so good about him anyway and he's also become a douchebag in the TNA locker room as well.

Don't get me wrong he's ok I loved Harlem Heat all that stuff but to me he don't really have it anymore.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

Last I heard, Booker T has his own promotion, so the only reason he would and should return to the WWE is to possibly do business with Vince and exchange some talent to appear on his shows and help as a training ground as well. Booker T as a wrestler is past his prime and is in all likely hood done as a main eventer. I don't know how he left the WWE, so that will determine how far Booker will go. If he left on good terms, he may make an appearance in a main event storyline for a few weeks. If he left on bad terms, it's to ECW and jobbing to Christian.

But his best years are behind him. It would only be a good move if Booker's able to use WWE talent for his shows.

 

[Kanye South]

Yet you want him to stay in TNA for the same reason? That WWE snubbed him a little bit? And he should not have hundreds of thousands of dollars thrown at him?

There's a difference between going to another company because it was bought out and going to another company because they want you to put people over and not win world titles.

I don't think this was the case at all. People are really forgetting how well the King Booker character worked, and it really got him some serious heel heat. The belt could have just as easily gone to Taker or Orton or any number of people, but Booker was the right choice. Especially after that Boogeyman feud.

If I remember correctly, Orton was suspended or something because of weed possession, and even if he did return, he was on Raw. And Undertaker is Undertaker. It's stupid to say he's a contender for the belt, when you know his strange schedule.

Cyber Sunday 2006. King Booker pins John Cena in a Champions of Champions match. I remember it distinctly because Maria is a babe in the promotional picture

Booker T left in 2007. Surely you aren't saying he's not Cena's bitch because of a win that happened a year before he left?

Santino won against Umaga in 2007. So by your logic that must automatically make him a main-eventer, right?

And didn't K-Fed come in and hit Cena or something, anyways?

Spoiler: see what I mean?

Yeah Maria's always been hot.

But you are wrong, it's all I'm saying. Before he left, he was having a great run off a strong title run. He lost to HHH because Trips was returning from a long half year rehab stint. What did you expect to happen? Book End in the opening minutes to end it? Being weighed down by an aging Scott Steiner in a second rate promotion does less for him exposure wise than even being a Guest Host on RAW.

The irony in you calling TNA a second rate promotion is hilarious.

Way to degrade TNA man.

I didn't expect for Booker to win at Summerslam. But all I'm saying is that if Booker wants to leave TNA because of lack of title wins and not wanting to put people over, then he's not going to do any better in the WWE.

The MEM are nowhere close to being as big as either of those two. Stop saying that. Also, TNA isn't on the map. Without a good marketing machine behind them, they're barely in the phonebook.

Tell me, then, where would TNA be without the MEM? And be honest.

It may not have put WWE out of business, but TNA has gotten alot more exposure from it.

Are you dissin' Razor Ramon chico? No but seriously, you are wrong. Lets ignore all those Tag Team titles. He is mentioned in the same breath because he was part of the faction. One of the biggest ever. Booker T is part of a semi-good one. And he isn't even the leader. He is the Farooq of MEM.

He's in a better position than someone like William Regal, who's leading a faction in the WWE.

I would make a metaphor of a pot and kettle, but fuck that. I'm funnier than you. Period.

I made that word bold. Quality. What has Booker T done of real quality since coming to TNA? I mean, I can't remember a genuinely good Booker T match since he got there.

Fuck match quality. If I was running a wrestling promotion, then I would be worried more about drawing power than match quality.

All it comes down to is that money money, yeah yeah.

^^^

The fact that you're saying this right after you bring up match quality is failure. Ask ROH about match quality, and then look at their profit compared to WWE, who is constantly dissed for having "bad matches".

And also, Matt Morgan doesn't need to pin Booker T at a house show, it doesnt need to happen. Its the equivalent of the Stone Cold / Brock Lesnar situation. Appropriately scaled down of course, Stone Cold being better than Booker, and Morgan being crap.

It wasn't at a house show. It was on an edition of TNA Impact, because I distinctly remember the article saying that the writers had to rewrite the segement, and there aren't many segments on house shows.

Because my statement wasn't. God. The irony in that statement is so thick you could build a house on it and peacefully live the rest of your days.

That made me chuckle. Not in the funny way, but in the 'that was such bullshit' way. Congrats.

 

[johnbragg]

Tell me, then, where would TNA be without the MEM? And be honest.

Drawing the same 1.0-1.2 ratings they were before and during the MEM angle. Brutally honest--MEM is Planet Jarrett with Angle replacing Jarrett.

Or do you mean TNA without the Angle, Joe, Steiner, Booker, Nash and maybe STing?

 

[mayhem]

Booker T would work very well on ECW seeing as he isn't as young as he once was and could resume a feud with Christian that never went into depth during Christian's final matches in TNA. That would be something more worthwhile than Christian v Ryder or Regal. Regal isn't exactly a star attraction to the wwe and Booker T and Christian could have a series of good encounters to make ECW more watchable. Booker T is also capable of being an ECW champion.

 

[Kanye South]

Drawing the same 1.0-1.2 ratings they were before and during the MEM angle. Brutally honest--MEM is Planet Jarrett with Angle replacing Jarrett.

I don't have a ratings spreadsheet in front of me, and to be honest, I don't really care enough to go look one up. But all I know is that it's alot better to have a faction of main eventers to put the new guys over. Angle, Booker, and co. would be heels on their own anyway, so why not put them in a faction? Look who's gotten over because of the MEM: Eric Young, Hernandez, Homicide, AJ Styles, Matt Morgan, etc. Saying the MEM hasn't done anything for TNA is complete bullshit.

 

[johnbragg]

I don't have a ratings spreadsheet in front of me, and to be honest, I don't really care enough to go look one up. But all I know is that it's alot better to have a faction of main eventers to put the new guys over. Angle, Booker, and co. would be heels on their own anyway, so why not put them in a faction? Look who's gotten over because of the MEM: Eric Young, Hernandez, Homicide, AJ Styles, Matt Morgan, etc. Saying the MEM hasn't done anything for TNA is complete bullshit.

For ratings info, I go to gerweck.net

I don't have a problem with a faction of veteran champions running rampant before slowly giving ground to the young studs who make their names taking them down.

My problem with MEM is that, except for Angle and Sting, none of them actually put anyone over. They are giving ground not because the young studs grew into credible opponents, but because they're leaving the company and getting out of the way.

Let's talk about your list. Eric Young, Hernandez, Homicide, AJ Styles, Matt Morgan.

First of all, the Phenomenal AJ Styles is a 3-time or so NWA-TNA World Champion, multi-time X Champion, multi-time Tag champion and all-around Mr. TNA, the only star that TNA has created in 7 years. The only reason that he hasn't been a main eventer all along is that TNA has been run by morons. Proof? All it took to shoot AJ Styles to the top of the card with the fans treating him as such was throwing a switch marked "Push AJ".

Kurt Angle is putting over MAtt Morgan and is building him into a star. No question about it. If Matt can carry the ball, then he's TNA's Batista, which ain't the worst thing to be.

Hernandez and Homicide have practically never interacted with MEM. They made their names in LAX feuding with America's Most Wanted and the Dudleys. Hernandez is feuding with World Elite, not with MEM. Homicide is in World Elite, and therefore is technically feuding with MEM, but what good has that done him? He was stronger on his own than he is in a stable where he's hanging out with Bashir and Kiyoshi.

If Nash jobs to Hernandez on Sunday, I think it will be the first person Nash has helped to move up the card in TNA. (Possibly in his entire career. Let's ask the WCW historians. Anyone? Bueller?)

Which brings us to the most interesting case, Eric Young. EY is in his most prominent role yet as mouthpiece and leader of the World Elite. He's benefited from working with--yes, once again--Kurt Angle.


And that is not, IMO, Kurt Angle's fault. He has jobbed clean to Styles, to Lethal, to Joe one time out of three or four. In WWE, Angle lost clean to a dozen guys to help them become stars. (Some did, some didn't, but I'm talking about whether Angle would book Total Nonstop Angle.) But Angle came over to TNA when Jarrett still had all the stroke, and JArrett was getting heat for hogging the spotlight and building the show around Planet Jarrett. Jarrett and Russo pretty much ran the same storylines with Angle in JArrett's spot.

I already talked about Nash. As for Steiner, the only young wrestler that benefited from a Steiner program was Petey Williams, and that rub took him all the way to the main event--of Border City Wrestling. Next.

Booker Huffman. Had a feud with Bobby Roode. Which is nice and all, except that no one remembers it, Booker and Sharmell dominated the feud--and it was before Booker joined MEM.


For all the good MEM besides Angle has done for TNA, Booker Steiner and Nash might has well have been Sally, Rocco and Jesse Neal. No, wait, that would have given three new talents an opportunity. Couldn't have that in Total Nonstop Angle.