Doug Williams dissing the X-Division. Make sense?

[harrythem]

In the latest issue of Fighting Spirit Magazine Doug Williams had this to say about the X Division:

"You see one high spot after another after another, you just get desensitised to what they're watching.
These guys are taking so many unnecessary risks to entertain a crowd that, at the end of the show, are probably going to go home and just forget about it.
So really, I've got their personal safety in mind...that's one of my issues at the moment.
They might not realise that at the moment, but they will."

Now, obviously some of what he's said is in character but, the fact is, he makes a great and valid point about the X wrestlers being spot monkeys who just rush through things.

This isn't another "X Div needs sorting" thread, this is just me now asking who else thinks Mr Williams has no chance of getting back the X Title now as he's come out and basically blasted the way that the X wrestlers go at it and, although I agree, that goes against Dixie's edict of being "100% behind the company". Completely stupid but I can see it coming.

Sad thing is he's saying what TNA needs to hear....shame they've got cauliflower ears in TNA

 

[PhD]

It would seem to me to depend entirely on context; are wrestlers expected to shoot in this particular magazine? As you mention, this is 100% consistant with Williams' character he's played for several months, sort of the "anti-X division" X-division wrestler.

I'd be surprised if this gets him in trouble, given that there's clearly also a grain of truth in the promos he's been cutting on national TV for weeks, which make the exact same criticism. Obviously he can only get away with this because he's a heel, and ultimately we're supposed to believe the crazy high spot mentally is A-OK.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I've read that interview as well, terrible magazine that Fighting Spirit, and he's saying what he's been told to say. I think they call it being in character, or summink.

Douglas has been making a lot of sense as of late, what he's been saying is spot on. Although Kaz and all the other X-Division guys do a better job of proving Doug's point by wrestling in the exact same style as he describes. You'd think they'd try to prove him wrong, but because it's TNA I think they're trying to prove him right.

Now Doug's lost the title I think that's pretty much it for the angle. It didn't make much sense to strip him of the title and then continue the feud. And stripping him of the title because of a volacano eruption, that I'm certain he didn't cause, isn't something you do to a heel.

 

[PhD]

I've read that interview as well, terrible magazine that Fighting Spirit, and he's saying what he's been told to say. I think they call it being in character, or summink.

Douglas has been making a lot of sense as of late, what he's been saying is spot on. Although Kaz and all the other X-Division guys do a better job of proving Doug's point by wrestling in the exact same style as he describes. You'd think they'd try to prove him wrong, but because it's TNA I think they're trying to prove him right.

Now Doug's lost the title I think that's pretty much it for the angle. It didn't make much sense to strip him of the title and then continue the feud. And stripping him of the title because of a volacano eruption, that I'm certain he didn't cause, isn't something you do to a heel.

I agree that they're trying to prove Williams right, which is ultimately unfortunate. Of course, this is why people like Daniels are being driven back to ROH, which is where Williams would probably be a better fit.

Does Vince Russo think he's being "edgy" or subversive by stacking the deck against the heels? I think the observation about not stripping a heel is spot on. Same goes for them giving Team Hogan the man-advantage in Lethal Lockdown, and letting Hardy and RVD team-up on Styles last night. Paul Heyman was right, they have no idea how to properly book the heel-face concept, which is the root of an intelligible wrestling feud. For as boring and formulaic as WWE is, at least they get this part of the equation correct.

 

[Next Jericho]

Lets all agree that TNA needs a new BOOKER! this guy drove WCW into the ground!

I go on to the topic now it is smart what Doug has done because he is giving the division that he is in a private spot in a magazine! Also TNA X division is going to hit much lower points and maybe doug (how has stayed in charter) might to be able to bring a secound coming like Joe, A.J and Daniels did to begin with.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Still awaiting the latest FS to hit the shelves in my local newsagents but as a smart mag, I'm disheartened to hear that they have run such a mark interview.

However I agree AND disagree with Doug's alledged feelings. Yes, current X matches are too much about spots- the opening bout of every PPV is just one high spot immediately after another (usually with inhuman recovery periods and several botched moves that could lead to severe injury). On the counter to this, look at the matches AJ had with Joe & Daniels and then Daniels on his own. While these two bouts were for the World belt, they were between (proud) members of the X style. Yes, non stop spots takes away believability and thus enjoyability but at the same time X guys need to be able to show their abilities.

Once again the blame lies on the shoulders of the TNA creative team- if logical ring stories can be afforded to the headline match, why not the other X stars? Who remembers Jay Lethal's X victory over Kurt Angle or Joe's initial run as X champ- logical storytelling + occasional highspots = great frickin matches. And The Anarchist is more than capable of playing a Joe style ground and pound, catch as catch can, high flyer killer!