Eric Young Leaving?

[Jack-Hammer]

There's speculation on various sites that Eric Young might be leaving TNA in the very near future. The reason for this is due to a posting on Young's Twitter account this morning:

"TNA Live shows in MI and Windsor Canada. Ill be there could be my last live shows with TNA come and get crazy with me!"

Young hasn't been seen on TNA television in a while and has only made sporadic appearances over the course of this year. I wasn't aware of this but, evidently, Young ha Off a show on Animal Planet for a while called Off the Hook: Extreme Catches. Apparently, the show has been renewed for a second season that will premiere in the summer of 2013.

Young's wrestling career in TNA is going nowhere and has been going nowhere for a long time. It wouldn't surprise me if he is legitimately leaving in order to devote more of his time and energy to other pursuits, like this show on Animal Planet. Can't really blame the guy if he does.



MODERATOR NOTE: THIS THREAD IS TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF ERIC YOUNG LEAVING. STAY WITH THE TOPIC OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION MAY BE TAKEN.

 

[klunderbunker]

I'd have zero problem with this.

Eric Young is as much of a one joke act as there has been in wrestling in years. We get it: he's strange/crazy/weird/concussed. He locks up with the referee and takes off his clothes and likes ODB. That's Eric Young summed up in about fifteen words. In the LD's you can see people getting tired of his act and I can't blame them at all. His act never changed and he never got over as a serious guy, so there's nothing left for him in TNA. No issue with this at all and if it means the Knockout Tag Titles leave with him, rock on.

 

[SpecialFNK]

Young's wrestling career in TNA is going nowhere and has been going nowhere for a long time.

your opinion. doesn't mean it's shared by everyone.

personally I think the comedy bit he was doing for awhile was GOLD! every week he was a bright spot on TV, making viewers laugh and being entertaining.
I think he had a unique part of the TV show that is TNA Impact Wrestling. not all wrestlers can be serious and in contention for titles. someone like EY and comedy can go a long way on TV for entertainment value.

I remember a time early in 2010 when EY was all serious while being partners with Kevin Nash. I found him to be very boring and thought TNA might as well release him because he was useless.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

your opinion. doesn't mean it's shared by everyone.

personally I think the comedy bit he was doing for awhile was GOLD! every week he was a bright spot on TV, making viewers laugh and being entertaining.
I think he had a unique part of the TV show that is TNA Impact Wrestling. not all wrestlers can be serious and in contention for titles. someone like EY and comedy can go a long way on TV for entertainment value.

I remember a time early in 2010 when EY was all serious while being partners with Kevin Nash. I found him to be very boring and thought TNA might as well release him because he was useless.

Bingo. I'm with you on this. EY has routinely been a source for fantastic comedy on a program that doesn't dabble that much into that route, especially over the last few years. Yes, I'm sure we'll all be able to rattle off a number of comedic scenes or angles, but at the end of the day, for the most part, IMPACT is a much more serious/reality-oriented program than it is one rooted in comedy, which made Young that much more valuable IMO.

Would I miss him? Well, not in the way I'd miss the more valuable performers of the company, but yes, I'd miss those brief moments of hilarity. Something as simple as locking up with the ref still manages to crack me up every time.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I really don't have any problem whatsoever with Eric Young, in fact I find him pretty funny at times. However if he leaves, he'll be absolutely no loss whatsoever to TNA. Much like Santino Marella. He fills a niche that some guys find amusing, others find annoying, so whether he stays or goes is really pretty much irrelevant. In a show where time is st a premium (as much as the Gut Check segments would suggest otherwise), I doubt TNA will have too much difficulty filling in the time currently devoted to Eric Young. Let's face it, Robbie E can get involved with ODB and achieve pretty much the same result.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I really don't have any problem whatsoever with Eric Young, in fact I find him pretty funny at times. However if he leaves, he'll be absolutely no loss whatsoever to TNA. Much like Santino Marella. He fills a niche that some guys find amusing, others find annoying, so whether he stays or goes is really pretty much irrelevant. In a show where time is st a premium (as much as the Gut Check segments would suggest otherwise), I doubt TNA will have too much difficulty filling in the time currently devoted to Eric Young. Let's face it, Robbie E can get involved with ODB and achieve pretty much the same result.

The same result of humor, yes, not the same level of it, though, as Robbie E plays a completely different style of character, and as a result produces a completely different style of humor. Young's humor appeals to the masses. Robbie E's appeals to a very specific age group that's aware of what Jersey Shore even is/was to begin with. To some 55-year old wrestling fan in Topeka, Kansas, what exactly does Jersey Shore do for him, other than confuse him?

Everyone can relate to the bumbling idiot who gets confused by locking up with his own ref, scared by his own pyro, etc. because the type of humor isn't relegated to a specific age group. Kids find him falling down at his own pyro funny. Adults find his confusion by locking up with the refs instead of his opponent hilarious, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

This does not surprise me. EY has been seen rarely since winning the KO tag belts with ODB and the only mention of him we get anymore is ODB always calling him about fried chicken and beer.

Would I miss EY? Honestly not really no his comedy stuff got old for me a long time ago. I just hope if he leaves the KO tag belts go with him and we don't have to have another "great and exciting tournament to crown brand new Knockouts Tag Team Champions!" like we have had like 3 times now.

I am a little surprised he's not back right now though considering ODB is feuding with Tara and Jesse. I thought maybe EY would be back to handle Jesse, Maybe he still will.

 

[DX Mols]

Eric Young hasn't been relevant in TNA for about 2 years now. The last thing I remember him doing that I took even slightly seriously was the World Elite and even that tanked.

Get rid of this dead weight already TNA.

EY = Worthless

 

[trashboy]

Good. If this is true, I won't miss him one bit. He was irritating. I hated the I'm scared of my own pyro thing, it was funny at first but got old quickly. Then years later, he does the comedy thing again, this time he locks up with a ref and takes off his clothes because he's stupid. Yeah, that got old very quickly as well, and was never that funny to begin with. And hopefully they retire the knockouts tag titles after he's gone. Those tag titles have been worthless.

 

[Dagger Dias]

This is the best news I have heard in a very long time. Young's character has been absolutely worthless for the last couple of years. Characters like that are the reason people view pro wrestling in a negative light. It's not funny. Santino is funny. Young is an embarrassment and an abomination of a character that should never have lost his serious heel persona. Even the superhero angle was tolerable compared to anything he has done in the past two years.

I refused to ever watch him again the moment he won a championship intended for a woman. Seriously!!!! Getting rid of Eric Young may be the smartest choice TNA has ever made. They wouldn't be in this situation if they had let him keep his World Elite character, but at least now we will never have to see his horrible attempts at comedy ever again. Good riddance. I wish him the best and legitimately feel bad for him that he was misused, but that was one of the worst characters in wrestling history. It NEEDED to be gotten rid of.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

I actually enjoyed EY in 2010 and 2011 when he was doing stuff with Orlando Jordan and when he had the mannequin tag partner and stuff like that. 2012 I haven't really cared for him at all, not even the steel cage wedding. Right now I think the Robbies, Joseph Park and Kaz & Daniels bring enough comedy value to impact. So I'd be perfectly fine if EY left TNA.

 

[Wally Dangerously]

I'm fine with him leaving as well. I don't care much for comedy acts in wrestling because they're usually hideously unfunny and EY was no different. He's never stood out for me with his ring work either, so good luck with your future endeavors, Eric.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

This is the best news I have heard in a very long time. Young's character has been absolutely worthless for the last couple of years. Characters like that are the reason people view pro wrestling in a negative light. It's not funny. Santino is funny. Young is an embarrassment and an abomination of a character that should never have lost his serious heel persona. Even the superhero angle was tolerable compared to anything he has done in the past two years.

A guy who carries around a sock that looks like a snake is funny, yet Eric Young is the embarrassment and an abomination? Coming from you, I'm not surprised.

I refused to ever watch him again the moment he won a championship intended for a woman.

I guess you loved Santina since you think Santino is so funny.

Seriously!!!! Getting rid of Eric Young may be the smartest choice TNA has ever made

Holy overraction, Batman.

They wouldn't be in this situation if they had let him keep his World Elite character, but at least now we will never have to see his horrible attempts at comedy ever again.

What situation are you talking about? He's a comedic character. Comedic characters are good to have in wrestling to give us a break from all the serious stuff. I thought you would understand this, but I was wrong.

Good riddance. I wish him the best and legitimately feel bad for him that he was misused, but that was one of the worst characters in wrestling history. It NEEDED to be gotten rid of.

What's so funny about Santino? I've seemed to have missed the boat on his humor.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

This doesn't necessarily mean EY is completely gone, just that he is giving up the house shows. Personally, I still expect him to make sporadic appearances as (I believe) the fishing show does play on the wrestling persona. Plus, as an (albeit small scale) crossover star, I'm sure he can demand a reasonable amount for appearances.

On the likeability factor, I have always found him entertaining and I'm guessing someone at the Discovery Channel and it's viewers do too

 

[One to Remember]

theres a huge difference between santino and EY. Santino's accent is Mediterranean and stylish, EY sounds like a piece of trash from Jersey.. Santino was silly in a charming way, EY was remedial and just too short bus for alot of people. He never worked as a funny wrestler or a silly wrestler. Grappling with the reff was kind of funny i guess.. Santino seems like he can actually do something, he just seems distracted alot, he seems like a wrestler with ADD.. EY's best bet was getting a comedic roll like Vincent had in the NWO with World Elite or w/e but he couldnt even achieve that. He just is a caricature of a wrestling and he makes a fictitious sport look circus which doesnt go over well with me atleast..

 

[Chrome]

Um I love EY, he's funny.. I met him in person twice and both times he was in character and a nice guy. I can't hate him.. I think he was great in world elite.. and his character has changed over the years.. but what if this is all a swerve....

I mean think about it... he's been off TV since May??? Whats been going on since then?? Aces and eights..

Could he be one of the leaders??

Could he be tired of the company and jokes...
who has he been hanging around lately?... he hasn't been on TV?
He has a lot of motive to turn on the company for turning him into a running joke...

If TNA did this right they could do big things with EY... the story would make sense to some people..

But if they want to release EY.. then I would say... they released Devon and we all bought into it only to see.. he was never released in the first place..

EY in Ace's and Eights could make sense if done correctly.. and turning him back into a serious guy like he was with World Elite.

 

[SpecialFNK]

not only would I like to see EY remain and do this comedy role, but I would like there to be others doing comedy. remember this is a TV show and you want to pull in as many viewers as you can. comedy helps. even with your current casual/general viewers, they're not just watching for the wrestling.
ever since EY got married to ODB and had some time off, I've been waiting for him to come back and split with ODB. I think he needs to get away from ODB, that's what is hurting him.

 

[Spinebreaker]

Loved EY in Team Canada, Loved EY as Super-Eric in the Prince Justice Brotherhood. Loved EY as the minor heel in World Elite. Love EY as the concussed maniac.

I think he's a great worker, solid moveset, sells well, good promos (both comedic and serious) and TNA would be crazy to lose him.

Chrome, LOVE the idea of EY in Aces and Eights. He's been doing the crazy gimmick for a while now and could use something new... He's perfectly capable of being a decent heel. I for one, would like to see EY join Devon...

 

[HBsam31]

First off I am really surprised that EY is creating such a heated discussion here. Also surprised on how strong the opinions are either for or against EY. I never had a problem with him myself, but I won't miss him much to be honest. He hasn't been seen a whole lot lately anyway. He didn't make me laugh out loud or anything, but I think his comedy served its purpose. TNA isn't really that comedy heavy so it wasn't like comedy overload or anything. I actually liked him a lot as leader of World Elite, but it didn't really seem to get over. All in all it won't be a big loss to the company, and I wouldn't be surprised if he were to show back up again down the road.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

not only would I like to see EY remain and do this comedy role, but I would like there to be others doing comedy. remember this is a TV show and you want to pull in as many viewers as you can. comedy helps. even with your current casual/general viewers, they're not just watching for the wrestling.
ever since EY got married to ODB and had some time off, I've been waiting for him to come back and split with ODB. I think he needs to get away from ODB, that's what is hurting him.

Again, completely agree. I thought the whole wedding was hilarious, but it had an obvious expiration date that's now passed. I just hope with all the hints TNA has been dropping with ODB calling him week-after-week for beer, chicken wings and marital sustenance that he'll be returning at some point to bring this whole thing full circle and free them both up from one another in the process.

 

[waylon p]

I hope EY does not go anywhere. Eric is a good wrestler and seems to be up for whatever creative wants to try.

I have been hoping for a "Eric finds ODB in bed with Tara's new boyfriend" storyline and all the hilarity that may ensue, as well as a mixed gender tag match where nobody knows who is actually on whose side.

 

[Lowdown]

I was never a fan of EY and his comedy gimmick. But what little bit I've seen of him in the ring he looked solid. More power to him if he were to leave, but TNA would be fine with or without him. He wouldn't be a major player but he makes a decent mid-carder. I won't miss if he truly is on his way out though.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I saw this thread and immediately felt happy.

Eric Young is one of the few people that makes me change the channel when he comes on. I have no problem with ODB, in fact I find her pretty entertaining and different but everything about Eric Young annoys me and has done for a long time.

The guy has had nothing but consistently crap gimmicks for about a decade it seems. He is worthless in the role he is in now, holding a Women's title which I don't think has ever been defended- maybe once? and he adds nothing to the show. His previous incarnations as Super Eric and the moronic "Don't Fire Eric!" were awful too. He isn't worth a paycheck in my opinion and I hope he takes the pointless KO Tag Titles with him- they have been useless ever since The Beautiful People broke up.

Fair play to him for having other outside projects to do, as he isn't going anywhere in TNA and hasn't been for a long time. See ya EY!

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm surprised that a comedy jobber is getting so much love in this thread. I might be wrong but I don't think Young or an identical character would get nearly as much love from this board if he was in WWE doing this stuff.

To me, EY's comedy schtick got old a very, very long time ago. To me, Young is a lot like Santino in WWE: a guy that has legit potentialy but is perpetually relegated to the role of, mostly, a comedy jobber that has long since gotten stale. Like Santino, Young is someone that's gone as far as he can with the comedy stuff.

Does Young frequently work TNA house shows? Reason I'm wondering that has to do with whether or not he works on a pay per appearance deal like most of the roster. If that is his deal and he doesn't usually work house shows, then he'd be better off flipping burgers.

He's been doing the same comedy schtick for the past couple of years that's ceased to be funny a long while back. He's probably not going to rise any higher in TNA and if he has other things going for him then, as I said, can't blame him a bit.

 

[iceninja]

Wasn't everyone complainng that there arnt enough X-Division wrestlers? Cause letting Eric Young reduces those stocks even further, regardless of the fact he is holding the knockouts tag title (which means less then nothing)...the guy is pretty decent in the ring, comedy schtick weather you like it or not sets him apart. Silly move to let him go as many TNA fans love watching him