If Benoit and Guerrerro went to TNA...

[Hollywood Naitch]

I dont get all the hate on this guy for making this thread. What is wrong with wondering how Guerrero and Benoit would have fared in TNA? It is just seeing what peoples opinions on that possibilities of what COULD have happened. Its a discussion board guys, and this is just letting people post their thoughts on whether 2 legends of the business could have achieved in TNA.

It is only like the topics "What moments in WWE history would you like to change" or "What if Hogan hadnt lost to Warrior at WM" or "What if Montreal never happened"...all perfectly fine topics to discuss.

I have already posted my thoughts on how I think Eddie and Benoit would have fared in TNA, and am interested in seeing what others feel about the subject.

A totally fine thread to me

 

[Davi323]

If Eddie Guerrero had joined TNA: He would have still died. The reason Eddie died was from years of abuse that damaged his heart, caused by the drugs he was taking. Neither the WWE or TNA had a comprehensive drug testing/Wellness policy at the time, so there is no reason to believe that Eddie Guerrero would have engaged in less harmful behavior in TNA, than he had the rest of his career. By the time Eddie rejoined the WWE, and TNA had been started, he was already a ticking time bomb. The damage had been done, and while nobody could have predicted it ahead of time, his life was nearing its end. Only his death would have brought the eye of the federal government down on TNA, instead of the WWE. It would have been TNA that would have been dealt with all kinds of negative press. I loved Eddie Guerrero, but if he had signed with TNA, I don't know if TNA could have survived the negative publicity associated with his inevitable death.

This actually goes for Chris Benoit as well, and for the same reasons. No drug testing means he still takes the steroids. Benoit's ring style, of which it is certain TNA would not have changed, would still have caused the damage to his brain that resulted in the double-murder/suicide. Signing with TNA would not have changed a damn thing for Chris Benoit's mental problems. So, TNA would have had two potentially company killing scandals, instead of the WWE. The WWE is big enough to survive something like that, TNA isn't. If either or both men had signed with TNA, TNA probably doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I had a similar idea a while ago, but it was more focussed on if Eddie hadn't returned to WWE in 2002, but as it's kinda relevant I'm just going to cut and paste my points here, but first I'll answer your question.
I think timing would have played a big part. If they had both gone in the post Attitude/pre PG slump when the X Division in TNA was getting a lot of attention then I think it would have really benefitted TNA. Perhaps Benoit moreso than Eddie could have been competing with JJ for the belt and open up more possibilities to match-up scenarios.

"I was watching Eddie's 'Viva La Raza' DVD last week and while watching it I had a thought, what if Eddie hadn't returned to the WWE in 2002 after his release for the pain-killer addiction and drink driving charges?

When he did return to the WWE he managed to really establish himself as one of Smackdown's top stars and proved a great opponent for many different wrestlers with different styles, not to mention the 'Lie, Cheat, Steal' gimmick that got him and Chavo incredibly over with the crowds. He arguably became a lot more consistent as well up until his death.

HOWEVER

Let's have a think and how things could have been different;

Before the notion of Rey not winning the WHC belt comes up, would Rey still have gone to WWE if Eddie hadn't been there? On a lesser note, the Mexi-Cools too?

Would Chavo have lasted as long in the WWE without his uncle?

Vickie undoubtedly wouldn't have ever appeared, how much effect has she had?

If he had just carried on wrestling independently, would this have caused his death sooner due to no restrictions on his substance abuse, or would he still be around?

And finally... In 2002, TNA started up. If he had been available and joined up, what impact might he have had there?"