An argument could be made that both these two have made it. In fact, the most sensible argument would suggest that Joe has "made it" further than AJ. So let's just ask this question: who will make it the furthest?
I'm likely to switch sides as everyone pours to AJ's defense; I'm a big fan of playing devil's advocate. I advocate the devil. For now though, the obvious answer is AJ.
He's the most athletic wrestler in TNA today. Actually, "athletic" may be a bit misleading. He's the most agile. Well, that's not strictly true. OK, he's the best spot monkey you'll ever lay your fair eyes on. That seems to work the best. There's a reason he's called "the human highlight reel" because he's the best in the business at falling off tall things and making it look impressive. And I'm even including Jeff Hardy in that. I presume his transitions between spots are good too; otherwise why would Slyfox like him? His rugged good looks? Well, maybe...
Of course, you could argue that Joe is equally impressive when it comes to athleticism, the second most agile big man next to the Tex Mex T-Rex, Hernandez. He might not be performing somersaults night in, night out, but his high kicks and ability to jump over semi-tall objects onto people is quite impressive.
Joe's the more versatile of the two, as well. Whereas AJ has a strict high-flying style, which there's nothing wrong with and so much right with, Joe dips into submissions, strikes, grappling, brawling, slamming and diving about like a madman. It's why I maintain that he's fucking fun to watch. Not that AJ isn't of course.
But AJ has something that Joe hasn't: clear marketability. I maintain that Joe can be marketed well, really well - TNA just aren't up to it. But it's almost impossible to fuck up AJ's marketing. Not only is he the most over person in the entire roster and the only "TNA original" that has the definite potential to draw a wider audience, but it's just impossible to not market someone that bleeds charisma, that has such an entertaining, smooth style and is, well, that's all I got. But those two things are fucking important.
If either is going to make it in, or out of TNA, the likelihood is it's AJ.
I'm likely to switch sides as everyone pours to AJ's defense; I'm a big fan of playing devil's advocate. I advocate the devil. For now though, the obvious answer is AJ.
He's the most athletic wrestler in TNA today. Actually, "athletic" may be a bit misleading. He's the most agile. Well, that's not strictly true. OK, he's the best spot monkey you'll ever lay your fair eyes on. That seems to work the best. There's a reason he's called "the human highlight reel" because he's the best in the business at falling off tall things and making it look impressive. And I'm even including Jeff Hardy in that. I presume his transitions between spots are good too; otherwise why would Slyfox like him? His rugged good looks? Well, maybe...
Of course, you could argue that Joe is equally impressive when it comes to athleticism, the second most agile big man next to the Tex Mex T-Rex, Hernandez. He might not be performing somersaults night in, night out, but his high kicks and ability to jump over semi-tall objects onto people is quite impressive.
Joe's the more versatile of the two, as well. Whereas AJ has a strict high-flying style, which there's nothing wrong with and so much right with, Joe dips into submissions, strikes, grappling, brawling, slamming and diving about like a madman. It's why I maintain that he's fucking fun to watch. Not that AJ isn't of course.
But AJ has something that Joe hasn't: clear marketability. I maintain that Joe can be marketed well, really well - TNA just aren't up to it. But it's almost impossible to fuck up AJ's marketing. Not only is he the most over person in the entire roster and the only "TNA original" that has the definite potential to draw a wider audience, but it's just impossible to not market someone that bleeds charisma, that has such an entertaining, smooth style and is, well, that's all I got. But those two things are fucking important.
If either is going to make it in, or out of TNA, the likelihood is it's AJ.