Papa Pillman
I've got more Ho's than Jim Duggan
Well the results of the Gut Check ONO special are available now, and I must say that at least they kept the tradition of GutCheck alive. 
Just like when GutCheck was a monthly occurrence, TNA has gone out of their way to sidestep a gigantic talent pool of non-contracted elite indie talent, to instead bring in a slew of guys who are at best barely worthy of gracing the lowest depths of the talent roster. How they scout and choose talents for opportunities like this dumbfounds me, and whoever makes the decisions for who to bring in for showcases like this should be looking for a new job.
I was very optimistic considering how relatively strong this year's crop of British Bootcamp hopefuls was that they would get this show right and bring in some viable candidates for closer looks who could really strengthen the roster, sadly that was not close to the case.
Since I may be one of the only (or THE only)ones in the discussion here who is actually familiar with all of these talents, I'll discuss the names and their TNA potential in spoiler tags:
Just like when GutCheck was a monthly occurrence, TNA has gone out of their way to sidestep a gigantic talent pool of non-contracted elite indie talent, to instead bring in a slew of guys who are at best barely worthy of gracing the lowest depths of the talent roster. How they scout and choose talents for opportunities like this dumbfounds me, and whoever makes the decisions for who to bring in for showcases like this should be looking for a new job.
I was very optimistic considering how relatively strong this year's crop of British Bootcamp hopefuls was that they would get this show right and bring in some viable candidates for closer looks who could really strengthen the roster, sadly that was not close to the case.
Since I may be one of the only (or THE only)ones in the discussion here who is actually familiar with all of these talents, I'll discuss the names and their TNA potential in spoiler tags:
First there is a theme with a lot of these wrestlers that may make them appeal to some of you guys, but does nothing for me. Many of the names chosen are guys in great shape and that have a pretty solid look, so for those of you that appearances matters most to, you might be impressed. The other thing they have in common is that all are at best limited in the ring and have no business working for a company like TNA who now more than ever should be putting a premium on the in-ring aspect. Every match doesn't need to be a classic but every wrestler should at least be capable of putting on a match that is better than just barely adequate.
now for the names:
Martin Stone- British pro wrestler, and former WWE developmental hand "Danny Birch". This guy is lightyears below the quality of the British talent that TNA turned away on British Bootcamp. Why sign someone like Stone when you could have guys like Rampage Brown, Noam Dar, or the fucking awesome Dave Mastiff?
Jon Davis- One half a somewhat accomplished, yet very lackluster former indie tag team known as the Dark City Fight Club. DCFC was a boring match waiting to happen and Davis is a well built dude and a decent athlete but is your typical generic power brawler. Basically a forearm machine who no sells everyone's offense.
The Von Erich's- Way too green right now, and I see absolutely no future for Ross. Marshall on the other hand is already clearly superior to his older brother and is the better athlete with the better look and he may eventually add to the family legacy, but he needs plenty of seasoning before being ready for a stage like TNA.
Shaun Ricker- of CWFH fame and recent WWE developmental talent "Slate Randall". Ricker actually isn't the worst bring in. He at least seems worthy of a look, but what is frustrating is that TNA has flirted a couple of times in the past with his CWFH tag partner Brain Cage without bringing him in on contract, and they let Cage slip away to Lucha Underground. Cage is the far superior talent of the two- he's bigger, younger, stronger, more seasoned, has more personality, and is better in the ring overall than Ricker. Signing Ricker after letting Cage slip away is like getting stuck with the B-team.
Tony Kozina- Davey Richards's 44-year old friend, former trainer, and Jui Jitsu training partner. He's a decent wrestling trainer for mat stuff, but has had at best a lackluster career in the ring. He was brought in to wrestle Richards and did a quick job. He was surely only included as a favor to Davey, nothing more to see here.
Crimson- This has been beaten to death. I know a lot of you guys like this guy, but I just can't see it. If he's being brought in to team with Gunner in a military themed tag team, I could get behind that. If they were to bring back Amazing Red, who was his storyline brother and who Crimson has been tagging some with in recent indies, I'd be all for it as a way to get Red back as Red is fucking awesome and more than good enough to carry a tag team with Crimson. Beyond that, I'd hate to see this guy brought back in, especially if it resulted in a potential renewed singles push. Even if he's ten times better now than he was when they cut him, he'd still need ten times more improvement to be a passable in-ring competitor. His wrestling is the living embodiment of drying paint.
Tevita Fifita- Former WWE "talent" Camacho, son of Haku. The perfect example of wrestling nepotism. He personifies the fact that any second generation wrestler with muscles and some athletic ability will get an extended look and every chance to shine no matter how garbage they are themselves as a pro wrestler. And trust me, this guy is a garbage pro wrestler.
Pepper Parks- A mid-level indie journeyman who's most appealing aspect is the fact that he is dating Cherry Bomb, one of the better women on the circuit who is on the radar as a potential addition to the Knockout roster. He trained with Les Thatcher and started in HWA, so he obviously has a very sound technical base, and he's had some tryout looks from the WWE which didn't amount to anything. Simply put, he just does nothing to standout.
Dalton Castle- He may also be known by the name he has used recently in Chikara- Ashley Remington. Okay here's where I change my tune slightly. This kid actually has a ton of potential. He's been killing it in Chikara with his new gimmick and he oozes personality. He was recently used by ROH in their 2015 top prospect tournament, and for many he stole the show with his entrance and just general charisma. Dragon Saga for one raved about him after his ROH TV debut:
He can cut a promo and wrestle a solid match. Castle is the one guy who appeared on this show who I would like to see actually make his way to Impact. He'd be a great addition to the X-Division and at only 29 years old he could even eventually make a splash higher up the card. Signing him before ROH wises up and signs him would be a small coup by TNA.
now for the names:
Martin Stone- British pro wrestler, and former WWE developmental hand "Danny Birch". This guy is lightyears below the quality of the British talent that TNA turned away on British Bootcamp. Why sign someone like Stone when you could have guys like Rampage Brown, Noam Dar, or the fucking awesome Dave Mastiff?
Jon Davis- One half a somewhat accomplished, yet very lackluster former indie tag team known as the Dark City Fight Club. DCFC was a boring match waiting to happen and Davis is a well built dude and a decent athlete but is your typical generic power brawler. Basically a forearm machine who no sells everyone's offense.
The Von Erich's- Way too green right now, and I see absolutely no future for Ross. Marshall on the other hand is already clearly superior to his older brother and is the better athlete with the better look and he may eventually add to the family legacy, but he needs plenty of seasoning before being ready for a stage like TNA.
Shaun Ricker- of CWFH fame and recent WWE developmental talent "Slate Randall". Ricker actually isn't the worst bring in. He at least seems worthy of a look, but what is frustrating is that TNA has flirted a couple of times in the past with his CWFH tag partner Brain Cage without bringing him in on contract, and they let Cage slip away to Lucha Underground. Cage is the far superior talent of the two- he's bigger, younger, stronger, more seasoned, has more personality, and is better in the ring overall than Ricker. Signing Ricker after letting Cage slip away is like getting stuck with the B-team.
Tony Kozina- Davey Richards's 44-year old friend, former trainer, and Jui Jitsu training partner. He's a decent wrestling trainer for mat stuff, but has had at best a lackluster career in the ring. He was brought in to wrestle Richards and did a quick job. He was surely only included as a favor to Davey, nothing more to see here.
Crimson- This has been beaten to death. I know a lot of you guys like this guy, but I just can't see it. If he's being brought in to team with Gunner in a military themed tag team, I could get behind that. If they were to bring back Amazing Red, who was his storyline brother and who Crimson has been tagging some with in recent indies, I'd be all for it as a way to get Red back as Red is fucking awesome and more than good enough to carry a tag team with Crimson. Beyond that, I'd hate to see this guy brought back in, especially if it resulted in a potential renewed singles push. Even if he's ten times better now than he was when they cut him, he'd still need ten times more improvement to be a passable in-ring competitor. His wrestling is the living embodiment of drying paint.
Tevita Fifita- Former WWE "talent" Camacho, son of Haku. The perfect example of wrestling nepotism. He personifies the fact that any second generation wrestler with muscles and some athletic ability will get an extended look and every chance to shine no matter how garbage they are themselves as a pro wrestler. And trust me, this guy is a garbage pro wrestler.
Pepper Parks- A mid-level indie journeyman who's most appealing aspect is the fact that he is dating Cherry Bomb, one of the better women on the circuit who is on the radar as a potential addition to the Knockout roster. He trained with Les Thatcher and started in HWA, so he obviously has a very sound technical base, and he's had some tryout looks from the WWE which didn't amount to anything. Simply put, he just does nothing to standout.
Dalton Castle- He may also be known by the name he has used recently in Chikara- Ashley Remington. Okay here's where I change my tune slightly. This kid actually has a ton of potential. He's been killing it in Chikara with his new gimmick and he oozes personality. He was recently used by ROH in their 2015 top prospect tournament, and for many he stole the show with his entrance and just general charisma. Dragon Saga for one raved about him after his ROH TV debut:
Dalton Castle.
DALTON CASTLE.
If you don't plan on watching ROH TV this week, change your plans. This guy is awesome.
He can cut a promo and wrestle a solid match. Castle is the one guy who appeared on this show who I would like to see actually make his way to Impact. He'd be a great addition to the X-Division and at only 29 years old he could even eventually make a splash higher up the card. Signing him before ROH wises up and signs him would be a small coup by TNA.
