Looking at the Impact wrestling roster these days is pretty incredible. They have a stocked roster full of talent, but what is even more incredible is that many of the guys on the roster have personality and if Impact Wrestling was a bigger federation could be huge stars. I'll list a few.
AJ Styles: AJ is pretty mush the "franchise" of Impact wrestling. He has been there top guy for the better part of the decade and while I was critical of all the "mentors" that he had (Angle, Sting, Christian, Flair) it has cretainly helped his mic skills and made him into a solid all around performer. There are times when he'll cut a promo and I think damn that was good.
Robert Roode: All the vets (Nash, Booker T, Steiner, Sting) who came into Impact raved about this guy. I admit I didn't see it at first. It wasn't until he won the BFG series in 2011 that bought into him. And yes, I was mad that he didn't win BFG 2011, but holy crap did he rebound. His heel personae has been and is one of the best in the business. He doesn't want to crowd to like him. He gives them nothing to like at all.
James Storm: When he was in America's Most Wanted I thought he was the lesser of the two. Sure he coul work as well a Harris, but Harris had the look. However Storm had one thing over Harris-an interesting character. Once AMW folded Storm proved to be the better character. His beer drinking redneck personality is who he truly is.
Samoa Joe: The guy doesn't even need to talk to be over. He is just and ass kicking machine. While it is true that he floundered in TNA due to bad booking; he really made a comeback during this years BRG series. It was the Joe of old. The Joe that was there to just kick ass. I was happy that they decided to put the TV title on him. It means that we'll get lots of awesome matches on Free TV. I really hope they push him with the title so it'll elevate it and make it worth something.
Austin Aries: This guy is awesome. The original idea for BFG 2012 (I believe) was to have Storm vs Roode, but Aries was so over that they had to put the title on him. Now he is back to being a heel where he should be.
Bully Ray: I know he came from ECW and WWE, but his greates character and greatest ring work has happened in TNA. He is another heel character done the right way- there is nothing at all to like about the guy and I honestly think he relishes that. I can see him becoming world Champion soon. I honestly thought he was going to win the BFG series. How good is bully at his job? Well, in his tage match with sting on last Thursdays Impact the crowd was booing him, but by the middle of the match they were cheering him. The guy knows how to work a crowd (even one as jadded as the Impact Zone) working a crowd to that degree is a (IMO) a lost art. So, few are able to do it today.
Daniels and Kazarian: Daniels is so damn good he has completely elevated Kaz into a great all round performer. Daniels personality is rubbing off on Kaz how has always been a great performer and had a great look, but lacked in personality and mic skills. These two har one of the high points of impact. they are comedy heels who are actually funny. I don't want them to lose the titles at BFG because they are just too damn entertaining. I can't see them staying heels much longer cause they are just that dman good. I honestly don't think that the fans will let them.
Magnus: This guy has a great look and will be World Champion some day. The cocky british asshole gimmick is one that always works (think Lord Stven Regal) He just needs that little something to get him to the next level. Perhaps winning next years BFG series or even a hot Valet that he can rob in everyones faces. "Do you see how hot so and so is this is something that none of you will ever touch because you aren't as beautiful as I am. You're out of shape, lazy American swine." Yes, I channeled a bit of Rick Rude there, but I think it would work for him.
So, why has Impact Wrestling been able to cultivate so many quality performers yet WWE hasn't and is there anyone that you guy see as also being on their way up in TNA that I left out.
AJ Styles: AJ is pretty mush the "franchise" of Impact wrestling. He has been there top guy for the better part of the decade and while I was critical of all the "mentors" that he had (Angle, Sting, Christian, Flair) it has cretainly helped his mic skills and made him into a solid all around performer. There are times when he'll cut a promo and I think damn that was good.
Robert Roode: All the vets (Nash, Booker T, Steiner, Sting) who came into Impact raved about this guy. I admit I didn't see it at first. It wasn't until he won the BFG series in 2011 that bought into him. And yes, I was mad that he didn't win BFG 2011, but holy crap did he rebound. His heel personae has been and is one of the best in the business. He doesn't want to crowd to like him. He gives them nothing to like at all.
James Storm: When he was in America's Most Wanted I thought he was the lesser of the two. Sure he coul work as well a Harris, but Harris had the look. However Storm had one thing over Harris-an interesting character. Once AMW folded Storm proved to be the better character. His beer drinking redneck personality is who he truly is.
Samoa Joe: The guy doesn't even need to talk to be over. He is just and ass kicking machine. While it is true that he floundered in TNA due to bad booking; he really made a comeback during this years BRG series. It was the Joe of old. The Joe that was there to just kick ass. I was happy that they decided to put the TV title on him. It means that we'll get lots of awesome matches on Free TV. I really hope they push him with the title so it'll elevate it and make it worth something.
Austin Aries: This guy is awesome. The original idea for BFG 2012 (I believe) was to have Storm vs Roode, but Aries was so over that they had to put the title on him. Now he is back to being a heel where he should be.
Bully Ray: I know he came from ECW and WWE, but his greates character and greatest ring work has happened in TNA. He is another heel character done the right way- there is nothing at all to like about the guy and I honestly think he relishes that. I can see him becoming world Champion soon. I honestly thought he was going to win the BFG series. How good is bully at his job? Well, in his tage match with sting on last Thursdays Impact the crowd was booing him, but by the middle of the match they were cheering him. The guy knows how to work a crowd (even one as jadded as the Impact Zone) working a crowd to that degree is a (IMO) a lost art. So, few are able to do it today.
Daniels and Kazarian: Daniels is so damn good he has completely elevated Kaz into a great all round performer. Daniels personality is rubbing off on Kaz how has always been a great performer and had a great look, but lacked in personality and mic skills. These two har one of the high points of impact. they are comedy heels who are actually funny. I don't want them to lose the titles at BFG because they are just too damn entertaining. I can't see them staying heels much longer cause they are just that dman good. I honestly don't think that the fans will let them.
Magnus: This guy has a great look and will be World Champion some day. The cocky british asshole gimmick is one that always works (think Lord Stven Regal) He just needs that little something to get him to the next level. Perhaps winning next years BFG series or even a hot Valet that he can rob in everyones faces. "Do you see how hot so and so is this is something that none of you will ever touch because you aren't as beautiful as I am. You're out of shape, lazy American swine." Yes, I channeled a bit of Rick Rude there, but I think it would work for him.
So, why has Impact Wrestling been able to cultivate so many quality performers yet WWE hasn't and is there anyone that you guy see as also being on their way up in TNA that I left out.