James Storm is Starting a Revolution

[It's Damn Real!]

[YOUTUBE]JifnY5AGtTw[/YOUTUBE]

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It's also being referenced as a "Redneck Revolution", though I doubt that has much of anything to do with actual rednecks as much as it is simply a play on words with him being "The Cowboy".

I'm digging the dark religious undertones. Sanada is clearly the first of this new stable, or collection. Depending on who else gets recruited, this could actually be a pretty sweet launch pad for providing IMPACT with quality heels. Especially if he's going to be rebranding guys who've sorta lost their way, or haven't really made the type of impact they should have otherwise.

It might seem awkward with Storm still being billed as "The Cowboy", but he might actually make for a really great mentor/manager if they're rebranding lesser known guys, or guys who can't carry their own weight on a microphone. I can think of few others in TNA right now who are as verbally strong as him.

Moderator's Note:

Yes, I'm aware TNA has taped well in advance, but that doesn't mean we can't have a conversation about this without needing to tell the world who else has joined the ranks. Keep this thread spoiler-free. Anyone who doesn't is getting infracted, no ifs, ands or buts about it. Fair warning.

Thanks, IDR

 

[prestonluv]

Bray Wyatt 2.0

Bearded freak talking in a mysterious/weird way to loyal followers.

Shouldn't you usually wait 4-5 years before rehashing a current storyline.

 

[Sweeticle]

I'm really liking this whole thing. The fact is, the whole 'leader and his followers' thing didn't start with Bray Wyatt and it won't end with him. You can compare them all you want, but there's more than enough to separate the two of them.

Anywho, Storm really needed this. I actually prefer the guy as a face but if they're going to keep him heel; letting him at least get some other guys over in the process is the way to do it.

 

[Hem]

First off, you realize that Bray Wyatt isn't the first bearded guy to come and save the masses, right? There was a guy by the name of CM Punk before him who led the Straight Edge Society and hell there were probably a handful of groups like him before.

I think the James Storm group could end up being simply awesome. The guy is a very gifted individual on the mic and it gives him something fresh to do instead of the seasonal feud with Bobby Roode.

I think adding aimless guys like Sanada is a good move as it gives young talented wrestlers a chance to shine a lot more than they would if they were alone. Now all I think Storm needs to find for his group is a well placed mid card/upper card guy and a high flyer.
I think those two should be Eric Young and DJ Z.

Than Storm distributes his men to all the sectors of the company, The Tag Team Division; DJ Z( who goes back to being Zema Ion ) and someone else.
The X Division; Sanada (he is eventually the one to snap out of James Storms trance and turn face.) That leaves Eric Young and Storm himself.
Storm goes into the main event scene for the championship with Eric Young being his henchman who carrys out all of Storms dirty deeds to get him to the championship.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

I don't like it. Whether it resembles Bray Wyatt is not really important to me. I don't mind rip offs as long as it's done well. This may or may not be one, but it's just ... bad.

Here's what bugs me about it. It just ... happened. Now, I haven't followed James Storm all too well over the past few months and maybe TNA built up to it. If that's the case - my bad. But to me, it really feels out of the blue. Someone else here will tell me if I'm correct. What's with the revolution? What's with the religious stuff? What's with the ... what's going on? When did James Storm become so deep. This is so unlike the character. He's supposed to drink beer and superkick people, that's it. As a face he does it, as a heel he does it. Now he's ... that.

It's just corny as fuck. They always film it at this one shack and he has an asian dude tied up half naked. I just ... no.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I don't like it. Whether it resembles Bray Wyatt is not really important to me. I don't mind rip offs as long as it's done well. This may or may not be one, but it's just ... bad.

Here's what bugs me about it. It just ... happened. Now, I haven't followed James Storm all too well over the past few months and maybe TNA built up to it. If that's the case - my bad. But to me, it really feels out of the blue. Someone else here will tell me if I'm correct. What's with the revolution? What's with the religious stuff? What's with the ... what's going on? When did James Storm become so deep. This is so unlike the character. He's supposed to drink beer and superkick people, that's it. As a face he does it, as a heel he does it. Now he's ... that.

It's just corny as fuck. They always film it at this one shack and he has an asian dude tied up half naked. I just ... no.

Then you haven't been following, because it's been built for the last two months, or longer, probably dating back to the "Sorry I'm Not Sorry" stuff when he first turned heel and started hitting the ring to the cover of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" (Johnny Cash original).

Go back and watch the early stuff between he and Gunner during that feud and you'll see where the footprints were made for this.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

Then you haven't been following, because it's been built for the last two months, or longer, probably dating back to the "Sorry I'm Not Sorry" stuff when he first turned heel and started hitting the ring to the cover of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" (Johnny Cash original).

Go back and watch the early stuff between he and Gunner during that feud and you'll see where the footprints were made for this.

Yup, thought so. God, I keep thinking TNA is WWE. Anyway, good on TNA for building it up but I'm still not into it. Maybe I need to give it time or, you know, watch the whole show and stuff. I've never been into the God stuff. And I guess it makes sense for Storm considering he's always wearing crosses and shit. Still, not my cup of tea but at least he's on TV.

 

[SPARTANBOY03]

I cant comment on this until this goes a lil further . I will wait a few weeks/months and then I will comment

 

[Anti-IWC-Marks]

I didn't hear much of any true religious references there.

At least storm is getting away from his awful "I DRINK BEER AND AM GONNA COME YELL IN THE MIC AND GET IN YOUR FACE" gimmick he's had for about 6 years now.

Amongst all the main players of TNA originals.. Storm has always been on the bottom for me. Never saw much in his character.

Perhaps this will lead to something...

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Yup, thought so. God, I keep thinking TNA is WWE. Anyway, good on TNA for building it up but I'm still not into it. Maybe I need to give it time or, you know, watch the whole show and stuff. I've never been into the God stuff. And I guess it makes sense for Storm considering he's always wearing crosses and shit. Still, not my cup of tea but at least he's on TV.

Well, this isn't really "God" stuff. It's just religiously-inspired, with him acting as a "savior" of sorts.

The last time they did a "higher power" angle was Daniels and Sting, years ago, and from what Sting has said, they basically put the kibosh on it because Sting himself wasn't comfortable doing it any longer.

 

[The Samoan Heritage]

I enjoy James storm, and I've read the spoilers and still can't really say were this is going, which is a good thing.
I don't know how people are getting a religious vibe from this, besides wanting people to look up to him. All this came about (IMO) as Storm's jealousness of The great Muta. Muta was a legend and use to "looked down on others like Storm" So Storm feels like he is a legend now, because he has build TNA to what it is. He believes that he deserves all the honor that Muta was/is getting, and that the new guys coming in TNA should look up to him like new guys in Japan look up to Muta.
I can't wait to see what's going to happen, hopefully he starts his own group. Also I hope this doesnt become the 1,000,000th faction in TNA to want control, and they just do their own thing.

 

[SuperTaco]

I noticed that Sanada cut his hair and got rid of all the blonde. I think it looks better now, and if he's going to be a bad guy it will fit his character better too.

Storm loves being a bad guy, this kind of thing is probably right up his alley. It could just be good acting, but he really looks engaged with this character lately. It feels like the true essence of James Storm, though perhaps I shouldn't go that far until I see more of this angle.

 

[Terry Gyimah]

Who knows maybe perhaps with this change in character this change in attitude from James Storm it could help build him up again to be a credible threat to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship no matter who the TNA World Heavyweight Champion is and mind you James Storm is a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion so this Revolution of his could work or it could backfire remains to be seen

 

[It's Damn Real!]

James Storm, the Prophet — man, I gotta say, I was pretty skeptical of this early on, but the new era versions of Sanada and Manik have been impressive, and it looks like maybe Homicide is next?

This angle has great legs on it and should culminate big at BFG, no?

 

[Weems2k]

Of course the so called "smart" internet fans would compare this to another ripoff of the E again. That's the only thing they're capable of. Let's see.

Bray Wyatt - Fat, bearded, out of shape jobber who spews the same riddle crap week in, and week out. Only move is a stupid spider walk(which isn't that hard to to btw) His cronies are even less talented, and will be done if they ever go the singles route.

Storm - A bearded, in shape former world champion, that was also part of one of the greatest tag teams. Was always over, and has pretty good mic skills. His current little faction actually has talented wrestlers that can succeed on their own. Also notice that so far, Storm has been recruiting only X-Division guys.

Yeah, big rip-off here.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I really don't care about fans who complain about that kind of thing. It rolls off my back. I'm sure some aspects of it are lifted from Wyatt, and some aren't. All I care about is how effective it's pulled off in this company — the company it's being done in. Good artists borrow, great artists steal.

I don't know nearly enough about the Wyatt's to say one way or another which is better or more effective or more over in their respective companies, but I do know TNA well enough to say that this is going to be tremendously helpful for guys like Sanada and Manik, who were mostly floundering.

 

[WBL]

Gee, a guy who used to be beloved by the fans and nearly the company's top face turns heel and starts a stable with vaguely cult-like implications.

We certainly haven't seen this ever before...

 

[Slash-LN]

Without using spoilers.

Do we know if this is it? Just the two? Or are more supposed to be added?
If it's just Storm working with those two I would be totally okay with that.

I don't like Manik's new mask but whatever. Overall it's cool.

IDR I probably missed the Homicide part. Is that something you can go into more detail on? That may have happened when I was out of the room. Probably during the Joe and Homicide match because I know I missed that match.

 

[Hit with Dirty Deeds]

I'm a massive James Storm fan, if some lower card wrestlers get the rub from his redneck revolution then I'm all for it
..maybe he could take Gunner back on board as he seems to have lost a lot of steam since his programme with him ended

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Without using spoilers.

Do we know if this is it? Just the two? Or are more supposed to be added?
If it's just Storm working with those two I would be totally okay with that.

I don't like Manik's new mask but whatever. Overall it's cool.

IDR I probably missed the Homicide part. Is that something you can go into more detail on? That may have happened when I was out of the room. Probably during the Joe and Homicide match because I know I missed that match.

Was after the Joe/Homicide match. They came in and took out Homicide, which is what they've been doing in converting guys to Storm's cause.

Dunno if it'll happen or not, but considering they kinda targeted him, it makes sense.

 

[Rayne]

Gee, a guy who used to be beloved by the fans and nearly the company's top face turns heel and starts a stable with vaguely cult-like implications.

We certainly haven't seen this ever before...

Well, yeah. It's professional wrestling. If you've been watching more than a few years, you'll notice that there are a few basic stories that repeat themselves with slight variations. What matters is if the story is toldwell.

 

[Slash-LN]

Was after the Joe/Homicide match. They came in and took out Homicide, which is what they've been doing in converting guys to Storm's cause.

Dunno if it'll happen or not, but considering they kinda targeted him, it makes sense.

That could be really interesting actually.

I've never seen him with any other gimmick. So this has me really interested to see how it turns out.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I'm really liking this whole thing. The fact is, the whole 'leader and his followers' thing didn't start with Bray Wyatt and it won't end with him. You can compare them all you want, but there's more than enough to separate the two of them.

There really isnt though, especially when this storyline is concurrent with the one in the WWE. If ANYTHING its a main reason to stay far, far away from something like this.

Wether its 100% valid or not, its immeadiately how it will be perceived, given TNA's reputation for this sort of thing. You simply can't do it.

All of you harping on the wesk defense of "stories get rehashed" logic surely dont mean stories which ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING. That isn't a re-hash, its copy cat. Regardless of the different nuances, it is undeniably MUCH too similar to one of the WWE's hottest current acts.

"Oh, stuff is BOUND to get re-hashed, right?" Well no, not if you see whats on the competition, with the intent of giving fans an alternative. Which TNA, for whatever reason, utterly REFUSES to do, even at their own peril.

 

[Alex]

There really isnt though, especially when this storyline is concurrent with the one in the WWE. If ANYTHING its a main reason to stay far, far away from something like this.

Wether its 100% valid or not, its immeadiately how it will be perceived, given TNA's reputation for this sort of thing. You simply can't do it.

All of you harping on the wesk defense of "stories get rehashed" logic surely dont mean stories which ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING. That isn't a re-hash, its copy cat. Regardless of the different nuances, it is undeniably MUCH too similar to one of the WWE's hottest current acts.

"Oh, stuff is BOUND to get re-hashed, right?" Well no, not if you see whats on the competition, with the intent of giving fans an alternative. Which TNA, for whatever reason, utterly REFUSES to do, even at their own peril.

I see your point Norcal but I'd also argue that's what it is in the entertainment business as a whole. Something sells other people try their own spin. Look at the movies right now Comic Book Movies sell like hot cakes and it was jump started by Marvel. DC/Warner Bros are trying to jump on it with their properties, lesser known comics like Kick-Ass and Scott Pilgrim had films made, heck they made a sequel to Sin City nine years after the first one.

Giving fans an alternative does not neccessarily giving them something completely new. You can take an exisiting idea and put a spin on it. I haven't seen Chronicle but I heard it was a superhero film but with characters who are like everyday people. It's not a completely new idea but it's a different spin on the superhero idea which is an alternative.

 

[ABMorales787]

There really isnt though, especially when this storyline is concurrent with the one in the WWE. If ANYTHING its a main reason to stay far, far away from something like this.

Wether its 100% valid or not, its immeadiately how it will be perceived, given TNA's reputation for this sort of thing. You simply can't do it.

All of you harping on the wesk defense of "stories get rehashed" logic surely dont mean stories which ARE CURRENTLY ONGOING. That isn't a re-hash, its copy cat. Regardless of the different nuances, it is undeniably MUCH too similar to one of the WWE's hottest current acts.

"Oh, stuff is BOUND to get re-hashed, right?" Well no, not if you see whats on the competition, with the intent of giving fans an alternative. Which TNA, for whatever reason, utterly REFUSES to do, even at their own peril.

Thing is Brays an ambiguous cult leader that already has loyal, brainwashed followers and aims to spread that. Storm on the other hand disciplines other wrestlers into being more vicious and clearly just wants to show he's a good manager and above the rest of the roster. They may be a similar premise but there's plenty between the two to tell apart.