wwefan0405
Dark Match Jobber
For the past two weeks on TNA Impact, Samoa Joe (one of the best talents in all of pro wrestling) has taken a knife and placed it near Scott Steiner's throat. Such actions are beyond provocative or offensive. TNA's decision to force Joe to commit such an act of public indecency is disgraceful.
In the tradition of pro wrestling, certain things have been off limits. For example, wrestlers don't kick other wrestlers in the face with the toe of their boots (the bottom of the foot is usually used). Even Randy Orton's punt kick is done in a way that the brunt of the force is from the top of Orton's foot. Wrestlers also tend to not kick in the shins. Other moves that are not used are the act of grabbing a wrestler's head and slamming it against the top of one's knee. And of course, professional wrestling (at least in the mainstream) has never adopted the habit of male wrestlers striking female wrestlers. Yes, female wrestlers have taken wrestling maneuvers from men, but not violent punches to the body (and more specifically, the face). And no, Jericho's punch to Michaels' wife is not in the same category. It was staged to appear as though Jericho's punch was an accident. However, if Jericho went ballistic and just started punching Michaels' wife on the ground, that would have been unconscionable on a wrestling program.
As far as weapons go, wrestling has historically never used guns or knives. In the public's conscious, guns and knives bring to mind images of murder, death, and grotesque violence. It is not the same as chairs, ladders, tables, ring bells, and weapons of that variety. Those are common wrestling weapons that would hardly ever be used for a real life assault. And though sledgehammers and baseball bats might be pushing the envelope, professional wrestlers have found ways to use those weapons in safe and inoffensive ways. For example, Triple H never swings the sledgehammer to a wrestler's head and makes contact. He usually lightly grazes a wrestler's head with his hands clearly covering the metal part of the hammer.
The blame for the Impact segment involving Joe falls squarely on TNA's shoulders. Sure, it would be great if Samoa Joe had the courage to stand up to TNA and tell them that he won't use a knife in any angle. Then again, it might also be possible that Samoa Joe supports the idea of using the weapon. But that is not at issue here. TNA (headed by Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett) approved of a knife being shown and used in a provocative way on their programming.
Now, let's take this a step forward
Joe is a fan favorite, revered by many young people. What kind of example is he being to his younger audience? An argument might be made that wrestlers don't need to be role models for children. Heck, a close examination of many wrestlers of the last two decades reminds us that many of our heroes on-screen were quite cruel, villainous, and confused off-screen. However, it is morally upright and honorable for wrestlers to take seriously the images they portray. Joe's use of a knife to threaten a rival might legitimize such a practice in the minds of some impressionable individuals. If Joe is seen as cool to a large segment of the TNA fan population and he uses a knife to settle disputes, the possibility of a fan imitating Joe is real and a cause for great concern.
But it gets worse
Mike Tenay
During this past week's edition of TNA Impact, Mike Tenay justified Joe's actions to put a knife near Steiner's neck. He said of Samoa Joe's actions, " and when it comes to dealing with the Main Event Mafia, I have to tell ya, I don't blame Samoa Joe." Those words were the worst I've ever heard uttered by a commentator. With that very comment, Mike Tenay has flushed his credibility as a commentator right down the toilet. During one of the worst wrestling segments ever produced in North American wrestling history, we heard the most inappropriate and mind boggling comment ever heard on a wrestling program. I am not trying to speak in hyperbole for effect. That segment and Tenay's comment were as low as it gets.
I am not even going to get into my newfound disdain for Jeff Jarrett's TNA. It's not like I even enjoyed it that much before anyway. But here's something I'm personally hoping for. I hope Kurt Angle gets out of there the second his contract expires. Kurt Angle is way above the garbage TNA is producing. Hanging around in such a wrestling promotion does nothing but taint Kurt Angle's legacy. Christian exited TNA at just the right time. He could see the go-nowhere, sinking ship before him. Good for Christian. I hope Angle displays similar wisdom, or retires altogether.
I don't want to dislike TNA. I really don't. Competition is a good thing and anything that keeps McMahon on his toes is a positive for fans. The problem is that TNA presents too many obstacles for wrestling fans to enjoy their shows. They give us an annoying six-sided ring. They give us horrible commentators. They produce lame storylines. And when they attempt not to be lame, they become downright offensive. And lately, TNA has jumped the shark to a point where there is seemingly no return.
TNA would show goodwill by publicly apologizing for the use of a knife on its programming. For some reason though, I doubt that'll happen.
Hopefully ROH will emerge as a dignified and successful promotion. That way, they could serve as a viable company for wrestlers to jump to when they tire of TNA's nonsense.
In the tradition of pro wrestling, certain things have been off limits. For example, wrestlers don't kick other wrestlers in the face with the toe of their boots (the bottom of the foot is usually used). Even Randy Orton's punt kick is done in a way that the brunt of the force is from the top of Orton's foot. Wrestlers also tend to not kick in the shins. Other moves that are not used are the act of grabbing a wrestler's head and slamming it against the top of one's knee. And of course, professional wrestling (at least in the mainstream) has never adopted the habit of male wrestlers striking female wrestlers. Yes, female wrestlers have taken wrestling maneuvers from men, but not violent punches to the body (and more specifically, the face). And no, Jericho's punch to Michaels' wife is not in the same category. It was staged to appear as though Jericho's punch was an accident. However, if Jericho went ballistic and just started punching Michaels' wife on the ground, that would have been unconscionable on a wrestling program.
As far as weapons go, wrestling has historically never used guns or knives. In the public's conscious, guns and knives bring to mind images of murder, death, and grotesque violence. It is not the same as chairs, ladders, tables, ring bells, and weapons of that variety. Those are common wrestling weapons that would hardly ever be used for a real life assault. And though sledgehammers and baseball bats might be pushing the envelope, professional wrestlers have found ways to use those weapons in safe and inoffensive ways. For example, Triple H never swings the sledgehammer to a wrestler's head and makes contact. He usually lightly grazes a wrestler's head with his hands clearly covering the metal part of the hammer.
The blame for the Impact segment involving Joe falls squarely on TNA's shoulders. Sure, it would be great if Samoa Joe had the courage to stand up to TNA and tell them that he won't use a knife in any angle. Then again, it might also be possible that Samoa Joe supports the idea of using the weapon. But that is not at issue here. TNA (headed by Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett) approved of a knife being shown and used in a provocative way on their programming.
Now, let's take this a step forward
Joe is a fan favorite, revered by many young people. What kind of example is he being to his younger audience? An argument might be made that wrestlers don't need to be role models for children. Heck, a close examination of many wrestlers of the last two decades reminds us that many of our heroes on-screen were quite cruel, villainous, and confused off-screen. However, it is morally upright and honorable for wrestlers to take seriously the images they portray. Joe's use of a knife to threaten a rival might legitimize such a practice in the minds of some impressionable individuals. If Joe is seen as cool to a large segment of the TNA fan population and he uses a knife to settle disputes, the possibility of a fan imitating Joe is real and a cause for great concern.
But it gets worse
Mike Tenay
During this past week's edition of TNA Impact, Mike Tenay justified Joe's actions to put a knife near Steiner's neck. He said of Samoa Joe's actions, " and when it comes to dealing with the Main Event Mafia, I have to tell ya, I don't blame Samoa Joe." Those words were the worst I've ever heard uttered by a commentator. With that very comment, Mike Tenay has flushed his credibility as a commentator right down the toilet. During one of the worst wrestling segments ever produced in North American wrestling history, we heard the most inappropriate and mind boggling comment ever heard on a wrestling program. I am not trying to speak in hyperbole for effect. That segment and Tenay's comment were as low as it gets.
I am not even going to get into my newfound disdain for Jeff Jarrett's TNA. It's not like I even enjoyed it that much before anyway. But here's something I'm personally hoping for. I hope Kurt Angle gets out of there the second his contract expires. Kurt Angle is way above the garbage TNA is producing. Hanging around in such a wrestling promotion does nothing but taint Kurt Angle's legacy. Christian exited TNA at just the right time. He could see the go-nowhere, sinking ship before him. Good for Christian. I hope Angle displays similar wisdom, or retires altogether.
I don't want to dislike TNA. I really don't. Competition is a good thing and anything that keeps McMahon on his toes is a positive for fans. The problem is that TNA presents too many obstacles for wrestling fans to enjoy their shows. They give us an annoying six-sided ring. They give us horrible commentators. They produce lame storylines. And when they attempt not to be lame, they become downright offensive. And lately, TNA has jumped the shark to a point where there is seemingly no return.
TNA would show goodwill by publicly apologizing for the use of a knife on its programming. For some reason though, I doubt that'll happen.
Hopefully ROH will emerge as a dignified and successful promotion. That way, they could serve as a viable company for wrestlers to jump to when they tire of TNA's nonsense.