OFFICIAL RVD NEW TNA CHAMPION DISCUSSION THREAD

[psykohurricane]

Personally, i think that should have waited for the PPV to make the switch. Don'T get me wrong, i happy RVD is the champion even through i would have like to see one of the lesser know guys to get that honor of being the guy that finally ended A.J. Styles's reign. But giving this on free t.v makes no sense to me when they could have made a ton of money if they had that match on PPV.

Imagine the marketing for that match between RVD and A.J. Styles for the TNA world Heavyweight Championship. It would have been as huge as the Samoa Joe vs Kurt Angle match from lockdown 08. The fans that are still watching TNA would have spread the word about this match and TNA probably would have gotten more people watching their sacrifice PPV just by the word of mouth. The build up could have been so great but now, in typical TNA fashion, they give that dream match for free and even make the title change. That shows how desperate TNA is and would it be funny if the ratings don'T go up even with the great show they did.

Sorry, i really believe TNA wasted another opportunity to make money here and am not saying that because RVD is Champion now, i'm saying this because it would have made a bigger Impact on PPV then on free t.v.

 

[aphazel1]

After reading some of the responses, I feel the need to qualify my criticism. I'm a TNA fan and watch the show each week, though I admit that I enjoyed the product more in the Pre-Hogan days. I'm also a total mark for RVD, Hardy, and Styles.....HOWEVER, I think TNA blew a number of opportunities in having RVD beat Hardy and then Styles for the title on the same show. Both of these matches could easily headline PPVs and be built into feuds that could garner some interest in the product. Instead, we get 2 short and meaningless "TV shock moments”…..Anyone miss the days when a world title match actually meant something? At what point does shock no longer capture the gaze of the spectator? For me it was March 26, 2001 but we’ll find out how the rest of the world feels when the ratings come in for the week…. I doubt RVD’s reign will be significant or lengthy; consistency and substance doesn't seem to be in the TNA formula at the moment. If they wanted RVD to take the title or face Hardy in a #1 contender match, tonight's broadcast should have been used to build interest in a future match on a subsequent IMACT! or an upcoming PPV. A match between your 2 top faces for a shot at the belt seems like a no-brainer for potential drama…..That gives viewers something to look forward to next week and allows room for more compelling and meaningful television. I suppose a coherent story writer would first be a prerequisite.

 

[Rayne]

First, for people saying who champions are should be based on "paying your dues" to a company, get that out of your head. It's about putting asses in seats and convincing people to buy pay-per-views. There are a lot of people who have "paid their dues" (hi Chavo!) and not gotten squat for it. AJ's very good at what he does, but I think of him being successful at a "weak champion" gimmick and that's it. He doesn't have the mainstream buildup; he's been with a little shitpot company who just got their first cable deal a couple of years ago. To compete with WWE, TNA needs a WWE style champion. Sorry, TNA marks.

The only better choice I can think of besides Rob Van Dam would be Mr. Anderson (now that Kurt Angle's on hiatus), and that match can't be too far away. Rob Van Dam sort of borked his WWE title reign, but he's capable of carrying a promotion's strap when it needs to be carried. The TNA title still isn't as respected as the WWE's title, and Rob Van Dam can elevate that and the company.

So long as we stop showing Hogan every 15 minutes.

 

[Josefien]

As of right now, the negative just outweighs the positive. Keep in mind that this is my personal opinion; I'm not talking about the general consensus.

Positive:

• RVD is the TNA Champion.
Of course it's cool RVD is the TNA Champion. It had to happen sooner or later. He deserves it, he is awesome etc etc.

• It was a huge shock/suprise.
Yeah, surprises are good. They make the whole show more unpredictable and prevent it from becoming stale.

• It may have upped the ratings.
In a night where TNA is up against 'Monday Night Smackdown', shocking turns can easily make viewers change the channel to watch TNA. Hell, even if it had been against RAW, I think many people would've changed the channel if they heard what was going on. But until the ratings are there, we'll have to see.

• The moment was just amazing.
Come on, who of us didn't mark out?

Negative:

• It was too early.
I would rather have seen a longer AJ/RVD feud, more of the 'I'm coming for your title' kind of thing. Now, they can still feud, but AJ has basically nothing to lose. The other way around, it simply would have been more interesting for me.

• It wasn't the best marketing decision.
Some of the posters explained that already. Two PPV matches on free TV. I get that TNA is going for the 'moment' rather than for the .. I don't know, maybe two months they could have filled with this, but that brings me to my next point.

• How the fuck are they going to follow up last night's iMPACT?
Okay, so maybe they turned a few heads. Maybe someone who didn't watch TNA before turned in. They saw this awesome episode, very good matches that were shown on TV. How are they going to top that? If those new viewers turn in for the next iMPACT which theoretically just can't be as good as yesterday, they'll be disappointed.

• Minor rant: Uhh, confetti?
They had their cool little ceremony and all but uhh.. it didn't feel right (yet). For me, something like that would be appropriate after months of chasing a title and finally getting it or whatever. It was just over the top.

Edit: When I say the negatives outweigh the positives, I'm not saying that I see more negative issues, just that they mean more (to me).

 

[The Con Volt]

No other website posted it like this that is worth a crap. Wrestlezone normally doesn't. I'm wondering why now? Kind of an unwritten rule in wrestling website communities. Just calling them out on it.

And I promise you would not take the tone you are if we were face to face. So save it.

Ok. First off, stop trying to act hard on the internet. It's not convincing AT ALL, and as you can see, it's sort of compounding the amount of hate you're getting now. No one is threatened by some guy who got home late from a long, HARD night on the street corners of the red light district. And just the simple fact that you just had to come on before you watched Impact is your own damn fault. It's not this websites job to cater to you're time schedule. So next time you feel like being a whiney little punk who at the same time try's to act hard on the internet, just stay off. We don't need you here. Someone get this little girl a tampon.

 

[ThePh3nomonal1]

As much as I would love to say that this is a great move considering RVD is 1 of my favourites but unfortunately I can't because TNA are just building this fanbase and building up AJ and now someone who has had like 3 televised matches in 3 or 4 years And beats there top guy after already facing Jeff Hardy, it just doesn't seem right to me. But I am happy to see RVD and I hope he finally gets the lengthy world title reign he deserves.

 

[wbuqed]

Thanks Wrestlezone for just flat out posting TNA IMPACT! Results: New Champion! I get home late from work and tape both RAW and IMPACT. I jumped in here to post something about RAW after watching it. Then was going to watch IMPACT. Thanks for ruining it! You couldn't have just said IMPACT Results. Or use the *Spoilers* tag. Weak sauce. After looking, many other sites didn't post the "spoiler" flat out. Shame for an otherwise good site.

WOW so just because you couldn't make it home in time you wanna blame a website for not appeasing the minority of people who couldn't be home to see a live broadcast? NEWSFLASH simpleton it's only a spoiler result if it hasn't made it to the airwaves yet. Let this be a lesson to you that sometimes people running a website have to encourage people to read an article on their site by giving away certain elements of it in the headline. Just be lucky that the WZ article didn't tell you about Abyss vs Flair next week...ooops did I spoil that for you too?

 

[Deviltaker95]

Just finished reading this whole thread...For the people that want to see this match on a ppv, doesn't make any sense..First off TNA is struggling to get PPV buys..You have to really pull off some great Impact shows and go from there....Impact is also struggling to get any ratings...TNA needs to do things like this right now, thats what you all are not understanding. If the casual WWE fan even switched on TNA last night, then thats a minor victory for TNA...They need to establish a fan base and little by little they will start chipping away..and once they start getting decent ratings,, things will start settling down with some great feuds and some great matches..

I must say the past 48hrs for TNA was a step in the right direction..and Angle vs. Anderson was an amazing match....Sad part is WWE has become a milk toast stale product, I'd rather watch Jeremy Borash do his furley eyes over and over then see R-Truth blow up by the cast members of Macgruber

 

[GenMe]

This is a shocker for me, So from one day to the other now RVD is the new TNA world heavyweight champion, I just really don't understand any that's happening in TNA right now. I really like the idea of RVD as the TNA champion, But I just don't understand why there was no story line or feud before he was crown champion.

Aj Styles was a great champion, but he was getting kind of boring as a champion. I think that TNA could've waited until sacrifice for AJ to put his title on the line against RVD and just make him lose his championship there.

I guess that TNA was to desperate to get some major rating. But hey congrats to Mr Monday night.

 

[Coco]

Styles had a great reign and had been on top since September. By today's standards, it was a legendary run. Okay, it obviously wasn't. But it was still pretty darn impressive and he should be thrilled that Hogan and company placed as much faith in him as they did. Tip of the hat to AJ Styles on a job well done.

Big congrats go out to my all time favorite wrestler, Rob Van Dam. Couldn't have been more thrilled with the decision, the faith being placed in him, and the fact that he's not being squandered. From a not so markish point of view, this was also a great decision. Build-up would have killed what they were going for. Word of mouth today is that you MUST watch iMPACT every week as you never know what can happen. Selling pay per views is nice, but you can't do it on a large scale if people don't watch your weekly television shows first. Promoting this match a few weeks from now on TV might have created some buzz, but not the "must see" buzz that last night's instant and surprising change of the landscape has. In that way, I love this move.

Of course knowing TNA, they'll find a way to fuck it up by month's end. They've created some above average momentum going forward. Now let's see how they use.

 

[jccool420]

I called it! I knew it wouldn't be long before TNA gave Hardy or RVD the title... I'm really glad that they made the right choice with RVD... I think he will have a great title run and will work out as the new face of TNA wrestling...

AJ was awesome as champ, but like I said in a previous thread... TNA needs a champion that is a face and has name value... RVD fits both those bills...

Hopefully they have a rematch at Sacrifice... Those two guys should have an awesome PPV match...

 

[Kenny Powers]

I was shocked as well because I thought the match would end in a no contest or a DQ. I would have loved to seen this match at Sacrifice, but it was a great match to have on Impact. I don't think we have seen the last of AJ though. I think AJ will get his rematch at Sacrifice against RVD.

I prefer seeing RVD as the champ instead of The Pope because Pope still isn't established yet. RVD is a veteran, the most over guy on the roster, and earns the most ratings. So many talented workers can shine with RVD now. I just hope we get the real dream match at the PPV between Styles and RVD.

 

[Alex]

I was thinking TNA were doing WWE hasn't done in a while, world champion has had the belt for over six months, guess it's ended now.

RVD is awesome but there were a couple of things wrong with this.

There was no build, I guess it could be argued TNA are crap at doing that but I'm sure more people would have tuned in to se RVD take on AJ Styles for the belt.

RVD has been in TNA two months after a lengthly hiatus and just wins the belt, it makes it look like people like Samoa Joe, Desmond Wolfe and Pope don't really matter.

I am looking forward to RVD'S reign, hopefully he'll be able to put some talent over and give them some credibility

 

[RVDgurl]

Obviously I'm crazy excited about the fact that RVD is once again a world champion. I always DVR Impact and watch ROH and RAW (because I can then replay the RVD segments as many times as I want), so I haven't actually seen the match yet! I'm looking forward to seeing it.

With that being said, here we go.... If we're simply talking about RVD, then giving him the belt is the greatest thing in the world. However, I'm not really sure how great it is for TNA overall. I almost feel like I need to slap myself for having mixed emotions about this, but AJ dropping the belt to RVD on Impact just doesn't make sense on so many levels. It just reeks of typical Russo/Bischoff/Hogan.

First of all, I sincerely believe that RVD can and will be a tremendous champion and will have a positive impact on ratings. But where was the build up? There was nothing but a loose storyline (at best) that included half a dozen guys who could've just as easily been in RVD's place. There was nothing special about it, and personally, I think RVD and AJ deserved better.

Secondly, this match took place on Impact. I'm all for having a mid card title change hands on TV every once in a while, but giving away a world title exchange for free is senseless. It's possible the TNA just lost thousands or even millions of dollars from this move. I understand that they wanted to capitalize on the fact that RAW was going to be a makeshift show, but making what was most likely a hasty decision does nothing for the long term.

 

[Hulkamaniac]

This is ridiculous. TNA doesn't sell a whole bunch of PPV's right now. They just don't. Most of their money comes from their TV deal. They have to bring fans in THAT way to buy PPV's. TNA sells like 30,000 PPV's a pop, but over a million for TV. The way to get fans interested in the product is to get them through TV, and THEN they order PPV's. You can't just expect to start selling PPV's because RVD and Hardy are there. You have to get fans interested enough in your whole product to order the PPV. This was definitely the right move.

 

[16mikeytot]

Ok so their's still a huge buzz surrounding Rvd and The Tna World Heavyweight Championship. But I got to thinking and this is all a major conspiracy. Yes a conspiracy. Think about it Vince Russo writes the scripts for Tna while Hogan and Bischoff just finalize it. With Russo stating he's burnt out and wants to back away from his tv writing duties, Tna knows nor Bischoff or Hogan wants that job of script writing. So they put the Tna World Title on Rvd to try to bring in Paul Heyman. Yes Paul Heyman as he is a creative genuis.Think about it Rvd is 39 years old and has stated in an interview he doesn't know why fans want him in Tna. His own words were he's been in the ring with The Rock, Taker, and Big Show so he doesn't know why the fans now want him wrestling Daniels and others. The only reason I believe he's in Tna is so he could smoke weed and not get fined for it as he would in Wwe. I believe he could careless about the Tna World Title. Tna's mindset is make Rvd are main guy and Paul will come in.Thoughts.

 

[Poɘt]

If TNA wanted Paul Heyman they wouldn't have to do anything special to get him. I'm sure the man is just waiting for a job with a mainstream promotion. With that said, I don't think he's a genius at all. Maybe he has a lot of good ideas, but considering he killed his own company, I'm not sure an upstart company like TNA should want him anywhere near them.

 

[geist inc]

If TNA wanted Paul Heyman they wouldn't have to do anything special to get him. I'm sure the man is just waiting for a job with a mainstream promotion. With that said, I don't think he's a genius at all. Maybe he has a lot of good ideas, but considering he killed his own company, I'm not sure an upstart company like TNA should want him anywhere near them.

The only way Paul Heyman killed ECW, was by being bad at cash flow. I doubt Dixie would want to put him in charge of payments, nothing more than a creative role would be offered. Maybe some TV time added into the package, but control of money wouldn't be given to him.

I also think he has issues with Easy E, which is a shame because he could write TNA and give the fans what they wanted. Of course I could be mistaken about the issues, just like I could be mistaken in thinking Paul Heyman is a saviour.

But I enjoyed the 19-4-10 episode, in fact it was awesome

 

[The Con Volt]

Paul Heyman will never willingly work with Eric Bischoff again. They tried to put their differences behind them in WWE, but they still can't stand eachother. In fact, I'm pretty sure the only person who actually wants Paul E in TNA is RVD himself. Everyone else that worked with him just sort of felt burned by him after the way things went down at the end of ECW. And on a personal level, I was never a big fan of his booking in ECW or WWE for that matter. So while I think that he was at somepoint relevent, I just don't think there's a place for him in today's wrestling world.

 

[Vintage]

TNA doesn't need Heyman. Impact was on fire for a while in 2009 but it seemed in december we just had throw together filler shows before Hogan came in. Monday was a lot like the pre Hogan Impacts. Russo is more than capable of pulling it off, but I would love to see Heyman work with Russo, cutting out everyone else and letting them do their thing. It would be awesome tv.

 

[Chauncy Talon]

Consipiarcy? Nope. The point of that was to get the ratings. WWE had it RAW show, also their most watch show trapped in Europe. Triple H had came out and announced that. TNA had to think of something fast and decided to take the belt off of AJ Styles and put it on Rob Van Dam.

I say that is one of the best ideas in a long time. If your competition is not at it's best, you need to seize the opportunity or be left in the past. I'm pretty sure that Raw main event did not do so well because it was CM Punk/Lou Gallows vs Rey/Triple H.

Bring in Paul Heyman had nothing to do with that. RVD have a bigger buzz and is a safer person to put the title on instead of Jeff Hardy who has legal trouble. I believe that your statement of bring in Heyman is just for you have more watches on your thread. I suggest that you change the title to...

IS RVD TNA TITLE RUNS IS ALL WHAT HEYMAN NEEDS?

 

[KKarvox]

That's an interesting thought, but like a few others said, I doubt that Heyman and Bischoff will ever work together again. The reason they put the Title on RVD is that he isn't going to be around for a whole lot longer, and they want to capitalize on his popularity while they still can. People like Pope, Anderson and AJ have a bright career still ahead of them, but RVD isn't getting younger. It's the same reason that WWE constantly puts the belt on people like Undertaker and Batista, because people want to see them on top while they still can.

 

[The Gamecock Outlaw]

I am not sure if this has already been pointed out but I saw where some said the Hogan colored confetti could have been done without. Actually if you look at the confetti, it's more like the color of RVD's gear that night than Red and Yellow. Its a Lighter Redish Pink, Blue and Yellow.

 

[Maestro48239]

Mr 420 wins 4 huge matches 2 days before 4/20...that gives the stoner wrestling fans something to celebrate besides getting baked! LOL

but seriously, I think it was a great tactical move on TNA's part, to give the title to RVD. his pops are fucking monstrous! I still like AJ as a heel and I think in time if they keep him as a heel, he will become legendary. hence pairing him up with naitch! if anyone could piss off a crowd, it was Ric Flair.

back to Mr Monday night, he is obviously the better choice for champ right now over Hardy. Hardy may still get some prison time, unless something's happened there that I dont know about.

hopefully they keep the title on RVD for a while, and he does more house shows and becomes the face of TNA for a bit.

Good Job TNA!!

 

[muntja]

But don't you think it's time to stop talking about/bringing in all these older guys. I understand it with the talent, but seems to me that there must be more people than Vince McMahon, Bischoff, Heyman, and (i regret saying this) Russo - since they don't really bring in money - their ideas do - i would assume now is the time for someone to step up in TNA and make a name for themselves in their old role.

Paul Heyman in TNA - I could see it, but I don't think it would make much sense for TNA. They should really get someone new and exciting writing story lines that the other guys just haven't thought of.