Sam Shaw: Yes or No?

[Jack-Hammer]

Last night on IW, the latest TNA Gut Check participant competed in a match against Doug Williams. This match was going to take place last week, but Sam Shaw was one of several wrestlers attacked by Aces & Eights. In order to keep things on schedule, they also did his evaluation last night. Shaw was given the thumbs up from Taz & Bruce Pritchard and is now part of the TNA roster. So, what were your first impressions of Sam Shaw? Yes or No.

After he was jumped by Aced & Eights last week, I figured that he was going to wind up winning the "judges" over and get a yes vote. As for his video presentation, pretty standard stuff with the same "I love wrestling so much and it's always been my dream" stuff we've gotten from most of the other Gut Check competitors. The match itself wasn't anything particularly special either. Aside from countering the back drop attempt into a flip in which he landed on his feet, there wasn't anything particularly impressive. He started out strong with the typical veteran taking the young guy lightly story, thereby landing some early offense. Once Williams got his feet under him, however, it quickly became little more than a squash with Shaw getting pinned in less than 3 minutes. As for his segment in the ring with the "judges", again, nothing overly special and mostly along the same likes as we've seen from most of the others.

Compared to Alex Silva & Taeler Hendrix, Shaw comes off to me as a step up. All in all, he was more impressive than either of them, though that isn't saying much as neither of them were especially interesting. The various Facebook or Twitter comments that were briefly posted in the corner of the screen overwhelmingly wanted Shaw to get it as did the crowd. I guess they were all impressed by the little flip he pulled off. My first impressions of Shaw are that he's better than Silva and Hendrix, but I don't particularly see anything special. Like Silva & Hendrix, he mostly came off as a generic babyface that cut a generic promo and had a generic personality.

I'm not saying that Shaw might not be able to bring more to the table, nor am I saying that he doesn't have any ability. I'm not hating on Gut Check, I'm just going by the brief first impressions we're able to get. A brief first impression is basically the bread & butter of the concept in and of itself. Aside from Joey Ryan, my first impressions of all the Gut Check competitors is that they all seem like duds, Shaw included, so I'd go with a no.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Stated it in the live discussion, stating it now, him gaining a yes vote makes me consider applying to Gut Check, despite having no prior experience, training or insight aside from that I have learnt as a fan, because at least I'd adorn proper in-ring gear, and considering the one guy who shows nothing but talent being handed a no(yes, I'm aware it's an angle but he still got a no vote) and three average performers gained a yes vote, my confidence would be high on the day.

He is average. His look is below average. He looks to have stolen John Cena's ring gear and altered it a bit, his in-ring talent isn't anything to scream about, gave as you said JH, a generic "I belong in Impact Wrestling" promo and him, much like Hendrix and Silva getting yes votes both demeans the entire Gut Check idea for me. You should be turning average talents away and waiting for actual ones to come along, Joey Ryan is the only person who has brought anything unique to the table that people may want to see.

Sam Shaw is also a graduate of Team 3D's Wrestling Academy. I love Bully Ray and I think Devon is hilarious due to how over he is, but to name a couple talents they've produced, Jesse Neal, Rob Terry, Rossie Lottalove and Caleb O'Neil from WWE development. So take that as you wish, but hardly an impressive produce coming from Dudley's development camp.

 

[sahawkes]

My first impression of Sam Shaw during his interview before things was no and then yawn. IMO, His interview could not have been more boring if he was doing a unisom commercial. I think he showed me a little bit more in the ring than during the interview. I appreciated the fact that he seemed so fired up during his 'kick out' interview. But the bottom line is that I don't think he's quite there. So I would definitely give him a 'no.'

 

[Doctor Awesome]

No. Just as I said to Silva. These guys aren't very marketable or do anything to stand out enough to matter right now or in the forseeable future. The girl I can understand; she should just job for a year like Madison did when she came in and then see what you have in her, as there are plenty who shouldn't lose their spot to her yet. Joey Ryan...hilarious, and a good worker. I'm glad it was a work, him being voted "No". It's becoming painfully obvious that 'Gut Check' is for people they have already signed or planned on signing, but why dedicate an entire segment to people that nobody is gonna get behind??? I think Sam Shaw is the greenest of all the guys, and if it were a legit contest he should have been a "No" hands down above the rest. He's athletic but would prob benefit from touring overseas and taking his physical skills to the next level.

On a side note, since several others on here recognize 'Gut Check' as a sham, if they want it to be legit then have people that are ready to make an Impact on TV, that would have been a good way to have solidified a guy like Kenny King, considering all anyone knew was that he was brought in for the X-Div tourney and nothing else. They could have said, 'this guy came in for one program and is unsigned, to the Gut Check he goes if he wants a contract. The match and face the judges segment would have been volumes better than what we have got. Sorry for getting of topic, just wanting to get into TNA and things they are doing but putting Sam Shaw on TV for 15 minutes is a step back right now.

 

[RattleRockerJet97]

While I wouldnt give him an enthusiastic, Yes!!! I did find his match with Doug Williams very smooth, pretty well paced and fun for the most part. You had Shaw dominating the first half of the match with Doug Williams(being the seasoned vet that he is) taking bumps for him, I thought it was good. I actually havent seen Alex Silva's match so I cant say anything about that.

I found Shaw to have a decent look, hes certainly not intimidating or anything but hes okay. I liked his fast paced style, he has a different dropkick, and he did a kip-up (Which I think is awesome for anyone to do). So I enjoyed the match, I enjoy the guy's athleticism, his high intensity, and his fast paced style. Ill give him a......maybe. Yes I know that doesnt cut it, so ill say, yes. Besides hes not gonna be on TV soon anyway, so it doesnt really make a difference.

Im gonna check on his promo now....

 

[Jatkuva]

From what I'm reading everyone is saying his interview was boring, but then again a lot of you are marking out for cody rhodes so i place no judgement. It was alright, I don't except greatness on the mic out of a guy whos completely new.

Shaw has size and strength and potentially given the right creative writing could possibly get over for more than one night when he is doing gutcheck. I found him more impressive then silva, and honestly joey ryan. Ryan just has an interesting character and angle going for him going into gut check. He has potential, so why not a yes.

 

[New Hot Fed]

A big Yes for me. For a first showing I think he was smoother in the ring that the other guys' first time on Impact Wrestling. For his size he could move pretty well, I think he could be a power wrestler but one that can wrestle, and that usualy bode well for a wrestler's futur. I heard that word boring but to me he came off as different than the usual jumping monkeys we see all over the indies. TNA must think of the futur and that down the line hiring small high flyers won't give you World champ material in the magority of times(Aries being a big exception). So he didn't steal it on the mic but he didn't need to be as Taz and Brother Love were already positive on him. Ryan and Silva were pushed against the wall, they had to give it their all to survive. Another thing I loved is Shaw's enthousiasm after he won, I think down the line he could (maybe) be a hard hitting guy like Shawn O'Haire as far as style. Only thumbs down in my case was his look, it was horrendous. I've seen this guy on the net and he had a CM Punk look with small shorts and long hair and it fit him much better.

 

[anvilx8]

I'm find the whole 'Gut Check' thing extremely boring... EVERYONE gets in! If I recall correctly, only 1 person has been turned out - and really they're in anyway, cuz he's attacking taz and al snow. So are we supposed to all stay interested when everyone who turns up ends up getting a "tna contract"? Its boring already.

 

[Gman35]

I find it funny that most of you guys are down on Sam Shaw! The guy has talent! He was already there once in TNA in 2010. Now, I have said this before, I don't watch TNA all that often, but I think they made the right move with him....If you haven't seen his matches outside of TNA, then maybe you shouldn't be so down on him. I have seen some of his matches down here in Florida, and he has had some amazing matches! Give tha guy a chance!

 

[Radical]

I saw this guys match. It was solid for the time he was given.

Lots of athletic moves and he seems to have a bit of his own style.

His look is fairly fresh too. Not just another damn cookie cutter 'guy in briefs' look so I hope he has a great shot in TNA and does well.

 

[Skairipa Matrix]

First off I still dont get what people see in Joey Ryan dude looks like a mix of a 70's porn star and white goodman from dodgeball and he didnt do anything worth while in the ring and i wasnt impressed with his promo. Also I know most of you dont like Taeler Hendrix but I suggest checking out some of her OVW matches she does have talent.

Back on topic besides that little flip which was impressive im not sure what else about him is worth while hes better then alex silva and joey ryan but thats not saying much I would have given him a big NO! The fact EVERYBODY is getting a contract is stupid and takes away from Gutcheck big time they need the next person to flat out get told no and not this fake no bullshit there doing with Joey Ryan a real no.

 

[NotoriousMEAT]

I'm sorry, but when I look at this guy.. I just see a younger looking Ace Steel rocking swim trunks and sneakers. I'll give him credit, he seems pretty athletic. But nothing about him makes me wanna see him. He's just covered in big generic tattoo's, cut *yawn* generic promo's, and doesn't look capable of beating anybody outside the X-Division. I had no clue how he even got the opportunity until I saw he was a graduate of the Team 3D Academy. Then it all made sense. I think he'll make more appearances than Silva, but hopefully not much more. He could stick around for the X-Division... but overall there's just no interest.

 

[HBsam31]

It has to be a No for me. He was athletic, but I got bored very quickly with him. He was a step up from the last couple guys, but that really isn't saying much. He just had that generic look with a bunch of tatoos. I was hoping the whole time that they would pass on him.

 

[user2011]

I think they only took him, because he was from Team 3d's school, and bully rays and devons contracts were up.

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

First off I still dont get what people see in Joey Ryan dude looks like a mix of a 70's porn star and white goodman from dodgeball

Exactly WHY we like him lol he is a unique character and his inring work on top of that was solid.

As for Shaw he seems cool but too generic. Since Silva has nothing to do I say pair up these two into a rookie tag team and have them as another team in the division in a similar role to what Inc Ink was. On their own I could not care for either man but as a team I would and they could come up with some good stuff if they wanna get over.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I thought he was very, very average. You could tell he was a decent athlete, and probably does have a bit of potential, but potential shouldn't be enough to get you a deal with the 2nd biggest company in US wrestling, that is what developmental territories are for. If TNA send Shaw down to OVW, then I haven't got a problem with them signing him, but if they think he is ready for Impact now...then I do.

His promo was generic, boring and nothing new. His look was again average, kinda like John Cena but with a HORRIFIC tribal tattoo, seriously what the fuck was that?! Shit.

I am really not a fan of this Gut Check thing, unless it is used as a genuine way of looking at new talent, it seems pretty fixed to me in that the only guy refused- Joey Ryan, is obviously linked to TNA in some way. Silva and Shaw look dull as fuck to me, and all Gut Check is doing to taking valuable TV time away from the real stars and storylines of IW, and with only 1 2 hour show a week to push all their top talent, this is time they need to make the most of, not focusing on bores like Sam Shaw and Alex Silva.

 

[RawIsJericho]

This guy did nothing for me at all. Thought his look was real bad, reminded me of one of those older guys still hanging on to their teenage years. I have no idea how old he actually is, I'm guessing he's still actually relatively young, but that's just how he looked to me.

 

[New Hot Fed]

I'm sorry, but when I look at this guy.. I just see a younger looking Ace Steel rocking swim trunks and sneakers. I'll give him credit, he seems pretty athletic. But nothing about him makes me wanna see him. He's just covered in big generic tattoo's, cut *yawn* generic promo's, and doesn't look capable of beating anybody outside the X-Division. I had no clue how he even got the opportunity until I saw he was a graduate of the Team 3D Academy. Then it all made sense. I think he'll make more appearances than Silva, but hopefully not much more. He could stick around for the X-Division... but overall there's just no interest.

That's because you cannot get past the boring look he had on his first match. People have to look at many elements before judging a wrestler. I think he was pretty agile for a guy his size. And that's not all he has. It took Kenny King four matchs in TNA to do something worthwhile and have ONE good match. And that's probably because he is Aries' friend.