So, Who Fills the Crater-Sized Hole that Angle's TNA Retirement Just Left?

[It's Damn Real!]

Kurt Angle has wrestled his last match in TNA Wrestling. His career will go down in the history books, regardless of what you think of TNA, or the length of time he spent there. Angle was TNA’s rock, even as other, longer-tenured, more renowned with the brand types left (here’s looking’ at you, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles). His absence will be immense. The figure is almost certainly innumerable if you are trying to put some kind of percentage or monetary value to his loss.

But his loss is a loss nonetheless, and that hole will have to be filled. Almost certainly backfilled from within. While his salary was purported to be one of, if not the largest on the roster, there is no Kurt Angle on the market right now for TNA to offer the world to. I mean, CM Punk, I guess, but he’s put wrestling behind him, and frankly, wouldn’t have the same impact Angle did because Angle represented a type of loyalty you clearly couldn’t buy. I’m not sure the same can be said of Punk or not.

So the question is, who steps up? Short term the easy answer is probably the returning Jeff Hardy, but if you put any stock into the idea of a Hardy Boyz WWE return, that may be a short-lived hope. The one thing I do find interesting with Hardy is that he’s 38 — the age Angle was when he first came to TNA, believe it or not. It feels like Hardy is “old” but really, he’s spent a larger percentage of his “prime” with TNA than Angle did, all things considered. So maybe he is the answer? I dunno. Maybe Lashley ends up being the man? Maybe it’s someone much younger with a much longer term future ahead of him like Bram or Bennett.

What I do know is those are big shoes to fill, and there’s an Olympic Medal-sized hole in the heart of TNA today that wasn’t there yesterday and it’s gonna be a while before it’s whole again.

 

[Messiah]

The entire roster needs to step up.. They've been without Kurt Angle a lot in the past few year's, so they know how to cope without him, their roster just seems so uninteresting right now. They need to start building more talent like they've done with EC3.

 

[AttitudeChild]

It doesn't matter who steps up because they'll be back in the midcard the next year. TNAs biggest problem is that their main event scene is a revolving door. Guys are on top one minute and the next they're in some meaningless tag team. Instead of trying to fill the void that Kurt is leaving, they should establish 5 key superstars they can build the company behind for years. That way when someone leaves there isn't a GIANT VOID to be filled in the first place.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The reason there is a giant void has nothing to do with this perception. It has to do with how big of a legend Angle has been. He wasn't even in their main event for like the last calendar year.

This has nothing to do with their main event, specifically. It has to do with persona. Ego. Legend. It has to do with cache and draw. Angle has been a cornerstone for the franchise since day one. With Sting, Styles and Joe all gone as well, TNA is in the process of establishing new pillars. That's where the question comes in. I think, undoubtedly, EC3 is one of those pillars right now. But who are the others? That's what's being asked. Not who is or isn't in their main event tomorrow.

 

[The Bearded One]

There is no replacing someone like Kurt Angle. He's too good at, well, everything. From in-ring skills to character work to promos to anything in between, Angle is one of the best all-around performers in wrestling history. He could literally do it all. Angle has been a major asset and the foundation of TNA for the past decade, even more so than guys like AJ Styles or Samoa Joe.

Jeff Hardy can bridge the gap. He's plenty popular enough and is good in ring, but doesn't have the other tools Angle had. But Jeff Hardy is a good short-term solution until other guys can take his place.

TNA should also take a Moneyball-type approach, using the combined skills of guys like ECIII, Drew Galloway and Mike Bennett, among others, to replace some of the things Angle brought to the table. TNA could keep using that method until they figure who the new cornerstone of the company should be.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

TNA should also take a Moneyball-type approach, using the combined skills of guys like ECIII, Drew Galloway and Mike Bennett, among others, to replace some of the things Angle brought to the table. TNA could keep using that method until they figure who the new cornerstone of the company should be.

I'd argue that's exactly what they did years ago with Joe, Styles, Daniels and others, all of whom grew to positions of power over a greater period of time while performing behind names like Sting, Team 3D, Kevin Nash, Booker T, RVD, etc.

 

[Alex]

I'd argue that's exactly what they did years ago with Joe, Styles, Daniels and others, all of whom grew to positions of power over a greater period of time while performing behind names like Sting, Team 3D, Kevin Nash, Booker T, RVD, etc.

In terms of name value it's Jeff Hardy no doubt. He's the only real big name they have (Lashley at a pinch but still) They can use him to put over new talent, therefore if they do it right the guy he puts over will be made.

However they need to properly establish younger talent. They're doing it with EC3 but the days of one major draw are over and they need to establish others. Bram, Galloway, Mike Bennett and a few others are obvious choices. TNA need to establish these guys so that when the Hardys, Lashley etc leave/retire they've already got new established names.

 

[TDFG]

Going by name value it would be Jeff Hardy, the big question marks are over Jeff's knee, does he need surgery? if so, how long will he be out for? Will he have to change his move set to prolong his career?

With those doubts on Jeff then the main-guy should be Bobby Lashley, it looks like he turning heel, it hasn't worked before but I guess they want to try again, Mr Anderson is more of a natural heel for me but he's not used as much at the minute and has spent some time eating.

ECIII, Bram, Mike Bennett & Drew Galloway are four TNA guys they should invest in alongside Lashley, Mr Anderson, Matt & Jeff. Having Bobby Roode have a run with the belt again would be an option to.

With Angle gone they've lost their major name, they're also going to save money on his salary. There isn't much else out there, maybe once BNB contract ends TNA should sign him, all their divisions lack a bit of depth so any signings need to be shrewd and wise.

 

[JJohns]

To me, there are 4 pillars that TNA currently has that they should build around. They are:

ECIII - Good hand in the ring, thankfully this character is a complete 180 from what he was doing on NXT. Turned face at just the right time as well.

Drew Galloway - Lots of (wasted) potential, though not entirely his fault. Another great worker.

Mike Bennett - For me it was a shock that he went to TNA instead of WWE, but TNA needs to drop the "Miracle" gimmick for him to be a top tier guy.

Bobby Roode - Arguably their top guy, but is currently in the Tag Team Division with James Storm as Beer Money (again). This team should be split to give both guys singles runs, or it becomes a waste to have brought James Storm back.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Roode could actually be the company's next Angle, in a lot of ways. He's basically Angle-lite. Phenomenal hand, fantastic on the mic, and can work any match with anyone and make it look great. He's also one of the most tenured veterans in company history, and it helps his record title reign still hasn't been broken.

 

[TDFG]

Roode could actually be the company's next Angle, in a lot of ways. He's basically Angle-lite. Phenomenal hand, fantastic on the mic, and can work any match with anyone and make it look great. He's also one of the most tenured veterans in company history, and it helps his record title reign still hasn't been broken.

Being part of Beer Money Inc. shouldn't deter that either, Roode & Storm could be like a two man power trip in TNA, Roode going for the World Title & Storm going for the KOTM Title while still teaming together.

 

[dsotm5150]

I can't comment on the current product since I haven't been able to watch Impact since they left Spike because i dont get POP or Destination America, but they've got some talented guys on the roster that really could start to fill that void. James Storm and Bobby Roode are both tremendous talents that already have a following as a tag team and have had decent single runs. Ethan Carter is proof that TNA still has the ability to build up a star. Jeff Hardy is going to be a completely different wrestler when and if he comes back but hes a major draw for TNA. They just lost Anderson who I feel they dropped the ball on time and time again. At this point though it's anybody's game to step up. Not to hate on TNA but they're on life support at this point and unless they get some investors in there and seriously change things then I wouldn't be surprised to see TNA close up shop by the end of the year.

 

[rmp0012002]

I don't think Angle helped them being there or hurts them retiring. The reboot didn't help as nothing has changed. Ratings are bad and bouncing from channels doesn't help. They have some good wrestlers but they need a group of great wrestlers not just one to turn the company around. They can barely pay the bills so they can't bid against the WWE for quality talent. TNA has become an overpaid indie promotion.

 

[Bischoff's Knob Slobberer]

Despite all the TNA hate from the "usual WWE fanboys" who don't even watch the product, TNA is doing just fine. Ratings have been very good during the UK tour and we saw some great matches. These "fanboys" are just jealous because WWE's ratings are declining. Things were so bad they had to put the belt on 45 year old Triple H. The upcoming WrestleMania is going to suck because half the roster is injured. So you can see the butt hurt from that scum.

With the money freed up from Angle and Mr. Anderson leaving, TNA should go hard for Wade Barrett and Matt Taven. Barrett has already said he's leaving because he's unhappy In that dumb league of jobbers angle. Taven is injured, but should be back around Jun also. Despite the negativity from the usual jackasses, the future is very bright for TNA.

 

[Rayne]

Of the people available in professional wrestling? They're looking to Jeff Hardy to carry the ball for a while, because he's just as big as anyone they'd pull off the open market. When it comes to prestige like Angle's, there's just no replacing it- he was the 2nd biggest get in TNA history. (Let's not discuss the first.)

Despite all the TNA hate from the "usual WWE fanboys" who don't even watch the product, TNA is doing just fine. Ratings have been very good during the UK tour and we saw some great matches. These "fanboys" are just jealous because WWE's ratings are declining. Things were so bad they had to put the belt on 45 year old Triple H. The upcoming WrestleMania is going to suck because half the roster is injured. So you can see the butt hurt from that scum.

Who in this thread are you addressing? Everyone here has managed to stay on topic; you're just playing the martyr card. It seems you're incapable of enjoying the TNA product without viewing it as a heroic struggle against the vain forces of ignorance, with yourself in a combatants' role.

Do you like the material TNA's putting out? Then like it! TNA stopped promoting this 'us vs. them' struggle maybe five years ago now; you don't have to keep playing at it.

With the money freed up from Angle and Mr. Anderson leaving, TNA should go hard for Wade Barrett and Matt Taven. Barrett has already said he's leaving because he's unhappy In that dumb league of jobbers angle. Taven is injured, but should be back around Jun also. Despite the negativity from the usual jackasses, the future is very bright for TNA.

Kudos for at least attempting to answer the question (even if you couldn't do it without taking a swipe at that other promotion); although if you're seriously suggesting that Stu Bennett or Matt Taven would come anywhere remotely close to filling the void that Kurt Angle has left, maybe you should just stick to complaining about how other people don't like the thing that you like.

 

[ABMorales787]

There really is no filling that gap outside of a miracle signing of a big WWE guy at this point. Angle wasn't just big, he's an enormous part of making TNA a credible company from 07-13. People grew around him to then step up on their own. No one is gonna get the same effect with the fucking Hardy Boys in charge.

The TNA locker room is at a point where they need to step up as leaders and role models and apparently, Eric Young is the closest one to such that they have. So...... Yeah.