The Future of the X Division Title...

[tvcolosi]

Has anyone cosidered this, I remeber a few months back, an interview with Bischoff where he said the concept behind the X-Division confused him. What exactly is it?. I think that this Abyss angle is going to lead to the retiring of the X title and the "network" and Mick Foley bringing in the TNA Cruiserwieght title. And I think this will be good in the long run..

In all logic, other that Samoa Joe (who worked the CW/LHW/X-Division style), why wouldn't a super heavyweight squash a 175lb guy (Red, Suicide, Kaz, or even back with guys like Bently/Shane, Low'Ki and Petey), and to win a title years ago. In wrestling, Titles mean power. It seemed like a huge hole in the logic or westling psychology.

I hope this is considered a new though, if not, I guess this could be merged with the Abyss New Champ thread

 

[gbswim972]

I think that TNA needs to keep the X-Division and the X-Division title.... It's Different... it doesn't follow the same old routing title names... sure gear it back towards the cruiserweights, but don't change the name...

 

[wushady]

I think TNA should definitely keep the X Division title. The X Division is what helped put TNA on the map. The cruiserweight and light heavyweight divisions have been done before by WCW and WWE. The X Division is original and I think TNA needs to be original in every way it can.

The division definitely needs a lot of work to be as great as it once was. Hopefully it will with the conclusion of the current storyline. Hopefully it ends soon. The longer Abyss is champion and squashing the X Division wrestlers, the more it hurts the entire division in my opinion.

 

[CaptainZaltan]

The concept behind the X division title makes as about as much sense as the concept behind any other midcard title: None. The Intercontinental title technically represents the same thing as the world title yet for whatever reason is less valued. The U.S title isn't only defended against American athletes, or in the U.S. The European title wasn't only defended against Europeans, or in Europe. T.V titles are often defended on PPV's. Top tier talent rarely bother fighting for mid-card titles, although presumably they would receive more money for holding one and would be able to easily obtain it. So while fans can easily grasp the purpose of a mid-card title within the context of the wrestling business, it makes zero sense within the context of the wrestling story (kayfabe). It's ironic to me that EB would be complaining about the X title specifically, as he was in charge of a company that had both a U.S and a T.V title (neither of which meant anything).

Anyway, I guess I can see the logic in changing the X-division into a strictly cruiser/middleweight division, if it helps to plug the rather large kayfabe loophole it's existence creates. My concern, however, is that the X-title does have a pretty strong history, and is deeply loved by the fans. And that's at least partially attributable to the involvement of guys like Samoa Joe, which sent the message that the X-title wasn't just a prize to be fought for by the "little guys," but by anyone with pure wrestling talent. Of course, how you convey that in a kayfabe sense is the problem. That being said, I personally wouldn't object to a specific weight class being assigned to the division, as it's far more sensible from a kayfabe perspective. However, I can't help but think that the title would be diminished by doing so, unless TNA shows a previously unheard of willingness to make the lightweight division respectable and credible (such as making it the main event on occasion).

However, a larger issue arises with the possible rebranding of the division's name to "cruiserweight." While the use of the letter 'X' to define the division seems like a cheesy 90's cliche (sort of like the overuse of "EXTREME" in marketing), the brand is beloved by fans and has a very strong history. The X-division surpassed WCW and WWE's cruiserweight divisions both in quality of matches and in terms of it's relative importance within it's respective promotion, and fans might view it as a slap in the face and/or a downgrading of the division to change it's name to "Cruiser." That label has been tarnished in recent years and is immediately going to be associated with Eric Bischoff and WCW (prompting even more comparisons between TNA and WCW). In contrast, "The X Division" is something that is rooted a the very core of TNA's identity and it's connection with it's fans. I would therefore prefer that the name of the division remain the same, even if the rules associated with it change. Or alternately, that the division receive a new name entirely.

 

[bigtrav01]

Well they are bringing the six sided ring back for a PPV, which is supposedly gonna feature a lot of X Division talent, but regardless since TNA is trying to show off the X Divison they will probably just say screw it and retire the belt, it would be a shame if that happened, cause the X Division is what made TNA in the first place, they stood out because of it, and now no one in TNA cares about it, and a crusierweight title might help a little. But think about it, that isn't original. WWE has had one, WCW had one, most promotions at one point or another have had a cruiserweight title. What set TNA apart though with the X Division title was that while a lot of smaller guys help it, anyone could win it, it was just a matter of in ring ability, which is why a guy like Joe could have held it. To me it signified maybe not the biggest name in the company, like the world title, but the best wrestler in the company, but not now.

 

[Nero89]

i think that this ppv is to bring the x division back to the forefront.
i believe that impact management understands and has been listening to what needs to be done to get on top and start a serious war with wwe. with any hope they will take a cue from wwe and start bringing in some luchas and other talents that will help boost the division back to where it used to be.

 

[Karilas]

Some good points in this thread. I remember reading a few months back about how the plan was to build towards reigniting the X-Division at Destination X, I always wondered how it would play out. As it stands there's still more than a month between now and the PPV, and Immortal are in an overconfident position having given Spanky and his boys a good, well, spanking.

Now would be an excellent time for Brian and Co. to go enlist some extra X-Div muscle over the coming month and a half, and really start to bring the fight to Bischoff. As always with TNA booking I'm adopting a wait and see approach, but if they handle this properly I see good things for the future ox the X-Division.

On a personal note, I'd love to see a good ol' David and Goliath story at Destination X with Kendrick finally taking down the monster, but until then Abyss needs to continue crushing all comers.

As for a way to make the title stand out from the World Championship, they should really embrace the "No Limits" aspect of the X-Division and eliminate count-outs and DQs from all X-Division matches. If the conditions of conflict are different, it becomes not so much a lesser Championship but instead an alternative Championship.

Basically, to bring any prestige to the X-Division, there needs to be a clearly defined set of X-Division rules, and during each bout the commentators really need to put over the fact that, "THIS MATCH IS BEING FOUGHT UNDER X-DIVISION RULES! LITERALLY ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN!!" That would really help in my opinion.

Naturally it should follow that to make the title appear as important as the World Championship it should also be defended in the main event from time to time.

 

[brighamosity]

I know that the X Division title has been a staple of TNA since the beginning, but I have always kind of wondered what exactly it meant. I mean, it's always kind of seemed like a cruiserweight division, but there's been several non-cruiserweights to hold it. But it's clearly not a regular title. It'd be nice if they kept it, just because of it's legacy. But some boundaries should definately be set. The rules need to be defined. Who can compete in this "X Division" and who can't?

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Of course Bischoff doesn't understand the X-Division title. Bischoff doesn't understand the mid-card, period. He doesn't care about it, either. He didn't care while in charge of WCW, and he doesn't care now. This should come as no surprise.

Given the history of Bischoff running a promotion, it's not that difficult to see what he cares about.

1. Ratings (obviously, and there's nothing wrong with that).
2. Establishing a massive heel stable.
3. Heel stable destroys everything in sight.

That's his plan. That's what he does. If he has any control, that's what happens. I don't think he has complete control, and that's why the mid-card in TNA isn't ignored anywhere near what happened in WCW. But, he doesn't understand the X-Division, didn't understand the Cruiserweight appeal, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I know that the X Division title has been a staple of TNA since the beginning, but I have always kind of wondered what exactly it meant. I mean, it's always kind of seemed like a cruiserweight division, but there's been several non-cruiserweights to hold it.

Generally speaking, the X Division really is a glorified cruiserweight division. It just has a much edgier name. The vast majority of X Division Champions and X Division wreslters have been wrestlers weighing 220 pounds or less. Samoa Joe & Abyss are the only two that've legitimately been over that mark. They're really the only two exceptions that throw a monkeywrench into the cruiserweight bit but, for the most part, that's what the X Division is and has been.

Throughout pro wrestling history in America, the general fans haven't really embraced the idea of light heavyweight/junior heavyweight/cruiserweight divisions. The National Wrestling Alliance has had a World Junior Heavyweight Champion for almost as long as they've had a WHC but most fans probably couldn't tell who any of the champs were without consulting Wikipedia. Most fans probably have no idea who the reigning NWA WJHWC is, nor do they really care to know. American fans, for the most part, like the idea of just putting two guys in the ring, regardless of size differences, and just have them go at it & may the best man win. The American mentality, I think, sorta sees the idea of wrestlers limited & categorized by their weight and only able to compete against wrestlers of similar size as being just plain inferior. After all, pro wrestling isn't "real" so the idea of different weight divisions just doesn't make a lot of sense to a lot of fans. Jeff Jarrett, the founder/original owner of TNA, was smart enough to know this and realize this. Wrestling fans can be somewhat easy to manipulate because perception is reality. Jarrett decided not to label the X Division as being comprised of cruiserweights and because of that alone, a lot of people bought into it. TNA will toss a legit heavyweight wrestler into the mix once in a blue moon.

As far as the future of the X Division Championship goes, I don't think the title is going anywhere. However, I don't believe the X Division will be able to return to its glory days. It was what put TNA on the map but with the current creative direction and people in charge, the X Division isn't going to be anywhere near as relevant it once was and the same goes with the title.

 

[bs2000]

The X-Division has no future. Recently on TNA, ABYSS won the title. Nobody in the X-Division is big enough to take down ABYSS by themselves. So, thanks to Bischoff and Hogan, the X-Division is screwed.

 

[goodlay]

1. Ratings (obviously, and there's nothing wrong with that).
2. Establishing a massive heel stable.
3. Heel stable destroys everything in sight.

Nick I agree with you here, as ratings and creating an NWO spin-off have always been the main parts of Bischoff's agenda. But you have to appreciate the fact that they are actually paying attention to the X Division now. When's the last time the X Division was featured in a prominent angle on TV? Yeah, exactly.

It's pretty obvious that since Hogan/Bischoff took over in January of last year, the X Division has been just about nonexistent. So I kind of like how they are playing off of the true fact that the X Division is basically dead, and now Bischoff/Hogan are trying to kill it for good.

Now it all depends on how this is booked, but I like the angle so far. It sets up a returning star(s?) or a current member of the division to take out Abyss and win the gold and get a big rub from that.

We all know that this new X Division won't be better than the classic X Division we all know and love from TNA's beginnings, but this could still be entertaining. With Kendrick, GenMe, Amazing Red/Sangriento, Suicide, returning stars, etc. this division could still be decent, and I think this angle will hopefully result in more attention to the X Division. Not a return to the glory days by any means, but a hell of an improvement over what we've gotten since Hogan/Bischoff have arrived.

 

[Karilas]

The X-Division has no future. Recently on TNA, ABYSS won the title. Nobody in the X-Division is big enough to take down ABYSS by themselves. So, thanks to Bischoff and Hogan, the X-Division is screwed.

Don'tcha see this is exactly what the X-Division needs, someone to step forward and slay The Beast, and then they'll have a true champion! That's what I think the plan here is, and I fully support it.

 

[ramblinroy682]

Of course Bischoff doesn't understand the X-Division title. Bischoff doesn't understand the mid-card, period. He doesn't care about it, either. He didn't care while in charge of WCW, and he doesn't care now. This should come as no surprise.

Given the history of Bischoff running a promotion, it's not that difficult to see what he cares about.

1. Ratings (obviously, and there's nothing wrong with that).
2. Establishing a massive heel stable.
3. Heel stable destroys everything in sight.

That's his plan. That's what he does. If he has any control, that's what happens. I don't think he has complete control, and that's why the mid-card in TNA isn't ignored anywhere near what happened in WCW. But, he doesn't understand the X-Division, didn't understand the Cruiserweight appeal, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

Um, he did a pretty good job of establishing a mid card in WCW. His problem was that he never gave the midcarders a chance to move up. He established Jericho, Benoit, Guerrero, Mysterio, Kidman, Chavo, Konnan, DDP, Raven, Saturn, Helms, etc. He also gave the cruiserweights like Ultimo Dragon, Dean Malenko, Psychosis, Juventud, etc.

The x-division is stale because the talent in the division is weaker. Compare AJ, Daniels, Jerry Lynn, Kaz, Bentley, Shelley, Sabin, Petey Williams, and Homicide in the early days. Those guys moved on to bigger feuds. They guys now are Kendrick, Bucks, and Red. Kaz is the only one really still around. You can't have a division with 4 or 5 guys.

Now if RVD, Pope, Hardy, Daniels, Kendrick, Kaz, and a few others were focused on that division, it would be a great division.

Personally, I would put the belt on RVD. I would have him claim to be the innovator of the x-division in a round about way. I would have him make statements that his work in ECW with Sabu laid the groundwork for the x-division stars. Let RVD bring some prestige back and have him work with the younger guys to give them a push. I could see Pope vs. RVD, Kaz vs. RVD, or Daniels vs. RVD being a lot better than Red vs Max Buck or Buck vs Robbie E.

 

[tvcolosi]

The X-Division has no future. Recently on TNA, ABYSS won the title. Nobody in the X-Division is big enough to take down ABYSS by themselves. So, thanks to Bischoff and Hogan, the X-Division is screwed.

Umm, I know that, thats why i made the tread dude, lol...

I like the idea of "No Limits" meaning no DQ and no countouts, sorta like CW/Hardcore title... knowing russo they will make some sort of rule where to qualify for a pinfall, you must exacute a move from the top rope, like in TNA last man standing matches, you have to get a 13 count (3 from a pin and 10 from the ref)

 

[It's Damn Real!]

No one in the X Division was "big enough" to beat Samoa Joe when he was champion either, but it didn't stop him from losing it. It's a classic David v. Goliath story — little guys beating big guys against all odds happens quite often in wrestling. So long as the story behind it is compelling, it's more than appropriate for a guy like Abyss to dominate the landscape giving way to a "David" savior who in an epic upset regains the title.

Hell, they just did the same thing with Kong and Taylor Wilde not a few years back.

Frankly, I don't want to see another weight class championship. I have no issues with the X Division. It's the most unique title in professional wrestling, period. The X Division just needs an influx of talent, both new and old, not a re-done title.