The World X Cup Speculation & Discussion Thread

[A.J.]

EXCLUSIVE: TNA MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR JIM CORNETTE ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF THE WORLD X CUP
By Bill Banks

Immediately following Sunday's "Against All Odds" Pay-Per-View, TNAwrestling.com caught up with TNA Management Director Jim Cornette, who had some major news for fans of the X Division.

Cornette had this to say:

xcup.jpg"First of all, I want to thank all of the TNA Wrestling fans out there that put down their hard-earned money to watch Against All Odds. I sincerely hope you enjoyed the Pay-Per-View. Obviously, I've got some issues to deal with in the coming days - namely, what happened in the World Title match - but right now, I'm not in the mood to deal with Angle and his little posse.

But, what I do want to talk about is 'Black Machismo' Jay Lethal and The Motor City Machineguns beating Team 3D and Johnny Devine and saving the future of the X Division. It's young lions like Lethal, Sabin and Shelley that make me excited about the future of this company. I'm excited about the X Division - and more importantly, the TNA fans are more excited about the X Division than ever before.

Jay Lethal - hats off to you for reclaiming the TNA X Division Championship. As a matter of fact, next week on "iMPACT!", I've got a little surprise for you that I think you're going to enjoy. You certainly deserve it after all you've been through with Team 3D.

But that's not all - let's celebrate this huge win for the X Division the right way. I'm officially announcing that TNA is bringing back the World X Cup! I've read thousands of emails from fans of the X Division since I've had this job - and they all ask when the World X Cup is coming back. Well, you've got it!

As soon as I get a chance to catch my breath this week, I'm going to get together with TNA management to begin planning for the World X Cup. I'm gonna call New Japan Pro Wrestling...I'm gonna call Mexico...and I'm gonna call some other companies I've got in mind to get this ball rolling and we'll kick it off as soon as possible. You want the best X Division stars in the world? You got it. It may not be this month or the next, but it's coming. Obviously, we've got to prepare for Destination X in March and that's first and foremost, but as soon as we get some concrete plans for the World X Cup you can be sure all of our fans on the TNA website will know about it first.

Now, if you'll excuse me - I need some rest...it's been a long night!"

NOTE FROM TNAWRESTLING.COM: For our newer fans, the World X Cup was first held in TNA in 2004, with teams of international X Division stars competing in a tournament to capture the X Cup. Although the tournament has not been held in recent years, Cornette's announcement is certainly great news for fans of TNA's X Division!

I think this is a good idea to have with Black Machismo and the Motor City Machine guns won the tables match to keep the X division alive. This is a great to showcase the X division with it new look in TNA as from the looks TNA is going to focus more on the X division then what it has as we all know they will contunie to have a focus on the heavyweights but it is nice to see the X division get some spotlight again. I really like to see what wrestlers TNA gets to compete in this World X Cup. But this should be fun to watch.

 

[Slim Pickns]

I think this is a good idea to have with Black Machismo and the Motor City Machine guns won the tables match to keep the X division alive. This is a great to showcase the X division with it new look in TNA as from the looks TNA is going to focus more on the X division then what it has as we all know they will contunie to have a focus on the heavyweights but it is nice to see the X division get some spotlight again. I really like to see what wrestlers TNA gets to compete in this World X Cup. But this should be fun to watch.

Not only will it focus more on the X division, but it will further showcase the partnership between TNA and New Japan, which can only be a good thing.

I for one am extremely excited for this. The World X cup was my favorite part of TNA when it was showcased. Not only is it entertaining Worldwide Competition, but its a great way to get people over. I remeber when Alex Shelly was the only heel on Team USA yet he still helped the faces win. He kept his heel persona after but looked like twice the wrestler coming out. With all the possible partnerships, the talented X division, and even more exposure this time, this event can't miss.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Judging from the different flags on the new logo, I think this could be quite an international X Cup. Obviously, I'm very much looking forward to this. I was on the brink of creating a "Should they bring back the X cup?" thread - the obvious answer being yes.

Things like the World X Cup are what set apart TNA from Vinnie Mac's monopoly. I don't care what Sly says, people care about athleticism as much as story-telling, maybe more. That's what the World X Cup and similar competitions have always been about, and I have a nice nostalgic tingle running down my spine right now. This should be awesome, and could herald TNA finally turning their product but to one that's properly ring-orientated.

 

[Hyorinmaru]

I love the World X Cup. I saw it in '04 and I watched every bit of it. The X division is what sets TNA apart and i'm glad it's still here. The X division is what got me into TNA in the first place. Not only that it allows American wrestling fans to see wrestlers from places like Mexico and Japan who wouldn't have seen them otherwise.

 

[Kliq]

Oh man, this is great news! I loved the World X Cup when it first started. It was so cool seeing teams from different nationalities competing against eachother for points. I just loved it! It's so cool that they're doing this again, and I am deff. looking forward to it.

 

[SpiralHands]

Im so pumped about the news of this returning I hope it returns soon but obviously it does take some time to prepare, I loved the X cup in 2004 this is what made me watch TNA. The X division will really get spotlighted with the 2 hours of TV as well, stars will be made and pushed. I just hope they do it right and bring in some really decent wrestlers for each team and only use a few from TNA. Im psyched about this!

 

[blickdaddy]

I would love to see the X Cup come back. I love to see the X Division showcased and I also love seeing some of the best wrestlers in the world wrestle for that X Cup. I love seeing the talent that TNA brings in for this tournament because it hardly ever disappoints. Hopefully whenever this happens it will be as good as every other X Cup.

 

[drnitro]

yes thank you tna you have done something right this is great news i loved wachting the wold x cup personally i think they could just turn it into 1 giant ppv but the way they did it last time was pretty cool hopefully we get to see alot of new japan guys and mexican heck throw noah in there even though there japan also but who cares its the world freaking x cup wait what bout team canada get roode williams and young to join for the good of there country this will rock

 

[obsidiana]

I was hoping they would do this again. I was also hoping they would put the other World X cup tournaments on dvd but that hasn't happened. But at least I will get to see this one. Bring on the Mexican wrestlers! I hope they participate this year.

 

[Vendetta]

Great. I love the X-Division. I personally would mind seeing a pay per view were every year the main event would be the TNA World Champion vs. The X Division Champion. That would be your main evnet and then of course you could have you tag team title match..and three matches to determine your number once contenders to each title.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Meh. It was something to get excited about when the X-Division meant something. But it's a nothing title now. Out of the 4 in TNA it's the least important. And because of the way TNA has been booked recently the wrestlers in that division are the least important.

 

[Father:_Polley]

i dunno jake. maybe TNA realises the x-division's falling behind and this is there way of pushing it back up again. maybe it'll work and we'll see the x-div take meaning again...probably fade away for a while again after it tho

let's hope it pushes the fifth title off tv for a while (eric young/james storm drinking feud).

 

[Los666]

The more X Division the better! Seeing X Division wrestlers from other countries is something more alternative then what WWE has. When was the last time the WWE had a decent tourniment? World X Cup is miles better then any tourniment WWE has ever done, or at least since they stopped doing the King Of The Ring Tourniment every year (probably HHH's doing).

 

[Rated K for Kennedy... Kennedy!]

I loved the World X Cup, except when they brought in the team UK as jobbers and didn't hardly let them get an offensive move in, and they way they couldn't decide if Sonjay was from India or USA, one week there was a four way and he was from India, next week he was on team USA. But it was the first time I really got to see Alex Shelley do his thing. I think it might re-ingnite the interest in the X-Division and set up some good storylines. Plus the New Japan guys they've brought in before have been good. My money's on USA winning!

 

[GreenEyedDevil]

There are too many agents and bookers in TNA who think small guys just do "flippy moves". But anybody who really has watched TNA's x-division knows its way more than that. I just pray they keep Vince Russo away from the x-cup. He'd try to put a story in there that would be just ridiculous. If the wrestlers are all athletes, then they can compete and just be happy with victory and a nice trophy. Theres doesnt need to be any girlfriends involved, or any other B.S. Keep russo away from the x-cup!

I think the X-title is still salvagable. After the feeling i got watching Jay Lethal save the x-div at Against all Odds, i knew it was something worth fighting for. Its too soon to cast off the rebirth of the x-div as a failure. We will see by this summer if they give a crap or not with how well the x-cup turns out.

 

[nuerotica]

The 2006 World X Cup was trash. Instead of seemingly unbiased, like they had it years before when teams like Team Mexico and Team Canada were serious competitors, they ruined it with the entire team USA storyline.

Hopefully, it will be better this year. Great news.

 

[Iguy]

rumor has it that there will not be a Team Canada in the TNA world x cup.

Canada has a long history in wrestling, and many american, mexican, and japanese wrestlers come here to train.

I personally will stop watching TNA altogether if they deny Canada a team, its not like i really enjoy the product they have out there now anyway, despite the fact that they have a stocked roster.

Here are a list of amazing Canadian wrestlers who could be on the team:

Petey Williams
Eric Young
Johnny Devine
Jack Evans
Teddy Hart
Tyson Dux

on top of that there is Christian and Robert Roode

how about a list of Canadians in the WWE:
Edge
Santino Marella
Nattie Neidhart
DH Smith
Roddy Piper
Carlito has a Canadian passport, but he's clearly Puerto Rican
Chris Jericho

how about legendary Canadian wrestlers:
Bret Hart
Owen Hart
Abdullah the Butcher
Karl Moffat
Chris Ben....hmm maybe i shouldn't mention him, but he was good
Lance Storm
Test....hmm, but don't hold that against Canada

How about just wrestlers who trained here:
the Rock
Justin Credible
Brian Pillman
Jim Neidhert
the British Bulldogs

this is all from a country that has only 30 million people, to put that in perspective there are 30 million illegal mexican immigrants living in the USA- there are only 30 million Canadians

I have forgotten to mention numerous Canadian wrestlers, feel free to add some to these lists.

And if you want to see Team Canada in the World X Cup email : [email protected] , tna does listen to its fans sometimes, lets hope they listen this time if they ever want to go back up north






Denying us a team in the world x cup would mean the end of TNA in Canada, it would be worse than the Montreal Screwjob.

 

[Father:_Polley]

my thoughts on why there's no team canada in World X-cup:
Given that the first World X-cup led to the formation of the Team Canada stable of Roode, Williams, Young and Devine. This stable lasted over two years before folding in 2006 without the likes of Roode.
My view is that any notion of team Canada would conjure up memories of the stable and I don't think that's what TNA want at the min with Roode towards main event level, williams as X-div champ and Eric, well being involved in an angle with himself.

I don't think they want Team Canada to be a weaker version of an otherwise powerful stable from the past. It would tarnish the name. Maybe next time for Canada

 

[Mark78]

If TNA wants a team Canada it should be Kevin Steen, El Generico, Max Boyer, and Johnny Devine. Let Scott D'Amore return to coach them for the X Cup.

 

[waylon p]

If TNA wants a team Canada it should be Kevin Steen, El Generico, Max Boyer, and Johnny Devine. Let Scott D'Amore return to coach them for the X Cup.

mark, you are the man. i do not know who max boyer is, but that would be an excellent team. it is about time that steen and generico get some national exposure, and i think devine would be exactly the teammate they would need.
he was part of the old team canada, if only shortly, he is great in the ring, and can handle a mic better than steen.

it could lead to a credible feud with petey williams, with big poppa pump sitting it out to see petey prove himself for a while, then moving in to save the day after a few weeks. this could go either way. either the genetic freak gets jumped by ALL the canadians, or takes out team canada before teaching lil petey pump a lesson afterwards.

 

[Fuzzy]

El Generico? I thought he was mexican?!

Although Team Canada is great I doubt anyone wants a reprise of that storyline again. I would like to see Scott D'Amore back on TV doing some sort of managerial role but as long as world X cup is wrestling and less storyline it'll be good.

 

[Afro-Ameri-Spawn]

Actually the rumor is only half true. Replacing Team Canada would be an international team that may consist of Davairi, Dux, and several other prime stars who would actually make it a pretty highly talented heel stable that could change the face of the X-Division and possibly TNA as a whole.

Don't discount TNA just because the name Team Canada won't be used, as they will still be strong. As for bringing back the names you mentioned for the team, it's highly unlikely. Hart has shot himself in the foot everywhere that he has gone that has major exposure. Devine's current hardcore style doesn't fit. Young is currently a face. And Petey Williams is doing his own thing as the X-Division champ. I don't think that TNA is looking to sign a bunch of other guys to be a new Team Canada. I agree with Polley that it would just sully the legacy of the Team Canada that dominated TNA. Give it a chance. I mean what's the worst that can happen? You see some great cruiserweight matches for the first time in a long time? lol

 

[Mark78]

Today CMLL confirmed that Team Mexico will be at the Impact Tapings after the ppv. Also that this working relationship will go past the X Cup and TNA will send guys to CMLL. The deal is alot more secure then the one TNA formed with AAA. Hector Guerrero had alot to do with this deal for TNA. CMLL also let it be known at the press conference that want an AJ vs Mistico match one day.

The one match I hope TNA will give us for the X Cup is Muscle Outlawz vs MCMGS. This is a must for any wrestling fan. Also do you guys see Sonjay turning on Lethal to help Davairi win for his team.

Source: SuperLucha.net

Its too bad about Team Canada my choice for the team would have been. Teddy Hart, Kevin Steen, El Generico, and Kenny Omega. Omega has been telling anyone who would listen that he will be in TNA soon. He's the current JAPW champion and a former WWE developmental talent.

 

[Uncle Sam]

The only other threads on this were the one from March and the one about Team Canada, so I figured I'd make a new one. Apparently, this is how it's gonna work:

The TNA X-Cup Tournament is slated to start in June and conclude at Victory Road on 7/13 in Houston. There will be four teams; Team TNA, Team Japan, Team International and Team Mexico. Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley are slated to be at least two of the members of Team TNA. Team Japan is scheduled to include Milano Collection A.T. & Taichi Ishikari from New Japan and Masato Yoshino & Naruki Doi from Dragon Gate. Team Mexico will likely consist of Rey Bucanero, Ultimo Guerrero, Volador, Jr., and Averno. Names being discussed for Team International include Tyson Dux, Doug Williams, Alex Kozlov, and former WWE star Shawn Daivari.

That sounds rubbish. I was actually excited about this, but seriously. I mean, Team TNA and Team International? WTF? I really don't get what this tournament is about now. Not even going to pretend I know who half the people joining it are, that's how much I'm not bothered by this any more. The best thing that could come out of this is a Motor City push.

And Daivari? I heard he's actually not bad, but it just makes TNA look like a joke after all his crappy antics in WWE. Jesus, I hate TNA sometimes.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Man, if only fans knew who most of those guys are. It's pretty pointless. TNA fans react to almost anything. But getting a reaction from all of them is going to be a real stretch. There's aren't hardcore indy fans, they're hardcore TNA fans. It's a different deal.

Although I can't wait to see Doug Williams in TNA. I always thought he had real potential to be somewhat big in wrestling. But he's never really been given much of a shot, bar a couple of average ROH appearences.

I can't help but think a Team UK would be better than a Team International. Considering International could also be the Mexican & Japanese teams. I'd have Doug Williams, Pac, Jody Fleisch & Johnny Storm. Although Storm is crap, but I hear Angle is high on him.