TNA Needs a Surprise World Champion a la Edge (or Punk, I Guess)

[Uncle Sam]

I've been saying it for a while now and I think it's true. No matter how briefly, sudden and unexpected title changes have always caused swift surges of interest and excitement, particularly when guys who you'd never expect to win the belt does - like Edge the first time or Punk more recently. Right now, you could even use it to further the MEM storyline, getting a heel from the "Young Lions" to win the belt for example.

So, would this work? Who should be the guy who gets the strap? How?

I have some ideas but I don't want to kill this thread.

 

[a0161613]

I completely and utterly agree. If I remember correctly, all the MitB titles switches have been surprises and the ratings boost was quite noticeable. TNA should use this, while I wouldn't like to see them directly copy the MitB concept.

I think a surprise title change at a PPV would benefit them. The Samoa Joe Lockdown victory and Stings win have both been telegraphed by most observers.

I'm not saying they should go and put the belt on AJ at the PPV (even though the Dudleys' inevitable heel turn is ridiculous) but I certainly think a surprise would really benefit this fued. If it carries to Slammiversary that would be an ideal opportunity as champions normally have retained in the KotM match.

I'd suggest Roode, Storm, Booker or even AJ as all possible surprise candidates.

 

[Harthan]

TNA's got the perfect window to pull it off right now with the Feast or Fired match. One guy gets a title shot via briefcase, and they could use that shot to make it big with someone. The question is, who in TNA? I think face is the option, and were AJ not already involved in the title match, I would definitely say that Styles was the man for it. Given that Joe had a long and (toward the end) somewhat stale reign, he's out.

I'm going to narrow it down to the field that's in the Feast or Fired match, and pull out two guys I think could do it. For the first, I say Curry Man, but of course, not Curry Man in the mask but the man behind Curry Man - Christopher Daniels. Daniels is a strong in ring talent, and imagine the scenario. Curry Man gets the World Title shot, makes the match, comes out in full Curry Man regalia...then, gets a mic, cuts a promo, boom, rips his mask off, OMG, it's Christopher Daniels. Everyone knows, but it would still be a shock. Then of course, Daniels wins the title, boom.

The other man I choose is Jay Lethal. I find his gimmick entertaining, and hell, it hasn't stopped working since he began the Black Machismo thing. It makes him stand out, gets him over, gets him the pop, and he's a great wrestler. He has every factor needed to make a world champion, really, and he'd be a great surprise winner. He's over enough, and a shock win would put him more over. He'd definitely be a solid option for it.

Outside of the field of Feast or Fired candidates, I think maybe Rhino could pull it off. He gets cheap pops off the ECW legacy (whatever tenuous claim he has to it, and whatever legacy is has in the first place), which works because TNA likes to think it's the new ECW. Rhino could pull off a win somewhere to get a title shot, and be a shock champion. Of course, Rhino held the NWA belt back in 05, but you never hear Rhino really talked about as a former world champ. Daniels and Lethal are better candidates, but Rhino could fit the bill.

 

[klunderbunker]

This is true in all of wrestling. Look at WWE. All of a sudden it's interesting again. Now I see that happening because of multiple reasons, but primarily 2. First is Edge and Cena returning. The other is that the title changes are coming a lot faster and are more suprising now. TNA has a tendency to be very predictable with their title changes. Sam is absolutely right in that a fast title change would be nice. Someone unexpected winning the title out of nowhere. It makes the show seem like you have to watch it because you don't know what you'll miss. The only problem here is that the show is taped so the suprise would be limited. Suprises like that make wrestling interesting. It makes it seem more important to watch. That's something TNA could use.

 

[Big J]

How about this, aj wins the title but doesn't get the pin, then whoever wins the title shot at the ppv takes the shot at aj, AT THE PPV and wins with help from the MEM. his loyalties are questioned and he eventually joins the MEM.

aj wins the title without getting the pin at the ppv,whoever gets the titleshot wants to go after it but the rest of the frontline don't want him to.......etc

 

[Chicago2733]

For the first, I say Curry Man, but of course, not Curry Man in the mask but the man behind Curry Man - Christopher Daniels. Daniels is a strong in ring talent, and imagine the scenario.

I really like this idea. But I would add a twist to it. Have Curry Man (Christopher Daniels) take is his TNA Heightweight title shot at a PPV. Have Curry Man win the title in a surpising fashion. Then have Curry Man come out the next night (show) and in the middle of his promo flip it on everyone. Have Daniels take his mask off and have Daniels go off on why he did what he did. Then have Daniels say that he was only Curry Man to get back into TNA and he was waiting for this very moment. One could further the angle that Jarrett knew the entire time that Daniels was Curry Man. Further pissing off Angle and MEM that Jarrett was behind Daniels winning the TNA Heightweight Championship.
Has anyone every seen a wrestler in a gimmick win a belt and on the next night (show) see that wrestler go back to his old gimmick? I can not think of that every happening on TV. Those are my thoughts

 

[Thomas_Argyle]

Back on iMPACT a week or two ago Sting had empathy towards Styles, only to have Nash tell him off. A cool idea would be to have Sting slowly empathize more with Styles and Frontline as a whole. To the point where he will have a title match against Shelly (who can continue his program with Foley on the side. Shelley could stand up to Foley by attacking him after Foley gets in his face. This would put Foley "off TV". Shelly would eventually weasle his way into a title match with Sting.)

During the title match the MEM could cost Sting the match. Stating that Sting is getting soft with the way he is empathizing with front line. They could state how they need a World title holder that they can trust to get the job done at all costs, because having the World belt in the Main Event Mafia is very big for leverage. They can site how what Shelley did to Foley impressed them, and because they respect somebody who gets the job done they in turn respect Shelly. They can state Shelley is the poster boy of what a young star should be, hence why they are proud to make him the youngest member of the greatest collection of World Champions wrestler has ever seen.

Shelly could have a long reign with a number of matches open to him with all the members of Front Line. Eventually Foley can return and face Shelly in a hardcore match for the belt on PPV, where Foley would lose. After Shelly is "made" he can drop the belt to one of the members of Frontline, which in turn makes two new stars. (Shelley, and whoever he drops the belt to.)

 

[Rusty]

Yes, I agree here. There's many guys in TNA that need to win the World Title to possibly make the product more unpredictable and intruiging. When CM Punk won the World Heavyweight Title on Raw just a few months ago, the wrestling world was shocked. The ratings went up for a little while and the product just seemed refreshed as a whole. One could argue that Punk wasn't ready for the push, but it was the shock value that mattered. That certainly wasn't the first time the WWE had a title change that was certainly unexpected. Chris Jericho and Edge are also recent title holders that weren't even supposed to be in the match, yet they won the World Title much to everyone's surprise.

I think there's many superstars in TNA that could have the same effect that CM Punk did on the WWE. Robert Roode and James Storm instantly come to mind. Just imagine if one of them shockingly won the TNA Heavyweight Title, which would make the Frontline vs Main Event Mafia angle very interesting, seeing as Beer Money don't really fit into any of those categories. Both deserve a main event push but it would be much more sweeter if they won the title unexpectedly.

The Motor City Machine Guns also come to mind. If Alex Shelley randomly won the title, it would be very unexpected and would make TNA more fresher and much more interesting seeing as they are both having problems fitting in with Frontline. Jay Lethal and Petey Williams would also make good surprising World Champions. But I do agree in saying that more unexpected title changes would be great for TNA, as it has proven to become a success in the WWE.

 

[FromTheSouth]

I like both the Daniels and Shelley ideas. I would go with the Daniels idea because it was feast or fired that cost him his job in the first place. But how would TNA reconcile that the fallen angle is the guy who dances his way to the ring? Your new champion Schizophrenia man!!!!

With the Shelley angle, it could lead to a Sabin jealousy angle and split the team, one in the MEM and one Frontline.

I think AJ will eventually win the belt from sting, but not this month, as it needs to stretch a bit. I also think Matt Morgan and Abyss need to join the youngsters after 3D turns at Final Resolution. The 3D swerve was nice, but it can't be long lasting, as they belong with the MEM.

I think Matt Morgan should win the belt, and then lose it to Nash. To have this angle last, I think that switching the World Title a couple times would be crucial. Also, having it happen on an Impact Broadcast would be monumental. They went live from Vegas a couple of weeks ago, so we know they are capable. Having a live broadcast on Jan 8 would be awesome, and have a world title match announced just randomly as an attraction. Then the frontline helps Matt Morgan win, and boom, we have two new members, a new champion, and inspiration to watch every week from here on out.

 

[waylon p]

i think the idea of curry man taking the title as a result of feast or fired is a fantastic idea. the way i'd spin it would be that after he comes out as christopher daniels, jarrett (or cornette, foley. or whomever) should strip him of the title, as he defrauded the company when he signed a contract as curry man.

this can become a feud between sting and daniels with various screw job endings.

i'm not saying that he should get a serious title run, though i would love that.
i know that is for aj, but i think that the fallen angel and the stinger would have some great matches together, and when the MEM story is done, aj and daniels could start a program over daniels being upset that aj got the title of which daniels had been cheated after working so hard for it.

by the time that feud is over, perhaps wwe will be done with christian, and he can go after the winner.

 

[Chicago2733]

I had a thought after writing the whole Daniels angle. We all have been talking about a surpise title change. I know of one person that could make TNA a serious contender against WWE. We all know that with the WWE 90 day no compete claus that there will be no WWE superstar that will jump ship to come to TNA to win a title. SO that idea is out of the question. However, there is one name out there that nobody has mentioned and if this person came to TNA and won the TNA title (the very night he debuts with nobody knowing), WWE would have some competition for a little bit. That name would be Ric Flair (really don't know how much time is left on his no compete claus left). Now I really don't see this every happening with Flair's loyality to WWE. And I am pretty sure Flair has wrestled his last or second to last match in historic career. And I am big fan of the way that WWE wrote the Flair storyline to end his WWE career. (By the way, if I am WWE I try my very hardest to get a Flair vs. Hogan at WM25 or God willing WM30 both wrestling their last matches every, now that match would sell a lot of tickets) But if for some reason Flair gets the itch to wrestle in TNA I think a surpise Flair title win would inject TNA and give them a serious shot in the arm. I can picture it now, Sting vs. Flair. Just that thought gives me chills down the back of my spin. Flair in TNA could set up a match we have never seen before, Flair vs. Jarrett. And also see matches we all want to see happen, Flair vs. Angle, Flair vs. Foley, Flair vs. Now I know that Flair now isn't the Flair of old and the last thing I want see happen is Flair tarnshing is historic career. Yet I am big believer that Flair's presence in TNA is definately a postivie in the right direction even if he doesn't wrestle. I just think Flair's presence can make that big of an impact. Those just my thoughts.....

 

[14-Year Old Virgin]

I would say Roode. I am a huge fan of his. He reminds me of a mix of Curt Hennig and Rick Rude. This guy has lots of potential. If you were looking for a huge name, I would have to say RVD. Him showing up one day and winning the TNA title would be HUGE. I even think it would be bigger than Flair. ONLY because Flair is old.

The Curryman Angle was the best Idea though. Wow, I really think that would put Daniels in a spotlight like never before. Great Idea.

 

[FromTheSouth]

This guy thinks that RVD would be bigger than Flair....

First of all, RVD would be exciting for smarks, but Flair is actually famous. People around the world know who Ric Flair is.

RVD would be bigger because Flair is old? Are you kidding me? RVD's body is just as, if not more beat up than Flair's due to wrestling style. You saw at Wrestlemania that Flair is still capable of being carried to a great match. His age is not a reason to assume that RVD would make a better champ than him.

Third, TNA needs a surprise champ that can carry a company. RVD has never been the flag bearer for a company. He is an attraction, whereas Flair would be the whole fucking show. The angles you can use Flair with are far superior to RVD. Flair comes back to save the youngsters from Nash again. Angle trying to take Flair's world championship record before HHH. Jarrett trying to take Falir World Championship record before Angle and HHH.

RVD's angles could include being high and making dick jokes.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Am I the only one that doesn't think Christopher Daniels is world title status? Like, at all. Sure, the argument is that it shouldn't be someone of world title status. However, I think guys like Edge and to a lesser degree Punk were already capable of carrying a world title belt, the wins gave them attention, not actual improvement. Hence why I don't think Daniels is really eligible.

A surprise win should be by someone who's capable of being one of the faces of TNA, but just isn't. Someone who doesn't receive title shots outside of big eight man matches. So yeah, like many of you have said, Robert Roode is on that list.

I've also made the case for James Storm numerous times. He's shown he can be a top heel; he made Rhino matches watchable. There's also Alex Shelley - sure, he's kinda small but he's definitely got more talent than some who've worn that belt.

The best way to do it is to have the champion drop it unexpectedly at a second-string pay-per-view or to have one of the randoms grab it in the King of the Mountain match.

 

[Chicago2733]

Ok the topic is surpise World Champion in TNA. We are talking about a surpise World Champion. I am not asking Daniels to hold the title for a year and carry TNA on his back. I wrote a storyline that would bring some excitement for those who actually watch TNA and knows the history of TNA. Now, Uncle Sam said that Daniels isn't world title status? Are you serious? Christopher Daniels is one of the top pure wrestlers in TNA, right now he is not being used right to deal with the whole "Fiest or Fired" angle. And Russo has and is using Daniels totally wrong. Daniels is a TNA orginal, name me the last TNA orginal that held the NWA/TNA World Heavyweight title. The last TNA orginal to hold the TNA World Heavyweight championship was Jeff Jarrett (but he owns the company). The last TNA orginal to hold the title was Abyss (even though Abyss went by a different name when he debuted with TNA) and no Samoa Joe does not count cause he was not a TNA orginal. I think giving Daniels a short title run will show all the TNA fans (that have watched from their days of only PPV shows) that TNA really does care about it's past and show that everyone in TNA that TNA can compete with WWE.
It just pains to me to see the lack of respect that Christopher Daniels gets. And if Christopher Daniels was used right and not having to do the whole "Curryman" gimmick, I am a strong believer that Christopher Daniels would be right up there with AJ and Samoa Joe in the whole Frontline storyline. But I guess I am basis on Christopher Daniels since we're both from Chicago. Those are just my thoughs.....

 

[FromTheSouth]

I think you're right. Daniels is amazing in the ring. And if someone is going to surprise TNA by winning at one PPV and losing the next, then ok. The problem is, even with a surprise champ, you need some build to it. You could push Eric Young for a month, and no one would believe that he was going to win. So having him win it would be a surprise. Having Curry Man beat Sting, and then pull his mask off would be a surprise as well. Then who are you firing, Homicide or Hernandez?

I don't think there is one person on TNA's roster worth firing right now, so these cases are going to get pretty interesting.

 

[Kyphael]

I don't know, considering Lance Rock hasn't been used in weeks, I would say he's worth getting fired. Christy Hemme and Jimmy Rave are clearly the two more promising entities of that trio. The big Texan had his chance to get over and he hasn't in years with TNA but that's beyond the point, he doesn't have one of those cases.

I think it's pretty obvious who is getting the pink slips. "HE'S HAWT. HE'S SPICY. HE TASTES GREEEAT! CURRY MAN!" Waste, really. I really like the idea of Curry Man cashing in for a World title shot and unmasking, but we know there's no way either Hernandez or Homicide are getting the boot. If they're 'firing' Curry Man to bring Daniels back, however, I guess it's no biggy.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Now, Uncle Sam said that Daniels isn't world title status? Are you serious?

Very much so.

Christopher Daniels is one of the top pure wrestlers in TNA,

I agree. And yes, Daniels is great to watch (or can be). But I say that he's not world title status for the same reason Dean Malenko wasn't. Actually, Malenko was a better pure wrestler because he sold the legit "gonna-fucking-break-you" guy better than anyone until Angle came along. That's another story. But anyway, if people saw Joe as a mistake - which many did - then Daniels would be atrocious. He's scrawny and has all the charisma of a table spoon. Titles are assigned on pure wrestling ability in ROH, not TNA.

I think giving Daniels a short title run will show all the TNA fans (that have watched from their days of only PPV shows) that TNA really does care about it's past and show that everyone in TNA that TNA can compete with WWE.

That's the thing though. I think that giving Daniels the belt would just show how TNA can't compete with WWE. He's just unsuitable. Ratings would likely plummet. Sure, you might scrape in the odd old TNA fan, but they'll soon realise it's still not the TNA of old and the casual fan will complete lose interest.

The belt just wouldn't enhance Daniels in the way it would others. In fact, it'd probably emphasise his weaknesses.

 

[14-Year Old Virgin]

This guy thinks that RVD would be bigger than Flair....

This guy is following me around the forum bashing my opinions. LOL I am so happy that I touched your life in such a way that you feel that flaming me in every topic I go to is necessary.

First of all, RVD would be exciting for smarks, but Flair is actually famous. People around the world know who Ric Flair is.

Explain how the CCW show wasn't coming to the numbers CMT expected until RVD showed up then? Your telling me that RVD is NOT known around the world? If you are, stop while your ahead.

RVD would be bigger because Flair is old? Are you kidding me? RVD's body is just as, if not more beat up than Flair's due to wrestling style.

You know, If you had just ASKED instead of ATTACKING, I would have been happy to explain it to you. But even If I did explain it to you, you would just resort to name calling. Like you are known to do.

You saw at Wrestlemania that Flair is still capable of being carried to a great match. His age is not a reason to assume that RVD would make a better champ than him.

I seen two dinosaurs trompling around the ring. While I love both Flair and Micheals abilities even after all that their bodies have been through, there is a reason they have not been the Champ for a long time. The only person Flair could beat that would NOT tarnish the TNA title would be Sting. If Flair came in and beat Joe, or AJ, I would turn off TNA FOREVER. Thats like putting the WCW on David Arquette and expecting people to believe he would stomp Goldburg.

Third, TNA needs a surprise champ that can carry a company. RVD has never been the flag bearer for a company.He is an attraction, whereas Flair would be the whole fucking show.

First or all, I NEVER said RVD was my choice to become a surprise champion, I said ROODE. I said if they were looking for a HUGE name I would go with RVD. But once again South, Thats OPINION. When will you ever understand that opinion doesn't make it gospel or make me right? I didn't start my post out by saying "This guy thinks that Flair would be bigger than RVD......", because thats his OPINION. I don't bash an OPINION.

Secondly, Yeah, RVD's 2 time ECW Tag team Champion, being ECW TV Champion for almost 2 years and NEVER LOSING the title, Holding BOTH the ECW and WWE world Title at the SAME TIME, other WWE title owner times including Europeon, Intercontinental, Hardcore, & tag team champion in the amount of 14 other times makes him a "Flag Bearer" or an Attraction verse the whole F'N Show.

So explain how Flair would qualify as the whole F'N Show and why it could NOT be RVD? I really think that Flair stayed too long to begin with and I personally don't wanna see him ruin his legacy. Thats my OPINION south, try to keep that in mind when you comment back. Just because its my opinion doesn't make it the way it is.

The angles you can use Flair with are far superior to RVD. Flair comes back to save the youngsters from Nash again.

Which futher proves that people consider the MEM a rehash of the NWO verse the millionaires club.

Angle trying to take Flair's world championship record before HHH.

Why exactly does Angle need Flair to do that? TNA could do that with ANYONE. Knowing that there is a good chance that Angle will be going back to the WWE next year, why would they wanna help him anymore?

Jarrett trying to take Falir World Championship record before Angle and HHH.

I would say yes if Jarrett didn't own TNA. Since we all know that wrestling is SCRIPTED, How credible would his record breaking World title holdings be knowing he made it happen cause he OWNED TNA. Angle, YES, Jarrett, NO. That record would mean Jack and Shit for Jarrett. Flair did not own a single company he was champion for.

RVD's angles could include being high and making dick jokes.

I'm sure Russo could come up with something better. Afterall, he is the best writer the business has today.

 

[RVDgurl]

I think to get the most out of the MEM angle, Sting needs to have a fairly lengthy title reign. So a surprise champ in the next couple of months won't do anything to make TNA more interesting. It would contradict an actual interesting storyline like MEM vs. Front Line. TNA has put alot of effort into this one, and for once, they need to let it play out properly.

However, the idea is a novel one. A young up an comer taking the title from Sting is a marvelous idea. Personally I agree with Alex Shelley. That would be ideal. Not only is he one of the most talented young guys on the TNA roster, it would add alot of depth to the current storyline. Think about it- MCMG are considered outcasts by the Front Line. AJ Styles and crew have been working so hard to take the title back from MEM. And here comes Shelley, with his cockiness and swagger, representing everything both sides hate, winning the belt from Sting.