vince russo TNA'S Cancer?

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The only thing I could even think of when it comes to a rationale for the irrational booking of Cornette involving Angle and LAX is that he's just not afraid of LAX and doesn't see them as being a more credible menace. Either way, I like this whole thing better than the Dusty Rhodes and Zybysko schticks. Those were so old-hat I wanted to take a time machine back to 1985 where those storylines would actually work. I just hope Russo can inject some logic into what he's got going on within this next year. I don't totally want to knock the guy because he's had to tie up some loose ends that others had started and basically start over fresh after doing so. I think six months down the road, we'll have a much better view of whether his changes are a success or a flat out f**k-up.

I've seen a lot of Styles' matches, and I do believe he's worth the hype and is one of the best American workers in the game today. The thing is that if he doesn't have the proper time to tell his story in the ring, and more importantly doesn't have the right person to tell it with, then you get the same kind of situation that CM Punk is in. You know that talent is there because you've seen great matches and insane crowds that the guys have both controlled, but the television transition really screws over their gameplans.

I don't know about Cena. I've seen some of his UPW stuff that I honestly was bored to death with. It's probably just in what you like, I guess. I can honestly say, though, that I didn't even see why WWE would want to sign him in the first place, but then again, I'm pretty damn high maintenance when it comes to what I like in wrestling.

Man, I miss Lesnar. I watched some of his Japanese matches and promos and it breaks my heart to know that he could be in Batista's spot and Batista could be doing nothing at present, but Brock had to go nuts and play football?!? Like one of my favorites of all time says... "DAMN."

I honestly think that HHH has kept most of his talent intact and can wrestle a solid match. HBK, on the other hand, has become a routine man who lost all of his creativity that he used to display on a weekly basis back in his original run (and in limited encounters in the new run). Looking back, I wish he'd have stayed retired. VKM (specifically BG) has lost some of their step with regards to their speed, but I still find most of what they do in the ring more unique than what the current DX boys do. There was a time honestly when I could say that Dogg and Ass helped get HHH over because he was still a pre-steroid midcard schmo that hadn't yet humped the bosses' daughter, even if he was talented. I almost never thought I'd see the DX members end up on opposite sides of the fence. Time is a funny thing.

Whether or not VKM is a success/flop is strictly a matter of your like or dislike in their message and/or sense of humor. I love watching them poke fun at WWE. Their angle is obviously a success as DX has ceased doing the goofball bull$hit routine and taken an abruptly serious course. Hell, Michaels was against doing the angle to begin with because DX clashes with his newfound religious beliefs. The new DX pisses me off because I'd like to see Michaels and HHH's last couple of years used in something that's actually more relevant than a quick generation of T-shirt units. I think of their match at WMXX and it pisses me off to no end because they were awesome that night and I think that is definitely along the lines of how they should be used. Pushing the envelope and upping the level of competition. Not being wasted in slapstick. I see all the potential in the world with both companies, but WWE is limping into 2007 and TNA is still without a concrete direction.

E.Y. is on the undercard and isn't significant to the overall scheme of things (even if I do think he doesn't work half bad). The Jackass thing was the biggest misstep for that division that I've ever seen and I'm glad it died a quiet death. Roode has a boatload of potential but he's kind of like Steve Austin in that he has the tools, but he hasn't found his niche yet. That still doesn't make his dumbass gimmick any cooler. Aries' current work is just a homogenized version of Graham, Ventura, and Savage all rolled into one. I still think that he's being given the go-ahead within the near future as they're trying to establish his character, but I've yet to see where they can take a character with that lack of depth that Austin has. That takes nothing away from how well he can work, though. He should be one of TNA's key players in the next two years, if you ask me. Sting was brought in for quick TV ratings and to get the slot on Spike, which happened. He wasn't rammed down everyone's throats week in and week out and has only wrestled a handful of times since being back. Do I think he was a credible champion this time around? Not really, and that's coming from a HUGE Sting mark. I do think that he was never intended to hold the belt for long anyway and was just given the last title as penance for coming in and helping them get on Spike.

I do agree that there is a veritable who's who of TNA talent that isn't utilized as much as I'd like. There are also some guys who I think should never be televised or booked on Impact ever again. My two prime candidates are Norman Smiley and Lance Hoyt. Smiley was never worth airtime in WCW, and Hoyt is the poor man's Diesel.
 
Finally we almost agree on everything I knew deep down somewhere you still loved the WWE and is just being hard on it because your disappionted about creative, misdirection, misuse, and so much more and got fed up and started to slowly bash them, you just miss the good ol' days don't ya. (lol)

Your right about Cornette being better than any of the other authority figures, just the more I think about it were blessed they're gone they were horrible in their terms as TNA head, but come on do you really think Cornette should be more afraid of Angle? when LAX is suppose to be this hardcore group of thugs Hernandez alone would scare the hell out of an average man more so than Angle but add in the other two and well...., about Russo I guess you have a point but if I was TNA Paul Heyman would be at the top of my Christmas list as he's a way more talented writer than Russo and could that the TNA product to new heights well at least in my opinion.

On Styles don't get me wrong i'm not knocking anything he is able to do in the ring i've seen lots of his matches also but when you talk about the best wrestler in the world today(in america I don't even want to start on japan right now) your talking about guys that have it all together like HHH, Kurt Angle(my pick), Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson and so on, AJ may be able to get in the ring and take these guys to the limit but until he brings it all together he's just another top talented preformer, to me I rate Punk slightly ahead of him as Punk is already stolen the hearts of the ECW fans(like they had any other choises), he has a very entertaining character and can flat out go in the ring, but I truly believe in time AJ will get better than he is which is scary for the guys that have already peaked(Angle).

Okay, Okay, I get it you hate Cena but at least your willing to admit he's still good for the wrestling business(even if not with the championship) and entertaining with the mic, as much as some people hate Cena they don't see he has become a crossover superstar bringing in more fans to the sport we love, like Hogan(who I hate) some people have to realize these guys Austin, Hogan, The Rock, and now Cena love em or hate em bring in new fans which is always good for the business as a whole.

I thought I was the only one I crusie around these sites and people complete disrespect one of the men that in a short time domination the WWE, people always say well this guy or that guy got pushed to soon but you didn't here that with Brock as he was ready for the responsibility and was incredible enough in the ring to pull it off, I don't know what in the hell he asked for but Vince should have given it to him, the buzz on the net when we thought he would return was hell for me as Brock had become one of my all time favorites and I was really let down when WWE didn't get the job done now they shove that half assed knock off Batista down our throats week after endless week when they could have gave us Brock it's a damn shame if TNA would have had a TV deal at that time (FSN doesn't count) me and you might find ourselves agreeing alot more as I wasn't very happy with WWE at the time.

HBK has become the routine guy he's still great but something is missing from that great,incredible, and flat out entertaining guy we used to love, now in HBK defense every wrestler has a kind of routine they follow but HBK used to mix it up very well like the X-Division stars(that's the main thing I love about them)now he's more like Cena then people care to admit routine wise I mean, HHH is great he is still one of the best in the world but VKM...... Road Dogg / B.G. has seen better days but to begin with I never was really a fan of his loved him in the Outlaws tagteam and with SyxX-Pac and even with 3Live Crew but never really liked him as a singles competitior, now Billy Gunn/Kip I thought he was headed for superstardom as i've always enjoyed him in the ring expectually as Mr.Ass(I know other people didn't like the gimmick but I did) I suported him through the other dumbass gimmicks "The One", Chuck/gaydom(okay that was funny), the Outlaw but he's not the wrestler he was a couple of years ago and i'm starting to lose intrest, I never thought that they would call each other out I thought they were friends their was even rumors going around that HHH wanted BG and Kip back in the WWE until they heard of the harsh thing they had been saying about him I thought you weren't suppose to burn bridges but it looks like TNA always books it's new WWE talent saying some harsh things about their former employer(not Kurt though I read for weeks that Kurt had bashed the WWE in his introduction interview but when I seen it....well you know he didn't say shit too bad about WWE) but Christain, Rhyno, Team 3D, and most of the others have.

I don't think the VKM skits or Michaels feelings had anything to do with their sudden stoppage of the "funny/childish" skits, I think that they just wanted to keep DX intresting so they took them into a different direction, but I agree I would rather have them competing for the title then teamed up because let's face it who is it helping get over their feud with Orton and Edge two of the most over guys in the company and they couldn't be more over if it was giving new guys and mid-carders a rub then I could see it working, my point is when they were fueding with Cade and Murdock I thougt they would give a small push and peak the fans intrest in them but they had DX sqash them everytime they got in the ring with them turning them into even more of a joke.

Now I didn't say Eric Young isn't a talented preformer I just said I don't want to see him in a bikini contest(and win What the hell is wrong with some people?) and I don't find his character to be entertaining, comparing Austin and Roode? that's a streach as Austin(unknow to the average WWE fan) was a incredible technicion in the ring and Roode doesn't even come close to his talent level, I think the gimmick would be okay if they didn't try so hard to make him a JBL knock off, there is a million other ways to use the same gimmick but not JBL like, Mr. Aires(I will never think of him as Starr) is one of the most talented and entertaining guys in the X-Division so my qustion is why did they have to change his character to this....(Starr/Savage/Graham/Street/Ventura combined?) I liked Aires fine like he was, I agree about Sting all the way except I must admit i'm have never been real high on Sting but on that note i'd still take him as being champ than having Abyss as champ(I think he's a okay bigman but not ready for a title run), Norman Smiley should have never been in wrestling period(now I hope we can agree Cena is at least better than him(lol) and I can't believe you don't like Hoyt I think he is way more talented in the ring than Nash ever was he may have a dumb gimmick but Im like him as a preformer he kind of remind's me more of Test than Nash.
 
I think more of Cornette's fear of Angle is that he is LEGITIMATELY more threatening than any or all of the LAX members. They're hardasses no doubt, but Angle has street cred you can't even buy. If I had a choice to be across the ring from Konnan's bad hip, a cruiserweight, and a partially clumsy Hernandez as opposed to The Wrestling Machine? Hell, I'd take LAX any day of the week. Angle'd cook most people's geese before they could say "ouch."

It is scary for me to see that A.J. and Joe still have some years left in them with regards to what they can do. I've watched matches of theirs where I actually forget they're calling spots and I actually get swept up in being a mark again. It's the greatest feeling in the world for me, when I know someone is so good that the match makes me regress to a time in my life when I almost thought the stuff was real. The kinds of matches that made me fall in love with wrestling when I was just a little guy.

I was pissed when Lesnar left. Both at him and for the way McMahon handled the situation. I remember watching the match between Brock and Goldberg live on PPV and how the fans had already known that he was leaving. My guess is that somebody let everyone in the audience know what was up because those fans were all over his ass that night. Watching he and Greenberg stall before Brock flipped out was a fine example of the fact that even though he was a genetic wonder, he was still just a kid. They could've sent Brock out on a high note and had a smashmouth match between those two, but instead it was an unbelievable joke and the booking was stupid as all hell. I still ask myself: Why would you put someone over (Greenberg) when you know he will most likely NEVER return to your company as he's on the downard end of his career? And then at the same time bury a TRUE phenom of the business that could one day walk back into your doors?

I think there were a lot of guys that were mishandled. As much as I'm a Bret Hart fan, they should've put the title on Luger at WM10. Regardless of his drunken meanderings, he had the momentum and Hart was spread thin focusing on the feud with his brother, which I honestly would've made the prime focus for Hart that night. They'd also spent a year and a half working on getting Lex the push. I would've booked that PPV WAY differently than what they did. I guess hindsight is 20/20, but I've seen a lot of dropped calls by McMahon regarding pushes that were wasted/misdirected and cards that made no sense.

I watched the shoot interview a while back that VKM cut and it opened my eyes to what really went down from their point of view. Those two guys were put together as a joke and pissed it back in the office's face by getting over...WAY over. They weren't wanted in DX to begin with, but by the end became completely synonymous with it and were involved with the angle for longer than some of its founders. I for one believe that this angle was a definite way for them to get something off their chest that has been sitting on it for a while, and the fact that they are doing it is ballsy to me. From their perspective they were never friends with Triple H and the mere mention of his name pisses Kip off to no end.

Michaels never wanted to do the stuff, and the fact that they're competitor is dedicating airtime to it is causing controversy they don't want to deal with. I for one, find it beyond convenient that they spend months turning two of the WWE's biggest hitters into Laurel and Hardy, all of a sudden to stop it overnight? My guess is that they finally realized how much damage it is doing to their single's characters. HHH spent the last six years getting his heel persona forced down America's throat, only to have it evaporate over one summer? I also thought they might actually help to elevate some younger talent with this opportunity, but the second Vince McMahon became involved with the angle, I knew it would fly straight into the toilet...instantly. WWE hasn't had a credible tag scene in years, and instead of giving their teams viability, they feed them to guys who don't even function as a regular tag team?

The Bikini Incident is another one of the crash TV ideas that I see as a waste, and I agree it was pointless, tasteless, and retarted. Most people don't remember Austin's initial year or so in the company. Before the King of The Ring (which Austin only garnered because HHH was punished for the MSG incident), Austin was in a boring, mundane, feud with Savio Vega of all people. He was putting on matches at Wrestlemania that were "get up and take a piss" worthy, if you get my drift. The company got behind him, and had him pushed correctly, and by the next Wrestlemania he was on the way to becoming a legend. Aries' character was changed because he was like Roderick Strong and a host of other indy characters that many people felt didn't have enough character to be viable, bankable, main-eventers. I don't buy that mentality, but obviously the heads at TNA do. TNA doesn't really have a flamboyant type of wrestler, so I think that Aries will be the guy they try with. I was a big Sting mark pre-1997. When he came back from the layoff to face Hogan he had clearly lost a step in his game. In the years before, though, I'd place him on par with Michaels and Hart in terms of overall ability. I think the method with Abyss is forced attrition. TNA is making sure that some other players are thrown into the title scene to spread the credibility. They have many guys right now who could easily contend for the title, which I for one think is awesome. Abyss is loads better than some people give him credit for. A bit overanimated with his sells, but then again, so was The Rock, and he turned out just fine. TNA is in a period of flux because this is the first time that they can't depend on Jarrett to be their money heel, and they have to create some new stars to keep the ship running. I think Hoyt has decent fundamentals, but he has bad mic work, and not enough talent to offset that deficiency. Not that I think mic work is the premium by which to measure a wrestler, but I just don't find him to be effective enough in any capacity to be what they feel he should be. He needs to put on about twenty pounds and he could be a very credible monster. He has potential, but he's a lot like Kane, in that his potential is never used.
 
I know Angle could kick the average guys ass faster then any of the LAX members but LAX is still three powerful thug like men and Cornette should at the very least be catuious around them but he acts like he doesn't fear them at all, turn around to the very next week and he damn there shit his pants because Angle is beatting the hell out of his staff?, LAX had been kicking actual wrestlers asses laying them out so your telling me that, Angle's acts scared him more then LAX's? I don't buy it, while Angle could kick your ass faster, LAX would simpley continue to beat the holy hell out of you so I think i'd take one fast and effective asswhupping by Angle then a slow and nasty one by LAX.

You made a excellent point There is nothing in the world like being brought back to that time when you yourself was a mark and rooted for the good guys and jeered the bad ones, there's nothing better then being so caught up in a match that you forget it's planned and I love to have that feeling once in a while, it's too bad these moments don't happen more often.

Your right Goldberg(who they knew would most likily never wrestle for them again)gets the win over your their own created phenom Brock(who most in the WWE thought would be back some day) this was not only bag booking but a bad match and a bad way to send off one of the top draws of your company who may be back some day but it's just another bad decidion in a long line for Vince and company, I also think the WWE had better figure out a way to get Lesnar before is he able to wrestle in the states again(I think it's 4 or 5 years), I don't know what he could have asked for that was so unreasonible, I know the WWE can see that without Angle they need to bring back in a major player who could and most likily would make a huge impact, if they continue to let time past thinking they could sign him last minute he could end up hating the WWE(if he already doesn't)and head to TNA(who should be gaining more and more popularity by this time)and really give them that push over the edge they need to become a true contender against the WWE.

I also thought that Luger should have gotten the win(although I was never a big fan of his)the WWE put all that time and effort into making him a star and contender for the title then it never went anywhere, which is probably one of the main reasons he was able to jump to WCW for the price they paid, I also thought that Owen should have recived a serious regin and/or run at the title as I have always liked him more then Bret, I really think they missed out on him becoming the next bankable megastar and then to add insult to injury they in a years time put him in NOD, then with Jerrett, then back in his Blue Blazer gimmick, this was total disrespect to a great and mis/under-used talent.

Yeah it was a joke that turn into a incredibly successful tag team, but I still don't see why they are angry with Micheals(as he has never done or said anything about them and had nothing to do with their falling out with the WWE) or HHH(who may be a real life asshole, but still thought of them as friends until he heard of some of the things they said about him) it seems to me the only person they have a reason to be angry with is Vince (as he fired/released them) and even then they still look like the sad, petty, vindictive, childish, jelious, assholes that can't get over being fired, to me they have no right's to DX as WWE owns it and it was already very popular before they were introduced to the ranks(even though they took it to another level)what they are doing right now is way different then when DX invaded WCW as then DX was tring to "free" Hall and Nash and never bashed on them or Eric Bishoff they just bashed on WCW as a whole, now VKM has called out HHH, HBK, and Vince personaly which is kind of tasteless.

I agree I mush rather see HHH and HBK battling for the title than as degenerate buddies acting like childish bastards, I wouldn't have a problem with it if it was getting someone over but HHH and HBK didn't need any help with that and they are feuding with Rated RKO who is two of the companys top superstars and also doesn't need to get over or a rub from DX,if they had to team them than what they should have done is have Rated RKO feud with Cryme Tyme for the tag titles and DX with Haas and Benjamin and allow the less over teams to win their respective feuds against the powerhouse teams.

Now you can'e blame Austin for that, that was WWE fault, back in his WCW days(where he did have success as a US, TV, and Tag champ) and his short time in ECW he put on some wrestling classic's(even a couple against your golden boy Sting)and Roode comes nowhere close to his talent level, but I do like him in the ring and thinks someday he will get over and become a true star he remind's me more of the man he is tring to be like JBL, about Aires I personaly liked him as he was but then again i'm not for the guy/flamboyant characters(although I always liked Rico as he was one of the most talented and mis-used guys on the roster like Nick Dinsmore aka Eugene)but if it helps him get a X-title regin or become a bigger star then i'm all for it, I think it was a huge mistake by TNA to let Strong's contract go, he is one of the best and brightest wrestlers I have seen in a long time, every when he lost(which was a lot on impact) he made himself look good, I truely think that he will become a big star in the future, I don't hold Sting in the same reguard as you do, same talent level as Micheals and Hart? not to me but then again i've never been a fan of his, About Abyss I don't know who you've been talking to but everybody i've talked with can't get enough of praising the monster, but to me at best he is a good not great big man, I think people really hype him up because of his flashy moves insted of his overall ability, he has no business being champ they should have kept the title on Sting or given it to Christain/Joe/Angle/Styles or even my dark horse Daniels, last about Hoyt, I think he is better than you say as he's that rare big man that can pull off a hybrid style(ala Lesnar) but I agree he could be a little more intimidating but I think he will shine someday.
 
My God you guys can write. Either it's a deep knowledge and love for wrestling or you just feel like ranting on for several pages (I didn't read it though, although by the looks of it you two enjoyed showing off that you can demonstrate your profound brilliance in knowledge of wrestling over the rest of the occasional 2-line posters here.) Note to self: Do not start an argument with Kasey or Showtyme as it may induce hours of wasted time trying to pick apart everything they said and try to write a comeback they can't beat and most of all win the argument. Anyway, onto the subject, Vince Russo can only bring in the WWE elements of entertainment which TNA fans loathe and is just another WWE star causing trouble in TNA. But the upside to this is that despite the constant ignorance of the majority of fans out there by most smark TNA fans, adding entertainment value increases the market to which this product can target (i.e children watching to see heroes prevail and not caring about the wrestling element to a match.) Pro Wrestling is mocked around the world because most know it is fake and see no point in watching them just do fake moves and the like. Unless there is some other element to the show, like bikini contests for entertainment, it leaves no other audience except for the smark community as most there are just looking for good wrestling (and no bikini contests leaves most without an excuse to tell the friend who constantly questions and ridicules the wrestling follower.) In short, unless TNA uses Russo's knowledge of the WWE fanbase and how to get them to watch, it will never reach the audience numbers WWE gets. If TNA doesn't add entertainment for the mark, WWE will continue to dominate the wrestling world. Getting more WWE writers is a start, no matter how much trouble they are.
 
I know Angle could kick the average guys ass faster then any of the LAX members but LAX is still three powerful thug like men and Cornette should at the very least be catuious around them but he acts like he doesn't fear them at all, turn around to the very next week and he damn there shit his pants because Angle is beatting the hell out of his staff...
It comes down to the unpredictability issue, I'd guess. I figure their rationale is geared around Angle's nature of assaulting not just wrestlers, but anyone else (as evidenced by the Don West segment, and Joe's girlfriend getting Locked). LAX has layed out wrestler's of course, but with the addition of their lawyer bit, I feel it's the kind of thing where they pick their strikes and hide behind beuracracy, whereas Angle is supposed to be a loose cannon who'll ankle-lock anything with two legs and a heartbeat and doesn't have a method other than slight insanity with his assaults.

Your right Goldberg(who they knew would most likily never wrestle for them again)gets the win over your their own created phenom Brock...
I remember reading that the general concensus was that WWE felt Brock didn't have respect or appreciation for all of the jobs that were done for him. Vince had once again banked on someone with drawing power who didn't give a rat's ass about the business, it's history, or it's legacy. They forgot that in the end, he was just a 24 year old kid who didn't really know what he wanted to do.
I also thought that Owen should have recived a serious regin and/or run at the title as I have always liked him more then Bret, I really think they missed out on him becoming the next bankable megastar and then to add insult to injury they in a years time put him in NOD, then with Jerrett, then back in his Blue Blazer gimmick, this was total disrespect to a great and mis/under-used talent.
It still sickens me that the only time Owen received his just-do was after he was gone. He was a hell of a performer from day one, but wasn't allowed to make that leap into the upper echelon. Instead, they kept him languishing in the midcard, which to this day, still mystifies me.

Yeah it was a joke that turn into a incredibly successful tag team, but I still don't see why they are angry with Micheals(as he has never done or said anything about them and had nothing to do with their falling out with the WWE) or HHH(who may be a real life asshole, but still thought of them as friends until he heard of some of the things they said about him) it seems to me the only person they have a reason to be angry with is Vince (as he fired/released them) and even then they still look like the sad, petty, vindictive, childish, jelious, assholes that can't get over being fired, to me they have no right's to DX as WWE owns it and it was already very popular before they were introduced to the ranks(even though they took it to another level)what they are doing right now is way different then when DX invaded WCW as then DX was tring to "free" Hall and Nash and never bashed on them or Eric Bishoff they just bashed on WCW as a whole, now VKM has called out HHH, HBK, and Vince personaly which is kind of tasteless.
I guess the original head of DX didn't want them in the group and they still feel snubbed. Rightly so, if you ask me, because they got over like a motherf**ker once they were in it. I saw them as the anchor of that team, as did a lot of other people. Not HHH. Certainly not Chyna or X-pac. Not selling those people short, but HHH and HBK are still using the kind of DX mic work that was signature VKM material back in the day so that pretty much speaks for what work those two did. I've never met HHH, but I know what I've seen in relation to what he's done in the business to some other people. Just ask Chyna. She was far from an angel, but heaven forbid she speak up about her man f**king the bosses' daughter. Not to mention the fact that HHH has consistently been reset in every title program for almost every year this millenium. Not that I don't think he's deserving for some of those runs, but the fact is that WWE always runs out of gas heading into Summerslam because they book/script like $hit, and then HHH would typically yank the strap back and put me into another coma doing lovely mic work telling everyone how great he is. It's like the title pushes for Batista and Cena. Why put the title on two lemons who you had to bleed to death to get over when there are multiple men in the company who could've been elevated to much higher standards with much less effort?
I agree I mush rather see HHH and HBK battling for the title than as degenerate buddies acting like childish bastards, I wouldn't have a problem with it if it was getting someone over but HHH and HBK didn't need any help with that and they are feuding with Rated RKO who is two of the companys top superstars and also doesn't need to get over or a rub from DX,if they had to team them than what they should have done is have Rated RKO feud with Cryme Tyme for the tag titles and DX with Haas and Benjamin and allow the less over teams to win their respective feuds against the powerhouse teams.
I had a little trouble buying the whole DX angle back in 1997, but these guys acting in such a stupid and juvenile fashion is more corny and out of place than my dad listening to rap music and trying to beatbox. Cena/Umaga is a dud. Cena/Edge was a dud, too. Hell, why not work programs with some of the younger guys against HHH or HBK. Edge, Carlito, and Orton all have in-ring talent and any combination would work very well in a title program. Hell, I still remember Edge and HBK tearing the house down with their streetfight on Raw sometime back. It was one of the few gems I thought was nestled in a bucket of $hit. Why they wouldn't put that program around a title is beyond me. It's like when they passed up Eddie/Edge for a title program. They had classics on Smackdown and would've put WAY more credence to the title if they were fighting over it. I'd love to see the WGTT come back and spearhead a revival of the tag scene. They can't seem to make each guy work as a singles wrestler because they haven't pushed them remotely right, but as a tag team all of the guess work is gone because they're almost flawless.

Now you can'e blame Austin for that, that was WWE fault, back in his WCW days...
I'm not selling Austin's prior work in either Dallas or WCW, or even ECW short as I always thought he was a credible wrestler, but he didn't find how to remotely control a WWF crowd until he and Hart began squaring off. He'd gotten better in the summer lead-up programs fighting at KOTR and on Raw. When I compare Roode to Austin, I definitely think of a fresh-faced Austin in the early part of his career. Naturally talented, but unrefined and improperly focused with regards to the push or character.

I've missed Strong for a long time. He was so damn comfortable and fluid in the ring (especially using the 1,000 backbreakers he knows) and his matches were always solid.

When I discuss the Sting I mark out for, I'm talking about Sting from 1996 and before. His layoff removed the steam and athleticism from his arsenal and my appreciation for him waned. There was a time when he was beyond being the total package. He was a hodgepodge of different greats. Hart, Michaels, Hogan, Flair, all rolled into one. His match with Dusty against the Road Warriors at Starrcade 1988 was so ahead of its time and is a perfect example of why I place him that high up on my all time list. He was what kept me watching throughout the 1990s when WCW was in the toilet. His matches against Vader and Cactus Jack were always solid and creative, as were his battles with Muta and Flair. Some of my favorite tag matches were with he and Luger against a young Rick and Scott Steiner. One of Sting's hidden gems was a match at The G.A.B. 1996 against a very equipped Steven Regal that had everything in terms of techinical wrestling, high-flying moves, and smashmouth wrestling. During the dark times at WCW, The Stinger was the guaranteed babyface franchise of the company and he kept it running in some very bad times because he was always loved by the fans for what he could do. He's lost a step these days, but that's typical with his age. There was a time when he had bar-none the best dropkick in the history of the business...even better than Bob Holly's. And for me that's definitely saying something.

A lot of what went down in the last year or so regarding the NWA title and who it was on had only to do with appeasing the gods of Spike TV. TNA were geared around getting the TV deal as they were in a Paul Heyman-type situation losing the FoxSports slot. This is why Sting, Steiner, and Cage were all brought in at one fell swoop. Spike required more established names and TNA was quickly writing checks. My guess is that within the next year, the title program will be very different and the overall show will be miles away from the 2006 product. What's going to be left is a roster of qualified and hungry wrestlers who can definitely take TNA where it needs to go. I just pray they wake up and use Killings before he gets fed up enough to venture up north.
 
My God you guys can write. Either it's a deep knowledge and love for wrestling or you just feel like ranting on for several pages (I didn't read it though, although by the looks of it you two enjoyed showing off that you can demonstrate your profound brilliance in knowledge of wrestling over the rest of the occasional 2-line posters here.) Note to self: Do not start an argument with Kasey or Showtyme as it may induce hours of wasted time trying to pick apart everything they said and try to write a comeback they can't beat and most of all win the argument. Anyway, onto the subject, Vince Russo can only bring in the WWE elements of entertainment which TNA fans loathe and is just another WWE star causing trouble in TNA. But the upside to this is that despite the constant ignorance of the majority of fans out there by most smark TNA fans, adding entertainment value increases the market to which this product can target (i.e children watching to see heroes prevail and not caring about the wrestling element to a match.) Pro Wrestling is mocked around the world because most know it is fake and see no point in watching them just do fake moves and the like. Unless there is some other element to the show, like bikini contests for entertainment, it leaves no other audience except for the smark community as most there are just looking for good wrestling (and no bikini contests leaves most without an excuse to tell the friend who constantly questions and ridicules the wrestling follower.) In short, unless TNA uses Russo's knowledge of the WWE fanbase and how to get them to watch, it will never reach the audience numbers WWE gets. If TNA doesn't add entertainment for the mark, WWE will continue to dominate the wrestling world. Getting more WWE writers is a start, no matter how much trouble they are.
Sorry if it's tedious to read all of what we put down, but I usually don't find someone with as much discussion ability around here. As for your post, I do agree that Russo's influnence can target more of an audience, as long as it doesn't delve into complete catering for the mark population. Think about it. A wrestling product that has airtight storylines, entertainment stuff that can appease the masses, and wrestling intelligent enough to please smarks. It's been done before, but the Attitude and early NWO eras have passed. If they can duplicate that type of intelligence with something fresh, then TNA can really make their mark.
 
Well it's not so much tedious as it is intimidating, but I would have to say that you two seem to have a knowledge that trumps most other posters here and your discussions can lead many others astray from adding to it, simply because it would most likely 'dumb down' the discussion you have. And don't you think you're asking a bit much there. Wrestling will never be better than it was during the Attitude era and nothing can come close, period. Comparisons between that and any show today is as pointless as thinking you've got a chance with Paris Hilton. I haven't heard any signs that TNA can show any of the things you may anticipate or at least believe is a chance of happening. I will say that the WWE's storylines are not up to scratch with what they could be, so TNA could blast them out the water with new, innovative storylines that could make up for the low entertainment value it possesses for most marks, although I pray that never happens. I just hope that the WWE can match the wrestling calibre that you say TNA has, just to show that TNA for now is just another production being blocked by the massive force that is the WWE. BTW, once TNA notices the big money is in entertainment, the average smark will be completely wiped off the radar. It happened to WCW, and TNA has much less recognition than they did, so it may be sooner rather than later that they take the WWE's lead and sort out the best market to achieve financial success that no other company can match, and if that means more bikini contests and promos, they most likely will do it. Picture this Total Nonstop ......................Entertainment! (don't get offended, it's a joke.)
 
I had friends and family members say the same thing about the popularity of the Rock 'n' Wrestling era when I was watching the first Nitro telecasts back in 1995 and the first Raw telecasts in 1993 which were emanating from smaller arenas with lackluster fanfare. I don't for a minute think I'm asking too much. With the proper talent, booking, writing, marketing, and promotion anything is possible. No problem with the joke, man. You are probably right in the direction that TNA is heading as it is obviously not for purists anymore. There are things I like, but also glaring errors they are making on a weekly basis that are easily correctable if they just insituted some common sense. However, even with Russo's influence the PPV's are still worth their money to me, so I guess I'm at least happy with that. For now, anyway. Thank heaven for youtube and torrents.
 
To Kasey: About Angle I agree, at certain times in WWE and now TNA he just seems off his rocker and it sort of adds to his already well known character, but the way LAX runs around and acts I think they also wouldn't have any problem taking out men, women, children, or small animals(lol) just like the crazied Angle, I really didn't like the whole lawyer bit with LAX because what respectable thug you know(not up for murder.....) would have a lawyer fight their battles for them, it would have been better for me if they beat the hell out of Cornette and made him do what they wanted just like Angle did.

VKM the backbone of DX, i'll agree with that somewhat, to me all the characters were just as important as the next but nobody stayed as ture to the DX style than VKM, I do disagree about DX using the VKM style mic work for there skits as HBK and HHH did alot of the same stuff as the first DX so really while VKM was in WWE they stole and added to the already formed DX style that HBK and HHH created, now I agree with the title rantl, one regin for Batista was horrible enough now we have to survive another one? even though I like Cena i'm tried of seeing him as champ when RAW has Edge, Orton(even though I think he's very overrated), Carlito, Benjamin, too name a few, and on Smackdown! you got Chris Beniot(one world title regin is horrible for one of the greatest ever), Kennedy, Kane, Matt Hardy(yes, I think he's ready for a run), and some more, all the people I named could have been super/megastar if not for WWE's bad booking decidsion's.

I don't like the WGTT team-up that much, i'm happy for Haas but I see Benjamin(i'm a big Benjamin mark) as a single's superstar, everytime the WWE seems to get him over with the fans they seem to take him off of TV and then he has to start allover again, and I think the WWE missed big oprotunity's in making Haas at the very least a contender for IC gold as he is a very talented wrestler, but seeing them as a TT is way better than Benjamin doing Heat every week, that Eddie/Edge feud was one of thew best in WWE over the past ten years, they stole the show serveral times with their amazing battles(when Smackdown was the greastest wrestling show period) and like you said could have only gotten better with a major title on the line.

Got you about Roode, I thought you meant simmilar as in ring style and superstar potential, I understand about Sting also because back then even though I never liked him much at the very least I respected him, and last I totallt agree about bringing in Cage(good idea), Sting, and Steiner, they had to show the could grab bankable stars and keep the fans interested in their product, and at the time these may have been good shrot term chooses as they all seem to have worked one way or another.

To T Murdoch: Good to finally see someone else join in the fun(lol), like Kasey said it's real hard to find people to have a interesting debate with so when you find one you got to stick with them, I agree with you TNA could gain alot of ground if they please us fans instead of Spike TV, right now it seems like TNA is tring to be WWE's little brother instead of the small company that dares to be different by actually showcasing talent in the ring, and to tell the truth I miss that TNA style.
 
Beileve it or not I know Russo. I know him from a radio show I use to do...
Called Deep Impact. It use to be on these forums. Anyway, I still talk to the guy every now and then and to be honest he's apart of a "team" of bookers. Without putting all his business in the street whenever I ask him about TNA booking he tells me "Jeff is the boss, and its hard writing with a team". Everything you see on TV isnt his doing and to be honest he's got no stroke. Its a very different picture then what is painted on the internet.
 
Since Vince Russo has come back, there have been certain things that have occurred that I'm blaming him for.

1) SPLITTING UP AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: With tag team wrestling
seeming like a dying art for the most part, we need as many teams as we can and this was one of the best there is right now aside from the Dudley Boyz and the Hardys. Yeah I know the Dudleys are Team 3-D now but hey, what's Vince gonna do? Sue Me? That senial old relic can rot for all I care. The last thing I want to happen to AMW is end up like the Steiner Brothers or Harlem Heat.

2) CHRIS SABIN: Sabin put on one of the best matches I seen from the X-Division in his matches with Senshi. He finally gets the title which I was hoping for and then he loses to AJ Styles in a week. What kind of crap is that? And this attitude change I really don't like because now the talent that he had is gone.

3) THE JACKASS GIMMICK: This was the dumbest thing that TNA had done. It just killed the talent in Sonjay Dutt and Jay Lethal and Chris Sabin. It damn near killed the X-Division. It wasn't funny and the fans showed their disapproval and just how lame it was.

4) AJ STYLES: What the hell is going on with this guy?!!! He is bad at this heel gimmick. He doesn't even do any of the things that made him the star that he is now. This was worse than what Russo did with AMW right now.

5) ABYSS WINNING THE TITLE: Okay, now I have no problem with this. But I would have liked it much better if Sting lost the belt in a pinfall, not by a DQ.


These are the things that TNA has done thanks to Russo that just pisses me off and I don't like it.
 
Ever Since Vince russo got in to tna i think from what i saw was the same crap he tried with wcw and rehashing old storylines like vkm. when dx invaded cnn center it meant something. but when vkm TRIES to invade wwe titan towers it is meaningless. i am a big tna fan since wwe deprived me of my entertainment. i look at tna for my wrestling / entertainment fix. i am a lot more entertained from watchein one hour of tna than watching watching two hours of raw. when impact! is over, it actually makes me anticipate for next thursday. but not with wwe no when i watch raw i wind up playing playstation halfway through. and when raw is over and a when they advertise john cena in the main event for next week i automatically think cena is gonna win. he never loses. IMO he is a over paid, and over pushed fuck that wrestles worse than jerry lawler. but back to the topic. everytime i see an angle on tna. like eric young vs ms brooks bikini contest has russo written all over it and, vkm this is all russos doing vkm is just a watered down dx but slightly better in ways and slightly worse in ways. so what do you think is vince russo tnas cancer. explain.

VKM is a huge hit with the TNA fans because a lot of TNA fans realize that they're more DX than Michaels and Triple H are nowadays. VKM does things the original DX did. Michaels and HHH don't. How did it mean something when DX invaded WCW and it doesn't mean something when VKM is invading WWE? They're even making it personal by calling them out not by a wrestling storyline but a real life storyline. Sure the Young v. Brooks thing was lame, but the storyline now is hilarious and entertaining, and you need stuff like that every once in a while for a little change. He's also put together a great card for Final Resolution with the top tag teams Team 3D and LAX, turned AJ heel which took guts and is working, has the top wrestlers in the organization Joe and Angle in an iron man match, and has a great storyline for the NWA title. He's doing a fine job in my opinion and impact has gotten better 100 fold what it used to be.
 
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