What To Do With Austin Aries?
- Thread starter ctln4rko
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It's Damn Real!
The undisputed, undefeated TNA &
In the X Division, as a means to start adding life to it again. The two guys I'd immediately give focus to:
1. Alex Shelley. Shelley and Aeries (as Austin Starr at the time) were both part of Kevin Nash's Paparazzi Productions and even feuded when Shelley grew jealous of the attention given to Aeries by Nash. It was short-lived, but the two can certainly work a fantastic match that would epitomize everything it means to be X Division.
2. Brian Kendrick. He's the current X Division Champion, which mean he's got the target on his back. Would be a natural move for the guy who just earned a contract to want a title shot, though it may be too soon considering Kendrick/Abyss is probably not blown over yet.
1. Alex Shelley. Shelley and Aeries (as Austin Starr at the time) were both part of Kevin Nash's Paparazzi Productions and even feuded when Shelley grew jealous of the attention given to Aeries by Nash. It was short-lived, but the two can certainly work a fantastic match that would epitomize everything it means to be X Division.
2. Brian Kendrick. He's the current X Division Champion, which mean he's got the target on his back. Would be a natural move for the guy who just earned a contract to want a title shot, though it may be too soon considering Kendrick/Abyss is probably not blown over yet.
JJYanks121
The Mouth of the South Shore
You can start with him in the X-Division, but if Austin Aries is confined to that division for his entire TNA stay then it is an utter waste of time. The guy has the ability to rise up the card and in a lot of ways reminds me of Chris Jericho in that sense. Tons of charisma, larger than life personality in a somewhat undersized body, but deserves a quality spot. WCW made the mistake of never pushing Jericho for the most part and he left and became a huge star. I"m not saying Aries will do that, but don't make that mistake again. Aries has a lot going for him. It would be a huge waste to sign him solely for the X-Division. A huge waste.
It's Damn Real!
The undisputed, undefeated TNA &
Completely agree, but the thing about Aeries is that he epitomizes what it means to be an X Division wrestler now, so there's no real reason not to immediately inject him there as a means of adding lifesblood to an otheriwse dying division. Sorry, but Amazing Red, the Bucks (now gone) and Brian Kendrick is just not enough to sustain an entire division. Not even close.
Right now TNA is busy pushing guys like Crimson, Gunner and Roode in the singles/WHC mold heading into the Bound For Glory series/Bound For Glory, so it's best for Aeries and TNA if he remains an X Division competitor for the time being, at least until all the BFG stuff blows over. After that, it's a clean slate and hopefully he's pushed up in the card, because size be damned, that guy has serious talent.
JJYanks121
The Mouth of the South Shore
Well that's what I mean. I didn't mean slap the World Title on him now, I meant that if Aries is around for a year and is full of awesome, it would be a waste to have him continue in that division. Granted I'd rather see him pushed than Crimson or Gunner, but what can you do. I just don't want to see the X-Division become the WCW Cruiserweight division circa 1998, where it has talented guy that should have been pushed by then but just weren't. Aries deserves that if he does well and I'd like to see it.
It's Damn Real!
The undisputed, undefeated TNA &
I'm with you there. Size is limiting, but it doesn't need to be completely debilitating, if you know what I mean.
Aeries suffers because he's only 5'9 (though he's 210), but to that I say, if Rey Mysterio at 5'6/175 can be World Heavyweight Champion, why the fuck can't Aeries, who is twice as talented with four times the personality and eight times the charisma?
aboynameddirt
It Only Gets Worse
Austin Aries is one of my favorite guys right now and I think it will be great to watch him in the X-Division for awhile. As everyone else here is saying, I also think he should go beyond that.
Maybe have him go the same route as Samoa Joe. Have him come in, totally dominate the X-Division, and then eventually move on to the WHC. I think it would be a great way for him to get a name for himself in TNA and get some steam going with the company.
I understand Joe has a ton of size on Aries, but I don't see why it couldn't work. That sort of thing has been done with smaller guys in the past.
Maybe have him go the same route as Samoa Joe. Have him come in, totally dominate the X-Division, and then eventually move on to the WHC. I think it would be a great way for him to get a name for himself in TNA and get some steam going with the company.
I understand Joe has a ton of size on Aries, but I don't see why it couldn't work. That sort of thing has been done with smaller guys in the past.
three count bout
Beauregard Dallas
Also IDR, I would add that he doesn't look TINY, on T.V., when you said he was 5'9 I was surprised, I knew he wasn't a giant but I didn't think he was my height either. He's an immense talent, and quite frankly i wouldn't mind a slow build for Mr. Aries. IW, is already hot shotting Crimson and gunner so there is no need to rush the rise of AA. I'd naturally start him in a feud with Shelley, from there hopefully a few more X Division talent has been signed and he can continue to go through the divison. After holding the belt for awhile, he announces he wants to ascend up the card and he has good mid-card feuds. If presented properly and with enough good wins, there is no reason why at some point, he can't be world champ.
SecondCitySaint
Occasional Pre-Show
Have him ask for his release and go to the WWE. CM Punk can vouch for, and back, him. Put him into a series of matches against Evan Bourne, Sin Cara, Bryan Danielson, hell, even Punk. I don't care. Impact will misuse him. I know, you people are going to think I'm an idiot for sharing my opinion. Again, it's just my opinion.
The answer to why Mysterio would be champion at his size is simple: He made WWE tons of merchandising money. He was WAYYYY over, and was a feel good story after the passing of Eddie Guerrero. I love Austin Aries too, so I am hoping for a similar success story as Rey's.
It's Damn Real!
The undisputed, undefeated TNA &
Yup, because he's 210, not 120 pounds like (Not So) Amazing Red.
It's the same reason guys like Benoit (5'11/220) and Guererro (5'8/220) were able to hang, too.
Like I said, size is limiting, but not debilitating.
JJYanks121
The Mouth of the South Shore
In fairness, those measurements are exaggerations. Eddie was never more than 5'6" and Benoit was 5'9" at best. Still, they were built so if they fought a 6'5" 250 pound guy, they could move them. That helps.
Like I said, I think Aries is a poor man's Jericho and the size thing is similar too. Jericho is about 5'9" in person and he's been more than acceptable main eventing wrestling events. Certainly Aries could do so at the same size as Jericho. I see no problem with it. I see more problem with Crimson main eventing than Aries because he has about 1/100th the talent of AA. No problem whatsoever with Aries rising up a card.
If TNA gives the guy a mic there's no way in hell he'll stick in the X Division for long. Austin Aries is quite the talent. The way he oozed confidence during the contract tournament can speak volumes of how far a guy can go in the ring. Give him a year and he might also be enhancing the Television Championship as well.
BronZville33
Dark Match Jobber
If Aries is used correctly this time, and not as a Randy Savage wanna be like his Austin Starr character, TNA may have the next AJ Styles. I say that because look at what AJ has done, X Division Champ, Tag Team Champ, Heavyweight Champ, Legends, goes on and on. If used right Austin could possibly be another AJ, but more than likely he won't.
Jack-Hammer
YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!!
What I think should be done with him depends upon, ideally, what TNA ultimately does with the X Division.
We've seen more relevance placed on the X Division and there's talk of signing more wrestlers to the roster specifically for the X Division. That's all well and good if this renewed relevance to the X Division lasts. If that's the idea, then the X Division would be an ideal place for Aries to be built. I've only seen him twice and I've been impressed with what I've seen but it's definitely much too soon to talk about main eventing I think.
If the company quickly loses focus and the X Division returns to irrelevancy, or if that's the general idea anyhow now that Destination X is over, then I think that's going to limit how well he's used in TNA for the forseeable future. There's always the Television Championship but it's a joke and it's never really been far above the level of a joke throughout its existence. If the X Division returns to the merry ol' Land of Mediocrity, then maybe Aries could usher in a fresh start for the TV Championship. However, If the X Division quickly falls apart, I doubt the TV strap will rise to prominence.
I think Aries best shot lies in the X Division right now. If it goes back to be crap, then it's a huge missed opportunity to use Aries in a proper way and, possibly, build him up steadily to the point where he could be in line for a main event berth.
As to the guy's size, I wouldn't worry too much about that. AJ Styles is roughly the same size as Aries and it hasn't hurt his career in TNA.
We've seen more relevance placed on the X Division and there's talk of signing more wrestlers to the roster specifically for the X Division. That's all well and good if this renewed relevance to the X Division lasts. If that's the idea, then the X Division would be an ideal place for Aries to be built. I've only seen him twice and I've been impressed with what I've seen but it's definitely much too soon to talk about main eventing I think.
If the company quickly loses focus and the X Division returns to irrelevancy, or if that's the general idea anyhow now that Destination X is over, then I think that's going to limit how well he's used in TNA for the forseeable future. There's always the Television Championship but it's a joke and it's never really been far above the level of a joke throughout its existence. If the X Division returns to the merry ol' Land of Mediocrity, then maybe Aries could usher in a fresh start for the TV Championship. However, If the X Division quickly falls apart, I doubt the TV strap will rise to prominence.
I think Aries best shot lies in the X Division right now. If it goes back to be crap, then it's a huge missed opportunity to use Aries in a proper way and, possibly, build him up steadily to the point where he could be in line for a main event berth.
As to the guy's size, I wouldn't worry too much about that. AJ Styles is roughly the same size as Aries and it hasn't hurt his career in TNA.
yoshi_doce2006
Getting Noticed By Management
I think there is more going on than we realize. I think TNA is about to do what WWE refers to as a Brand Split. Let's look at this from all angles:
1) TNA still has a contract with Universal to lease the IMPACT Zone.
2) IMPACT is going to be taping two of every four shows on the road starting next month I believe.
3) TNA hyped Destination X like no PPV in recent memory. They also brought back the 6 Sided Ring
4) TNA signed Kid Kash, Austin Aries, they have about ten other X-Division guys, and are reportedly trying to sign more.
5) Eric Bischoff, Executive Producer of IMPACT Wrestling has made a career out of loving the Cruiserweight/X-Division action.
6) Bischoff and SPIKE TV have an extremely good relationship as SPIKE has picked up one or two of his production company's shows.
Why go to all of this trouble for nothing? Is all of this coincidence? I don't think so. Something is happening and The X-Division and Eric Bischoff are written all over it. I think Austin Aries was brought in, if this is the case, to be a cornerstone of the new X-Division. If the X-Division gets its own show and you have a roster that looks like this
Austin Aries,
Christopher Daniels,
Samoa Joe,
Kid Cash,
Brian Kendrick
all at the top along with some of the other names that could go over Aries could be a huge player and the X-Division Championship would mean a great deal. Why do all of this work to build the X-Division if they aren't going to do anything? Eric Bischoff never does anything without a reason.
1) TNA still has a contract with Universal to lease the IMPACT Zone.
2) IMPACT is going to be taping two of every four shows on the road starting next month I believe.
3) TNA hyped Destination X like no PPV in recent memory. They also brought back the 6 Sided Ring
4) TNA signed Kid Kash, Austin Aries, they have about ten other X-Division guys, and are reportedly trying to sign more.
5) Eric Bischoff, Executive Producer of IMPACT Wrestling has made a career out of loving the Cruiserweight/X-Division action.
6) Bischoff and SPIKE TV have an extremely good relationship as SPIKE has picked up one or two of his production company's shows.
Why go to all of this trouble for nothing? Is all of this coincidence? I don't think so. Something is happening and The X-Division and Eric Bischoff are written all over it. I think Austin Aries was brought in, if this is the case, to be a cornerstone of the new X-Division. If the X-Division gets its own show and you have a roster that looks like this
Austin Aries,
Christopher Daniels,
Samoa Joe,
Kid Cash,
Brian Kendrick
all at the top along with some of the other names that could go over Aries could be a huge player and the X-Division Championship would mean a great deal. Why do all of this work to build the X-Division if they aren't going to do anything? Eric Bischoff never does anything without a reason.
UnBEARaBULLfan
Getting Noticed By Management
I think AAdouble is the type of westler who can go up against anybody and put on a good match, ala Mysterio, Eddie G, and benoit. His size is not that big of a deal to me cause of how good he moves in the ring. Dispite his height I can see him having good matches with Angle, Roode, AJ, EY, Kaz, Pope, maybe even Joe and Morgan, but I'm sure he will be mostly utilized in the X division for now, which is not a bad thing.
Mr. Fister
Dark Match Jobber
I say in the future make him X-Division Champion then World Heayvweight Champion. And I hope he keeps the worlds greatest gimmick in TNA. Imagine a AriesStyles feud over the belt, it be simply fantastic.
beefthelegend
The Beefiest Legend in all the Land
Aries is an incredible wrestler, and in fact, the only wrestler to hold the ROH Championship (In my mind, the most prestigious title of our generation) more than once. I think him being in impact wrestling is good, but i think he would be better spent in WWE. i remember when Tough Enough names were being thrown around, ADouble was a name WWE wanted on the program, but USA didn't think he was glamorous enough (Whatever the fuck ever...) so they brought in a bunch of fuckos, and still made the show work...but i'm getting on a rant.
Aries is friggin amazing. He can wrestle an exciting style, like a cruiserweight, but i love it when he focuses on a heel style, and work the ground game. He is oozing charisma, and can work the stick, and the crowd like no one's business.
I see Impact as a step on his way to a higher plain...i mean Tyler Black, CM Punk, Claudio and Hero, (Colt Cabana?) all WWE projects. WWE is clearly seeing the influence Indy wrestling has, and has many corner stones. I believe in two years Aries will be a wwe talent.
For now, i think he's going to roll through the x division, have a nice feud with Shelley, and move on to a World title feud. At least i hope so.
Aries is friggin amazing. He can wrestle an exciting style, like a cruiserweight, but i love it when he focuses on a heel style, and work the ground game. He is oozing charisma, and can work the stick, and the crowd like no one's business.
I see Impact as a step on his way to a higher plain...i mean Tyler Black, CM Punk, Claudio and Hero, (Colt Cabana?) all WWE projects. WWE is clearly seeing the influence Indy wrestling has, and has many corner stones. I believe in two years Aries will be a wwe talent.
For now, i think he's going to roll through the x division, have a nice feud with Shelley, and move on to a World title feud. At least i hope so.
classicviolence
Pre-Show Stalwart
Aries should be feuding with either AJ or Daniels to cement him as a main player in the company. I dont mind him doing X division stuff, but Aries is amazing. The only 2 time ROH champion, he needs a big feud with someone at the top.
If Aries never wins the TNA TV or World Championships then his run will be a waste
If Aries never wins the TNA TV or World Championships then his run will be a waste
