Who is TNA's Next Big Star?

[It's Damn Real!]

Looking back over the last five years (or so) of TNA's history, numerous names now in the infamous "glass ceiling" made their way there not by having worked in the industry for the last two decades as a major star in the WWE or the WCW, but by making their names elsewhere, most notably in ROH and in TNA.

Guys like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels and more became household names (relatively speaking) because of their ability as performers in the here and now, and not because of what they managed to accomplish in the 90's.

Despite the claim that TNA does nothing but hire ex-WWE and WCW stars to main event their entire programs, numerous stars do appear to be on the verge of major breakouts (discounting AJ Styles, who I believe we'd all agree is already there). That's the purpose of this thread. We've had to listen to non-stop incessant negativity from a slew of posters here for what feels like the entire year of 2010 thus far, so a little positive spin is not only a change of pace, but a breathe of fresh air for any of us optimists still left.

The rules are simple – just vote on who you think the next break-out star is for TNA, and then tell us why. Ideally this wrestler would have come up through the unknowns, but there are instances where they may have come through WWE or WWE's developmental.

Please note, you are voting on who you feel has the potential to become the biggest break-out star among a number who probably all have that same potential. I want to know who you think has the most potential, not just who you feel has it.

 

[DirtyJosé]

Ken Anderson, without a doubt. He's just about the only person on Impact that is supported well by creative and is pushed strongly in an often main event position. In my eyes, Anderson vs Angle is THE reason to order Lockdown this year. He has become one of the strongest heels in the company, if not the strongest. His push shows no signs of being slowed or cooled post Angle (but we've been surprised before). Anderson has always had great tweener potential. Of all the changes and new beginnings of the Hogan era, Anderson's has been the better success story, as he really has stepped up and delivered like he so desperately needed to. Treated well by creative, and allowed time to fully carve out his place in the company, I could see Mr. Anderson becoming the face of TNA.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Although I'm sure some may disagree, and despite the fact that he's an ex-WWE (somewhat) star, IMO The Pope is the future (face) of TNA right now, and is a fantastic bundle of potential encased in a wonderful wrestling personality. With the right feuds and the right title (perhaps a TNA World Heavyweight Championship? ), we could be bearing witness to a very Rock-like character with oodles of charisma and ability, and with years upon years left in his future.

 

[info62]

I voted for Matt Morgan.

I know some people have been complaining about what they are doing with the tag team titles because of him, but I'm really loving it. I love how he has defended the titles with two different guys who he has beaten up after the match. Also, his promos are entertaining to me. Some people have said they hate the way he speaks on the mic but I think the energy he shows is different from the rest of the roster, in a good way.

One major reason why I think he has got the most potential is because, to me, he has proven that he is capable of re-gaining momentum after having lost it for a while. By this I'm talking about the mega-push he was getting as a tweener while he was feuding with the MEM, and then how after being paired up with Hernandez his momentum died down, but now he's picking it right back up again (imo) by being a total bad-ass one-man tag team champion. To me, that shows that he will be able to hold the crowd's interest for the long run and I think that is what gives him the most potential.

 

[NXTrookie2013]

The Pope!

haha, well i mean, when you look at him when he was in the wwe, he was just on ecw and didnt really have anything going for him. look at him now, he may become teh TNA world champion. even if he doesn't get it he never got this kind of opportunity in the WWE.

 

[Attitude_Raven]

tough question. Joe already was a breakout in 2008 and Pope's now a breakout, and it will be proven tonight.

so my pick is either for Morgan, Wolfe or Eric Young... they are the guys with more Main Event projection on that list... forgot to put Hernandez on that list, he's a future TNA World Champion

 

[Lyson Rayne]

Pope is a given. IMO he's already viewed by most as a breakout star, but just to be different I voted for Wolfe lol.

I think Wolfe's going to get a slow build. He's obviously a lethal competitor, just not booked to look that strong anymore and IMO he would've been a better choice to get the Flair rub and Aj the Hogan rub (since Aj's been the "John Cena" of TNA for years yet Hogan wants that to be Abyss, lmao someones fucking high, but now I'm off topic). Oh well, that ship has sailed. By next year Desmonde Wolfe will be the top heel in TNA, I guarantee it

 

[wushady]

I'd have to say the Pope he has really stepped up his game since joining TNA. He's really good on the mic and not bad either in the ring. WWE dropped the ball on this guy. I doubt he'll win the title tonight, but I hope he does. Hopefully TNA wont drop the ball with him too.

 

[sgt_syko]

i think both Pope and Mr Anderson will break out when they feud for the first time i think this rivalry is what will truly push TNA to the level it needs to be it has the potential to be a great feud for a very long time that the fans don't get tired of. much like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock these guys can carry the program and save an otherwise badly booked show even if there match is badly booked

 

[Flair4Life]

Good question, I like a lot of the young guys in TNA. Matt Morgan is pretty entertaining. He ruined his tag team partner by kicking his head into the ring post. That shows his bad ass side. I like this 1 man tag team champion gimmick, it shows domination and he amuses me. The Pope is a great wrestling talent and solid on the mic. The crowd really seems to be into him and he should be a main event star for awhile. However, i feel like Rob Terry is the guy TNA is pushing to be the next break out star. Currently, it looks like he has a goldberg type gimmick. He goes in destroys his opponent and leaves. He even is showing some of goldberg's mannerisms in the ring. Not sure how I feel about him. I don't hate him and he seems legit. The guy has a monster physique so him destroying people is definately not a stretch

 

[Mr_billy]

Kazarian, they have him running rough shod all over the X-divisio, his mike skills ahve improved, and he is one of the better wrestlers in the business. I'd say Mr. ANderson, but he was one of the WWE's biggest stars, and if he wasn't injured so often, I think he might still be there, even after the bad blood with Orton. The Pope will be big, but temporary just because of his Gimmick. Joe has a weight problem, and I'm wondering if that is why he has been off TV? And If i had another vote, or though a bit more, I'd say Desmond Wolfe, everything about him says superstar.

 

[WJDwjdWJDwjd]

I think Rob Terry is probably going to be big by the end of the year. Hes already been given the Global Title and hes been separated from the floundering British Invasion stable. I believe he'll be given a big singles push. TNA seems to be big on muscle heads right now with the pushing of Hernandez and Morgan in recent months. Rob Terry will probably hold onto the Global Title for a while and eventually make it more significant. I'd like TNA to give it back to Eric Young and have him build it into a respectable title but it seems like the Eric Young push was halted as of January 4th.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm surprised Ken Anderson isn't on the list. I'm not a mark for the guy, but his feud with Kurt Angle has really put the spotlight on him. Kurt Angle is the best overall wrestler in TNA at this point, in my view, and he has the type of credibility to give Anderson the kind of rub that's needed to become the next big thing in TNA.

Joe, Shelley, Sabin, Kazarian, Jay Lethal, Eric Young and Homicide are guys that have been in TNA for a long while. Joe has already been a star in TNA for a long time and the rest of these just don't strike me as viable prospects as being the next break out star for the company. Sabin and Shelley continue to be used pretty badly for the most part, Jay Lethal's little more than a joke at this point, Eric Young is just in over his head at this point in my opinion, Kaz is X Division for life and Homcide is just...well he's just there I guess. Matt Morgan was someone that looked like he was going to be the next break out star last year and, to some degree, I hate how he's been used for much of this year. I do like him better as a heel, but the team with himself and Hernandez was lame from the beginning and the tag titles were basically shit upon throughout the course of the Morgan heel turn.

While many expect The Pope to go over tonight in his match with AJ Styles at the ppv, I just can't really see it as ultimately putting Pope over the top. I know Styles is the TNA World Champion right now, but he still doesn't have near the credibility of Kurt Angle. Unless TNA just completely screws the pooch, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ken Anderson as TNA World Champion before this year is out.

 

[FutureChamp328]

TNA has literally dozens of possible breakout stars but right now I would say Pope is the closest. He's way over with the fans, he's gold on the mic (I almost died when he called Wolfe "Ruffie"), and most of all the guy CAN wrestle. He is the kind of guy who can carry the company as a face and not be utter crap like Abyss and not a tweener like Joe. Pope came up from being a WWE has been to probably the next face of TNA. I just wish that VKM had given him a better chance because he really missed out. I mean seriously the guy got how many shots at the ECW title and was the top heel on ECW for how long on the show before he left I mean come on but if it didn't happen then we wouldn't have he Pope so it all worked out.

 

[fenfool]

Tough to say with some of these guys...Joe & Sabin have had a lot of time to be breakout stars, they are doing ok, but seem to have stalled. They've screwed around with Joe maybe too much, but I would love to see him return to main event regular. Kazarian is too fragile, it seems whenever he starts a push, he gets hurt. Fun to watch, though, and I really hope he can stay healthy.

I voted for Desmond Wolfe, though. He's had the least exposure, has a great look, decent on the mic and great mat skills. I'm not sure I believe Pope is going anywhere...he's pretty popular now, but I have a terrible feeling they will screw him up somehow. I think Wolfe has a lot of time to be brought up properly.

 

[Notorious_187]

i know his not a break out star but damn HOMICIDE is the best i just wish they put him in a rivalry on TNA an then i would watch TNA but hes never booked in a match but damn THE NOTORIOUS_187 The best an damn i love his gangster gimmick i wish he would be in WWE NOT TNA but damn to bad.....Hell bring LAX Back.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kingkulin02]

Robert Rhoode may be another break out star. He has done well in the tag team division, but it is time for him to break out in his singles career. He reminds me a lot of Triple H, but perhaps better. The Pope is a good choice also, but he is a given. Desmond Wolfe is a great choice also, but they need to take their time with him. The problem with wrestling in general is that they aren't allowing these superstars to work their way to the top, but instead just letting them get to the top. Example of this is Sheamus, Jack Swagger, hell even Kofi Kingston which is why he is nowhere to be found at the moment. Robert Rhoode has the perfect story, and has definitely worked his way to where he is now. All he needs now is that extra push, what do u guys and gals think?

 

[GOLDSPECTRE_77]

i didn't vote for the pope because he is in the process of being pushed as we speak .. samoa joe was already pushed back in 2008 .. and matt morgan's push resulted in nothing .. my vote went to the one and only desmonde wolfe .. i think once he gains a push or a decent run with the global title he has all the skill to go all the way .. maybe a feud with AJ with wolfe wanting to be flair's protege and AJ stilling the limelight from him .. they could put on MOTY quality matches in my opinion ..

 

[Post]

Yeah, the Pope and Wolfe are definitely the next bigs stars for TNA.

I voted for Douglas Williams. It doesn't seem like he gets a lot of love here, but I really enjoy his work. He has been cracking me up on his X Division bashing lately. I love his smug demeanor and his clenched fist taunt and head shake.

Douglas Williams is great in the ring and I love his rolling German Suplex Finisher. Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but it would be cool to see him get big.

 

[wwevstna+bringbackwcw]

we zll know samoa joe is coming back soon rite ...... well i guess it makes PERFECT SENSE HE IS COMING BACK WITH ULTIAMATE FORCE lik how he did w/ the main event mafia samoa is gunna b imo prolly x division champ lose it after about 3 4 months so then he will prove he is good so he challenges WHOEVER IS CHAMP PROBABLY AT UHH LES C DESTANATION X HE WILL CHALLENGE AJ for instance it makes perfect sense bcuz he will maybe lose the belt 2 him nd then say lets end this war at where it all began 4 us imo how him daniels nd aj got known at ultiamate x THATS MY HONEST OPPINION

 

[Notorious718]

If you asked me this question last year, I would've probably said Matt Morgan because it seemed like TNA was gonna push this guy into the main event, which they did for awhile but then dropped it shortly after last year's Bound For Glory.

I voted for the Pope. The guy is ridiculously over with the crowd, it's ridiculous. I'll admit that I didn't really care for him when he made his TNA debut and I used to think his gimmick was a bit silly. But in all honesty, Pope has really grown on me. When you think about it, the guy is the whole package. He can cut a good promo, has great mic skills, is over with the crowd, and can hold his own in the ring. It seems that in recent months with the dawn of the Hogan-Bischoff regime, TNA is serious about making Pope into a Main Eventer which I like. I like that TNA has been building him up as a serious world title contender because I didn't see him that way a few months ago.

TNA is pushing this guy to the moon right now so for this and other reasons, I feel that Pope is TNA's next breakout star.

 

[INDYjon22]

Rob Terry should be in for a bright future. TNA seems to be really big on the guy. They are pushing like crazily currently and even though he isn't the greatest in ring talent he is more then capable of being a solid big guy. He has the look of a champion and is already drawing comparisons to guys like Brock Lesnar and Goldberg. That is some good company to have your name attached to.

I pick Terry primarily because I want to go outside the obvious choice of the Pope or Mr. Anderson. I really do think TNA is planning some big things for Terry but it all really depends on Big Rob. He has to improve on his mic skills and ring skills. If he does then I see him potentially being a big factor for TNA, if he doesn't then he will just be another big guy who is just kind of there. He can't wind up any worse then Trytan for those of you who remember that guy. In addition, Rob Terry has the look of a future World Champion but like I said he will have to put all the pieces together first before anything can happen.

 

[mister_b1LL]

Number one on my list is The Pope. He's pretty much been the one reason why I watch TNA. If he's not on television I'm like, "Why did I waste those two hours watching TNA?" He's money on the mic, pretty darn entertaining in the ring, and has a unique character that to me is just infectious. He may not have the look of a champion yet, as I don't think that he would look good with a championship the way he's looking right now, but obviously TNA is high on The Pope, so I look forward to seeing more matches like he and AJ had at Lockdown. He'll be in the title hunt for a while this year. Let's hope TNA doesn't go the Dolph Ziggler and make him lose title matches too much it doesn't make him look like a threat.

I'm with the guys that said Rob Terry. I've been watching him since he won the Global Championship and I really think he does have the look of a champion. While his wrestling skills and mic skills are obviously not on the level of say Bret Hart or The Rock, respectively, remember that Batista is about the same as Rob Terry, and he's actually done pretty well for himself. I would like to see Rob defend the title for a little while longer, maybe even till about July or maybe even August as a long reign with TNA's second best title should definitely add to his credibility as TNA's rising star. Make him be a fighting champion too.

 

[To Be The Man]

I don't get to watch TNA since I live in Italy and the only wrestling I get to see on the military base in which I work is WWE, but from reading the spoilers and especially everything I've read about Lockdown last night, I had to vote for Anderson. Everyone is saying that Anderson/Angle is the match of the night from last nights PPV and people are also saying it's a match of the year candidate. From everything I have read, it sounds like Anderson is becoming a standout heel and is drawing much bigger reactions than even AJ the current world champ.

Off topic but I feel like it should be mentioned: Everyone is saying that the Angle/Anderson match from last night has match of the year potential and I can remember people saying the same thing for an AJ/Angle match from a few months back. Angle really must be that damn good.

 

[Spidey Revivey]

Anderson. Pope. Anderson. Pope.

It's really anyone's guess isn't it? Often to naught it's going to be one of these guys, and thank God it's two people that get such a huge response from the crowd. In their own right they are already TNA's biggest rising stars, but who is going to be the one to "Be The Man" to quote Flair?

My pick, after watching that 5 star performance at Lockdown, is Mr. Anderson.

I know Pope is feuding with Styles, and that's fine. But I do not see him capitalizing on the championship before Anderson does. Even with Ken playing the Heel, he is cheered on executive nights so that gives him almost a tweener persona. The crowd eats it up like they ate up his match against Kurt Angle.

Even though Angle won, we all (most anyways) know Kurt will be taking time off to get married or whatever. That gives Ken enough time to hold him own and replace Angle as a Main Eventer.