Who Should Be Getting Main Event Segments?

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

Kurt Angle, the TNA World Champion is on the stand for his 2nd (or 3rd?) DUI charge as a World champion.

Jeff Hardy has apparently "cleaned up his act" but showed up to a main event title match unable to perform and completely wasted. He's also currently on trail for a felony charge...

Hulk Hogan gets paid the big bucks, gets the most promo segments, and has the most tv time. He also can't talk worth a dime any longer, is boring as hell, and can't walk right, let alone wrestle a match.

Sting has been a solid performer for two decades of professional wrestling history, but his body is getting to the end, and you can tell. He should have probably retired last year, but there's no doubt he'll have to go soon.

Ric Flair is Ric Flair. He's a wrestling god that draws money and puts on classic matches even though he's older than anybody working for TNA. But he has his own issues, and it's caused him to miss full months worth of tv tapings, brought some bad press, and is now going to be in the main event again to wrestling Sting.

Abyss is crap. I have never understood his hype or why he gets the attention he does by Hogan, but I'm so beyond sick of it.

Jeff Jarrett can still put on the occasional classic, and his work with Angle recently was amazing. However, he's still just Jeff Jarrett. In 2011, is anybody really flipping the channel because Double J is on TNA? The answer is yes, but probably flipping TO a different channel...

So here's my point. You have all these guys getting paid huge amounts of money and taking up huge amounts of time. There are more that I didn't list like Scott Steiner who is by far one of the worst performers in the history of pro wrestling. My question is: where are all the loyal guys that have wrestled for TNA since the beginning (or close to it) that don't get busted for drugs, arrested for DUI's, or collapse int he ring because they're 89 years old? Where are the dependable, talented wrestlers that TNA spent years developing? WHerre is their main event time?

If I were a star like AJ Styles in TNA, I'd be at the end of my rope. He's busted his ass for the company, carried it on his shoulders, reinvented divisions, and held all the titles... But any time somebody with a bit of WWE on their Wikipedia page comes along, he's among the first to get pushed backwards. Who should be getting these pushes, main event time, and most importantly...large contracts?

 

[giblet55]

Couldn't have said it better...it's one of the many reasons why I can't stomach TNA or impact wrestling (name changes aren't company changes, if you paint a dog turd it will still be a dog turd).

I wouldn't mind seeing some of these WWE wiki having individuals if they were used properly in programs with homegrown TNA talent to raise them up. I hate to mention it, but even WCW acquired WWE talent and still were able to groom some of their own talent (Jericho, Malenko, Guererro, Goldberg, Booker T, Sting...and so on).

 

[This Is My Name Thank You]

I agree I started watching TNA when the main focus was AJ, Joe, Daniels, Abyss (like him or not) Team Canada, Sting and JJ. An it was pretty damn good as it was a true alterantive from WWE because these guys weren't the 6'5 300lbs that we typically see in the E. They were guys who you would think damn he is WHC and he is that small? Honestly it threw me off as I was use to WWE, but I kept watch as these matches just got better and better. Sure they had ex WWE guys but now its like half the roster is/has been in the WWE. An pure WWE guys take all the spot light from the Original talents. They sign a contract bam! 2 months later they will be champ. It is sad as sure TNA needs the big stars but they aint working like they thought they would. Also the IZ just sucks and they need out so bad.

Main Eventer's and who should be getting Main Event time is guys like Roode, Joe, Storm, Shelly, AA, Sting, yes Sting for he should retire this coming year, and a few WWe guys as Hardy, Angle and thats it.

All these older guys are draining TNA by needing certain amount of camera time HOGAN, which no one wants to see Hogan any more. Actually the only guy they should keep is Bischoff, fire the rest. They are bringing bad press to TNA. Give Hardy one more chances and he screws up fire him too. If I was TNA I wouldn't even attempt to resign Hogan, Flair, Angle and even Sting as I said just Bischoff. He would work better with out them cancers.

So yeah my picks on who should be getting ME time is Roode, Storm, Joe, Shelly, Sting, AA and Hardy and Angle for WWE. Thats it. An yes I know I got the two WWE fuck ups but I'd give them this last chance and other then that FIRED if they fuck up again.

 

[Clem]

I absolutely agree.

If I were to describe the current main event scene in TNA, I'd say - old, worn out, injured, crippled, past their prime, lumbering, drunken, drug addicts. And this is as a fan of the promotion!

The younger talent you'd expect to be in the main event by now (AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, etc) have basically been running in place for the last two years, ever since Hogan and Bischoff arrived.

The even stranger thing being that they're not looked at as the next generation. TNA are grooming the likes of Crimson and Gunner for main event spots, when they haven't even awarded that privilege to their most devoted homegrown talent yet. Hell, I'd take a main event match of Kazarian vs Shelley before I bought into Crimson or Gunner.

The problem is that Hogan and Bischoff will always be caught up in 90s nostalgia and even when it comes time to push someone new, they'll forget about the guys who've been TNA's bread and butter for the last ten years.

 

[ramblinroy682]

Number 1: How Matt Morgan hasn't had a run with the belt is unbelievable. He should have been the face of Immortal that spot that Abyss was in should have been Morgan's. Morgan is the perfect big guy to build around.

Number 2: Robert Roode. I love the guy. I think he can play heel or face, but I like him as an arrogant heel. He needs a shot.

Number 3: AJ has had runs at the top. He can work a feud anywhere on the show. He'll be in main event again.

Number 4: The Pope. His major push stalled. Here is a guy where TNA's flaws show through. When they had him as a heel, he was awesome. What happened? The fans loved him and then Russo tried to write him into a tweener. He became bland. Keep him as that street thug, bad ass and you have a character men will love and kids will boo.

Number 5: Kurt Angle. He can still go. He puts on great matches. He is one of the top 20 of all time.

Number 6: Crimson. Like it or not, he is getting a push and let's see what happens. I like the idea of a new star. He seems to be serviceable on promos and can only get better. He is okay in the ring and can put on squash matches like a Goldberg or Joe in the early TNA days.

Other options James Storm, Ken Anderson, Austin Aries, and Bully Ray.

 

[The_Sharpshooter]

RamblingRoy's list is great. If I get those characters every week, I'll be a happy fan. But I gotta add in a guy that may get me some heat: Abyss. No, he isn't the most talented. But he plays his role perfectly. He should be what Mark Henry is now. I remember Abyss slamming his hand on the ground covered in Thumbtacks. Thats what I want from my monster. I love Shock Treatment & the Black Hole Slam. I tune in for moves like that. He's a character based on destruction and the should be the one who always pushes the envolope. The type of guy that made me "Cross the Line".

AJ Styles, to me, is the best in ring talent on the planet. Kurt Angle & Sting are the veteran leaders that should always be near the top. Morgan, Crimson, & Gunner all have the "look", but still need to add to their repetoire & experience before they main event anything. And I also would rather see James Storm higher on the card than Bobby Roode.

 

[akathelaw]

If TNA wants to make money, they will structure their main event scene like this:

FACES: AJ Styles, Crimson, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Matt Morgan
HEELS: Samoa Joe, Pope, James Storm, Hernandez, Bully Ray

The "Top 10" listed here would be in contention for TNA World Championship. NO older stars other than Bully Ray (an excellent heel) and Kurt Angle (the true face of TNA) would compete for this title. If you haven't noticed I've broken up Beer Money, so they can have the feud they deserve to make them both ME stars.

TV Title: This TV Title should be utilized for the older stars who can actually wrestle as well as promising midcarders who can get the rub from the older legends. here's the title picture I'd set up:

FACES: Sting, Jeff Hardy, Gunner, Alex Shelley, Kazarian
HEELS: Abyss, Austin Aries, Jeff Jarrett, Mr. Anderson, Ric Flair

The X-Division is pretty much perfect as it is, the one thing TNA has been doing right lately.

 

[ABMorales787]

There's a joke to be made here about James Storm, I'm sure of it. Speaking of him, he and Roode are about to headline a PPV for a shot at the World title. AJ and Daniels headlined one a few months ago. Problem with what you are saying is that the original TNA guys are fine and dandy. But as you can see by the BFG Series, they are still on developing stages. It's fine and dandy to trust them. And they are doing their job. But they are not sparking interest the way guys like Angle, Sting and Hardy have. Hardy is the only man to outsell Cena. Sting is one of the biggest icons of the 90's that's never stepped foot in WWE and Angle is... well Angle. TNA nabbed these names. You can't expect them to perform under the less established prospect do you? When TNA signs someone, they have gone where they have fitted best. Steiner and Matt Hardy were fixtures of the midcard. Jeff Jarrett has become one. Sting and Angle are still major player and have helped the likes of AJ, Morgan and now possibly Beer Money become more established.

If TNA wants to make money, they will structure their main event scene like this:

FACES: AJ Styles, Crimson, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Matt Morgan
HEELS: Samoa Joe, Pope, James Storm, Hernandez, Bully Ray

The "Top 10" listed here would be in contention for TNA World Championship. NO older stars other than Bully Ray (an excellent heel) and Kurt Angle (the true face of TNA) would compete for this title. If you haven't noticed I've broken up Beer Money, so they can have the feud they deserve to make them both ME stars.

TV Title: This TV Title should be utilized for the older stars who can actually wrestle as well as promising midcarders who can get the rub from the older legends. here's the title picture I'd set up:

FACES: Sting, Jeff Hardy, Gunner, Alex Shelley, Kazarian
HEELS: Abyss, Austin Aries, Jeff Jarrett, Mr. Anderson, Ric Flair

The X-Division is pretty much perfect as it is, the one thing TNA has been doing right lately.

Right. Go get 'em fantasy booker boy.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

There isn't a correct subjective answer to this. Objectively, you go with your top 6-10 most over guys. You have about 6 of those between the age of 30 and 35, then a few over and under that age class that you are elevating/using to elevate. Doesn't matter who you're the biggest fan of, how much you like Alex Shelley's video game style, how funny you think EY is, or how much of a Flair mark you are. You go with what will make the most money both now and long term.

 

[He's Phenomenal]

I would suggest the main eventers should be getting the main event segments. The likes of Sting, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam and Mr Anderson spring immediately to mind. If Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were still wrestling, then I would include those two as well.

I have no idea why internet wrestling fans think how long you've worked for a company, should determine what role you have in that company. That's not how it works in any business in any walk of life. That's like saying if I work for the same company for 5 years and they start advertising a job for CEO of the company, I should have an advantage over someone who's not worked for my company but has been a CEO elsewhere. It doesn't work like that. The applicant with the best CV and most experience in that particular role would get the job. Not me just because I've been loyal to the company.

Just because AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels have worked for TNA longer than Sting, Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam, that doesn't make them anymore qualified to be a main eventer. It's obvious to anyone looking at this subject from a neutral point of view (no agendas) that Sting, Angle and Van Dam are a hell of a lot better equipted as main eventers than AJ, Joe and Daniels.

Your main eventers should be your biggest names, not your guys who have worked for the company longest. Sure I'd love to see the likes of AJ Styles, Matt Morgan, Pope, James Storm and Gunner as main eventers, but they simply aren't as qualified for that role as the people currently there. Once you're Angles and Stings etc take some time out, then sure push someone else into the main event, but why they are still there they are the best men for the job. No doubts about it.

People can complain about Hogan being on the show all they like but at the end of the day he's the general manager so he has to be on the show. It's not like he's wrestling any main event matches. Has he even wrestled in the last year and a half? And I'll give you a perfect example of why Hulk Hogan is better for TNA than any of your "TNA Originals". I was watching iMPACT! the other night with a mate of mine (who doesn't watch wrestling) and when Hogan stepped out he said "Shit that's Hulk Hogan" and was interested in watching. When AJ Styles and Daniels came out for their match he said "I ain't got a clue who these two are, shall we put FIFA back on". TNA know they cannot attract the WWE loyalists so having better matches achieves nothing, why not try to target people who are not currently watching wrestling with the huge stars?

 

[akathelaw]

Right. Go get 'em fantasy booker boy.

I didn't book anything, smartass. I simply stated who I'd like to see competing for which titles. TNA was sort of set up like this for a little while when the "Legends Title" debuted with Booker T.

I think World title matches shouldn't suck. They should be the best match of the night, not the biggest or most famous person. Hulk, Sting and Angle were the main event for Impact's show last week and the rating BOMBED. It wasn't an exciting match, it was slow and predictable with a goofy finish that makes TNA feel like dying WCW all over again. The names I listed are who i percieve to be TNA's best wrestlers. It's up to a booker (usually someone with creative vision) to flesh out the character in a way that draws.

 

[Dizzy]

Again, I love how the critics like to throw out old and worn out but yet run from the fact Mr. Anderson is not 40 or 50 and he is the guy who was a main eventer the most this year.

AJ Styles is a 17 time champion. Why the hell does he need to be winning more belts right now? To compete against Cena's 18?

What has Samoa Joe done to be a consistent main eventer? He got injured, put on weight and hasn't lost it when asked too.

It's fucking clear as day, Roode vs. Storm is going to be a setup at BFG or past it. One of those guys will be the centerpiece of Impact, why is it so hard to see? Because they don't do spotfest makes them not qualifed?

Why hasn't Crimson and Gunner been mentioned when both guys have main evented Impact alot this year. Crimson opens a promo against Angle, faces him later that night...Isn't that main event segments, right there?

Hogan takes up much of TV time as Triple H. Actually, Triple H takes up more but again, why isn't that put out there? Authority is authority.

Matt Morgan should be World champion but he hasn't put on a great match 1 on 1 yet. His match against Angle at BFG in 2009 was pretty much Kurt carrying him and that won't work all the time which is why I don't think he will grab the title anytime soon.

 

[GrandSword]

I agree with what most people are saying, but I just want to play a little devils advocate..

Did everyone see Sting's performance in the title match this latest episode of Impact? Man he was on fire! His moves were crisp, he hit all his spots that got the crowd involved and invested in the match. He was as fast as he was years ago!

It shows that he can still go when motivated and this new characetr he has brought forwrad has seemed to have ignited him. I haven't seen the last ppv match wheer Angle screwed Sting out of the belt, but maybe I'll have to now if it was as good as the IW main event.

Sting is bringing it and for those who say his body is breaking down, please watch this match, you will be pleasantly surprised, I knwo I was. Sting was awesome in the ring. His main event days are still here for mine and as long as he stays away from the title now much like Taker does, I don't mind the Stinger being around in the ME right now.