Magus

how is this the wrong forum? anyways, i just know what WWE should do if Sting showed up in present time. Sting should be booked like was in WCW, as an invincible phantom who lurks around and makes ominous threats to the heels. I'd have Sting start showing up at RAW and cause all kinds of hell, beating up heels at random and letting the crowd soak him up. eventually, Sting would focus on one single heel faction: Evolution, namely HHH. this would set up a fued similar to when Sting chased Hogan and the nWo in WCW. after a few weeks of Sting stalking and attacking Evolution, Bischoff would just allow a big PPV match between the two. Sting would destroy HHH. after the match, Evolution comes down to help HHH, but Orton turns on him, setting up HHH (w/ HBK and Flair) vs. Orton and a new version of Evolution (let's say Orton, Batista, Cade, and Maven). almost a New Blood vs. Legends kind of fued. Sting doesn't appear on RAW again, but a week or two later, he shows up on Smackdown! in a big shocker. it seems mysterious, but Sting soon shows that he's once again here for a reason. he wants one man, and that's the Undertaker. UT has a spot in the World Title picture, but he also plays mindgames with Sting, each man beckoning the other to take the first shot. Heyman gets involved and promises that he'll get rid of Sting, as he's not even a contracted SM! talent. he makes the mistake of getting between the two, and both UT and Sting beat Heyman down. McMahon once again has to come out, and he gives us another PPV match, this time its Undertaker vs. Sting. Undertaker would pick up the win, but on the next Smackdown, Sting comes out and offers UT his hand in respect. the two team up later that night and win the tag team titles from the Bashams. then we see Sting and UT fued with the Dudleyz for awhile with Heyman in their corner. of course, i haven't factored in how Lex Luger would HAVE to fit in.

Jarrett COULD be a main eventer, but never has. bland in the ring, bland on the mic, and he's only ever in the ME when he or his pals are booking the show. but lets not argue over the past. let's look at how well he's getting over right now: he's waltzing around in a tuxedo carrying a cardboard guitar (and he STILL wears the shiny silver tights). that does not equal superstar, folks.

you're absolutely right about that. Hardy is the name, and Brown isn't ready, so Brown should take the pin and Hardy should get the title match.... ***BUT*** that just isn't TNA's style. in situations like this one, TNA has always taken the easy way out and just booked a nonfinish of some kind, thus making the match pointless and a waste of time. i'd like to see Hardy go over, but instead, we'll probably see Jarrett come out, lay everyone out, and get the match disqualified. i'll retch if that happens.

the biggest fued TNA could do would probably be Jarrett/Raven 2. no matter if they're cast-offs, this is what every TNA fan wants to see. Jeff just can't get over his ego enough to put over Raven in a big way. other than that... Styles/Kash is a fued i was really looking forward to, and i hope that TNA restarts it. workrate-wise, Styles/Daniels is TNA's best option, and i'm sure we'll see that at some point. Styles standing alone against Low Ki and Primetime, with Daniels leading them. that'll be sweet. i'm also liking Sabu/Raven, but i'm a mark for ECW shit. its been built well over time and the final blowoff match should be a good brawl. Raven/Hardy could be good, but this of course depends on what kind of worker Hardy wants to be nowadays. if he goes back to his roots, it could be a great fued, as Raven can make a good angle with ANYONE. he's a good guy to work with Hardy after the JJ fued, and it could help move Raven closer to the World title. if they continue putting over the Naturals, then AMW/Naturals could be on par with AMW/xXx. basically, any combination of good workers could be an excellent fued. TNA just has to book it right and have good performers in it.

i pretty much agree with Cornette here, but i hate Vince Russo too, so maybe i'm just as biased. I agree with him mainly on what he said about Russo, Jeff Jarrett, and booking the matches (not to mention the weak angles). but i do have to admit that his whole vendetta against Russo kind of took over his answers.

God, I really don't want to see a nonfinish. I'd rather see a clean winner, but it seems unlikely that either Monty or Hardy will do the job. what's the use of a #1 Contender's Match if we don't get a #1 Contender out of it?

i'm thinking Kanyon or Psycosis as well. on another note, did anyone hear about how Perry Saturn got shot in the neck back in April?

actually, putting Kash in the match at the last second would be a good idea. it can only make UX4 better, and it would get the Styles/Kash fued back up and running. Kash can come out talking shit to Styles, which brings Dusty out. Dusty can then settle things by lifting Kash's suspension and giving the fans another player in the match. Styles is already gonna get over huge by winning (despite being outnumbered by the heels), so why not add one more and move on to a fued that people actually want to see? Shane and Kazarian should just hit the tag team division after this, maybe start beating the hell out of Shark Boy and D-Ray.

-Raven/Sabu: its Raven, so i like it. as long as they hold off on the match for a few more weeks and put the blowoff match in the main event, this should be excellent. -Hardy vs. Monty: i'm going to start off with something profound: neither man here is a very good wrestler. that being said, this won't be a technical masterpiece, or even a decent match. it'll be a lot of punching, kicking, brawling, and a highspot or two. this will REALLY depend on Hardy's willingness to work after all these years. he WAS a pretty good worker once upon a time. regardless, he should win it. i like Monty, but its best to give the title match to Hardy while he's still fresh, and i pray to God that we don't see Jarrett bury another one. -xXx vs. Naturals: should be good with XXX in there. they shouldn't win, though. i say wait until Low Ki can return to pull that one off. -AMW vs. Team Canada: another good tag match with AMW going over. Team Canada has four guys though, so a beatdown wouldn't be a bad idea. -Loser vs. Referee: the Ref will probably win. i have no problem with that, but i don't want to see David Young holding up signs saying "USE ME!" like Lenny Lane did. -Shark-Boy/D'Ray vs. Abyss/Shelley: i think Shark-Ray 3000 should win this one, possibly from Abyss turning on Goldy. her acting sucks. i'd rather see what Shark Boy and D-Ray would do with all that money instead of seeing them as Goldy's slaves. -Ultimate X 4: this'll be the main event (or should be). with just three guys, it won't be clustered, but they'll all have to work harder. Styles will retain, but Kazarian and Shane won't totally stink up the joint. i'm hoping they move out of the X Division after this, though. i R-E-A-L-L-Y want to see Kid Kash vs. AJ Styles start back up.

He just came off of pneumonia from what I have been hearing, plus that rib injury before that. So he probably hasn't been in the gym all that much lately. makes perfect sense. now why didn't i think of that?

i'm looking at the ringside photos here... and maybe its this picture i'm looking at, but did Raven look kinda fat? you can't totally see b/c of the shirt, but he almost looks like he did in his 2nd ECW run. let me know if i'm wrong love the Sandman shirt, though. ALWAYS count on Raven to represent.

Kazarian and the Elite Gaurd should be on Impact, not the dark matches. and let me amend that, they should also be up against other guys from the roster, not jobbers. oh, and Team Canada is getting ANOTHER match on Impact. these guys need to get a match on PPV or they'll look second rate. don't get me wrong, i'm freakin' THRILLED that TNA is giving chances to indy guys (especially Jerelle Clark and Mikey Batts). but they should be the ones in the dark matches, while the actual stars of TNA get the Impact matches. i say Impact should have one Indy guy on it per show, and the rest goes to TNA's real stars.

Jarrett just HAD to make Hardy his bitch, didn't he? maybe Hardy will actually get his revenge, or maybe this'll just be another Jeff Jarrett burial angle. the show sounds good, but that part stuck out to me.

"I was in the freakin' Olympics and i STILL have to lose to this Jarrett guy?"

The following is a press release sent to PWTorch.com from TNA regarding Olympic wrestlers appearing on Impact this Friday... July 20, 2004 (Nashville, TN) – Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced it has invited two members of the United States Olympic Wrestling team to appear this Friday, July 23rd on "Impact!" which airs at 3:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Net (check local listings). Daniel Cormier (211 lbs.) and Joe Williams (163 lbs.) will be appearing on "Impact!" to garner support and publicize the U.S. team before they head to Athens in their quest for the gold. "We are thrilled to be able to recognize these two Olympians on 'Impact!,'" said Dixie Carter, President TNA Entertainment. "These young men, both of whom are medal contenders, have put in countless hours of hard work and training to represent the United States and our sport of wrestling. Amateur wrestling has been overshadowed in recent years and we want to send them to Athens with the appreciation and recognition they deserve." Cormier, a Lafayette, La. native, currently trains in Stillwater, Okla. He is considered a gold medal favorite in Athens. He has won two consecutive U.S. Nationals titles and placed fifth in the 2003 World Championships. He also captured a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. Williams, born in Chicago, IL where he later attend Mt. Carmel High School, the same school as professional sports stars Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice, has been the top ranked U.S. wrestler at his weight class for the past four years. He won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships and has won gold medals at the 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. Williams was a three-time NCAA champion at the Univ. of Iowa. TNA Wrestling will be updating its national viewing audience on the progress of USA Wrestling during the Games. **** sounds cool. maybe we'll see them school Jarrett or something. it'd be interesting if one or both of them wanted to return to TNA in the future. could it be the next Kurt Angle?

TNA isn't NEARLY as edgy and offensive as ECW was, so i doubt that they'll do anything bad enough to offend Cormier or Williams. the decision would be entirely up to them if they would want to sign with TNA after the Olympics. personally, i'm hoping they will. Kurt Angle adapted to pro wrestling fairly easy, so maybe they would too. as for Impact, i'm curious what their role will be. that also depends on whether they'd be willing to participate in the show, or just show up and wave to the crowd for publicity. i'd REALLY like to see them show their stuff, though. rough up Jarrett or something like that.

- Billy Gunn has been hinting that he might leave WWE and work TNA and the indy scene, figuring he can make as much as someone like Raven.- Alex Shelly did sign a TNA deal on July 8th. He has been making it known that "The Baby Bear" name was TNA's idea, not his. - Hector Garza has caused some controversy between AAA and TNA. Garza left AAA recently and has continued to work for TNA. Garza told Jeff Jarrett that he quit AAA because AAA head Antonio Pena was not paying him on time for his TNA and Japan appearances. Jarrett told Garza he would continue to book him despite the fact that TNA has had a working relationship with AAA. Jarrett was also upset by the fact that Pena did not send the two mini wrestlers that he had requested for the TNA second anniversary show. - Pena was backstage at the Impact! taping this week soothing things over with Jeff Jarrett. Things seem to have gone well to the point that TNA may quit using Hector Garza. TNA and AAA could also start promoting joint shows in Los Angeles and San Diego. - Juventud Guerrera has been pushing heavily to get back on TNA. Guerrera upset management last year when he worked stiff, did not protect other wrestlers, and complained about jobbing. Credit: PWTorch.com

oh, i didn't handpick those guys, Laz. by no means. besides D'Lo, the guys i listed there are the only real competitors who have had anything to do with the main event scene. D'Lo is in a position where any heel on the roster can call him out and make a good fued of it. basically, i'd rather see Jarrett fued with actual wrestlers--even if they are WWE castoffs--instead of running another boring-ass angle with him versus Erik Watts, Vince Russo, or someone else that no one gives a damn about. but of course, all of this is up to Jarrett, as everything on TNA is doing good except for the title scene. kinda makes you think.

JL can make TNA money, and that's why they should push him. its a pro wrestling fundamental. it seems over simplified, but Lynn really IS the Benoit of TNA. he's a grizzled veteran who has MORE than paid his dues, and he's never really won the big one. TNA can make money off of him finally getting his big shot and finally getting his moment of glory. WWE did it with Benoit, so i see no reason why TNA can't do it with Lynn at some point down the road. one day, i'd like to see Lynn finally get his moment in the spotlight and win the NWA World Title.

great article. uh, i guess there's your feedback, dude. i TOTALLY agree about Ron Killings. he's being booked like shit when he should be the main guy going after Jarrett's title. the rest of the card is being built really solid, but the main event is just in poor shape. the strange thing is, they have plenty of contenders for the title (Truth, Shamrock, Hardy, and Monty). hell, Jeff just has to talk shit about how D'Lo's a wimp and say something about his baby daughter and there's another good title match up. i think we'll see a Jarrett vs. Hardy fued for awhile, which i wouldn't mind honestly. i'm not saying that Hardy should win the title; just let him compete against guys that can carry him. Shamrock and Truth can keep each other busy until they get their crack at the belt (just picture Shammy crippling James and Konnan with the anklelock. Truth could then get revenge). Monty... well, Baddboi mentioned what a stupid situation this is. the best route would be for Jeff to retain while not giving Monty his first loss. that can be done a number of ways, and then Monty can return to the midcard where he belongs. oh yeah, and i think its becoming exceedingly obvious that Jarrett looks really stupid in a tuxedo. a plain Mr. McMahon-type suit would look better and he wouldn't look so much like a clown.

-Six Sides of Steel: i like the naming of the match, and it should be sweet. i'm hoping that the Naturals find a way to retain, as they deserve to be more than AMW's latest job boys. its too soon for AMW to triumphantly win back the titles. -Jeff Hardy: they've teased and teased, and FINALLY he's going to sign. i expect Hardy to be in the World Title scene right away, which may not be so bad if he can be carried in his matches. if TNA plays their cards right (play on words, get it?), they can have Hardy, Shamrock, Truth, D'Lo, and Monty all challenging for Jeff's Title. could make for an interesting main event if JJ doesn't just bury them all. -Styles/Lynn vs. Kazarian/Shane: i agree that Kazarian and Shane make a good team, and i agree that Lynn isn't given nearly enough spotlight. still, this makes for a good X Division Title fued, even if it doesn't have the absolute best challengers. -Kid Kash interview: if TNA is smart, they'll keep Kash around. he's the best heel they've got, and i'm STILL salivating to see him work his fued with Styles. after this, he should get back into the XD Title race. Shane/Kazarian are okay, but they can't work the XD style like Kash can. -Abyss vs. Sabu: a good brawl, nothing more. basically, this will further Abyss' face turn and Sabu's fued against Raven. too bad Raven won't actually be there. -Triple X vs. Triple A: xXx should carry this one nicely, and obviously take the win. adding them to the Tag Title race can only help. -Vito vs. Pat Kenney: finally Kenney has an actual legit opponent. this should be a nice fued until Vito gets himself kicked out of TNA. Pat Kenney can be gold if they give him a good program to work. this is a decent start. -2 Jobbers and a Ref vs. Two Losers and another Jobber: so, we have Sharky and D-Ray, who are the court jesters of the Asylum. then we have Gilberti, Young, and Swinger, who are the worst team ever since the bWo. with that, i don't see this as being too terrible. no one spectacular is being wasted, so let these guys just fued with each other instead of dragging others down with them. OVERALL: this should be a good one. with Hardy's contract signing (or whatever), TNA has a chance to rebuild their main event stronger than ever.

Gunn (and even Holly) have some name value, and they show potential for angles, but unfortunately they wouldn't be worth the money and wouldn't be able to put on decent matches with anyone. not to mention that name value doesn't equal drawing power. so, just throw them into the pile with Farooq, Brian Lawler, Haku, and Rikishi. i'm of the opinion that WWE cast-offs shouldn't normally be brought into TNA. despite the angle possibilities, i don't want to see Gunn in TNA.

that, my friend, is the main reason Impact is getting so... dull. let main eventers wrestle on Impact, or even have a title match on there. i'm all for letting new guys shine (i was very impressed with Roderick Strong this week), but Impact should function more like RAW than Velocity. keep the good matches, but make the show more important. TNA's not at the level where they can afford to have a "B" show. Impact should be the weekly lead-in to the PPVs.

With all due respect, AAA actually has pretty much sent TNA their best wrestlers. which kinda tells you something. Abysmo, Metal, and Aguila honestly aren't that impressive. Garza has charisma and Juvi is good, but other than that, there's nothing noteworthy coming out of AAA. from what i understand, CMLL has better luchas. maybe TNA should start talking to them instead. as for Gunn, i'm almost curious to see a NAO reunion, but its almost certain that he'll ask more than he's worth. James and Konnan already get paid too much, so they'll have to share their checks with Gunn.

-Simon Diamond could make the Irish gimmick work. they just haven't really given him a chance. teaming him up with Siaki and fueding against TNA's running joke, the NYC? that wasn't a good place to start, and if the Pat Kenney character isn't working, its because the guys in charge haven't given him a good role. maybe this'll change and he can go over Vito. Vito will be out of the company eventually anyway, so let Pat take him down. -i'm not surprised that they're using Kash's situation as an angle. i'm GLAD they're doing it. Kash is a good hand to have despite his attitude. hopefully we'll still get to see Kash vs. Styles for the X Division title. -Jeff's going crazy. this news of him getting upset at everyone sounds like tabloid news. but if it IS true, its just proof that Jeff should stop working as head booker. he's already a big character on the show and handles a lot of TNA's business dealings. doing all that and also dealing with the actual creative direction of the company is making him neurotic.