Magus

Y'know, trying to make sense of TNA's fuck-ups just takes a lot outta you. It's astounding to sit back and watch them do the things they do, then exhausting to try to justify those things on how it could/should work out. Maybe I'm just bitter, like I was when I used to watch WCW. But to whomever said that JJ vs. Joe is money, let's face facts: when the time for that match comes around, Samoa F'n Joe, the biggest talent to come around since Chris Benoit, will be made to look like a bitch for good 'ol Double J. The only hope for this company is that the Spike TV audience starts to realize this fact and then walks away. Maybe then they'll get their shit together, but it won't be before they ruin some good wrestlers.

I disagree there. Christian will be over pretty much no matter what he does. A fued with Team Canada can't hurt him, IMO. I'd like to see him in the ME, but its not something that absolutely needs to happen immediately. Monty, on the other hand, needs the win. He's an unknown, and a win (even a tainted one) over a name like Christian will help push him towards JJ. If Monty loses, he'll look way worse than Christian would, as it'll be the umpteenth time that he's been built up only to look like a bitch. You could say that since Christian is more well-known that he should go over for the sake of the casual fans. But that's the same arguement that Jarrett makes to stay on top. On the flip side of the coin, Monty should win, as he's a homegrown star and needs to get the rub to look good in the eyes of the casuals.

I'm not advocating Russo-like angles with rape, cheating girlfriends, long-lost brothers, throwing lightning at each other, or "who's the real father?" But also, there has to be more to it than spirit of competition. That can work for a few workers, but if they're trying to get over the fact that the competitors hate each other, some sort of story element has to be added. For example, I'd have had Mitchell attempt to manipulate Sabu into helping him take out one of Abyss' opponents (maybe an old ECWer like Raven), only to have Sabu spit in his face and viciously attack him. Since Abyss sees Mitchell as a father figure, that sets up a better fued than the bland one going on now. At least, in my opinion. Agreed with everything else you said about the hardcore element.

Quite the coincidence there.... Anyway, how I'd book this mess: AJ/Joe should go last, but won't. So, with JJ/Rhino ending the show, I'd have Rhino Gore himself through something and play an injury angle. JJ gets the win and Rhino gets to take some time off and come back to the ME strong in a few weeks time. Before all that, Team 3D has to win the tag titles from AMW. Since JJ will retain, this kinda balances things out and sets up for JJ losing the title at Final Resolution to Monty. Speaking of which, Monty should beat Christian, who doesn't need the win as bad as Monty does. It's stupid to book this match anyway, but this is the shit TNA gives us. Christian should hit the Unprettier (Are they calling it something else? They should), and while Monty is stunned, Team Canada comes out and totally fucks Christian up. Fuck distracting the ref, too. Have the ref see it, call the match a DQ, but then Monty gets up and DEMANDS that the ref restart the match or he'll get an Alpha Bomb. The ref restarts it, Monty Pounces the weakened Christian and wins the match to face JJ at Final Resolution. Christian goes on to fued with Team Canada for awhile to gets some wins before getting back to the ME. Here's the good part: Jarrett's now actually scared of Monty (imagine that), and he'll try to get Zbyzsko to help him null Monty's shot since he intimidated a ref and the match should've officially ended in DQ. Technically, he's got a point, but whenever Larry or anyone else tries to approach Monty on it, they too are intimidated by his sheer ferocity. Make it clear that he will NOT lose what is rightfully his now that he's so close. Zbyzsko finally caves, much to JJ's dismay, and Monty goes on to face Jarrett at Final Resolution and wins the title. To me, that's way better than whatever they probably have planned.

I don't necessarily agree about getting a midcard title. It's not the cure when all of this can be fixed with better booking. But I do agree with Coffey and Dangerous A that TNA's whole problem can be wrapped up in LACK OF DIRECTION. Both very good posts about stuff that I've just stopped caring enough to say. Sabu and Abyss don't need a title to fight over, what they need is a REASON to be fighting each other. TNA tends to just throw guys against each other for no reason and justify it by saying "hey, it'll be a good match!" Unfortunately, that's not enough. AJ/Joe has an okay story behind it, although its weird that AJ would stand up to Joe on his archrival's (Daniels) behalf. Makes no sense. Monty's angle is alright, but he should be WAY more pissed off about being denied a title shot for nearly a year. All you have to do is look at the gimmicks and the story writes itself most of the time. Sabu vs. Abyss. In one corner you have a psycho Arabian who's a founding father of the hardcore style. In the other corner you have an up-and-coming Frankenstein-like monster with James F'n Mitchell as his manager. Surely they can come up with more intriguing reasons for these two to fued with each other besides the lame "I don't like you" shit.

4LK? Jesus, I see this fued is going to drag on forever even after hitting the reset button. Rhino challenging again is decent, but it needs some sort of gimmick. At least they aren't ditching Rhino to the midcard like they usually do with JJ's challengers. Stupid idea to book Monty vs. Christian. Neither man needs to lose at this point, and Booking 101 says don't put two guys like that up against each other at PPV. So, we'll be seeing either Christian losing and looking like a bitch, Monty losing and looking like a bitch, or we'll get a nonfinish which is just as bad. Best case scenario sees Monty go over and Christian look for a fued elsewhere. Christian should've kept fueding with Team Canada, setting him up to go over Petey at TP in a good match. Monty should've gone through another solid ME'er on his way to Jarrett. That's what should've happened instead.

And when he loses to Jeff Jarrett, the ratings will plummet. Jarrett WILL continue to get the god push, and the people WILL start to catch on to it. When they see that TNA is merely a vehicle for JJ to put himself over, they will stop watching. Christ, I sound like MikeSC. But dammit, TNA has brought it on themselves.

Sounds like a good debut. I'm starting to think that "Cage" could really be TNA's biggest star..... BUT, they'll ruin him if they job him out to Jarrett (which, let's be honest, is entirely possible). They'll collide at some point in the future, hopefully after Jarrett loses the title to Monty. And hopefully JJ will put him over clean. In no way should we get TOO happy about Christian's debut and ushering in a new era of TNA, because its all too possible that he'll have to job to Jarrett or look like shit against him in some other way.

Hardy, Hoyt, and Sabin? Geez, just throw three random faces together, eh? Besides, we all know how it'll end anyway. Something about a guitar and a big brawl to end the show. I think I'll pass on this one

I'd just like to say this: Benoit gets a bad rap about his lack of charisma. No, he's certainly not great at it, but when he first came to WWF and they got serious about pushing him against guys like HHH, Rock, and Austin, he showed signs of a unique heel character. It was under McMahon's tutelage (that's right, the same psycho we see today) that he started to express himself as a ruthless, vicious, rabid predator who knew he was superior to everyone else and was tired of being kept on a leash.

I hope this is only rumor. D'Amore has been the best booker in TNA's history. Chucking him for Double J would put the company back in the same old rut. Total Nonstop Jarrett. He's hurting the company enough as it is being on top right now. The only hope is that he'll do the right thing and drop the title to Monty soon (although I'm sure he'll have an excuse not to when the time comes). The thing is, now that they're on Spike, they have new viewers who don't know how this works. Right now, the casuals see Jarrett on top, and they know he's a joke. They're just naive enough to get behind some babyface in the hopes that they'll get a chance on top. Oh, if they'd only been following the last three years... Mark me, the people will start to catch on in a few months, and they'll get tired of seeing TNA being solely about Jeff Jarrett. Spike TV is TNA's chance at the big time, and if they become The Jeff Jarrett Show again, it'll ruin them.

put him up against Raven first. That gives Christian one or two solid PPV wins, and can move the "Raven's gone soft" storyline. Then go for Christian/Hardy vs. Team 3D vs. AMW.... TABLES LADDERS CHAIRS!!!

He'll be a face. This is the Orlando crowd we're talkin' about here. They cheered Rhino when he showed up. Aligning Christian with Jarrett is a TERRIBLE idea, as that is what everybody does. When someone new comes to TNA, they either play Jarrett's crony, or they job to him. Christian doesn't need that. He can work a good fued with JJ at some point in the future, but for now, he should win some high profile matches against heels, or team with Hardy against AMW. Just keep him away from the title for now, because not everything has to be about Jarrett.

Here's my breakdown, but I'm not doing it alphabetically. Rather, I think of it by division, and if I don't list someone, then they probably suck or are just not important enough: MAIN EVENT/WORLD TITLE: Jarrett, Raven, Rhino, Hardy, Christian (soon), and Sabu: these are all name guys who need to be dedicated towards bringing up TNA's own brand of stars to carry the ME. Those guys are: AJ Styles: He has some minor flaws, but nothing that can't be worked around. He's the ultimate face who should be the centerpiece of the company instead of Jarrett. A real fued with Jarrett where Styles is treated as a threat would do wonders. The Fallen Angel: Like Styles, but a little better. Probably the best heel they have next to Jarrett, which means he should be the company's top heel instead. Could have an excellent psychological fued with Raven. Think Raven/Dreamer, but with the roles reversed: Daniels stealing Raven's girl, stealing his Flock, etc. Abyss: I've said it before: don't think Mankind/Kane. Think VADER. Or maybe even Andre. Kane's downfall was that he couldn't speak, and by the time he did, it was too late. With Mitchell, Abyss can avoid that. He's destroyed just about everyone, so I'd like to see him go up against more high profile opponents like Monty or Joe. Samoa Joe: I've never seen him till lately, and I think he's fucking amazing. There's nothing more you can ask from him. He's about to rule the X Divison, and one day, he should rule the ME scene in the same way. I'd like to see him test his mettle against someone like Rhino or Raven as he invades the World Title scene. Monty Brown: They're building him like Goldberg when he's more like The Rock. Much like The Rock, he's corny at first, but it somehow becomes okay. He's kinda lumbering in the ring, but that can be hidden by good opponents. He just needs to be looked after. He should be a face, but more of a cocky asshole about it. Ron the Truth Killings: He should be heel. He's got the full package, and he CAN get people to hate him despite his huge amount of talent and charisma. He's the kinda dick heel that impersonates his opponents. He's held back by 3LK, when he good enough to be teaming with Daniels in matches. A fued with Christain would be cool. X DIVISION: Styles, Daniels, and Joe rule the X Division right now, but I'd rather those three were carrying the company instead of being given their own division so that Jarrett and Co. can hog the ME spotlight. There's plenty of guys competent enough to carry the division: Petey Williams: Very good as a heel. He has a good look and can work well, I think. His credibility goes down with all the cheating, though. Chris Sabin: A good face. Sabin and Williams are like a low-level Styles and Daniels. They're not quite as GREAT, but they're definitely good. Austin Aries: I've never seen him in ROH, and neither have the Orlando fans, but for some reason they cheer him. He needs a character, and strikes me as a really good heel. From the good things I've heard of him, he could ME TNA one day, but he should start out carrying the X Division. Alex Shelley: I like him. He does a lot of subtle stuff as a heel that makes him a real dick, but he needs a chance to talk, I think. Roderick Strong: He does a few neat backbreakers, but he hasn't shone any character. I like the idea of making him TAZ-like in his attitude and work. A ferocious guy who's legitimately dangerous with the backbreakers sounds good. Sonjay Dutt: I don't mind him so much as everyone else, it seems. He at least shows character. Probably next to Sabin in the heirarchy here. Johnny Devine: Bring him back and let him cut loose from Team Canada. He's too good to play a lackey, and Petey is already the frontrunner of that team. Devine can make a name for himself on his own if given the chance. Jerry Lynn: BRING HIM BACK! A grisled veteran to give the rub to others just as he did for Styles. There's so many Lynn matches I'd like to see in TNA: vs. Joe, vs. Daniels, vs. Petey, vs. Sabu, etc. TAG TEAM: The more teams, the better: AMW: They're actually better now as heels. Sort of like a comedic duo, where Harris plays the straight man and Storm plays the outrageous character. The beer bottle as interference is also a nice touch. In the ring, they don't offend me, as they're just brawlers anyway. Team 3D: As the top face tag team, they're fine, but at some point, I'd like to see them put over the other teams. The challenge for them will be to keep from getting stale like they did in WWE. The James Gang: If they can recapture what they had in the Attitude Era, good for them. They certainly won't be anything special in the ring, but charisma goes a long way. Maybe keep Truth around them as a new version of DX. They should always do heelish things to keep them edgy. Otherwise, they're pandering to the audience, and then its just 3LK all over again. Team Canada: Roode and Young. I like the dynamic of a tough guy and a bumper. I don't mind D'Amore helping out here, as it should be obvious to the audience that Young is the weak link in the team and needs protection. They're an odd couple, like AMW. Young is the chickenshit, while Roode is looking for a fight. The Naturals: I don't mind them, but they need more character besides two guys who wear pink and black. They're good workers, but they need an edge (straight edge gimmick, maybe?) so they don't look like two guys stuck together. Bentley/Siaki: These two are just too marketable to waste. Can be either heel or face. Both men play cocky to a T, and neither really fits in with the X Division, I feel. Each is better in a tag team, so there ya go.

DEFINITELY go with "Christian Cage" as the name. It's still recognizable, and yet gives a sense of a new beginning for him. He should get involved with somebody, but definitely not Jarrett. Christian doesn't need to job to JJ, and they don't want to upset their ME plan like they did last time. Have him come out and give a scathing promo on how he was held back in WWE, but now he'll fulfill his true potential. The fans will eat him up as a face, but then have Raven come out, doing his "What about me?" thing. Then a brawl. That sets up Christian vs. Raven at the next show, where Raven can stand to lose since his angle right now is that he's "weak". Christian can then team with Hardy to fued with AMW, or face some other heel. But I can't stress enough how he does NOT need to job to Jarrett as everyone else has.

More likely he'll go for the first in-ring skit of 2006. Personally, I say build towards Raven/Jarrett III as the big "2006 match"

I don't think TNA should change their World Title plans for Christian, but he should definitely be allowed to be in the ME and see if he can reinvigorate himself and get over as something more than a low level heel. He could be something completely different and better in TNA, but that's not a given yet. He needs some time to test the waters and see if TNA's audience will rally behind him. I would have him as a ME face, similar to DDP's early days in WCW (only better on the mic). He could team with Hardy for a few tag matches against AMW, or a reunion match against Team 3D. I think he'd also do well in fueds against such heels as Daniels and Jarrett. My only point is that Christian needs time to re-establish himself before he can start being one of the top players.

I think its likely that he'll show up. With a new name, he could easily become a huge babyface for TNA. Best part is, there's a lot of things TNA could do with him. He could fit in with the X Division, tag division, or ME scene. If its possible, TNA should sign him up quick and produce a kick-ass promo to show at the Prime Time Special. Have him debut on Impact and beat someone like Alex Shelley and cut a good promo on why he's in TNA. After that, I would team him with Hardy, have them run at AMW once or twice, and then build to Christian vs. Jarrett (after JJ loses the title). Christian in TNA can only be a positive, IMO.

I like that idea, as its a LONG TERM PLAN. That's what TNA has always lacked. I'd start building Raven/Jarrett now, and have Raven win at TP. Then Monty can start a fued with JJ, go over him, and win the title at Lockdown.

To me, if this was their plan all along, they should have: dropped the title match at BFG, given more time to other matches, let AJ/Daniels run as the ME, and set up the next challenger for Jarrett instead of playing hot potato with the NWA title. Don't give the belt to one guy if you're just going to give it back. That's my gripe. As long as Rhino doesn't get buried because of this, I'm okay. Since he's going after Jarrett/AMW at Genesis, that seems to be what they're doing. After all he did at BFG, and getting the Kane title run, I just think he needs to be in the ME. Another name guy to give the rub is always good. I think Raven/Jarrett III at Turning Point is a good idea as long as Raven goes over. Not speaking out of pure JJ-hate, but Raven CAN'T lose that match. Besides, Monty can destroy Jarrett just the same before he goes on to destroy Raven for the title, probably at Lockdown.

Thanks, Kevin Nash

RRR, that's EXACTLY what I've been thinking that they should do. Raven should float between the two factions for a while before turning and joining JJ for the power and a chance to get back his title. After that, its a race to see which guy can stab the other in the back first. Maybe have them compete in a tag match together. But to me, that's a great way to restart the Jarrett/Raven fued, culminating with a singles match down the road and Raven finally getting his win over JJ.

That's pretty much why I think it should go. Locked in a room with no food/drink/light of day is a pretty stupid gimmick for a match. I'm all for hardcore weapons matches, but don't add an unnecessary gimmick to it. I like the name, though, and they should always have it as a 3-5 man match.

So far it looks great. I'd rather have BFG suck a little and the 2 Hour Special be kick ass than the other way around. More people will watch the Special, so I see this as a chance for TNA to redeem itself from BFG. JJ vs. Rhino: Good idea, but Rhino needs to go over CLEAN. TNA's constant problem has been that the title matches always end screwy (mostly b/c that's how JJ matches are always booked). We need to know what Raven and Monty think about this, and maybe they should get a little involved, but Rhino HAS to come out strong here. After looking invincible at BFG, Rhino shouldn't just drop the belt back to JJ under any circumstance. Ultimate X: Also a good idea, but no more rematches. I'd like for them to do this one right, but they can't erase the fact that Petey one at BFG. I think all three guys can have a better showing this time. Dudz vs. Team Canada: Should be a good squash that gets the Dudz back on the scene and after the tag titles. What I'd do concerning 3LK would have BG and Kip seen watching the match together and joking around backstage. It would tease the NAO reunion, and give Konnan something to bitch about since BG is hanging out alone with Kip.

I think its pretty innovative actually. The only flaws are that not everybody can do it (ex: Joe), and the guys have to keep coming up with psycho spots to keep it fresh. Monster's Ball, on the other hand, needs to go.