Magus

Tito as the 5th man would be awesome. I mean, they never followed up with him after he "helped" Styles win the title. I'm sure its Waltman, but the possibilities with Tito are much more exciting. He could be the extra face to even up the odds, he could test his mettle against Abyss or Monty, and he could get started in a nice fued against Jarrett.

I've no problem with it being Waltman (or Hardy for that matter), so long as the match is about AJ fighting off the odds and Abyss and Monty being dominant monsters. Jarrett should be the weaselly shit he's meant to play, and Waltman should just be filler.

I'd like to see Raven get involved somehow, but not be the fifth man. I think that's what they're going to go with. Jerry Lynn needs to return and save the ME scene pronto, but I agree that this could be a bit rough on him for a return match. His return could be saved until the next PPV, I think. I feel kinda the same about Waltman and Hardy. Waltman's not bad if he's kept to a minimum, so I think he's better suited for getting others over rather than standing on his own in the ME. Hardy's decent, but he's better when Matt's there to hold him up. I guess those two aren't bad choices, so I could live with either as long as AJ retains and Jarrett doesn't obliterate everyone. At least we're not considering DDP or Nash for this match, so it could be worse. P.S. Siaki could've been an excellent midcarder if they hadn't dropped the ball on him.

Jerry Lynn for World Champ. He could be TNA's Benoit (I'm not saying he's as great as Benoit. Who is?). The guy just knows how to WRESTLE. He can have a good match with just about anyone and plays the best grizzled veteran in the biz because he really HASN'T gotten his due yet. Let's hope that he's the mystery man at the PPV and we get to see a series of great AJ/Lynn matches again.

That's what I meant by bending over backwards. If signing Sting to TNA means getting rid of the Jarretts THEN SO BE IT!!!

It all goes back to Jarrett's ego and being refused a program with Austin. He's so pissed at Vince, he's blinded to everything else His major beef was with JR. Vince was for the program with Austin. Austin was against it, and JR raised the biggest fuss about it. he may be pissed at Vince for other reasons, but not this one. I trust JR as a good judge of talent, and at that time in the WWF, Vince seemed to be listening to him. Just putting that out there. Besides, Vince H-A-T-E-S Jeff Jarrett. Don't you remember when he mentioned him on RAW right after he bought WCW? I'm not Jeff's shrink, but he does seem to have some issues with being accepted as a full-fledged main-eventing big-time superstar.

Ha. I didn't realize that when I posted my thoughts. My bad, I guess. Besides, the idea of having a Tag Title match at 9:00, and then letting Christopher Daniels RULE THE MAIN EVENT at the end of the show is much better. Bring back the Fallen Angel gimmick as well, the early one where he's out to "save souls" (if it doesn't offend Sting, that is). I also like the idea about the Championship Committee. I don't think they should be seen every show in the office like a GM, but one of them should show up whenever some decision needs to be made. Personally, I'm in favor of (NWA) legends, as it plays off the NWA name. At any point and time, you could have Funk, Briscoe, Race, Anderson, Zbysko, Armstrong, Rhodes, Valentine, or God knows what other legend show up to make an announcement on behalf of the Committee. That's what I'd do, at least. The mention of all these legends got me thinking about Sting. I always thought that TNA's biggest mistake ever was not doing everything possible to sign the Stinger. There could be no excuse for not bending over backwards to sign Steve Borden to a contract. He's the biggest star to never be WWE, and its asinine to ignore him while booking Nash, Hall, and DDP as "big names". I think under this newer, smarter regime, TNA needs to think about getting Sting. He can still work, and I've never heard of him not putting others over because of ego. TNA: if you are wise, you will SIGN STING. I also think the same thing goes for Terry Funk, but that's another rant.

What should they do on the first show? The same thing they should do on every show: Give the fans what The E can't/won't give them. Examples: -Give a video package on AJ as World Champ. Make the viewers see that he's the champ because HE'S THE BEST. Have him appear and do a Spiral Tap on someone. -Have matches for the X Title and the Tag Titles. That should be done more often, even if they're "giving it away" -Keep Jarrett to a MINIMUM!!! -Use the first hour to build up to a kick-ass main event, so the viewers are tempted to keep watching. Offhand, I'd say Raven vs. Truth for a spot in the KOTM match. -Have at least 5-6 matches, and keep most of them above 8 minutes.

I too think its pretty much a done deal. He'll probably come out with Jeff and they'll get pushed to the top of the tag team scene (which is great, since TNA has never been fond of pushing a tag team not named AMW). I think the Nats need a good run with the titles before the Hardys win them, though. Matt has said that he'd do a Hardy Boyz reunion, but he'd rather keep doing singles work. Personally, I think he should do BOTH. As part of a tag team, he can babysit Jeff, keeping him motivated, out of trouble, and from killing himself. But, Matt is a great singles competitor, and I'd love to see him in the main event against guys like Styles, Raven, Daniels, or Abyss. Matt could work tag matches on some nights, as well as singles matches in the main event. The fact that he does both make him an even stronger challenger. Matt shouldn't get pushed to the top all at once (like winning the world title right out the gate), but he should definitely be treated like a star. He's a good gain for TNA: He's got starpower, national recognition, but more importantly (and rare), he can really go in the ring, and probably wouldn't mind putting others over... so basically, Matt's got everything that Jeff Jarrett THINKS he has.

Very good ideas, zyn. While you and I would book different shows, I still agree with all of your points.

If its true, that could possibly be the greatest thing to ever happen for TNA. I think having all these new guys come to TNA would be freakin' awesome, but TNA has trained me to be suspicious that they won't get too far in the company before they have to eat a guitar shot, so I'm not gonna cheer just yet...

I always like constructive criticism. I made those up off the top of my head, and I think that's what I'd have if I were given the book over the summer. I'll just explain why i picked some of these matches and hopefully answer your questions. -AJ vs. Raven. I'm totally against JJ being champ. I think he can help elevate others, but I wouldn't let him near the title ever again. Like I said, I'm booking here. So to me, Styles is the best option. Over the summer I'd have Styles be the dominant champ he deserves to be while Raven goes on about his destiny and how he's been held down by the politics. People love AJ, but even though Raven would be heel here, they'll cheer for Raven as well. The angle is that AJ is so good, he can withstand any challenger... but he can't refuse DESTINY. -Jarrett vs. Monty. I'd keep booking Jarrett as the desperate man trying to get back his title. Monty would be there to help, but he'd more often get in the way or overshadow Jeff. Jeff would become more abusive, and by the end of the summer, when the fans are salivating for it, Monty would have enough of it and turn, setting up this match where Monty just squashes him. -NAO vs. AMW. I think it'd be cool to turn AMW heel, plus, the people are gonna cheer the NAO no matter what. I think it could be a good match, and I like the idea of the Naturals and AMW teaming up against the ex-WWF teams of NAO and Hardyz. That could create some good mixed tag and singles matches. -Naturals vs. Hardy Boyz. Jeff returns with Matt in tow and they earn a shot at the Naturals. I like the Naturals as faces, but I think the face turn is just setting up for an even bigger heel turn. Candido would be proud. Anyway, the Hardyz win a match to get the shot, then win this match to get the straps. -Abyss vs. Rhino. I just personally want to see it. I'd have Rhino come in and just run over everyone in his path. By now Abyss would have a mouthpiece (JIM MITCHELL!), and he'd see Rhino as trying to muscle in on Abyss' spot as the dominant monster of TNA. I think a drawn-out program with Abyss and Rhino would be fresh and give us some really good, brutal matches. -Daniels' match. If I had a pick, I'd say Low Ki, since there's history, and the match would just rock the house. TNA actually wants to bring in Ultimo, though, which is still a good thing. I'd probably still have Daniels retain. -Killings vs. Punk. Again, I'd just like to see it. If Punk were to come to TNA, this would be a good fued to elevate both men. I want Killings OUT of 3LK (Someone mentioned teaming Sharkboy and Konnan as a comedy act, which I think could work). Punk's a long shot (along with the other ROH guys), so this was more hopeful than anything. If I couldn't get him, I'd give Killings some kinda match where he could go over, as I really like him and think he needs to be pushed. -Team Canada is going to start going places, like I said before. I think your idea about them bitching about not having a place could work well. Maybe announce that Bobby Rude is thinking about going after the World Title? -As for the X Division match, I've never seen Shane as an X Division guy. He can work a good match with them, but he doesn't have that style himself. I always thought he'd do well in a heel team with Siaki, but that's just me. TNA actually has some good X workers now, and I think Shane kinda holds it back. Juvi's a good talent, but only now and then, as he's frickin' insane. If I were to add Petey and Sharkboy to the mix and make it a 6-man Scramble match, that'd be cool as hell.

In my opinion, TNA's top babyfaces should be: AJ, Monty, Killings, and Matt Hardy when he shows up (I'd have him challenge for both the World Title and the Tag Titles with Jeff). The top heels: Jarrett, Raven, Abyss, Daniels, and Rhino when he comes in. If we're thinking about what the big September show should be, here's my take: -Raven vs. Styles where Raven fulfills his destiny -Jarrett vs. Monty, Monty finally gets his revenge -NAO vs. AMW -Naturals vs. Hardy Boyz (Hardys win the belts) -Abyss vs. Rhino -Daniels vs. a special X Division challenger (Juvi, Ultimo Dragon, or LOW KI) -Killings vs. CM Punk -a segment with Team Canada, b/c I see them getting over huge in the future -a good X Division opener (let's say Skipper vs. Sabin vs. Dutt vs. Shocker) Now THAT's a TNA show that I'd order.

Jeff Jarrett isn't the booker. Everyone knows that. He just has a lot of creative control and is simultaneously an on-air character. History shows that to be a bad combination. By having that kind of political power, much like Hogan in WCW, or Triple H on RAW, isn't Jarrett hurting TNA in the same ways? That's what everyone's been trying to say to you.

I have nothing better to do than argue with a Jeff Jarrett mark over the internet. Oh wait, yes I do.

I never said JJ was the booker, although he was booking for about a year with his buddy Dutch (when things were at their lowest). Even if he's not the booker, its naive to say that he doesn't have creative control. Triple H isn't a booker for RAW, after all. And just for shits and giggles: -DDP and Nash both recieved title shots with no build up and then jobbed to Jarrett to make him look good. Of course they were OVER, but their purpose was to make Jarrett look big league. That purpose is over, and now Nash is gone and TNA doesn't know what to do with Page. They certainly aren't putting him in the title picture. -Styles has been neutered so many times by Jarrett it just isn't funny. JJ treats Styles like he isn't in his league, has never lost to him clean, and always gets his heat back. Even though he's been a champion three times, Styles has always just kept the belt warm for Jarrett. The booking shows that. -Killings as a credible main eventer? He lost the title to Jarrett and then got shafted with 3LK. That isn't a main event treatment push, so don't make me laugh. -Abyss? We've all been talking about how much Abyss has been getting screwed. Everytime he gets a number one contender's spot, he gets shafted. Next. -Monty? He's already on his way. The first mistake was not giving him the title when he first challenged for it. He was booked as a dominant monster, yet he couldn't beat Jeff Fucking Jarrett? That's not how Goldberg was built. The heel turn was the second mistake, as it makes no sense and TNA hasn't bothered to try to explain it (much like Goldberg's heel turn). Monty could be carrying TNA right now if he wasn't derailed so much. Monty is still over in the sense that AJ is still over. But much like AJ, he's been neutered by the stupid booking. By the way, you're the one who said there weren't any credible ME guys (but you blamed it on Dusty, of course). You should agree with me here.

The show actually seems a little more acceptable here, barring the fucked up logic of booking the KotM match at the PPV. Most importantly: Raven wanting to get back into the main event picture?? YES!! I'll watch Impact this Friday just for that segment alone.

So.... In a wrestling promotion that Jeff Jarrett owns and books, no one other than Jeff Jarrett has been properly built up (for whatever reason) to be a credible main eventer. Funny how that worked out, huh?

1. I'd say that even AJ Styles, hindered as he is on the mic, is still a better talker than Jarrett. Jarrett's promos are just the same old crap. 2. I'm glad that AJ won, but I'm a little upset that the victory was tainted. Jarrett went down because TITO HIT HIM, and that isn't a clean win, folks. 3. What does this matter? Jarrett's just gonna win back the belt in a few months anyhow.

Jeff wants only one long term champion; himself. He doesn't want to put AJ over for the belt, and is doing so very reluctantly. Neither he or Jerry Jarrett want him to drop the belt, and they're both trying to find a way to get full control back so Jeff doesn't have to lose the belt at all. Well, yeah. That's kinda how its ALWAYS been. AJ has been playing Sting to Jeff's Hulk Hogan the whole time.

Sounds good. The less input that Jeff Jarrett has, the better. And what the fuck is up with thinking that Styles can't be a long-term champion???

Oh most definately - but in the same breath, if guys like Mantel and Jeff Jarrett are back on top of this committee, I can't right now see that as a good thing. My feelings on what they should do is have Jerry Jarrett being the main writer, with a committee below him of Mantel, Douglas, Borash, Carter, etc. NO Jeff Jarrett in creative PLEASE. Have Jerry Lynn at least run part of the X division, as I think he could lay out matches well in general. I say: Jarrett Sr., Douglas, and Carter book the main event, and D'Amore and Lynn book the X Division. Mantell sucks and I don't think Borash is useful for anything, much less booking. I don't care who books the tag team division as long as they don't just play favorites with AMW like its been for, oh, forever.

If they have the right people on the committee, this could save the company (Shane Douglas gets my vote). If they have certain guys focus on booking the different title divisions, it could work.

While I agree, I personally wouldn't want the Jarrett's to completely decimate the NWA name by calling themselves that. I always thought they should just be called NWA and ACT more like the National Wrestling Alliance instead of a WWE/WCW knockoff, but alas. Anyway, just wanted to say the name "TNA" is stupid, but it's a pretty good representation of the crap that they present themselves as.

My Thoughts: Harris Brothers vs. Two Frat Boys: I will never understand the Jarretts' love for the Harris Boys. They're utter shit, but they keep pushing them on us every now and then. I could care less about the frat boys with the stupid name, or this match in general, so no prediction. Raven vs. Dustin Rhodes: Raven used to be TNA's biggest victim, but now there's so many others who have been so royally screwed, at least he's no longer alone. Rhodes will win this, and maybe after having to put over THE BOOKER'S SON so many times, Raven will hopefully take his ball and leave. Trytan vs. Monty Brown: Monty's another guy who's been screwed by TNA. I'd say just as bad as Raven was. Anyway, they can either make Monty look like like shit by losing after such a big push, or they can job out their debuting star. Either way they're screwed, but I'd put my money on Trytan getting the win. Kevin Nash vs. Billy Outlaw: They've done horrible work with Gunn's debut, but I'm curious what he could do with a main event spot. The match will be mediocre at best, and will involve shitloads of interference by Jarrett or James (I'm also slightly interested in a NAO reunion). Prediction: Nash loses, but not clean by a long shot. Abyss vs. Jeff Hardy: Both men are wasted here, but that's nothing new. I haven't kept up with their series of matches, so I'm not sure who'll win. I just can't find a reason to care about this at all. AJ Styles vs. 3 Other Guys: The X Division Golden Boy gets the win, no matter who's in it. I've never even seen an Ultimate X match and even I'm bored with it. There should be lots of neat trapeze stunts, but little story. Once again, I'm just not enthused about it. DDP vs. Jeff Jarrett: Page got this title shot for absolutely no rhyme or reason. So from a storyline perspective, this is shit. The match will once again be average at best, and I'm willing to bet overbooked to hell. Jarrett WILL win this, no matter how obvious he needs to lose (and leave forever). They're not just going to give DDP the title. When/if BG James and Billy Gunn get together, they'll hook up with Jarrett and he'll leach off of them for a while. I'm thinking more about whose facing Jarrett at the next PPV than Page's chances at this one.