Who'd be better off in TNA?

[Guest JMFabiano524]

With the discussions of Raven's future, I was wondering...what other WWE personalities do you think would be better off in NWA-TNA?

 

To get the ball rolling, there's something that gives me an urge to hope for Hurricane getting released and coming to tear up the X Division. Plus with no "Prevent Future Stingers for HHH" rules, the vertebreaker would probably be in full effect again.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Hurricane should just go back to Smackdown.

 

I'm telling you...trade RVD, Jericho and Booker for A-Train, Big Show and Taker...and we'll never have to watch RAW again.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Hurricane should just go back to Smackdown.

 

I'm telling you...trade RVD, Jericho and Booker for A-Train, Big Show and Taker...and we'll never have to watch RAW again.

Would anyone watch Raw again?

[Guest Super Pissed Smark]

Everyone but Triple-H, Regal and Undertaker. Fuckers.

[Guest Mole]

Well, bps, I hope you were being sarcastic, because that would just be dumb.

 

Raven would work well in TNA. Same with Jamie Noble and Nunzio.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Why the hell would TNA want to bring in anyone from the WWE? Doesn't everyone know that Russo created every WWF gimick ever? Sheesh, and here I thought you guys were actually going to give the Super Genius some of the credit he truly deserves!

 

"Who's that in the crowd? That's Scott Steiner! He doesn't work here! He doesn't work here!" - Mike Tenay, on a future TNA pay per view?

 

"Russo brought me here tonight because I hate you white trash punks who watch this show just as much as he does! We've had success together before, and tonight, Big Poppa Pump is gonna kill this promotion along with Vinnie Ru! HOLLA, IF YA HEAR MAH!!!" - Scotty, explaning the entire thing to Goldylocks the following week in a "shoot" promo

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

That reminds me...my TNA preview is up and in it I take the bold postion "Russo is right".

 

Now everyone can read it and email me viruses.

[Guest BoboBrazil]

Funaki and Crash Holly.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Hmm......if you're moving those guys throw Goldust in there to. He's cool, but dammit I'd still watch RAW for Kane. But then I'd cry as the best hoss in the WWE is squashed by all the crappy hosses.

And I don't think anyone would be better off in NWA:TNA. Why? Because they'd be making less money and I'm sure that's all most of them think of.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

Well, bps, here's some quick feedback for you....

 

Just how much success has Russo's "reality-based TV" done for him, in the past, how much is it doing for him at present, and is there any indication that it'll do good business in the future?

 

I disagree about Russo's writing "not being bad," as you put it. I think any writing that is centered around a guy who books himself on top and then hammers home how horrible a booker he is shouldn't fall anywhere near the "good department."

 

Actually, I think it should fall under the "masturbatory shit" department, to be honest with you. Don't even get me started on the HariSS Bros and the "get people talking" approach.

 

As for Rhodes vs. Koloff "bringing variety" here's a match that would have been played out a decade ago. I'm sure if we cloned Thez and Thatcher and had them square off again it would certainly be "something different" but then, different doesn't always make good, does it?

 

"TNA isn't dead, it's only *mostly* dead." - Quote from a person far more witty than I

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

I agree that fellating Smarks and making them feel like the product is aimed at them by playing off whatever is on 1Wrestling or the Torch at any given moment seems to work, but I don't think that will give them TV deals and widespread national exposure.

 

TNA is almost like the National Enquirer to the WWE's NY Times. Sure, the Times ain't the paper she used to be, but the Enquirer is just too smutty to take believably, so much so that it's near-impossible to justify as an actual newspaper.

[Guest The Hamburglar]

Four words that truly show the height of TNA's shittyness and why really, the only WWE people who would head there would be those fired. Ready?

 

AJ Styles - Larry Zybysko.

 

That Russo, what a writer.

[LooseCannon25 0]

Yeah, you guys make TNA seem so terrific, and yet we get Styles vs. Zybysco, Dusty Rhodes........Nikita Koloff with added gut, Roddy Piper for one night promoting his book. SEX, a team called XXX with totally contradicts Low Ki's character beliefs. Tremendous X division with....the least talented of them as the champion. A nice little S-E-X angle in which their biggest name is BG James. Jeff Jarrets chasing about 10 guys away with a chair every week.....Yeah, sounds great.....dont get me wrong i still watch it and love the x-division, but i can just see Steiner showing up in the crowd and we get to hear:

 

Mike Tenay ---- Is that......is that who i think it is. Oh my god, it's Scott Steiner....What the hell is he doing here he doesnt work for this promotion

 

Don West ---- OH JESUS....BIG POPPA PUMP IS IN THE BUILDING!!!!!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!! *stands up on announcers table* CMON EVERYBODY, GO SCOTT GO!!!!

[Guest RickyChosyu]

The biggest mystery of NWA TNA is how in the bloddy hell Jerry Jarrett has convinced the fininancial backers of this train wreck that it's still a worthy investment. We've got Russo, booker of pay per views that got some of the lowest buy rates in pay per view history, booking things and making the entire promotion centered around himself, making everyone else look unimportant, and trying to justify all the things he did in WCW.

 

Considering that the only people who can oppose the Super Genius on his show are an announcer, a tag team that was humliliated in the WWF years ago, and Dusty fucking Rhodes, I think Jarrett must have the Paul Heyman gift for convincing people to keep working for him despite certain failure.

 

The fact is, David Arquette *didn't* get people talking, and neither is any of this other garbage. Instead of taking shots at the WWE all the time and trying to turn WCW and WWF past into storylines, TNA should be focusing on a decent product that fans will actually pay to see.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

No one would be better on TNA. I couldn't see anyone actually leave the WWE for TNA, financial security is a wonderous thing.

 

Plus Russo seems more hellbent on taking time away from good wrestlers so he can get on tv...plus Jarrett still has the get his buddies on tv...between that, there's not much time for anyone else.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Mike Tenay ---- Is that......is that who i think it is. Oh my god, it's Scott Steiner....What the hell is he doing here he doesnt work for this promotion

 

Don West ---- OH JESUS....BIG POPPA PUMP IS IN THE BUILDING!!!!!!! THIS IS INCREDIBLE!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!!!!! GO SCOTT GO!!!! *stands up on announcers table* CMON EVERYBODY, GO SCOTT GO!!!!

All you really need is Bobby Heenan there going "Yeah, but who's side is he on?! WHO'S SIDE IS HE ON!?!"

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

The fact is, David Arquette *didn't* get people talking, and neither is any of this other garbage.

But David Arquette was on the cover of USA Today!!

 

Of course, ratings and buyrates took a plunge... and a world title was flushed down the toilet...

 

But he was on the cover of that magazine goddammit! Russo isn't a hack!!

 

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

I read something about the way Russo booked matches in an SK rant. It was KOR99. The matches were all like 5 minutes with guys selling like they've been out there for 30 minutes and using all of there trademark moves in succession. Keith said something like:

"Man it's like somebody showed Russo a tape of All Japan but only the last 5 minutes of the match."

Does he still book like that?

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

I wonder just how many of the above TNA nay-sayers have actually WATCHED the product recently instead of just reading Dames' review...

[LooseCannon25 0]

Well, me personally, I watch the show every single week since it became available in my area in September. I dont enjoy the ---Russo gets more airtime than anybody else --- method or his booking. I also dont agree with all of the old school legends coming back. It's terrible right now

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I read something about the way Russo booked matches in an SK rant. It was KOR99. The matches were all like 5 minutes with guys selling like they've been out there for 30 minutes and using all of there trademark moves in succession. Keith said something like:

"Man it's like somebody showed Russo a tape of All Japan but only the last 5 minutes of the match."

Does he still book like that?

 

He made that coment because X-Pac and Billy Gunn went into "Top this" mode after about five minutes of work, kicking out of each other's finishers very quickly and then having Gunn win with a second rope Fame-asser. AJPW was known for having the wrestlers kick out of everything near the end to draw heat, but that was usually after twenty plus minutes of work, not five.

 

Russo's writing seems to have little to do with the matches and more to do with the angles that center around the matches. That's how he was in the WWF and WCW, and that's he's booking TNA. There's no point in booking everyone to go after the world title when Russo himself has declared it a "prop" and would rather have himself booked as the center of attention. Why would anyone want to win a world title when they can feud with the Super Genius?

 

But David Arquette was on the cover of USA Today!!

 

Of course, ratings and buyrates took a plunge... and a world title was flushed down the toilet...

 

But he was on the cover of that magazine goddammit! Russo isn't a hack!!

 

Actually, Russo wasn't even telling the truth there. David Arquette: WCW Champine made page *six* of U.S.A. Today and the magazine had covered WCW in the past, so it's not like that was a first. And considering the buy rates and pay per views tanked anyway, whatever that "accomplishment" was worth, it sacrificed more business for WCW anyway. But then, if you were expecting Russo to tell the truth in a PROMO when he won't even brake away from the bullshit in candid interviews, then you need a wake-up call as much as the Jarretts.

 

What I find hilarious about Russo is that he's so hell bent on becoming the "number two" promotion in America, and meanwhile he's lossing more money than most small-time indies. Rougeau's indy fed, for instance, is probably turning up way more profit than NWA TNA. Russo isn't getting any kind of "bonus" because 1wrestling and 411 put him over. He loses just as much money, regardless of the "publicity" the net gives him.

 

I wonder just how many of the above TNA nay-sayers have actually WATCHED the product recently instead of just reading Dames' review...

 

I have a friend who orders them almost weekly but I don't always attend. I saw the "Roddy Piper shoot interview" and that was enough for me. Now I just get by reading Meltzer's reports, which give me quite a harty laugh.

 

What I'm wondering is when the Russo Appologists are going to bust out the "get people talking" arguement and really make this fun. Why relly on normal cop outs like "you're probably just saying that without seeing any of it" when we need some real enthusiasts to fight the good fight for the Super Genius? Where's Bob Ryder when you need him?

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Oh, I don't agree with a lot of Russo's ideas. I only give him credit for HELPING in the success of the WWF in 1998 and for creating the faction of 3Count (say what you will, but I'm a 3Count mark, both for the stupidity and cheesiness of the gimmick AND for being the first thing to showcase Shane Helms' skills nation-wide). And I FUCKING HATE how he's the center-piece for SEX when they could have simply had a few rookies band together with, say, Mortimer Plumtree to fight the old-school mentality of "paying your dues." But I'm not going to go all-out and say he's completely 100% useless, because he DOES have SOME draw (TNA live attendance has increased since he debuted), if only with the IWC, and he LOVES to push younger talent.

 

So, Ricky, you basically just admitted to only watching one show with Russo on it, and reading recaps of the rest. I'm not defending TNA recently, because it has been really awful compared to what it used to be match-wise (and don't start on the entire "their matches were shitty" route, because it's OPINION), but the storylines are progressing, and almost all of the individual workers (involved even SLIGHTLY in the SEX/TNA angle) have a purpose.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

"Oh, I don't agree with a lot of Russo's ideas. I only give him credit for HELPING in the success of the WWF in 1998..."

 

I'm not even sure how much of that should be attributed to the Super Genius Russo. Russo's failures as a head booker are well documented, and since a lot of the Cooky Ideas he came up with in the WWF showed up in WCW and failed, I have to think it was more Austin being a Mega-Star than Russo being a Mega-Writer.

 

"....and for creating the faction of 3Count (say what you will, but I'm a 3Count mark, both for the stupidity and cheesiness of the gimmick AND for being the first thing to showcase Shane Helms' skills nation-wide)."

 

Hey, I enjoyed Helms' work in WCW also. The 3 Count gimick was pretty much wasted, but they were good for a laugh or two.

 

"And I FUCKING HATE how he's the center-piece for SEX when they could have simply had a few rookies band together with, say, Mortimer Plumtree to fight the old-school mentality of 'paying your dues.'"

 

So basically have Rhodes, the Road Wariors, Zybyzco, ect. vs. the X Division? Old Gaurd vs. New Guard is an age old storyline that has done great business for various promotions in the past, but Russo's version (Millionares Club vs. New Blood) did not work in the past and I think he, as a booker, can't make the storyline work. Russo's booking skills are just as lousy as his ethics.

 

"But I'm not going to go all-out and say he's completely 100% useless, because he DOES have SOME draw (TNA live attendance has increased since he debuted)"

 

And where are these figuers coming from? I really hope it's not Bob "The Shill" Ryder who used to defend Russo even as WCW was dying. I also hope it's not Jeremy Borash, who throws out blanket claims about TNA "getting better" without putting down any evidence either.

 

I seem to remember the Jarretts claiming that Meltzer's figuers of TNA were "unreliable" and "blown out of proportion," meanwhile, they were totally unwilling to give us the cold hard numbers themselves. Is it worth mentioning that NWA-TNA usually gives their tickets away for free? Is it entirely out of question that they're just finding better places to give away free tickets?

 

"if only with the IWC, and he LOVES to push younger talent."

 

*groan* first off, if he's booking for the IWC, why does he insist on putting himself over as The Worst Booker of All Time? Is that supposed to make us internet wrestling fans interested in the show? It certainly didn't inspire such a reaction from me.

 

"Here's the guy who wrote all those horrible storylines that killed the promotion you used to love watching! Now watch him put himself over for three hours!!" - New NWA-TNA slogan?

 

As for "pushing the young talent" I guess having Killings burried and making fun of Red's size is encouraging upward mobility in TNA? Pushing Rhodes, Konan, Koloff, Jarrett and the Road Wariors is giving the young guys a chance?

 

Of course, this is the same guy who "pushed" Kidman against Hogan, and look at the star he made out of him.

 

"So, Ricky, you basically just admitted to only watching one show with Russo on it, and reading recaps of the rest."

 

Nah, I saw Russo's "suprise return" and I saw him put himself over Killings, too. I think Vince Russo books for Vince Russo, and since I don't fall under that category, I think it's pointless for me to support a product that isn't aimed at my demographic.

 

Of course, that doesn't stop me from reading the reports and getting a good laugh or two.

 

"I'm not defending TNA recently, because it has been really awful compared to what it used to be match-wise (and don't start on the entire "their matches were shitty" route, because it's OPINION)..."

 

Well, this entire post has been my opinion. My reaction to Red, Styles, Ki, Daniels, ect was similar to many others: I found them all nifty at first, but quickly found out that their "act" was the same every week and that after the spots lost their wow factor, the wrestling itself was sub-standard and uninteresting.

 

"...but the storylines are progressing, and almost all of the individual workers (involved even SLIGHTLY in the SEX/TNA angle) have a purpose."

 

Yes, and that purpose seems to be making Russo look good. I'd prefer they just stick to wrestling, thank you very much.

[Guest nikowwf]

Better suited for TNA? Will get a better push in TNA? Because unless they are going to be fired or need the time off, I don't think any superstar is better off in NWA/TNA due to the pay scale. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the lower end WWE guys and the TOP Guy in NWA/TNA are probably close to the same payrange. And don't quote me Shamrock or Hall who they used once every 2 weeks and now not at all.

 

niko

[King Cucaracha 0]

What is this, the bash the NWA:TNA thead?

 

As for the comment made by RickyChosyu...NWA does have enough wrestling...Lynn, Styles, Low Ki, Killings, Daniels, Kash, Red, Jarrett(when he's on his game), Saiki, Sanders to name but a few. NWA:TNA has as much potential talent as Raw IMO. Hell, at least Russo doesn't insist on stripping to his underwear every week *cough*Triple H*cough*. When was the last NWA:TNA posedown challenge? Hell, Jerry Lynn had a better year in NWA:TNA than RVD in comparison, and RVD's had quite a few World Title Shots. Personally, I agree with Bps...NWA does have the variety factor. Personally, I can handle the amount of Russo on the show cause you know Sanders will soon be on. Koloff vs Rhodes...I can handle that. Cause you know there's an X Division melee coming soon. For every Harris brothers match, there's a 5 times better Jerry Lynn match. Just thought I'd give a little plus opinion of NWA:TNA to counter all the naysayers amongst us.

[Guest nikowwf]

The question was WHO IS BETTER OFF IN NWA/TNA? I think if you asked the wrestlers if they'd like a 100% immediate release to go to NWA/TNA (where'd I assumed they'd want to be if they were better off and they should know best) how many would say yes?

 

niko

[Guest Brian]

Probably none.

[LooseCannon25 0]

Actually i agree with RickyChosyu.........Low Ki, Daniels, Red, Lynn, KAsh get a little too spotty for my taste and get somewhat boring after a while. What the hell has Mike Sanders ever proved IN THE RING...the guy can talk but he's no great wrestler IMO. Sonny Siaki is not a very good worker at all either. I think the X Title is on the least talented guy in the division, and that includes David Young........if they wanna turn it around build around their best guys.

 

I think the guys they should build around is Jarrett, Styles, Killings....see, thats only 3 guys. The X division guys with the excpetion of Styles arent legitimate heavyweight title threats. get rid of the old schoolers who shouldnt be wrestling anymore since 1989.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

"What is this, the bash the NWA:TNA thead?"

 

Appologies for this. In giving my feedback to bps21, I should have posted it in the "Feedback" folder, and even then this topic probably would have been moved to the TNA folder. But then, it's still here, so what can you do?

 

"NWA does have enough wrestling...Lynn, Styles, Low Ki, Killings, Daniels, Kash, Red, Jarrett(when he's on his game), Saiki, Sanders to name but a few."

 

Well, I already posted my thoughts on several of those workers, and the additional ones you included are (i) more of the same (Lynn, Kash, Saiki) or (ii) guys I got my fill of in WCW/WWF when it was free to see them (Sanders, Jarrett, ect). I'm glad you find them enjoyable, but I'm not going to sit through the Russo Show just to seem them, that's for damn sure.

 

"NWA:TNA has as much potential talent as Raw IMO."

 

And often times it actually has worse writing (yes, I realize that's insane). Not to mention that Raw is free.

 

"Hell, at least Russo doesn't insist on stripping to his underwear every week *cough*Triple H*cough*. When was the last NWA:TNA posedown challenge?"

 

I understand wrestling fans today have to play a "lesser of evils" game, but if the ballott reads A) "Watch a masturbatory HHH segment where he puts over his manliness," or B) "Watch a masturbatory Russo segment where he puts over his geniusness" I'll pick, C) "Fuck 'em both, time to go read."

 

"Hell, Jerry Lynn had a better year in NWA:TNA than RVD in comparison, and RVD's had quite a few World Title Shots."

 

All of Rob's title shots have occured against The Locker Room Leaders who were out solely to cut his legs off. Looks to me like they both succeeded, too.

 

"Personally, I agree with Bps...NWA does have the variety factor."

 

Still don't get this arguement. To me, you've got "shit, shit, and the occasional Spot Fest You've Seen Before," as a "variety" package. Like I said before, Rhodes/Koloff doesn't add variety for me because it's the variety of match that I usually avoid: crap from washed up guys no one cares about.

 

It's "different" from the usual Lynn/Styles spot-fest, but in a bad way. You can't go from a total spot fest to a Zybyzco shit-fest and not find the second one ten times worse in comparison.

 

"Shit, that SAT vs. Ki/Daniels/Styles match was BALLS OUT, man!!! Wait- Dusty Rhodes is next? And I'm STOKED for that Dusty match, too!!" -- Nobody that I know

 

"Personally, I can handle the amount of Russo on the show cause you know Sanders will soon be on."

 

And seeing Sanders be a mouthpiece for the S.E.X. faction is entertaining? I thought he had potential on the microphone, but if the corn meal has worms in it I don't give a fuck who's serving it to me, if you know what I mean.

 

"Koloff vs Rhodes...I can handle that. Cause you know there's an X Division melee coming soon."

 

What happens when those X-Division guys are put in the ring with Rhodes and "Mr. Wrestling" and expected to make something of it? It will be interesting to see just how "exceptional" Styles looks in the ring when he's stuck there with Zybyzco's frail ass and has to do his thing. I wouldn't hold my breath for the "Zybyzco gets Styles Clashed" moment if I were you.

 

"For every Harris brothers match, there's a 5 times better Jerry Lynn match."

 

But like I said, how is anyone supposed to find entertainment in a HariSS Bros. match when they've just watched a Lynn match? More importantly, how are people supposed to respond to Lynn when he gets nothing to work with and is booked as "Irrelevant" to the promotion during Russo's Invasion?

 

"Just thought I'd give a little plus opinion of NWA:TNA to counter all the naysayers amongst us."

 

Hey, I'm glad you stepped up and offered your opinion. Unfortunately it seems that many TNA fans I run into on the internet are Russo Appologists who seem convinced that he can walk on water and has never done a wrong in his life.

 

Meanwhile, the crowds (many of them filled with free tickets holders) chant "Your Writing Sucks." Power to the people.

[Guest El Satanico]

the Styles vs. Zybysco match wasn't a bad match at all, so unless you saw it don't bitch about it.