Magus 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 - 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 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 I really wish TNA would smarten up about which international promotions they deal with. All Japan sends shitty wrestlers. AAA sends shitty wrestlers. What the FUCK... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 17, 2004 Man, if Gunn can make as much money as Raven, then indy fans really DON'T have a ton of discerning taste. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 I really wish TNA would smarten up about which international promotions they deal with. All Japan sends shitty wrestlers. AAA sends shitty wrestlers. What the FUCK... With all due respect, AAA actually has pretty much sent TNA their best wrestlers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magus 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 I really wish TNA would smarten up about which international promotions they deal with. All Japan sends shitty wrestlers. AAA sends shitty wrestlers. What the FUCK... 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo Effect 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 Man, if Gunn can make as much money as Raven, then indy fans really DON'T have a ton of discerning taste. -=Mike Well, there are two divisions of indy shows. There are the smark friendly shows, which, of course, are the ones that get tons of coverage here. On the other side of things is the family friendly circuit, which typically consists of washed up wrestlers (Honky Tonk, Iron Sheik, Buff Bagwell). These shows often draw really well all across the country thanks to families coming. Billy Gunn is fucking crazy to think that TNA will book him for any longer than two months. I doubt they'll even bring Gunn in to feud with Jarrett, and if they do, it'll be him (rightfully) jobbing relatively quickly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 17, 2004 Man, if Gunn can make as much money as Raven, then indy fans really DON'T have a ton of discerning taste. -=Mike Well, there are two divisions of indy shows. There are the smark friendly shows, which, of course, are the ones that get tons of coverage here. On the other side of things is the family friendly circuit, which typically consists of washed up wrestlers (Honky Tonk, Iron Sheik, Buff Bagwell). These shows often draw really well all across the country thanks to families coming. Billy Gunn is fucking crazy to think that TNA will book him for any longer than two months. I doubt they'll even bring Gunn in to feud with Jarrett, and if they do, it'll be him (rightfully) jobbing relatively quickly. Odds are --- and hopefully --- you're correct. But my faith in JJ's booking has been mightily diminished. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 I really wish TNA would smarten up about which international promotions they deal with. All Japan sends shitty wrestlers. AAA sends shitty wrestlers. What the FUCK... 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. You're preaching to the choir here - I've advocated that TNA form some sort of relationship with CMLL for a while (pretty much ever since my cable company FINALLY started picking up Galavision, and I can get my weekly Lucha Libre weekend blocks). There are a ton of CMLL guys who'd work well in TNA. Way I see it, Garza & Juvi are the best AAA have to offer, and I do think they're good guys to have on hand. Outside of that, AAA doesn't have much. Aguila is pretty decent - when he wants to be, which isn't all the time. Lation Lover seems to have good charisma, but if TNA ever used him it would likely be with the X-Division, and I don't think he'd really fit there. You know - I'd really love to see TNA get Rocky Romero, Puma Kid, and Bobby "Rocko" Quance. Hire all the Havana Bros.! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 TNA and AAA could also start promoting joint shows in Los Angeles and San Diego. This is the most interesting newsbit here to me. Could this be the start of the TNA touring plan? I've read alot about them going to Pittsburgh and perhaps Buffalo, but I haven't heard much about the west coast. Very interesting here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheJewof2001 Report post Posted July 17, 2004 This is the Torch, so God knows if it's true or not. I've never been a fan of AAA, but if it helps TNA out I say more power to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Coffey Report post Posted July 17, 2004 I don't really like the relationship with AAA either. Garza? Eh, he's never impressed me. Guerra? Yeah, he can go, when he wants too, but his "backstage problems" don't seem to be worth it. Everyone else, like Aguila, Negro, Metal, they're terrible. Seriously, they're terrible. Like Nosawa terrible. If TNAW starts touring, that's a good thing. It'll give the current crowd time to...want to see the shows again. It'll give them a break. Plus it'll bring the product to new people, so they should be hot. Billy Gunn coming in? Eh...can TNAW use the New Age Outlaws name? If so, then it would be OK, I guess. Another team in the Tag Scene wouldn't be bad. AMW & The Naturals are both going to need someone new to feud with...XXX too. Four teams is better than three. As long as he doesn't come in and try to fly solo while chasing gold, it should be OK. Alex Shelley should be lucky to be on TV, not complaining about a name that was given to him. Whatever. He's getting somewhat of a shot, so I don't think a shitty nickname would discourage me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magus 0 Report post Posted July 18, 2004 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Billy Gunn in TNA for ONE reason: To help put over the tag teams. Think about it, Gunn and James, one of the "greatest" tag teams in wrestling history against AMW, the greatest tag team of the TNA era. Or against the Naturals. They could help the teams develop in the ring and in the eyes of the fans. Just my thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 I agree. NAO is the only time James or Gunn have been over, and they were actually over huge. I think a lot could be done angle-wise if Gunn came to TNA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dynamite Kido Report post Posted July 20, 2004 I agree. NAO is the only time James or Gunn have been over, and they were actually over huge. I think a lot could be done angle-wise if Gunn came to TNA. They were over, I'd agree 100%........but they are and were both terrible in the ring. Billy would be of no service to TNA whatsoever......he should just give up instead of trying to jock for position in a company where he isn't even able to wrestle in...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 BUT, if they could get over like that again, don't you think it would be a huge boost for buy-rates? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 Yeah, but they couldn't use the NAO name, so THAT might cause a problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dynamite Kido Report post Posted July 20, 2004 BUT, if they could get over like that again, don't you think it would be a huge boost for buy-rates? NO. Honestly, I really doubt if there is any stunt or "bring (insert wrestler here) in" would ever spark ratings. They have to realize that as a company they are going to have to have a great product to do that........and they are going to have to be good for a consistant long time period. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 BUT, if they could get over like that again, don't you think it would be a huge boost for buy-rates? NO. Honestly, I really doubt if there is any stunt or "bring (insert wrestler here) in" would ever spark ratings. They have to realize that as a company they are going to have to have a great product to do that........and they are going to have to be good for a consistant long time period. And use IMPACT to build up their PPV's. I seriously hate how they announce the PPV matches in the commercials throughout the show. I would prefer they pretend to make the card up as IMPACT goes along. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 I think there are several guys who could boost ratings, but you are right. TNA cannot afford to go that route. They must produce. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 20, 2004 BUT, if they could get over like that again, don't you think it would be a huge boost for buy-rates? WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBigSwigg 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 BUT, if they could get over like that again, don't you think it would be a huge boost for buy-rates? WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike I wouldn't say Gunn is terrible, just bad. He's had potential, but his lack of ability to work anything other than the NAO Billy Gunn has ruined him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike Hogan. Every time he comes back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 20, 2004 WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike Hogan. Every time he comes back. But he doesn't draw. And the NAO NEVER really drew. Plus, and let's be honest, they were exceptionally horrible. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 That wasn't the question. And yes, they suck. In my opinion, though, no worse than Hogan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dynamite Kido Report post Posted July 20, 2004 WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike Hogan. Every time he comes back. But he doesn't draw. And the NAO NEVER really drew. Plus, and let's be honest, they were exceptionally horrible. -=Mike Mike I agree that NAO never drew....but HOGAN???? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 "Draw" is a relative term anyway. Did NAO draw 78,000 to WMIII? No, but if they drew 3,000 that would be a huge draw for TNA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted July 20, 2004 WMD, how often do terrible workers manage to "recapture" heat? An NAO reunion would get as much heat as Koloff's return to the NWA in 1988. -=Mike Hogan. Every time he comes back. But he doesn't draw. And the NAO NEVER really drew. Plus, and let's be honest, they were exceptionally horrible. -=Mike Mike I agree that NAO never drew....but HOGAN???? DK, Hogan hasn't drawn since 1997. I know I cannot name a company who saw increased ratings, attendance, or buyrates with him. -=Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TNABaddboi 0 Report post Posted July 20, 2004 DK, Hogan hasn't drawn since 1997. I know I cannot name a company who saw increased ratings, attendance, or buyrates with him. Mike, I think that's the point. Nobody is saying Hogan has drawn flies in recent years, but even in 1997, most pundits thought he was past his prime as it was well after his huge run on top (83-91). Even when he first jumped to WCW, he didn't spark much interest right away. But he was able to recapture his heat in late 96 all the way up until he didn't put over Sting at Starrcade 97. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest whitemilesdavis Report post Posted July 20, 2004 If the question is did he recapture heat? He was still getting heat with the Mr. America angle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
