Direction on Spike, New Talent Signed, etc.

[TNABaddboi 0]

Obviously the biggest TNA news is Jeff Jarrett winning the NWA title last night in Windsor, Ontario which isn't going over as a major positive to online fans. I guess everyone knew this was coming, but it still took the winds out of a lot of sails coming off the strong Unbreakable PPV. I hope they have a thought out plan for this, because they need to maximize everything they can during their early weeks on Spike TV. There is talk internally that both Dixie Carter and Spike TV officials want to heavily push the X-Division (which has been used in the majority of the TNA commercials on Spike), so if they can present both divisions as equals with heavy competition, it won't be the negative a lot of people are decrying the move as. If Jarrett is bashing people with guitars week in and week out to close the show while the X-Division is relegated to four minutes matches, Houston we have a problem.

 

A number of people expect the former Dudley Boyz to be coming in by the first Spike TV taping on 9/27. In my opinion, they would be the biggest assets the company could bring in as their strengths are making the teams they are in the ring with mean more and come out as stronger names and performers. There are a number of teams in the company that are good that could use that extra edge, so I see that acquisition as a major positive. The former Dudleys also recently agreed to terms with All Japan Pro Wrestling as well and are scheduled to debut there on 9/30 in Tokyo.

 

It is also believed Austin Aries and Roderick Strong, based on the strength of their match at Unbreakable, are about to be (or have been) offered TNA deals.

 

Ray Lloyd (aka Glacier in WCW) is no longer working backstage as he has taken a full-time teaching position. Lloyd had most recently been working the gorilla position at live events alongside Jerry Jarrett and Scott D'Amore. Tim Welch replaced Lloyd in those positions at Unbreakable.

 

Simon Diamond, Sonjay Dutt, and Shark Boy leave on Monday for a promotional trip to India, which is being arranged by ESPN STAR, who air TNA in the Middle East. TNA would be well advised to use the footage to treat Dutt and TNA as major international deals.

 

I hope the Dudleys do debut on the first show. TNA desperately needs a "Lex Luger" for that show, someone fans will instantly recognize and be excited to see. And I agree that they should use the footage to push Dutt as an international star and themselves as a worldwide company. With the title change in Canada and this, the set-up is perfect for that. Thoughts?

[Carnival 0]

I think the Duds could be that recognizable star(s) they need for the first show.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Exactly...and remember, Lex was doing jack shit on WWF TV in 95 (not a predicted Rumble winner, easily eliminated, jobbing w/ Bulldog to Mo & Mabel, Yoko & Owen in short matches).

 

It was just cool to see "anything can happen!" type aspect.

[TNABaddboi 0]

Exactly...and remember, Lex was doing jack shit on WWF TV in 95 (not a predicted Rumble winner, easily eliminated, jobbing w/ Bulldog to Mo & Mabel, Yoko & Owen in short matches).

It was just cool to see "anything can happen!" type aspect.

 

I agree...despite the show's being canned, they still need to work to create the anything can happen vibe. That vibe was huge for Nitro in 95 and huge for Raw in 98. At some point in the he first show, they should show footage of the change and JJ and AMW in the ring gloating. The Duds show up and hit the 3D on one of AMW and are chased off by security. Tenay and West wonder what they were doing there the rest of the show. From there, they can debut their new gimmick and feud with AMW, because I'm sure the Naturals are dropping the straps on the first show. I think the Duds are perfect for that Lex Luger roll, b/c they weren't "fired," so net fans won't be as quick throw them into the "WWE rejects" category and casual fans don't know anything that happened, they just know the Duds used to be on WWE, and here they are showing up on this new show, so it must be a big deal, a la Luger on Nitro. Like Luger, it helps that they were pushed heavily at one time in front of a big audience, unlike say Rhino, who was 4 years removed from receiving a substantial push. Luger was a year removed from main evented WM, and the Duds were one of the dominant tag teams after the NAO run.

[2GOLD 0]

Maybe JJ was just given the title at a house show so they could run a "JJ vs (Blank)" world title match and title change for the first IMPACT taping?

 

Perhaps a rematch with Raven.

That way you give a fans a "on any given night, the title can change hands...unlike the WWE where it only changes on PPV" feel. I still say the main thing that hurts the WWE is they do not do the RAW title changes anymore. Having one on the first taping would be nice. Doubt it happens, but it would be nice.

[Ripper 0]

You know what TNA should do before they get the national show? Get a Color guy that doesn't sound like a indy guy. Tenay is great, but dammit, Don West is just horrible. Go find Syrus, or hell, put Shane Douglas back behind the booth, but please for the love of god, you don't need some guy screaming this is the greatest wrestling match ever performed every week.

[Carnival 0]

That way you give a fans a "on any given night, the title can change hands...unlike the WWE where it only changes on PPV" feel. I still say the main thing that hurts the WWE is they do not do the RAW title changes anymore. Having one on the first taping would be nice. Doubt it happens, but it would be nice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I agree with you on this so much I want to make out with you! I've been swearing by that for a couple years now.

 

Don West is poop. I used to like him cuz he was so bad he was funny. But now he is just annoying. but man he can SELL SELL SELL.

[Ripper 0]

There should be a title change before the first PPV, but not on the first show. You need to establish the champions and let the audience know that yes, this is the champion THEN have him lose to build that excitement of it.

 

For some reason I think if you start belt swaping on the first night, it makes it seem as though the belt is no big deal...unless Nash wins it. THen that would be okay.

[Magus 0]

Maybe JJ was just given the title at a house show so they could run a "JJ vs (Blank)" world title match and title change for the first IMPACT taping?

 

Perhaps a rematch with Raven.

That way you give a fans a "on any given night, the title can change hands...unlike the WWE where it only changes on PPV" feel. I still say the main thing that hurts the WWE is they do not do the RAW title changes anymore. Having one on the first taping would be nice. Doubt it happens, but it would be nice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

If TNA is smart, this is what they'll do. They HAVE to know that having JJ on top isn't good for the company, even if he sells a lot of action figures and casual fans might recognize him. He just shouldn't be there.

[The Decemberists 0]

Considering TNA do tend to take notice of what the internet fans think and want, e.g. bringing in ROH talent, pushing X Division matches as PPV main events etc, surely JJ won't be champ for *that* long will he?

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

Considering TNA do tend to take notice of what the internet fans think and want, e.g. bringing in ROH talent, pushing X Division matches as PPV main events etc, surely JJ won't be champ for *that* long will he?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess there's always the chance he'll get hit by an asteroid,

[Vyce 0]

I just pray that, somehow, their recent firing will have lit a fire under the Dudleys, and they'll have found something to make their act not the same, stale routine they've been doing for the past five years (or more). Maybe working in All Japan will do it. Maybe getting head-dropped a few times by Kojima or somebody there will knock the passion back into them again.