Column @ PW Torch

[BruiserKC 0]

I give credit to PWTorch.com for this article...which caught my eye and rubbed me the wrong way.

 

 

The Specialists

 

 

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SPECIALIST - TNA: Time to score points by addressing the Jim Ross situation on Impact

By Paul Madavi, Torch Team Contributor

Oct 14, 2005, 08:18

 

Point The Finger

 

TNA has a reputation as a talent friendly organization. The TNA locker-room is said to be one of the happiest, lacking many of the political machinations often associated with wrestling promotions. In fact, one of the best things TNA has going for them currently is that they’re refreshing environment to be in for wrestlers, and pro wrestling industry workers in general. There’s no ridiculous schedule. There’s no constant driving back and forth to arenas all over the country. Wrestlers are allowed to work their respective styles. And, perhaps most importantly, there are no on air “firings” of individuals who have given their lives to the business. There are no nut shots for company men who have literally worked themselves sick. In a business where it is seldom given even to the deserving, respect exists in TNA. They should say as much.

 

Next Saturday, I would like nothing more than to have Mike Tenay kick off Impact, stand in the middle of that six sided gem of canvas and cable, look the camera square in its bulbous glass eye, and speak the truth about what happened to Jim Ross. Ross, who was demoted from calling TV matches for the other company, who became inflicted with Bells Palsy from the strain of his work and had it resurface twice while he was on the job, who is widely considered the best at what he does, was removed from his position, in one of the most vile, crass ways possible. Mike Tenay should say as much.

 

Ross, who spent years and years putting over the other company’s stars and product, who never missed shows, who took part in angles that humiliated him on TV, who took taunts from his employer through his telecasting partner’s mouth on live TV, who did it all for the love of the job and the fans, was sent off the air, not with a warm farewell, streamers, and the deserving adulation of the fans and wrestlers. He was sent off the air on his knees, when he should have been lifted upon shoulders. Mike Tenay should say as much.

 

Ross, who was tossed in the mud like pearls before swine, who was fired more than once, who can call a match like no other, who will no longer have a contract in roughly one year’s time, who so sorely deserves respect as the best at his job, would be most welcome in TNA. There would be no jokes about his face, a reminder of his dedication to the business. There would be no call to humiliate him on TV. There would be the honor and respect owed a person after 30 years of work in the business, after accolades upon accolades of excellence. There would be always a prominent position for Jim Ross in TNA. And Mike Tenay should look right into that camera, look every last viewer right in the eye, and promise as much.

 

TNA must point the finger. They need to call out the other company on their inability to do what’s right for their employees, for the fans, and for their business. They need to let everyone know they are different than the other company. They respect their wrestlers and staff. They respect their fans and want the best for them. They know the fans love Jim Ross. They want Jim Ross because he’s the best announcer there is. They want Jim Ross because TNA is the future of wrestling, and Ross needs to be a part of that. TNA needs to point the finger at the other company, because they need to let everyone know just how different they are from them.

 

It’s not just business. It’s the right the thing to do, for someone who has been wronged so often.

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Maybe it just seems that most reporters at the news websites have a vendetta against the WWE and anything Vince-related. They want TNA to succeed so we have an alternative or something that puts WWE out of biz. (I know the latter ain't happening anytime soon but I'm sure a lot of the IWC would cheer if it happened).

 

So why after only two weeks on the air with Spike they want to give Vince an excuse to put TNA squarely in his sights. Yes, TNA has put on some solid shows the first couple of weeks and after watching the tape of yesterday's show as I lay sick here with stomach flu they seem to have an idea of what the fans want. That being said, three weeks is too damn soon to put TNA into a ratings battle with the WWE, especially since Vince has destroyed all other competition in his path over the last 20 years. In their quest to put something right up against Vince, they might do more damage to TNA than good.

[dubq 0]

Whoever wrote this article is a fucking retard. Why would TNA reference an on-air WWE work/angle?

[Guest Desperate Housewife]

I've said it before and will say it again. WWE should threaten a lawsuit everytime TNA so much as references WWE, which Tenay does - A lot.

[Placebo Effect 0]

Whoever wrote this article is a fucking retard. Why would TNA reference an on-air WWE work/angle?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

.

[DangerousDamon 0]

I've said it before and will say it again. WWE should threaten a lawsuit everytime TNA so much as references WWE, which Tenay does - A lot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Why?

[Guest MikeSC]

Ross has ASKED to have his duties lightened, from all I've ever gathered. The man does an insane amount of work. And this moron acts as if Ross has actually been fired, and not (as has been universally reported) will just do things besides RAW.

 

The Torch is written by idiots.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Yeah, cause it's not like the WWE offered Mike Goldberg a big-money contract to be their announcer plus a signing bonus if he would work the 10/3 Homecoming show.

 

...Or for the WWE to fire JR and then try to work it into a storyline.

 

But the guys at the Torch are idiots. The WWE is trying to rework it in their favour and are bound to bring JR back within the next few months. Any heat from TNA would be aiding in the angle. Any praise for JR would just put more excitement/joy in his return. They'd be better off making fun of the WWE than taking them seriously.

[Guest MikeSC]

You don't actually buy that they fired Ross, do you? Good God, it wasn't even that well done an angle.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

WWE is trying to rework it in their favour and are bound to bring JR back within the next few months

 

The WWE had every intention of getting rid of Ross from the announce position. Why else would they do all that stuff with Mike Goldberg? The WWE wanted Goldberg calling the action on the Homecoming show, that wasn't a work. That's straight from Mike Goldberg. That they've made this into an angle since the negotiations fell through doesn't mean that it wasn't actually going to happen, nor does it erase what happened. It's damage control. The very fact that you think it's an angle means it worked.

 

But the facts remain, Goldberg was offered a contract to take Rosses place. That contract was a long-term deal that would have made Goldberg a millionaire. The WWE has a history of firing JR and trying to replace him. The WWE also has a history of incorporating JR's firing (and rehiring) into an angle. None of what I've just said has anything to do with what they've done on-screen or on their website in the past few weeks. And the angle wasn't very good at all.

 

I am wondering what other duties JR has, though.

[Guest *KNK*]

WWE is trying to rework it in their favour and are bound to bring JR back within the next few months

 

 

I am wondering what other duties JR has, though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm guessing he's still working in regards to talent relations. I.E scouting and such.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Not from what I've heard. He's been a few years removed from his position as VP of Talent. The scouts are much lower-level guys like Tommy Dreamer. The closest JR comes to talent relations is talking about various guys in his Ross reports and dropping hints that indy workers should start perfecting their tag work. On the side he does football announcing and maybe is still involved in his BBQ sauce business. That, and working on WWE.com are about it, from what I can see.

[Guest MikeSC]

RRR, if Ross was "fired", rest assured, he wouldn't have played along with the on-air angle. They've wanted to shake up RAW for a while since the announcing is terrible.

 

But, apparently, Ross has been great recently. Just like the Duds, absence is apparently making hearts grow fonder.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Whether they would have outright fired JR -as in, removing him from the payroll- or not, we'll never know unless they don't bring him back at all. Rumour was they were going to keep him on WWE.com. But they were going to remove him from the announce position.

 

JR would have played along if they intended on firing him, though. The dude knows the politics of the situation, the dude has done anything and everything for the company. They've fired him twice already and brought him back, so he knows there's opportunity for him in the future if he doesn't burn bridges.

 

WWE could care less about the quality of announcing, though. The announcers they've hired over the past 10 years is indicative of that. Getting rid of JR wasn't a quality issue.

[Guest MikeSC]

Whoa. Jesus, how many times have I heard about how "shitty" JR is? That's been a mantra around these parts for a long, long time.

 

They've been discussing taking Ross off of RAW for YEARS. This isn't a new thing. Ross is getting older and there is a really good chance he wants to step down, whether he likes his job or not.

 

If JR was "fired" or even "demoted" to any degree, do you think it would've been broken by the friggin' Torch?

[Guest Desperate Housewife]

I've said it before and will say it again. WWE should threaten a lawsuit everytime TNA so much as references WWE, which Tenay does - A lot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Why?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Because he's a hack. "Ha Ha, in the last six months Rhyno has Gored Edge..blah blah can't remember the rest"

[Astro101 0]

What Tenay did there was build up Rhyno, saying he gored JBL, Edge, and others recently before his debut in TNA. I see nothing wrong in that. I guess WWE should sue now because TNA had that guestbook in the funeral home on the last show?

[Guest MikeSC]

It was just really, really lame.

[geniusMoment 0]

That guy does not actually write for the torch. The specialists are just readers who can write an opinion essay for the site.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

Heaven forbid a company hype their wrestler. Then I guess WCW would have been in the right to sue Vince because The Rock talked about the Jericho/Juvi feud when Jericho debuted? Exactly.

 

As long as you aren't using trademarked materials for profit, or slandering another, you can't sue. There's next to nothing that WWE could sue TNA over, and even the things they possibly could? Other companies could most likely sue WWE because they used it first, or individuals could sue WWE because they were the first to do it, etc. etc.

[Guest MikeSC]

Those companies and individuals, almost universally, don't have any legal documentation protecting their work.

[Guest Rubin]

I give credit to PWTorch.com for this article...which caught my eye and rubbed me the wrong way.

 

 

The Specialists

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIALIST - TNA: Time to score points by addressing the Jim Ross situation on Impact

By Paul Madavi, Torch Team Contributor

Oct 14, 2005, 08:18

 

Point The Finger

 

TNA has a reputation as a talent friendly organization. The TNA locker-room is said to be one of the happiest, lacking many of the political machinations often associated with wrestling promotions. In fact, one of the best things TNA has going for them currently is that they’re refreshing environment to be in for wrestlers, and pro wrestling industry workers in general. There’s no ridiculous schedule. There’s no constant driving back and forth to arenas all over the country. Wrestlers are allowed to work their respective styles. And, perhaps most importantly, there are no on air “firings” of individuals who have given their lives to the business. There are no nut shots for company men who have literally worked themselves sick. In a business where it is seldom given even to the deserving, respect exists in TNA. They should say as much.

 

Next Saturday, I would like nothing more than to have Mike Tenay kick off Impact, stand in the middle of that six sided gem of canvas and cable, look the camera square in its bulbous glass eye, and speak the truth about what happened to Jim Ross. Ross, who was demoted from calling TV matches for the other company, who became inflicted with Bells Palsy from the strain of his work and had it resurface twice while he was on the job, who is widely considered the best at what he does, was removed from his position, in one of the most vile, crass ways possible. Mike Tenay should say as much.

 

Ross, who spent years and years putting over the other company’s stars and product, who never missed shows, who took part in angles that humiliated him on TV, who took taunts from his employer through his telecasting partner’s mouth on live TV, who did it all for the love of the job and the fans, was sent off the air, not with a warm farewell, streamers, and the deserving adulation of the fans and wrestlers. He was sent off the air on his knees, when he should have been lifted upon shoulders. Mike Tenay should say as much.

 

Ross, who was tossed in the mud like pearls before swine, who was fired more than once, who can call a match like no other, who will no longer have a contract in roughly one year’s time, who so sorely deserves respect as the best at his job, would be most welcome in TNA. There would be no jokes about his face, a reminder of his dedication to the business. There would be no call to humiliate him on TV. There would be the honor and respect owed a person after 30 years of work in the business, after accolades upon accolades of excellence. There would be always a prominent position for Jim Ross in TNA. And Mike Tenay should look right into that camera, look every last viewer right in the eye, and promise as much.

 

TNA must point the finger. They need to call out the other company on their inability to do what’s right for their employees, for the fans, and for their business. They need to let everyone know they are different than the other company. They respect their wrestlers and staff. They respect their fans and want the best for them. They know the fans love Jim Ross. They want Jim Ross because he’s the best announcer there is. They want Jim Ross because TNA is the future of wrestling, and Ross needs to be a part of that. TNA needs to point the finger at the other company, because they need to let everyone know just how different they are from them.

 

It’s not just business. It’s the right the thing to do, for someone who has been wronged so often.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Maybe it just seems that most reporters at the news websites have a vendetta against the WWE and anything Vince-related.  They want TNA to succeed so we have an alternative or something that puts WWE out of biz.  (I know the latter ain't happening anytime soon but I'm sure a lot of the IWC would cheer if it happened). 

 

So why after only two weeks on the air with Spike they want to give Vince an excuse to put TNA squarely in his sights.  Yes, TNA has put on some solid shows the first couple of weeks and after watching the tape of yesterday's show as I lay sick here with stomach flu they seem to have an idea of what the fans want.  That being said, three weeks is too damn soon to put TNA into a ratings battle with the WWE, especially since Vince has destroyed all other competition in his path over the last 20 years.  In their quest to put something right up against Vince, they might do more damage to TNA than good.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You are a very accurate in saying that these reporters at the news sites have a vedetta against Vince and WWE. Quite honestly, I think they're all a bunch of douche bags.

 

Regarding the Torch, they're probably the worse when it comes to news quality and accuracy. They spend much more time sucking up to TNA and crying about Matt Hardy choosing to return to WWE instead of signing with TNA than they do in actually reporting news.

 

Pwinsider? Horrible! Anybody who reads that site can see that they are always aligned with WWE enemy promotions like TNA, ROH and Hardocre Homecoming. They are alwasy talking about WWE in a negative tone and make all these snide remarks. Sure, there's a lot to complain about when it comes to WWE, but the way they do it comes off as being more personal. You tell that they have an agends and that is to be biased against WWE and be in favor of their enemies.

 

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have really been getting annoying in recent months, especially once UFC had that Monday night special and TNA started on Spike TV. Suposedly they are the best nad most trustworthy, yet they too are slanted in favor of one side and against another. With the UFC they are very similar as to how Bob Ryder is with whatever promotions employ him. The way Meltzer and Alvarez ride on TNA's jock is so f'n annoying. They go around overhyping everything TNA does and putting as positive of a spin as they can on their numbers, while turning up the volume on their negativity towards WWE. In the past Meltzer and Alvarez seemed to predict doom and gloom for TNA every week. In recent months they've been singing a different tune and a lot probably has to do with their boy Mike Tenay being on the booking committee.

[geniusMoment 0]

Copyright laws do not stop you from speaking of, or criticizing a published work of any kind. This is why there are negative reviews of movies and such in papers. Also, you are allowed to actually take parts of said work, and show what you are criticizing, as long as you do not show the reader "the heart of the work", ruining the outcome and costing the copyright owner money. TNA has every legal right to criticize and talk about ongoing WWE angles, trust me, if movie companies could sue talk shows for talking about "bad movies" they would.

 

Corey, it does not matter if you are using copyrighted materials for profit. Even if you are using the materials as a teaching tool, you can still be sued, as you are costing the copyright owner potential money. That is why teachers cannot print NY Times articles for class discussions, as the NY Times will not even grant teachers permission to do that, even though the teacher is not making any money off the articles.

 

Also, just so you guys know, parody is totally protected, legally speaking. TNA could have two guys come out dressed exactly like the Dudley Boyz, call them the Dudley Boyz, and totally rip them apart. Hell, they could have Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler call it, as long as it was a parody. This is why SNL can do anything. This is why Jerry Falwell lost his lawsuit against Hustler, after Hustler printed a fake ad, in which they had Falwell talking about his "first time".

 

That is what studying for the LSAT 8 hours a day all summer got me.

[Fökai 0]

Also, just so you guys know, parody is totally protected, legally speaking.  TNA could have two guys come out dressed exactly like the Dudley Boyz, call them the Dudley Boyz, and totally rip them apart.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well, Bubba and D'Von have been a parody of themselves for the past half-decade - does that mean they could still use the Dudley Boys name?

 

[King Cucaracha 0]

TNA could have two guys come out dressed exactly like the Dudley Boyz, call them the Dudley Boyz, and totally rip them apart.

 

Then, why did the WWE have to call Hogan and Savage "The Huckster" and "The Nacho Man" in the Billionaire Ted skits? Or "Scheme Gene"?

[Fökai 0]

TNA could have two guys come out dressed exactly like the Dudley Boyz, call them the Dudley Boyz, and totally rip them apart.

 

Then, why did the WWE have to call Hogan and Savage "The Huckster" and "The Nacho Man" in the Billionaire Ted skits? Or "Scheme Gene"?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

They didn't. The names were part of the parody.

[dubq 0]

I've said it before and will say it again. WWE should threaten a lawsuit everytime TNA so much as references WWE, which Tenay does - A lot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You cannot sue someone for making a reference, you idiot.

[RedJed 0]

You are a very accurate in saying that these reporters at the news sites have a vedetta against Vince and WWE. Quite honestly, I think they're all a bunch of douche bags.

 

Regarding the Torch, they're probably the worse when it comes to news quality  and accuracy. They spend much more time sucking up to TNA and crying about Matt Hardy choosing to return to WWE instead of signing with TNA than they do in actually reporting news.

 

Pwinsider? Horrible! Anybody who reads that site can see that they are always aligned with WWE enemy promotions like TNA, ROH and Hardocre Homecoming. They are alwasy talking about WWE in a negative tone and make all these snide remarks. Sure, there's a lot to complain about when it comes to WWE, but the way they do it comes off as being more personal. You tell that they have an agends and that is to be biased against WWE and be in favor of their enemies.

 

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez have really been getting annoying in recent months, especially once UFC had that Monday night special and TNA started on Spike TV. Suposedly they are the best nad most trustworthy, yet they too are slanted in favor of one side and against another. With the UFC they are very similar as to how Bob Ryder is with whatever promotions employ him. The way Meltzer and Alvarez ride on TNA's jock is so f'n  annoying. They go around overhyping everything TNA does and putting as positive of a spin as they can on their numbers, while turning up the volume on their negativity towards WWE. In the past Meltzer and Alvarez seemed to predict doom and gloom for TNA every week. In recent months they've been singing a different tune and a lot probably has to do with their boy Mike Tenay being on the booking committee.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I dont think anyone really has a vendetta against WWE particularly, as this is a bad representation of the Torch site. While I think the Torch could do much better, to say they "suck up" to TNA is illogical and unwarranted. I guess you can't say anything positive about either WWE or TNA without being categorized "biased" by your view?

 

If you really think that about the Observer, you must not even subscribe to the newsletter. That's not even close to how they represent the coverage of the promotion.

 

So I guess everyone sucks huh?

 

Oh by the way though, TNA would be absolutely stupid to even mention Jim Ross' name in passing, unless they are in the midst of signing him at a later date.

[hyperchord24 0]

They shouldn't address the WWE in any way, shape or form. This is why: No one in the WCW mentioned the WWE and vice versa back in the day. When you watch a commercial and it compares its product with "brand x," and not any specific brand.

 

While a lawsuit could occur in you do mention the competition, esp. in a slanderous manner, the one reason why they don't is because it's free advertising.

 

Think about it. When someone is selling a product, they don't even want you to know what other competition is out there. That way, they can be sure you'll buy their product (obviously, in the real world, it doesn't always happen like that). But in TNA's case, if they address the JR situation, refering to him by name, they've effectively given the WWE free advertising, which on TV is free money. Think about it.

[Bruce Blank 0]

What Tenay did there was build up Rhyno, saying he gored JBL, Edge, and others recently before his debut in TNA. I see nothing wrong in that. I guess WWE should sue now because TNA had that guestbook in the funeral home on the last show?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did he mention the flower pot??

 

and no they could not have someone come out called the Dudley Boys dressing like they did in the WWE

 

cause that's a WWE trademark, no more than WCW could have Scott Hall come out as Razor Ramon all those years ago

 

They could come out and mock them, not be called "the Dudley Boyz" straight up and parody them yes (Like the Huckster and Nacho Man) but they cannot use another company's trademark to promote their own show

 

They can't call Rhino for "Rhyno" but they can refer to the Gore and who he's hit - not without opening themselves up to a potential lawsuit

 

As for the article - Yeah Ross was really fired *rolls eyes* get ever so real and why the hell should TNA even acknowledge WWE angles? THey didn't sell the "Matt Hardy is a renegade" angle - so why this?

 

lame article

[Guest Coffey]

I'm not understanding why everyone thought the WWE shit with Jim Ross wasn't a work. Even Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara.