Wrestling's Fact or Fiction: All NWA-TNA Edition
Submitted by Phantom Lord on Sunday, November 7, 2004 at 4:55 PM EST
Greetings conversationalist’s all across the fruited plain, it is I your personal Harvester of Sorrow Phantom Lord and I welcome you back to another edition of the hottest column on the entire IWC…It’s time for Wrestling’s Fact or Fiction. Today it’s a scaled down version as it’s there’s only one other person joining me today and that’s my lovely boss from the NWA-TNA Official E-Fed and she is the writer of The XY Files in the LOP Columns forum…please welcome Tinaali.
Now it’s a special edition this week because tonight is a special night as we find out if the competition for the WWE truly has arrives as tonight it’s NWA-TNA’S Victory Road PPV and in honor of this we have decided to dedicate a F.O.F. strictly to NWA-TNA. Fear not a regular F.O.F. dealing with the mess that is the WWE will be up later this week, but for now it’s time for TNA. So with that in mind let’s get to the first question.
WWE are cutting costs because they see TNA as a real threat and they want money freed up to take top TNA talent
Phantom: I know the WWE sees any company on TV as a threat, but I don’t think they are on this firing spree because they want to grab up TNA wrestlers. This is Fiction, but then again it could be a Fact for all I know. Supposedly what Test was making, Vince says he can get 6 guys down in the Valley. Most of TNA’s top stars don’t need any seasoning but Vince would do something stupid like offer developmental deals to A.J. Styles or Christopher Daniels simply because they don’t have the right promo skills and they can’t sell a Big Boot from HEIDENRICH just right to make him look like gold.
Tinaali: I may be a total TNA mark but even I have to say FICTION here. TNA is not yet in a place to be a serious threat to the WWE. I believe that it is truly just a monetary decision on Vince’s part. Buyrates are up and down. House show sales are way down. Even the live events are having trouble selling out occasionally. This all cuts into their profits and Vince isn’t going to take a hit in his own bank account over it. He’d rather punish the wrestlers since he thinks he is infallible when it comes to making decisions. It has to be their fault- not his. Now I do believe that since TNA is finally doing monthly PPV’s and has a fairly mainstream TV deal that they are on Vince’s radar. I also believe that he will be contributing to their buyrates because I don’t see him not watching Victory Road. TNA isn’t a threat yet but he’d be a fool to keep driving his company down the highway without looking in the rearview mirror to see who’s tailing him.
TNA's buyrate will be successful because of Jeff Hardy's name recognition.
Tinaali: Please. Without a doubt this is FICTION. Hardy’s legion of screaming boys and girls may be strong but even he doesn’t have that many fans. They’ll have a decent buyrate but Hardy isn’t the deciding factor. He is only a contributor. Even though the smarks won’t admit it there are people who want to see Hall and Nash. The show’s success won’t hang on their shoulders either though. They will just be another contributor. That’s the beauty of this PPV and the reason why I see it being a success for TNA. They have just enough of everything to pull in different groups of people. We’ve got LA Park, Hector Garza and Psychosis for the people who miss getting a taste of luchadore style wrestling. We’ve got Spanky for all the screaming girls and the net fans who were pissed because of the way the WWE used him. We’ve also got a good selection of Indy guys that TNA uses or has recently signed like “Mr. 630” Jerrelle Clark, Mikey Batts, Jason Cross etc who have their own following. Trust me, Hardy is not making or breaking this PPV.
Phantom: Total Fiction. If this Buyrate is even halfway decent for TNA it will be because of all the big name talent they are brining in (And I use that very loosely) and internet promotion and a loyal fanbase and throw in people looking for something different. If Jeff Hardy’s legion of squealing fat chicks who comprise his fan base were really that huge, then the WWE would of never let him go. But if Hardy does win the title tonight, it will be a huge test to his drawing power come the next PPV to see how big he really is. But then again there’s no chance in hell Hardy is winning tonight with Jarrett and Mantel’s booking and a Hall and Nash Swerve seen coming a mile away.
Petey Williams vs. A.J. Styles will be the Overall Match of the Year for 2004
Phantom: I think I can safely say this is a FACT. Sure Benoit winning the title at WM 20 will be everyone’s sentimental favorite and Eddie vs. Kurt is a close second, but Williams vs. Styles is going to be a prime example of what Cruiserweight’s can do in the ring in a big money match. I mean Williams is a great mat wrestler. While he has speed, his best asset is his mind in the ring. Styles is also a good wrestler but his best asset is his speed. It’s called a contrast in styles if you will. This whole match will be building to who can hit whose finisher first. Styles Clash or Canadian Destroyer. That right there is a build up at its best, and it’s like I’ve said. Team Canada = Ratings.
Tinaali: This match should definitely headline the PPV. Unfortunately it’s not. One can hope for a surprise last minute change but that’s just like hoping all the absentee and overseas ballots that are still out in Florida change it from a red to a blue state. In other words, no matter how bad you want it, it ain’t happening kids. I’m going to say FACT only because at the moment I am braindead and can’t think of any of the other excellent matches they’ve had this year to back up a fiction answer. This match holds much potential to be a match of the year. No matter what, I do believe it will be the match of the night. Monster’s Ball will be a close second. (See my next answer for more on that topic.)
The Winner of the Abyss/Raven/Monte Brown Match at Victory Road should become the new Number 1 Contender for the NWA World Title.
Tinaali: This is a resounding FACT. These are the guys who should be in contention for the heavyweight title not some lightweight like Hardy. You know I have a feeling that this match is going to be the sleeper hit of the PPV. Raven is one crafty mofo. If anyone can plan a match it’s him. Monty Brown has really come into his own this year and I do believe that he has what it takes for a title run. He’s as over as Oompa Loompas and Lollipop kids are the rainbow… and again, not that the net wants to admit it. Abyss, well let’s just say that if the rumors of who his new mouthpiece is going to be are true… heh, it should be great. No matter what, Raven as number one contender would be sweet. He has worked so hard for TNA and completely deserves his shot. I’m hoping that they decide to make this a last minute stipulation at the PPV.
Phantom: Absolute FACT. I’m torn as to who I want to see win. Abyss deserves a main event run, but Raven has to fulfill his destiny. Monty as much as I like him…he just isn’t ready for the main event. I think who ever does win this match should be named the Number 1 Contender, but with Rev. Mitchell hopefully coming back I’m assuming they would milk that detail of who is the Number One contender to the next PPV with some insane gimmick match with lots of blood. That is assuming they don’t just hand a title shot to who ever might show up tonight cough::BillyGunn::cough.
Lex Luger has it in him for one last feud so that he can "pass the torch" to a TNA Star.
Phantom: Ah this is one sure to draw anger from everyone. I think this is a FACT because TNA started building something with Luger and Styles and never finished it. A.J. to a point is the new Total Package. He sure as hell has the body and the skills and his promo ability is much better then Mr. Wooden Personality. Luger is one of the few remaining big stars from NWA-WCW that has yet to make a real big impact and dare I say if he wishes to atone for his sins going out by giving the rub to someone who deserves it just might buy him some brownie points.
Tinaali: Sure, why not? FACT. I don’t think he’s so bad off that he couldn’t have one more short-term feud, at least physically. I mean, I don’t think any five star matches will come from it but yeah; he could deal with a short one. My concern is whether or not he wants to play nice with the younger guys. Of course I don’t think the Jarrett’s will tolerate anything less than playing nice. They’ve done a good job in their short history of only bringing in bigger name talent who will work to improve the product one way or another. They don’t keep them around if they cause trouble. Say what you will about TNA but they’ve done well keeping the locker room trouble free even with their open door policy down there.
TNA's tag team division is finally stable now that Team Canada has won the World Tag Team Titles.
Tinaali: FACT. Of course I don’t feel it was unstable to begin with. TNA has been leading a revival of the art of tag teams for a while now. For the most part their tag teams stay together for the long haul. Having Team Canada finally win though was a great move since they are a solid team well deserving of the gold. Besides, there is nothing better than a bunch of egotistical heels with gold around their waist.
Phantom: Well it’s more stable then the WWE’s tag team division…that’s for damn sure. When I saw TNA did the old enemy’s become partners to form a team angle it worked well enough, but like most thrown together teams it reeked of booking on the fly. I think with Team Canada’s Bobby Roode and ‘Showtime’ Eric Young as the NWA World Tag Team Champions, TNA has the potential to finally build a tag team division the likes that we old school haven’t seen since the Mid 80’s. In a sense Team Canada are The Horsemen. AMW are The Rock & Roll Express and Triple X are The Midnight’s minus Cornette. Who ever wins the Last Man Standing match between AMW and Triple X will with out a doubt be the number one contenders for the NWA World Tag Titles. A Team Canada feud with either team would do so much for tag team wrestling in the mainstream so yeah this is a FACT. You know if the WWE were a tad bit more paranoid they could learn a thing or two from TNA’s Tag Team Division.
TNA is need of a midcard title and it should bring back a title from the NWA's past to fill the void
Phantom: Oh this is a HUGE FACT. One of the first moves I made upon joining the creative powers that be in the official NWA-TNA E-Fed was to bring back the NWA World Television Title. Right now TNA has a couple guys in the Heavyweight division and everyone else is left to flounder in the X Division or in the Tag Division. Brining in a midcard title like the Television Title would do wonders in creating new stars. See a guy like Monty Brown would be perfect at World Television Champion. Feel The POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUNCE would have so much more meaning if he were build as The Best Damn Wrestler on television today. Plus with Pat Kenney, Ron Killings, and so many others a mid card title would do so much to build up new stars. I mean it’s just common sense. We can’t have a whole show revolve around the main event. That would get boring after a while.
Tinaali: FICTION, for now that is. They just do not have time to build interest in another belt with only one televised hour a week. Hell, they barely have time to build anything with the three titles they do have. I’d hate to be a new fan to the product that has only been watching since the weekly PPV’s ended. New fans really haven’t been given the opportunity to get attached to the wrestlers like the older fans were. Now when (yes when not if) TNA gets a two-hour timeslot or even gets a second one-hour weekly show that’s when they should seriously consider getting another title. I think the old television title would be perfect for this. Being it wasn’t a weight class type belt it would be ideal because both the X-Division and Heavyweights could be in contention for it. Eventually I’d love to see them add a women’s division but they’re still a while off before entertaining that thought. I have to say though, I see TNA doing a women’s division right. They’ll let them be athletic as opposed to just eye candy.
TNA needs to start house shows as soon as possible to become more visible to the casual fan.
Tinaali: This topic has been a battle for a while now. It’s really hard to choose a side to be on because both have good arguments. However, this is Fact or Fiction and the name of the game is choosing. I’m going on the record as saying this is a FACT. I understand the costs in traveling but now that they are on a monthly PPV format I think it’s the perfect time to start. It’s not like they have no idea where they could run a successful show. By looking over the ratings from iMPACT they can easily see where their hot markets are. Those are the places you start with. This gives people all through the country a chance to see the product live. TNA already has a street team that they can mobilize by just sending out emails to the members in that market. They are already doing this in Orlando and it’s been fairly successful. So for instance let’s take Pittsburgh, PA (yeah, I want them to come here so sue me.) We’ve already got a thriving Indy scene where many of TNA’s stars are already wrestling. There are plenty of smaller venues that aren’t high school gyms that could host a PPV. The street team is here to plaster store windows with posters and flyers. Morning radio show hosts are always looking for guests to help promote events in the area. Easily we could organize to get asses in the seats and all at minimal cost to TNA as far as advertising go. The market is on the way up and they need to strike now so they can keep their momentum going. Yes, travel can be costly but staying in one area and stagnating is even more so.
Phantom: I think it’s something they should explore on a limited level especially since they have many fans like yours truly who aren’t about to go down to Florida and go to Universal just to see an Impact Taping. TNA could easily fill any theater in city’s like Boston, New York, Philly, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and so forth. I mean if this PPV thing is ever going to work they need to go on the road. The thing that makes or breaks a show the most is the crowd you draw and live and rowdy crowd is much more fun then a safe and controlled studio audience. This is a FACT, but lets not go crazy with shows all over the place. Maybe one or two a month to start things off and go from there. But a word of advice…hit most of ECW’s old venues. I’d love to see a TNA event from The ECW Arena or something and The Hammerstien Ballroom here in NYC would be a perfect venue for a PPV.
Retro: Which gimmick match from the old NWA would you bring back to TNA for use today
Phantom: So many gimmick matches to think of thanks to The American Dream as it’s been said while Triple H might use his power to put himself over he’s nothing compared to Dusty Rhodes who devised entire PPV’s and Matches to put himself over. It’s hard to say what match I would like to see brought back because there are so many. The Bunkhouse Brawl is one that’s near and dear to the heart’s of people like me who love old school southern violence. But one match I’d love to see happen is the Barbwire Ladder Match. I forget the circumstances that led to the one Dusty and Tully had in 87 (I think it was a $10,000 match or something). But the match was still very ahead of its time and there was plenty of drama as it was a battle of who could avoid the barbwire. Now the ladder was in the ring to begin with, but if you put it outside and make it a standard ladder match and use the barbwire on the ropes as an added bonus it would be something great. But of course it would need a huge build up and it would have to be the blow off to a big feud…Hardcore for the sake of Hardcore is boring.
Tinaali: In the TNA efed we recently brought back the Skywalker’s Match thanks to Phantom. After reading the job he did with it I gotta say I would LOVE to see them bring back this match. If they did it though it would have to be for the X-Division. Imagine the insane aerial moves some of those guys could pull off having that extra height to come down from. Hands down, Skywalker’s Match gets my vote here.
Retro: What Indy Wrestler should be signed to TNA today
Phantom: There are so many deserving guys on the Indy’s, but I think The Stro deserves to be signed to TNA. He has busted his ass to become one of the hardest working guys on the Carolina circuit. We remember him in WCW as The Maestro, but those days are long gone as now The Stro is a bad ass and he’s held every damn Indy World Title that you can think of. Going back to the need for a Midcard title in TNA, The Stro would be another breakout star for them in the hunt for a World Television title. But if that isn’t enough of a reason to sign him. If you think The Canadian Destroyer is a cool move. Stro-Bearhug-DDT say’s it all. So yeah The Stro should be signed and in the mean time check his website TheStro.com and find out if he’s gonna be appearing in a town near you.
Tinaali: Well, if this had been a couple months ago I would have said Alex Shelley. I’ve been able to see him at our local Indy shows and the first time I saw him I knew he was something special. When they signed him I could not have been happier. Honestly since I don’t watch RoH I only have access to the guys in IWC locally. That narrows down my picking list. Out of the guys I’ve seen though I’d have to say either Jimmy Jacobs (HUSS!!) or Josh Prohibition. They’re smaller X type guys but obviously in TNA that doesn’t mean you are held back unlike some places. I’d like to see TNA pick up one or two bigger guys but unfortunately I’m not familiar with too many.
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