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Submitted by Degenerate on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 10:27 PM EST
Welcome to one more edition of Struggle For Power, the column that barely meets its writing deadlines. I'm your slacking host, Degenerate, here to try and make some people smile with this column. Even though I'm lacking a whole lot of time lately, I'm in a pretty good mood. When I feel like this, I usually pull off some weird stuff and write my brain out, so this will be a bit away from my usually writing. Just know that none of it is drug-induced. That should make the kiddies sleep better. I've done columns like this one before, so don't get scared if it's something out of the blue and different from what I've shown here in the Main Page of LordsOfPain.net. I'm working on a short website to post all my previous columns as an archive so you people can swing on by to read them if you're interested in my past work. I have them all saved up in a super-duper secret location (read: my computer and a USB drive), and it's not cool to keep some good reading hidden from public view. It's almost like a crime against humanity to not show any of that stuff. Almost. Don't worry about anything more rambling like that. Let's get into the good stuff, like actual wrestling. * My mind is pretty out of it, since I barely forgot that Saturday Night's Main Event was on this weekend. I hadn't even set the DVR to record it. I just happened to get to my apartment after watching Rush Hour 3 (which is a pretty fun movie, just not as good as the previous two), turned on the TV, and the show just popped up as Batista was making his entrance in the opening match. So I stayed up and watched, and it was a pretty good show, from the fake boxing match to the actual wrestling match-ups. At least it accomplished its purpose, which is to generate more interest in the upcoming Pay-Per-View. I do think that in order for the show to feel more solid, it needs about two hours. All of the segments flew by quickly, and in an era where wrestling shows are usually two hours long, 90 minutes will feel like nothing. And ECW in the Main Event, with the Boogeyman? Is that even the original guy who debuted last year? It was good, but some improvement could be made, like keeping Big Daddy V's breasts out of my screen at almost 1:00 AM. * FEAR THE BASKETBALL-CRUSHING POWERS OF THE GREAT KHALI! It's been a very long time since I remember seeing a skit like that on television. It was just corny. And I don't care what people say about The Great Khali, and how some people think this championship run is going well, but to be a professional actor before getting into wrestling, he can't sell shit. Did you see those double-handed sledgehammer shots Batista was hitting him with, and he barely moved or show any emotion of being hit? If someone freakishly huge as Batista hit you with one of those shots to the head, you'd be out for the length of Michael Vick's upcoming jail sentence. Even The Undertaker sold those types of shots. Eh, I don't know, that feud isn't getting my attention. The worse thing is, Khali will most likely retain, and Khali will move to a feud even more boring. Maybe against a no-selling Undertaker. Imagine if The Undertaker got pissed and decided not to sell Khali's blows as he did before? That would be so awesome. But then again, it's just me. * Kurt Angle is courting one Brock Lesnar to go to TNA? Interesting. It sounds really plausible, since Lesnar probably has beef with the WWE for their last negotiations a couple of years ago. And I'm sure that Angle is getting in the big man's head. The news say Angle is telling Lesnar about the lighter schedule, the nice locker-room environment, the cool people backstage willing to help each other help the company reach new heights, but I call bullshit on that. I can bet you anything that Angle is just telling Lesnar how cool it is to totally screw Vince McMahon and the entire WWE. As a former employee who didn't leave (or couldn't negotiate for a return) on the best terms possible, who wouldn't want to do this? What I'm worried about is the fact that more and more wrestlers will be pushed further down the ladder to accommodate newer guys. But more on that later in the column. As long as Lesnar can swallow the annoying fans in the Impact Zone, I think he'll be there. * TNA wants to establish a drug-testing policy, since they're apparently being probed by Congress as well. Is this a good idea? From the point of view of the health of the TNA talent, of course it's a good idea. However, if drug-testing is as stringent as it should be, then how many people will be outed by this? Yeah, if it's a mid-carder or less, I'm sure they'll be shown the door immediately. But what if one of their biggest stars, like Kurt Angle, was caught using steroids illegally, would TNA suspend or fire them? They maybe will, but it won't be wise for a growing company to kick out one of their biggest names. It's a very fine line they're going to have to walk if they want to keep their organization clean. * The backstage news is that Vince McMahon is pretty cranky because of low ratings and the fact that Congress is on his ass. I don't blame him. His company depends on good ratings for better television deals, more exposure and overall more money. And if Congress is out to get him, he'll be in for a fight. But the thing about these news is that I like the way it's spun around the Internet. The way I've read it written is like he's snapping at people backstage, cursing out loud or even threating his employees and their families with bodily harm. Of course, I doubt it's even close to this extreme. I'm sure he's probably despondent with all of this going around him, as this is a rough patch in his life. You would be despondent too. I guess it's just another way the news sites and media like to portray things like they aren't. This past week, somewhere in Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, some wrestlers are running over their show notes before a taping of TNA's Impact show. Vince Russo: So Andrew, you like that angle I have going for yourself and Sting? Andrew Martin: Cool, let me run that by Sting, and see his input on this. Thanks for giving me this chance to tag with Sting for the next months. A.J. Styles: I used to team up with Sting a few years ago... Kurt Angle: Hey people, does anyone want to help me with these belts while I get changed? They really aren't made of gold, but the damn things are heavy, me having all these belts with me. A.J. Styles: I used to compete for those belts, and I won all of them too... Jay Lethal: (In his awesome Macho Man impersonation)OOOHH YEAHH! No wait, that was too short. Let me try again... OOOOOOHHH YEEEAAAHHHH! Cool, now I'm ready to get that X-Division title back. A.J. Styles: I'm a six-time X-Division champ, and the first one ever. Dustin Rhodes: You know, I'm liking this "Black Reign" nickname I got here. All the women are asking me if it's true, if you know what I mean. A.J. Styles: I'M PHENOMENAL, DAMMIT! DON'T Y'ALL GET IT?!?!? There's a hush in the locker room, and all eyes are fixated on A.J. Styles. Eric Young: Don't worry people... That's just a southern thing, you know. Try it out. I'M SHOWTIME, DAMMIT! Wait, that doesn't seem to work at all... You suck, Styles! A.J. Styles: *Sigh* For those who don't know, A.J. Styles is a current member of the TNA roster nearly since TNA's beginnings in 2002. He appeared on TNA's first weekly Pay-Per-View back in June 2002, and is one of the few remaining members from that era in the current TNA roster. Not only that, but he is also arguably the most decorated wrestler in the company's history. His stats should be envied by anyone who's in the wrestling business. He's a six-time X-Division Champion (and has the distinction of being the very first winner of the title). He's also been a four-time Tag Team Champion, forming some of the best tag team combinations of this era. Not only that, he's also three-time former World Champion. Besides being the first winner of all three major championships in TNA, which he first accomplished way back in 2003 (and wasn't done by anyone else until Kurt Angle two weeks ago), he's garnered many accolades in TNA, including three-time "Mr. TNA", a fan-elected award to choose the fans favorite grappler. He's also been a major star in the independent circuit as well. He's also been champion in at least 15 different indy promotions, including Ring Of Honor, which is one of the biggest independent wrestling companies today. Styles is also a mainstay in the Top 15 of the vaunted PWI 500 yearly list since 2003. He's just damn good. Somewhere in Atlanta, Georgia, back in 2001... A.J. Styles: Man, I'm psyched that we got this call up here to WCW! This is the big time, baby! Air Paris: I know, man! Who knew that these two good ol' Georgia boys could reach it here? A.J. Styles: Tell me about it. This is just my third year in the business, and I'm already helping usher a new era in tag team wrestling! Air Paris: You know we won't win the new WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championships. Elix Skipper and Kid Romeo have dibs on that. A.J. Styles: I know, but this is only the beginning. There are only eight teams, and you know some of them will be gone by next month, with the way this company is headed. And we'll get all the TV exposure we ever dreamed of! I'm telling you, the future is bright! Air Paris: Yeah, I guess you're right... Hey, shut up, a Time Warner exec is coming our way. Keep quiet and make a good impression! Jamie Kellner: Hi fellas, I'm sorry to let you know that effective March, we'll be discontinuing WCW programming. I know you guys are new, but I'm letting all the talent know about this. I wish you well in your future endeavors. A.J. Styles: But... but... Jamie Kellner walks away, and Air Paris gives a mean look at Styles before speaking. Air Paris: ... You suck, Styles. A.J. Styles: *Sigh* Of course, it's best to know where someone has been before judging where they are and where they're headed. A.J. Styles, or known by his real name of Allen Jones, started wrestling back in 1999 for NWA Wildside, an affiliate of the original National Wresling Alliance based in Georgia. Wildside served as developmental territory for WCW, kind of like Ohio Valley Wrestling is to the WWE nowadays. After achieving success in his first year alone, when he was barely 21 years old, he got called up to WCW. At this time, WCW was snagging some more cruiserweights in order to bring life to a new championship, the WCW Cruiserweight Tag Team Championship. Styles formed a tag team partnership with his Wildside rival, Air Paris, and they were dubbed "Air Raid". They would come out in G-Suits, the same used by astronauts. It was probably because they were kick-ass high-flyers, or maybe because their wrestling gear was misplaced and they only had these suits as replacements. In any case, we'll never know for sure, because WCW was acquired by WWE less than two weeks when their first champions were crowned. With this, most of the cruiserweights in WCW, sans a handful, were scooped up by WWE. Being a new guy with barely three years of experiences, Styles wasn't picked up. He did have some matches on WWE television, on that show called Jakked. Do you remember it? Neither do I. After some matches during these low-card shows, Styles was offered a development contract in the WWE, which he rejected because of the apparent low pay (about 500 dollars per week) and the fact he needed to relocate to Cincinnati, which apparently he didn't want to go. Besides, for 500 bucks a week, I wouldn't move anywhere. That's almost how much I'm earning now, and jobs in Puerto Rico pay way below U.S. standards. Somewhere in the Land Down Under, Australia, in 2002... A.J. Styles: What's with all these old people here? Chris Sabin: I know. It's like we're really out of place here. But they do need some name value to get this place going. A.J. Styles: Going where? We're like a billion miles away from our homes, and people don't give a shit abou wrestling here. Chris Sabin: Yeah, all they want is to drink Foster's and eat Vegemite or something. A.J. Styles: Eh, I don't care much. I'm getting paid the same as those guys in the WWE offered, and I'm actually headlining cruiserweight matches here. Chris Sabin: Wait, how much did you say you're getting paid again? A.J. Styles: 500 dollars, and I told them I wouldn't do it for less. Chris Sabin: (Glancing at Styles' check stub) Dude, these are Australian Dollars. You're not getting paid 500 American Dollars. It's actually about 400 American Dollars. The exchange rate is like 1.25 Australian Dollars for every American Dollar. A.J. Styles: WHAT? Styles starts to do some fuzzy match in his head Chris Sabin: Styles... you suck. A.J. Styles: *Sigh* After his failed WCW attempt and WWE rejection, he went back to the indy scene, figuring he would make more than $500 while staying close to home. He won the NWA Wildside Heavyweight Championship, marking his first ever Heavyweight championship on a large independent promotion. As independent talent usually do, they work in different promotions at the same time period. Styles also worked with the ill-fated World Wrestling All-Stars promotion (otherwise known by me as the "Former WWE Employees Haven") in Australia in 2002, winning their Cruiserweight Championship there. That same year, Styles also joined Ring Of Honor, which was just starting out that year. Ring Of Honor is known for having high-flyers from all around the world delivering great, fast-paced matches. Styles immediately made an impact (no pun intended until later) by becoming a headliner there. Between 2002 and 2006, Styles would regularly compete in both Wildside and Ring Of Honor, winning multiple championships along the way in both organizations and being one of their main attractions. However, this was only the very beginning of his "Phenomenal" career. Somewhere in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2002... A.J. Styles: Here we are again, boys. After that stint in Australia, I think TNA is going to be the place for us. Jerry Lynn: Yeah... I hope we're not paid in Australian Dollars again, though. I couldn't even afford a decent buzz on Foster's with that cash. A.J. Styles: Oh, I don't drink, so there's no problem with that. You shouldn't either. Jerry Lynn: (Muttering under his breath) You're so damn gay... A.J. Styles: What was that? Jerry Lynn: Oh, nothing. I said "There's that damn Lane". Lenny's here. I'll see ya. A.J. Styles: No problem. Hey, what's wrong with you, Low-Ki? Low-Ki: I don't want to use this name here. They'll steal it away from me. I want to change it to something Japanese, like "Senshi" or something like that. A.J. Styles: HAH! Like that name will ever fly. They named me "Phenomenal". I like it. Low-Ki: Of course you do. You know why? A.J. Styles: ... No. Why? Low-Ki: Because... Styles sucks. A.J. Styles: *Sigh* In 2002, A.J. Styles was signed to TNA. Back in those days, the contracts weren't exclusive, meaning he was still able to compete in his other independent feds without any problems. In TNA's second show, they unveiled a new championship never seen before on American soil: the X-Division championship. Styles was victorious in a four-way double elimination match to become the very first X-Division champion. Since then, he's accumulated 6 X-Division titles in his career up to now, and is the person with the most X-Division title reigns. He also excelled in tag team wrestling. The following week after his X-Division win, he won the first ever NWA/TNA Tag Team Championships with his X-Division rival, Jerry Lynn. This made him the first multiple title holder in the company's history. He went on to win the Tag Team belts three more times, with two different men. One reign was with the monster Abyss, who was teamed up with a reluctant Styles in 2004. He then won the tag belts twice with Christopher Daniels, forming one of the most awesome tag teams in recent wrestling history. Of course, this young star's wouldn't be completed without some major singles gold. In 2003, he started to focus on the NWA World Heavyweight title held by Jeff Jarrett, finally winning the championship in mid-2003. He become the first wrestler to win all three major titles in TNA history, a feat he would accomplish three more times in the next three years. He's a former three-time NWA/TNA champ, something only the power-hungry Jeff Jarrett has done. A very amazing feat, considering Styles is only 29 years old now, and has less than 10 years in the business under his belt. Not too many people achieve all this success before the age of thirty. Somewhere in Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, in 2005... Samoa Joe: What's up, A.J.? You seem a bit down today. A.J. Styles: I don't know, man. I'm supposed to be pumped up right now, with TNA being on national TV now, but something's not right. Samoa Joe: What do you mean? I see everyone's excited here. A.J. Styles: Yeah, but I'm noticing a trend here. I see a lot of outside talent coming in now. Samoa Joe: So what? That means more exposure and more money for us. You know how these network heads are. A.J. Styles: It's not that. Those guys are... former WWE employees. The Dudleys, Rhino, Christian... These guys are going to be the death of us. Samoa Joe: You're crazy, man. How will they kill the company? A.J. Styles: Not TNA, I mean us. After all these years of busting our asses in these independent shows, these guys will waltz in, get all the title shots and get more money than us combined. Samoa Joe: No way, baby. We're the cornerstones of this company. We brought it to prominence, and I'm sure Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter won't forget that. A.J. Styles: Maybe you're right... I feel like crying now... Samoa Joe: (Opening his arms) ... A.J.... A.J. Styles: (With watery eyes) What? Samoa Joe: (Lowering his hands) ...... You suck... A.J. Styles: *Sigh* So, after that trip down memory lane, we see that Styles is one of the most decorated wrestling stars today. He's achieved success wherever he's landed. He's won more championships than anyone in TNA history right now, with 13 total championship victories in the past five years. Most of his matches are great, with a nice blend of high-flying skills and good fast-paced mat action. He also has decent ring sense, and doesn't overly rely on high-risk maneuvers to keep the public's short attention span. The scary part is that he's barely pushing thirty. In wrestling terms, he should be reaching his physical and mental peak very soon. He should be getting better and better at this age. After all these nice things I can show and tell about him, it begs the simplest question of them all: What the fuck is TNA thinking keeping him away from the Main Event scene? As I've said many times in this column previously, it pains me to see the current A.J. Styles playing the role of a pussy henchman to Christian Cage. I like Cage as much as the next TNA fan, but he in no way can compare to the greatness of Styles. The only advantage Cage has over Styles is in his mic skills. Unfortunately for Styles, it's a HUGE advantage. That's one of the main reasons why I think Styles is being held back. He couldn't cut a classic promo even if his life depended on it. His southern drawl is just too damn thick, and the charisma he shows on the mic is not even a quarter of the charisma he shows inside the six-sided ring. Champions should be able to talk and build feuds on their own. This may explain the phenomena known as Cena's championship reign. But he's a three-time world champ, so if his lack of mic skills didn't mean a thing back then, should it matter now? I don't think so. So what may be the problem? Well, look into TNA's history. What does TNA have right now in abundance that was lacking in 2003? No, not women with silicone breasts (although I don't mind Christy Hemme at all...). It's the bunch of former WWE and WCW superstars. Even though most of them can't hold a candle to Styles in the ring, they have something that Styles doesn't have much of yet: name value. Yeah, Styles has competed and won all over the globe, but outside of Ring of Honor and TNA fans, does anyone know him? I can name a list of ten people off my head now who are rather big wrestling fans, yet have no clue who A.J. Styles is. In a company that's trying to grow exponentially, recognition is valued much more than actual in-ring skill. Andrew Martin, Scott Steiner and the Voodoo Kin Mafia are testament to that. It's not like he can't wrestle good matches at all. He's proven time and time again in Pay-Per-Views that he can be the star of the night. He's been in multiple-man matches, and he still stands out to me. So as things stand right now, we have an extremely underutilized A.J. Styles, toiling away behind Christian Cage's shadow, being pushed aside for others who don't deserve their spot above him. What's next for him to do? Leave the company and go to the WWE? He's better off where he is now. The WWE will most likely not give him a fair chance at all, and he'll be even less utilized than he is now. Let's just hope TNA realizes how they're not using their young talent before it goes to waste, which will be a complete shame. Somewhere in Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, this past week after his locker room gaffe... A.J. Styles: This is crap. Look at these notes. "Go help Christian Cage in his Main Event match, receive a Black Hole Slam by Abyss, while Cage sneaks in the quick roll-up and scores the win". DAMMIT! Jeff Jarrett: Is there a problem, A.J.? A.J. Styles: Yeah, these notes of what I have to do tonight. I already helped Cage about a million times already, and I've gotten my ass kicked by whoever Cage is facing about a million times, and Cage always scores the dirty win - a million times. Jeff Jarrett: And your point is? A.J. Styles: I'M SICK OF THIS! ... I mean, the fans will be sick of this. Jeff Jarrett: Are you sure? I mean, Cage is over with the fans, heel or not. There are people overflowing those tubes Senator Stevens talked about... The Internet or something... writing columns about him. When have you ever seen a column written about you? A.J. Styles: I have... Someplace... I know someone has done it. There has to be someone... I can't... Jeff Jarrett: ... suck? Yes, Styles, you DO suck. Don't worry about it, and suck it up. Get it? SUCK it up? HAHAHAHA! I'm damn good, no wonder I'm a zillion-time World Champion. A.J. Styles: ..................................................*Sigh* I almost didn't write this column due to the subject, or rather, what company the subject works for. From what I've seen here, most of the feedback I've gotten are from people who aren't TNA fans, or have never watched their product regularly for one reason or another. Like any other wrestling company, it's a matter of taste. I know some people who avoid WWE wrestling like the plague, or some who dislike anything independent. While I respect each one's opinion on this (after all, you watch whatever you feel like watching), I think some people's dislike of one type of wrestling show / organization is out of blind ignorance. Sometimes it's like "follow the leader". Believe me, you're missing out on some good stuff. I've sat down and watched some matches on YouTube from Mexican and Japanese organizations, and while I don't have a clue who the men are, or why they're fighting, but it was different. And that made it fun to watch. It wasn't boring at all. If you have a couple of spare minutes, head over to YouTube and search around for anything wrestling related. It's a nice time-waster to get your wrestling fix. Before you do that, though, I'd suggest heading over to the Columns Forum and read the fine columns there, including these three stand-outs: Shuffle Up and Deal: Vol. 3, Revenge By Jetsetpoker With Randy Orton going full-speed ahead towards his title shot at Summerslam, my poker-playing pal Jetsetpoker gives us a brief run-down on Orton's career thus far, and gives a nice little theory on why Orton had a one-month title reign back in 2004. If anything, you'll need to check out the sweet mash-up with actual poker hands during his columns - even if you don't know jack about poker like me. The Superfiles!--Edition 11.0: Spoiled. By SUPERFAN! How many times have you clicked a link here at LordsOfPain.net, or went to a wrestling forum somewhere, and immediately saw something that spoiled the ending an upcoming storyline that you were hyped up for? It's happened to me plenty of times, and it has happened to the Columns Forum superhero SUPERFAN! And dammit, we're not going to take it anymore. Or at least he won't. aisce in Your Hole #10: Blown Away By aisce Where were you on December 10, 2000? Chances are you were watching WWE's Pay-Per-View, Armageddon. aisce writes a great column about the Main Event of this matchup, which was a dreaded Hell In A Cell match featuring five of the WWE's top superstars of all time... and Rikishi. This wraps up one more edition of Struggle For Power. Hope you all liked this crazy column, as I had much fun writing about it. As always, hit me up on your thoughts about this or anything else by E-Mail at dennmart@gmail.com, or head on over to my feedback thread and leave a message there. I'm happy with the responses I've been getting, so i hope you all keep them coming. Hope to see you in a week's time for big ol' number sixty. See y'all around, Degenerate ***DIRECT LINK*** Even MORE PLASTIC SURGERY?!? - Brand New Torrie Wilson Pix!!
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