alphadraighon

I'm sure someone has mentioned it, but if not: Has any one else noticed that for only the second time in ten years, John Cena is not in the main even or co-main event of a Wrestlemania? I mean, unless the play to have Cena vs Wyatt wedged in between Undertaker vs Lesnar and the main event. It is an interesting statistic.

<p>I was watching some old NJPW matches/events and came across something I hadn't seen before: The Konami Cage match. The cage is set up outside the ring so that the ringside area is still accessible.</p><p> </p><p> I've done some searching, but haven't really found any information or background on these matches, which seemed to be pretty rare (I think I've found only two from NJPW and one or two from FMW.)</p><p> </p><p> Does anyone know the background on this? Why was it used, and why hasn't it been used again?</p>

<p>Some important spoilers from the Wrestle-1 vs TNA event:</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FFFFFF;">The BroMans regained the TNA World Tag Team titles in a three way match against the Wolves and “Team 246” (Kaz Hayashi & Shuji Kondo</span></p><p> </p><p> and</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FFFFFF;">Seiya Sanada defeated Austin Aries for the TNA X Division Championship. (Expected, since Sanada has been rumored to be coming to TNA for a longer commitment.)</span></p><p> </p><p> Should be interesting to see how this effects things going forward, considering that current plans are that this PPV won't air in the US for at least a couple months yet.</p><p> </p><p> Full result from the show can be found here: <a href="http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/78306381177/wrestle-1-w-1-vs-tna-ryogoku-results-for-march-2" rel="external nofollow">http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/78306381177/wrestle-1-w-1-vs-tna-ryogoku-results-for-march-2</a></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>There is no logic at all. If MVP is only an investor, why can he hire people?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> As I said in that post, it could be that he traded his investment for a position of authority roughly equal to that of Dixie. Such things do happen, and in this case if it did he would be able to hire people or make matches, which he seems to be doing.</p><p> </p><p> It depends on what deal he made with Janice in exchange for his investment.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>TNA has gone to the "we have multiple warring authority figures" well a thousand times. I love MVP, but come on, it's a horrible storyline that got old when they did it ten times ago.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Never said it was a GOOD story, or that it hadn't been done. Just trying to understand what their exact logic is this time around.</p>

<p>I also think that another important thing being overlooked here could be a matter of wording.</p><p> </p><p> MVP is said to be an investor. An investor is not the same as an owner or shareholder.</p><p> </p><p> I don't think anyone ever said that MVP BOUGHT part of TNA, just that he had invested in it. It's possible for someone to invest a significant amount of cash into a business, and in return be given a position of authority within said company without actually purchasing any portion of that company.</p><p> </p><p> It happens all the time.</p><p> </p><p> So it's possible (again, from a story line stand point) that MVP met with Janice Carter and offered to invest a couple million dollars in Panda Energy (or in TNA itself) in exchange for a position on the board of directors and/or a position equivalent to that of Dixie. As the owner of the company, Janice could grant such authority to MVP (again, without any requirement or obligation to inform Dixie, as Dixie is not an owner and MVP is not actually purchasing any of the company.)</p><p> </p><p> The other thing to think of is...if Dixie isn't the owner (on-screen) then how does she have the right to give away ten percent of the company that someone else owns?</p>

<p>Like I said, I only follow on a casual level. Janice or Bob Carter, my point is the same. Someone could have bought into the company without Dixie knowing, because she's not an owner and there is no obligation on the owners (especially in a private holding) to inform employees of purchases made by outside entities.</p><p> </p><p> None of that matters though, unless it's part of the "on-screen" power structure of the company. I don't watch all that often, but from what I've seen Dixie is stated to be the Head/Chief/President of Wrestling Operations (on-screen.) Basically, that's a manager in charge of one aspect of a corporation, not an owner, not necessarily even a board of directors member. From a pure story stand point, her authority is strictly over the WRESTLING portion of the company, not the company as a whole. This again enforces the point that if someone were to buy into the company (through whatever means) there is no reason to expect that the other owners would be required to inform her of this fact if they did not want to.</p><p> </p><p> (Again, I don't watch often enough to be sure who TNA's "on-screen" owner is, but from what I have seen, I wouldn't say it was Dixie.)</p><p> </p><p> For me the the amount isn't as important as the idea that she would say she won't share with anyone, but then say that she'll share with Bobby. It's also the way they are treating the amount. Yes, in reality 10% is not much. No control or anything. But they're acting like it is important, so for the purpose of the story line it IS important.</p><p> </p><p> I'm not looking at this from the perspective of what it means in the real world, I'm looking at it from the perspective of what TNA says it means in the fictional world that they have created.</p><p> </p><p> In that fictional world, 10% IS important, because they SAY it is important. If it wasn't it wouldn't be enough to have tempted Robert Roode. If it was just about the money he'd make, she would have offered him more money, not ownership stake.</p>

In reality yes, they are. Now correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not much more than a casual observer of their shows) but I don't think they've ever stated on camera or in kayfabe that TNA is privately owned. So if that is correct, from a story-line, kayfabe standpoint, there is no reason he couldn't have managed it somehow. I think someone else also pointed out that there are a number of ways that it could have been accomplished, since Dixie isn't the owner, Bob Carter is. Dixie is only the head of wrestling operations. Last I checked, and owner didn't need to check in with his underlings if he sold a portion of his company. Again, just from a story-line stand point, as I understand it: Dixie doesn't want to share the company with anyone, but is willing to give up 10% of it to prevent someone else from owning any portion of it. That makes far less sense to me than the idea that MVP might have bought into the company without her knowledge.

Does anyone else find it odd that Dixie says she refuses to share TNA with anyone, and yet is offering Bobby Roode 10% stake in the company to lead her team at Lockdown?

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="lazorbeak" data-cite="lazorbeak" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Is he really though? I mean, Ireland is part of the British Isles, but we'll assume they're discounting Sheamus. Nigel won the ROH title, but I guess that doesn't count but the TNA belt does, since TNA is a slightly bigger company (Nigel did defend internationally, too)? Chris Adams also won the WCWA world heavyweight title from Rick Rude in 1986 in front of eleven thousand people, but I guess that doesn't count either.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Someone else may be able to better answer, but as I understand it Sheamus is from the Republic of Ireland, which is not part of Great Britain. And the WCWA World championship was a world title in name only, having never met the "official" requirements of being defended in 3(?) countries.</p><p> </p><p> You are spot on on Nigel though. He's from London, and when he held the ROH World title it had already been defended internationally and met the requirements to be considered a world title. Not sure why he is getting overlooked.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TakerNGN74" data-cite="TakerNGN74" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I didn't see the fights last night but I watched what you posted and coming from someone who has a really strong stomach it was really hard to watch. I can go the rest of my life without ever seeing that again and I'll be happy.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I've always considered myself a bit of tough guy when it comes to such things. But in all seriousness...when I first saw it, I called my girlfriend at work and told her I needed a hug.</p><p> </p><p> That was insane.</p>

<p>Saw this on Facebook from Bec Hyatt...</p><p> </p><p> VERY hard to watch, so don't if you've got a weak stomach.</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwmi1mLjZW4/Ur-yN3P4U4I/AAAAAAAA_Rc/sVtJRvpIYJg/s1600/6.gif" rel="external nofollow">http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwmi1mLjZW4/Ur-yN3P4U4I/AAAAAAAA_Rc/sVtJRvpIYJg/s1600/6.gif</a></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rickymex" data-cite="Rickymex" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Poor Weidman he will never get the chance to prove himself.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think he was proving himself pretty damned well based on round one. And even though what happened was a freak accident, the match wasn't exactly going Silva's way thus far.</p><p> </p><p> I mean, you can't exactly give him credit for what happened, but you can't say he wasn't winning that fight up to that point.</p>

Silva vs Weidman II...damn is all I can say. Did not see that coming.

<p>They found me in some hidden away opium den somewhere in the Sha Tin district of Hong Kong. I'm not sure how they found me, but it couldn't have been easy. They tell me I was pretty messed up, almost unrecognizable. Babbling, they said, ranting almost incoherently about some backstabbing Tunisian whore. Probably best I don't remember most of it.</p><p> </p><p> It's a scary thing, being completely out of your mind on the strongest junk possible for an unemployed "former" millionaire and seeing four large men in suits coming at you through the darkness and smoke. Your mind plays out many scenarios, but your body won't respond to any of them. Are they here for money? Cops here to arrest you for something you don't remember doing? Perhaps the fathers of young women whose virtue has been tainted by your touch. But for all the bizarre ideas that crawled through my fogged brain, nothing could have prepared me.</p><p> </p><p> The next few weeks were a blur. They took me somewhere to dry out. Cold turkey even, which may have been the most unholy awful experience I have ever known. I only remember flashes...the pain, the sickness, the horror of returning to a reality I had long since hoped to forget.</p><p> </p><p> But then the fog lifted. One morning, sometime in mid-summer, I woke up clear headed. First time in what seemed like years but I would later learn had only been few months. My head clear, I could remember what had happened and why I ended up where I was, and I felt such a sudden spike of rage and regret that I seriously considered finding my way back to that dark and dreary den back in Sha Tin.</p><p> </p><p> It was at that moment that HE came in. What was he doing here? Was I really sober, or was I still in that den, pipe in hand, and this was just some illusion? But no...he was here. Immaculately tailored as always. His hair was shorter, grayer than I remembered. Had it really been so long since I'd seen Sam in person?</p><p> </p><p> I sat up in the bed as my old friend lead against the door.</p><p> </p><p> "Ya look like Hell, Jackie." He shook his head. "What happened to you?"</p><p> </p><p> "You know what happened. You had to have heard. Everyone did." I didn't recognize my voice. Smoke from the den and months of little to no speaking had strained it, aged it. I sounded older, more somber. It surprised me how much different it was. "What do you want, Sam? Should have just left me; it's where I belong."</p><p> </p><p> My friend's mouth turned up in that little smile of his, the one that made you want to laugh with him or smack him in the damned teeth depending on the circumstances. Today, I was in the latter grouping.</p><p> </p><p> Still smiling, he said "You know you don't belong there. You may not remember it, but I know where you do belong. In the ring."</p><p> </p><p> I snorted, sounding more bitter than even I thought I would. "And what company would hire me to work a match?"</p><p> </p><p> The smile didn't waver. If anything, it only got more intense. "I would..." He paused, the grin shining ever brighter. "But not to 'work a match.' I want you to help me to run the whole show."</p><p> </p><p> I was stunned to silence for what seemed like an eternity. What could you say to that?</p><p> </p><p> It's been three months since that day. Now here I am, ready to run my first event. The man who seeks redemption. The phoenix rising from the ashes.</p><p> </p><p> My name is Jack Bruce...and I am the new head booker for Mid Atlantic Wrestling.</p><p> </p><p> *****</p><p> The background idea here is that Jack showed up to an event intoxicated, but managed to hide it until his match. During the match itself, he botched a move on Eric Eisen, permanently paralyzing him and resulting in Bruce being blacklisted by the SWF. Because of this event, even TCW and USPW wouldn't touch him. He set out to work in Japan, did a few tours with WLW, but couldn't get over the accident and descended into alcoholism and drug abuse, eventually finding him at the beginning of this narrative.</p><p> </p><p> I've been working on this product periodically. Not sure how long it would be until I'll produce anything post-worthy, but I'm working at it.</p>

<p>Any opinions on this challenge from Atsushi Onita?</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/70485076887/onita-news-atsushi-onita-is-making-the-press" rel="external nofollow">http://keepingthespiritalive.tumblr.com/post/70485076887/onita-news-atsushi-onita-is-making-the-press</a></p><p> </p><p> I mean, he and Akebono have had couple deathwatches already, and while they weren't awful they were far from spectacular.</p><p> </p><p> But as Onita admits...the Triple Crown has never been put on the line in a deathmatch.</p><p> </p><p> Now...Akebono hasn't accepted and AJPW officials haven't responded, so who knows if such a match would even happen.</p><p> </p><p> But if it did, how do AJPW fans feel about it?</p><p> </p><p> For me, it's an interesting concept. A first of it's kind event. And I enjoy a good deathmatch. But that's it, and that's not enough. Onita is beyond relevant as of this point, and I've never cared for Akebono as a pro wrestler and don't feel that he's worthy of even this diminished version of the Triple Crown. And to put the Triple Crown into a match like that? I can't say why, but I feel like that's disrespectful to the title.</p>

Not sure if this should be here or under TNA, but I got a good laugh when I pulled up Yahoo earlier and saw this first in the news ticker.<p><a class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image" href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2013_12/aj.jpg.674f28709681ce43e017c45c5bb14e7c.jpg" data-fileid="2690" data-fileext="jpg" rel=""><img data-fileid="2690" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt="aj.jpg.674f28709681ce43e017c45c5bb14e7c.jpg" data-src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2013_12/aj.jpg.674f28709681ce43e017c45c5bb14e7c.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></a></p>

<p>According to Dixie, the "former World Champion" is Pacman Jones.</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8YSSuPZHug" rel="external nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8YSSuPZHug</a></p>

<p>I've been hearing rumors this evening that TNA is up for sale.</p><p> </p><p> Anyone have any insight or opinions on the subject? Also, looking for some reliable sources on the subject.</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://www.cagesideseats.com/tna-impact/2013/10/27/5035998/is-tna-up-for-sale-due-to-the-carter-family-wanting-out-of-the" rel="external nofollow">http://www.cagesideseats.com/tna-impact/2013/10/27/5035998/is-tna-up-for-sale-due-to-the-carter-family-wanting-out-of-the</a></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Teh_Showtime" data-cite="Teh_Showtime" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So you say they should be showing that he deserves it but then just gloss over his two wins in PPV main events? He's never getting beaten in a 1 on 1 situation he always loses 3 or 4 on 1 and it's usually after he's had a good amount of offense. Bryan could look a LOT worse in this feud.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I didn't gloss over it. I mentioned right away that they immediately took the title off of him both times. Yes, he didn't lose the belt in a match, and the "uncrowned champion" thing works for a lot of people. But as a fan, seeing someone win a title and then immediately lose it screams of "we don't think he should be the guy."</p>

<p>It's not a matter of that they are doing it. It's how they are doing it, and why.</p><p> </p><p> As for the superman comparison...I can't say I remember the time that Cena ended almost every show on his back. I can't remember the last time he "needed" the whole babyface locker room to come out and help him clear the ring of four guys. See what I'm saying?</p><p> </p><p> Like I said at first, it's a gut feeling, mostly. I can't exactly put my finger on any one thing that they are doing wrong that I could use to say "gee, it's obvious to me..." It's not a poorly executed story. The details feel like they're just putting more effort into making him look weak than anything else. I think that because they've spent most of the last decade building things around Cena that they've created this air (intentionally or otherwise) that he's the ONLy top guy, he's the only "true" hero of the company, and that without him everything falls apart. THAT is what this story feels like to me, and I think that in the end that is hurting Bryan and the other babyfaces.</p><p> </p><p> I don't know. Maybe I'm rambling. In truth, whether I like it or not, it's got me talking about it, which is something I don't often do. I guess in that respect, regardless of the details, the storyline is a success, which in the end is what matters.</p>

<p>There's a fine difference between a building heat and making someone look bad. I think they've crossed that line recently.</p><p> </p><p> I realize that the storyline IS about how HHH doesn't think that Bryan is a worthy main eventer or champion, but that being said they should be showing that he actually IS. They've put the title on him twice in six weeks...and he's lost it within 24 hours both times. He's gotten the big win at the PPVs, and been left unconscious almost every other time.</p><p> </p><p> The flip side to a heal getting heat is a face looking strong. Getting your rear kicked in 90% of the time does not make a face look strong. It may gain him some sympathy from the fans, but a main event/championship contender shouldn't be meant to look sympathetic. They should look like a threat to the bad guys. Unless they're going with the underdog-hero. But in Bryan's case, that doesn't seem to be what's going on. Underdogs often have close matches against long odds that they find a way to win. Bryan hasn't seem to be legitimately in danger against his opponents in the ring in a long time. At least not during the matches. Afterwards, when he gets beat down, that's a different story. Means he's not an underdog.</p>

<p>It's hard to enjoy it when all I see when I check in is HHH and his goons burying everyone in sight. Daniel Bryan's matches have been amazing lately, and I enjoy that for what it's worth. But seeing him face down at the end of every show for most of the last month hasn't exactly been "entertaining" storytelling for me, or (I suspect) many others.</p><p> </p><p> I'm of a duel mind when it comes to wrestling. I want great matches but I also want good stories (at least in American-style wrestling.) You could put on nothing but 5-star matches all night long, but if it's only leading up to HHH (whose work I enjoy, don't get me wrong) and his goons doing the same thing at the end of every show.</p><p> </p><p> When I was young, I always rooted for the heels. I still do most of the time. But for me, this current storyline makes it hard for me to enjoy ANY of it, because I feel like they're blowing an opportunity.</p><p> </p><p> The reason I brought up the Cena thing is because that's how this program feels...like a Cena program, but without him actually there. It's like they're showing that without him, no one can really stand up to the boss. I think that takes a big steaming one all over the other talent, regardless of their skills and how well they are performing. It seems like they are building to his return, and I don't like that, personally.</p><p> </p><p> It would be like reading Dune and having Paul Atreides fall short of taking down Harkonnen and Shaddam, only to have Stilgar come in and bitch slap them both into oblivion.</p>

<p>Anyone else feel like they're going to run with this HHH/Corporation/heel domination until Cena returns and "saves" the WWE?</p><p> </p><p> This would be the perfect time for them to create a new "hero of the WWE Universe", and I can't help but feel like they're just using this as a holding pattern until Cena comes back. Then he can be shoved down our throats in the superhero role again.</p><p> </p><p> I expect to see this crud to continue for a few weeks or months, with only brief reprieves of guys like Bryan looking like they might turn back the tide, but always falling short. Big Show's inevitable snap and rampage might set the HHH Corporation back a bit, and that might be fun to see, but I still just don't feel like that program will be given and serious impact.</p><p> </p><p> Like I said, it just feels like they're running with this thing so that they can make Cena look strong when he returns. Which is just stupid.</p><p> </p><p> Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I'm wrong.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Active Jerichoholic" data-cite="Active Jerichoholic" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26660" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>On another note, does anyone here see Korean Zombie beating Aldo? I'm excited to see the fight, but I just don't see him winning in any likely scenario.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think he's got a better chance than most people seem to. There's a certain quality that he has, something intangible, that I imagine his hard to game plan for.</p><p> </p><p> I also think Aldo has gotten over confidant recently. Maybe I just don't like his attitude lately, but I think he's gotten a big head, and I think Zombie can knock that head clean off his shoulders.</p>