The Official TNA / Impact / GFW Discussion Thread

[Teh_Showtime]

But even as a wrestler who could it have realistically been that would have live to the hype.

 

Batista, Jericho and most ex-WWE guys would have been considered TNA picking ex-WWE guys.

 

An indy wrestler would have made now reaction including Low-Ki.

 

Maybe John Morrison could have been the only guy to not have been a let down or maybe MVP through that's a small chance.

 

At least Tito has a reason to be there.

 

Anybody interesting with a good story, it didn't have to be a big name. Think about Joey Ryan last year, a few people knew him before TNA but he was interesting and people started to love him. I have no idea why they turned him into a jobber but his storyline was a great way to introduce a new talent.

[ZMAN]

<p>They could have also just not done the angle if they didn't have anybody worth building.</p><p> </p><p>

But I think it would have been fine if they used it to hype someone new. Remember all the hype with Bray Wyatt? He was new and that turned out fine. It doesn't matter how unpopular they are if they have something interesting about them.</p>

[20LEgend]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ZMAN" data-cite="ZMAN" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>They could have also just not done the angle if they didn't have anybody worth building.<p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This is exactly the point IMO when it comes to the disappointment. People are saying who could it have been, when the answer is the hype shouldn't have happened if they had no-one. They get their fans up for something then don't deliver. </p><p> </p><p> My current position is: "fool me once shame on you, fool me a 157 times and I'll still fall for the 158th time". That said I'm not sure everyone is like that and the more these things happen people will just give up.</p>

[Rone Rivendale]

<p>It would have helped if Tito had done more than just stand there and stare toward the general area of the ring with a look on his face like he had no idea what was going on. </p><p> </p><p>

That's the kind of look Jeff Hardy used to have after a 'quiet night at home'. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[The Final Countdown]

It was worth it just for the hilarious reaction shots of the MEM/A&8s.

[Hashasheen]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="20LEgend" data-cite="20LEgend" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>But it's never the main story throughout the show that some show is on USA, it's a small segment not a huge part of the show.<p> </p></div></blockquote> USA/WWE is a more balanced relationship than Spike/TNA. Spike want something, TNA will be very happy to make it happen.

[D-Lyrium]

This was the first show I caught since Joseph Parkes' in-ring 'debut'. Not that that had anything to do with me stopping, just happens to be a memorable landmark. And erm... yeah...

 

Imagine if House built up a rivalry between two doctors over the course of the season, and just as it came to a head, both protagonists were transferred to Seattle and the payoff happened on Grey's Anatomy.

 

That's what TNA are doing here.

 

I'm anti-MMA in pro wrestling in the first place (while they're still active in MMA fights), because it makes no sense, but TNA are taking "making no sense" to a whole new level.

 

Even if they do manage to work a worthwhile storyline around this, it still doesn't account for the fact that their shock ending to a TV show was a guy who isn't a wrestler, who half the crowd had clearly no idea who he was, standing on the stage smirking derpily into a camera, while Rampage Jackson (who most fans have middling-to-little idea who he is) waved his arms about in a nondescript fashion.

 

That's your big climax, TNA? Really?

 

Not to mention that the "Offer you can't refuse" turned out to be MEM saying "We want the exact same match we had a few months ago, but with slightly different particpants, and whoever loses has to be off TV for a bit!" and MEM saying "meh, ok".

 

On the plus side, all the matches were pretty good this week. Although I didn't tune in until Joseph Parkes vs. whoever it was was almost over, so I don't know what I missed. Part of me loves the badass new AJ Styles, while the cynical side of me says he looks like he's from 2003 and has the worst entrance theme ever (which in TNA is a tremendous achievement).

[Blackman]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="D-Lyrium" data-cite="D-Lyrium" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> On the plus side, all the matches were pretty good this week. Although I didn't tune in until Joseph Parkes vs. whoever it was was almost over, so I don't know what I missed. Part of me loves the badass new AJ Styles, while the cynical side of me says he looks like he's from 2003 and has the worst entrance theme ever (which in TNA is a tremendous achievement).</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The way you're describing it, it should be painfully obvious to TNA that this doesn't work. Maybe they think they can get away with everything. Or they're just put on the leash by the TV company.</p><p> </p><p> These minor inconveniences have kept me from the product for years now. Their first PPV had it all: a cruiserweight royal rumble, midget wrestling, chix dancing in cages, a stellar title fight (not the main event though),... And they took it all away and replaced it with crap. <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Self]

<p>I like the new AJ Styles. It's confusing the crowd, but on a personal level, I really like it. I've argued in the past that tweeners don't exist, but it almost seems to be AJ's role now. Especially in the everyone-fights-everyone Bound For glory series. </p><p> </p><p>

Saying that, I watched Impact last night and I was disappointed with Styles vs Aries. Some cool stuff, but a lot of scrappy moments and an let-down of a finish. </p><p> </p><p>

I'm getting into TJP as Manik. It's all a bit weird how we've seen his face, but he's still masked BUT there are moments where I feel like this is an interesting way to use a masked guy. The backstage conversation with him and Sabin, maskless with his back to the camera... something I dug about that. Plus, Sabin I thought came off as a more confident, competant champion, being around him. Manik isn't as polished and Sabin looks better by comparison.</p><p> </p><p>

I stumbled upon spoilers about August1, so after that match I just went to bed. No interest in it.</p>

[D-Lyrium]

That's the best part about not really 'following' wrestling any more but watching the shows sometimes; stuff that's supposed to be a surprise still actually is.

[sebsplex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="D-Lyrium" data-cite="D-Lyrium" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Even if they do manage to work a worthwhile storyline around this, it still doesn't account for the fact that their shock ending to a TV show was a guy who isn't a wrestler, who half the crowd had clearly no idea who he was, standing on the stage smirking derpily into a camera, while Rampage Jackson (who most fans have middling-to-little idea who he is) waved his arms about in a nondescript fashion.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It seemed to last an eternity as well. Like everyone was just waiting around for something to happen (i.e. the show to end) and a whole bunch of whispering sweet nothings to each other. Completely flat segment/climax. I doubt if they had flashed Ortiz's name on the video screen it would had made any difference, but it might have at least prompted some of the live crowd to react in some form.</p><p> </p><p> As for what I saw of the rest of the show, I probably enjoyed Manik vs Sabin more than AJ vs Aries, which just felt a bit forced and inconcequencial, despite not being a bad match at all. Thought it was a nice touch to show a half-beaten Manik grab Bully's had mid post match-assault on Sabin in a fellow X-Division sacrifice-type gesture... shame Tenay completely no sold the fact that it allowed Sabin to rally and beat Bully back. I also have no idea how the whole peice constituted 'outsmarting' Bully, which Tenay seemed determined to yell at me afterward.</p>

[D-Lyrium]

Yeah, Tenay seems to have lost it. Like, his ability, not his sanity. Although maybe that too. ¬_¬

 

He quite often just spouts the same thing over and over during matches, and hypes things over and over again to the point of me being bored to tears of hearing about it. I'm sure a large amount of that is TNA management telling him to hype things repeatedly, but much of it seems (to me) to be him running out of stuff to say during matches, to the point where if you're listening to the commentary alone you could be forgiven for forgetting there was a match going on.

[Jaysin]

I'd be ok if JB and Matt Striker were the announce team

[Swagger]

<p>They should have stuck with the new guy and booted Taz backstage after he turned heel.</p><p> </p><p>

At least having him in between Tenay and Taz buffered the staleness somewhat.</p><p> </p><p>

I feel bad for TNA. It's like they can't get out of their own way no matter what.</p>

[D-Lyrium]

What was the point in tonight's Ortiz segment? It basically went:

 

JB: Why are you here?

 

Ortiz: Not a damn clue bro!

 

Angle: I respect you. This means you and Rampage are both babyfaces because that makes so much sense to nobody.

 

Bully: GENERIC BULLY PROMO #3 FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON! BYE.

 

Tito: What just happened?

-end-

 

It was literally the most meaningless 5 minutes of TV I can remember...

 

Oh, and can someone fill me in on the ODB/EY and Jesse/Tara splits? Are Rob Terry, Tara and EY still around?

 

Also, as much as like the guy, what happened with Sabin? I've been 'gone' a while but surely not long enough for a former X-Division champ who wasn't on TV for ages to legit earn a world title shot and win it?

 

The finish to Sabin/Kazarian was obvious, but when Roode came out with the chair I thought he was going to be pissed that he didn't have time to rob Daniels of 10pts. I like my booking better

 

Oh and I hate hate hate heel Tazz on commentary. At least neutral Tazz sometimes attempted to call the match...

[Self]

<p>Tara got released. Eric Young is busy doing a fishing show. Rob Terry... I don't know. He and Robbie E broke up a ways ago. </p><p> </p><p>

The X-Division Title has special powers now. At 'Destination X' you cash it in for a title show. Aries started it last year. Sabin did it this year. It's kinda cool. </p><p> </p><p>

Liked the show. Muted all the promos, but the BFG stuff still tickles my fancy. Really dug the tag match.</p>

[20LEgend]

<p>Most of it was also exactly the same as the Rampage one too. I think it's just a case of putting them next to Angle (and Ray in this case) to reaffirm that they're positioned at the top of the card to the viewer. Make them seem important I suppose</p><p> </p><p>

Tara's gone. OBD/EY are still together but both have separate storyline - Robbie T hasn't been seen since his face turn/feud with Robbie E as far as I remember.</p><p> </p><p>

Sabin used Aries' "Option C" to cash in his XD Championship for a title shot. He won, using a hammer.</p><p> </p><p>

He really doesn't seem like a promo guy to me, a bit like Kyle O'Reilly I feel like somebody should be saying "you go girl" after he speaks.</p>

[D-Lyrium]

Ah, cool.

 

Yeah, liked the show overall, but Ortiz made no sense and the commentary suuuucks (except in the main event where they were pretty good actually). :/

 

Almost as much as the Challenge voiceover guy.

 

Oh: who was revealed as the Aces and 8s leader, with the disguised voice? Obviously wasn't Bully as they were often in the same/adjacent segments.

[20LEgend]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="D-Lyrium" data-cite="D-Lyrium" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Ah, cool.<p> </p><p> Yeah, liked the show overall, but Ortiz made no sense and the commentary suuuucks (except in the main event where they were pretty good actually). :/</p><p> </p><p> Almost as much as the Challenge voiceover guy.</p><p> </p><p> Oh: who was revealed as the Aces and 8s leader, with the disguised voice? Obviously wasn't Bully as they were often in the same/adjacent segments.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Bully Ray and D'Lo Brown.</p><p> </p><p> If you have the time (and are interested) these are worth watching, 4 parts of a few minutes Bully Explaining "The Hoax": </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/A5xOdpKJ59M?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Bully Ray reveals The Hoax | The Rise Of Aces and Eights (Part 1)"></iframe></div></div>

[D-Lyrium]

Thanks

 

Next week should be interesting... Sabin loses the title after a month, on free TV, or the top heel never gets another shot... I like it when the stips don't make it obvious (like a guy who's already practically bald being in a hair vs. hair match )

[Fleisch]

<p>The problem with TNA at times is they go through this "lets throw shit at the wall and see what sticks" before something decent happens storywise. Aces & Eights, was a good storyline but people crapped on it because the people being unmasked weren't International Superstars. What people fail to realise when saying these things is that everyone needs to start their career somewhere... "Stunning" Steve Austin -> The Ringmaster -> Stone Cold. Flex Kavanagh -> Rocky Maivia -> The Rock. Terra Ryzin -> Jean-Paul Levesque -> Triple H. Nobody gives workers a chance any more, they want the pay off NOW NOW NOW! Like I said before, with the exception of Wes Brisco, all those people unmasked look at home in that group. I would have been having WTF moments had it been John Morrison, MVP or Chris Masters being unmasked, but Knux, DOC (curse you for leaving), D-Von all made perfect memebrs, even Bischoff looks like he belongs in the group. Of course, that's just 1 persons opinion.</p><p> </p><p>

I think TNA just need to cut their losses and start again. Release the "fringe" talent and higher paid workers who are doing nothing and bring in a few indy guys on PPA deals. Build up their debuts with video hype - get the crowd into them by making them interesting (as I think someone else pointed out). Overall TNA have amazing in ring performers and should be doing a hell of alot better than they are. I would love for TNA to succeed, I honestly enjoy most of the matches but all the while you have Hogan pulling Dixies strings I think they are going to fall flat on their face more times than not. </p><p> </p><p>

Anyway I think I'm just rambling on and repeating myself more than Mike Tenay on commentary so I'm going to stop now. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Blackman]

Well, they started off right, but noticed that they could attract more viewers by hiring rejects from WWE. Once that notion established itself with management, it all went to hell. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[brashleyholland]

As an 'MMA guy' and a former huge wrestling fan, I've pretty much hated any attempt to mix the two (Brawl 4 All, what a great idea!)

 

I guess it makes sense in Japan, where the line between MMA and wrestling has always been a little more blurred. But in the west, it makes no sense for MMA to exist in wrestling's version of reality.

 

Wrestling is about suspension of disbelief; having MMA guys around just makes that harder. It's like a real police officer turning up in an episode of Breaking Bad and arresting the actor who plays Hank for impersonating a law enforcement official.

 

Business wise, it makes sense for Viacom to promote it. They'll likely lose money on the Bellator PPV, so it's best to soften that blow as much as possible by trying to get a few buys from wrestling fans. The PPV itself is only happening due to a court case between Bellator and their former 155lb champion Eddie Alvarez (Bellator held 'matching rights' in their contract with him, and 'matched' a UFC contract offer that included a share of PPV buys).

 

If you're not sold on the Rampage/Tito thing, you're in for some more bad news. Also fighting on that PPV will be Mo Lawal, who I understand has also showed up on TNA wrestling. Lawal was brought into Bellator and put in a talent-light 8-man tourney, but ended up getting knocked out by the unheralded Emanuel Newton. They then put Mo in an even talent-lighter 4-man tourney, which he won. He'll rematch Newton on the PPV. Bellator want to do Jackson vs Lawal next year, so expect a whole lot of both of them on TNA, hyping that fight.

[Blackman]

Just watched the latest episode of Impact and it's not all bad apparently. I had just seen some bits and pieces and it seemed bad, but the whole was actually decent. I mean: I wasn't bored so... that's something.

 

You gotta hand it to them: they DO try various things and formats. They fail most of the time, but it's a nice change at the very least.

 

Tito's segments were awkward though. And they might wanna up their realism a little. Bully lying unconscious after a cross body seems pretty weird to me.

[D-Lyrium]

To be fair, he had just been through a table...