The Official TNA / Impact / GFW Discussion Thread

[hellboy2]

i am not one to lose faith in anything, but i have really given up on TNA, i hope they succeed in the long run, but watching it almost makes me feel embarrassed and thats bad considering i usually watch it alone and i also have no say in the direction it takes, it really does make me feel awkward

 

but in saying that i am on off again viewer, but even Samoa Joe can't save what i am watching as he is portrayed as a tough son of a gun who never seems to win, Eric Young should be heel once he is finished with whatever outcome with MVP, no champion can be champion without a heel turn

 

whoever has the belt, has to turn heel, they seem to love the whole Face chasing the belt while being beaten down by a heel stable who in turn get beaten in every match they are in

[Jaysin]

So does anyone else feel that Christopher Daniels will go down as the best talent to never win the TNA World title? Even though they gave it to people like Chris Sabin and Eric Young?

 

I mean, I'm a fan of both of those guys, but Daniels is far better than them in my opinion. I know he was having high profile feuds with AJ and Joe over the X Division title when that belt meant just as much as the WHC, but it's just a shame he's the only one of the three not to win the big one.

[Macca316]

<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>So does anyone else feel that Christopher Daniels will go down as the best talent to never win the TNA World title? Even though they gave it to people like Chris Sabin and Eric Young?<p> </p><p> I mean, I'm a fan of both of those guys, but Daniels is far better than them in my opinion. I know he was having high profile feuds with AJ and Joe over the X Division title when that belt meant just as much as the WHC, but it's just a shame he's the only one of the three not to win the big one.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree man, there was a time when all of them (Joe, Daniels and AJ) were hot, their fued over the X Title made that belt mean something. </p><p> </p><p> Daniels is and has always been through his stops in TNA been a consistant talent and was (as Bad Influence) one of the hot and over talents on the roster, He absolutly could have been an over and entertaining champion for the company. </p><p> </p><p> It's a shame that when the three were still riding the wave of overness that Hogan came in with all his oldies and Daniels ended up getting fed to Morely in a less than memorable feud...</p>

[dpoolez]

<p>In terms of pure wrestling skill, Daniels and Alex Shelley are probably two of the best who have never won the big one. Jay Lethal as well.</p><p> </p><p>

In terms of how big of a draw that they could have been, I think that TNA screwed up big time with Monty Brown and The Pope.</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="dpoolez" data-cite="dpoolez" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In terms of pure wrestling skill, Daniels and Alex Shelley are probably two of the best who have never won the big one. Jay Lethal as well.<p> </p><p> In terms of how big of a draw that they could have been, I think that TNA screwed up big time with Monty Brown and The Pope.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I would also add in terms of as close to homegrown talent as you can get Matt Morgan... how he didn't get the title I'll never know... Could have been a great champion</p>

[MrSelfDestruct]

<p>I know its not really TNA technically now, but I saw a reuinion of sorts between the Motor City Machine Guns in Michigan on Saturday! </p><p> </p><p>

Shelley killed it, I met Sabin and he was an awesome guy. I wonder now if WWE will go after them, as a tag team</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="dpoolez" data-cite="dpoolez" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In terms of pure wrestling skill, Daniels and Alex Shelley are probably two of the best who have never won the big one. Jay Lethal as well.<p> </p><p> In terms of how big of a draw that they could have been, I think that TNA screwed up big time with Monty Brown and The Pope.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> They had a chance to make James Storm the face of the company in 2012 when he was white hot and then Aries beat Roode and ultimately lost to Hardy and turned heel for no reason</p><p> </p><p> Storm and Roode had an incredible match and then Storm has floundered since</p>

[Macca316]

<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="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>They had a chance to make James Storm the face of the company in 2012 when he was white hot and then Aries beat Roode and ultimately lost to Hardy and turned heel for no reason<p> </p><p> Storm and Roode had an incredible match and then Storm has floundered since</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> They have squandered so so many chances... </p><p> </p><p> Storm, Aries, Daniels, Shelley, Morgan, Monty Brown, Magnus and from what I remember Joe's title run wasn't all that memorable or enjoyable... </p><p> </p><p> I like TNA, I really do... I don't know if its because being in the UK without Sky TV its the only wrestling I get or if its due to the fact that I watch it with my wife and she is genuinly into it because she isn't a wrestling fan and doesn't read the sheets and has an untarnished view of it she just enjoys it that I feed off that... But they have really p**sed away alot of chances for over champions/homegrown champions.</p>

[Mootinie]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I would also add in terms of as close to homegrown talent as you can get Matt Morgan... how he didn't get the title I'll never know... Could have been a great champion</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think Matt Morgan just struggled to engage the crowd. He had the look and the tools but no psychology IMO.</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think Matt Morgan just struggled to engage the crowd. He had the look and the tools but no psychology IMO.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think he was always better as a heel, his whole DNA of TNA schtick was superb, and when he turned on iirc Hernandez and was carrying both of the Tag titles he was doing great work. </p><p> </p><p> I'll agree though he never really clicked as a face...</p>

[sheepy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think he was always better as a heel, his whole DNA of TNA schtick was superb, and when he turned on iirc Hernandez and was carrying both of the Tag titles he was doing great work. <p> </p><p> I'll agree though he never really clicked as a face...</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Biggest mistake as I saw it was towards the end of the main event mafia.</p><p> </p><p> I always thought that was the chance to make him a top level talent either by: </p><p> </p><p> 1) splitting Kurt off from the mafia as he joins forces with Morgan and Lashley (who recently debuted and was a massive name for them at the time). The three of them put an end to the mafia, in turn forming one of the most physically intimidating stables of all time (more so than evolution)</p><p> </p><p> 2) keep Morgan on his own as the one man army who ends the MEM. Then turn him heel and present him as an uncontrollable monster born out of TNA's desperation.</p><p> </p><p> Regardless of his limitations, if booked right he'd have been massively over. Maybe not face of the company level, but certainly a good heel to build a strong ME around.</p>

[Warhawk8492]

I think the MVP heel turn has potential. At least TNA is TV 14, not that PG crap in WWE. I have always liked TNA better. I mostly watch WWE for Daniel Bryan.

[dpoolez]

<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="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>They had a chance to make James Storm the face of the company in 2012 when he was white hot and then Aries beat Roode and ultimately lost to Hardy and turned heel for no reason<p> </p><p> Storm and Roode had an incredible match and then Storm has floundered since</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah thats probably the biggest one of the Hogan-Bischoff era. Storm couldve been big and even Aries couldve went far if they stuck with it. I wouldnt even had minded Storm/Aries/Roode at BFG and let Storm take the title then.</p><p> </p><p> TNA has screwed up way too many times for being the number two company that wants to be number one. Theyre not going to get everything right because theyre not perfect. We could probably name twice as many people that WWE have screwed as well. But the differebce is that the WWE can afford to make mistakes at this rate, TNA really cant.</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<p>The thing at least with WWE is that you still know Cena and basically all of the other main eventers (Orton/Punk, now Bryan) are the guys who should be considered top guys and portrayed as a big deal.</p><p> </p><p>

With TNA it's like everyone gets a turn in the main event but so many people fluctuate so that it feels like next to no difference when comparing the main event to the midcard, and not in the way that elevates the midcard.</p>

[Fleisch]

Right now TNA is a cluster**** of randomness. There is no direction or major story arcs. Its just gone back to throwing **** at the wall to see what sticks... well the only thing sticking is the **** they threw. TNA have had more than enough opportunities to improve but never maintain it for more than a few months. This is the first time I can see the legit closure of TNA within the next 2 years if they continue the route they are going.

[Macca316]

<p>Something that really grinded my gears from last weeks episode of Impact, </p><p> </p><p>

Crazy Steve vs Kaz.. Just didn't enjoy the match... I know it was Kaz basically just fufilling his dates but the match lacked entertainment and was pretty much just a joke. </p><p> </p><p>

from what I've seen I am not a fan of crazy steve or the menagerie, don't get me wrong I loved uber beard Knox from WWE but not enjoying this whole failing circus shtick</p>

[Hayati]

<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="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>The thing at least with WWE is that you still know Cena and basically all of the other main eventers (Orton/Punk, now Bryan) are the guys who should be considered top guys and portrayed as a big deal.<p> </p><p> With TNA it's like everyone gets a turn in the main event but so many people fluctuate so that it feels like next to no difference when comparing the main event to the midcard, and not in the way that elevates the midcard.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree with this, as a returning viewer I found it was difficult to see who was being pushed with the cards seeming to lack a build-up towards the main event.</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hayati" data-cite="Hayati" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I agree with this, as a returning viewer I found it was difficult to see who was being pushed with the cards seeming to lack a build-up towards the main event.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'll agree too, unless you follow week in week out then yeah it is a little confusing.</p><p> </p><p> I think this is one of the few cases where a glass ceiling is really needed, TNA need to work out who their big players are, who are their (not quite over enough for main event but too over for midcard/upper midcard) </p><p> </p><p> At the moment they are a bit like a revolving door in that proven or not everyone gets their chance to shine thus you'll often see guys with absolutly zero momentum suddenly going for or winning the belt... </p><p> </p><p> Was there actually any reason for Sabin to win the belt when he did? Don't get me wrong Sabin is a great guy and a good wrestler but it seemed like they gave him the belt simply because he had been on the shelf for 2 years prior, then to have him win the belt and lose it 2 weeks later made everyone involved look weak, Sabin himself, Bully who had been hot and near unstoppable for all those months and then AJ the conquering hero.</p>

[dpoolez]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Something that really grinded my gears from last weeks episode of Impact, <p> </p><p> Crazy Steve vs Kaz.. Just didn't enjoy the match... I know it was Kaz basically just fufilling his dates but the match lacked entertainment and was pretty much just a joke. </p><p> </p><p> from what I've seen I am not a fan of crazy steve or the menagerie, don't get me wrong I loved uber beard Knox from WWE but not enjoying this whole failing circus shtick</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> IDK I thought Knox had something during his CM Punk/Kelly Kelly feud on ECW but then WWE killed his character when he moved to Raw. He probably should've been on ECW for at least another year before making the move.</p><p> </p><p> Not sure what The Menagerie's supposed to be but I agree I didnt like the Kaz match as well.</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="dpoolez" data-cite="dpoolez" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>IDK I thought Knox had something during his CM Punk/Kelly Kelly feud on ECW but then WWE killed his character when he moved to Raw. He probably should've been on ECW for at least another year before making the move.<p> </p><p> Not sure what The Menagerie's supposed to be but I agree I didnt like the Kaz match as well.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> as the over protective boyfriend? Yeah that was some good work by Knox, Like i said in the other post I enjoyed his Uberbeard phase, especially when he used to pop up in the corner of his entrance to advise how he was going to harm his opponent.</p>

[sebsplex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Macca316" data-cite="Macca316" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'll agree too, unless you follow week in week out then yeah it is a little confusing.<p> </p><p> I think this is one of the few cases where a glass ceiling is really needed, TNA need to work out who their big players are, who are their (not quite over enough for main event but too over for midcard/upper midcard) </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I agree, they need to establish some form of pecking order. Too many mini-pushes followed by de-pushes or turns (or both) or complete character 180s in too short a space of time across the board. As with many things TNA, it's the lack of consistency that kills them and it's at a point now where I literally don't know whether it's a big deal for nearly half the roster to win or lose to each other. The fact they've let so many of their old guard go in the process (Jarrett, Styles, Sabin, Daniels, Kaz, etc) just makes the problem worse.</p><p> </p><p> On The Menagerie, I rather like Knox and didn't mind the failed circus story build up segments, but the 'match' with Kaz was just horrible. Not funny, not entertaining, featured virtually no wrestling and having to endure circus lights and music throughout was just plain annoying.</p>

[Stennick]

<p>The problem I had was there was NO WAY I could buy Knox as Kelly Kelly's boyfriend. Even if in some universe that was possible I thought Kelly Kelly was one of the hottest women ever when she debuted.</p><p> </p><p>

That being said I enjoyed the hell out of the Ballz/Kelly Kelly storyline or their aspect of it all. Kinda sucks Ballz didn't stick around he really showed he was more than just a hardcore guy during his time back in ECW and showed he was capable of being something.</p>

[Truly]

<p>A hell of a great article from TNAsylum, worth the long read.</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://www.tnasylum.com/2014/05/we-are-all-wrestlings-biggest-enemy.html" rel="external nofollow">http://www.tnasylum.com/2014/05/we-are-all-wrestlings-biggest-enemy.html</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TNAsylum" data-cite="TNAsylum" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Saturday, May 24, 2014<p> <strong>We Are All Wrestling's Biggest Enemy</strong></p><p> </p><p> By Mortimer Plumtree</p><p> </p><p> "Are people serious with these comments?" </p><p> </p><p> "I'm afraid so." </p><p> </p><p> "And you wonder why wrestling is looked at the way it is"</p><p> </p><p> This was the mini conversation a good friend and I had via text messaging after he read some of the Facebook comments under TNA Wrestling's post of the new faction of MVP, Kenny King, and Bobby Lashley. This friend, a wrestling fan of the 80's and 90's who occasionally watches pro wrestling today here and there, was actually intrigued by the group. He's usually indifferent to all products. A blossomed fruit of wrestling's past fandom, he'll get hooked in for periods and to any company if things are interesting enough, but doesn't share the overwhelming passion that most of us on this site do.</p><p> </p><p> "Maybe this faction is a good thing. Maybe it does draw in casual fans", I thought to myself. After all, he tuned in on a random Thursday night with most network television wrapping up or done for the season, and had legit interest in returning for next week. He seemed excited bout the product. This had to be a positive, right? </p><p> </p><p> "No offense bro, but hardcore wrestling fans are the worst type of fans"</p><p> </p><p> "Non taken" </p><p> </p><p> Ouch. I love being a pro wrestling fan. It's who I am. "Non taken?!" Of course I take offense to that! He doesn't get it. We're the most passionate fanbase there is.</p><p> </p><p> Then it hit me. He's absolutely right. 100% right. Damn, he's completely correct! Only in pro wrestling do fans watch a program with such judgement and cynicism. Only in pro wrestling do we intentionally look for plot holes, logical gaps, and seek explanation of reoccurring or similar story lines. Only in pro wrestling are we so locked into comparing everything to another product, brand, or time period. Only pro wrestling fans volunteer - willingly - and gladly give negative feedback to deter others on products and brands they have no interest in. </p><p> </p><p> We tear down our love too much. We tear our own genre down too often. We keep others away from this passion which we all love so much because of our silliness and overbearing and outrageous passion. </p><p> </p><p> After all, no fan of "24" watches and says, "They did this last year". No fan of (fill in your favorite band or artist here) willingly makes an attempt to launch an all out assault on other forms of music - they simply don't listen to it and ignore it (Huh, imagine that?). No fan of films and movies complain that Movie A is a blatant rip off of Movie B, even when said movie is a remake. No fan of a TV show dissects the entire product or its overarching story line by each specific show. No fan of a sports team finds it to be an issue when their team goes with younger talent for the future. </p><p> </p><p> Look, I get pro wrestling is the happy medium among all of those outlets mentioned above. I really do. In my opinion, it's what makes it enjoyable. But why are we, a group of fans already behind the eight ball in terms of ostracism and stereotypes by mainstream entities and society, furthering that by hurting the growth of what we love so much?</p><p> </p><p> From the ridiculous comments left on fanpages to the thinking we've developed, it seems that we as an overall fanbase are terrible in sharing, attracting others, and promoting this love. Regardless, if it is the "IWC" or whatever, whomever, those comments wholly represents us all as wrestling fans. Even MMA fans, who share a similarity in the aspect that their niche genre has multiple companies - large, small, independents, and international - do not reach to the depths of negativity as we, wrestling fans do. And just look how their sport has evolved and flourished because of that support, especially among casual fans. </p><p> </p><p> I fully expect many to disagree with this, or even find this piece to be that of myself getting up on a soap box right now, but bear with me and further assess afterwards. </p><p> </p><p> Somewhere along the way, when we all learned about the insider terms and all of the secrets that were protected in pro wrestling, we narrowed our thinking, shrunk our imagination, and developed this weird fixation of thinking from the other end of the entertainment vacuum. I know what you're thinking, blame the writers, bookers, creative, etc. for pro wrestling's recent position, right? While a valid argument can be made for that, as a fanbase, we've become conditioned to using that excuse to complain or gripe about, well, everything. We've become conditioned about pro wrestling negativity and what we expect from it because of this reverse thinking. </p><p> </p><p> We consistently ask said companies to innovate and create, yet, we seem to complain about little things that rub against the traditional ways in which wrestling is presented. Again, being honest, it drives me nuts when others claim what a "heel ought to do", or a "face should do", or "how a current feud should play out", or even why a gimmick match HAS to be the last match in a feud? By staying along these lines, aren't we staying in line with the norm, thus promoting the norm and eliminating the chance to be different? Aren't we asking for essentially the opposite of what we're begging for as a fan base?</p><p> </p><p> This of course crosses over into our latest phenomenon of comparing everything. Everything is copying everything. Rather than focus on the uniqueness that makes each faction, each storyline, each wrestler, and each product different, we seek what looks, feels, or might be a stretch (or a huuuuuuge stretch) in being similar. "They're copying..." is often heard and read these days in reviews, point of views, and comment sections. Again, such reasoning leaves little doubt to why when we see three wrestlers who happen to be black form a group, our narrow mindedness and conditioning immediately hearkens to the last time black wrestlers grouped together in pro wrestling. Of course, "they're copying...".</p><p> </p><p> Furthering my point, is our need to over think, over-analyze, and dissect this love of ours. Again, maybe I'm different or just out of the loop from many, but I watch pro wrestling for the complete opposite of serious logic. I look to be entertained. I enjoy the wackiness once in a while just as much as the seriousness it provides. I want to suspend my disbelief for a few hours and let my imagination roam that a wrestler can invade another person's home, or that he or she can be punched repeatedly in the head for a ten minute match, or that these folks only settle their differences every Thursday night at 9pm on Spike TV. Sure, like many of you debate frequently, I want things to at least be coherent and somewhat make sense in the mix, but I'm not looking for a Schindler's List or a Shawshank Redemption experience from pro wrestling. After all, using that thinking, no one should ever believe an Irish whip is a useful tactic to defend themselves in a fight or contest. </p><p> </p><p> We've seen child custody battles in pro wrestling. Men thrown in jail for the night for losing a match. Girlfriends put on the line in a match. C'mon, there are proverbial "wrestling weddings"! And numerous other silly things that make pro wrestling, pro wrestling. </p><p> </p><p> This all lends to the "booking" sinkhole we all fall into. Again, someone needs to clearly define "good booking" because everyone, every single one of us, touts their mighty fists in the air proclaiming this golden diatribe against wrestling today with no - none whatsoever - substance at all. </p><p> </p><p> But again, we're so conditioned in what "should be". We're conditioned at this point to a certain mode of thinking. And, again being honest, there are some who are so deep in this line of thinking that they enjoy complaining about pro wrestling moreso than, well, pro wrestling! The classic goalpost movers. I truly believe that. You know who they are. We all do. They're very easy to spot.</p><p> </p><p> Others simply head into any wrestling program with this negative and often cold mindset that prevents them from truly enjoying the product, or at the very least, part of the product. </p><p> </p><p> It's time for us to look in the mirror. It's really time for us to figure out what we're truly arguing, bickering, and complaining about in pro wrestling. Why do we attack the very genre we love. Why do we attack the companies within it? Heck, why do we attack one another?! Really, what is our cause in all of this? What are our reasons? What defines our issues with pro wrestling? The time is now to understand the damage we do to our fanhood, the industry, and to those who ay want to join in on the awesomeness that is pro wrestling which we all already can be offered. Let's find a solution to the real problems that irks us all and cease our continued and pointless attack on the very thing we all claim to love. </p><p> </p><p> "I think that's drastic. Hardcore wrestling fans are passionate"</p><p> </p><p> "Are you kidding me? They are the only fanbase that consistently promotes and tear down their interest on their own. One minute, something is awesome, the next they are complaining about out what should've happened instead" </p><p> </p><p> "ahhh, true" </p><p> </p><p> True indeed. He's right...again.</p><p> </p><p> After all, as I learned from stepping back from it all for a different perspective, we are indeed the worst thing going in pro wrestling. Again, we consistently complain for change, yet criticize when companies deviate from the norm. We watch programs awaiting for the first moment of disgust so we can gripe about it. And we can't seem to get out of our own way in comparing everything, thus devaluing what a company is attempting to create - for us to enjoy - in the process. </p><p> </p><p> We are worse than any terrible gimmick, story line, or company you can imagine. We are worse than Shockmaster's debut, than Vince Russo's perceived reputation, than a Punjabi prison match, than Robocop's debut, than the Aces and Eights, or anything else we can complain about. </p><p> </p><p> It's often said, we, the fans, are wrestling's lifeblood. </p><p> </p><p> Yet, what we've become is also, the pro wrestling industry's biggest enemy. </p><p> </p><p> How scary is that?</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Random Rhetoric</strong></p><p> </p><p> Anyone else find it insanely hilarious how many assume TNA was going for an all-black faction gimmick just because all three men are of color? </p><p> </p><p> With that logic, is the Managerie an all-white faction gimmick? And with that said, how ridiculous is our logic? </p><p> </p><p> Speaking of logic, I'm no ROH hater,I actually enjoy it, but what's the deal with ROH fans throwing stones at TNA lately? </p><p> </p><p> I thought everyone says TNA should worry about themselves and not WWE. Shouldn't this logic apply to ROH in pursuit of #2, TNA? </p><p> </p><p> Okay, enough with the logic stuff...</p><p> </p><p> Isn't heel MVP so much better? </p><p> </p><p> And hasn't he been tremendous since coming to TNA? </p><p> </p><p> How great is Kenny King's latest deal as a loose cannon? </p><p> </p><p> And with the talk of Money, Power, Respect, wouldn't it be great if TNA somehow got the licensing rights for their theme song to be that of "Money, Power, Respect" by The Lox? </p><p> </p><p> How about TNA squeezing, twisting, crushing, and wringing the sponge that is now Frankie Kazarian before he heads to ROH? </p><p> </p><p> Anyone else ready and excited for a Wolves vs. King/Lashley match? </p><p> </p><p> How great was Austin Aries' return? </p><p> </p><p> Alot of wrestler perform the spear maneuver, but isn't Lashley's one of the best since, well, possibly Goldberg? </p><p> </p><p> Doesn't Bram pull off the whole "crazy" thing without having to shout, act weird, or be over the top, really well? </p><p> </p><p> How AWESOME was that Eddie Edwards/Kenny King fight? </p><p> </p><p> Don't you love how everyone seriously just wants to kick everyone else's ass right now in TNA? </p><p> </p><p> Well, except for Gunner and Shaw. Are you perplexed by this as well?</p><p> </p><p> Maybe it was a mistake or a run-of-the-mill comment by Taz, but isn't "big ass elbow" a pretty funny and catchy name for his elbow drop finisher, which probably is the best in wrestling right now? </p><p> </p><p> How dominant does Lashley look after tonight's show? </p><p> </p><p> And finally...</p><p> </p><p> Wasn't there a great deal of energy in tonight's show that really had a "next level" vibe to it? </p><p> </p><p> As always, your comments and appreciation is well appreciated. Feel free to follow me over at </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedOther"> <iframe data-embedid="c61cee8b92ee5e8ea0c1a467f0a89374" allowfullscreen="" data-embed-src="<___base_url___>/index.php?app=core&module=system&controller=embed&url=http://www.twitter.com/domepondering"></iframe> </div> to discuss wrestling or just about anything else.</div></blockquote>

[lazorbeak]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Truly" data-cite="Truly" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>A hell of a great article from TNAsylum, worth the long read.<p> </p><p> <a href="http://www.tnasylum.com/2014/05/we-are-all-wrestlings-biggest-enemy.html" rel="external nofollow">http://www.tnasylum.com/2014/05/we-are-all-wrestlings-biggest-enemy.html</a></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This is pretty idiotic. Yes, every fandom has negativity, every fandom wants the thing they like to be better, <em>especially</em> when it sucks. No, TNA's problem isn't that it's being held to some unreasonably high, impossible standard. Its problem is that it's a promotion without an identity that's run by morons that have "dominant heel faction?" on a whiteboard in permanent marker somewhere. They should be embarrassed by the way they handled the Eric Young title change, because regardless of whether it's an embarrassing rip-off of WWE's 8 month long story, the story they told wasn't any good. It didn't even make sense to the people watching it. And while they've been pretty good at doing the first half of a dominant heel angle, they always seem to lose interest and the pay-off is never anywhere near where it should be, and then days later there's a new dominant heel faction. </p><p> </p><p> I don't disagree with the thesis in its broadest terms. I don't want all my wrestling product to be super serious respect-based feuds at all times. I like stupid gimmicks, I like silliness, but I also like stories that even try to make sense to people that don't have brain damage.</p>

[Rickymex]

<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>This is pretty idiotic. Yes, every fandom has negativity, every fandom wants the thing they like to be better, <em>especially</em> when it sucks. No, TNA's problem isn't that it's being held to some unreasonably high, impossible standard. Its problem is that it's a promotion without an identity that's run by morons that have "dominant heel faction?" on a whiteboard in permanent marker somewhere. They should be embarrassed by the way they handled the Eric Young title change, because regardless of whether it's an embarrassing rip-off of WWE's 8 month long story, the story they told wasn't any good. It didn't even make sense to the people watching it. And while they've been pretty good at doing the first half of a dominant heel angle, they always seem to lose interest and the pay-off is never anywhere near where it should be, and then days later there's a new dominant heel faction. <p> </p><p> I don't disagree with the thesis in its broadest terms. I don't want all my wrestling product to be super serious respect-based feuds at all times. I like stupid gimmicks, I like silliness, but I also like stories that even try to make sense to people that don't have brain damage.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This</p>