The Official TNA / Impact / GFW Discussion Thread

[The Swanton825]

<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> I agree with the general idea he's trying to get across. But two things: When you only have four (at least their site claims King Mo is still there) of a certain race on your roster, and then you place three of them together as a group, it's going to raise some eyebrows. Especially when it's a group of black men in a southern-based promotion, there are a lot of stigmas on both sides and it can be a very sensitive thing. Not saying either side is right, it's just how it is around here.</p><p> </p><p> Second of all, there are music fans who go on crusades against music they don't like, they call themselves metalheads. They're actually just as destructively negative about their passion as well, I say this as a man who always says metal is his favorite genre.</p>

[cappyboy]

<p>Okay. About some of his random thoughts.</p><p> </p><p>

No. I do not like MVP better as a heel. If he were just a rank and file roster member, maybe I'd feel differently. But seeing as he's supposed to be an authority figure who gets in the ring when necessary, I far preferred him as a face. The war of authority vs lead face and fan interests is so overdone now. Him being counter-balance to Dixie's heel tendencies and re-leveling the playing field was much more interesting. It's a rarer function in modern times. I really don't see what having a second egomanical power broker adds to the product. Dixie has that market cornered. As far as I'm concerned if MVP's just going to heel it up, he can go pound sand. There's no point in him now.</p><p> </p><p>

That said, I do like the loose cannon act of Kenny King's and I do look forward to Wolves v King/Lashley. Although another match I'd really like to see is Gunner v Lashley. Honorable military veteran vs corrupted military veteran. Even better if we can get a side feud somewhere along the line on that basis.</p><p> </p><p>

I don't know I'd call Aries return "great". That seems like an awfully strong word. But it was good stuff and I like the possibility of an Aries/Young alliance in fighting MVP's crew. Although a couple people felt awfully conspicuous in their absence this past Impact. Those two men are Samoa Joe and Abyss. From the markish perspective I try to assume while watching the show, it really felt wrong that one of those two guys didn't show up to even the odds for Eric and Aries. Joe seems like he should have helped because MVP was using him as a weapon of justice when he first arrived. So one would think he'd be pretty P.O.'ed about MVP's change of heart. Or barring that for official reasons the average fan wouldn't know, that Abyss should have come down to back up Eric Young based on the history of mutual respect they have. I sure hope they address that next week.</p><p> </p><p>

I will agree with his assessment of Bram. I am really digging this storyline he and Magnus have going. Bram trying to drag Magnus back to his roots while Magnus tries to put his past behind him and be a professional makes for one heck of a great conflict. Don't know I'd call Bram crazy as such. But he such does manage to be threatening in a cold, deliberate fashion and that is pretty awesome.</p><p> </p><p>

Gotta disagree about Gunner/Shaw segments though. I'm intrigued by these and I thought Gunner laid out his motives well this past week. Gunner is a guy I could very easily tune out if they presented him as just some random big ole brawler. But they've given him a lot of depth the first half of this year. Getting into a lot of his background during the feud with Storm and now building on it with Samuel Shaw. He's come a long way from the glorified henchman/security guy he was when I'd last watched TNA with any regularity. I look forward to seeing this is going to go. Will Shaw accept the hand Gunner's extending him or is Gunner going to end up finding out just how badly Shaw needs to be there?</p><p> </p><p>

And yes, I do like how it seems everyone in TNA has reason to want to kick everyone else's backside these days. Makes even the most seemingly disposable match have more juice. The story world in a wrestling promotion shouldn't be an easy environment to live in and TNA's sure isn't these days. That's good news for us as viewers. Makes it harder for anybody to sleepwalk through their work and makes it easier to anticipate the next episode.</p>

[BHK1978]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Swanton825" data-cite="The Swanton825" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I agree with the general idea he's trying to get across. But two things: When you only have four (at least their site claims King Mo is still there) of a certain race on your roster, and then you place three of them together as a group, it's going to raise some eyebrows. Especially when it's a group of black men in a southern-based promotion, there are a lot of stigmas on both sides and it can be a very sensitive thing. Not saying either side is right, it's just how it is around here.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yeah I cringed when I saw them put the three of them together, especially seeing how they seemed like they were just thrown together with no real reason.</p><p> </p><p> I do not get the whole Sam Shaw thing. First he loses a to Mr. Anderson and is shipped off to the mental hospital. Then the very next week (Or was it two weeks?) he is back at home attacking Mr. Anderson. Next thing you know he is back in the mental hospital. </p><p> </p><p> What the heck happened there? Was this a Silver Linings Playbook type of deal where he was released from the hospital? What caused him to go back?</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I do not get the whole Sam Shaw thing. First he loses a to Mr. Anderson and is shipped off to the mental hospital. Then the very next week (Or was it two weeks?) he is back at home attacking Mr. Anderson. Next thing you know he is back in the mental hospital. <p> </p><p> What the heck happened there? Was this a Silver Linings Playbook type of deal where he was released from the hospital? What caused him to go back?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If I recall correctly, Anderson and Hemme attempted to and almost got him in the van before Shaw broke free and escaped the van.</p><p> </p><p> This led to the PPV where Anderson and Shaw had a "committed" match which Shaw lost thus he wass committed to the in Anderson's words "Funny Farm"</p>

[cappyboy]

<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>If I recall correctly, Anderson and Hemme attempted to and almost got him in the van before Shaw broke free and escaped the van.<p> </p><p> This led to the PPV where Anderson and Shaw had a "committed" match which Shaw lost thus he wass committed to the in Anderson's words "Funny Farm"</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You would be correct, Sir. That storyline meant a little more to me than it probably did most people because I think it may have been the first time I actually enjoyed one of Anderson's stories. I think it helped that he was something of a supporting player who came in well after Shaw's obsession was in full swing rather than being a major player all along.</p>

[BHK1978]

<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>If I recall correctly, Anderson and Hemme attempted to and almost got him in the van before Shaw broke free and escaped the van.<p> </p><p> This led to the PPV where Anderson and Shaw had a "committed" match which Shaw lost thus he wass committed to the in Anderson's words "Funny Farm"</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I never watch their pay-per-views and I guess I was not watching when they recapped that.<img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> So I am glad you cleared that up for me.</p>

[Macca316]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cappyboy" data-cite="cappyboy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You would be correct, Sir. That storyline meant a little more to me than it probably did most people because I think it may have been the first time I actually enjoyed one of Anderson's stories. I think it helped that he was something of a supporting player who came in well after Shaw's obsession was in full swing rather than being a major player all along.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Indeed, Always liked Anderson but not all of his work... saying that the tail end of his feud with Bully was well done but yes certainly at times his work can feel very dialed in.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I never watch their pay-per-views and I guess I was not watching when they recapped that.<img alt=":o" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> So I am glad you cleared that up for me.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You're Welcome. From what I remember it was a pretty fun PPV and certainly one of TNAs better (horrid booking of Magnus aside)</p>

[BHK1978]

I read yesterday (And no I am not going to cite my source because I am not writing some sort of thesis here) that originally it was supposed to be Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young for the title. However, due to Kurt's injury he was replaced by MVP. The reason why they chose MVP is because it was felt there was no suitable heels to face Eric and so they had MVP turn. Granted I have no idea if this is true or not but it does make sense. I personally feel that MVP plays a better heel than face so I do not mind him in that role.

[Rickymex]

I read yesterday (And no I am not going to cite my source because I am not writing some sort of thesis here) that originally it was supposed to be Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young for the title. However, due to Kurt's injury he was replaced by MVP. The reason why they chose MVP is because it was felt there was no suitable heels to face Eric and so they had MVP turn. Granted I have no idea if this is true or not but it does make sense. I personally feel that MVP plays a better heel than face so I do not mind him in that role.

 

Bobby Roode, James Storm, Austin Aries, and even ECIII were available. Plus Kurt Angle was a face and even if they turned him heel people would still cheer him. Makes him a bad opponent for the new main eventer babyface Eric Young. Plus Bobby Roode has history with Eric Young and would make an ideal first opponent.

[Warhawk8492]

I am not against MVP's heel turn, he is a good heel.

[BHK1978]

Bobby Roode, James Storm, Austin Aries, and even ECIII were available. Plus Kurt Angle was a face and even if they turned him heel people would still cheer him. Makes him a bad opponent for the new main eventer babyface Eric Young. Plus Bobby Roode has history with Eric Young and would make an ideal first opponent.

 

Your point is?

 

I am not the one who made the decision, nor do I agree with it. I was just posting what I read. It was TNA who felt that way not me.

 

As I said I do think MVP makes a good heel.

[aXminster]

<p>They misspelled Lashley on yesterday's Impact Wrestling.</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i.imgur.com/1dRbzVP.jpg</span></p>

[Rickymex]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="BHK1978" data-cite="BHK1978" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Your point is?<p> </p><p> I am not the one who made the decision, nor do I agree with it. I was just posting what I read. It was TNA who felt that way not me.</p><p> </p><p> As I said I do think MVP makes a good heel.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'm not saying it was your decision or that you agree. I was just posting my opinion. It was me that felt that way not TNA.</p><p> </p><p> I think it was too early to turn MVP considering having the boss as the first challenge seems ridiculous.</p>

[BHK1978]

I was just reading that Robbie E. and Brooke Tessmacher are a team on the upcoming season of The Amazing Race which will air in September. The race just started this morning (I think I read that it started at 3am) in Times Square.

[cappyboy]

They misspelled Lashley on yesterday's Impact Wrestling.

 

http://i.imgur.com/1dRbzVP.jpg

 

I'm not so sure that's all that bad a thing. Look at it in story terms. Doesn't it just further highlight Bully's anger at Lashley that he couldn't spell the man's name right on his table?

[Rickymex]

Not the first time they have misspelled.

 

http://offtheropes.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/there-here.jpg

[Jaysin]

Not the first time they have misspelled.

 

http://offtheropes.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/there-here.jpg

 

That was a fan sign that they took from the audience. Not really their fault.

[Rickymex]

Still funny

[Mootinie]

<p>MVP picked up a knee injury at a PCW show two days ago. An x-ray was inconclusive so he's going for an MRI. This definitely puts the Slammiversary main event in doubt.</p><p> </p><p>

Source: <a href="http://www.ringsidenews.com/article/19945/mvp-suffers-a-knee-injury-match-at-tna-slammiversary-in-jeopardy/" rel="external nofollow">http://www.ringsidenews.com/article/19945/mvp-suffers-a-knee-injury-match-at-tna-slammiversary-in-jeopardy/</a></p>

[dpoolez]

<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>MVP picked up a knee injury at a PCW show two days ago. An x-ray was inconclusive so he's going for an MRI. This definitely puts the Slammiversary main event in doubt.<p> </p><p> Source: <a href="http://www.ringsidenews.com/article/19945/mvp-suffers-a-knee-injury-match-at-tna-slammiversary-in-jeopardy/" rel="external nofollow">http://www.ringsidenews.com/article/19945/mvp-suffers-a-knee-injury-match-at-tna-slammiversary-in-jeopardy/</a></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This would be really bad for TNA with Angle being out as well. I guess Dixie can recruit Lashley and King and keep them heels and let MVP return as a face and feud with Dixie's faction.</p><p> </p><p> This isnt a good time for pro wrestling in general with Punk walking out, Angle being injured, Bryan's injury and now MVP as well. Hopefully TNA can put Bobby Roode in MVP's place.</p>

[Mootinie]

This is the best review of Impact I have ever read: <a href="http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2014/06/05/tna-impact-june-5-review/" rel="external nofollow">http://www.voicesofwrestling.com/2014/06/05/tna-impact-june-5-review/</a>

[Teh_Showtime]

<p>I like the reviews from there, it's generally quality stuff</p><p> </p><p>

Though they even had to get a new TNA reporter because the old ones couldnt be bothered to watch and write about the episodes every week</p>

[Mootinie]

<p>In other news, TNA live events are doing great...</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="10442494_702171183155657_118200101980109332_n.jpg" data-src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/q77/s720x720/10442494_702171183155657_118200101980109332_n.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> And F4Wonline are going to stop covering Impact:</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Fare thee well for the time being, Impact<p> </p><p> by Bryan Alvarez</p><p> </p><p> I was thinking about this, and I don't believe that in the 19 years I've been writing this newsletter I have ever boycotted a television program because it sucked so goddamned bad. That changed this week.</p><p> </p><p> After all these years, TNA Impact finally broke me. The show on Thursday night was up there with the worst pro-wrestling programs I've ever seen in my life. It might have been the worst. Maybe, top-to-bottom, objectively there has a worse show historically. But no show ever caused me to command a one-month (at the moment) boycott before, so I think the evidence is in that this was the worst pro-wrestling show I've ever seen.</p><p> </p><p> I don't care if this is "my job," or if people want me to watch it and suffer through it so that they don't have to. I don't care. At the end of the day, while it is my job, it's also my company, so I can make my own decisions, and my decision is that I am not watching Impact for at least one full month.</p><p> </p><p> I had considered watching the PPV next Sunday since a PPV is more important than television, but come on now. No one is buying this PPV, and the idea that I'm going to have to pay $34.95 for it is reason enough to skip it. I'll be 39 years old when that show airs. I don't need this in my life. There is plenty of actual pro-wrestling to watch.</p><p> </p><p> The more I think about it, the less guilty I feel about not watching this product. Even if one were to argue that this is "my job," technically my job is to watch all the major pro-wrestling shows on US television, and you know what? At this point it is tough for me to classify Impact as a pro-wrestling television show. I don't know what the hell it even is. It's a variety show that features people fighting, only part of which actually takes place in a pro-wrestling ring, and none of which anyone could possibly care about because the majority of the characters are so completely unlikeable, and the crap they do makes no sense.</p><p> </p><p> I read an article on why it's tough for the people writing Impact. It was written by Vince Russo. Yeah. So, as one would expect, it was filled with 9 million bullcrap excuses. I liked the one about how the building at Universal Studios is not a good building for wrestling because so many tourists show up. I was unaware that pro-wrestling fans were restricted from attending. That's like saying the crowd at Full Sail University for NXT sucks because only college kids go. Except it appears plenty of wrestling fans manage to attend at Full Sail, plus the NXT crowds almost never suck. It is ironic, because Russo claimed that the crowd sucked because sometimes Impact had to tape one and a half shows per taping. Last time I checked NXT taped four shows per taping. They seem to be doing all right. Come to think of it, they're doing great.</p><p> </p><p> Russo claimed it was tough because you had to balance everything out to make sure people weren't involved in too many segments on a particular show. I nearly pee'd my pants reading that. I saw EIGHT STRAIGHT SEGMENTS involving talking on Thursday night. EIGHT. You can read Vinny's review, but I think I saw MVP in at least five different segments on one show. Maybe ten. I lost track.</p><p> </p><p> Russo had his usual litany of excuses. At the end of the day, it all boils down to this: the show sucks. Everything about it sucks, with the exception of some talented people who actually try to have good matches. There is zero understanding of what pro-wrestling is or why people—live or on television—would want to watch the show. They have no idea how to build interest in any of the matches or feuds, they have no idea how to pace a show, they have no idea how to make characters likeable or dislikeable. Russo ranted about fact vs. opinion. This is not opinion. This is fact. The quarter-hour ratings plunging throughout the show is an embarrassment. The buyrates are an embarrassment even compared to THEIR OWN BUYRATES several years ago, and they are ONE-TENTH what they were getting during their peak (60,000 for two Joe vs. Angle matches). Their house show attendance is an embarrassment. This is not fact vs. opinion. What they're presenting is not what people want to see. And don't even get me into the MVP vs. Dixie Carter storyline. I'm pretty sure this is the only storyline I've ever seen in my entire life where there is no way more than one single solitary person (Dixie Carter) could possible care about it. To think this worst Impact ever went off the air with the tease that the Dixie vs. MVP war was going to escalate. Who gives a ****? As a viewer, I hate them both. Two heel factions, two completely unlikeable groups of people, WHO LARGELY DO NOTHING BUT TALK TO EACH OTHER INCESSANTLY ABOUT CRAP NOBODY CARES ABOUT, are going to war, and I'm supposed to care. LOL.</p><p> </p><p> I have better things to do. You should too. It's summertime. Enjoy the cool Thursday night air. Read a good book. Chat with your loved ones, enjoy a light meal. But don't watch this show.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> P.S. If you see a swear word in there, I apologise.</p>

[dpoolez]

<p>I can recall a tweet from Dixie saying that she's excited to see where TNA is going, but smark opinion of the product (which is a good chunk of their fanbase) and house show attendances show that she shouldn't be. TNA is going towards a downward spiral just based on numbers and I dont think that TNA are going to be able to pick things back up. Maybe they should've taken up Paul Heyman's offer several years back and just given him full control of the promotion. Or not bring back Vince Russo when they were already riding a good wave of momentum with Kurt Angle coming in and the WWE taking a nosedive in quality back in late 2006.</p><p> </p><p>

Hopefully Jarrett doesn't screw up with Global Force like he did with TNA, he's not responsible for all of the Hogan/Bischoff stuff, that's Dixie's fault, but TNA were doing pretty dumb crap before then when he was in charge as well. I hope TNA can prove me wrong, I'd love to see 2-3 semi-major promotions in TNA, WWE, and GFW, but if they aren't going to change then they may as well sell to Vince right now.</p>

[Bigpapa42]

I stopped watching TNA quite some time ago. I let my PVR record it every week as I get a perverse sense of joy from deleting it unwatched. But of the few different sites I visit that have discussion about pro wreslting, there is ridiculously little positive being said about it right now. Even when I watched it and it was at its worst, there were TNA defenders. They don't seem to bother anymore. That is not a good sign.