Bobby Versus Bobby

Impact Wrestling is back on out screens and there's a new champion in town. On the live Destination America debut on January 7 Lashley defeated Bobby Roode to win his second TNA world title following a ref bump, interference from a gaggle of other wrestlers, and a spear.

I'm not convinced this was the best decision TNA could have made. It's not that I'm anti-Lashley. He's better both in the ring and on the mic than he generally gets credit for, capable of a worthwhile main event performance against the right opponent. He has a look that screams "headliner." It's that I think the decision did the now former champion Roode a disservice.

‘The It Factor’ is a superior wrestler to Lashley. Not by any huge margin but the difference is there. He's better on the mic by a slightly more significant margin. Most importantly he's notably more popular with TNA's existing fan base. This last point wouldn't have been an issue had Lashley stayed a heel but his interactions with MVP throughout the live debut made it clear he’s switching to a good guy role. Comparisons between Roode and Lashley have been invited because they're now both main event babyfaces, essentially fulfilling the same role.

Manly pose.

As a man capable of putting on better matches and more likely to be accepted by existing TNA fans I think Roode was the natural choice for champ. Against the right people he can put on high quality matches. Stickign with him would have given TNA a better chance of convincing wrestling fans that their reboot is having a tangible effect on quality. It would have satisfied existing fans and also showed them a guy being rewarded for loyalty and hard work. Channel-hoppers not especially interested in wrestling likely wouldn’t detect a difference between Lashley and Roode but the reported 400,000 viewing figure is so low that TNA would be justified in targeting wrestling fans who aren’t watching their show for the time being, with an eye to trying to attract non-fans at a later date.

With Roode as champion TNA could have forged a new direction for themselves, one featuring lengthy title reigns and matches with guys who have been in the promotion for years. Sure, they can do that with Lashley now but they’re starting from scratch with his reign. Roode had been champion for three and a half months. Sticking with him and letting him make successful defences against guys like Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy would have been a better approach in the long term than a shock title change because it would have allowed an in-ring-centric product to be Impact’s focus. That’s a good thing, for the record, because it’s pretty much the opposite of what WWE is doing and TNA needs to be presenting itself as an alternative to WWE.

It's not all bad with Lashers though. He seems to have been set up as a man who wants to be the champion but is aware he won it in just about the most unworthy fashion there is. There's an obvious match to build to against MVP and there are other singles matches to be had against his allies. There's even a very promising Roode and Lashley versus Samoa Joe and Low Ki match that could be booked.

And at least TNA tried something. It wasn't something mind-blowingly new, but it was something that they hadn’t been doing before, something that could improve their TV show and makes it clear that their top championship is one their wrestlers want to win. That in turn makes it something viewers have a reason to care about. These are things I've wanted them to do for years. Their track record says they'll mess it up, and do so sooner rather than later, but I'm hoping it succeeds for them.

TNA Impact Wrestling 07.01.15 review

The live debut of Impact Wrestling on Destination America brought one of the company’s hottest ever storylines to a close: whether or not it could continue to exist without long-time partner Spike TV being involved. It’s a shame that this was the biggest talking point about TNA for the latter half of 2014. Despite its well-documented financial struggles the promotion has retained a good core roster and arguably puts more effort into creating varied characters than WWE does. Where the company has failed for years is in its writing.

The move to Destination America may have overshadowed anything good TNA tried or accomplished in 2014 but it also presented them with a second chance. A live launch episode was not the simplest or smoothest way for them to debut on the network but it did ensure they didn’t have to worry about spoilers and also encouraged people to tune in live.

The show opened with cinematic shots of the roster getting ready for matches. Some shots were more dramatic than others. Aries putting on some sunglasses and The Wolves getting into a lift were not exactly thrilling, for example. Nor was Jeff Hardy wandering around a hotel in full face paint, although that did at least provide a laugh. Lashley doing his ring pose at a hotel window was odd but probably more the sort of thing any new viewers were expecting to see. The speeches from Bobby Roode, MVP and Storm to their factions (or in Roode’s case, the general locker room) were good and the faces versus heels fight outside the Manhattan Centre, while like something from a 90s X-Men cartoon, did at least create a nice visual and get the show started with a bang.

So in other words the opening moments were a mixed bag. Classic TNA, really.

The brawl that started on the street spilled into the arena as the show began. Taz and new commentator Josh Mathews talked it up as mayhem, and they had plenty of time to do so as it went on for an age. Eventually Kurt Angle came out (in jeans and a shirt, a move designed to hide his more slender than ever frame) and reminded everyone they were in New York watching Impact. Getting into the ring he announced that all champions would defend their titles. He opted not to reveal who they’d face. That struck me as a poor move. Announcing Aries and The Wolves for matches on the show might have provided reasons for people to stick with the programme instead of turning over.

Angle said he had one more announcement but before he could make it he was interrupted by MVP. After reminding everyone Angle had hit him over on Spike he tried to goad him into doing it again. Angle took some abuse then revealed that he'd stepped down from his job as gimmick matchmaker to become an active wrestler again, his last act being to structure the opening Destination America card. Which, let's not forget, he'd done a poor job of as wrestlers were finding out they were had matches to prepare for live on air.

The final match he booked was himself and MVP in a street fight. He threw a punch and then clotheslined MVP out of the ring to get that going. In typical Impact fashion they cut to a break seconds into the first match of the night.

It's depressing to see Kurt looking like this.

Mike Victor Papa controlled most of the match, which featured surprisingly little brawling. They went outside of the ring a few times but didn't really do much else with the street fight stip. MVP reversed out of the ankle lock twice then went for a Drive-By kick in the corner. ‘The Cyborg’ scooted out of the way and got the Angle slam to win.

The company's champions were shown backstage getting ready for their matches. Then MVP was shown screaming at Kenny King for not helping him win his match with Angle. Kenny’s excuse was that he’d been with “an incredible” girl. MVP left to remind Lashley that it was him who’d got Lashley the world championship in the first place.

Josh and Taz introduced themselves again. Taz was referred to as a three time world champ. Two of those reigns were with the ECW world championship. He never won a world title anywhere else, so the third reign is presumably a reference to the FTW championship he had in ECW. I suspect Taz may have produced this link. Camera shots of the locker room and the Gorilla position were shown. Cameras being in invasive places backstage is TNA's latest revolutionary idea that will get them nowhere. It’s like GTV but without the humour.

Crazzy Steve was shown backstage for no reason then Ethan Carter III and his bodyguard Tyrus (formerly big, bad Brodus Clay) rocked up to interrupt. And by interrupt I do of course mean feature in a segment they were always going to get over someone like Crazzy Steve (who can’t even spell “crazy”).  EC£ reminded us of his fifteen month undefeated streak, which includes two months where TNA was inactive, then sent Tyrus off to find Rockstar Spud, whom he’d been feuding with on Spike TV.

Mike Tenay plugged Impact Wrestling: Unlocked, his new Destination America show, then introduced a pre-recorded interview he'd conducted with James Storm. Storm felt he'd been held down by management for years, so he’d formed The Revolution to take what he was entitled to. Sanada, Manik and Abyss had apparently come to him because they’re aware of how much truth Storm speaks. He ended by saying that he and his gang aren't interested in titles, they want blood. He then implied he's the Devil and walked off.

There was a lot to dislike with this. It was poor material delivered poorly. Storm also continues to be a very clear rip off of the more successful and far more interesting Bray Wyatt character. He’s not been poorly cast as a cult leader, and the Revolution have been built up well, but it will always be a group hampered by comparisons to a better gimmick in a better company. I wasn’t a fan of Storm contradicting himself either: he’s formed the group to take what he’s entitled to but all he wants is blood? That only makes sense if you deliberately misinterpret what he said and take a fundamentally wrong approach to grammar.

The episode’s second match saw Storm and Abyss team to defend the TNA tag team titles against The Wolves. Richards and Edwards have apparently gotten themselves matching tattoos, which look awful. For their sake I hope they’re transfers or body paint or something. Matt and Jeff Hardy watched the match from ringside, but they need to be on the show somewhere, right? On a side note I’d like to point out that Matt was wearing his own gimmick shirt and Jeff was in a vest.

The Wolves were on proverbial fire to start, hitting four sets of double dives on the champs and setting up for a double team move. Abyss pulled Davey out of the ring before they could connect with it and choke slammed him on the apron, with Storm throwing Eddie out of the ring. The Wolves quickly regained the advantage, getting two counts off a double stomp on ‘The Cowboy’ and some kicks (there are always kicks) on ‘The Monster’. The champs got a two count of their own from a slingshot and DDT combo.

Eventually Manik and Sanada slid into the ring. That prompted the Hardys to do the same. Because they're stand-up, fightin' babyfaces. Jeff accidentally elbowed Eddie in the head as he tried to grab a noose from abyss (yeah, a noose with a cowbell tied to it is a signature object). Storm immediately super kicked Eddie and covered him for the win. It wasn’t the greatest tag match ever but it was nice to see one that didn’t feature a babyface being worked over endlessly.

After some clips reminding us of the first Roode v Lashley match (Lashley won), EC3 telling us to “come hither" as he wandered aimlessly through generic corridors, and a recap of the opening of the show, MVP was shown getting his shout on with Lashley. He reminded the former champ it was him who’d brought into TNA and it was also him that had orchestrated his initial title victory. Lashley pushed him against a wall and said he was getting his title back, the implication being that he was tired of MVP’s boisterous shoutiness. MVP and King huffed off.

Back in the ring Jeremy Borash had appeared. He hyped up bringing someone out for an interview. Instead EC3 appeared to say he'd win the TNA title in 2015 and mock JB a bit. After initially receiving heavy boos the audience split on him, alternating between chants of “You can't wrestle!” and “Yes he can!”

This makes JB a face in my book.

‘Wrestling’ Greatest Hero’ called out Spud. Spud did not appear. Carter chatted a bit more and then revealed that Tyrus had found and attacked Spud and had Spud carried to the ring. EC3 then announced his plans to scalp Spud. Which is pretty full on for a wrestling show, assuming they understand what scalping actually is. Borash told Carter he'd done enough and slapped him. Then he was jobbed out by Tyrus and had his head shaved (which is not scalping) by EC3. Spud recovered from his beating and cried. Because he and JB and good mates backstage.

We were treated to another shot of MVP and King backstage. King was outraged that Lashley had touched ‘Mr 305’. MVP made some placatory noises that I couldn't understand because of poor audio quality. Presumably he was saying he had a plan. Whatever he said it seemed to get King to simmer down. The pair then walked off down one of the Manhattan Centres many generic corridors.

After a recap of Roode v Lashley II (Roode won) and a highlight video designed to introduce the concept of the X Division (it did a decent job but reminded me how badly the X Division’s been handled over the last five-plus years) Low Ki hit the ring to defend the X strap against Austin Aries. They had a good match but it wasn't as memorable as might have been expected considering the abilities of both men. They included their signature moves and spots but refrained from anything more inventive. 'A Double' won the match and the gold with a brainbuster.

Before Taryn Terrell defended her Knockouts title in a battle royal DJ Z welcomed Robbie E back to TNA. He blamed his loss on The Amazing Race (a reality show that aired in the US) on his ex-girlfriend Brooke Tessmacher. Then Taryn came out and he had to stop talking. I wish he'd had longer because what followed was not good. The crowd weren't interested, there were too many people involved for any psychology to be used, and nothing interesting happened. Taryn retained by last eliminating Havok, just as Havok eliminated Gail Kim.

After the match Havok smacked Taryn about because she's a monster heel and that's what monster heels do. The lights cut out for a few moments and when they came back on Awesome Kong was in the ring. She got a better reaction than anyone else involved in the Knockouts segment. Kong and Havok squared off before Havok left without actually doing anything. Then a referee got in Kong's face for literally no other reason than to give Kong an excuse to choke slam him.

After that it was main event time, Bobby Roode defending the TNA world heavyweight championship against former champion Lashley. It was an adequate match, competent enough to avoid being bad but wholly unspectacular. After a fiery start they broke into some ringside stalling then some light brawling. The highlight of the first five minutes was probably Roode attempting the Crippler Crossface numerous times.

Backstage MVP and king were shown trying to enter the arena with two lads in clown masks, giving me flashbacks to Homicide and Eddie Kingston as Outlaw Inc. Security told them they were not allowed into the arena during the title match. The masked lads beat security up and then they all walked off, King and MVP having a good laugh. Because there’s nothing funnier than beating up security guards, am I right?

Back in the ring Lashley and Roode picked up the pace with flapjacks, clotheslines, a Lashley running power slam, and a Roode spinebuster. Roode got a power bomb out of the corner but Lashers kicked out and gave Roode a Roode bomb. Roode sidestepped a spear from the challenger and then hit one of his own. Because nothing says big match like using your foe's moves.

As MVP and his lads appeared at ringside Roode applied a crossface again. Lashley stood up in the hold, confirming that he’s willing to be TNA’s answer to John Cena if TNA are up for it, but Roode quickly released the hold and hit him with a Roode bomb. When Lashley kicked out the champ applied the hold again. Kenny King pulled the referee out of the ring and punched him to the ground. Angle came out to make the save but he got taken out by all four of the heels. They then surrounded the ring preparing to attack Roode, who was alone as Lashley lay unconscious in a corner. The masks were taken off to reveal Low Ki and Samoa Joe.

The new champ is confused. Guess you'll want to tune in next week, eh?

The swerves kept coming after that as Eric Young dashed to the ring clutching a chair, chasing MVP, King, Joe and Ki off before hitting Roode, his storyline bestie, with the chair. Lashley then speared Roode for the win and the championship. MVP and his lads celebrated. The new champ looked miffed. And that was how the inaugural Destination America Impact Wrestling episode closed.

It was a show obviously designed to hook us and ensure a return visit for the following episode. In that regard it did a good job. In addition to the announced Wolves v Hardys match, which has the potential to be very good, there’s the reveal of Eric Young, Samoa Joe’s and Low Ki’s motives for joining up with MVP and discovering whether Lashley agreed to their involvement in his title match. Discounting the ease with which spoilers can be found I think that’s a pretty good attempt by TNA to start things off on the right foot.

I’m concerned for the group in the long term though. Over the last few years TNA has proven fairly adept at being able to come up with decent (no not great, decent) angles that could improve the quality of their programming and encourage increases in viewership. Their trouble has always been following up on these angles. They tend to cut things short if they don’t immediately get people excited or simply mishandle them from the start. What they produced on January 7 has potential but the track record of the company indicates that they’ll fritter it away within weeks.

It was also disheartening to see the same approach to production was taken. There were few concessions made for new viewers. Very little information was provided about the stars we were seeing. Their motivations and pasts in the company could have been covered by Taz and Mathews on commentary or in specially produced videos in between matches. They had the time, as evidenced by the numerous backstage scenes featuring guys who also got time to talk in the ring. Perhaps such videos will appear in the coming weeks, but the debut episode was the logical place to put them.

Overall it wasn’t a bad show. But it was nothing incredible either. As a long-time wrestling fan familiar with TNA’s struggles and product it did nothing to encourage me to actually watch future shows as opposed to reading spoilers and searching out bits I find interesting. I wouldn’t call the show a failure, but I wouldn’t call it a success either. In other words business as usual for TNA.

***

Results summary:

Kurt Angle def MVP
James Storm and Abyss def The Wolves
Austin Aries def Low Ki to win the X Division championship
Taryn Terrell retained the Knockouts championship in a battle royal
Lashley def Bobby Roode to win the TNA world championship

TNA's New Destination

Come January 2015 TNA will have a new televisual home in the US: Destination America. It’s a channel I’d never heard of until about a week before their deal with TNA was officially announced. That’s mostly because I don’t live in America but it’s also due to the channel being distinctly niche. It’s available in just over half the television owning homes in the United States. That’s nowhere near as many as previous TNA home Spike TV. As such TNA is going to be continuing the downsizing that they started last year.

Linked to this obvious need for continued cost cutting has been talk of a company-wide reboot. TNA producer Bryan Edwards has confirmed via Twitter (yes Twitter, that oracle of the modern age) that the wrestling company will be getting a new logos and graphics and a fresh start. This is actually a great idea for TNA. It’s a chance for them to freshen up their look and begin targeting a new market. Personally I think they should go for young adults (under the age of 25) who aren’t necessarily wrestling fans. But that’s just me. They could pick any market they like, what’s important is that they come up with a strategy to attract fresh eyes.

It’s also an opportunity for the company to make some roster cuts. They’ve done a bit of this over the last couple of years but they haven’t really taken the right approach. What TNA has done up until now is negotiate with wrestlers and cut them if a financial agreement can’t be reached. No thought has been given as to whether wrestlers are worth keeping around.

If it had been then Abyss would have been cut long ago. No matter how little he’s willing to work for he’s simply not someone worth keeping around. His character is stale, he’s faced everyone, he doesn’t have good matches, and it’s inconceivable that he is going to convince anyone hopping around channels to stick with Impact Wrestling. The money paid to him is better spent on new names that may stand a chance of helping TNA increase its audience.

This isn’t just an attack on Abyss. The same principle applies to Mr Anderson, Rob ‘The Freak’ Terry, Bram, Gunner, and Shark Boy. They’ve all been affiliated with TNA, on-and-off, for years. There’s nothing worthwhile for any of them to do, no matter what storylines they’re thrust into or how they’re repackaged. What TNA needs is a young vibrant roster that isn’t so synonymous with mediocrity. And now’s the time to go about getting that.

TNA has a month before they debut on Destination America. That’s enough time to get some new names for the roster, get a solid head start on TV scripts and a long term plan for the top names, and think of ways to introduce their roster to a new audience. The latter should definitely be a priority. Although the potential audience is smaller there will still be new people made aware of TNA’s existence by the move. Some will give Impact a try, and those are the people TNA need to be catering for.

I’d like to see TNA put together some introduction videos for their top names and perform some minor tweaks to a few characters. The videos wouldn’t need to be anything long or elaborate. Thirty second to a minute of a performer explaining their character’s history within the company and their motivations for getting in the ring each week, interspersed with footage of particularly memorable moments or impressive moves, would be enough. Putting them on the TNA website and running them before the first Destination America match of each performer would be enough. Maybe they could be edited down and used as adverts on the channel.

Tweaks to characters don’t need to be anything major. It could as simple as a costuming change. That’s actually something that could be done to Bobby Roode. He’d suit a white pair of boots instead of black. He’s probably the company’s top face right now (good guys wear white, y’know) and it would help him stand out from the black boot clad roster. It’s nothing major and would be a minimal cost, but it’s an lateration that would separate one of their top guys from his peers and the competition.

Meanwhile Austin Aries could do with some more substantial work. His in-ring work is great but his character has been let down by too many face-heel switches over the last year. Now’s the time for TNA to decide what role they want ‘A Double’ to fill and what sort of persona would be most beneficial for that. The stuff he was doing at the end of his ROH run in 2010 (being a player-manager, being a spokesman for less experienced wrestlers, and using a smoking pipe as his signature foreign object) has potential in TNA. It would certainly be a better idea than the wishy-washy approach that’s been taken with him over the last year.

It’s also a chance for TNA to decide on an identity. Being WWE Lite is what’s got them into this undesirable situation. It’s time for them to admit to themselves that hasn’t worked. In an ideal world they’d go with longer term storylines modelled as much as is realistically possible on the sort of thing people get from popular shows like Game of Thrones, True Detective, and Breaking Bad. Because that’s what’s popular now. In the ring concentrating on the Knockouts and tag team divisions wouldn’t be the worst idea because WWE, their chief rival, doesn’t do much of either. As far as tag wrestling goes nobody really makes it a major part of their product. That’s TNA’s gap.

I want TNA to succeed. I hope this Destination America move works out for them, because I don’t think they’ll stick around if it doesn’t. TNA’s success is what’s best for the wrestling industry in general. If TNA do well then the wrestlers have more places to work and fans have more choice in how to spend their time and money. Most importantly it makes every other promotion work that bit harder, which can only be a good thing.

On Point

I’ve said before that TNA needs to come up with its own identity and approach in order to stay in business and ultimately become a successful and profitable company, should they stay in business next year. Last time I touched on the subject (which was only a couple of months ago, clearly I have some sort of complex when it comes to directionless wrestling promotions) my suggestion was for TNA to channel the Attitude Era with a greater use of swerve turns, adult language and strong, well-defined characters. Today I’m going to suggest what could be considered the complete opposite of that approach.

A points system.

If you’re like me those words are probably some of the least inspiring you can see in relation to wrestling programming. When I hear a points system mentioned it conjures up images of seeing old WCW footage where they talked at length about a rankings system. It makes me think of ROH’s ill-fated (and stupidly-named) Pick Six. It makes me think of EVOLVE’s recent, indecipherable, overhaul. It makes me think of TNA’s previous foray into the area with the top ten contenders system. It makes me think of Jim Cornette.

None of these approaches (or the person) have ever appealed to me because I feel that wrestling has progressed beyond the league tables and associated analysis these approaches bring. That Ring of Honor dropped the Pick Six backs this thought up: it’s one of the few promotions in the world that has a fan base that would be accepting of a points system and yet they still opted not to use one.

Eddie and Davey could benefit from a structured show.
But then so could everyone on the roster.

So why am I suggesting TNA go with the approach? There are several reasons, but before I get to them I’ll propose the specifics of the system. For singles wrestlers it would run from the beginning to the end of the month, with every match on Impact earning them points. Three for a win by pinfall or submission; two for a win by disqualification, count out, knock out or referee decision; and nothing for a loss. Matches on house shows and Xplosion would not contribute to the tally, for booking simplicity and because by limiting points matches to Impact it makes things easier to follow for viewers. The inevitable points ties could be broken by a number one contenders match or, if the points thing really caught on (which it wouldn’t to the extent needed), a variety of criteria decided on by TNA, but it should probably include an overall points history, the points history of their various opponents, and perhaps match times. Mentioning “the quality of opposition” just reminds everyone (or me at least) that wrestling’s predetermined.

Meanwhile the tag division could lift its approach straight from CHIKARA. Any tandem is awarded a tag title match after they’ve gained three consecutive victories without suffering a loss. The Knockouts and X Divisions should remain unaffected because incorporating rules there would verge on overload. Plus too many points systems would devalue the world title system and be too much trouble to follow.

On the first episode of every month a management figure could announce the totals from the previous month, with the winner getting a world championship match the following week. They could also announce any tag title matches that are due. Sounds dry but it would only be one segment every month, and it could easily bleed into the traditional storyline-developing talky segment.

There are, as I’ve already said, several reasons this approach would be beneficial to TNA. It would be free to implement and would immediately separate TNA from both of their main competitors. It would make the majority of matches on their weekly flagship show mean something. It would create structure for their programming. It would fit nicely with the current practice of recording a block of TV shows in one go. It would provide an uncomplicated way of drawing people in with real sports-tinged plots. That’s going to appeal to people who want their wrestling to be closer to wrestling than entertainment without driving off those who like the latter.

Monthly defences. Get it done.

It would provide a simple way to get storylines started too. For example, Wrestler A loses to Wrestler B but wins every other match that month while Wrestler B loses every other one of their matches. Wrestler A is awarded a world title shot and wins. Wrestler B can then logically say they are deserving of a world title shot because they’ve pinned Wrestler A while nobody else has. It sets up a storyline for Wrestler B, trying to earn the title match he is logically entitled to, and a rivalry between Wrestlers A and B.

That’s just one example. There are other, better options. The point is that TNA would have a simple, logical structure that’s easy to pick up and generates angles, rivalries and stories.

There are drawbacks of course. It’s not going to be for everyone, and risks isolating some of the company’s existing viewers. It may bring in more to replace them, but that would take time and TNA’s viewing figures are not strong enough to risk a big dip. It’s also an approach that would require the creative team to plan things out ahead of time. If there’s a monthly title shot going to the guy with the most wins then they have to plan out who’s going to win, when, and how. They’d have to ensure guys they’re just filling air time with don’t win too often.

But necessitating added scrutiny to Impact scripts is a good thing. It would make the product better if it was accomplished and could make the show a far more compelling watch. Sadly this idea, like all the others I’ve proposed for TNA, is never going to happen. They’re happy being a knock off sports entertainment brand. That attitude is what’s gotten them into the trouble they’re currently in. But they’re not going to change, because change is too much effort for them.

The Concept of TNA

We all know that Impact Wrestling may cease to be on our screens at the end of the year. Even if it does stick around it’s unlikely to remain on Spike TV in its current form. If TNA exists in 2015 it will become something radically different to what it is at present. It will almost certainly be smaller, and cheaper, and very probably see its roster further thinned out.

The problem TNA faces here is the same one it’s always faced. It needs to find itself an identity.

It’s possible Spike is happy for TNA to be a very low budget imitation of WWE, getting the low viewing figures you’d expect such an uninspiring mission statement to generate. It’s possible that a new TV home would feel this way, happy to have a relatively cheap pseudo-sporting programme to attract a sliver of a specified demographic.

This attitude would explain a great deal but it’s not really much of an identity for TNA. And it’s not one that’s going to lead to a strong business model. If the last few years are any indication it’s not even enough to be a workable business model.

There are a variety of directions TNA could take to hook some fresh regular viewers. The first is getting rid of the bulk of their roster, hiring a bunch of young lucha-influenced guys and presenting themselves as the home of daredevil wrestlers who will thrill and excite with their planchas and rotation splashes. Then they could frame the introduction of new wrestlers with realistic, relatable characters and gimmicks with video packages in which the newcomers explain their character’s motivations and goals, keeping things clear and simple. The in-ring style is what the group flirted with in its early years with the X Division, although it ultimately took the route of building around ex-WWE and –WCW names instead.

A picture of Low Ki. Because why not, eh?

They could embrace their rep as a WWE tribute promotion and attempt to emulate the style of what is arguably WWE’s most successful period: the Attitude Era. On the surface that would mean more chair shots, swerve turns, blood, swearing and a greater emphasis on gimmicks. At a deeper level it would see the group understand the need to elevate new stars and have everyone on the roster doing something. Enough people argue for a return of the Attitude Era that it has to be a feasible option for TNA. It wouldn’t allow them to grow a great deal, but it might attract fresh eyes and allow them to increase their audience as their work out a direction in which to develop, taking their existing and new fans with them. Just as importantly, it’s an approach that WWE are definitely not going to go back to.

The direction I personally think they should take is emulating the early years of Ring of Honor. There the matches were what was important, rather than gimmicks and storylines. That more simplistic approach would allow TNA and its writers to strip away the fripperies that currently clutter up Impact. It could also allow them to trim a name or two from their writing unit. That’s probably desirable to a company looking at shrinking (again). And it would fit their current roster nicely.

Emulating old ROH they could make offers to guys like Paul London and Brian Kendrick to work alongside their existing crop of former Honor talents Low Ki, The Wolves, TJ Perkins, and, of course, Samoa Joe. That roster coupled with TNA’s underrated production values and backstage approach could allow them to look fresh and new. It wouldn’t alienate their existing fans (certainly not in any concerning number) and would stand a chance of attracting new eyes. The style such a roster would work is also one wholly compatible with the standard indy style, meaning that new hires could be slotted in with a minimum of concern and fuss.

None of these ideas are long term solutions for TNA. But they would provide a more coherent, recognisable identity than what the promotion currently offers. That would allow them to stick around long enough to come up with something original with a wide (preferably wider) appeal.

The Purpose of Impact

What is TNA’s Impact Wrestling show for? Most weekly wrestling television shows have a reason to exist. They’re there to encourage viewers to spend money on tickets, merchandise and upcoming pay-per-views, achieved through a combination of commentary team plugs, ads, compelling storylines and good matches. From the perspective of the channels they air on they’re there to be cheap to produce content that gets a decent rating.

How many of these criteria does TNA’s flagship programme actually achieve? Tickets to most Impact tapings and pay-per-views over the last few years have been free. That’s what happens when you base yourselves at Universal Studios where you can’t charge admission. TNA runs so few house shows that they can be covered by the announcers in a matter of seconds and they’re generally in venues that seat only a few hundred people. Not exactly a thriving area of business for the Total Nonstop crew. Even when these shows are mentioned, which is infrequently and in a pretty haphazard manner, it’s not like TNA is making money off them.

TNA merchandise is similarly downplayed. In fact I can’t bring to mind a single TNA T-shirt. My overall impression of the company’s clothing output (which is a significant money-maker in wrestling) is that swirls and drab colours with the occasional bit of diamante lobbed in for the covered market look. The sort of thing you might find in River Island.

TNA DVDs are non-existent beyond the bog standard PPV releases. When was the last time they put together a documentary on someone? I know it costs money but if it were done well enough it could actually get them – gasp – a profit. TNA has shown aptitude with video packages in the past and has more than enough former WWE staff who would have knowledge of doc production. They should put their resources to better use. If they stay in business that is.

Tune into Impact and you can see such fresh matches as the Hardy Boyz v Team 3D.

Some people would be adamant that TNA has compelling storylines. I disagree, and would point out that TNA doesn’t get a strong enough viewing figure for their current approach to be deemed a flourishing success. Their plots are either a swift jump onto the latest WWE bandwagon or something overly drawn out and not interesting enough. They’ve got a pretty good roster and could put on good matches most weeks, but don’t do so nearly enough. There’s not a coherent style and approach that sets the company apart. I’ve written this before.

Impact does hit a couple of the criteria. It’s relatively cheap and easy to make (as all wrestling TV shows are compared to dramas and documentaries) and was, before the move to Wednesday nights, attracting a healthy, growing audience. But is this enough of a reason for a wrestling company to exist? Trading week to week just to get a decent TV rating? I don’t think so.

The only companies it's reasonable to compare TNA to, operating as they do in the same country with weekly television shows aimed at the same demographics, are WWE and Ring of Honor. Both of those promotions use their programming for a wider variety of things than does TNA. Both, in their own ways, plug merch, house shows and pay-per-views, with their respective style clear at a glance. People knock WWE for plugging the Network too much and while it can be overbearing that’s exactly what a free to view wrestling TV show is for: to make you aware of products on which you’ll spend money.

Impact doesn’t do this. And that’s part (but only part) of the reason TNA’s never caught on enough to turn a profit. From the outside it comes across as little more than a vanity project run for the fun for those involved at the top. There is no obvious reason for it to exist.

The Latest First TNA World Title Reign

On the June 19 episode of Impact it was Bobby Lashley’s turn to win the TNA world championship. After overcoming interference from Kenny King and distractions from MVP, Eric Young missed his top rope elbow drop. Lashley sprang up to his feet and ran through the champion with a spear, giving him his first world championship not just in TNA but in wrestling as a whole.

On most levels this isn’t a problem. Lashley has been built up as one of the company’s lead heels. His status within TNA coupled with his MMA background make him a perfectly satisfactory heel champ. The fact that he cheated to win (benefiting from MVP and King shenanigans) didn’t hurt his image either. He is being presented as a heel who’s happy to take an unfair advantage after all. It’s not ideal for a guy who looks like him but it’s fine, and at least it’s consistent.

Lashley being a limited wrestler isn’t the problem it could be either. Although they tend to use it poorly the TNA writing team has a talented roster at their disposal. There are enough face wrestlers around capable of getting good or better matches out of the new champion that his limitations can be overlooked. He can at least throw a solid-looking belly-to-belly suplex. That’s better than nothing.

Less or more prestigious than the WWE United States championship?

But I still think Lashley’s title victory is still a poor move. It comes across as another decision made at the last minute, once again casting TNA as a promotion that has no long term plans. Lashley won the championship from nowhere. Before MVP was injured there had been no indication that Lashley was going to be anything more than an enforcer-type character. It’s also puzzling that he didn’t win the title at Slammiversary four days earlier, where he earned his way into the main event alongside Austin Aries and challenged for the title.

People paid to see that show. It would have been a good move for TNA to switch the title there. It would have rewarded those who’d paid to watch and sent the message that important things can happen on TNA pay-per-views. There was no logic to holding the switch back for a rematch on television.

The change is also disappointing for Eric Young. He won the world title while still in the shadow of his career as a comedy wrestler. I don’t think he managed to shake that image during his two month reign but he was making progress with it. More time as champion could have helped his credibility. He’s never going to be a major draw for TNA but he could be a credible title contender.

It’s possible EY will get the title back in a rematch as part of this credibility-enhancement process but I don’t think that’s likely. The closing moments of Impact made it clear that the biggest threat to Lashley’s gold is now Bobby Roode, who returned after a month-long suspension (the real reason for it is probably pay-related, knowing TNA) to save Young from a three-on-one beating at the hands of MVP, King and the new champion.

I’ve said for a while that Roode should be used as a face, be booked as a title contender and champion, and be protected as much as possible, so I’m hopeful for this direction. At the very least it looks as though Roode’s going to get a clean title win over one of the company’s top two heels, and he’ll probably drag a compelling match out of Lashley as he does so. I’m less confident about him being booked well as a babyface champion but the next title programme looks promising. With TNA you have to take the positives you can get.

The Menagerie

From 2012 to 2013 Knux was a member of Aces and Eights. For those who don't remember (lucky them) that was a card-loving biker gang set up by Bully Ray to bring about the end of TNA.

For a while the group achieved moderate success as a lead heel faction. It will not be remembered as one of the greatest units ever but then very few things in TNA fall into greatest ever category. It did as well as could be expected before meeting its inevitable uninspired end. The breakup was slow and undramatic. Much like the average episode of Impact.

Since the group went their separate ways the only member that's remained a constant presence on Impact is Bully Ray. Which makes sense. Not only was he the group's biggest star but he was also the only member left at the end who had had a TNA contract before the group formed. It was easy enough to assume that everyone else had gone because they didn't have contracts while TNA were legally stuck with 'Calfzilla'.

Instead of doing the smart thing and taking the opportunity to cut ties with the useless lump that is Knux TNA decided to keep him around for reintroduction later on. A recent series of vignettes have shown him shambling around small town America reconnecting with his roots. Those are not his real life roots though. No, those are kayfabe roots, which have revealed that Knux is actually descended from circus folk.

TNA will be reintroducing Knux to television as the head of his very own faction, The Menagerie. If we're being honest Knux’s leadership alone practically dooms it from the start. A second rate member of a second rate group whose most memorable contribution to WWE before he got cut was being the possessive boyfriend of Kelly Kelly. If this man is the leader, the best the faction has to offer and the man all other members take direction from, then it doesn’t say much about the group’s other members.

Beyond that there is the more obvious problem that this is TNA's latest WWE knockoff. The group seems poised to be presented as a gaggle of misfits from backwater America flocking around a charismatic leader who gives their lives meaning. It doesn’t seem possible to read The Menagerie as anything other than TNA's answer to The Wyatt Family.

The main difference is that we’ve had what comic book fans would dub an origin story with this group, whilst the means by which Bray Wyatt convinced Luke Harper and Erick Rowan has remained a mystery. Which is for the best. It adds to the group’s air of mystery. That’s something TNA failed to grasp when cobbling together their version.

They've shown a fair amount of restraint holding off on copying the Wyatt approach for as long as they have. The Bray Wyatt character debuted on NXT in July 2012 and introduced Harper in November. Perhaps Lagana and the crew thought The Wyatt Family should become a success before they lifted it for Impact.

The Menagerie seems like it doesn’t have a chance before it even shows up. Even if the other wrestlers involved have talent (and I'm in no way saying they don't) they're going to suffer comparisons to a very successful gimmick in a rival company. TNA's track record indicates the group will be mishandled or, perhaps worse, be openly modelled on said other group.

This is exactly what TNA needs to move away from if it is to increase its audience and remain in business. It needs its own voice and its own fresh ideas to be taken seriously and be seen as a company worth watching by anyone but TNA die-hards. No matter what small successes it may find, and I don't doubt it may find some, The Menagerie is not the solution to any major problems in TNA, nor can it contribute to solving any.

The TNA New Talent Initiative

Last summer saw TNA start cutting back on the number they employed. British vet Doug Williams was amongst the first to go, followed by the likes Christian York, Crimson, Joey Ryan, Matt Morgan, Tara, and Jesse Sorensen, as well as backstage personnel D’Lo Brown and Bruce Prichard. On November 2 it was announced that the working agreement between TNA and Ohio Valley Wrestling, which saw the latter act as a developmental league, had been dissolved.

The biggest blow came when AJ Styles left in December after a new deal couldn’t be worked out. While I don’t believe he had the star power to turn TNA around he was incredibly popular with the promotion’s existing fans and a talented in-ring performer. He would have been, and still would be, capable of offering TNA a lot.

The roster hasn’t just seen wrestlers departing though. New names have been brought in, replacing those who have left. The newcomers are working under newly structured deals which are more financially advantageous to TNA. That’s obviously good for TNA because they’re saving money. And while the newbies aren’t going to be raking in megabucks they do at least have steady work and jobs that grant them international exposure. Those who have left have the freedom to get work elsewhere, which some already have.

For the most part I think it’s a good thing for viewers too. Changes to the roster had been needed for a while. TNA had a great selection of wrestlers but they’d all been around for so long that it was tough for the company to present anything fresh. By getting rid of some of their established names and bringing in new ones TNA have given themselves the chance to put on fresh matches. That’s one of the things that can encourage people to watch Impact. TNA had different motivations but the result’s the same.

So far the new talent have been a mixed bag. Lei’D Tapa was reintroduced and put into a partnership with lead Knockouts heel Gail Kim. She’s been fine in the bodyguard role so far, but then it’s not particularly challenging. It’s almost certainly only happening in the first place because TNA want to emulate the similar pairing of AJ Lee and Tamina Snuka that WWE already had in place. The real test will come when Lei’d Tapa gets broken off on her own.

The other Knockout TNA have brought in is Alpha Female. She’s a fresh face and has an interesting look but hasn’t really done much beyond exhibit generally heelish behaviour. It’s encouraging to see TNA signing performers for their once mighty Knockout division. With work it could be restored to glory. Were that to happen TNA would be offering something WWE don’t: a genuinely competitive and compelling female division. Alpha and Tapa are a good start but aren’t enough to make this happen by themselves.

Does he look like a Rockstar to you?

Like Tapa Rockstar Spud survived the dissolution of the TNA-OVW relationship and got a spot on TV. In his case he became Dixie Carter’s Chief of Staff. So far he’s done little but talk. He’s done okay with what he’s been given, but that hasn’t been much. He’s a good wrestler, so it’s a promising sign that he’s still knocking about, but it can’t really be taken as a positive until he’s having matches. Because wrestling, not talking, is Spud’s strength.

The man brought in as Dixie Carter’s privileged faux nephew EC3 is former NXT regular Michael ‘Derrick Bateman’ Hutter. He’s never going to be voted anybody’s wrestler of the year but he does at least look and sound the part, something that can’t be said for many people in TNA. In his current supporting role he’s fine. His sparring rivalry with Magnus could lead to something inoffensive if handled right. But going on TNA’s track record that won’t happen.

Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards, collectively known as The Wolves, were a pretty big get for TNA. They’d had much talked about tryouts for WWE at the Performance Centre and an NXT taping and since 2010 had been amongst the top stars in Ring of Honor, a promotion that doesn’t share many supporters with TNA. That means there’s a chance ROH watchers could be enticed into watching Impact to see how their former faves are doing.

Unfortunately they could be doing better. They debuted wearing ill-fitting suits and captured the tag team titles within a month of their first appearance. That ensured there was no sense of specialness or something significant having been achieved. It was just business as usual. Perhaps worse is that they dropped the belts after only having them for a week. So anyone tuning in to catch up with them is likely going to be put off pretty quickly. Still, they’re a good team capable of having good matches with anyone TNA fancies pitting them against. They can be assets.

 

Someone at TNA (or Spike) likes this guy

The return of Bobby Lashley at Lockdown is hard to take as anything but a step backwards. The man has never been over and never produced what the majority would consider to be a exciting match. The best that can be said for him is that he has a slender chance of attracting an MMA audience. Although in truth he doesn't really have much of that.

Of course the biggest name so far has been MVP (who has curiously not been referred to by his full title of Montel Vontavious Porter yet, which makes me suspect that TNA can’t use the full thing for some reason). There are two ways of looking at this. The first is to see MVP as a former WWE star who talks well and has the capability to produce above average matches. The second is to see MVP as a forty-year-old several years removed from his most prominent work as a pro wrestler who was only ever average in the ring.

Both views are understandable but depend entirely on your established views on MVP as a performer. Going on his time in WWE it’s certainly possible that he’ll do good work but it’s not a guarantee. Something in TNA’s favour is that he’ll be working alongside creative team member Dave Lagana, who previously worked with him during his peak period in WWE.

Also in TNA’s favour is the fact that ‘Mr 305’ got a loud, sustained ovation when he made his debut for the company in Glasgow on January 30. That crowd was not representative of the average TNA audience but it did indicate that using him is a popular decision. He’s not someone that a wrestling company can build its future around, due to his age and fairly generic ring style, but he at least has the charisma and presence to be accepted by existing fans, not put off newcomers, and do well with the material he’s given.

It’s disheartening that I’ve not mentioned anyone that I think can make the difference that TNA needs, but it’s not surprising. Part of the problem is there just aren’t any names available that can help TNA improve in the areas and at the speed they need. Another part of the problem is that TNA has been so mismanaged for so long that the people who are available are going to have second thoughts about signing contracts. From the outside TNA does not look like a promotion with good long-term prospects.

On the plus side they have a working agreement in place with Keiji Mutoh’s Wrestle-1 which will allow them to send limited performers away to improve and provide them with a source of exciting talent that could bolster the crumbled X Division. And good work has been done with Rockstar Spud, Alpha Female and EC3 and, to a lesser extent, The Wolves and MVP. If TNA can keep going on their current path, getting basic things right and avoiding major missteps, it’s possible that they may be able to attract names that people want to see. Personally I think TNA should be trying to sign The Young Bucks, Kevin Steen and Chris Hero. All four have very passionate followers and can wrestle very good matches. Time will tell if they’re wanted, and if they’re interested in TNA if they are.

That Wrestling Podcast Episode 2

That Wrestling Podcast Episode 2 by Dave Hatton on Mixcloud

That Wrestling Podcast isn't afraid to tackle the difficult questions. To illustrate that we ask one of wrestling's biggest... and it's only episode 2! Will TNA be around in five years? If they are what will they be doing and who'll be working there?

We have some ideas.

The Reunion: Now Showing in 3D

I don't normally do this but if you're the sort of person who's keen to avoid spoilers regarding TNA you'll want to avoid this until Friday morning. This is the only warning you'll get.

Last Thursday's sort-of-live Hardcore Justice edition of Impact Wrestling hinted at dissension in the ranks of lead heel stable Aces and Eights. Gang leader Bully Ray told his second-in-command Mr Anderson that he didn't feel sufficiently supported by his subordinates. Of course everything worked out for them in the end. Anderson dutifully trotted out to the ring to play his part in Bully regaining the world championship during the main event.

Just because things ended up rosy for the biker boys that don't own bikes last week doesn't mean they'll stay that way. TNA has given us a very clear tease of a potential future storyline.

This Thursday's Impact (recorded last week, hence the uncharacteristic spoiler warning above) will feature a ten men tag match with the stipulation that the man who's pinned must leave TNA. It will be Devon who takes the fall. That could be TNA's way of moving him off our screens and into the D'Lo Brown shaped agent position they have backstage. It could be their way of legitimately getting rid of a guy who has far less to offer than recent firees Joey Ryan and Matt Morgan (and it should be noted neither of them had much to offer). Or it could be the promotion preparing for the next instalment of their long running storyline.

It's easy to imagine Bully Ray losing his world title at Bound For Glory come October. To who doesn't matter. The important thing here is that a bright-eyed babyface is likely to wrestle the title away from Bully at BFG.

What if the loss of the world title leads to Mr Anderson leading a coup of Aces and Eights? He could claim Bully's become a weak link and kick him out if the group. This would work incredibly smoothly, although slightly differently, if it were Anderson that won the BFG series. But honestly, can you see that happening? No, me neither.

With Bully out of A&E the stage would be set for him to battle with the gang for weeks on end until TNA's next pay-per-view rolled around (expected to happen in January). It's not too difficult to envisage Bully challenging Anderson and any member of his crew to meet Bully and a "mystery partner" at that pay-per-view.

 

Could a Team 3D reunion be in the works?

 

Obviously this mystery man would be Devon and we'd have the first major Team 3D match in years against the massive heel faction Bully fashioned in his own image. Just as obviously this scenario would be tedious to watch play out and illogical even by wrestling standards. Why should we care if Bully's kicked of a group he created to bring down TNA (through unspecified means)? The answer is that we shouldn't.

Some people would probably get behind a babyface Bully. He worked well as a good guy last year and for the first few months of this year. But that doesn't mean this scenario’s a good idea. I've written this simply to flag up the possibility. And to give myself something to link back to in six months’ time if they do go ahead with it.

Hail Sabin

Tonight Chris Sabin will make his first (televised) defence of the TNA world championship. Bully Ray is the challenger, getting his contractually obligated rematch after losing the title to Sabin on last month's X Division themed episode of Impact Wrestling (where wrestling and slogans matter). The rematch will be fought inside a steel cage so as to stop Bully's Aces and Eights gang interfering. Finally, if Bully loses he will (allegedly) never get another shot at the title.

Let's point out the obvious logic flaw first of all. The cage stip will not nullify A&E. Cast your minds back to Lockdown in March. In the main event of that show Bully Ray defeated Jeff Hardy for the TNA title with help from the Aces. The steel didn't stop them then so why should we believe it will stop them now?

The other big problem this match has is that everyone expects Bully Ray to win. That was the case the moment the rematch was announced and adding the no more title shots stipulation has only added to that.

There’s good reason to expect ‘Calfzilla’ to win. The Bully v Sabin feud has very clearly been a time killer from the very beginning. It's the drawback of the Bound For Glory series. Western wrestling fans expect world titles defended roughly once a month. With the BFG series running from June to September and involving TNA's most credible challengers it makes booking world title programmes hard: the champ can’t defend against someone in the series because that negates the purpose of the series, so he has to kill time with mid-card talent.

TNA's answer, as we've seen with Sabin and last year with Austin Aries, has been to allow the X Division champion to vacate their title and step into the main event. But this is not a solution because anyone familiar with the way wrestling works can see that they're not going to become a headline mainstay unless they have the required qualities. 'A Double' did. Chris Sabin does not.

This is not to belittle Sabin. He's a talented wrestler, he's just not cut from the main event cloth. He looks, wrestles and carries himself like a mid-carder. He can’t cut a half-decent promo, let alone a promo befitting a world title feud. He looks like he belongs in the X scene. He does not look like he should be at the top of the card.

 

Chris Sabin: lacking in main event aura

 

I'd feel this way no matter how his reign had come about but I will say that TNA didn't do Sabin any favours when laying out his victory last month. After selling for ten minutes Sabin got hold of the rubber hammer Aces member Mr Anderson had introduced to proceedings, clobbered his foe with it and then fluked a rollup.

The rollup was inoffensive enough. Considering the size difference in the match it was a logical move for the match to finish on. But coupled with the hammer blow and selling it made Sabin look weak. He should have entered a spirited, gutsy performance in which he peppered Bully with high flying moves and just survived all of his big moves.

Using the hammer, even in a turning the tables scenario, was the move of a heel and only served to underline that Sabin could not win a fair fight. If the hammer had to come into play (and there's an argument for its use because TNA need to keep Bully looking strong for his presumed Bound For Glory title match) it should have been an Aces member smashing Bully by accident and then Sabin following up with a move or a rollup to score the win.

The poor presentation has continued since Destination X. Sabin has been presented as a fluke champion and played second fiddle to the endless crushing boredom that is the Aces and Eights v TNA-slash-Main Event Mafia feud. Reducing a first time champion to the role of bit part player in a feud involving several big names does him no favours. It doesn't do the title any good either.

Some people have suggested that Sabin has been given the title reign as a reward for his years of loyalty and dedication. I couldn't hope that's not the case more. World titles shouldn't be handed out based on terms of service. They should be awarded based on how credible a wrestler will be in the role of champion. If TNA want to award Sabin's loyalty and hard work great, they should. But it shouldn't come in the form of a reign with what is supposed to be their most prestigious prize. Give him a cash bonus or a lengthy run with the X Division belt. Don't present him as the number one man in the promotion unless you're willing and able to fully get behind him in the role.

Adding to the frustration is that TNA had alternatives. They could have had Jeff Jarrett return to work the summer feud with Bully. The storyline there is obvious: ‘Double J’ has returned from exile to save the company he built from Aces and Eights.

They could have done something interesting with James Storm and Bully. Storm’s the only former world champ under the age of forty not to be involved in the BFG series, his omission coming because of his tag title reign alongside Gunner. He has the status within TNA to be involved in a world title feud. He and Bully could have had some great matches and Gunner could have been used for some interesting tag team matches and evening odds. There would have been a natural Gunner and Storm v Team 3D match to book as well.

There were plenty of things TNA could have done that would have been just as good, if not better, than slinging the belt on Sabin for a few weeks. In the long run I think the title reign is going to do Sabin more harm than good. He's unlikely to ever have a second reign, and if he does happen across one it will in all likelihood come about under circumstances similar to his first. Once he loses the title back to Bully and the feud wraps up Sabin is destined to slip back down the card.

That's only going to degrade the world championship because it will have been worn by a mid-carder. Meanwhile Sabin himself will look like he was out of his league and has been sent packing to his rightful spot. TNA really needs to get a grasp on the star building process before they bungle a main event push for everyone on the roster.

#August1warning: We Were Warned

If you're a loyal TNA fan you may be aware of their latest attempt to grab new viewers. I'm taking of course about their #August1warning videos. They're a series of videos that first appeared last week on the promotion's YouTube accounts.

The videos show a shadowy figure and are of deliberately poor quality, although they’re made in such a way that even the deliberately poor production is a letdown. The figure appears to be bald and is either a man or the most unfortunately masculine woman I've ever come across. Speaking via a voice modulator he has addressed his impending Impact Wrestling appearance (on August 1^st, obvs) and assured us he's a name known to TNA fans.

The videos have succeeded in getting people talking. Whether they'll get people tuning in remains to be seen. I have my doubts but I'd love to be wrong.

Even this moderate success is blunted by TNA's standard issue inefficiency. The videos have had less than a week to take effect. Had they started earlier they could have been seen by more people, which obviously would have increased the chances of higher viewing figures. As it is they've not even been seen on TV.

I understand TNA wanting to present them as real but that shouldn't be done at the cost of potential success. They could have been played on TV with an announcement that management don’t endorse the content, which is what’s happened on YouTube. Even the old “the airwaves were hijacked” routine would have been better than making them online exclusives.

The identity of the silhouette is a genuine mystery, partly because there are no big names unaffiliated with a wrestling company who could realistically be expected to join TNA. The "favourite" seems to be ‘Scrap Iron’ Adam Pearce, in large part because he's bald like the mystery man. Apparently it's occurred to very few people that a voice actor could be providing the voice for the video, and an actor could have been hired (in kayfabe terms) to portray the figure.

You may recall Pearce appeared as a Gut Check contestant a while back. While he failed to get a contract he was written out in such a way as to make a return possible. For various reasons I hope it's not him behind the vids. For one thing he's not a big enough name to qualify as a non-disappointment in the role come the reveal. For another while he's a solid wrestler and a decent enough promo he doesn't possess those undefinable star qualities that make me think he could turn into a reliable headline star. He has a generic, mid-card look and at 35 it's unlikely that he's yet to peak. I wouldn't be averse to TNA bringing him in. I just don't think he's right for this particular route to the roster.

 

TNA's next star?

 

Another name suggested is Low Ki, although he used the name Senshi during his 2011 run in TNA. And WWE fans will know him as Kaval. Personally I feel he's a bigger name than Pearce but he's still not well known enough to justify such a (by TNA standards) much hyped (re)introduction. He could be of great benefit to the X Division but that's a moot point because TNA don't seem to care about that at the moment.

Sticking with bald wrestlers it could be Sonjay Dutt. Alright so he was on Impact last week, but that's not the sort of thing to stop TNA. He's not under contract and nobody's expecting him to be on tonight's show, that's about all the motivation they'd need to put Dutt in this role.

Anyone who thinks it could be Batista is kidding themselves. He's beginning to make headway with his acting career. He wouldn't jeopardise that by flying to a 3,000 seat arena once a fortnight to feud with Bubba Ray Dudley. It's just a completely unrealistic suggestion. If and when he returns to rasslin' it'll be with WWE.

The former MVP is yet another longshot. When he left WWE he negotiated a deal that would allow him to use the MVP name anywhere except TNA. That's reason enough to make me think it’s not going to be him. There are other reasons available too. He's talked publicly about having left WWE on good terms, which indicates that he's got a mid-card spot waiting for him should he want it. Also discussed publicly is his non-wrestling project with a US TV network. Right now the guy doesn't need wrestling. He's achieved his dream of wrestling in Japan and if he wants to return to the business in a meaningful role it will be with WWE.

John Morrison is in pretty much the same position. He seems satisfied working indies, taking minor acting roles and doing a bit of standup comedy. I expect to see him back in WWE at some point, not joining TNA. And on a side note the standup should help to improve Morrison's stilted promo style. That's the one area that's consistently let him down over the years and if he can fix it he could get the WWE success many feel he's entitled to.

A more credible name than the former WWE performers is Tito Ortiz. A former UFC stalwart, Ortiz has recently come out of retirement to sign with Bellator. That's the same Bellator that has contracts with TNA performers King Mo and Rampage Jackson.

Ortiz is one of the bigger names I've mentioned here and strikes me as a very real possibility. He's got the name value and crossover potential TNA seem hell bent on attaining at the moment and could, theoretically, have been in training for a wrestling career for a while now.

Bringing in Ortiz would be a dreadful move. I've noted before that Mo and Rampage are good tools for TNA to tap into the MMA market for new fans. Two MMA guys in a wrestling promotion is ample. It allows for them to do an inter-promotional feud with one another. In an ideal world that would consist of a trio of matches: a straight MMA match (going first to ensure that whoever wins can lose the second match to necessitate a third), a straight wrestling match, and then a gimmick wrestling match.

A third MMA competitor wouldn’t make that scenario impossible but would detract from its unique appeal. It would also take some of the shine away from Mo and Rampage, neither of whom have done anything significant yet. Three MMA guys in one wrestling promotion risks harming the promotion's image. That’s not something TNA should be risking at the best of times.

Of course none of this means TNA aren't bringing Ortiz in. It would be a mistake but at least he has sufficient cache to meet the hype. I'm of the opinion it's either going to be him or Pearce. They strike me as names TNA would want to use, Ortiz because the company seems keen to try to take wrestling in the MMA direction and Pearce because he’s a competent wrestler whose lack of mainstream exposure would ensure at least six months’ worth of fresh matches.

It could be anyone. It could be Jeff Jarrett returning to take back the company he created from ineffective champions and rogue biker gangs. It could be Perry Saturn searching for Moppy. It could be Sean Morley looking for that world title win that eluded him during his porn star days. It could be Monty Brown making the return to wrestling that precisely no one has been crying out for. It could be Briley Pierce looking to outshine his brother. It could be Percy Watson looking to show WWE what they missed out on. It could be the Iron Sheikh looking to humble someone. It could be Shelton Benjamin. It could be Hardcore Holly. It could be Bob Backlund. It could be Viscera. It could be Mideon. It could be Kevin Nash. It could, in the sort of twist found exclusively in wrestling, be Shane McMahon.

There's no way of knowing who’s behind the videos until they’re revealed. Thankfully we’ll be put out of our misery tonight.