"If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

Collapse

Recommended Videos

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • MassNole
    Banned
    • Mar 2006
    • 18848

    #1

    "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

    Link to Wrestlezone.com article (contains a spoiler about a TNA signing, read at your own risk).

    Thoughts?

    I would disagree with the assessment that no one is better off with where they stand after going to TNA with Christian and Tomko, but overall it is pretty accurate in my opinion. From what I've seen on TNA lately, Kurt Angle is a joke and a shadow of his WWE self. The younger wrestlers who went there over the WWE are not as well known as they could be in the WWE (Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles).
  • goh
    Banned
    • Aug 2003
    • 20755

    #2
    Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

    I'm not so sure on the older guys. Christian got a good deal,he got to be world champ,main eventer and all that. Rhino did at first but that kinda trailed off. I thought Raven was pretty great while he was there and again he got another world title and put on some pretty memorable matches. Then on the other side there's guys like Nash,Sting,Angle and for a very short time Hall.

    Younger guys,I'd think that most would be better off in TNA. It worked out for Punk though,for now anyway.

    Comment

    • JohnDoe8865
      Hall of Fame
      • Jul 2002
      • 9607

      #3
      Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

      Especially the "smaller" wrestlers by WWE standards, like AJ Styles, Jay Lethal, Petey Williams, Christopher Daniels, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Homicide, etc. are better off in TNA. There is just no room or direction for those guys in WWE.

      Jeff Hardy went from a "has-been" on the indy circuit to a full blown career renaissance in TNA, and got his job back w/ WWE. Sabu also became relevant enough again to get a contract from WWE from his work with TNA.

      Kaz jumped ship a while back and never made it off of Velocity and no one with half a brain can say it was because he isn't talented. Matt Bentley tried to go to WWE and I haven't heard from him since.

      Chris Harris (although admittedly he hasn't been the same wrestler the past year or so) didn't work out for very long in "ECW" either. I haven't heard from The Naturals (Chase Stevens and Andy Douglas) either since they left. I'm not entirely sure what happened with Monty Brown, so I'll leave him out of the discussion.

      I'd say it's nearly impossible to say how well Samoa Joe would have fared. I doubt he would be World Champion in WWE on Raw or Smackdown. I wouldn't consider the ECW belt a step up in any way from the TNA belt right now, especially the current ECW Title.

      I'd say that Team 3D have remained very relevant in TNA while also elevating LAX and some of the other teams they have opposed. Scott Steiner was seeing a career resurgence before the knee injury. There are some cases for the guys that come over.

      Angle is stuck in a "personal" fued right now and it may seem to diminish his worth in TNA, but remember back in January when he was the World Champion and he helped sell out the Tokyo Dome with an IWGP "3rd belt" title match with Yuji Nagata at Wrestle Kingdom II. Angle is still a HUGE draw worldwide. You can't judge Angle on the past few months, you have to look at his body of work since coming to TNA.

      Christian made Main Event status and got the rub from guys like Sting and Jarrett upon coming to TNA. Rhino and Raven were both mentioned, both wore the strap at one point or another, although I'm disappointed with Rhino's booking lately. He goes from Elevation X Matches to being in the undercard and being another big guy that loses every week. I don't like it.

      I think the jury is still out on Booker T right now, but he hasn't been great in TNA yet. Nash is just drawing a check right now and trying to remain somewhat relevant. He isn't helping Joe get over IMO at all.

      No matter where Sting went, I don't think he could make his legacy any bigger. Many of his fans are old school die hard WCW fans and would have dismissed anything he did in the WWE regardless, so his situation is unique.

      BG and Kip James have certainly tainted whatever "legacy" they may have had as the New Age Outlaws, in TNA via awful ring work and poor chemistry/booking. Those are the two guys who spring to mind when I think about harming a legacy, but they were fired too, so they had to work somewhere.
      Favorite Sports Teams

      NFL - Carolina Panthers
      NBA - Charlotte Hornets
      MLB - Cincinnati Reds
      College Basketball - Wake Forest
      NCAA Football - Appalachian State

      Comment

      • JiggidyJames
        All Star
        • Apr 2005
        • 5267

        #4
        Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

        How did I miss this? Damn no reply Impact threads.

        Anyway, I agree pretty much. I know it's cliche, but the horrible booking makes guys apathetic. That's why Angle hasn't been ANGLE, Joe is a herb, AJ's still really an idiot, nobody cares about Sting even when he works his butt off, etc... One of TNA's biggest problems is that they try to get to much over at once. Add that in with nonsensical storytelling and you have a cluster where no one gets over and the top guys don't stand out. Thats why Angle isn't ANGLE, you don't parity book your top guys.

        Some guys are better off in TNA, sure. But what's a main event slot in TNA mean? Being an uppermidcarder like Christian is now isn't a better spot than what say, MVP has on SmackDown. If TNA was more comp for WWE, than yeah. But it's not, it's about on ECW's level (the original, for those that don't know about my "" designation).

        He's right on about Angle, and I'll add that he's never had a consistent character. I don't care if he was a tweener, have a code and follow it. That's how characters are developed. Angle went from hero, to mega-heel, to the sunglasses and suit champ, to paranoid crazyman videotaping Sting's family for no reason other than it was something to do. This AJ feud is actually the first storyline that makes sense since he's been there, and they've watered it down with stupid gimmicks every week. But whatever, point is, Angle doesn't have the shine of someone who main evented WrrestleMania.

        They had something special with Joe, and they totally screwed it up. First, by not striking while the iron was hot and second by turning Joe into a bitch. They're not booking to his strengths and he looks like a fool week in week out. Yelling and crying, boo hoo, man up you fat POS! Every show, Nash outclasses him in every way. At least with CM Punk the gimmick is that he's Cinderella. I don't know the purpose of making the formerly bad *** Joe such a chump. The two guys who drew the two highest grossing PPVs in company history are losers -- one cries about Nash and the other is a bufoon who can't please his wife.

        It remains to be seen with Foley because I don't know how he'll be used. But if it's full time, he'll just be another guy right after the next PPV.

        Booker has worked out thus far because he's rejuvinated. And they'e playing to his strengths -- goofy stuff.

        I don't think going to the minor leagues is ruining your legacy, however, once TNA booking takes over, your f'd. Then again, they could be Ric Flair cutting promos from 1988 in front of 400 people in some town full of Cletus the Slackjawed Yokel types. THAT is ruining your legacy.

        --------------------------------
        I have no idea what "renaissance" JohnDoe is talking about in regards to Jeff Hardy. He took one crazy bump, then got sent home. He just sold some half sleeves and glowsticks. Sabu got a WWE contract off the strength of being an ECW alum. Kaz wouldn't cut his hair for his big push, then left on his own. Monty is raising his sister's kids. Three of them, plus his own, I think.
        xbl gamertag: jiggidyjames72

        Comment

        • JohnDoe8865
          Hall of Fame
          • Jul 2002
          • 9607

          #5
          Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

          Do you really think Jeff Hardy's entire TNA career can be summed up by "one big bump" and sent home? I know his matches were all about setting up his big bump later in his time in TNA, but before that he came in right as TNA was getting a TV deal and had a short exciting little run against AJ Styles back in Sept/Oct 2005 and then with Monty Brown right after that.

          He then proceeded to be in the main events of the first 3 hour PPVs vs the likes of Hall/Nash/Jarrett and had a memorable ladder match for the NWA World Title against Jarrett at the first BFG where the "Kings of Wrestling" were formed. At that point he was a major main event player.

          Even after that he was involved in the Monster's Ball match where he had a memorable match and then took the Rhino top rope piledriver finish that I still see plastered on YouTube and other video sites all the time.

          My point was that he became relevant again during this period in TNA, whether you want to acknowledge that or not is your opinion. Yeah later on he fueded with Raven and Abyss and lost some steam and was just trying to hit his crazy bumps left and right, but that wasn't his direction for his entire run in TNA. Towards the end of his deal in TNA he missed a TV taping IIRC and was sent home rightfully so too.

          I don't see how anyone could say (not saying anyone IS saying this...) that if he had stayed on the Indy circuit or been in ROH w/o TV exposure that he would have been brought back into the WWE in the same spot that he was after doing some good, memorable stuff in TNA including his crazy spots.
          Favorite Sports Teams

          NFL - Carolina Panthers
          NBA - Charlotte Hornets
          MLB - Cincinnati Reds
          College Basketball - Wake Forest
          NCAA Football - Appalachian State

          Comment

          • JiggidyJames
            All Star
            • Apr 2005
            • 5267

            #6
            Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

            Originally posted by JohnDoe8865
            Do you really think Jeff Hardy's entire TNA career can be summed up by "one big bump" and sent home? I know his matches were all about setting up his big bump later in his time in TNA, but before that he came in right as TNA was getting a TV deal and had a short exciting little run against AJ Styles back in Sept/Oct 2005 and then with Monty Brown right after that.

            He then proceeded to be in the main events of the first 3 hour PPVs vs the likes of Hall/Nash/Jarrett and had a memorable ladder match for the NWA World Title against Jarrett at the first BFG where the "Kings of Wrestling" were formed. At that point he was a major main event player.

            Even after that he was involved in the Monster's Ball match where he had a memorable match and then took the Rhino top rope piledriver finish that I still see plastered on YouTube and other video sites all the time.

            My point was that he became relevant again during this period in TNA, whether you want to acknowledge that or not is your opinion. Yeah later on he fueded with Raven and Abyss and lost some steam and was just trying to hit his crazy bumps left and right, but that wasn't his direction for his entire run in TNA. Towards the end of his deal in TNA he missed a TV taping IIRC and was sent home rightfully so too.

            I don't see how anyone could say (not saying anyone IS saying this...) that if he had stayed on the Indy circuit or been in ROH w/o TV exposure that he would have been brought back into the WWE in the same spot that he was after doing some good, memorable stuff in TNA including his crazy spots.
            Even if that stuff was indeed memorable (it's not), he still flaked out and went back to his old ways. WWE took a big risk signing him. Having meh matches, no-showing and continuing to be a wierdo isn't a renaissance. Being a main eventer for TNA during the FSN days isn't anything to be excited about. He never truly broke out, never made a difference...his time in TNA is irrelevant.

            And if it did work out for him in ROH, just look at Jamie Noble. Dude is an agent because of his time there. Even Kendrick worked his way back up through ROH and Japan. Bryan Danielson has never worked for TNA, but WWE wants him back. Believe it or not, WWE does scout ROH guys seriously. TNA is just another minor league promotion to them and no better than ROH, so yeah, he would've been brought back in that spot.

            He wasn't even on TV for awhile, so that doesn't matter. And when he was, it was on FSN with 500k people watching and maybe 20k on PPV. In fact, most fans I talk to thought he was finished with wrestling. I used to get kids asking me all the time "where's Jeff Hardy?". WWE fans didn't forget those TLC matches, they didn't forget the Undertaker match...he built up enough stock with them that he was going to stay over on his name for at least a few feuds. WWE knew this and took a chance. I think most are still suprised it worked out this well.
            xbl gamertag: jiggidyjames72

            Comment

            • JohnDoe8865
              Hall of Fame
              • Jul 2002
              • 9607

              #7
              Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

              Originally posted by JiggidyJames
              Even if that stuff was indeed memorable (it's not), he still flaked out and went back to his old ways. WWE took a big risk signing him. Having meh matches, no-showing and continuing to be a wierdo isn't a renaissance. Being a main eventer for TNA during the FSN days isn't anything to be excited about. He never truly broke out, never made a difference...his time in TNA is irrelevant.

              And if it did work out for him in ROH, just look at Jamie Noble. Dude is an agent because of his time there. Even Kendrick worked his way back up through ROH and Japan. Bryan Danielson has never worked for TNA, but WWE wants him back. Believe it or not, WWE does scout ROH guys seriously. TNA is just another minor league promotion to them and no better than ROH, so yeah, he would've been brought back in that spot.

              He wasn't even on TV for awhile, so that doesn't matter. And when he was, it was on FSN with 500k people watching and maybe 20k on PPV. In fact, most fans I talk to thought he was finished with wrestling. I used to get kids asking me all the time "where's Jeff Hardy?". WWE fans didn't forget those TLC matches, they didn't forget the Undertaker match...he built up enough stock with them that he was going to stay over on his name for at least a few feuds. WWE knew this and took a chance. I think most are still suprised it worked out this well.
              Ok, that's cool, Jeff Hardy isn't worth another 60 seconds of my time talking about and it's clear that you have an inane hate/problem with TNA. Carry on ...
              Favorite Sports Teams

              NFL - Carolina Panthers
              NBA - Charlotte Hornets
              MLB - Cincinnati Reds
              College Basketball - Wake Forest
              NCAA Football - Appalachian State

              Comment

              • JiggidyJames
                All Star
                • Apr 2005
                • 5267

                #8
                Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                Originally posted by JohnDoe8865
                Ok, that's cool, Jeff Hardy isn't worth another 60 seconds of my time talking about and it's clear that you have an inane hate/problem with TNA. Carry on ...
                Yeah, OK. It must be nice in fantasy land where TNA is relevant.

                btw, this Kurt Angle shoot interview is great. He says, "people always ask me what I'm doing since I'm not wrestling anymore". Now that deserves a .
                Last edited by JiggidyJames; 09-11-2008, 03:23 PM.
                xbl gamertag: jiggidyjames72

                Comment

                • Dr.J
                  Pro
                  • Sep 2006
                  • 475

                  #9
                  Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                  Mark madden's opinion is illrelevant.
                  "Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successfull personality and duplicate it. "
                  Bruce Lee

                  Comment

                  • TCF
                    Rookie
                    • Apr 2004
                    • 312

                    #10
                    Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                    mark madden sounds like an idiot. TNA is trying to get bigger with going after some bigger FA's in the wrestling business. the main event mafia is the new NWO.

                    IMO what TNA truly needs is some better story writers

                    Comment

                    • sportznut02
                      The buzz is palpable now!
                      • Dec 2004
                      • 8064

                      #11
                      Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                      Originally posted by Dr.J
                      Mark madden's opinion is illrelevant.
                      Madden is a moron who cares what that idiot thinks, i enjoy watching TNA today more than i do the WWE anymore ever since the stupid brand split i just haven`t been able to get into the E like i use to. hopefully someday they will scrap that crap
                      Saturday Night Lights NCAA 14 Sim OD for PS3

                      Comment

                      • Derrville
                        Banned
                        • Sep 2008
                        • 1623

                        #12
                        Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                        Wrestlezone is a WWE biased website. I hate that site.

                        Comment

                        • DTX3
                          Hall Of Fame
                          • Jun 2003
                          • 13022

                          #13
                          Re: "If you're concerned with your legacy, Don't go to TNA" - Article

                          Originally posted by sportznut02
                          Madden is a moron who cares what that idiot thinks, i enjoy watching TNA today more than i do the WWE anymore ever since the stupid brand split i just haven`t been able to get into the E like i use to. hopefully someday they will scrap that crap
                          You still enjoying their product?
                          XBL: DTX3
                          PSN: DTX987
                          WII U: DodgerBlue760

                          Comment

                          Working...