I think if TNA had just said: "Right, we're booking AJ, or Aries, or Roode, as our top star now" and followed through with it, it would have stuck. They kind of did that with Roode and it did elevate him hugely - although not to the extent that we don't still have ignorant TV execs pushing for great-but-rather-past-it Angle to be the star.

I guess we'll never know how much leverage TNA have against network interference. Certainly I'd imagine WWE have a lot more power to call the shots against USA than TNA have against DA though.

Jarrett has 'booked' himself into a very strange position in announcing he has TV tapings but he hasn't publicly announced any form of television deal. There is also the possibility of a WWE return with Tough Enough coming up, he could be one of the team.

It's a shame that they didn't really stick with elevating the home grown talent that built them to what they were.

There was also the story that TNA told DA they had Angle re-signed, and he was made a big part of pre-launch branding, when he hadn't signed at all. I imagine there was a sigh of relief when that deal came through.

Of course WWE have more power to call the shots, they have decades of experience and decent ratings behind them. It just seems from the outside TNA are far too happy to just roll over.

That would be a sore spot with Austin I bet.

I doubt it. He turned it down.

I couldn't care less about Taz. He was always fat and ignorant and never any good. Never drew any money, never any good, no use to anyone. Too old aswell. He should be home and off TV. Good riddance I say.

he was phenomenal in ECW. a legit badass thug

You're memory is tainted. He was never a tough guy, I could beat him up.

no it isnt. as i watched that era of ecw for first time just last year lol

it wasnt just his suplexes,it was his promos, he was angry ALL THE TIME.

a phenomena character even if the man behind it may have been very different.

just because he was short doesn't mean you could beat him up.

Didn't he say he agreed in principle to do it but then WWE delayed production (because they wanted live elements) and it conflicted with his shooting schedule for Broken Skull Challenge for which he was already committed?


Is this before or after you've taken Lesnar down?

Whedon, trust me, I know i could. Wrestlers may appear tough on TV, they may have the muscles but it's all for show. It's all choreographed and acting. It's not real. If Taz got on the wrong side of me in real life I'd leave him laying on the ground. He wouldn't know what to do when I start hitting with the jabs and a quick left hook to the jaw.

Oh I wish you could go meet Taz. I really really REALLY would.

Taz was one of Heyman's greatest creations. Everyone believed Taz was a bad ass, including Kurt Angle.

And yet his WWE run was used by Vince to bury him. Started off strongly by ending Angle's undefeated streak but was never elevated above midcard - jobbed to Jerry Lawler at Summerslam 2000 and perhaps most memorably lost to Triple H while ECW champion.

Vince probably took one look at his height and came to the conclusion that he could take him.

TNA to go on major international tour next month?

Quote:
“According to The Wrestling Observer, TNA might be launching a big international tour beginning with events in China on May 22nd, May 23rd and May 30th as part of an 11-day trip with 2 other shows outside of China.

As of now, TNA talents are scheduled to leave The U.S. on May 20th, however the tour has yet to be confirmed or officially announced as several details have yet to be finalized.”

Very strange if true that they haven't announced this or put tickets on sale with a month to go

It always seemed to me that Vince didn't really know what he was buying with Taz. I feel like he signed him and planned his debut purely on word of mouth more than anything else. And while I can see why Taz wanted to make the jump even at the time it felt like a move that was destined to fail.


TNA making WCW look like a competently run business.

Guess Jeff will get injured again then

Poor episode this week, apart from EC3's very well done promo I'd vote for him All the knockouts stuff was just rubbish, and just reminded us how bad Tarryn Tyrell is, both at wrestling and on the mic, unfortunately looks like we are going to see even more of her.

Well, yep lol.

Dixie has tweeted that Jeff has broken his leg in a dirt bike accident just two weeks after winning the tag titles. It also comes just over a week before the next set of tapings which includes a live episode.

Apparently Jeff's broken his leg in a dirt bike accident. Not sure if this is legit or not.

After Eddie Edwards' broken foot it looks like the Tag title is cursed!

EDIT:
It's legit. Here's some footage of the crash. It's not graphic, but looks like a hard landing so I'm surprised he wasn't hurt even worse.
Bit stupid of Jeff to take part in such a dangerous hobby when he's integral to TNA's plans / stories over the next few weeks. I bet TNA is furious.
http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/5752...-bike-accident

What do we think of this Billy Corgan thing?

http://www.theguardian.com/music/201...-tna-wrestling

I had friends who wouldn't dream of watching wrestling ask me about it. All I can say is "um .. great? I think?".

Id' say it's a step up from the time Freddie Prinze Jr joined the WWE creative team, purely because he was a wrestling fan and Vince thought he might get Sarah Michelle Geller to appear on his TV show.

It's a big ask of somebody who's only experience is putting on a single show ever, if I'm right.

From TNA's perspective it's a win/win situation. They get some mainstream publicity and Corgan can hardly make things any worse.

I would have preferred him to invest money in TNA rather than being handed a creative role as a cash injection is what they need right now, not another guy with no real experience pitching ideas for the product.

I still hold out hope that the future will see a merger between TNA and Jeff Jarrett's GFW, that would be the best scenario for both companies and the business right now allowing both promotions to pool their resources and contacts. I know its unlikely but I would love to see TNA merge or strike a relationship with Lucha Underground, if you combine the production and format of LU and some of their talent with the TNA roster you could have a fantastic product, plus the smaller Lucha guys they have could work wonders revitalising the X-Division.

Just watching and Josh and Al Snow are talking about how the Knock Out's are the best womens division in the world.

They didn't even try to sound convincing.