Is the Austin Aries title run a blatant ripoff of the CM Punk title run?

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't mean this thread as an insult to Aries, because I think he's fantastic. Even that little throwaway match with James Storm from last night's Impact was pretty awesome. He has had a nice title run so far, but something about his recent actions as compared to Punk's have been eeriely similar.

I'd love to type out more points as to why I feel this way, but I guess I want to gauge how many of you have actually been paying enough attention to both reigns before going much further.

Your thoughts?

[CSL]

I haven't paid any attention whatsoever outside of catching the last 5 minutes of the match he won the belt in but it wouldn't at all surprise me

[Anybody Thrilla]

Well, he pretty much turned all the way heel last night too. It's all about the non-traditional champ vs. the machine. Jeff Hardy is currently playing the role of John Cena in some sort of bizarro landscape.

[drave]

I noticed some big similarities as well, after Thursday's Impact. Double A is money, no doubt, but the parallels are obvious if you are watching both products.

His entire attitude from Thursday was very reminiscent of Punk's "Fuck people like the Rock b/c he is never here but gets his way and fuck Cena b/c he gets shot after shot for no god damn reason". If he beats Hardy, which I fuckin hope he does, I can totally see him going with a respect angle. I would sincerely hope they wouldn't go that way with things, as far as similarity. Thinking about it..... Aries has slightly been on a respect kick since he won the strap from Roode, except it was more like "you don't respect me because I am a small wrestler".

Between this and the Aces & Eights gimmick they have going, let's hope they don't fuck it up. Contrary to most people around here, I would like to see TNA get bigger to the point of competing with WWE, because I think it will take WWE feeling threatened by competition in order to get rid of their shit writing as of late. The Gerwitz situation is a good start, but they have waaaaaaaaaaaay farther to go to get back to something that is half watchable.

[#1-norm-fan]

I always thought he came off as TNA's Punk lite. Him getting the world title after such little long term build only added to that.

... Just now reading about his heel turn. Bizarre. That takes it from just being Punk-like to a flat out rip-off. It's like they're not even trying to be sly about it too.

[Pintint]

Now all they need is to bring that Sinister Minister guy back and have him manage Aries.

[Hanso Amore]

Now all they need is to bring that Sinister Minister guy back and have him manage Aries.

Is it sad that I like that idea? Love James Mitchell.

True Story: I met him one night after and ECW show and he is just about the nicest guy you will ever meet.

[drave]

James Mitchell is a great character. The look he had while managing Abyss was perfect. He reminds me of Cleve Hall, master monster maker from Hollywood.

Cleve
http://images.starpulse.com/pictures/2012/07/17/previews/Cleve%20Hall-GFR-014812.jpg

Mitchell
http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/pictures/mitchell.jpg

[#1-norm-fan]

James Mitchell is one of the more underrated managers of all time.

[Wishbone]

It's definitely a rip off. I've enjoyed TNA's product for the most part as of late and Aries is gold, but this is really getting ridiculous. After last night's Impact it's clear that it's definitely a pure and blatant attempt to cash in on the success of Punk.

[Wishbone]

Also Hardy can go suck eggs. He's not even entertaining in his current role. Should've given the title shot to Bully Ray god damnit!

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't consider it a rip-off, since I feel that Aries' character is being handled to its nature and is organically evolving -- but I do see the parallels, and was even just thinking so the other day. Aries snapping on Hardy would make total sense at this point, and I think a loss of the title could be the trigger for that. Like the Aces and Eights reveal, I'm not really excited for what I think is going to happen, but it makes total sense.

[DLVH84]

I don't consider it a rip-off, since I feel that Aries' character is being handled to its nature and is organically evolving -- but I do see the parallels, and was even just thinking so the other day. Aries snapping on Hardy would make total sense at this point, and I think a loss of the title could be the trigger for that. Like the Aces and Eights reveal, I'm not really excited for what I think is going to happen, but it makes total sense.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, Noid. Because whenever there's the scenario that a face champion defending against another face, there's a possibility that the champion would feel the pressure of losing the title and lose it like Aries did with Hardy. So, in a way, it might not be a legit turn. So we have to wait until this Sunday to see if it's official that Aries has turned or not.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think if Aries retains the title, he'll probably end up remaining a babyface. If Hardy wins, then I think a heel turn out of frustration for Aries makes perfect sense. The grey area will be if Aries retains by doing "anything he can." That would actually probably be the most compelling outcome of the match, and my personal preference of where to take this feud.

Interestingly enough, I think that could end up very much like the CM Punk/Jeff Hardy feud from 2009 (one of my favourite feuds of all-time, which is pretty surprising to me, because I've never been a huge supporter of Jeff Hardy). Initially, all Punk did was cash in Money in the Bank like everyone else had done (well, except for Rob Van Dam), including himself the previous year. Punk really didn't do anything technically wrong, yet the fans were outraged that he had "betrayed" their hero.

I wouldn't want to see a duplicate of that feud between Aries and Hardy, but if Aries beats Hardy when he gets his knees up on a Swanton Bomb, and Hardy is all "I almost had you," and Aries is all "Almost? You lost, Jeff -- that's all there is to it," you get something on the way to that. It's also a lot like CM Punk/John Cena's current stuff.

I'm also not entirely against the idea of Matt Morgan returning and destroying both men during the main event. It might sound anti-climatic and shitty to end your biggest PPV of the year like that, but it would also make perfect sense for a beast like Morgan to want to return to the company that way. It instantly puts him in the spotlight and interjects him into a storyline that has meaning to it. You can go with either Aries retaining the title or Hardy winning the belt in this scenario, and it leaves issues between those two men.

How Aries or Hardy could overcome a beast like Morgan would make a pretty interesting story going forward. Aries vs. Hardy vs. Morgan in a Ladder Match for the title would be pretty interesting. You'd just have to make sure you don't end up pairing Morgan & Hardy in a team down the track to avoid further comparions with the WWE. :shifty:

[Emperor Smeat]

I barely watch TNA but why or what caused his sudden turn? Seems too quick to turn him or even go the Punk route since with Punk it was a lot more gradual.

Have they also started to tease him as the actual leader of Aces & Eights now?

[DLVH84]

I barely watch TNA but why or what caused his sudden turn? Seems too quick to turn him or even go the Punk route since with Punk it was a lot more gradual.

Have they also started to tease him as the actual leader of Aces & Eights now?

No, I don't think Aries is the leader. But over the last few months, I saw some key pieces of the puzzle...

1. Joseph Park took a photo with Sting on his phone. Within weeks, Sting gets attacked.

2. Bully Ray and his Twitter Machine. Could it be possible that Bully Ray is the inside man for Aces & 8's, using his machine to give Aces and 8's a heads up? And what's with him desperately wanting to team with Sting? There has to be a motive on that.

3. Garrett Bischoff's anger towards Hulk Hogan for not being chosen to wrestle for the vacant TV title and has not been seen since.

4. Tension between AJ Styles and Kurt Angle over Angle expressing his desire to pull double duty at Bound For Glory, teaming with AJ vs. Daniels and Kazarian for the World Tag Team titles and teaming with Sting against Aces and 8's. Could it be good reason or a trap?

5. Hulk Hogan returning in his "Hollywood" look. Could he be the one pulling everyone's strings, fooling everyone, especially Dixie Carter and Sting?

6. Austin Aries ranting about "the machine," assuming "the machine" is TNA. However, I highly doubt Aries is part of Aces & 8's, due to the beatdown he had, which resulted in a broken arm.

So, my prime suspects would be the following in order...
1. Joseph Park (given maybe the multiple personality deal, a la Mick Foley)
2. Bully Ray
3. Garrett Bischoff
4. Hulk Hogan
5. AJ Styles

[Tom Guycott]

James Mitchell is one of the more underrated managers of all time.

[Droford]

AA doesn't have punks mic skills. I'd almost go and say AA is the better "wrestler"..

I also suggested he was involved with a/8s early on but I think its clearly bully ray at this point

[Tom Guycott]

Now all they need is to bring that Sinister Minister guy back and have him manage Aries.

... and sell shirts that say "I'm a James Mitchell man"

[Shadrick]

I always thought he came off as TNA's Punk lite. Him getting the world title after such little long term build only added to that.

... Just now reading about his heel turn. Bizarre. That takes it from just being Punk-like to a flat out rip-off. It's like they're not even trying to be sly about it too.

All of this.

[Tom Guycott]

I barely watch TNA but why or what caused his sudden turn?

Did you forget this is a TNA discussion?

A Double turning face in the first place was quick. He came in (back) as a heel, became over and very popular as a heel, then suddenly became a face contender for the World Title instead of merely being the unbeatable heel for the X-Div belt. It should come as a shock to no one when anyone "suddenly" turns in TNA.

I'm almost convinced Alicia Fox's bi-weekly heel/face turns are some sort of "in-joke" WWE parody of iMPACT doing this for real.

[Droford]

Crazy to think Jeff hardy is tna's john cena

[DAMN iNATOR]

It's TNA...what shit of WWE's don't they copycat at the same time the #1 wrestling company is trying to differentiate itself?

[Gertner]

I'm shocked somebody watches TNA to notice this.

[Anybody Thrilla]

It's TNA...what shit of WWE's don't they copycat at the same time the #1 wrestling company is trying to differentiate itself?

Not sure if you've been watching at all, but there are a ton of things that set TNA apart from WWE, including (but not limited to) Open Fight Night, Gut Check, the Knockouts Division, backstage presentation, and in-ring style (matches not always having to end via finishing move).

Honestly, the Aries "turn" is the first thing in a long time that has made me even think of WWE while watching. The way he came to the ring with the "format" in his hand and crumpled it up while taking real life shots at Jeff felt like a diet version of the original pipe bomb.

[drave]

[/quote]Not sure if you've been watching at all, but there are a ton of things that set TNA apart from WWE, including (but not limited to) Open Fight Night, Gut Check, the Knockouts Division, backstage presentation, and in-ring style (matches not always having to end via finishing move).

Honestly, the Aries "turn" is the first thing in a long time that has made me even think of WWE while watching. The way he came to the ring with the "format" in his hand and crumpled it up while taking real life shots at Jeff felt like a diet version of the original pipe bomb[/quote]

QFT. The in-ring action has been far superior to that of WWE's as of late, without question. The Roode / Storm storyline has gone on for over a year now and STILL has fresh momentum and they do a damn good job of really seeming to hate one another. Their streetfight at BFG is going to be badass. Bully Ray has risen to be a top star and has yet to climax, but I believe he will before the year is up. He is magic on the mic as well as performing.

Double A brings some fresh innovation to the title scene, and does shit that hasn't been done before with the "normal" title contenders. The only thing that hasn't changed is Samoa Joe making a face like he is taking a shit after every single move he hits.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Joe's matches are still pretty good, though.

[drave]

I'm not going to knock the physicality of his matches, but you gotta admit it. He has a 5-15 second pause between every single move just to frown horribly and prove how "bad" he is. It is worse than the Rock's expression when he did his blasphemous excuse for a sharpshooter.

http://cdn01.dailycaller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/the-rock.jpg

makes me lol everytime

[Anybody Thrilla]

Clearly Joe is gonna need some rest time between moves. Look at him.

[Kane Knight]

It's not a ripoff if I like it!

[Anybody Thrilla]

I was a big fan of Demolition.

[drave]

Demolition was great, there will never be another tag team like them.

I remember when Crush first came in and I saw his finisher, think I was around 10 years old or something. I remember thinking it was the coolest finisher I saw, and looked uber painful. Keep in mind at this point, IT WAS STILL REAL TO ME DAMNIT!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ivXDoLWp6WY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

embed fail

link http://youtu.be/ivXDoLWp6WY

The entrance attire was cool too, reminded me of the big dude from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome that Jew Killer Gibson fought with a whistle.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Aces and Eights should not try and swerve anybody. Just make it the obvious:

Jeff Jarrett and Eric Bischoff, pissed off that they got kicked out of "their" company, have joined forces and have brought together a group of independent/pissed off ex-major company employees to attack main roster members and cause TNA and Hulk Hogan major grief.

That being said -- I don't think Jarrett or Bischoff should be considered the "leader" of the group. I think they should set something into motion that not even they can stop, and it gets out of hand for them. I also don't think that Bully Ray should help the group out. For all his heel tendencies, he's a pissed off prick at the group, and he should stay that way. Have Garett Bischoff help out A&8 at BFG -- pissed off that Hogan rejected him from the TV Title running. Unfortunately, this helps the father that Garett hates, and there is egg on his face. Plus, the entire TNA roster then wants to beat Garett down, and they stop him from running during a Tables Match with Bully Ray, where Ray mercilessly puts Garett through a table -- writing him off for a couple of months while he works on his ring skills in OVW.