Let's talk about TNA for a moment.

[Batsu]

Even though WWE is clearly running on fumes, and basically is for the most part, the only show in town...TNA seems to be getting more and more exposure by the day.

Now, while it's clearly a breath of fresh air, and I've been watching it week after week on FSN...

...there's a couple things I do have to ask about this wrestling program.

W(hy)TF is Jeff Jarrett still NWA/TNA champ?

There are a few interesting feuds, but are they going anywhere?

Everything seems so frantic.

In the Jarrett case...this might be a really bad case of nepotism, but man...I really, really did like him in WCW and bought him as a maineventer. In TNA, the guy just sucks. He's worse than any spotlight-hogging champ in recent memory (Hogan, HHH, et al)...and is quickly earning the title of the X-Pac of Main Eventers 2004. His entrance music even sucks...brings (not-so-)fond memories of Sid (the reigning X-Pac Champ)'s WWE theme music. Problem is...who would be the one to take his place? AJ Styles seems like a great choice. D'Lo? "The Truth" (though, I hear he's had the title once or twice before)? Jeff Hardy (EH-EHHHHHH...)? Monty Brown?

Who do more in-depth TNA followers think should take "The King Of The Mountain" off his throne?

[AareDub]

I think its a general consensus that the belt belongs on Raven. Anybody feel free to correct me if they feel differently, but I'm pretty confident with that statement.

I think the "frantic" feeling could die down a bit when they go to the monthly ppv format. It will give them more time to develop a month long (or more) feuds instead of cramming so many 2 week feuds into a month. I mean, in the format they have now, two guys get in an argument backstage then they have the match to settle it the following week. End of story in most cases. If you think back one month, a lot of the guys have had at least 2 feuds since then (including their current one).

If you look at the X-Div title, one month ago, I believe Styles had it and was feuding with Shane and Kazarian. Those two then won the title, then there was a battle royal thing for it, and now Petey Williams has it. So, in one month's time, there have been 4 different champs (or 3 depending on how you look at it). Now, if you strecth that out over the monthly ppv system like it should've been, they could've pulled at least 3 solid months out of it.

Edit: I also wanted to add that Styles, of course, should obviously be a main focus of the shows. However, I think he's strong enough that he doesn't need to be in a title match all the time for it to be a main event. The same could probably be said about Raven, and maybe a few others, but I still think raven should have the belt :D

[Innovator]

Styles was the champ before Impact started. The NWA board/higher powers wanted a more exposed person to hold the belt. The Jarretts I believe wanted to keep the strap on AJ because he had helped solidify TNA since it's inception.

But yeah, Raven needs the title NOW

[Chavo Classic]

There are benefits of living in the Uk, such as we don't have to pay to see half the WWE PPVs... but there are draw-backs, we can't get TNA!

I want my TNA!

It sounds awesome. What's with those six-sided rings I hear about?

[Amaroqwolf]

Raven, its that simple, Raven needs to hold gold. I don't care what Gold, (Prefer TNA Champ,) He just must have gold. So there.....(Blinks) Going now!

Quoth the Raven, Nevermore.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

There are benefits of living in the Uk, such as we don't have to pay to see half the WWE PPVs... but there are draw-backs, we can't get TNA!

I want my TNA!

It sounds awesome. What's with those six-sided rings I hear about?

TWC. (But only 6-month old TNA PPVs, not Impact.)

[Thriller]

Christopher Daniels enough said

[MVP]

Jarrett, Russo, and Dusty need to stop hogging so much TV time and focus more on the remaining roster. Not so much Dusty, but he's a bit stale.

Hopefully the feud with Sabu will give Raven another rub as a TNA title challenger because he's the long-deserving contender.

[RemyRed]

I don't think Raven should hold the belt right now. It should've gone to D'lo but since that isn't going to happen I think they should let The Truth get a third run with the belt. Besides Jeff Hardy, he's the most over face in TNA right now. Wildcat Chris Harris is also a good choice but I think he's good where he is in the Tag Team Division, which hopefully Frankie Kazarian & Michael Shane will stay in for a while. Petey Williams would also be a good choice for the World Championship.

[Quick1]

TNA > WWE > TNA

[Innovator]

Petey should stay in the X Division for a while. He also needs to start winning matches on his own without D'Amore. He still has an awesome finisher.

Raven should be champ, face or heel.

[RemyRed]

I really dont get why Petey is in the X-Division though since it's not a weight limit title, just one that focuses on high flying specialists. I've never seen Petey do anything high risk.

[LK]

Raven. enough said.

[HankScorpio]

So its agreed then, almost everyone (including me) is a Raven mark?

[Hired Hitman]

I am not a Raven Mark, But I did like his Character in WCW. If he is anything like how he was then he should be the TNA Champ.

[The Mackem]

What they need to do is to have a tournament for the belt or a 6 way match or something that will not only get a new champion but make others look like genuine contenders.

[juanker]

The only thing I don't like about Raven is his attire, why does he wear a skirt?? If he still wore his shorts & T-shirts he would look like a contender. As for other contenders i'd say Sonny Siaki, "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels, "Wildcat" Chris Harris or The Truth

[The Wizz]

The one major complaint that I have with TNA is the fact that while they do have great athletes on their roster, and while they're doing a fantastic job at being an alternative to the crap that WWE's putting out at the moment, and while they're doing what I've thought needed to be done for quite some time now, in that they're attempting to legitimize great in-ring action over the fantastical drama and gimmickry of the WWE...they simply don't put enough emphasis on telling a story.

It appears to me that while there are feuds, there just isn't the heart in telling the why's of the feud. To me, it just looks like TNA has just slapped these opponents against each other week after week after week, just for the competition aspect. And while, that's a step in the right direction of where I think professional wrestling should be here in the states (as it is over in Japan), in order to capture the attention of the WWE-die-hards, you've got to have some level of entertainment to go along with the sports aspect. That, truly and honestly, is the only way to really become a contender to WWE's spot at the top.

As far as who would be the best guy to take the spot from Jarrett, I'd go with either Styles or Raven. Either one is fine with me.

[Mr. JL]

Well, "Victory Road" is coming out November 7th... could this signify Raven finding his destiny and ending his long-journey towards the TNA Heavyweight Strap (I'm not calling it NWA, they need to get away from NWA name).

Jarrett-Raven II would be awesome for the company. Having their first Sunday Night PPV end with Raven as champion...sending the company in a new direction for their Main Event Championship scene. You could also have the third match between the two on a HYPED UP Impact to garner some fans.



Right now... the Jarrett-Hardy feud isn't so bad. I know alot of you are somewhat OVER critical of Hardy despite whatever he does in the ring. But I think thats also part of the stupid idiots who's post consist of...

" JeFf hArdY IS the fucking shiznit maaaaaaaaan.... It would be eaaaaaaaaaaasy to chill with that homie while smoking some mary J!! SPLIFF 4 LyFE!"

For some reason though I suspect TNA will give Jeff Hardy the title on Sept 8... which will be a BAD idea.

I hear Sabu is injured now... so I would just have Raven move on and face Jarrett claiming he ran Sabu out of the company. Thus when Raven does win the title that he can have a good mini feud with Sabu on an Impact Main Event when Sabu's healthy.

[Batsu]

Well, "Victory Road" is coming out November 7th... could this signify Raven finding his destiny and ending his long-journey towards the TNA Heavyweight Strap (I'm not calling it NWA, they need to get away from NWA name).

Jarrett-Raven II would be awesome for the company. Having their first Sunday Night PPV end with Raven as champion...sending the company in a new direction for their Main Event Championship scene. You could also have the third match between the two on a HYPED UP Impact to garner some fans.




Right now... the Jarrett-Hardy feud isn't so bad. I know alot of you are somewhat OVER critical of Hardy despite whatever he does in the ring. But I think thats also part of the stupid idiots who's post consist of...

" JeFf hArdY IS the fucking shiznit maaaaaaaaan.... It would be eaaaaaaaaaaasy to chill with that homie while smoking some mary J!! SPLIFF 4 LyFE!"

For some reason though I suspect TNA will give Jeff Hardy the title on Sept 8... which will be a BAD idea.

I hear Sabu is injured now... so I would just have Raven move on and face Jarrett claiming he ran Sabu out of the company. Thus when Raven does win the title that he can have a good mini feud with Sabu on an Impact Main Event when Sabu's healthy.

the problem with Hardy is that outside of his high spots, there isn't too much to him. Though he does have a bit of charisma and popularity going for him.

and yeah, why Raven isn't TNA champ is mind-boggling. He's one of the few (AJ Styles being one of them) that I can see being the one to carry the company.

[KayfabeMan]

I think Raven would make a solid Champion for now, and based on the past list of NWA Champions (particularly guys like Sabu, Mike Rapada, and a washed up Dan Severn) he certainly can't be any worse -- and just to clarify, I mean the recent history of NWA's Championship, as they had real Champs in Race, Funk, Brisco, Thesz and such....

Raven would definitely bring money in as Champion, because I think that all of Raven's bigger marks would tune in more often, and purchase more merchandise, etc... if their guy was Champion. He'd also be a good draw on their PPV's as Champion.

Long-run, I'm against Raven keeping the Title, but for a belt-warmer / in-between one (Champion I mean), he'd definitely do well - and is certainly qualified to main event the shows / hold that Title.

Several side notes:
*In my opinion,TNA needs to keep the NWA name,and use that to build off of. Without the NWA name, they'd obviously continue, but NWA for the most part is a known name and as they get bigger (assuming they do) it would also help their franchises carrying the NWA name (Wildside, etc..) to bring in fans.

*Jeff Jarrett needs to drop the belt and quickly...

*Monty Brown sucks fucking big-time (and whatever the "pounce is supposed to be) is just pure shit. That takes over as the lamest finisher since "The People's Elbow". :n:

*What happened with D'Lo Brown, Jerry Lynn and them? D'Lo could easily draw money for them, if he'd be allowed to - same with Jerry Lynn. Both of these guys never get a bit of respect, and that's unfortunate - as they are definitely excellent performers.

[AareDub]

*What happened with D'Lo Brown, Jerry Lynn and them? D'Lo could easily draw money for them, if he'd be allowed to - same with Jerry Lynn. Both of these guys never get a bit of respect, and that's unfortunate - as they are definitely excellent performers.

As far as I know, D'Lo is supposed to be returning very soon. They keep airing these "coming soon" promos for him, though they haven't made it obvious that they're talking about D'Lo.

[Hollywood Red]

People always say "Raven should be champ!", "Why isn't Raven champ?" Isn't Raven's character that he believes it's his destiny, yet never achieves his destiny, and so he constantly whines about it/makes other peoples' lives miserable?

Once he wins the title, he achieves his destiny, and he can no longer claim to strive for it.

[RemyRed]

I dont get why people hate The Pounce, sure it isnt a flashy finisher, but if someone as big as Brown runs into you and shoulder blocks you, I think it'd hurt a lot and knock the wind out of you.

[deathtrap]

There are benefits of living in the Uk, such as we don't have to pay to see half the WWE PPVs... but there are draw-backs, we can't get TNA!

I want my TNA!

It sounds awesome. What's with those six-sided rings I hear about?
You can. It's on the Wrestling Channel. Something like 427 I think on Sky Digital.

[Fox]

Raven is the ultimate underdog. A bad ass, dark character who really doesn't care about anything, but you know it's his dream to hold the big one.

Jarrett is okay as champion for now, and his feud with Jeff Hardy is actually kind of entertaining. One day Raven will be the NWA Champion, and it will be glorious.

[RemyRed]

Raven is overrated, all he really has is a good character, and even that it's a really cliche' character.

[KayfabeMan]

I dont get why people hate The Pounce, sure it isnt a flashy finisher, but if someone as big as Brown runs into you and shoulder blocks you, I think it'd hurt a lot and knock the wind out of you.

*It simply looks ridiculous....
*He performs it quite horribly....
*In a regular ring, it'd look even worse....
*Monty Brown as a wrestler/performer completely sucks....

[Loose Cannon]

If you want to be spoiled about D-LO's return, highlight what is underneath.


The Observer has reported that D-LO Brown will be coming back as a member of the New Church with Slash

[Loose Cannon]

Whoops, If anyone just read what I wrote about D-LO, forget it. I read the Observer wrong. D-LO will be returning to TNA as a heel though.

[Innovator]

Raven is overrated, all he really has is a good character, and even that it's a really cliche' character.
yeah his character is cliched because most dark and gloomy characters ARE BASED OFF THE RAVEN CHARACTER

[Loose Cannon]

I don't follow TNA regulary anymore like I used to. Like I used to read the results and eveything each week cause I never order the PPV's. I usually don't watch Impact cause I'm in school at that time.

Anyway, i was just reading the past few weeks TNA results and that Goldylocks/Abyss Angle looks really interesting. How Goldylocks keeps on "owning" people because they lose the match to one of her guys. That's pretty cool. I understand Siaki, Sharkboy, and some others are "owned" by Goldylocks. If anyone watches, how is this angle coming off on TV?

[HeartBreakMan2k]

LC, you're right. It's a great concept. Problem is, it's Goldylocks. The fact that she's worse on the mic than Lita makes the angle come off very... irritating. Not in a heel way, but an X-pac/David Arquette winning the title way.

[Loose Cannon]

Oh..... I saw the Abyss match on Impact yesterday and I saw Goldylocks outside the ring screaming and yelling. I will say this, I've never heard her on the mic with her new chracter so i can't say anything there, but her look and he mannerisms come off really well on TV.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

To me, she has a fairly good mind for how to pull off the character (from what I understand Raven is helping her develop it, correct me if I'm wrong), it's just for some reason she bugs the shit out of me on the mic. She does have a good look and good mannerisms though :y:

[Batsu]

Not in a heel way, but an X-pac/David Arquette winning the title way.

LOL.

yeah, she does have that X-Pac "GET OFF THE MICROPHONE!!" quality to her. Stephanie sorta did too, but that screech became so annoying and her character so bad, that it incited near riots (remember what they used to yell at her in the ring?)...