Recently former ROH World Champion Davey Richards made references to going to Orlando, which is of course where TNA tapes a lot of its shows. It's been speculated that he was actually referring to working for EVOLVE when they go to that town next month. Richards has done a good job of stirring up interest in where he's going now that his ROH tenure is over. No update on the "American Pitbulls" going to WWE.
In news I never expected to report, TNA founder Jeff Jarrett has resigned from TNA. This would be something like one of the McMahons leaving WWE. Jarrett was pivotal to TNA making it through its early days and has almost always been an important part of things behind the scenes. In recent years, he was a big part of TNA's international ventures. His fingerprints were on the deals with AAA and Wrestle-1, as well as being behind the creation of Ring Ka King in India. With Hogan and Bischoff leaving, he had taken over some key roles backstage. TNA will still go on with him gone, but to say it's a new and unexpected era is an understatement.
Everything else from yesterday (including more on Jarrett leaving) is after the break.
A number of current and past TNA performers commented
on Jeff Jarrett leaving the company. Great to hear him being praised by
his peers. He'll really be missed. The "fishing buddy" reference is to
Jeff, Jeff's father and Ryder being out fishing when they came up with
the idea for TNA.
Update: TNA issued a brief statement on Jarrett's departure. You wouldn't think he was a pivotal part of the company for a long part of its existence from that little blurb. It's very interesting that he's leaving with the changes that are taking place in the company.
The original plan for Batista's WWE return was for him to be a surprise return in the Royal Rumble. There was talk of him winning
the Rumble to challenge Randy Orton at WrestleMania, or going after The
Undertaker's streak again. No word on how his return being leaked
affects those plans. I like Batista, but I don't know if he should be
winning the Rumble. It's always good to advertise a big return ahead of
time so it means something when it happens.
Update: Batista tweeted about his return. I'm hyped.
Sting
has been added to two TNA live events ahead of the big Genesis show.
Him doing "house shows" is a special occasion. At this time, he's not
being advertised for anything past the Genesis show on 1/16/14,
including TNA's big UK tour. This could be Sting wrapping up his
commitments to the company, so enjoy the dates he has left.
Smackdown did 2.72 million viewers last Friday. I wonder how much a Batista appearance would pop the rating.
Chris Jericho
talked about becoming Undisputed Champion in 2001, a possible return
and more. WWF had two top titles in 2001 because they had just absorbed
WCW and were using its top title. After the Invasion angle, the WCW
Title became the World Title and it was soon combined with the WWF
Title. They brought back the World Title when they did the brand split.
Winning your first World Title used to mean a lot more, since there was
only one in the company. Good read. He could be playing coy about a comeback. The Rumble's coming up. I think he might at least work that night.
Colt Cabana
talked about maybe going to WWE and more. I like how Cabana's found a
niche for himself in a world of super serious technical wrestlers trying
to have the best possible match with the most spots. I'm also glad he's
not hung up on getting that WWE gig. That's the way to be.
Jim Ross and The Miz
also talked. I wouldn't count on JR showing up in TNA. Honestly, I'm a
huge fan of his, but I don't think he's what TNA needs in 2014. It's
time for them to make their own identity independent of names from other
promotions (though it's fine for them to have a couple of veterans
around to work with emerging stars).
Wrestling
legend Bobby Eaton has been hospitalized due to complications from
diabetes. He'll likely be held in the hospital for a few days. Keep him
in your thoughts during Christmas season.
Here's
a report from a TNA party in the UK. That's a big market for them. Good
stuff for getting Magnus and Spud over. Borash is something of an
unsung hero in TNA for how hard he works and how much he does.
For my take on Monday's PWInsider.com questions:
1.
I think Batista coming back is bigger than any regular return and
should be advertised in advance. They can still have some surprises at
the show itself.
2. MAYBE. It would all depend on
if he had someone in his corner backstage like Punk and Bryan did/do and
if he could mesh to the WWE way of doing things. I don't see him connecting with the crowd to the level of Punk and Bryan, but I could definitely be wrong.
3. It's natural for
people to wonder "what could have been" as their careers go on, but it
seems like the stars never aligned for either guy to be a WWE star.
4.
Another example of the perception of "smarks" not matching the
perception of the audience as a whole. Cena's been a top act for going
on a decade now. Bryan's not near that level yet.
5. I really like Reigns, but one does not simply end Taker's streak.
I don't think Reigns is close to that level yet given how he's only
been on the roster for a little more than a year at this point with only
one title reign to his name.
More wrestling coming up.
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