First up, a query:
1. There's no real update on Sting's WWE status. He's still there if they want to use him, but currently there aren't any plans to do so. It's possible they do something with him for a "Big Four" PPV (Summerslam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, WM32), but it's also possible WM31 was his last match. Naturally there's speculation of Sting vs. Undertaker at WM32, but nothing's confirmed on that front. It could be some time before they start planning out that event in earnest, so we're kind of playing the waiting game as far as if we'll see Sting work the show.
Josh Mathews, in a since-deleted tweet, questioned how the announcers in NXT could know who Samoa Joe is if TNA is "obscurity," a reference to Vince McMahon saying Sting was taken from obscurity when he came to WWE. This led to some big back-and-forth between Mathews and Twitter fans. I agree with the sentiment Joe was made a bigger deal because of his time in TNA, and isn't just "an ROH name."
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
The Rock briefly discussed returning to the ring when promoting San Andreas. How about The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Triple H and Seth Rollins? Just throwing that idea out there.
Jim Ross talked about the TNA-Destination America rumors and more:
- I definitely think DA should address the situation with Impact ASAP. Monday being a holiday doesn't really help things in that regard. PR is a 24/7 job for a reason.
- As for the show being moved from Fridays to Wednesdays, I think they're probably giving sufficient notice. It's not like it's just happening without being announced.
- It's interesting DA isn't a fan of TNA doing international shows. I get it doesn't fit with the idea of Destination America to be airing from the UK, but they draw pretty well there compared to here.
- I've also heard the idea of DA pushing Kurt Angle as champion due to the American angle. That would explain Chris Melendez's sudden push, too. Angle isn't really working a full-time deal in the same way someone like Seth Rollins is. TNA's schedule right now is fairly lax. He's worked 11 dates in 2015. I do wonder what happens with Angle's future. He's not going to be able to wrestle forever.
- I'd like to think a lot of the people who want TNA to fail are upset at TNA Management instead of the workers. I'd imagine they'd be OK with someone taking it over and turning it into a company that pays its employees on time. Either that or they want to see a lot of those talents head somewhere like NXT or ROH. I do wonder what happens if WWE is the only wrestling company able to get an audience on national TV in 2015. What does that mean for another promotion trying to get national TV clearance? LU is even more niche than TNA, and ROH is in syndication. They're not quite the same as TNA as far as TV exposure goes.
Trish Stratus talked about potentially going into MMA. I'm very glad she picked WWE instead of MMA, although I'm curious as to how that would have worked out. I'm also pleased with the work of the former Sara Del Rey in NXT.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Even if they do get dropped in September, Corgan will have had four months to mold TNA toward what he wants it to be. Unless you mean dropping the other members of the creative team and giving Corgan full control, which I don't know if they'd do. I definitely don't see DA saying they're canceling a show and then replacing it with what's basically the same show, just with a new creative vision. In some ways, the move to Wednesdays is a fresh start for TNA. We'll see more of Corgan's vision in the weeks and months after that, so that could be just what you're asking for. Either way, nothing's been officially stated one way or another about TNA being dropped or replaced.
As for fans being anti-TNA, I think they've just been burned so much from the previous years of reboots, big signings, etc. that didn't end up "saving" the company. They want to see the talents there get paid, and hopefully be seen somewhere like NXT, GFW, ROH, etc.. I imagine if the TNA we see now was completely retooled (possibly including Management), some fans would change their tune. Honestly, I think a lot of fans who bash TNA aren't watching the current product. It's generally pretty good.
2. There's a chance Punk returns down the line, but I think that's years from now. It's definitely not happening anytime soon. He's under contract to UFC and WWE's doctor is suing him. Until those two facts change, it's not realistic to expect him to return.
3. I suspect we'll pretty much get the full Joe in NXT. If he makes it to the main roster, things could change. Maybe he does the muscle buster on special occasions with smaller opponents, and uses the Coquina Clutch or something for bigger performers? They'll cross that bridge if they get to it. I really hope we get Joe vs. Cena out of this deal either way.
4. I wasn't really disappointed. Zayn was really hurt going into the match. He was basically fighting to survive, and Owens finally caught him and hit the big move to take him out. I would have loved a longer match, but the point was to write Zayn off and get to Joe's WWE debut. Hopefully we see Zayn vs. Owens on the main roster some day and get the full experience.
5. As he's pointed out, most of the people going after him for the story are fired-up TNA marks who didn't actually read what he wrote. They're probably in denial about something we don't know the full details of at this point. Someone really needs to comment in an official capacity to set the record straight. Tomorrow or Tuesday (given the holiday) needs to be the day DA and/or Dixie tell us what's happening. That will hopefully put things to bed one way or another.
More wrestling tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment