Episode 45: TNA Chain Reaction
Hi, Folks. That's right...it's me on another burn but this time, I'm on the aim for TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling.
Don't get me wrong, I still prefer TNA over WWE because of it's sense of realism and the way that it's presented. Though you know it's a storyline and it's scripted, you damned sure can't tell but there are a couple of issues that I feel the need to address. I've kept it bottled up but now, the pressure's built and it needs to go somewhere.
First, let's address Hulk Hogan. Obviously, he's aired his dirty laundry all over TV. His family's broken up, his son's in jail over a reckless street racing incident and, back in January...he made his debut on TNA. Let's get one thing straight. Anyone who's ever worked with this man can tell you that he's his own commercial empire. I can't fault a guy for making some serious cake by being the best at what he does but what I can fault is this anti-hero routine that he's been espousing lately. The "Take Your Vitamins/Say Your Prayers" Hogan of the '80s is obviously gone but what I'm not buying is this whole Man In Black/Weathered Hero act. Kevin Nash, Sting, DeAngelo "The Pope" Dinero, and even Jesse Ventura have had the same stories time and time again. Hogan, many of us have known for years that you're all about chasing the dollar but to piss down our backs and tell us it's raining...that's the real insult.
Second, Eric Bischoff constantly standing next to Hogan...do you see the surprise on my face? No. Wanna know why? It doesn't exist. Until WCW was turned over into the not-so-capable hands of Vince Russo, it was a successful entity. Guess who was at the forefront of that game. If you guessed Bischoff and Hogan...well you'd have nailed it better than a sniper with a good spotter. These two took a team called The New World Order and became bad guy rock stars. They made a hell of a lot of money off of it. So it's only natural that these two are hanging together.
Now...let's wrap these two up. To have the nerve and gall to tell people like Kevin Nash and Sting that they have to step aside in order to give the younger guys the push because they're the next generation? Hogan, Bischoff, get real. Hogan you haven't left the lens of a camera since the 1980s and I'm talking the early 80s. How many movies? Reality shows? WrestleMania appearances? And Bischoff...didn't John Cena get rid of you from the WWE? Come on guys, the two of you telling Nash and Sting that their careers are over can be summed up in three words. Pot, Kettle, and Black. It's like Keith Richards telling kids that they shouldn't do drugs. Do you really think the fans are buying it? As a fan of TNA, I must request that you take this brand of really crappy dialogue to where it really fits...The WWE.
On to the TNA Management. I want to know one thing...what the hell were you thinking. Back in January when Hogan's face was plastered all over every ad about TNA, I rolled my eyes. I'd have watched it for it's unique octagon ring. I'd have watched TNA Impact for the new blood being infused. I'd have watched it because it's a superior product. Why Hogan and his sidekick? Why bring in the two men who didn't have the sense to keep WCW in the black where it belonged? Did TNA seriously need a celebrity infusion? You already had it. Seriously, Hogan's in such terrible shape with his back that it's not funny. He obviously can't wrestle or he'll end up crippled but you really wanted to hire him in order to just talk smack and "brother" the crap out of us? Not to mention, the completely questionable calls that Bischoff's been making lately? Come on. TNA is obviously a superior product, but it only takes a lethargic combination like Hogan and Bischoff and a lukewarm story dressed up with eyecandy to turn it into the next episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.
Now, let's get onto a few more items. TNA, listen up and take notice because here's what you're getting right.
EV2.0...Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Steve Richardson, Mick Foley and Brian Kendrick. Talk about action. Vince McMahon, it may be "blood-soaked and tawdry" but it's genuinely entertaining. These guys have been through ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) back in the day before the WWE turned it into another tepid brand. All of these guys have suffered some of the most horrid injuries that one can imagine. Think of what it would be like being handcuffed to the ropes, and then smacked with one of those metal folding chairs. Yeah well these guys endured crap that would kill a terminator and guess what....they're on contract to do it all again. TNA...good move. Not so sure it's a good move on the part of the members of EV2.0 but to a bunch of masochistic wrestlers, I'll back 'em. They either love pain or they're nuts...probably one and the same anyway.
The Special Matches. I actually got to see my first Ultimate X Match. I have to say that it was refreshing as hell to be able to see a steel cage match, The Ultimate X Match, An Extreme Rules Match (Take Notes McMahon) and a host of others as main events. Having an occasional special match type really makes things interesting and, no, a wrestler taking out a computer masquerading as a General Manager doesn't count. By the way, a huge thanks to Adam "Edge" Copeland for taking that storyline down a notch by smashing the computer. My only question...what the hell took you so long?
TNA Reaction. Sometimes, a main event doesn't fit nicely into a small little package. To pull a page from the WWE simply won't cut it and once you've televised it, turning it into a dark match (a match that isn't televised) simply won't do anything for your ratings. To actually have a show that will bring resolution and give us backstage, candid interviews with these guys is simply awesome. We get a look into what's happening in the locker room and that part is what really counts. We see the levels of respect or lack thereof that these guys have for each other. We don't have to wait to see these guys give a bunch of bullshit lines in the ring inside a bunch of drama that can only be matched by something on daytime TV. If I want that I'll just watch Springer.
These are only three of the many reasons I consider TNA to be a superior product but let's keep the good stuff going and kick the Pot And Kettle act out.
Don't get me wrong, I still prefer TNA over WWE because of it's sense of realism and the way that it's presented. Though you know it's a storyline and it's scripted, you damned sure can't tell but there are a couple of issues that I feel the need to address. I've kept it bottled up but now, the pressure's built and it needs to go somewhere.
First, let's address Hulk Hogan. Obviously, he's aired his dirty laundry all over TV. His family's broken up, his son's in jail over a reckless street racing incident and, back in January...he made his debut on TNA. Let's get one thing straight. Anyone who's ever worked with this man can tell you that he's his own commercial empire. I can't fault a guy for making some serious cake by being the best at what he does but what I can fault is this anti-hero routine that he's been espousing lately. The "Take Your Vitamins/Say Your Prayers" Hogan of the '80s is obviously gone but what I'm not buying is this whole Man In Black/Weathered Hero act. Kevin Nash, Sting, DeAngelo "The Pope" Dinero, and even Jesse Ventura have had the same stories time and time again. Hogan, many of us have known for years that you're all about chasing the dollar but to piss down our backs and tell us it's raining...that's the real insult.
Second, Eric Bischoff constantly standing next to Hogan...do you see the surprise on my face? No. Wanna know why? It doesn't exist. Until WCW was turned over into the not-so-capable hands of Vince Russo, it was a successful entity. Guess who was at the forefront of that game. If you guessed Bischoff and Hogan...well you'd have nailed it better than a sniper with a good spotter. These two took a team called The New World Order and became bad guy rock stars. They made a hell of a lot of money off of it. So it's only natural that these two are hanging together.
Now...let's wrap these two up. To have the nerve and gall to tell people like Kevin Nash and Sting that they have to step aside in order to give the younger guys the push because they're the next generation? Hogan, Bischoff, get real. Hogan you haven't left the lens of a camera since the 1980s and I'm talking the early 80s. How many movies? Reality shows? WrestleMania appearances? And Bischoff...didn't John Cena get rid of you from the WWE? Come on guys, the two of you telling Nash and Sting that their careers are over can be summed up in three words. Pot, Kettle, and Black. It's like Keith Richards telling kids that they shouldn't do drugs. Do you really think the fans are buying it? As a fan of TNA, I must request that you take this brand of really crappy dialogue to where it really fits...The WWE.
On to the TNA Management. I want to know one thing...what the hell were you thinking. Back in January when Hogan's face was plastered all over every ad about TNA, I rolled my eyes. I'd have watched it for it's unique octagon ring. I'd have watched TNA Impact for the new blood being infused. I'd have watched it because it's a superior product. Why Hogan and his sidekick? Why bring in the two men who didn't have the sense to keep WCW in the black where it belonged? Did TNA seriously need a celebrity infusion? You already had it. Seriously, Hogan's in such terrible shape with his back that it's not funny. He obviously can't wrestle or he'll end up crippled but you really wanted to hire him in order to just talk smack and "brother" the crap out of us? Not to mention, the completely questionable calls that Bischoff's been making lately? Come on. TNA is obviously a superior product, but it only takes a lethargic combination like Hogan and Bischoff and a lukewarm story dressed up with eyecandy to turn it into the next episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.
Now, let's get onto a few more items. TNA, listen up and take notice because here's what you're getting right.
EV2.0...Tommy Dreamer, Rhyno, Steve Richardson, Mick Foley and Brian Kendrick. Talk about action. Vince McMahon, it may be "blood-soaked and tawdry" but it's genuinely entertaining. These guys have been through ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling) back in the day before the WWE turned it into another tepid brand. All of these guys have suffered some of the most horrid injuries that one can imagine. Think of what it would be like being handcuffed to the ropes, and then smacked with one of those metal folding chairs. Yeah well these guys endured crap that would kill a terminator and guess what....they're on contract to do it all again. TNA...good move. Not so sure it's a good move on the part of the members of EV2.0 but to a bunch of masochistic wrestlers, I'll back 'em. They either love pain or they're nuts...probably one and the same anyway.
The Special Matches. I actually got to see my first Ultimate X Match. I have to say that it was refreshing as hell to be able to see a steel cage match, The Ultimate X Match, An Extreme Rules Match (Take Notes McMahon) and a host of others as main events. Having an occasional special match type really makes things interesting and, no, a wrestler taking out a computer masquerading as a General Manager doesn't count. By the way, a huge thanks to Adam "Edge" Copeland for taking that storyline down a notch by smashing the computer. My only question...what the hell took you so long?
TNA Reaction. Sometimes, a main event doesn't fit nicely into a small little package. To pull a page from the WWE simply won't cut it and once you've televised it, turning it into a dark match (a match that isn't televised) simply won't do anything for your ratings. To actually have a show that will bring resolution and give us backstage, candid interviews with these guys is simply awesome. We get a look into what's happening in the locker room and that part is what really counts. We see the levels of respect or lack thereof that these guys have for each other. We don't have to wait to see these guys give a bunch of bullshit lines in the ring inside a bunch of drama that can only be matched by something on daytime TV. If I want that I'll just watch Springer.
These are only three of the many reasons I consider TNA to be a superior product but let's keep the good stuff going and kick the Pot And Kettle act out.
posted by Lord Genocyde at 10:24 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home