Hello folks, it’s time for your dose of TNA news, rumours and opinions in the big melting pot of a column. In this week’s column I’ll be looking at TNA’s up and coming PPV, as well as giving you the low down on TNA making national headlines , plus news on some new & old faces appearing on TNA TV.
– TNA makes the headlines
Well, maybe not the headlines, but TNA has garnered some mainstream media attention this past week following on from their angle using AJ Pierzynski of Chicago White Sox fame. Now, I haven’t a clue who AJ Pierzynski is, nor who the Chicago White Sox are, all I know is that he is a baseball player, and apparently quite a successful one at that, but my knowledge of any sport is pretty pathetic really, so excuse me for my ignorance.
At the last TNA taping in Florida, Pierzynski appeared with Dale Torborg, who some of you may (or may not) remember as WCW’s KISS Demon. Both men appeared in a promotional angle with some of TNA talent, and wrestling legend Bobby Heenan. I don’t want to give to much away, but the angle ended up in a brawl with Pierzynski and Torborg getting involved in the mix of things.
I know a lot of you will be wondering why TNA would give their precious TV time to an angle that has little relevance to pro wrestling? Well the answer to that question is simple, TNA need and want to attract the mainstream media to TNA Wrestling, and help boost the ratings for TNA on Spike TV. By using a mainstream sports personality like Pierzynski on TNA TV, it may encourage fans who wouldn’t normally tune in to TNA, to watch for the first time.
It does seem like TNA have already reaped the benefits from the angle, even before its been shown on TV. Footage of the event has been shown on CNN Headline News, with more coverage expected to air on ESPN this week, as well as many American newspapers mentioning the event.
Although its not a wrestling angle, and TNA could have probably had a decent match in the time it took to broadcast the angle, it looks like it could pay off for TNA. National media coverage is what TNA needs, and the TNA brand name needs to get out into as many homes as possible, if this angle achieves that, it has to be considered a huge success.
The segment will air on TNA iMPACT! On Thursday 8th December at 10pm ET on Spike TV.
– The Brain comes to TNA
These days managers are a rare commodity, once a significant figure in pro wrestling, managers are no longer in vogue with some companies, and in other promotions, they are few and far between. That’s why I was quite shocked when I learned that possibly the greatest manager of all time; Bobby Heenan was at the TNA tapings this week. As I mentioned earlier, Heenan was involved in the AJ Pierzynski segment of the taping, which will air on this week’s edition of TNA iMPACT!
I’m not sure if Heenan’s involvement with TNA will go beyond this weeks TV, but I’ve heard and read rumours that Heenan may be involved in this Sunday’s Pay Per View, whether that’s as a guest, a manager or even an announcer, I just don’t know.
One thing is for sure though, Heenan still has a great sense of charisma and timing, and many people could learn from him, simply by having a TNA superstar aligned with Heenan, it would boost their career so much. The role of a wrestling manager is far from dead, and TNA are at the forefront of bringing wrestling managers back with the likes of Jim Mitchell & Scott D’Amore, hopefully things can only get better.
– Another TNA Executive leaves
In what has came to a surprise to many people within TNA, Frank Dickerson a TNA Executive left the company this past week. Dickerson was a popular executive within the TNA locker room and was also known to chat with TNA fans after each TV taping. Dickerson had a long background with TNA’s parent company PANDA Energy, but its believed he left TNA due to a conflict with management, although its thought he did leave on good terms with the company. This is the second major backstage official to leave TNA in recent months, only a few months ago, Jerry Jarrett left TNA Wrestling.
– Christian Cage
I’m loving Christian Cage in TNA at the moment, he is certainly one of the most entertaining characters in TNA. I’ve always known how good Christian Cage was, but I think he has stepped up his game since coming to TNA, and hope it pays off for him. The Monty Brown vs. Christian Cage angle is probably one of the most entertaining aspects of TNA TV at the moment, their on screen chemistry is fantastic. Here is hoping to many more great Christian Cage moments in TNA.
– Pay Per View Time
“Turning Point” is the final PPV of 2005 for TNA, and its looks to be a very interesting PPV to say the least, Here are my thoughts and predictions on the card so far.
NWA World Heavyweight Title Match
“King of the Mountain” Jeff Jarrett (c) vs. “The Man Beast” Rhino – This is being billed as the rubber match between the pair, Rhino beat Jarrett for the belt at Bound for Glory, and Jarrett beat Rhino a couple of weeks later, so its one a piece going into the PPV. TNA have aired a series of promos for Rhino over the last few weeks and they are making him into the company’s top baby face, so to me, logically that would indicate that Rhino will win the belt, otherwise its been a waste of a push for Rhino. However, logic doesn’t always prevail when it comes to pro wrestling, and there is every chance Jarrett will walk away from this match as Champion. Either way, I think it will be a good solid match, and will definitely be worth a watch.
TNA X Division Title Match
“The Phenomenal” AJ Styles (c) vs. “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe – This clearly is going to be the match of the night, and could possibly be one of the best matches this year, judging by both AJ’s & Joe’s previous track record. Personally, I think this match has had some great build up, and has made Joe look like a Monster, just the direction his character needs to be pushed in. As for a winner, I honestly wouldn’t like to say, but if Joe doesn’t win the X-Division Championship at this PPV, it won’t be long before he does eventually wear TNA gold.
Tables Match
NWA World Tag Team Champions, America’s Most Wanted vs. Team 3D – This should be a classic Team 3D Tables match, lots of brawling, a few high spots and of course, lots and lots of tables. I’ve enjoyed Team 3D since they made their TNA debut, and since turning heel, AMW have also showed a new dimension to their characters, which has showed why they could be considered the best tag team in wrestling today. I’m expecting quite a lot out of this match, both teams are going to have to work hard to deliver a fresh and unique version of the Tables Match, here is hoping they can pull it off. I’d probably go with the Tables Match specialist to win this one.
Barbed Wire Massacre
“The Homicidal, Genocidal, Suicidal” Sabu vs. “The Monster” Abyss – I think the title of this match aptly describes what we’ll see , simply a massacre. The ring is going to be stripped of ring ropes, and in their place will be barbed wire, with beds of barbed wire in the turnbuckles, as well as a variety of barbed wire weapons at ringside. This match is going on the PPV first, and will no doubt be very brutal and should set the pace for the rest of the evening. I doubt we’ll see many wrestling moves, but we’ll certainly see plenty of blood. If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Abyss to win.
Who Earns The World Title Shot?
“The Alpha Male” Monty Brown vs. Christian Cage – The chemistry between these two has been fantastic on TV in the last few weeks, as I mentioned earlier, probably some of the most entertaining TNA TV from the last few months. I’d say Christian Cage needs to win this match to make him a major player with TNA, as for Monty, I’m pretty sure he’ll get his shot at the gold soon, but not just yet.
The 4Live Kru vs. Team Canada – Not again! I’ve been saying it for months now, but the 3 or 4 Live Kru have to break up soon , their act has become so boring. I guess with the introduction of Kip James into the team its only a matter of time before the team implodes, and not a moment too soon, Ron Killings deserves to be a major player in TNA!
I’d expect to see a few more matches added to the PPV, probably with the likes of Raven, Hardy, Aires and Roderick Strong.
– TNA End of Year Awards
I have finally decided on the awards I’m going to be giving this year in the first ever Making an ‘iMPACT!’ End of Year Awards , as voted by me! The awards will be;
- Best TNA Wrestler of 2005
- Best TNA Tag Team of 2005
- Best TNA Match of 2005
- Best TNA PPV or TV Show of 2005
- TNA MVP of 2005
- Best TNA debut of 2005
- Most improved TNA Worker of 2005
– TNA on The Wrestling Channel
A quick note to UK TNA fans, TWC has confirmed that it will air “Genesis“ on the 18th December at 8pm UK Time. . For all your TNA TV information from the UK, USA and Canada check out Wrestling101’s TNA TV Guide.
Thanks all from me folks, in the next few weeks leading to Christmas and New Year, I’ll be writing 2 special columns, one looking at the Making and ‘iMPACT!’ End of Year Awards, the other will be TNA Year in Review – 2005, don’t miss them here, at Wrestling101.com.
Dan