By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

Kurt Angle is not content simply being one of the top wrestling stars in TNA. He's also positioning himself to be a future executive in the company, making business decisions about wrestlers on the roster and the direction of storylines.

In a video interview with UGO.com, Angle's tone is about taking ownership of the TNA product. He uses the word "we" to describe decisions made by the company, as if he has a decision-making part in the product we see on Spike TV.

For example, regarding Eric Young's change to a more serious character, Angle said, "Once we turn him serious and make him into a really serious wrestler, he has a lot of ability. We know he has a personality, but he's a great wrestler in the ring."

Angle also identified the foundation of the Main Event Mafia angle - in theory - to turn the younger stars into household names and money draws within three years.

"You draw money here with your face," Angle said. "You have to grab the fans's emotions whether in a positive way or negative way. A lot of the younger guys were just running through the match and not really doing anything other than highspots.

"But when it comes down to it, the matches weren't really telling a story. So we came up with this team called the Main Event Mafia. ... What we are doing is basically proving to the younger guys that we're the ones who drew money and we're going to teach you how to draw money."

Caldwell's Analysis: You really have to watch the video to "get" this Angle interview, as Angle is in his trademark near-slurred, deep-voiced promo mode while really trying to position himself as one of the top decision-makers in TNA.

I remain hesitant to buy into this Mafia concept angle as a way to turn the younger stars into household names. It's a nice little theory, but the execution thus far hasn't worked because TNA isn't making itself relevant to the mainstream wrestling fan to the point where ratings are jumping from 1.1 to 1.5. Audience level is the same ol' level it's been for seemingly ever.

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: Is Kurt Angle ready to make the jump to MMA?.

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