Justin Parker, Torch Specialist

Friday, August 01, 2008

TNA Thoughts

Last night’s Impact was horrible. TNA’s recent product is horrible. That’s really all that needs to be said.

I have always been able to rationalize to myself why things are done the way they are in TNA and, while realizing the faults, have tried to stay optimistic about the product rebounding. Samoa Joe’s title reign and the months following the excellent Lockdown PPV have crushed all of those hopes.

In a twist of irony, it’s interesting to hear the Pro Wrestling Focus audio shows on the Torch VIP site that are in the midst of discussing WCW’s horrendous year of 1991 because this era of TNA makes that era look golden in comparison. The lack of accountability in TNA really needs to be addressed. Ratings have not moved, PPV buys are stagnant, and when they did have something, they chose to ignore it because it wasn’t their vision of how the product should be presented. At least when WCW was struggling, they continuously tried to shake things up in order to try and ignite something until finally something clicked and they were able to compete with WWF and create wrestling’s hottest period.

Ineptitude is at an all-time high in that company as they are oblivious to what the 2008 pop culture landscape looks like and how pro wrestling can effectively leverage it. I wrote a blog last week about Disco Inferno’s latest statements and how it shows that the power brokers in TNA are really trapped in the same wrestling bubble that Vince Russo claimed he saved Vince and co. from in the late 90’s. The week to week TV product hammers that point home.

It takes a special effort to kill off characters who really want to emotionally invest in (Joe, Angle, AJ, etc.) and make them into guys whose mere presence is groan inducing and gives me an inkling to change the channel upon the sight of it.

Exhibit A – Samoa Joe yelling and crying to anyone who will listen after being one-upped and outsmarted once again.
Exhibit B – The silence in the Impact Zone when AJ Styles was yelling at the top of his lungs in a promo, and crying about how Sting betrayed him.

Do we need to go any further? There is a reason why ratings don’t increase when these guys are on screen, because people don’t like to see them or are, even worse, apathetic to them.

Next, here’s a pop quiz for all of you readers. What are the names of the gimmick matches on TNA’s Hard Justice PPV? You most likely don’t know (don’t worry you’re not the only one). Someone needs to let creative know that gimmicks for the sake of gimmicks don’t sell PPV’s, and in some cases (me for example) they are more of a turn-off because I know that they will most likely lead to some shenanigans that will leave me upset at the end of the match. I would much rather have to feud properly progress and then insert the matches that may have gimmicks or stipulations at the appropriate point in the feud where it makes the most sense.

Now, onto question two, can you name the gimmick match that is headlining the next WWE show? Take notes TNA.

I couldn’t close out my TNA thoughts without a little compliment to those who deserve it though. The Beautiful People are one of my favorite acts in wrestling right now and Angelina Love is becoming one the best talkers in the industry. Their firm grasp on their characters is refreshing to see, especially on a show where consistency is nowhere to be found. Thumbs up to both of these women.

Random Tidbits

- Tuesday’s blog about Mike Adamle has received mixed feedback with some agreeing and some not. Torch reader reactions are the same way. For those in doubt, I think the recent wwe.com exclusive interview with Shane McMahon and Adamle can provide a little insight into the future. It will be interesting to see if WWE plays up Adamle as being an inept buffoon on the outside, but an smart, conniving evil genius inside.

- Did you notice during Raw that a lot of the wrestlers were badmouthing “the new GM” right in front of Adamle. It will be interesting to see what the consequences of those statements are.

- The ROH Respect is Earned II PPV is tonight, which I hear is a good show from all of the early reviews. I’m looking forward to checking it out and will be back with extended thoughts this weekend on audio (on the VIP site) as well as text. For $10-15, you always get your money’s worth, so if you have an extra two hours this weekend, check it out.

Comments or opinions on this piece or anything else going on in the world of wrestling can be sent to torchparker@gmail.com.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2008

In May of 2007, a woman stepped out of the doldrums of meaningless mid-card feuds that featured constant, exploitative references to her late husband, to become the assistant GM of Smackdown. At the time, this moved was panned and questioned by most on this site and many others because this woman was thought to have no mic skills and be a black hole of charisma.

The woman I speak of obviously is Vickie Guerrero, who today is one of the best performers in the industry on a week to week basis and garners praise weekly from everyone on her constantly improving work. If she was demoted from that position based on the vilification of everyone initially, then we would not be receiving the consistently entertaining segments that we are getting today. Maybe some folks aren’t the judge of talent that they thought they were?

The reason I say this is because without even seeing five minutes of Mike Adamle’s work as Raw GM, reactions are coming in saying that this is the worst move and that for the 500th time, they will never watch Raw again, only to tune in again next week.

Point is, give this guy a chance. If we look at it six months from now and he is horrible, then it can be labeled as a failed experiment. Just because the guy is a bad commentator doesn’t mean that he won’t be good in another role, as evidenced by the Coach in recent years. Adamle has been entertaining in scripted segments on the Dirt Sheet and in backstage segments on Raw, so maybe he has an ace up his sleeve and in six months we can say that Mike Adamle is the weekly highlight of the shows (GASP!).

We can look at past history in wrestling and can say without hesitation that first impressions aren’t always indicative of how that performer will turn out. Just in the last ten years, look at the Rock, John Cena, Batista, and MVP ,for example, as guys that just needed to work on where their best fit would be before becoming highlights of their respective shows. Not convinced? Next time you go to an area and hear the loudest reaction of the night, followed by an “ Excuse me,” you’ll realize that patience is a virtue.

If you have any comments about this blog or want to discuss any other topics from today’s pro wrestling scene, Justin can be reached at torchparker@gmail.com.

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