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Picks by PWTorch reader Adam Berry...

Sporting big-name value, an excess of charisma and an impressive workrate, you would be hard-pressed to find a better performer to build a promotion around. With years left of active competition, he is an ideal first pick.

#2 Nigel McGuiness: While all the hype has been directed towards Bryan Danielson, McGuiness has the better look for mainstream stardom while carrying as much in-ring appeal. His British heritage brings an international flavour that this promotion looks to emphasise across its list.

#3 Bryan Danielson: The man that will feature on every would-be promoters list, Danielson is deserving of #3 not just because of his searing in-ring efforts or his versatility, but because of his very real connection with an audience. If a promotion is to be successful, it must feature headliners that form that bond. Danielson could well define the babyface of the future.

#4 KENTA: At the top, heavyweights; in the middle, the junior-heavies. The key to booking a successful cruiserweight division hinges on more than match quality - the featured wrestlers must each be unique, feature strong characters and match that phoenix splash with charisma that is just as exciting. For those that have seen KENTA, they know that he excels in both areas.

#5 CIMA: If KENTA is the lead-heel of the juniors, CIMA is his perfect foil. Innovative in the ring and with a palpable passion for the business. His smooth, unique, style should capture the attention of fans most familiar with WWEs slick, but increasingly stale, mechanic.

#6 Evan Bourne: Matt Sydal has a look that is bound to appeal to a young female demographic and is now matched with a character that feels as fresh as the movie that inspired it. An innovative move-set and crisp skills give him the feel of a sharper, more dynamic, Jeff Hardy.

#7 A.J. Styles: Disregard his latter-day booking, but notice his growth on the mic. Given a little longer, he may prove to be the breakout star that he could have been three years ago. At the very least, his matches with Bourne should hold the attention of punters for a while.

#8 Samoa Joe: People have seemingly forgotten his devastating first year in TNA and are even now beginning to doubt his Ring of Honor successes. Booked well and sporting a strong, MMA-like, style, Joe can bring hitherto unseen intensity to the ring. As current TNA world champion, he will also bring at least some of those fans with him.

#9 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: You have to be a pragmatist. Austin is unlikely to wrestle more than one match, but his value as one of the three most recognisable names in wrestling means a lot for a start-up promotion. His character is strong enough to draw ratings and entertainment in a role where his wrestling input would be almost nil.

#10 Hulk Hogan: You have to be a pragmatist. Austin and Rock were better workers, but ask anyone on the street to name one wrestler, and all the vitamins and prayers in the world won't change the majority answer. A one-off match between Austin and Hogan, built-well and booked appropriately, would draw big and put the promotion on the map. Be recognised once, promote forever.

Picks by PWTorch reader Jason...

Being utterly convinced that a proper all women's fed could, and would, draw ratings and money, I have made that the focus of my list. Bearing in mind that looks are as important as ability from a mainstream consumer market perspective, some of the inclusions may provoke ire amongst purists. Wade has indicated that this is to be a business decision, not a fan boy one, so please bear this in mind. We are after ratings, and money, not five star matches.

There may be a lack of WWE "talent," but my low opinion of the WWE and how they book and handles women's wrestling precludes me from watching it for the most part (as soon as I hear the words 'bra and panties' or 'lingerie' associated with wrestling, I switch over- would Undertaker and Kane have to wrestle a near-naked underwear match? Yeah, that's what I thought. Screw you WWE! Anyway...). Simply put, I have stuck to workers I can verify. Also, there is a very strong degree of proof of the drawing power of women's wrestling in TNA, and I have used that as my springboard- a 'breakaway' show, if you will. Plus, so many WWE women's wrestlers seem to disappear after 15 minutes, it is too hard to keep track!

10. Roxxi (Nicole Raczynski): Poor Roxxi hasn't had a good run lately. Despite being over with the crowds, and proving to be a decent worker with potential, she seems to have been buried, somewhat unfairly, since shaving her head. Women's wrestling needs a good hardcore edge, reminiscent of Japanese feds, and her willingness to bump and blade could help her find a real niche in bringing 'garbage' wrestling in women's matches to a new audience. I would place her much higher, given she is one of my top 5 favourite wrestlers, but it wouldn't be realistic given her lack of recent exposure and she needs more ring time. She would come cheap, is keen to take some damage to improve her game and in ring profile, and could easily be molded into a crowd favourite- think Tommy Dreamer ECW era. Or a female Raven :). Trust me, this woman is win, if used properly.

9. Natalya (Natalie Neidhart): An impeccable wrestling background, hitting all the right spots for a great foundation for a wrestling career ("She's Canadian, she must be good!")
All jokes aside, legacy forms an important part of wrestling, and with Natalya you have a solid heel with a technical wrestling legacy- any member of the Hart's extended family has an automatic draw and booking point to work with. And she can bump, and wrestle without injuring herself or anyone else. Plus, it would lead to further interesting angles and tie ins with other feds/factions in the future.

8. Aja Kong: While her glory days are most likely behind her, Aja still has a HELL of a lot to offer a developing women's federation (if she can keep her paws off the talent). With the ability to carry, work a variety of matches, work as a booker and/or trainer, mentor the developing talent, and contribute in many other ways, she could become the AA of women's wrestling. She has a clear and demonstrable knowledge of the craft, can be brought out for 'surprise' matches or squashes of unruly faces (or heels!), and could work a program with Awesome Kong (check out their match vs the Dudleys!). Big draw= not likely. Asset nonetheless. Companies aren't just built around the Stone Colds and Triple Hs of the world. They are also supported by a large pool of talented, dedicated, solid workers with experience and ability.

7. Christy Hemme: Cops a lot of unfair criticism for her  promos- remember that  employees don't choose their gimmicks, they work with what they're given. She has a lot of spirit, obvious looks and charisma, can bump convincingly, can pop a crowd, is clearly extremely fit and by all accounts quite affable. Deserves much more than a management spot for a low rent tag team buried in the gutter feuding with superhero whatever team. A personal favourite, not because she's gorgeous (well, she is!) but because she has a spark of ambition, flair and spirit that is worth cultivating. Plus, given her current gross misuse, she would be very keen to commit to a more fruitful and rewarding push.

6. Cheerleader Melissa/Raisha Saeed: A highly competent worker whose ability is well documented and acknowledged. Has worked all over the world, and is also a surprisingly effective valet for Awesome Kong, though it seems a shame she is relegated to this role. A lot of natural charisma and potential for a top heel role, especially if they keep the burqa, which has really grown on me; it adds an air of mystery and a masked wrestler, even if masked in such an unusual way, always adds appeal.

5. Ayako Hamada: It is criminal that this woman has not been picked up already. She has a lot going for her- a wrestling pedigree (yes, Gran Hamada is her father), mixed ancestry to appeal to a broader demographic, including the spanish speaking market, can work, no mic skills to speak of, but this is fairly irrelevant when the top female worker in the USA outside the WWE doesn't even speak :). Could have some terrific matches with any number of women workers, and could run with an LAX-type gimmick, perhaps even part of a growing cross-federation faction. And she's only 27!

4. Gail Kim: While she will never be the best worker (despite the inability of her fans to see her obvious and numerous limitations in the ring), she is nonetheless one worth hanging on to. She is by all accounts affable, flexible, friendly and loyal (except when she smells bigger $, but in this current job market who can really blame her?), she can carry green wrestlers, and in turn be carried herself by better ones. She helps perpetuate a multi racial roster, appealing to a growing asian market, and also help shake a lot of the traditional racial stereotypes surrounding asian wrestlers. Definitely a solid mid-card at least, with possibly, if booked correctly and used without exposing her limited mic skills, a top card spot.

3. Velvet Sky: The better looking, but less able, member of the Beautiful People. Consistently featuring in the highest rating segments in TNA TV, Velvet Sky has the mixture of good looks, athleticism, and the ability to bump convincingly to be carried through a decent match. Without descending into unnecessarily sexist depictions reminiscent of Francine/Beulah, Velvet could still be effectively booked as a cowardly heel or a 'lucky' babyface- her fluke pin on Gail Kim hinted that the latter could be a good storyline. Plus she can talk, and talk well.

2. Angelina Love: A competent brawler and bump taker, she has an air of authority greater than a lot of the TNA roster, and can carry both tag partners and opponents, and capably hold her own against any other women's wrestler working any of the major promotions.

Criticism that she is ''green'' is, quite simply, stupid; watch a few of her matches and the level of ability, and charisma, is apparent, as is her interview and mic work. The Beautiful People= Ratings, proven fact, and she could easily be elevated to a top heel spot. A clear locker room leader to boot. And she's Canadian! End of discussion, really.

1. Awesome Kong: Every federation needs a monster heel, and Awesome Kong fits the bill. Arguably the most over female worker in TNA, she pops a crowd and draws a rating, so she comes pre-made to generate heat and $. She has a wealth of in ring experience, is more than capable of doubling as a booker/road agent/trainer and mentor, can carry anyone, it seems, can sell and bump when she has to, and can tell a very convincing story without saying a word. Win win win. Awesome Kong, used correctly, could be huge.

D.A. Libby's picks...

(1) Edge

(2) Samoa Joe

(3/4) Motor City Machine Guns - Alex Shelley/Chris Sabin

(5/6) The Briscoes - Jay & Mark

(7) Brian Danielson

(8) MVP

(9) Chris Jericho

(10) Jim Ross

I would want my company to be built on athletic competition/great workers and ones that can give good promos. My thinking is that it is the heels that make fans come to the matches or watch the PPVs. The fans will either root for the heels or want the faces to kick their butts. So that is what I took Edge first. I took Joe second because he would be a good opponent for Edge to start with. But I would portrait Joe as he first was in TNA (the tough, take-no-prisoners bad-ass) determined to win the world title belt at any cost.

Picks 4-6 would establish my tag-team division. I want to have a strong tag-team division and to grab two of the best teams would be a great start. I am old school and see this could be classic like the NWA in the mid 80's (Rock & Roll Express (RRE) vs. Andersons or the RRE vs. the Midnight Express (ME) or the ME vs. Anderson/Blanchard).

I've only seen Danielson in a few matches but what I've seen (and read in the Torch) makes me confident that he will be a great addition to my roster. MVP might not have as much experience but because of his background and with him being a student of wrestling tells me that he is hungry and will only get better. (Besides I love the way that he has patterned his description about himself as only the nature boy Ric Flair could).

Pick 9 was the hardest. Thought about selecting A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels (hate his Curry Man gimmick), Jay Lethal, Mr. Kennedy (hurt way too much), either Matt or Jeff Hardy, C.M. Punk, Austin Ares or Roderick Strong. Gave a lot of consideration to picking Ric Flair but just could not pull the trigger. I ultimately took Jericho because no matter what role he plays, he gets the fans buzzing. From the innovated (but sometimes lame) catch phrases, the great rip on Stephanie McMahon's growing bustline, to his excellent angle w/Shawn Michaels, Jericho is ever evolving his character. (To Mick Foley's credit, he is the master of character evolution).

Pick 10 was too easy. J.R. is the best announcer in the biz today. I need to have an announcer that the fans would respect. One that knows the correct names of the various holds/submissions/finishing moves. J.R. knows how to sell the angles but not too much to the point of overselling them that would turn off the fans. Plus J.R. could work with (cover for) whomever is his broadcast partner.

DRAFT INFO - INVITE TO PARTICIPATE

Since 1997, Pro Wrestling Torch has conducted "Priority Fantasy Drafts" about once a year, usually around this time of year. The concept is simple. If the existing national promotions went out of business and all wrestlers became free agents, and you had the budget to sign ten wrestlers before any other competing start-up company could even compete, which ten currently active wrestlers would you choose? The goal is to make money, not make you in particular happy as a fan or viewer. This is about the wisest business move. This should not be a roster for a vanity promotion that goes out of business or unnecessarily burns through money.

You can build your roster around whatever promoting philosophy you think would draw, though. If you think wrestlers only over 6-8 would draw best, draft them. If you think cruiserweights is the best approach, choose them. Or women. Young. Old. A mix of all of the above. It's up to you.

We invite you to send in your Top 10 Draft Picks this week. We will compile the results, which will be featured on PWTorch.com next week. An expanded list of vote-getters (Top 50) will be part of next week's special Draft Edition of the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter (#1042), which will also feature a variety of staff articles related to the draft. This week at PWTorch.com we will also look back on previous draft results, so stay tuned.

When you send your top ten draft picks to us, you are invited to include a few sentences explaining each pick, making your case for why they deserve a top ten spot. Please send your picks numbered one through ten to pwtorch@gmail.com (put "Draft Picks" in the subject line, please). Deadline is this Friday (Aug. 29). We will publish select top ten lists this week in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com.



Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.

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