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CALDWELL'S POLL ANALYSIS: Torch readers say where Mr. Kennedy would fit in TNA Jun 12, 2009 - 12:05:29 PM
CALDWELL'S POLL ANALYSIS: If Mr. Kennedy signs with TNA, where would he best fit in?.
Two weeks ago, we asked Torch readers to pick Mr. Kennedy's role in TNA if he signs with the "alternative" to WWE 90 days following his release from the company.
We listed several options including Main Event Mafia membership, playing a babyface against the Mafia, being an undercard wrestler elevating other wrestlers, or a tag team wrestler. ("Ha!" said Torch readers, with tag team receiving a measly 1 percent of the vote.)
The top vote by Torch readers, with 38 percent, was for Kennedy to play a heel, but to be on his own and not associated with the Mafia.
I agree with this pick. I believe Kennedy is better-suited as a heel, especially if he keeps that movie-star villain goatee. I'd like to see him come into TNA and antagonize Joe, Styles, or Daniels right away. It would be a good test for Kennedy to see how he fits in with the TNA roster working with three of the top wrestlers in the promotion.
Plus, the Mafia has become this "sacred entity" that features only championship winners from the past. Kennedy does not have a major championship to his name and Torch readers aren't willing to embrace him as a member of the Mafia.
The voting option for Kennedy joining the Mafia only received 6 percent of the vote, which was just slightly ahead of the option for Kennedy to be a prelim singles wrestler and the 1 percent option for the dreaded tag team specialist.
On the flip-side, the second-most votes went to Kennedy as a main event babyface. That option received 24 percent of the vote. One out of every four Torch readers wants to see him as a babyface in that Jeff Jarrett role of feuding with the top heels.
I prefer Kennedy as a heel in TNA, but I could see where Torch readers want to see a legit, likable babyface at the top of the card in TNA.
Right now, Samoa Joe isn't a likable babyface. Daniels has been good, but not great since returning. Jeff Jarrett isn't the "everyone on board and let's do this" main event babyface that everyone can get behind. A.J. Styles's "prick" character has fortunately been toned down from the Legends Title feud against Booker T, but TNA hasn't given him that mega-push as the centerpiece of Impact.
My feeling is that TNA fans are looking for someone to get behind as the star babyface of the show. TNA had it last year with Samoa Joe, but they quickly accentuated the negatives of Joe's character during his first TNA Title run. Kennedy could be an answer to the question of who TNA can present as the centerpiece babyface of their promotion.
The third-place vote option was Kennedy playing a babyface role and feuding against the Mafia. There's an easy storyline that Kennedy was sent to TNA as a mole from "Papa Vince" to destroy the Mafia because it has the potential to tear down TNA and then turn its sights to WWE.
The storyline would create an interesting dynamic with Kennedy being the latest wrestler trying to tear down the Mafia. Kennedy teaming with Samoa Joe or A.J. Styles in the next series of anti-Mafia match-ups could make for good TV and actually build to credible PPV matches with Kennedy at the center.
There are some good options for Kennedy if he comes to TNA this fall when his 90 days expire. He would bring a fresh character to TNA, he wouldn't be viewed as an over-the-hill "retirement home qualifier" stealing TV time from more deserving wrestlers, and he has untapped potential that wasn't realized in WWE. He could be a great fit in TNA.
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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