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RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: TNA finally straps a rocket on the right ass Oct 23, 2009 - 7:40:37 PM
Last night, TNA took a risk with Nigel McGuinness. They did something they hadn't done in a long period of time. TNA did something that WWE hasn't done either in a very long time.
In wrestling, there's always a trial and error period for new wrestlers as they're brought up to the roster for their debut. Some wrestlers start off hot and then cool off (Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger). Some wrestlers never get off the ground (Colt Cabana). Some wrestlers even debut, disappear, come back, disappear, and then come back again (Bobby Lashley).
The point is, wrestlers rarely debut with a rocket strapped to their ass. Last night, one of the best wrestlers in North America debuted in front of a new audience. Nigel McGuinness, who was given the moniker of Desmond Wolfe by TNA booker Vince Russo, made an impression.
If there's anyone deserving of this chance, it's McGuinness. For a long time, it's been obvious that McGuinness should have been tabbed by WWE or TNA to fill a top-tier roster slot. Perhaps it's a blessing McGuinness didn't pass WWE's medical screening. He can make money for TNA. Who knows what would have happened if he went to WWE, but WWE has a pattern of how wrestlers are brought in and pushed.
McGuinness's best days in the ring may be limited to another 3-4 years given his long history of injuries and concussions. Right now, he can still wrestle as well as he ever has. Plus, McGuinness has great charisma and promo ability.
All of McGuinness values as an entertainer came across during his segments with Kurt Angle on Impact this week. After he introduced himself to Angle backstage, he turned towards the camera and told the audience he was going to attack. It was a great subtle touch for his character that he took the time to put away his sunglasses before attacking Angle.
McGuinness then went on to jump Angle from behind in front of the crowd. Once again, McGuinness showcased his skills as an entertainer as he chastised Angle on the mic and got real heat, which is something that rarely occurs on Impact.
Would McGuinness have been given this chance wrestling short matches on ECW, Raw, or Smackdown had he signed with WWE? It's doubtful.
ROH has suffered a sharp decline in the quality of entertainers on their roster since 2006 when most of the major players on the roster were forbidden from wrestling for the company. McGuinness was the exception in terms of being an all-around talent. McGuinness's heel character in ROH in 2008 while he carried the ROH World Hvt. title was simply fantastic, but no true challenger stepped up to play the other side of the coin outside of Bryan Danielson during that time.
Now McGuinness will start with a clean slate in TNA. Last night he made the most out of the opportunity given to him by TNA management. McGuinness has the size, the look, and the promo ability to make TNA a lot of money. TNA is branching into the It's going to be hard to think of McGuinness performing under a new moniker, but Desmond Wolfe made quite the impression on Impact.
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