KEEPIN' IT REAL
By James Melton on 9/29/2006 9:30 AM
Not that the Fantastic Four ( Dave, Buck, Mike and Jess ) do not "Keep It Real" about the world of wrestling - I just want to put my spin on the sport we all love, in my column "Keepin' It Real" - Wrestling.
BRAND EXTENSION- TIME UP? or not....
With the recent cross over of Raw and Smackdown it got me thinking- now is the perfect time to combine Raw and Smackdown, and keep ECW completely separate. ECW has proven on Sci-Fi that it can stand on its own, not only with a unique product but developing new talent, both Raw and Smackdown have had trouble with both. WWE can put the spin on Raw and Smackdown coming back together that the talent decided to break the barrier and it is in the best interest of competition to let these guys just "GO AT IT"! By keeping ECW separate you keep a 2nd brand- which could legitimately look like a separate product.
TNA- Deal or No Deal?!?
TNA- Total Non-Stop Action has officially created a buzz like never before for a product that has had it ups and downs in its short existence.
Vince Russo is the new head of the creative team, Kurt Angle is on his way to the Impact Zone, and they have a new time slot, all great news! Kurt Angle's tag line at the PPV Sunday was" It's real, it's damn real"... but is it? Vince Russo is known for for goofy antics and his off the wall bookings that make me wonder how damn real is it going to be? Vince Russo has a golden opportunity to rewrite his bad bookings by turning the wrestling world upside down, and using TNA as the true wrestling alternative.
DEAL - Kurt Angle is coming into a new promotion that he sees with potential to really make an impact on the business. He sees that Samoa Joe, Low Ki, AJ Styles, Sting, Abyss, are all money matches for this company- he sees old faces like the Brother Ray and Devon, Christian Cage, Brother Runt, Raven and thinks of the drama that could unfold with the right build and he sees a much lighter work load that will allow his body to heal and keep his mind fresh and I for one look forward to Kurt Angle erasing the demons in 2007 - and taking TNA to its Mountain Top.
NO DEAL - Vince Russo, Jackass angle, Blow Up Dolls and Good ol Double J.
As many positives as I see when I look at TNA I see just as many things that are so political and hard to explain.
Jeff Jarrett does not need the NWA Title, END OF STORY! Double J can be very influential in TNA without the strap. I would like to see Jeff Jarrett get a baby face push and develop new guys for TNA - As much as he is hated - with the right spin on it Orlando will be in love with Jeff Jarrett. Jeff Jarrett could equal a modern day Tommy Dreamer if done right...
Jackass angle - Sucks. Drop it. End it now. Done, over, finished, tap out.
Blow Up dolls - Never EVER do this again - if you do - you should be fired. End of Story.
The 2 subjects above do not even deserve the 25 words I used on them!
WHAT IS AN ALTERNATIVE??
TNA should really focus on what the fans are asking for and that is a product that
A - Makes Sense!
B- Has some semblance of a sport and
C - Is anything but WWE!
TNA has the perfect opportunity to go opposite of what Vince McMahon does and listen to the fans, admit they need feedback to make a successful product and show the fans they value their input. I am not saying TNA should let the inmates run the asylum BUT it would be a huge step in the right direction to take the feedback from the people who keep the lights on, and use it to their advantage.
You will never make everyone happy. TNA and Vince Russo should learn from past mistakes and see what kind of niche they can create inside the sports entertainment world.
Can you really ever screw up in Wrestling?
Kurt Angle has had a lot of attention pointed his way as of late because of his signing with TNA, and, oh yeah... his admission of a drug problem. Pro Sports is filled with athletes who have made careers of getting 2nd chances for their mistakes outside the lines, and pro wrestling is also the same- but wrestling might have the worst case of short term memory of them all!
Look at WWE, they fired Jeff Hardy - let TNA pick up the scraps and when TNA tossed them out too- well WWE picked them back up! Scott Hall is another - how many "last calls" can this guy have? Is he done yet? Kevin Nash (or as I like to call him "The Big Business Killa") has come and gone from WCW to WWF to WCW to WWE to TNA and put a bad taste in EVERYONE'S mouth! But wait - I am sure he will be back on WWE.com here shortly! Stay tuned...
WHAT IF?!!
Watching Raw last night I found myself thinking- what if?! What if Sheldon Benjamin was used like AJ Styles is for TNA. What if WWE pushed Carlito in a top program. Who else is tired of DX, Cena and Edge doing the same old things week after week. What if TNA offered WWE a trade for talent- picked up Val Venis and Sheldon Benjamin for Lance Hoyt and Monty Brown? Am I the only one who sees that Val Venis can work?! What if TNA folded tomorrow- would Jeff Jarrett have a job? Would WWE sign him? What if WWE kept the lights down for the whole show on Monday?!? I know for me it felt like I was back watching Terry Funk and Ric Flair tear down the house at the Omni in Atlanta!
Question of the week-
What is the best live pro wrestling event you ever attended? I have lived in Atlanta, GA my entire life so I was blessed with the NWA/ WCW Omni shows- and yes they were all as good as advertised to me!
