High Road/Low Road 10.30.09: The World Elite
Posted by Sat & Chad Nevett on 10.30.2009
In this week's edition of the High Road/Low Road, we discuss World Elite. Plus, Uncletrunx's replacement is announced...
Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!
A brief explanation of the column: Sat takes the High Road (positive view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Uncletrunx Chad Nevett takes the Low Road (negative view).
Sat: Last week we had a huge announcement last week with Uncletrunx stepping down. I was surprised with the number of people who responded with their low roads and it was really hard for me to pick a winner. At the end of the day, I went with my initial gut reaction. I now present the new Low Road writer…
Chad Nevett: Hello, all, it's great to be a part of the column and I'm still kind of surprised I was chosen. A brief introduction: I'm from Windsor, Ontario, I grew up watching wrestling, but stopped sometime in high school. My roommate a couple of years ago was a big fan, so I got back into it that way and have since gotten my girlfriend into watching it, too. My favorite wrestler is Chris Jericho and, for somewhat obvious reasons, I have a bias for Canadian wrestlers. Beyond wrestling, I have my Master's in English, am a bit of a popculture junkie, and I write comic reviews for Comic Book Resources and blog extensively about comics in a couple of places.
Sat: Let's get going with the column. Obviously, Chad will not be responding to emails and comments this week, but he'll dive in next week.
Chad Nevett: I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of my debut and, hopefully, people will be kind as I try my best to be a worthy successor to Uncletrunx.
Results for Bragging Rights – Seven on Seven:
High Road: 36%
Low Road: 56%
Both Roads: 08%
World Elite
High Road:
I like the name World Elite for the group because the group does contain the world's best. The group has a collection from stars from countries such as Canada (Young), Mexico (Homicide), England (British Invasion), and Japan (Kiyoshi) and you could argue that these are the best wrestlers from those countries.
Low Road:
In some cases, like Kiyoshi, they are the only wrestlers in TNA from those countries, so aren't they the ‘best' by default? Being the lone representative of a country doesn't make you the best, particularly when, before the formation of the World Elite, half of the group barely did anything except job to other wrestlers. It's a gimmick group that's padded out with low-level midcarders to increase the numbers.
High Road:
The World Elite has been made into a big deal and that helps to get them over as a major group that needs to be feared. When they were first introduced they were interacting with the top group (The Main Event Mafia) in TNA. Since that time, they have had success by winning the Legends Championship, the TNA Tag Team Titles and the IWGP Tag Team Titles. If the World Elite had not done any of these things, then they would have just been a group; since they have done these things, they have become a big deal in TNA.
Low Road:
The Legends Championship is not taken seriously by anyone having begun as a vanity belt for Booker T that has yet to progress beyond that joke status. After joining the World Elite, the British Invasion were easily dispatched with by Hernandez at Hard Justice, Rob Terry looking completely ineffective. Then, they lost to Hernandez again on the October 15 iMPACT despite interference by Eric Young. The other members of the group have done nothing of value. One token belt along with the tag titles while getting defeated numerous times by one man is not dominance.
High Road:
The World Elite would not be a major faction in TNA if they had a stupid leader. You look back at all of the major groups in professional wrestling and all of them have a great leader. Eric Young has shown that he is very smart leader because he has assembled a great group of wrestlers. He also outsmarted the smartest man in wrestling in Kevin Nash at Bound for Glory. And this past Thursday on Impact, Kurt Angle praised Eric Young and this means a lot because Angle was the leader of the best group for the past year. The World Elite is definitely a major group in TNA because they have a capable leader in Eric Young.
Low Road:
Is Kevin Nash the smartest man in wrestling if he didn't see a betrayal from Eric Young coming when everyone else did? A group of this supposed import needs a leader who will go after the main prize, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, not a less-than-secondary belt like the Legends Championship. It suggests that Young knows he, and the World Elite by extension, isn't good enough to be a truly dominant force in TNA, preferring to go after lesser, more easily attained belts.
High Road:
The Main Event Mafia was the dominant force in TNA for the past year and I would argue that it was the World Elite that took them out. The World Elite caused problems between the members of the Main Event Mafia with Eric Young taking the bounty that was on his head and doubling it to get Kevin Nash to help with Hernandez. This caused dissension with Angle and Nash. While TNA did not show how Booker T was "injured" at Bound for Glory, I think it save to assume that they want us to think that the World Elite was the ones that took him out. Taking out the top group for the past year has to be a huge feather in the cap for the World Elite.
Low Road:
The Main Event Mafia was coming apart before the World Elite got involved because each member was concerned with his own situation. The World Elite had nothing to do with Samoa Joe or Kurt Angle losing their titles, those two being the two best wrestlers in the Main Event Mafia. The MEM dissolved because it grew too large and unwieldy with each member focused on retaining his own championship rather than working for a common cause and the World Elite merely took advantage of that situation.
High Road:
I am sure most of you are going to find this crazy, but I am going to say it. I think Eric Young has the potential to be a world champion. I think the new look has done wonders for him. The fact that he is able to lead a large faction like the World Elite also helps his chances to become world champion. The thing that really makes him a world champion contender is the fact that he outsmarted Kevin Nash for the Legends Title. I would buy Eric Young as a world champion.
Low Road:
He won the Legends Title in a triple threat match by playing his two opponents against one another and picking up the pieces, but he has yet to show himself as being capable enough in one-on-one matches to be world champion material, including a loss to Hernandez at No Surrender. His singles matches while leading the World Elite have not inspired confidence, nor has his ability to help his stablemates win by interfering. He and the World Elite have had only one real victory and that was at Bound for Glory.
High Road:
I like the addition of Homicide into this group for a few reasons. First, it gives them another wrestler from a different country. Second, I like the fact that Homicide has been separated from Hernandez. While I like Hernandez a lot, I like Homicide a lot more and Homicide was being held back because TNA was interested in pushing Hernandez from that team. I think that by having Homicide join the World Elite, Homicide will finally get to show that he is capable singles wrestler.
Low Road:
Homicide joining the World Elite could have been a big deal after losing the X-Division Title to Samoa Joe, but he has yet to make an mark anywhere beyond the initial surprise of him turning on Hernandez. Since then, he hasn't done anything of real consequence. Nor has he been a factor in helping the World Elite dispatch with Hernandez, the biggest thorn in the group's side. Homicide should have made dealing with Hernandez easier for the group, but it was a non-factor and that's what Homicide has been to date as a member of the faction.
Simply write "High Road", "Low Road", or "Both Roads" in the comment section.
E-Mails:
These are all of the e-mails that we received this week. We do not respond to the actual e-mail, but the reply to your e-mail will be below.
Freddy Neuwendyke Writes:
While I do like the idea of 7 man teams I just think the big problem with this one will be either A.) everybody's time in will be extremely short which doesn't tell very much of a story throughout the match. or B.) it will be extremely long so everybody gets in. A very long match might wear out the fans before the Iron Man match. Also I really think they should have saved the Raw brand versus Smackdown brand match for Survivor Series.
I also wanna wish UncleTrunx well in whatever he does beyond HighRoad/Low Road. It was a great ride, man.
Sat: While Uncletrunx may be gone, he will definitely be back for one column in the future.
Jeremy Castillo Writes:
I give the Bragging Rights 7 vs. 7 match a definite low road, mainly because I hate how they booked Raw's team. None of the qualifying matches felt any more important than usual, especially when Mark Henry didn't qualify on his actual brand's show. There is too much bad blood between the members for anyone to believe they can work together. Three weeks between events is also way too short. At least the 2005 rivalry had sneak attacks and backstage fights and, you know, drama. Team Smackdown shows up in customized tights with the show's logo and Team RAW couldn't even wear matching t-shirts.
Plus, the new Team Smackdown seems just as bad (haven't seen the show yet) since R-Truth and Matt Hardy have been glorified jobbers lately. Not to mention Mike Knox, who would've counteracted Big Show and Henry's size, was passed up for Finlay on a mostly heel team. Christ, the original Team SmackDown would've been fine if you replaced Cryme Tyme Hart Dynasty qualified first because every member would be a heel.
Another thing that bothers me about Team SD 2.0 is Kane and R-Truth have the longest stints on the blue brand.. Jericho was drafted in April; the others came over in the Donald Trump trade. How much brand loyalty do you think they have?
Sat: Matt Hardy and R-Truth have been losing like crazy, why would you even want them on your team.
Comments:
Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. Every comment will not be included because it makes our lives a lot easier. The comments section was last looked at on Thursday Morning Pacific Time.
Black Hole of Charisma Writes:
Low Road
What are they fighting for? Brand Supremacy? Why would they want that when they might very well be on the other brand in 6 months, meaning they just helped make their new home weaker.
And what do they win? Bragging rights? Not title shots, money or anything that matters the next morning. Why should the wrestlers even care (which is a different way of saying why should I care)? Heck, have somebody put together a Brand Supremacy trophy and use it as a setpeice in the winning GM's office. BUT MAKE THEM FIGHT FOR SOMETHING! Otherwise its a big fat load of who cares.
Sat: The problem I have is that you do this match and then the following week, you start to ignore the brand extension.
Jaime Writes:
Low Road: Simply put, all this nonsense could/should have been done for Survivor Series. This time there would be time to build this rivalry than what? 2 weeks?
Sat: I kind of like this at Bragging Rights. I think Survivor Series will have brand only five on five matches.
Jbardo Writes:
Low Road for 2 reasons
1) 7 on 7 is too many for a single fall.
2)They should of waited till survivor series & made it an elimination match.
Still has potential to be a good match tho.
Sat: I'll agree with the fact that single fall is not good for a seven on seven match. After seeing the world title matches set, I am wondering what kind of 5 on 5 matches we will have at the Survivor Series.
BobbyC Writes:
Low Road
"What are they fighting for?" - black hole of charisma
"Absolutely nothing. Say it again." - Edwin Starr, "War"
Here's what I would have done.
Whomever gets the pin gets to create a 4 man team for Surivor Series. Whomever gets pinned is off TV the rest of the year.
The winner at Bragging Rights will have a team of 4 wrestlers. Two individual wrestlers and one tag team. The winner of their match at Survivor will win guaranteed Championship matches (on their brand) at TLC - World/WWE (going to the team captain), IC/US (to the other singles wrestler) and Tag Team. Their opponents will consistent of one former World/WWE champ, one former IC/US champ and one former Tag Team champion. Those wrestlers will be selected in a "lottery" on the November 2nd Raw.
Sat: The WWE totally would never do this.
Akakhawk Writes:
Low road - mainly because the timing is all wrong. You don't have to do it at Survivor Series necessarily, as the 5 on 5 elimination match works on it's own, but either do it @ Survivor Series or the December PPV, and put something on the line.
The best way I can think of, if I was going to book it, would be to put spots in the Royal Rumble on the line. Say, the winning brand gets 15 spots, the loser gets 10, and ECW gets 5 regardless. If it's elimination style, you could even go a step further and say that the captains on the winning team are guaranteed a number in the RR from 21-30.
Now you've got something that everyone on the roster is interested in, since if the team does well they have a better opportunity of qualifying for the Rumble. In addition you have the possible dynamic of a heel team member intentionally getting pinned to screw over a face captain or something like that, or cutting a deal with the other team.
Sat: I'll agree with the fact that you need to give the individual wrestlers an incentive to win.
Guest #5344 Writes:
High Road.
Despite the awkward timing of this PPV, I like the idea. I realize it's meant to coincide with the release of the new SVR video game, but I think it would be better in December.
Survivor Series puts everyone in a "team" frame of mind. That's an easy transition to Bragging Rights.
As for the winning prize... I'd say the winning brand gets to determine who's #30 in the Royal Rumble. Besides, the promos could go: "they we're partners, now it's every man for himself" or something cliche like that.
A few other tweaks...
- More brand vs brand matches. Make it like the WWE's Olympics.
- Eliminate single-brand matches. Let the Orton-Cena saga rest for a month.
- Change the main event format. 14 guys in the ring at once? Yikes. I'd say have 7 brand-vs-brand matches, and the winners advance to the main event tag match.
Sat: I initially did think of this, but my problem is that this would devalue WrestleMania.
Iron Knee Writes:
High-ish Road
If the brands were kept totally apart, then this would be like the old MLB All-Star Game. As it is, it's merely a clever idea that has no real impact. More needs to be at stake; for example, the brand that wins the most matches might be allowed a shot at the other brand's 2nd tier belt or even their championship.
Sat: The thing that first needs to happen is that trades can only happen once a year and besides that no wrestler can move across brands.
The Great Captain Smooth Writes:
Both roads. High, because it could be used to see which wrestlers might have chemistry together and that info might come in handy around the Rumble, MITB, or Draft. Low, because it showcases my main issue with the teams. Why would HHH want to team up with Swagger to beat up R-Truth? I say they need to make two matches. RAW faces vs. SD heels and RAW heels vs. SD faces. If the RAW heels won their match and the RAW faces lost their's, they could start some shit about how they were good enough to beat SD, but the faces weren't. There are so many storylines that could come out of any combo of winners and losers. It's a good tool, just aimed wrong.
Sat: That's the main problem. Why would Swagger care about RAW winning; he's only been there for a few months.
Jay Writes:
I expect to see the likes of Triple H dominating and the lesser partners getting lost in the shuffle. To me, it all looks like a gimmick for the sake of having one. It's too similar to the upcoming Survivor Series concept, they're fighting for "Brand superiority", a concept nobody believes in and which is usually ignored by the company and the teams are lopsided, detracting from the interest still further. In short, a huge Low Road for me to finish on!
That is a perfect statement
Sat: They need to come up with better gimmicks for their pay per views. Some of the things they have been doing has been questionable.
B.W.G. Writes:
High Road
--A multi-man tag is main eventing a PPV (presently, at least). Considering that tag matches rarely get to headline any PPVs (in the 'E), I'll always be psyched when it happens.
--Agree with the possibly of this getting a lot of time (or as much time as one would expect WWE to give something), though not necessarily because of the short # of mtaches on the card, but because it will be blatantly booked to differentiate from the SS matches next month: history has shown that those are usually booked to be shorter, with the eliminations coming fast and often.
--On the possible booking of "young guys and undercarders get crushed, main eventers stroke their ego, this is all just to advance another storyline": Folks, this is one of the advantages of watching so much Japanese wrestling,CHIKARA, and TNA (to a certain extent): that is the sort of thing that tends to happen in these multi-man MEs, and after a while you get used to it. Plus, with the live crowds it's a formula that works. The key there, as in this case, is for the talent involved to add enough nuances to the match so that no one ends up caring too much about the predictable booking. Then again, they could do what the other promotions tend to do at least semi-often: book it in completely different ways.
Sat: Going in, I did not expect this to be in the main event.
Sly Reference Writes:
Based on the question itself, Low Road, but based on the arguments given, Both Roads.
It seems like both of you are kind of down on the execution, which I don't blame you for. Like so many other things the WWE has done, it's an interesting concept but the card doesn't live up to the idea. This is just like the InVasion all over again: a mediocre build-up to one big match, where they talk about competition but don't really show it. That's the problem with the storytelling in the WWE: they tell us what they want us to think is going up, but they never really show it. It shouldn't be about one match, especially if it's single elimination. It should be about brand vs. brand, champ vs. champ, with other interbrand matches to round out the card. The Iron Man match shouldn't be on the same PPV.
One of the other comments has it right: this PPV should be done in December, and should be the new kick off of the Road to Wrestlemania. I like the idea of letting the winners choose #30 in the Royal Rumble, because it would immediately peg them as the favorite. Then you can do a month of stories on that brand with all the players trying to convince the GM that they should get the #30 slot. This would add to the build to Wrestlemania.
It could also help establish a new "meta-story" for the WWE, where the shows are about more about competition between the brands, building up to Bragging Rights. It could make the draft seem more essential, because the GMs have to start figuring out their teams for the next year, and undercut the opposing brand. Of course, that would mean getting away from the "random selection" process that's been used in the recent drafts, but that was annoying anyway. Inter-brand rivalries could be built up using the Unified Tag Titles, though that would mean letting them trade hands more often. I like Jerishow's current stranglehold on them, though. But it would help shift the big arcs away from 'evil GM screws champ,' and explore new ground.
Of course, this would leave ECW out in the cold, but we're used to that. Or you could have subplots of Raw or SD GMs coming and trying to sign promising ECW talent for use in the Bragging Rights team, or something like that.
This has the potential to be an interesting type of PPV, but this card leaves me cold. It's not being built, and it's not building to anything.
Sat: I think the main problem is that all of these new pay per views have been introduced this year; the kinks needs to be worked out and I see this taking a few years.
Adam Jones Writes:
Low Road - No one buys the brand vs. brand idea. There's too much fluctuation in rosters; Raw doesn't even have a permanent GM. Not only does this kind of devalue the Survivor Series (whether anyone wants to admit it or not), but it devalues ECW even more than it already is by leaving it out of the brand wars.
Here's what I would do. Hold it at the PPV right before the Royal Rumble, and in the weeks before the PPV, each of the 3 brands holds a 9-man tournament with 3 Triple Threat matches in the first round and a final Triple Threat match to determine who will represent their brand in a tri-branded Bragging Rights 3-way-dance (instead of a 7-on-7). And check this out - the winner of the Bragging Rights match would be guaranteed the #30 spot in the Royal Rumble, but the other 2 losers in the match would be the #1 and #2 entrants. This would place the participants in the Bragging Rights match in a huge risk/reward situation.
Sat: I've never liked knowing who is number 30 before hand. I would do something where the winner gets a favorable number, but you don't give us the exact number.
Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at satuncletrunx@gmail.com or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.
High road for me, they are all talented and Eric Young has shined ever since he went from goofy lovable shmuck afraid of his own pyro to The Leader of the group and has shown a great deal of cunning. Homicide, we know how good he is in tag and singles and has displayed a more violent side since he turned on Hernandez. The British Invasion, Magnus has improved tons since he first debuted earlier in the year wearing a spiked helmet. Williams is amazing and Terry fits the bodyguard enforcer role well with how huge and strong he is. Bashir and Kiyoshi are decent in the ring as well. They have racked up some impressive wins and they are holding gold also. They managed to interact and hold their own with the MEM as well.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Both roads.
I love the Super-Friends-like cultural variety of the team, and the concept in general. This is something that hasn't quite been done since I can remember. The closest thing I can think of was the UnAmericans, and they were used purely for exploitation, unlike the Elite.
However, as well as they've been used (as far as mid-carders go), it's hard to consider some of these Elitists major threats. Aside from Eric Young and Homicide, most of the TNA audience had never heard of any of these guys a year ago. What exactly makes them "the best of the best"? And while we're on the subject of Young, as much as I respect him as a performer, I don't think he's completely escaped his goofball image. His heel work has been good, and I support his inclusion in this group, but as their figurehead? I'm just not totally on board... Too bad Christian jumped back to WWE, huh?
Also, they really need some more muscle. I just don't think a stable will be taken seriously at the top of the card if more than half of them are smaller X-Division guys. To expand to that role, they need, well, Desmond Wolfe, but also some more big guns. I wonder if they can get Takeshi Morishima...
P.S. - Welcome to the show(?), Chad. So far it looks like you're able to inject logic in all the right places... that sounded weird. But anyway, the more nerds, the better, I say.
'Til next week...
Posted By: KanyonKreist (Registered) on October 30, 2009 at 01:04 PM
High Road. In particular the comments about Eric Young and Homicide.
Posted By: Yep. (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:08 PM
High Road, absolutely. Despite the jobberific status of Kiyoshi and Bashir (could Kiyoshi be dropped and Bashir be played up as the money behind the group?), they have made an impressive impact in a short amount of time, most notably by consistently going toe to toe with the MEM. Eric Young has transformed into an excellent leader, shrewdly and confidently staying a few steps ahead of his enemies at every point. I still wouldn't buy Young as World Champ contender, but if they made an acquisition of Samoa Joe or Desmond Wolfe (and you gotta think either would be perfectly reasonable), they'd have that base covered. And crazy Homicide has been missing from TNA for years.
Valiant effort, Low Road, but you just don't have much of a leg to stand on.
Posted By: Guest#6111 (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:19 PM
High Road....despite the jobbers in their faction, World Elite has made me believe them to be a dominant force to be reckoned with in TNA.
Posted By: Guest#1375 (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:24 PM
High Road
In the "good ol' days", managers would have a stable of wrestlers. This would be a group who would still wrestle individually, sometimes as a team - but would help each other to cheat to win (as the manager directed).
Well - managers are all but gone - which is why you now have "factions" or "groups". There is still a leader, but rather than a manager, there is a wrestler, usually the top dog of the group. And most groups need a theme - and "evil foreigners" is a tried and true formula.
It's not original, but it's necessary in the development of storylines (and of underdogs) to have a heel group that wins the "numbers game" and someone for the underdog face(s) to overcome.
Posted By: BobbyC (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:26 PM
Low Road.
I just don't buy Young as an evil mastermind. The rest of the group is as dangerous as the nWo b-team.
And in this new era of TNA, I feel like they're just going to feed each of these young guys to Hogan.
Posted By: Guest#2069 (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:30 PM
High Road.Young winning the Legends title and renaming it the Global title will actually give the belt a chance to be taken serious as a real title.British Invasion is great cause it adds another team to the tag divison as well as contenders seeing that their champs now.Homicide could always be the x division guy and Kioyshi,Shiek and Rob Terry can be the guys who get bitched out from beat downs.
Posted By: The Gold Standard (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:44 PM
High Road:
Who would've thought that Eric Young would amount to anything more than a comedy act? He excels at playing the dastardly leader of the World Elite. In addition, this gives Bashir, Kiyoshi, and Homicide something to do when they would probably be lost in the shuffle.
TNA could strengthen the group, of course. Continue to build up Young, the Brits, and Homicide. And either make Bashir and Kiyoshi more active in the group or drop them altogether. A cool storyline might be that Eric Young tells them they aren't pulling their weight and that one of them will be kicked out. The two can then have a mini-feud with Bashir winning and Kiyoshi packing his bags.
Posted By: TheWho (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 01:46 PM
High Road. If there is one thing TNA is good at, it's making mid-carders look like legitimate threats. Unlike WWE, which builds up stables that builds up just one person (Legacy) TNA creates their stables with the intention of everyone getting a push. They have done a great job of working on Eric Young's character from a Superman wanna be to a Kurt Angle-light with his serious nature. His promos are stronger and the British Invasion are looking more and more like the class of the tag team division.
I still think they need to have Homicide win the X Division title then develop some of their home grown stars (Beer Money, Morgan, Hernandez) to take them out. Everyone gets elevated in the end.
Posted By: Orlando (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 02:59 PM
High Road. World Elite is MONEY.
Posted By: oh yea! (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 03:12 PM
High Road
--Parroting all the sentiments on Young. Personally, I couldn't give a shit about him or what he does in TNA, but I'm happy for the man that his character has gotten more face time in this role than he has since his days as part of Team Canada.
--Anything to improve, or at least add to, the tag division to any promotion is my top booking priority, and to that end the Brits have excelled here. WIlliams may have been a godsend to the other two guys...hardly anyone knocks Magnus for anything these days, and Terry has safety net to fall bakc on while he learns to actually work. Given enough time, HE can be one-half of the future tag champs if the Invasion drop and then win back the titles down the line.
--Kiyoshi may be useless here, but every faction needs a fall guy and he's there explicitly for that purpose. Unlike most, I hope he can ride out the TNA stint for as long as possible, so when he gets back to AJPW it'll seem important,he can get a decent push and finally move beyond the "lower midcard" status he been stuck in for nearly his entire career.
--The only real wrench in the gorpu is Homicide, surprisingly, is Homicide.The fued with Hernandez is coming for sure: the real quesiton is what does he do from there? It's not like the company will ever take him seriously enough to be a big star (as his aborted X-Division title has shown).
Posted By: B.W.G. (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 03:19 PM
Having sent in my own 'Low Roads' last week to become the replacement, I must say that Chad did a nice job, but was not as good as I.
Low Road.
Posted By: Justin (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 04:02 PM
We are World Elite!!
Posted By: W/Ý (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 04:06 PM
High Road. It has the "a little bit of this and a little bit of that" vibe that I like. I would like to see them become of face group in the future. We've had enough of the "they aren't from around here, so let's boo them" type groups. I'd love to see them be one of those stables where anyone on the team is a tough out and if there is a big brawl, they use the proper teamwork to come out on top. In other words, they would work well together.
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 04:33 PM
High Road - If for no other reason then they are finally doing something relevant with Eric Young. I don't care if no one takes him serious yet, its better than SUPER Eric! Plus, having Kyoshi and Rob Terry in the group doesn't hurt because they are used more as backup(gang warfare) than in the ring. Though I think this group maybe would come across better as just EY, Homicide, and the British Invasion, I dont think Basheer and Kyoshi take anything away from them.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Low Road, because I hate everything about TNA
Posted By: Guest#9402 (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 07:51 PM
High Road:
-EY is emerging as a solid upper midcard, and possibly main event, threat, with his solid ringwork, promo ability, and the continued character development.
-The British Invasion vs. Beer Money Inc is set to be TNA's tag team main event feud, and a feud against one of TNA's most over draws should do tons to elevate The British Invasion even further. Also Rob Terry fits pretty well into his role as bodyguard of TBI, so things are looking up even more.
-Homicide gives the group a legit X-Division title threat, as well as a guy that's been built to be a solid upper midcard threat.
-Bashir and Kiyoshi also fit into a role for the group, of necessary "enhancement fodder", to protect other members of the group, as well as get over other talents challenging fellow group members. Both guys are solid in what they can do and are compelling enough personalities to maintain at their level, regardless of win-loss totals.
-And finally, if TNA decides that EY is more apt to stay in the upper midcard, rather than challenge the main event, TNA has a guy that they just brought in, in Desmond Wolfe, who can easily fill that role immediately. With Wolfe in the group, you also lay the foundation for EY's eventual main event test feud of Wolfe-EY, in the coming future.
Things are looking really good for World Elite.
Posted By: scipio2009 (Guest) on October 30, 2009 at 09:09 PM
They really should have ponied up the cash to get Masato Yoshino fulltime after his World X Cup 2008 appearances. Yoshino looked like a true star in that super 12 man elimination match in the semi-finals of the World X Cup.
oh and although all logic and current booking goes against this, i'd have to go high road. World Elite has alot of potential as a mid-card threat, if only they could use the NUMBERS GAME more efficiently. if using multiple guys still doesn't stop Hernandez, then what else could the group possibly do? run him over with a truck and say they did it for the rock?
Posted By: Yoshino Rules! (Guest) on October 31, 2009 at 05:29 AM
High Road
Posted By: BPN (Guest) on October 31, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Both Roads:
I love the idea of World Elite, and if it helps push a talented guy like Kiyoshi at some point, let it be. Homicide going apeshit heel has been great to see too, and needed.
Now for the Low Road part, does anyone remember when Eric Young was the bumbling buffoon of TNA? Wasn't he even scared of his own pyro. Now he is the mastermind of a evil group. I am liking the new direction in character, but it is abit far fetched.
Posted By: KaosKarma (Guest) on October 31, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I don't think EY's change is far-fetched at all. He's actually had a slowly developing character arc since Day 1 in TNA. He finally reached the point where he was tired of being a laughing stock, so he faced his own fears, turned on the fans and friends who didn't take him seriously, and started getting malicious. He's a terrific character.
Posted By: Guest#7626 (Guest) on November 01, 2009 at 06:40 PM
dumb ass homicide is not mexican just because he is latin doesn't mean his mexican if u would have bothered looking up your info you would know that hell he wears the fucking puerto rican flag on his vest
Posted By: Guest#2474 (Guest) on November 01, 2009 at 09:28 PM
Low road. I like EY's intensity, and the shoot-like way that he addresses his comedy act history in his promos. But I have little faith in TNA to orchestrate a push that will get these guys to and keep them at the upper level. The anti-US gimmick is tired and the cheapest kind of heat. TNA needs to be pushing new ideas and characters if it wants to reach the main stage. Next thing you know they'll bring back Hulkamania...
Posted By: s1rude (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 09:57 PM
