High Road/Low Road 01.15.10: ECW Homecoming

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 Chad Nevett takes the Low Road (negative view).

Results for Jeff Hardy In TNA:

High Road: 19%
Low Road: 64%
Both Roads: 17%

Chad Nevett: Wow, big week last week. Oddly, I was surprised to see how dominant the Low Road was despite that being my opinion. I figured Hardy was more popular and had won people over more than that, and it was be a landslide victory for the High Road. The voters surprise me again.

Sat: The other weird thing about voting was most of the high roads came from emails. Also, I was definitely surprised by the number of low roads.

ECW Homecoming

High Road:

The ECW Homecoming has led to some interesting shows on ECW. Since the announcement of the ECW Homecoming, I have become more interested in ECW because the anticipation has been building for the battle royal. The main point to note here is that ECW has become more interesting with the announcement of the ECW Homecoming.

Low Road:

At the same time, ECW hasn’t delivered stronger episodes. While the Homecoming matches have been good, the other matches on each week’s show have been much weaker. It seems like they put all their effort into the Homecoming story and forgot about the other parts of the show each week, which is counterproductive, especially when the Homecoming matches often came at the end of the episode after people were forced to watch awful matches involving Trent Baretta and Caylen Croft.

High Road:

I look at the ECW roster and there really is no one that is a worthy challenger for Christian. I think that is why we are seeing the ECW Homecoming because it is allowing for former ECW competitors to potentially challenge for the title.

Low Road:

By that logic, the ECW Homecoming is meant as a slight to ECW and its current talent. If that’s true, the solution isn’t to bring in past, more established ECW talent, but to build up the current roster and put guys over enough that they pose credible threats to Christian. Holding a tournament like this with current ECW talent exclusively could have accomplished that.

High Road:

Going into the battle royal, I don’t think there is a guy that you can say is the odds on favorite. I look at the four ECW competitors (Archer, Jackson, Tatsu, and Benjamin) and I could see either of them winning. But, I think the odds are good that we will see a former ECW competitor (Punk, Hardy, Bourne, and Kane) win just because it does not make sense to have former ECW guy show up and then not win.

Low Road:

Going into it, you’re right, I could see any of them winning, but that was only because the WWE seems willing to push anyone regardless of talent or worth right now if it seems ‘interesting.’ I partly dreaded the battle royal because I feared Jackson or Archer would walk away the winner because the WWE wants to use the more established, talented guys for the Royal Rumble match and that’s what happened.

High Road:

The one thing I don’t recall seeing is having a series of matches for a few weeks and then having a battle royal with the winners. Seeing things that have not been done before is always interesting and if ECW sticks around, I would hope that is become a yearly thing like the beat the clock challenge.

Low Road:

Tournaments to determine a number one contender (or a champion) shouldn’t end in battle royals. Either have a battle royal or have a tournament, but combining them doesn’t make the winner look as strong as winning an actual tournament does. I think the winner would get a much bigger rub by winning a traditional tournament. They could structure it over a number of weeks, but begin by having three or four first round matches per episode instead of only showing one or two and filling the rest of the show with non-tournament matches.

High Road:

A battle royal is very similar to the Royal Rumble. I think by having the ECW Homecoming Battle Royal, you can showcase a mini Royal Rumble and fans that have not seen the Royal Rumble before can get a preview. And maybe this can lead to them buying the Royal Rumble.

Low Road:

It takes away from the unique quality of the Royal Rumble. What’s the point of having a PPV based around a gimmick match if you use that gimmick two weeks before the pay-per-view? The battle royal being scheduled this closely to the Royal Rumble could lead to more interest, but could easily lead people to find the concept boring since they just saw it.

High Road:

I’ll admit that I was shocked that Ezekiel Jackson won the battle royal. He was not my favorite to win the battle royal, but I think at the end of the day it was a good idea for multiple reasons. I think the WWE has big plans for Ezekiel Jackson and having him match up with Christian will tell them whether Jackson has long term potential. Having Ezekiel Jackson win also helps ECW’s credibility somewhat because most of us were expecting a RAW or SmackDown star to win.

Low Road:

Ezekiel Jackson has not shown himself to be worthy of this title shot. His in-ring work is vastly behind almost every other guy in the battle royal and he doesn’t look credible against Christian. If the goal was to create a credible challenged, Jackson isn’t that and this was a failure. It’s like the WWE wanted someone from ECW and someone who hadn’t faced Christian for the title yet, leaving the somewhat established Jackson or the untested Vance Archer. Any other challenger would have been better aside from Archer.

Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?

High Road
Low Road
Both Roads
OR

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.

Shawn Meredith Writes:

I’ve got to say that I will take the High Road here.

There’s absolutely no way they can go wrong with Jeff, as sad as I feel to admit it, being a Hardy “hater”, but the match styles, his demeanor and drawing power will position TNA in a place they haven’t been able to put themselves into yet.

Say whatever you want, Hardy will be the big push that TNA needs to start becoming more of an actual threat to WWE.

On a side note, I have read many reviews and recaps, and the biggest complaint was that in 75 minutes on the Monday Night Impact (sounds surreal) there was only ONE wrestling match. That was fine by me, as I know I recorded RAW and watched TNA Live. I felt like it was 1997 again and I was taping Raw, knowing that WCW would put on a much better overall product and more interesting storylines. Obviously, and maybe I’m being biased, but TNA put a lot of “future planning” into the product that was delivered on Impact, whereas Vince put on “just another show” with the added attraction of Bret Hart returning. Once him and Michaels “buried the hatchet” immediately I tuned back into TNA and caught up with WWE after it was all said and done.

Storyline development is something that TNA may be catching onto and WWE hasn’t had in, seemingly, years.

Sat: I was watching both on my computer and having the volume on the one that I thought was going to better. It turned out to be a really fun night for me.

Chad Nevett: “There’s absolutely no way they can go wrong with Jeff…”? Really? No way? I’m thinking a drug conviction could qualify as ‘going wrong,’ so there’s at least one way.

ToNyRimS15 Wrotes:

I’m going on Lowest Road possible, because Jeff Hardy is more of the same from TNA and why they are the next subject in the WWE “The Rise and Fall of (insert failed wrestling company)” series.

Jeff Hardy is a walking felony waiting to happen, and a Drug overdose away from putting TNA in the news for all the wrong reasons. The Guy obliviously did not want to be in the “E” Because of his “live free” lifestyle and you can’t live free with McMahon holding a piss cup needing a sample, and TNA should not be the revolving door for wellness program drop outs. Then I keep Hearing about this lighter work load bullsh**, how is this company going to become global if you have guys who work for a 1 day TV spot, watching that crap with Jeff Hardy and Homicide it seems like they had a meeting 10 minutes before the show started and said “hey guys with the first promo, lets just wing it and see where it takes us”. How does Jeff Hardy improve the product? How does Jeff Hardy help TNA accomplish it’s ulitmate goal? I’m going to assume that the answers to both questions are not positive.

Sat: Here’s the thing, if the WWE and TNA have the same schedule, what company would you chose to work for? I would choose the WWE everytime.

Chad Nevett: The Hardy appearance did seem rushed and not completely thought out. Why not have Hardy and Shannon Moore appear in a tag match? Why not be in an actual match? That bothered me since I think they could have gotten the shock/surprise of Hardy appearing while also showing people why he’s a big deal and what he brings to the company.

Noniemq Writes:

We were all glad to see Jeff back on TV. I usually watch WWE but will watch both now if Jeff gets signed. He is a great people person and a fun wrestler to watch. Good to his fans. Hey we all have troubles. Bigger star bigger problems.

Sat: That’s what TNA has to hope for. They have to hope that people will watch TNA because of Jeff Hardy and maybe along the way purchase some of his merchandise.

Chad Nevett: Not being a Hardy fan, his signing with TNA doesn’t make me more inclined to watch. Then again, I was already watching, so…

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 Tuesday Morning Pacific Time.

Guest#1898 Writes:

i think it would have been neat to reveal jeff hardy as the masked man in the main event. they could have had him come out at the end of the match to make it a no-contest instead of giving away a finish to a ppv main event, and if he came out there and took out aj and kurt, then took of the mask to reveal himself, he could possibly be interjected into the feud. idk, could’ve been cool maybe.

Sat: That would be nice, but obviously that is not going to happen.

Chad Nevett: I don’t see that happening as that would make Hardy a heel and why would anyone in their right mind book Hardy as a heel? What’s the point of bringing in one of the most popular faces in the business only to turn him? TNA does some stupid things, but I doubt they’d do something that stupid.

ROH Commish Writes:

Low Road. Hardy has drug issues and legal issues. Thus, TNA can’t really put him in the main event scene. Plus, it feels that Hardy has stooped down to TNA even with TNA on the upswing. Quite simply, Hardy headlined Summerslam and now he is attacking midcarders in the X division.

Hogan taking a gamble on Hardy would also be a good excuse why Hogan cant afford to a take another risk on Hall and Waltman.

Shannon Moore adds nothing and the prospect of other Hardy cronies joining TNA is not appealing. I dont look forward to Matt Hardy and The Hurricane joining TNA.

Ultimately, I dont think much comes out of this. Hardy will go back to WWE eventually for big money.

Chad Nevett: I liked Moore when he tagged with Jimmy Wang Yang and I think he can deliver in the X-Division. He won’t be a big star, but he can work a decent match.

Sat: I don’t really see any other Hardy cronies joining besides Shannon Moore. Honestly, Shannon Moore has not really impressed me at all.

The Dutch Writes:

Low Road: Jeff Hardy is going to court for 6 felonies regarding/related to drugs. There’s a strong chance Hardy will spend years in prison, the same years he’ll be under a TNA contract.

Also, if TNA wants to be on WWE’s level, why should TNA talent not be drug tested? Say what you want about soulless WWE, at least they’ve instituted drug testing and rehab promotion.

Sat: We are not 100% sure that he is going to jail; I think in the short term it makes sense.

Chad Nevett: I think the possible drug conviction that’s still unresolved makes signing Hardy look amateurish and unprofessional. Hardy’s innocence/guilt isn’t an issue, that TNA would sign someone with those charges doesn’t present an image that a company that wants to prove itself as the best in the world should. Especially given the staggering number of drug-related deaths that the business has had over the years. It flat-out sends the wrong message.

The Gold Standard Writes:

High Road only because I think he could be a beneficial to rebuilding the X-Division. It might be a step down from his status in WWE but Jeff Hardy as a future X-Division champ not only will elevate the belt but elevate whoever defeats him for it and you always could throw him the main event. Plus the man is a draw.

Sat: The one thing I am wondering is that I don’t think that TNA is interested in the X-Division at all. That’s why I am hoping that TNA does not put Hardy in the X-Division.

Chad Nevett: I don’t know if Hardy will help the X-Division, because I have a feeling it may lead to the only X-Division matches we ever see being Hardy matches. That doesn’t help the division, that just helps Hardy. Hopefully, that isn’t the case.

Guest #1852 Writes:

I think this whole thing depends on the result of Hardy’s legal issues. So until then…

Both Roads

Positives:
– Popular / able-bodied name added to TNA
– Hardy has a better crop of workers to work with
– May lead to Hardy Boyz in TNA (there seems to be a tag revival there)
– Makes WWE take notice (and hopefully want to create a new main eventer)

Negatives:
– TNA needs to tread water on Hardy’s storyline until issues are resolved
– Takes spotlight away from homegrown talent

A couple more thoughts:

– The debut was lackluster considering who it was, but that’s understandable. I think TNA wanted him to debut but not insert him into major storylines b/c of the legal troubles.

– If Hardy does have to serve time, TNA could probably spin it by saying that he did all of these illegal things while employed by another company.

Sat: That would be interesting; blame the WWE for all of his problems.

Chad Nevett: While interesting, it still comes down to TNA hiring a person who (in the case you gave) was charged with and, then, convicted of drug-related crimes. While the WWE would get bad press, so would TNA, and which company would be hurt more do you think? The company that has withstood numerous instances of similar bad press or the company that’s desperate to prove itself as a legitimate alternative and respectable business?

Guest#8585 Writes:

Both roads.

Proverbially, a good DA can get an indictment against a ham sandwich. That has to play out. The timing makes TNA look like amateurs like the first time they tried to get Hogan, or Nash, or any person they announced but hadn’t signed.

On the surface, having Hardy in the X-Division looks like a step down. Consider two things – they know his unreliability and star power.
First off, if they can keep Hardy on the straight and narrow he can help revive the division. If they want to make themselves the alternate choice the cruiserweight spotfest is one way to go. Hardy brings marketability (viewers) and credibilty (multiple WWE Gold) to the X-Division.
Second, he might not have been put into a major feud precisely because of pending court dates and his known unreliability. They might want to let him prove himself while not getting egg on their face like if they had hot-shotted him into a feud with Joe, for instance.

The rest is a wash. The more discipline “corporate” WWE environment might have been better for him. Less travel could stress him out less, leading to fewer legal incidents.

Sat: Less travel could also mean more time to use drugs.

Chad Nevett: I do like the idea of putting him in the X-Division as a test period to see how serious he is rather than starting him in the main event if that’s what they’re doing. That shows some measure of intelligence in this decision.

Satan Writes:

High Road

They are attempting to compete with WWE, so they are taking risks, even if that means being a little unscrupulous about the kinds of people they hire for the time being.

Plus, I’d like to think they’re not dumb enough to throw away their money until they find out the outcome of Jeff’s personal situation.

Sat: I think the contract probably states something about his court case to protect themselves in case something happens.

Chad Nevett: One would hope, Sat.

Walleris Writes:

High road, if Russo is smart enough, Hardy is a huge boost to the company, considering he was their biggest star of the summer ’09. And anything that’s good to TNA is a high road, cause they need momentum. If you want TNA to fail, you’re moron, cause it means you also was mainstream prowrestling to continue being the same failure it has been in mid-late 2000s

Sat: I agree that we need to hope for TNA’s success because it will be good for the wrestling business.

Chad Nevett: Yeah, no one here is hoping TNA folds (at least no one with some modicum of intelligence), but that doesn’t mean thinking the signing of Hardy is a good thing for TNA or the business. This could backfire in a big way and hurt the company in the long run more than it helps right now, and that’s not good for TNA or the industry.

KanyonKreist Writes:

WHAT?! How can this be a debate? Jeff Hardy got sent to criminal trial by a grand jury THE DAY AFTER his TNA debut!!

This is another example, like so many before it, of BAD TIMING by TNA. So, they have Jeff Hardy show up, lay out a mid-card guy, sit around and sulk for a while, and now he’ll be gone. Like, GONE. The poor dude’s probably going to PRISON!

How can this help anybody…?

Sat: It is bad timing, but it was a move that was shocking. I think if Hardy is with TNA when he goes to jail, then that would be a black eye for TNA.

Chad Nevett: I think it makes TNA look bad period. Also, it wasn’t even the day after, it was the Monday, but news didn’t leak until the following day. So, Hardy (and maybe TNA management) possibly knew on Monday that he had been indicted.

The Great Captain Smooth Writes:

Both roads, leaning low. Low, because there is too much crap going on with him to list. High, because he is a big name. Also, he can go and go very well. If his troubles turn out to be small, it could be a very big win.

Sat: I think at the end of the day, the problems will be small for Jeff Hardy. Plus, I see him eventually going back to the WWE.

Chad Nevett: Even an acquittal won’t completely wipe away the tarnished reputation or that TNA was willing to sign someone facing those charges, which is a negative in and of itself.

JA Toro Writes:

Low road.
Yes, he has a lighter schedule, which will lead him to continue his drug-addicted life, instead of looking for rehab (I hope I’m wrong and TNA Management actually helps Jeff get fully clean). The only dream match I can see with him is against AJ Styles and even then, it’s not ground breaking. A TNA World Title run could help the company but they have to risk losing their champ and being blasted by the media by promoting “drug dealers” and other exaggerated and sensationalist press.
Also, Jeff already had a groomed spot in the WWE to come as a returning hero to face the evil CM Punk, all he had to do is negotiate a contract that pleased both sides.

He might not have burn bridges with WWE, but McMahon must be looking for some dynamite to blow it up…with Matt Hardy in the middle of it.

Sat: You make a good point; Hardy had a ready made feud with Punk. Seems like that would have been better than feuding with Homicide.

Chad Nevett: The thing about Vince is that he’ll put personal issues aside if it means money, which Jeff could bring to company in the future depending on how things go. Should everything go well for Hardy and he decides to return to the WWE at some point, I could see Vince overlooking the past because of the great merchandise sales. Now, what happens to Matt, as you point out, could be a very different story…

PX Writes:

Considering Jeff is being thrown into the X-Division, which has its credibility totally shot and unrepairable, Jeff’s made the wrong choice. He was at the top in WWE and he won’t be in ME in TNA like he should be. It was the wrong call

Sat: I’ll admit I would be surprised if he makes it to the main event just because it is so crowded.

Chad Nevett: I disagree with your assessment of the X-Division as it’s not hard for the division to rebound with a series of great matches where the booking is simple: let the young talent go out and tear it up without screwy finishes or dumb gimmicks. That probably won’t happen, but the division is far from a lost cause.

the_horrible_fanfare writes:

Both Roads.

I think that a man can be measured by his word and Jeff Hardy proved himself to be a munchkin. WWE gave him a push of a lifetime despite the bucketload of crap that he gave them in return, and he STILL jumped ship. I dont care if the schedule is lighter or that he can now take drugs again (YAAY!). He owed the WWE a lot more than this.

But enough Hardy bashing (fun though it is)i think TNA actually did the right thing by placing him in the X division. TNA have a history of pushing guys simply due to their WWE background. Putting WWE guys over your main-eventers simply puts out the message that TNA is second rate. Jeff Hardy will main event TNA in a couple of months and he should but having the ex WWE champion punk out the current TNA champion does nothing to help TNA. Making Jeff Hardy work his way through the ranks of TNA could help legitimise TNA in the eyes of the casual fan, which i felt was the point of the January 4th show anyway.

I understand that Jeff Hardy is currently a hot name in the business that has a big following, but he should not be portrayed as bigger than TNA. No wrestler should be. Except Hulk Hogan apparently…

Sat: I don’t think he owes the WWE anything; we have seen the WWE not treat their wrestlers with respect.

Chad Nevett: Yeah, this is business and, while loyalty is always appreciated, people need to do what’s best for them. Hardy’s contract with the WWE expired and he chose to sign elsewhere. That’s not a betrayal, that’s simply a business decision.

Scott B Writes:

One simple fact everyone still ignores – Hardy has burned TNA and WWE on multiple occasions. Why sign an unrepentant drug addict that has a more than 50% chance to flake out and screw the company over again?

Sat: I think you sign him because he is a big name and he will make a shocking impact.

Chad Nevett: I disagree with Sat here and think he’s not worth the risk, shocking impact or not.

Col Writes:

High Road – At the end of the day Hardy is hugely over, a big merch seller and one of the WWE’s most popular wrestlers who was also recently a world champion. At the end of the day you can say what you want about the negatives, but how many people actually expected Hardy to have signed any kind of deal with TNA? Personally I marked just for the surprise of it.

Sat: I’m surprised that the fact that he is a good merchandise seller has not been mentioned by anybody else.

Chad Nevett: And yet TNA doesn’t currently offer any Jeff Hardy merchandise aside from one ‘best of’ DVD from 2005. Huh.

ThePants Writes:

Low road.

It was a crummy intro after a crummy match. He just walked out, did a “Yeahhh!” thing and had some weak offense with Homicide. Underwhelming, and then painting with Shannon Moore? I liked the Nasty Boyz way better and that’s sad considering how good Hardy’s year has been.

Sat: I wonder why TNA showed Hardy painting, maybe to have him give it as a gift when he was mobbed by his fans when he was leaving.

Chad Nevett: I would have preferred a match. I hate introductions where nothing actually happens except for the person showing up. This is wrestling, dammit, not a painting show!

Jake Fury Writes:

Both Roads.

There is no doubt Hardy is a big time free agent acquisition for TNA. But attacking Homicide? Homicide hasn’t done crap in months has he? There are several money matches for Jeff in TNA. Jeff vs Angle, Jeff vs AJ, Jeff vs Joe? any of these could be money feuds that last for several months.

Sat: I wonder why TNA did not make Hardy’s first feud with Samoa Joe.

Chad Nevett: The CM Punk/Samoa Joe friendship seems like a great way to build a feud between Joe and Hardy. It’s easy to have Joe take issue with Hardy being here and make one or two vague reference to his buddy already kicking him out of one company. It doesn’t need to be heavyhanded, but I think capitalizing on the excellent Punk/Hardy feud is smart. Use the competition’s momentum and storytelling to your advantage.

Diamond Rain Writes:

I am an unashamed Jeff Hardy fan and even I have to say Low Road on this one. Not only for the legal troubles Jeff’s in the middle of, it’s TNA for crying out loud. I don’t necessarily hate TNA, I watch a good bit of it, but I’ve said for a long time now that TNA is insanity packed into two hours. I enjoy the show most of the time, but it just seems to me that it’s turning into a fed full of guys that are too old and broken down to execute a proper DDT. TNA needs to concentrate on their “Originals”, like AJ Styles, instead of trying to make their name off of ex-WWE wrestlers.

Sat: Say what you will about TNA pushing the WWE guys, but they have definitely made an effort to make AJ Styles a huge star.

Chad Nevett: The things I really liked about Monday’s episode did center on TNA talent (which I could Kurt Angle as by this point). It’s just sad that it was only two matches that really impressed me in a three-hour show. TNA obviously hasn’t given up on some of its homegrown talent, but a lot are being pushed aside.

b2 Writes:

HIGH ROAD. Hogan is the face of the past generation, but Jeff is the face of the present, for those fans who haven’t made the transition from wrestling to CNN and Discovery Channel yet.

Jeff is TNA’s greatest acquisition since Kurt Angle. Look at what they took from WWE . .
– He was just champion less than a year ago
– He was being built into a WWE storyline, which they now have to stop.
– WWE just released a DVD of him, which they now have to stop promoting.
– He was equal to Cena and Triple H in selling merch, and even STILL has things in the Top 10 on WWEshop months after he left.
– He’s the main reason TNA reached the top of those tweet trends.
– He has a built-in fanbase that follows him anywhere.

Did they mess up his debut? Sure. But I think you’ll see in the upcoming weeks the real impact he has on the ratings, merchandise and buyrates.

Of course, there could be problems. Hardy reminds me a bit like WCW’s acquisition of Bret — a great acquisition that was poorly executed. But if executed properly, it could really mean good things. I tweeted Dixie as soon as I heard the news and warned her not to let this end like Bret and WCW, and I really do hope she, Hogan and TNA capitalize!

Sat: That might be a pretty good analogy comparing it to Bret Hart in WCW.

Chad Nevett: Only time will tell on those fronts.

JLAJRC Writes:

Low Road: Other than the lighter schedule and lax drug enforcement policy, what exactly does both Jeff and TNA hope to gain from this.

Jeff will go from a main eventer in the WWE to a midcarder in TNA (kinda like a reverse Christian). He’s also making less money probably.

For TNA, yes he makes them money. But if he’s convicted or even dies, that’s gonna be huge bad publicity for them (of course, people have been expecting Kurt Angle to croak at anytime since joining TNA and that has yet to happen). Plus, they have prior bad experience with him, why continue taking chances?

Sat: The thing I find surprising is the fact that TNA signed him after he screwed them the last time around.

Chad Nevett: The willingness to overlook Hardy’s past and present downsides makes the company look desperate and amateurish rather than a legitimate competitor for the WWE.

TWITTER

http://www.twitter.com/411mania
http://www.twitter.com/411wrestling
http://www.twitter.com/411moviestv
http://www.twitter.com/411music
http://www.twitter.com/411games
http://www.twitter.com/411mma
http://www.twitter.com/satuncletrunx
http://www.twitter.com/cnevett

Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at [email protected] or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week’s column.