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411’s TNA Power Rankings 5.05.13

May 5, 2013 | Posted by Jack McGee

Welcome one and all to the debut of the 411 TNA Power Rankings! I am Jack McGee; you may know me from the Hollywood 5&1 (for a time), the MMA 5&1 and Wrestling’s 4R’s. I know that some people feel that TNA doesn’t get their fair shake at times, and I know that some people want the company to get more attention. Well, I have heard those people and figured that I could maybe rectify that and add something to the zone. If this is something that interests you and would be something you want to see on a bi-weekly basis, please let me know in the comments section. I want to have some fun with this, keeping it serious, but also with an old Apter Magazine “Kayfabulous” feel at times. Lets get to work…

My Base Criteria:

  • Wins and Losses
  • Momentum
  • Overall Strength of Booking
  • Only TV and The Big Four PPVs Count Towards This, Not House Shows or Taped PPV
  • If You Hold a Title, Your Chances of Appearing Are Good

    RANKINGS1. Bully Ray: Since March 10th, Bully Ray has been your reigning and defending TNA World Champion. Ray has held the title for right around 54 days, and is closing in on Mick Foley (63) and Mr. Anderson’s (64) reigns as champion (combined days). Besides the fact that he is the world champion, the man is the president of Aces and 8s; which is what the company is completely centered around and is booked as the biggest bad ass in the company. He is in great shape, is having good matches and is simply very good on the mic each and every week. Right now he is the man in TNA, and has been a ton of fun to watch.

    RANKINGS2. Sting: On the May 2nd edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, Sting defeated Matt Morgan to earn a shot at the TNA Title. Sting will get that shot at the upcoming Slammiversary PPV. Sting will attempt to defeat the man on top of the list, Bully Ray, and save TNA from the evil of Aces and 8s. Sting is a former four-time TNA World Champion, holding the title for a combined 326 days. That is second all time, behind five-time champion Kurt angle and his combined reigns of 463 days. Sting has been a go to guy for years when TNA needs someone to battle a threat, but could he be the guy to defeat Bully ray?

    RANKINGS3. Hulk Hogan: Whatcha gonna do, when the power of Hulkamania runs wild on you? While many of us do not like it, Hulk Hogan, along with Sting, are the top baby faces in the company. Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Magnus, James Storm; all have failed in battling the Aces and 8s when push comes to shove. But Hulk Hogan and Sting, combining forces, have been able to fight off the evil menace. While he may only be the GM, it is obvious that the power of the Maniacs clearly still pumps through the veins of the Hulkster. Through the power of the training, the prayers and the vitamins, those Aces and 8s do not stand a chance. Brother.

    RANKINGS4. Devon: Devon is the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Aces and 8s faction, and is also your current, reigning and somewhat defending TNA TV Champion since December 6th, 2012. Devon is currently on his second run with the title, and the combined time is over 340 days. That reign is tops all time as far as the “Legends-Global-TV” title goes. While Devon is not the most active of champions in the company, his big time role in the Aces and 8s organization and reunion for “Brother” Ray helps him stay high on the list.

    RANKINGS5. AJ Styles: Coming in at #5 is AJ Styles. While Styles has not been the most active of performers, but he is currently playing a pivotal role in the TNA vs. Aces and 8s feud. Styles recently picked up a victory over James Storm on Impact, but in the words of Bobby Heenan, “whose side is he on?” That is the $64,000 question. If AJ went with Aces and 8s, he’ll be another member of a larger gang, fighting for position. But if he were to return to his “Mr. TNA” roots and be the hero that the company needs, he would surely jump up the rankings.

    RANKINGS6. Chris Sabin: Following a long lay off as he recovered from his second ACL tear, which limited him to something like seven matches over a two-year period, Chris Sabin made his return to TNA on Impact. With former partner Alex Shelley off to the land of New Japan, Sabin returned to his roots of the X-Division and defeated Sonjay Dutt and Zema Ion. This win now gets Sabin into an X-Division title match, and along with Petey Williams and Champion Kenny King, could do a lot to revitalize the division. Sabin is a former four-time champion in the division, and holds the record for combined days with the title at 338.

    RANKINGS7. Kurt Angle: Kurt Angle has been a central part of the battle with Aces and 8s, constantly trying to take out the faction, unmasking the Vice President, and looking for revenge on Brisco and Bischoff. While Angle has not been in the main event program for the title, he has been a very reliable part of the company’s central storyline. Angle finally got revenge as he battled fellow former Euro-Continental Champion D’Lo Brown in an I Quit match. Angle picked up the big win, and gave a glimmer of hope to a TNA roster that has been decimated by the Aces and 8s.

    RANKINGS8. Kenny King: Kenny King is your current, reigning and defending X-Division Champion and has held that title since February 28th. King famously left ROH for greener pastures in TNA, and after a rough start, finally unseated Rob Van Dam to capture the title. King has impressed many for years, but some have questioned if he could succeed as a singles star. Well, so far and so good forking, who is performing well in the ring, and has also been an entertaining personality. Lack of TV time hurts his ranking a bit, as it feels like he has very little momentum right now. But if he can get past Williams and Sabin, his stock will certainly rise.

    RANKINGS9. Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez: On April 11th, Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez regained the TNA Tag Team Titles on Impact from Bobby Roode and Austin Aries. Every time that the duo seems to be down and out, they rebound and they did so again here by regaining their titles. Amazingly enough, Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez (in terms of combined reigns) clock in at #5 on the overall list in just their second run with the belts. They are on top of the mountain, but will have to deal with Roode and Aries, bad Influence, and the possible Aces and 8s menace. With Brisco & Bischoff teaming, and the possible monster pairing of KNUX and DOC, the champions may have their work cut out for them in the coming weeks.

    RANKINGS10. Matt Morgan: Matt Morgan has been heavily involved in backstage altercations with GM Hulk Hogan. Morgan seems to believe that he is the ultimate solution for the promotion, but with his ego as big as his beard, he wanted to “help” for a price. Hulk Hogan turned him down and tried to make him earn it by facing Sting with a World Title shot on the line. Morgan may have had the size and strength, but he was no match for the experience of the former multiple time World Champion Sting. The question remains, will Morgan see the light and sit at Hogan’s side as a protégé so he can help TNA, or will he simply continue to be a thorn in his side…

    And there you have it for this week! Is this something that you want to see on a weekly basis? Let me know in the comments section and also make sure to share your top 10!

    At this time, the next edition of the rankings is scheduled to run on May 18th.

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    Jack McGee