411 Fact or Fiction 5.17.07: TNA/NWA Split, The Steiner’s, Shoot Refs and More

Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.17.2007

Week ONE-HUNDRED and TWENTY-SEVEN of Fact or Fiction returns with a new moderator officiating Andy Clark and Geoff Eubanks as they discuss TNA’s X-Division being a joke and so much more!

Welcome back to another week of 411 Fact or Fiction: Wrestling Edition! This week, two 411 Wrestling standouts collide as "The Shimmy's" Andy Clark battles with my 3 4R's counter part Geoff Eubanks!

Let's get to it!

1. The Undertaker did the right thing for business by working the cage match against Batista.

Andy Clark: Fact. I suppose anyhow. Undertaker didn't NEED to do it, as they could have run an injury angle or something, but at the end of the day it does make things more impressive, especially when it comes to future storylines involving Edge. Undertaker proved to the world that even at his age he is still a tough bastard. The match was even pretty good too. Anyone that knows me knows that I'm no big fan of "tradition" when it comes to some attitudes in the wrestling business, but I do think that Undertaker manning up to help everybody out was a good move on his part.

Geoff Eubanks: Fact. I'll discuss this subject in greater detail this Friday in The 4 R's (PLUG!), but for our purposes here, without a motherscratching DOUBT. It is situations such as this when backstage leaders like Taker and Triple H go above and beyond the call of duty, toughing out matches despite muscle tears or other injuries, and prove yet again they deserve their spot, as well set a hell of an example for the boys. As I heard a wise man say earlier in the week (okay, it was Larry), Taker must have balls the size of church bells. Absolutely, McMahonagement could have simply run an injury angle following the draw in the Last Man Standing match, but Taker was a man among men, electing to not just continue to put over Batista in another draw (in a freakin CAGE, nonetheless!), therefore keeping him looking strong, Taker also put over returning Mark Henry by allowing Big Drippy to completely squash him and then went on to put over SmackDown! prodigal son Edge, as well, ultimately dropping the World Title to him. That's three performers Taker put over on his way out when he had no obligation to do so, even when McMahonagement was giving him a free ticket out of the situation. Fact-and-a-half!

Score: 1 for 1


2. With Kevin Nash and Bob Backlund constantly involved in the X-Division these days, the once must see X-Division is now at its lowest point ever.

Andy Clark : Fact. Yes, Sonny Siaki as champion is now considered a high point. I really don't even blame Backlund and Nash as much as I do the booking. The lack of real wrestling on Impact has hurt the X-Division more than any other aspect of the company in my opinion. The main characters can get by on little wrestling and name value, and tag team wrestling is pretty cyclical based off the talent of tag teams they have on hand (they haven't had too much since the breakups of AJ & Daniels, AMW, demotion of The Naturals, etc). The X-Division though was based on the great matches they could produce. Even the random multi-man matches came off as cool and fun because they were "X-Division Showcases." Right now the X-Division wrestlers aren't given the time to show what they can do, and as such the fans don't care. When you throw the comedy of Backlund and Nash on top of that then you really make what was once an integral part of the company into a true midcard act.

Geoff Eubanks : Fiction. Now, granted, Nash and Backlund's contributions aren't doing much to help the scene overall (although Nash's involvement can be credited with the origin of the lovely and talented Christy Csonka's favorite new wrestler, Black Machismo), to accuse these two legends of being the cause of the demise of the X Division as we knew and loved it, is ultimately irresponsible. Rather, let's point that finger at the real culprits, that being the TNA booking team, who appear to have more interest in attempting to capitalize upon the recent big name newcomers who have recently migrated to Orlando (and, it could certainly be argued, are dropping that ball, too, but that's another topic for another FOF). I can see the point of the bookers, in that it makes inherent sense that big names would draw bigger numbers, but that mode of thinking could also imply a lack of faith in TNA's own "home grown" talent, as well as a bit of laziness where the X Division is concerned, as, after the division's heavy hitters in Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles and Samoa Joe graduated to the heavyweight ranks, TNA Creative appeared to shrug its shoulders with regard to developing performers to replace those three as the new guard in the X Division. This could point, too, to the fact that TNA has too bloated a roster to appropriately be handled by such a small booking team, as well as too little TV time in which to accomplish such a goal, however, with the converse being roster cuts, TNA would be ultimately doing itself and its performers a disservice in so doing, but such is the quandary facing this and any fledgling wrestling company in 2007, and, again, another topic for another FOF.

Score: 1 for 2


3. Edge losing to Shawn Michaels just days after winning the World Title was a bad booking move.

Andy Clark : Fact. Actually, I don't really care. Edge can bounce back and I don't think it really matters in the long run. Still, I'm not so sure what it really accomplishes. HBK is on his way to a throwaway PPV encounter with Orton, while Edge is looking to help carry the SmackDown brand for many months. It's puzzling booking to be sure, but ultimately it doesn't matter. There probably won't be any follow up to it and Edge will just go on his merry way ruling over SmackDown

Geoff Eubanks : Fact. This was nothing more than McMahonagement attempting to remind us that Raw > SmackDown!, which is, of course, a heaping, steaming pile of hippo shit. I'll discuss this subject in greater detail this Friday in The 4 R's (PLUG!), and Benoit help me for defending Edge over Shawn Michaels, but putting over HBK CLEAN on the new World Champion, ESPECIALLY considering the fact that Randy Orton was going to beat down HBK post-match anyway was absolutely unnecessary. Why not, instead, simply have HBK nail Edge with Sweet Chin Music (and with the chin Edge is sporting, he could have connected from the commentator's desk), Edge drops to the mat in certain defeat, but Orton runs in to throw the match? HBK gets the moral victory, Edge remains unpinned and Raw still gets some heat headed for Judgment Day. Yes, as Andy said, Edge will most certainly bounce back from this (although to suggest that Edge will CARRY SmackDown! is an irresponsible statement), but it just pisses me the fuck OFF that a second-rate show like Raw ALWAYS gets this preferential treatment over a truly superior show, brand and roster such as SmackDown!. There is ONE and ONE way ONLY that Raw truly is greater than SmackDown!, and that's in the ratings, and that's due to the simple fact that Raw is an established brand in and of itself, and that many folks have lives and go out on Friday nights. Tivo, bitches!

Score: 2 for 3


---SWITCH!!!---


4. The NWA stripping Christian and Team 3D of the "NWA" titles means absolutely nothing to TNA.

Geoff Eubanks : Fiction. TNA is about to celebrate its FIFTH anniversary (for you Dave Chappelle fans out there, that's one, two, three, foe, FIFF!). The relationship heretofore with the National Wrestling Alliance has been valuable to the fledgling promotion, however, the fact that TNA is now confident enough such that it can work independently of its "parent" company (for lack of a better term) displays the manner in and degree to which it has managed to grow in these past five years. Anyone who claims the separation between TNA and the NWA is meaningless has apparently never experienced leaving his/her parents' home to be on their own.

Andy Clark : Fact. Considering that they're not even acknowledging it on TV I'd say it doesn't mean as much as people think. This means more to the NWA then it does to TNA. Say what you will about TNA but they have a national TV deal with recognizable talent and the NWA itself doesn't. TNA is a (moderately) successful enterprise while the NWA is just an affiliation of Joe Schmoe Indy feds. The NWA doesn't even possess any of the top Indy promotions out there (and no, I don't consider what they have on MavTV as anything noteworthy). TNA can make a smooth transition on their own, too smooth for my liking actually. TNA should acknowledge that a brand new championship is being created otherwise we'll be plagued with a generation of question-askers just like the WCW days.

Score: 2 for 4


5. WWE instructing the referees to officiate matches as if they were a shoot is a smart move and will add more realism to the in ring product.

Geoff Eubanks : Fact. I truly appreciate a certain adherence to tradition, however, there are times and ways the business must evolve, and I believe this is one of them. From my view, this has more to do with attempting to lure in the vast and growing MMA audience as opposed to making improvements upon the current product. Motivation notwithstanding, though, it's my assertion that incorporating a shoot-style approach to wrestling matches where the referees are concerned will give a much more vital and in-the-moment vibe to a product that all-too-often can come across as pre-ordained and scripted, a major reason why so many who aren't fans of pro wrestling/sports entertainment turn up their noses at such product. Whether or not this slight alteration will actually woo any new viewers or will eventually be eschewed once the MMA boom diminishes is another matter; but for now, I see it as a positive.

Andy Clark : Fact. Oh for God's sake, can I do ANYTHING without having to hear about MMA? I don't think this has anything to do with competing for an MMA audience, but just as a measure in getting back to basics. This goes hand in hand with the refocus on actual wrestling and the on-again off-again idea of giving the Divas respect. WWE is trying to find its niche in the new millennium, and while having MMA on PPV is certainly a reality of the new day and age, WWE's popularity was on the decline well before the big UFC explosion. WWE is merely attempting to make a more presentable product, one that won't make the average sports fan, MMA or otherwise, roll their eyes when they see the ref acting like a total tool.

Score: 3 for 5


6. TNA running a Steiner Brothers vs. Team 3D title feud is smart since as far as major TV and PPV, it is a first time match.

Geoff Eubanks : Fact. One aspect wherein TNA has excelled recently (considering the influx of established talent migrating to Orlando) is creating the first-time match (Their ability to cash in on such first-time matches is another matter *coughAngleStingcough*). Granted, both these teams have seen better days, and that's speaking as a tremendous and long-time fan of both sets of brothers; however, another area of expertise in TNA's regard is in-ring booking towards its performers' strengths while minimizing their weaknesses, taking Scott Steiner as Exhibit A. At a time following his disastrous WWE run when I and many others sadly wrote off Freakzilla, TNA managed to not only repair the damage done up north, but has made him a vital performer once again. THE STEINERS, of course, have natural fraternal symbiosis as a team, as well as years of experience tagging with one another on several continents; as well, 3D aren't the most decorated tag team in history by virtue of a fluke. Thus, in effect, this program stands to be can't miss, if for no other reason than it's never happened before and, as these fellas aren't getting any younger, pretty well has to happen now, else it would be embarrassing and depressing. In short, anytime I have the opportunity to see two teams who were two of their generations' very best, who have never faced off before, you can damn well sign me up!

Andy Clark : Fact. I'm actually quite looking forward to this. Then again I'm a sucker for "first time matches." These are two of the greatest, most decorated, and most recognized tag teams of all time. Geoff is right to say that both teams are past the prime of their in-ring careers, but for a dream match like this it really doesn't matter, especially considering that these two teams would probably be better off in a brawl anyhow. As Geoff noted TNA has had an abysmal track record of either putting together or saving money matches (and just wait until next week's Impact) so when they have the opportunity to actually capitalize on one they should do just that.

Score: 4 for 6


These two finish 4 for 6! Join us next week for more Fact or Fiction!