The MeeThinks Friday FreeThinks: 02.08.08
Posted by John Meehan on 02.08.2008
Say Goodbye to Ohio Valley-wood, Say Goodbye My Baby...
Welcome back, sports fans. And after chowing down with my fellow chowda heads on a heaping slice of humble pie, I'm back in action and ready to report on YOUR week-end dose of positivity. Keep those chins up, Pats fans... you know darned well that Coach Beli is already reviewing the videotapes (legal and non...) to see where we can improve for next fall.
No reason to go into any further detail on this one, save but to say that Triple H's absence from RAW was both legitimate and sad, as his brother-in-law died unexpectedly at the age of 41.
Though I've never met the guy or his relatives, I'm pretty sure its a safe bet to say that I join with the rest of the 411 staff in sending our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the entire family and their friends.
Jeff Small did a fine job of covering each of these talents on an individual basis in yesterday's news report, so there's really no reason to belabor the point other than to reiterate the names of those released:
Ace Steele -- former ROH standout/CM Punk mentor/fake Donald Trump
Cassidy Riley -- former TNA star
Michael DiPaolo -- formerly Roadkill in ECW
Robert Anthony -- smaller guy from OVW
Shawn McGrath -- a.k.a. OVW's "Badseed" Shawn Osborne
George Murdoch -- former DSW/FCW prospect, a.k.a. "G-Rilla"
While some of these guys (Steele) are a tough loss, and others (Murdoch) were a long time coming -- the biggest thing this latest round of layoffs is showing us actually has quite a lot to do with our next little news bit. So we'll hold off all further discussion for a quick second until we've gotten that one on the table. Have a look...
And *now* we see the root of it all. This one has been brewing for the past seven days, and so a lot of people are joking about Bobby Lashley's freakish similarities to a certain other "next big thing" who walked out of WWE right when the company was pushing him to the moon not so long ago. Namely, former WWE Champion (and current UFC upstart) Brock Lesnar.
MeeThinks?
There's an old saying (which I'm sure many of y'all have heard) which goes something to the effect of "fool me once, shame on *you*. Fool me TWICE? Shame on *ME*" -- and it's apretty solid bet that the brass up in WWE is seriously feeling the burn from this second trip down screwed-street.
Keep in mind, of course, that wrestlers flaking for greener pastures is hardly a new phenomenon. Back in the territory days, for example, promoters always had to keep a close eye on top talents to make sure they didn't defect to rival promotions... which often led to the biggest feuds and the top titles dealing (almost exclusively, at times) with the trusted "old-timers" and company men in sons like Bret Hart (Stampede) and Greg Gagne (AWA), sons-in-law like Larry Zybysko (AWA), and promoters themselves like Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes (NWA/WCW).
Even though the territorial wrestling system has all but disappeared, it's no secret that (at times) this trend of "keeping the closest circle of guys on top" has most definitely continued well throughout the modern era (think Hunter-Hearst-Helmsley-McMahon). And for good reason too -- promoters simply can't afford to lose their cash cows, and they need to be assured that the talents they're pushing to the moon aren't going to flake out with a moment's notice and leave WWE holding the bag to pick up the pieces after they depart.
Bottom line?
I've gotta' believe that the true Lesnar/Lashley effect will be seen in how WWE treats their developmental talents and territories in the near future.
Watching two "hot prospects" pushed to the moon only to flake out just as they were receiving the biggest pushes of their lives has GOT to piss Vinny Mac off to no end. These performers' "ungratefulness" (and/or unreadiness/immaturity) wound up costing the company countless wasted dollars of company time, effort, momentum, and promotion... and it gives folks like Vin Man all the more reason to keep a closer eye on his feeder programs, so as to weed out the wannabes and flakes before they make it to the national stage (and have the potential to cost him some serious coin).
Since Lashley's contract fiasco, they've already released six developmental wrestlers. I would not be surprised in the least to see this trend continue for at least the immediate forseeable future -- as WWE simply doesn't wanna get fooled again by aNOTHER up-and-comer who goes AWOL at their expense. After this last round of cuts, Ohio Valley Wrestling is left with an active roster of just *fourteen* performers. And with ECW looking more and more like a developmental territory on a daily basis (Chavo Guerrero as a top champion? I mean come on, people) -- we might just be seeing the handwriting on the wall for what was once WWE's breeding ground for tomorrow's big stars.
THIS JUST IN!!! LATE BREAKING NEWS ITEM (5 p.m. THURSDAY EVENING )
That goes a long way in explaining what we're seeing here. I have no doubt that there were other issues factoring into WWE's decision to cut OVW loose from their flock, but MeeThinks the high-profile flakeout of two major WWE stars-in-the-making in relative close succession (Brock's back on their radar thanks to the UFC deal, and now Lashley) was pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back on this one as the corporate brass decided they'd been burned one too many times by "the next big thing" out of developmental, and so they decided to cut their losses and play their cards closer to the chest for a while.
A completely understandable move, and one that's been a long time in the making.
The biggest news out of TNA this week is that SpikeTV is considering offering an additional hour of weekly television programming dedicated exclusively to the "Knockouts" division (TNA's womens' wrestling crew). Seems that the network is thrilled to see the quarter-hour ratings for the womens' segments consistently ranking as the most-watched portions of the regular TNA broadcast, and so they're kicking around the notion of giving the ladies their very own TV show to see what they can do.
MeeThinks?
There is no question that TNA certainly has a deep roster of women at this time. Five very good ones (Gail, Kong, Melissa, Roxxi, Peyton) two better-than-average ones (ODB, Traci) a few more than passable extras/non-wrestling personalities (Miss. Jackie, SoCal Val, Sharmell, Karen, Hemme), and two "jobbers" (Love, Sky). Let's say that gives us just about ten full-time performers then, yes?
A good start -- and easily more than enough to get your show off the ground. BUT after a few weeks' worth of reshuffling the same ten ladies into different variations of the exact same contests, it's going to prove hella-hard to keep everybody on a roster that small "looking strong" when two or three of 'em are pretty much guaranteed to be losing on a weekly basis. After that, fans will catch on really quickly that while your biggest stars are indeed talented... the roster is simply too shallow to support more than one (maybe two, at most) long-form feuds at a time (think Wrestling Society X).
So --
TNA would very soon find themselves at a crossroads for their Knockouts division -- either to take it in the T&A direction or in the TNA *wrestling* direction. If they go the "T&A" route? Then fans should expect a boatload of new hires with more looks than skills, which is likely to piss of the die-hard purists who actually dig womens' wrestling on it's technical merits in the first place. But if they go the *wrestling* route? Then TNA needs to be careful that their ladies aren't showing their men up -- because more often than not, the usual standby in cases like this *isn't* to tell your big-money players (the men) to "step it up," but rather just to tell your lower-level-talents (the ladies) to "slow it down."
In the mean time, I'd go ahead and file this one under "still developing" until we hear more from TNA or Spike.
TNA to Go Live? Rumors Swirl That Show Taping Schedule Might Change
This is a mixed blessing, of sorts -- as the move to a Thursday/Friday taping schedule will most definitely help TNA feel "big time" as they might just find themselves able to air live television (possibly in HDTV) every second Thurday in the near future. This is additional "good news" for the Orlando upstart, as the propsed start-date for this live-taping schedule (for now) just so happens to coincide with the last week in March... the same exact weekend that THOUSANDS of professional wrestling fans from all over the world will be descending on the Orlando area in preparation for WWE's WrestleMania 24 super spectacle at the Citris Bowl (Mee included -- and yes, I still have three extra ticket$ if anybody'$ intere$ted).
This, of course, is great news for TNA, as they seem to be readying for another "big step" that could really go a long way to increase their national profile and credibility -- an especially well-timed move given the expected influx of 'rasslin fans to their area just in time for March 27-30.
The bad news?
First of all, Ring Of Honor has already scheduled their "double shot weekend" for the two nights prior to WrestleMania 24, and so TNA is actually competing with not *one* but TWO separate wrestling promotions in and around their backyard on that very weekend (But then again, with THOUSANDS upon thousands of 'rasslin fans making their way to Orlando, there's no reason to believe that many a fan won't simply try and catch as much squared-circle action as possible that weekend).
But more importantly --
While this is another big step for TNA, it also smacks of the same "rinse-and-repeat" mentality that has pretty much defined the company's business model for the better part of the past two years. As my esteemed colleague Stephen Randle so nicely summed up this past Monday:
And in the latest way that they're changing pro wrestling forever by trying to be as much like WWE as they can, TNA may be considering moving to live broadcasts of Impact starting on WrestleMania weekend. Okay, everybody who's done the dance before, sing along with me.
- If TNA can get on TV, they'll compete with WWE in no time.
- If TNA can move to a better night, they'll compete with WWE in no time.
- If TNA can move to a prime time slot, they'll compete with WWE in no time.
- If TNA signs Sting/Christian/Rhino/Kurt Angle/Test/Booker T/insert former WWE talent here, they'll compete with WWE in no time.
- If TNA can expand to two hours, they'll compete with WWE in no time.
- If TNA can go live, they'll… do you see how it goes yet?
While many of these steps have undoubtedly helped TNA for the better (more television time, a network TV slot, etc.), Stephen is absolutely right in noting that there's a fair bit of carrot-dangling going on with each of these TNA announcements, leading one to question whether or TNA is actually all that much closer to competing with WWE than they were a year or two ago at this time.
Regardless --
TNA shouldn't worry about competing with WWE, they should worry about competing with *themselves*. When it comes to strict in-ring talent, the company has (arguably) their strongest roster to date... yet the overall quality of their in-ring matchups has been nowhere NEAR the levels it was in the company's infancy (watch the first disc of the Best of the X Division box set and compare it to the last Ultimate X match, or Johnny Devine vs. Jay Lethal, for example).
While comedy, skits, and hijinx certainly have their place in pro wrestling, TNA is the same company that once prided itself on its "WE ARE WRESTLING" mantra. The thing is, the few *serious* feuds that the company has actually taken the time to get behind? (Roode/Booker, Tomko, and Kong/Kim) PEOPLE ACTUALLY CARE about them -- and guys like Kong and Tomko are actually looking like some of the most credible breakout stars in a long, long time.
If TNA worried more about competing with TNA and less about competing with WWE, then there's every reason to believe that the company would actually have a shot at sustaining some positive, forward momentum for the long haul instead of always scrambling for the latest shot-in-the-arm "new and improvement." Here's hoping that this latest "new and improvement" is enough to FINALLY give TNA the confidence it needs to stand on its own two feet and turn their attentions toward improving their product from within from here on out.
This smacks of publicity stunt, but it's easily one of the better ones that TNA has ever attempted to wrangle.
Pacman Jones was a professional athlete, and when he was brought in AS AN ATHLETE, people expected to see the guy set foot in a TNA ring. And when he *didn't*? The entire stunt blew up in TNA's faces, as fans were left to cheer/boo/leave-and-buy-popcorn/etc. as a professional athlete stood before them in a TNA ring with ZERO charisma and ZERO in the way of in-ring abilities (legally speaking).
Bobby Knight is a different story.
The guy isn't a professional athlete by trade -- he's a professional coach, and one who's made a reputation for his temper and antics ALONGSIDE the athletic arena rather than *on* it. This is a huge difference, as nobody in their right mind is expecting Bobby Knight to take a bodyslam or deliver a ***** match... people just like seeing the guy stand around yelling like a madman, cursing his players out, and throwing crap all over the place when things don't go his way.
He's a personality, plain and simple.
If TNA can manage to score a few appearances out of Bobby Knight, here's hoping they can make the most of the guy's natural charisma and play to his strengths during his limited run with the company. As an onscreen personality, he's a firebrand and a maniac -- which could be great if they decide to pair him with an up-and-comer who's hurting for charisma. And as an offscreen talent? The guy might not know professional wrestling, but he *does* know teamwork, motivation and what it takes to make someone a competitor -- so perhaps he can be used as some sort of "coach" (a.k.a. - road agent) to help maintain order and improve morale in the notoriously fickle TNA lockerroom.
Could be a win/win.
One word of warning to the TNA brass, however -- if you *can* sign the guy, DO NOT squander Bobby Knight's mainstream appeal and natural charisma by making him little more than the 2008 answer to "Mr. Bob Backlund, TNA's resident raving lunatic." Though he's no professional wrestler, Bobby Knight is simply far too valuable a commodity to be wasted in a directionless onscreen role that's solely done for the sake of throwing a famous face on TV in the vain hope to catch casual interest and some quick laughs.
Tough break for Raven fans this week, as the former ECW and NWA World Champion was officially dropped from the TNA roster.
While even the staunchest fan of The Man They Call Raven would admit that the guy has undoubtedly lost a step in the ring, a lot of people have come out of the woodwork and thrown a fit about just how useful a guy with Raven's mind for the business could have been had he been retained as part of the TNA booking committee. To them, I'll say...
Don't waste your time.
Between Dutch Mantell, Jeff Jarrett, Vince Russo, Jeremy Borash, Abyss and whoever else they've got putting the pieces together behind the scenes in TNA -- it seems as if the only angles that can escape a TNA booking committee meeting unscathed are those dealing exclusively with the Knockouts division... and those are being handled on an entirely separate basis by ONE booker (Scott D'Amore) and one booker alone.
Too many cooks spoil the broth (or so they say), and the TNA television product simply reeks of the "Frankenstein's monster" approach of far too many heads chiming in at once on a product with no clear direction whatsoever. Russo likes gimmicks (MOUSETRAPS ON A POLE!), Abyss likes blood (BARBED WIRE MASSACRE II!), and Jarrett likes whatever will get his company noticed (PACMAN JONES! BOBBY KNIGHT!)... which leaves little room for a well-reasoned outsider to come in and say "hi guys, I know I'm not your boss... but I've got some great ideas that could really turn this company around."
So "what about Raven?"
TNA is a crowded house the way it is, and even the best of Raven's ideas would likely fall victim to the overbooked mess that is their current writing crew. Fact is, it looks like the guy is better off plying his trade to his upstart wrestling school, where he can impart his savvy and knowledge of the business to the next generation of performers -- and hopefully, where that advice can be received by people who are willing to take it to heart and make something of themselves once they have.
It's TNA pay-per-view time again, as this weekend gives us the company's February offering of "Against All Odds." Let's see how we fared so far this year:
TNA Final Resolution - 5/7 WWE Royal Rumble - 3/5
Cumulative Total: 8/12 Percent Correct: 66.66%
Not bad at all. I mean, it's not quite as good as my famedNFL guessing ratio from this latest rounds of playoffs (the final outcome of which I'd rather not discuss) -- but getting back to the subject at hand...
For Sunday's PPV, I'm going to say Payton Banks, James Storm, Booker T, AJ & Tomko, Abyss, The MCMG's & Lethal, Kong retains, and Angle retains.
Will return next week!
And With That, I'm Outta' Here
Thanks again for reading, and I'll catch you next time. This is usually the part where I'd show some love for the New England Patriots... but alas, the mighty have fallen and the G-Men are once more the rightly crowned kings of professional football. Heck of a game, and the better team won. So kudos to the Giants and their fans, enjoy the Pro Bowl and the PPV this weekend, and always stay positive!
Meehan,
great column as always, but I have to take issue with how you characterized Angel Williams' ability. If you have seen any of her work from DSW, you'd find that she is more than capable in the ring. She, Nattie and Shantelle put on a lot of above average matches while they were there, and all of them better than the junk we get each week with the divas now.
Posted By: chris (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 01:05 AM
I have to agree with Chris on Angel's abilities, from what I saw of her in OVW, she was pretty good.
Now as for Bob Knight, I'm glad you came to the same conclusion as I did about him, and being a on-screen manager as well as a back stage motivator.
Posted By: Travis (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 04:28 AM
The problem with Angel Chris is that she has botched several times on TNA taped tv and in the PPV battle royal, and while in WWE her hot chick gimmick would work well it seems so out of place in TNA it's hilarious. What would look like hard hitting wrestling in WWE, in TNA alot of her moves seem weak and sloppy.
Posted By: Joshifan (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 06:32 AM
can someone translate Joshifan for me?
Posted By: JMASCORPIO (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 09:44 AM
I think it is worth a mention, that TNA only brings in regional celebreties like Bobby Knight and Pacman Jones, who I as a European have never heard of. WWE and WCW has over the years had the good sense to bring in either the biggest within thier field (Rodman, Malone, Taylor) or somebody who a least is famous worldwide, people who are actually known to me (Trump, Britney Spears Husband, Motorhead, Ice-T, Akebono). I don't think, that is a coincidence, and I do think it is the smarter business-move to go with global celebrities.
Posted By: WilliamJansen (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 10:41 AM
WilliamJansen I think you raise a good point. A lot of it has to do with how they are booked as well. Of all those global celebrities you mentioned only K-Fed was passable.
Having Bobby Knight to come in as a motivator (think Eric Young) with his brutal tactics would be interesting, but only if they booked it to build towards something.
Personally, I would love to see TNA bring Knight in for that reason alone.
Meehan, great job, especially on the OVW comment. It remains to be seen if this will change how they book the next hyped superstar coming out of the feeder systems.
Way to point out Chavo. No way should he be anywhere near a top champion in any organization.
Posted By: Orlando (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 03:23 PM
As a loyal Jets fan, I've had to put up with your Patriots gloating, to it was quite pleasing to me that the team we share a stadium with finally outplayed the Pats. Hopefully the Jets can actually do something of their own, next season.
Posted By: G-Walla (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 03:25 PM
If anyone thinks there is a chance in he11 that Bob Knight will have anything to do with professional wrestling, you need serious help. Give me a break.
Posted By: Rob (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 05:17 PM
I actually see the reason WWE cut ties with OVW is that they couldn't control them. FCW was set up by WWE, and is under their control, where as OVW existed before their partnership with WWE, and always maintained a degree of independence.
Posted By: Lynx Raven Raide (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Eh, I think if TNA could hire Sarah Stock, Daizee Haze, Sara Del Rey, and MsChif they'd really have something.
Posted By: ICTimer (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 07:30 PM
Lynx Raven Raide, you're definitely on to something. I'm sure that was part of the strain of the relationship. It didn't seem like WWE had any idea what was going on in OVW or cared. A few high caliber flakes and it's understandable.
Do they just send everyone to DSW now?
Posted By: ICTimer (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 07:35 PM
they stopped using DSW last year. Now they are only using Florida Championship Wrestling for developmental.
Posted By: chris (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 08:12 PM
You really shouldn't take the Barbed Wire Massacre match into account for your predictions, as it was pretaped because of objections from the State Athletic Commission and the result is already out there.
Posted By: Guest#3430 (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 08:52 PM
Some more idiotic statements from Meehan this week. Directly pertaining to the WWE releasing the 6 talents because of what happened to Lashley. One has nothing to do with the other. Is Vince pissed that Lesnar and Lashley left? I am sure he was but I don't think it is enough to turn him sour on the whole developmental system. It worked out pretty well for him with Cena, Batista, and Orton.
Wrestlers flake out. It is what they do. Ultimate Warrior did it. Shit HBK flaked out from defending his title once upon a time. It is part of the business.
The writing was on the wall for OVW to get cut for some time. Remember when HBK and HHH went there and critized the training. That was the end. It actually has been pretty much over since Cornette left. Heyman I guess had some moderate success, but it seems as Cornette was OVW.
The bottom line is WWE shouldn't pull back from developmental because of people like Lesnar and Lashley. They should keep more territories open, and keep talent there longer until they are ready. Without viable competetion (TNA is not viable). The developmental is all WWE has for new talent so cutting OVW is a foolish move. Cutting Al Snow I could see but shitcanning the whole territory and moving it all to Florida not wise in my book.
Posted By: Willie D (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I found a hidden highlight in this article.
"Guys like Kong and Tomko..."
I know she's a bad ass, but damn.
Posted By: Sapp (Guest) on February 08, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Love your column as always, but how can you call Jackie Moore a "non-wrestler"? Having watched her career (and bust!) grow since her rookie days in World Class and Memphis, she is one of the better all-around journey(wo)men in wrestling. She's not a flashy spot-monkey and she's shorter than most, but rarely (if ever) will you see her blow a spot or look sloppy in the ring. She has the solid fundamentals and knows how to execute them.
Posted By: David Burcham (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 01:07 PM
who's melissa? don't recall seeing a melissa on impact...and you didn't mention shelly.
p.s. disney is a creepy right wing cult.
Posted By: erok (Guest) on February 09, 2008 at 02:31 PM
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