The Triple Threat 8.10.08: The 103rd Edition - Hard Justice, Braden Walker and More!

Posted by David Martell on 08.10.2008

Is TNA's Hard Justice worth watching? Is Braden Walker worthless? Is Chris Jericho new character change the best thing since sliced bread? Find out this and much more in the 103rd Edition of the Triple Threat!

Welcome back to the Triple Threat column. This week we talk about TNA's Hard Justice, Chris Jericho's character change and Matt Striker is our Superstar Highlight. We also have much, much more. Please sit back and enjoy your read.

Topic # 1 TNA's Hard Justice is this Sunday. What are your thoughts on the card?

David Martell: This PPV seems to look decent but mainly because of their main three matches. Lets talk about the other stuff first. The TNA 6 woman knockouts match will probably be good. TNA's womens division is far beyond the WWE's at this point and it is great to see the women's division constantly being showcased. Kong should be killing some bitches. Black Machismo vs. Sonjay Dutt in gimmick match number six hundred and forty two could be alright. I am not a big fan of this feud but both men have the ability to put on awesome matches so lets hope for the best in this one. I don't know what to expect from Petey Williams vs. Consequences Creed in the X division title match. Since I usually don't watch TNA that much, I don't really know a lot about Consequences Creed. I believe I have read, though, that TNA is looking to push this guy big time so I guess I can see him coming out on top. Jersey Street fight equals shit. I don't care, I hate Rhino and I hate team 3D so I will probably end up hating this match. I remember when street fights were called street fights and didn't have some name in front of it to make it seem important. LAX vs. Beer Money for the tag straps will probably be the second best match on the card. I like both teams a lot and this should be a brawl. I think that Beer Money will come out on top to change things up. AJ Styles vs. Kurt Angle should be phenomenal if done right. As long as this match has time and no interferences, it should be a great match. If anything, this should be the match you buy this PPV for. Last but not least, Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in a "six sides of steel" match could be alright. I haven't been impressed with Joe in awhile. His title reign is kind of underwhelming. With that said I don't like Booker T that much either. He is the same guy I have been watching for the last decade and there's just nothing there to really care for. All in all, this could be a decent at best.

Alex Mattis: A some-what decent looking card with the Booker-Joe and AJ-Angle repeats. Both should be good, I mean when would you not want to see AJ Styles and Kurt Angle mixin' it up. As for the TNA title, expect Joe to hold onto the gold and for this match to further help set up the Sting-Joe match for Bound For Glory. LAX will put the tag straps up for grabs when they take on Beer Money. I'm really expecting some good things from this match, but don't expect the titles to change hands. The X-Division title match and the 6 woman tag should be two solid matches. And I have no idea what to expect from the street fight and the "Black Tie Brawl N' Chain Match." All in all shouldn't be a bad show, but nothing spectacular. Seems to be the trend with TNA.

Zach Brown: I think the card for Hard Justice looks really tired in my opinion. Black Machismo vs. Sonjay Dutt in one of the worst storylines of 2008? Both guys are great wrestlers, but count me out. And Team 3D is in yet another street fight; how original. LAX vs. Beer Money could be decent because everyone in that match is a decent wrestler. The Last Man Standing match with AJ Styles and Kurt Angle is the only match I'm genuinely excited about. How can that match go wrong? And Samoa Joe vs. Booker T could be decent. But who wants to see that match? Who are the fans that are dying to see this match-up? I guess it was inevitable that Booker would go for the gold at some point in TNA, but I'm completely uninterested. All around, I think this PPV is an easy one to pass on.


Topic # 2 Braden Walker got released from the WWE this past week. How do you feel about his release?

David Martell: This was bound to happen. All of his matches in ECW were absolutely horrendous and boring. He had no gimmick, used the most bland moves, and looked absolutely terrible in the ring. I really don't know what happened to Wild Cat. In TNA he was at least decent and now he seems like he just doesn't give a crap. Hell, he was also out of shape. I guess this guy lost the heart to care about his career. I wish him the best where ever he goes, I also hope that he shapes up.

Alex Mattis: I'm surprised that this came so soon. I didn't think Harris would fit into the E and quite frankly I didn't think the E had room. His release did come quicker than expect and I'm not sure what back up he has. Back to the indy circuit I suppose. Going back to TNA wouldn't be a bad idea. He was doing very well there. Hell he had one of the matches of the year in 2007 with the Texas Death Match he had against James Storm. If he were to go back to TNA I would like to see an AMW reunion as they were one of the best tag teams around.

Zach Brown: I'm pretty disappointed that Chris Harris got released so soon. He's a pretty good wrestler, and he does a pretty sick Catatonic. Did WWE really decide this quickly that they made a mistake? There have been so many releases in the last couple of years, and I don't think any wrestler has been released this quickly. The guy only had two matches! Was he really that bad and/or unpopular? Maybe "Braden Walker" doesn't have a whole lot of staying power, but I can say without hesitation that he deserves a spot in WWE much more than guys like Snitsky, Deuce and Domino, or Bam Neely. His career in TNA was a little stale towards the end, but back when AMW was feuding with XXX, they had some amazing matches, and Chris was a big part of that. It sucks to see the guy misused in WWE, and I hope he is successful in whatever he chooses to do next.


Topic # 3 Brent Albright recently won the NWA World Title. How do you feel about this?

David Martell: This is absolutely great for a guy who got screwed over in the WWE with a crappy gimmick even though he had the talent to be a star. It is always great to see a guy get his just due. Although I think there are better wrestlers out there who deserve this title more, I do think he is a fine champion. He is now apart of a long, prestigious history. Hopefully he is a fighting champ. I want him to bring this belt to a new level. I also think its awesome that this belt was defended at an ROH PPV. I even like the new red belt strap. Anyways, It is great to see Albright get a chance and lets hope he can be a deserving champion.

Alex Mattis: It's cool to see how ROH is paying the NWA title respect and making it an important part of their show, and rightfully so I mean this opportunity did present itself. I did like the old-school style wrestling of Adam Pearce representing the NWA title, but I think having a hard-hitting new(er) generation style wrestler like Albright could be a good thing for the title and show what is to come. Props to Brent as this has to be the highest level he has reached so far in his career.

Zach Brown: Brent Albright is a great wrestler, and I think he's very deserving to hold the NWA title. If I were an independent wrestler, I would be jealous of Brent Albright's career. He's wrestled in OVW, WWE, and ROH and now he gets to hold one of the most prestigious titles in wrestling history. Adam Pearce was a capable champ, but because he replaced Bryan Danielson in the tournament for the belt, it always made me think he was just a placeholder for Bryan Danielson. And while I'm glad that Brent Albright is the new champ, I am kind of just waiting and wondering when Bryan Danielson will hold the belt. I don't mean to take away from Albright's win, I'm just a mark for Danielson. I hope Brent has a long title run, and defends the belt as much as possible.


Topic # 4 What are your thoughts on Chris Jericho's new character change?

David Martell: I am in love with Chris Jericho's new gimmick. In a completely heterosexual way of course. Heel wise, this is the best I have ever seen him. It is good to seem him in the upper card and it makes sense because RAW is lacking top heels. I like his outlook on how he is a veteran that is down with pleasing fans. He is now trying to get what matters most; the World Heavyweight Title. His promos have been amazing. His feud with HBK was the best of the year so far and to me it can only get better. When he came out last Monday in his new wrestling attire, I couldn't believe my eyes. Although it was kind of strange, I did like it because it shows just how far Chris Jericho is going to change from a fan favorite to an actual threat for the title. I think this is the perfect time for Jericho to win the belt. Jericho feuding with Punk would put Punk on the map. I just hope that they don't waste Jericho and all his heel greatness.

Alex Mattis: It's perfect for this stage of his career. He now is looking back and thinking of all the time he "wasted" on the fans when he could have been going for titles. This is just a perfect story and character for Jeri to pull off right now and the promos he has been delivering have been phenomenal. I think this character change could lead him to some bigger things in the E.

Zach Brown: I really like the direction that Chris Jericho's character has taken, but I don't know if he's as hated as a regular heel should be. He's definitely over as a heel, but I think that everyone still secretly likes Jericho. He's a great bad guy, but he's also so very hard to dislike. He's a successful heel in most regards, but because he's so likeable, it's almost like he's not a heel at all. That said, I think his feud with Shawn Michaels has been golden. And it's interesting to see him phasing out the Y2J gimmick and becoming just "Chris Jericho." I have to admit, I really loved his savior gimmick a couple months back, and I wish more people embraced it when it happened. But I like where his character is now because it's like Chris is becoming his own person, and he's no longer catering to the crowds. Phasing out what was once popular is an interesting move because it makes me think "What are you thinking Chris!?" But he makes it work. I just hope Chris doesn't become bland without the Y2J personality.


Topic # 5 Mick Foley recently stated that he might no resign with the WWE after his contract goes up. What are your thoughts on this situation?

David Martell: This is just too bad. I really enjoyed him commentating with J.R. Mick knows a lot about the business and was a pretty damn good color commentator. I also enjoyed his recent stint with Edge. Supposedly, Mick didn't feel like the commentating thing was working out for him. Mick is a WWE man though, so I have a feeling that if he doesn't sign a new contract, he will be back eventually. What ever he does, I wish him the best and I hope to hear another Foley promo in the near future.

Alex Mattis: I suppose it would make sense. I mean what really does he have left to do in the company? He has done damn near everything there is to do in WWE and now may be looking to either retire for good or test the indy waters. He made a killing with his run and ROH and his appearances at other indy shows and he may want to give that a go again. I'm sure whatever he chooses to do, he'll make the best of it.

Zach Brown: I really don't like the idea of Mick Foley leaving WWE for good. He's a pretty talented commentator, and his commentary with Jim Ross is really the best thing that Smackdown has going for it. Besides, I think that legends like Stone Cold and Mick Foley should be at least loosely associated with WWE long after their wrestling career is done. Right now, Mick Foley is doing the best work for WWE that he can do. Can you think of a better way to make a living for an ex-wrestler like Mick Foley? He can't really cut it in the ring anymore, and what other role would he be good in besides GM? He's a talented commentator, and I like him where he's at. I just hope Mick realizes that the fans want him to stay on commentary.


Superstar Highlight



Our thoughts on Matt Striker.

David Martell: I happen to really like Matt Striker. I always thought it was funny that when he was a teacher, he would call in sick just to train to be a wrestler. This is one guy who loves the business. I think that he is extremely underutilized as wrestler. Although his wrestling ability could be better, he is excellent on the mic. I have no idea why this guy doesn't get a lot of promo time. This past Tuesday on ECW he got to commentate for the first time and he did the job flawlessly. I hope he become a regular on the ECW announce team. He also got to talk on RAW this past week which was entertaining. I have no idea where he is going but I hope the WWE continues to use him for his strengths. I wouldn't mind seeing the IC belt around his waist one day.

Alex Mattis: I remember when I first starting watching this guy in 3PW with his Warrior and Savage impressions and just laughing my ass off. The guy is so funny and a fantastic heel. He isn't a shabby wrestler but his strength is definitely his promos. He makes for the perfect heel manager. He's the perfect guy to have talk shit and when you want to go after him you're cut off by his associate or what have you. If the E had a bigger sized wrestler that they wanted to push as a heel I think it would be a great idea to align him with Striker.

Zach Brown: In my opinion, Matt Striker is one of the most underutilized talents in WWE. He really is a great wrestler, and I was always so disappointed when WWE was giving him a teacher gimmick. While his shtick was pretty funny, it was distracting from his talent in the ring. I'm glad that they've moved more away from that character, but I hated how they made him Big Daddy V's lackey on ECW. He basically hadn't been wrestling on TV for a few months, and that was just wrong. He can actually be a pretty technical mat wrestler when he's used to his fullest potential, and that's what makes him entertaining to watch. Even when he had his teacher gimmick, he did a few moves every once in a while that really impressed me and made me wonder why WWE wasn't giving him a more serious push. Now that he's on RAW again, I hope he gets used a lot more. I haven't seen him on TV as of lately, and that could be a bad sign, but I hope they give him a decent shot. Maybe a feud with Kofi Kingston, Paul Burchill, or Jamie Noble could be entertaining stuff. Either way, he's a talented guy, and I just want to see more of him.

That is it for this week. Although I don't like Kane, I cant wait to see what's in his bag. By the way, jimmy nova is awesome, just like Mike Adamle. Any who, have a great week in wrestling. CYA!