The Triple Threat 9.20.08: The 109th Edition - Jeff Hardy, Jeff Jarrett, Kevin Nash and More!

Posted by David Martell on 09.21.2008

This week we talk about two Jeffs, a re-signed Nash, a possibly defeated Undertaker, and the Samoan Smashing Machine... Umaga. Please enjoy!

Welcome back to the Triple Threat Column! I noticed this week on ECW that Jack Swagger changed his tights from plain black to plain black and white. What an upgrade! This week we talk about Jeff Hardy's airport incident, the return of Jeff Jarrett, who should end the Undertaker's streak, and Umaga as our superstar highlight. We also have much more! Please enjoy!


Topic # 1 Jeff Hardy had an incident at an airport where he was taken out of his airplane because he looked intoxicated. What does this mean for Jeff Hardy?

David Martell: This really isn't that much of a shocker. Jeff just can't stay out of trouble even if it is small. I understand that people get drunk but seriously, if he wants to keep his career going, he needs to stay away from bad publicity. He is very lucky that this isn't his third strike. He is probably in the doghouse once again. I hope and prey that he keeps a low profile because I enjoy watching him wrestle most of the time. I am happy that he is main eventing but if he screws up again, then I hope he crashes and burns.

Alex Mattis: It's been about six month's right? So we're overdue some Jeff Hardy controversy. Well I don't know if anyone is shocked or surprised that Jeff got into some trouble with booze and such. Fortunately for Jeff this isn't going to count as his "3rd strike" or whatever. I read that this incident "put some doubt in WWE officials minds as whether or not to trust Jeff Hardy with his big spot" or something along those lines and I can't believe they don't already know they answer to that question. NO! NO, NO, NO! How many times does this guy have to show that he is bound to repeat his mistakes and cannot be trusted with a top spot?

Zach Brown: Well I think it's pretty funny that this happened. Is it overblown? Yeah, it probably is. People get drunk, and that's just the way of the world sometimes. But can you expect Jeff Hardy to get this kind of negative attention in the media? Yeah, I would say so. At this point, it seems that Jeff has a history of substance abuse, and there's really no overlooking that. It just sucks because I want the guy to have a job in WWE. Love him or hate him, Jeff is a star in WWE, and it's unfortunate that he takes such risks with his career. It seems like Jeff is the type of guy that can't handle all the things that come with fame. Even though he's already had a few second chances, I hope Jeff finally treats this as a wake-up call. Because he's still only one strike away from being fired, and that's something that even I don't want to see.


Topic # 2 Jeff Jarrett made his return to TNA this past Sunday. What are your thoughts on this?

David Martell: It is about time! I think it is great to see Jarrett back. TNA has been in a slump as of late and he is a much-needed person to help them get out of that hole. Jarrett was the co-founder of TNA and he needs to bring them back to their roots. He needs to remind everyone that they ARE the alternative to the WWE instead of WCW lite. Will this happen? I honestly doubt it. I can hope right? With that said, it is great to see him back in the ring where he belongs. After going through the tragedy with his wife, he shows great courage coming back to the squared circle.

Alex Mattis: Always good to see Jarrett back in the mix. I went through a phase of hating on Jarrett for dominating the title scene and what not but then upon reflecting I realized how great of an entertainer Jarrett is and that he was one of the few, at the time, fit to hold the title. Especially after all Jeff has been through, it's good to see him back in a physically and emotionally stable state. I'm curious to see if his wrestling days are truly behind him. If that were to be the case I think it would be a shame because I really wanted to see Angle-Jarrett on the Bound For Glory card this year.

Zach Brown: I guess I don't mind Jeff Jarrett all that much, but I don't think he does much for the TNA product these days. When you look at TNA's entire roster, he's just one more ex-WCW/WWE guy. Jarrett is a competent heel, but I'm not a fan of his in-ring abilities. For example, The Stroke is one of the worst finishing moves in recent memory. Am I honestly supposed to be excited for Jeff Jarrett's return? When he was champ, I couldn't wait for him to lose the strap. And when he returned to help out Eric Young, I was hoping he had reinvented himself. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, and he was the same old Jarrett in the ring. TNA should turn him heel again, because that's where he's most effective. But I don't expect Jeff's return to last for very long.


Topic # 3 Kevin Nash recently got resigned to TNA. How do you feel about this?

David Martell: This is great news for TNA. Although I don't think Nash should ever be in a wrestling ring again, he is great on the mic. This guy seriously needs to be a commenter. This guy is simply classic. Every time I hear Nash talk, he makes me laugh. I can only imagine the things he would say commentating. He could also be a damn good talking piece for an up and coming star. Of course, that's not what TNA wants him for. Right now he is being pushed in a singles role and may actually be a treat for the title in the near future. Lets face it, Nash is past his prime. He is severely injury prone and looks terrible in the ring. Let the guy end his career in the ring and continue it on the mic.

Alex Mattis: Glad to hear he's going to stick around, although I admit I was excited when rumors of him thinking about an E returned surfaced. I think Nash has been very valuable to TNA's product over the past few years. Every one of the Paparazzi Products were absolute gold, and his "advising" to Samoa Joe has made for good TV. Nash was the man back in his prime and I think he could be in invaluable trainer/agent to the company, especially helping on the promo and psychology side. I think his wrestling career is behind, or at least it should be, but as a behind the scenes worker, a TV personality, or as a commentator (THIS SHOULD HAPPEN) he could be a great asset for the company.

Zach Brown: I don't think Kevin Nash should sign or re-sign with any wrestling promotion these days. The guy is just past his prime. What else is there to say? He just doesn't deliver in the ring anymore. Has there been a single match in TNA that Nash really delivered in? If there is, find me that match and show it to me. I'm not saying that the guy was never great. He's had his fair share of great matches. But he's just not worth watching anymore. That being said, Nash is one of the funniest personalities in professional wrestling, and I don't know why they don't use that more often. When he did the Paparazzi Championship Series backstage segments, those were absolute gold. But now, Nash has a serious run as a singles wrestler. Yawn. So yeah, I'm not too terribly excited about Nash continuing to wrestle. He's not the worst veteran to have in TNA, but he just doesn't do it for me anymore.


Topic # 4 How do you feel about the continuation of the Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels feud?

David Martell: This feud is amazing and I wish it could go on forever. I like the idea of Jericho vs. HBK in a ladder match for the World title but I think it is too soon. I really want this match to be at a bigger PPV. Hell, bring it to ‘Mania! This feud is too big to end at No Mercy. If it does continue, I don't want them to have a billion matches either because it will ruin the value of the feud. This match at No Mercy is the tiebreaker, the rubber match, and possibly the end to the greatest feud in recent history. I prey that it continues but I hope they don't over do it.

Alex Mattis: It makes sense, I wanted Jericho to get out of this feud but it makes sense. Shawn was the guy to beat Jeri, and it was on the same night that Chris won the title so of course Shawn has a say in getting a shot at the title. And after a while of Jeri getting his say in what kind of matches they have its only natural that Shawn, with his victory, gets a say in how he wants his title shot. Like I said, I'd rather go ahead and end this feud, but I understand what they're doing. It should be a hell of a match.

Zach Brown: Jericho vs. HBK is one of the best feuds in the last year or two. Jericho reinvented his character, he's a monster heel, and HBK has been impressing me with his acting ability. All that backed up with great matches makes it a solid feud. I think that the only hiccup in the feud was Jericho winning the title. Sure, I love Jericho as the champ. But it could have waited till after he was done with HBK. Now Jericho has to worry about CM Punk and any of the other top dogs that are after the belt. And that kind of detracts from the HBK storyline in my opinion. But it's only a minor complaint in a fantastic storyline. So the short answer is no, I don't think this feud should ever end. Unfortunately, it has to end at some point, but I don't think a ladder match is a good way to end the feud. It's another entertaining chapter in the story, but I think that it should end with a Hell in the Cell, or just a regular match. Ladder matches are too flashy to cap off such a bitter feud. But if I had my way, these two guys would wrestle each other all the way to retirement. It's just too good to stop.


Topic # 5 Who, on the current roster, should end The Undertaker‘s Wrestlemania streak?

David Martell: There isn't anyone one the current roster that should beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania. There just isn't anyone who is on the verge of being huge. I don't see anyone really stepping up to the plate to become the next big thing. Unless Bryan Danielson joins the WWE out of the blue, then no one really deserves this win in my opinion. The streak might just be something that should stay intact. This is the Undertaker's legacy. Not just anyone should be able to take that from him. I can make a list of people who I would love to see win it but I just don't think anyone deserves it at this time. Of course, there is still several months to go. Someone may step up to the plate. I seriously think Taker will continue his winning streak at Wrestlemania 25. If he doesn't, at least I will be there to witness history.

Alex Mattis: Nope. Plain and simple. There was once a time where someone should have ended the streak of the Undertaker and it was at WrestleMania 21 and it was Randy Orton. The timing was right and the angle leading into the match was great, it just would have made sense. But it didn't happen, I'm not complaining cause I love the streak. That was the only time I felt an end to the streak would have been right. Now I think Taker should retire will the streak in tact, I was worried Edge was going to take it this past 'Mania and I'm sure the E will build the next match like Taker is going to be dethroned but I personally don't think it would be right for anyone on the roster right now to end the glorious reign of victories for the Undertaker at WrestleMania.

Zach Brown: Like I said last week, I think it should be someone young that is just on the brink of breaking through the glass ceiling. It shouldn't be anyone that's a top dog in the company. Namely, HHH, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, or any of the like. And yes, that includes Randy Orton. As much as I love the guy, he doesn't need the win because he's already a top guy in WWE. But I'm not saying that it shouldn't have happened in the past. *cough*Wrestlemania 21*cough*. As for who I actually want to beat Taker, that's tough. If Ted Dibiase Jr. or Cody Rhodes got big enough in the next two years or so, I'd love for them to take a crack at it. I'd also like to see someone like MVP or THE Brian Kendrick beat Taker. Overall, If I had to pick someone to face Taker at Wrestlemania 25 and win, I'd pick John Morrison. I just want that guy to be a huge deal. He's a fantastic wrestler, and he hasn't had a good push for some time now. But overall, I'd be happy with almost anyone as long as they are a good wrestler, and they are not already main eventing.



Superstar Highlight

Umaga


Our thoughts on Umaga.

David Martell: I haven't always been a fan of Umaga but I have learned to respect him. He took that gimmick and ran with it. He is one of the better big men in wrestling today. He started off as the usually big man, winning squash match after squash match. I though he was going nowhere. He changed my mind after he had that four star match with Cena at the Royal Rumble. This guy is a beast! Umaga is a very stiff wrestler, which is a plus in my book. Although he seems to use the same moves over and over again, when it comes to big matches, he steps it up. One thing that I will never like about Umaga is his special move, the Samoan Spike. How can a thumb be devastating? Yeah, it could probably hurt by it is not something that would knock a guy out. With that said, it is easy to ignore. I hope he will be able to find his place on Smackdown.

Alex Mattis: Coming off the topic of "best big men" we look at one of the best big men in the E today, Umaga. While I absolutely detest the gimmick of "Umaga" but I can't deny the fact that I always enjoy the work he puts in. Be it a back any forth contest, or one of his always fun squash matches, I enjoy watching him in the ring. It wasn't always like this, however. When he first came in I could stand his work, made silly Samoa Joe comparisons and what not, then he started to grow on me and to cement everything he had they classic with John Cena at the Rumble in '07 and from that point on I was a fan of YOUUUUUUMANGA!!!!! I believe he still out with an injury but upon return I would really like to see him feud with that Russian dude who is "looking for competition" or what not. I always enjoy the clash of two dominant characters.

Zach Brown: I used to despise Umaga. I mean they used to call him the "Samoan Smashing Machine." What an obvious stab at Samoa Joe. At first, Umaga just seemed like Rikishi to me. Dominant, fat, and using that same dumb ass hip attack. And the Samoan Spike is one of the worst finishers in WWE history. A thumb strike? Oooooooh! Beware the thumb! It's just terrible. But I really came around on Umaga. I started liking him right around the time he had that Last Man Standing match with Cena at the Royal Rumble in 2007. Ever since then, the Samoan Spike has been easy to ignore, and he's actually a talented guy. When he does that spinning side slam, it's pretty freaking sick. I think he almost killed Rey Mysterio with that if I remember correctly. I used to hate Umaga because all he would do was squash jobbers. But I started to realize that Umaga actually dominates people in a talented way. He has finesse in the ring, and that's something that most big guys don't have. And because of that, I actually like the wrestler that he is today.

Something to remember Umaga by.




That is all for this week folks. We should have an actual title banner for the column soon so be on the look out! Once again thanks for reading and we appreciate the comments. Have a great week in wrestling. CYA!