RocketCrypt

The easiest way to ensure the current boo boys don't start cheering him is by emphasizing the things they hate about him in the first place. For example, the corny promos, the notion of "Super Cena" who no sells the other wrestler's offence etc. You really wouldn't have to change a whole lot about him.

HBO have commissioned a fly-on-the-wall style sitcom to document the death of TNA. You're in charge of casting all the main players (Dixie, Hogan, Russo, Ryder, Jarrett etc.)

I wasn't overly enamored with Cena/Owens. The endless near falls spots just reek of laziness and a complete lack of creativity. Any MOTY talk is hyperbole. It was still match of the night, though that's not saying a whole lot. Rollins/Ambrose as the main event program is completely ridiculous and a feud I have no investment in whatsoever. You have a champion who can't beat anyone clean against a challenger who, up until last month, lost for a year straight on pay per view. Then when you factor in both men doing their own little tribute acts to Triple H and Austin respectively, one which was shit to begin with, and the other which is just a comedic parody. This feud, and Rollins' title reign as a whole, has been pure garbage. I wish they'd have just stuck to their guns and given the belt to Reigns at Mania, had Rusev do to Cena what Owens has just done, then run with Reigns vs. Rusev on top, with Reigns getting the rub as the first man to pin Rusev.

The TNA discussion on these shows are the gifts that keep on giving.

Is the ebook new material or a selection of articles from PS over the years? Or both? Also, just seen that last issue cover for the first time. Incredibly ironic that it's Cena on the front.

Looks like the article has been updated since you posted it. It should have said "Nice, very nice lady".

That would be worse. TNA should forget about the wrestling and do a sitcom based on all the real life backstage calamities over the years.

I agree wholeheartedly on your assessment of the match but the ending really soured it for me. It's still the best WWE match of the year by a considerable distance, save for Banks/Lynch, but there's no way I can award 5* to a match with such an absurd ending. That didn't detract from the match for you?

People have mentioned various Michael Cole related pet peeves, but I just find his voice in general irritating. Even if he's making a pertinent point his voice just ruins it for me. He's also terrible at conveying emotion and feigning excitement. It's why I like Rich Brennan on NXT. He basically IS Michael Cole (I believe Cole produces him) but has a much more tolerable voice.

It will be interesting to see how people view it compared to Reigns/Lesnar.

Voices of Wrestling, as stated.

There's an interesting/hilarious report from the latest Voices of Wrestling podcast concerning TNA. Apparently Dixie Carter sent an email out calling Destination America "dummies"....then accidentally CC'd the email to the PRESIDENT OF DESTINATION AMERICA. Unbelievable. And they're saying this may have happened before the decision to cancel them. Déjà vu.

The burial of Bob Ryder might just be my favorite moment in podcasting history. In fact, burial isn't a strong enough word. That was an obliteration. I fucking hate Bob Ryder too. I think this beats the Danny Meltzer discussion from last month. I always enjoy these shows guys. Excellent balance of comedy and analysis. Nice one.

A nice blend of recognisable stars and exciting, homegrown talent? Check. A benefactor with more money than sense whose willing to finance the company beyond belief? Check. A national TV deal with good exposure and the potential to attract a significant fan base? Check. TNA had everything. Everything. At points they were a competent booker away from presenting, at the very least, a modicum of opposition towards the WWE. It really is incredible how badly they've blown such a great opportunity, an opportunity another wrestling promotion may not get for a long, long time. When September rolls around and TNA (hopefully) shuts its doors for the last time, this thread can close safe in the knowledge that its original question has reached a definitive conclusion - YES. TNA is, without doubt, the worst wrestling promotion of all time.

I was considering the Royal Albert Hall show but was put off by the price. Turns out I'm not available that day anyway. They're off their rocker if they believe more than a handful of people are willing to pay those prices. Even if Rey gets added, I can't see them selling out as it stands.

I can't believe Bob Ryder is still employed. Then again.

"Do you wanna quit?" The next time I hear those words it'll be too soon.

Is this where I reassert my theory from 2008-2009 or so that the best approach to a new wrestling TV product (or internet product, or streaming media product as the case may now be) would be to present it as a sort of UFC 1/Street Fighter/WMAC Masters over-the-top fighting competition that explicitly does not refer to itself as wrestling and distances itself from wrestling canon, but uses professional wrestlers for it's roster, utilizes a lot of wrestling gimmickry and storytelling, and is essentially worked BattlArts-style? Because I still kind of believe that, even though it's obviously every bit as ludicrous as any other idea you might come up with. I think you just described something close to Nigel's failed Kickstarter. His whole thing was hilarious. "UFC style matches with Breaking Bad storylines". I'm not sure I'd trust anyone to pull off something so ridiculous, never mind Nigel McGuinness.

I'm just not sure what he offers at this point. He's not going to sell tickets or attract viewers. He's most associated with being a dancing comedy jobber. His WWE past probably hurts rather than helps. If they're thinking of actually showcasing him on their television, they'd be better off bringing in a monster equivalent with no national exposure. It'd be easier to build someone who's fresh, and cost effective too.

More names announced, including The Young Bucks, Cliff Compton and Jimmy Rave. Oh, and Brodus Clay, who is the epitome of the sort of guys they should be avoiding.

They may as well have Ron Burgundy and Alan Partridge sitting next to Michael Cole at this point.

I'd be surprised if he doesn't go down this route. The names announced so far are encouraging, Moose in particular is a guy oozing with potential. Still, he could do with a centerpiece talent to build around. I was expecting AJ Styles to be that guy. Not sure who's out there that could realistically draw eyeballs to the product. What's Rey's contractual status in terms of AAA/Lucha Underground?

Always been a huge fan of his, hence the profile pic. A fantastic heel performer. Will be revisiting some of his excellent SMW promos. RIP.

There are a lot of alleged reasons, but the most likely one seems to stem from their time together in the USWA, where Jarrett was treated as the golden boy and Austin was scrounging to make ends meet. Supposedly, Jarrett was not exactly the most considerate when it came to flaunting pay checks, given he was making a lot more than Austin at the time. There are also other possible factors, such as Jarrett's "Austin 3:16 is blasphemous" promo not long after returning to the WWF in 1997, the Debra situation, and the fact Austin himself says it's simply because Jarrett was too soft as a worker and he didn't feel they would mesh.

I often find it difficult to watch a 'best of' compilation for anything and would much rather watch stuff in their entirety. Obviously, with time constraints and availability of footage, this isn't always possible. But when it comes to 'best of' sets, I start to take the greatness for granted and become desensitized watching great match after great match. Watching everything, or at least as much as possible, gives me a greater appreciation of the high points.