Just when you think there are no surprises left in pro wrestling, which has been one of my biggest complaints, the least likely source delivers.
Imagine the surprise, the “they really did it”, by passive TNA fans when they woke up Tuesday to headlines that Kurt Angle’s video was shown during No Surrender. Kudos to the TNA decision makers for keeping this under wraps from even 95% of their own company, to make this one of the most effective surprises in recent memory. TNA has made the most important move they could do as a company right now in a move to be taken seriously by critics, fans and their competition. They just signed one of the best professional wrestlers of our time, the one that no one thought WWE would ever part ways with unceremoniously. I saw the print ad featuring Kurt Angle, and if they can get that marketed in some more mainstream print, they will indeed break the ratings blotter tape and get the big numbers that they want. TNA needs to take the momentum they have created, and really run with it. Get behind Angle and make him the company leader, he has the capability and the motivation to prove everyone wrong and to prove why he should have been chosen for that role in the WWE. TNA’s less schedule should be a blessing to Kurt, as he can take it easy and still work out his personal problems. TNA is taking a chance on Kurt, not knowing the full picture, but it’s a risk that could really make them mainstream in a short turn around time if booked properly, instead of ‘that other company that doesn’t go head to head with the WWE, with lesser known ex-WWE stars and some talent that will eventually move on to New York.’
As a passive TNA fan because of Jeff Jarrett being pushed for so long as their champion and main event company man, I will give TNA another look to see how they handle Kurt Angle’s push. I really would like to see him lead the company in a new direction, to shake things up not only for themselves, but how competition is healthy for Vince McMahon, whose product is stale right now. I’m eager to see the dream match between Somoa Joe, but only when Kurt is fully ready for that. Why have something so incredible if you know he is still going to be working under so much pain? TNA, here is your chance, let’s see what you have, not just with Angle, but this will force the entire company to step up like this is the first time they were ever on the air.
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To completely switch gears, watching RAW last night was disappointing on all fronts. Something that I’d like to get into more at another time, but why does Vince McMahon think it’s entertainment to have Shelton Benjamin say he’s getting held down because he’s a black man and “the best athlete in the company.” Coach tries to talk down / talk sense into him, and despite it being yet another race storyline, I couldn’t help but wonder if Vince was trying to vent a little about Kurt Angle by using Shelton Benjamin’s character, out of association once upon a time with Team Angle. Every time the race card is used in wrestling it always turns into something negative, such as a Nation of Domination angle or a horrible stereotype of Cryme Tyme. Could it be any more clear that no racial minority is on the booking committee? Do they even bother consulting guys like Ron Simmons or Teddy Long who have remained in the business all these years? What is so entertaining about using the race card in storylines? Silly me, I thought wrestling was about taking a break from real world issues and problems and concerns, but what is Vince McMahon really contributing positively about African Americans (or any race for that matter when he chooses to walk down this road) with these storylines? Is he offering a solution that doesn’t hold people down, make African Americans look like either whiners or criminals? To a extent, you can have these storylines, however, you should at least have a positive role model within your show that proves those theories wrong. Instead, African Americans are on Smackdown, and hardly anyone is watching Smackdown right now.
The WWE needs a draft to happen now when we are still not done with Edge and Cena, when you can feel no major shift in storylines in new direction, with the exception of the Women’s Division with the hints that we’ll see Mickie James and Lita, all because Trish Stratus moved on with her life. I feel there is life in the Intercontinental Division, more so than any other aspect of RAW right now. The crowd wakes up for DX but they can only rebel against McMahon, there is no other established heel to rebel against. Nothing amazed me more than to see Cena get a beat down to not one rescue from a RAW guy, DX or otherwise. Once this final installment (whenever that is) with Edge and Cena is over, let someone rescue Cena and then turn, at least shake things up a bit. On a positive note however, if you want people to watch Smackdown, having Cena appear on your program may help, for those who can watch Smackdown with all the day, time and network switches.
Maybe next week’s programming will improve, with the possible hint that Vince McMahon will come back and put Eric Bischoff in his place (which should have happened when they first hired Eric – but in typical ‘missing the big point’ fashion, it’s just now starting to happen with the timing of Eric’s book that the two egos will really collide) but until then have a great week, congrats to the New Orleans Saints for winning in their city once again.
Always remember, for things to change, you have to make movement. Thanks for reading and for all the feedback, feel free to contact me anytime at Bam@4sternstaging.com.
