I have it on good authority from several spectators in attendance that at last week’s WWE tapings of ECW and SmackDown! from the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY, there were several chants of “TNA! TNA! TNA!” by disgruntled fans that grew impatient with the ECW main event. The match — which pitted RVD against Hardcore Holly for the right to fight in the Elimination Chamber at December to Dismember — was such a lackluster contest for the live crowd that those in attendance chanted as loud as they could for the rival brand, despite the assumption that these chants would be promptly edited out by Vince and Co. Watching the tapings of ECW on Tuesday night from my posh quarters a few miles away from the Coliseum, there were no signs of any TNA at ECW (Kelly Kelly notwithstanding, of course). I guess that whole love for the interactive audience shtick is only utilized by WWE to promote sub-par PPVs with voting outcomes more predictable than they are palatable.
Speaking of predictions, I have a feeling that this whole VKM situation currently brewing at TNA is actually benefiting B.G. and Kip more than anyone else. Either VKM will be a huge success for TNA and serve as the launching pad for a real battle with Vince and Co. Or, in an even more interesting scenario, VKM will be seen as a complete failure for turning off TNA’s base of wrestling (non-sports-entertainment) fans, which will potentially lead to another ousting of Vince Russo and the rebirth of the New Age Outlaws — you guessed it — back in WWE. You have to admit that either way you slice it, it’s a genius move by B.G. and Kip, since they get to either a) live off of past glories and get back at Vince and DX; or b) live off of past glories and get back with Vince and DX.
One last note before I go: I’d love to see Samoa Joe go on a full-fledged heel turn while the iron is hot with this still-boiling Angle feud. Joe’s loss to Angle is the perfect reason for Joe to NOT have Angle’s back between now and Turning Point, and I would love to see Joe completely snap and go nuts as a crazy psychopathic Samoan. Of course, there are two problems: 1) TNA has already treaded this territory with Brother Runt and now Sting; and 2) TNA might see a Joe heel turn as too risky for his character, considering his stature in the company. Throw in the fact that WWE also has a crazy Samoan heel, well, I guess I answered my own question.
What do you think? Drop me an email and I’ll make sure to respond — CB.
