TNA - Roster Challenge

[Big Pete]

I don't know about you guys, but the state of wrestling is stale. In a recent Observer study, 2012-2013 was announced as one of the lowest roster turn-overs in the history of the business. Barely anybody was let go or brought in from either company.

But why TNA? Well, the recent news of Sami Callihan signing with the WWE got me thinking - as well as TNA's identity as the wrestling underdog so I thought I'd run a neat little excercise.

If you were in charge of the roster.

Who would you sign?

Who would you fire?

If you can provide justification for the firings and maybe some insight into how you'd book the talent if you signed them - that would be gravy.

Extra points for creativity and obscurity.

 

[Big Pete]

Guess I'll start...

Who would I fire?
Crimson - Big guy without an inch of charisma about him

Matt Morgan - How long has this guy been thought of as the next big thing in wrestling, only to wind up in the tag division with either Abyss, Hernandez, Crimson or Joey Ryan? It's time to move on.

Rob Terry - Another guy with a great look but without the personality. They already have Godderz who I'm willing to give more of a chance with at this stage, we don't need Terry.

Rob Van Dam - Obviously doesn't give him a shit and is just out there to collect a pay cheque. Time to let him go, maybe for a WWE run before fans just remember him for his ECW days.

Robbie E - The gimmick is dead and unless he can be repackaged into something entertaining, I just don't see the point.

Tara - Out of all the veteran knockouts, she's clearly the weakest and it's time to freshen up that roster.

Who would I sign?

John Morrison - Enough time has past for him to shake off the dreaded 'other company' tag and for him to go onto do his own thing. I'd debut him the old fashioned way with a lot of vignettes - it wouldn't be a secret and would have him go onto feud with a Chris Daniels when he enters the company and let them tear the house down. He's the type of jack of all trade performers that could fill any section of the card and gives you a whole host of new match-ups. An easy choice.

Low Ki - Isn't really doing anything now that he's left NJPW and clearly would be the new Austin Aries of the X-Division.

Ricochet - You want a high flyer, might as well go with one of the best in the world.

Ivelisse - Talk about a cannot miss. A MMA style worker in a day and age where Rhonda Rousey's stock couldn't be any higher. Should have been brought in straight after the Gut-Check.

 

[Misanthrope]

Who would you fire?

Chavo Guerrero: I don't feel like he adds anything to the company aside from being a relatively solid worker. His signing is another of those 'WWE fire = TNA hire" things and I don't like it.

Crimson: Ordinary worker who was totally undeserving of the undefeated streak they put him on. They seem to have figured that out - as they buried him courtesy of James Storm and he hasn't been sighted since.

Robbie E/Robbie T: Piss them both off. Ordinary workers with ordinary gimmicks.

Devon: Bully Ray has proven he can hang as a singles worker and has emerged as a real break-out star for TNA. Devon is a rat-shit worker completely devoid of charisma. Not needed at all.

Wes Brisco: Shows absolutely nothing in the ring. Best released.

Velvet Sky (Again): God, I'd do such kinky things to her. But she cannot work at all. Either release her or stop her from wrestling.

Who would you sign?

John Morrison: This one seems like a no brainer. He's still relatively over, he's a good spot worker who would slot into either the X-Division or the World Title scene easily, and he's got a gimmick that works. Bring Melina along with him and she can spice up the Knockouts Division a little.

Kharma/Awesome Kong: Her work in the Knockouts Division revolutionised mainstream women's wrestling in the United States. Her return would hopefully reinvigorate a tired division.

Alex Shelley: Really should be on the books already. Charismatic and a better worker than Sabin. Like Aries, he could easily transition into being a big deal.

Okada: It's wishful thinking, but bring this guy back. He's turned into a huge star in Japan and the US is sorely lacking in mainstream, credible Japanese stars these days.

MVP: I'm loathe to sign too many former WWE guys, but MVP is a great all round worker and would fit well into the TNA scheme of things nowadays.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

For me

Fire:

All those that Mis had mentioned (pretty much hit the nail on the head with his post), with the exception of Devon

So fire so far;

Chavo
Crimson
Robbie E/Robbie T
Wes Brisco
Velvet Sky
As well as, Abyss, his time is done imo, they've run out of things for him to do.
Eric Young


Hire:

Cody Hall (seen his stuff on youtube, seems ready) - Can see he'd pull in a few Scott Hall fans to just to see how he is, could bring in Nash/Waltman or even cameo appearance by Scott to manage him.

Hart Dynasty (Hart, Kidd, Smith and Neidhardt) I know Kidd and Neidhardt are currently signed with WWE, but TNA is more of a fit for these guys, Hart/Smith should tag and Kidd could be good for the X Div

Alex Shelley: Could make the step up, in failing that, you could re-unite him with Sabin

Would love to see a familiar face but new to TNA show up, Morrison would go alright as mentioned, however that seems too...well obvious. Wonder what Vampiro is upto. Either of those wouldnt look out of place in the main event

Nick Dinsmore, think enough time may have passed since his Eugene run that he can be easily be re-packaged into something more serious.

Paul London would do wonders in the X Division

One last thing i'd look into would be bringing some mexican flair into TNA, La Sombra, LA Park, Juvi (if hes still active)

 

[Bulldog Force]

I'd pretty much fire everyone mentioned, but I'd hire the following:

X-Pac (for X Division)
Shelton Benjamin
John Morrison
Hardcore Holly (Imagine him and Mr Anderson together, lol)
Batista
Chuck Palumbo
Carlito
Bobby Lashley

For the Knockouts division, I'd fire ODB, Madison Rayne and Taylor Hendrix.

I'd hire:

Sarita and Rosita (again)
Maria
Ashley Massaro
Glamazon
Tiffany
Stacy Keibler
Melina
Michelle McCool
Kelly Kelly

 

[Manurewa_Marlins]

They just got Rampage, if they could get him on an exclusive deal, shit that'd be sick.

I'd hire...

Homicide, Low Ki, Julius Smokes
New Jack
John Morrison, Melina

Honestly, that'd be it probably.

 

[Misanthrope]

New Jack!?

 

[Big Pete]

Cody Hall (seen his stuff on youtube, seems ready) - Can see he'd pull in a few Scott Hall fans to just to see how he is, could bring in Nash/Waltman or even cameo appearance by Scott to manage him.

I know you love his old man but Cody is still very green. He needs plenty of seasoning and needs to come up with his own bit - playing his dad isn't going to cut it for a man of his size in the big leagues.

Give him time. He certainly has the size to make it all the way. Don't think he has the look though - looks more like Brock's kid than Scott's.

Nick Dinsmore, think enough time may have passed since his Eugene run that he can be easily be re-packaged into something more serious.

He's in the twilight of his career and is still living off the Eugene gimmick. As surprising as this might sound, it was his brain child.

New Jack

This is how you know it's a Marlins post.