TNA SuperThread SPOILERS

[Big Pete]

Spoiler: Taping Spoilers

Ah, I see. I just saw him paired with Roode feuding with his tag partner and assumed the worst.

Still, wouldn't be surprised to see it pan out that way given the direction they're going in.

It wouldn't make any sense, especially considering they're fighting over a No. 1 contenders shot and heel/heel rarely works but stranger things have happened.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Spoiler: Rumour Spoiler

We noted on Wednesday that AJ Styles had not signed a new deal with TNA yet and that they were still negotiating with money appearing to be the biggest issue.

Styles was backstage at Tuesday night's Impact Wrestling tapings and returned on Wednesday night at the tapings for the January 2nd episode and a match was made against Magnus, winner of the tournament finals, to crown an Undisputed TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

That match took place at Thursday night's tapings and will air on January 9th. The match had a No DQ stipulation added to it and saw interference from a handful of stars, including Dixie Carter. The end saw Magnus get the win to become the Undisputed TNA World Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Styles cut what was described as a somber promo and thanked the fans for letting him wrestle for them. He said Dixie could forget about him but he won't ever forget about the TNA fans. He said this was real life and talked about his time in TNA. Styles said goodbye before greeting fans at ringside on his way out.

There is still no confirmation that a new deal was signed since Tuesday but if there wasn't, PWInsider reports that Thursday night's tapings, which will air January 9th, could be Styles' last appearance for the company. The latest word was that both sides were still very far apart on money and that it would come down to the wire. Styles' contract expires before the end of the year.

 

[Misanthrope]

Sad to hear that Styles looks to be leaving the company. I've heard he was willing to settle for the same amount of money, but the company asked him to take a pay cut. Bit of a slap in the face to one of the men who put them on the map, and not at all surprised to see him unwilling to take it.

Hopefully if the WWE does come knocking, they can make use of his immense talents.

 

[Big Pete]

How would you book him in WWE?

I could only ever picture him working in that environment as an upper mid-card talent. He'd basically be the new Christian.

 

[Misanthrope]

How would you book him in WWE?

I could only ever picture him working in that environment as an upper mid-card talent. He'd basically be the new Christian.

A few years ago I'd have said a definite yes, but Bryan and Punk have come in and gone against the 'no little guys' mythos quite well.

Obviously Punk had reams of charisma to get him over, but prior to his WWE run Danielson wasn't at all well known for his ability to cut a promo and got over almost solely on being a ring general.

Styles could well get over in the same way Mysterio has, albeit without a mask. The Jeff Hardy daredevil push without the geniused face paint.

 

[Big Pete]

Styles definitely has the talent to pull that off but I think he's up against it with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Solomon Crowe, Aaron Neville etc. all fighting for that workhorse type of role.

Not to mention, with the belts being unified, he isn't going to have the same opportunities either.

 

[Misanthrope]

Styles definitely has the talent to pull that off but I think he's up against it with the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, Solomon Crowe, Aaron Neville etc. all fighting for that workhorse type of role.

Not to mention, with the belts being unified, he isn't going to have the same opportunities either.

I wouldn't lump him solely in with the workhorses. He's also a more than servicable spot monkey. They've been without one of those 'go to for a sick bump' guys for a while now.

 

[Big Pete]

He could certainly fill that gap but as we've seen with the likes of Bourne or Benjamin, it's only going to get you so far.

That's just what I'd expect would happen though. I wouldn't say no to some sub 20 minute AJ matches against the talent the WWE currently has on it's roster.

 

[Misanthrope]

He could certainly fill that gap but as we've seen with the likes of Bourne or Benjamin, it's only going to get you so far.

True enough. He does connect better with an audience than either of those two ever managed to, though.

 

[Big Pete]

Hard to compare when one is working in a much smaller pond.

Mind you, I'm just basing this on my expectations on the basis that HHH reportedly didn't want anymore 'internet darlings' and I don't think AJ would necessarily be pushed in front of those guys I listed.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

GO BRUTUS MAGNUS!!!

[YOUTUBE]gpLUWe34Oj4[/YOUTUBE]

For TNA I think this is a great move. This is only their second genuine home grown champ after Bobby Roode (AJ had success in ROH, hence his omission on my list), so it's good that they have faith in their product and talent.

 

[Big Pete]

It's the only good move TNA could make really but it'll be interesting to see how they recover after the fall-out with AJ.

The whole turn could have been worked a lot better than it was...this was pretty cookie cutter but the right man won in the end.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I'm expecting TNA now to focus on who they have from years ago to chase Magnus and the TNA Title. Storyline and history wise, I would be putting Samoa Joe up as his first opponent. TNA and GHC Tag Titles for the two, and Joe is still heavily backed by the TNA faithful.

 

[Big Pete]

TNA just needs to be smart about it, Magnus isn't at the point where he has a long CM Punk esque reign in him. He can use the belt to make himself more significant but TNA has to be smart about how they book him and it's going to be very difficult.

For instance, they need to do everything to avoid being 'WWE lite' and really need to avoid this notion that Dixie considers him the face of the company for obvious reasons. Honestly, they need to do away with the corrupt authority figure angle altogether and just let Magnus and Bobby Roode become the big heels of the company.

They also need to keep it simple. They can't let Magnus re-invent the wheel as a heel and give him wild soap opera esque storylines, TNA just needs to let his natural arrogance excude and they need to make this feud with him and Joe feel personal. Make it about their friendship, make it about one friend who is goal oriented and another who's constantly looking out for others. Throw in a couple of barbs and with the right delivery and right build, you could sell a PPV.

Meanwhile, bring in a few new faces and push the likes of Aries, Storm & J. Hardy (if he comes back) and see who gets the stronger reaction and if they're not ready, then just have Roode beat him and let him become a super heel.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

The current storyline with Hardy is to write him out of tapings for a few weeks, as TNA is doing TV in the UK and Hardy can't travel there.

 

[Big Pete]

This isn't news, just more discussion on Magnus but...

Spoiler: Taping Spoilers

I really hope TNA capitilises on the heat Magnus should get for beating AJ Styles and essentially retiring a guy who was there from day one. TNA needs to do all sorts of video packages and turn all this heat currently on the company, onto him. If possible, I'd be making the point (without beating people over the head with it) that TNA is willingly spending all this cash on him, but didn't have enough to offer AJ a renewel.

You can also the AJ element into the Joe/Magnus promo. I think it'd work as a good segue.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Jeff Jarrett resigned from TNA today. Still a part owner though.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

The American Wolves are due to debut in TNA tomorrow.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Aaaaaand what a horrible debut.

 

[DB]

Did they have a match, or was it only in backstage segment with Dixie?