Wasted Roster Spots

[Deleted]

TNA has developed a lot of stars, but sadly they have let a of stars go like: AJ, Daniels, Kaz, Sonjay, Petey Williams, Jay Lethal, Shelley, Kendrick, The Young Bucks, Sabin, The Pope.

And right now they give us: Bram, Devon, Garett Bischoff(still on active roster), Gunner, Jessie Godderz (Mr Pec-Tacular), Sam Shaw, Rhino, Tommy Dreamer and an un-motivated Mr Anderson.

I'd much rather see a show that featured the first list of guys, than the 2nd list.

The 2nd list is filled with guys who either did not even like the business growing up, or are far past their prime. Why spend more on keeping some of the older guys, than anyone on that first list? I just don't get it.

THIS is the reason(one of them) why their house shows do terribly. They don't offer the talent people want to see anymore. Almost half their roster flat out sucks

[El Cokehead del Knife Fight]

Pectacular isn't that bad. He's pretty green but he's not afraid of making himself look like a fool for his character. Everyone else are just pointless or have had their run.

I'd also say that Bram isn't that bad but he's benefitted from his time with the WWE and at least carries himself like a star. I still don't see much point for him since he doesn't strike me as that good.

[Mozenrath]

Many of the guys you mentioned exhausted most of what they could do in the company at that point, and it was time to move on. They were also likely more expensive than the new guys, and TNA has shown that most anyone for them isn't a draw, in any meaningful capacity.

I think TNA would be better off if they had one or two of them back, but for the most part, barring putting the World title on him, I don't know what they'd even be able to do with Daniels that wasn't a rehash, for instance, and AJ had reached his glass ceiling with them, being a multi-time world champion who still had to endure shit like getting punched by Serge to stroke Dixie's ego, and not having the company behind him as THE guy.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jul 13, 2014 8:43:56 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Many of the guys you mentioned exhausted most of what they could do in the company at that point, and it was time to move on. They were also likely more expensive than the new guys, and TNA has shown that most anyone for them isn't a draw, in any meaningful capacity.

I think TNA would be better off if they had one or two of them back, but for the most part, barring putting the World title on him, I don't know what they'd even be able to do with Daniels that wasn't a rehash, for instance, and AJ had reached his glass ceiling with them, being a multi-time world champion who still had to endure shit like getting punched by Serge to stroke Dixie's ego, and not having the company behind him as THE guy.

You know I hate this whole they did everything they could do talk so it was time for them to leave. Why would anybody want there best talent to leave in that thought? Since John Cena done it all in the WWE does that mean the WWE should let him go? Because after all Cena has feud with Orton likely the same amount of times AJ feuded with Daniels. I can tell you what they can do with Daniels and Kaz. How about a feud with The Wolves? AJ feud with the heel MVP group which is a bunch of guys hasn't faced.

The point is no matter what your biggest star has done, you DON'T let the man go. How people put that is like the WWE letting Cena and Orton go because they faced everyone and done it all. It doesn't make sense and what TNA should do is keep the guys who fans loved. And find new talent to face them. So instead of AJ and Bad Influence we get yet again a bunch of EX ECW guys. Yeah that's a good trade off isn't ?

[Mozenrath]

Jul 13, 2014 9:21:14 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

Jul 13, 2014 8:43:56 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Many of the guys you mentioned exhausted most of what they could do in the company at that point, and it was time to move on. They were also likely more expensive than the new guys, and TNA has shown that most anyone for them isn't a draw, in any meaningful capacity.

I think TNA would be better off if they had one or two of them back, but for the most part, barring putting the World title on him, I don't know what they'd even be able to do with Daniels that wasn't a rehash, for instance, and AJ had reached his glass ceiling with them, being a multi-time world champion who still had to endure shit like getting punched by Serge to stroke Dixie's ego, and not having the company behind him as THE guy.

You know I hate this whole they did everything they could do talk so it was time for them to leave. Why would anybody want there best talent to leave in that thought? Since John Cena done it all in the WWE does that mean the WWE should let him go? Because after all Cena has feud with Orton likely the same amount of times AJ feuded with Daniels. I can tell you what they can do with Daniels and Kaz. How about a feud with The Wolves? AJ feud with the heel MVP group which is a bunch of guys hasn't faced.

The point is no matter what your biggest star has done, you DON'T let the man go. How people put that is like the WWE letting Cena and Orton go because they faced everyone and done it all. It doesn't make sense and what TNA should do is keep the guys who fans loved. And find new talent to face them. So instead of AJ and Bad Influence we get yet again a bunch of EX ECW guys. Yeah that's a good trade off isn't ?

If the WWE was in dire straits and could not afford to pay them, yeah, they'd let them go.

Look at Hogan in the early 90s. He left WWF because he had done most everything, and beyond that, was more expensive than WWF could or would pay for someone who was not going to be their number one guy anymore. WCW were willing to open the purse strings and let him in on the booking, so off he went.

You do not have to like it to at least see the logic in it, I imagine.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jul 13, 2014 9:39:47 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Jul 13, 2014 9:21:14 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

You know I hate this whole they did everything they could do talk so it was time for them to leave. Why would anybody want there best talent to leave in that thought? Since John Cena done it all in the WWE does that mean the WWE should let him go? Because after all Cena has feud with Orton likely the same amount of times AJ feuded with Daniels. I can tell you what they can do with Daniels and Kaz. How about a feud with The Wolves? AJ feud with the heel MVP group which is a bunch of guys hasn't faced.

The point is no matter what your biggest star has done, you DON'T let the man go. How people put that is like the WWE letting Cena and Orton go because they faced everyone and done it all. It doesn't make sense and what TNA should do is keep the guys who fans loved. And find new talent to face them. So instead of AJ and Bad Influence we get yet again a bunch of EX ECW guys. Yeah that's a good trade off isn't ?

If the WWE was in dire straits and could not afford to pay them, yeah, they'd let them go.

Look at Hogan in the early 90s. He left WWF because he had done most everything, and beyond that, was more expensive than WWF could or would pay for someone who was not going to be their number one guy anymore. WCW were willing to open the purse strings and let him in on the booking, so off he went.

You do not have to like it to at least see the logic in it, I imagine.

Hogan left because he told the WWE he was retiring and doing movies. So YES the WWE didn't resign him. A year later WCW gave him a bunch of money and Hogan changed his mind because as Eric said in a couple WWE DVD releases they came to him during a movie shoot. You can't tell me the logic really works here. Your tell me they couldn't resign AJ and tell him there wasn't room on the roster from AJ shoot that John told him that while still there World champion, but they could afford these ECW guys, Bobby Lashley, and MVP? You know any former WWE guy, ECW, or WCW guy isn't cheap.

[Mozenrath]

Jul 13, 2014 9:47:39 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

Jul 13, 2014 9:39:47 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

If the WWE was in dire straits and could not afford to pay them, yeah, they'd let them go.

Look at Hogan in the early 90s. He left WWF because he had done most everything, and beyond that, was more expensive than WWF could or would pay for someone who was not going to be their number one guy anymore. WCW were willing to open the purse strings and let him in on the booking, so off he went.

You do not have to like it to at least see the logic in it, I imagine.

Hogan left because he told the WWE he was retiring and doing movies. So YES the WWE didn't resign him. A year later WCW gave him a bunch of money and Hogan changed his mind because as Eric said in a couple WWE DVD releases they came to him during a movie shoot. You can't tell me the logic really works here. Your tell me they couldn't resign AJ and tell him there wasn't room on the roster from AJ shoot that John told him that while still there World champion, but they could afford these ECW guys, Bobby Lashley, and MVP? You know any former WWE guy, ECW, or WCW guy isn't cheap.

Fair point, but while that works for MVP, the OP presents it like TNA took a look at guys like Samuel Shaw and said "We want him to specifically replace AJ. Crazzy Steve, you're the new Daniels" etc. That isn't how anything happened, in any likelihood. It wasn't an exchange, so much as the old guard falling away and new people pulled in.

What happened, more likely, is that they asked them to receive paycuts, or could not promise any further incentives to stay, for others. Mr. Anderson took a paycut, and therefore, he is still here. Others were likely confident enough in their ability to make money on the indies, working enough dates and getting the easy RF Video pedo-money payout. MVP and Lashley, while not as cheap as your Knux-types, likely, were also years and years removed from their WWE tenure, and probably not making as much as one might expect.

[Deleted]

Why should TNA pay the money that a guy like AJ was asking for when a) he's not bringing in viewers or buyrates and b) has no leverage, i.e. the WWE had no interest in him? I'm a big fan of some of the guys in the first list, but if they were bringing in money for the company they would have gotten a good offer and been re-signed.

As for the second list, the important thing is that (presumably) they're working for cheap:

Bram-I actually think that he has some potential and he carries himself like somebody important at least. In the future NXT is almost going to become a prerequisite for anyone that wants to be anybody in wrestling.

Devon-back for a Hall of Fame run with Bully

Garrett: no clue why he's still on the roster.

Gunner: I'm not a fan, but he's a serviceable guy to have in the midcard

Jessie: I think that he has some potential, not that he's good, but he's way better than I ever anticipated that he would be when he came in. He's working hard.

Shaw: Awful in every way.

Rhino and Dreamer are probably on per appearance deals until their story arc plays out

Anderson: Is awful.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jul 13, 2014 10:16:37 GMT -5 @akeem said:

Why should TNA pay the money that a guy like AJ was asking for when a) he's not bringing in viewers or buyrates and b) has no leverage, i.e. the WWE had no interest in him? I'm a big fan of some of the guys in the first list, but if they were bringing in money for the company they would have gotten a good offer and been re-signed.

As for the second list, the important thing is that (presumably) they're working for cheap:

Bram-I actually think that he has some potential and he carries himself like somebody important at least. In the future NXT is almost going to become a prerequisite for anyone that wants to be anybody in wrestling.

Devon-back for a Hall of Fame run with Bully

Garrett: no clue why he's still on the roster.

Gunner: I'm not a fan, but he's a serviceable guy to have in the midcard

Jessie: I think that he has some potential, not that he's good, but he's way better than I ever anticipated that he would be when he came in. He's working hard.

Shaw: Awful in every way.

Rhino and Dreamer are probably on per appearance deals until their story arc plays out

Anderson: Is awful.

What you fail to see that AJ was one of the guys the company built and was one of there draws. No more than anybody else I mean Hogan one of the biggest draws in wrestling history didn't make a big mark, neither did Sting, Angle, or Hardy. It's not like when AJ was champion ratings tanked like they did for EY. There isn't a talent on this roster because how the company is ran that is a MEGA draw. But when AJ did come out fans loved him. I'm sure we see a few more fans at the house shows if AJ was there. Compared to these guys. but fans know those guys and they sell at the Merchandise tables. When they are on top ratings where there strongest. It's funny about Bad Influence that everyone was mad when they where leaving and now it's ok because they done what they could in some eyes. Even though they where one of the few high spots in the company. I guess AJ isn't a draw even though the BIGGEST company in Japan made him World champion.

[Deleted]

Jul 13, 2014 10:28:49 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

Jul 13, 2014 10:16:37 GMT -5 @akeem said:

Why should TNA pay the money that a guy like AJ was asking for when a) he's not bringing in viewers or buyrates and b) has no leverage, i.e. the WWE had no interest in him? I'm a big fan of some of the guys in the first list, but if they were bringing in money for the company they would have gotten a good offer and been re-signed.

As for the second list, the important thing is that (presumably) they're working for cheap:

Bram-I actually think that he has some potential and he carries himself like somebody important at least. In the future NXT is almost going to become a prerequisite for anyone that wants to be anybody in wrestling.

Devon-back for a Hall of Fame run with Bully

Garrett: no clue why he's still on the roster.

Gunner: I'm not a fan, but he's a serviceable guy to have in the midcard

Jessie: I think that he has some potential, not that he's good, but he's way better than I ever anticipated that he would be when he came in. He's working hard.

Shaw: Awful in every way.

Rhino and Dreamer are probably on per appearance deals until their story arc plays out

Anderson: Is awful.

What you fail to see that AJ was one of the guys the company built and was one of there draws. No more than anybody else I mean Hogan one of the biggest draws in wrestling history didn't make a big mark, neither did Sting, Angle, or Hardy. It's not like when AJ was champion ratings tanked like they did for EY. There isn't a talent on this roster because how the company is ran that is a MEGA draw. But when AJ did come out fans loved him. I'm sure we see a few more fans at the house shows if AJ was there. Compared to these guys. but fans know those guys and they sell at the Merchandise tables. When they are on top ratings where there strongest. It's funny about Bad Influence that everyone was mad when they where leaving and now it's ok because they done what they could in some eyes. Even though they where one of the few high spots in the company. I guess AJ isn't a draw even though the BIGGEST company in Japan made him World champion.

I understand that AJ was a TNA Original, but TNA doesn't owe him anything, just like he would owe them nothing should he have chosen to leave at any other point. There's no loyalty in wrestling. There's a reason that anyone that was making decent money haven't been re-signed and it's because TNA doesn't have the money to justify keeping a guy on the roster that is going to get paid more than he's making them, just like there's no reason for AJ to take massive paycut if he thinks(and can) earn more on the indies and in Japan. It's really that simple, and goes both ways. I'd look for Kurt, Jeff and the Dudley's to be gone when their deals expire unless something drastic changes for TNA. Being champion in Japan is completely ancillary to the entire argument.

[________ has left the building]

Here's the problem with the current roster. Most of the wrestlers who the crowd and tv audience connected to are gone. The people who were relied upon for the wrestling and entertainment portions of the show left or got fired. What is left is basically a New Generation type lineup: a handful of stars & a lot scrubs and scabs. Basically no one is going to declare this as the glory days of TNA anytime soon.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Jul 13, 2014 10:42:59 GMT -5 @akeem said:

Jul 13, 2014 10:28:49 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

What you fail to see that AJ was one of the guys the company built and was one of there draws. No more than anybody else I mean Hogan one of the biggest draws in wrestling history didn't make a big mark, neither did Sting, Angle, or Hardy. It's not like when AJ was champion ratings tanked like they did for EY. There isn't a talent on this roster because how the company is ran that is a MEGA draw. But when AJ did come out fans loved him. I'm sure we see a few more fans at the house shows if AJ was there. Compared to these guys. but fans know those guys and they sell at the Merchandise tables. When they are on top ratings where there strongest. It's funny about Bad Influence that everyone was mad when they where leaving and now it's ok because they done what they could in some eyes. Even though they where one of the few high spots in the company. I guess AJ isn't a draw even though the BIGGEST company in Japan made him World champion.

I understand that AJ was a TNA Original, but TNA doesn't owe him anything, just like he would owe them nothing should he have chosen to leave at any other point. There's no loyalty in wrestling. There's a reason that anyone that was making decent money haven't been re-signed and it's because TNA doesn't have the money to justify keeping a guy on the roster that is going to get paid more than he's making them, just like there's no reason for AJ to take massive paycut if he thinks(and can) earn more on the indies and in Japan. It's really that simple, and goes both ways. I'd look for Kurt, Jeff and the Dudley's to be gone when their deals expire unless something drastic changes for TNA. Being champion in Japan is completely ancillary to the entire argument.

Thats the issue that TNA is going to have yes. Because they will have nobody that can connect with the fans. I never said AJ owed TNA anything because he doesn't. To say that there is no loyalty is wrestling is crazy. Tell that to The Undertaker than who been in the same company since 1990. I'm pretty sure Cena is WWE for life unless he kills someone. He been on top longer than anybody else in history when it comes to years. Sting was that for WCW. So don't tell me it not there, because it is but its a rare deal. TNA money issue is a problem but they still not making the right moves with it. You can't expect the new Generation to connect with the fans when there nobody there to give that reason too. Takes a star to make a star and if there is no stars you can't expect these cheaper guys to just get over.

[benstudd]

AJ is more important to TNA than pretty much any other wrestlers have to their company and yes that even include Cena. Cause WWE will always be number one and there's a certain limit to what Cena can bring to a show so if he leaves, who cares. While AJ, he was the heart and soul of TNA, probably the one that gave the fans the most amount of great matches. So amidst the millions of shitty content and shitty booking decisions made by TNA, at least there was a shinning light. Now that shinning light is no more. So it's the darkest than the darkest f***ing hole.

Look at WCW and Flair, they sure were not box office champs in the early 90s but when Flair was not there anymore, WCW fans were crying the blues. Cause it wasn't WCW without Flair. And sure WCW kept jerking him around like TNA did for AJ and they failed to push him time and time again but nevertheless he was the guy. He is TNA. That sounds cheesy as Hell but I don't care. And at some point, WCW had to bring back Flair to make the fans happy. And TNA will have to do that. I mean losing AJ was a crushing defeat, it was losing your f***ing backbone, ripping your own throats out.

Even the most blind TNA marks realised the magnitude of this blow and how this was something that would hurt TNA. Even those that have not watched TNA for years couldn't believe it. 

This was Luke Skywalker saying, "f*** this shit". 

[Deleted]

Their roster is so small that they could sign Jacob Novak without having wasted a roster spot. THEY NEED SOME KIDS

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

I think that Terry Taylor was the only one that did a good job as head of talent relations, once he was fired in 2010 it all went to hell.

[Toates Madhackrviper]

My ideal roster would retain Shaw, Bram, Gunner, Rhino (I LOVE RHINO??), and Jessie tbh from that "bad" list. And if Anderson could get motivated again him too. Tommy and Devon would go backstage so I'd only actually release Bischoff and put Anderson on notice.

Yeah I'd still rather a show featuring the first list overall though, and many of them are hugely dropped balls.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Jul 13, 2014 18:44:22 GMT -5 ________ has left the building said:

Here's the problem with the current roster. Most of the wrestlers who the crowd and tv audience connected to are gone. The people who were relied upon for the wrestling and entertainment portions of the show left or got fired. What is left is basically a New Generation type lineup: a handful of stars & a lot scrubs and scabs. Basically no one is going to declare this as the glory days of TNA anytime soon.

Exactly, this is what I feel the MAJOR problem is

Too many of the guys who made TNA, well TNA are gone and they don't seem to be coming back, and with Aries, Angle, and Joe about to leave too that doesn't seem to be getting better. What we're stuck with is guys just appearing out of nowhere with no reason to care AT ALL, and old WWE/ECW guys who are there essentially, to get pops and that's it, and that doesn't last.

TNA really feels like it is in a bad spot right now to me. Like seriously. I've kidded around with TNA's death since like 2011. But never has it seemed more apparent that TNA is going to die than this past year. It really feels like a countdown.