About TNA signing ex WWE stars

[Sephiroth]

This is a topic I feel generates more negativity than it should-or at least it wouldn't if TNA were Bette at how they approach it. Let's face it-WWE is THE source for wrestling talent in North America, so it makes sense for TNA to scout those who become free agents from WWE. And there are some ex WWE talents who have actually fine fat better in TNA than they did previously-Gail Kim and Kurt Angle being prime example. But it really all depends on who they bring in and, to a lesser extent, when. TNA has basically made a habit of grabbing up anyone WWE releases, regardless of the state of their company finances or the level of talent the individual has, which has built the image of them as little more than a dumping ground for those who didn't make the cut. It would be better for them to be picking out specific stars who could mate a genuine contribution to the product and who have spent some time away from WWE so there is a bit less of that stigma attached. MVP is a great example because, despite his age, the guy is still solid in the ring and he was away from WWE for several years, which gives TNA more of an opportunity to rebuild him as something their own. And there are others-Chris Masters and Paul Burchill are the two names thst most immediately leap to mind. It's all about careful selection instead of the shotgun approach.

[kingoftheindies]

I don't think signing ex WWE guys is as much of an issue as how a lot of those guys ended up being used. There have been more good things to come out of ex WWE guys than just EC3 BUT a HUGE issue was the short term pushes of guys that didn't show much in WWE and then showed even less in TNA.

[Push R Truth]

My issue isn't the hiring of ExWWE guys, that's just good business sometimes. My issue is when "ExWWE Guy" becomes their gimmick. Too many ExWWE guys have been given a mic and told to bitch and moan.

Get over it and forge yourself a new character. Or at least don't turn your main competition into part of a storyline. It's pretty lame.

[Rave]

I believe the real problem is that they've attempted to use ex-WWE guys as short-term fixes, throwing over others who the fans want to see more in the process.

Plus they're not exactly choosy on who to hire, leading to facepalm-worthy stuff like Rikishi's cup of coffee.

[Deleted]

When Sean Morley pins Christopher Daniels you have a problem

[Reflecto]

The big problem is- TNA does it wrong by too many people just being 'ex-WWE guys', but they also NEED ex-WWE guys to succeed.

Quite frankly, ex-WWE performers are the only wrestlers who are truly "OVER" that TNA can get. Before you get on me for ignoring top independent talent, the fact is that no matter how big a buzz on the indy scene a wrestler has, they still start as a relative unknown when they debut on TNA television (whether the fact most top indy talent can get over very quickly is besides the point.) As such, getting top ex-WWE performers to come in is needed...

...AS LONG AS YOU USE THEM TO PUT YOUR OWN HOMEGROWN TALENT OVER. This is the big mistake TNA has kept making, more than anything else for their hires.

[JoDaNa1281]

It's more a case-by-case thing, sometimes the people hired do better or didn't get a chance to prove themselves, other times, they go overkill on a certain guy being 'ex-WWE' & push them harder than they should, despite not realy deserving it. The worst time for this was the first few months of the Hogan/Bisch era, where Hogan's buddies & other older ex-WWE guys(like Morley mentioned above) got big pushes, which Dixie & Spike allowed because it was Hogan deciding it, despite not doing anything to deserve it, which gave us crap like 'The Band' & Nasty Boys feuding with Team 3D(at least that didn't go as far or as long as Saggs wanted).

[chrom]

When Angle beat Joe, that was the sign for anyone who works in WWE that they can come over and automatically get a push and paid more over guys and they'd just have to go through the motions.

[SCCB Was Told To Do Steroids]

It wouldn't be as sad if it were not such a cliche. If you looked at the real business world, you'd be shocked by how many literal moves people make to the direct competition of their employers. Hell, I once signed an argeement when I worked at Honeybaked Ham not to divulge secrets to, or work for Boston Market (the contract said "Boston Market" and not "competitors") after working at HBH for over a year. That's why The E's "no-compete clauses" never really shocked me...I just took it as the norm.

Most of us are upset about it is because it is so blatant. Another reason is, yet again, the TNA we remember is preserved in amber on Fox Sports with time-limit matches and home grown guys. Sonny Siaki is gone. Devon has filled in. The fact that they are all retreads is laughable; however, as someone earlier alluded, it ironically makes TNA stronger. Yet, perception is reality.

The only caveat is crap might be crap, no matter how it is presented. Is Tyrus going to be better than Broadus? Who even knows? He wasn't great as Broadus, which might be a fact.