Monday Night Raw report

[TellerMorrow34]

IMO HHH and HBK are the best at developing the story of the match, especially when HHH is playing the heel he is great at it.


and AJ vs Taker could main event a Mania if in this fantasy world WWE bought TNA and did another invasion storyline, it'd be TNA's biggest star vs WWE's biggest star. Although in that case it'd probably be Styles vs Cena, but Styles vs Taker would probably be discussed aswell as the main feud in this fictional "invasion".


If that scenario arises where WWE buys out TNA(the only way I see Styles going to WWE, he has a job for life with TNA, he's the most over performer in the company and he's a permanent main eventer. He also works alot less dates than he would with WWE & makes probably makes more money than he would going to WWE, I don't think Vince would make the same mistake twice as just using an invasion to stroke his ego, I believe it'd probably be a 2 year feud thats highly entertaining. It'd draw a ton of money if done right, they left alot on the table with the WCW/ECW invasion.

I agree they left a lot on the table. A whole lot.

Another invasion? Eh...maybe. Maybe not. I'm sorry but to me the current TNA roster doesn't boast the over all talent that the WCW one did back when they bought it out and, lets not forget, that they had the luxury of putting the ECW guys in with the WCW guys giving them even more star power.


TNA would be seriously hampered in this regard for a variety of reasons. They don't have the same level of talent, overall, that WCW did back then and when you start looking at the roster and picking out the people who Vince wouldn't bring in, or who wouldn't even come anyway, and the talent pool is thinned considerably.

First let me say this before getting into this other part...if the entire TNA roster came over the choice wouldn't be Styles it would be Sting. Hands down, far and away, that's who they'd go with vs. Taker at WM. Sorry but that's a fact. Much greater draw, overall, to the entire wrestling fan base than an AJ match would.

Now lets talk about why the invasion would be very watered down.

1. Sting wouldn't come. So there goes the match with Taker and there goes a main event player.

2. Angle probably wouldn't be retained. Due to his drug and drinking problems being why he is out of the WWE in the first place I doubt they'd give him a go at this point. Down 2.

3. Jeff Hardy wouldn't be brought over. No way. Too many mistakes, to many blown chances in WWE. He's out. Down 3.

4. AJ would be brought in and would be a face to be used against a big face, or something of that nature against the WWE. more than likely you're right you'd see Styles vs. Cena (and Styles would be promotly squashed in that you can bet your last dollar on it). That would eliminate a match at Mania with Taker and would effectively kill AJ as a legit ME force against the WWE. Down 4.

5. This leaves probably Abyss vs. Taker but I can't imagine that a WM match would be wasted on that.

6. That leaves you a ME roster of...Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe, and Kennedy. Kennedy would be retained, and if he could stay healthy would eventually be pushed again as a top guy like they wanted in WWE. Joe would eventually be pushed, he could even eventually be a ME player of some kind for the WWE. Jarrett wouldn't even be retained. He'd be unemployed. Again.


There simply wouldn't be enough star power, given those factors, for an invasion to even remotely work, even if Vince was interested in making it work.

Now Beer Money would come in and do good and be the top tag team, cause they're the best going today in wrestling, and the WWE would probably put the Dudleys back together and you could have a nice little division for a while. But that's it.

And all those X-Division guys? Outside of like Daniels and Kaz, possibly the guy who was doing the Macho Man rip off who I now can't recall his real name, would be the only ones that would even remotely make in the WWE. The rest would be fodder, at best, if they were even retained short term.

Morgan would be retained to be a mid card, at best, jobber of a big man but he's not much better, IMHO, than he was in the WWE and he already failed there.

In short, or long winded I guess, I just don't see an invasion thing working at all, on any level, with TNA as it currently stands.

 

[big dog cowboy]

the WWE would probably put the Dudleys back together

ray:

 

[Ren]

WWE would probably put the Dudleys back together and you could have a nice little division for a while. But that's it.

If they got those 2 tag teams then they'd have a total of 2, it's not really a division even then more a 2-3 PPV feud if they really push it.
The tag team situation in the WWE is a mess

Overall there's just 2 many belts now the world title and the WWE title are really the only once that matter. It's never going to happen but the WWE would be much better if they dropped half of them. That would give titles like the tag title some meaning again, right now it's more of a curse then reward. Tag title matches don't even main event Raw/smackdown any more so if you get them you'll be lucky to see a PPV bonus again any time soon

 

[DallasGirl50]

The white Dudley guy..Bubba or whatever he goes by these days..is despised by the whole WWE lockerroom...even Foley can't stand him. I would say with HHH more in control backstage they'd never bring them back.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

The white Dudley guy..Bubba or whatever he goes by these days..is despised by the whole WWE lockerroom...even Foley can't stand him. I would say with HHH more in control backstage they'd never bring them back.

That's quite possible.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I agree they left a lot on the table. A whole lot.

Another invasion? Eh...maybe. Maybe not. I'm sorry but to me the current TNA roster doesn't boast the over all talent that the WCW one did back when they bought it out and, lets not forget, that they had the luxury of putting the ECW guys in with the WCW guys giving them even more star power.


TNA would be seriously hampered in this regard for a variety of reasons. They don't have the same level of talent, overall, that WCW did back then and when you start looking at the roster and picking out the people who Vince wouldn't bring in, or who wouldn't even come anyway, and the talent pool is thinned considerably.

First let me say this before getting into this other part...if the entire TNA roster came over the choice wouldn't be Styles it would be Sting. Hands down, far and away, that's who they'd go with vs. Taker at WM. Sorry but that's a fact. Much greater draw, overall, to the entire wrestling fan base than an AJ match would.

Now lets talk about why the invasion would be very watered down.

1. Sting wouldn't come. So there goes the match with Taker and there goes a main event player.

2. Angle probably wouldn't be retained. Due to his drug and drinking problems being why he is out of the WWE in the first place I doubt they'd give him a go at this point. Down 2.

3. Jeff Hardy wouldn't be brought over. No way. Too many mistakes, to many blown chances in WWE. He's out. Down 3.

4. AJ would be brought in and would be a face to be used against a big face, or something of that nature against the WWE. more than likely you're right you'd see Styles vs. Cena (and Styles would be promotly squashed in that you can bet your last dollar on it). That would eliminate a match at Mania with Taker and would effectively kill AJ as a legit ME force against the WWE. Down 4.

5. This leaves probably Abyss vs. Taker but I can't imagine that a WM match would be wasted on that.

6. That leaves you a ME roster of...Jeff Jarrett, Samoa Joe, and Kennedy. Kennedy would be retained, and if he could stay healthy would eventually be pushed again as a top guy like they wanted in WWE. Joe would eventually be pushed, he could even eventually be a ME player of some kind for the WWE. Jarrett wouldn't even be retained. He'd be unemployed. Again.


There simply wouldn't be enough star power, given those factors, for an invasion to even remotely work, even if Vince was interested in making it work.

Now Beer Money would come in and do good and be the top tag team, cause they're the best going today in wrestling, and the WWE would probably put the Dudleys back together and you could have a nice little division for a while. But that's it.

And all those X-Division guys? Outside of like Daniels and Kaz, possibly the guy who was doing the Macho Man rip off who I now can't recall his real name, would be the only ones that would even remotely make in the WWE. The rest would be fodder, at best, if they were even retained short term.

Morgan would be retained to be a mid card, at best, jobber of a big man but he's not much better, IMHO, than he was in the WWE and he already failed there.

In short, or long winded I guess, I just don't see an invasion thing working at all, on any level, with TNA as it currently stands.

Sting would probably go if he'll be pushed as a main eventer, and Angle most likely would be retained, all those years ago he requested his release. Jeff Hardy I doubt would be retained in a main event role, but it is possible they would bring him back if he is clean and team him with Matt.

The way I would see a "invasion" angle going would pretty much undoubtedly have Kurt Angle turn against TNA and side with the WWE.

Sting-Undertaker
Joe-Angle
Styles-Cena

would probably be the 3 main programs they would run with, and then of course there would be other programs under those and there would be those 5 man tag matches etc;. This would leave most likely Randy Orton to lead the WWE team and Mr.Anderson/Kennedy to leave the TNA team.


While you mention the possibility of them burying Styles in a Cena feud, that would be the wrong decision and I don't think they would go that way, in that scenario Cena would lose absolutely nothing by having Styles go over in the feud, and it would establish a 32 year old as a Main Eventer in the eyes of the WWE fans, something WWE desperately needs. You also left out Rob Van Dam in your post, and you left out Hernandez aswell who I personally believe is a MUCH better fit in WWE than in TNA, and 'the pope' D'angelo Dinero has the charisma and has improved to the point in the ring where he would easily get accepted as a main eventer in the WWE. I don't know why you dislike Morgan, he is very entertaining on the mic and is really impressive in the ring for a big man.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Sting would probably go if he'll be pushed as a main eventer, and Angle most likely would be retained, all those years ago he requested his release. Jeff Hardy I doubt would be retained in a main event role, but it is possible they would bring him back if he is clean and team him with Matt.

The way I would see a "invasion" angle going would pretty much undoubtedly have Kurt Angle turn against TNA and side with the WWE.

Sting-Undertaker
Joe-Angle
Styles-Cena

would probably be the 3 main programs they would run with, and then of course there would be other programs under those and there would be those 5 man tag matches etc;. This would leave most likely Randy Orton to lead the WWE team and Mr.Anderson/Kennedy to leave the TNA team.


While you mention the possibility of them burying Styles in a Cena feud, that would be the wrong decision and I don't think they would go that way, in that scenario Cena would lose absolutely nothing by having Styles go over in the feud, and it would establish a 32 year old as a Main Eventer in the eyes of the WWE fans, something WWE desperately needs. You also left out Rob Van Dam in your post, and you left out Hernandez aswell who I personally believe is a MUCH better fit in WWE than in TNA, and 'the pope' D'angelo Dinero has the charisma and has improved to the point in the ring where he would easily get accepted as a main eventer in the WWE. I don't know why you dislike Morgan, he is very entertaining on the mic and is really impressive in the ring for a big man.

Sting has had numerous chances to go to the WWE and has never done it. I don't see that changing. I just don't think he likes Vince, or the schedule, and simply wouldn't do it.

I really, really, really doubt Angle would get back in. He's burned a major bridge with Vince, from what I understand, but then Vince has been known to bring folks back anyway. So it's possible I just dont think likely.

Jeff wouldnt be brought back for a long time. A long time. Cause he's screwed himself multiple times over with that company.

The same thing goes for RVD. I left him out cause I can see the WWE passing on him due to him screwing up his World Title push by getting busted for drugs. Though I wouldn't be surprised by him being brought back.

Hernandez probably would be a much better fit in WWE. I can see that working to some small degree.

The reason i say that about AJ has nothing to do with smart or right or wrong. It has everything to do with how I've seen Vince work things in the past and I just wouldn't be shocked, in the least, if Vince booked it, or had it booked, for Cena to destroy AJ and thus kill the 'best' TNA had to offer. I just think that's how Vince would go about it. His ego getting in the way of better business.

Pope I forgot about him, I kinda like him, but if I recall correctly he's already been in WWE and didn't exactly wow the crowd. Doesn't mean he couldn't get there but thats why I forgot him.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Sting has had numerous chances to go to the WWE and has never done it. I don't see that changing. I just don't think he likes Vince, or the schedule, and simply wouldn't do it.

I really, really, really doubt Angle would get back in. He's burned a major bridge with Vince, from what I understand, but then Vince has been known to bring folks back anyway. So it's possible I just dont think likely.

Jeff wouldnt be brought back for a long time. A long time. Cause he's screwed himself multiple times over with that company.

The same thing goes for RVD. I left him out cause I can see the WWE passing on him due to him screwing up his World Title push by getting busted for drugs. Though I wouldn't be surprised by him being brought back.

Hernandez probably would be a much better fit in WWE. I can see that working to some small degree.

The reason i say that about AJ has nothing to do with smart or right or wrong. It has everything to do with how I've seen Vince work things in the past and I just wouldn't be shocked, in the least, if Vince booked it, or had it booked, for Cena to destroy AJ and thus kill the 'best' TNA had to offer. I just think that's how Vince would go about it. His ego getting in the way of better business.

Pope I forgot about him, I kinda like him, but if I recall correctly he's already been in WWE and didn't exactly wow the crowd. Doesn't mean he couldn't get there but thats why I forgot him.

Pope was booked as Elijah Burke in WWE, they didn't use him right. Its a rare case of Vince Russo actually finding something right for a performer. The guy is great in the ring and he has that Rock/Austin charisma where he can be talking about anything and its entertaining. Pope & Hernandez are the two TNA guys that would be much better off in WWE, especially in Hernandez's case, WWE are actively pushing Mexicans and its working they are drawing 9.0+ ratings for both SD and RAW down in Mexico and Hernandez is someone they could bring in as a monster heel and would be accepted rather easily by the audience, he has the ability and charisma to get over as a monster heel in the modern-WWE. His contract is coming up, and I would not be shocked at all to see him hop to WWE and get a monster push.

Your probably right that they would have Cena squash AJ if Vince is in charge, but if Triple H was in charge by that time I wouldn't be surprised at all to see AJ go over, as HHH would probably rather build a star than stroke his father in laws ego.

RVD would be welcomed back, they had him for one off appearances a few times after, he just doesn't want to work full time. The ball is in his court if he wants to go back, has been for a while.

Vince has forgiven alot worse than a wrestler lieing about why they wanted a release, Angle saying he wanted time to beat his addiction yet a few days after he was released it was announced he signed with TNA.


Sting, he used to say it is because he believed WWE would bury him, which he is probably right about. Now he says it's because he doesn't like the PG product, which is his opinion, but if they bought out TNA I don't think Sting would want to be sitting around, and doubt he would want to be working ROH for $1,500 a pop and doing conventions for $700 a weekend, his only choice would be WWE as its not like he can go put on 30 minute clinics in DGUSA or in Japan anymore.

 

[DallasGirl50]

That's quite possible.

I think Batista is the one who blasted Billy Ray the worse in his book. He said nobody liked the guy..that he was an ******* to everybody backstage..refused to help anybody coming up. I have heard and read that before from other wrestlers. The black guy..Devon..is very well liked by everybody.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I think Batista is the one who blasted Billy Ray the worse in his book. He said nobody liked the guy..that he was an ******* to everybody backstage..refused to help anybody coming up. I have heard and read that before from other wrestlers. The black guy..Devon..is very well liked by everybody.

Yep. It's sad though, Ray has a ton of charisma and really could've been a big singles star, TNA has recently been pushing him as a single heel he's been doing great in the role, shows what could've been though.

 

[DallasGirl50]

Yep. It's sad though, Ray has a ton of charisma and really could've been a big singles star, TNA has recently been pushing him as a single heel he's been doing great in the role, shows what could've been though.

Oh Lordy..I think he's one of the worse wrestlers I've ever seen in my life. I wouldn't cross the street to watch him in any incarnation..WWE, TNA, whatever. Can't stand to watch him.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Oh Lordy..I think he's one of the worse wrestlers I've ever seen in my life. I wouldn't cross the street to watch him in any incarnation..WWE, TNA, whatever. Can't stand to watch him.

He was extremely popular in the WWE. If you watch him in his singles role, he actually isn't half bad. He's got the persona to play a pretty darn good heel.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I still can't believe TNA released Jay Lethal.


[youtube]7GcfLyzHp5I[/youtube]

He's still only 26, he'll get a developmental deal in WWE no doubt but he's on the small size, he's got a ton of charisma and is a better in-ring performer than 90% of the WWE roster so hopefully he can overcome it; It's outrageous to me that TNA would prefer to have people such as Gunner and Murphy on the roster over Jay Lethal.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I still can't believe TNA released Jay Lethal.

He's still only 26, he'll get a developmental deal in WWE no doubt but he's on the small size, he's got a ton of charisma and is a better in-ring performer than 90% of the WWE roster

Funny clip. But here is the problem I have, you could have stopped with your commentary and that would have been a great post. But, ONCE AGAIN, you choose to go further by getting a dig into the WWE talent. That line is bold wasn't needed at all. When you add unnecessary comments like that in your post, it takes away from the entire thing.

So instead of me thinking I should keep my eye out for Lethal going forward all I am thinking is again after reading another one of your posts.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Funny clip. But here is the problem I have, you could have stopped with your commentary and that would have been a great post. But, ONCE AGAIN, you choose to go further by getting a dig into the WWE talent. That line is bold wasn't needed at all. When you add unnecessary comments like that in your post, it takes away from the entire thing.

So instead of me thinking I should keep my eye out for Lethal going forward all I am thinking is again after reading another one of your posts.

It's not an outrageous claim if you watch Jay Lethal he is a fantastic worker, I would've ranked him in the top 5-7 in TNA, and WWE's roster includes a ton of people in FCW, I don't believe he'll be main eventing WWE ppvs, he never main evented TNA PPV's, he's just too small, but he could be a great mid carder/upper mid carder for years to come. He has the charisma and in ring ability to be a main eventer, he also has the "it" factor, and its not like he was making a ton of money. Huge mistake by TNA to release him, and WWE will most likely capitalize on it.


I added that 90% part because honestly its true, he's better than 90% of the people in TNA aswell. Lethal is great, that feud vs Flair is one of my favorite over the last few years it was hilarious. Lethal is probably one of the best 20 in ring workers in the world right now, and on the mic i'd honestly put him alot higher than that. He got that Black Machismo gimmick over a few years ago, and then he got really hot again during the Flair feud last year. He's brilliant on the mic as you saw during that promo.


I find this funny since I posted all this about lethal today:

With the release of Jay Lethal by TNA do you see WWE picking him up and trying to revive the "Black Machismo" angle with the possibility of a Randy Savage return as a manager type role since Savage's relationship with WWE has warmed in recent months?

I can see WWE picking up Lethal for a developmental deal, but not as the Black Machismo character. I think it's more likely that WWE would completely repackage him.

http://pwinsider.com/article/57325/...kdown-tnas-winter-storyline-and-more.html?p=1

 

[Ren]

It's not an outrageous claim if you watch Jay Lethal he is a fantastic worker, I would've ranked him in the top 5-7 in TNA, and WWE's roster includes a ton of people in FCW, I don't believe he'll be main eventing WWE ppvs, he never main evented TNA PPV's, he's just too small, but he could be a great mid carder/upper mid carder for years to come.

He'll be lucky to even get on a WWE PPV and that has nothing to do with how good he is. The only small guy that they consistently seem to put on PPVs is Mysterio who is terrible

 

[Cowboy Brian]

He'll be lucky to even get on a WWE PPV and that has nothing to do with how good he is. The only small guy that they consistently seem to put on PPVs is Mysterio who is terrible

Lethal isn't as small as Mysterio.

Billed height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Billed weight 225 lb (102 kg)[2

He's probably slightly smaller than that, but he's probably also slightly taller than Evan Bourne is, but he is as good as Bourne is as a worker and much more charismatic, and the fact that he is 26 will help him ton's. He is most likely the most experienced person 26 and younger in the business right now, he's been wrestling professionally since 2001(started at 16).

 

[DallasGirl50]

He was extremely popular in the WWE. If you watch him in his singles role, he actually isn't half bad. He's got the persona to play a pretty darn good heel.

I can't stand a thing about that dude..I don't watch him on TNA. IF I watch TNA at all it's to watch Sting and I haven't watched even him in several weeks. I know the Dudleys were there but could care less really. I don't like them and especially I don't like him.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I can't stand a thing about that dude..I don't watch him on TNA. IF I watch TNA at all it's to watch Sting and I haven't watched even him in several weeks. I know the Dudleys were there but could care less really. I don't like them and especially I don't like him.

I understand you didn't care for him.. i was just saying that objectively, he was a very popular guy with the fans in the WWE. You know everybody loved the Dudley Boyz.

I actually wasn't as big a fan of him in the WWE as most, but in his new singles role, he's actually not half bad. He still shouldn't be a top guy, but he plays a pretty good heel. Just my opinion of course.

 

[Cowboy Brian]

I understand you didn't care for him.. i was just saying that objectively, he was a very popular guy with the fans in the WWE. You know everybody loved the Dudley Boyz.

I actually wasn't as big a fan of him in the WWE as most, but in his new singles role, he's actually not half bad. He still shouldn't be a top guy, but he plays a pretty good heel. Just my opinion of course.

That segment with AJ last week was great.