The Triumvirate of Truth 3.31.12: Wrestlemania, Austin Aries, Mr. Anderson, ODB and Eric Young, More

It seems like just yesterday, the 8th edition of the column was posted! Well, it sort of was. We’re right back on schedule, and I noticed a bit of a trend here in the Triumvirate, with TNA getting shunned. Admittedly, the fault lies not on my co-writers, but rather myself, for the way that the Triumvirate is scheduled conflicts with IMPACT, which causes the question and answering session between DeMarco and myself to be somewhat difficult. Seriously, by the time the column is posted, we would have had to talk about last week’s show, and not many people want to read about last week’s news, right? With that being said, we are working on a way to encompass TNA in the column in such a way that works for everyone – including us – to assure that they get a good enough mention. As a bit of an apology, you will notice that this week’s column is relatively TNA-heavy, and that is by design. I asked that we keep the WWE questions focused on Wrestlemania, (as it is the BIG show this weekend) and all others to focus on TNA, With that being said, let’s get to the column, shall we?

With Wrestlemania only days away, the wrestling world is hyped up to the gills! Well, I don’t have any gills, but I’m pretty hyped. What has been touted as the biggest Wrestlemania yet (and really, which Mania hasn’t been) is all set to go, but we here at the Triumvirate want to shine a little light on the other wrestling brand out there. We’ll get to Wrestlemania in the middle of the column, with a couple of predictions of the quality, but to start off, we’re going strictly Dixie.

1.What are the things that you like the most and the least about TNA?

Michael Uphoff: One of the things that I like the most about TNA is how they have begun to build young talent into main event stars. Guys like Bobby Roode have been given chances to lead the company, and young Roode has done a great job becoming the loathsome heel that everyone wants to see get his ass kicked. I’d love to see him get a convincing PPV title defense to really hammer that home. James Storm has become a dynamite babyface as well and is slowly becoming a main eventer. TNA was also doing a swell job building Crimson as an unstoppable undefeated monster until he got injured.

What I like least about TNA is how they stopped being who they were and changed themselves. TNA was the alternative to WWE, and that was what I loved about them. They were wrestling to WWE’s sports entertainment. Back in 2006, TNA was much better than WWE ever hoped to be. When they let Sabin and Daniels and Joe and AJ run the X-Division, TNA was providing excellent wrestling that WWE was not. It was the viable alternative to WWE that it wanted to be. When TNA brought in Hogan and Bischoff, they transformed the company and the people in charge allowed it to happen. When it was changed, it tried to beat WWE in the ratings. It didn’t even come close, and it was a waste to even try. TNA moved away from what it had built its foundation on, and that was solid and great wrestling and putting out a great product. They began to put out terrible PPV after terrible PPV after terrible PPV. They have recently started putting on good shows, and as competition is good for the business, I hope this continues.

Tony Acero: One thing I’ve always liked about TNA, even in the past, was their ability to put on some relatively good matches with some fresh faces (at least to me). The X-Division is a prime example of said action. They keep it high impact and fast paced. When I watch TNA, it seems like a very close-knit group of characters, and I think that this is truly what it is. With the shows being filmed so closely together, and the roster being relatively small, I would assume that there is a lot of closeness involved. The lack of road fatigue makes for more action in the ring and more ability to create something special in the ring. I’m also very partial to the last few months of TNA in that they have given the ball to some new people and – for the most part – focused on them. The storylines are somewhat simple, and that’s another plus. There also seems to be an understanding within the veterans, almost as the decision was made to feed their young for a better tomorrow. It’s something that I’ve appreciated and enjoy watching.

Now, for every positive aspect there seems to be something wrong. As much as I love simple storyline, there’s almost always some sort of stable vs stable, or power ring, or stupid and nonsensical storyline that is injected into the show. More recently, practically anything Hogan and Bischoff touched went to crap. For whatever reason, they seemed to have grandeur ideas that were never tied down. It was similar to WWE in that one man had an idea and nobody had the balls to tell him it was a bad idea. The thing about fans is that we are a fickle creature, each with different likes and different hot buttons. There are people out there who see nothing in a Daniel Bryan or CM Punk, but are happy with Hulk Hogan having “one more match.” These fans are not wrong, they’re just different than something that I would want. With that being said, I get how hard it must be to create a product that touches the hearts of every fan out there. The issue lies in a storyline in which NO ONE enjoys. It’s almost as if the fans of TNA aren’t listened to when something like this happens. Whenever a majority dislikes something, they almost continue with it in spite of the fans, assuming they are “swerving” us or “keeping us guessing.”

All in all, the things I like about TNA and dislike about TNA are not all that different than what I like and dislike about WWE. They are products, and we are purchasers of said product. I have expectations of them, and for the most part, both parties meet those expectations. It’s when I feel I am being told what to watch and being forced something that is either far too stupid for my intelligence to endure or far too juvenile for my maturity to enjoy that I get a bit upset. And even then, there’s always that moment when we as fans must realize…hey, it’s just wrestling.

Joshua Stangle: I haven’t seen much of TNA recently, so my answers here might not be great. My favorite part of TNA has always been the talent. The talent on the roster has always been TNA’s strongest point. I remember watching the first episode of Impact back in June of 2004. Even then, that showed. I remember being dazzled by AJ Styles, Chris Sabin and Christopher Daniels. TNA still has a wealth of great talent such as the men that Mike listed above.

TNA’s weakest point has always been the wasted potential. If I’m being honest, Impact has never been consistently great (other than the brief period on the Internet). They had high points and low points, sure, but TNA in 2006 was going downhill. I don’t think that TNA ever had a foundation around wrestling. I think they have always been a Sports Entertainment centric company. There’s a reason why their golden boy, AJ Styles never became a true main event level talent. He was popular with the fans, could wrestle and was the poster boy for the company. He just didn’t mesh with their booking and mindset.

2. How do you feel about the rumored tentative finishes to the matches at Wrestlemania?

Joshua Stangle: I actually like the idea in theory. Laying out all the possibilities and considering each is really the best option to decide what happens. This Wrestlemania is vital to their future, so the choices they make should be considered carefully. Wrestlemania can be the turning point for the WWE in terms of star power and ratings. Wrestlers such as Cody Rhodes and Sheamus can be made into main event talent if they are booked right on the show. I know the focus is on already established Wrestlers, but most of them will leave after Wrestlemania is done. But even the finishes to those matches are vital to the audience.

On the other hand, I think that once the choice is made, they really need to follow through. Conviction in booking is vital if they want it to go over well. That’s been a major problem with the booking in the past several years- the lack of conviction. Too many pushes have been stopped midway. Too many angles have been half assed. They need to pick a choice and stick with it, or it will fail.

Tony Acero: If this question is pertaining to how I feel about whether or not the WWE has only “tentative” finishes, then it’s par for the course really, as Mcahon is notorious for changing his mind. I can’t, in all reality, say that I’m ok with this or not, because I only know what I want to happen versus what will truly happen. I feel that these rumored finishes (and if they are posted, I have not, nor will I take a look at them) are necessary, otherwise they’d be going into the card blindly, and how dumb is that. Maybe I misunderstand the question, Josh, but going off of your answer, I am to say whether or not I’m ok with them having the finishes written down, albeit only for as long as McMahon sees fit. If that is the question, then I have no problem with it, as we will most likely agree or disagree, regardless. Really, it’s not an issue as to what happens at Mania so much as what happens after Mania that matters. Take, for instance, Punk vs. Jericho. If Punk wins, then what? If Jericho wins, then there’s some more tormenting of Punk to be done, and Jericho gets to suit up! So, I find little to be worried about quite yet.

Michael Uphoff: Josh is absolutely correct. It is never a bad idea to think out your finishes to such a big event like WrestleMania. This is such a huge event, not only with the matches, but with the long-term potential. It is wise to lay out tentative finishes to think about the best outcomes that are possible for the WWE and to think about long-term production of new stars.

As Josh points out, this does not mean much in the grand scheme of things if they do not follow up their booking at WrestleMania without strong booking in the following months. That means the stars that are booked strong at WrestleMania need to be consistently booked strong through the following weeks and months to properly build that generation of new stars.

3. Which of the Wrestlemania matches on the card will be the best one?

Tony Acero: My mind told me, immediately, that it would be Punk and Jericho. I sat and thought long and hard about it, looking over the other options and I think the only one that could compete would be Bryan and Sheamus. I even considered The Undertaker vs HHH. Here’s the thing, from a purely technical standpoint, Jericho and Punk have it won. There’s no way in hell Taker and HHH can compare to them. But when the atmosphere and the importance of the matches are added in, then even The Rock and Cena can be considered an option. I think what I’ll do, instead, is give a rating to each match with a blurb as to why they belong there.

Chris Jericho vs CM Punk (****1/2): I strongly feel that this match will take the cake due to the aggression that has been displayed during the build of the match. One thing I hadn’t considered while complaining about them adding the drama that they injected, was the fact that it would make the match more bloodthirsty, and if there’s one thing I enjoy in a match is agression. Simply put, after watching NXT for as long as I have, one grows to disdain rest holds of any kind. I don’t see this match being slow or methodical at all.

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus (****1/2): I know, I rated this the same amount as the Punk/Jericho match, but it’s really what I expect from them, as I see both men giving it their all and blowing away the other matches in terms of skill and excitement. CM Punk and Jericho will have the added drama in their match, which to me makes it the better match in the long run, but Bryan and Sheamus – I feel – will be every bit as good in the ring as Punk and Jericho.

John Cena vs. The Rock (****): I think this rating will be based purely on emotion, as I don’t see a technical classic at all happening. I think there will be a lot of emotion, and maybe even a turn or two due to the crowd action. I feel Cena will play his card right, and The Rock will be every bit as “Rock” like as he is. Expect a Rock Bottom from Cena and an Attitude Adjustment from Cena, here.

Triple H. Vs. The Undertaker (***1/2): I really feel and hope that they will do the right thing and make this a bit different than last year’s match. Add in HBK and the mystique that he brings to the table, the match will be very exciting. Like Rock and Cena, I think emotions will play the largest role here, rather than actual in ring activity. I’m excited either way, and I hope they can put together something that makes everyone happy. Also, if HHH wins, I will riot.

Joshua Stangle: I really think that Punk versus Jericho will be the match of the night. For one, it will likely get enough time to be great. Two, both of these wrestlers are among the best in the World, as far as work rate goes. Three, the match should have every ingredient needed to be outstanding. It depends though, because I really doubt that the WWE will let them go all out. This match probably won’t get to overshadow Taker/HHH or Rock/Cena. I agree with Tony that the added emotion to the match will make it even better. ****1/4

Sadly, I don’t believe that Daniel Bryan versus Sheamus will get the time nor the booking to be as great as it the competitors are capable of. Sheamus is a damn good wrestler, who has improved immensely over the past two years. Daniel Bryan is the best Professional Wrestler in the World (in my opinion). If given the opportunity, they could tear the house down. It has been ten years since Bryan faced Loki in ROH, in my favorite match of all time. I would love to see him be able to go all out like that again. ***3/4

I actually think that Tony is underselling the Rock versus John Cena. Both men are rather good in the ring. There will be tons of emotion, and the ambiance will be surreal. People, including me, have compared it to the Rock versus Hogan, but it might actually be like one of The Rock versus Austin matches at Wrestlemania. I expect a finisher fest at the end, along with several chair shots and maybe a heel turn. ***3/4

As for Triple H versus The Undertaker, I expect it to be great. It will definitely be exasperating, as is the nature of such matches. There will be brutality, blood and emotion. The pace will slow down near the end. And there has to be a spot where one of them kicks out after a finisher, only to ask the other to finish them off (ala Taker/HBK and HBK/Flair). I don’t think it will be Match of the Night, but it might be the most memorable. ****

Michael Uphoff: I agree with Tony here. From a best match in terms of wrestling ability, no match will outdo Punk/Jericho. Bryan/Sheamus stands the best chance of upsetting them, but Sheamus is not as gifted in the ring as Punk or Jericho is. In terms of the total package of a match (emotion, environment, in-ring technical skill), Rock/Cena could deliver the best match, or so could HHH/ Taker. For my money, I would bet on Punk/Jericho being the best match at WrestleMania.

4. Austin Aries has a better shot at becoming World Champion as a face than as a heel.

Greg DeMarco: “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived” is an awesome heel. “A-Double” is such a douchebag that you can’t wait to see what he does next. In fact, he’s so damn good at being a heel that the fans can’t help but love him! That’s why he has to be turned face. TNA has a shortage of good faces, evidenced by having two heel-heel title matches at Victory Road. Aries is a tremendously talented worker, and he can talk. Boy, can he talk! He cuts one of the best promos in all of TNA, and that’s a company with Bobby Roode, James Storm, Bully Ray and even Mr. Anderson.

It’s rare for a man of his size to become world champion. But Daniel Bryan did it in the WWE, and is even being allowed to walk into WrestleMania as World Heavyweight Champion. And yes, he’s doing it as a heel. But Aries has been booked strong. He’s reenergized the X-Division as its longest reigning champion ever. And when he was wronged by Bully Ray, fans want to see him get a piece of Ray. A legitimate piece, but a plucky upset victory. People want to get behind Austin Aries, and they’d want to get behind him when challenging a champion the likes of Bobby Roode. And if you needed a face to transition the title from Roode to Bully Ray, then Austin Aries would be your guy. He’s proven that if you give him the ball, he’ll run. He ran in ROH twice—and no man has ever done that there. So give him the ball in TNA—the most prestigious ball—and watch him run. Run Austin, run!

Tony Acero: The thing I’ve noticed about Aries is that he’s got that “heel” face. I don’t mind if they turn him face as of now, to get his revenge and what not. Also, the fans are practically clamoring for it. What I’m not sure I can agree with (at least not yet) is that he can get the title being a face. He is such a good heel, as you displayed DeMarco, that it would almost be easier for him to get it through nefarious means as opposed to a man who “deserves” a shot. Do I think he can be a viable champion? Oh, without a doubt, but it’s intersting to note how many first timers won the big belt in either company as a heel as opposed to as a face. Typically, a heel wins because it’s easier to book. The way they decided on Roode’s win worked out in the end because he is doing big things. I can see them doing something similar with Aries, but if I were to answer the question with my gut then I’d say that he would have a better chance as a heel than a face to win the title. It’s all in how they direct his character, really.

5. Mr. Anderson’s return to Impact was both exciting and welcomed.

Tony Acero: Having just begun watching TNA on a weekly basis a little under a month ago, I had forgotten that Mr. Anderson was even a part of the roster. Here’s a little secret about my relationship with Mr. Anderson, when he was in the WWE, I really liked the guy. I thought his character had legs, and his shtick – even if Stone Cold lite – was growing into it’s own. I saw an eventual rise for him, and a lot of fun to be had. So, while everyone was relatively happy about the guy’s departure, I felt the need to be sad, due to him being on a show I didn’t watch. Of the few times I saw him over on TNA, however, I was not impressed. He seemed more annoying and as if he wasn’t trying. Either I saw what people saw in him during his WWE time, or he lost some sort of motivation once going to TNA. I’m thinking the latter. True, I only saw him a handful of times, but each time he seemed lazy and lethargic. Let’s not get started on willingly calling the fans assholes, and that being a term of endearment. At any rate, his return was met with a resounding meh from the crowd on the internet and in the seats, alike. I’m going to have to agree with that assessment and consider his return to Impact neither exciting or welcomed.

Greg DeMarco: I really liked the Mr. Kennedy character in the WWE. It got over, he played it well, and he was putting on better than average matches each day. Sound familiar? Yes, that’s because it’s basically Tony’s same take!

But here’s the difference…

When he returned on Impact Wrestling two weeks before Victory Road, I was excited. The “asshole” schtick? It’s got legs. Fans have been chanting “asshole” during sports events for years. Wrestling is no different. Let’s not forget that this man is a former TNA World Champion. Was his reign memorable? Sure wasn’t! Was that his fault? Sure wasn’t! He was booked to immediately turn heel and side with Immortal! He was destroyed by Gunner on more than one occasion. And Gunner was a member of Immortal, too! Sounds bad? That’s because it was.

But Mr. Anderson is brash, obnoxious, and loud. He’s got an over the top style. And in 2012, that makes him the perfect face. Heels aren’t brash and obnoxious. Bully Ray gets cheered. James Storm yells and swears. Austin Aries was such a great obnoxious heel that the fans have turned him face. Mr. Anderson is a great face, and fans will get behind his schtick.

Another reason? It just “works” with him. His “do anything” attitude made it easy to understand that he’d return to team with AJ Styles. He just oozes “it,” and if he is booked right, he can still be a major player in TNA.

6. The Knockouts Tag Team Tandem of ODB and Eric Young is horrible booking on TNA’s part, and a black eye on the company.

Tony Acero: Ok, I won’t go so far as to call it a black eye, but it’s damn sure not cute and very retarded. I recall when I watched TNA sporadically, that Eric Young was seen as a comedic wrestler…the only issue was that I never saw him as funny. It appears that some things just haven’t changed in the Dixieland, because if anything, this has gotten much, much worse. I know Divas aren’t treated with much respect in terms of wrestling over in WWE, but giving a female-only title to a dude just doesn’t make any sense. Of course, we get the match from two weeks ago where Eric gets to defend the title with ODB and it just digs a deeper hole into the situation. Look, in the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t hold much importance, I suppose, but damnit, TNA, THIS is why people complain about you! I find no humor in this and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’m sure there are people that enjoy these two and their antics, but for whatever reason, I don’t find it funny. My humor has always been an odd one, so one would assume that I’d just “get” these two…but as of right now…no.

Greg DeMarco: The tandem itself isn’t a black eye on the company. Wrestling weddings have their place in wrestling history, and I can’t believe I’m saying this—they have their place in wrestling’s future, too. In fact, I’ve grown to enjoy Eric Young and ODB—in backstage segments. In small doses. But it’s when they walk out on that stage, down that ramp, and into that ring that it becomes pure crap. I don’t want to see Eric Young tie-up with referees. I don’t want to see him strip down during a match. And I damn sure don’t want to see Eric Young—a man who has proven himself capable of holding a traditional singles championship based on his in-ring talent and promo ability—hold one of the Knockouts Tag Team Title belts. Fact is the Knockouts Tag Team Division is stronger than the World Tag Team Championship division.

So while the tandem of Eric Young and ODB isn’t a black eye on the company, their holding those titles sure is.