Sledge Hammer
Posts: 1639
Joined: 14/11/2007
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Thought I would share my TNA review that I did for another site:
2012 - The year of TNA?
As we approach the end of the year, what better time to look back and reflect on what the year has been like for TNA.
Have they gained ground on WWE? Have they even progressed from where they were at this time last year?
Before these (and other) questions can be answered, lets look back at what happened at the final PPV of 2011, Final Resolution.
Going into the PPV, Bobby Roode was the TNA Heavyweight champion and had been for just over a month, having turned heel on his former Beer Money stablemate in the process. And for me, this one storyline is the reason why TNAs report card should be a positive one.
The Bobby Roode heel turn was much derided by many at the time (actually lets correct that, it was derided by everyone bar Hogan and Bischoff). Noone could see the logic behind it, or for that matter where it was heading.
However, it did signal two very important events in TNAs history that would lead it to having one of its best years yet - Roode as the Champion and the end of the Immortal and Fortune stables. These two stables and storylines were complicated beyond reason and for the casual viewer, made it very difficult to understand who they were supposed to be cheering for and who
they were supposed to boo.
Going into 2012, TNA looked like a tangled mess that was going to be hard to unravel. But somehow, they did and they did it very quickly.
At the Final Resolution PPV, Roode wrestled Styles in a fantastic iron man match that ended in Roode retaining the TNA Heavyweight belt. So although, as always, the wrestling was fantastic, the storylines coming into the PPV were at times shambolic. But then something happened.
Grabbing the ball
If 2013 is going to be remembered for anything in TNA, its going to be the rise of the midcard to genuine superstars. A number of wrestlers, really upped their game in 2013, despite at times being lumbered with very poor storylines. And the first to step up to the plate were Beer Money.
Roode became the longest ever reigning TNA Heavyweight champ by Destination X. And he did it in a style that many doubted he had in him. Even though by the end of 2012, he will have been beltless for close to 5 months, he still exudes main eventer. And that is down to his supporting cast and his own abilities.
His ongoing feud with James Storm is possibly the best written, slow burning feud over recent years in wrestling. Every match they faced off in 2012 was laced with excitement and anticipation. And every man and their dog knew that Roode would get his comeuppance at Lockdown in Storms hometown. But he didnt. Once again he escaped the Cowboys clutches and left Dodge with the gold.
Which led us to the BFG series where we knew Roode was finally going to face Storm in the biggest pay off of the year. But he didnt.
Its testament to both of these wrestlers that although the feud has been going for over a year, not one wrestling fan wouldn't be excited to see these two go at it one more time for the title. And a huge amount of credit has to go to the creative team for keeping this huge event going for over 12 months.
Not only is it the hottest feud in wrestling right now, it has also elevated both of its competitors to new heights. Roode as the full blown
champion heel and Storm as the everyman beer swilling face.
So who took the belt off Roode on day 256? Well for my money, the best superstar in wrestling today, Mr Austin Aries. The 298 day X Division champion has had a fantastic year, not only becoming the longest ever reigning X Division champion but also getting to the top of the hill by dethroning Roode.
His actions, in and out of the ring have been electric. And if it wasnt down to the fact that he became embroiled in the Aces and 8s storyline, his reign as heavyweight champ could and should have been better. However, what it did show the watching world is that stars can be made with the right exposure. And although Aries was eventually a sacrificial lamb to the TNA Babyface of Jeff Hardy, it was Austin who elevated the feud past the build up it got.
Aries is undoubtedly one of the best heels in the business today, and where TNA have got things right this year, is in developing stars who could credibly slot into the main event at any time.
And in Storm, Roode and Aries, they have exactly that.
As for the other positives of 2012 for TNA, there are 3 more people that I feel deserve a mention, who have defied the stories laid at their feet.
Bully Ray has excelled at everything he has done this year. His matches, his aggression and even his dedication to getting in shape have set him apart from the other midcarders in TNA. In fact, I predict that by the time you have read a similar review in 2013, that Bully Ray will have held the Heavyweight championship for a spell.
And although the Aces and 8s storyline has had its ups and downs, the best thing about it has been Bullys involvement. And the only chance the A&8s conclusion has, is if Bully Ray is integral to either their defeat or solidity.
My final positive report is to be laid at the feet of Kazaniels who have somehow managed to find a chemistry that has long been missing from any wrestling tag division. Both Kazarian and Daniels have taken the goofy tag teams of yesteryear and turned them into a modern day act of genius. Everything about these two suggests that it wont be long before they are crowned tag champs again and this time, I expect them to retain the belts for a long time. In these two, I can TNA building a whole division around. And this is in spite of TNAs biggest albatross.....
Creative has something for you
2012 has been a great year in building stars in TNA but it has almost at times been despite the writers best attempts to sabotage them. The biggest thing that TNA has done wrong this year has been the misjudging of some of the storylines.
Just the mention of Claire Lynch, the unmasking of Devon at BFG, hammer attacks or a Brooke Hogan romance, is enough to send a shiver down anyones spine (and thats without even throwing in the Tara/ Jesse vs Eric Young/ODB storyline into the mix).
At times, the creative planning for the storylines has been criminal. They have made some very good moves (such as extending Roode/ Storm) but overall, it has been a disappointing creative year.
I am not adverse to the A&8s storyline, but to have Devon unmasked on the biggest PPV of the year was unforgiveable. To have Austin Aries barely face anyone as World Champ when he was in the form he was, is unforgiveable. To have Claire Lynch on TV at all is...well you get the picture.
But having said all that, the wrestlers rose above it all. Each and everyone of those bum-hands dealt was bettered by Beer Money, Aries and Kazaniels respectively.
And although all these things may appear to make a bad 2012, the potential as to where the whole show goes is light years ahead of where TNA were at this point in 2011.
A new year....
I started off by asking the questions of where TNA stood in comparison to WWE. Well for my money, TNA has gotten a lot better and much more consitent. It has closed the gap from a creative and artistic point of view, as well as most probably a viewing point of view (but thats most probably WWE viewers turning off, with a little growth from TNA).
TNA should also take heart by the fact that WWE are obviously watching what TNA has been doing. Several storylines have been very similar recently and even things like the opening show recaps that TNA has been doing expertly for quite some time have started to appear on WWE programming.
So from that point of view, I think TNA has done more good things than bad. And hopefully this will have a positive impact on all wrestling tv shows.
If I had to give a final report on the 2012 TNA year it would be this:
A great start to the year that has helped create a wave of new main eventers. Although sloppy in their written work, the production values have been second to none, demonstrating amazing promotional videos throughout the year. The roster has excelled from top to bottom and we are now seeing their pioneering work be imitated by others.
Overall, has progressed well throughout the year and although there has been blips, the future for 2013 looks like it could be even better.
http://www.606v2.com/t38802-tna-a-review-of-2012#1752805
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