NWA-TNA #18-#25
Want a more in depth look at NWA-TNA from the second eight weeks? We’re reviewing every Weekly Pay Per View on our WrestleCorp Review show.
The Asylum Years Part 1
The Asylum Years Part 2
Full Show Reviews:
NWA-TNA Weekly’s #18-#25
*Starting this review, managers, and non-wrestlers will be graded as well, and they’ll join the announcers in the grade rankings.*
A’s
It’s sad, but A.J. Styles continues to be the only guy with consistency and opportunity on this list. Every other “A” got here because of their consistent booking, but Styles got here also due to his performances. It’s quite obvious they couldn’t replace him.
America’s Most Wanted has no consistent opponents and they’re constantly having mediocre matches. Yet, when you realize just how hard they have to work, and how good they have to be to even get that much out of their opposition, that says something.
While marred in bad matches with Ron Killings and Scott Hall, Jeff Jarrett did win the NWA World Heavyweight title, which automatically gives him an ‘A’.
B’s
Winning the X-Division Championship again helped Jerry Lynn get back to a ‘B’, but a lackluster feud with Sonny Siaki kept him back.
The Disciples of the New Church (James Mitchell/Brian Lee/Slash) won NWA Tag Team Gold, and Michell has been golden on the mic; so you have to tip the cap that they’re the second best in the division. As sad as that may be to realize.
Much like Lynn, Syxx-Pac earns a ‘B’ by winning the X-Division championship, but also by being in the best shape I’ve ever seen and putting together a string of impressive, if at times lackluster matches.
Mike Tenay has proven to be a great story teller and play by play guy at this time. Unfortunately the booking and skits do hurt. However few announcers can conduct an interview as well as he can.
C’s
His world title run ended badly, and never found his footing as champ but Ron Killing still gets a passing grade.
He may be new, but Jason Cross introduced a new shooting-star-leg-drop maneuver that got fans jacked up. Considering the number of pedestrian high flyers at this time, he was a welcome change of pace.
Amazing Red and the The Maximos are either the most exciting or poorly trained trio in the company at this time, depending on the week. All three are exciting but all three have flaws.
Sonny Siaki continues to be consistent just not yet exciting. I feel a few with AJ Styles early on would of helped establish him as a true star.
He’s consistent if all be it ugly to look at but Kid Kash has name value and ability going for him. A rarity int his company.
Goldylocks continues to make the best of bad situations, and thank god that awkward love triangle angle was dropped.
Bob Armstrong continues to do the job as an authority figure.
He provides a lot of excitement and continues to improve week by week, so Don West passes the test.
D’s
Scott Hall is only this high because others set a new low. EZ Money isn’t that exciting and his biggest claim to fame still is wrestling on WCW’s last PPV. Elix Skipper is barely on TV and when he is he loses. Tony Mamaluke should of changed his name to Jobber Mamaluke. The team of Chris & Rick Michaels had potential but never got a change to develop it. Jorge Estrada spent time feuding with Bruce. Divine Storm is sloppy but had upside. The Hot Shots wouldn’t last much longer. She’s got a goth/grunge sex appeal but Bella Donna did nothing to warrant a paycheck.
F’s
Being old, broken down and out of shape is enough to justify Curt Hennig getting an ‘F’. Being 13 years younger and in even worse shape has BG James right there as well. Can’t believe Ace Steel trained anyone with how poor of a worker he is. Bruce’s gimmick was a consistent pain to get through. Brian Lawler just wasn’t entertaining at all. The Harris Brothers wrestled a 70’s style 40 years too late. Lenny Lane was a waste of a pay check as well. Vince Russo is a fucking disease to wrestling. Rowdy Roddy Piper was so unprofessional TNA even made him apologize for it; TNA in 2003 realized how bad someone fucked up. That right there is all you need to know about Piper’s time in TNA.
Incomplete
Chris Vaughn barely appeared on t.v. Chris Hamrick wrestled under three names and never was seen again (in this grading period. Creative had nothing for Low Ki. Malice was barely a blip on the radar anymore. Jimmy Yang was on his way out. Priscilla was a pretty face, but had no real value. And despite being great manger, Mortimer Plumtree couldn’t catch on.
Gone From the List
Monty Brown is gone but he’ll be back in a while. Disco too, but we’re not happy about that one. David Young and Norman Smiley were just jobbers but both would be round from time to time. Thank god, we are done with The Dupps though.
Top Matches
TNA X-Division Title
AJ Styles vs. Syxx-Pac(c)
Winner: AJ Styles
Rating: 3.75
TNA X-Division Title
Amazing Red vs. AJ Styles (c)
Winner: Killings
Rating: 3.25
TNA X-Division Title
Jerry Lynn v.s AJ Styles (c)
Winner: Killings
Rating: 3.75
Top 5 Must Watch Talents
AJ Styles – He became Mr. TNA for a reason, and these shows are pretty evident why.
America’s Most Wanted – They’re not just the best tag team in TNA, but from 2003-2006 they were the best tag team in all of North American wrestling. These early matches show just why.
Jason Cross – While he’s a one move wonder, so was Billy Kidman and that got him pretty far. Cross’ leg drop makes him even more exciting, because he doesn’t always hit it as well as he should.
Amazing Red – While the Maximos wouldn’t improve much, Amazing Red would be a consistent performer and would routinely be an exciting wrestler in the X-Division.
Syxx-Pac – I’m just as shocked anyone for putting him this high. Unfortunately his dislike of Russo drove him off during what could of been a career resurgence.