Worst To Best: Ranking Every Competitor In The TNA World Title Series

Hi, I’m Justin Watry. You may remember me from such classic columns as “WWE WrestleMania 28: Sheamus Should Defeat Daniel Bryan in Less Than a Minute” and “WWE Should Send John Morrison Down to FCW Right Now.”

Today, I will be writing…something. I’m not sure about what yet, but it certainly won’t be about Troy McClure .

Unfortunately.

Before getting to the topic of choice, I would like to welcome everybody to check out my debut column over at WrestlingNewsWorld.com! Once you get done with that, come back here and continue reading. Deal? Deal.

Reader Feedback

Luisho: Some would argue it has been working since WWE is not out of business and still turning a profit. Not me, but some….who wrote this column.

*this was in reply to generic internet comment #34,598 about the usual WWE complaints*

Yep, Pretty much. Whine and cry about Roman Reigns’ ascension, Dean Ambrose’s spot, Cesaro losing, Kevin Owens, and everything else all year long – none of it matters. We have been over this 800 billion times. Each quarter, we get to see how well WWE business is truly doing where it matters most: their bottom line. As we just saw a few weeks ago, a profit is being made with more and more on the horizon. Please do continue using the comment section though. Gives me good content.

Lawless: It really sucks that Rollins is out… But i don’t understand the Roman hate, he’s as good as all those guys you just named, he’s just doing his job. Im sure Roman isnt in Vince’s ear asking for a push.

He isn’t an indy darling, like Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Owens, Ambrose, Cesaro, or Daniel Bryan before coming to WWE. Trust me, if Zayn was getting big wins at the Survivor Series and winning the Royal Rumble match in his debut year, nobody would complain about him ‘being shoved down our throats’ or other nonsense.

I say this as a fan of Sami, but it’s just the reality of the situation. Roman Reigns has to work that much harder to prove his worth because he did not have a previous name and wrestle in smaller buildings before signing with WWE…and he has done just that over the past three years.

JusticeBringer: What show did Bryan defend his championship on?

*this was in reply to Daniel Bryan headlining as WWE World Champion*

I believe the comment was referencing Extreme Rules 2014, the pay-per-view after WrestleMania XXX. Even though the show had The Shield vs. Evolution AND John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt inside a steel cage, Bryan got the main event spot against Kane that night. Give credit where credit is due.

CS 22: Rollins wasn’t the reason the ratings tanked in the last 2 months (which covers only 1/3 of his title reign, anyway). The booking of Rollins? Maybe. The man himself? Nope. I agree he was losing the title soon though. Couldn’t see him as part of their Wrestlemania plans for the WWE title match (which will probably feature Reigns and Brock).

Anyway, lets see how the next guy does. And how Rollins does as the babyface he will (inevitably) return as.

That is fair. I have sung the praises of Seth Rollins many, many, many times. Here and elsewhere (on another website). You don’t need to tell me how awesome he is, but yeah, it was time to move on to the next chapter. I look forward to his huge face pop upon return and probable feud with Triple H. My basic idea is to run a similar scenario to the Edge vs. Chris Jericho story line 2009/2010. Edge got hurt, Jericho routinely insulted him for months on end, until BOOM! Edge came back to attack Jericho, and there you go. Do the same here with Rollins and HHH, until all systems go.

AG Awesome: TELL US THE SECRET!!

Sorry, that’s not how it works. I can give you a clue though – if this major WWE announcement is made within the next few weeks, it will be her career defining moment.

: )

jojo: Thank goodness Watry’s back!

if Cena is wrestling’s top polarizing cash cow, Watry is 411’s top polarizing cash cow. He the franchise, keep it up bro!

Thank you, I appreciate it! Just doing my thing, feels good to be back.

JaySin316: Hysterical as always, I can’t wait for your inevitable article about how the Invasion was the greatest thing ever.

Hey, my biggest fan in the whole wide world! Nice of you to still be reading and commenting, par the course for all of my lovely fan club members. I am still writing the columns, and you are still below in the comment section of said columns. The more things change the more they stay the same.

As for the Invasion, it drew the biggest non-WM buy rate in wrestling PPV history, so much like today’s WWE product, money wins over any argument. Facts rule all. Also, I did enjoy that particular time in summer 2001, as I am sure many others did. Deep down, if some fans would just turn the “snark” off for five minutes, they would admit it too. In the end though, opinions are opinions. You may like something I dislike, and I will like something you dislike. It’s an opinion.

Biscuity Boyle: Did you just stop this article half way through? Where’s the Harsh Truth you promised?

The harsh truth was that Seth Rollins was going to lose the title soon anyways. Very clearly stated.

P.S. Funny screen name, I laughed.

John: So all of that for …..a plug of another column

Cool, huh? Almost eight years strong!

Backstory

Last week, I ranked every single wrestler in the WWE World Title tournament. Best chance to win versus worst chance to win. All of them counted down from top to bottom. To the surprise of myself, it later hit me that TNA Impact Wrestling also had a tournament going on for their top prize. Very different circumstances but still – the basis for this column was built. Thus, I present to you my rankings of the TNA World Title Series competitors. Starting with those who have zero chance to win all the way to the eventual winner. Seems fair. Let’s go…

TNA WTS Rankings

32. Brooke – Rumored to be leaving the company as of late Sunday night. Since the company is airing shows from July anyways, it is nearly impossible to tell who is even still contracted. Staying? Going? No different here. Brooke, as much as she has improved, is getting this dreaded spot. Sorry!

31. Madison Rayne – I have never been a fan of Rayne. At the same time, she never bothered me either. Take her or leave her. No chance at becoming TNA Champion.

30. Awesome Kong – Contract reportedly expiring soon and has not done a whole lot since her exciting return to TNA earlier this year. Hey, at least we got more Kong/Gail Kim matches, right?

29. Gail Kim – Clean sweep of the bottom four belonging to the Knockouts division. I am just not entirely convinced intergender matches is the way to go. One of my few gripes with Lucha Underground (and the chair shots to the head). Kim leads the division, as always, so she gets the best spot here. Unless the next 28 guys leave TNA in the next month, it isn’t happening.

28. Grado – Huh? Who? What…What is this?

27. Aiden O’Shea – Actually interviewed Jay Bradley a few years back. Promises talent with tons of upside. Sadly, that can’t evolve into anything under the TNA banner. Just there to lose matches in this tourney. New gimmick and all. Deserves a fresh start elsewhere.

26. Eddie Edwards – See below.

25. Davey Richards – Tag team wrestler. Will be the TNA Tag Team Champions for the 45th time come mid-2016.

24. CrazzzzzzZZZZy Steve – The added z letters are because he is a big yawn! Thankfully, the Menagerie garbage was scrapped long ago. Crazzy Steve should taken the hint. Only a silly comedy X-Division wrestler to get beat every week.

23. Bram – I don’t see it. Bram is just like Gunner. TNA fans have this weird obsession with him, and none of it translates or come off as genuine. I can make weird noises and scream into a camera too. Then have hardcore battles with Abyss too! Yay? Okay, congrats? Add on the legal issues, and it is a mystery as to why Bram is even still around in TNA.

22. Abyss – Read above. Hardcore matches and a stale character long overdue for a reduced role and/or backstage only duties.

21. Tigre Uno – No explanation needed.

20. Manik – With the mask or as his own self, it is still the same guy.

19. DJ Zema – Nice building block here. Just stuck in a one-tick pony gimmick. Get rid of the DJ stuff, cool off on the comedy and play it straight with Zema Ion. Well spoken man and could be something worth investing in.

18. Mark Andrews *sighs*

17. James Storm – I mean, James Storm announced he was finished with TNA Impact Wrestling and has since shown up on WWE NXT. If that isn’t obvious enough, I don’t know what is. The silver lining is reports have Storm as still a free agent (technically), so never say never?

16. Eric Young – Another Gunner. Another Bram. Not authentic in any way and still comes off as the comedy role player he was for the past 10 years. As much as TNA tries, it won’t work. Ever.

15. Robbie E – Well, um, well, he was on a CBS reality television show. Not that TNA ever did anything with it, promoted it, or took advantage of…but hey! I am a fan of Big Brother (not Amazing Race), so just because of that, Robbie makes the Top 15.

14. Kenny King – WWE should just bring in Kenny King and push him to the moon. He is not really my cup of tea as an overall performer, but it would be just to show TNA and Ring of Honor that you can’t let young guys slip through your hands all the time. TNA blows it time and time again. No wonder they are airing junk taped back in July.

13. Shera – Seen very little of him off Youtube. My opinion of him is that he probably needs a ton of work until he is main roster ready. Since TNA blew it with OVW and doesn’t really have their own development, he is thrown on TV. The dancing nonsense and all that? Whatever, there is a tour of India coming up. If that goes well (for TNA’s standards), then keep it going. If it proves to be a dead end, then move on at the next tapings. For now, why not? What do you have to lose?

12. Austin Aries – Oh, WWE! NXT! Calling Austin Aries…calling Austin Aries…hello?

11. Mr. Anderson – Remember when he was the next Stone Cold Steve Austin? Fastest rising Superstar in the WWE? Money in the Bank winner poised to headline WrestleMania? Good times. I truly wonder if Anderson and TNA are meant to last much longer. A quick Google search tells me he is 39 years old, and the assumption is he makes a pretty good buck being a well known former WWE name. He may make a final push for the TNA Title.

10. Rockstar Spud – I thought we were done with this stuff. Feels like too many comedy guys with little chance at winning anything. Are we sure this was planned from the beginning of July’s tapings? Honestly difficult to believe.

9. Crimson – Said he would be a bust from day one and his pointless undefeated streak meant nothing. Here we are three years later. Chalk up another “W” in the Watry column.

8. Micah – Thought TNA would do something with him when he left WWE. Silly me. Just another body for the tourney.

7. Jessie – Mr. Pectacular. My man! Seriously though, the only reason these guys are so high on the list is because I totally forget about their bracket. Next.

6. Eli Drake – If TNA is ever going to strap a rocket on somebody’s back in 2016, make it Eli Drake. He may be a tad bit over the top, but he has passion and drive to succeed. Like I said earlier what do you have to lose?

5. Matt Hardy – Finally getting to the Top 5 rankings! It feels like TNA has to justify Matt Hardy winning their top prize at their biggest event of the year, so he will make a huge showing in the followup. If he didn’t, it would make the whole thing seem like a farce. Hardy has a very good shot at making it to the finals…but color me shocked if he reaches the mountain top (again).

4. Bobby Lashley – Raise your hand if you still think this TNA/Bellator crossover thing will lead to anything. No? No? For some reason, there is ridiculous thought that Lashley will be a big sports star and wave the TNA banner to great new heights. Yet, zero television ratings growth. Zero live event business boost. Nothing across the board. Lashley may be the next TNA Champ, but it will feel like a ‘been there, done that’ kind of situation.

3. Bobby Roode – Contract coming due but still one of the better wrestlers out there NOT signed to WWE/NXT in November 2015. Really is going to be interesting to see what Roode does in early 2016 after this tourney ends. AJ Styles, Daniels, Kaz, James Storm, Samoa Joe, and countless others name synonymous with TNA have left in the past two years. Will Roode be next? If he is smart, he is out of there. If not, make him the NEWWWWW TNA Champion!

2. Drew – When Drew first left WWE, he made it very clear as to what his mission was. Go out there, prove WWE wrong, make a name for himself, and be so awesome WWE will have to bring him back. Has he done that yet in TNA? Maybe, maybe not. Felt like he was en route to the title belt before Matt Hardy entered the picture. If anybody is slated for a main event run in TNA next year, it is Drew…

…and now for the #1 man to win the TNA World Title Series!

1. Ethan Carter III – Was there ever any doubt? He never should have lost the championship belt at Bound For Glory. This whole mess was not really necessary, and if your ONLY option for programming to fill six months is to jumble up a bunch of random bouts taped back in July, you have far more issues than who holds your top title. EC3 is not even somebody I have heralded very much over the past year or so, but it is hard to argue he shouldn’t be the odds on favorite to be the next TNA Champion.

Teaser

Nothing yet. Either the announcement is still to come…or I was given bad information. Stay tuned I guess?

Self-Promotion

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