The Triple Threat 1.24.10: The 173rd Edition – Ken Anderson, The Rock, Brian Kendrick, More

Topic # 1 What are your thoughts on Ken Anderson debuting in TNA?

David Martell: I have been more and more disappointed with Ken Anderson over the years. When he first came into the WWE, I really thought he was the next big thing. He has all the charisma in the world and he is great on the mic. His in ring ability was average but I always thought there was room for improvement. With the countless injuries and the whole signature pharmacy scandal, I started caring less and less. WWE was literally handing him all the things he needed to became a big star but he kept falling flat. After getting released by the WWE, he started hyping himself up again. People were believing the hype, even myself. Most people figured he would get into a TNA ring and now that he made his debut, he once again falls flat. Now I didn’t get to see his return match but from all the reports, it wasn’t worth talking about. I will say that Abyss wasn’t the best person for him to go against in a first match. Abyss is a good wrestler in his own right but he’s not one of those guys who can hold someone to a great match, he’s a guy who needs someone to hold him for a great match. That is the exact same thing for Ken Anderson. He is still very much an average wrestler and if TNA wanted him to look awesome, they should of gave him an opponent that could make him look like he’s worth something in the ring. He really blew his first impression. I do hope that he can regain his steam but until his wrestling can match his charisma, he always going to fall flat in some capacity.

Jacob San Antonio: I’m not surprised, but I can’t say I’m upset. I always felt bad for Anderson, as he had some of the worst luck of any wrestler I can think of. I hope this turns out well for the guy, since I don’t think he’s as bad as his track record might suggest. I guess his using the exact same gimmick he used in the WWE is a little disappointing, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be able to make the most of it. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s going to do on TNA. Not sure what to expect from him so far, looks like he’s playing a heel at the moment. Still, I’ll be keeping an eye on him.

Zach Brown: Eh it makes sense for Anderson to join TNA. I was honestly wondering why Anderson didn’t debut during the 3 hour episode of Impact since everyone and their dog who was a free agent was able to make that show. Better late than never I suppose. But his TNA career definitely had a rocky start. Not only did he have one of the worst matches on a card that wasn’t all that great to begin with, but he also got “Overrated” chants from the audience. Sure the Impact Zone crowd has been more vocal than usual lately, but there’s still no excuse for getting that kind of reaction. At this rate, he’d have to turn heel to make the audience reaction worth something. I keep waiting for Anderson to reach the potential that his promos have been promising. Hopefully, he reaches that potential in TNA, and he can make WWE regret releasing him. We’ll just have to watch and see what happens.

Topic # 2 What are your thoughts on Brian Kendrick debuting in TNA?

David Martell: It is good that Brian Kendrick found a job in TNA. I really think he is going to fit well with the style of wrestling that TNA brings and I think he is a great addition to the X Division. I have always thought Kendrick was damn good in the ring. It is a shame that the WWE let go such a talent but since he seems to have problems with authority, I guess that’s what he deserved. Hopefully him being in TNA will make wrestling more enjoyable to him. Everyone wants to be happy with their jobs and TNA is a place I think Kendrick can be happy. I look forward to the matches he gives up in the X Division. Who knows, maybe he can break out in the main event again one day. I really like this THE Brian Kendrick gimmick as it actually gave him character. Hey, he was an interim world champion at one time. I wish him the best of luck in TNA.

Jacob San Antonio: Hmm, this is a bigger surprise, but I still see it in a positive light. Kendrick had his issues in the WWE, but he was pretty good in the ring. He had a lackluster gimmick that he made up for with natural talent, and was held back for various reasons. Just like Ken Anderson, I’m hoping things work out well for Kendrick in TNA. Maybe he’ll try to work his way into a rematch with Amazing Red and get another shot at the X Division title. Only time will tell, I suppose.

Zach Brown: Kendrick had a more promising debut in TNA. Really, his match was just ok. Kendrick and Amazing Red never really hit an impressive stride during their match. If Kendrick is going to do well in TNA’s X-Division, he needs to forget about that slower WWE style. But all in all, he had a successful debut. But the difference in with Anderson and Kendrick is that Anderson can cut a great promo and make you forget all about his shitty first match. Kendrick doesn’t quite have that ability. When Anderson was in WWE, he had that buzz about him that made you think he could be a future main eventer. That sort of buzz was never there for Kendrick. If Kendrick is going to survive in TNA, he needs something that will set him apart from the rest of the roster, and he needs it fast. TNA already has a bloated roster as it is, and I could definitely see Kendrick getting lost in the mid-card shuffle once again. I just hope that doesn’t happen.

Topic # 3 What are your thoughts on the Rock possibly coming back to the WWE in some fashion this coming summer?

David Martell: The Rock coming back in any capacity is very exciting. Whether it be in a guest host role or in a role that takes on several weeks, I will be happy. Will the Rock lace up his boots again? Who knows, but that thought is exciting. It has been known that wrestlers who retire seem to get that itch to compete again and I hope this is the same for the Rock. Him having a match with anyone would make my year. There are too many matches I would want to see him in but I think the one that would get over the most is if The Rock and John Cena faced off. It wasn’t that long ago that Cena was talking a lot of trash about the Rock forgetting his fans. I certainly remember it and this could make for some exciting TV. I could also go for another Rock Concert. Whatever happens, it will definitely be a sight to see.

Jacob San Antonio: At first it was just him mentioning hosting RAW, but in a recent interview he hinted at doing something more. Interesting stuff. I don’t think I need to mention how exciting that sounds. If his last promo on Smackdown was any indication, he may be a little rusty with The Rock persona but he remembers enough to get the crowd going. I’d love to see him host a RAW or two, maybe even wrestling just a bit. He’s still in pretty good shape, and with some training I’m sure he could work off the ring rust. I’m probably hoping for way too much, but I don’t think I’ll be disappointed with whatever we end up seeing The Rock do.

Zach Brown: If The Rock came back to WWE in any capacity, I would be pretty satisfied. I’ve pretty much given up on the notion of The Rock coming back to an active wrestling role, and I don’t even think he’ll have another full match in wrestling. But if he came back to host Raw, I’d be more than satisfied with a couple of his excellent promos, and maybe a Rock Bottom or a People’s Elbow. Even if that’s all we’ll ever get, I’d be happy. I’d be willing to bet that ‘ol Dwayne would pull better ratings than Bret Hart did.

Topic # 4 How do you feel about ROH introducing a Television Title as a midcard belt?

David Martell: I personally think that a mid card belt is great for any wrestling company that has a big enough roster to support it. I think this will bring a much needed piece of the puzzle to make ROH’s programming more interesting. This is a belt that they could defend on TV on a normal basis. I really like the eight man tournament they are setting up for belt. With the four names already announced in this eight man tournament, Rhett Titus, El Generico, Eddie Edwards and Delirious, I am already excited.

Jacob San Antonio: Man, I’m pretty happy about this. I’ve always enjoyed the TV titles, if only because they’re a pretty simple way of putting a spotlight on a developing midcard. I wish the WWE would pick up a TV title, if only so viewers aren’t forced to watch another midcarder challenge a main eventer, get red hot with a great feud, only to fade into obscurity. The TV title is such a safer option, and a better option in my opinion. So ROH really can’t start that tournament for it fast enough. Really looking forward to the results.

Zach Brown: Hmm…ECW much? All kidding aside, ROH should have a mid-card title. They have too big of a roster to have so many feuds on the show that don’t involve championships. But at the same time, ROH should also think about lengthening their program if they are going to increase their amount of titles. I’ll often watch ROH and wonder where Austin Aries is because he often won’t be on the show at all. That’s the case with several wrestlers some weeks. For example, when Eddie Kingston feuded with Chris Hero, they would show a new segment of their feud and I would have to think back three weeks ago to remember what happened in their last interaction. I don’t know if they have trouble managing the time they use on their program or what. But the bottom line is, I have enough trouble keeping up with storylines that are only addressed every other week. The new TV Title will have the same sort of problem if they don’t get two hours. Of course they should get more viewers before they expand to two hours, but I also don’t remember feeling this way when TNA only had one hour per week. But in the end, I do like the idea of ROH giving credit to the guys in their mid-card.

Topic # 5 Who do you think/want to win this year‘s royal rumble?

David Martell: This is a really tough question this year because WWE really decided to stack the Royal Rumble this year. With names like John Cena, Batista, Triple H, and HBK in the match, who knows who could win. I think the most likely choice would be HBK. They have really been hyping it up that he needs to find his own means to getting a match with the Undertaker. For someone who has conquered the rumble twice before, I could see him easily doing it again. Hell, I want to see a Wrestlemania rematch between him and the Undertaker. I was there last year live and if they can put on a match half as good, I would be happy. With that said, a returning Edge isn’t out of the question. I could easily see him make his return and win the whole thing. With that said, I couldn’t see him facing off with Taker again. I think his return feud will be with Jericho but anything can happen in the WWE. Maybe even Jericho could win the Rumble. He would certainly be my pick. Jericho is the work horse of the company and if anyone deserves a rumble win, it is him. I could see him winning and facing off with the Undertaker or Edge for that matter. Edge could return at Elimination Chamber and beat the Undertaker. The road to Wrestlemania starts at the Rumble so who knows what will happen.

Jacob San Antonio: Ugh, this is always a scary question to me. If Randy Orton wins the belt from Sheamus, I’d expect Kofi Kingston to win the Rumble. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mind HBK winning the Rumble but I’m so paranoid it’s going to be a throwaway victory to Cena or Batista. And yeah, I said throwaway victory. Does a main eventer like Cena or Batista really need a Rumble win to get a chance at the belt? At this point, I don’t think so. Giving the win to either of those two would be a waste of a Rumble, and a shortcut through an easy to make feud. So please, HBK or Kofi Kingston to win the Rumble.

Zach Brown: This is difficult because I believe that this year is one of the hardest years to predict for the Royal Rumble. Last year was obvious with Orton, so it’s good to have a somewhat unpredictable year. From the Royal Rumble ad, Triple H saying “I am the one” scares the shit out of me. Hunter is easily the only person that I do not want to win the Royal Rumble this year. As long as that doesn’t happen, I’m a happy camper. I would love for CM Punk to win, but he seems to be in his own world with the hair shaving storyline. I would also love for Chris Jericho to win because he has never won the Royal Rumble, and I’d like to see him run at the belt again. And unfortunately, I think it’s a little too early for guys like Kofi Kingston or John Morrison to win. Overall, I am hoping Edge is healthy enough to return to WWE and win the Royal Rumble at entrant #30. It would give us another unforgettable Rumble moment, and it would be great to see since Edge has never won the Rumble. But overall, this year’s Rumble is something I can’t afford to miss no matter who wins.

Our thoughts on the first blood match.

David Martell: The first blood match has always been intriguing although you will probably never see it in the WWE again. The object of the match is in the name, just make your opponent bleed before you do. I like the brutality it brings to a match. I think this type of match could be a good way to end a feud if done right. I wish the WWE didn’t have the stupid PG rating because I would like to enjoy more matches like this. I really don’t see why blood is such a bad thing. I mean I don’t want to see it on a constant basis but it make matches look more intense and it brings an added effect to a hard fought match. Don’t expect to see a match like this for a very long time.

Jacob San Antonio: First Blood matches are always interesting to me. You have a pretty simple setup: make the other guy bleed. But when the goal is so simple, the race to it is always interesting. Generally in a First Blood match, you see two wrestlers go all out and nearly murder each other in a desperate struggle to cause each other to bleed. You’ll see tons of finishers, some pretty dangerous spots, and nonstop violence from start to finish. Best example I can think of would have to be Steve Austin and the Undertaker, Fully Loaded 1999. Austin doesn’t even make it to the ring before all hell breaks loose, and you get an all out brawl throughout the entire arena. It’s a little unfair to think of every First Blood match like this one, but the match at Fully Loaded is a pretty good example of what these matches should be: chaotic, violent, with a heel McMahon guest commentating along with the match if you can help it. A shame we won’t see a First Blood on the WWE anytime soon, though. I guess that leaves TNA and ROH to pick up the slack.

Zach Brown: I’ve never really cared for the First Blood match. I just don’t think that being the first person to draw blood from their opponent is a particularly interesting way to win a match. It can give us some entertaining brawling and hardcore spots, but I just don’t like the stipulation. I mean it’s not like wrestlers can’t keep going once they start to bleed. And since hardly anyone bleeds the hard way anymore, it’s just a waiting game until one of them blades. Sorry, but I can’t really keep it kayfabe when I watch these matches. And I think that the professional wrestling companies know that it’s not a particularly popular match type. After all, it has been a couple years since WWE or TNA has done one. I mean with Cage matches, Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell, Hardcore, Ladder, TLC, Submission only, and so many other entertaining match types, why would anyone want to watch a First Blood match? It’s just not interesting in my book. And lest we forget, this is the match type that made Kane a WWF champion. So yeah, I’m not crazy about First Blood matches.

That is all for this week. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of the page and have a great week in wrestling! CYA!