The Triple Threat 7.01.07: The 52nd Edition

Welcome back everyone to the “Triple Threat!” We were away for a brief period of time and now we are back and better than ever. To those loyal reader’s of the column I want to apologize for the past few columns we produced, it became a WWE column with no real insight and frankly grew quite stale. But
now we are back, back to cover more space, more companies, more topics, and just all around more wrestling. With out return we re-debut with a new member of the column, so here is our newest writer Zach Brown with a little intro on himself. Enjoy the column everyone!

Hey everyone my name is Zach Brown. I’m a film student attending University of North Texas and a loyal wrestling fan (as well as MMA). I’m also good friends with Sean, David, and Alex. I’ve been a fan of the column since it’s inception and I’m more than happy to contribute. It’s unfortunate that I have to replace Sean when there is so much turmoil and tragedy within the wrestling community, but I guarantee I am here to stay and provide my insights on the wrestling business.

Topic #1 Austin Aries has quit TNA and is heading back to ROH, what are your thoughts?

David Martell: This is definatly a big loss for TNA. To me, Austin Starr was one of the best talents TNA had and also one of the best characters.He had the wrestling ability, carisma, and mic skill tto really become a big star but TNA dropped the ball. This will probably end up better for Aries in the long run because now he will get to choose where he goes. Luckily, we all know that ROH will treat him right and let him be the star he really is. I am definatly looking forward to seeing what ROH does with Aries now that they are becoming a bigger company.
 
Alex Mattis: A rare thing in today’s wrestling world, showing loyalty. Aries knew he wasn’t being used properly in TNA and that this is a pivotal point in his career where he is still growing and needs to be in a position where he can do what he wants to do. We’ll see him on TV down the line I’m sure, as he strikes me as a smart man, but for now he wants to continue to test himself and do the absolute best he can. The sad part for me, though, is that I LOVED the Austin Starr gimmick, he played the roll so well. I can only hope that I will see the Starr Strut yet again.

Zach Brown: It’s really unfortunate that Aries has left TNA. His Austin Starr character was great, but I admit he wasn’t being used to his full potential. I mean this is one of the only people in the business to have beaten Samoa Joe. He should have been a top dog in TNA, but for some reason he was just a mid-card talent. I’m glad he gets to do what he wants and not have to put up with any TNA management woes, but I’ll honestly miss seeing him every week.

Topic #2 Johnny Nitro won the ECW title at Vengence, what are you thoughts about this and what do you think he can do for ECW?

David Martell: At the time that Johnny Nitro won the title I was pissed off because not only was I in attendance but I was angry that Benoit wasn’t there. Of course, we all know what happened and the more I think about Nitro winning the title the more I like it. Nitro is one of the most interesting wrestlers to watch in the WWE and he has everything a wrestler would need to become a star. This also looks good for ECW because they are making ECW to look like the younger brand. I think that a feud with CM Punk and Nitro could bring us some great matches and a good draw for the brand itself.

Alex Mattis: This is a very awkward situation but an exciting one at the same time. It would seem that Johnny Nitro is wearing what Chris Benoit was to be wearing, that makes it some what uncomfortable. BUT, this is a great thing in the
sense that it is different. Johnny Nitro represents something different which is what the ECW brand has needed since its re-launch. Nitro is an average size guy who busts his ass and uses new-age moves and has a new-age gimmick. Big Show and Bobby Lashley represented nothing new, we had seen
them or wrestlers just like them in the past on Raw and SmackDown. The feud of CM Punk and Johnny Nitro could really help re-build what, to this
point, has been considered a failure. I fear they may have already screwed Nitro, however. He lost clean to John Cena on ECW this week. That makes Nitro, Punk, and ECW in general look weak and worse, it makes it look like a subordinate of Raw and not important.

Zach Brown: Nitro is a great choice to push the ECW brand. Granted, I wish CM Punk would have gotten the title, but Nitro is still a great choice. Lately he had been underutilized and didn’t even have a spot at Wrestlemania unless you count the dark match with all the nobodys. I’m definitely glad they decided to put some faith in him. Just as long as he doesn’t spend more time on RAW than ECW ala Lashley.

Topic #3 What do you think about the new TNA title?

David Martell: I think that its great that TNA finally separated itself from NWA. This is a stepping stone for TNA. TNA finally looks like its own separate entity and now they can start their history. I didn’t exactly want Angle to win because I think they should of let a TNA original win the title, but I do think this brings prestige to the title just for the accolades Angle has. Lets hope some day soon we will get the see Joe with that shiny piece of metal around his waist.

Alex Mattis: The thing that looks like a gold PRIDE belt? Well it has already been tainted for me, that belt was suppose to have been Joe’s god dammit! The fact that a former E champ is the 1st TNA champ is not a good thing. If Christian
would have won it I would have been more ok with that than Angle. Angle can be a strong champion, but shouldn’t have been the one to start the legacy,
if you can call it that, of the TNA title. His first defense had more run-ins that Smokin’ Aces so no one knows what to make of him as champ yet, and we won’t know for awhile. His next match is this lame Champions match. So that means he most likely won’t defend his title in a singles match until Hard Justice in August. This run has gotten off to a bad start, and has quite a divot to pull itself out of.

Zach Brown: The new TNA title looks great. I just wish one of the TNA poster boys like Samoa Joe had it around his waist and not an ex-WWE guy.

Topic #4 ROH is touring Japan, what does this mean for the company?

David Martell: What’s a better way to get your product out then touring around the world? Nothing! This is a great way for ROH to get there product out and touring in Japan, one of the biggest wrestling areas in the world, is a great place to start. Hopefully by doing this, ROH can get some more Japanese talent to wrestler for them to continue there get run of mixing styles.

Alex Mattis: KENTA and CIMA are teaming up to face Davey Richards and Rocky Romero!!! Do I need to say anymore? Well in case I do, this is a huge step for the company. More so that the UK tours. The cards for these events are stacked and are sure to deliver. In addition to the Dream Team of KENTA and CIMA facing No Remorse Corp, Jack Evans and Roderick Strong will wrestle yet again in what should be a great match, Jimmy Rave and Bryan Danielson will have a rematch from the ROH 4th Anniversary Show, The Briscoe’s will attempt to “Jin Ue” and successfully defend their ROH Tag Titles against Shingo and YAMOTO. The prior night will feature a match anticipated rematch between Morishima and Nigel for the ROH World Title, I wouldn’t be surprised if Nigel takes the belt from Takeshi here. This tour could only be the beginning for ROH in Japan, they already have a strong following there, this will just increase its size.

Zach Brown: I think it’s great that ROH is touring outside the states. I’m always glad to hear about companies defending their titles abroad, and it also means they spread brand awareness. Japan is a very respectable wrestling community, and the more they get their name out over there, the better.

Topic #5 ROH is having it’s first PPV, Respect is Earned, within the next month, what are your thoughts on this?

David Martell: This is a milestone for ROH. Being able to have a PPV is a big step in becoming a big wrestling power and it is also a great way to get ROH out there to other wrestling fans. ROH is truly a great wrestling product and if it had a chance at the big times, it would defiantly give TNA and WWE a run for its money. From what I have read, the card is stacked with several indy stars. I can’t wait to see the buy rate of this PPV to see how intrigued wrestling fans are to see this.

Alex Mattis: Much like the Japanese tour this is a huge step for the company. PPV is a huge part professional wrestling and it has done great things for the companies that have been fortunate enough to land a spot on it. Look at what it did for ECW. The line up for “Respect Is Earned” shows that this will indeed be a showcase of what Ring Of Honor is and it will show who the main players and future stars of the industry are. I will be anxiously awaiting watching this PPV and will be anticipating the 2nd PPV even more. For any fans reading this column, if you want to see what ROH is about or just want to support indy wrestling, buy “Respect Is Earned.”

Zach Brown: This is great for ROH. I have a lot of faith in the product, and the more they grow as a company, the happier I’ll be. However, I’ve heard it’s taped and not live which is pretty stupid. Live shows are always more entertaining, and the fact that many ROH fans may have read the spoilers already could hurt the buy rates. 6. Personally, I don’t think the draft changed too much of the feel to the three brands. I do think that overall, RAW got the best end of the deal. Moving Mr. Kennedy to RAW was the smartest decision for the company to make because pretty much everyone wants to see more of him. Plus, RAW got rid of The Great Shitli, which I’m always happy about. On another note, I do wish that CM Punk was moved off of ECW, but granted, that would have left ECW up shit creek.

Topic #6 Senshi requested his release from TNA but didn’t get his request, what does this mean for TNA?

David Martell: TNA seems to be having a problem lately of keeping their stars. It seems like every month another wrestler wants to leave TNA. For guys like Senshi, I completely understand. These guys in the mid card are just not getting the chance to shine. It seems like once you are in the X division you are stuck there forever. I feel that TNA needs to realize how great of a roster they got before they lose everyone. TNA needs to stop relying on ex WWE guys and ex WCW guys to get there product over and continue what they started to do; to be the alternative.

Alex Mattis: This is very bad for TNA if some of their strong undercard players are asking for their release. Senshi, much like Aries, is being VERY under utilized and may want to hone his craft else where. We’ll have to see if TNA will wise up and star using the talent they have or if the undercard starts to get smaller and smaller.

Zach Brown: I love Senshi. I think he is one of the most talented, and sometimes underutilized wrestlers in the business. But I think it’s really unfortunate that yet another star wants to be released from TNA. I don’t think it’s a wise choice for Senshi unless he thinks he can get some sort of deal with WWE. If Senshi really wants out, I think he will eventually get it, but I just don’t know how leaving a major wrestling brand will help his career at this point.

Thank you everyone for tuning into our new and improved column. We hope to add a few things to the column in the up-coming weeks to keep things different and fresh. Lets hope the next week of wrestling will be a good one. Peace everyone!

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