The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
Who Should Book TNA?
The Kingfish Arnie Katz goes behind the screaming headlines to discuss a crucial question for the future of TNA and the happiness of its fans..
The headlines in the wrestling press added up to a double-barreled bombshell. First Jeff Jarrett separated himself from TNA and then the company released Dutch Mantell.
The only thing worse than too many books, a condition described in a previous installment of “The Katz Files,” is not having enough booking talent. With Jarrett and Mantell gone, the TNA booking committee is pretty much down to Vince Russo.
Some people swear by Vince Russo while others swear at his approach to putting together a pro wrestling show. Objectively, Russo has done some good stuff, but he also has a tendency to go a little too far when left to his own devices. TNA can’t hold even the audience it has unless the promotion immediate adds one or two major voices to the booking committee.
I have no idea whom TNA will hire. I don’t pretend to any “inside knowledge,” but I definitely have some ideas about whom TNA should hire.
It seems reasonable to start the search for bookers with people who are already associated with TNA. It’s likely that Jeremy Borash will be on the committee to some extent, but I don’t think he is a high-impact answer.
The best way to balance Vince Russo’s “outside the box” thinking is with someone steeped in pro wrestling. The ideal person could be Kevin Nash, who is certainly coming to the end of his ring career. He could become a General Manager or something on the show and work behind the scenes on plots and stories. (Nash would have to retire from the ring; active wrestlers tend to push themselves too aggressively.)
Mick Foley might be a good addition, too. He is a bit too fond of humor, which can sometimes undercut the drama, but he has some pretty good thoughts about how to book a pro wrestling promotion.
Outside TNA, the indies have some good people who might be eased into a spot on the booking committee. Paul Heyman and Gabe Sepulski are the two names the come quickest to mind, but Lance Storm is also a viable candidate.
Look for some big swerves and changes in the TNA show. With two powers gone, there’ll be a lot of experimentation and trial-and-error. It could hardly be more confusing than what TNA has given fans for years, but it might turn out to be even more fun.
That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with another installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising pro wrestling column. I hope you’ll join me then and, please, bring your friends.
— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
(8/4/09)