The Katz Files
My Genesis Notebook
The Kingfish Arnie Katz discusses the key events of Genesis and analyzes their mean for the future.
The Revamped Pre-show
TNA overhauled the pre-show and rechristened it”B4 the Bell (B4B). It’s still all video clips without a co-host to tie it together, but at least they had a much greater variety of content than in the past.
The show devoted most of the half hour to a detailed recap of the Hulk Hogan storyline and associated subplots. It did the job effectively, though more emphasis on the card. The lack of build-up for anything other than the main event strengthened the impression that Genesis was rushed together to meet the scheduled date.
Among the Missing
When the opening of Genesis featured Samoa Joe, I moaned to my wife Joyce Worley that I should’ve predicted that he would cash in his suitcase after Angle and Styles had knocked themselves silly.
Yet once Genesis started, Samoa Joe was nowhere to be seen. Joe challenging for, and winning, the title would have been a tremendous finish, t might have even lifted :a pretty good card” to memorable greatness.
The Lord of the Ring
The iMPACT Zone crowd really handed Hogan and Bischoff a shocker when they reacted so negatively to the four-sided ring. When Bischoff and Hogan hit the ring to crow about the return to the traditional ring configuration, I doubt they expected the boos and jeers. It would have been even more or a downer if TNA hadn’t confiscated signs that protested the change.
He new ring is spacious and it doesn’t hurt TNA to move to the same shape ring as other wrestling promotions. Yet Hogan and Bischoff handled the situation very badly. They came across as arrogant and petulant – and it also made them appear to dismiss the fans’ opinions without a second thought.
Hulk has always had sincerity problems with adult audiences. The way he turned against the crowd won’t enhance his believability, either.
A little creative thinking would have avoided starting off this crucial show on a sour note. TNA should have held a fan vote, via phone or Internet, o the question of six sides or four. They could’ve fixed the outcome to insure the four-sided ring and, at the same time, defuse protests.
Amazing Red d. Brian Kendrick
Grade: B
Having escaped his last gimmick with his release from WWE, Brian Kendrick is now free to resume his solid career. They’re going to play him as a heel, when he is better-suited to the babyface role, but at least fans won’t have to listen to that tired “chosen one” rap.
This was a nice win for Red, even if plans may call for Kendrick to cop the strap down the road. You know, they’d make a pretty good tag team, too.
Sean Morley d. Daniels
Grade: B-
This struck me as totally wrong in just about everyway. It starts with Sean Morley, whose character is incomprehensible. He still sounds like a sleazeball as he does all the Val Venis bits, but fans are supposed to take him as a babyface.
Meanwhile, Daniels said just about everything that fans were thinking about the ridiculous crap coming out of Morley’s mouth. He crowd took up what he said so completely that he had to pause in mid-rant to insult the fans enough to keep them from turning on Morley right then and there.
Having Daniels job to Morley also seems very, very wrong. The Fallen Angel has tremendous skills and is a favorite of the fans whether his character is a face or heel. Morley raises little or no hear and he had a lot of trouble even standing on the top turnbuckle for his Money Shot finisher.
The only justification I can see for this feud would be to turn Morley heel, push Daniels into the babyface ranks and give the Angel a nice victory as a springboard for a run at the X Division championship.
Tara d. ODB
Grade: B-
Thos match ended both ODB/x reign and her panty reveal bit. Her new costume features shorts, which takes some of the steam out of her crotch shots.
Matt Morgan &Hernandez d. British Invasion
Grade: B+
TNA’s two top babyfaces get a title run and the British Invasion can sink back to the mid-card where they belong. Williams and Magnus will probably go into an angle in which Rob Terry breaks away and fights against them.
If the seemingly inevitable break-up occurs, Morgan would make a better heel than Super Mex. His character exudes a natural arrogance and narcissism that could translate into fan hatred.
Desmond Wolfe d. D’Angelo Dinero
Grade: A-
Wolfe came to the ring in a rather sporty gray lounging outfit, accompanied by a slim, unidentified brunette. She acted as a valet, helping him remove his outer garments after he reached the ring. It made me think that the Pope should probably get a valet, too.
This match was well-fought and entertaining. Wolfe needed the win and giving him this one was definitely the right thing to do. It also evens the score between these two so that a tie-breaking confrontation is a likely sequel.
Mr. Anderson d. Abyss
Grade: B-
A man who has a troubled past and a potentially bright future made his debut doing the same act under a different name. It’s a good act and he may well be able to sell it to the fans a second time.
I very much approve Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s decision to cut back on the gore and gimmicks for Abyss. He brings a lot more than that to the sow, but all we’ve seen for the last year or so was one tack match or barbwire match after another.
The future will tell whether Abyss can, like his idol Mick Foley, earn a place in main events. It’s a lot more likely, though, if he fights meaningful matches against main event and upper mid-card wrestlers instead of novelty contests against guys who seem to be therefore that, and only that, purpose.
Beer Money d. Kevin Nash & Six-Pac
Grade: B
TNA – perhaps not including Taz — is wise to call him “Six-Pac.” When I hear “X=Pac,” what comes into my mind immediately is “sucks!” That chant is burned into my brain and I doubt I am unique among wrestling fans in that regard.
An even better idea would be to call him “Sean Waltman.”
How about that bait-and-switch? On iMPACT, they announced Hall and Nash as the opponents for Beer Money, but they turned it into one of those suspense-less mysteries when Genesis started. “Suspense-less” because the minute it be came a question, it also became a mortal lock that it would be Six-Pac and not Scott Hall. Neither team is exactly a thrilling prospect, but Hall and Nash at least have some historic resonance.
AJ Styles d. Kurt Angle
Grade: A
The heel turn for Styles doesn’t look like a great idea. Putting AJ under the tutelage of Ric Flair will make him a better performer, but he doesn’t make a very convincing heel. The Phenomenal One went heel a while back, but it didn’t work very well. Flair will be able to
Desmond Wolfe vs. D’Angelo Dinero
The Back Story:Here are two relatively young wrestlers, both seemingly on the way up. Yet their attitudes have caused this much-anticipated clash. Although Dinero came across as pretty unpleasant and arrogant when he first entered the promotion, he has since reformed and is now a fan favorite. The fans want the Pope to stop the relentless Wolfe, but no one is sure whether or not he can do it.
My Prediction: My fellow OWW columnist Jay Shannon, in his preview of this card, asked the very pertinent question: is this match necessary? It does seem a waste to put these guys in the ring against each other when each has to have momentum as they head into programs with other people. That’s why I think this one may not go to a clean finish. Both men will look fantastic and one or both of their forthcoming foes will do run-ins. It may well be a “No Contest,” unless they decide to give Desmond Wolfe a status-confirming victory.
Predicted Grade: A-
Sean Morley vs. Daniels
The Back Story: Sean Money, a newcomer to TNA, says he has raised his cinematic sights from his Val Venis days, but The Fallen Angel thinks Morley is just a big sleazeball windbag.
My Prediction: When these two faced off in a spirited discussion of modern cinema on o<{ACT, I was not sure who was supposed to be the face. I guess it was Morley, since Daniels hit him, but I sympathized with The Fallen Angel’s point of view/ The outcome of this match will tell fans a lot about the “new” TNA. If an outstanding talent like Daniels jobs to Morley, as is likely, it means that the guys whom Bischoff and Hogan brought in are going to beat the performers who are already in the promotion. Daniels’ upside certainly looks higher than Morley’s, but it may not keep him from being on the wrong end of Sean Morley’s finisher.
Predicted Grade: C+
Amazing Red vs. TBA
X-Division Championship Match
The Back Story: Red has been training hard and watching the films. He’s ready and this time, it’s personal. No, wait… this time the X Division champion is fighting a mystery opponent.
My Prediction: The only acceptable reason for withholding the name of Red’s challenger is that he is the big-name star Hogan promised fans on iMPACT. Whomever it is will win the match and the title and I think that wrestler will be… Rob Van Dam. If X-Pac comes out to fight (and beat) Red, I predict a lot of “X-Pac sucks!” chants.
Predicted Grade: A
Bobby Lashley vs. Abyss
The Back Story: Crystal Lashley says that her husband is going to destroy one TNA wrestler at a time until Hulk Hogan meets with her to negotiate the Boss’ release. The new management team obviously hopes that Abyss will be able to stop his rampage.
My Prediction: A Lashley win after a hard-fought match makes the most sense. Abyss can absorb that kind of loss, especially if Dr. Stevie and/or Daffney provide a little distraction, and it will propel Lashley into a feud with someone like Kurt Angel or AJ Styles.
Predicted Grade: C
Matt Morgan & Hernandez vs. British Invasion
TNA World Tag Team Championship Match
The Back Story: When TNA put Morgan and Hernandez together, they turned out to be thunder and lightning in the ring. The British Invasion uses technical skill, manipulation and dirty tactics to stay one move ahead of opponents, but the Young Bulls won’t be easy to stop.
My Prediction: The babyfaces have huge potential in the singles division, but a tag team championship run will be good for both of them. It’ll be a popular victory, that’s for sure. This match may also see Rob Terry break away from the other two.
Predicted Grade: B+
ODB vs. Tara
Knockout Match
Two-out-of-Three Falls
The Back Story: Tara has become ODB’s fiercest challenger and this match should provide a decisive end to their feud.
My Prediction: The Knocked Up Champion will keep the gold, but the match will go three falls. ODB will take the last one, probably by jumping Tara immediately after the end of fall number two. This won’t end the feud; Tara will get a rematch, possibly in a cage.
Predicted Grade: B
The Band vs. Beer Money
The Back Story: Hall and Nash attacked Storm and Roode, who desperately want revenge.
My Prediction: Nash and Hall will win due to outside interference by X-Pac. This will set up a much bigger match at the next pay per view as Beer Money thirsts for revenge.
Predicted Grade: B
Kurt Angle v A.J. Styles
TNA World Championship
Angle’s last shot in 2010
The Back Story: The two men fought so gloriously on iMPACT that the wrestling world must wonder what these two brilliant performers will do to top it.
My Prediction: It’s time for Kurt to take the title. Styles will look great, but the former Olympic champion will prevail.
Predicted Grade: A
That’s all for this installment of the Internet’s fastest-rising pro wrestling column. I’ll be back on Monday with my recap and analysis. I hope you’ll join me then and, please, bring your friends.
\– Arnie Katz
Crossfire4@cox.net
(1/18/10)