The Katz Files
Rating the TNA Roster 2

The Kingfish Arnie Katz continues his monthly series that rates each TNA wrestler’s recent performances, analyzes strengths and weaknesses, and even charts future courses for the hole roster.

Part 2

Check the first column in this month’s series for the long-winded explanation if you haven’t yet read it.

Daffney
Mic: B-
Ring: C+
Comment: The “Zombie Hot” gimmick crashed and burned in the aftermath of the match with the four briefcases. A woman can be weird and sexy – Elvira, Vampirella, et al – but her performance during the mandatory strip killed whatever chance she might’ve had to get over that way. TNA has pushed Daffney a lot, but they don’t push her consistently and they don’t seem to have a strategy for her. They give her camera-time on iMPACT, but there’s no storyline, no direction.

Daniels
Mic: B+
Ring: A
Comment: He is still shown on the roster page of the promotion’s website, but rumors abound that he is gone. He might as well be, for all the use they make of him. The fact that he doesn’t look like Hulk Hogan shouldn’t blind TNA to the reality that his MMA-style look is mighty popular with TNA’s target demographic.

Desmond Wolfe
Mic: B
Ring: B+
Comment: TNA hasn’t done much with him in the last month. He may be injured or they may be trying to figure out what to do with him next. Chelsea didn’t add much to his act, because he spiels so much better than she does. He’ll be in the Team Hogan versus Team Flair match, which could lead into a new singles program.

Don West
Mic: C
Ring: N/A
Comment: He is basically involved in merchandising rather than the actual wrestling show at this time. That is certainly playing toward his strength.

Douglas Williams
Mic: C-
Ring: B+
Comment: They’re calling him by his full first name, but that isn’t going to make him more exciting with the mic or inside the ropes. He’s an excellent mat wrestler, but his style doesn’t deliver the usual X-Division thrills. It’s likely that they will use him to help launch a more dynamic X-Division title-holder.

Dr. Stevie
Mic: C
Ring: C+
Comment: On one hand, he doesn’t contribute much to TNA Wrestling. On the other, he sure doesn’t take up a lot of space. He rarely does anything in the ring or with the mic. Maybe they should team him with Shark Boy.

Eric Bischoff
Mic: B
Ring: N/A
Comment: Bischoff’s heel character, with its blend of Iago-like scheming and blustering intimidation is starting to take hold. He can be much more interesting than Hulk Hogan when he puts his mind to it. The writing and plotting would benefit from fine-tuning.

Eric Young
Mic: B
Ring: B
Comment: He’s out of the World Elite and his ill-starred tag team with Kevin Nash. Those are positive steps, but now it’s time to get him into a feud he can win. The fans are always ready to cheer on Eric, if TNA gives Young something to do.

Generation Me
Mic: C
Ring: B
Comment: TNA’s repositioning has made Jeremy and Max Buck a reasonably interesting young tag tea. It’s a question why you’d push them instead of the Motor City Machine Guns, but this pair does show ability. If TNA sets up an X-Division Tag Team Championship, Generation Me would be in the title picture.

Hamada
Mic: N/A
Ring: B+
Comment: Reportedly, she has been touring outside the US,.

Hector Guerrero
Mic: B+
Ring: N/A
Comment: He’s the Spanish-language announcer and can still play a role in some of the skits.

Hernandez
Mic: N/A
Ring: N/A
Comment: He’s touring Mexico, but at least he’s done with teaming with Matt Morgan. He’ll probably do a program with his erstwhile partner when he returns, unless TNA is determined to revive Lax.

Homicide
Mic: C+
Ring: B+
Comment: He has returned, but it’s too soon to tell what they have in store for him.

Hulk Hogan
Mic: B-
Ring: N/A
Comment: The concept scheduled for Lockdown is probably the best way to use the Hulkster, given his considerable limitations. If there is someone who takes more time to say less than Hulk, but there’s a sense that he is not receptive to someone actually giving him something to say.

James Storm/Robert Roode
Mic: B
Ring: A-
Comment: Beer Money has turned heel again, which is probably their best role. They need more story support than they are getting – and it’s time to return the duo to the top of the tag team division.

Jay Lethal
Mic: B
Ring: B+
Comment: Suddenly, TNA is again fascinated by his Randy Savage impression. He can, indeed, be funny in his Macho Man character, though a valet would give me an additional foil for his act. TNA shouldn’t forget that Lethal is a fine ring performer, not just a comedy character. He is due for another X Division championship reign.

Jeff Hardy
Mic: C+
Ring: B+
Comment: What a coup for TNA! He should shine a Lockdown, which will propel him into his first real TNA feud. It’s possible that he and RVD will continue to team against Beer Money, but it’s only a matter of time until we get Hardy-Styles for the World Championship.

Jeff Jarrett
Mic: B+
Ring: B
Comment: With any luck, we’ve seen the last of the storyline where Bischoff humiliates Jarrett a different way each week. A real feud with actual matches is sure to be a lot more entertaining than watching Double J clean toilets or whatever.

Jeremy Borash
Mic: B+
Ring: N/A
Comment: For a while it looked like Bubba the Love Sponge was going to take JB’s job, but that possibility looks pretty remote at this juncture. Jeremy does a solid, professional job no matter what he’s assigned to do.

I’ll be back on Tuesday with another part of my TNA roster ratings. I hope you’ll join me then and, please, bring your friends.

– Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
crossfire@cox.net
(4/12/10)