I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. But now that the Holidays are behind us, it’s time to get ready. We are only 3 days away from TNA’s Live debut on their new network, POP TV. Over the last few weeks, there have been rumors going around that TNA is looking to get some well-known talent locked up for the move. Names like AJ Styles and Goldberg have been tossed around, and most recently, Michael Bennett and Maria Kanellis have reportedly signed already. There are some other curious names that have either popped up or have lingered around, despite no reports of them potentially headed to TNA. Jay Lethal and ReDRagon are some names that popped up among those reportedly working without contracts with ROH, and at the most recent TV Tapings, Christopher Daniels was “suspended indefinitely”, which could signify him being written off. Sami Callihan is another name floating around. He requested and received his release from WWE right around the same time TNA announced their new TV deal, give or take a few days. Coincidence? So with all of this activity in the wrestling scene, who should TNA consider signing?
AJ Styles
This has to be first and foremost. He’s done a lot of podcast interviews recently and there always seemed to be several mentions of TNA. AJ Styles should be top priority. I didn’t listen to the podcast or read the entire transcripts. I only read what was on here and from what I saw, there wasn’t a lot of bad talking. It was more about, what makes most sense for him and his family. Basically, he’s looking to cash in as his career should be coming to an end in the next few years. TNA should do what it takes to bring him back and let him finish his career in the house he built. I’m actually of the opinion that it’s a done deal already. He’ll lose his IWGP IC Title match at Wrestle Kingdom, and he’ll be jet-lagged but I fully expect an appearance this Tuesday.
Mickey James
Let’s face facts. Gail Kim is pretty much out of competition right now. We’ve seen enough of her and Kong to last a lifetime. And with Angelina Love being pregnant, Taryn Terrell’s status unknown, and Brooke apparently moving on, who would make a better opponent for Gail Kim than Mickie James? I can’t think of a bad match these two have put on. TNA obviously needs some time to replenish the KO roster so what better way to buy some time during their Bethlehem tapings than to build a program with two of the best women’s wrestlers in the last 10+ years. I’d give Mickie James a run, and still allow her to continue doing what she’s doing elsewhere. She wouldn’t need to be a long-term solution, but a solid program while we get introduced to some new Knockouts would be a perfect situation.
Austin Aries
Aries was one of many names that were a part of the mass exodus from TNA this past summer. He is one of the names that have been lingering around as he hasn’t signed on exclusively with anyone. I personally think letting Aries walk was a temporary move until TNA got a new TV deal solidified. I fully expect an Austin Aries return on January 5th, or shortly after. I think letting him walk came with a nod and a wink and he’ll be back. What role will he play? Who knows?
Christopher Daniels (& Kazarian?)
As I stated earlier, Daniels was “suspended indefinitely” according to the spoilers of ROH’s latest TV tapings that were posted last week. If that was, in fact, a way of writing him out, then TNA should definitley consider bringing him back. He’s really up there in age so this would be the best time to have him in for one last run. If he comes, Kaz should follow. I know Kaz is scheduled to battle Alex Shelley next week in ROH, so perhaps a post-UK Tour return is more realistic. The fact is, The Wolves have run out of competition and Bad Influence are just the opponents they need to get the Tag Team division going again.
James Storm
I know this may seem like a long shot, considering he’s appeared twice on NXT, but why is he still not signed? If he’s available, TNA should lock him back up, but with a catch. USE HIM PROPERLY. James Storm can and should be in the Main Event in TNA. He’ll never reach any sort of prominent position with WWE so if the price is right, and TNA should make sure that price IS right, Storm should be there on January 5th, and not as the leader of a bunch of jobbers in the Revolution. He should be one of the cornerstones while TNA refreshes their talent. I’m sure going to TNA would all but burn the WWE bridge. That’s why it’s important for the price to be right and for him to be used properly.
AJ Lee
It’s no secret the Knockouts, once again, need an energy burst. If TNA can grab Mickie James for a program with Gail, that would be great but what about life after that? Enter AJ Lee. If she’s willing, TNA should absolutely bring her in and give the Knockouts Division a much needed spark. Maybe there can be a new leader of The Dollhouse. I enjoyed Taryn in that role. She played it well. But not knowing what she’s doing these days, The Dollhouse as been MIA, which is a shame because the addition of Rebel was great. But then it went away. Bring AJ Lee in, TNA. She can only mean good things for the Knockouts Division.
Goldberg
Okay. The last thing TNA needs to do is grab some old timer from the glory days of 15-20 years ago. That ex-WWE guy if you will. He will also come with a very high price tag. But there is something that can be beneficial on both fronts. Goldberg goes to TNA. He brings viewers and higher attendance. He can feud with Bram, promote his movie, on a short-term program, and get his name fresh in the minds of wrestling fans. After the program ends, WWE can sign him, and he can start his WrestleMania build against whoever WWE wants to put him against, since WWE wants as much star power as they can get to fill Jerry’s World for WrestleMania. Win-Win. I actually think Goldberg will show up in TNA. I think his tweet a few weeks ago all but confirmed that. I just hope it’s done right and makes sense. Don’t revolve the company around him. Just use him, and pay him.
CM Punk
Obviously, there’s like a .001% chance of this happening, but I’m just a never say never type of guy. If it were at all possible, I think TNA should at least talk to him. First, find out if it’s okay since he’s with UFC. And second, gauge his interest. What can it hurt? Obviously, he’d come with a high price tag but a lot of people would tune in or buy tickets to see him so it would be well worth the money. But, I’m sure this one is just wishful thinking.
These are just a few names TNA should consider moving forward with. Obviously, they won’t be signing all of them. As much as I would like to see CM Punk, it’s not realistically gonna happen. I would prefer they didn’t spend money on Goldberg but if it makes sense, I would only want him for a very short program with Bram. Don’t empty the bank on a guy like Goldberg. Whatever they would do, make sure it makes sense financially.
The important thing here is not just getting a few name-recognized talents to showcase but it wouldn’t hurt to have some of the names synonomous with TNA back on the roster. And while these would all be great, TNA needs to have a long-term view of things and need to look at the big picture. The roster needs to be replenished with new talent. These are a few names I’d take a look at. Trevor Lee and Brian Myers, obviously depending on their contract status with GFW, are two guys I’d look at, not just as a tag team. I also thought Andrew Everett showed a lot of promise at BFG and despite his injury, I’d certainly look to him as part of the future TNA. I’m not sure what the deal is with Sami Callihan but if everything’s right with him in the head, I’d give him a look. He’s young enough to be a long-term talent in TNA. Add in the additions of Michael Bennett and Maria Kanellis, and TNA would seemingly be back on the right track.
So there we have it. TNA has some decisions to make as far as talent goes as they start a new venture, on a new network, on January 5th. I’m excited to see what surprises they have in store for us on that day, but more importantly, I’m excited to see where they go from here. Hopefully this is where TNA gets back on solid ground and starts taking steps forward and they need the right talent to do so.
I hope everyone enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Let me know in the comments what you think of the talent I listed here and also your thoughts on some talent you’d like to see TNA bring into their new home.
Thanks for reading. I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season. Be safe.
