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This is going to be an on-going thread that I add to as I get time. I will be going down the roster page and doing a brief analysis of each talent. From this I will assign them an overall rating in addition to star ratings in three different categories. No doubt there is room for discussion on a lot of these and I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts whether you agree or disagree with my assessment. Here is a brief explanation:
I will be talking about each performer with the following format
Name (Overall Ranking)
Credibility: (out of five stars) ||| In-Ring Work: (out of five stars) ||| Character: (out of five stars)
Overview (a very brief overview of how I see the person in question)
Success/Failure (how the person can be successful and how the person can fail to meet potential)
Would benefit greatly from... (A suggestion for what they need to get to the "next level" which will be a different level for each wrestler)
The overall rating is influenced by the star ratings but isn't an average of them as I also take things like potential and other intangibles into account. At times someones star ratings may seem drastically different than their overall rating.
The following is a list of some of the more prominent things I think about when I assign stars to a category:
Credibility: World title wins, years spent as a wrestler, longevity at the top of "the business", the "aura" they have, their work ethic
In-Ring Work: Ability to put on good to great matches consistently, ability to tell a story in the ring, amount their character matches with their in-ring style
Character: Ability for the audience to "buy-in" to the gimmick, ability to sell the character during promos, simply: does it work?
Enough of this exposition, lets get to the good stuff!
Abyss: 6.0
Credibility: ** ||| In-Ring Work: *** ||| Character: ***1/2
Overview: The character itself is solid, he does a good job with everything he is given, but Abyss lacks credibility. When you're a big man, credibility is important and once its gone it is difficult to get back.
Success/Failure: For success use him as a brawler, a sideshow, a spectacle that everyone on the roster fears. For failure make him into a joke, give him too much character so that the spectacle is ruined, and make him lose enough that he isn't taken as a threat.
Would benefit greatly from: A feud with another big man where they both push each other to the limit rather than going through the motions
AJ Styles: 8.5
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: ****1/2 ||| Character: ****
Overview: Easily one of the top workers in the industry today, when he was the face of the company TNA was in an up-swing, he was a primary reason the X-Division EVER mattered, and is one of the most integral members of TNA period but he is too often lost in midcard hell that completely fails to utilize his strengths.
Success/Failure: For success use him as the top face in the company even when he isn't in the spotlight, emphasize his exceptional in-ring work, and build up heels for him to overcome. For failure emphasize his limited mic skills, treat him as though he DIDN'T single handedly make the company credible, and continuously put him in angles with Christopher Daniels because the writing team is too shitty to create another successful foe for him.
Would benefit greatly from: Having his past hyped up, being used as the definitive TNA talent, being given a long World title reign as a face where he battles against the odds to regain his credibility
Alex Shelley: 7.5
Credibility: *** ||| In-Ring Work: ***3/4 ||| Character: ***1/2
Overview: He had a popular angle with Kevin Nash that went nowhere, he was in one of the best tag team feuds in recent history that was quickly forgotten a month later, and his character is unique but lacks any depth. His potential is still so high but he has been stuck in no-mans land for most of his TNA career.
Success/Failure: For success build him up quietly as a singles wrestler, expect him to routinely have one of the best matches on every card he is on, and have other wrestlers try to foil his rise to stardom. For failure try to push him as a top star, use him as enhancement talent, and/or don't give him any meaningful feuds.
Would benefit greatly from: A feud with Chris Sabin that isn't heavily focused on, they start with a friendly encounter that then has a natural build into something bigger, let it grow into something fans focus on naturally (rather than forcing it down everyones throats), and don't use stupid gimmick matches...then in the end, have them become closer friends irregardless of who wins.
Angelina Love: 6.5
Credibility: *** ||| In-Ring Work: *** ||| Character: ***
Overview: She was part of the Beautiful People that routinely got some of the highest ratings of each show, has been a multi-time women's champion, did well with the zombie-ish gimmick, and is a decent in-ring worker for a Knockout. But as much as I want to like her I still find that I don't even notice when she isn't on the show.
Success/Failure: For success have her try to raise out of the shadows of the other women, from those who were famous in the past (Trish) to those who seem to be more popular than her now (Velvet), and try to move her into the position of a gristled veteran deserving of respect even if she isn't on the top of the card. For failure make her seem like just another woman, put her in angles where she isn't a focal point, and book her in matches where she can win/lose a title based on a random briefcase outcome.
Would benefit greatly from: Decisive victories over the "lesser" female talents and maybe a good brawl with ODB.
Anthony Nese: 6.5
Credibility: *1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: *
Overview: I had to do some research for this one and I came to this conclusion...I like him. He hasn't really accomplished anything and the character of a "random indy talent" doesn't exactly excite but he has plenty of time to develop. Honestly, he is probably the top prospect on the TNA roster right now and it's just a matter of capitalizing.
Success/Failure: For success build him more in the mold of the successful WCW cruiserweights where he is super serious about being considered great, allow him the opportunity to carve his own niche, and don't be afraid to job him out to someone better than him so long as it is done in a way that he doesn't lose anything from it. For failure do the typical TNA formula of building him up without a character and then forgetting about him, give him a goofy gimmick that doesn't fit him, or use him as a jobber because he didn't come from WWE.
Would benefit greatly from: A pairing with Angelina Love, not as a couple but as two people striving to be the best at their given craft
Austin Aries: 8.0
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: ****
Overview: He has always been a standout talent and his work ethic is hard to top, since his return to TNA he has taken the company by storm, becoming the fastest rising star on the roster. He can be a little too gimmicky at times and his match pacing needs work but on the whole the sky is the limit and he has returned a level of credibility to the X-Division that is sorely needed.
Success/Failure: For success continue to utilize his strengths, let him dabble in the main event scene a little even though he isn't ready to be an actual main player now, he'll bring a higher pacing to matches and make guys like Ken Anderson seem slightly more bearable. For failure make the X-Division his limit, don't utilize his time as X-Division champion to integrate him into a place higher on the card, and let his star burn out when its so hot like so many others before him.
Would benefit greatly from: Showing respect to the veterans of the business, not using them as managers, but being able to see him backstage trying to pick up some pointers from guys like Ric Flair while still being a brash, cocky jerk to anyone who isn't a veteran
Bobby Roode: 8.0
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: ***
Overview: He is on route to being the longest reigning TNA Heavyweight Champion in history and that doesn't bother me, he has worked hard and been part of a lot of successful things. Where his weakness lies is in his character which he simply does not deliver in a way that sucks you in and, while at times you can see glimmers of greatness, there are other times where you see glimpses of him as just being a midcard wrestler and he has essentially created his own glass ceiling because of that.
Success/Failure: For success continue what is already happening, it is going to be a slow road to building his credibility because he simply doesn't have that typical superstar quality, his best growth will come after he loses the title and has to find his way back up to it. For failure decide his title reign wasn't successful enough and regulate him back to the midcard, job him to the next "star of the moment", and stop making him a focal of the show as soon as his reign is over.
Would benefit greatly from: Someone else to feed off of, he was a standout in Team Canada, he was awesome in Beer Money, but on his own he simply isn't as strong a character
I'll continue this soon!
I will be talking about each performer with the following format
Name (Overall Ranking)
Credibility: (out of five stars) ||| In-Ring Work: (out of five stars) ||| Character: (out of five stars)
Overview (a very brief overview of how I see the person in question)
Success/Failure (how the person can be successful and how the person can fail to meet potential)
Would benefit greatly from... (A suggestion for what they need to get to the "next level" which will be a different level for each wrestler)
The overall rating is influenced by the star ratings but isn't an average of them as I also take things like potential and other intangibles into account. At times someones star ratings may seem drastically different than their overall rating.
The following is a list of some of the more prominent things I think about when I assign stars to a category:
Credibility: World title wins, years spent as a wrestler, longevity at the top of "the business", the "aura" they have, their work ethic
In-Ring Work: Ability to put on good to great matches consistently, ability to tell a story in the ring, amount their character matches with their in-ring style
Character: Ability for the audience to "buy-in" to the gimmick, ability to sell the character during promos, simply: does it work?
Enough of this exposition, lets get to the good stuff!
Abyss: 6.0
Credibility: ** ||| In-Ring Work: *** ||| Character: ***1/2
Overview: The character itself is solid, he does a good job with everything he is given, but Abyss lacks credibility. When you're a big man, credibility is important and once its gone it is difficult to get back.
Success/Failure: For success use him as a brawler, a sideshow, a spectacle that everyone on the roster fears. For failure make him into a joke, give him too much character so that the spectacle is ruined, and make him lose enough that he isn't taken as a threat.
Would benefit greatly from: A feud with another big man where they both push each other to the limit rather than going through the motions
AJ Styles: 8.5
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: ****1/2 ||| Character: ****
Overview: Easily one of the top workers in the industry today, when he was the face of the company TNA was in an up-swing, he was a primary reason the X-Division EVER mattered, and is one of the most integral members of TNA period but he is too often lost in midcard hell that completely fails to utilize his strengths.
Success/Failure: For success use him as the top face in the company even when he isn't in the spotlight, emphasize his exceptional in-ring work, and build up heels for him to overcome. For failure emphasize his limited mic skills, treat him as though he DIDN'T single handedly make the company credible, and continuously put him in angles with Christopher Daniels because the writing team is too shitty to create another successful foe for him.
Would benefit greatly from: Having his past hyped up, being used as the definitive TNA talent, being given a long World title reign as a face where he battles against the odds to regain his credibility
Alex Shelley: 7.5
Credibility: *** ||| In-Ring Work: ***3/4 ||| Character: ***1/2
Overview: He had a popular angle with Kevin Nash that went nowhere, he was in one of the best tag team feuds in recent history that was quickly forgotten a month later, and his character is unique but lacks any depth. His potential is still so high but he has been stuck in no-mans land for most of his TNA career.
Success/Failure: For success build him up quietly as a singles wrestler, expect him to routinely have one of the best matches on every card he is on, and have other wrestlers try to foil his rise to stardom. For failure try to push him as a top star, use him as enhancement talent, and/or don't give him any meaningful feuds.
Would benefit greatly from: A feud with Chris Sabin that isn't heavily focused on, they start with a friendly encounter that then has a natural build into something bigger, let it grow into something fans focus on naturally (rather than forcing it down everyones throats), and don't use stupid gimmick matches...then in the end, have them become closer friends irregardless of who wins.
Angelina Love: 6.5
Credibility: *** ||| In-Ring Work: *** ||| Character: ***
Overview: She was part of the Beautiful People that routinely got some of the highest ratings of each show, has been a multi-time women's champion, did well with the zombie-ish gimmick, and is a decent in-ring worker for a Knockout. But as much as I want to like her I still find that I don't even notice when she isn't on the show.
Success/Failure: For success have her try to raise out of the shadows of the other women, from those who were famous in the past (Trish) to those who seem to be more popular than her now (Velvet), and try to move her into the position of a gristled veteran deserving of respect even if she isn't on the top of the card. For failure make her seem like just another woman, put her in angles where she isn't a focal point, and book her in matches where she can win/lose a title based on a random briefcase outcome.
Would benefit greatly from: Decisive victories over the "lesser" female talents and maybe a good brawl with ODB.
Anthony Nese: 6.5
Credibility: *1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: *
Overview: I had to do some research for this one and I came to this conclusion...I like him. He hasn't really accomplished anything and the character of a "random indy talent" doesn't exactly excite but he has plenty of time to develop. Honestly, he is probably the top prospect on the TNA roster right now and it's just a matter of capitalizing.
Success/Failure: For success build him more in the mold of the successful WCW cruiserweights where he is super serious about being considered great, allow him the opportunity to carve his own niche, and don't be afraid to job him out to someone better than him so long as it is done in a way that he doesn't lose anything from it. For failure do the typical TNA formula of building him up without a character and then forgetting about him, give him a goofy gimmick that doesn't fit him, or use him as a jobber because he didn't come from WWE.
Would benefit greatly from: A pairing with Angelina Love, not as a couple but as two people striving to be the best at their given craft
Austin Aries: 8.0
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: ****
Overview: He has always been a standout talent and his work ethic is hard to top, since his return to TNA he has taken the company by storm, becoming the fastest rising star on the roster. He can be a little too gimmicky at times and his match pacing needs work but on the whole the sky is the limit and he has returned a level of credibility to the X-Division that is sorely needed.
Success/Failure: For success continue to utilize his strengths, let him dabble in the main event scene a little even though he isn't ready to be an actual main player now, he'll bring a higher pacing to matches and make guys like Ken Anderson seem slightly more bearable. For failure make the X-Division his limit, don't utilize his time as X-Division champion to integrate him into a place higher on the card, and let his star burn out when its so hot like so many others before him.
Would benefit greatly from: Showing respect to the veterans of the business, not using them as managers, but being able to see him backstage trying to pick up some pointers from guys like Ric Flair while still being a brash, cocky jerk to anyone who isn't a veteran
Bobby Roode: 8.0
Credibility: ***1/2 ||| In-Ring Work: **** ||| Character: ***
Overview: He is on route to being the longest reigning TNA Heavyweight Champion in history and that doesn't bother me, he has worked hard and been part of a lot of successful things. Where his weakness lies is in his character which he simply does not deliver in a way that sucks you in and, while at times you can see glimmers of greatness, there are other times where you see glimpses of him as just being a midcard wrestler and he has essentially created his own glass ceiling because of that.
Success/Failure: For success continue what is already happening, it is going to be a slow road to building his credibility because he simply doesn't have that typical superstar quality, his best growth will come after he loses the title and has to find his way back up to it. For failure decide his title reign wasn't successful enough and regulate him back to the midcard, job him to the next "star of the moment", and stop making him a focal of the show as soon as his reign is over.
Would benefit greatly from: Someone else to feed off of, he was a standout in Team Canada, he was awesome in Beer Money, but on his own he simply isn't as strong a character
I'll continue this soon!
