Matt Morgan’s star turn
TNA is infamous for booking swerves that are often obvious and nonsensical, but the surprise babyface turn of Matt Morgan was well done on last night’s TNA Impact – a show that I attended live when it was taped last Friday in Orlando, Fla.
TNA has decided to pull the trigger on a push for Morgan, who recently accepted a contract to become a regular on NBC’s American Gladiators but will continue to appear in TNA. I think pushing Morgan, who is listed at 7 feet 1 and 330 pounds, is a great idea. He has a good look, moves well for a big man and has the gift of gab.
Morgan, who appeared on the second season of WWE’s Tough Enough and was one of the favorites to win it before he had to leave the show due to an injury, was considered by many to be a future star when he signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2002. Despite his ability to cut a promo, however, Morgan was given a stuttering gimmick in WWE. He never really got over and was released in 2005.
Last night’s show was built around him, as he openly favored the Tomko-led heel team that is facing a team led by Christian Cage at the Lockdown pay-per-view on April 13. As TNA management director Jim Cornette’s second in command, Morgan signed off on Tomko adding James Storm to his team, giving the heels a 5-on-4 advantage. Cage said that he had an ace in the hole, which turned out to be Morgan.
During last night’s main event between Sting and Storm, Morgan, who had appointed himself as the special referee to seemingly stack the deck against Sting, instead helped Sting get the victory. After the match, Cage ripped off Morgan’s referee shirt to reveal a “Team Cage” t-shirt. I have to admit that I didn’t see that one coming. Hopefully, next week’s show will include a promo from Morgan explaining what his motivation was for joining Team Cage.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
When I saw this show live, the crowd was so raucous during the opening promo by Team Tomko that it was hard for me to understand what the wrestlers were saying. It didn’t come across nearly as hot on television. …
Rhino’s gore on A.J. Styles looked amazing. …
Scott Steiner said he was cashing in his Money in the, er, I mean his Feast of Fired TNA world title shot at the Sacrifice pay-per-view in May against the winner of the Kurt Angle-Samoa Joe title match at Lockdown. That means it’s most likely Steiner versus Joe.
Curry Man is giving Santino Marella a run for his money as the best comedy act in sports entertainment. I don’t think his dancing with Crystal will ever get old, and neither will his referencing of famous Japanese wrestlers in his promos. Last night, he was talking to Shark Boy and said: “Chono Masahiro.” …
The “Rough Cuts” segment was the weakest so far in the series. Kip James sounded like he was cutting a typical wrestling promo, while B.G. James already was talking about reconciling in the future with Kip even though they haven’t even wrestled yet.
LAX has never been the same since Konnan left, and the talents of Homicide and Hernandez are being wasted in mid-card feuds. They need another mouthpiece to regain their momentum. …
The videos on Consequences Creed – which is a great name, by the way – are making him look like a star. He is another fine addition to a TNA roster that is overflowing with hungry, young talent. …
Bottom line: Elix Skipper is too talented to be jobbing to Shark Boy.
Comments
I never saw Morgan as a heel really. Sure he made some heelish decisions every now and then but I just figured him to be an inexperienced mgmt figure.
And I agree, Morgan has the potential to be a star. My only problem is his voice. It doesn't match the look. Kinda like looking at a polar bear and hearing it sounds like Jacko type of thing. Maybe that's me and I'll get used to it. :/
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I think BG and Kip are trying to recapture whatever Hall and Nash had when Hall turned on Nash, by trying to get fans really wishing they'd be together,etc.
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You didn't see this live but it was on TV and was really tasteless. Tenay plugged their TNA Hotline thing saying "Find out which wrestler got in trouble for being in the audience last week"
Posted by: ATP | April 4, 2008 11:55 AM
Is it just me or is Mike Tenay just an awful play-by-play man? Last night, at the culminating moment of the main event angle, when Morgan attacked Team Tomko and ripped off his shirt to reveal a Team Cage shirt (those shirts are awful btw) Tenay had absolutely no reaction whatsoever. It was like someone had just applied an armbar or something. Don West of course screamed "WHAAAATTTT" or something equally as inane, but Tenay just brushed over it.
This actually happens a lot with him. When TNA wrestlers hit their finishers, a lot of times he never changes to tone or volume of his voice. He acts like it's just another move. And a lot of times, during wrestler's promos, he interjects commentary over them, taking away from the moment in the ring. He's just really bad overall.
TNA would be well served to go on the hunt for a new lead announcer, someone young and dynamic who can call a match well (ie: Not Michael Cole, Coachman etc...) and move Tenay to the color commentary seat, where he can add insight into the action like he did so well back in WCW. The guy is a wealth of wrestling knowledge, but he's not a play-by-play man.
Don West can be relegated to some type of special interviewer or web host. Anything to get him off my TV.
Posted by: Andrew | April 4, 2008 12:20 PM
Do you think anyone has ever told Scott Steiner that he stinks at promos?
Whats up with that monster who follows him around?
I'm interested to see what Matt Morgan can do in the ring. He is too talented to be stuck in the Jonathan Coachman role as Cornette's assistant forever.
Posted by: John | April 4, 2008 12:33 PM
I didn't watch Impact so I don't get what was funny about the Masahiro Chono reference. If it was supposed to be funny because he reversed the two names, that really is what his name would be in Japan, Chono Masahiro. Family name first.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN: It's funny because he appears to be speaking Japanese, but he's actually just mentioning names of Japanese wrestlers and basic Japanese terms. It's all in the delivery.
Posted by: Rob | April 4, 2008 2:23 PM
I really like Morgan aproaching the ring slowly. He has good mic skills, but for some reason, I found his voice unbearable if it's an overdose (like when he is Coernette's assistant).
But in the ring, combined with his mic,I think it could be a really big thing.
Slowly, I'm starting to found TNA as a "must see". Not as RAW, but...
By the way, about Kurt's recent in interviews: Don't you think that he is being too aggressive with WWE?He is comparing TNa with WWE every single time, and -obviously- he is putting over TNA every single time
Posted by: Gaston | April 4, 2008 3:18 PM
All in all I thought last nights airing was kind of mediocre . However the Matt Morgan turn was something I wasn't expecting . For some reason I'm just not "feelin" Sting this time around . Whats up with Cowboy James Storm , I thought he had left to go back home to Brokeback . I know TNA has alot of young talent it should push , I would like to see longtime favorite Steiner get a push . Please no more Awesome Kong "interviews" .
Posted by: jack in hebron | April 4, 2008 6:16 PM
By the way , lets all say it together - "Rillek is killer spelled backwards .
Posted by: jack in hebron | April 4, 2008 6:58 PM