Good lord Eck, Russo written wrestling programs have been featuring "shoots" like this for a decade. How can you possibly believe it to be real?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Trust me, I'm not naive when it comes to Russo's "shoots." I've been there. You'll just have to trust me on this one.

I think the person stalking AJ is Taz. I say this because there was an episode of Impact a couple of weeks ago where AJ gets jumped before he gets in his car. When they return from commercial, Tenay and Taz go over the highlight of AJ getting jumped and Taz (who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt) just sort of shrugged and changed topics real quick.

Maybe the person attacking AJ Styles is...

MR...KENNEDY...ANDERSON

So upon reading this column, I looked up Carter's address on YouTube. Good stuff.

But here's the thing: I didn't see it on Thursday night, because I decided I wasn't going to watch Impact. Why? Because they've had Hogan signed (publicly) for two weeks now, and for two straight weeks, they have postponed debuting him on the show.

That sends a message to me, as a viewer. It tells me they're not serious about Hogan—which is equivalent to saying that they're not serious about the big, bold moves they make. They're not committed. They don't show follow-through. And this isn't the talent at TNA that I'm speaking of, here. It's the leadership.

If Carter is ready to kick into gear, then great. But it starts at the top, and not with some hardass speech about how everybody *else* needs to give 110%. Get serious about building toward and promoting your pay-per-views. When you sign major-name talent—whether it's Hogan, Taz, Foley, etc.—step up and do something with it, to further your brand. Can the sophomoric writing (immature is one thing, but just plain *bad* is inexcuseable) and focus on wrestling...which would be to your benefit, because it's where WWE is weak.

I can't say I'm optimistic. I'll keep giving TNA chances, here and there, because I'd genuinely like to see another player emerge in this business. But every time I tune in, it seems, I walk away disappointed. Stop trying to do what WWE does—because they do it better, and they always will. Do something *different*, and you've got a real chance to shine.

Dixie has no business being an on air TV character. What exactly does this segment accomplish? The only thing possible would be Dixie Carter has a heel boss. The heel boss has been rehashed since 97 more than Montreal.

Telephone interviews are never a good idea. Aside from distracting from Wolfe, Angle made a comment along the lines of 'nice sunglasses.' This show isn't live, how does he see him?

This brought back a memory of a telephone interview with the Rock. He answers "Great One," and the phone still rings. lol

This is the first I've watched TNA for months, but it has really not moved forward.

The wrestling is on a par with mid to low card WWE wrestling. The acting is unbearably bad, hints of Sunset Beach and Days of Our Lives about the acting talent.

The commentary team are decent, at least better than Michael Cole or Todd Grisham, but they are having to call sub-standard matches. Shame.

The only 2 guys I would recommend for WWE is Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe. I think those 2 should jump before the inevitable Hulkamania poison ruins their careers like so many before them.

Didn't TNA signed Bischoff as well??? Why is he being neglected. I feel he is the best acquisition(in big names) made by TNA till this date. I would really mark out for Bischoff whenever he makes his comeback

I have bad feelings about this Hogan signing. I think there will be a lot of talking (especially from him) that will cut down on the wrestling action.

Hopefully it is Tomko and not Mr. Kennedy as the attacker of AJ. Tomko makes much more sense and is a better wrestler.

Steiner referenced the MEM again. I wonder when they are going to officially close this? Steiner needs to replace Taz. Taz is downright awful.

Hamada is very underrated. TBP are the weak link now in the Knockout Division.

Daniels is kind of booked as the "jobber to the stars." He is better than that.

I actually did not like the press conference at the beginning. I think faces/heels being together as a group should be reserved only for active wrestlers/referees dying. Just my opinion.

I also think that Hogan at this stage does not add to the TNA product. I'm sure that Joe, Rhino, etc are excited about losing to the 50+ year old's leg drop of doom. They are doing a good job of building young talent especially after Angle's endorsement and then they go totally backwards. Hopefully, his time in TNA will be short. (Where is Jeff Jarrett with that guitar when you need it).

What about Suicide??

Wasnt that Hulk Hogan?

I agree with you that this type of meeting would probably have been better off held behind closed doors, where information could have been exchanged more freely.

When people may want answers about future directions, it may not be the best idea to shut off their questions.

The open threat of possible ejection for those who question, has, in the past, proven to be a double edged sword.

Frustrated wrestlers with talent left WCW in 2000 (Benoit, Malenko, Saturn and Guerrero) and then joined the WWE, further weakening the company they left.

So, there is a little bit of past history available on that approach. It only takes a handful of top talent to leave an organization to promote an image of disaffection.

Insultated, top down communication and decsion making processes also come with potential risks -- isolation, and feelings of non involvement.

Interestingly enough, there were also communications and directional issues in the old WCW, with the perception of an out of touch inner circle which made, or influenced, some bad decisions.

One part of the speech did make some sense to me: that the people in that room have been and are committed to the betterment of the company. Ideally, ownership should value their experience, knowledge and feedback. Or, at least you would hope so.

Perhaps the real issue might be whether the people rumoured to be joining the company will share that same level of commitment as those who were listening to the lecture.

Ironically, there may be a new issue they could face now --lower morale -- at least based on the unhappy expressions on some of the faces.

It will be fascinating to see how this all plays out, but it seemed to be a sobering rather than an enthusiastic kick off meeting for this new project.

I believe that Daniels was trying to portray that he was jealous of Styles. However, it didn't come out that way. He ended up sounding like a whiner who was bitter at the company.

His mic work is usually great, but he wasn't able to convey the proper message this time around.

"We now know the person stalking Styles is not Daniels or Joe."

__________________________________

Not necessarily. Vince Russo could swerve us by revealing that the beatdown of AJ took place earlier in the day and that was just a recording on the big screen. Would that make sense? Who cares? When he Russo allowed sense to get in the way of a swerve?

In all seriousness, Impact looks better to me than Raw. My Monday Nights may end up reserved for football.

I thought that the interactions between Othello, Cassio, and Iago, erm, I mean AJ Styles, Daniels, and Samoa Joe were well done. I don't particularly care for "who's the secret attacker?" storylines, probably because they usually result in a revelation that was either extremely obvious or completely out of left field. Still, I care about this storyline because you know the match will be good and you can see how the stuff they are building could possibly add to the match. The promos, especially by Joe, have been great, too.

"But here's the thing: I didn't see it on Thursday night, because I decided I wasn't going to watch Impact. Why? Because they've had Hogan signed (publicly) for two weeks now, and for two straight weeks, they have postponed debuting him on the show.

That sends a message to me, as a viewer. It tells me they're not serious about Hogan—which is equivalent to saying that they're not serious about the big, bold moves they make. They're not committed. They don't show follow-through."

You really think that? You really think that they wouldn't cart out Hogan at the earliest opportunity? You really think that TNA has any say in when and where Hogan is gonna make his debut there? As far as I can see, TNA is at the mercy of Hogan's whims.

I'm praying that all he does is plug his book and the Australian tour with Flair and then get the hell out of dodge.

Dixie basically told everyone to shut up and trust that Russo and Ferrara know what's best. What a scary thought. Daniels almost breaks his neck on a forgotten spot. Daffney gets a concussion in a throwaway spot.

The wrestlers are giving everything physically, and for nothing. Maybe Dixie needed to turn around and address the creative team instead of the people killing themselves for nothing.

3 things on my mind after Thurs.

1st- "Mr. Mangled" (aka Kurt Angle) and Desmond Wolfe will steal the show at Turning Point, no question in my mind. Both i believe are incredible talents, and it should make for a hell of a match

2nd- Where is Eric Bischoff in all of this? I understand he isnt the publicity figure Hogan is, but at least let the folks at home know he is going to be a part of the creative process when Hogan does debut in TNA

3rd- Hogan's "Hulkamania" tour in Australia (Home Sweet Home) was headlined by a Hogan vs Flair match. I personally though it was a great match. Hogan didnt appear as rusty as he was, and although Flair jobbed for him a little, he looked good. I am not against Hulk at least attempting to step in the six-sided ring, and maybe even have an angle with Sting.

Why does Taz act surprised when Samoa Joe turns on people -- like AJ and Daniels, for example? After all, it was Taz who was Joe's "advisor" when Joe turned heel. Doesn't make sense to me but it is Russo's show.

Has an iron fisted, you're-not-allowed-to-disagree-with-the-company policy ever produced the desired results? It's a good thing I see TNA as train wreck television and don't actually expect to be entertained in any meaningful way.

Kevin, thought you would like this...In the Seahawks-Lions game Sunday, Julius Jones scored a TD, then did a very credible Jeff Jarrett "Double J Strut" in the endzone! Most probably missed it, but I thought it was awesome, even for a Lions' fan!

I know this is entertainment and I'm too old to take this stuff seriously. Having said that I can't imagine when I was a big fan what I would think if I saw Jim Crockett addressing his crew with the horseman just casually sitting around with Dusty Rhodes, Sting, etc. One of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen on a wrestling broadcast.

Was it me, or did AJ's attacker look about 5-6 inches taller than AJ (which made AJ questioning Daniels if it was Daniels committing the attack pretty funny).

I think since Dixie has pushed the creator and lifeline of TNA to the side it has lost its sizzle that I started watching it for, kind of like the good old days of Memphis Wrestling. She may have the money, but Jeff Jarrett should be in charge and we all know that Vince Russo is an idiot. Please bring back the people who made TNA what it is and needs to go forward, Jeff, Dutch Mantell, BG James, make it exciting again or you will lose fans. No one cares about Hulk Hogan or Bischoff, they are done !!!!!!! Keep pushing the young talent they are the future of the business. TNA used to stand for Total Non- Stop Action, now it stands for now it is Totally Now Annoying