Scott Hall, Sean Waltman to appear on Jan. 4 TNA Impact?
When Kevin Nash talked a few weeks ago on TNA Impact about “the band getting back together” – an obvious reference to an nWo reunion – apparently it wasn’t a swerve. Reports have surfaced that Scott Hall and possibly Sean “X-Pac” Waltman will appear on the three-hour episode of TNA Impact on Jan. 4 that goes head-to-head with Raw.
I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but it does amaze me that any major promotion would do business with Hall -- whose history of substance abuse and erratic behavior is infamous -- especially TNA, which has been burned by him in the past. Plus, another rehash of the nWo – and it can’t be called that, by the way, since WWE owns the rights to the property – is lame. TNA needs to start thinking more about future stars, not broken-down, aging wrestlers with serious baggage.
If it’s just a one-night-only appearance to try to draw a rating, then I have less of a problem with bringing in Hall, but even if that’s the case, there’s certainly no guarantee that Hall would bother to show up. Two years ago, Hall was booked to wrestle in a six-man tag team match in the main event of the Turning Point pay-per-view, but he was a no-show. The reason he gave at the time was that he had food poisoning.
As for Waltman, whose troubled past also is well-documented, subsequent reports have indicated that he is not as likely to take part in the show.
I don’t know if an nWo reunion is TNA head writer Vince Russo’s idea, but one of the first things he did when jumping from WWE to WCW in 1999 was to bring back the nWo in the form of Nash, Hall, Bret Hart, Jeff Jarrett and Scott Steiner. It was at that moment that I realized that Russo was not the creative genius that some thought him to be, as the best idea he could come up with was to resuscitate a concept that even at that point had run its course.
Comments
I have a feeling TNA will rehash one of these three stories, or perhaps all of them:
1. nWo rehash. another attempt at forming a takeover group, trying to recapture past glory without realizing almost 14 years have passed
2. Massive power struggle (involving Dixie Carter, Jeff Jarrett, Kurt/Karen Angle Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, etc.)
3. Old wrestlers vs. new wrestlers (think: New Blood vs. Millionaire's Club; Main Event Mafia vs. TNA Frontline)
All three have been done to death and all three are destined to fail. I hope TNA can just stick to a regular wrestling show format, but that is doubtful. I figure TNA, knowing Vince Russo's tendencies, is going to want to make a BIG splash with some kind of elaborate storyline.
The vast majority of the industry is rooting for TNA to make it, but it is tough to get behind a company associated with most of the guys who murdered WCW - namely Bischoff, Hogan, Nash, Russo.
Posted by: Pimentel | December 23, 2009 7:51 PM
Oh Kevin , your reaction was to be expected ..... lighten - up ! :)
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | December 23, 2009 8:01 PM
Hulk Hogan is back, Bret Hart is back, a possible nWo reunion, rumors of Mike Tyson on Raw, and Monday Night War II fast-approaching: 2010 is gonna be fun.
Posted by: Matthew | December 23, 2009 8:37 PM
Scott Hall is like Lawrence Philips (a man whom I actually saw on the football field; he had to be restrained from jumping into the crowd when he was booed): he doesn't shape up because he knows that someone will always come along with another offer.
Posted by: Christopher | December 23, 2009 8:56 PM
Hulk Hogan is back, Bret Hart is back, a possible nWo reunion, rumors of Mike Tyson on Raw, and Monday Night War II fast-approaching: 2010 is gonna be fun.
For a moment I thought we're moving back in times instead of forward.. What's next? The rebirth of the Dungeon of Doom?
Posted by: Chriz Lee | December 23, 2009 9:05 PM
I wish Nash would realize that no one wants or cares if the "band gets back together" the angle has been done. the NWO's usefullness is no more.
Posted by: mrejr8234 | December 23, 2009 9:35 PM
I'd love to see the band get back together.. especially if Hall can shape up both mentally and physically -- I know that's a long shot, but here's to hoping!
Posted by: Ondi Lundgren | December 23, 2009 10:06 PM
It appears more likely every day that the edge in the new Monday Night War is going to be determined by one thing and one thing only: which organization brings back The Yeti.
Posted by: Shaun | December 23, 2009 10:12 PM
From a marketing standpoint, this nWo thing is already a success. Fans across various message boards are all talking about the potential return of the group. It's getting people interested in that special episode of iMPACT!
I was TNA, I would leak false rumors so that people will become even more interested.
Posted by: Jack Windham | December 23, 2009 10:51 PM
The best possible use of an nWo angle would be to put over British Invasion, Beer Money, or the MCMGs by having them defend the belts when Nash cashes in his case. Any of these teams has more long-term potential than nWo. Plus, the team that beats them can brag about beating one of the best, most famous tag teams of all time (a slight bit of hyperbole, I guess, but some of the hype for nearly every wrestler/team is exaggerated). This would give a boost to the TNA tag division, which can be very good but has been stagnating lately. Hall's part in this angle could be done in a single night, minimizing the chance that when Hall invetiably drifts away it damages the show. Or they could build it up as a return of the nWo, tease a feud, just let it fade away and never capitalize on it. This latter option seems more likely. Which reminds me, who was it that was attacking Styles?
I enjoy TNA and I really have high hopes for them in the next couple years, but they need to get past this era of letting any old WCW/WWF star come in seemingly whenever they want. It makes them look like a distant #2 (which they are in so many ways, but they should try not look like it). And if they are going to come in, have a short-term angle set up from the start that actually benefits your younger guys.
Posted by: J Newbs | December 23, 2009 11:12 PM
Vince already bought TNA in bankruptcy court
Posted by: Al | December 23, 2009 11:35 PM
Vintage TNA!
Posted by: Michael Cole | December 24, 2009 3:24 AM
I hereby nominate Shaun for comment og the year.
Posted by: Michael in Virginia | December 24, 2009 8:40 AM
Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, nWo, Mike Tyson on RAW...are we in 2010 or 1998?? SHEESH!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 24, 2009 10:03 AM
Since Russo is bringing back all of these old WCW "stars" does that mean we are going to see a battle of former WCW Champions as the main event. You guessed it....Vince Russo vs. David Arquette. That match would be just as entertaining as seeing Hall and Waltman back in the ring.....Ha Ha Ha.
Posted by: Bob Kordecki | December 24, 2009 10:48 AM
TNA should have the nWo win the tag titles, do a People's Court skit, and then pair them with a midget mascot to close the show.
Posted by: Barney | December 24, 2009 12:43 PM
As long as both groups go with this "PG" show structure nothing new or exciting is going to happen. Neither show is willing to push the envelope, neither show is willing or trying to "shock" anyone.
Posted by: D.Nelson | December 24, 2009 1:52 PM
"(If) I was TNA, I would leak false rumors so that people will become even more interested."
Oh hey good idea, then even a solid broadcast with quality performances from a hard-working roster could be viewed as a massive disappointment!
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | December 24, 2009 2:39 PM
Just watched recording of Final Resolution - Wolfe/Angle and Daniels/Styles matches were different class - brutal, skilful and innovative.
Really hoping that Jan 4 doesn't see the end of these guys getting the spotlight.
Quick happy christmas to Kev and all the bloggers - thanks for making this the most entertaining read. Lady Trucker is undoubtedly my highlight of 2009.
Posted by: djy | December 24, 2009 5:24 PM
nWo 4 life. Bring the band back together, and I hope they destroy world elite--they suck anyway.
"n" for nWo--TNA should buy the rights to it. Surely they're for sale, since PGWE won't ever use it again.
Posted by: rnak92a | December 25, 2009 1:32 AM