By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

TNA wrestler Christopher Daniels says TNA is trying to appease Spike TV executives looking for strong TV ratings by writing storylines around Main Event Mafia-type wrestlers. He says the younger wrestlers without name brand value in the X Division receive less TV time as a result, but he understands why TNA does it.

"Once Spike TV became a priority - they were looking for a certain rating - sometimes it's hard to justify having guys that, even though talent-wise can fit the bill, you've got executives looking for ratings and wondering why it's not happening," Daniels told Mike Mooneyham for his Sunday column in the Charleston Post & Courier. "It becomes a balancing act where you're trying to get guys with names and guys with talent."

Daniels says there is a tendency for wrestlers and outsiders to question TNA's decision to focus on established stars rather than giving newer wrestlers quality TV time, but he says TNA doesn't have a choice most of the time.

"Sometimes you can second-guess decisions all you want, but sometimes you're really stuck," Daniels said. "When we're given what we're given, we only can try to do the best we can do. We can't affect what's written. All we can do is once we step into the ring, make it worth not changing the channel for."

Daniels has been pushed to the main event since returning as himself last month. He says this is "probably one of the better spots" he's been in since joining TNA several years ago. He says he could have contributed to the main event when TNA first started bringing in name brand wrestlers, but he's glad to have the opportunity now.

Daniels also has a high opinion of the creative direction of the company with Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett spearheading the behind-the-scenes storyline effort. Daniels says he has to trust the creative team to give his character good direction and simply execute their game plan.

"Vince has always had a very high opinion of me. I think he's given me opportunities and has always been on my side," Daniels said. "He's the guy I'm following in terms of just putting my trust in and writing the character and write what he wants me to do. I feel if I can just let that go and let him do his job, that he's going to help me get to a position where I can go out and do my job in the best light possible."

Daniels wasn't always on the same page with Russo. When Russo and fellow WWE writer Ed Ferrera jumped to WCW in October 1999, Daniels had just signed with WCW thanks to Kevin Sullivan, who was high on his work as a young independent wrestler.

Daniels said he was caught in the shuffle of a classic WCW regime change and no one in charge knew who he was or what he could bring to the table.

"Vince didn't know me and Eric (Bischoff) didn't know me," Daniels said. "By the time six months had rolled around and they hadn't done anything with me ... they're paying me money and my contract was somewhat sizable for someone who hadn't been on TV. I was making too much money, but they weren't putting me on television. What could I do?"

Daniels said he used the experience in WCW as a learning opportunity that he didn't have a job for life in the wrestling business. He says he was frustrated, but has learned to earn his opportunities.

"I thought that once you had the job, it was yours. What happened was I never ever got a chance to earn my job or at least earn the reason to keep my job," Daniels said. "It was frustrating. It would have been one thing had I gone out there and hurt somebody or did bad promos, but none of that happened. I didn't do anything because they didn't have anything for me to do."

Caldwell's Analysis: Daniels has certainly been "booked" like a main eventer on the interview circuit this week to promote the Sacrifice PPV, as he's done at least four interviews that I've seen. Nice to see him receiving a legit push, but hopefully he's not a victim of the Eric Young curse of being a fixture on the media interview circuit right before a PPV, then his TV push is diminished right afterward.

Link: Daniels interview with Mike Mooneyham.

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