By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Former TNA wrestler Cody Deaner (Chris Grey) says TNA told him in December when they released him from the company that the creative team was out of ideas for how to use him. Grey says he felt TNA didn't allow him to show he can wrestle and he eventually became expendable.

"The character stood out so much as a gimmick, that they decided to run with that. As a result, I was never able to show them my wrestling ability -- I was all character," Grey told Slam Wrestling's Bob Kapur in an interview.

Grey was asked about Hulk Hogan reportedly wanting his redneck character removed from TV. Grey said he read that on the Internet, but TNA management didn't mention anything about Hogan deciding to pull him from TV when they released him.

Grey defended his character, saying he was "filling a void" on Impact when there were a number of other characters filling the roster.

"My character was filling a void. It's what the show needed because nobody else was doing it. I was happy to do it - I did it to the best of my abilities, and I was told I did it well," Deaner said. "But what happened is that with TNA so over-saturated with talent, and only two hours of TV, the role that I was filling wasn't going to be given enough time on the show to warrant my being there."

Grey added that Kurt Angle complemented him on his performance and he "had the respect" of his peers. "It's one thing to gain the respect of the fans, but a whole other thing to gain the respect of your peers. To have them acknowledge my efforts was humbling," Grey said.

Caldwell's Analysis: No, the Deaner character was not filling a void on TNA programming. Throughout company history, TNA has limited their reach to wrestling fans by constantly regionalizing the product, e.g. Dusty Rhodes in the back of a pick-up truck or the "up North" references to WWE. Cody Deaner was the latest example of sending the wrong message about the product and limiting the fanbase TNA can draw from. You need a range of heels and babyfaces of all shapes and sizes on a wrestling show, but Deaner sent the wrong message about TNA's product to the average viewer.

[Torch art credit Joe Borzotta (c) PWTorch.com]

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