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TALES FROM THE PULPIT 9/4: Nice days coming to TNA? Sep 4, 2008 - 1:23:56 PM
Going forward, my goal is to post a new Tales from the Pulpit 3x per week during the afternoon between 3-6 p.m. EST.
Mick Foley heading to TNA marks the departure of yet another disgruntled ex-WWE employee to the Impact Zone. Foley released a statement yesterday confirming he has signed a short-term deal with TNA. If anyone has read Foley’s various autobiographies, it’s no surprise that he thinks a lot of himself and his wrestling IQ.
We’ve seen what TNA creative does with stars that come through Dutch, Vince, and Jeff’s pearly white gates. They turn them into average Joe’s. Who is the only character in TNA history to constantly overcome all odds and win his matches more often than not? Jeff Jarrett. The question becomes when and not if Foley will become frustrated with his role in TNA in my eyes.
If Foley’s #1 role in TNA is to make Jeff Jarrett look good, we can expect Foley to quickly look like every other moron running around on Impact. If Foley’s #1 role in TNA is to be an influential figure in booking and helping to make TNA a better product overall, than this signing is a success. There was a time when I used to see nothing but potential when TNA brought in name talent into the company, but those days are gone and TNA has to prove me wrong from now on.
Having read all of Foley’s books, his high opinion of himself aside, he had some really good creative ideas that got shot down by Vince McMahon in the past. Foley is what I refer to as a transcendent performer. He’s one of those rare storytellers that exist in the business today with the ability to tell a story leading up to a match and then incorporate all the elements of his storyline within the context of the match. WWE is the only company that gives us that today, as was evident in the Edge-Undertaker HIAC match at SummerSlam.
TNA didn’t have any of transcendent performers in the company until they signed Foley, but it’s up to them to carry the ball from this point forward. He is someone who could help guide the company if he’s a voice those in power will listen to. Jim Cornette, another great wrestling mind, is also employed by TNA, but he simply does his job and doesn’t bother getting upset by the idiocy that surrounds him.
I don’t think Foley has much left in him from an in-ring standpoint, but he’s proven me wrong before by pulling out some memorable performances against Randy Orton and Edge in recent years. If Foley is motivated, he’ll deliver something special to TNA. If he sees that he’s being booked into being just another guy in the promotion, his enthusiasm will likely vanish quickly and he’ll move on once his contract expires depending on how successful his outside ventures in television and writing are.
TNA has blown through numerous opportunities in the past to use wrestlers with star power to enhance their image, ratings, and buyrates. TNA is at a crossroads again. Another opportunity, another big signing, so what direction will they go this time? You know where my money lies.
Sean Radican and Derek Burgan deliver state-of-the-art wrestling audio each and every weekend exclusively at PWTorch.com/members. When not writing his obnoxiously successful “Tales From The Pulpit,” Sean wonders how he would rib Derek if they were in the wrestling business.
Email me at PWTorchSean@gmail.com. This is my new email. The Torch email does not work right now.
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