The Impact Zone is poisoned. It steers the product in the wrong direction. It should be minimized.
If TNA management thinks the Impact Zone matters, heck, let those nimrods book the show. Bring ‘em backstage, hand ‘em a crayon and some loose-leaf, and let ‘em go nuts. They wouldn’t have a clue. But they might have the balls to stand behind one of their ideas and not shrink at the first sign of negative public opinion. That would be something, anyway.
Fans at WWE TV initially lambasted The Rock with “go away” heat. But WWE stayed the course, The Rock’s character evolved, and he ultimately became one of wrestling’s biggest stars. Even now, marks don’t always embrace John Cena. But WWE stays true to its own creative vision, confident things will come good. If you’re a competent booker, knee-jerk reactions aren’t indulged. You know more than the citizens, right?
FLAIR VS. FOLEY
Problem is, Foley can’t do what Flair can do. He’s grotesquely out of shape, he was nothing more than a stuntman in the first place, he’s totally immobile and a lazy bastard besides. So to indulge this feud – which was a bad idea from the get-go – Flair has to do what Foley does. Which is reduce himself to a garbage wrestler.
It’s to Flair’s credit that he can pull it off, and withstand the punishment besides. But I hate seeing him do it. Do you want to see the greatest wrestler ever backdropped onto tacks? Diving through tables? Flayed by barbed wire?
Don’t think for a minute that didn’t take the edge off Terry Funk’s legacy. A man’s got to make a living. But Funk’s hardcore days are all some remember him for.
Why accommodate Foley? He’s absolutely useless. Flair’s 61, but a better worker now than Foley ever was. Foley just stinks. He can’t even promo anymore. Get rid of him.
Mark Madden hosts a radio show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh. Check out the Mark Madden page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark via wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com.
