23.12.2002, 01:15
Mike Tenay hat jetzt denn TNA Fans einen Brief online gestellt.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
2002 turned out to be a great year for me personally and my association with NWA/TNA has to rank near the top of my career highlight list.
The opportunity to work with a roster of great athletes looking to establish or re-establish themselves really changed my view of the wrestling business. I was no longer dealing with wrestlers who felt that the business owed them a living. I was surrounded by youngsters that are grateful for the chance to show that they belong in the national spotlight and veterans that feel like they still have something to offer or something to prove.
Our final show of the year certainly showed that Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme faction is on a mission to take total control of this organization. Russo's quest to gain power saw him add Low Ki, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper, Sonny Siaki, David Flair and I'm presuming A.J. Styles to his initial recruits The Harris Brothers and B.G. James.
Jeff Jarrett's vocal denouncement of Russo confirms his stance as a leader of the traditional NWA. It was also quite clear that Curt Hennig and Ron "The Truth" Killings are firmly aligned in the anti-Russo camp as well.
The strong emphasis on the three championship belts has been a cornerstone of NWA/TNA since it's inception and the struggle for power is expected to revolve around those titles in 2003.
NWA Champ Jarrett is certain to have a target on his back with title defenses around the world. While Hennig and Killings are sure to continue their battle against Russo, they also have to be considered among the top contenders to Jarrett. Don't overlook B.G. James or future Russo representatives and will we again see Scott Hall and/or Syxx Pac back in the championship picture?
Slash and Brian Lee's rivalry with Chris Harris and James Storm returned our focus to the tag team division. The Disciples of Father James Mitchell's New Church are the current NWA Worlds Tag Team Champions, but America's Most Wanted and The Harris Bros. are obvious top challengers. And after this past Wednesday, where do the Road Warriors fit?
The revolutionary X Division is truly what seperates NWA/TNA from any other wrestling promotion. The incredible athletes that compete in the no limits atmosphere of the most exciting, extreme and explosive division in our sport is quite honestly what put NWA/TNA on the map. While Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme convert Sonny Siaki is the reigning champ, I look for him to eventually be a major player in the NWA Worlds Title chase. The depth of talent among the X men is so strong that the old cliche about "on any given night" applies here more than ever. Jerry Lynn (my NWA/TNA MVP of 2002), A.J. Styles and yes--Amazing Red are the elite of the group off their memorable performances this year. But when you consider Kid Kash, EZ Money, The SATs, Jason Cross and of course Russo's trio of Low Ki, Daniels and Skipper it's evident that this is the most competitive division in pro wrestling today.
What questions will we answer in 2003? Well, for starters who's next to join Russo? Who's next to join the NWA? On the heels of shocking appearances by Roddy Piper and The Road Warriors, who's next to surprise us? Where does Percy Pringle stand and will he return as an active manager? And, most importantly: Who will survive ... Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme or the tradition of the National Wrestling Alliance?
NWA/TNA fans, we thank you for your support in 2002. And now that the battle lines have been drawn, expect 2003 to be more unpredictable than ever.
We're back on Wednesday, January 8 ... Join us to find out who wins the war.
Mike Tenay
Happy Holidays Everyone!
2002 turned out to be a great year for me personally and my association with NWA/TNA has to rank near the top of my career highlight list.
The opportunity to work with a roster of great athletes looking to establish or re-establish themselves really changed my view of the wrestling business. I was no longer dealing with wrestlers who felt that the business owed them a living. I was surrounded by youngsters that are grateful for the chance to show that they belong in the national spotlight and veterans that feel like they still have something to offer or something to prove.
Our final show of the year certainly showed that Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme faction is on a mission to take total control of this organization. Russo's quest to gain power saw him add Low Ki, Christopher Daniels, Elix Skipper, Sonny Siaki, David Flair and I'm presuming A.J. Styles to his initial recruits The Harris Brothers and B.G. James.
Jeff Jarrett's vocal denouncement of Russo confirms his stance as a leader of the traditional NWA. It was also quite clear that Curt Hennig and Ron "The Truth" Killings are firmly aligned in the anti-Russo camp as well.
The strong emphasis on the three championship belts has been a cornerstone of NWA/TNA since it's inception and the struggle for power is expected to revolve around those titles in 2003.
NWA Champ Jarrett is certain to have a target on his back with title defenses around the world. While Hennig and Killings are sure to continue their battle against Russo, they also have to be considered among the top contenders to Jarrett. Don't overlook B.G. James or future Russo representatives and will we again see Scott Hall and/or Syxx Pac back in the championship picture?
Slash and Brian Lee's rivalry with Chris Harris and James Storm returned our focus to the tag team division. The Disciples of Father James Mitchell's New Church are the current NWA Worlds Tag Team Champions, but America's Most Wanted and The Harris Bros. are obvious top challengers. And after this past Wednesday, where do the Road Warriors fit?
The revolutionary X Division is truly what seperates NWA/TNA from any other wrestling promotion. The incredible athletes that compete in the no limits atmosphere of the most exciting, extreme and explosive division in our sport is quite honestly what put NWA/TNA on the map. While Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme convert Sonny Siaki is the reigning champ, I look for him to eventually be a major player in the NWA Worlds Title chase. The depth of talent among the X men is so strong that the old cliche about "on any given night" applies here more than ever. Jerry Lynn (my NWA/TNA MVP of 2002), A.J. Styles and yes--Amazing Red are the elite of the group off their memorable performances this year. But when you consider Kid Kash, EZ Money, The SATs, Jason Cross and of course Russo's trio of Low Ki, Daniels and Skipper it's evident that this is the most competitive division in pro wrestling today.
What questions will we answer in 2003? Well, for starters who's next to join Russo? Who's next to join the NWA? On the heels of shocking appearances by Roddy Piper and The Road Warriors, who's next to surprise us? Where does Percy Pringle stand and will he return as an active manager? And, most importantly: Who will survive ... Vince Russo's Sports Entertainment Extreme or the tradition of the National Wrestling Alliance?
NWA/TNA fans, we thank you for your support in 2002. And now that the battle lines have been drawn, expect 2003 to be more unpredictable than ever.
We're back on Wednesday, January 8 ... Join us to find out who wins the war.
Mike Tenay