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TNA's Best Week Ever - DEBUT!
 Welcome to TNA Wrestling's Best Week Ever. Several columnists from TNAWrestlingNews.com have gathered together to talk about the subjects and news going on in the wrestling world. At the end we'll tell you who's having the "best week ever" and hopefully you'll be informed and entertained. Here's our panel: Professor Newton Gimmick: The Professor of Pimptastic! I put this column together sucka! Brandon Vokac: The man with a last name that sounds like a Space Ghost villain! Talon Thorne: The school teacher with the TALONS to teach. MnM: Now 100% Mikey free! This Week TNA presented Sacrifice and had a lot things happen. From Scott Steiner's impressive wrestling, to Kaz's main event slot, all the way through to the Knockouts Battle Royal. But which of these headlines made our list and which one is fitting of the title BEST WEEK EVER? Read on! Topic #1: Jeff Jarrett, who recently turned 41, is not retired and still looking to return to the ring. He's simply waiting for the right time to return. However, Jarrett only wants to return if he can make a major impact and be in a title program. Unlike WWE, TNA has long-term plans on major storylines as they often plant seeds for future feuds while current ones are ongoing. For much of the latter half of 2007, TNA knew they were building towards a Samoa Joe title win over Kurt Angle, and there was no point in Jeff Jarrett getting involved in a title feud until Joe vs. Angle came to a conclusion. Jarrett last appeared in a TNA ring one year ago tomorrow when he lost to Robert Roode at last year's Sacrifice pay-per-view. Professor Newton Gimmick: Good for Jeff. Not only is Jarrett a solid talent, and single handedly the man who saved wrestling from being purely WWE by creating TNA, he's a guy who knows when to step aside. For all the ballyhoo about how long Jeff was on top in TNA (Even I criticized him a few times for it) he's shown in the last few years that he knows how to use his position to the right amount. He's been away from TV for a year and was away a long time before that as well (dealing with the sickness and subsequent death of his wife) but unlike a certain glory hound with the letters HHH in his name, he hasn't overdone it. Fans were truly excited and energized by his return a year ago when he came in and won over the crowd as a face. He also began putting people over, helping Robert Roode step up out of the Team Canada shadow, before his wife's untimely death put him out of action. I honestly can't wait for Double J to come back and I think it'll only make TNA better for it. Talon Thorne: I am a family man so I know what Jeff has gone through. Family is very important no matter what profession you are in. With that aside, Jeff is thinking wisely and for the benefit of the company. I for one think that the main event scene is crowded so the impact that Jeff would make wouldn’t be very big. Thinking ahead, there are many people I would like to see Jarrett match up against that hasn’t been seen ever or in a while. Think of all the good matches we could see: Jarrett vs Angle, Jarrett vs Abyss, Jarrett vs Steiner, Jarrett vs Sting, Jarrett vs Storm and the list goes on and on. If TNA plays their cards right and times it perfectly, Jarrett could help TNA in a major way. The other half of this news bit is about how TNA plant’s seeds for future storylines and feuds. Despite my opinion on their booking and despite what many critics say about TNA, this has always been one of my favorite things about TNA, long-term planning. I used to love it when WWE planted the seeds of Wrestlemania at Survivor Series but they don’t do that anymore. Keep up the good work. MNM: The long term planning is GREAT. I love how so many times a story has been building and building and finally ends in a huge, epic, match. Some stories are short term, and I'm fine with that, but building a great title match is much better off with months of planning and work. Take Joe for example, TNA's known for some time that Joe was going to get the title (heck, even he knew!). But they let Angle have it and keep it for awhile, all the while building Joe v. Angle. And even though they had a few epic battles, it really culminated in the cage when Joe won it. And it really felt like it meant something. About Double J, congrats to him, and I'm sorry about his wife. I couldn't imagine losing mine. I really commend him for a lot of things, but focusing on wrestling I'm so thankful he's not like HHH or Vince McMahon. There aren't these bizzare story lines revolving around him, and he doesn't have to have his face on camera every week. He's also got a great persona about him, and he can really wrestle. Kinda reminds me of The Rock....in a way. He is getting up there in wrestler years, but I think he could really help put over some guys (like how he did with Roode going to a singles career). And finally, thank you JJ, for helping create TNA and not only give us another option besides WWE, but give us a high quality option! Brandon Vokac: I'm really actually glad to hear that Jeff's planning to return at some point. He was one of the best heels TNA has had because he had that "it factor" that just made you hate him so much. Like Talon Thorne said if TNA plays their cards right and times it just right, Jarrett could help TNA in a major way, but when he comes back he needs help put over some guys before he wrestles in a world title program. There are several mid-card feuds they can put him in first to help him put over guys as well as help him re-tone his skills. I think that a couple of feuds they could do are Jarrett vs. Storm, Jarrett vs. Tomko, and Jarrett vs. Morgan (If at some point Morgan becomes a heel, which I think he would be better suit for). Then once he does this I think that there several main event level feuds he could do such as Jarrett vs. Steiner, Jarrett vs. Booker, Jarrett vs. Styles, Jarrett vs. Christian, Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle, and Jarrett vs. Samoa Joe. He can still help TNA in a big way but he needs to be slowly re-introduced to the fans. He can't just come back and be in the main event right away (ala Hulk Hogan), he needs to slowly regain his status in TNA. Weather he comes back as face or a heel it doesn't matter, I think that it is safe to say with everything that he has been through he will be welcome back with open arms. Topic #2: TNA plans on doing a Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Nash world title program later in the year. However, it won't happen right away as it's going to get a slow build. Also, Vince Russo wrote an interesting little one-liner for a recent Joe/Nash training segment that didn't make the air due to an apparent sound problem. Nash said to Joe, "Hey Joe, show me how you get out of that sleeper." Professor Newton Gimmick: I've liked the build to Joe/Nash although I think it started off a little wonky it's built into an interesting little story. There was a segment a few weeks ago with Nash sort of "appearing" behind Joe staring at the TNA World Championship that was a great piece of foreshadowing. Say what you will about Vince Russo, but if he's the one behind little gems like that, he's earning his keep. I suppose this all falls under the "shades of gray" booking, but again it's a solid one that shows TNA planning stuff months and months in advance. As opposed to WWE where it seems they book their shows on a big wheel that they spin where they have 10 storylines and 7 of those are storylines where HHH wins the world title. Talon Thorne: I spoke about the long term planning that TNA does and how it is good for loyal fans. I have enjoyed seeing this relationship between Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash progress. TNA did something unpredictable after Kevin Nash turned on Samoa Joe at Final Resolution, they teamed the two up. Nash has been vital in Samoa Joe winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Vince Russo might be a poor booker, but he is a writing genius. One week like Professor said Nash stares at the title. The next week Nash makes a comment about how nobody can beat Samoa Joe physically, and then he pointed to HIS head. After reading the one-liner over and over, I now get it. I wish they would have kept that line on the show. MNM: I thought I was the only one who thought HHH was a world title hoarder! I personally love this build. Although Nash is really not who he used to be in the ring (age WILL do that to you), his mic work and acting are superb. All this work with Joe has always seemed 'off' to me, in the story line kind of way, as Nash has "always been about the money". I think it will really off nicely as Joe's got this really intense nature to him, and Nash is more this laid back "speak softly and carry a big stick" kind of guy. Brandon Vokac: This was something that I was going to talk about in my next column before I heard about it on the site. (The scenario I was going to talk about was that Nash was only helping Joe to the title b/c he knew that if he turned on Joe that Joe would be too proud not to challenge him to a match. Nash would do this because he knew that Kurt would never give him a one on one title shot because of how much stronger he is than Kurt & it would be a miss match for him. Nash knew that his only way to the belt would be through Joe, so he helps him to the belt only to turn on him to get his title shot.) I think that this has been executed perfectly, kudos to Russo or Jarrett or whoever's idea this was because they have foreshadowed this very well. Like the Professor said, with Nash appearing behind Joe, then the next week holding the title for him, and the line where Nash asks Joe to show him how you get out of that sleeper, that unfortunately didn't make the air, they've been very slowly showing Nash's true colors. Scott Steiner Math Topic #3: Ashley Massaro has been linked to a high profile escort service. While Massaro says the allegations aren't true, it casts an ugly light on the WWE Divas. Given that most of the WWE divas who are hired from the Divasearch are just Playboy models or B-Movie queens, TNA looks all the better for it. Professor Newton Gimmick: I tend to believe Ashley, although the girl is a huge poser. For all her tough chick talk, she was a total wimp on Survivor and was quickly eliminated. I think many TNA girls have done somewhat unsavory things (depending on what you consider unsavory) but at the same time they still go out there and wrestle. As much as I think Ashley can look sexy, she still has no wrestling talent. I do think that models CAN become good wrestlers though. Trish and Candice Michelle have shown that. And while Michelle is nowhere near in the league of most Knockouts, she has shown a real interest in improving and was pretty solid before getting injured. At the end of the day this controversy just goes to show one of the key differences between the Knockouts and the Divas. Talon Thorne: People actually paid Ashley to sleep with her? There isn’t enough many in the world that she would PAY ME to sleep with her. I just don’t find her attractive. On the other hand Velvet Sky is one fine piece of…work. I don’t actually believe the story about her being an escort but that’s just me. MNM: I won't get into the looks of any of the girls....my wife might read this. Awww, who am I kidding she never reads wrestling stuff! ANYWAYS, some guys will do anything for a model, especially a playboy model. The fact that Divas are eye candy that botch an entire wrestling match, this doesn't really surprise me. This does cast a shadow on the Divas now, a shadow of sluttIness and ranchiness that....ok, I can't do it anymore. People are ACTUALLY surprised by this?? I mean she took naked pictures for money, why is it surprising that she got paid for sex. I would say the only "surprise" factor about this, is that she got caught. Brandon Vokac: I didn't even here about this until this past Sunday when I got back from vacation and when I heard it I was very disappointed but not surprised. With the way WWE has gone about signing women (the diva search, playboy, & models) it doesn't surprise me one bit. Most of the women they sign from the diva search, playboy, & model magazines haven't even scene WWE and don't have a clue what it is. I don't blame them for doing this because A) They got a lot of viewers from it B) When they pose in magazines they get a ton of money and C) Have you scene what they look like, I mean if it wasn't for the hot women (wearing next to nothing) I might have been able to stand WWE for as long as I did. Despite what some other writers think, Ashley is a very attractive woman whose past has scene to have caught up with her. If it is true I wouldn't be surprised if WWE released her and that is unfortunate for her. This just further proves why TNA's Knockouts are just that much better than WWE's divas. (P.S. If she does get released, TNA please sign her!) Topic #4 The X Division World Cup has been pushed back. It will now likely start in June, and end at the July PPV. It could even be later than that. Professor Newton Gimmick: As excited as I am for the World X Cup, I don't mind it being pushed back a bit. Right now there isn't a lot of time for it on TV and that's going to be important when it does come around. This also gives TNA more time to track down the right talent and plan this out. I'm also not sure how it can be "postponed" if it's never officially been given a date. I still hope and pray that TNA gets Mistico to come in. He's a name that's been tossed around and as someone who more or less discovered Mistico, I'm dying for TNA to give him some exposure. What do you guys think of the World X Cup and potential delays? Talon Thorne: My sources say that Mistico likely will not be involved in the World’s X Cup due to prior commitments however there is a great amount of talent that I would love to see compete in the World’s X Cup. The X Cup has been one of my favorite TNA traditions and I was disappointed that TNA didn’t have one in 2007. I actually don’t expect the World’s X Cup to start until after Slammiversary since the Summer months are more relaxed for TNA and not that much is going on. I would think it would be interesting to include five four man teams this year as opposed to the past. You have USA, Japan, Mexico, Canada and Britain that all could be included. I originally thought Petey Williams would captain Team Canada but with the injury who knows (then again that might be why they put the Tournament on hold). I would actually enjoy seeing one or two Global iMPACT specials dedicated to the World’s X Cup. MNM: Unfortunately for me, I have yet to be exposed to World X Cup. Which sucks. I'm really looking forward, and hopefully the postponement will be a good thing, especially if Petey Williams recovers from his injury. It will also be a good thing if it falls in the "off" months of wrestling as it will add something exciting. Brandon Vokac: I don't mind that it's being pushed back; in fact I think that this is a great thing to do. Why? Because if they rush getting this together like they did last time it will be a disaster. This way they have plenty of time to plan this out know for a fact who is wrestling for each team and know that they will be able to wrestle in every round. This is an event that I look forward to when it comes because it just shows why the x-division is so good. There are only a couple of things that I hope TNA does and one thing that I wish they did do A) Please for the love of god do not have team USA/TNA win again, in the three that TNA has had, the only other team to win was team Mexico B) Have the tournament go for more than a month (but no more than two) C) Have a Global iMPACT! special on which the show has the first round of the tournament is shown on with singles matches, elimination matches(with one member from each team or a tag team one), and tag matches D) After it is over have some of the stars stay so that they can compete against some of the other x-division wrestlers (possible event an x-title run for one or two of them) E) They should have waited to debut the Terrordome match until the finals, where the winner gets 10 points, and the way to win is to have your entire team escape from the top of the cage or have a time limit, in which for every team member you get out you get two points. (P.S. Are they going to bring back the Super X Cup? Because I thought that it was a great way to elevate an x-division wrestler to become a top wrestler in the x-division.) 
"Look up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! No, It's SUPER ERIC! No wait... That's Chris Sabin about to plancha me." "The Super Hero in Training...he's a funny looking Samoan!" "I shouldn't have eaten those spicy tacos right before this match." "Hey, isn't Super Eric my tag partner? Where is he??" Got a funny picture you'd like us to caption? Send it along to profnewtongimmick@yahoo.com! And now to the reveal who is having the best week ever! Will it be Samoa Joe for successfully defending his World Championship? LAX for regaining the World Tag Team Championships and winning the Deuces Wild Tournament? Will it be BG James for still having a job? And now who's having the Best Week Ever?  This past week Domes got back into the spotlight for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, as TNA's TerrorDome match was considered a huge success. Even critics of Sacrifice felt the TerrorDome match was a brilliant new innovation for TNA. Not only was the new match concept successful and led to an important Kaz victory, but it also gave fans a new match type to hope for in the future. But that's not the only dome that was making headlines. WWE's Ashley Massaro was accused of giving dome (That's slang for a BJ people) for money in Rolling Stones expose on high price hookers. And speaking of girl's domes, TNA's own Roxxi Laveaux got her dome shaved bald! That's why Dome's are having the BEST WEEK EVER! Take a bow domes! You've earned it. And now to honor Domes having the Best Week Ever, here are our three other favorite Domes! 
#1 - Cobra Commander's TerrorDrome: The Evil GI Joe enemies Headquarters that very likely inspired the name for TNA's TerrorDome! 
#2 - Krang's Technodrome: Although technically a "drome", the Technodrome was the ninja turtles biggest fear in the 1980's! 
#3 - The Georgia Dome: This is the building that housed many of WCW's biggest events including the night that Goldberg defeated Hulk Hogan in the highest rated Nitro ever! That's it for this edition of Best Week Ever, check us out next time to see who'll be having the Best Week Ever. If you like the column, hate the column, have suggestions and feedback send us a line at BEST WEEK EVER FEEDBACK and we'll take it into consideration. Until then, Excelsior! This article has been viewed 110 times.
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