So is AJ Styles our only hope?

Tommy Platinum · 07-01-2009, 04:27 PM

Ever since I became aware of TNA's existence in mid 2006, the main criticism of the product has been the dominance of big stars who made their names elsewhere and who, in most cases, have seen better days. Sting, Kurt Angle, Booker T and Mick Foley, along with other big names already in the company such as Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner, constantly dominate the main event scene at the expense of the TNA originals.

The Main Event Mafia storyline was supposed to result in the originals taking back the spotlight and new stars being created, but that hasn't materialised. I won't go into detail about that here because it's all been said before in numerous other threads, but suffice to say, the same guys are still the focus of the show.

The thing is, when I look at TNA's roster, I don't see many up and comers who could make it to main event. I don't see many guys who could be future World Champions. With Samoa Joe destroyed by booking, I only see AJ Styles as a guy who could become the face of TNA. I am aware that Styles has been the face of TNA for years in the past and is a 3 time World Champion, but in this new era, with TNA becoming more mainstream and making some progress, it would still feel like a big moment were AJ to win the title again and bring an end to the dominance of the older guys. Samoa Joe's reign was an anticlimax, so hopefully they don't make the same mistake with AJ, but I just find it strange that AJ is pretty much the only guy who could break through to main event and become the star of the show. I don't think Daniels, Lethal or anybody else has what it takes.

Do you see AJ Styles as the only hope for the future of TNA? Or do you believe others have what it takes to become the face of the company?

RobyD · 07-01-2009, 04:36 PM

Maybe their booking of Samoa Joe is shakey, but didn't they just have Samoa Joe bought out for millions of dollars because five former World Champions couldn't beat him. No, yeah, horrible booking.

I can see Abyss being a World Champion if he gets back to his old self and isn't a pussy anymore.

Both men from Beer Money are future World Champions.

Matt Morgan is a future World Champion.

Hernandez is a future World Champion.

So no, AJ isn't out only hope.

Tommy Platinum · 07-01-2009, 04:38 PM

Are you saying that the likes of Abyss and Hernandez have what it takes to carry a company?

The Raw King · 07-01-2009, 04:45 PM

Noooooo. i think the X-Division is the onyl hope. Meaning TNA needs to make their X-Division Stars AJ Styles and Daniels the top stars. I think.

Robert Roode has potential of being world champion and being a good one.

Tommy Platinum · 07-01-2009, 04:49 PM

Beer Money could easily become heel Champions and do a good job, but I don't think you guys get me. I'm talking about a top star who can draw and be the face of the company for years to come. I'm talking TNA's John Cena. I can't see anybody but AJ doing that, and even AJ is doubtful.

The Raw King · 07-01-2009, 05:16 PM

Currently TNA doesnt have that IMO. I think thats why they have the Main Event Mafia. Christian Cage could have done that, but I dont think AJ Can be like that.

RaiZ-R · 07-01-2009, 05:20 PM

To be TNA's John Cena would be a difficult job, and you're correct, AJ is the only man who could do it. But then WWE only has one John Cena, I see no need for anymore than that in TNA.

Tommy Platinum · 07-01-2009, 05:25 PM

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Originally Posted by RaiZ-R
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To be TNA's John Cena would be a difficult job, and you're correct, AJ is the only man who could do it. But then WWE only has one John Cena, I see no need for anymore than that in TNA.

But whether they reach John Cena levels or not (relatively speaking) TNA will need a new face of the company sooner or later when all these old guys start retiring. I'm not saying they should be as over as Cena necessarily, but they are going to need somebody who can be the focus of the product over an extended period of time, and I can't really see anybody outside of AJ Styles who has what it takes to do that.

RaiZ-R · 07-01-2009, 05:32 PM

With AJ and Joe they have a pretty decent pair of guys to help with that. But I do see your point, and it is a problem that TNA face. They aren't creating new stars and that's an issue. I do think Matt Morgan's now involvment with the MEM could help elevate him, but once we lose Sting, Nash, Steiner, and Angle (I reckon Booker's got more time left in him) would could see a real problem.