Bigpapa42

Guess I should clarify that I'm not a huge TNA. Like it, but don't love it. I've been trying to get into it for awhile, but there always seems to be some stuff - typicaly booking that makes no sense to me - that just bothers. I know expecting logic from professional wrestling is a no-win end-game, but I can't help it. There is plenty of stuff that I dislike about what the WWE is doing currently, but at least I usually understand the "why" behind it, even if I disagree with it.

Anyway, I have managed to catch Impact for the past few weeks so I've followed much of the Main Event Mafia stuff. I like the storyline. Its not exactly original, but I have no issue with that. I think they've done some things poorly so far - such as how quickly Styles and Joe assembled a counter stable - but the potential is there. I'm curious what others thoughts on the storyline are?

What I like about it is that its a storyline that actually makes sense. You could actually realistically see backstage tension between a group of young stars who are the future and the established veterans who signed for big money. I also think the whole stable of former world champions is a cool idea. If booked well, this is a storyline that could be the core story for TNA for six months or a year.

There are a few issues that I see with the Main Event Mafia stable with its current incarnation.

For one, with five main eventers, its a very unbalanced stable. Its interesting and cool, but an unbalanced stable is likely to create long-term booking issues if its kept together for a long spell. If you look at the major stables that immediately jump to mind - the Four Horsemen, NWO, D-X, Evolution - the fact is that they all had some degree of balance for the most part. The TNA Originals, as it currently stands, has pretty good balance - two established stars, some younger midcard guys, and an established tag team. The MEM seems to only have one established role, which is Scott Steiner as the "enforcer"... though the fact that he just got a win over Samoa Joe makes it seem like he won't be taking a lesser role in the stable. Who's the leader? The star? The lackey? The up and comer? The comedy relief? The brains? There's a reason that stables traditionally have some type of specific roles.

Further to the lack of balance, I think it could limit the potential directions to go with the stable, at least with its current incarnation. I really only see two major external storyline directions you can do. The respect angle, which is currently being done, and the maintain status angle, which is being done to a lesser degree. You might be able to do a takeover angle, but that heads pretty close to NWO territory. All five gives are main eventers, to there's no way to go "up". There is some "interal" stuff you could, but thats more like side storyline stuff. Limited directions mean you can only run so far with things, even if you book smart. Of course, changing up the make-up of the MEM offers a lot more possibilities.

Another issue is that I don't know how much the stable is going to do get other guys over. Styles and Joe don't really need to go up that much. Same with Cage, however he ends up. But the rest of the TNA Originals are not main eventers. Getting regular face time will certainly help them. But can you really see Kurt Angle getting cleanly pinned by Alex Shelley? Or Jay Lethal defeating Sting? I just don't think its likely. Which means when its just stable-versus-stable, there's really one two guys in the face stable likely to get clean wins. If that is how things work out, it would definitely make things less interesting.

Of course, thats all based off the current five-man MEM stable. They could change things up in any number of ways over time to keep it fresh and give them more options.

God

Very well written piece & i'd agree with you on the majority of it. However:

Lethal owns a pinfall victory over Kurt Angle & a clean one at that. So yes. I could easily see it happening. I've said before, out of the main young guys line up (Joe, AJ, Lethal, Eric, MCMG & Creed) that Eric Young is the only guy i couldnt see getting a win over any of them. Soley because of how he has been portrayed for the past few years. He has the talent but i dont think anyone would buy it. Creed you could see beating Booker or Steiner, MCMG in tag action which is what i assume they will stick to could beat any two MEM members.

You also said unbalanced. I disagree with that aswell. The feud has only contained two titles, the World title which all five could go for & the Legends title which is essentially an upper card title. Steiner & Booker fit perfect. Nash, Angle & Sting wuldnt be a stretch either. The X-Division title looks to be staying seperate for now anyway (I'm also expecting Petey to turn at some point). Knockouts, the same.

The tag titles are where i can see it getting really out of control. Beer Money arent going to make sense joining either side. I think they will be in the middle with a few other's like Rhino who arent Main Event but arent Young Guys either yet can feud with either side depending on whats needed.

__________________

Bigpapa42

Didn't realize that about Lethal. Perhaps getting the younger guys over won't be an issue. That's cool.

But I do still think the MEM is an unbalanced stable right now, in terms of roles. Now adding or subtracting guys obviously changes things, but I'm only referring to how the stable is right now.

I agree that any of the five members of MEM could go after the world title right now. And that's part of the problem. All five of them are really at that level. It seems weird to say that a stable really should have defined roles, but in my experience, it really is necessary for a stable that is going to last any amount of time. Without defined roles, its difficult to establish the group dynamic. When I think the major stables from the Four Horsemen on forward, the group dynamic is always something that jumps out at me. At this point, I don't see where MEM has that at all.

Maybe I'm jumping the gun on that. Maybe they will be establishing roles for each of the MEM members. Maybe the stable isn't intended to be anything long-term, so those roles and the group dynamic don't really matter. I think its just that I like the idea, I like the possibilites, and I hope they do manage to keep it around for a bit.

Brandon

I'm in full agreement with BigPapa. The stable is in desperate need of a couple lackeys because someone has to take a beating on a weekly basis.. someone who will not be affected negatively..

I realize the name is "Main Event Mafia" but surely they could bring in a couple 'hopefuls' to do the dirty work..

Also, I have no issue with the real main eventers being treated in similar roles but Sting is the TNA World Champion.. I feel like he should be the leader by default.

FullMetal Alchemist

you think JJ still has virgils number? i bet he could use a job right now

Zar

I think the young guys should get a bus....wait a minute...

__________________
I don't recognize anyone around here. Damn name changes.

Brandon

Some people on the web have bitched about Steiner burying the TNA originals the other night. I completely disagree. It's their job to show the world and prove Steiner wrong.