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TNA TOP TEN

By Joey Croyle on 6/17/2010 10:25 AM

I find the top ten concept quite intriguing and think it’s high time we look into the top ten a bit more closely.  If it was a true top 10 such as say the NBA playoffs or NCAA tourney then TNA would strictly be going by win loss record.  Though I don’t have the exact numbers my guess is a few of the top ten, even if including their WWE and independent matches, would be lost from the list while others would be on top.  Seriously, just in the past 4 weeks how many matches has Jay Lethal lost? Not many. I don’t notice his name on the list. So let’s take some time to highlight the ones that are on the list and see who really SHOULD be the top contender.

#10 – Kurt Angle:

With Kurt it’s hard to start with just his pro wrestling awards and background.  Of all the top ten he is likely the most athletic of all of them.  Could he be a top contender in MMA?  No doubt in my mind.  Could he have enough skill to be a cornerback in the NFL?  Yep.  Could he play short stop for the Yankee’s, with practice I wouldn’t doubt it.  Oh and by the way he is already an actual Olympic gold medalist.  Now we get to the pro wrestler he is…He is a 13 time Champion between his titles in TNA, WWE, PPW and IWGP.  He’s been an X division champ, held tag titles, King of the mountain, United states champion, European champ, Intercontinental champ and a King of the Ring.  What that really means is that as a wrestling performer numerous companies have thought so highly of this gifted man that he deserved to be on top and have the company ride on his shoulders.  There isn’t another person on this list with those credentials.  That said, storyline wise Kurt took his accolades and said “Nuh – uh, I want to do something different” and so he is starting at the bottom and looking up.  So the man’s character has respectability too?  Let’s also not forget that wrestling incorporates a lot of mic work.  On this list, there is only one better that I know of…problem is, Mr. Anderson can’t even decide on his name, let alone wrestle without getting hurt.

#9 – Samoa Joe

In my opinion Joe, as good as he is, shouldn’t be on this list right now.  He has had some good matches this past year but not a string of effective storylines and battles like a Kurt Angle or AJ Styles.  He is a master of submission and threat tactics which makes him extremely ruthless and aggressive, a positive for staying on this list.  He’s held major titles in TNA, ROH and UPW as well as others.  He was a staple of the X division, something; however, I still associate him with.  One thing is for sure though, the best bouts he ever had were with Kurt Angle and seeing how Mr. Angle and Samoa Joe are numbers ten and nine respectively, I cannot wait for Kurt’s next main match.

#8 – Rob Terry

I think Terry is likely the future of wrestling.  He has excellent mat skills, his mic skills are improving.  He has won a championship which likely means TNA holds him in high regard.  I don’t know that he should be on this list as a top ten contender but I do think he is working hard on his craft.  His involvement with the British Invasion team and his subsequent turn was a good way to introduce fans to this man.  I could see him having some really good matches with Ken Anderson or Samoa Joe.

#7 – Desmond Wolfe

Desmond Wolfe aka Nigel McGuiness is an excellent ring hand. He was a staple in ROH and really showed his work ethic there.  He is another one on this list that I think has a bright future with TNA and wouldn’t be surprised at a jump to WWE in the future.  I think he would be one to fit in just about anywhere.  He had some good moments with Kurt Angle during their feud.  I think he benefited from having a valet and his presence on the roster has gotten a little lost since she has been hanging out with monsters.

#6 – The Pope

While looking for information on all these guys I came across some info that The Pope used to be a police officer – I don’t believe everything I read on the net but if that’s the case, Thank you for what you did Mr. Pope, you guys are great men and women who protect us.  Onto wrestling.  I’ll be honest I hated the Elijah Burke gimmick in WWE and was so glad to see The Pope arrive in TNA as a fabulous character.  Pope has ring savvy, he can beat people in a number of ways.  He won the 8 card stud tourney not too long ago and had a thrilling bout with AJ Styles.  He deserves to be on this list, he deserves a title shot.

#5 – Abyss

They need to do another DVD box set on this guy.  He has had so many fantastic moments and feuds its ridiculous.  It’s been a very long while since Abyss has held any gold.  He’s compared to Kane, Undertaker and Mick Foley because he is as good as they are when given the chance to be, not just because his character is similar.  He has had several wins and interesting mic work in the past few months.  As silly as it was, the whole thing with Hulk Hogan and his ring helped elevate Abyss’s status even more.  He got a much needed rub from a veteran and then got another by being involved on the other side of Flair in a few moments. This guy is a competitor.  When Van Damn is done they should let Abyss run with the title for a few months.

#4 – Mr. Anderson

Simply put, the best man on the mic in the business today and, dare I say it, closing in on “The Rock”  status.  He is also a fantastic performer in the ring.  He had a nice run in WWE and is doing well in TNA even though they really still haven’t decided if he is a heel or face.  His teaming with Jeff Hardy is interesting.  He shouldn’t be on this list.  He is not a contender for the TNA title.  Much to short of a time to have accumulated wins and fan backing.  But a year from now, watch out…he’ll have the company on his back…as long as he doesn’t get hurt again.

#3 – Jeff Hardy

The most globally well known wrestler of the bunch. The most enigmatic, adventurous wrestler on this list.  He’s won numerous titles.  While I feel Jeff belongs here with the elite I actually wish TNA was using him to highlight some of the lesser known talents in TNA more.  I also wish his brother who is doing nothing in WWE that interests me anymore would make the jump.  Hardy is a classic one of a kind phenomenon.  I would put money on the fact that when all is said and done he will be the one against Kurt Angle last so we get a huge bout on a PPV next year sometime.

#2 – AJ Styles

He is TNA.  There isn’t really a title he hasn’t held in TNA.  I want to see him in every main event match on every PPV and every Impact.  He is one of the greatest athletes in wrestling today.  I always think of dream matches with him…what would it be like to see AJ walk down the isle vs. Edge, HHH, or John Cena?  But this guy is a TNA lifer I would think.  He has some more to do in TNA anyway, like win the world title from Rob Van Damn in a few months…then we’ll get Angle v. Styles again

#1 – Sting

He lost to Van Damn this past Sunday, so to me he should drop out or at least drop to number ten on the list.  That said, he is legend personified.  He is a candidate for greatest wrestler of all time on most people’s list.  He’s won numerous titles.  He had fans in the palm of his hand for a solid year in WCW and he never spoke a word, remember that?  How good is Sting?  Just ask Ric Flair, he’ll tell you.

Conclusion:

Kurt Angle will be champion in a few months.  Along the way we are going to have some great matches.  This is a very cool idea that TNA is doing and I hope it continues.

To talk about this article with Joel go to his MySpace page www.myspace.com/JCWainstead