TNA Wrestling: Knockout’s Nightmare

Knockout’s Nightmare
by Matt “Touch of Gray” Graichen

Maybe it’s the way that she straddles the middle rope and shakes her ass?!? Or maybe it is due to the fact that creative is still stuck in 2006? Either way, this division needs some serious help and needs it YESTERDAY.

Let’s take a closer look at the picture and see where we should start with this nightmare of a Knockouts Division. Should I begin with the fact that these women make it seemingly obvious that they are working for the junior varsity promotion? Whether it’s Mickie James giving us a lackluster performance or an ODB and Eric Young comedy skit, in my eyes, the true comedy here is the Knockouts, week in week out.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is definitely some talent and sunshine behind this dark cloud that has hovered over these women within the past year. Gail Kim, whom I thought would help to change the division with her recent heel turn, has just seemed to run through the motions rather then showcase her talents as Knockout’s Champion. I do feel, however, that Gail has the physical package that they should build their model Knockout around, but she may lack the verbal skills needed to take it to the next level.

Next in line behind Gail is Madison Rayne, the Knockout I think has the brightest days ahead of her given she gets the necessary exposure. Madison has shown me over the past year or so that she can not only wrestle, but has great mic skills. She is a phenomenal physical specimen that can bring this division out of the gutter.

I am not the biggest fan or supporter of either Tara or Mickie James. I understand these women were brought in to help put over the Knockout talent in the long run, but I feel the spotlight is constantly overshadowed by these two who just do not want to step aside for the FUTURE of the company. Both of their acts are stale and recycled over numerous times. They need to get over themselves.

Ah yes, next up we have my 2 favorites, Velvet Sky and Angelina Love. Every week, Velvet straddles that middle rope and makes mouths drop in awe [well at least the mouths of Tazz and Mike Tenay] and her attractiveness begins to diminish more and more with each shake of her ass.  Velvet is your perfect trophy diva; just leave her up on the shelf to look pretty. Her talent has not improved in the 5+ years I have followed TNA and I don’t think there is much hope for her future as we have seen all she can offer already.

Now, moving onto Angelina Love, who is another attractive blonde [at least made up to be with all that make up]. I remember her from her Jenny Jones episode, Geek to Goddess. I think that Angelina has a LOAD of talent that either creative has overlooked or she has pissed off the wrong person. I still regret the decision that was made not to bring Angelina back into the Beautiful People when she returned from her VISA hiatus, which leads me into our next Knockout, Winter.

Winter is another knockout that I feel is loaded with talent, but used in the wrong atmosphere. Pairing Winter with Angelina was a very odd and foggy decision by creative.  Angelina shined as the leader of the Beautiful People and Knockouts Champion as well as propelled Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne into superstars before having to deal with her legal issues.

Since we are in the department of shaking asses, we can now move onto Brooke Tessmacher, whom I sum up in pretty much one word, SKANK. Sorry Brooke, I don’t really have anything good to say about you at all. I don’t even really think you are that good-looking, but I guess a boob job and a gigantic ass can take you places. Tara has tried to make her look good by teaming up with her and winning the Knockout tag titles, but Tara was the one doing majority of the work, while Brooke just pranced around the ring shaking and strutting her goodies to the crowd waiting for her title belt.

Rosita and Sarita are just imitations of Rosa Mendes and are being held down by their male counterparts, Mexican America.

Last, but definitely not least, is ODB.  She is not the most attractive by any means, but a Knockout who has carried this division when there wasn’t anyone else to turn to. She is currently caught in a sketch comedy act with Eric Young, but I hope she can at least get another run at the title. I think she will mesh well with Gail Kim and/or Madison Rayne.

In conclusion, I know I said a lot of bad things here about the Knockouts, but it needed to be said to save this under-achieving division.

I feel that there is a lot of wasted talent in this division and I hope that in the upcoming month, creative can right this ship and lead it into the right direction. Personally, I feel that the division has sucked since the departure of Awesome Kong. She has big shoes to fill, but there is enough talent on this roster for the Knockouts to take it to the next level.

Enough with the trash and skank already. Vince Russo is gone and so is the Attitude era. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with a little skin, but to straddle a middle rope like that in front of children…well, that just shows the true colors of TNA.

I guess I am just going to have to sit back and watch to see how this all unfolds for these women over the next few months. Knockouts, remember this.  Just because TNA is not as financially set off as WWE does not mean that you can’t step it up, sell to the crowd and put on an impressive display of your talent in hopes that it will take you to the TOP. Believe in yourself and each other.

See you guys Thursday night.

Sincerely Yours, Touch of Gray…
cowboysfan84_21@yahoo.com