Quittings, Firings and Releases! OH MY!
For my first post in the revived SquaredCircleComics.com I’m going to take a look at some of the people who have recently found themselves on the unemployment line.
It’s been a grim couple of weeks in the world of professional wrestling. Four people, at least three of which had great futures ahead of them have lost their jobs. A couple by choice, a couple by force.
ODB leaves TNA.
News broke on June 14, 2010, via her twitter account that ODB made the decision to leave TNA. It, honestly didn’t come as much of a shock as she hadn’t been used on TV in months. However it is sad because she brought something very different to the world of ladies wrestling. And different is something TNA desperately needs. But, it’s been reported before that Eric Bischoff wants more ‘pretty girls’ which in non-business-asshole speak is that he wants to hire girls that look good in lingerie regardless of how good or bad they may be in the ring. I enjoyed watching ODB’s matches. Not just for the matches themselves but for the reactions from people around me watching the show, who are used to the more ‘diva’ look of lady wrestler. So I’m personally going to miss ODB.
Scott Hall is released from TNA
This was both interesting and uninteresting news at the same time. When Hogan came into TNA, Kevin Nash began eluding to bringing the band back, which is the same tired phraise he and Hall have used for years when eluding to the other coming to the company. Then Hall and Sean Waltman showed up (big shock) and it was reported that they were on a ‘pay as you play’ basis with TNA. Meaning they got a paycheck only if they showed up to work. With these two, that isn’t necessarily a bad policy. But when you have to make a deal like that with someone, how do you write a storyline around them? How can you invest TV time in a guy who you’re not sure will even be at the taping? And certainly, how do you put a championship on them? Well, TNA did that, with both of them. Waltman left a few weeks back, which was reportedly for medical reasons. Hall stuck around and they put the Tag Team titles on him and Nash. Though I don’t know that he ever defended them. Shortly after Waltman disappeared, Eric Young was brought in as the 3rd man and they defended the titles under ‘Freebird Rules’ Young usually wrestling while Hall stood on the apron with the tag belt on. Which makes me wonder why they had to strip The Band, who won the award for worst stable name ever, of the tag team titles? Young and Nash were the only ones defending them anyway. Just let them be the champs. Dixie Carter posted on her twitter that he was taking time to deal with personal issues. The same reason he’s always gone into seclusion. I’m sure when his ‘issues’ are settled, we’ll see him popping up here and there on the indy scene. But I think this was his last shot in mainstream wrestling.
Roxxi released from TNA
In what has to be the most idiotic firing I’ve seen from TNA, Roxxi AKA Nikki Roxx was fired a mere weeks after being brought back to the company. It was reported that she was told she was fired just before her Slammiversary match against TNA Knockout’s Champion Madison Rayne. Which was followed up by an angle where Rayne demanded Roxxi put her career on the line. To Roxxi’s credit, she worked a great match. Even getting herself bloodied, which is nothing new for Roxxi, but still a rarity in ladies matches. She could have, and a lesser person would have, tried to stick it to TNA by having a shit match. But Roxxi is a pro. Later, April Hunter posted on her blog that she was contacted by TNA and turned them down. The next day Roxxi was brought back into the TNA fold just to be shat on. A big shame that I don’t know if she’s ‘diva’ enough for WWE, though she probably wouldn’t get anywhere there, they don’t overly appreciate girls who can actually work. TNA may be the only place she could achieve mainstream stardom, and they wasted her. She deserves so much better.
Bryan Danielson released from WWE
The biggest news story in the last month has been the release of Brian “Daniel Bryan” Danielson. There have been rumors about as to why he was let go. The most popular story, and the most accepted, is that it was a result of his choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with his tie during the NXT invasion, which goes against a rule enacted within the company that no one is to choke anyone using weapons since the Benoit tragedies. There was a letter released (later debunked by Good Ole’ J.R. himself) that Linda McMahon’s campaign manager saw the choking on TV and demanded that Danielson be fired as it could be used by McMahons opposition to hurt her campaign. But, as stated, that letter was debunked. There is also a rumor going around that John Cena went to management after the angle and complained about Danielson spitting in his face on TV. And that his twittering about bringing Danielson back is all a ruse to endure himself to the internet audience that has been exceptionally critical of him his whole career. But, I must reiterate that this is merely a rumor. Danielson is the one of the four who’s future I am least worried about. Danielson has made a living in the indies for years. And he’s already accepting bookings. With the prominence of his name right now, TNA is probably salivating at the idea of luring him to Florida. I’m sure ROH would welcome him back into their fold with open arms. There’s even reports that, as it was company policy to release him, that WWE is waiting till everything blows over and are eager to rehire him. Of the four people on this list he has the most options.
I’d like to (honestly) wish ODB, Scott Hall, Roxxi and Bryan Danielson the best in their future endeavors.
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