I have officially requested and been granted my release from TNA Wrestling. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at TNA for giving me the opportunity to perform in front of their audience since the very early days of the company. Thanks especially to the great TNA fans who have given me their support throughout the past eight years... Now on to the next chapter!
This is fairly newsworthy because Shark Boy is one of the very few TNA Originals that were still standing. Shark Boy had some great moments in TNA dating all the way back to the weekly PPV era, when he was tagging with New Jack and made one of the best comedy tag teams of the last ten years. He also did a hell of a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin impression, which was pretty neat until TNA decided to overplay it to death.
The only TNA Originals remaining, I believe, are Styles and Jarrett. Am I missing anyone?
Mickie James was also on the first show, although she obviously hasn't been there the entire time.
The same holds true for Amazing Red. He joined TNA in the first year (not sure which show) but was out of wrestling altogether for a couple of years. (Yes, he's still on the roster.)
TNA guys can work indy shows, but TNA gets a fee on top of what the wrestlers get paid for using their talent (or a cut of what the wrestlers could get paid, depending on how you look at it.) If you're a guy who's barely used on TV like Shark Boy, it makes all the sense to ask out of your TNA deal.
I think Sabin and Kaz may have joined that first year too, with Kaz taking a brief hiatus to WWE mid-decade. Shelley and Abyss weren't too far behind either.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Originally posted by Matt TrackerIf you're the WWE, and you want to continue targeting the younger audience AND employ masked performers, how do you not grab this guy?
Where does he go once you sign him, though? Raw with Evan Bourne and Daniel Bryan, or SD with Rey Rey and TAFKA Mistico?
Originally posted by Matt TrackerIf you're the WWE, and you want to continue targeting the younger audience AND employ masked performers, how do you not grab this guy?
It may not be that simple, just because of how much copyright/trademark control the WWE may demand. If going to WWE means giving them the rights to the Shark Boy name and gimmick, it may not be worth it for him.
Originally posted by Matt TrackerIf you're the WWE, and you want to continue targeting the younger audience AND employ masked performers, how do you not grab this guy?
Where does he go once you sign him, though? Raw with Evan Bourne and Daniel Bryan, or SD with Rey Rey and TAFKA Mistico?
I'd spread out the masks and put him on RAW.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
If they were interested in him, the WWE would re-package him with another gimmick and name alltogether- one they can copyright. "Shark Boy" is too indy for them anyway.
Originally posted by PaulKTFIf they were interested in him, the WWE would re-package him with another gimmick and name alltogether- one they can copyright. "Shark Boy" is too indy for them anyway.
How about as "Dean Baldwin", the lost Baldwin brother?
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Originally posted by PaulKTFIf they were interested in him, the WWE would re-package him with another gimmick and name alltogether- one they can copyright. "Shark Boy" is too indy for them anyway.
How about as "Dean Baldwin", the lost Baldwin brother?
Originally posted by Matt TrackerIf you're the WWE, and you want to continue targeting the younger audience AND employ masked performers, how do you not grab this guy?
Where does he go once you sign him, though? Raw with Evan Bourne and Daniel Bryan, or SD with Rey Rey and TAFKA Mistico?
With Austin returning this Monday, we can finally get the Stone Cold Shark Boy/Austin meeting! ;)
Thread ahead: you beloved SMACKDOWN WORKRATE COMIX for 3/4/2011!! Next thread: your SATURDAY and SUNDAY WORLD WRESTLING COUNCIL WORKRATE REPORT- 3/5-6/2011!! Previous thread: Hogan vs. Bret on Twitter
And you know ... they'll surely need a howler monkey colour commentator!! We know juuust the guy. BTW, did "they" hire Bischoff, or did Bischoff approach them about acquiring the rights?