[WWW] NWA TNA 10.18.03 Bill Banks column

http://www.nwatna.com/columns/bankshot/2003/10/18/bankshot.shtml

10.18.03 | The Bank Shot with Bill Banks 
Thanks for checking out my weekly column again – hope you liked the
first. And yes, the name has been changed to the "Banks Shot" after a
massive write-in campaign from fans.

(Actually, Jeremy Borash, Tim Welch and Abyss told me the name
flat-out "sucked," so I decided to change it)

So, onto another week of my ramblings as we go into the big buildup
for this week's TNA Pay-Per-View broadcast!


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FOUR MONTHS IN THE MAKING…. 
The last time Jeff Jarrett met AJ Styles one-on-one in the squared
circle, it was the three-way match involving Raven where the
Phenomenal One won the gold. We've had to wait four months for the
rematch, and this Wednesday it finally arrives.

Like I said last week, I think it's a huge mistake for Jeff Jarrett to
have turned his attention to Hulk Hogan so close to this match. And
now, after hearing from Jimmy Hart this past week on TNA, who knows if
Hogan will show up to beat the hell out of Jarrett before – or perhaps
during – the match!

On the other hand, AJ's odds didn't improve as well after this past
Wednesday. Vince Russo got stretchered out of the building and all
reports are that he won't be in AJ's corner for the match.

To me, AJ has more to prove in this match that Jarrett does. Despite
the fact that Styles is perhaps the most gifted superstar in TNA and
the champion, it's no secret Russo did everything in his power to keep
the gold on AJ. In the back of his mind, AJ's got to be wondering "can
I do this on my own?"

He's got to prove it to himself, and he's got to prove it to the fans.
Without a doubt, this could be the greatest NWA Championship match in
TNA's history – but the circumstances going into it are just as
intriguing to me.


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DON'T #&^% OFF THE AMISH!! 
Great to see the Angry Amish Warrior Roadkill and Danny Doring back as
a team in TNA, and their upset this past Wednesday over Diamond and
Swinger earned them a title shot this coming week.

I was always a fan of Doring and Roadkill in ECW – how could you not
like an Amish wrestler?

PS – Kudos to Bob Ryder for tracking down Roadkill this week in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania to inform him he was on the show. (That's
Amish Country for all of you that didn't know).

I went on a family trip once to Lancaster when I was a kid. But the
trip didn't go that well. Apparently, they don't have TV there. Or
video games. Or computers. Or phones.

Chickens and sheep, on the other hand, are in great supply.

But I did manage to get myself electrocuted by charged fence when I
tried to pet a cow! (True story…)


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WHEN WILL HOGAN SHOW UP ON TNA? 
It was great to hear from the "Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart this
past week on TNA. A longtime friend of Hulk Hogan's, the legendary
manager made it clear that the Immortal One is coming to TNA – and
he's going after Jeff Jarrett when he gets here.

>>From the day I first met Jimmy Hart in WCW, I respected him. No job
was below him and he busted his butt on a daily basis to help wherever
he could. He's one of those guys that will have a job for life in
wrestling because he not only loves it, but will do anything to help
it thrive.

While getting our first look at the footage from Japan this past week,
Jeremy Borash told me how surreal the entire Hogan situation has been
for him. After surviving the first year and continuing our growth, I
can understand how it's hard for many to fathom the idea that perhaps
the most famous wrestler ever is heading to TNA.

But it's happening – and so is TNA.


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THE NEW FRANCHISE 
So Shane Douglas is starting to put together a New Franchise in TNA?
HA HA!!

He's already started evaluating talent – including Chris Daniels and
Michael Shane this past Wednesday night. HA HA!!

Will he reveal the new members this Wednesday night? Tune in and find
out! HA HA!!

HA HA!!

(I've always been a fan of Douglas' evil laugh – you should be too!)

In all seriousness, Shane's recent announcement that he's forming a
new alliance in TNA is an interesting turn of events. Think about –
what other superstar in the past 10 years has not only remained a
constant and effective "bad guy," but has done more to help those
associated with him as well?

Whether it was the Triple Threat or his time in WCW, Douglas has
proven time and again he has what it takes to "make someone a star."
He makes you not only want to hate HIS guts, but those that are around
him as well. That's why Shane Douglas is so valuable wherever he goes.
Man, woman, child, animal, plant or mineral – Shane Douglas will
always find a way to make the fans hate them.

The fact that Douglas was eyeing the Daniels vs. Michael Shane match
from this past Wednesday tells me one thing – he's looking for youth
to build this New Franchise around. Smart move! Without a doubt, I'm
sure there's plenty of young talent in TNA who would give anything to
learn from the Franchise. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing
who THEY might be.

HA HA!! HA HA!!


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KASH VS. DUTT THIS WEDNESDAY! 
In recent weeks, I'm happy to see that TNA officials are putting more
of an emphasis on the X division, as well as bringing in new talent to
showcase to fans.

I'm was also very impressed with the debut of high-flyer Sonjay Dutt
this past week, and if his first match in TNA is any indication, he's
going to be an X Division star quickly in the next few weeks.

BUT….

This week, TNA has booked Dutt to take on Kid Kash – one of the
pioneers of the X style in TNA. You want to see one hell of an X
Division match this week? Then this is the one for you…


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NOVEMBER 30 – I HEARD THINGS!! 
How big is the November 30 mega three-hour Pay-Per-View going to be?
Let's just say that MANY of the biggest international stars in the
wrestling world are being talked about as appearing, and even some
popular stars from TNA's first year have shown interest in competing
that night. New Japan, Puerto Rico and Mexico could all have their
major superstars involved in the event, as well as some huge TNA
matches.

Fans have been sending a steady stream of emails asking about the
venue, ticket info, etc. All I can say is that as soon as we have all
the information, we'll post it on the website ASAP.


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DVD SUCCESS! 
Just wanted to send out a big thank you to all the fans that purchased
our exclusive DVD series in recent days. The reaction from our fans
toward the release has been nothing short of tremendous, and it's
great footage for all of our international fans who haven't gotten the
chance to see us yet. You can check out the DVD's in our Merchandise
Area, and they'll be shipped to you in time for Christmas. But above
all, thanks again to our fans!

TNA – SPREAD THE WORD!

Bill Banks