I'm not a huge tna fan at present, since it came under eric and terry creative control it has stunk to high heaven. But, it still has a deeper talent roster than WWE, even if it's trying hard to fuck up.
I'll start by saying i'm also going to disavow people who really are not 'truely' tna, like RVD, Dreamer or Anderson. Jeff Hardy and Angle would get in because while they had good careers in WWE, they have either equalled or surpassed them in TNA. That said, neither make number one.
5. Senshi. Truely unique style, or at least where it has worked. Needed more time on the mic (has shown up on NXT) and poorly booked on occasions. I would have had him higher, but has now jumped ship to the E - and given the recent results, I hope the money was worth it.
4. Kurt Angle. The guy used to drive me to distraction in WWE with some of dumb ass stuff that he was involved in - 'drink you milk' with Lesnar or the three-way with Trips and Steff - but the matches were good. In TNA, until recently, the BS was cut out and focus put on what he could do, wrestle most guys (except maybe Shelton, Danielson or Doug Williams) out the building, whether as a heel or face. I bought into the 'win the title or retire angle' more than any recently, because it looked legit. I hope now he has the sense to walk away before he turns into Bret Hart.
3. AJ Styles. He has been mr tna since JJ decided people might like someone besides himself to be champ. AJ as the whole package and has been working hard to put over guys as well. The only thing I have against him has been the way he has to my mind crumpled in recent months with creative trying push him as the next flair. He's not flair - ric never had the range of moves so had to be 'the dirtiest player in the game'. Stop killing the guy by trying to make him what he'll never be.
2. Christopher Daniels. Like AJ has given all he has for the company - even when stuck being Curry Man (AMG the japanese have a very odd sense of humor). Maybe not has great on the stick, but I am just that little more convinced by him in the ring. And I've also seen far fewer 'U fucked up moments' from him compared to AJ.
1. Samoa Joe. Joe was the recent I started watching TNA when it came to UK tv in the first place. After finding out about him online and then seeing him live in the UK (and meeting him back stage, sitting alongside Abyss unmasked which was odd), I was sold he could be the next Taz. His style is what appeals to me as BJJ black belt myself, hard strikes, brutal submissions and, until recently, great speed and agility for a 280 pounder. On the mic, yes he sucks, I know. And now the nation of violence angle has gone silly and the he has gone a little lazy, but he can still, put in with the right people (NOT Nash or JJ!) put on great matches.
The guys I rate are all ring work over mic work guys, because thats what I want to see in a wrestling show, wrestling. Four of them have been in MOTY winners. What worries me, is senshi has gone to the dark side to get his ass handed to him weekly, Kurt is close to retiring (and probably should), CD is back on the Indies, AJ is loosing all his credibility being Flair's lackey and creative are probably close to handing Joe his pink slip. Although, I guess only the rats go down with a sinking ship.
