A Look At My TNA Article From Last Year

A Look At My TNA Article From Last Year
December 15, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

It was a year ago Impact Wrestling made the announcement they were returning to their old "TNA" name. Around this time last year, I wrote an article on things I would like to see TNA do in 2024 that I felt would improve the product. 2024 was a big year and a very successful year for TNA. Many changes were made on and off camera while the promotion intends to enter 2025 guns blazing. I figured with a year having passed, I look back on my article from a year ago and see what TNA did and didn't do in 2024.

Note: I don't own the graphic. Credit to TNA.

NXT Arrival: Where Are They Now?

NXT Arrival: Where Are They Now?

December 11, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Many promotions have popped up this century from big ones like AEW, TNA, ROH, and MLW to popular indie promotions like PWG, SHIMMER, SHINE, GCW, among others. One of the bigger and popular ones would be NXT. Originally starting in 2010 as a goofy reality show type concept, NXT eventually settled into becoming WWE's developmental territory in 2012. Mostly operating out of Florida, the promotion has grown from cult like status on the WWE Network to occasionally being considered a third brand alongside RAW and Smackdown on national TV. Many of WWE's current stars had runs in NXT at one point before moving up to the main roster. However, despite NXT beginning in 2012, it wouldn't be until 2014 when they began running big PPV like cards. The first one would be called NXT Arrival and took place at Full Sail University on February 27, 2014. It's now been over ten years since that event so I figured it be fun to do one of my favorite type of articles which is a "Where Are They Now?" In this article, we'll take a look at some of the early stars of NXT and see where they ended up. Who went to big success? Who fell to obscurity? Let's find out.

Note: I don't own any photos. Credit to WWE or whomever owns them.

WWE Managers That Didn't Work Out

WWE Managers That Didn't Work Out

October 7, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Professional Wrestling is known for their share of colorful and larger than life characters. However, not all these characters are wrestlers. Rather, some are managers. For decades, professional wrestling managers have played important parts in getting certain talent over whether it be cutting promos for them or getting involved in matches to get more heat from the crowd. The WWE has had their share of managers going back decades from "Wild" Red Berry in the 1960s to the Three Wise Men of the East ("Classy" Freddie Blassie, The Grand Wizard of Wrestling and "Captain" Lou Albano) of the 1970s to early 1980s to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart in the 1980s to early 1990s to Paul Heyman in present day. However, for all the legendary managers that have come through the WWE, there are those that for whatever reason or another, it didn't work out with some even being long forgotten. In this article, we'll look at managers that appeared for the WWF/WWE but for some reason, would fizzle out with some fading into obscurity.

Note: I don't own any pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whomever owns.

Interesting Facts about Kevin "Diesel" Nash

Interesting Facts about Kevin "Diesel" Nash

September 30, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's most entertaining characters has been Kevin Nash. A seven foot tall giant who oozed charisma, swagger, and a cool factor, Nash was major name in the wrestling business throughout the 1990s and 2000s achieving legendary status for his times in the WWF/WWE, WCW, and TNA. He would leave his mark both on and off camera from being a founding father of the nWo to his meteoric rise in the WWF as "Big Daddy Cool" Diesel to his behind the scenes antics by himself and as a part of the backstage group called the Kliq. Many love him, many don't. Many would consider him an all time great while others would consider him a locker room cancer. Regardless, Nash has left behind a huge legacy that many couldn't come close to achieving. With his 65th birthday this past July 9th, it's time to look at some interesting fact about one of wrestling's greatest big men.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, TNA, the US Army, and/or whomever are their owners.

Interesting Facts about Sycho Sid

Interesting Facts about Sycho Sid

September 13, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's biggest and most interesting names figuratively and literally was Sycho Sid. A combination of size, power, charisma, and intensity, Sid was one of wrestling's most unique names as well as one of their most successful from the late 1980s to early 2000s. During his career, the man who considered himself the master and ruler of the world did just about everything he could from multiple world title reigns between the two top American promotions to main eventing the premiere events of those promotions to feuding and facing the biggest names of his time. Sadly, I didn't anticipate doing an "Interesting Facts" on Sid, at least not now, but with his recent passing, I figured I do one. As a tribute to one of wrestling's greatest and most charismatic big men, we'll look at some interesting facts regarding Sycho Sid.

Note: I don't own any of the photos. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, Youtube thumbnails, or whomever they belong to. I apologize for not knowing who exactly owns it.

Interesting Facts about Mitsuharu Misawa

Interesting Facts about Mitsuharu Misawa

July 29, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

If you talk to many hardcore wrestling fans and ask them who the greatest professional wrestler of all time is, many will say one name: Mitsuharu Misawa. After originally paying his dues and improving his craft during the 1980s as the second incarnation of Tiger Mask, he eventually would shine throughout the 1990s as the top star of All Japan Pro Wrestling where he engaged in one legendary match after another to the point where many would argue he was absolute best wrestler of the entire decade. During the later part of his career, he would also become known as a promoter as he founded Pro Wrestling NOAH. Sadly, despite his achievements, Misawa also became known for tragedy. The brutal King's Road style of wrestling he participated in which it along with bad luck and the pressure to press on in the ring at a time when he shouldn't have been even wrestling anymore would lead to his sad early death due to a cervical spinal cord injury he suffered during a match in 2009 at only 46 years old. This past June marked the fifteenth anniversary of Misawa's passing and I decided to pay tribute by looking back at some interesting facts.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to the owners.

Too Little Too Late. A Look At Wrestlers WWE Got Too Late

Too Little Too Late. A Look At Wrestlers WWE Got Too Late
July 8, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

Like everything in life, timing is everything in the world of professional wrestling and perhaps no one knows that more than Vince McMahon and the WWF/WWE. McMahon would have amazing timing throughout his promoting career whether it be the WWE's expansion to getting the right talent at the right time or even early. Unfortunately, McMahon and the WWE weren't perfect and for every Hulk Hogan or Steve Austin they got at the right time or even others like The Rock, who they got early, there are those wrestlers that came to the WWE too late for one reason or another be it age, personal issues, wear and tear, not fitting in with promotion at the time, etc. Here now, we'll look at various wrestlers and legends that WWE got too late to do much with.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I got them on Google. Credit to WWE or whomever owns them

Interesting Facts about The Ultimate Warrior

Interesting Facts about The Ultimate Warrior

June 16, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

One of wrestling's most colorful, charismatic, and controversial personalities is The Ultimate Warrior. During the late 1980s to early 1990s, few were as big and larger than life as Warrior. With his colorful face paint and tassels as well as his bombastic entrances, he was almost a superhero come to life. At his peak, he achieved many things most could only dream of. Unfortunately, as many fans as he had, he certainly had his detractors including hardcore wrestling fans who argue he lacked any talent or his own colleagues who he didn't always make friends with. Regardless of where you stand, it's hard to deny that The Warrior was a unique and special talent in the business and while his star burned brightly for a short time before issues backstage saw him usually disappear into the night, he'll always be remembered for his contributions. In the end, his journey and legacy is rocky but the final chapter would see redemption before his untimely passing in 2014. With this month marking what would've been his 65th birthday, I'll take a look at facts at a star who everyone had an opinion of: The Ultimate Warrior.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE and whomever are the owners.

WWF Brawl For All: Where Are They Now?

WWF Brawl For All: Where Are They Now?

May 27, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

The Brawl For All. If you are a long time wrestling fan or at least an Attitude Era fan, you're well aware of this infamous concept. Created in the summer of 1998, the Brawl For All was a sixteen man tournament. However, instead of being a scripted wrestling tournament that you would expect from the WWF, it was actually a legit toughman contest where wrestlers would put on boxing gloves and attempt to legit knock out their opponents. To say the Brawl For All was a disaster would be an understatement. Just about every way you can think of to make something like this a disaster: injuries, lack of audience interest, wrestlers losing credibility, failing to produce stars, and the man the promotion wanted to win not only did not but saw his reputation go down the toilet just as he was starting, this tournament had it. The BFA was a disaster. However, there were some silver linings as it did produce good ratings especially with talent most fans didn't care about and the eventual winner found doors opened for opportunities in Japan when the WWF had no further use of him. This summer will mark 26 years since the infamous tournament took place and since I didn't think of this idea a year ago, I'll do it now as we'll take a look at the participants, their backgrounds, and what became of them.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever the owners are. I apologize for not knowing who owns what.

Interesting Facts about Sting

Interesting Facts about Sting

March 21, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

Whether you love him or hate him, it's hard not to respect the man called Sting. For 39 years, Sting has entertained wrestling fans and created an amazing and enduring legacy. Few are as loved and respected as him. He was able to reinvent himself at times when it looked like he was getting stale and enjoyed comebacks when it looked like his career was down for the count. With his 65th birthday coming this month and with his recent retirement, I figured it be a nice time to look at some interesting facts you may or may not have known about The Stinger.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to WWE, AEW, or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

Legends That Are Long Overdue For The WWE Hall of Fame

Legends That Are Long Overdue For The WWE Hall of Fame
February 9, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

It's that time again, with the dawn of a new year marks the WWE's first major event of the year which is The Royal Rumble which, for many years, has been billed as where the Road to Wrestlemania begins. During the road trip to the Showcase of the Immortals, the WWE also starts announcing who will be the next entries into the WWE Hall of Fame which usually takes place the night before the extravaganza. Everyone has their opinion of who should go in and I'm no different. Despite the HOF having been around on and off for 31 years, there's plenty of names shockingly still not in. In this article, we'll take a look at the legends that are long overdue for a Hall of Fame induction. For the record, I'm not including Owen Hart for obvious reasons. I know I'll obviously miss some names as I can't put everyone on the list.

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever the owners are. I apologize for not knowing who exactly owns what.

Interesting Facts about Giant Baba

Interesting Facts about Giant Baba
February 7, 2024

By Ryan Porzl

The professional wrestling world is filled with wrestlers and legends that can be considered "larger than life". Some wrestlers were even known not only universally in the wrestling industry but also in pop culture and mainstream. One man who checks those boxes is Shohei "Giant" Baba. Baba is one of wrestling's biggest names and one of the few to enjoy massive success as both a wrestler and promoter as the owner of All Japan Pro Wrestling. During his near 40 year career, Baba became the third biggest name in all of Japanese wrestling behind only his mentor Rikidozan and fellow Rikidozan trainee Antonio Inoki. By the time of his passing in 1999, he was a pop culture icon in all of Japan to the point where not only did the business mourn him but so did the entirety of the country. With Baba's 86th birthday having come on January 23rd and the 25th anniversary of his passing on January 31st, I'll take a look at one of wrestling's biggest names both figuratively and literally.

Note: I don't own any of the pictures as I found them on Google. Credit to their owners and I apologize for not knowing their names.

Interesting Facts about Jim Duggan

Interesting Facts about Jim Duggan
January 27, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

Whenever you think of some of wrestling's more popular talents, especially during the golden age of the 80s, one name that comes to mind must be "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan. Duggan would originally achieve fame and success in Bill Watts' Mid South Wrestling/Universal Wrestling Federation before working the national scene first for the WWF and later for WCW. Though he wasn't a main event player in the nationals nor did he ever hold a world championship, Duggan had a Hall of Fame worthy career with plenty of highlights. With his 70th birthday having recently came and went, I decided why not do my interesting facts on 'Ol Hacksaw.

Note: I don't own the pictures as I got them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

Interesting Facts about Ted Dibiase

Interesting Facts about Ted Dibiase

January 25, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

One thing that's certain is in the 1980s, wrestling had it's share of talented wrestlers and colorful characters. One of the men to check both boxes is Ted Dibiase. Dibiase was one of wrestling's best technicians during the 1970s to 1990s while also being one of the most memorable characters during the 80s wrestling boom period as the greedy and obnoxious Million Dollar Man. Few were as good as Dibiase at his best during his era. This past January 18th marked The Million Dollar Man's 70th Birthday so I'll celebrate with a look at some interesting facts regarding the man who believed everyone had a price.

Notes: I don't own any of the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever the owners are. I apologize for not knowing.

AEW Has A Potentially Serious Issue Regarding Star Power

AEW Has A Potentially Serious Issue Regarding Star Power

January 23, 2024
By Ryan Porzl

On New Years Day 2024, AEW celebrated their fifth year anniversary. Since it's launch in 2019, it has exceeded expectations in many ways and has had their share of success. Like any promotion, they've had their ups and downs. Perhaps, the promotion's biggest downs is their inability to build new stars to eventually replace the guys who have been on top the last five years and are getting older. Now, we're five years into AEW and despite that along with having nearly 200 wrestlers on the roster with Tony Khan having no plans to slow down anytime soon, the clock is ticking for AEW to build new stars and while the promotion won't go under anytime soon, it can affect their bottom line big time. Not to mention, it creates an atmosphere where young wrestlers will feel AEW isn't the place to become a star. Here, we'll take a look at AEW's roster both young and old and why AEW's issues regarding star power in becoming a big problem.

Things and Improvements I Would Like To See TNA Do With This Rebrand

Things and Improvements I Would Like To See TNA Do With This Rebrand
December 30, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

This past October 21st, Impact Wrestling ran their biggest show of the year Bound For Glory. After the show, which ran like you would expect, the ending would see the promotion shock fans and those in the industry by announcing the promotion would once again rebrand itself under it's old identity of TNA or Total Nonstop Action, the name it had used from it's formation in 2002 to Anthem's purchase in 2017. After seven years, the promotion would embrace it's past to continue moving towards the future. Since the announcement, Impact would release a press release making it clear they had big plans from running bigger buildings to upgrading the look and feel of the show to new championship belts to improving their production with the latter having been announced months earlier. The return of TNA has tremendous potential and while they seem to be making some good moves so far, there's things that I like to see them do or attempt in the new year and here's a list of my requests. Keep in mind, I'm not going to bring up stuff like promotion as I feel their promotional work has improved and they are planned to improve their production so I won't include those.

Note: I don't own the pictures. I found them on Google. Credit to TNA or whoever owns them. I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

Interesting Facts about Toshiaki Kawada

Interesting Facts about Toshiaki Kawada
December 23, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

In the 1990s, All Japan Pro Wrestling was arguably the hottest and best promotion in the world, at least from a match quality standpoint. During this period, the promotion was represented by four wrestlers called "The Four Pillars of Heaven" or "The Four Heavenly Kings" which consisted by Mitsuharu Misawa, Akira Taue, Kenta Kobashi, and the man we'll be talking about Toshiaki Kawada. A long time mainstay for All Japan, his career was born and bred there and during his prime was among the best. He was easily one of the best wrestlers in the world, his tag teams with Misawa and Taue (especially Taue) were among the best tag teams of the decade and all time, and he was partially responsible for some of both the greatest singles and tag team matches of all time. With Kawada recently turning 60 years old, it's time I take a look at some interesting facts regarding the man nicknamed "Dangerous K".

Note: I don't own the pictures, I found them on Google. Credit to their owners as I apologize for not knowing who owns what.

Interesting Facts about "Ravishing" Rick Rude

Interesting Facts about "Ravishing" Rick Rude

December 19, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

It's almost impossible to argue that one of wrestling's greatest heels was the legendary "Ravishing" Rick Rude. One of wrestling's biggest acts during the 1980s and early 1990s, Rude perfected the character of an unlikeable, arrogant, womanizing heel that knew how to flaunt his good looks while getting booed and hated by audiences everywhere. Sadly, Rude would be one of many during his generation to pass too soon which happened in 1999. This December would've marked The Ravishing One's 65th birthday and I decided to do another look at some interesting facts as this time we'll look at Rick Rude.

Note: I don't own the photos as I got them on Google. Credit to WWE or whoever owns them as I apologize for not knowing the exact owners.

The Problem With AEW's Continental Classic Isn't The Format But The Prize

The Problem With AEW's Continental Classic Isn't The Format But The Prize

December 10, 2023

By Ryan Porzl

Since All Elite Wrestling announced the creation of it's new tournament: The Continental Classic, like many things they do or announce, it had it's share of support and criticism. The main issue among critics lies with the format as most American wrestling tournaments use a single elimination format while this one is using a round robin format that's mostly popular in Japanese wrestling. Fans who want something different or that are fans of Japanese wrestling are welcoming of this tournament. Critics have criticized it for the fact that AEW does too many tournaments and the fact that they believe the round robin format is too confusing. I personally like the idea of a round robin tournament so I will have no problem defending the format. That said, this tournament does deserve criticism but not where the critics think it should go. The problem with this tournament isn't the format but rather the prize that the winner receives which is a new Triple Crown belt which consists of three unified belts in Ring of Honor's World Championship, New Japan's Strong Openweight Championship, and a new AEW belt called the AEW Continental Championship. In this article, we'll take a look at why the prize is the problem regarding this tournament.

Note: I don't own the picture. I found it on Google. Credit to AEW or whoever owns it. I apologize for not knowing.

AEW Does Have Older Wrestlers and An Age Issue But They're Not The Only One

AEW Does Have Older Wrestlers and An Age Issue But They're Not The Only One 

November 30, 2023
By Ryan Porzl

AEW is wrestling's second biggest promotion in the world and as a result, many great wrestlers and legends have come through the promotion. In recent times, many have noticed the older talent and aging legends popping up and the roster looking older. While it's true AEW does have an age issue or older talent, to be fair, they're not the only ones and it's something that's been happening for most of the major promotions. For the record, I don't mind talent in their 40s or even 50s still competing if they aren't totally washed up so I'm not saying older talent is a bad thing but like anything in life, you don't want too much.