TNA: James Storm is not 'too southern' he's 'too redneck'
by Geno Mrosko on Oct 26, 2011 2:02 PM EDT
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His words, not mine.
After James Storm won the TNA heavyweight title from Kurt Angle on last week's episode of Impact Wrestling, some reports started hitting the Internet that there were those in management that weren't too keen on his holding the title. Why? Because he's "too southern" and won't get over with a wider audience. He has appeal to a certain closed off segment of the fanbase, but that's relegated to one geographical region.
Supposedly.
Storm, of course, has access to these same reports and decided to provide a response via his Twitter account. It's about what you'd expect:
"I think it's awesome that I'm to "southern". It makes me....ME. So to the people who don't like it... Sorry about you damn luck. And a little FYI it's not to southern, it's to redneck and the are beer drinking rednecks all over THE WORLD not just the south."
Well, that's one way to go about it.
If anyone is making complaints in TNA management about Storm being too southern, we can assume who exactly that would be and it's the kind of outdated thought process that handcuffs a company to failure. The unfortunate news for Storm is that his title win on Impact was the worst rated segment of the entire show.
Perhaps a harbinger of things to come? We shall see.
In the meantime, what are you thoughts on Storm as champion? A better option than Bobby Roode, who was also pushed out at the last minute? Or is he too southern for you like a few seem to think he is?
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Can't speak for everyone but....
At least watching WCW in 2000-2001 was fun. You knew they were in serious trouble and they just kept piling dirt on their own coffin. One minute TNA seems poised to make a smart, strategic move that could help them long term. The next they realize Hogan and Bischoff and Russo are in charge. Strategy? What’s that? Smart? You mean those internet dumbasses? Here’s an idea, let’s do something that worked poorly or not at all 10 years ago. Even better, let’s do it with the exact same people. And let’s throw in some junkies too.
With his response
It wouldn’t shock me if the rumors are a work.
Writer (and a handsome one at that),
And the Valley Shook
If this is...
True, it’s just another awful attempt by TNA to “work” the internet.
If they put half as much effort into making their product watchable that they did trying to swerve dirtsheets, they wouldn’t be in the shape they’re in now.
by Sergio Hernandez on Oct 26, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously
I think the universal appeal of BEER with the 18-35 demographic counters any notion of too southern or too redneck. If I remember correctly, one of the last beer swilling rednecks in pro wrestling did pretty well for himself.
Like Billy said though, its safe to assume everything is a work these days.
On a sidnote. any rumor of when the undertaker is gonna return?
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Oct 26, 2011 3:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dec.14th last I heard
Make a Decision to Make a Choice to Change, or Your Life Never Will
by *Californication* on Oct 26, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not going to believe that this is real and like mentioned above, it’s a work. The statement’s too illogical and retarded to be real.
Hey, here’s a fun activity – let’s list some of the greatest southern wrasslers in WWE and WCW history! I think I’ll start with Steve Austin, JBL and perhaps Dusty Rhodes if I’m not mistaken.
And Jerry Lawler. If the Carolina’s are considered as southern, then let’s add Ric Flair.
Jim Ross was highly desired by TNA once before.
by Sir Ingenious on Oct 26, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Cali? Wow, I never would’ve thought that Ross is from that state. I just guessed up these names without referring to Wikipedia, so whatever. Oh and I feel like OK is in the south – it does have that southern feeling to it. Technically, you may be correct due to Wikipedia but at the same time…
Texas is pretty southern and western at once. Again, I’m not going by technicality. And if Texas is south, then it’s south. Hey, it can be west too!
by Sir Ingenious on Oct 26, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Texas
Is split up depending where you are. Dallas is Midwest, Austin is South, Huston is dirty South (very similar to Atl), and the Pan-handle is Southwest. OK is not South but would be considered Midwest.
by C. J. Bradford on Oct 26, 2011 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I live relivein Oklahoma and the vast majority of ppl believe t. so there is that hem selfs to be southern. so there is that, take that for what ya will
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Oct 26, 2011 8:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow that was a epic fail on my part. sorry for the nonsense. im from Oklahoma and the vast majority of people believe them self to be southern
He knows the guy with the bandage on his ass is going no were. Were you going fucking no were
by Elstriko on Oct 26, 2011 8:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The South definitely knows three things:
Food, jazz, and pro wrestling.
If TNA would model themselves on a regional basis, like a return to the Crockett territory days, they would find a loyal following in the South. They might also turn a profit.
James Storm is a GREAT champion for a company that is situated in the South and that should focus more on the South than on anywhere else in the country. Nationally, they aren’t going to be able to compete with WWE anyway, so whether or not James Storm appeals to a guy like me in the PNW doesn’t matter anyway.
JR was also seen as too southern by Bischoff. That's why he fired him.
-TNA isn’t talented enough to properly work the social media. We’ve seen that already.
-Shawn Michaels is also from Texas. And yes, it is part of the South. Hell, I’d say it’s more “Southern” than Florida, to be honest.
Here’s a list of men also from Texas other parts of the South.
-Arn Anderson
-Tully Blanchard
-Barry Windham
-Mark Henry
-Cody and Dustin Rhodes
-Jeff Jarrett
-Matt and Jeff Hardy
-Hardcore Holly
-All the Von Erichs
-Harley Race
-All the Ortons
-Paul Orndorff
-Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson
-JYD
-Michael Hayes
-Terry Gordy
-Jim Cornette
-Bobby Eaton
-Dennis Condrey
-Terry and Dory Funk
-Eddie Graham
-Dick Murdoch
-Undertaker
-There’s even more, but I think my point’s been made. Southern, or redneck does not a champion make. How they conduct themselves and the matches they have make a champion.
"Pain or damage don't end the world; or despair, or F*ckin beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment coming. Stand it like a man, and give some back." -Al Swearengen
Thanks for the list!
But I’m really curious… which region across the States do you think produced the best flock of wrestlers of all time between South, North, East and West? Hell you can even incorporate the southwest, northwest, northeast, and southeast if you wish.
by Sir Ingenious on Oct 26, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd give the nod to the Southern Territories: Mid-South, Memphis, Florida, as well as both Texas territories and UWF. Second goes to AWA.
Mid-Atlantic was the highest grossing area for the NWA, with almost everyone who went through there having main-even runs in WWE.
Florida was where young guys went to get training or cut their teeth. Rhodes, Steamboat, Funks, Briscoes.
Texas (Southwest Sports/WCCW) had the best production and most of the camera work you see now was because of Mickey Grant. They also had some of the first “outside” angles. Also a stop for many future stars, but real growth was stifled because of ol’ Fritz’s penchant for pushing his kids.
Outside of the south: AWA had some of the best talent ever. Almost anybody who was or became somebody was trained or worked here. Flair, Hall, Hennig, Hogan, Road Warriors, The Rockers, Lawler, Rhodes, Freebirds, Heenan, Mean Gene, Sheik, Steamboat; Out of all the territories, Vince cannibalized from them the most.
In short: South had the most talent, but they didn’t beat Gagne by much.
"Pain or damage don't end the world; or despair, or F*ckin beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment coming. Stand it like a man, and give some back." -Al Swearengen
It's all moot....Roode won the belt from Storm at the Macon TV tapings
…not sure if it was the first or second impact they taped, but it’s official.
'Bama fan since birth, Niners Faithful & Hawks fan since '86, Braves fan since '90
It's the sport of kings, better than diamond rings....football.
Roll Tide Roll!
Go NIners!
Was going to say the same thing
Vince needs to stop booking the title so weak…errr…hmm..I meant TNA. So someone tell me why Angle went over Roode at the PPV again? Oh you mean Hogan is playing politics with Storm and Roode so their title reigns are short and weak? Sounds about right
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
He's setting things up to win it himself
Release...the KITTIES!
by GoForthAndDie on Oct 26, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions
If I were booked to lose ANY title to Hulk Hogan in 2011
I would legit kick the shit out of him and gladly take any consequences that came with it.
by The so-called Beautiful on Oct 26, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'd pay to see that. Legit shoot fight.
"Pain or damage don't end the world; or despair, or F*ckin beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment coming. Stand it like a man, and give some back." -Al Swearengen
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