History was made on Thursday night’s live broadcast of TNA Impact Wrestling when unlikely contender Eric Young overcame incredible odds and defeated Magnus in what must be considered an upset to become TNA Impact Wrestling Heavyweight Champion of the World. It was emotional. It was shocking. It was… Oddly familiar.
Many watching at home couldn’t help but make an obvious comparison between Eric Young’s championship victory on Thursday and Daniel Bryan’s championship victory just a few days earlier on Sunday. Both men fought valiantly against the odds in a match to open the show. Both men hurt their arm in the process, and both went on to fight for their respective brand’s championship later on during the same show, winning out against all odds.
Is it possible that TNA had created a long term storyline with the end result being that Eric Young would capture the top prize in their company? Of course it is, but it is hard to believe such a plan was in place when only a few weeks ago Young was reminding everyone on television that he held one half of the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship. Unless the plan was to create a buzz with out of left field shock value, this looks to be a case of imitation rather than innovation. Especially since this isn’t the first time TNA has blatantly taken their cues from WWE, and Daniel Bryan specifically.
Last summer a small, athletic, and charismatic undercard wrestler faced the biggest star in their company at the biggest show of the summer. Not only did the match receive praise, but a star was born when that smaller, athletic, and charismatic superstar defeated the biggest star in the company to the shock and delight of the people that demanded he be there in the first place. Of course, I’m talking about Chris Sabin’s defeat of Bully Ray for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. If you don’t remember that historical night in TNA Impact Wrestling history, you likely were too wrapped up in the build for the Summer Slam main event in which Daniel Bryan challenged and defeated John Cena. A story that was executed first, and better, than the TNA copycat angle shortly thereafter (the angle also felt like a rushed version of what Austin Aries did the year prior). If the results of that rushed TNA storyline are any indication of how its current incarnation shall end, then I feel great sympathy for Eric Young.
The most troubling aspect of this bizarre development is that Eric Young very well could be TNA’s answer to Daniel Bryan. He has always garnered sympathy as a smaller underdog, very few on the TNA roster can match his athletic prowess, and he’s proven time and time again that not only does he have charisma to spare, but the TNA fans believe in him, and will rally behind him. Instead, many fans will scoff at his victory as a second hand storyline. They will view him as Daniel Bryan Lite, a watered down version of the real deal. That may be the greatest shame of all, as Eric Young has what it takes to be the real deal.
Let’s not forget that a year ago Daniel Bryan was in a similar situation as Eric Young. He was a very good wrestler, with a comedic character, that connected with the crowd but wasn’t taken seriously. He was, in fact, a B+ Player. If Daniel Bryan had won the WWE Championship from John Cena the night after Wrestlemania 29, it would have been shocking, but it would also have been short lived and a wasted opportunity. There would be no YES movement, no underdog story, and certainly no roller coaster ride of emotion that was the rise of Daniel Bryan. I was worried that WWE fans were more interested in Daniel Bryan’s chase of the gold than his capture of it. TNA fans didn’t even get that.
What they got was the wrong move for the right guy. I don’t pretend to know the thought process behind TNA’s booking decisions, nor can I even begin to know what their plans have been or will be. I can only observe and analyze. Not only what I see and hear, but primarily, what I feel. I should’ve felt excited that Eric Young had broken through the glass ceiling. I should’ve felt elated that someone who has worked so hard and tirelessly in professional wrestling was given the chance to shine bright on a worldwide stage. I should’ve been happy. Instead, I was disappointed that instead of feeling any of those emotions, it was deja vu, all over again.
RUN IN from @AaronWrotkowski:
As much as I want to get cynical about this (and trust me, I was first hearing about it), I just can’t. I remember watching Eric Young back on Shaw Cable 11 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada around 1997. It was for the Florence Wrestling Federation. It was a backyard wrestling company with a wrestling ring that more resembled a mini UFC octagon trampoline. You can still find the original website about it designed by Jeremy Fritz (it only takes a quick look on Wikipedia who that would be). It’s quite possible this will be a flash in the pan title win like Chris Sabin was and it’s possible this was TNA Wrestling just trying to find a guy who was Daniel Bryan-esque. But let’s not forget that Daniel Bryan winning at WrestleMania wasn’t a big shock. Undertaker’s streak breaking was the shock. I don’t mind TNA responding like this. It would be worse not to respond at all. And even if TNA is playing copycat to WWE storylines (Magnus was pretty much a Randy Orton clone in Dixieland, though that angle ended weeks ago and he has been a coward heel champ on borrowed time), I’d much rather them copy good ideas and use their homegrown talent with them than just throw money at another WWE wash up. I just can’t be cynical about Eric Young winning the TNA World Championship and if TNA is truly serious about him, I have a feeling he could have a fantastic babyface run. One that would rival Bobby Roode’s time as the heel World champion. All the best, EY.
What do you think? Is it #TNAjaVu, or the beginning of an #EYMovement? Let me know in the comments and take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @AdamContant. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
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