News on Christian, Chris Benoit

[Illuminattile]

Gerweck is reporting that Jay "Christian" Reso has signed, or will soon sign, with TNA Wrestling.

Chris Benoit's contract with WWE is set to expire shortly, and he's been offered a similarly low deal to Reso. Whether or not he will sign the contract is unknown, but it has been speculated that he may follow in Reso' footsteps.

 

[bastin872]

beniot better go TNA.

 

[bigmack]

ha i knew it. i hope benoit goes to TNA too.

 

[Devious]

Looks like the war is back on, I heard word that if and when TNA starts to move up in the ratings (Which shouldn't be long now, WWE is going straight into the toilet), they may move it to, guess when? Monday night.

 

[bastin872]

Looks like the war is back on, I heard word that if and when TNA starts to move up in the ratings (Which shouldn't be long now, WWE is going straight into the toilet), they may move it to, guess when? Monday night.

Not for a long time.

Why move them so quick? wCw was around for ever befor they got a TV deal, TNA has only been around for 3.5 years, they are a new company.

Raw still does 3+ while inpact gets .9 if lucky, give them another year, or two or three befor putting them monday nights cause WWE will still shit all over them in ratings at the moment.

 

[Illuminattile]

Yeah, it's a little early to start the "Monday Night Wars 2.0!" stuff.

In other news, Paul Heyman's contract expires this year...I'm not sure he'd leave, since he seems to be enjoying his "free-reigns" position in OVW. Even if he did, I don't know how well he'd work in TNA. I'd love to see him go to RoH,though.

 

[bastin872]

Yeah, it's a little early to start the "Monday Night Wars 2.0!" stuff.

In other news, Paul Heyman's contract expires this year...I'm not sure he'd leave, since he seems to be enjoying his "free-reigns" position in OVW. Even if he did, I don't know how well he'd work in TNA. I'd love to see him go to RoH,though.

Heyman would make any company amazingly better then it already is.

Turner's money/Heyman's brain in TNA = bye Vince

 

[Hymnz]

i really want to see the WWE step up their programming and i hope that people start switching to, or at least dividing their wrestling viewing with, TNA. i think TNA has what it takes to become huge because (or especially) of their lightweight matches which are certainly better than WWE's.
the same moves over and over. do you notice that ONLY in matches involving rey mysterio an opponent manages to fall exactly in the position required for the 619? ive never seen that in other matches... fuck the money and get back to the wrestling, i says

 

[Illuminattile]

do you notice that ONLY in matches involving rey mysterio an opponent manages to fall exactly in the position required for the 619? ive never seen that in other matches... fuck the money and get back to the wrestling, i says

You want to talk about contrived moves? Two words; Canadian. Destroyer.

 

[Illuminattile]

- Christian and TNA have already engaged in talks about the former WWE champion jumping to the company. However, there is a good chance that Christian will take his time before deciding anything as he hopes to get a better offer from WWE after turning down their latest proposal.

- Chris Benoit’s contract is up for renewal later this month and word out of the WWE camp is that the company has offered him a company which is considered low for a wrestler of his stature. If Benoit and WWE can’t come to an agreement, it’s possible that he will become yet another big free-agent on the market.

-- Rajah.com

 

[Illuminattile]

Despite Vince McMahon having licenced the name "Christian" as copywrited WWE property several years ago, Christian will retain full rights to continue using the name outside of World Wrestling Entertainment.

For several years prior to entering the WWF as a member of The Brood, Christian wrestled on the independent circut as "The Canadian Rage" Christian Cage. The absolute worst case scenerio would be that he would have to use the last name Cage if he were to work outside of the WWE.

The precedent for this has already been set and enforced several times in favor of the individual performer. Vince McMahon had copywrited "The Honky Tonk Man" as his intellectual property, however the copywrite was struck down, as the former Intercontinental Champion was able to prove that he wrestled under the name "Honky Tonk Wayne" in Stampede Wrestling prior to his WWF debut, and was given full control over the name and gimmick. The Ultimate Warrior was also granted rights to the name "Warrior" as well as the character's trademark facepaint and ring attire, as Jim Hellwig was able to prove that he had used the Dingo Warrior gimmick prior to signing a WWF contract.

On a side note, it is looking entirely likely that Christian will be signing a TNA contract when he is legally able to do so. His friendship with TNA head booker Scott D'Amore dates back to their days on the Canadian independent circut. Christian is also a resident of Florida, and would only need to work a maximum of five dates a month, most of which would not require him to leave the state, as opposed to being on the road as many as 300 days out of the year.

More information will be made available in upcoming weeks.

-- Wrestling Observer Newsletter