The TWB Draft Spectacular is now fewer than 36 hours away, and with that anticipation of who the first pick will be among others, I've turned to seeing what the readers, experts in their own way, think about how things might shake out. One such guy is Brandon Infinger, who will act as our own Mel Kiper, Jr. (only without the helmet hair). Here's his mock draft:4 new promotions. While this list could be argued (and probably will be):
Round 1
1)(Koppo) Rob Van Dam. Is he great on the mic? Not so much. But he puts butts in seats, pops the crowd like nobody else in wrestling right now, and always steals the show. When this year is said and done, he could be the reason this "Monday Night War" could become a little more competitive. A no brainer if I have the overall first pick.
2) (Pizza) Chris Jericho. Perhaps the most complete wrestler in the world today. Versatile as a face or a heel, singles or in a tag team, a mentor or in the announce booth, being able to build a brand around the first Unified champion in the history of wrestling is quite a selling point.
3) (J_A) John Cena. While I’m not as big of a fan as most, if I’m starting a promotion, there’s no better merch pusher out there. He appeals to all demographics, and still has a solid 15 years left in the tank. And if this is a mock draft, which means I’m predicting where a guy gets picked, there’s no way Tom doesn’t have him as his headliner
4) (Butch) CM Punk. Nuclear heat with a gimmick that is built for longevity. When I walk in from a drunken Friday night, I fast forward to see what Punk did on Smackdown. Possibly the best thing going in wrestling right now.
5) (Butch) The Undertaker. The biggest draw left on the board, and with Punk as the main heel, UT is a natural choice as a face to anchor this brand.
6) (JA) Edge. Before the Achilles tear, he really found his niche. And with the natural rivalry with Cena, JA is set up nicely with the cornerstones of his company.
7) (Pizza) Goldberg. Lolwut? Yes, Goldberg. Close to signing a deal with WWE, Goldberg showing up out of nowhere to feud with Jericho (Greenberg anybody?) would blow the roof off the place to end the first show of Pizza’s brand.
8) (Koppo) Paul Heyman. With an open checkbook and nobody squashing his ideas, Heyman is a mastermind with the book, and is the only person Vince should fear running TNA. He changed wrestling from a bingo hall in Philly. Imagine what he could do running a top-tier company.
Round 2
1) (9) (Koppo) AJ Styles w/Ric Flair. I’m gonna take liberties here and draft managers with certain talents that need them. Styles v. RVD is one of the biggest dream matches left out there, and with Flair/Heyman doing the talking, this would be a monster draw for fans of all promotions.
2) (10) (Pizza) Randy Orton. On the verge of being the next big tweener (a la Stone Cold). Jericho, Goldberg, and Orton? Great start for Pizza.
3) (11) (JA) Kurt Angle. Assuming health isn’t an issue, arguably the greatest entertainer of the past decade, and a face the fans would rally behind for Cena’s inevitable heel turn.
4) (12) (Butch) Jeff Hardy. The hottest name in wrestling last year. Still a lot of mileage left in a feud with Punk. Easily the “best available” at the 12 spot.
5) (13) (Butch) Shawn Michaels. HBK v. Taker, Punk v. Hardy to jumpstart his brand? Ummm, yes.
6) (14) (JA) Rey Misterio. Four of the top workers in the world, JA is a man that appreciates workrate, and as such, has based his company around it.
7) (15) (Pizza) Samoa Joe. So many fresh matchups here for the most underutilized wrestler in the business. And if built right, Joe v. Goldberg is a monster draw.
8) (16) (Koppo) Christian. If Joe is the most underutilized, Christian is 1b. Carried every possible wrestler in ECW to great matches last year. If he could find the momentum he had towards the end of his last WWE run, then he could wind up as the biggest steal in this draft.
Round 3
1) (17) (Koppo) Batista. Has anybody improved more on the mic in the past year? Has found his role as a prick heel.
2) (18) (Pizza) The Miz. The time is right for Miz to take that next step.
3) (19) (JA) Workrate? How about Bryan Danielson. So many dream matches w/ Angle, Misterio, Edge, and Cena.
4) (20) (Butch) Sting. Dream matches with HBK and Undertaker await.
5) (21) (Butch) HHH. Although I’ve never been a fan, there’s great value here with the 21st pick.
6) (22) (JA) Jack Swagger. Perfect opportunity to grow in the ring with many capable opponents.
7) (23) (Pizza) Big Show. Staying w/ The Miz is a possibility, and possible programs with Goldberg, Joe, and even Jericho.
8) (24) (Koppo) I was torn here between the Pope and Desmond Wolfe. After watching Wolfe’s match as the ROH Pure Champion v. Bryan Danielson as the ROH World Champion, I’m convinced he could be better utilized than he is now in TNA.
To recap, all four brand are well-rounded, have a unique identity, clear direction, and many built in feuds and storylines.
Koppo: RVD, Heyman, Styles (w/Flair), Batista, Christian, and Desmond Wolfe.
Pizza: Jericho, Goldberg, Orton, Samoa Joe, Miz, and Big Show.
JA: Cena, Edge, Angle, Mysterio, Danielson, and Swagger.
Butch: Punk, Taker, Hardy, HBK, Sting, and HHH.
Photo Credit: TNAWrestling.com
Remember you can contact TH and ask him questions about wrestling, life or anything else. Please refer to this post for contact information. He always takes questions!
