TNA has been using its mobile service to hype the surprise arrival of a couple of new signings. One message stated that they signed a former World Champion from another organization and that said individual would be appearing at Lockdown. A second message said that another former World Champion from another organization had been signed who will be revealed at Lockdown.
These two sparse messages have set off the wrestling community as people are giving their own two cents as to who these two former champions are. Of course we will all find out who they are tonight, but that doesn’t mean I won’t take a moment to contemplate and rationalize who these individuals may be. I will take the time to pick a few logical choices and a few long shots of who could possibly be jumping to TNA.
Probable Choices
Taz: Out of all of the wrestlers possible, Taz is the one that has been talked about the most. Taz recently let his contract expire and left WWE and free to go where he wants. As Lockdown is taking place at ECW’s old stomping grounds of Philadelphia, PA, Taz, a former ECW Champion, would be an obvious choice and instant fan favorite.
Rob Van Dam: This is one that I would love to see. RVD made a surprise appearance in the Royal Rumble a few months ago, but that was a one-time thing. RVD is another former ECW star and ECW/WWE Champion, so like Taz, he would be an obvious choice. Plus, it could give RVD some shameless self promotion for his RVD-TV DVD.
Bobby Lashley: Like the past two choices, Bobby Lashley is also a former ECW Champion, albeit of a different breed. Lashley has been pursuing a career in MMA as of late, with his next bout taking place in May, but he has been quoted in saying that he would like to return to professional wrestling.
Victoria: We all know that when TNA uses the term “world champion” that they do so loosely (remember Al Snow), thus Victoria would fit the mold as she is a former WWE Women’s Champion. Victoria has also talked about getting into MMA but she would be a good fit for the Knockouts Division. Plus, a light TNA schedule would give her time to train for her MMA career.
Long Shots
JBL: After losing the Intercontinental Championship in 21 seconds to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 25, JBL got on the microphone and quit the WWE. While there is probably is some non-compete clause in his WWE contract it is highly unlikely, but JBL making his presence felt in TNA would be something historic. Just as he promised at WrestleMania.
Raven: Raven is another former ECW Champions (as well as an NWA World Champion in TNA), that would fit the mold of the other ECW Champions I have mentioned, sans Bobby Lashley. Since leaving TNA a year ago, Raven has been mainly working on independent shows and trying to sue the WWE for wrongful healthcare and benefits but that case has been dismissed.
Sabu: Another former ECW Champion that has ties to TNA as he competed for them for a few years before jumping back over to the new version of ECW. Sabu was released from his WWE contract a year later and he has been making his way through the independent scene ever since. Sabu’s style of wrestling has taken its tool on his body and I would be surprised if he was one of the champions, but it would be good to see him once again.
Shane Douglas: The Franchise is a former 4-time ECW Champion who has held that title longer than anyone else and is also a former TNA talent. Since leaving TNA in 2007 Douglas has been taking independent bookings and was scheduled to take part of 1PW’s To the Extreme show in Doncaster, UK, but had to back out due to personal reasons… such as Lockdown, maybe?
As always, my predictions could be way off as I stated before that TNA likes to use the words “world champion” very loosely. I can guarantee, though, that it will not be Ric Flair, the Rock, Goldberg, Bret Hart or Hulk Hogan.
Of course, I could be wrong on Hogan as it has been reported that he is having financial problems and is running out of money due to mounting bills and a blood sucking ex-wife, so anything is possible in his case.
