Anyway, it seems that my recent columns have been suffering from jumbledsymbolitis. The only known cure is to either use a program other than MS Word, or never use apostrophes and quotation marks ever again. As much as it pains me, I am going to have to vote on the latter since I cannot possibly write without the usefulness of MS Word. So if I start to sound like Data from Star Trek, you will know why. Also, please do not e-mail me saying that I failed to use proper quotations, or I did not place an apostrophe on a word that needed it. I know this. I just choose not to use them so you guy can actually read my writing without the need to translate. Besides, I enjoy the challenge.

So on that note, let us move on to our topic of the week. Considering the fact that my three previous columns have focused on the WWE, I think I will give that company a break this week and focus my attention more on TNA and its show Impact. A lot of you guys have said your two cents worth about current events in TNA over the past few weeks, and since Impact will be moving to Monday nights starting March 8th , I would like to throw a couple pennies into the well of debate myself. The theme of this column will be timing. I think you will start to understand after further reading.

The first thing I want to talk about is Hogan and Bishoff, and their position in the company. Some have noted that it is a bad thing because it only brings back the elements that brought WCW to its demise while others claim that it is a step in the right direction in order for TNA to legitimize itself as a wrestling company. Personally I believe that Hogan and Bishoff are two of the greatest businessmen in wrestling history not named McMahon, and their promises to bring TNA to the next level are honest and true. Yet as a result of this, we have seen more and more of Hogans good buddies and Bishoffs former employees suddenly appear from out of nowhere as members of the TNA roster. While guys like AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, Jeff Jarrett, and Abyss still remain top competitors on the roster, we now have to suddenly adjust to Ric Flair, Ken Anderson, Val Venis, Orlando Jordan, Scott Hall, X-Pac, The Nasty Boys, and Jimmy Hart being shown on our television screens. There is definitely going to be some resentment towards these guys. They disappear from television for so long, and then as soon as they get hired by TNA they, for whatever reason, automatically get pushed into the upper card and main event picture. Meanwhile, the guys who stuck with TNA from the very beginning either find themselves getting less air time, or are forced to put one of these newcomers over so the fans can consider them to be a threat. Does it work? Well, not really. The fans are smarter than the product wants you to think. Just by their chants alone you can tell what characters are currently working. One character that I would like to go more in depth with is Ken Anderson (Anderson), formerly known as Ken Kennedy (Kennedy) in WWE.

Now Ken Anderson (Ander-ok, ill stop) is an interesting fellow. He is a guy who, for whatever reason, could not seem to catch a break. Do not get me wrong, he has what it takes. He can wrestle fairly well, he definitely has the charisma and attitude, and his ability to spark controversy via the internet must put a smile on Bishoffs face. On paper, Ken Anderson has what it takes to be World Heavyweight Champion. He even had a couple chances back in the WWE. Ok, so I lied about not talking about WWE, but I have a reason to do so! His first push ended with an unfortunate injury, his second push ended with an unfortunate drug scandal, and his return ended suddenly with an almost unfortunate injury to another wrestler. Like I said, he could not catch a break. So now he has arrived in TNA, and it looks like he is going to finally get that push he deserves. He has pinfall wins over Abyss, Kurt Angle, and even Jeff Jarrett. If that is not a positive message from backstage, I do not know what is. However, Anderson is unfortunate once again because his friendship with Hogan has painted a target on his chest for the fans to fire at. He may not be a has been looking to regain the spotlight, but his quick rise to the top makes it look like he is playing politics with the guys in the back. I am not saying he is, but it just appears that way to me.

On the other side of the coin, you have the sudden rise of The Pope Dangelo Dinero. I have nothing but good things to say about this decision. Having a new face in the title picture is always a good thing, and his wrestling style compliments AJ Styles style (weird, right?) quite well. So in theory, those two can put on amazing matches that the fans will love. He, like Anderson, was suddenly propelled to the main event picture. So what is the difference? Why do the fans love Dinero being in this position so much more than Anderson? It is not that Anderson is a heel and Dinero is a face, though some may argue that it is. Of course they are going to cheer the face, but let us throw kayfabe out the window and focus on the way the two wrestlers were marketed to us. Dinero (aka Elijah Burke) got his start in TNA back in May of last year, and ever since has put on fantastic matches with a number of wrestlers. The key here is time. It takes a good amount of time, normally a few months to half a year, for the average wrestling fan to either accept or reject a certain wrestler persona. Because Anderson has sprung up to the main event position in less than two months, the fans are not going to appreciate what the wrestler has to offer, especially when there are so many others in the company more deserving of the spotlight.

Time can also be subdivided into age. In the case of TNA, time represents the careers of both Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. I love both these guys. I know it sounds stupid to say, but really, if it were not for these two men, where would the wrestling industry be today? Both men have given their lives to improving the industry, and I doubt any of us will ever truly appreciate the amount of sacrifices both men gave for the fans. Having said that, I think those two should not be wrestling. Let them talk on the mic. They have the talent for doing so, and the fans love them for their promos. But please, for the love of all that is holy, please prevent them from having to actually wrestle. Both men are long past their prime, and the very notion that they could keep up with the other wrestlers is downright absurd. Yes, I am including Ric Flair as well. Every time I see those two in the ring, I do not have a smile on my face because I am too worried that one of them is going to get seriously hurt. Hell, even Hogan himself admits that he should not be wrestling. Here is a quote from Hogan during an interview he had with the St. Louis Riverfront Times. Please note that I had to adjust the quotation a bit in order to prevent those nasty symbols from appearing.

[(It is) hard to say no. I painted myself in a corner. Now (I am) fighting a tag-team match March 8 with Abyss against Ric Flair and A.J. Styles. I did that to myself, but I really (should not) be wrestling anymore.]

So even though Hogan knows he should not be wrestling, he is going to go ahead and do it anywhere. He even talked about how his hip popped out of its socket. Yet he is addicted to the sport, and he forces himself to continue wrestling. I believe the same can be said for Flair, though I have no quotations to back up those claims. My point here is that Flair and Hogan are abusing their bodies without any good reason. Yes, it is the premiere episode of Monday night Impact. I understand that, and I realize how important it is. But bear with me when I say that there are other people who could fill their spot. How about a couple wrestlers who can still wrestle without having their body parts pop out of place? Kurt Angle perhaps? Sting still has some life in him, does he not? Heck, give more spotlight to Dinero and have him be part of a triple threat match with Abyss and Styles for the World title. Let Flair stick around as manager, maybe let him take a couple bumps, and keep Hogan in the back where he can focus more on booking other wrestlers and not himself.

But at the end of the day, TNA shows hope. I do not mean to jump to conclusions, but I think it is safe to say that the oldies will eventually disappear from out television screens, and newer, younger, and more exciting stars will make their way as TNAs top priority. From a business perspective, it is not a good idea to keep the old, worn out wrestlers for longer than they have to be. The idea is to grab the viewers attention long enough to put over the newcomers. It is a customary passing of the torch that many tend to forget about. It gets even more complicated when you realize that the guys who should be passing the proverbial torch are holding onto it as tightly as possible because they are low on money and have a family to feed. They know that the independent route will only garner them so much money, and with the famous series of events that occurred in WCW, some believe they will obtain a free ticket to get paid while sitting on their asses. Still, the eventual evolution of the wrestling industry shows that the old will slowly fade away while the next generation gets its time in the spotlight. It might take longer than expected, but time will run its course.

Now to go over the main points of discussion.

-TNA is seeing its share of ups and downs, but that is a normal thing.

-Hogan and Bishoff are doing their thing, and I trust their long term plans.

-Timing is an important factor in wrestling. It can give a character a positive or negative reaction.

-Timing is also important when it comes to the age of the wrestler, and his physical state.

-Out with the old, and in with the new. This is how the world works, my friends.

My final statement: Much like comedy, timing is everything in professional wrestling. It can be a promoters best friend or worst enemy.

Well that is about it for this week. I hope you had an easier time reading this column than the previous ones, and also found my opinions to be a little informative. I could go on for hours about the state of TNA, but I need to save something for a future column. So as always, if you have any other ideas for what my next Silver Lining should be, or if you just want to check me into the Smackdown hotel, e-mail me at tagibbs4@yahoo.com

So until next time, remember that every ring is bound to have a silver lining.