Tuesdays at TNA: Is the ECW Invasion Already DOA?

Welcome to Tuesdays at TNA , where we discuss the hottest topics going on in Dixieland!

By now, everyone has seen the main event brawl that took place on Impact last Thursday regarding the ECW originals such as Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Steven Richards, and Rhino .

For those who didn't, these four guys have made their presence known on Impact episodes for the past few weeks. But, they did not enter the ring until they saw their old ECW comrade and current TNA World Champion Rob Van Dam in peril against Abyss . 

Soon after, the ring was filled with ECW originals squaring off against TNA stars such as The Pope , Matt Morgan , and Brian Kendrick (among others). Also, we saw other ECW alumni such as Al Snow and Brother Devon join their former brethren in the attack.

Now, many people have stated that it was extremely confusing and that they didn't understand the purpose of it.

In addition, there have been a lot of critics complaining about the ending, when TNA President Dixie Carter stated that she invited them. Also, there are a lot of people who state that this is a ripoff of the Nexus invasion angle currently taking place in the WWE.

Allow me to tackle the last issue first. This is NOT a ripoff of the Nexus angle. TNA has had this in the planning stages for months, as more and more former ECW wrestlers have been making their presence known in TNA.

Secondly, and most obviously, Nexus consists of rookies, and the ECW clan are all veterans looking for one last moment in the spotlight. 

As far as Carter is concerned, her inviting these guys could signal a larger shift in TNA down the road. If the rumors are true about them bringing in Paul Heyman to oversee control, then what better way to entice him than to have a storyline involving his very own creation? 

Since they didn't get the proper sendoff in WWE, the way that they should have, this could be an opportunity for him to show off his great booking skills. However, even if the rumors were true, I doubt he would do it due to the different personalities that already occupy the TNA booking committee.

Finally, the brawl itself made perfect sense when I took a second look at it. The ECW guys were helping out their friend RVD and used Mick Foley's surprising return to attack Abyss. 

Secondly, when Al Snow and Devon came out to help, it made sense considering those are old friends of theirs from the Hammerstein Ballroom days. The TNA guys saw it as an attack on their home turf and acted accordingly. 

Despite the execution in which the brawl occurred, could this angle already become dead in the water just as it was picking up momentum?

Dreamer suffered a torn MCL and it is unknown how long he will be out. If that is true, then ECW loses the guy largely responsible for being the catalyst behind the invasion since coming to TNA. 

Also, rumors are abound that RVD may wind up facing a long time nemesis of his from the ECW days: former X-Division champion Jerry Lynn at August's PPV Hardcore Justice. As much as I hate the term "one-shot deal," I hope this is all it becomes. A nostalgia trip is fine, but hopefully TNA leaves it that way. 

The next question is, what happens to the TNA stars like Morgan, Pope, and even Abyss?  Can TNA realistically expect the older ECW stars to beat them in the ring at their advanced age? 

Even if they did, it would hurt the build that guys such as Jay Lethal and Kendrick have been receiving lately. It would give critics another reason to shun TNA for its desire to put the older stars of yesteryear over today's up-and-comers due to more name recognition.

Personally, I don't think that will happen. TNA has worked hard in the past few months to showcase their young talent and to place them in main event angles.

Anyone who saw the awesome MCMG-Beer Money match Thursday night can attest. I believe that ECW's invasion won't last long and will give TNA a chance to put their talent over in a way they didn't do during the Main Event Mafia-Frontline story.

TNA has a major opportunity to not only put over their younger stars with this angle, but to give Extreme Championship Wrestling a final sendoff the right way. Let's just hope that they don't sacrifice their future for a nostalgic pop in the present.