Phill Shatter: TNA's Gunner of Security

Phill Shatter. It is a name most fans may not know. If TNA creative gives this young man enough opportunities, his name could very well be on everyone’s short list of must watch talent.

The name that is pushed, however, apparently will not be Phill Shatter. The name will be Gunner.

On the July 29 edition of TNA IMPACT, two of TNA’s “Security,” Murphy and Gunner, were a little too eager to get physical when attempting to extract Ken Anderson and Jeff Hardy from the ring.

They were admonished for their actions by D-Lo Brown, and this led to a tag team match later in the program.

As I sat there and watched the events unfolding, I couldn’t be happier for Phill.

Phill Shatter, whose real name I won’t disclose out of respect to his character, has been in the business for several years, and is currently the NWA National Heavyweight Champion.

He has held the title since January 17, 2009, and has competed on a worldwide stage.

Phill is also a veteran of the war on terror in Iraq, giving birth to his gimmick as The Universal Soldier.

This guy is good. He’s been working very hard to get to the level he’s attained, and his dream of making it in the big time of the business seems to finally be coming true.

That is, of course, if TNA is capable of pushing him in the right direction.

The No. 1 criticism leveled at TNA over the past several months has been the company’s inability to promote its own homegrown talent.

Since the arrival of Hogan and Bischoff, more established wrestlers have entered the company, causing the guys who helped put TNA on the map in the first place to take a backseat.

It’s a disturbing trend; one that needs to be corrected.

After all, TNA is what it is thanks in large part to AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, The Motor City Machine Guns, and a handful of others, all guys who represent the future of the business.

To fans who aren’t familiar with Ring of Honor, the aforementioned assortment of talent seemingly came out of nowhere, and TNA is the company responsible for giving them national exposure.

Yes, Kurt Angle helped give TNA credibility. Christian and Team 3D did as well.

At the end of the day, though, TNA has always stood apart from its competitor up north because of the young, fresh, dynamic performers on the roster. TNA would be best served to not forget that.

In other words, dance with the one who brought you.

Phill Shatter, after learning his craft, and earning his stripes in the ring, received his opportunity with TNA in 2009 when he joined the company’s on-air security.

At first glance, while I was happy for him, I was also a little disappointed.

Yes, it was good to see him on TV in a growing promotion, but being used in the role he was given just wasn’t enough to showcase his skills. Perhaps now that will be rectified.

I must admit my professional bias toward Phill, as I am good friends with his uncle and have had the pleasure of meeting The Universal Soldier on a couple of different occasions.

There are times when I really miss being in the business. Being around a guy like Phill whose heart for the sport and level of professionalism is second to none, makes me miss it even more.

So, every Thursday, I will do what I have done since TNA debuted on Spike TV. I will watch IMPACT for the explosive young wrestlers who give that company its finest moments.

I will also do the one thing that I very rarely do. I will be a mark.

Yes, I will mark out for a guy who truly deserves the shot he’s being given, and hope that TNA realizes his potential and sees it through. Hopefully, the fans will do the same.

Opportunity, thy name is Phill Shatter. Actually, it’s Gunner.

Either way, stay tuned.