The Bad Influence:: The Weekly Heel Report (Late Edition)

Fear not villainous ones, The Bad Influence returns with another week of insight about the evildoers of wrestling. Yes it is a few days late as I typically post late Sunday/early Monday, the Dark One has been a little busy with certain projects. However, I promise this won't happen again as I like to be punctual, no matter how un-dastardly that makes me. Enough talk, on to the evil, vile, and all around mean men of the squared circle. As I said last week, the PPV caused a change in the rankings as did the Whole F'n Show PPV. This week we have lost friends, gained new enemies, and I may have been correct about Kane, even though the status of heel is up for debate. 

*Note- It has been brought to my attention that there is another article like this out there; that can be expected and I support wrestling and writing together and separately and say keep doing your thing, we bad guys need to stick together.*

RAW

The red brand has seen a little bit of a shake up following the debacle known as Summerslam; yes I feel my heels got slighted, but nevertheless, they are managing to persevere. Why the powers that be can't have bad guys win clean or win at all is beyond me. I understand merchandising from a sales perspective, but they aren't going under anytime soon and I think it's high time they realized Cena is coming close to the Bret Hart/Austin feud where an older babyface succumbs to the hottest thing going: "Stunning" Randy Orton.

#1: The Nexus

Now I know what you're saying: "Dark Charisma, how can this be? The bumblebee vandal team lost at Summerfest and kicked out one of their own! Cena will take them down! It will all be over soon!" Wrong, while it is painfully obvious that the Nexus will fold; kicking out one of their own may coincide with the end of Tuesday Night Heat where they could pick up new members. See, as of now they lost at Summerslam after dominating Raw the entire summer and immediately rebounded by defeating most of their team from said PPV. Darren Young stopped being a factor years ago so he isn't really a loss. Also, remember that they still have 'the bigger picture' and now it is reported that Barrett will be in the main event  of Night Of Champions. I said all they needed was gold or a number one contendership to take over the list and that was it. Couple their wins from this past Monday, their ability to remain strong after the PPV with their increased aggression in getting heat back and I would bet its safe to say that the Nexus will dominate again. 

#2: Sheamus

This picture pretty much sums up how Sheamus looks right now: like a damn clown. Outside of Legacy in their 'heyday', I think he has been RKO-ed more than any man on the planet. The DQ finish was lame, last Monday he was cowering in the corner and this Monday he was RKO-ed. There was no real reason aside from the gold for me to keep him at number one. AS I said earlier, I don't understand why the WWE refuses to give their heels credibility. It creates a heightened sense of realism; instead of seeing Orton step in the ring with Sheamus and us knowing there is no way in hell he could ever believable topple someone with that much pull, experience, and temper issues. Destroying the NXT rookies last week was okay, but it isn't enough anymore to destroy nobodies; he needs credible wins. 

#3: The Miz

Yes sir, you are seeing correctly. Promos? Check. Title? Check. Storyline importance? Check (MitB Holder/Nexus tease/Bryan's return). And lastly, wins? Ask Morrison about that. I don't think the Mid Card Metro John Morrison has won a single match against The Miz since they broke up. (If you know otherwise, please let me know.) The Miz rockets to number three because his promos are solid, his character is hated and loved at the same time and he is a joy to watch in his ascent. Unlike Jericho and Edge, who were pretty much trying to play up the tension while still seeming a little soft, The Miz made no bones about wanting Cena and company to sweat. His toying with them was the best heel tactic to come from this situation and even his attack on Brian fit with his persona. It's amazing how much he reminds me of Jericho, the guy who gets a little (U.S. Title, Unified Titles, Any Mic Time) and creates a buzz through sheer will and hard work. Due to this, he is The Miz and he is awesome. 

#4: Edge

Well, I hope he's done with this now, because the last thing he needs is to stay around Cena. Sadly, he is getting more and more cheers as he deals with the rookies and he may be turning. Mark my words, by the end of this year either he or Jericho will leave this column; not due to rankings, due to a face turn. As far as wins go, he's been more about count outs lately as he fled Nexus last week and was counted out this week so he's still a little protected. He continued to deal with the Nexus and I have a feeling still will as the six pack challenge all but guarantees that Nexus will feud with the other five entrants, but only time will tell. For now, he needs to express more heelish tendencies or run the risk of another failed face turn. 

#5: Chris Jericho

The best in the world tumbles to the bottom because of a combination from losses; including the clean pin from Barrett. On one hand, Jericho is still the best since he's amazing at making people look good; on the other it's costing him in the form of clean losses. Out of he and his counterpart Edge, I believe Jericho's character could be the one to turn first based on those losses. He also is adding a layer to his character recently that comes in the form of him going on the offensive a lot more often when outnumbered, something the crowd eats up. Where he goes now depends on his interaction with Cena and the Nexus over the next few weeks as I'm hoping I am not forced to have Ted 'Dad Can I Borrow Your Gimmick To Impress A Girl?' DiBiase on this list. 

iMPACT!

I love saying I told you so. More than any other thing in this universe, I LOVE being right. re-read my last article and see which ones I was on point about then proceed to electronically give me a high five. Seriously, I love being right so much I don't even know what left is *crickets, crickets*. Anyway, on to iMPACT! 

#1: Ric Flair

Normally, units are ranked as one cohesive entity; yet this man- no this legend- no this GOD managed to pull off an amazing feat: get heel heat despite being the most respected man in the business. Sting couldn't for too long, Austin couldn't seriously, and Hogan hasn't since the Rock beat him back face at Wrestlemania years ago. He walks out, berates the audience, rambles like a drunk grand uncle and proceeds to challenge anyone to a fight. This time, it was even more methodical as he simply strolled to the ring with a smile at the carnage and proceeded to follow the aforementioned pattern. He hasn't won a match in forever, except the Lethal one, but that's okay because now he has Fortune to do the dirty work for him. There's nothing that gets more heat than a man who pulls the strings and can't be touched. As the new top dog, he beats out Abyss and pretty much is also responsible for the number two spot as well. 

#2: Fortune

What a difference a beat down of a bunch of has beens makes? Now before you say I don't respect the Legacy of ECW, I do more than I could even explain, hence me hating this group. Fortune became the top heels in the company with one single, grueling long beat down of a bunch of out of shape people. It was awesome. Yes Styles lost to Kurt Angle, but I have to overlook that due to the simple fact that Angle probably has it in his contract that the entire roster must job to him at least once. It's called paying dues to his ego, or he would have eaten Styles' soul. Beer Money also lost, but truth be told they've had the titles enough for now and those matches were more about putting the Guns over even more than they already are. Kazarian is like a buddy to Styles and doesn't do much so he played his part well for now. Having said that, the group looked completely ruthless and Flair looked like he was going to hit Dixie; both equal awesome heat. I assumed Morgan and Williams were now with the group, but after extensive research, I found they are extensions and more like add ons to combat the ridiculously large EV2.0 faction. No matter, just being associated with the top heel faction in the company is enough to give those two added credibility. This group is just starting, I guarantee it, and when it's all said and done, this group will have been the best thing in TNA since the Main Event Mafia. (Heels remember? Of course I loved that!)

#3: Abyss

 "Although it's doubtful he will actually win I expect some sort of swerve to happen where he will be made to still look strong."

Yes, you are seeing correctly, I just quoted myself; I don't play instruments but damn can I toot my own horn. Almost everyone could have seen this coming, however, as Abyss is being booked to look so unstoppable, the only logical thing to do was have him lose then kill Van Dam. I'm going to guess the they was Fortune, and if so, then bravo because it makes sense as Flair's 'money' character should be able to pay off and control something like Abyss while keeping his distance. Where he goes now is anyone's guess as he successfully took out Van Dam for 'them'. One would assume the Five Star Superstar Rob Van Dam will eventually comeback for his revenge; until then, the monster will probably stay busy looking for gold and beating his meat with Janice. 

#4: Matt Morgan

Morgan finally seems to be getting the attention he deserves. His win in the three-way was much needed and him being a part of the EV2.0 Massacre made this his night. I suspect he will be an enforcer for the group who never really is in it. That's fine because he gets great heat on his own, is good on the mic, has the look and I'm tired of hearing about his potential. Give him the ball and let him run with it like he has with his Tag Team gimmick and exchanges with Pope and Anderson. If he burns out, too bad, but for now TNA seems to realize not utilizing an agile, powerful big dude like this is a complete waste. As no one in Fortune is too tall or powerful, he fits as the muscle to do the dirty work. The next few weeks for Morgan should be very....elevating.

#5: Doug Williams

Like Morgan, Williams is a part of the biggest faction without the added pressure of having to be locked in. The current X-Division champion was also a part of the Massacre and honestly, more power to him. He can talk and wrestle as good as any heavyweights and actually wrestles a more heavyweight game. It's only a matter of time before Lethal takes his belt, however, and I think it would be more so to free him up for the coming war against the Hardcore Embarrassments. He only needs to stay close to the faction while giving himself an identity to truly take off; I was worried about him before, but he has the skill and technical ability to be the most successful heel from the Invasion, or from the UK in general. (Hey, F*ck you Desmond Wolfe, grow a backbone and become the main-eventer you should be and maybe you'll get back on this prestigious list.) 

Smackdown!

The Big Red Machine takes down the Mex Midget and his brother in one night. While the blue brand didn't have much to do this past Sunday, they should have some interesting television this coming Friday. Onto the highest rated show in My9 history (HA!), Smackdown!

#1: Kane

Well, the Nightmare Kane has proven it was him all along in the most obvious twist since Niles from Frasier turned out to be gay in real life. He defeated Kofi Kingston last week and retained this past Sunday, dominated Taker after the PPV and has a TON of momentum. In the beginning the boards were fair in their assessment of him being a heel who was cheered and therefore could be seen as a face, yet I think now he is definitely heel. As he continues to run roughshod over the blue brand, I am getting closer to thinking this could be the end, as he is a very very smart man who no doubt isn't strapped for cash. If this is the end, he was a part of memorable and forgettable feuds alike and would be going out on top in a way reminiscent of the masked days. All I can hope is at the end of this feud, Kane gets one solid win over his brother before he rides into the sunset. Or actually burns in hell. 

#2: Dolph Ziggler

DQ finish. I almost didn't type anything after that, but I guess at least he's still champion. He lost to Rey then was swatted from the PPV like a divas match after what was a solid bout. Hopefully this coming Thursday he either switches to a different feud in order to stop getting wrecked by Kingston or attacks him to get his heat back. After Morrison, McIntyre, and Kingston's solid reigns, it would be a huge letdown if Ziggler was booked like a chump. I think his character still needs work as I keep saying and the cougar shtick wouldn't be so bad if he had self generated heat as opposed to heat by association. I think watching him get punked out twice soured him a bit, but he stays her because the rest of the list isn't fairing any better. Sad.

#3: Drew McIntyre

New picture, nice. If Drew was still IC Champion, he would be number 2. He defeated Matt Hardy this past Friday and is way more deserving of a top spot, yet I like the slow build he's getting so as to give him time to be polished. One thing, however, is that his domestic disturbance could make him job out for a couple shows to set him straight. Either way, it comes with the territory as history has shown us. Unlike Ziggler, also, McIntyre genuinely gets heat because people want to see him lose yet believably he could beat just about anyone on the roster. Once Smackdown is a priority again (moved to ScyFy) he should be more of a focal point. 

#4: Cody Rhodes

Moving up again is The Dashing One, who went over Christian and did something that was both heelish and hilarious at the same time on this past NXT; got his rookie into a fight and left him to fend for himself THEN came back on the ramp defending him. It was gold. He truly beats out the SES because unlike a four person crew who barely gets the job done, he seems to be just fine without Legacy holding him back. I can see the day when his stock outsells Smackdown and he makes his inevitable return to Raw at DiBiase's expense, and has his showdown with Orton for exiling him. Until then, however, he is destined to give us grooming tips while checking himself out in his digital mirror on his rise to prominence on the blue brand. 

#5: SES

People think I give Punk and Co. a bum wrap; not so as I am actually a huge fan of the Society and its gimmick. However, there isn't enough ways that I can voice my displeasure with them losing to Big Show three on one. How the hell does that even remotely make sense. The above picture, in my eyes, was the high and low point for the crew. There was no way Mysterio would join as he sells too much merchandise and Punk putting his hair up and subsequently being shaved brought about a weakness the Society didn't have before. Now that Summerslam is over, we need Punk to heel up and then start to really, really HEEL up. You have two guys and a chick under your domain, it's time to take back the title picture and be the bad guys they are supposed to be. They are losing too much, still have heat, but without credibility they're becoming that friend who claims he will fight and either runs or gets his ass kicked every time. Eventually you stop going to bars with him. The Society needs to shape up quickly or risk being nothing more than a Desmond Wolfe. 

Till Next Time Dastardly Bastards

And what will next week hold? Fear not, I'm going to present the next one on time on Sunday night. From now on I will stay punctual and promise to stay that way. 

Also, So as to not feel like I'm saying the same things over and over again, I'm going to tackle ROH next week! *insert gasps here* I've been following the product for a few weeks as opposed ot in the past when I'd watch one or two buzz worthy matches and have a slight grasp, we will see. Also, I may, from time to time, dabble in a new bi-weekly column about pro-wrestling called 'Dark's Side: Charismatic Thoughts'. But enough plugging new articles, till next time....

Dark Charisma.