Point/Counterpoint: Is Turning Matt Morgan Face the Right Move for TNA?

Throughout the history of wrestling, we have seen that the greatest story lines almost always involve a heel who stirs up the fans' ire and an upstanding babyface that the fans can rally around.  Think back to classic battles such as Steamboat vs. Savage, McMahon vs. Austin, Sting vs. Ric Flair; they all had a common theme in which the dominating heel was in control until the final battle when the face finally won the war.  Fans on both sides of the fence watch in anticipation of how each feud reaches its apex to see if the face can overcome all obstacles to reach victory.

Why is that so important here?

Based on what occurred on last night's Impact, it's safe enough to say that we might be headed into that direction. 

One of TNA's biggest issues since the Hogan-Bischoff regime was that there were never any true heels for the fans to hate.  Even when Flair formed "Fourtune," most of the reactions went something like this: "Cool, Ric Flair's forming another clique." 

No matter what they did, there was really no reason to root against them, even when they fought lovable characters like Tommy Dreamer and the old ECW gang.

Well, since Bound for Glory, all of that went out the window when Hogan, Bischoff and Jeff Jarrett brought in TNA World Champion Jeff Hardy, Abyss and Fortune to form a new dominant faction in TNA.  Their actions ranged from "kicking out" TNA President Dixie Carter to injuring fan favorites Kurt Angle and Samoa Joe, as well as giving Mr. Anderson a concussion that has taken him out of the Turning Point main event in two weeks. 

Even as Sting and Kevin Nash walked out (presumably) on the promotion, the question was who would be that one face that could stand up to Immortal?

For starters, it looked early on like it would be the Pope, and so far he has held up his end of the bargain but is wrapped in what looks to be mostly mid-level feuds with TV champ A.J. Styles and Abyss.  However, the events at the end of last night showed that someone is ready to step up and take that mantle, and his name is "The Blueprint" Matt Morgan.

Morgan was attempting to reason with Flair and Bischoff about not letting Anderson fight J.J. in a Steel Chain Match due to his recent concussion.  His attempts were in vain, and when he went to the ring to reason to Jarrett, it resulted in a cheap shot and, eventually, an impromptu match.  Afterward, the remaining members of Fortune came out and bludgeoned Morgan.  As a result, it looked as if Morgan will be Immortal's next target. 

Is that a good thing for TNA?

Point

One of the best things about the Morgan face turn is that he did it with cause.  It wasn't like most face turns, in which the fans just begin to cheer for someone for no reason other than "they're cool to cheer for all of a sudden" (e.g. Randy Orton).  Morgan discussed a legitimate issue that is a recent hot topic around the NFL and other sports, which brings a sense of realism into the situation. Much like the term "well-meaning heel", he had a good enough reason to turn on his former cohorts because he disagreed with their actions, and fans can root for that.

Also, Morgan represents a chance for TNA to develop a big star who doesn't have the typical WWE stench attached to him.  Yes, I know he did wrestle there, but it wasn't until last year's Bound for Glory match against Kurt Angle when the world recognized his talent as a future main-eventer.  Not to say that he could become the next Goldberg, but he does possess the stature of a star who TNA needs to build around and who the fans will cheer. Even though he's not exactly a TNA "homegrown", guys like Morgan and Pope also represent those guys who have never been in the main event before, and it will be refreshing and fun to see new guys take the spotlight.

It's not known if they will have the faces form their own group to face Immortal, but if they do, then Morgan gives them the type of big man to go against Abyss.  In addition, this is the perfect role for him, as he didn't look comfortable just as Flair's "insurance policy." He is the kind of guy that can be a force against a clique that has a multitude of talent as well as the fans' ire.

Counterpoint

They've tried the face thing before with Morgan, and it came off as too forced.  He has a natural cockiness that just makes him look better and more dominant as a heel, similar to Batista when he was in the WWE.  This seems more about needing someone to face Hardy while the other guys are on the mend. 

Also, if they do form another face group to battle Immortal, would anyone really trust Morgan as the lead face based on his history?  It might end up being better if it was "every face for himself" as his quest for revenge against the group that kicked him out is enough of a solid story for fans to tune into.

So what do you think? Can Matt Morgan become the type of face that can lead TNA during this new era?