Top 15 Dudes TNA Has Dropped The Ball With

TNA hasn't been in existence for very long, yet they have had hundreds of wrestlers come and go. It's no secret that TNA hasn't exactly mastered booking 101 nor have they quite figured out how to utilize a roster perpetually loaded with talent.

They have dropped the ball on many a wrestler, so here is the top 15 guys I think TNA has or is dropping the ball with. 

Keep in mind they have dropped the ball on more than just 15 guys so some others have been left off the list. Also, this list is in no particular order.

Let me know who you think should be on the list or why someone I put on the list, shouldn't be there. Keep it real, yo.

Number 15: "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown

Monty Brown performed in TNA from 2002-2006. He was very athletic, could talk on the mic and was charismatic as a heel and a face.

He spent time in the "Planet Jarrett" stable and had a few shots at the NWA title. While Brown didn't lack screen time, he deserved to carry the strap and was super over with the fans. 

Brown parted ways with the company and debuted with the WWE as Marcus CorVon in the New Breed on ECW. After some family issues, he took time off and was eventually released. 

On a side note: his finisher the "Pounce" was pretty dumb. 

Number 14: Eric Young

Eric Young has been with TNA since 2004 and has suffered from some pretty stupid gimmicks. He was a babbling, comic-relief act that fell down every time his pyro went off.

He was also a super hero, had a feud with Robert Roode (at one point, winning a bikini contest against Ms. Brooks), and now has a creepy thing going with Orlando Jordan as he plays an apparently mentally challenged person.

When he led "World Elite," it seemed as if things were looking up for EY. He held the Global Championship for a bit and was great as the leader of a heel faction. But that was short-lived as TNA dropped the ball on that storyline. 

I'm not sure I can say I see EY as TNA World Champion but he deserves way better than he's getting. Maybe a legit X-Division title run as a face or heel that can be taken seriously.

He can pull his weight in the ring and his above average on the mic. So whats the problem, TNA?

Number 13: Sheik Abdul Bashir

Bashir only spent about a year in TNA where he spent time as X-Division Champ and was in the heel faction "World Elite" with EY. He also had a pretty painful storyline with referee Shane Sewell.

TNA squandered a chance to capitalize on someone who never failed to get legit heel heat, as did WWE. As an Arab myself, I was never a fan of the Anti-American, mad at the world, victim Iranian gimmick. However, Bashir was always able to capitalize on whatever material he was given. 

In this video, he is wrestling Consequences Creed, which brings me to my next slide...

Number 12: Consequences Creed

Creed was handed kind of a weird gimmick but made it work. He spent about three years in TNA, only holding the Tag Titles once in his time there. He went after the X-Division title but never won it. He spent time in a team with Jay Lethal called "Lethal Consequences" that proved to be a fairly good team. 

Creed was released by TNA earlier this year and signed a developmental deal with WWE, currently being billed as Xavier Woods. Hopefully, WWE wont squander his talent the way TNA did as he is good on the stick, great in the ring and over with fans as a easy to like babyface. 

Number 11: Low Ki

Low-Ki (Kaval in WWE) had 2 stints with TNA where we won the X-Division Title twice and the Tag Titles 3 times. While in TNA, Low-Ki pulled off several 5 star matches in the X-Division.

Low-Ki spent time in Ring of Honor where he became the promotion's first World Champion. He is awesome in the ring and can put on a great match with nearly anyone if given enough time.

On Dec. 23, WWE announced Kaval's release, seemingly dropping the ball big time with the guy they had win season 2 on NXT. Its really too bad, I know I am not alone when I say, I hope to see him back in the future. 

Number 10: Amazing Red

The first time I saw Amazing Red was when he came back to TNA in 2009. When I saw him, I asked myself "Who's this joker?" and then I saw him in the ring. He is fantastic in the ring and I would compare his in-ring work to Kaval (if not better).

Amazing Red is quick and agile and seemingly always puts on a great match. He has been X-Division Champ 3 times and NWA Tag Champ once. 

I love this guy's in-ring style and greatly enjoy his matches. He certainly should be featured more prominently in TNA. 

Check out this video, the first finisher is sick-nasty.

Number 9: Jay Lethal

Several times I thought Lethal was going to get a serious push but alas, TNA kept dropping the ball on this guy. Although he has been X-Division Champ 6 times,

I think Lethal has suffered from a not so good gimmick. Don't get me wrong, I love his impressions and I think his Macho Man impression is spot-on, I just think the Black Machismo thing went on way too long. 

Recently, he got a rub from Ric Flair and I thought his fortunes (no pun intended) were on the rise. However, his program ended with Flair and he moved on to bigger and better things....not.

Lethal dropped the title to a a guy with one of the most horrendous gimmicks around, Robbie E. He faced Robbie E. in a match where Cookie was suspended over the ring in a cage (Russo, you sure do love things being suspended from something else, don't you?).... Lethal has since recaptured the title.

I personally think Lethal deserves a World Title push and I had heard that the powers-that-be were high on Lethal's work, doesn't seem that way though. TNA still has time with Lethal though as he is only 25 years old. 

This promo with Flair is pure, unadulterated gold. Gold I say!

Number 8: Hernandez

Hernandez was of course, part of the Latin American Exchange (LAX) with Homicide. I always thought breaking up LAX was mistake as they were great as a team, complimenting each other perfectly. Hernandez is a big man (although he only is about 6' 1") but he has quickness and is fairly agile.

After breaking up LAX, I figured he would be in the World Title hunt but he ended up in a tag team with Matt Morgan and subsequently feuded with him. 

Hernandez is 37, so there probably isn't a big window left in his peak. If set up correctly, Hernandez can get over with fans and have a legit run as Champ. 

Number 7: Kaz

Kaz is another guy who is the total package. He has enjoyed some success as X-Division Champion but could probably carry the World Title but I don't think he ever will.

Kaz is still relatively young (33) so there's still time. As of this writing, he is in the heel faction "Fortune" and current number 1 contender for the X-Division title. 

He also spent a good amount of time as Suicide who a lot of people thought was a dumb gimmick. I dug it though for some reason...

Look for him to put on a quality match with Jay Lethal when they face each other for the X-Division strap... 

Number 6: Samoa Joe

be advised, this is a full 27 minute match

Samoa Joe held the ROH World Title for a total of 645 days including 21 straight months as champ. Joe was TNA champ for a while and has had classic matches with the likes of Kirk Angel (Y2J slang).

Joe proved he can carry a company when he was in ROH. His start in TNA was promising as he had quite a lengthy winning streak, however he has been stuck in some pretty nonsensical story-lines.

His feuds with Nash were pretty bad, nation of violence was rough and his inclusion in MEM was odd. Not to mention he's been kidnapped like 8 times...

Joe can go in the ring for someone his size and his mic work is decent. I only wish when he cut promos, he would stop yelling so much...

Number 5: Desmond Wolfe

It was rather odd how Wolfe came into TNA as the IWC was blowing up saying Wolfe had agreed "in principle" with WWE. The deal fell through and Wolfe ended up in TNA. His first program was with Kirk Angel (Y2J slang, remember?) and seemed to be really promising. Thats when it went down hill. 

TNA started doing a ranking system on who should be number 1 contender for the World Title and Wolfe perpetually led in the polls. I guess TNA didn't care that he was way over with the fans as he lost his match to RVD.

Wolfe is arguably the best performer in TNA right now, although thats hard to say as their roster is stacked. Here's hoping a TNA Title run is in his future. TNA can't be completely blamed for his lack of a push since he was injured for quiet a while. 

He has only been in TNA since 2009 but has been underutilized. This dude has talent up the wazoo (yea, I said wazoo) and can carry the company fo shizzle (yea, I said fo shizzle).

Spoiler alert: Wolfe is back after an injury, reuniting the British Invasion which will air on Jan. 6, 2011 edition of Impact!

Number 4: AJ Styles

AJ has been in some pretty ridiculous storylines including a love triangle, as a "prince", and as Ric Flair Jr. He is highly decorated as he has held the TNA Title once, the NWA title 3 times, the X-Division title 6 times, first and 4 time triple-crown champion, first and two time grand-slam champion and other accolades. 

TNA hasn't completely dropped the ball on AJ (see above) as I almost kept him off the list. However, I think he deserves a lengthy title run as World Champion (he did hold the belt for 211 straight days recently but he shouldn't have ever dropped the strap).

He is ridiculously over with fans as a face and to make him a heel who loses a lot is a big waste of his talent. 

AJ is only 32 so he has plenty of time and should be rewarded for his loyalty and time in service. His mic work is above average, he is charismatic, is adored by fans and his in-ring work is second to none. He isn't called the "Phenomenal One" for no reason.  

Number 3: "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels

This is a 30 minute ironman match, watch it if you have the time

Daniels is on par with AJ Styles but has never held the TNA nor NWA title while in with TNA. Daniels has been Tag Team and X-Division champ a few times but this is another I guy I believe deserves(d) a legit World Title run. After eight years with the company, Daniels was released and ended up back in ROH. 

There is no reason on God's green earth to explain why TNA would put the strap on RVD or Jeff Hardy while releasing a loyal employee like Daniels (that will make some people mad....oh well).

Nor should guys like Robbie E, Orlando Jordan, or Tommy Dreamer be getting oodles of air time (yea I said oodles) while Daniels is fired....

He is more than just loyal though as he always puts on high quality matches and is over with the fans. 

Number 2: Petey Williams

This guy features the sickest finisher I have ever seen. He was put in some really stupid storylines including being "Little Petey Pump". Williams is a good worker and decent on the mic. TNA released him in 2009. 

Like Daniels, there is no reason why Williams should have gotten released while clowns like Robbie E. and Tommy Dreamer hang around eating up TV time. I can only hope WWE gets smart and takes a serious look at signing him. 

Seriously, the Canadian Destroyer is awesome.

Number 1: CM Punk

TNA should be kicking themselves in the face area right now for not featuring Punk. They thought he couldn't connect with fans as a heel...really? Punk is good in the ring and can cut a promo with anyone. Some of the best heel promos I have ever seen were done by Punk. 

Part of the reason TNA didn't feature him more prominently is because he was with ROH at the same time he was appearing with TNA.

Once TNA stopped allowing their guys to appear for both promotions. Eventually CM Punk would sign with WWE and end up as champion becoming one of the companies strongest heels. 

Love the list? Hate the list? Let me know. thanks for the read!