TNA IMPACT: The Wrestlers Who Need to Step Up for IMPACT to Survive

The tide may soon be turning on IMPACT Wrestling.

There are changes on the horizon, faces who will turn heel and heels who will become fan favorites. You've got to love the soap opera that is (sorry Vince McMahon) professional wrestling.

TNA is working with writers and story lines that will hopefully bring in more competition to the X-Division, the Knockouts (which is a little light these days) and the Heavyweight Division, which have been controlled by older veterans whose careers are in the decline.

Wrestling has a way of keeping older wrestlers prominent in major promotions. And while IMPACT has some great talent it needs to help build on, it relies too much on the older population to carry the load.

We are seeing in other promotions (i.e., WWE) that younger wrestlers are starting to step up (Cody Rhodes, The Miz, Alex Riley), but the old guard is still carrying the torch over there as well.

Because of its business machine, the WWE can stand on its own and survive its current promotion of older wrestlers. IMPACT has to realize that it cannot do this if it wants to compete (I know, there is no real competition) on cable each week.

The following wrestlers can make an impact in the coming months and prove that the changes and the "Wrestling Matters" campaign is about more than just words.

TNA Knockouts

There needs to be more TNA Knockouts in this division. While five or six women carry the load, so to speak, there needs to be additional competitors and more action.

Tag teams are great and the wrestling is better than in other promotions, but we would love to see more women on the screen—and more matches, for that matter.

Orlando Jordan

If we can get away from all the extra-curricular stuff, Jones has as much talent as any wrestler on the roster.

Strong, powerful and a championship-caliber athlete, he needs a push—because he is in wrestling purgatory right now.

Given the right story, he could challenge for the Television title.

Kazarian

Kazarian did not beat Abyss for the X-Division title, so his spot is in question. Right now, he is the most complete X-Division competitor and has the ability to challenge for the world title.

If his talent is used properly, he could be a major player in this promotion for many years to come.

Brian Kendrick

Kendrick just needs to find the right combination.

This kid could be a star if he did not look so lost on the camera or behind the microphone.

The cruiser-weight needs another cause to get him back into a mainstream title chase.

Ken Anderson

It may seem a little odd to place Anderson in this category, but now that he is champion and has the title he so desperately wanted, let's see what he can do with it.

Anderson works hard at trying to be the Stone Cold of the promotion—which gets the crowd going, but alienates them as well.

It will be interesting to see what direction he chooses to go in during his title reign.

Samoa Joe

Joe once dominated this brand—now he seems destined for mid-card status.

How sad is that?

He could be the most dominant wrestler in this business if he would put his mind to it. I say give him another battle (besides Crimson) and let him have at it.

Jeff Jarrett isn't doing anything right now.

Matt Morgan

This may be Morgan's last chance at glory.

He should have won a world title by now and is fading like fog off the river.

He should worry more about Anderson than Scott Steiner.

Hernandez

Here is one writer who hopes Hernandez can turn face again.

He is a big and powerful SOB who can back it up.

Mexican America is a bad story line. Let's see him challenge for a title.

D'Angelo Dinero

The Pope has a great deal of charisma and wrestling ability—maybe the most of anyone on the current roster. Now let's see that translate into TNA gold.

A story line with Devon will not get him where he needs to be for a TNA title shot.

Also, a face turn might do him well.

Daniels

There is something mystical about Daniels.

I would love to see him get a shot at the television championship.

I would also love to see him feud with Douglas Williams.

Bobby Roode

When he comes back from injury, the world will be Roode's oyster.

He has proven that he can be the leader of this organization and should continue to do so.

Roode reminds me of a younger Arn Anderson with his tone and skill that needs some more refining.

He can be a world champion if he wants to be.

Crimson

He beat Samoa Joe. He beat Samoa Joe. Now, he can move forward. What will Crimson's next challenge be?

The undefeated streak continues and there is gold in his future.

He is a champion in the making and will be a leader of this company for a decade.

Gunner

Does anyone else think Gunner is the future? Well, maybe the future is now.

Gunner looks like he will challenge for more TNA gold and it starts with Ken Anderson.

Now that he holds a win over Sting and will be in the mix for other TNA titles, let's watch his career really take off.