TNA: 10 Wrestlers Who Will Lead Impact for the Next Decade

Is it probably a little presumptuous to expect a company that continues to bleed and make changes to its internal structure to remain a viable mark in the wrestling industry for any length of time. But I am an optimist (or an idiot) and believe at some point, TNA will right the ship.

I know you are listening and ready, Charlie, so please jump on board with me.

We see the writing on the wall or the foot prints in the ring. Hulk Hogan announced last night that next week will be the last time you see him on television. Ric Flair is working to make his debts disappear and Kurt Angle is leaving for Olympic training. Scott Steiner is old and washed up and Eric Bishcoff needs new hair dye. Even Jeff Jarrett is showing wrinkles.

The biggest question is: "Who will lead if others can't follow?"

TNA is in a pretty good spot. Mike Tenay made the comment that he thought the talent on the roster is the best it had been in years last night on Impact. It was something said offhand and during a match, but it got me thinking. TNA's roster is talented and can go toe-to-toe with the WWE on some levels and certainly with ROH.

And if it wants to continue the thrive after the Hogans and Flairs finally leave their mark and after Sting makes his final Stinger Slash, these are the ones we need to hang onto to make sure the company continues to grow.

10. D'Angelo Dinero

He has so much talent and for a while, he was stuck in purgatory.

The Pope can carry this company. The Pope can be a world title holder.

He is working an angle with Devon right now as a tag team wrestler, but he can be as good as he wants to be.

9. Samoa Joe

He is to TNA what Mark Henry is to WWE.

A big and strong heel all fans can embrace and hate, like all traditional heels.

There has been talk of him jumping to WWE. I hope these are just rumors.

Joe is the future heel that will remain prominent for years.

8. James Storm

We just need to figure out if he will be a face or a heel.

We understand that if Bobby Roode wins the world title, that will probably end the tag team's run at titles.

And it will disband Fortune.

Storm is tremendous on the mic and has shown he has great skills as a singles wrestler in the ring.

7. Crimson

He was the dominant wrestler in the Bound for Glory series, but Samoa Joe had something to say about that.

He is big, strong and menacing. And he is THE FUTURE of this company.

He could take a heel turn at some point and be just as effective.

6. Matt Morgan

Is he all talk or finally all action?

You have to figure if Bobby Roode wins the title next week, his chances of becoming a champion are slim.

Maybe Morgan takes a heel turn.

But right now, he looks better than he has looked in months, and his feud with Samoa Joe is red hot. Plus, with Crimson wanting in on the action, the two could form a pretty good tag team.

5. Jesse Sorensen

I like what I have seen of him lately, and he's not one of the guys on the radar so to speak.

Sorenson is young and eager and a major player in the X-Division. And he could be the face this company needs.

Once he is a little less "green," Sorenson should garner more title consideration.

4. Gunner

If there is a wrestler with more upside right now, then tell me who it is.

Gunner is the consummate bidder for Immortal.

At some point, he will break out on his own and test the waters as a heel or become a very successful face. I thought he would get a bigger push.

When he beat Bully Ray, I also thought it was over for him in Immortal.

3. Jeff Hardy

You have to figure he gets back in the good graces of the company because they need his talent.

Hardy is a five-star performer when his head is on straight, and he is the face the company needs to team with the Crimsons and Sorensens of the world.

Hardy will make his return, challenge for a few world titles and all will be forgiven.

2. Bobby Roode

Never have I seen a wrestler remind me more of Arn Anderson.

He is the one who deserves the gold. He looks good, has great mic skills and will be a champion for years to come.

Is he the new AJ Styles? Is he a smaller version of Sting? Who knows? But he can beat anyone on the roster and will be the one to carry the title for the next decade.

1. Austin Aries

He is the meanest SOB on the roster and honestly, he is not utilized enough.

Aries could be a triple crown winner in the company and become who a heel we all hate, much like a Flair in that it is cool to hate the champion.

The Aries/Kendrick feud is old. I would rather see Alex Shelley get a bump, but right now, he is the best thing in the company and hopefully they know it.