Superstar Spotlight: Knockouts Division
You may be wondering why I chose an entire division to write about this week. The answer is simple: because I felt like it they released a “cornerstone” of their division and it made news. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky left the company recently, and it made headlines, but the show goes on, right? It will, but with so much to focus on with the Bound For Glory tournament, a lot of people are getting left off the show. Devon was “excused” from defending his Television Title for a few weeks, and I’ve barely seen Knockouts Champion Brooke Tessmacher. (I refuse to call her ‘Miss’ again, screw Brooke Hogan and the name change.) They have a four way match lined up this week for a title shot, but other than that, the division has been losing steam.
Womens wrestling is not what sells tickets, but it can be a special attraction that still has you talking on the way home. If TNA really wants to be an alternative to WWE, they need to focus on the two things WWE doesn’t have: a good women’s division and the X Division. Austin Aries was part of bringing back the prestige to the X Division, but Zema Ion, Kenny King and other need to continue to be the focus. The Knockouts need the same, Mickie James was the focus for a bit, as was Gail Kim and Madison Rayne, but they need something different. They need someone to come in and be “their” girl. Taeler Hendrix was featured on Gut Check, so she would be a good start. She has a good look, the fans know her face now, and she is good in the ring.
I’m not out to bash WWE here, but sometimes you need to look at the state of their Divas division to see how TNA was/is better, and where they can go from here. There are some weeks I forget that Layla is their Divas Champion, and she has barely been on television in the past several weeks. Brooke Tessmacher is in the same spot, and TNA should do something to better focus on her. As much good as the Bound For Glory Series does for male athletes, it does hold back stars in other divisions. Brooke should be on television, every week, no matter if it’s a match or a backstage segment. I hope she is at ringside tomorrow, or she does commentary, because she can get her face out there and be better recognized.
As for Velvet Sky and Angelina Love leaving, it’s disappointing they’re gone, but the division will move on. Eventhough both women were champions at one point, they were better as a group. I’ll miss them, and I’m sure many people would agree that they will miss the pidgeons being let loose. TNA has ODB, Gail Kim, and others that they can build on, but booking them right is also a key. I would get rid of the meaningless Knockouts Tag Titles, and keep Brooke Hogan in the back and on pretaped segments. (I would get rid of her all together, but we know that’s not happening.) Sarita and Rosita are unique, as is Winter, and you could even go back to former stars like Roxxi.
The point is, the Knockouts could succeed if you give them a platform. I feel like they are in a rut now, but I hope they get out of it sooner or later. WWE may have made strides by signing Sara Del Ray, but I don’t expect to see her do anymore than they did with Beth Phoenix. TNA has done alot of good with their main event and midcard the past several months, and I can say I have enjoyed the majority of their shows all summer. They could benefit from another show, but that’s saved for a whole different conversation. The Knockouts Division used to be a highlight of TNA’s programming, and all it needs is a bigger platform to be back up there again.
