As for other marquee destinations, Ring of Honor seems like an awkward fit – Anderson’s ring style doesn’t seem like it would mesh well in an organization that prides itself on high flyers and technical wrestlers. Anderson’s biggest strength has always been his booming voice and his witty mic work, but as user FitFinlay4Life points out, that strength would be negated in Japan or Mexico. Anderson would be in heavy demand on the indie scene – in fact, he would instantly become one of the biggest names and most talented performers available for independent shows. But that seems to be a stressful life of travel and constant searching for the next check. Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com wrote an article a few months ago about the “hometown premium,” a psychological phenomenon that often leads athletes to refuse to sign a smaller contract with their current employer. I hope, for Anderson’s sake and ours, that he remains open to negotiating a pay cut with TNA.
Granted, there’s no guarantee that TNA is motivated to re-sign Anderson, but I think it would be a mistake for them to let him walk. They’ve invested a lot of money, time, and energy into that King of the Assholes character, and he’s still solid in the ring and one of their very best with a microphone. Mark Madden thinks TNA needs to do “a legitimate reset,” and I’m inclined to agree – the recent wave of layoffs implies that the organization is leaking money like a sieve. But even if they bring in an all-new roster of young talent, they’d need a few veterans to attract interest and get them over. Presuming that Anderson will sign for less than his current salary, he’s still a guy who can build feuds and deliver on a pay-per-view.
