Reflections on Chris Melendez`s debut (spoilers?)

talkingpoint wrote:I`m going to be brutally honest, Melendez looked awkward and moved awkwardly in his debut. Now I understand that he has a prosthetic leg and so will not move as naturally as a fully bodied person. Nevertheless, it was hard to suspend disbelief that he had a fighting chance against Zema Ion. Ion for his part as the heel played it well, getting some cheap heat for chop blocking Melendez. But Melendez`s move set looked very limited and at moments looked a little lost. Maybe I`m being overly critical or maybe my first impression was coloured by learning that they had to reshoot the match as the first time there were too many botches.

However, something did occur to me that I think TNA could take advantage of... create a para-wrestling division. The paralympics have become hugely popular recently and they even had paralympic events during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this Summer. If Melendez was wrestling another paralympic athlete then it would feel far more fair and believable. It may not be the most popular division, but it would be ground breaking and may bring in some new viewers. It would definitely be in keeping with current trends in athletic equality and therefore as professional wrestling is a mock combat sport, TNA would look far more in touch with real athletics/sports.

Personally, I don`t see it happening but it would be a trail blazing move if TNA were to do it.

dyrewolfe wrote:Well, saw the show last night and think you were possibly a bit harsh on Melendez.

Don't know if it was edited at all, but from what I saw, for a guy with a prosthetic leg, he put on a decent show with DJ Z. Of course he wasn't going to be a fluid and graceful as an able-bodied wrestler, but he put some good moves together and took a few bumps.

Think the match was kept short out of necessity, with it being his debut and to minimise risk of damage to his prosthetic, but it was better than you made it sound IMO.

Think there is still a problem with him in terms of his character. It would be hard to cast him as anything other than a face...can't imagine crowds booing a 1-legged guy, which sort of limits his usefulness when booking fights.

Think the frequency and duration of his fights would have to be carefully managed too to minimise the risk of further injuries...again limits his usefulness.

As a 1-off show I think he did himself justice and didn't let anyone down, but I'd have doubts about his longevity, unless he were moved to a non-wrestling role.

Adam D wrote:The only reason why I don't currently want it is that Roode is in the main event (although I am not sure about his face run - prefer him as a heel) and Storm is doing the best work of his life via his revolution.

If they can build a credible main eventer and have Storm take Roode into his revolution, it could work.

As for a credible main eventer, they need to start planning post BFG, whether they are going to be about or not - at the moment, it will set them back.

For me the guys who should main event for the majority of 2015, assuming they are still going are EC3, Gunner, Lashley, Joe and Hardy. And have Roode be a heel champ if he gets another run. Those are the 6 who should be main eventing next year.