Out With Test, In With ... (Spoilers)

[Smike]

During an in-ring segment with Christian Cage, Tyson Tomko & AJ Styles, Jim Cornette that on the September 20th edition of TNA iMPACT! - Christian Cage would have to face JUNIOR FATU, formerly known as Rikishi.

Junior Fatu is the former WWE champion that TNA had been negotiating with recently- is a former Intercontinental and Tag Team champion.


Okay, seriously.. Rikishi? Hiring WWE rejects is one thing when they're actually a draw, but.. Rikishi?

I fail to comprehend this. Unless he's much slimmer and able to perform far more in the ring than before, I really don't see what purpose this serves. Oh, yeah, and for the spoiler part.. he's being bumped into upper card/main event status, teaming with Samoa Joe.

If I were anyone on the TNA roster not being used properly, this would have to be the final straw. It's one thing to see Christian and Kurt Angle come in and go directly to main event status (that was actually good for the company).. and it's another thing to see someone who can't legally compete in the ring win a championship (any publicity is good, right? RIGHT?!), but when someone like Rikishi is brought in and given the bump, there's some serious problems. At least Test had some sort of namesake for himself, being a main character on ECW a few months ago. Rikishi hasn't been on US television for years now, and was never a big name even when he was (minus the Austin storyline, which everyone denounces anyway).

Yeah, I know, they just got their two hour timeslot and whatnot, but if you're looking to fill out the extra time, you should be using the talent you already have that aren't being used properly (see: 99% of the X-Division).

Thoughts? Am I totally out of line here or something?

[Bryson]

The thing that pissed me off most about this is the fact that he was touted as a "former world champion", when the only titles Rikishi's ever held were the IC and Tag Titles.

When Angle was brought in, he was touted the same way.......thus, people were expecting someone like RVD....or even Booker T. At least that would then be a legitimate claim.

From the report, he's still the same character (minus the dancing). Using the Stinkface? *rolls eyes* Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you oil up Rikishi, you get "Fat Naked Oily Guy", which is what TNA was mocking WWE about a few months back......and now they've hired RIKISHI?

I hope Rikishi (just like Test, Bashams and Heart Throbs) is just a one shot deal, who they'll keep around for about a month......or at least until one of the two I mentioned above sign a deal.

[Snowman]

I honestly don't see Rikishi as such a bad signing. If he is used right then this could work in TNA's favour. I think where TNA have gone wrong is putting him so high up the card. I get the feeling that he won't be used properly and will be given a huge push.

And I could probably see TNA trying to hire Grandmaster aswell. I'd preffer if they didn't but they have an obsession with doing stuff like that.

[Mr. Hendrickson]

Junior Fatu, wonder what type of condition he is in though. TNA is going to workthis.. wait Junior Fatu will team with Samoa Joe.. wait I see it now Joe and Fatu next TNA Tag Team Champions lol

[Aperama]

You guys obviously don't remember the way Rikishi used to be. He used to be 250lbs, and a pretty decent worker. And if he's going under the monniker of 'Junior Fatu', he's probably lost some weight.

He is actually an independent talent of a little notoriety. Like, even past his WWE work, he's been working his butt (no pun intended) off to try and get into a spot like this. If they do it right (he'd always been trying to implement "shoot fighty" kinda work into his repertoire - would work VERY well if they pair him for a while with Joe for a renewed Samoan Swat Team. Not to mention, the pair have worked together at least once before (I think, Ballpark Brawl VII?) so yeah, they can always feud worst case.

Hopefully it works well - I believe it could. If it doesn't.. ah well.

[Mr. Hendrickson]

Yeah not saying I dont like him I do like him have sine he first came into the WWE s yeah. I hink it would be good to do the SST should be interesting seeing Samoa Joe's Samoan friends were decimated last week.

[Superman33]

Can't wait for him to back that ass up.

[Mr. Hendrickson]

Is there anyway to stop this pathetic posts byt the above person? I mean one liners are not posts atleast I dont think.

Anyways I heard that maybe Rosie will be going to TNA to form a group with Joe and Fatu. I heard this from a friend now he is drunk about 90% of the time but yeah. That would be nice to see something like that. ITs good to see family, I believe Rosie and Fatu are related right? Anyways yeh.

[Bryson]

Rosey's in OVW right now.

WWE might be rehiring him, since he's lost a lot of weight.

[Mike Adams]

hey don't be too hard on him, he probably did this for the rock...and for the people.....and at least he won't be wearing thongs

[Drunkacho]

Is there anyway to stop this pathetic posts byt the above person? I mean one liners are not posts atleast I dont think.

Seems you have a fan, Supes.

Anyway, this isn't as bad as some of you are making it out to be. To be honest I rate him above Test. As others have said, it would be to his benefit if he has indeed lost some weight, if used right he could be quite useful.

If all else fails, the guy can entertain at least.

[Superman33]

I love my fans.

I'm curious with this one. Last I heard Rikishi had a career ending concussion. Now he's wrestling Christian next week. Maybe the concussion wasn't career ending or maybe he just decided to defy doctors. Either way, probably gonna end up being a bad move by TNA, but that's where they excell.