#TNA Debuts

[samixayn]

bound for glory bts

[christiancagesupporter]

Hm interesting (guys I’m freaking out)

Source

[miru-has-thoughts]

I knew it was a work and that AJ is not retiring just yet

BUT THAT ANNOUNCEMENT GOT ME CRYING LIKE A LITTLE BITCH

[doggyjjm]

credit

[acknowledge-reigns]

Point Of View (Poly!Jimmy Uso x Naomi x OC) | 18+!!! SMUT

Description: Jimmy and Naomi have been married for 10 years. When their recently added third, Kira, needs help seeing herself from their POV, they're eager to show her.

Warnings: Established Dom/Switch/sub dynamic, Daddy/Mommy kink, mention of orgasm denial as punishment, fingering, nipple play, petnames, mention of injury, doubts and reassurance, praise, threesome, poly!Jimmy and Naomi.

Song: POV by Ariana Grande

Face Claim: Coco Jones

You can find my other works here.

MDNI!! THIS STORY INCLUDES SMUT. AS ALWAYS MY STORIES ARE KAYFABE COMPLAINT TO SOME EXTENT AND DO NOT DEPICT REAL PEOPLE.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。..・。.・゜✭・.���

Sometimes it is easy for Kira to feel like a third wheel. Not because anyone intentionally made her feel that way but when you constantly hang around wrestlers and well... You aren't a wrestler, it's easy to feel that way.

Add onto that the fact that she's in a poly relationship with a married couple that had been together 14 years. She had just joined them about a year ago. Jimmy and Naomi both made her feel just as loved. She just felt to some extinct she couldn't relate to them the way they relate to each other at times.

It wasn't that Kira didn't have the desire to be a wrestler. She'd actually started training when she was 18 or so with Booker T's 'Reality Of Wrestling' in her hometown Houston, Texas, which is where she originally met Jimmy and Jey.

They were close friends back then, nothing more.

One split second miscalculation led to an awful neck injury and that was all it took to injure her to the point of never even getting to make her television debut. With her future in ring out the window, she stayed on with Booker T who became somewhat of a father figure, and under his wing she learned how to run a promotion.

Years later this led to her becoming GM for TNA Impact, where Naomi, performing under the name Trinity Fatu at the time was Knockouts World Champion. The two hit it off, eventually Kira realized Trin was married to her old friend from ROW and they all grew closer and closer until one day the couple sat her down, explained that they were poly and that they both had developed feelings for her. And the rest was history.

It became a pretty fun dynamic. Kira was a sub. A bratty sub, but a sub nonetheless. Naomi was a switch. Domme to Kira but submissive to Jimmy, who was a Dom.

Naomi was a very nurturing, caregiver type Domme which Kira loved. There was nothing like brating until she pissed Daddy off and got spanked then got cuddles from Mommy. Jimmy was the type of Dom that didn't take himself too seriously. He wasn't afraid to joke around and could always make his girls laugh, even durring an intense scene.

When Naomi returned to WWE she brought Kira along with her who served as sort of an assistant to Nick Aldis, but eventually took his place running Smackdown altogether due to Roman and The Rock deciding around wrestlemania that someone connected to the bloodline needed to be GM. Jimmy volunteered her, not that she had minded.

Kira lay in bed, sandwiched between Jimmy and Naomi in their hotel room after Smackdown.

Kira snuggled closer to Jimmy, feeling his strong tattooed arms around her. He kissed the top of her head, and she felt a rush of warmth and affection.

"You okay, babygirl?" he asked, his voice soft and concerned. "You seem a little quiet tonight."

Kira sighed softly, not wanting to burden him with her feelings. "I'm fine," she said, forcing a smile. "Just a little tired, I guess."

Jimmy frowned, sensing that something was off. "You know you can talk to us, right?" he said, his hand gently stroking her arm.

"It's nothing, Daddy." Kira lied. Naomi quirked a brow not believing it one bit.

"No lying, baby. Don't make us have to punish you." Naomi responded.

"The truth, or you won't cum for a week." Jimmy added.

Kira hesitated for a moment, then decided to open up to them. "I just... sometimes I feel like I don't fit in with you guys," she admitted. "You're both wrestlers, and I'm just... not. I don't have the same experiences or knowledge as you do, and it makes me feel a little left out sometimes."

Jimmy listened attentively, his expression understanding. "I'm sorry you feel that way, babygirl," he said, his voice gentle. "We never meant to make you feel left out. We love you just the way you are."

Naomi, who had been listening quietly, spoke up. "Kira, you're an important part of our relationship," she said. "We wouldn't be where we are without you. We love you for who you are, not for what you do."

Kira felt a lump form in her throat as she heard their words. She knew they loved her, but sometimes it was hard to shake off those feelings of inadequacy.

"I know you do," she said, her voice soft. "And I love you both too. I just... sometimes I wish I could relate to you more, you know? Like when you talk about your matches or whatever."

Jimmy nodded, he remembered that day in training when it happened, when Kira landed wrong on her neck and her hopes of a wrestling career died. He could see the pain on her face even now.

Naomi reached out and took Kira's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We understand, babygirl," she said. "And we're here to support you through whatever you're feeling. We know how much wrestling meant to you, and we're sorry that it didn't work out the way you hoped."

Jimmy nodded in agreement, his eyes filled with empathy. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what," he said. "We love you, and we want you to be happy."

Kira felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as she looked at the two people she loved most in the world. She knew that they would always be there for her, no matter what challenges came their way.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you both so much."

Naomi leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "We love you too, babygirl," she said. "And we'll always be here to help you feel included and loved."

Jimmy wrapped his arms around both of them, pulling them close. "Forever and always," he said, his voice firm and reassuring. "Naomi, what do you say we reward our princess for opening up to us?" Jimmy asked, "I'm tryna make her scream so loud we get kicked out the damn hotel." He added, his trademark humor making an appearance.

Naomi grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I like the way you think," she said. "I think our princess deserves a little extra attention tonight."

Kira felt a shiver of excitement run down her spine as she looked at the two of them. "What do you have in mind?" she asked, her voice a little breathless.

Jimmy leaned in and whispered something in Naomi's ear, causing her to giggle. "Oh, I like that idea," she said, a wicked grin spreading across her face.

Kira's heart raced as she watched the two of them exchange a knowing look. She had no idea what they were planning, but she was already feeling the heat of anticipation.

Jimmy and Naomi both turned their attention to Kira, their eyes filled with desire. "Are you ready, princess?" Jimmy asked, his voice low and seductive.

Naomi reached out and ran a finger down Kira's arm, sending another shiver through her body. "We're going to make you feel so good," she said, her voice sultry. "Just relax and let Mommy and Daddy take care of you."

Kira's breath hitched as she felt their hands on her body, their touch sending waves of pleasure through her. She closed her eyes and let herself surrender to their touch, trusting them completely.

Jimmy and Naomi worked in perfect harmony, their hands and mouths exploring every inch of her body. They whispered sweet nothings in her ear, telling her how beautiful she was and how much they loved her. Reminding her that she was their good girl.

As they continued to lavish attention on her, Kira felt herself becoming more and more aroused. She could feel the heat building between her legs.

Jimmy's hands roamed over her body, his touch firm and possessive. Naomi's lips trailed kisses down her neck, her tongue flicking out to tease her sensitive skin.

Kira moaned softly, arching her back as Jimmy's fingers found her most sensitive spot, circuling her clit. Naomi moved lower as well, her lips and tongue exploring the curves of her body.

Jimmy's mouth found hers in a searing kiss, his tongue delving deep as he claimed her lips. Naomi's hands were everywhere, caressing and stroking her in all the right places.

Kira felt like she was in a haze of pleasure, her body trembling with need. She could feel the tension building inside her, and she knew that she was close to the edge.

Jimmy's fingers moved faster, in and out, curling inside her, his touch driving her wild. Naomi's mouth was hot and wet against her skin, and she could feel her orgasm building with each passing moment as Naomi sucked one of her sensitive nipples into her mouth.

With a gasp, Kira finally reached her peak, her body shuddering with pleasure. Jimmy and Naomi held her close, their arms wrapped around her as she rode out the waves of her climax.

"You're so beautiful when you come," Jimmy whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "We love seeing you like this."

Naomi nuzzled her neck, her lips brushing against her skin. "We'll never get tired of making you feel good, princess," she said. "You're ours."

Kira lay there, her body still tingling from the aftershocks of her orgasm. She felt loved and cherished, surrounded by the two people who meant the most to her in the world.

Jimmy and Naomi lay on either side of her, their arms wrapped around her protectively. They showered her with kisses and sweet words. Kira couldn't help the giddy feeling that had come over her, she loved being taken care of by her Doms.

Kira felt a sense of contentment wash over her as she lay there with them. She knew that there would be challenges and obstacles in their relationship, but she also knew that they would face them together.

Jimmy and Naomi had a way of making her feel like she belonged, like she was a part of something special. Kira snuggled closer to them, feeling safe and loved in their embrace.

Jimmy and Naomi held her tightly, their bodies warm and comforting. They talked softly, their voices filled with affection and tenderness.

"I love you both so much," Kira whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "You make me feel like the luckiest person in the world."

Jimmy and Naomi both smiled, their eyes filled with love. "We love you too, princess," Jimmy said as Naomi lovingly played with Kira's hair. "And we'll always be here to remind you just how special you are."

[graveyardhorror]

HOW YOU MET

>SUPERSTARS MASTERLIST

➽────────────────────❥

DEAN AMBROSE/JON MOXLEY

-You meet backstage before your first (mixed) tag team match together, he stares at you but focused for the match making you nervous

-During your match though he throws surprisingly encouraging words your way to motivate you, you both work together seemingly effortlessly and get the win almost as if you've been working together for a long time

ROMAN REIGNS

-Being a big fan of Roman and also a new WWE commentator, you catch Roman's attention with your obvious jabs at his opponent's performance

-He can't help but let out a few laughs when you so blatantly take jabs at his opponent when he gets a few hits in, but praise him when he turns the match around

SETH ROLLINS

-When he makes his solo debut after the shield breaks up, he goes to you (his new seamster/seamstress) to have a meeting about his new wrestling attire

-Love at first sight was what he experienced when he laid his eyes on you for the first time, he can't help but be nervous under your curious gaze as you ask questions while sketching potential ring attire for him

RANDY ORTON

-After one of his many successful matches he walks backstage to be interviewed, you happen to be the new interviewer at WWE and he is surprised at the impression you leave on him

-While doing your job you can't help but be a bit awestruck as he flirts with you confidently live on television, this will definitely not be your last time meeting

FINN BALOR

-When he debuts at WWE you happen to be making your debut as the new ring announcer, his nervousness melts away as he locks eyes with you at the top of the ramp while making his entrance

-You helped him focus on the match by shouting his name in such a way that made him feel confident and strong (the crowd also helped)

NEVILLE/PAC

-After being drafted from TNA you enter the NXT performance center to start training and run into another new NXT recruit

-Being just as nervous and excited to start working your way up to the WWE roster, you both exchange shy glances as you practice and work out together

➽────────────────────❥

[wrestlingisfake]

I'm seeing people complain that "Team AEW" doesn't have any "homegrown" AEW talent on it.

First things first, it's "Team AEW," not "Team AEW originals" or "Team Homegrown." The only qualifications for being on the team are supporting AEW, and wanting to defend it from the dastardly heels. If you can't figure out how that's consistent with the characters of Bryan Danielson, Eddie Kingston, and FTR (whether you like them or not), then you haven't been paying attention.

Second, I find it odd that Eddie Kingston, who made his AEW debut at Daily's Place in July 2020, doesn't make the cut as "homegrown." So who the hell does, then? Does it have to be wrestlers who appeared on the first show? Does it have to be wrestlers that never wrestled anywhere else? Can you only be homegrown AEW talent if Tony Khan literally found you growing in a cabbage patch in 2019?

Having lived through "there aren't enough ECW originals on WWECW" and "the TNA originals are standing up to the Main Event Mafia," I'm familiar with the weird gatekeeper vibe of wanting to support the old guard against the carpetbaggers. But AEW is literally only five years old. That's not enough history to meaningfully distinguish from "originals" and "outsiders." (Note that AEW tried this already in the women's division last year, and it went over like a lead balloon.) Most of the talent that AEW truly developed from the ground up--guys like Griff Garrison and Top Flight--are still getting their reps in, and are years away from wrestling Kazuchika Okada in a PPV main event.

If you want a story where the founders and pillars of AEW battle to defend its honor from evil invaders, this was never going to be it. The story is about the idea that everybody who complains about the Young Bucks and their friends--i.e., everybody on the ground floor of AEW--was right, and they really are "fucking children." For better or worse, this is a story about the top AEW stars of 2024 saving AEW from the jackasses who created it, and made it a place they cared about in the first place. And like it or not, the top AEW stars of 2024 were never going to exclusively be people who were there from the beginning.

[wrestlinghistorywithkay]

TW: Suicide

Remembering Daffney Unger ( Shannon Spruill ) on the three year anniversary of her passing .

Daffney was a wrestler and a manager . She was known for her time in World Championship Wrestling ( WCW ) , and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ( TNA). She also spent time on the Independent Wrestling circuit. She made her debut in 1999 as the on screen girlfriend of David Flair , the son of The Nature Boy Ric Flair. She managed him and Crowbar. Her gimmick was inspired by Mallory Knox , one of the main characters in the film , ‘ Natural Born Killers ’. She also stated that comic book character, Harley Quinn , also inspired her gimmick. She made her in ring debut against Miss Elizabeth in 2000. She also became a WCW Cruiserweight Co-Champion alongside Crowbar after they defeated Chris Candido and Tammy Lynn Sytch ( FKA Sunny) . She also made an appearance in the Chicago based Women’s Wrestling Promotion, SHIMMER. She was also a TNA Knockout , debuting in 2002 as a manager under her real name , Shannon , and as Shark Girl. She went on make a few more TNA appearances in 2008 -2011. She retired in 2011. Tragically , she passed away in 2021 at the age of 46 due to suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please reach out to me on here or my social media or dial 988. I’ll do my best to help you!

[risingshards]

Sting's final match was so so SO perfect. For the guy who'd always lose when asked and got booked to be such a goober over his career and got such a shitshow wwe run...to see that guy get such a triumphant good defeats evil close to his career, to see him get an undefeated streak in aew....ugh. It's wondeful.

Sting is a wrestler that's really important to me. I didn't watch in like peak 90s wrestling times, but I remember when my brother made a CAW of Sting in HCTP that my 10 year old self was like "that is the coolest wrestler ever." and it took until TNA in january 2006 when he debuted on final resolution, the first wrestling ppv I ever convinced my family to order teaming with my all time #1 wrestler Christian Cage (ty to christian for being genuinely such a nice person to me) for me to be like "oh my god stings fucking awesome?!?!"

In 2014 I had a really shitty life situation. and it fucked me up and I was rocked completely and lost. And I retreated to my partner's house at the time and wrapped myself up in blankets and put on survivor series and sting showed up in wwe. and in all the maelstrom of my life i got to escape for a second and be like. "ok. sting is here. things will be okay. justice will be served." and that was incredibly comforting to me. sting's wwe run endied up being fucking terrible and like my thirtieth "oh god wwe sucks and is horrific for my mental wellbeing" thing. but that debut pulled me away from the bad times.

flash forward to 2020. and the shitty life situation repeated itself like shot for shot. i was lost again. and wouldn't you know it, sting debuts in aew like a day after it happened. and i got to escape again. justice would be served. the good guys win in the end. thankfully, sting's aew run would be so much better than the wwe one and was so so perfect.

so today's very emotional for me. a maybe childish (?) part of me is like "if that thing happens again what do we do if sting doesnt show up and make it feel alright?" but the way sting got to defeat the bad guys one more time, to fight against evil (against the young bucks who were deliciously perfect villains for sting and darby) and to WIN, to not go out like old yeller like every other wrestler retirement angle, is so important to me. sting go to be a fucking real life superhero fighting against evil in the wacky unreal world of wrestling, and helped me through the bullshit, and makes me want to keep fighting in spite of everything. wrestling is silly and weird and seen as fucking stupid bullshit to many who don't watch, but fucking hell I dunno if i'd be here without it, and without people like sting being those kinds of heroes who make the fight worth it. so thank you sting, for everything.

[blueonwrestling]

also aswell, aew promoting a womens match a week in advance, they're really doing well with deonna purrazzo so far, and giving her an opponent like taya which shes super familar with thanks to tna? great stuff, deonna has been fucking booked to perfection so far, debuting her in her home town, giving her the best kinda opponents, thumbs up up and up.

[rawsmackdownnxtdivas]

Xia Brookside makes her TNA Debut

[dalekofchaos]

Booking King of the Ring for the years WWE didn't have it

Fantasy booking a King of the Ring winner every year WWE didn’t have King of the Ring.

2003: John Cena wins King of the Ring

In 2003, John Cena was finding his stride as a heel having a WWE Title match against Brock Lesnar and facing The Undertaker on PPV, he was becoming a big star. John Cena (Smackdown) would cheat to beat fan favorite Booker T (RAW) in the finals to become King of the Ring and the rap verses he could’ve cut about all of it would have made it even more better.

2004: Randy Orton (RAW) wins King of the Ring

Randy Orton was in the middle of a long IC Title reign and along with Evolution went over two legends at WrestleMania and was being groomed to be the youngest world champion in WWE history. John Cena now a babyface and US Champion on Smackdown would look to become a 2 time King of the Ring winner and repeat but he would make it to the finals and lose in a First Time Ever match to the WWE Intercontinental Champion and Evolution's Randy Orton from RAW.

2005: Christian wins King of the Ring

Now I know WWE wouldn’t have done this, I know they didn’t see Christian as anything more than a mid card guy but around this time he was white hot around this time and a King of the Ring win could propel him to the main event. Christian (RAW) would beat Chris Benoit (Smackdown) after interference from his problem solver Tomko and set up a WWE Title match against John Cena at Summerslam which Christian wins.

2007: Bobby Lashley wins King of the Ring

I would have gone with Mr. Kennedy but he got injured around this time and was later suspended, so why not go with Bobby Lashley on the condition that he turns heel because he proved in TNA he’s a very good heel. We’re in the finals with Lashley vs King Booker, last year's winner. Lashley is going in as a babyface and Booker as a heel but we have a double turn when Queen Sharmell turns on Booker helping Lashley win and aligning with him.

2009: The Miz wins King of the Ring

The Miz was starting to make his way into the upper mid card as the US Champion and a King of the Ring win in 2009 could’ve better prepared him for his eventual WWE Title win in late 2010. Miz would defeat ex tag team partner John Morrison in the finals.

2011: CM Punk wins King of the Ring

This event would replace Capital Punishment with Punk defeating Mysterio in the finals. This added momentum would make him even hotter after his pipebomb promo and his WWE Title win over John Cena at Money in the Bank, all that much better.

2012: Cody Rhodes wins King of the Ring

Cody Rhodes has just come off of a great Intercontinental Title reign but his moment halted because he dropped the belt to The Big Show of all people. Rhodes defeats Christian in the finals to regain his momentum back and hopefully face Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Title.

2013: Dean Ambrose of The Shield wins King of the Ring

Dean Ambrose was US Champion and considered the leader of The Shield. He would go on to defeat Daniel Bryan in the finals with the help of Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns getting a lot of heat since Bryan was white hot around this time.

2014: Cesaro wins King of the Ring

Again I know WWE wouldn’t have gone for this but this would’ve have been the right move since Cesaro was super over at the time. In my booking Cesaro has just won the Intercontinental Title and qualifies for King of the Ring. He would go on to defeat ex tag team partner Jack Swagger in the finals to win King of the Ring.

2016: AJ Styles wins King of the Ring

In 2016, Styles debuted in the WWE and had a great debut year and at this point was only a few months from winning his first WWE Championship. I would have AJ and Cena make it to the finals and have their very first one on one encounter and here is where I’d have AJ turn heel when The Club (Gallows & Anderson) interfere and costs Cena the match giving AJ the win.

2017: Braun Strowman wins King of the Ring

Braun was white hot as a monster heel around this time just wrecking anything and everything in his path. Braun would wreck Roman Reigns in the finals to win King of the Ring and go on to win the Universal Title from Brock Lesnar probably at No Mercy.

2018: Shinsuke Nakamura wins King of the Ring

In 2018, Nakamura won the Royal Rumble then faced AJ Styles for the WWE Championship and then turned heel on AJ after failing to win the title making his character more interesting but also killing his momentum because he lost all the time. Then he had a 5 month reign as US Champion which he only defended once on PPV. Nakamura would defeat Roman Reigns in the finals after a low blow and a Kinsasha. After the match, we have Corey Graves say Nakamura is not only the king of strong style but now has become the King of the Ring. Nakamura would go on to defeat Jeff Hardy for the US Title and hopefully have a much better run with it.

2020:Let's say Drew McIntyre. It was his time as the top guy and despite the pandemic era, I think McIntyre as king would've worked.

2022:Seth Rollins. Peak insufferable douchebag Seth Rollins as king would've been hillarious

2023:Solo Sikoa. It adds to building up Solo up as the enforcer and Roman's right hand and heir to the Bloodline.

Bonus round. Fantasy booking the Queen of The Ring from 2016-2023

2016::Charlotte Flair, there we get Charlotte as Queen of the ring out of the way. This is the obvious choice since they really began to push Charlotte hard at this point

2017:Sasha Banks. Feels right move, plus Queen Bo$$ has a nice ring to it

2018:Alexa Bliss. ALexa was in her peak Goddess era and Queen Alexa would've been over.

2019:Shayna Baszler. Shayna got called up and I feel like this would've been a consolation prize for not winning the title at Mania 36(FOR SOME FUCKING REASON)

2020:Bayley. The year that put Bayley on the map and during her longest reign, so Queen Bayley fits so much

2022:Becky Lynch. Big Time Becks as Queen would've worked. The fans hated her when she beat Bianca, boy would they hate her as the bitchy condescending Queen of the Ring.

2023:Rhea Ripley. Rhea was the hottest name in the company and Mami was on top. Queen Eradicator would've just been perfect.

[blowflyfag]

Pro Wrestling Illustrated: March 2024

THE LOCKUP

BY BRIAN R. SOLOMON

WHEN YOU’VE BEEN following this great sport as long as I have, you start to get a real sense for when something just works … when someone has something special, and is destined to make it big. Sometimes, it might take a very long time. And it might even seem like it’s never going to happen. But for some, it just takes longer, and, if they have the right combination of determination, skill, and luck, it happens.

LA Knight is one of those people. I’ve known it for years, but it’s nice to see the rest of the business finally catch up.

The year 2023 was a watershed moment in the 20-year career of WWE’s newest phenomenon. This marked the time when Knight finally broke through and did something that is so refreshing to see, but is so rarely allowed to happen in today’s industry: He got over organically. The fans made him into a superstar; not the office. He’s not a corporate product.

Quite the opposite! LA Knight is someone the office didn’t necessarily see all that much in, but the people felt otherwise. He won them over, and now it’s paying dividends, as WWE has a new main-event fan favorite on its hands. 

Yes, I’ve heard all the knocks. As this magazine goes to press, LA Knight just turned 41 years old. Guess what? That’s the same age as Asuka, Finn Balor, and Damien Priest. Cody Rhodes, who’s arguably made himself into WWE’s hottest fan favorite main-eventer in the past couple of years, is just three years younger than LA Knight. So are Sami Zayn, Charlotte Flair, and none other than Roman Reigns himself. Sure, Knight has a finite number of years ahead of him as a major, viable wrestling superstar. But you can rest assured he’s primed to make the most of those years. The idea that he’s somehow “too old” for the position he’s in is ludicrous.

[While some critics deride LA Knight for his similarities to Steve Austin and Dwayne Johnson, Brian R. Solomon suggests the rising superstar doesn’t get enough credit for making those influences his own.

PHOTO BY JERRY VILAGRANA]

It’s funny how one of Knight’s greatest strengths–his ability to tap into the best aspects of what made the stars of the Attitude Era get over–has also been called out by some as a negative. From when I first came to be acquainted with his work years ago, I enjoyed how he seemed to be a hybrid of the best elements of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock. If that makes him derivative, then he’s no more derivative than Ric Flair emulating Buddy Rogers, Hulk Hogan emulating “Superstar” Billy Graham, or Dusty Rhodes taking from Thunderbolt Patterson.

In other words, nothing exists in a bubble. The greats of today build themselves on the templates created by the stars of the past. That’s nothing new. And in 2023, a wrestler with the swagger and charisma of the Attitude Era actually stands out from the pack.

Most importantly of all, LA Knight believes himself to be a star, and that belief has spread to the people. He’s willed it for himself, because he knows he’s earned it. That’s what happens when you’ve been scratching and scraping for 20 years to achieve something that means the world to you.

[Eli Drake poses for a photo backstage at a taping of David Marquez’ UWN Primetime Live in September 2020. By that time, WWE brass certainly already had their eyes on the man who would go on to main event against Roman Reigns.

PHOTO BY JUSTIN COTTERELL/UNITED WRESTLING NETWORK]

Since the days of WWE’s Ruthless Aggression–back when TNA and Ring of Honor were in their respective infancies–the man known to his parents as Shaun Ricker has been making his way in the business, and he’s been learning every step of the way. He got his start in the 200s at Ohio’s Heartland Wrestling Association under the watchful eye of legendary trainer Les Thatcher. At the time, HWA served as a developmental system for WWE. Ricker actually made his WWE debut on an episode of Heat in 2006, teaming with another young unknown, Jon Moxley, in a handicap match against The Big Show.

In what would be the start of a pattern, he wasn’t quite able to break through. And when WWE ended its relationship with HWA in 2009, Ricker moved on, hitting the West Coast and becoming a standout of the California independent scene. 

Part of that campaign meant becoming a regular at David Marquez’ Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, then a flagship member of the NWA. This TV exposure started to show what he could do, and earned him a tryout with NXT in 2013. But his first run there would turn out pretty uneventful, consisting of half a year of house shows and dark matches. It just wasn’t his time yet. 

In 2015, the future LA Knight got his first big break in TNA/IMPACT, where he also took on the name many fans first knew him under: Eli Drake. He spent the next four years there, honing his skills against some of the best in the business, and even holding the IMPACT World championship for five months. For most performers with his age and experience, that might have been the peak. For him,it was just the precursor.

After leaving IMPACT in 2019, Drake reached a whole new audience as one of the cornerstone stars of Billy Corgan’s new incarnation of the NWA, where he held the NWA World tag team title with James Storm. But the pandemic put a crimp in things and halted much of the NWA’s production in 2020. By the time it started back up again, Eli Drake had been snatched up by WWE, sent to NEXT, and given a whole new name.

Even then, success was far from a sure thing, as fans know all too well. Saddled with the unfortunate Max Dupri persona–and even shoehorned into the role of manager by Vince McMahon, who just didn’t see him as a top player–the man rose above it all, proving that even Vince can be wrong sometimes.

Thankfully, Paul Levesque believed in LA Knight and, gradually, Knight took the reins. A feud with Bray Wyatt, in which Knight was positioned as nothing more than a stepping stone, instead proved the catalyst for his dramatic transformation into a superstar on the rise.

Tired of getting so close but falling short of where he knew he belonged, LA Knight took control of his own destiny. After all these years, the taste of success is that much sweeter. Now, everyone is saying his name, and likely will be for some time to come. 

[judgementdaysunshine]

Done with the shit

Pairing: Naomi x Fem reader

Description: Naomi walks out of WWE joining TNA with your help and support

You're left stunned watching Naomi and Sasha walk backstage giving up their tag titles and showing that they were done with WWE knowing they both had been having problems with salary but you truly didn't know how bad it was. As soon as she sees you the two of you are locked in a tight, warm, and emotional hug knowing how hard she worked and busted her ass for your career just as much if not more than anyone on the roster from being a diva with quite a few of the girls before finally getting on the main roster crying as you and sasha share a hug not knowing what would happen to their careers as you go out for your match against Charlotte almost crying as you walk to the ring locking up with her who asks you "Have they said of they're going to a different company?" you respond before the match takes a turn countering and matching with each other well before you win immediately going straight home after showering and changing crying when it finally hits you that one of your greatest friends and the love of your life wouldn't be by your side in the same company anymore and over something that could have been fixed in a few seconds a long while back but wasn't all because someone didn't want to give away extra money. "I'm done with the bullshit" that night was spent wrapped in each other's arms in between talking to your friends who were also heartbroken by the unexpected news begging her to come back but after a few weeks nothing changed except you staying home with naomi as she tried to figure out what to do she wasn't ready and didn't want to retire but she wanted to be seen, heard, and respected properly for her wrestling reaching out to Deonna Purrazzo who was an old friend of your mentor Mickie James having been in TNA early on in your career before moving over to WWE in 2014 always keeping in contact with your old friends telling them about naomi and how you thought she would make a wonderful fit for tna leading to her getting a call and meeting with officials on and off for a few weeks and one day she gets a call leading to wonderful news "Baby I'm in TNA!" you were over the moon at her being able not to just throw in her career being at each show ever since her debut still keeping in contact with your friends in wwe and making new friends with fellow wrestlers on the tna roster making her have a new start and passion for her career and wrestling as a whole.

[rebelkelley0219]

Mjf debuted another new tna title

[brainsbustaa]

i don't care what anyone says that rumble was great and I loved it! 4-way seemed rushed but whatever! naomi, liv and shotzi are back! jade finally debuted! miss tna champ decided to bless us. andrade??? tiffany literally at the tiffy top. r-truth is a blessing. bayley finally getting the moment she deserves. cody about to get his lick back. the women are astounding and outshining it in the gear department as always. I found it unpredictable in a way where anyone could've won: cody, punk, gunther, drew or bayley, liv, jade, becky, etc. which I think is so much fun! I have a lot of faith for wwe going forward now that the creep is officially gone. I think triple h is gonna give some fun, exciting times and I can't wait! I literally love wrestling so much, today made me so happy <3