Cage Rage and a Rocky return
ByTHE LILSBOYS
MARCH 15, 2007

THERE are two current schools of thought on TNA wrestling.

One is that it is an exciting alternative to the WWE providing innovative matches and moves on Spike TV in the States and Bravo 2 over here.

The other is that since the hiring of Vince Russo — the man who helped run WCW into the ground — the product has become a poor imitation of its competitor, with short matches and terrible attempts at comedy.

The truth is somewhere between the two.

And who better to put the case for TNA than their current world champion Christian Cage.

In an exclusive chat, the former WWE star told us: "We are in an unbelievable slot on Spike — being given a prime-time showing on Thursday for one hour.

"Everyone has been pleased with the ratings but now we need to move to a two hour show.

"If you asked me whether I'd rather have a three-minute match or a 30-minute match, I'd much rather wrestle for half an hour.

"I find short matches are so hard to do, as you're rushed and everything is crammed.

"We have a lot of talent in the locker room as far as wrestling goes and that extra hour will let those guys get out there and show what they can do in the ring."

Defending the current writing team, Cage added: "We have a lot of talent.

"But what we're trying to do is get these guys face time on television and have the audience become attached to their personality — rather than just what they can do in the ring.

"The crowd always react better when they have some sort of emotional attachment to the people wrestling.

"We are trying to achieve that in TNA and give our fans a better feel as to who our guys are.

"That's why we need a second hour — to get the best of both worlds and have the long matches as well as giving people the chance to develop their characters.

"That has to be the ultimate goal for TNA right now."

Christian is also very cautious about the way some people in the industry are pushing for his group to go head-to-head with WWE and recreate the famous Monday Night Wars.

He warned: "I'm not sure right now if that is the way to go.

"We need to build our own fan base and turn our guys into household names.

"Eventually, down the line, that's definitely the goal but we're still a way off."

Despite having lots of pals — including former on-screen 'brother' Edge — in the WWE and watching the fantastic build-up for WrestleMania, Christian has no regrets about leaving.

He said: "I am really happy where I am professionally and with my life.

"WrestleMania is always a huge event but I'm part of something that is growing.

"We're just about to have our second PPV outside of Orlando and start doing house shows, which are huge steps for us and very exciting to be a part of.

"We have so many fresh young faces — from Samoa Joe and AJ Styles to Robert Roode and Alex Shelley — and great matches on our PPVs, I think we truly offer something different."

But it wasn't the lure of TNA that made Christian leave the WWE.

The star admits he was determined to quit Vince McMahon's federation regardless of future job opportunities.

He said: "It was down to a mix of things — I was just mentally and physically burned out.

"I was at the time of my life where I just needed to step away and do something else.

"I'm not going to be a guy who leaves and then bashes the place — I had many great years in the WWE and they made me who I am today — but it was time to move on.

"As a wrestling fan I still watch them on TV and I'll call my friends if they have a good match or win a big title.

"But if you asked me today where I'd rather be, it's right here."

Before we let Christian off the phone we had to ask him about a criticism often levelled at TNA, and him especially, that former WWE mid-carders are being portrayed as top stars.

He replied: "Whether it's right or not, I came into TNA already seeing myself as a main-event guy.

"Just before I left the WWE, I was in a PPV main event for the championship with Chris Jericho and John Cena.

"On Raw I was wrestling with top guys like Jericho and Shawn Michaels and then when I left for Smackdown I wrestled Batista — and got a great reaction from the fans over there in the UK.

"So the way I see it, I got to that main-event level in the WWE — and TNA gave me the chance to stay there."