WWE NXT Live Philadelphia: 11 Interesting Observations
4. TNA Years Have Not Diminished Fan Respect For Austin Aries
The stink of TNA is on many wrestlers, particularly those who wasted large periods of their prime working for a company that ultimately misused them and stripped away most, if not all, of their drawing ability. Not Austin Aries. The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived entered Tower Theater Thursday night to a thunderous ovation. It was as if the poor booking that had plagued him over the last two or three years in Dixie Land had not happened. He was treated like the celebrated independent star he had been prior to arriving in TNA and he responded with an energetic performance that validated the fans' love and admiration for him. Aries has a great future ahead of him with the NXT brand, an elder statesman who can bring legitimacy to the roster while working to bring younger, lesser-experienced wrestlers to his level.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
