Hernandez Returns

The big news in TNA isn't just that Hernandez has returned from an injury. It's that he's returned and is being pushed towards the main event scene.

Hernandez Returns

Back in April, Hernandez took some time away from the ring to have neck surgery to repair some lingering issues that he had.

The fear among wrestlers is that taking time off from the ring is generally going to affect the push that you would receive. You move down the pecking order while the healthy wrestlers move up.

Since he wasn't an established headliner like Kurt Angle or Sting, the concern had to have been in the back of Hernandez's mind.

Those concerns were wiped away when he returned because management decided to push him towards the main event scene right away.

Hernandez made his return and defeated Samoa Joe, a guy that many consider to be one of the top overall performers in the entire company. Not only did he win, he also got a clean win as well.

With that big win, Hernandez has made a mark in his return.

Mass Appeal

Hernandez built up a strong following through the years because of his work with Homicide. LAX was easily one of the most entertaining tag teams in the entire business.

As much as people enjoyed the tandem, though, there were still whispers from fans that wanted to see Hernandez breaking away from the group. The whispers kept getting louder and louder, and TNA management had no choice but to listen.

It's really simple why Hernandez is destined to become a main event player. He fits the formula to a tee.

• The Look
  Hernandez is a physical specimen. He might not be as scuplted as Lex Luger, Batista, or Chris Masters, but he is still larger than life.
  
  
• Exciting Moveset
  Batista had his spinebuster and powerbomb. Goldberg had his spear and jackhammer. Those exciting moves helped to elevate both guys into the main event. Hernandez? Well, he has the Border Toss, a variety of powerful suplexes, and an incredible top rope suicide dive.
  
  
• Intriguing Character
  Hernandez might not get to talk on the mic for 15 minutes at a time, but he does have an intriguing character. He's basically a bad ass in the same mold that Samoa Joe and Steve Austin were.

Put them all together, and Hernandez has the formula to become a main event player.

Mass Appeal (Part 2)

There's more to Hernandez's appeal than simply from the wrestling side of things. The big man's success could very well end up helping out TNA's bottom line as well.

With Hernandez being from a Mexican and Puerto Rican background, the company stands to benefit with two key demographics if his ascension into the main event works out.

If he ever becomes the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, then the company would have a major draw in Mexico, the southwestern states (such as Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California), and Puerto Rico.

Closing Thoughts

You got to give TNA credit for trying to build new main event wrestlers. They could easily sit around and just rely on the proven stars that they've signed (Mick Foley, Bobby Lashley, Kurt Angle, etc), but they want to ensure that they have as many options as possible.