Just how close was TNA Knockouts Champion ODB to signing with WWE over the the last few days? Much closer than any of us would really believe.
ODB to WWE?
In the next few days, ODB's contract with TNA is expected to expire. The current TNA Knockouts Champion decided to sign another deal with the company to remain for the immediate future.
TNA President Dixie Carter, in an effort to be more in touch with her fan base, released an official statement through Twitter that she had signed the Minneapolis resident to another long term deal.
The contract offer had surprised ODB, who has been with TNA since the company decided to start up a women's division in 2007.
Prior to agreeing to a deal with TNA, ODB was telling close friends that she was close to jumping ship and signing a deal with WWE, the company that had her under a developmental contract in 2006.
ODB, however, decided to stick around with TNA.
Just Another Puppet
For weeks, ODB was puzzled as to why TNA management had not decided to offer her another contract to stick around. She was the women's champion, so she expected that the company wanted to make sure that she didn't go elsewere.
However, when the company made the official offer to her to stick around, she immediately signed the contract and made things official.
The reason why she chose to stay in TNA was because she knew that it was the best move for her career.
Nothing against WWE. They're still the dream job for many of the people that are working their way up in the industry. However, the company is not the right fit for every single wrestler out there.
Vince McMahon and company have been well known to want female wrestlers who can also do double duty as professional models. No disrespect towards DOB, but she simply does not fit that cookie cutter image that WWE wants.
Despite her unique gimmick, she would have as much of a chance at success in WWE as Gail Kim has.
What's Next?
Now that ODB has officially signed a contrac to remain with TNA for the immediate future, the big question is what the company will end up doing with her.
She's the current TNA Knockouts Champion, and she's doing a pretty good job at it. She's not as good as Gail Kim or Awesome Kong were when they held the same role, but she's not just a placeholder like Melina or Michelle McCool.
The top Knockouts storyline right now is the one between Tara and Awesome Kong. Those two performers are good enough to where they don't necessarily need a title in their program. That leaves ODB with the opportunity to defend it against various opponents.
Eventually, ODB is going to need to defend the title against the likes of Awesome Kong and Tara on a PPV. Perhaps, the company can figure out a way for her to get involved into that program so that we can all enjoy a good triple threat PPV match.
Closing Thoughts
WWE would have provided her with the opportunity to get a bigger paycheck, but ODB made the right career move in staying with TNA, a company that would be more willing to devote energy into building her up. |
