8/29 Dot Net One Shots: The Dot Net staff give their quick thoughts from the previous week in WWE, TNA, MMA and indie wrestling

Welcome to the Dot Net One Shots. Each week, we will present a quick "one shot" thought from each staff member about the previous week in each of the following areas: WWE, TNA and Other (MMA, Indies, etc).

WWE

Will Pruett (Twitter - @itswilltime): Has Triple H's promos gotten better than they were in 2003, or has absence made the heart grow fonder? I'm really enjoying Hunter's time on the mic right now.

Zack Zimmerman (Twitter - @InVasionZim): It seems like WWE has had the tendency to book everything relatively even-Steven in recent years. That's why it's such a welcome change to see several weeks in a row of heat being put on the heels. Granted, Triple H and Paul Heyman are garnering more heat than Randy Orton and Curtis Axel right now, but that still translates into star-making levels of sympathy for Daniel Bryan and C.M. Punk.

Darren Gutteridge (Twitter - @Dazatheg): I think I'm enjoying the product more than most because WWE is currently playing off two of my favorite archetypal stories - a father vs. son story (Punk/Heyman) and an underdog vs. the establishment story (Bryan/HHH). It's unbelievable how effective simple stories like these can be. No need for screw jobs, swerves or stunt booking, just retelling stories we have all grown up with.

Chris Shore (Twitter - @TheShoreSlant): Dear WWE Creative, the top of the card is fine. Let's take a look at some guys down the card who need some help too, yeah? Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, Antonio Cesaro, and others are just trudging along in meaningless feuds that will ultimately go nowhere. You see the mess you are in now with Cena gone? That problem will only get worse until you start putting more guys in more meaningful positions.

TNA

Will Pruett: Bound for Glory is TNA's biggest show of the year. It's less than two months away. At this point, they seem to be creatively limping into it with the confusing Bound for Glory Series, the Mafia vs. Aces and Eights feud losing steam, and the odd addition of MMA fighters into storylines. I want to get excited about BFG. I hope I am soon.

Zack Zimmerman: Has there ever been a stable less impressive than Bully Ray, Mr. Anderson, Knux, Garrett Bischoff, and Wes Briscoe? Aces and Eights has run its course and it's time to move on. May I suggest some time without warring stables or power-hungry heel authority figures? Perhaps a wrestling show built around competitive wrestling? I won't hold my breath.

Chris Shore: How bad is TNA these days? We can only get three staff members to write about it, that's how bad. I don't understand. This company showed a ton of promise just a year ago. Storylines made more sense in general (even if there were some odd specifics), and things seemed on the rise. Now we have terrible stories, stupid title changes, a completely destroyed Bound for Glory series, and a ton of releases. Regardless of the health of the company, and there is a ton of speculation about that, things are not good in TNA right now from a product standpoint.

Other (MMA, Indies, Etc)

Will Pruett (Ted DiBiase): It takes a lot for a wrestler to leave WWE. I truly respect Ted DiBiase for his departure and determination to spend time with his family. This is a rare thing in wrestling. Kudos to you, Ted.

Zack Zimmerman (NXT): The gears are turning and progress is being made down in Winter Park, FL. Earlier this week, the July signees were given their WWE names. Of note, independent standout Sami Callihan has been dubbed Solomon Crowe, and Ryan Drago is now Simon Gotch. In addition, there is also a three-day tryout taking place right now with some notable independent names taking part. Here's hoping we see some of the new guys popping up at the next set of tapings.

Darren Gutteridge (Ted DiBiase): The similarities between Ted DiBiase Jr. and Curtis Axel are vast. Both are sons of big stars in the "Rock and Wrestling" days, both can be solid in the ring, but both lack an "it factor" that their respective fathers both had in spades. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the wrong one was chosen to be Heyman's henchman, and now finds himself unemployed. Happily, he doesn't seem to phased, which is always good to see.

Chris Shore (Ted DiBiase): Anytime you see someone take a big pivot in their careers you have to wonder if they are doing the right thing. Many will speculate on if Ted DiBiase Jr. did the right thing by not signing with WWE, and only time can be the judge of that. However, I am happy for him that he has a plan, and sees an opportunity to make money without having to put his body at risk. He's young, so if he is wrong, he has the potential for a return. Given all of that, I say, "Go for it," and I wish him the best of luck.