Why didn't TNA give Bobby Lashley a manager?

TNA Question 11; I’ve posted 20 questions on WWE, TNA and the Indies, inviting readers to answer. Now, I’ll be posting some reader response and commenting on what I think the answer is to each question. Feel free to continue to post responses on any question after the one I’ve already answered (I’ll be going in order). The awesome Andy Wheeler replied to all 20 questions over on Pulse Wrestling. No one knows more about the WWE mindset than Wheeler, so be sure to give him a read. Let’s get going with the nextTNA question:        

Note: Answers to TNA questions 6 and 9 will be found on www.Pulsewrestling.com

11. I know WWE doesn’t like managers, but TNA wants Lashley to be huge and he can't talk at all. Why didn't they give him a manager?

“Good question but I don't remember any permanent main eventer that had a manager. A few valets but no managers. Plus more promo time for Lashley, while being a low point on Impact in the short term, will be good in the long term if he improves to be a decent talker (AJ was terrible a few years ago and isn't that bad anymore, and same with Orton and Morrison in WWE. Heck, Jeff Hardy got better his last couple years in WWE even though he was still subpar, which shows how bad he was on the mic early in his career).” - Kewf

Andre the Giant, Ted Dibiase, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, Rick Rude, and many many more had managers.  Some guys do get solid with time, but it’s a lot easier to take them seriously as they learn when they have a manager helping them along.  Bret Hart used to say a few words while Jim Neidhart and Jimmy Hart carried the promos, but those few words grew as Bret’s comfort did and he became a great talker.

I am not sure that would work. I like managers and miss their use in wrestling, but I feel they are best used for heels. If I was booking I would have had him come in as a heel with a manager ala Brock/Paul Heyman. But, I am sure Bobby with his MMA career might not have wanted to be a heel. – Tom

I disagree on managers being primarily for heels and agree Bobby would insist on working face.  Managers are only heels in recent wrestling history.  Guys like Lou Albano would do all the talking for a face and just be considered upstanding men who attempted to promote talent.

“That's a good question. But who would manage him? Some bimbo? That won't help.” - JTX

Another misconception with how managers are used now is that it has to be a woman.  Niether a woman nor a heel are needed to make a good manager and TNA has plenty of guys winding downt heir careers or guys they could have brought in to speak for Lashley.  Kevin Nash and Taz are already employed,  Jim Cornette was, while Don Callis, Jim Mitchell, and others are only a phone call away.

“Lashley is an awful speaker. I wish there were more managers in wrestling. It was such a great tool to use for so many reasons that I don't understand why they ever dropped it. I mean yeah the sexy women came in, but you still have guys that can't talk and need help getting heat.” - G

“Lashley's look and amateur background makes promoters think he can get over despite being a black hole of charisma. That said, he has one dream match, and that's with Angle, who can do enough talking for the both of them. Also, they could put him in a lot of six mans so Bubba just does all his promos anyway. Furthermore, with Cornette and BG James gone, who's left that's good on the stick to manage? The only time I found him tolerable was when he never, ever talked and just squashed people; let him do that.” – Brad Curran

Which brings us to the only logical non-manager option- stop talking and go kill people.  If the guy can’t cut a promo, then simplify his storylines and make him work!  Still, this is TNA, so he gets to talk and talk badly.  Of course, TNA being TNA, it could have worked out like this-

Because TNA doesn't like managers either, and when they do get people managers, it's usually for acts who don't need one or the managers aren't good--Kip for the Beautiful People, Nash for the Machine Guns, Nash for Samoa Joe, Nash for Kurt Angle, SoCal Val for anyone, Hector Guerrero & Salinas for LAX, Rhaka Khan for Scott Steiner, and many more I can't remember who weren't James Mitchell or Konnan. Lashley could do with a manager, but I don't have confidence in TNA giving him someone who is a better talker than him. This is another reason why it was stupid to fire Jim Cornette. – Calvin

Oh well, hopefully they realize having him wrestle just like everyone else is a waste, since figuring out the manager idea now seems unlikely to succeed.  Seems like Bobby Lashley is destined to be just as over-pushed and mishandled as he was in WWE.