So this is a super alternate universe scenario, because in order for this to go down Prince Devitt must leave for WWE like he did, and for AJ Styles to either resign with TNA or go to WWE too. Gedo loved Karl Anderson and he envisioned big things for him, but sadly for Karl, he got overshadowed massively two times back to back, so the keys to BC were never gonna be his. Around this time, Anderson lost motivation to continue being a really good wrestler he was up to that point, and when he saw the merch money he was making just jerkin' it with Gallows in the midcard, the tears slowly disappeared.
From the work I've seen of Anderson, it isn't just a "G1 finalist" meme – he was a really good old school, mechanical type of worker, almost like a more badass version of FTR Bald. The crowds seemed pretty into him (lots of fangirls), and he carried himself very well as a star, so you can imagine my surprise when he goes to WWE and I realize he is barely taller than a 5'8 AJ Styles. Machine Gun Club definitely wouldn't have moved merch the way post-Devitt ones did, but I think they would have been a pretty cool and legit unit, like War Dogs are today.
by PrintFar7738