Week 28 preview is up

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Both on Smarktalk and the main page.

[Guest oldschoolwrestling]

Good read. Makes the show actually sound much more interesting.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

Not for me. I used to anticipate Wednesday nights and be fine spending 10 bucks to see some quality wrestling, but since it's turned into Russo's own recreation of WCW 2000 where wrestling isn't important but long winded shoot interviews are I have no desire to spend money to watch this shit. Get Russo out of there and I'll buy the shows again. Oh and for those of you who STILL insist Russo isn't booking (although I can't see how anyone could) the Observer this week confirmed that Russo has been booking the shows with Jerry Jarret.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Considering both Jerry J and Russo are fans of swerves, be they sensical or non-sensical, not all the blame can be put on Russo.

 

But I still miss the days when the product was about WRESTLING. If the SEX/TNA angle continues down its path, I'm afraid I might join the band of wrestling fans that say TNA won't last much longer.

[Guest Tony149]

Bps, long-time reader, first time caller. As always, great shit, Bps. I want to bring up a subject I thought you hit the nail on the head with Russo and reality TV. He's always been a big believer (and I am myself) that "reality wrestling" is the evolution of professional wrestling. Before it was straight out mat wrestling with guys named Lou, Larry, Vern, etc, with a character here or there, then McMahon changed that with over-the-top characters like Hogan, Warrior. Then came ECW and "Attitude", things that we never thought we'd see on a wrestling show happened. Now WWE is having another mid-life creative criss, what's left of "Attitude" mixed in with the over-the-top stuff.

 

In 2000, Russo tried an early version of that in WCW, (remember the Nash/Goldberg shoot interviews?) that was like a prototype, and with most prototypes, you test it, tweak or fix anything wrong with it, then make another till your happy. It seems like (maybe with the help of Jerry) Russo & TNA are starting to test that new prototype.

 

Man, too bad more people don't stop watching RAW because of one guy (HHH), if we did that WWE would be forced to change because they'll be getting Donahue-like ratings.

[Guest Big Poppa Popick]

I think the idea of Reality wrestling is actually the right direction, as long as the wrestling is there...i can see this leading to more "strong" style matches which makes me mark heavily...its just more realistic.

 

I disagree with those above who say the SEX angle will hurt TNA. It got me to go up to Nashville to see a show, and quite frankly, I damn enjoyed every minute of it...

 

Let's see where it goes...presupposing the future is a fools errand

 

nice review bps...

[The Dames 0]

I've already emailed you on this Bps, but I wanted to publicly state that your preview was one of the best things I've ever seen written on TNA. Hell, as someone who reviews the shows each week, you got me looking forward to it.

 

While I disagree with you on a few points about Russo, you stated them in a well thought out and concise manner and i'm going to pimp the shit out that motherfucker in my next TNA review.

 

Dames

[Guest EN090]

I'm enjoying TNA more than ever. It feels like the summer of 97 with the WWF where anything could happen. There's still plenty of great wrestling and awesome storylines that keep me coming back each week.

 

Poppa Popick made a great point in that it got him to go to Nashville and see the show. Obviously there are a ton of people who enjoy the product more now. I'm glad that buyrates are up 22% from 12/18-1/8 and that people are being turned away from arenas. I hope the trend continues.

 

Slapnuts, I think you just have a personal hatred for Russo and it doesn't let you enjoy anything that he's involved in. I'm sorry you feel that way about TNA and Russo.

[Guest bob_barron]

The buyrates are up 22% from what?

[Guest EN090]

Borash said it was from December 18th to January 8. Percy Pringle also said it on his site.

[Astro101 0]

Great preview as always, bps. I agree with Tony saying that wCw was more of a prototype for this stuff. And seriously, who really saw wCw 2000 to say that SEX is just a ripoff.

 

I like the angle, and I like the legends who show up for the show. It's not predictable or boring and BG James and the Harris Bros. haven't wrestled in weeks! And I hope they don't start now.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

Man, too bad more people don't stop watching RAW because of one guy (HHH), if we did that WWE would be forced to change because they'll be getting Donahue-like ratings.

You are missing the point! RAW is on FREE TV. If wrestling in on for free I'll watch it, and would never miss TNA if it was on a cable channel. Their product at the time is not at the level for me to want to pay 10 dollars a week to see it.

 

Slapnuts, I think you just have a personal hatred for Russo and it doesn't let you enjoy anything that he's involved in. I'm sorry you feel that way about TNA and Russo.

 

That's an unfair statement. I've LOVED TNA, and have ordered just about every week. What kept me coming back and paying 10 dollars every week? The awesome WRESTLING I got to see. As Kurt Angle said "The marquee says WRESTLING" which is why Smackdown is heralded so highly while RAW is despised.

I don't have a personal hatred for Russo and everything he's involved in. In fact the MW3 swerve was awesome and kept me very intrigued and I love the way he's incorporating the young talent like Triple X, BUT the fact remains and he's proven it time and time again that RUSSO HATES WRESTLING. Is the storyline and interviews built around it interesting? Yeah, but not worth paying 10 dollars for, I can just read a recap. It gets very frustrating paying for a wrestling show and having endless runins, shock angles and NUMEROUS interview segments where Russo TALKS, AND TALKS, AND TALKS! He can be an effective heel manager but when he's put in charge he just goes overboard! How many awesome Match Of The Year candidates have we seen since Russo's become the focus of the show? How many had we had before? Sure we had some lame angles but the appeal of the show (at least for me) was knowing I'd see a **** match every week featuring Styles, Lynn, Lo KI, Red, Truth, etc. Now what do I have to look forward to? That Larry Zybysko or Dusty Rhodes might show up?! Whoa! Next week Ronnie Garvin or Ole Anderson might show up! It's a nice suprise, and if it were a free TV show this would all work, but if WWE PPVS didn't focus on long quality matches no one would buy them. So if TNA changes back philosophies to focus on wrestling and used Russo in MODERATION rather than having him run in on every match and giving a long profanity laced interview so geared to the internet that it doesnt even make sense to us, then I'll start ordering again. Otherwise, I'll save my money. If they go on free TV, then it's a whole 'nother story...

[Guest bob_barron]

Borash said it was from December 18th to January 8. Percy Pringle also said it on his site.

Yea but what is the actual number?? Borash can they've gone up from whatever but numbers are we looking at

[Guest nikowwf]

The buyrates are up 22% from the week before christmas which was probably abysmally small. Means nothing....good or bad. If you pick a small buyrate as a starting point, WOW, you increased a lot. If you pick a large one, OH NO we've dropped and we are dying.

 

Means nothing....its like when Raw claims they are up 10% this week like its so great, not taking into account its like a BILLION ZILLION % less than last year.

 

niko

[Guest eirejmcmahon]

The buyrates are up 22% from the week before christmas which was probably abysmally small.

Didn't want to say that myself but it's true.

[Guest bob_barron]

But no one knows like the actual number. Like they were .01 and now they're 'x'?

 

I think that's a BAD sign then

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

Very well written to be sure, but will they really say that much about each match as they go on at the actual event? Herein lies my problem every Wednesday: Previews and recaps of the previous week make the show seem worth ordering, but the two (no, not a regular person, only twice) times I've checked it out, they didn't really make things seem as clear-cut and, well, good in execution.

 

I think the potential of a six-man spotfest has me ordering tonight, as well as getting to see AJ (my favorite TNA dude so far) destroy Zybysko.

[Guest nikowwf]

My take...enjoy it while it lasts. (and im not implying anything by saying that) Don't worry about if its going to be here next week or the week after. We won't know...if you like the program watch it and p*ss on the buyrates....a good show is a good show.

 

Id like NO long Russo interview and lots of X Division wrestling. Oh, actually I'd like Time Warner to set up the cable in my house already so I can watch it! ARRGHH!

 

Oops..sorry

niko

[Guest nikowwf]

BTW, one of the reason i hate buyrate projections and statistics about ratings etc is I am an analyst and if i wanted something to look good, i could find numbers to make it look good if i only had to give a partial picture. Thats why a lot of the speculation about numbers is so pointless.

 

BTW, does anyone else hate that the Sports Entertainment faction is called SEX? i hate my wife giving me that look like what the hell are you watching when Russo mentions the SEX faction...

 

niko

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

You think that's bad.

 

Try to explain that the lollipop dancing TNA girl isn't the reason you're smiling when your girlfriend looks at the screen.

 

That's tough.

 

The 22 percent increase is surely from a real low #, given the time of season and all...but the arena is getting packed every week now and that's certainly a visible plus.

[Guest RedJed]

BUT the fact remains and he's proven it time and time again that RUSSO HATES WRESTLING. Is the storyline and interviews built around it interesting? Yeah, but not worth paying 10 dollars for, I can just read a recap. It gets very frustrating paying for a wrestling show and having endless runins, shock angles and NUMEROUS interview segments where Russo TALKS, AND TALKS, AND TALKS! He can be an effective heel manager but when he's put in charge he just goes overboard! How many awesome Match Of The Year candidates have we seen since Russo's become the focus of the show? How many had we had before? Sure we had some lame angles but the appeal of the show (at least for me) was knowing I'd see a **** match every week featuring Styles, Lynn, Lo KI, Red, Truth, etc. Now what do I have to look forward to? That Larry Zybysko or Dusty Rhodes might show up?! Whoa! Next week Ronnie Garvin or Ole Anderson might show up! It's a nice suprise, and if it were a free TV show this would all work, but if WWE PPVS didn't focus on long quality matches no one would buy them. So if TNA changes back philosophies to focus on wrestling and used Russo in MODERATION rather than having him run in on every match and giving a long profanity laced interview so geared to the internet that it doesnt even make sense to us, then I'll start ordering again. Otherwise, I'll save my money. If they go on free TV, then it's a whole 'nother story...

I'm gonna try and break down some things in your post here.....

 

I don't think Russo truly completely hates wrestling, but he knows that here in the US, a show with nothing but wrestling matches with little or no interesting storylines or promos around it will not do the trick. And how can that be disputed? The blend of everything is what really will make a company increase, and I think the promotion is going to end up just fine like that as IMO I have seen enough decent matches since Russo has came in that doesn't make me think the wrestling aspect is completely fucked. This is definately a formula that the WWF had working for them in the 98 up era, in that the storylines were compelling AND the wrestling was solid enough at times that it just plain worked.

 

About the "numerous Russo talking segments"......I don't see how else at this point in the storyline they can really get interest going to the fanbase WITHOUT him talking. Its just how it is.

 

Saying there hasn't been any MOTY candidates since he's been in is an illogical argument since you're comparing appox. 5 weeks to how many weeks when he hasn't been the focus of the show. Plus to boot, none of us know when exactly he was booking shows and when he wasn't, so to blame him in anyway for match quality makes no sense to me. And BTW, I certainly thought that six man tag right before the new year was a MOTY candidate.

 

On a side note, WWE pay per views right now ARENT really being bought much at all, so to say that the long quality matches is what is still having that small fanbase still get them is hard to say, also since they have gone a route where some TV main events now get more time as well.

 

Basically from what I see Russo IS being used in moderation right now. Look at the product when he was totally in charge of WCW (just HIM mind you, not him and Bisch or him and Ferrara). That was when we saw him in more stuff than now. Yes, his faction is in alot of things at this point, but is him alone really? Also, if you've noticed the past few weeks, the storyline is shifting from a complete internet "smark" based deal, where concepts seem to be more concrete and easy to comprehend yet they still are reality based. Just my two cents.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

Here's what I know about Russo and TNA.

 

He was booking during week 8 when the best match TNA has had took place.

 

He's heading the lead angle in the company...and yet in doing so has found a way to put LowKi, Daniels and Skipper in the main event all three weeks they've been back.

[Guest Slapnuts00]

All I know is I don't like the direction theyre in and have felt ripped off spending 10 dollars lately, and they won't get it from me until they start putting on better wrestling shows.

 

I don't think Russo truly completely hates wrestling, but he knows that here in the US, a show with nothing but wrestling matches with little or no interesting storylines or promos around it will not do the trick.

 

I agree. The split shoudl be something like 70/30 in favor of wrestling, especially on a PPV. It's been nearly the opposite lately.

 

About the "numerous Russo talking segments"......I don't see how else at this point in the storyline they can really get interest going to the fanbase WITHOUT him talking. Its just how it is.

 

You're right, if it were one or even 2 segments involving a Russo interview it'd be ok, but when EVERY FUCKING MATCH ends with a SEX run in and a long Russo tirade, it gets OLD real quick.

 

I certainly thought that six man tag right before the new year was a MOTY candidate.

 

I forgot about that one, that was atrmendous show overall, unfortunately over the last 3 weeks it's degenerated quickly into the Russo variety hours.

 

On a side note, WWE pay per views right now ARENT really being bought much at all, so to say that the long quality matches is what is still having that small fanbase still get them is hard to say, also since they have gone a route where some TV main events now get more time as well.

 

I ordered Royal Rumble, saw a trmemdnous Benoit/Angle match a good big man match between Brock/Show and a long entertaining Rumble match, I didn't feel ripped off.

 

Let me reiterate that if they were on free TV, I wouldn't complain at all. I still think the shows have been better than RAW, although RAW is free, this is not, therefore it gets held to a higher standard.

[Guest RedJed]

I certainly thought that six man tag right before the new year was a MOTY candidate.

 

I forgot about that one, that was atrmendous show overall, unfortunately over the last 3 weeks it's degenerated quickly into the Russo variety hours.

So it deteriorated into a Russo variety hour after one show you're saying? Since that six man ME w/ Daniels, Lo-Ki, etc was just the show before the last one......

 

If you're using one show to base off a direction, I'd wait and see how it is by at least months end here.

 

On a side note, I think alot of the appeal or not lately has to do with the fact if you followed the NWA back in the "day" or not. Seeing guys like Zbysko, Rhodes, and Koloff show up out of nowhere are major mark-out moments for me since I followed the Crockett years and basically they were a major reason why I started getting hardcore into wrestling. From what some have stated around here, they could give a fuck less about these guys making appearances. I would assume they never followed the sport back 10-15 years ago then. or at least the NWA.

[Astro101 0]

Even though I never lived through that era, I can appreciate the foundation that some of the greats laid for wrestling today. I enjoy seeing some of these ol' guys to make the NWA seem more historic and important.