More On TNA Telling Wrestlers Not To Work For ROH

[BoboBrazil 0]

NWA: TNA officials have continued on course towards separating their contracted performers from working for Pennsylvania-based Ring of Honor.

 

Several sources have confirmed that officials sat down with Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles last night at the PPV in Nashville, TN to discuss the situation. I was told there "was no final decision made" coming out of the meeting, but I do know other workers were contacted as well within the last few days and were requested they no longer take bookings with ROH.

 

Many have wondered why TNA would cut their talent off from working additional dates when they are only booking the workers three dates a month currently. According to one source, TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH. When TNA stated that they did not, the executives noted that by TNA contracted wrestlers appearing on ROH shows, it gave the appearance that the companies were affiliated. According to the source, TNA decided at that point to ask workers to "distance themselves" from ROH, as was stated to AJ Styles last week.

 

I believe some of the decision may also have to do with wanting to maintain "exclusivity" with their performers during TV negotiations, although ROH does not currently have any public distribution outlet beyond their in-house home video sales. I am told the recent Rob Feinstein situation has nothing to do with the TNA decision.

 

In recent weeks, TNA has been hard at work trying to secure a slot with the FOX Sports Network, to the point that a number of prospective taping sites have been brought up internally, including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Atlantic City. Part of the reason for the "new direction" seen by NWA: TNA in recent weeks is to maintain a clean image during the negotiations.

 

There is has also been some discussion within TNA that the talent could return to ROH once the television negotiations are completed, as it is seen as a payday for the boys, but nothing is certain.

 

pwinsider.com

[Mecha Mummy 0]

I am told the recent Rob Feinstein situation has nothing to do with the TNA decision.

 

... WTF? Now there's pretty much no good reason for this.

[BoboBrazil 0]

There is a good reason for this. It is confusing TV executives. Why should they give TNA a deal when other feds are using the same talent?

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I am told the recent Rob Feinstein situation has nothing to do with the TNA decision.

 

... WTF? Now there's pretty much no good reason for this.

I believe some of the decision may also have to do with wanting to maintain "exclusivity" with their performers during TV negotiations, although ROH does not currently have any public distribution outlet beyond their in-house home video sales. I am told the recent Rob Feinstein situation has nothing to do with the TNA decision.

 

-----

 

Someone finally had the balls and try to expand. A Step in the right direction....again.

[JoeDirt 0]

I wonder what Styles and Daniels are going to do...

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

I wonder what Styles and Daniels are going to do...

I'm more worried about Styles considering Daniels does all sorts of tours in Japan (ditto Low-Ki, but he said he hated RoH before anything happend anyway)

 

 

At least now we don't have to have stupid arguments over what the reason is.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

If they are going to sign a national deal, it makes sense for these guys not to appear elsewhere. BUT, they have to pay them enough to compensate.

[Michrome 0]

If I were these guys, I'd say no. Why be exclusive to such a shitty product that is bound to go out of business? When it does, they'll have burned a lot of bridges. I don't expect Daniels to stay exclusive to TNA, but Sabin probably will, and maybe Styles if he's paid enough. Clearly they don't mind losing assloads of money, just pay the guys more.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I think Daniels will sign on with TNA because he can still appear in Japan.

 

I'm not totally sure what Styles will do but I think in the end whoever pays him more will be who he signs on with.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

This is bullshit. Of course TNA wants to "lock up" their talent for their "TV deal", but honestly I am NOT for this as it will really hurt indy wrestling. Plus, taking another paycheck from a guy is a really shitty thing to do.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

I say Sabin and Styles in TNA. Daniels and Punk in ROH.

 

But what about Glen Gilbertti? Will he stay in TNA even if it means he can't work in ROH?

[Guest TDinDC1112]

This is bullshit. Of course TNA wants to "lock up" their talent for their "TV deal", but honestly I am NOT for this as it will really hurt indy wrestling. Plus, taking another paycheck from a guy is a really shitty thing to do.

what's bad for indy wrestling might be good for wrestling in general though. A second company having a national TV slot is huge for the industry.

[Michrome 0]

Not if it's TNA.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

Not if it's TNA.

I think the wrestlers don't care who it is. The only people that would have a problem with it are people on message boards. If you polled all wrestlers, including those in WWE, I think about 99% of them would be all for it and wouldn't give a shit if it's TNA as opposed to someone else.

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH.

 

Tv execs who follow the wrestling business? So they follow the business and are able to know so much as to who is appearing on what shows? Odd.

[Michrome 0]

Listen, a chance like this to have a #2 is not going to come around again for a while if the next one fails. If it's TNA, it will fail. I don't want that. If another one fails, we may never get a chance for a #2 again.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH.

 

Tv execs who follow the wrestling business? So they follow the business and are able to know so much as to who is appearing on what shows? Odd.

Maybe they're actually doing research on something they might put on TV before they actually put it on TV. What a novel concept.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

Listen, a chance like this to have a #2 is not going to come around again for a while if the next one fails. If it's TNA, it will fail. I don't want that. If another one fails, we may never get a chance for a #2 again.

You know what, I kind of agree with that. I don't think the wrestlers care though, and whatever that's worth, I don't know.

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH.

 

Tv execs who follow the wrestling business? So they follow the business and are able to know so much as to who is appearing on what shows? Odd.

Maybe they're actually doing research on something they might put on TV before they actually put it on TV. What a novel concept.

Well then in that case wouldn't they be trying to get ROH instead of TNA?

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH.

 

Tv execs who follow the wrestling business? So they follow the business and are able to know so much as to who is appearing on what shows? Odd.

Maybe they're actually doing research on something they might put on TV before they actually put it on TV. What a novel concept.

Well then in that case wouldn't they be trying to get ROH instead of TNA?

No.

 

Ring of Honor has a much less tv friendly look to it.

[Guest TDinDC1112]

TNA was asked during a recent business meeting with television executives who follow the wrestling business if the company had a working relationship with ROH.

 

Tv execs who follow the wrestling business? So they follow the business and are able to know so much as to who is appearing on what shows? Odd.

Maybe they're actually doing research on something they might put on TV before they actually put it on TV. What a novel concept.

Well then in that case wouldn't they be trying to get ROH instead of TNA?

You mean the promotion whose owner was just busted on TV for being a pedophile? Probably something a TV network wouldn't be too keen on supporting. I love ROH. But if I was a TV exec, no way with has happened recently they'd be on my station.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

RoH Executive: Thank you for meeting with us about....

 

TV Exec: Whos your owner?

 

RoH Exec: Uh....Robert Feinstein.

 

TV Exec: ....the gay pedophile? Get the hell out of my office! (buzzes secretary) Get me that guy who runs that other promotion in hillbilly land.

 

Russo: (jumps out from under desk )SWERVE!!!!!!

[bob_barron 0]

That joke would work better if Rob was still a part of ROH.

 

I really hope AJ says no to this. He's said on occasion that he prefers ROH to TNA (Gee- can't imagine why) so I hope he sticks to that and tells TNA to fuck off

[Guest TDinDC1112]

That joke would work better if Rob was still a part of ROH.

 

I really hope AJ says no to this. He's said on occasion that he prefers ROH to TNA (Gee- can't imagine why) so I hope he sticks to that and tells TNA to fuck off

money talks

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

Didn't they sign contracts that would allow TNA to enforce this? Granted they were doing it to keep Vince from stealing them, but did the verbage say they only couldn't go to WWE?

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

This is bullshit.  Of course TNA wants to "lock up" their talent for their "TV deal", but honestly I am NOT for this as it will really hurt indy wrestling.  Plus, taking another paycheck from a guy is a really shitty thing to do.

what's bad for indy wrestling might be good for wrestling in general though. A second company having a national TV slot is huge for the industry.

Not if it kills all the indy talent......and the indy's are where the talent comes from.......at least in the US.

[Michrome 0]

The contracts only prevent them from going to the wwe. They also give TNA preference over another booking if it's the same date.

[Guest OSIcon]

TNA and some of their fans need to get their heads out of the clouds.

 

The thinking seems to be that if TNA (or any promotion for that matter) gets television, that they are set. That is far from it. TNA can get television but they will still be TNA. They will still have the same product, only even more challenges. They will have more expenses to cover (producing television, extra pay to wrestlers, running additional nights unless they want to do 4+ hour marathon sessions every Wednesday, ect.). In order for TV to be successful, it needs to bring in enough additional buys so that they will finally start to break even on PPV and enough to cover television production expenses. They need to find a way to get people to take time out to watch their TV show each week AND then be impressed enough to buy the PPV. All of that needs to fall into place in order for television to be a success for TNA.

 

So the bottom line is, TNA is acting like they are a lot bigger than they are. They are constantly spending/losing money, yet they are more concerned with getting TV then they are at actually putting out the best product possible. All they are doing here is allienated ROH fans who may purchase TNA and getting ROH wrestlers pissed off with "ultimatums".

 

The argument that this is good because TNA is trying to become a number 2 doesn't work for me. What don't people understand about the fact that they aren't making money, interest is declining according to reports, they can't even draw in 400 paid each week, and television would just bring in MORE expenses. All of that stuff is not going to lead them to becoming a Number 2 promotion. I'm all for someone trying to become a Number Two promotion. However, if they are going to screw with other indies to do it, I would like to think they will actually have a chance to succeed. TNA has NO CHANCE to succeed even with TV. So its not that people are against seeing someone try to take on the WWE. People are against TNA trying when they don't have a chance and are hurting good promotions in the process.

[OldSchoolWrestling 0]

This is bullshit.  Of course TNA wants to "lock up" their talent for their "TV deal", but honestly I am NOT for this as it will really hurt indy wrestling.  Plus, taking another paycheck from a guy is a really shitty thing to do.

what's bad for indy wrestling might be good for wrestling in general though. A second company having a national TV slot is huge for the industry.

Not if it kills all the indy talent......and the indy's are where the talent comes from.......at least in the US.

The indys are where the talent comes from indeed. But it has to go somewhere. They don't bust their asses becoming indy stars to remain indy stars. They do it in hopes of a big fed picking them up. And then when they make it to the big time, the indys get to make new stars. Who again are looking for their big break.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Can't TNA and RoH fans get along? They are the only real Indy's with a nationwide audience (I'll admit RoH probably has more, but TNA also is able to broadcast across the country) and hoping death on both is wrong wrong WRONG.