JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Source: Wrestling Observer While we don’t have the actual numbers at press time, it is said that the new TV numbers are encouraging, with unconfirmed reports going around the company that the 2 am showing on 1/7 drew a 0.3 rating, and the midnight on 1/8 show did a 0.26, both far higher than the original Friday afternoon show did. We should have the actual numbers in next weeks issue. While those are not numbers to turn the company around, FSN was said to be astounded particularly by the Friday night number, and it ups the company’s standing on the station. They are now scheduled for some kind of a February presence on Best Damn Sports Show Period, although the feeling right now is that it will probably be just one taped match as opposed to an entire show. The bad news from the TNA front was with FSN cutting back on the show, and I particular dumping Bryan Cox, the biggest wrestling fan on the show (as well as Chris Rose, who legitimately didn’t like wrestling), and who did a good job in his one match, it hurts somewhat in cross-promotional opportunities. The belief is the Carters have given Dusty Rhodes six months to show progress. While the better numbers in the new slot doesn’t do much for the bottom line if it doesn’t translate into PPV buys (and there is no indication from the response to this show that it has of yet), it could keep the ownership group interested and believe there is progress. Dusty Rhodes has also talked about putting together a one-night X Division tournament similar to the old Super J Cups in Japan, which some wrestlers have been talked with about participating in, and they were under the impression it would be for the March PPV. TNA drew its biggest crowd to date in Orlando. With very little local promotion, they had 875 people at the show, packed into the studio like sardines, with many standing, as it was set up for about 700. They also turned away about 400, and there was a long line of people waiting to be let into the show and would be allowed in because some left early. More impressive than the number was the atmosphere and how it looked. They drew more people most weeks in Nashville, and that was often an enthusiastic crowd, but this comes across so much classier due to the location. Jonny Fairplay’s contract for $100,000 for 26 dates and one year expires in a few weeks. The idea he’s getting a renewal is mind boggling, although they are going to try and negotiate his per show price down to stay. We’re told the original plan is Fairplay would be gone, but now, because they believe Fairplay has another reality show coming (not to mention an appearance on Hollywood Squares, as if that means anything), plus Rhodes likes him (and maybe more, Rhodes knows Dixie Carter likes him), it is likely he will be bought back. Mind-boggling. The top paid wrestlers in the company are DDP, Hall & Nash, all making $5,000. Most in the company are making $300 to $1,000 with a few of the bigger names (Rhodes, Raven, AMW) making more than $1,000 per and Jeff Jarrett significantly more, and probably with them as the highest paid being that’s he’s part owner, world champion and makes a lot of the major decisions. Dusty Rhodes is in complete control and almost autonomous, as he was able to convince the Carters into giving him a chance to prove that he has the secret for turning things around. He’s going to bring in some of his people. One of the things he’s done is convince Dixie Carter that the plans to make Monty Brown the champ and build around him now is a mistake, and that they were risking doing great damage too him by pushing him too fast. Amazing Reds contract expired and he wasn’t renewed, since Dusty Rhodes had no plans for him. He came back too fast after knee surgery and was never the same. The mystery guy on Impact where they are doing the videos announcing his arrival is Titus (Ryan Wilson). He may be given a new ring name. Rhodes idea for him is to be a “Gothic Ultimate Warrior”. He asked him to come up with a new ring name and he went to Konnan and BG James for ideas. Somebody came up with Primus, which I don’t even know what that means. Konnan joked how about “Dark Green” because he’d be wearing a green costume. I think he really meant because he’s so green. James then said how about “Dark Match” because that’s where he belongs, as James was injured in a dark match by him a few months back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Dark Match... oh man that's classic. Of the two Red Shirts, they had to keep the sucky one? Sometimes TNA decisions are mind boggling. However, good to see they have another 6 months (up from the 3 months given to them 2 months ago), as I caught some if Impact this week and was enjoying most of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Salacious Crumb Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Dusty Rhodes has also talked about putting together a one-night X Division tournament similar to the old Super J Cups in Japan, which some wrestlers have been talked with about participating in, and they were under the impression it would be for the March PPV. This would be awesome. Interesting news as it appears TNA is slowly starting to buildup a bigger fanbase. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 Konnan and James seem like two of the funnest people to hang out with in the business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 He asked him to come up with a new ring name and he went to Konnan and BG James for ideas. Somebody came up with Primus, which I don’t even know what that means. His name is mud. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo Effect 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2005 I like Fairplay, but $100,000? Anything more than a thousand a show (if they feel the need to keep him) is ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phenom Report post Posted January 26, 2005 Konnan and James seem like two of the funnest people to hang out with in the business. B.G. James > John Cena Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooneyTune Report post Posted January 26, 2005 Konnan and James seem like two of the funnest people to hang out with in the business. B.G. James > John Cena Well duh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Corey_Lazarus 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 The top paid wrestlers in the company are DDP, Hall & Nash, all making $5,000. Most in the company are making $300 to $1,000 with a few of the bigger names (Rhodes, Raven, AMW) making more than $1,000 per and Jeff Jarrett significantly more, and probably with them as the highest paid being that’s he’s part owner, world champion and makes a lot of the major decisions. So two wrestlers known throughout the business as backstage cancers that haven't done shit since 1997 that affected any company in any sort of positive manner get paid the most in Hall and Nash, while wrestlers that have been busting their asses since day one and have been among the most over on the whole roster, even going so far as to main event a large portion of TNA's show, don't in AJ Styles? What the FUCK? Re: "Dark Green" and "Dark Match" Man, if BG and Konnan were only announcers or non-wrestling characters, I would love 3LK so much... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 I'm just curious, is it $5000 per month? Week? What's the rate there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OSIcon Report post Posted January 26, 2005 I'm just curious, is it $5000 per month? Week? What's the rate there? Per show or taping....one or the other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 So they are effectively paying Johnny Fairplay $3846 a show on the off chance that he might get a job elsewhere where he won't be able to mention TNA but they hope people will somehow magically follow him to TNA? And what makes them believe reality show fans are wrestling fans? God, cut him already. That's 100,000 RIGHT THERE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
natey2k4 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2005 Destination X... A one night Super J Cup style... I'd LOVE It.. as long as they have a World Heavyweigh Title match thrown someplace in there along with the Tag Titles. The Tag Title Match and World Title Match would be short... around 8-10 for each. I just dont want fans to forget about the titles.. 2 hours and 40 minutes split up between say 7 matches would be golden. All of the matches could run between 15 and 20 minutes.. and that would be awesome. Maybe have a couple of shorter matches.. around the 10 minute mark and let the finals (which SHOULD MAIN EVENT if they have the world and tags defended) run around 40 minutes. Who would you choose to be in Destination X Tournament? Petey Williams AJ Styles Christopher Daniels Elix Skipper Chris Sabin the knowing TNA we would round it out with... Siaki, Shane and Kazarian... but who else could we have in there? Shark Boy? Eric Young? Mikey Batts?.. I could see Young replacing Siaki but that's about it. Alex Shelley is another choice... but where is he lately? I guess they could probably toss in Jeff Hardy too, to draw a buyrate from him.. but god only hopes he'd job to Williams in the first round or something. Too bad London didn't stay with TNA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
