Good article about TNA on Spike

[RedJed 0]

Todd Martin looks at what TNA must do when it gets on Spike

 

 

 

Points of Impact

 

By Todd Martin

 

For over three years, TNA has been attempting to break into the radar of the

average wrestling fan. With a time slot on Spike TV in the fall, the stakes

are extremely high. If the promotion can draw strong ratings and boost PPV

buy rates, TNA could finally approach its long term goals. However, if the

new show is a failure, Panda is likely to pull the plug on the whole

venture. It is imperative for the good of the wrestling business that this

show succeeds. Here are some simple keys for the show.

 

1. Now is the Time

 

TNA cannot approach this show as just another opportunity. This is the best

chance TNA is going to get, and it has to take advantage. While the

promotion shouldn’t sacrifice the importance of PPVs, the shows on Spike

have to be a big deal. TNA has produced a high quality product for much of

the year, and now it needs to get people’s attention. They need to draw high

enough ratings from the beginning that Spike is forced to open its eyes. TNA

can then parlay that success and Spike hostility towards WWE to net the time

slot and financial deal that will finally give TNA legitimate stability. In

order to do that, TNA should be planning out the first month of shows minute

by minute, right now.

 

2. Tune in Next Week

 

Every week TNA needs to have a strong reason to get viewers to tune in the

next week. TNA tried to do this early in its weekly PPV format by using

surprises. That can help, and TNA should use surprises frequently early on

to build interest. However, the promotion also needs to promote compelling

future matchups every week. It should be like the early days of Raw, where

the end of the show features a package about the next week’s main event. WWE

has turned its back on long term booking, and TNA can capitalize on all the

benefits that long term booking offers.

 

3. We’re All in This Together

 

At this point in time, it is very important that TNA performers view

themselves as part of a team. Selfish individuals more concerned with

getting themselves over for a future WWE gig need to be pushed to the side.

The wrestlers need to sacrifice and work as hard as possible to ensure the

team does well. If collectively the promotion can put itself in a better

position, then all the individual wrestlers can be better taken care of.

This is not a time for egos.

 

4. Credibility is King

 

There are a lot of wrestling fans disillusioned with the product WWE has put

forth in recent years. One of the biggest problems is that WWE doesn’t show

respect for its audience. TNA needs to go to great measures to at no point

and in no way insult its audience. This was a problem for TNA in its early

days, but it has been largely corrected. That has to continue. Storylines

need to make complete sense, wrestlers’ motivation needs to be clear, and

match results have to matter. Sizzle can be offered without compromising the

steak.

 

5. Fanaticism is a Good Thing

 

In the recent wrestling business, few promotions have succeeded without

developing a strongly devoted legion of fans. This was true for UWF, NJPW,

AJPW, WWF, ECW and WCW (although some of those fans identified themselves

with NWO rather than WCW). TNA hasn’t been able to get that type of a

following, outside of a small collection of fans in the southeast. TNA needs

to develop that base, and use that passion to spread amongst the larger

audience. TNA presently doesn’t have the negative connotation it did at one

time. The next step is to create an audience not of wrestling fans that like

TNA, but of TNA fans. TNA needs an affirmative identity, not a responsive

one.

 

6. The Promotion of the Transcendent Star

 

Any wrestling promotion needs a bankable main eventer or main eventers in

order to succeed. TNA isn’t going to sign away WWE’s top stars, so it is

crucial that it create its own. The fans need to perceive those stars as

being the best in the world. While there is a temptation to try to give time

and emphasis to everyone on the card, it makes better business sense to

focus on a few. It’s also best these wrestlers not have the taint of being

an undercard wrestler in WWE. Christopher Daniels, Monty Brown, A.J. Styles,

and Samoa Joe fit this bill. Regardless of who TNA chooses, they should be

emphasizing the wrestler or wrestlers from the beginning of the show to the

end. In the middle of the first match, Mike Tenay should be telling the fans

that they need to stick around in order to see A.J. Styles, because there is

no one else like him in the world. More of an ensemble cast might work down

the road, but right now there should be a chosen few.

 

7. The In-Ring Product

 

An easy way to add extra excitement to the show is to let loose in the ring.

WWE style is so static that it is easy for a more free wielding style to

impress. The in-ring matches have made TNA 3 hour PPVs a big success. Now

TNA needs to add the same emphasis to these one hour shows. The Spike show

needs to be very strong as a stand-alone, featuring at least one “can’t

miss” match a week. The wrestlers should have the green light to do pretty

much whatever they can conceive of and execute.

 

8. Build Buzz

 

There is no guarantee Spike is going to promote TNA with any enthusiasm

whatsoever. As such, TNA needs to do everything it can to try to build buzz

on its own. They should lobby Spike for advertisements on Raw in the weeks

prior to Impact’s Spike debut. The right type of national promo played two

times on Raw for four weeks could make a sizeable difference. From there,

TNA should be aggressive in trying to get any mainstream publicity they can.

It might be best to market it TNA as if it is essentially a new promotion

that is going to take WWE’s place on Spike and take the sport to a different

level. The perception of the promotion is often times more important than

the reality. TNA should use every angle it has to get mainstream coverage.

 

9. You Can’t Build Around Jarrett

 

If Jeff Jarrett is featured in the main event slot of the first few Impact

shows, the show is doomed for failure. Jarrett is viewed as a midcard

performer by the vast majority of the wrestling public, and he doesn’t have

the charisma to convince the audience otherwise. It’s fine to have Jarrett

around, because he is overall a good performer. But fans will not take

seriously a wrestling alternative built around Jeff Jarrett. The Jarretts

should understand this, and realize that long term they will profit more

from being a valuable performer in a successful promotion than the main

eventer in an independent show in Tennessee.

 

10. Attack, Attack, Attack

 

The single most important thing for TNA to do early on is to attack. It

needs to convey that it believes in itself as better than any other

wrestling available on American television today. As such, it needs to go

after the many faults of WWE. Even the fans of WWE likely realize these

faults. If TNA boisterously criticizes WWE in a way that feels legitimate

and not petty, fans will rally behind TNA. TNA should draw up a list of ten

things that it will unquestionably do better than WWE, and beat those points

home on the television show.

 

The ideal opening segment for the first TV show would be to have the Dudleyz

cut a vicious anti-WWE promo reminiscent of their heated promos at the end

of ECW. They have the credibility to get casual fans to listen. If they

won’t agree, I would try to get someone else to do it, making all the points

about what’s wrong with WWE that fans know. Christopher Daniels could do an

excellent job as well, and tie it to his own career. Hopefully

advertisements on Raw will draw in casual fans to watch TNA after UFC. The

beginning of the Impact show should completely blow them away, and provide a

strong opening shot against WWE’s vision of pro wrestling in 2005. TNA then

needs to establish an affirmative identity of its own, that stands in strong

contrast to the flawed alternative.

 

We have wrestling matches with more than five moves. The results of our

matches matter. We settle things in the ring, not behind the scenes. We have

Traci Brooks, while they have an endless parade of talentless bimbos. We

have Chris Sabin and Petey Williams, while they have Viscera and Gene

Snitsky. We have AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, while they have JBL and

HHH. They think you’re the biggest idiots on the face of the Earth, while we

treat you with respect. If TNA is successful in getting across these points,

it can get WWE to work for TNA. When those same fans go back to watching Raw

and Smackdown and are confronted with the same problems that already bug

them, they will think of TNA and look forward to a better product on

Saturday.

 

These points also need to be emphasized in the commentary. Mike Tenay has

credibility, and can get away with strongly backing TNA and criticizing WWE.

If he is uncomfortable with the role, they might want to consider bringing a

third person into the booth to do it, with Don Callis coming to mind if

available. Channeling hostility can be a powerful tool in rallying people to

your cause.

 

There is no one right way to promote Impact on Spike TV. There are a number

of possibilities that could work, and the key may be finding the one

creative angle that really grabs people’s attention. But regardless of the

specific path TNA takes, it needs to develop a compelling marketing strategy

for Impact. The moment is coming when TNA will sink or swim. It’s time to go

all out.

 

Feedback: [email protected]

 

 

------This guy makes a TON of good points. Can't really argue with much.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

A decent read. I disagree with a few points (and I'll talk about them here), but he's definitely thought about what he was writing beforehand. Most people would prolly say "GET STING! GET SAVAGE! GET ANYBODY THAT USED TO MAIN EVENT BACK WHEN WRESTLING POPULAR!" He didn't. Smart move.

 

The only parts I'll be quoting are the ones I'll be counterpointing.

2. Tune in Next Week

 

Every week TNA needs to have a strong reason to get viewers to tune in the

next week. TNA tried to do this early in its weekly PPV format by using

surprises. That can help, and TNA should use surprises frequently early on

to build interest. However, the promotion also needs to promote compelling

future matchups every week. It should be like the early days of Raw, where

the end of the show features a package about the next week’s main event. WWE

has turned its back on long term booking, and TNA can capitalize on all the

benefits that long term booking offers.

While I wholeheartedly agree that TNA needs to give the new viewers a reason to tune in every week, ending every show with a preview of next week's is a bad idea. Have a couple matches signed and tell the audience about them, but don't offer anything else. If the end of the show is too much like Raw ("DEAR GOD, WHAT IS HE DOING?!"), then fans will see right through it.

6. The Promotion of the Transcendent Star

 

Any wrestling promotion needs a bankable main eventer or main eventers in

order to succeed. TNA isn’t going to sign away WWE’s top stars, so it is

crucial that it create its own. The fans need to perceive those stars as

being the best in the world. While there is a temptation to try to give time

and emphasis to everyone on the card, it makes better business sense to

focus on a few. It’s also best these wrestlers not have the taint of being

an undercard wrestler in WWE. Christopher Daniels, Monty Brown, A.J. Styles,

and Samoa Joe fit this bill. Regardless of who TNA chooses, they should be

emphasizing the wrestler or wrestlers from the beginning of the show to the

end. In the middle of the first match, Mike Tenay should be telling the fans

that they need to stick around in order to see A.J. Styles, because there is

no one else like him in the world. More of an ensemble cast might work down

the road, but right now there should be a chosen few.

Ehhhhhhhh...no. During a match between, say, Team Canada and The Naturals, Tenay and West should be focusing on TEAM CANADA and THE NATURALS. At no point in the program should they change the focus from getting the stars on-screen over to putting over somebody higher on the card. There's a reason they're higher on the card: they're more over than whoever's on-screen already. Maybe show some clips of the current champions in action (Raven, Daniels, and I forget who has the tag belts...The Naturals I think), and stress how TNA's tag division is the best in all of wrestling right now, stress how TNA gives wrestlers that were never given a good chance elsewhere the opportunity to shine, and bam: fans will start watching. Good product + wide variety of good characters/workers = fans.

10. Attack, Attack, Attack

 

The single most important thing for TNA to do early on is to attack. It

needs to convey that it believes in itself as better than any other

wrestling available on American television today. As such, it needs to go

after the many faults of WWE. Even the fans of WWE likely realize these

faults. If TNA boisterously criticizes WWE in a way that feels legitimate

and not petty, fans will rally behind TNA. TNA should draw up a list of ten

things that it will unquestionably do better than WWE, and beat those points

home on the television show.

Never, EVER directly refer to your competition if you're attempting to go national and try to be as big as them. It detracts from your product as you are, essentially, wasting time that could be used to put over your own guys talking about the enemy.

The ideal opening segment for the first TV show would be to have the Dudleyz cut a vicious anti-WWE promo reminiscent of their heated promos at the end of ECW. They have the credibility to get casual fans to listen. If they won’t agree, I would try to get someone else to do it, making all the points about what’s wrong with WWE that fans know. Christopher Daniels could do an excellent job as well, and tie it to his own career. Hopefully advertisements on Raw will draw in casual fans to watch TNA after UFC. The beginning of the Impact show should completely blow them away, and provide a strong opening shot against WWE’s vision of pro wrestling in 2005. TNA then needs to establish an affirmative identity of its own, that stands in strong contrast to the flawed alternative.

The best way to do this would be to have the very first match seen by the new group of viewers to involve Samoa Joe, who works in such a fashion that it looks REAL when he does moves (nice and stiff, but safely done) against somebody that go can go toe-to-toe with him in the same category, and maybe speed around him (so likely Sabin), with Joe winning in the end and then helping him up and shaking his hand. Show that, in TNA, it's about the SPORT of professional wrestling, not sports ENTERTAINMENT, and that if you can't cut it in the ring in TNA, you aren't lasting long.

Also...bring back LowKi for an awesome Joe/Ki feud that would be SURE to get new viewers going "I thought wrestling was fake?"

We have wrestling matches with more than five moves. The results of our

matches matter. We settle things in the ring, not behind the scenes. We have

Traci Brooks, while they have an endless parade of talentless bimbos. We

have Chris Sabin and Petey Williams, while they have Viscera and Gene

Snitsky. We have AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, while they have JBL and

HHH. They think you’re the biggest idiots on the face of the Earth, while we

treat you with respect. If TNA is successful in getting across these points,

it can get WWE to work for TNA. When those same fans go back to watching Raw

and Smackdown and are confronted with the same problems that already bug

them, they will think of TNA and look forward to a better product on

Saturday.

To do a person-by-person roster comparison, TNA would need to either hire heavyweights that are actually BETTER than WWE's (the only heavyweights in TNA I'd find better than most WWE heavyweights are Raven, Abyss, and Samoa Joe), or learn to book their matches so that the heavyweights flat-out LOOK better than they really are. So the more accurate comparisons would be:

They have Christy Hemme...we have Traci Brooks.

They have cruiserweight matches featuring wrestlers that were either rejected from working long-term for TNA (reference to Paul London) or are past their prime (reference to Rey Mysterio Jr., who IS better than any TNA cruiser, so that's the only valid insult they could possibly throw at him)...we have the X-Division (show clips of Ultimate X2 and Ultimate X4; a plethora of the EARLYYYYYY badass X-Division matches involving Lynn, Styles, and Ki; a small highlight reel of Sabin; and clips of the Super X-Cup tourney), lead by (whoever the champion is at the time, most likely Daniels or Joe, and show some clips of their best moves, ie. Daniels doing the BME and Angel's Wings and Joe hitting the Ole Kick and whatever he decides to use as a finish these days).

They have "monsters" (Kane, Snitsky, etc.)...we have MONSTERS (Brown, Abyss, Tritan).

They go through "hell" for the World title (reference to HIAC, obviously)...we have fun (show clips of the various Clockwork Orange House of Fun matches, and show TONS of bloodbaths that have happened in title matches).

They have "sports entertainment"...we have PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING (show clips from just about everything TNA does that is old-school and then lead it into the innovation of the X-Division).

These points also need to be emphasized in the commentary. Mike Tenay has credibility, and can get away with strongly backing TNA and criticizing WWE.

If he is uncomfortable with the role, they might want to consider bringing a third person into the booth to do it, with Don Callis coming to mind if available. Channeling hostility can be a powerful tool in rallying people to your cause.

Again, never a good idea to outright attack somebody with enough power to crush you in a heartbeat. If he's healthy again, bring in Alan Funk to do some Funkster work here and there whenever Hogan decides to rear his head again, and whenever WWE lets loose somebody that could possibly set the world of wrestling on fire (basically, if they release RVD, Benjamin, Jericho, or anybody else of actual value anytime soon), snatch them up ASAP and let them prove to everybody why Vinnie Mac fucked up. Don't say "hey, Vince, you suck." Say "hey, PEOPLE AT HOME, come see why we're so damn good."

There is no one right way to promote Impact on Spike TV. There are a number of possibilities that could work, and the key may be finding the one

creative angle that really grabs people’s attention. But regardless of the specific path TNA takes, it needs to develop a compelling marketing strategy for Impact. The moment is coming when TNA will sink or swim. It’s time to go all out.

There's never one right way to do anything that isn't mathematical or scientific in nature, but there's always wrong ways. I think the wrong way to go about putting TNA over would be to flat-out always say "you won't see that in WWE," because then it makes it seem like TNA are DESPERATE to get attention and kick Vince's ass. Remember: Bischoff's reading of taped Raw results on live Nitro broadcasts came back to bite him in the ass, so talking about how WWE sucks compared to TNA on TNA programming will undoubtedly come back to bite them in the ass as well. I would say the best way to advertise TNA would be to do it on a street level, to get the common wrestling Joe Schmoe that's walking downtown to grab a bite to eat's attention. The street team is still in place, yes? Give them a shitload of flyers. Buy advertisement space on wrestling news sites (Observer, mostly, and WrestleCrap probably wouldn't hurt) and also sports sites (ESPN in particular, though one on an FSN site would be ironic). Buy air-time on various Viacom networks, and cut a deal with Spike to advertise TNA during episodes of the Ultimate Fighter and Unleashed and every other hit show on the network to get the core group of people watching the channel, almost all of which were drawn to it BECAUSE of wrestling in the first place when Raw came over, to see that NEW wrestling is here.

 

Ideally, the first Spike edition of Impact should start with a match that will KICK EVERYBODY'S ASS. Don't make it the best possible match the promotion could put on, but make it damn fine. Samoa Joe vs. Sabin would be just dandy (as I've said earlier). Have the final match be Raven (if he's still World champion) against somebody else that can brawl like a motherfucker, say Ron Killings (that actually sounds like a damn good match, now that I think about it), and end it with a double count-out to set up a rematch for PPV. In between, show one more match, a tag match of some sort (maybe an 8-man tag to further a stable feud or something), and the rest are highlights for various wrestlers and promo's by those that can cut good ones. Basically, in the first hour of being on Spike, you need to show the new viewers just WHY you should be the company they watch.

[Guest JMA]

The main event on TNA's first show needs to be remiscent of Flair vs. Sting at the first CotC. In other words, the match should be VERY good and create a star in the process.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I don't think it necessarily has to CREATE a star in the process of being a good match, because TNA isn't known enough to the new audience that will be watching to have a new star suddenly created before their eyes. But the matches on there NEED to be good, and NEED to be better than anything featured on Raw or SmackDown that week.

 

So...figure 40 minutes total for matches (3 matches, 12-13 minutes a piece), and the rest is for commercials, highlights, and promo's.

 

Don't worry about too much angle advancement on this show, because you'll need to get people into the action that goes on in TNA before you get them into the angle itself.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

I like his idea of having someone like the Dudley Boyz cutting a promo to get the promotion over. Make it short and to the point, then open with a hot match, and go from there. I normally would agree that you don't want to name your competition directly, but TNA is going to be the new promotion on the channel WWE was on. The viewers are going to draw their own comparisons anyway.

[Guest MikeSC]

Todd Martin looks at what TNA must do when it gets on Spike

 

 

 

Points of Impact

 

By Todd Martin

 

For over three years, TNA has been attempting to break into the radar of the

average wrestling fan. With a time slot on Spike TV in the fall, the stakes

are extremely high. If the promotion can draw strong ratings and boost PPV

buy rates, TNA could finally approach its long term goals. However, if the

new show is a failure, Panda is likely to pull the plug on the whole

venture. It is imperative for the good of the wrestling business that this

show succeeds. Here are some simple keys for the show.

 

1. Now is the Time

 

TNA cannot approach this show as just another opportunity. This is the best

chance TNA is going to get, and it has to take advantage. While the

promotion shouldn’t sacrifice the importance of PPVs, the shows on Spike

have to be a big deal. TNA has produced a high quality product for much of

the year, and now it needs to get people’s attention. They need to draw high

enough ratings from the beginning that Spike is forced to open its eyes. TNA

can then parlay that success and Spike hostility towards WWE to net the time

slot and financial deal that will finally give TNA legitimate stability. In

order to do that, TNA should be planning out the first month of shows minute

by minute, right now.

While I understand the logic --- TV channels don't give airtime and good deals out of spite.

3. We’re All in This Together

 

At this point in time, it is very important that TNA performers view

themselves as part of a team. Selfish individuals more concerned with

getting themselves over for a future WWE gig need to be pushed to the side.

The wrestlers need to sacrifice and work as hard as possible to ensure the

team does well. If collectively the promotion can put itself in a better

position, then all the individual wrestlers can be better taken care of.

This is not a time for egos.

And that's a great idea.

 

HOWEVER, over here in the REAL world, it's not a realistic possibility.

 

They are professionals and they are, by definition, self-interested individuals.

6. The Promotion of the Transcendent Star

 

Any wrestling promotion needs a bankable main eventer or main eventers in

order to succeed. TNA isn’t going to sign away WWE’s top stars, so it is

crucial that it create its own. The fans need to perceive those stars as

being the best in the world. While there is a temptation to try to give time

and emphasis to everyone on the card, it makes better business sense to

focus on a few. It’s also best these wrestlers not have the taint of being

an undercard wrestler in WWE. Christopher Daniels, Monty Brown, A.J. Styles,

and Samoa Joe fit this bill. Regardless of who TNA chooses, they should be

emphasizing the wrestler or wrestlers from the beginning of the show to the

end. In the middle of the first match, Mike Tenay should be telling the fans

that they need to stick around in order to see A.J. Styles, because there is

no one else like him in the world. More of an ensemble cast might work down

the road, but right now there should be a chosen few.

Dear God, no. That is the most obnoxious thing the WWE does. If you want to create more stars --- don't treat anybody as if they aren't important.

8. Build Buzz

 

There is no guarantee Spike is going to promote TNA with any enthusiasm

whatsoever. As such, TNA needs to do everything it can to try to build buzz

on its own. They should lobby Spike for advertisements on Raw in the weeks

prior to Impact’s Spike debut. The right type of national promo played two

times on Raw for four weeks could make a sizeable difference. From there,

TNA should be aggressive in trying to get any mainstream publicity they can.

It might be best to market it TNA as if it is essentially a new promotion

that is going to take WWE’s place on Spike and take the sport to a different

level. The perception of the promotion is often times more important than

the reality. TNA should use every angle it has to get mainstream coverage.

That would actually involve TNA PAYING for the slot --- not Spike giving it to them.

10. Attack, Attack, Attack

 

The single most important thing for TNA to do early on is to attack. It

needs to convey that it believes in itself as better than any other

wrestling available on American television today. As such, it needs to go

after the many faults of WWE. Even the fans of WWE likely realize these

faults. If TNA boisterously criticizes WWE in a way that feels legitimate

and not petty, fans will rally behind TNA. TNA should draw up a list of ten

things that it will unquestionably do better than WWE, and beat those points

home on the television show.

 

The ideal opening segment for the first TV show would be to have the Dudleyz

cut a vicious anti-WWE promo reminiscent of their heated promos at the end

of ECW. They have the credibility to get casual fans to listen. If they

won’t agree, I would try to get someone else to do it, making all the points

about what’s wrong with WWE that fans know. Christopher Daniels could do an

excellent job as well, and tie it to his own career. Hopefully

advertisements on Raw will draw in casual fans to watch TNA after UFC. The

beginning of the Impact show should completely blow them away, and provide a

strong opening shot against WWE’s vision of pro wrestling in 2005. TNA then

needs to establish an affirmative identity of its own, that stands in strong

contrast to the flawed alternative.

 

We have wrestling matches with more than five moves. The results of our

matches matter. We settle things in the ring, not behind the scenes. We have

Traci Brooks, while they have an endless parade of talentless bimbos. We

have Chris Sabin and Petey Williams, while they have Viscera and Gene

Snitsky. We have AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels, while they have JBL and

HHH. They think you’re the biggest idiots on the face of the Earth, while we

treat you with respect. If TNA is successful in getting across these points,

it can get WWE to work for TNA. When those same fans go back to watching Raw

and Smackdown and are confronted with the same problems that already bug

them, they will think of TNA and look forward to a better product on

Saturday.

 

These points also need to be emphasized in the commentary. Mike Tenay has

credibility, and can get away with strongly backing TNA and criticizing WWE.

If he is uncomfortable with the role, they might want to consider bringing a

third person into the booth to do it, with Don Callis coming to mind if

available. Channeling hostility can be a powerful tool in rallying people to

your cause.

When the VAST majority of your ME roster --- and most of the guys you want to bring in --- are WWE rejects, further emphasizing it seems to be the worst possible move.

 

You didn't see WWE mentioning TNA to date. They seldom mentioned WCW, except when Russo went bloody nuts.

[Astro101 0]

Yea, TNA shouldn't mention WWE. I guess in the advertising business it's "okay" for the second place product to mention the first but not the other way around, but TNA shouldn't mention them straight out. If it's the Dudleys coming out or something and they can get people to rally for the TNA product, so be it.

[razazteca 0]

Most people would prolly say "GET STING! GET SAVAGE! GET ANYBODY THAT USED TO MAIN EVENT BACK WHEN WRESTLING POPULAR!"

To appeal to these people TNA should keep Raven as the champion for at least a year.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I think they should keep Raven as champion as long as he's working as a champion. Wow...keeping a champion around while they're still over as champion?! TNA almost NEVER does that! Let's see...

 

Shamrock? People wanted to see him lose the belt ASAP.

Truth? Lost the belt too soon to Jarrett after having some really good matches with Lynn, LowKi, and others.

Jarrett? Should've lost it at Destiny, but certain things got in the way, and then lost it too late (thus turning him from an INTERESTING face into a BORING heel).

Styles? Wasn't over as a lame-duck champion during his first run.

Jarrett pt. II? Not over because fans were sick of him.

Styles pt. II? Fans loved it, but he lost it too early.

Truth pt. II? Fans loved it, but he won it and lost it too abruptly.

Jarrett pt. III? The reason a good portion of their fanbase stopped watching entirely.

Raven? Working because fans have wanted it since he debuted 2 and a half years ago with TNA, and because Raven knows how to make people look good even if they lose to him.

[TNABaddboi 0]

I agree with you on every one of those reigns Corey. On a sidenote, I've always thought a good DVD for TNA to produce would be the Destiny show with the angles leading up to as extras. That was easier they're biggest 2 hour show ever, contains the most talked about match in their history even now and was benefit by the most focus booking TNA's ever shown (aside from the asine finish to the ME). I'm sure it would sell just as well as the LockDown DVD for instance.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

That's a really good idea, actually. Have it be a 2-disc set. First disc is the show, with the special features being the Xplosion matches and any dark matches, as well as "looking back..." commentary by Tenay and West and maybe some of the wrestlers. Disc 2 is the angles leading up to the main show in a documentary fashion (meaning it's not like picking out the individual promo's and attacks of the angle, but rather watching them all flow together in one program). <--I'll elaborate.

 

Obviously, Raven/Jarrett will be the BIG one profiled (namely because I can't think of what else happened on the show that was big, besides Lynn/Red defeating XXX for the Tag belts). So, you click on "Raven vs. Jeff Jarrett," and it shows one solid program of the promo's, clips of the matches, and the attacks leading up to Destiny. Or you click on "X-Division" and see all the highlights of the X-Division leading up to that night's X-Division title match (I forget what it was, but I think it involved Siaki, so maybe this shouldn't happen). Etc. etc.

[TNABaddboi 0]

That's a really good idea, actually. Have it be a 2-disc set. First disc is the show, with the special features being the Xplosion matches and any dark matches, as well as "looking back..." commentary by Tenay and West and maybe some of the wrestlers. Disc 2 is the angles leading up to the main show in a documentary fashion (meaning it's not like picking out the individual promo's and attacks of the angle, but rather watching them all flow together in one program). <--I'll elaborate.

 

Obviously, Raven/Jarrett will be the BIG one profiled (namely because I can't think of what else happened on the show that was big, besides Lynn/Red defeating XXX for the Tag belts). So, you click on "Raven vs. Jeff Jarrett," and it shows one solid program of the promo's, clips of the matches, and the attacks leading up to Destiny. Or you click on "X-Division" and see all the highlights of the X-Division leading up to that night's X-Division title match (I forget what it was, but I think it involved Siaki, so maybe this shouldn't happen). Etc. etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Yeah I was thinking something along those lines too. Like maybe a magazine style look at the feud starting with Raven's debut. And maybe start at XXX's formation in the 6 man and culminate with the title change. I definitely that would sell as well as any DVD they already have out, 'cept maybe the Best of AJ (and the best of daniels when they get around to that).

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I doubt the Best of Daniels will be as good as the Best of AJ, if only because AJ's body of work in TNA has been that much better and more high-profile.

[Guest MikeSC]

Since I still believe that the X Division is the one thing TNA can do to attract a big audience, release an improved X Division DVD. The original DVD set was quite good, but some of the choices were odd (the 6-man from the opening show or the triangle ladder match could have been replaced, easily).

 

The World Title has way too many mediocre matches (again, I'd say avoid JJ --- but I do fear that he'll be THE name pushed on Spike, alas) and the tag division has some great matches, but I doubt too many fans want to watch the same match-up, quality be damned, repeatedly.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

By the way, TNA should emphasize the fact that they have good, if not great, tag team wrestling, on a level far above WWE's, especially if they can land the Dudleyz and have them work against AMW and the Naturals. Also, it seems like TNA has a lot of people who are just sort of there, like I think his name is Buck Quartermain, get someone to work with them and make them a dedicated team, keep it moving, and maybe that could be a good use for Zack Gowen if they insist on keeping him around(team him with, I don't know, say Shark Boy) and have the do the R&R Express match, with Zack taking the punishment because nothing says sympathy darwing face like a one legged man getting beat down, and of course, bring back the emphasis on the X Division(if they haven't already since they went off TV) because that's the other thing they can do that WWE is seemingly unwilling to do. Play it like ECW, put the focus on the wrestling and some really good characters. AJ can be the solid wrestling foundation of the main event if he doesn't want to do X Division, and your primary character wrestler can be Raven. Sorry if I'm rambling a bit, I'm tired

[Guest MikeSC]

Should they focus on the wrestling --- or play it like ECW?

 

They can't do both.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

I got the impression from the bit of ECW I've seen that you had some basic angles going, but the focus was always on the wrestling(with exceptions like Sandman), if I had it wrong, then excuse me, I believe that the in ring product should always take precedence over complex and usually silly angles

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

No, Mike's just being his usual anti-ECW self.

 

Mike, ECW always made sure to focus on the in-ring product. That was where EVERYTHING was built around, and that is, in my eyes, what Masked Man is trying to say: no matter what happens everything occurs in the ring.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

I meant to say focus on the actual wrestling, don't let half the show get taken up by badly done promos and whatnot, but yeah, I don't like what I've seen of TNA's backstage area

[Guest MikeSC]

No, Mike's just being his usual anti-ECW self.

 

Mike, ECW always made sure to focus on the in-ring product. That was where EVERYTHING was built around, and that is, in my eyes, what Masked Man is trying to say: no matter what happens everything occurs in the ring.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Honestly, did you watch their attempt at a national TV deal? The entire show was based around the insanely lame ECW v "the network" angle. We had the same over long promos that WWE has, only done by less talented mic workers. We had the Duds killing countless time with their meandering cheap heat-a-thons.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

I think I agree with Mike.

 

That means I'm way to sober to be in this conversation.

 

...

 

See ya in a few hours.

[RedJed 0]

Umm the Duds were only on the TNN show ONCE.

 

While I agree that the ECW show on TNN was at least half crap (I found myself seeing alot of solid matches though that were given time, especially once they started really going) the ECW v. Network angle was not plastered on the shows from start to finish from the beginning of the TNN run to the end.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

I'm of the minority that enjoyed The Network, mostly because I think Corino is awesome, Callis is Godly as a heel manager, and Rhino brought the in-ring goodness.

[Guest MikeSC]

ROH is all about "in-ring" product. NWA, up until about 1988, was all about in-ring product.

 

Nobody else has really done that, probably, since AWA.

[Michrome 0]

You really CAN pull off a good mix. ROH right now is not 100% in-ring product. They have backstage promos, feuds, and heels/faces, but everything is ultimately centered around wrestling. It's probably an 85/15 mix of wrestling to angles. I think if TNA could pull off 75/25 they would be a clear mainstream alternative to WWE. Sometimes they do pull off a ratio like that, but garbage like Billy Gunn wrestling Konnan in a random tag of the month simply doesn't count as good wrestling content.

[Guest MikeSC]

Thing is, I fully expect TNA to try and copy WWE, because every national company does so.

 

Why companies seem so oblivious to the realization that people won't watch a rip-off of an original when the original is beyond me.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

SATURDAY NIGHT at 11 pm is going to be horrible.

 

The timeslot alone will forever typecast them as bush-league. At least when ECW was on Sportschannel at 11 pm, it was local, and wasn't their "big break, all we could get was this" of a National TV deal.

 

Good luck, but that timeslot is going to keep the company non-profitable, IMO.

 

MikeSC, ECW was forced to shit-can all their quality work by TNN, who wouldn't air most of their original programming. To think ECW came up with that "Vs. The Network" storyline as their Best Idea is ridiculous. Their debut show was nothing but a plug for WCW and WWE, basically, as they showed highlight videos of ex-ECW stars who were now working Monday Nights. And an old PPV match. You think Heyman wanted to debut Nationally with that?

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

...yes. He hated the show they taped for it, so he debuted by telling anybody watching that wasn't an ECW fan beforehand (all three people that just finished watching Dukes of Hazzard) how many HUGE names honed their craft in ECW. It was a good selling point, actually.

[RedJed 0]

...yes. He hated the show they taped for it, so he debuted by telling anybody watching that wasn't an ECW fan beforehand (all three people that just finished watching Dukes of Hazzard) how many HUGE names honed their craft in ECW. It was a good selling point, actually.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I thought the deal was the first taping went great, but TNN objected to some of the content - more in particularly the triple or double flaming table spot the Duds did to Spike, I believe. They didnt have time to tape another show in time, so they did that highlight hour for the first show as a backup plan. Plus between that time and the time they taped the show at the Manhatten Center, the whole thing with the Duds leaving to go to WWE was a reality, which wasnt the case on the first show they taped that got canned.

[Guest MikeSC]

MikeSC, ECW was forced to shit-can all their quality work by TNN, who wouldn't air most of their original programming.  To think ECW came up with that "Vs. The Network" storyline as their Best Idea is ridiculous.  Their debut show was nothing but a plug for WCW and WWE, basically, as they showed highlight videos of ex-ECW stars who were now working Monday Nights.  And an old PPV match.  You think Heyman wanted to debut Nationally with that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Judging the quality of their booking after Raven left (in two words, utter shit), yes, I do suspect that the Network angle was one of the best ideas they had left.

 

Also, Heyman chose to pull the footage taped for the first show, thinking it wasn't solid. It was not TNN's choice --- in fact, it royally pissed off TNN because it violated their deal. Corey already touched on this, but it DID violate the agreement they had with TNN (namely, it was not new material)

I thought the deal was the first taping went great, but TNN objected to some of the content - more in particularly the triple or double flaming table spot the Duds did to Spike, I believe. They didnt have time to tape another show in time, so they did that highlight hour for the first show as a backup plan. Plus between that time and the time they taped the show at the Manhatten Center, the whole thing with the Duds leaving to go to WWE was a reality, which wasnt the case on the first show they taped that got canned.

No. Heyman was said for years that he was highly dissatisfied with the first show's footage and decided to replace it with the taped show.