Spike giving TNA it's first Prime Time Special

[k thx 0]

If I was TNA, I'd put this as a higher priority than a PPV. A good PPV could lead to a few extra PPV buys, but if they pull this off, it could open up a whole new audience.

[Guest OSIcon]

Shitty finish aside, Raven and Jarrett's first match at Destiny definitely had an epic feel and didn't see it until they released the 'Best of the Title Matches' DVD about a year later. I can only imagine what it felt like watching it live.

 

Yea, but would it have that same feel today? More importantly would it have that feel to people who aren't fans of TNA already?

 

I started watching wreslting on a full time basis in 1998. I had friends who were WCW fans at the time and got me into it. The first full PPV I watched live with an actual interest was Halloween Havoc that year. I knew who Goldberg was (even though I probably hadn't actively watched a match of his yet) and didn't really know what DDP was all about. However, the way the match was built to (with intros and everything), the actual match, and the crowd heat, all gave it a real epic feel. I didn't know much about the match going in but the presentation and the match itself made it feel like a can't miss title fight.

 

I don't know if Raven/Jarrett reached that sort of level in their first title match (never saw it) but I really doubt they could reach now. I know a lot of TNA fans want to see it with Raven going over, but I am not sure they could pull of a match now that has that really epic and major feel to it.

 

Ordinarily, I'd think the six man would be fine, if they weren't headlining this week's Impact with a similiar.

 

I didn't remember they were having a six man this week. Still, I'd go with the Dudleys/Raven vs. Jarret/AMW one. It is all in the hype. If that match were to br thrown out on the special with no added hype or build up, then it wouldn't seem anymore special than this week's main event. However, if enough is put behind it, it could be a fine ' big main event'. Keep Raven doing the things he has been doing the past few weeks with Raven then getting his hands on Jarret but Jarret getting the upper hand. If the Dudley's are around, have them return on one of the last Impact's before the special and get their hands on AMW. Hype all the animosity between the two sides, lots of video packages, how Dudleys and Raven were both humilated by the heels, ect. Even throw in a 'if Dudleys/Raven win they get title shots' stipulation or something. If all of this is hyped on the special and in advance, it will seem like a bigger deal.

 

I think you are overestimating the amount of people that would read the spoilers and NOT tune in for a six man with a good solid build behind it but tune in for a Raven/Jarrett title match.

[TNABaddboi 0]

I started watching wreslting on a full time basis in 1998. I had friends who were WCW fans at the time and got me into it. The first full PPV I watched live with an actual interest was Halloween Havoc that year. I knew who Goldberg was (even though I probably hadn't actively watched a match of his yet) and didn't really know what DDP was all about. However, the way the match was built to (with intros and everything), the actual match, and the crowd heat, all gave it a real epic feel. I didn't know much about the match going in but the presentation and the match itself made it feel like a can't miss title fight.

I don't know if Raven/Jarrett reached that sort of level in their first title match (never saw it) but I really doubt they could reach now. I know a lot of TNA fans want to see it with Raven going over, but I am not sure they could pull of a match now that has that really epic and major feel to it.

 

Well, having been a fan since 1990 (my first show as WM6), I know all about the epic feel. The first title match I ever saw was Warrior/Hogan. And while TNA has never come close to that, I gotta say the ONLY times in the past three years that they deliver a world title match that felt like THE reason to watch was Jarrett/Raven in April 2003 and Truth/Jarrett in November 2002. TNA was still PPV only, and I was in school with no PPV access, so I missed the entire Jarrett/Raven build. But by the time Borash finished the boxing introductions, you knew something big was going to happen. The match by itself wasn't as good as Jarrett/Truth IMO, but the atmosphere made it the biggest match TNA has ever presented. And I agree with BPS that they totally screwed the pooch by the way.

 

I didn't remember they were having a six man this week. Still, I'd go with the Dudleys/Raven vs. Jarret/AMW one. It is all in the hype. If that match were to br thrown out on the special with no added hype or build up, then it wouldn't seem anymore special than this week's main event. However, if enough is put behind it, it could be a fine ' big main event'. Keep Raven doing the things he has been doing the past few weeks with Raven then getting his hands on Jarret but Jarret getting the upper hand. If the Dudley's are around, have them return on one of the last Impact's before the special and get their hands on AMW. Hype all the animosity between the two sides, lots of video packages, how Dudleys and Raven were both humilated by the heels, ect. Even throw in a 'if Dudleys/Raven win they get title shots' stipulation or something. If all of this is hyped on the special and in advance, it will seem like a bigger deal.

I think you are overestimating the amount of people that would read the spoilers and NOT tune in for a six man with a good solid build behind it but tune in for a Raven/Jarrett title match.

 

I don't doubt that the match you've suggested would be good, and probably a better worked match with AMW in there to carry everyone. But I don't think that match stands out enough to make this appear to be something other than another Impact. IMO, TNA needs to promote this exactly how WCW did the Clash of the Champions (or even how WWE did the first SD! in April 1999...minus the hotshotting of course). There are plenty of people who are fully aware that TNA exists that don't bother going out of their way to see it "because nothing noteworthy ever happens." And I can see them not giving too much away in their 1 hour a week. But with this being their chance to show Spike they can draw well enough to say move that timeslot, they need to make this special feel "special." And like I said JJ/Raven isn't the only match they have that can do that (AMW/3D for the titles would work perfectly if they had down it 2 weeks ago), but it's one of few that they can do with totally ignoring current storylines IMO.

[The Niggardly King 0]

Taboo Thursday!

[natey2k4 0]

double post.

[natey2k4 0]

I'd probably go with something along the lines of this... not giving away too many HUGE matches.. and keeping everything withing current storylines.

 

Jeff Jarret & Chris Harris & James Storm & Eric Young & Bobby Roode

vs.

Kevin Nash & Brother Ray & Brother D-Vone & Chase Stevens & Andy Douglas

(14 minutes)

 

X Division Championship Match

AJ Styles v. Jushin Liger v. Petey Williams

(16 minutes)

 

Samoa Joe v. Christopher Daniels

(14 minutes)

 

Alex Shelley & Austin Aries & Roderick Strong

v.

Sonjay Dutt, Chris Sabin, & Matt Bentley

(8 minutes)

 

Jeff Hardy & Sabu v. Rhino & Abyss

(5 minutes)

 

Monty Brown v. Shark Boy

(2 minutes)

 

Leaving about 20-30 minutes for a few segments/entrances.

 

+ Some a segment or two for;

1) Lance Hoyt

2) Raven

3) 3LK + Kip James.

 

**Possibly sub NASH for RAVEN if Nash's feud with Jarret ends at Bound For Glory. Also if Liger isn't around, just take him out of the X Title Match. If Ultimo Dragon rumours are true and he shows up.. maybe move Petey and Joe into the X-Division tag match and run Daniels v. Liger and AJ v. Dragon. the Shark Boy squash would be soon second on the card, just to get the younger audience who only stays up till 9:30ish into Sharky. The opener would be X-Divison Tag match. The Final match would be the X-Title match, with the 10 man tag right beforehand.

[gWIL 0]

What about a 6-Man in the cage? Raven and Team 3D vs Jarrett and AMW, which can build to the title matches at the PPV but still feel important.

[Blade2kxx 0]

How about Lethal Lockdown II or Thursday, Bloody Thursday...

 

Raven, Brothers Ray and Devon, Sabu, and Jeff Hardy

vs.

Jeff Jarrett, Chris Harris, James Storm, Abyss, and Rhino

 

Then, in the undercard:

 

AJ Styles vs. UX Winner

Christopher Daniels vs. Jushin Liger

Samoa Joe vs. Chris Sabin/Matt Bentley

Konnan, Ron Killings, BG James, and Kip James vs. Team Canada

10 Man X Division Gauntlet

[Guest JesusJuiced]

If Lockdown is a yearly event, a cage match on free TV is a big no-no.

 

I'd love to see them do something with Jerry Lynn. Some combination of Daniels/Lyger/Joe/Lynn would be great, with AJ facing the winner of Ultimate X.

[BUTT 0]

Team 3D might not be back from Japan by the time they tape this, which will be about two or three days after BFG.

[EricMM 0]

I guess I'll probably watch.

 

I agree that this is THE SHOW to attract a new audiance, money or not.

 

Any chance of Homicide debuting?

[Guest *KNK*]

I guess I'll probably watch.

 

I agree that this is THE SHOW to attract a new audiance, money or not.

 

Any chance of Homicide debuting?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I'm still expecting Homicide not to arrive until Genesis.

[JustJoe2k5 0]

Hopefully Spike won't expect too much from this special. They need to let TNA do this fairly often and not pull the plug after one less-than-stellar showing. I really hope TNA does something special for this show, this would be a perfect time to put the X-Division in the spotlight for everyone to see.

[Magus 0]

What I REALLY want TNA to do is work a drawn-out Raven/Jarrett angle. One where Raven has to endure a few trials before he can finally get to JJ. I'd have the showdown in January where Raven could finally win the title clean off Jarrett. Raven could hold it for about 2 or 3 months until Monty squashes him for it, possibly at Lockdown. Therefore, I wouldn't have Raven/Jarrett at the prime time special at all. Here's a few matches I'd book:

 

Jarrett vs. Styles: With everyone mentioning CotC, I thought this would be a good idea to showcase TNA's two main divisions and let everyone know they are EQUAL. We haven't seen this match in a while, and I'd have Styles win for the X Division to have bragging rights that its actually BETTER.

 

Raven/Team 3D vs. AMW/Ortiz: In my mind, Ortiz will turn out to be Jarrett's fourth "Horseman". This could set up Raven's chase, as he could face Ortiz at Genesis, while Team 3D challenge AMW for the titles.

 

Truth vs. Kip: I think the special is the perfect time to pull the NAO reunion. Have BG come out to help Truth, but turn heel to beat him down. Konnan runs out and they beat him down too. This could lead to Truth/Konnan vs. BG/Kip at Genesis, where Homicide would debut as Truth's new tag partner instead of Konnan.

[cabbageboy 0]

I don't know what I think about the "NWA champ vs. X Division champ" idea. In the grand scheme of things it's really counterproductive either way. It's goofy to have a glorified cruiser title with no defined meaning being considered #1 over the actual world title. Also, if you job out Styles to Jarrett it's harmful since no one who doesn't NEED to job to Jarrett should job to Jarrett.

[razazteca 0]

I don't know what I think about the "NWA champ vs. X Division champ" idea.  In the grand scheme of things it's really counterproductive either way.  It's goofy to have a glorified cruiser title with no defined meaning being considered #1 over the actual world title.  Also, if you job out Styles to Jarrett it's harmful since no one who doesn't NEED to job to Jarrett should job to Jarrett.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Russo could return to help AJ Styles become the NWATNA double champion.

[Magus 0]

I don't know what I think about the "NWA champ vs. X Division champ" idea.  In the grand scheme of things it's really counterproductive either way.  It's goofy to have a glorified cruiser title with no defined meaning being considered #1 over the actual world title.  Also, if you job out Styles to Jarrett it's harmful since no one who doesn't NEED to job to Jarrett should job to Jarrett.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's why (if a sane person were booking it), Jarrett would job to Styles in that match. It puts over both Styles and the X Title. I wouldn't make it a title match, just a gimmick match to showcase the two champions.

 

I don't think the X Division is a glorified CW division. Ask different people and they'll give you different definitions of what the X Title means in comparison to what the NWA World Title means. Personally, I see the NWA Title as something of history and prestige, while the X Title is an upstart title that is more about going 110% in the ring. Not just anyone can compete for the X Title, and the division should be out to prove something. You could say that the NWA title is like the Olympics while the X Title is like the X Games. Or something. In any case, I think the X Title needs to be equal and not just a secondary belt.

[Scroby 0]

Russo could return to help AJ Styles become the NWATNA double champion.

 

Loads shotgun

 

(I would have used a crying face if I could have)

[Guest Biggles]

TNA should hype this as a free PPV, go for the COTC feel. They have enough good matches they can put on, take advantage of the opportunity and set it up like THIS IS THE KIND OF SHOW YOU'LL GET FOR YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!

 

Impact is a different animal from the PPVs, this is their chance to show skeptics what they offer as the meat and potatoes of their company. Try and put on a show that's comparatively better than recent WWE ppvs.

 

Some possible matches I'd like to see:

 

Jushin Liger v. anyone. Try and keep him around for the taping. A marquee match for the hardcore fans that they won't get to see anywhere else. I'm thinking Liger will put over Joe at BFG, and should get a win back in return, so something v. Aries or Shelley would be ideal IMO. Or if they're feeling adventurous, put him in a 3 or 4 way match. If they're taping an Impact episode at the same time, keep him limited in the 3 or 4 way and reward him with a title shot on the next episode of impact. Whatever is possible to get the most milage out of him.

 

Joe v. loser of Ironman match. This is a no-brainer I think. You don't want to give away his first 1-1 X-Title shot, but you should have him in a high profile match. V. AJ or Daniels, either one works.

 

Monty Brown in a real match. Put him in there with Rhyno, Sabu or Abyss. Make it a hardcore match if you must. Just let him show what he can do with an opponent at his level. Kip James would work too.

 

The Naturals v. Skipper/Young. Give the Naturals a convincing type win, as they've been the tag champs, have yet to work on Spike, and when AMW is done with them they're going to look like lameducks. I'm not a fan in particular, but let them look good on a big stage.

 

X-Champ v. winner of Ultimate X. Whatever it ends up as, they need a "big" X-title match for the show. I'm leaning towards AJ retaining, and I'll say Petey or Bentley wins UX...either one of those matches work, they both have history, and you're using the rub from the BFG winners while not giving away too much as both matches have been done and are probably available on DVD in some form.

 

A big main-event, something like JJ/AMW/2 members of Team Canada v. Nash/Dudleys/2 members of 3LK. A well booked 8 or 10 man tag can be a thing of beauty, and puts over the talents and characters of everyone in the match. A good example would be the one they had on RAW recently w/ HBK/Cena/Show/Hardy v. Angle/Masters/Snitsky/Edge, I thought that was one of the best matches the WWE has had this year.

 

The other match I would favor would be Jarrett v. Raven, though I think that maybe should be saved for the next PPV.

[Mole 0]

Let's put it this way; some guys in my suite don't watch wrestling but have been watching TNA a lot lately.

 

TNA is catching on even with the marks.

[JustJoe2k5 0]

I don't know what I think about the "NWA champ vs. X Division champ" idea.  In the grand scheme of things it's really counterproductive either way.  It's goofy to have a glorified cruiser title with no defined meaning being considered #1 over the actual world title.  Also, if you job out Styles to Jarrett it's harmful since no one who doesn't NEED to job to Jarrett should job to Jarrett.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Early on, the X-Division title was treated as a somewhat more important title than the World title. Rightfully so, it was something that set TNA apart from WWE and people liked it.

[Fro 0]

Meltzer:

 

"They have a pretty loaded line-up for the special which includes a title match, an X Division trios match and a strong Samoa Joe singles match."

[tpww7 0]

Strong Samoa Joe match.

 

Thats what I want to see.

[RedJed 0]

Speculation on those matches in question?

 

World title match has got to either be Raven/Jarrett or Nash/Jarrett rematch from BFG.

 

Hoping for a Samoa Joe/Daniels match myself...

 

Havent the slightest clue about the trios match other than I would imagine it would be with the big guns of the X division.

[tpww7 0]

I'm guessing Gen Next being one of the trios teams.

[Guest *KNK*]

I'm not sure if Meltzer was saying Strong Joe match as in "Roderick Strong Vs Samoa Joe" or "strong" as in Joe gets a big match.

 

either way, Im happy.