TNA arena crowd

[Guest hasbeen]

It's been pointed out here a few times, even some casual/youthful fans I've watched TNA with have noticed, but does the TNA arena crowd not realize they're hurting the product by being so smart? Everyone certainly has a right to cheer and boo who they want, the problem is I hear virtually no booing unless it's for Jarrett and every now and then Konnan. Samoa Joe was cheered virtually the entire match last week, and a week or two ago a "Let's go Shannon/Let's go (forgot his opponent)" started up for no reason that I could tell. Too many times I've been asked "who's the good guy here" since the moves of each man were being cheered by the crowd, or applauded politely (too much watching Japanese tapes I suppose). Is there a solution? I hope so, because the average fan just isn't going to catch on without someone to root for and root against.

[Guest JRE]

I think it was Let's Go Shannon/Let's Go AJ chant. It made me sad.

[TheInsane 0]

They need to piss the fans off. Just like Foley did in ECW with the anti-hrdcore gimmick. Go out of your way to piss off the fans and you'll get heat. Just beating up a random face wrestler wont do you any good in TNA it seems.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

They're going to have to start touring, as well, eventually, and doing their TV tapings outside of Orlando. WWF had the same problem when they used to always run RAW at the Manhattan Center. Yeah, it was neat, but it ended up people the same fans week after week, and they tended to be the "smart mark" crowd.

[Silence 0]

I think it was Let's Go Shannon/Let's Go AJ chant. It made me sad.

 

Well, it is the same crowd that chants for Lance Hoyt. Yeah, he's a face, but he really sucks.

[pochorenella 0]

I just hate that TNA crowd most of the time. It just seems like they get together before the show or something and decide which match is getting the dual chant for no apparent reason. And they only seem to boo Jeff Jarrett, everybody else is a face.

[daileyxplanet 0]

I just ignore them and watch the show, it's not too hard. But yes, they do need to start taping elsewhere as well.

[Guest Coffey]

The TNA Orlando fans are, in my opinion, the second worst thing about TNA, right behind the commentary and just worse than the lack of characters.

 

Dueling chants are one of the worst things in wrestling. Actually, most chants nowadays suck and are just an excuse for the crowds to act "smart." It started with ECW and has spread like wildfire over the indies ever since.

 

On the other side of the spectrum, imagine if the crowd was dead every week. It certainly wouldn't be any better. I like that the TNA fans are vocal, they're just vocal in the wrong way. They're vocal in a way that hurts the product instead of helps it.

[razazteca 0]

They need to piss the fans off. Just like Foley did in ECW with the anti-hrdcore gimmick. Go out of your way to piss off the fans and you'll get heat. Just beating up a random face wrestler wont do you any good in TNA it seems.

The only way to get a reaction like that would be to turn Sting into a badass and have him try to kill people in the ring. Maybe have Sting come back as Steve Austin Bordon the man who is looking for a street fight with all the people who have been stalking his family. Which would set up fights with Alex Shelly, AMW, Team Canada, Steve Bordon would destroy all of them in various gimmick matches. Steve Bordon would beat the living crap out of Harris and Young sending them to the hospital...they would come back as Crow Sting and Sufer Sting after being "Saved" by Steve Bordon and would join the holy cruisade against the evil doers. The feud would end in a double ring classic NWA WarGames match of the 3 Stings, Christian, The Fallen Angel vs Jeff Jarrett, Roode, Williams, Tennessee Cowboy, Scotty D'More.....guess who gets the crimsom mask and is forced to submit, thats right the manager.

[slimm44 0]

I just hate that TNA crowd most of the time. It just seems like they get together before the show or something and decide which match is getting the dual chant for no apparent reason. And they only seem to boo Jeff Jarrett, everybody else is a face.

 

Since the usual crowd shows up three hours before the tapings, (sometimes six when a PPV occurs) it doesn't surprise me.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

I'd rather have the vocal, if screwy, crowd, than a dead crowd or one that is booing your top face

[hyperchord24 0]

Does anybody who goes to these shows post here?

[naiwf 0]

I'd rather have the vocal, if screwy, crowd, than a dead crowd or one that is booing your top face

 

I wouldn't. TNA has no real idea which of their wrestlers are really over at this point, and can't really book to their crowd because those morons cheer for EVERYONE. WWE crowds don't boo Cena because it's trendy, they're booing him because he's been booked horribly as a face. It's THEIR fault they haven't done anything to rectify the situation, not the crowd's. Lastly, a dead crowd can be a great thing because it means something isn't working and can again be used to fix things. A bunch of idiots chanting for Shannon Moore, Matt Bentley and Lance Hoyt helps no one because the minute they leave that safe haven of Orlando things will change and I don't think TNA will do the right thing (alter pushes, make cuts), they'll simply go back to Orlando and have a "hot" but totally out for themselves crowd.

[Jacques 0]

They boo Jarrett, AMW, Monty Brown, Team Canada and LAX. So among the heels only Abyss and X-Division guys don't get booed.

[Guest Coffey]

Reasons to watch TNA:

• It's an alternative to WWE. An hour a week on TV and PPV's every month. It doesn't have as much quantity as WWE but it is an alternative.
• The PPV's are usually good and you don't feel like you wasted your money afterwards. There's always at least one match worth watching.
• The wrestlers aren't told to "tone it down" and moves aren't banned.
• The X-Division is a good change of pace where you can see innovation.

Reasons to not watch TNA:

• Most of the wrestlers come off as bland since they don't have a character.
• The commentary is awful.
• iMPACT! is only an hour long and seems to move in fast-forward.
• The local Orlando fans suck.
• Jeff Jarrett *IS* TNA.

That's the way I see it. The fact that I'd note the crowd, to me, I think says something.

[Si82 0]

I just hate that TNA crowd most of the time. It just seems like they get together before the show or something and decide which match is getting the dual chant for no apparent reason. And they only seem to boo Jeff Jarrett, everybody else is a face.

 

Since the usual crowd shows up three hours before the tapings, (sometimes six when a PPV occurs) it doesn't surprise me.

What the hell do they do for six hours?

[claydude14 0]

I just hate that TNA crowd most of the time. It just seems like they get together before the show or something and decide which match is getting the dual chant for no apparent reason. And they only seem to boo Jeff Jarrett, everybody else is a face.

 

Since the usual crowd shows up three hours before the tapings, (sometimes six when a PPV occurs) it doesn't surprise me.

What the hell do they do for six hours?

Discuss their favorite Lance Hoyt memories and relive his career?

[Carnival 0]

Reasons to watch TNA:

• It's an alternative to WWE. An hour a week on TV and PPV's every month. It doesn't have as much quantity as WWE but it is an alternative.
• The PPV's are usually good and you don't feel like you wasted your money afterwards. There's always at least one match worth watching.
• The wrestlers aren't told to "tone it down" and moves aren't banned.
• The X-Division is a good change of pace where you can see innovation.
• Jeff Jarrett *IS* TNA.

Reasons to not watch TNA:

• Most of the wrestlers come off as bland since they don't have a character.
• The commentary is awful.
• iMPACT! is only an hour long and seems to move in fast-forward.
• The local Orlando fans suck.

EFA

[tekcop 0]

or applauded politely (too much watching Japanese tapes I suppose).

Off topic, but I really hate comments like these. Has this guy actually seen a puro match not involving juniors? 'Cause that's the only time I ever hear polite applause.

[razazteca 0]

At least TNA does not have that one rouge female fan yelling out the name of her favorite wrestler.

[Guest Coffey]

EFA

What?

[World's Worst Man 0]

or applauded politely (too much watching Japanese tapes I suppose).

Off topic, but I really hate comments like these. Has this guy actually seen a puro match not involving juniors? 'Cause that's the only time I ever hear polite applause.

 

Not to mention the fact that US audiences in the early 90's/late 80's (and probably well before then) applauded at the end of good wrestling sequences too, so it's not necessarily a by-product of watching Japanese wrestling. I really don't understand what's so bad about cheering/applauding/whatever at the end of a good wrestling sequence.

[Just John 0]

Dueling chants are one of the worst things in wrestling. Actually, most chants nowadays suck and are just an excuse for the crowds to act "smart." It started with ECW and has spread like wildfire over the indies ever since.

 

Dueling chants are great for face/face matches. Although I will agree they definitely hurt face/heel matches. It seems so bush league for the announcers to be putting over how "evil" a heel is, meanwhile half the crowd's cheering for him.

 

I think the big problem with the TNA crowd is they put themselves over first. They completely abuse and overuse dueling chants and "This is awesome" chants.

[Guest Coffey]

How often to face Vs. face matches even happen? Not only that but the point of a dueling chant is to show that the guy you're cheering for has more support than the person you're not cheering for. The goal is to drown out the opposition, not say your chant then pause for them to comeback. I've actually seen dueling chants with people chanting for both sides! It's ridiculous.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I really don't understand what's so bad about cheering/applauding/whatever at the end of a good wrestling sequence.

 

I will preface this by saying that not all wrestling sequences are bad and that they can have a place in a wrestling match. However, the majority of sequences that I have seen have served no other purpose other than showing how many reversals a wrestler can do and don't really build towards anything else other than that solitary, somewhat cheap, pop.

 

I think the very fact that you used the words "sequence" should help shed light on why one can be considered bad. In my view, wrestling should be more organic than that. Sequences are obvious and self-containing for the most part, their very nature takes one "out" of the match. The applause is for the wrestlers effort, and its for both of them. It's a "wow, you guys are working really hard, here's some cheers as a reward" kinda heat, and is that really the kind of heat wrestlers should be working for? Like I said, it does have a place and heat is better than no heat, but there is no real "working" of the crowd being done here, it is anti-work, really. The fans are seeing the mechanics of wrestling, they are seeing Lance Evers and Chris Irvine doing a series of moves rather than Lance Storm and Chris Jericho in a heated battle. There is a disconnect after these sequences, and I am not sure that's where wrestlers really should be.

[Scroby 0]

My problem with the dueling chants from the TNA crowd is that they'll do it for just about anyone. A dueling chant is fine when its two people who rarely get it but when the crowd does it for just about every match it becomes meaningless.

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

I agree that the TNA crowd had been generous to many of the TNA workers for sometimes less than outstanding work. However, (I assume) this is something of a reaction to the WWE and their philosphy of booking and working matches. It's a message. A message that reads WE are the real fans of wrestling and THIS is the kind of thing real wrestling fans want to see. Say what you want about the definition of sequences and what not but it is one of the few aspects of wrestling that doesn't seem to involve gimmick or storyline when being performed. Over at the E gimmick and storyline interfere with nearly everything. So naturally those who are allergic that sort of thing will go the extra mile to shed light on wrestling, athletics, and underutilized talent. Is it always appropriate? No. But often times it is. At least this crowd knows what it likes. Besides can you blame them for wanting TNA to do well? Even if part of that doing well involves Lance Hoyt?

[TheInsane 0]

Dueling chants are one of the worst things in wrestling. Actually, most chants nowadays suck and are just an excuse for the crowds to act "smart." It started with ECW and has spread like wildfire over the indies ever since.

 

 

Dueling chants isnt that bad. However it is used the wrong way in TNA since so many matches get dueling chants. One great moment was Angle vs Cena which has a HUGE dueling chant. The cool thing was that you could hear half of the audience rooting for Cena and the other half for Angle (ok more were in Angles corner but still). Most men chanted for Angle and the women and children chanted for Cena. This gave the matcha great effect and this has happened before as well and its been good.

 

Whats wrong with the TNA dueling chants is:

 

* that it seems like the same guy roots for both people.

* that its used WAY to much.

 

 

 

On the topic of applause after a nice wrestlings equence; I want more of that. So many people seem to not pay attention even if they see something totally awesome int he ring. Educate the people a bit more and have them appreciate good wrestling.

[World's Worst Man 0]

I really don't understand what's so bad about cheering/applauding/whatever at the end of a good wrestling sequence.

 

I will preface this by saying that not all wrestling sequences are bad and that they can have a place in a wrestling match. However, the majority of sequences that I have seen have served no other purpose other than showing how many reversals a wrestler can do and don't really build towards anything else other than that solitary, somewhat cheap, pop.

 

I think the very fact that you used the words "sequence" should help shed light on why one can be considered bad. In my view, wrestling should be more organic than that. Sequences are obvious and self-containing for the most part, their very nature takes one "out" of the match. The applause is for the wrestlers effort, and its for both of them. It's a "wow, you guys are working really hard, here's some cheers as a reward" kinda heat, and is that really the kind of heat wrestlers should be working for? Like I said, it does have a place and heat is better than no heat, but there is no real "working" of the crowd being done here, it is anti-work, really. The fans are seeing the mechanics of wrestling, they are seeing Lance Evers and Chris Irvine doing a series of moves rather than Lance Storm and Chris Jericho in a heated battle. There is a disconnect after these sequences, and I am not sure that's where wrestlers really should be.

 

Doing something for no other reason to pop the crowd is doing something for no other reason to pop the crowd though. If one praises Kobashi and Misawa for popping the crowd with brutal head dropping ad nauseum, I don't see why 2 indy shmoes doing the same thing don't get praised. In both cases, the work serves no purpose other than to pop the crowd. The crowd pops because they think "Holy cow, what a brutal move!" or "Holy cow, what great mat wrestling!". Meaning, it doesn't have to do with being worked, it has to do with enjoying the physical wrestling. If "popping the crowd" is a good enough reason for the indvidual, than fine. But I think it needs to be consistent. I personally do not give credit to guys who just go out there and do a bunch of irrelevant sequences, even if it popped the crowd. To me, that's not "good wrestling". If it was good wrestling, it would have some sort of purpose, either by telling a story or leading to something later. So if "popping the crowd" isn't a good enough reason for Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit's contrived matwork or german suplex reverals, it's not a good enough reason for Misawa and Kobashi killing each other, or for any other match. It's consistent.

 

So yea, I think "sequences" are fine if they serve some greater purpose past popping the crowd. Otherwise they kind of lead to a "disconnect", as you said.

[Guest Coffey]

The "head dropping" usually plays into the finish. The massive 2-count-o'rama doesn't. I understand your point, just a poor example.