Looking At The TNA/Pop TV Deal

Despite following the product regularly, I usually don’t write about TNA and in fact, I’ve only written a total of three TNA related columns this year, two of which involved other promotions and then an article about the Billy Corgan signing.

Why?

The answer is simple, I don’t want to write something negative on a regular basis, and much like the product itself, the narrative of the promotion has remained the same for the past few years. Plus, the company has many talented performers and it would be unfair to them, and their hard work in the ring to be completely negative about TNA. So, I decided not to write about it as there’s enough criticism on the internet about the organization already and even if it’s justified, it’s the same story fans have been ranting about since the Hogan era. It should be noted that internet fans are usually the most jaded group of fans and negativity is usually a common theme in most of their reaction. Sometimes, you can’t blame them, but other times, I wonder if they watch pro wrestling to enjoy it or just watch for an opportunity to criticism it? More specifically, it’s ironic that social media criticizes the WWE booking often and the feedback from the Sheamus win is another example of it, but the same fans that complain continuously still pay for a WWE Network subscription. As I’ve said many times before, does it matter to Vince McMahon if smart marks complain as long as they pay for a network subscription? The point being, pro wrestling is supposed to be entertainment and if you don’t enjoy the product, watch a different promotion or another TV series. Automatic negativity doesn’t help the perception of pro wrestling and it doesn’t seem to represent actual fans of the sport.

That being said, TNA is moving to Pop TV after just a year on Destination America and some might think this could be used as a fresh start of the company, but that angle was used nearly a dozen times during the history of TNA. It could be suggested that the product caused Destination America to decide not to renew the TV deal, but I don’t think that really had anything to do with it as ROH also didn’t get renewed and are heading to a different network as well. Destination America didn’t seem like a “wrestling channel” so to speak and it’s still a little puzzling as to why they signed two promotions to contracts if they weren’t going to invest more than a year into them. Unless the shows were too expensive for the network to produce, but again what exactly were they expecting revenue wise? Was it an attempt to get a slice of the WWE dominated market? Were they expecting WWE type ad revenue? Only the network executives know the answer, but it wouldn’t be the first time a corporate executive was clueless about the wrestling business and there’s a laundry list of former WCW employees to prove it.

What does the move to Pop TV translate to for TNA? Most importantly, it has more TV clearance than Destination America so more people will have access to it, but increasing viewership has been a problem since TNA aired on Spike so accessibility helps, but isn’t the main problem. As I’ve said many times, Dixie Carter is a money mark and is completely clueless about the wrestling business. In my honest opinion, as long as Dixie Carter is involved in the wrestling business, the company will not be successful.

Hey Dixie, how did that Hogan investment pay off?

Don’t get me wrong, it would set wrestling back a decade if TNA folded and there’s really no upside if it shuts down, other than potentially clearing a TV slot for another promotion. Ultimately, if TNA closed, there would be talented competitors that deserve to have a national stage, but they wouldn’t have platform to display their skills. Ethan Carter is a tremendous heel and in my opinion, the WWE missed the boat on him. Eric Young continues to be one of the most versatile wrestlers in the business and he makes the best of what’s booked for him. These are just two examples of the great TNA roster, but it’s a moot point when illogical angles, lack of brand identity, and almost comical production blunders overshadow the in ring product. It’s well known that as a part of TNA’s cost cutting measures, they taped several months of TV within a few events and in the process, they have run into a series of situations that make the company look bush league. Since the TV episodes were taped so far in advance, there were stars that were featured for the World Title Series after they already departed the promotion, including Austin Aries, James Storm, and Kenny King. There was also the logistical problem when Hernandez appeared on Impact a few months ago, but the footage couldn’t be used when it was discovered that he was still under contract for Lucha Underground, which caused TNA to copy/paste segments to cover it up. As I’ve said previously, I think there’s too much stigma towards TNA and similar to WCW, it might be too damaged of a brand to improve.

So, where does TNA go from here?

As long as TNA has a TV deal and as long as the owner of Panada Energy, Bob Carter continues to fund Dixie’s chance to play TV star, the company will continue to exist. To put it in prospective, regardless of the millions of dollars, the Carter family spent on TNA, Panada Energy is a several billion dollar company so maybe TNA isn’t in any real danger of a shut down. On the flip side, with the amount of money behind it, you have to wonder why TNA couldn’t garner more than a 1.2 rating on Spike TV? The bottom line is, TNA will still exist and many of the problems that have plagued them for years will still exist when they start on the new network.

What do you think? Comment below with your thoughts, opinions, feedback and anything else that was raised.

Until next week
That’s My Story and I’m Sticking To It

E mail drwrestlingallpro@yahoo.com | You can follow me on Twitter @jimlamotta