It's no secret that TNA has been in trouble lately. Rumors are going around that the company could possibly be for sale, ratings seem to be dropping. Touring didn't work out well, leaving most shows with half empty crowds. TNA has recently been forced to return to taping multiple weeks of Impact on the same day at a smaller version of the original Impact Zone. Things aren't looking bright for TNA right now. But I'm telling you this, every cloud has a silver lining.
Hogan is gone and Bischoff is out of an executive role. This will save TNA. Hogan and Bischoff were great in their day. Nobody can take away what WCW was. But they killed TNA. You can say what you wantout HHH but at least he pushes new talent before he throws them in the hole and buries them. Hogan and Bischoffhad no intention of using home grown TNA talent like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. Instead they built around established talents, really old established talents. There is no reason Ric Flair should be in the main event anytime in this decade. But that is what they did. They brought in Ric Flair to bury Jay Lethal. Now, Jay has found success in Ring of Honor and Ric Flair is nowhere to be found.
With the ability to focus on younger talents and home grown talent TNA will be able to draw in new viewers who want something fresh. Everyone has seen Flair vs Hogan, but Samoa Joe vs Chris Sabin will bring in people who haven't seen their styles. When the old stars burn out the new stars will shine even brighter.
The face of the company is a phrase being thrown around a lot in WWE right now but I'm going to use it here. AJ Styles was always meant to be the face of the company. When TNA began he was the guy who stood out and the guy fans gravitated to. He was on top of the mountain. Then when Hogan and Bischoff came in faded.
I know we don't see AJ Styles every week, or even for the last month. But that's good for now. The fans know he's the champ and they're going to keep tuning in every week simply because they want to know where he's at. Where he's at is also great. AJ is touring WITH the TNA Championship. AJ is TNA Champ defending the belt around the world. So far he's had defenses in the United States, Canada and most recently Japan. AJ is expanding his fan base and where he goes they follow. When AJ returns to Impact Live the roof will blow after his long absence. Not only that, screens will light up and merchandise will sell to all of his new fans. Some people may hate to say it, but what AJ is doing right now is revolutionary.
Being forced to return to the impact zone could also be a good thing. While road shows were often half empty, Orlando has two kinds of wrestling fans. NXT fans and TNA fans. It just so happens that TNA films in the city and has a larger fan base than NXT. Being able to fill the crowd for shows will lead people to believe TNA is more popular than it actually is right now. That of course will bring more people in as fans.
A lot of things have gone wrong for TNA but, it's not the end. As long as TNA learns from it's mistakes they will survive and rise to greater heights than previously thought. They're not in danger of being canceled, as of now they are still the highest rated television show on Spike TV. They also recently signed a contract that will allow them to air in France. Like it or not, TNA will be around for some time to come.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
Hogan is gone and Bischoff is out of an executive role. This will save TNA. Hogan and Bischoff were great in their day. Nobody can take away what WCW was. But they killed TNA. You can say what you wantout HHH but at least he pushes new talent before he throws them in the hole and buries them. Hogan and Bischoffhad no intention of using home grown TNA talent like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. Instead they built around established talents, really old established talents. There is no reason Ric Flair should be in the main event anytime in this decade. But that is what they did. They brought in Ric Flair to bury Jay Lethal. Now, Jay has found success in Ring of Honor and Ric Flair is nowhere to be found.
With the ability to focus on younger talents and home grown talent TNA will be able to draw in new viewers who want something fresh. Everyone has seen Flair vs Hogan, but Samoa Joe vs Chris Sabin will bring in people who haven't seen their styles. When the old stars burn out the new stars will shine even brighter.
The face of the company is a phrase being thrown around a lot in WWE right now but I'm going to use it here. AJ Styles was always meant to be the face of the company. When TNA began he was the guy who stood out and the guy fans gravitated to. He was on top of the mountain. Then when Hogan and Bischoff came in faded. I know we don't see AJ Styles every week, or even for the last month. But that's good for now. The fans know he's the champ and they're going to keep tuning in every week simply because they want to know where he's at. Where he's at is also great. AJ is touring WITH the TNA Championship. AJ is TNA Champ defending the belt around the world. So far he's had defenses in the United States, Canada and most recently Japan. AJ is expanding his fan base and where he goes they follow. When AJ returns to Impact Live the roof will blow after his long absence. Not only that, screens will light up and merchandise will sell to all of his new fans. Some people may hate to say it, but what AJ is doing right now is revolutionary.
Being forced to return to the impact zone could also be a good thing. While road shows were often half empty, Orlando has two kinds of wrestling fans. NXT fans and TNA fans. It just so happens that TNA films in the city and has a larger fan base than NXT. Being able to fill the crowd for shows will lead people to believe TNA is more popular than it actually is right now. That of course will bring more people in as fans.
A lot of things have gone wrong for TNA but, it's not the end. As long as TNA learns from it's mistakes they will survive and rise to greater heights than previously thought. They're not in danger of being canceled, as of now they are still the highest rated television show on Spike TV. They also recently signed a contract that will allow them to air in France. Like it or not, TNA will be around for some time to come.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
I need a James Storm push like Obito needs Rin.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like James Storm, I really want a Samoa Joe push.
DeleteYeah a Samoa Joe push would be nice as well
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