With WWE being a major long-standing promotion, it would seem to put smaller promotions like TNA out of business. I beg to differ. TNA though being a small company with a small audience is still a solid promotion. TNA is one of the most entertaining and prestigious promotions in american pro-wrestling. Why should you watch TNA? I'll give you several reasons.
The roster - TNA has developed their own unique and new generation of pro-wrestlers. Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Sting, Raven, Sabu, Rhino, Abyss, and Monty Brown just to name a few. WWF/WWE has the greatest living legends of all time no doubt however there's no guarantee they'll make it to the next generation.
TNA officials - TNA has some notable officials within their company's management team.
Mike Tenay - He started one of the country's first wrestling newsletters, Matt News. He's interviewed pro-wrestlers, wrote for wrestling magazines, and other programs. He's won an award for being the best television announcer and has the nickname "professor Vegas" for his vast knowledge of the pro-wrestling business.
Don West - He has majored in Sports Broadcasting when he attended Purdue University. He is known for his loud and energetic commentaries during matches.
With Mike Tenay's expert analysis combined with Don West's energy, both make any TNA match exciting to watch.
TNA's unique look - TNA's 6-sided ring is what made TNA stand out from other wrestling promotion that use a 4-sided ring. There are many different angles to view the action from and many turnbuckles for wrestlers to use. TNA's appearance is partially why it's been successful.
Let's not forget TNA's tunnel entrance. It serves a multi-purpose, as a way to enter the IMPACT zone but also a battleground.
TNA's women division - TNA is one of the few promotions with a highly developed women's division. WWE calls their women "divas" and in later years reserved them for eye candy with restricted match time. TNA took their women wrestlers seriously since day one and have put them at equal standing with the men. The women participate in title, main event, and hardcore matches as much as the men do.
TNA'S creative storylines - TNA has almost always delivered interesting storylines, entertaining promos, intense feuds, and booked highly anticipated matches. TNA has never ceased to put up a grand performance.
Fan interaction - TNA is one of the few promotions with strong wrestler-crowd interactions. TNA strives to create an environment where fans are apart of the action. Almost all of the time, you see wrestlers fighting through the crowd. TNA builds a solid relationship with fans which is essential to the company's success.
Non-stop action - TNA wastes no time in petty drama, beer drinking contests, and other things that WWE does on the side. This is why the promotion is called Total Non-stop Action! Almost every minute of the show is devoted to wrestling.
Prestigious title belts - TNA has held a partnership with NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) in the creation of championship titles. They are memorable due to it's design but also to the matches.
Main events - TNA has a variety of creativity in matches. Promotions like WWE usually have wrestlers deliver chair shots and crash through tables but they keep it professional for the most part. TNA puts more weapons to use in addition to other outrageous stunts in their main events.
Although TNA is not as successful as it was originally, it has not failed as a brand. For these reasons and more, you should tune in every Thursday for TNA impact wrestling.
As of late, TNA took a poll asking fans whether or not they wanted the 6-sided ring back. There was a resounding yes but several wrestlers like Lance Storm expressed their disagreement. He wrote in a blog that the 6-sided ring was difficult to work with as it was small and more likely to injury wrestlers. The camera had to constantly change perspective and couldn't get a clear shot as well as a 4-sided ring. The wrestlers had limited moves to work with. Nonetheless it appears that TNA will bring back the 6-sided ring to please loyal fans.
In TNA's golden years, the six sided ring was what made IMPACT unique. It has set TNA apart from WWE. The six-sided ring is what made TNA famous and created die-hard fans. After TNA decided to switch to the 4-sided ring, ratings dropped. Shortly after, TNA IMPACT was rebranded into "Impact wrestling" as the business decided to change it's direction in the way it runs things.
It is very difficult to please both sides. On one side, i see no valid reason for pro-wrestlers like Austin Aries to object. If they knew they would have to wrestle in TNA's six sided ring, why sign a contract to work there in the first place? However, i do believe that TNA should strive to make everyone happy.
In my opinion, TNA should focus it's efforts in placing a new type of ring. Perhaps a 5 sided ring or a circular one. In this manner, it keeps the fans happy as it diverts from the traditional 4 sided ring. Certain accommodations can make pro-wrestlers less likely to strain their bodies and easier to wrestle. The main problem however is not the ring type, but the main events. It doesn't matter what kind of ring there is if TNA cannot properly use it's talented wrestlers on the roster. Impact Wrestling has declined in it's usage of talent and instead pushed ex-WWE superstars, turning TNA wrestlers into jobbers. Impact Wrestling is simply rehashing WWE and this is one of the reasons for it's downfall. The 4-sided ring is proof of that.
If TNA wants to be restored to it's former prestige, Dixie Carter must make some changes beginning with the ring.Even if it makes little difference overall, it still helped boost ratings. The other way to improve is to stop being so dependent on ex-WWE superstars and start developing original TNA talent. In summary, taking a different approach would be best for TNA and the ring should be a symbol of the company's uniqueness from WWE.
Don West - He has majored in Sports Broadcasting when he attended Purdue University. He is known for his loud and energetic commentaries during matches.
Posts
