I've been echoing these sentiments exactly for a while now (not as intensely, though, I might add). It's WCW all over again, with a smaller roster and one show. I cannot believe, for the life of me, that there are people that still don't see it.
The main storylines contain too many already established stars that would be better off utilized very sparingly? Check. The main storylines being the ones mired in incoherency, chaos, and flat out stupidity? Check. Taking something that doesn't work and running it too long and beating it to death while something that could work changes in a week's time? Check.
How about the fact that it's all about an attempt at one, big "at that moment" pop w/no substance? I mean, if they do hit on something that could lead into better business, they don't go with it, they just seem to sit back and say "Awesome! They popped for that! Now what can I do next to "surprise, shock and awe" to get another quick, cheap pop?" It's almost like there is no thought to what happens after. They want something now, and if they do get a small "something" they want to immediately jump into something totally different and leave that thing hanging.
On a side note, Crimson was awesome. But they'll drop the ball w/him. I remember reading what's different about him and Morgan? Watch Morgan's punches. He is definitely very lackluster in believable offense. I've thought it before, but yesterday was horrible.
What are the things that TNA points to most? The talent. Certain guys that put forth a great match. Most of them, just like the WCW counterparts, are filler matches though, and don't have much to do with the main focus (save Fortune). Can they not focus on the product as a whole? Can they not have two or three compelling storylines for upper and mid-card and even lower card? No, because that would mean people might take notice of other talent besides the ones w/the biggest egos. Hence my moniker of the 3 egos of doom (sure, there's one or two more, but that refers to the biggest 3. Jarrett's number 4.)
I can see the appeal of some aspects of TNA, I really can. It's not like I don't like certain aspects of it myself. But that doesn't mean I'm blind to what's going on or the fact that what I like usually is secondary to the convoluted bullshit that they spew on a weekly basis. Am I wrong for wanting them to put out a better product instead of tolerating what they do pander? Hell, no I'm not. And that's what a lot of the TNA defenders (not all) don't seem to get. I was reading the thread about 3-3-11 with the banter between newer additions to the forum and it made my damn head hurt. It amazed me that people could make points and not curse, swear, or insult, and then the rebuttal would be "Oh, yeah! Fuck you! That's right! TNA, baby! We rule, we got Sting! Fuck WWE, fuck their fans, fuck the ones that even like both products! It's TNA, all or nothing!" and so on, and so on, and so on...
For fuck's sake, is a simple thought process so hard to have w/out throwing out grade school insults, pointing and laughing, or just backing up your reasons w/out filler garbage trying to push buttons? That's one thing I don't get. There are some good posters that actually put thought into their defense, opinion, or whatever, but I see a lot of defensiveness.
And that's just what it is, defensiveness. They are defensive, just like TNA itself is defensive. I can just see Bischoff or Russo or Hogan talking to somebody saying "What are you talking about? TNA's the best! No, fuck WWE!" and then the person talking to them says back "But, um, I asked you why you continue to over-promote and do things that doesn't take the company to the next level. I didn't say anything about WWE..."
So, yeah, the thing is that people are taking offense to "wrestling fans". Not TNA fans, not WWE fans, wrestling fans that are passionate about the product, mostly their whole life, and just want a little more attention given to the product/sport that they love. Is it too much to ask for some improvements? Of course not. There are things that I would like to see tweaked in WWE also, but for the most part they are doing exactly what they need to do w/their current direction and product goals. Is everybody happy w/it? No, but it's working more than TNA's direction.
I don't mind the PG era in WWE. It makes it more family accessible, and that's what got the mainstream WWF professional wrestling ball rolling back in the 80's. Is there a market for a family oriented product and an edgier one? Sure there is. The problem is not about being more edgy, say PG-13 or TV-14 or whatever, the problem is the manner in which the product is delivered. The creative aspect is not there. If it was there, it could very well work. Don't go too far, but don't do too little.
Don't over-promote yourself because that just shows you're begging for people to look at you. It's the equivalent of somebody sitting in the cafeteria at lunch, sticking a spoon on their nose, and yelling "Hey! Hey! Hey, everybody, look at me! I'm funny, huh? This is funny, isn't it? Isn't this funny?" Sure, you'll get a chuckle or two, but the majority of people will think you're an idiot and you're starved for attention.
I like certain things about TNA. Mostly talent-wise. The members of Fortune, Anderson (mostly. Something about him lately has been making me wonder though), Gen Me, MCMG, Crimson, hell, even Eric Young and O.J. aren't too bad of a Santino/Kozlov comedy thing (although they're not booked properly. They could use polishing too. And no, polishing is not a pun aimed at Orlando). The problem is the stories, sometimes the storytelling, and the lack of consistency. At least there's kind of a flow to WWE.
I think I'd better stop now. Definitely overstayed my welcome in this post and rambled way too long. But I think you get my point.
I know, I know TL;DR Good thing I spaced it out. lol
