Can TNA Learn From WCW's Mistakes/History?

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

There have been so many comparisons between TNA and WCW, most of them negative. But I think comparing the two is actually a pretty accurate thing. Wrestling on the whole isn't as popular today, but there's still a lot to be said for their similarities. TNA is drawing good ratings given what they have to work with. You have to realize, even with a 1.2, how many long-time shows they are blowing out of the water.

Back in the glory days of WCW, when they went from good to a real WWF competitor, it was because of several key decisions made by Bischoff. So here's my question: if you took over TNA, like EB did back in the 90s, what key decisions would you make to take them to the next level? I know this thread has probably been done to death, but I want to see some intelligent answers involving both the wrestling side and the business side of the industry.

I think the best way to go about it is to follow WCW's success as close as possible. The first thing they did right was get on the right network and demand a prime-time slot. In order to do that though, they brought in Hulk Hogan to convince the network they were worth it. They already had Ric Flair, Sting, and a lot of others, but Hogan was THE big deal. After that they went live, and started picking on WWF's tapped products, proviing why they were superior. Then, once their main event was drawing, they brought in the cruiserweights. And of course, they also had good writers putting out good stories.

So, and I know it sounds ridiculous, but I would go after John Cena. I would go to Dixie Carter and her father, sit down with the network and demand that they give me enough money to draw in John Cena. Randy Orton is good, but he's not good enough. He's not a global draw like Cena. I know he's a "company guy" that would never trade sides, but you can't tell me that for $4 million more than he's getting paid now he wouldn't "jump ship". I would do ANYTHING it took to get John Cena, bottom line. I'd bring in Jim Ross and give him complete control of the roster and developmental. The WEEK that Cena was on board I would go live in a prime time spot. And just like WCW, I'd go after the X-Division to open the PPV's and draw excitement for wrestling that isn't happening anywhere else. Get rid of half the roster if you have to, but bring in a dozen X-Division talents and let them loose! Bring in Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, ANYBODY from ROH that could wrestle a good match and build the X-Division.

So you've got the big name that WILL draw and allow them to go live and in prime time. You've got the X-Division to excite the live crowd and keep them coming back. They could then start scooping up guys as soon as their contracts came to an end, and if WWE refuses to turn Cena heel, do it in TNA. I know I'm pretty much copy/pasting WCW, but if it ain't broke...don't fix it. So, your thoughts? What would you do to push TNA to that next level?

 

[Broski_of_the_week]

Well... Cena is signed to a contract with WWE which probably doesnt expire for a long time and is already lucrative enough for him to not need to jump ship, and Vince has plenty more money he can use to keep him. Same with Jim Ross. Also WCW didnt just bring in Hogan, the also got Macho Man, Warrior, Scott Hall and Nash, all wrestlers in their prime over the mid nineties with mass appeal and fame across the mainstream, something that noone in TNA bar Hardy and Angle have.

I think TNA are attempting to do what you say with every single WWE cast-off they sign but its just not working and it would be much better if they looked at a new and different model with developing their own talent and becoming more creditable in the international market, which is exactly what theyre doing with OVW and the African and Indian expansion. Going back to exactly the same as the WCW model but with less stars would be a step backwards IMO.

 

[xxxdaniel_ariesxxx]

The main difference is that right now Cena is still a top name, THE top name even. In 1994 when Hogan went to WCW he hadn't been a full time top name in over two years, and hadn't been seen on national TV in over a year. He wasn't where Cena it now.

and as for "going to the network," the guy who owned WCW owned the Network in question, so it was a little easier to do that back then. You didn't have to convince the network to give your company a prime-time slot, because your company was the network.

And having Jim Ross come in and give him, "complete control of the roster and developmental?" The man has medical issues that are made worse due to stress, thus why he isn't a full time, on the road employee of WWE any more. his body literally can't take it. If he simply had a great deal of input in the product, maybe be a part of the creative side maybe, but not complete control...

and you are forgetting one tiny thing... WCW didn't take off once they had the big name, they took off two years later when they took that big name and did something with him had hadn't been done in well over ten years. its not who you have, its what you do with them, and TNA has only shown me that they could take a major angle and completely screw it up, every time. what would be ANY different if they somehow managed to get Cena? knowing them they would most likely end up doing something stupid like putting every title in the company on him at the same time just to prove that the former WWE guy is THAT much better than all of TNA... oh shit, they already did that, didn't they?

 

[xxxdaniel_ariesxxx]

if TNA really wanted to make a name for themselves they would be COMPLETELY different from WWE. they would bring something that most people haven't seen a lot of. That's why WCWs Cruiserweight Division gained so much attention in '96, because most American Fans hadn't been exposed to the Mexican style of wrestling. they should bring in names from Japan and bring the hard hitting Japanese style to the American audience, not the same shit that we can see on Raw and Smackdown each week.

I would bring in names like Davey Richards, KENTA, Prince Devitt, Eddie Edwards, Chris Hero. I would push Austin Aries as a major star. I would bring in people like Kevin Steen and Jimmy Jacobs to bring the violence factor. I would build TNA as the anti-WWE. there is a market for wresting that isn't being met by WWE's style, and thats what TNA should go for, because, like Paul Heyman said, you can't fight WWE on their level, and at their own game, so why try? Be Different.

 

[ramblinroy682]

I don't think there's anyway in the world you'd ever get John Cena to come. Realistically, TNA isn't doing that bad. The ratings are around 1.2 and Raw lately has been in the upper 2's low 3's. Comparing the budgets, amount of time in business, and overall wrestling knowledge in charge of the companies, I think TNA is okay.

But, if I were really going to try to get noticed, I would continue to push Bobby Roode and James Storm. I had always thought Roode was the more talented guy. I still think he is great, but I don't think he is a guy who will be the face of a company that can compete with the E. Now I am beginning to think Storm may be the more marketable because he is different. He stands out from all the suit wearing, I'm the best in the world, champions that we've seen over the last decade. (That's part of the reason fans love CM Punk.) If CM Punk would have really walked out on WWE and TNA could have signed him, that would have been the chance to make up some ground. Now that is not an option.

So, what would I do...I think I would continue to push Crimson on a singles push. I would do whatever it takes to get Goldberg to come in for a 3 month program. Have Goldberg smash Crimson in Month 1 and end the streak. Month 2 a rematch. Crimson comes close, but loses. Then in Month 3 Crimson overtakes Goldberg and beats him. This would establish Crimson and would get an audience to tune in. While, Goldberg is there, I would showcase the feud between Storm and Roode. Use Goldberg to lure in some new viewers or some old WCW fans who haven't watched in a while, but hook them on a solid program between two new stars they may have not seen before. Also during that time, I would give a legitimate wrestler the TV Title, say Matt Morgan. I would make him defend it every week in solid 10-15 minute matches against some of the better workers in the company. In addition, before I brought in Goldberg, I would really focus on creating a tag division that was exceptional. Get the MCMG's back, but the Dudley's back together, Put Kid Kash and Gunner together, put Joe and Hernandez together, act. Finally, I would give Austin Aries a competitor in the x-division that can work with him. Possibly AJ Styles. Build a feud in this division and still develop other wrestlers with personalities for this division.

Right now, the best way to be different than the WWE is to focus on the tag division and x division. Give top billing to different kinds of characters than they are pushing. Use a guy like Goldberg who can get some people drawn in, but use him to immediately put over a TNA star. Don't bring him in and push him to the moon at the expense of guys who the already loyal fan base are interested in. Other options would be Steve Austin or if there's anyway you could get Brock Lesnar to show up on your show that would be a way to bring in some folks.

From the business standpoint or behind the scenes standpoint, I think you need to lock creative in a room and keep the people who know what is going to happen on a show to a very small amount. I would not tell talent how the script is going to play out from week to week. I would leave the impact zone and take impact on the road. I would keep the shows in the southeast for the time being with occasional trips to the Philly area. AND I WOULD GO LIVE...This is the only way to really get people shocked and excited to tune in and see what happens. I would institute a heavy fine system for anything leaked prior to it occurring. I for one try to never read spoilers, but I always seem to find out what happens prior to it occurring when it comes to TNA. Imagine tuning into Impact a few months ago and seeing James Storm winning the title without knowing he was going to win it or even face the champ. That kind of unpredictability would be a good thing. That is why I originally loved WCW and why I always watched it over Raw. Give that to me again.

Finally, if you could get a second 1 hour show to help develop some wrestlers that would be great. This could be taped. It could even be matches taped at house shows that would move feuds and story lines along. It would be fine if this second show was an internet show like Superstars or NXT. Or, put it on Spike on Saturday mornings. Keep it kid friendly and develop viewers for down the Road...

 

[Lowdown]

Bringing in someone like John Cena wouldn't help TNA. TNA could take a lesson from WCW, at the very least possibly on how not to run the promotion out of business. I don't think that people who watches TNA now would like to see a rehash of WCW from the late 90's. They had the Immortal storyline run for over a year and its slowly being petered out (more or less). As mentioned before, bringing in Indy guys or beefing up the X Division can and would be a draw for fans who enjoy high flyers and luchadores. ROH guy like Kevin Steen and the like could possibly be a draw. Truthfully though, I would like to see a throwback to the old territory system of the 80's; maybe at least run TNA like NWA was. Chances are that will not happen again, but they say what's old is new again. They are on the right track I think with going over to India. TNA can learn from the pros and cons of WCW, but don't recycle the boom period of nWo. They should remain the alternative to WWE for sure, but focus on giving personality to potential superstars like Gunner (pairing him with Ric Flair could really elevate him) and elevating the mid card roster with good feuds and matches.

 

[Fisheatppl]

Wow. I am not a fan of the current TNA. At all. In fact I really dislike it. But almost everything Ramblinroy682 said. Almost. That is a great bunch of idea's there and it could really work. Except for 1 thing.
Goldberg is an ass. He will not come to TNA to push or further anyone but himself. Austin will not come to TNA on principle, and IF Lesnar were to wrestle again he'd be right in with Vince.
Everything else though, genius. Especially the saturday morning Impact show for kids. Its a way to be PG, and have another product for everyone.

 

[Pedigree1]

Everything Heel green ranger said is spot on!! Cept for one thing Cena would almost never jump ship because we all know you never say never in this business!! TNA needs a another show a kids show something to garner more interest!! I liked it when they had i forget the program but it came on after impact!! Gave us the chance to go into the more personal side of the business i thought that was a good idea!! Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards are just awesome talent!! They can help the X division alot!! Goldberg is just well an selfish asshole who only cares about Goldberg and no one else!! Taz is good at being at commentary but Tenay has lost his touch!! I would love to have jim ross but Good ol JR just isnt healthy he cant take it!! I wonder if TNA would move off of spike and go somewhere else not alot of people can get spike but more people get USA!! A channel something like that could help boost ratings where more people who cant afford the luxury channels can see their product!! Just my two cents

 

[shanezam203]

I hope they can, I miss the WCW vs WWF/ WWE days. Closest thing to that was when Hogan and Bret Hart returned on those January 4th shows.

 

[tnaistherevolution]

I like what ramblinroy682 said, but there a few things in his post that i would do differently.

For one Matt Morgan is not the guy to do the tv title with. He would never be able to go more than five minutes before becoming completely blown out. (Watch his match with Crimson @ Turning Point 2011) And the fact that hes is not that good in the ring. You need a strong wrestler like Douglas Williams or Kazarian or maybe a good showman with good talking like Mr. Anderson in that spot. Someone who can work a 15 minute match without being blown out after 5 minutes.

I like the Crimson Goldberg idea, but again Crimson gets blown out real fast if his matches are too long. What they need to do is have Crimson be that dominant monster that Goldberg was in his day. Go 176-0 and that way he builds as a monster. Have him win matches in 2-3 minutes like Goldberg did. Then you do the Goldberg/Crimson feud.

There is no way that Stone Cold or Lesnar would ever end up in TNA.

Oh and to [Heel]Green Ranger, your nucking futs if you ever beleive at the height John Cena is at now he would even consider TNA. Maybe in 10 years when hes 44 or 45 he'll come over, when he's lost his popularity and no loger relevant. Then TNA will sign him and think it will be the revolution of TNA. Oh wait they did that with Angle and it was a total FLOP. And that was when Angle was still sorta popular and relevant.

I do love TNA and hope they can become a bigger brand in the world. I love that they have a homgrown talent as the champion now in Bobby Roode and the best person for him to feud against is James Storm.

 

[James]

How can they learn from the mistakes when they're constantly doing the same things that WCW was doing?

Eric - Check
Hogan - Check
Russo - Check
Nash - Used to run things
JJ - Check

It's only a matter of time.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The real issue here that you (nor anyone else) is covering is the existence of the 90-day no compete clause, which essentially prevents TNA from reenacting WCW's tendencies to offer big and bold as a means to lure "company men" from their comforts for a bigger pay day.

While Cena would instantly inject a major, major boost into the arm of TNA (were he to come over), the fact of the matter is that he'd have to quit or be fired and wait three months after the fact before he could even do so, which in the wrestling world is a very long time.

Vince is/was well aware of what made WCW such an "overnight" success, and safeguarded his company extremely well instituting the 90-day NCC policy afterward.

 

[Midnight_express]

The most important thing tna can do imho, is NOT to be a sports entertainment company, but a wrestling company. Bring back some nwa/early wcw ideas, like rankings based on win loss records, the u.s champion being the number one contender for the world title, rookie of the year, a strong tag division etc.

Most importantly, the focus needs to be on the in ring action, and to try and bring back the suspense of disbelief that we all had in the good old days, where it was treated as a sport.

And NEVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS mention bloody twitter.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The most important thing tna can do imho, is NOT to be a sports entertainment company, but a wrestling company. Bring back some nwa/early wcw ideas, like rankings based on win loss records, the u.s champion being the number one contender for the world title, rookie of the year, a strong tag division etc.

Most importantly, the focus needs to be on the in ring action, and to try and bring back the suspense of disbelief that we all had in the good old days, where it was treated as a sport.

And NEVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS mention bloody twitter.

You live in the dark ages. Pro wrestling will never be a [full-blown] sport again, no matter how badly you wish it would return to those roots, and to ask a company to never mention Twitter — one of the most popular social networking sites on the planet — when it's essentially a 100% free advertising platform is just flat out ignorant and short-sighted.

We live in a digital era, and as such so too does your wrestling program. This is also why the cartoonish era of wrestling (where guys rarely had first/last names, but almost always had more cartoonish ones like superheros) is also nearly dead and gone as well. You may not like that TNA (or WWE) utilize Twitter or social networking, but neither company is going to stop, because neither company is that stupid. It's free advertising and a way to get a lot of their fans involved with various aspects of the company at any given moment.

 

[Headman]

Cena seems like the kind of person who bleeds WWE. He's already made his money and probably wouldn't make the jump for any amount unless something along the lines of the Bret Hart situation happens where Vince basically asks him to go.

About learning from WCW's mistakes I think TNA has already failed at that. It has already become a corny boys club run by the same guys that ran WCW in the mid 90s. Fans have high hopes for Brother love but in the late 90's they had the same hopes for Vince Russo. Those "Saviors" from Mcmahon-land usually turn out to be false prophets. TNA needs to go back to trying to be innovative and stop worrying about chasing the WWE. If they found their nitch audience they'd be fine. And they've always got Dizzy who will pretend to enjoy anything they do.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

A lot of really great things being said. A lot of "Cena will never jump, but..." type of posts, which is probably spot on. I want to amend a bit of my original statement. I still think TNA can learn a lot from the success of WCW. I still think bringing Cena over, no matter what the cost, would lead them to compete with WWE in ratings. However, one thing Bischoff did that took WCW to the moon was set out to be completely different than the WWE. And they went in that direction for awhile, with the "wrestling matters" signs, the change in name to "Impact Wrestling" and the slight push of the X-Division. But let's face it, that was a change in name and face, not actual substance. It was a shiny new motto, not an actual mission statement for them. Not a whole lot has actually changed... If they were to be incredibly successful, they should bring over Cena. They should get everyone they can that can draw. But they also need to use them in ways WWE is unwilling to do. THey must be unique, and they must present a clear alternative that fans WANT to see but aren't getting from the WWE. Trying to be their clone will just spell certain, but slow painful death.


It's Damn Real brought up the 90NCC, which is an excellent point that I, in fact, had disregarded. I think that would matter a great deal when it comes to talents like Booker T. Like Kevin Nash. Like John Morrison or Mason Ryan, or somebody that would definitely take a hit by being out of action for three months. But John Cena? You think John Cena being out of the WWE for three months would tank his popularity that much? I seriously doubt it... Fans would be in shock if he ever left, but I think most people would assume it was to further career moves like the Rock. Like Chris Jericho. THere would be the "hypocrite" and "you promised you'd never leave like the Rock" comments from most of the IWC, sure. And then when he showed up in TNA 90 days later...boom! And if they could get Cena, I think Punk would follow. He's a guy with vision that wants wrestling to change. I think if he saw Cena giving TNA a fair shot, he'd go to the company more willing to take his ideas and run with them. And with Cena gone...it's just a matter of time before guys start jumping ship or demanding more money or better spots from Vince. It would force him, at the very least, to start competing to keep his own talent. These guys are making 6 digits, minimum. 90 days off is no big deal...

 

[It's Damn Real!]

It's Damn Real brought up the 90NCC, which is an excellent point that I, in fact, had disregarded. I think that would matter a great deal when it comes to talents like Booker T. Like Kevin Nash. Like John Morrison or Mason Ryan, or somebody that would definitely take a hit by being out of action for three months. But John Cena? You think John Cena being out of the WWE for three months would tank his popularity that much? I seriously doubt it... Fans would be in shock if he ever left, but I think most people would assume it was to further career moves like the Rock. Like Chris Jericho. THere would be the "hypocrite" and "you promised you'd never leave like the Rock" comments from most of the IWC, sure. And then when he showed up in TNA 90 days later...boom! And if they could get Cena, I think Punk would follow. He's a guy with vision that wants wrestling to change. I think if he saw Cena giving TNA a fair shot, he'd go to the company more willing to take his ideas and run with them. And with Cena gone...it's just a matter of time before guys start jumping ship or demanding more money or better spots from Vince. It would force him, at the very least, to start competing to keep his own talent. These guys are making 6 digits, minimum. 90 days off is no big deal...

No, not tank his popularity, but it would take away from the "anything goes" atmosphere WCW had built. Lex Luger showed up to total shock and awe. Scott Hall showed up to total shock and awe. Kevin Nash showed up to total shock and awe. Few, if any people, truly knew any of these men were under WCW contracts at the time, or even that their WWE deals had run out.

We live in a different era now — one where the contractual information of the guys we watch on television have become somewhat public knowledge. When you factor in the 90-Day NCC, it makes John Cena's TNA debut almost inevitable, and were the show not live, the spoilers would absolutely ruin the moment before it even aired. A large portion of the viewing audience would know days before it even happened and ever forum and online resource from here to eternity would have had the moment completely ruined for them.

When (note, not if) John Morrison shows face in TNA, the same will happen to him.

My point about the 90-Day NCC was that it changes the atmosphere behind shocking events by lessening the shock and diluting the impact (no pun intended) of the emerging star.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

My point about the 90-Day NCC was that it changes the atmosphere behind shocking events by lessening the shock and diluting the impact (no pun intended) of the emerging star.

And to that extent I agree with you. Note that in order to bring Cena in, in this hypothetical world, a lot of changes would have to be in place. The live format would be the first change, and it would be instrumental in the debut of some one as high-up as John Cena. But yes, in 2012 we're still going to have to deal with spoiler sites and the fact that contracts are public knowledge. I think it would be possible to make the fans believe he was doing something else. If TNA has an "in" with Universal, it's possibly they could announce a fake role for Cena in an upcoming film of theirs. Something to make the fans believe that Cena was booked up and had no intention of going to another company. Make them believe he just needed time away, and that he had every intention of going back to WWE when he was less burnt out and there was a better place for his character.

I think it's possible, but it would by no means be easy. You would have to keep it a secret from virtually everyone in the locker room, much like the Punk secrecy from last year. Nobody knew what was going to happen, nobody knew the state of his contract, nobody knew ANYTHING.

 

[JJohns]

The problem with trying to do what WCW did back in the 90s is that in this day and age, it just isn't going to work. Currently, TNA has Kurt Angle, Sting, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, The Dudleys, Jeff Hardy, Jeff Jarrett...looks a lot like how Bischoff built WCW 15 years ago.

The difference is that when Bischoff did this with WCW, he had the backing of a MAJOR asset, Turner Broadcasting. He had existing time slots and fan bases to work with. It's not like TNA that is still trying to build up. WCW came from Jim Crockett Promotions, which had been a major player for DECADES, had time slots on Saturday and Sunday night on Superstation TBS as well as the quarterly Clash of the Champions.

Also, having Turner Broadcasting in your back pocket also allowed for one thing. Better production values. Look at Nitro when it first hit compared to Raw of the same era. No contest, Nitro looked better. Even near the tail end, when they changed to that crummy bladed logo, Nitro looked better than Raw. At one point, WCW made WWF look like ECW.

But, what ended up hurting WCW was the lack of attempt to create new stars. Look at the "cast-offs" of WCW from 90-95. You have guys that they didn't think would make them money, and WWF/E turned them into the biggest stars of all time. I'm talking about guys like Mean Mark Callous, Jean-Paul LeVesque, Oz, and Stunning Steve Austin, who became the Undertaker, Triple H, Diesel and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

TNA doesn't have that problem. They are at least trying to create new stars. Unfortunately, they are also trying to shove them down our throats instead of letting them grow on us.

Someone brought up John Cena earlier in the thread. Think about if WWE would have brought John Cena in like TNA has brought a lot of their new faces in over the years. Part of the reason why John Cena is a success is because the fans decided to cheer for him (at one time). Remember, Cena started out as vanilla as can be when he debuted against Kurt Angle. Same with Randy Orton.

What TNA needs to do is give fans a reason to care, and when they start to care, don't do some of the bullshit that they've done in the past like changing booking at a moment's notice, or just ending the storyline for no apparent reason.

After all, how many careers have to be injured by tripping over bad booking?

 

[ABMorales787]

There really isn't anywhere else to go right now for TNA other than extending their programming. They have the talent, they have the ratings, they have the booking. It's a matter now of expanding their weekly hours and hitting the road.

Back in the Monday Night Wars, ratings were high for two reasons. It was a boom period where two wresting companies on equal footing created a concept that grasped the mainstream (Steve Austin, NWO), in the meantime, back then if your cable provider had more than 30 channels, it was because you had expensive satellite dishes that you could probably flip over and house a horse under them. Nowadays a 200+ TV package is standard issue. Meaning that TNA and WWE have A LOT to compete with as opposed to back in the day when their only real threat was each other and whatever sport season was on at the time which was just one or two channels. Certainly not the case today. So Raw's 3.0's and TNA's 1.1's are indeed pretty darn good given the standards.

Furthermore, there's what IDR! said about the 90 Day No-Compete Clause. The shocks Luger and The Outsiders caused are what kicked off the Monday Night Wars. And it worked for TNA too when they signed Kurt Angle and announced it on PPV to cause the biggest shocker of the post-MNW period.

In the end, like I said, TNA could probably sign John Cena and CM Punk, but that would be a lateral move. The only way they can expand right now is by going on the road and making a second show in order to keep catching up to the WWE.

 

[New Hot Fed]

The thing people seem to forget is that when WCW went after Hall and Nash, it worked because Hall and Nash fitted in WCW. They were no non-sense big tough guys, not a bunch of cartoonish clowns. In the early 90s, WCW had tried to bring in a WWF flavor to their company by bringing Hulkamania and guys like Hacksaw Duggan, Honkey Tonk Man, etc...but WCW fans rejected all of this and the ratings were not that great. It's only when WCW got guys that could fit into the WCW feel of toughness and realism that it caught fire. That is why Jeff Hardy doesn't work in TNA, he doesn't bring those big ratings because he doesn't fit. And it would be the same with John Cena. A body builder-type that is not the best wrestler and who cater to kids wouldn't be the best idea to bring in.

I can only see three guys that could create a real momentum for TNA:

Brock Lesnar

CM Punk

Randy Orton

Of course with the right booking, I could see these guys coming in and light a fire in the company and make people notice. Because they are stars, they have everything to fit in the company as far wrestling abilities and tough guy attitude.

 

[Midnight_express]

With all due respect "its damn real" maybe american organisations and fans will never treat pro wrestling as a sport again, but simply look at feds the world over, especially in Japan where it has long been treated as a legitimate sport and still is. And as for twitter, when commentators are harping on about which catchphrase is trending during a match instead calling the action then its too much.

The point I was trying to make is if Tna try to take on wwe at their own game they WILL loose, no doubt, to grow they have to offer a different type of product.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

With all due respect "its damn real" maybe american organisations and fans will never treat pro wrestling as a sport again, but simply look at feds the world over, especially in Japan where it has long been treated as a legitimate sport and still is. And as for twitter, when commentators are harping on about which catchphrase is trending during a match instead calling the action then its too much.

The point I was trying to make is if Tna try to take on wwe at their own game they WILL loose, no doubt, to grow they have to offer a different type of product.

Well TNA is an American organization, and it's founded in the US and the US audience accounts for the majority of it's intended audience, so they have to appeal to them, not just fans in Japan and foreign countries who get to watch iMPACT! well after it's aired here, so again, you'll have to get used to both the fact that they will absolutely continue to walk the line of sport/sports entertainment and the fact that social networking has become (and will continue to act as) a major advertising platform for companies looking to boost their fan interaction and spread their product/message for little to no cost.

Could they mention it less often? Sure. But why? Just because a couple fans don't like it or are peeved by how many times it's referenced? This is marketing 101. This is what an ad campaign is based off. When I say McDonalds, you think "I'm lovin' it", right? Why? Because they ran major campaigns for it, wrote jingles and got a celebrity to sponsor it. Should they have stopped because someone thought they were hearing the commercial too often? Absolutely not.

 

[Midnight_express]

Dont misunderstand me, I agree twitter is too valuable to be dropped, and I should not have said never mention it, But when its being mentioned so often as to distract from the in ring action it needs to be toned down a touch. Im not suggesting that they dont need to appeal to american audiences, im just offering a differnent product for comparison, and yes, in my neart I know it will never be truely accepted as a sport again, but the point im trying to make ( badly) is that as a company whos medium is wrestling the in ring action HAS to be the main focus of the show.

Even if your main guy is not that special in the ring, like Hogan or Cena, a good undercard with solid matches will carry that, and in that respect I think tna does a far better job than the current wwe team, when a two hour wrestling show has about twenty five minutes of wrestling on, the balance is not right.

 

[kizarny]

there is a number of things tna could do to fix their shit

Business wise
- my first big move is trying pretty hard to bring in brock lesnar. If brock lesnar is even considering coming back to wrestling, he will most likely consider wwe, who will pay him much much more. however, tna could bring up their relatively light schedule, considering the wwe road schedule is what made brock quit in the first place. this could give tna a chance to get brock at a discount like they did with the wwe.

- my next business decision is firing russo, and trying to bring in heyman. heyman is a wrestling genius and would definitely be able to write good stories that don;t need twists every episode of Impact. keep him away from the chequebook and make sure to keep an eye on his ideas so we dont get another crucifixion incident.

- get out of unvirseral studios. there are other ways of getting exposure besides tv. by touring more, especially your weekly Impact episodes, you can definitely bring attention to your product.

Creatively
- I'd use eric bischoff's logic from when he was in wcw. i would think of what wwe does, and do the opposite. the wwe is pg, so i'm going to be more adult oriented. the wwe lacks tag team, women's and high flying wrestling, so I'm going to make that the focus of my show. (there was a point where tna was doing this, it was also the most entertaining at this time).
- get those old hacks off my tv screen. i dont want to see flair, sting, or hulk hogan in 2012. use them for PR and nothing else.
push the guys with the talent, wrestlers that casual fans want to see. Roode, storm, styles and pope should be the focus of your main event scene. also Joe would be interesting as one of your main guy's, he has a look and skill level that fans won't see in the wwe. tie that in with pop culturally relevant brock lesnar, with amazing diversity of high flying, tag team and women's wrestling in the undercard, and you got yourself a hell of a roster.

just a few of my ideas