Carter to Talent: Tighten Up!

[shattered dreams]

I do not know if she went about this the right way then again I was not there. I do not get the hypocritical approach about Dixie though. Can you guys at least pick one so we can decide if it is true. Is she a total pushover, afraid to do the tough love that is needed to succeed or is she what people are saying here? The reason I ask it seems unlikely being both is a possibility. I think she takes a lot of flack for being an "outsider." The thing is if she was a man I bet by this point people would not still be calling her an outsider. 8 years into Bischoff's run in professional wrestling was he an "outsider." Hell, outsider is kind of an antiquated approach to the industry anyway. Just like the sexism of the old school is as well. Oh yeah I wish some more people would crack me up talking about vince like some wrestling god. He had his first match in 1998. I am sure he never critiqued anyone before then

Whether she went about it the right way or not I will give her props for saying it because it is true. There has been some sloppy work and if it is visible on taped segments then imagine what we do not see. Did she need to tell everybody? Well, that depends on what she said, which we do not know. For all we know the pissed people were ones she called out about it, not the people that routinely wrestler at a high level. Quite honestly I would think those wrestlers would be happy that someone said something about the slackers making their moves/matches look worse than they should. Then again she might be saying this because she does not want people to get fired if they start making some changes. If Heyman said this then everyone would be saying awesome he knows what is going on. He has taken essentially the same amount of bumps as dixie, so what exactly is the difference again? I suppose the argument is Heyman would not have said it but I am not so sure that is a given. When the company went live last time the problems in this area were quite evident. If they want to do it again at some point the wrestlers have to lose the editing crutch.

 

[snoopy]

Which is it guys?On one thread you destroy her for not being tough enough and now destroying her for being to tough which is it, how do you know she hasn't spoken to creative?HUH' How do you know she wasn't talking to the whole damn team wrestlers,creative and road agents? HUH'How do you know that there isn't somebody telling what needs to be done until he gets there ''Heyman''?HUH'Please people stop trying to tell her how to run her company last I checked she writes the checks! It's that simple!

 

[Castanedaa99]

Whether it was the correct way or not...Whether she spoke to ALL TNA staff or just the TNA wrestlers...the point is: If wrestlers need to "tighten up" so does Dixie and Creative

 

[Kenny Powers]

I can't defend Dixie at all on these comments or on the comments she made winter of 2009 before Hogan came in telling talent to "step it up". Now there are some talent that could step up their game such as Rob Terry, Hernandez, etc. but the overall ring product in TNA is fine. Having a 1 star match or 1 5 star match in the ring doesn't matter if you don't have an audience. Dixie needs to worry less about the wrestling and more about delivering TNA to a wider audience. Also, she needs to stop making big announcements about surprises if she can't deliver them.

You can have the greatest talent in the world but if your leadership is lacking then nothing will flourish. Cream always rises to the top but not with piss poor leadership.

 

[shattered dreams]

Can someone explain to me why TNA having other problems should keep them from even addressing this one? It seems like everyone keeps saying that she should worry about whatever else like they know she isn't or those other issues excuse this one. That seems like a poor idea to me. Ignoring any problem is a bad idea in my book. Some are easier to address than others. If you want to question her methods that is fine but do not excuse the wrestlers simply because you like them and not her. When the time gets mismanaged and they have to cut down the main event shorter than they would want or somebody blows an important spot in a match usually that criticism comes back to the booking etc when they had almost no role in what happened. It is easy to overlook this effect.

To go back to the Bischoff comparisons. He may not know the hardships of certain aspects of being a wrestler but he damn well knows what looks good on tv and what does not. A fuckup is a fuckup. There is no one sitting at home going well it is hard being a wrestler so I will excuse this botchfest. It does not and should not work this way. If the wrestlers want to give all this input to those behind the scenes on how it should be based on their experiences they should be able to put their egos aside and listen when behind the scenes has input for in the ring based on their experiences.

 

[Blush]

If that speech was anything like her "step it up" speech, then I can completely understand and sympathize with the talent. Dixie seriously needs to take some sort of assertiveness class or something. Most of her speeches end up coming off condescending and disrespectful, no matter what she tries. She really sounds like a mother scolding her children and blaming them for her shortcomings.

It is much better for one of the guys to speak to talent because there is a bond there, that Dixie (or any woman, really) just can't have.

 

[Deexter Jorgan]

I have to agree with Tenta on this,

Dixie has no right to even judge the talents ring work, a person who is a mark for themselves needs to stop, it happened with Bischoff when he walked around with the NWO attempting to assume a position in the locker room even though he didnt deserve it.

Vince has busted his ass for his own company, Heyman also, name me an owner that never ever set foot in the ring apart from Dixie, she should have let Jeff talk to the talent at least hes a decent enough worker. at least they can empaphise with Jeff.

This is a bad move from an otherwise ignorant person, Dixie needs to think about sorting out her companies booking issues before attempting to put her foot down with talent.

shes not even in Laceys league!.

 

[ABMorales787]

I'm really wondering just what does Dixie see that needs "tightening". The wrestlers are doing a great job. I won't point at Hogan and Bischoff because they themselves have praised their work. You could argue about Rob Terry, but for one, he's not on TV, and two, for the shape he's in, he's doing pretty good. You could argue the performance in Ultimate X, but then again, Doug Williams is not a skilled high flyer. Is she referring to the short matches? Jeff Hardy's slacking attitude? Maybe it has to do with Scott Hall's behavior and the problems Kong and Bubba had. Even so, that gives her no right to tell the workers in such a way. I think she may have wanted to take a page out of Mr. McMahon's book and use his more "blunt" approach to this kind of situation. But like Al Gore erroneously once said "an zebra doesn't change his spots". I will not point at Hogan and Bischoff or an other backstage worker because first, they are the one's who should've handled this and two, they are working with hat they are given. Are you seriously telling me that the quality of iMPACT! has increased, but the wrestler's performance has fallen? Not even guys like Hulk Hogan would see it this way.

 

[Sting's Bat]

If the guys in the ring have to tighten up their ring work she needs to tighten up her marketing skills. Saying there is a super duper big surpise at the next ppv every month and then either nothing happens at the ppv or Some less then impressive star Mike Knox for example walks down the ramp.

Really The wrestling is the least of my complaints for TNA, this just shows that Dixie continues to have no clue.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

She is a shit owner. I think she has recently discovered the internet, and in doing so, has figured out she has ZERO control of her own company. She has been a complete moron since...well, probably her entire life.

But, on the other hand, you can't tell her she isn't allowed to scold her own talent. She is the boss, even if she is the WORST owner of any wrestling promotion on the planet. I swear to God, every story I hear about her makes me hate this woman even more. I've heard some refer to her as a mark, and I don't think that's fair to marks. She isn't smart enough to be considered a mark, or even a fan.

I agree with a few of you who have said she should have taken this up with the wrestlers she had in mind. But, then again...she's an idiot. She doesn't know what she's talking about. She's bitching just for the sake of showing control (total speculation, sorry, I just really dislike this woman).

I live in Michigan, home of the Detroit Lions. We have possibly the worst owner in the NFL, William Clay Ford. The man knows absolutely nothing about football, but is too much of an ego-maniac to admit he has made even one mistake. I know what it's like to root for a loser, with a loser owner. It's unfortunate, but I think TNA and Dixie Carter are somewhat similiar.

 

[JJYanks121]

I'm going to try and present a little different perspective on this situation. Having recently attended a TNA live show in Brooklyn (I did end up going IDR!) I saw exactly what Dixie was criticizing. The opening contest was a spotfest X-Division match, but it was kind of funny because the talent would pause between spots, look at each other, and then try and do the spot. It had basically no flow. The spots were kind of cool, but it was like they literally had to talk about them in the ring while people were watching to get them done.

That wasn't the worst match on the card though. Far from it. Jeff Hardy vs. Abyss was one of the worst live matches I've ever seen. Jeff did not deliver at all, and granted the match was Monster's ball so it was basically 2 dudes hitting each other with stuff, but it was awful even when it got in the ring. Both guys looked out of shape and it was not fun to watch. Also, RVD didn't really deliver either. He fought AJ, who did his best to get a heel reaction and wrestle heel, but that means RVD needed to fly around and be the exciting man we all fell for years ago, but he simply didn't do that. The rest of the show was fun, but think about the guys I'm talking about.

Three of the names I just mentioned were in last night's main event. It's not just a lower card problem. These are guys who are on top and need to set the example. If they aren't going to work hard, why should anyone else? I could understand Dixie's logic in wanting to point this out, especially if it's true that all the guys are botching during TV tapings. Keep in mind TNA is probably in debt up the ass due to signing all the big contracts and not improving on TV ratings or PPV buys. Thus, spending extra money on editing isn't wise from a business perspective and is an easy fix. Thing is, you don't fix it by having someone with no experience tell you about it.

Have you ever seen that commercial where the fan is on the mound telling Cole Hamels how to pitch and Cole goes "that's great, but who are you?". It's a commercial for MLB gear so the average joe can look like a manager, but the point holds. Why would Cole Hamels take advice from a guy who has never pitched? He wouldn't, just like TNA talent won't hear of it from Dixie. What TNA needs is a locker room leader. It is widely known that Undertaker has had that role in WWE for a long time, and if an issue such as this arose in WWE, Taker would take care of it (at least in the Smackdown locker room). TNA needs someone to step up and be that guy. Someone who can get along with management (whoever it is that week) and be a bridge. Perhaps Angle, maybe Jarrett, or maybe someone I can't think of but has the respect of all the boys. That is who should be talking to everyone about their in ring performance, not Dixie.

With all that said, she may be a moron, but she's at least trying to fix her broken product. Of course, I believe she is getting desperate, as Paul Heyman is probably not coming, and even if he did, he would take over the backstage duties that Bischoff and Hogan were brought in to do and basically failed with. TNA is trying everything to become credible, but it does'nt allow for stability and no one knows who is truly running things. Thus, Dixie is the only one who has remained in a position of power and she feels she has to be the one to do things like these meetings. It's wrong, but they need to settle down, write some good shows, and find some leadership within. Only then might things calm down and morale go up.

 

[snoopy]

This stupid ass notion that a person has to be a wrestler to know when something is sloppy is the dumbest load of crap I've ever heard!You guys have never wrestled but you can see when a wrestler botches a move and now as a owner who's close and working behind the scenes, what she's not supposed see these mistakes?Paul Heyman never wrestled so now what, he can't criticize his talent? Really?Bill Parcells never played in the Nfl but that didn't stop him from yelling at Lawrence Taylor!She has every Right to say what she said, she writes the damn checks!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

This stupid ass notion that a person has to be a wrestler to know when something is sloppy is the dumbest load of crap I've ever heard!You guys have never wrestled but you can see when a wrestler botches a move and now as a owner who's close and working behind the scenes, what she's not supposed see these mistakes?Paul Heyman never wrestled so now what, he can't criticize his talent? Really?Bill Parcells never played in the Nfl but that didn't stop him from yelling at Lawrence Taylor!She has every Right to say what she said, she writes the damn checks!

It's not that she has to be a wrestler to be able to tell her guys these kinds of things – I understand someone can not have wrestled and still have a rather extensive understanding of the business – it's that it's not her place to, because she's not the one putting her neck on the line. There's a sense of confidence that's instilled when your boss is VKM and he asks you to do something he does before ever allowing you to, but in this case Dixie isn't the one taking the bumps, so it sounds a little degrading and nasty to be told that you aren't doing a good job at something you're being paid to do by the boss paying you to do it who couldn't do it herself. Supreme irony, really.

I gave the analogy earlier that this is like a father talking to his teenage daughter the first time she has her period. While he has the mental capacity and the understanding to do so, it's really not his place, and the discussion would likely be much smoother had the daughters mother been the one to talk to her about it.

 

[shattered dreams]

It's not that she has to be a wrestler to be able to tell her guys these kinds of things – I understand someone can not have wrestled and still have a rather extensive understanding of the business – it's that it's not her place to, because she's not the one putting her neck on the line. There's a sense of confidence that's instilled when your boss is VKM and he asks you to do something he does before ever allowing you to, but in this case Dixie isn't the one taking the bumps, so it sounds a little degrading and nasty to be told that you aren't doing a good job at something you're being paid to do by the boss paying you to do it who couldn't do it herself. Supreme irony, really.

I actually think based on the follow up report most of you were wrong about why the wrestlers were mad. It does not sound like they have a problem with Dixie saying that just that they were caught off-guard by it and were looking for other answers. Even then I have to question the source because it sounds kind of manufactured in that I believe Bischoff has been accounted for. Also, the whole mma comments on the radio part just did not make sense. Vince has been saying this for years and the idea that Brock is the biggest star wwe created over John Cena is hilarious. I also find it quite hard to believe that everyone on TNA's roster is trying to become the next "Brock Lesnar." I also have a hard time believing that people that have been working in prowrestling as their career have such an over the top reaction to a secretive process on upcoming events.

I disagree that it is not her neck on the line. Maybe not in the ring but surely elsewhere. Her reputation is clearly tied to the successes and failures of the company (just look at what has happened to perception of her recently) and it is not the wrestlers' money on the line. They get paid anyway. What job do you guys work where the boss cannot come to you and say stop wasting my money? I would love to sign up for that one. It is not like she is asking anything unreasonable like take more crazy bumps. She is just saying make an effort to do it right the first time because it costs money when you do not and she has all the credentials necessary to make such a statement. The boss needs to make such statements. If they have a problem working for someone who was not a wrestler or is a woman they should stop cashing her checks. If they want to cash them, they need to get their panties out of a bunch and do what the boss asks when it is a valid problem. The next editing mistake might take their spot out of the tight budget but they are busy whining about the topics the boss chooses to address?Just seems like a position I cannot support the wrestlers in.

 

[snoopy]

It's not that she has to be a wrestler to be able to tell her guys these kinds of things – I understand someone can not have wrestled and still have a rather extensive understanding of the business – it's that it's not her place to, because she's not the one putting her neck on the line. There's a sense of confidence that's instilled when your boss is VKM and he asks you to do something he does before ever allowing you to, but in this case Dixie isn't the one taking the bumps, so it sounds a little degrading and nasty to be told that you aren't doing a good job at something you're being paid to do by the boss paying you to do it who couldn't do it herself. Supreme irony, really.

I gave the analogy earlier that this is like a father talking to his teenage daughter the first time she has her period. While he has the mental capacity and the understanding to do so, it's really not his place, and the discussion would likely be much smoother had the daughters mother been the one to talk to her about it.

It's not her place? Are you freaking kidding me! It's her money or her dads money, and it's not her place. Really? she's obviously a competitor or she wouldn't have taking on this Business. She is the president of the company with sponsors and probably certain investors to try and keep happy or keep interested.And furthermore she's trying to grow a company and every chance to bring or keep fans is important.So this is her place!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

It's not her place? Are you freaking kidding me! It's her money or her dads money, and it's not her place. Really? she's obviously a competitor or she wouldn't have taking on this Business. She is the president of the company with sponsors and probably certain investors to try and keep happy or keep interested.And furthermore she's trying to grow a company and every chance to bring or keep fans is important.So this is her place!

We're discussing two very different things here.

I'm talking about ethics. You're talking about legalities.

I'm aware it's "her" money, and I'm aware it's "her" company – that's not the point, the point is that it's an awkward position for her to be in. There's a reason I gave you that analogy earlier about the father talking to his daughter about her first period. It works.

The fathers daughter is "his", so he has every "right" to discuss that with her, but speaking purely in terms of ethics/morality, it's probably not the best option to go with if you have a more comfortable route to take by allowing another woman to console her and discuss it.

Having someone who's gone through it lead you is much more confidence instilling.

 

[Bobby B]

Hang on a second. She wants them to improve in ring to save them having to edit out of the botches? Isn't that what taping shows is for? So that any errors that are made can be edited out?

When you push for higher quality in ring wrestling, you're going to get more errors.

Also, if your going to put wrestlers in really daft matches (steel asylum etc...) your going to make errors.

Big whoop - there are much bigger problems with TNA right now.

 

[snoopy]

We're discussing two very different things here.

I'm talking about ethics. You're talking about legalities.

I'm aware it's "her" money, and I'm aware it's "her" company – that's not the point, the point is that it's an awkward position for her to be in. There's a reason I gave you that analogy earlier about the father talking to his daughter about her first period. It works.

The fathers daughter is "his", so he has every "right" to discuss that with her, but speaking purely in terms of ethics/morality, it's probably not the best option to go with if you have a more comfortable route to take by allowing another woman to console her and discuss it.

Having someone who's gone through it lead you is much more confidence instilling.

Please don't tell me your saying because she' s a woman who never wrestled she should keep her mouth closed!I'm I reading that right!Now if you're saying that all I can say is what I said earlier she's been around long enough she knows what works and what doesn't work, she knows by now, a good match from a bad match and she knows what fans shit on or what they except.And who would you have tell them to step up their game, People already are saying there's no leadership, well she's saying in this meeting ''I'm THE LEADER''And to me that's a good thing!

 

[shattered dreams]

We're discussing two very different things here.

I'm talking about ethics. You're talking about legalities.

I'm aware it's "her" money, and I'm aware it's "her" company – that's not the point, the point is that it's an awkward position for her to be in. There's a reason I gave you that analogy earlier about the father talking to his daughter about her first period. It works.

The fathers daughter is "his", so he has every "right" to discuss that with her, but speaking purely in terms of ethics/morality, it's probably not the best option to go with if you have a more comfortable route to take by allowing another woman to console her and discuss it.

Having someone who's gone through it lead you is much more confidence instilling.

So what can she discuss? If she is this handicapped on discussion topics then she might as well throw in the towel now because she is doomed to fail. Which is somewhat ironic because without her TNA would have failed before it even really got started. So now we are supporting the wrestlers acting emotional like teenage girls on their period? For guys that pride themselves almost to a fault on how tough they are I have never understood why they have such thin skin when it comes to how you talk to them. Antiquated ideas about the "unwritten rules" of prowrestling are just as much a threat to the company as other more popular criticisms. I also do not get why her being in an awkward position justifies angry responses or means she should not have done it. Quite honestly the lack of a locker room leader is not her fault if we are taking the old school mentality. Since the wrestlers have failed to fill that void themselves she had to step into it. Maybe if they had bothered to do this then she would not have had to in the first place.

 

[WCWMondayNitroOnYT]

So what can she discuss? If she is this handicapped on discussion topics then she might as well throw in the towel now because she is doomed to fail. Which is somewhat ironic because without her TNA would have failed before it even really got started. So now we are supporting the wrestlers acting emotional like teenage girls on their period? For guys that pride themselves almost to a fault on how tough they are I have never understood why they have such thin skin when it comes to how you talk to them. Antiquated ideas about the "unwritten rules" of prowrestling are just as much a threat to the company as other more popular criticisms. I also do not get why her being in an awkward position justifies angry responses or means she should not have done it. Quite honestly the lack of a locker room leader is not her fault if we are taking the old school mentality. Since the wrestlers have failed to fill that void themselves she had to step into it. Maybe if they had bothered to do this then she would not have had to in the first place.

Handicapped is right when it comes to Dixie Carter!

If she feels the real problem is the wrestlers botching moves, she doesn't know dick about the business and should leave it to the professionals. Can she honestly look at the booking and say that all makes perfect sense and I wouldn't change a thing? Only if she was huffing paint thinner.

Also, if TNA is a "family", its about the most dysfunctional family I've ever seen in my life.

TNA is dying right before our eyes and, unless it gets some solid bookers, drops some dead weight and goes back to the roots of stellar matches in the X Division as well as the Knockouts with some great matches with Angle, Anderson, The Pope, etc. thrown in at the top, TNA is living on borrowed time.

 

[Alex]

I assume what IDR is trying to say is that she should have handed over the actual 'talk' to someone that the locker room can relate to e.g. Angle, Hogan etc. Yes it's her company but in companies you have people that deal with specific things, Dixie doesn't really know much about the wrestling business that much (she just owns a company) so if she's upset about something either talk about it privately or get someone who knows more about the business to do the talking. Vince can give these talks because he knows how it works and knows what to ask from his employees, Dixie doesn't fully.

 

[rondiesel2005]

I was very surprise about the article, i mean she wanted the wrestlers to improve come on the whole product needs to improve. Instead of blaming the wrestlers, she needs to be blaming the people who are in charge of creating the storylines and she wants to blame wrestlers for not doing their job maybe u can tell that to jeff hardy since his skills becomin sloppy

you know lately they don't know how to build up pay per views, maybe the promos are wack or they running out of ideas. And TNA fans want Heyman??? come on with the mess that's going on in tna, they dont need Heyman, they need to take care of the mess before they can bring anybody in the company. Dixie Doesn't get the big picture on what's going on, its the whole product of the company, people don't know what they doing and don't' know how to tell a story, that's the big problem i see with that company.. they show us something on tv, and we getting the feeling of feeling lost or confuse because of the direction of the storyline is going and we see how it isn't making any sense

why couldnt they have somebody go over the storylines and matches to see what does work and what doesnt work??

 

[waylon p]

this has turned out to be one of the most intelligent and persuasive threads i've seen in a long time. i mean that. every few posts i wind up reassessing my opinion of this subject. good job guys.

now has anyone considered that it is all a work? there really seems to be something brewing in tna right now, and perhaps they are now laying the foundation for a dixie heel turn. perhaps i'm being a bit optimistic (nothing new there) but i'm hoping this is just a lead in to dixie turning heel and bringing others with her.

but whoever said that this speech is the job of the road agents has it right. if it was a shoot, she should have farmed it out to them.

thus speaks the prophet!