ECIII Cuts An Expletive Ridden Promo About Title Win and PWI Championship Status

[It's Damn Real!]

I dont give a shit what PWI says either, the only time I can remember reading PWI is when a mate got me an issue for a 10th birthday present and even then it might not have even been PWI

1. I know it was, didnt have anything to do with the title being stripped of its status by PWI, I only mentioned that WWE defended the belt outside of the US on house shows because whoopin' ass bought it up.

2. This is hard to put into words, for me at least. Its like the it factor, you know it when you see it.
I would say TNA isn't the big time, but its not the small time either (which is why I wasnt too fussed about them using the world title tag). I can tell you an example of a small company and thats Outback Championship Wrestling in Australia. These guys are doing shows in school gyms and the major sponsor is a wildlife park outside of a small city. Yet OCW still claim to be a World Championship (fwiw its held by drew galloway)

I don't think I've ever actually read PWI. I might have read ten wrestling magazines in my life. Was just never an interest of mine. Even when I was a kid. I collected action figures and read comic books, but wrestling mags were never a thing.

The reason I asked those two questions is because to me, they give cause to whether or not PWI would accept a title as a world title. The idea being that if it is defended globally, outside simply the U.S. or wherever its federation calls home, and the promotion is considered *not* small, then what's missing?

It's silly to strip TNA's world title of it's world title status because TNA is *not* small (even if they aren't "big", or the biggest, because they're still arguably the second largest wrestling promotion on the planet), and because it is defended overseas, or has been quite recently. And will be again.

 

[A11oftheLights]

I don't think I've ever actually read PWI. I might have read ten wrestling magazines in my life. Was just never an interest of mine. Even when I was a kid. I collected action figures and read comic books, but wrestling mags were never a thing.

The reason I asked those two questions is because to me, they give cause to whether or not PWI would accept a title as a world title. The idea being that if it is defended globally, outside simply the U.S. or wherever its federation calls home, and the promotion is considered *not* small, then what's missing?

It's silly to strip TNA's world title of it's world title status because TNA is *not* small (even if they aren't "big", or the biggest, because they're still arguably the second largest wrestling promotion on the planet), and because it is defended overseas, or has been quite recently. And will be again.

I agree and I only piped up because there were people bringing up the "defended outside the US" argument which had nothing to do with PWI's decision (or if there was that part then it was never quoted in the article I read on Facebook)

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I agree and I only piped up because there were people bringing up the "defended outside the US" argument which had nothing to do with PWI's decision (or if there was that part then it was never quoted in the article I read on Facebook)

Right.

The way I see this, PWI made this decision in and of themselves for reasons only they know. And it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if their reasons were based in logic or even reasonable, the same as it doesn't matter what titles are or are not recognized by them. They're not an authority.

EC3, for my money, nailed this:

“I would welcome them the opportunity to discuss with me that I’m not classified as a “world champion” to my face, but that “decision” doesn’t take anything away from what I make financially and, more importantly, what I accomplish. To me, this is more noise. This business is again based completely on speculation and that is all speculation. If I were to say, and if you quote me, people, use it in context, “I don’t feel PWI is legitimate journalism,”, does that change anything about their business? No. None of this matters. The only thing that matters is we, and I, continue to grow, thrive and deliver."

 

[A11oftheLights]

I completely agree with everything that has been said. The article I read seemed to be a hate piece. It immediately tried to make PWI out to be THE premier reviewer/judge (i cant think of the word of the top of my head at 1 in the morning) which a quick scroll to the comment section said otherwise.

 

[New Hot Fed]

Well first PWI has not been relevant in a long time. Mainly cause the dirt sheets began to take more importance in the wrestling business.

But to me, no matter what, if you defend your main title outside of the US, it's a World title. But I sort of wish TNA would allign themselves with GFW and New Japan and so forth to create a real World title.

 

[johnbragg]

I don't think I've ever actually read PWI. I might have read ten wrestling magazines in my life. Was just never an interest of mine. Even when I was a kid. I collected action figures and read comic books, but wrestling mags were never a thing.

The reason I asked those two questions is because to me, they give cause to whether or not PWI would accept a title as a world title. The idea being that if it is defended globally, outside simply the U.S. or wherever its federation calls home, and the promotion is considered *not* small, then what's missing?

It's silly to strip TNA's world title of it's world title status because TNA is *not* small (even if they aren't "big", or the biggest, because they're still arguably the second largest wrestling promotion on the planet), and because it is defended overseas, or has been quite recently. And will be again.

I don't think you can argue that TNA is the second largest promotion in the world when New Japan puts 30,000 people in the Tokyo Dome for their January show. TNA is probably behind AAA, based on TripleMAnia.

I wouldn't reallly say that the baseball World Series is a meaningful World title, but I would call the WWE world title a "world" title.
Why? Even if WWE didn't hold a title match outside the US for a few years
1. WWE programming is watched worldwide
2. international talent competes for the WWE title (Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus)
3. WWE does tour internationally
MLB hits on #2, but not on #1(AFAIK) or 3.

So how does TNA stack up?
1. TNA's audience in the UK is solid. But it's questionable everywhere else. Including the US.
2. MAgnus. Eric Young. Big money offers to Alberto El Patron, Mysterio.
3. Maxiumum Impact, BFG in Tokyo.

So I could go either way on recognizing TNA's World title.

I don't think just being international is enough--let's say GFW had partnered with ROH, Wrestle-One, WWC in Puerto Rico,Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and simliar-sized groups in Europe and Mexico. That's an international championship, but I can't call it a world championship. Better example--the NWA championship isn't a real world title either anymore, in my opinion.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I don't think you can argue that TNA is the second largest promotion in the world when New Japan puts 30,000 people in the Tokyo Dome for their January show. TNA is probably behind AAA, based on TripleMAnia.

I wouldn't reallly say that the baseball World Series is a meaningful World title, but I would call the WWE world title a "world" title.
Why? Even if WWE didn't hold a title match outside the US for a few years
1. WWE programming is watched worldwide
2. international talent competes for the WWE title (Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus)
3. WWE does tour internationally
MLB hits on #2, but not on #1(AFAIK) or 3.

So how does TNA stack up?
1. TNA's audience in the UK is solid. But it's questionable everywhere else. Including the US.
2. MAgnus. Eric Young. Big money offers to Alberto El Patron, Mysterio.
3. Maxiumum Impact, BFG in Tokyo.

So I could go either way on recognizing TNA's World title.

I don't think just being international is enough--let's say GFW had partnered with ROH, Wrestle-One, WWC in Puerto Rico,Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and simliar-sized groups in Europe and Mexico. That's an international championship, but I can't call it a world championship. Better example--the NWA championship isn't a real world title either anymore, in my opinion.

Hence the "arguably" part.

1. TNA is also watched worldwide. They're in over 100 countries, in 17 languages.

2. International talent competes for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as well — Magnus (UK), Eric Young (CAN), Bobby Roode (CAN) and probably soon to be Bram (UK) and Drew Galloway (UK). But since when has this ever been a requirement for World title status?

3. TNA also tours internationally. In fact, they just came off their Maximum Impact tour through the UK back in late January. BFG was in Tokyo just last year and they also sent three of their roster members (Anderson, Matt Hardy, Galloway) to AAA’s Lucha World Cup this past May.

The point I'm making is that TNA meets all the "criteria" for having their World title recognized that I've seen presented as requirements. Yet their title isn't recognized. Why? Because PWI decided not to. For reasons known only to them.

 

[johnbragg]

Hence the "arguably" part.

Granted.

1. TNA is also watched worldwide. They're in over 100 countries, in 17 languages.

What I mean is, watched by meaningful numbers of people. It's really hard for me, sitting on my butt in the US, to evaluate whether TNA is "on the air" in France or Nigeria or Brazil or Pakistan on the equivalent of Spike TV or on the equivalent of Destinaiton America or AXS or Rey TV.

2. International talent competes for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as well — Magnus (UK), Eric Young (CAN),

I said that. I didn't mentioin Roode because I figured with Young and Magnus the point was made.

[/quote]Bobby Roode (CAN) and probably soon to be Bram (UK) and Drew Galloway (UK). But since when has this ever been a requirement for World title status?[/quote]

People mentioned it upthread, and it does legitimze a "world" title to have international competition. Or maybe it's that a lack of international competition weakens a "world title" i/.e. World Series, Superbowl.

3. TNA also tours internationally. In fact, they just came off their Maximum Impact tour through the UK back in late January. BFG was in Tokyo just last year and they also sent three of their roster members (Anderson, Matt Hardy, Galloway) to AAA’s Lucha World Cup this past May.

I said thaat too.

The point I'm making is that TNA meets all the "criteria" for having their World title recognized that I've seen presented as requirements. Yet their title isn't recognized. Why? Because PWI decided not to. For reasons known only to them.

Did PWI ever lay out their requirements? OTOH, who woul notice?

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I think we agree more than you think. At the end of the day, I see this as PWI — an independent body acting independent of any central authority on the subject matter — making a decision that I've yet to see them explain. That decision, in all reality, affects TNA zero. At best it's a back-handed "decision"/statement on their product, but one that won't actually affect anyone in TNA's organization but for a brief few moments when they read "PWI no longer recognizes TNA's World title status".

After a few seconds they'll remember that this can all get filed under "Gives a Shit, Who?"

 

[johnbragg]

I think we agree more than you think.

Yes.

At the end of the day, I see this as PWI — an independent body acting independent of any central authority on the subject matter —

And an independent body that has lost ground over the last generation. I suspect that, in the 80s or the 90s, PWI was about where Meltzer or Keller is today. I remember a few threads about who was where in the PWI 500 over the last 10 years, but that's about it.

making a decision that I've yet to see them explain.

Which makes it all the more pointless. Even with PWI's diminished status, if there were an explanation about TNA losing their Spike deal on top of shutting down their house shows and monthly PPVs, that would carry a little bit of weight. But this is an irrelevant publication declaring a foundering promotion irrelevant. Um, okay I guess?

That decision, in all reality, affects TNA zero. At best it's a back-handed "decision"/statement on their product, but one that won't actually affect anyone in TNA's organization but for a brief few moments when they read "PWI no longer recognizes TNA's World title status".

Very true. Any percieved loss of credibility for TNA or the TNA title here is balanced by Rollins' tweet congratulating EC3.

After a few seconds they'll remember that this can all get filed under "Gives a Shit, Who?"

Much truth. Although it's a giggle to explore the alternative.

TNA HQ Wiretap Transcript.
Oh man, we're screwed. ROH is getting half to 2/3 of our audience and DA is paying them 10% of what they're paying us. The ONOs might as well be Yoko Ono for all the buys they're getting. And nobody bought Slammiversary because nobody cares about Jarrett or the King of the Mountain match.
DA is going to cancel us, nobody knows what Dixie and Jarrett are plotting, of if Dixie has any kind of a plan at all besides pitching her "Southern Belle Wrestling Promoter" show to the OWN. everyone's paycheck is late,

Hey man, forget all that! We have a REAL problem! The Apter mags have withdrawn our World title status! Oh noooooes!

 

[It's Damn Real!]

That's actually a great point re: Rollins. I saw that when he sent it out that night after EC3 re-tweeted it.

Not that Rollins himself is an authority on this either (there is no central authority, really), but when WWE's World Champion is *publicly* congratulating Carter on winning TNA's World Championship, it's pretty clear it means something. At the very least to Carter and Rollins.

 

[johnbragg]

That's actually a great point re: Rollins. I saw that when he sent it out that night after EC3 re-tweeted it.

Not that Rollins himself is an authority on this either

I'd say the WWE WHC is an authority. If anybody knows who is and isn't a world champion, it's the WWE WHC, right?

(there is no central authority, really), but when WWE's World Champion is *publicly* congratulating Carter on winning TNA's World Championship, it's pretty clear it means something. At the very least to Carter and Rollins.

I'd say it's more Seth Rollins congratulating PAtrick Bateman (or was that a ring name too?) than recognizing TNA, but

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Let me put it to you this way, if Carter had won the Heavyweight title of some local Indy fed, would that tweet have gone out?

If the answer is no, or likely no, then TNA's World title is in fact a World title.

 

[johnbragg]

Let me put it to you this way, if Carter had won the Heavyweight title of some local Indy fed, would that tweet have gone out?

If the answer is no, or likely no, then TNA's World title is in fact a World title.

I think it's a combination of the title, EC3's performance, and the good job TNA has done of building and handling EC3. Eric Young and Magnus weren't getting those sort of tweets, and actually neither was Kurt Angle.

I think I could see Rollins (or another young WWE WHC) sending out the same sort of tweet if a new main eventer won the IWGP or ROH title, or frankly the NXT title or the Money in the Bank briefcase, or a WWE midcard title, or any sort of benchmark accomplishment.

But the fact is, WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World Seth Rollins sent out that tweet to/about TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Carter III. Deal with it, PWI.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

This via the main page:

On Seth Rollins congratulating him after his TNA title win:

“For him to do that… it was cool, because the way WWE handles social media and tries not to say anything else about any other [wrestling] company. You know, I got a lot of texts from a lot of those guys, but [Seth] went out on social media and said that. That meant a lot to me because we did both go through the [WWE developmental] system together and we have a ton of respect for each other and he’s awesome. It was cool that he went out of his way to do that.

You think about world champions — he’s WWE world heavyweight champion and I’m TNA world champion and I think that banter between the two of us is pretty special from a respect standpoint. It’s between two hard-working professionals who fully respect where each other came from and the work ethic we both have to be represented by our respective companies.”

Will TNA be out of business after September?

“No. Why would I think that? We’re internationally in so many markets. Domestically, do I know what the direct future holds? I have a pretty good idea, and I think we’re going to be just fine. But people have been saying this company has been going out of business for 13 years and it continues to go. We’re doing some of our best work now and the people doing it won’t let it fail.”

If he has a backup plan in case TNA goes under:

“Why do I need one? I just said no. TNA isn’t going anywhere.”

--

God, this guy is fucking perfect as champion. Like I said earlier, this is how your World Champion should handle these matters. With pride. Miles and miles of pride. Confidence. Stoicism, even.