Impact Wrestling: DOES Wrestling Really Matter After All?

[Midnite Express 2009]

Impact Wrestling now has a habit of stuffing the following words down our throats every 55 or so seconds during their broadcasts: "Wrestling Matters". Indeed, I am starting to wonder if they're trying to get hint at a hidden message in those words that will quietly cause fans to do something drastic, like actually believe that Impact believes that "Wrestling Matters". For starters, why does "Wrestling Matter" to Impact? Shouldn't it matter that for so long we've been seeing pretty much the same things and people on Impact week after week, that sometimes doesn't have much to do with wrestling? Mr. Anderson wearing a T-shirt that says "Wrestling Is Real" hardly means that wrestling matters or should matter---not saying that it doesn't matter, just saying that him overstating something that everyone knows is a falsehood pretty much means that what he's saying doesn't matter---get my point?

So, does wrestling really "matter" to Impact wrestling? From what I see, most of the product is improving, but there's still the litter of foul language, damn near naked Knockouts (not that I'm complaining) and over-the-top storylines that pretty much fizzle out just as soon as they begin. If wrestling really mattered to Impact (damn I wanna just write TNA once), then the above-mentioned things wouldn't be so prominent on their shows. Calling a woman a "bitch" or "****" or Mr. Anderson constantly referring himself to an "asshole" isn't wrestling. It isn't even close to wrestling. It's 1998 all over again and it's basically a watered down version of the Attitude Era.

I just wanna know if wrestling really matters in today's time or is this nothing more than just a catchphrase that Impact tells the boys & girls to quote on a constant basis? And could Impact still make wrestling matter if it went back to the old school tradition of wrestling and ditch many forms of its product that's aired every week? I'm not complaining, just trying to see if the words "Wrestling Matters" matter much to Impact and more important, the fans?

 

[He's Phenomenal]

You only had to have watched Slammiversary to see how much wrestling matters to TNAs roster. They put themselves through hell that night, with how physical the matches were. They proved they are willing to go through the pain and put their bodies through hell for their profession. I think that shows that wrestling matters to them.

I also think a few people have got the wrong end of the stick with this whole wrestling matters campaign. Perhaps TNA should've promoted it as pro wrestling matters, so some people didn't get confused.

With the WWE pissing all over the pro wrestling business by making it blatenly obvious its scripted, TNA are trying to show that wrestling is in fact pretty physical and does still matter to their performers. Its not just face a vs heel b. Sometimes it can be personal, physical and emotional. Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarretts feud was the perfect example of how wrestling matters.

 

[Midnite Express 2009]

You only had to have watched Slammiversary to see how much wrestling matters to TNAs roster. They put themselves through hell that night, with how physical the matches were. They proved they are willing to go through the pain and put their bodies through hell for their profession. I think that shows that wrestling matters to them.

I also think a few people have got the wrong end of the stick with this whole wrestling matters campaign. Perhaps TNA should've promoted it as pro wrestling matters, so some people didn't get confused.

With the WWE pissing all over the pro wrestling business by making it blatenly obvious its scripted, TNA are trying to show that wrestling is in fact pretty physical and does still matter to their performers. Its not just face a vs heel b. Sometimes it can be personal, physical and emotional.

I enjoyed reading your reply because it totally makes sense, especially the part of the WWE pretty much doing everything known to man to make sure people know pro wrestling is pretty much the fakest thing in the world. I agree they should revamp their campaign by no longer overstating "wrestling matters" but by saying pro wrestling matters. It would mean a lot by changing a few words.

Vince & Co. is proving wrestling doesn't matter, nor does the suspended disbelief of wrestling matches, this was proved more than anything else, perhaps ever, when R-Truth basically had everything he was building burned to the ground at Capital Punishment by a kid throwing water in his face, which lead to him basically being unable to kick out of a pin. It was WATER!!! It probably wasn't even hot water. How does someone get pinned by having water thrown into their face. So, after all the times he kicked out of pins ever in any match, he loses because of a child throwing water in his face? Now, that basically is throwing water in the face of any performer who really takes their craft seriously and tries to prove "wrestling matter".

I just wonder how long Impact will keep this "wrestling matters" slogan up? Will they gradually start to change the dynamic of their product to fit a more old school style approach to pro wrestling, or will they fuck it all up by concentrating on beating WWE? Also, how much does "Wrestling Really Matter" if you have Vince Russo anywhere within a mile of the company?

 

[TheChampionOfTheWorld]

Wrestling does matter!

I think the Bound for Glory Series really makes the wrestling matter. Wins and losses matter, rather than just getting a new number one contender they earn it. Thats the way it should be. I hope they stick with the points thing even after Bound for Glory. Just have whoever loses the Championship match start down at the bottom and have to climb back up. It would definately keep things fresh, you could even envoke the rematch clause if the Champion loses. It at least has me interested in their product again. To me it gives Impact some direction.

 

[He's Phenomenal]

I enjoyed reading your reply because it totally makes sense, especially the part of the WWE pretty much doing everything known to man to make sure people know pro wrestling is pretty much the fakest thing in the world. I agree they should revamp their campaign by no longer overstating "wrestling matters" but by saying pro wrestling matters. It would mean a lot by changing a few words.

Vince & Co. is proving wrestling doesn't matter, nor does the suspended disbelief of wrestling matches, this was proved more than anything else, perhaps ever, when R-Truth basically had everything he was building burned to the ground at Capital Punishment by a kid throwing water in his face, which lead to him basically being unable to kick out of a pin. It was WATER!!! It probably wasn't even hot water. How does someone get pinned by having water thrown into their face. So, after all the times he kicked out of pins ever in any match, he loses because of a child throwing water in his face? Now, that basically is throwing water in the face of any performer who really takes their craft seriously and tries to prove "wrestling matter".

I just wonder how long Impact will keep this "wrestling matters" slogan up? Will they gradually start to change the dynamic of their product to fit a more old school style approach to pro wrestling, or will they fuck it all up by concentrating on beating WWE? Also, how much does "Wrestling Really Matter" if you have Vince Russo anywhere within a mile of the company?

Please tell me you are joking about R-Truth losing due to getting water thrown in his face? I hadn't heard about that, but if true that is beyond pathetic. I gave up with the WWE a long time ago due to the fact I was embarrassed to admit I watched it at my age. However I am not embarrassed to admit I watch TNA and discuss it with my mates on a regular basis.

p.s. I've always been a fan of Vince Russo's writing so won't comment on that last sentence.

 

[shattered dreams]

A slogan is supposed to be short and sweet. I always thought the idea was that the history of pro wrestling industry matters but that doesn't really sound that interesting to the casual follower. Beyond that they absolutely have pushed the wrestling actually mattering for those that interpreted it that way. Wins/losses and thus by association the wrestling matches now matter with the BFG series and they are revitalizing the X-division heading into one of the smarkier wrestling PPVs in a long time. The slogan never was "the only thing that matters is wrestling" or "the amount of time between the bells matters." Don't let the ten percent cloud your judgment.

 

[Midnite Express 2009]

Please tell me you are joking about R-Truth losing due to getting water thrown in his face? I hadn't heard about that, but if true that is beyond pathetic. I gave up with the WWE a long time ago due to the fact I was embarrassed to admit I watched it at my age. However I am not embarrassed to admit I watch TNA and discuss it with my mates on a regular basis.

p.s. I've always been a fan of Vince Russo's writing so won't comment on that last sentence.

Yes he lost, in part, due to a little kid at ringside throwing water in his face. I'm not sure if you knew the whole background & storyline of the feud he had with John Cena, but basically to make a long story short, R-Truth at the PPV last Sunday was outside of the ring, near the barricade when a little kid threw water in his face. This obviously did some serious damage, as John Cena simply threw him inside the ring and a few seconds later, the match, and probably any chance of R-Truth ever being taken seriously, went up in a puff of smoke, or well, a throw of water. It was beyond over the top and proved the WWE will stop at nothing to make fools out of (a) the people who buy their PPVs and (b) the people out there performing.

As far as my comment on Russo, wasn't it he who said titles are nothing more than props. Now, don't get me wrong, sans the T.V. title, I think the titles in TN, er ah, Impact Wrestling, carry a lot of merit. I only picked out the T.V. title because of who has it, not the title itself, and what the person is doing with the title. Just feel if they really, really want wrestling to matter, then some things & people may have to be shifted around. WWE is a lost cause as long as Vince is running the show.

 

[JackBurton]

Impact Wrestling now has a habit of stuffing the following words down our throats every 55 or so seconds during their broadcasts: "Wrestling Matters". Indeed, I am starting to wonder if they're trying to get hint at a hidden message in those words that will quietly cause fans to do something drastic, like actually believe that Impact believes that "Wrestling Matters". For starters, why does "Wrestling Matter" to Impact? Shouldn't it matter that for so long we've been seeing pretty much the same things and people on Impact week after week, that sometimes doesn't have much to do with wrestling? Mr. Anderson wearing a T-shirt that says "Wrestling Is Real" hardly means that wrestling matters or should matter---not saying that it doesn't matter, just saying that him overstating something that everyone knows is a falsehood pretty much means that what he's saying doesn't matter---get my point?

So, does wrestling really "matter" to Impact wrestling? From what I see, most of the product is improving, but there's still the litter of foul language, damn near naked Knockouts (not that I'm complaining) and over-the-top storylines that pretty much fizzle out just as soon as they begin. If wrestling really mattered to Impact (damn I wanna just write TNA once), then the above-mentioned things wouldn't be so prominent on their shows. Calling a woman a "bitch" or "****" or Mr. Anderson constantly referring himself to an "asshole" isn't wrestling. It isn't even close to wrestling. It's 1998 all over again and it's basically a watered down version of the Attitude Era.

I just wanna know if wrestling really matters in today's time or is this nothing more than just a catchphrase that Impact tells the boys & girls to quote on a constant basis? And could Impact still make wrestling matter if it went back to the old school tradition of wrestling and ditch many forms of its product that's aired every week? I'm not complaining, just trying to see if the words "Wrestling Matters" matter much to Impact and more important, the fans?

Most of the faults you or I could find with Impact are not unique to TNA though. Its the industry as a whole that is completely ass backward. Nothing makes sense. Nothing looks like its booked to make sense. Its not just TNA. Im not trying to turn it round on WWE either.

The problem with the term "wrestling matters" isnt on TNA's end, its on our end. The problem is what people think wrestling is. rather than what wrestling actually is.

Wrestling on TV has one purpose and one purpose only and that is to promote match cards and build talent. Only as recently as 20 years ago wrestling TV show werent much more than promos, vignettes and occaisionally a star vs jobber match.

Taking the above into consideration the statement "I want my wrestling back" is as redundant as it is inane.

How could any of these whinners want "their wrestling back" when all they do is complain about the amount of promos or backstage segments(which have all but replaced vignettes) there are?

THATS your wrestling. The only real difference being that the characters or "gimmicks" arent believable or interesting anymore, on the whole anyway, there are a few. But we all know there should be more than a few; even with just the 2 companies.

What I can tell you for sure that for the first time in 15 years I saw 5 minutes of a show that made me seriously question whether it was real or not just long enough for it to drag me in.

To me, that was wrestling. A 5 minute parking lot "brawl" that blew any other match of that type Ive seen in years out of the water.

Why? Because Im an Angle mark? No, I am a fan but no. Jarret then? Nope. Not a huge fan. Solid hand. Nothing more nothing less. Hard worker.

The reason?

It looked real.

Wrestling matters when looking real matters.

 

[Miz_Mark]

Impact definitely has more of a focus on wrestling than WWE, but they go overboard with the "Wrestling Matters" catch phrase a million times an episode...

 

[Trill Co$by]

People piss me off when they ask this same damn question...

The sport of pro-wrestling isn't just what you put into the damn ring, it's everything. From the fans, to the merchandise, to the mic work, to the camera man, and to the ring. There's more to wrestling than just two men rolling around. There's building up the reason WHY they're rolling around... and in most parts, TNA/IW does a damn good job of that.

I'm not TNA's biggest fan, but damn they've got what 3 experienced bookers working for them? Two of which booked two promotions in their most successful eras? I think TNA's fine. Now shut the fuck up with these damn topics.

 

[Da Truth]

I think wrestling does matter to them to a certain extent. The product is actually just getting better. I think they should do more of they're old school stuff such as let their great talents in the ring push the storylines. The problem isn't the talent, the problem is the way the company is ran that makes it look so bad. I performers work hard in the ring at the ppvs and there's just a feeling like something is missing. I haven't fully enjoyed a whole Impact Wrestling ppv card in a long time. This probably due to theflow of the storylines. Impact needs a whole new writing team with 5 to 7 maybe 10 people so they can have more ideals to throw around and negotiate on them. (Booker T and a couple other talents have stated that creative was done by only a couple people). I think if they clean th writing up and push the more talented in ring performers for which they were founded, their product would really cause to say "Wrestling Matters".

 

[user2011]

What is ROH? isn't that the most pure wrestling oriented show? they endedld up getting sold. This shows how much pure wrestling matters, had it mattered ROH would kept the HDNET deal and expanded instead of getting droped and sold to sinclair media group.

 

[snoopy]

Impact Wrestling now has a habit of stuffing the following words down our throats every 55 or so seconds during their broadcasts: "Wrestling Matters". Indeed, I am starting to wonder if they're trying to get hint at a hidden message in those words that will quietly cause fans to do something drastic, like actually believe that Impact believes that "Wrestling Matters". For starters, why does "Wrestling Matter" to Impact? Shouldn't it matter that for so long we've been seeing pretty much the same things and people on Impact week after week, that sometimes doesn't have much to do with wrestling? Mr. Anderson wearing a T-shirt that says "Wrestling Is Real" hardly means that wrestling matters or should matter---not saying that it doesn't matter, just saying that him overstating something that everyone knows is a falsehood pretty much means that what he's saying doesn't matter---get my point?

So, does wrestling really "matter" to Impact wrestling? From what I see, most of the product is improving, but there's still the litter of foul language, damn near naked Knockouts (not that I'm complaining) and over-the-top storylines that pretty much fizzle out just as soon as they begin. If wrestling really mattered to Impact (damn I wanna just write TNA once), then the above-mentioned things wouldn't be so prominent on their shows. Calling a woman a "bitch" or "****" or Mr. Anderson constantly referring himself to an "asshole" isn't wrestling. It isn't even close to wrestling. It's 1998 all over again and it's basically a watered down version of the Attitude Era.

I just wanna know if wrestling really matters in today's time or is this nothing more than just a catchphrase that Impact tells the boys & girls to quote on a constant basis? And could Impact still make wrestling matter if it went back to the old school tradition of wrestling and ditch many forms of its product that's aired every week? I'm not complaining, just trying to see if the words "Wrestling Matters" matter much to Impact and more important, the fans?

I see you mentioned foul language! I must say this, cussing in Pro Wrestlng wasn't something the WWf started it's something that started in ECW! And TNA using foul language is their style like it's the WWE's style now not to use that kind of language! And I must say Pro Wrestling consist of everything IN Ring action, Story lines, fueds, brawls and promo's! It includes all this things to make it interesting and when the IWC realize this then maybe they would be able to enjoy the shows much better !

 

[ABMorales787]

What does foul language, lewd women and other real world aspects have to do with TNA's "Wrestling Matters" slogan? Are they supposed to become conservative of their image because of it? That's just silly. Wrestling matters, yeah. But wrestling alone aren't gonna move the product onward. That's just ludicrous. The way the business works today would guarantee TNA's death if all the focus on is the actual in-ring wrestling. Wrestling needs variety to appease to all fan's. Not everyone watches for the matches, believe it or not. A lot of people watch for it's other aspects.

 

[itssoeasy123]

What does foul language, lewd women and other real world aspects have to do with TNA's "Wrestling Matters" slogan? Are they supposed to become conservative of their image because of it? That's just silly. Wrestling matters, yeah. But wrestling alone aren't gonna move the product onward. That's just ludicrous. The way the business works today would guarantee TNA's death if all the focus on is the actual in-ring wrestling. Wrestling needs variety to appease to all fan's. Not everyone watches for the matches, believe it or not. A lot of people watch for it's other aspects.

That's the thing that get's me confused. If "Wrestling Matter's" mean's all aspect's, then why the slogan when the show isn't really all the different from the last few year's. So, what does it really mean, well IMO it's just a pot-shot at WWE for rebranding, but they'll never admit it.

I think it's a good thing to try and move away from the "TNA" name, but to state "Wrestling Matter's" when the show is not that much difference to the WWE. Both show's have storyline's, promo's, and an in-ring product. One's just trying way to hard to be competition to the other that doesn't even have it on it's radar.

 

[ABMorales787]

That's the thing that get's me confused. If "Wrestling Matter's" mean's all aspect's, then why the slogan when the show isn't really all the different from the last few year's. So, what does it really mean, well IMO it's just a pot-shot at WWE for rebranding, but they'll never admit it.

I think it's a good thing to try and move away from the "TNA" name, but to state "Wrestling Matter's" when the show is not that much difference to the WWE. Both show's have storyline's, promo's, and an in-ring product. One's just trying way to hard to be competition to the other that doesn't even have it on it's radar.

The idea is that they aren't afraid to hide what they are for the sake of a broader audience. Their slogan is something that appeases to wrestling fan's past and present. Yeah, their product isn't really that different, but what they are saying is that they care for what they do. Yes, it's a pot-shot to WWE but at the same time it's an exclamation that they don't follow WWE's norm and that they aren't gonna "sell out" to expand their product.

 

[yoshi_doce2006]

That's the thing that get's me confused. If "Wrestling Matter's" mean's all aspect's, then why the slogan when the show isn't really all the different from the last few year's. So, what does it really mean, well IMO it's just a pot-shot at WWE for rebranding, but they'll never admit it.

I think it's a good thing to try and move away from the "TNA" name, but to state "Wrestling Matter's" when the show is not that much difference to the WWE. Both show's have storyline's, promo's, and an in-ring product. One's just trying way to hard to be competition to the other that doesn't even have it on it's radar.

Actually the show has changed a bit in the last few months, really since Bischoff took over as Executive Producer. Most changes are subtle like some of the production and camera angles and then there is the more obvious effort being placed on the X-Division, Knockouts, and the Bound For Glory Tournament.

This stuff has Eric Bischoff written all over it where as when Russo had all the power the X-Division started to disappear, and the women's wrestling didnt really exist. Also some of the old guys everyone complained about Dreamer, Nash, and Foley) have left the company over the last six months with Sting having one foot out the door at the moment and Hogan taking more of a back seat recently on screen and Flair not being on camera at all.

There is a lot of change and the in-ring product is really taking center stage right now. So right now how things are going Wrestling DOES Matter.

 

[Midnite Express 2009]

That's the thing that get's me confused. If "Wrestling Matter's" mean's all aspect's, then why the slogan when the show isn't really all the different from the last few year's. So, what does it really mean, well IMO it's just a pot-shot at WWE for rebranding, but they'll never admit it.

I think it's a good thing to try and move away from the "TNA" name, but to state "Wrestling Matter's" when the show is not that much difference to the WWE. Both show's have storyline's, promo's, and an in-ring product. One's just trying way to hard to be competition to the other that doesn't even have it on it's radar.

Great point, as I was thinking the same thing. I don't want to be critical of what Impact is doing as far as their slogans are concerned. Hell, a lot of companies have slogans that you just have to take with a grain of salt and keep moving on. But the thing is, when they keep bashing it over the viewer's head (i.e. Michael Cole saying "Vintage" or even "The Longest Running Episodic Show In the History of Television"), it starts to become questionable on their actual motives. And if not their motives, then it just starts to come across to some viewers like, "yeah right, does wrestling really matter?" I'm sure it does to a lot of the folks at Impact (or is it in Impact, IDK), my thing is that the product itself didn't change that much, if at all. It's like they slapped a slogan on the product and perhaps want viewers and fans to notice a drastic change due to a slogan. If you owned a wrestling company for 10 years and finally after 10 years you decide to say, "hey guys you know what? Wrestling Matters", then what did the other 9 years mean? After year 10 it finally matters? I just find the slogan odd and perhaps a bit pretentious and ill-timed. But maybe I'm looking too much into a damn slogan.