Let's ignore the stupidity of how a billboard across a rival promotion (yes, given that they work the same field, they are in fact rivals regardless of success) is seen as "starting a war". Let's ignore TNA taking advantage of WWE's backlashing elimination of "wrestling". Let's ignore the fact that most, if not all of TNA's fanbase are former WWE fans. Let's ignore how advertising is suddenly a failed attempt at expanding and ask ourselves... What in the fuck is the issue here? Mr. McMahon gets to be reminded every day there's a company out there with some of the big names he discarded? That any WWE fan gets to realize there's another company? That advertising isn't a goddamn waste of money. And some people wonder why the internet wrestling community is looked at with such disdain. It's not even the only billboard in the damn state. Apparently it's also an issue to have Sting, Kurt Angle and Hulk Hogan on it. Yeah, putting 3 of the most well known figures in modern wrestling history not under WWE is wrong. Jesus Christ. So it's in front of WWE HQ. Who gives a shit? There's a McDonalds billboard that advertises the "Daily Special" right in front of the local Burger King. BK doesn't give a shit. Why? it's just business. There is no damn war going on. "Smart move, Ronald McDonald. You exploit how expensive my food is. Let me retort. My burgers are bigger".
The internet wrestling community. Acting like overbearing housewives since the dawn of the internet.
I think what some of us are questioning is what is the long term goal of advertising in that particular market. I'll explain.
Companies like the one I work for will, before they open a new store, due extensive market research to ensure that over the long term their store will produce solid profit gains year over year. This is based on numerous factors like growth of the city, competition (i.e. market saturation), advertising costs for that market, in our case what sports are most dominant in the area, the affluence of those closest to the location being scouted, property costs (i.e. leasing prices,) location of nearest interstate, major cross streets known to the community, stop lights, malls, gas stations, etc. In other words, they do as much research as possible BEFORE they make an investment.
With this investment (albeit small on a scale) of billboards in a market dominated by the WWE, what exactly is the goal of these billboards? Have the folks at TNA done the necessary research to ensure there is a GOOD reason to do this? Is their goal to peel away WWE solely to their programming? The most interesting part of that question to me is this. Impact Wrestling has Thursday nights all to itself. No competition from WWE, and really the only sport they would have to deal with that gets prime time on Thursdays would be The NBA on TNT. Now, given that, why in the WORLD aren't they more successful than they are in the # of viewers? Where are those wrestling fans on Thursdays (the day BEFORE payday and new movie releases) that they aren't watching TNA? It's the perfect night for them to take advantage of, and yet, they don't.
So when they venture into the back yard of the WWE to put up billboards, I see it as nothing more than a ploy to thumb their noses at WWE as though it's going to make a difference in their long term goals. I disagree. The perception is they are just the little engine that could trying desperately to get the attention of the big dog on the block, which I still believe is a mistake.
They should focus on their product, leave the WWE to themselves, and make your own product better.
