Should Tna stop dumpster diving?

[pjsdoughboy]

It seems me that Tna has been for years trying to copy WcW by bringing in steady flow of former WWE wrestlers (Male and female) but the difference is that Tna is garbage picking them while WcW was stealing them. I think that if Tna started stealing from WWE it would cause Vince to stand up and take notice but this would cause Tna to use their stolen wrestlers better then they use their dumpster finds. Sure this would cost Tna a ton of money to pull off, BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I think this would help Tna produce a better product. What do you think? As for dumpster diving I'm talking about the people who have been let go by force! not by choice. I understand this could confuse some people. Examples of dumpster diving would be hiring Ken Anderson & Candice Michelle. Mick Foley & Taz would not fit in this category, Christy Hemme is a WWE dumpster dive. Also I'm not saying they steal them to try and force the WWE out of business just to improve the Tna product.

 

[keegamer80]

I think TNA would love to be at that level. Hell I hate TNA but I wish they were to. I have watched wrestling since before the first mania. I was apart of the monday night wars. Best time in the business imo. As far as it producing a better product. That depends on creative. Also who would be stolen from wwe.

 

[Барбоса]

While trying to steal talent from WWE might be the next big step for TNA, they just cannot compete with Vince McMahon financially in any way. It should also be mentioned that Vince can be quite petty when it comes to competition (see the treatment of WCW on RAW) and he could easily pay someone to sit at home instead of allow them to go to the competition. WWE has also learned a great deal from the war with WCW, hence the 90 day non-compete clause.

 

[CenaSux4Life78]

I'm not sure if dumpter diving is the best term to use in this regard. You have to remember that allot of wwe people who go to tna make that choice while still working for Vince.

 

[absent]

I doubt TNA could afford to pay over the odds for wrestlers just to bury the competition like WCW did, especially in the current financial climate. To WWE, an extra $50K guarantee might not be that big a deal to keep a star, for TNA trying to beat that deal with no guarantee of extra revenue in return could be a big decision.

 

[mrarmageddon]

They should sign released guys who have youth on their side. No more guys from the 90s, but sign up the likes og Lashley, Kennedy and Burke by all means. They have talent and in the first two cases, good name recognition.

 

[Pedro08]

While trying to steal talent from WWE might be the next big step for TNA, they just cannot compete with Vince McMahon financially in any way. It should also be mentioned that Vince can be quite petty when it comes to competition (see the treatment of WCW on RAW) and he could easily pay someone to sit at home instead of allow them to go to the competition. WWE has also learned a great deal from the war with WCW, hence the 90 day non-compete clause.

I agree. WWE learned from the Monday Night Wars and inserted the 90 day no compete clause. That plus the internet makes it virtually impossible for someone to pull a Lex Lugar or Ric Rude and make a surprise appearance for one company's show the night after appearing for the other company (or in Rude's case, the same night as Raw at that time was pre-taped.)

 

[My$terio_Fan]

Not at all. Personally I think TNA's main problems are their booking, marketing, and the overall cheap feeling of the show. I don't think the "rejects" are hurting TNA.

TNA needs some name power. Like it or not guys who WWE got rid of like Booker T, Nash, Steiner, ect give TNA some name power and credibility(sad to say, but true).

People complain when TNA hire's a former WWE star(Lashley, Kennedy, Elijah, ect)but I don't see what's wrong or bad about that. Just because WWE didn't know what to do with these guys, doesn't mean their useless, washed up, or "garbage". I mean Angelina Love & Gail Kim were WWE "rejects" but ended up becoming huge stars.

While I did get annoyed when TNA seeminly hires people just because they worked for WWE, but most of their choices seem to make sence, for either name recognition or new posibilities. I mean just because WWE had a problem with Kennedy, Umaga, Kendrick ect does that make them "garbage"?

 

[The Hiphopapotamus]

I laughed at the title at this thread, and thought "One more generic WWE rejects thread". Funny how it works.

Now, I fail to see how TNA are dumpster diving. Why? Because the WWE let them go. Is wwe like the restaurant, ad TNA like hobos. Get real. TNA's just doing what they need to get a good, successful company. They have enough talent, but they need name value. They let Foley and Angle draw in viewers, and then keep them with brilliant wrestling from AJ and company. My dad used to say "In order to catch a fish, you need a bait". Well, actually he didn't, but It suited my proverb.

Now, what I do have a problem with is how they use them too much, over the young talent, but that's a completely different topic. This is stopping aquiring them. Which I am not against

People complain when TNA hire's a former WWE star(Lashley, Kennedy, Elijah, ect)but I don't see what's wrong or bad about that. Just because WWE didn't know what to do with these guys, doesn't mean their useless, washed up, or "garbage". I mean Angelina Love & Gail Kim were WWE "rejects" but ended up becoming huge stars.

See, this is what I mean. If you were walking down a street, and a man drops a tenner, but doesn't care, would you pick it up, or not, for fear of looking like a charity? The WWE made their decision to cut these talents, so why shouldn't TNA capitalise. Think of Angle. Why should TNA not try and get him. And unlike some of the other names, he also brought in ring ability.

 

[Super Crazy]

See, this is what I mean. If you were walking down a street, and a man drops a tenner, but doesn't care, would you pick it up, or not, for fear of looking like a charity? The WWE made their decision to cut these talents, so why shouldn't TNA capitalise. Think of Angle. Why should TNA not try and get him. And unlike some of the other names, he also brought in ring ability.

I look it as, if someone accidentally dropped money in the street, and you picked it up and kept it, would it be stealing? I do not think so. The same goes for TNA and their signings. Kurt Angle was probably the biggest signing from the WWE they could have ever possibly gotten. Bobbly Lashley, has name value, but they do not look at him as a former WWE star, they look at him from the MMA stand point, which I think is why his drawing power is not great, because he is not huge in MMA, I mean sure, he mentions wanting to somehow get in UFC and fight Lesnar, but it will never happen, and that is for another discussion.

Bringing in Scott Steiner, Tara, Gail Kim, Jeff Hardy ( when he was with them ) , all the other former WWE guys, it is not dumpster diving. The only guys I think that were not worth picking up were Kevin Nash and Mick Foley. Both men have worn out their welcome to the ring in the sense that neither man can put on good matches anymore. Nash may be good at promos and such, but he has to be carried in most of his matches as does Foley, at least in my opinion.

Not at all. Personally I think TNA's main problems are their booking, marketing, and the overall cheap feeling of the show. I don't think the "rejects" are hurting TNA.

The rejects are not hurting TNA one bit, it is how they are booked that causes the problem as you said. Booking them as dominant and strong is not what should be going on. They should be passing the torch.

But back to the topic at hand, I feel they are not dumpster diving. A lot of the names they pick up, are still good names and can still wrestle. When Tara was in WWE and so called retiring, I knew she was not done. I knew she would end to TNA, which I think was best for her, and you know, she is still young, and still a great female wrestler. She is a prime example of a good pick up for TNA in my eyes. If TNA can sign talent like that, or Mr. Kennedy, maybe Umaga, I think they would do wonders for the company.

 

[angry_panda]

I have to know, who have TNA signed that is worthy of being classified as "in dumpster"? (dont forget when they were signed you had now idea how they would be booked)

Sure the likes of Steiner, Nash, Foley, Sting, and to a lesser extent Booker T aren't in their prime anymore but most of them have given a good number of years to TNA now, and have worked very well helping to advance it to the level it is currently at.

I don't think anyone could have had a bad word to say when these people got taken on board. Don't forget the MEM is only 10 months old, and even Booker who is the "newest" to TNA of this bunch (I think, well save Foley anyway) gave TNA close to 12 months of feuds before he got his big push.

I'm assuming no one is going to complain about Elijah Burk going to TNA, or hopefully Kennedy, or Umaga. who save Burk would still be with WWE if they hadn't violated WWE policy, and have a good chance (or at least a chance ) at having very good careers ahead of them.

As The Hiphopapotamus its not that these people where taken on board that is the problem, its the fact that Foley has already been a multi-time champion (I still cant believe he has had two runs already), and MEM has hogged the limelight at most if not all the recent PPV's and Impacts in the last 10 months.

Sign them good, have them in the title picture sure that's why you signed them, have them in the title picture fighting each other, over and over again......BBBAAAADDDDDDDDD. IMO anyway

 

[angry_panda]

Booooo, it seems to have lost my post so i'll try and sum it up again.

EDIT - Yeah it came back....ignore this

 

[Excalibur]

I just don't see TNA being able to steal anyone from WWE unless that person really wants out of WWE. When going up against WWE the only thing TNA can offer is the reduced work schedule. WWE can beat them on money and exposure. This is what makes TNA appealing to Nash, Sting and Foley. The money isn't near what WWE could pay them but they don't want to be on the road 20+ days a month.

TNA doesn't have the huge money backing them like WCW did. Also even if they do decide to start spending big money on talent they would have to start doing a lot more shows a month to be able to afford these guys. House shows = revenue for the company and the talent. You then loose the one thing you had that made TNA appealing to names like Lashley, Sting, Foley etc. over the WWE.

 

[bucwild]

Cant lie i was hating on TNA 4 dumpster diving but WWE they feel TNA is no competion,that why Vince buries people look at Book he failed a test but b4 then HHH at SS buried his ass!He was King Book(i like that )HHH was coming back and they said we gonna see who is the real King!HHH dont call his self King of Kings no more,Victoria lost to the twins,time and time again, who they just use for looks(u saw Price is Raw).TNA gives them more respect it seems to me when Boook and Roode were fueding,Book was supposed to do that but i hated that,Book was suppose to make Roode a star he didnt,Lashley they treating him like he was a WWE ME he wasnt.TNA shouldnt knowledge WWE is their like WWE do by saying former WWE Champ when Kurt or Mick came!Just say theyall known but neva big up WWE like when Tara said "wwe would neva make a Women Tag Belt".Christian they make it seem like to a WWE diehard he just stop wrestling i admit i like his character but his wresstling skills improved in TNA!Vince as i hear some yall say will neva let him have WWE Belt i think he should be on Smackdown not ECW going for the WHC but like yall said Vince dont want it,STUPID!Atleast TNA are lettin them shine unlike WWE.

 

[johnbragg]

TNA should absolutely "dumpster dive" WWE rejects--guys who made it to WWE, but not in WWE--Kendrick, Burke, Kennedy, Lashley, Morgan, etc. Guys who are trained pro wrestlers and have TV experience are kind of rare. TNA could make a lot of money and make its mark giving guys like that an opportunity to shine. Matt Morgan could be one of TNA's top guys soon. Ken Anderson has huge charisma but (for pro wrestling) a brittle body that TNA could find a way to take advantage of.

What TNA should cut back on is the WWE/WCW retreads--guys who had major success in WWE/WCW, but WWE decided they just didn't have any more use for--Steiner, Nash, Booker, Foley the wrestler. There's a reason WWE dumped these guys, and it's a mistake to make over-the-hill former champions the focus of TNA.

 

[wolvdog316]

Agree 100% John. TNA needs to stop picking up what they THINK is name players, that frankly can't draw anymore. Steiner, Nash, Foley can't draw anymore. That's that. If they could, they would sell out their PPVs, and wouldn't be giving away tickets to their weekly show. You put a Cena, a HHH, a HBK, a Taker, And Im going to say it, Punk, on TNA and you got a full house of 2000 easily. Punk mostly because of his ROH background with so many TNA Stars. Easily. You got a full house. TNA couldn't draw 2000 fans for the PPV in Houston. WM 25 drew what, 70,000+? Do the math. When ECW came here LONG time ago, they outdrew TNA. And that was ECW with NO main stream former WWE stars.

TNA needs to pick up guys WWE didn't use, or didn't use properly or got fired, or hurt, whatever. Kendrick, Anderson, Burke, etc. TNA also should have looked at ROH. Nobody can tell me with a straight face that Danielson and McGuiness couldn't out draw Steiner and Nash if they had a nice little run on TNA.

WCW, the nWo was a FLUKE thing. Right place, right time. A lot more kayfabe back then. A lot more fans really confused and intrigued by WWE guys on WCW programing. So it worked. But remember, when Hogan went to WCW in 94 he couldn't sell out either and he was facing Flair. You got to find your niche, and NOT try to steal it from other companies.

I understand Dixie Carters position. She had a .7 show and then gets Angle and Foley and Steiner Nash Dudleys Book and she has a 1.2 show now. Great. Well, the 1.2 isn't moving up anymore and hasn't for a while. So you've maxed out your audience on those guys. Which is beyond atrocious by the way. .5 for 6 guys is horrible. That's less than .1 for each wrestler.

You got a signed contract with Spike. Now use it. Dump Foley, Nash, Steiner, Sting, guys who can't draw, and start focusing on your young studs. That's what WWE had to do and it worked. Hall, Nash, Xpac, Luger, turned into HBK, Austin, HHH, Rock, Kane, Mankind, a tweaked Taker. Which one would you prefer? And Austin, HHH were both WCW rejects, but they were young, not over the hill. And Rock was homegrown, Kane was pretty much home grown and HBK and Taker both saw major character shifts.

If TNA is completely happy at 1.2 fine. But if their goal is to someday be in the same league as WWE or like WCW was, then they have to set the ceiling higher. Cause 1.2 barely beats WWE's 3rd show with mostly rookies.

 

[sniksag]

dumpster diving eh? do we not remember that wwe "stole" austin and foley among others (undertaker, scott hall ,nash hell even flair)its all the same when it comes to wrestling you do what you can to make your company better than the competition. its getting to the point now where i cant even stand to watch raw, cant watch smackdown as its not available, and ecw are you kidding. i dont even see half the guys as rejects now tna knows how to make stars and if you can gripe about that youre an idiot

 

[Tastycles]

You have to assess each case individually. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that Kurt Angle and Mick Foley have added to the company since arriving, and this is actually true of all of the main event mafia, as it has given a little more widespread credibility to the roster. However, there are certain wrestlers that have been signed for apparently no reason except that they used to be in WWE. Take Trevor Murdoch, he is clearly giving nothing to the TNA roster, and there was no point in signing him. Had they got Cade as well, then there'd be an argument, but they didn't, so there isn't. TNA need to start assessing people before they sign them, rather than rashly offering a deal to anyone who has ever laced up a pair of wrestling boots.