I vaguely remember the TV Title's last appearance on iMPACT. If memory serves, Devon was the TV Champ for a while; when the A&8s were still "running wild" in the last year of Hogan's time as iMPACT's GM.
Towards the end of "The Hogan Era", Chris Parks' main TV character was "Joseph Park" (Abyss' "brother"), but they kept teasing a split personality story arc for Abyss/Joseph. They went as far as having Abyss and Joseph appear in the ring at the same time at one point, although "Fake Abyss" had his back to the camera the entire time (never showing his face). I think that only happened once, but I might be wrong. They could have done something with that, figuring out who was running around as "fake Abyss"; but they never went down that road. No one broke kayfabe about Abyss on TV until a while later (Bad Influence was playing "detective" for a little while, but it was EY who eventually ripped Abyss' mask off and "proved" they were the same person). A "fake Abyss" story could have been interesting, but it seemed to be dropped immediately - much like the "Imposter Kane" story was dropped in the WWE (I think that was due to a lack of fan interest).
A quick google search just told me that Abyss won the TV Championship at Slammiversary on July 6th, 2013 (over a year ago). Again - if memory serves, I believe that Abyss made an appearance on a following episode of iMPACT with the title belt (even though Chris Parks' main character was still Joseph Park). Maybe it was that Devon had a TV Title rematch or something? That story could have led to Devon's retirement as well...I don't remember the context, but obviously the last time we saw that particular belt on TV was during the Summer of 2013.
When the red leather strap first appeared on iMPACT, the belt was called the "Legends Title". It was introduced by Booker T, while he was a member of the original Main Event Mafia (again, if memory serves). The belt seemed like a vanity piece; just a prop for Booker to throw over his shoulder. It's introduction to TNA seemed similar to the "Million Dollar Belt"; a belt that would live & die with Booker T (or at least stay on a member of the "Mafia"). When the Legends belt did change hands, it seemed like a joke even then (I think the first title change involved AJ Styles trying to "prove" he actually was a "Legend" - or something equally dumb).
I think it was Eric Young who announced the Legends Title name change, and the newly labeled "Global Title" caused an uproar here in the forums ("Global Title" was too close to "World Title", and similar gripes). I don't remember when it was renamed the "Television Championship" for sure, but I know it was before Hogan and Bischoff's arrival. One of Hogan's first appearances on iMPACT had him announcing that the TV Title would be defended every week, like "the good old days" (or something to that effect). Obviously that didn't last long, although his other "big announcement" (the return of a conventional four-sided ring) did stick for a while...even though it's been officially announced that six-sides is soon to return.
Enough of my stupid recollection of TNA history. My hope is that the TV title has finally been abolished. I think it's good timing too, since Angle is now "in charge". I just looked at tna's official website as well, and saw that Abyss is no longer listed as the TV Champ. It was pretty silly to see Abyss on the official TNA site as the TV Champ, especially during the time that Chris was portraying "Joseph Park" primarily (and only appearing as Abyss sporadically). It was also weird to see Abyss return on a more full-time basis without the title belt.
My hope is that this announcement means that a new title may be introduced to TNA/iW soon. The X-Division Title is a great midcard title, but it has the stigma of being a "Cruiserweight"(ish) belt. Bischoff even put a 220 lb weight limit (give or take) on the XD title at one point, and again - Abyss was involved with that storyline as well (I believe it was after Abyss lost the title, as a member of "Immortal" that the weight limit was introduced). The weight limit was eventually dropped (thank God), but within another year they tried a bunch of other gimmicks (only triple-threats, the ref-cam, etc). None of those gimmicks stuck either, thank God.
Maybe if a new midcard title is introduced, they might be able to make it meaningful. A title that was renamed twice (such as the Legends/Global/TV Title) just isn't able to gain any credibility, especially given the way it was originally introduced. The Television Title will always be viewed as nothing but a prop, no matter who is defending it. TNA might never be able to introduce a new relevant midcard title, but the time is nigh (if they're going to try). If a new midcard title is introduced, they shouldn't just "give" it to a wrestler either (à la Booker T). They should have a somewhat lengthy tournament (similar to WWE's King of the Ring, for instance), and have each participant stress how important it is to be the very first to hold this new championship. They might be able to get a new belt over that way; at least it would be more over than the Legends/Global/TV title ever was. I doubt they can ever introduce a new, significant title on par with the WWE's IC Title (or WCW's US Title)...but maybe they can make one look close to WCW's TV Title, or the WWF's European title. It might be impossible for them to make a belt seem more important than the XD Title, but another midcard belt (more geared towards heavyweight wrestlers) could make things more interesting.
Whether the TV Title returns or a new title is introduced, the most important thing for them to do is make it actually seem important to the wrestlers to hold it. That wasn't done with the Legends title at first, and that stink followed the title ever since. If a new title isn't made/introduced, then focus more on the XD title for God's sake (and forget about the TV Title all together). Ever since Bischoff put the weight limit on it, it's seemed like a glorified Cruiserweight title. Treat it like the IC belt was treated in the 80s & 90s: a point of pride that every wrestler strives to reach (almost as much as the WHC). "Option C" was a good bump for the title, but it needs more than a gimmick. Whatever midcard title they're going for needs to have a believability factor to it, and that starts with making the fans believe that the wrestlers want to hold the championship more than anything (sans the WHC, of course). Two midcard titles might be overkill anyway (since their roster is more sparse than the WWE's, and might be more so once GFW gets going), so maybe it's better if this is the last time the TV title is ever mentioned.
