The Zach Ryder Experiment Is A Free Lesson In Marketing That TNA Refuses To Use

[multiverseman.com]

Of all the things they copy from other companies, the one thing they ought to be doing and excelling at they haven't used. Zach Ryder is a lesson, not only in promotion and marketing, but in fiscal genius.

Dixie Carter could simply hand an HD camera to some of her creative young guys and tell them to go crazy with it. Just imagine the internet furor that would take place if she simply went to someone like Eric Young or whoever, and told them to go on the internet, say whatever they wanted (within reason) and keep it a secret.

Suppose Samoa Joe, while under contract, shot on TNA management and created an angle out of it? The IWC would lose their shit. Hell they could even say they fired him. It's free and it's worth a shot. However they seem too dense to take the lead.

 

[dwith]

That statement makes no sense and holds no ground. TNA was using hand held cameras years before RYDER ever came along. The motor city machine guns were using a camera 4 years ago when they were working with KEVIN NASH. SAMOA JOE was involved in a hand held camera scenerio two years ago in his kidnapping angle. RYDER wasn't even heard of back then...

 

[Rckstrtmmy]

Dude its been done once and its worked once. That doesn't make it a proven method...it makes it a flash in the pan. Ryders personality made it happen not the fact that he used a camera and the internet. You obviously know nothing about promotion and marketing.

 

[Lowdown]

Just because something works in one establishment doesn't mean it will work somewhere else. One thing to keep in mind is that more people might be familiar with Zack Ryder being that he's a part of the WWE roster and his vignettes. Some fans follow him on Twitter and other social network sites, and if he does something on TV chances are said fans will pay more attention to him in that respect. I couldn't watch TNA 3 or 4 years ago so I was unaware that Joe and MCMG did the same thing Ryder's doing today. But while TNA is making its share of a profit, its still not on a global scale like WWE. At least not yet. If more fans watched Impact in numbers similar to Raw and/or Smackdown, younger guys like EY or wrestlers in the X Division might develop a bigger following. Now you also have to consider that Ryder has been marketing himself on his own for a while now, and is just now starting to be more recognized with his recent title win. But make no mistake, I really doubt the majority viewers tune into Raw specifically for the purpose of seeing Zack Ryder. TNA is holding its own for right now but they can only do so much per show per week.

 

[LegendKiller716]

The thing is, it's not TNA that should be taking notice, it's all the wrestlers (in TNA and WWE). Ryder wasn't told to do his show, he decided that he was gonna get over, or get out. He got over. I agree this method probably can work again, but TNA shouldn't have to think of how to get over guys they don't want to. TNA is gonna take the guys they like and give them opportunitys, it's the guys that don't get that opportunity that should try stuff like that.

 

[dwith]

Just because something works in one establishment doesn't mean it will work somewhere else. One thing to keep in mind is that more people might be familiar with Zack Ryder being that he's a part of the WWE roster and his vignettes. Some fans follow him on Twitter and other social network sites, and if he does something on TV chances are said fans will pay more attention to him in that respect. I couldn't watch TNA 3 or 4 years ago so I was unaware that Joe and MCMG did the same thing Ryder's doing today. But while TNA is making its share of a profit, its still not on a global scale like WWE. At least not yet. If more fans watched Impact in numbers similar to Raw and/or Smackdown, younger guys like EY or wrestlers in the X Division might develop a bigger following. Now you also have to consider that Ryder has been marketing himself on his own for a while now, and is just now starting to be more recognized with his recent title win. But make no mistake, I really doubt the majority viewers tune into Raw specifically for the purpose of seeing Zack Ryder. TNA is holding its own for right now but they can only do so much per show per week.

The only place that TNA is not beating WWE is the USA. If you pay attention to other countries rating TNA kicks WWE'S ass, and TNA is continually expanding into new markets oversee's which will help it to continue growing larger and larger. They are doing it the smart way because the WWE marks in USA won't allow themselves to like TNA, and continue to not support it. So far TNA'S new promotion in INDIA is getting large numbers of fans, and it looks to be hopefully taking off huge there. More fans more money, and more expanding, and you will see TNA will be huge in the upcoming future.

 

[Rckstrtmmy]

The only place that TNA is not beating WWE is the USA. If you pay attention to other countries rating TNA kicks WWE'S ass, and TNA is continually expanding into new markets oversee's which will help it to continue growing larger and larger. They are doing it the smart way because the WWE marks in USA won't allow themselves to like TNA, and continue to not support it. So far TNA'S new promotion in INDIA is getting large numbers of fans, and it looks to be hopefully taking off huge there. More fans more money, and more expanding, and you will see TNA will be huge in the upcoming future.

The US is the worlds biggest and most profitable market as far as wrestling is concerned. If you're not shit in the US, you're not shit period.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

The US is the worlds biggest and most profitable market as far as wrestling is concerned. If you're not shit in the US, you're not shit period.

And you were the guy who said someone else doesn't know anything about promotion and marketing. Also, I believe you meant to say "if you're shit in the US, you're shit period". Or maybe even "if you're not the shit in the US, you're not the shit period". In addition, pluck your head out of your red, white and blue ass.

Onto the OP's ... creative proposal. First of all, if you can't spell the dude's name I don't think you're entitled to start threads about him.

Second of all, just because something worked in WWE doesn't mean it will have the exact same impact in TNA. If that were the case, TNA would be pulling RAW's ratings by simply copying every move they make. It works the other way around, too.

No TNA didn't miss any chances. Ryder's case is a unique one, and usually when something like that occurs the dumbest thing would be to try to recreate it. It almost always falls flat on its face because it's not the original. There are numerous Elvis impersonators out there who sing JUST like him, have the same vocal abilities and can fool just about anyone, but you don't see them makin' loads of cash like Elvis did, do you?

Regardless of how good the follow up is, people always prefer the original. And if there is anything to learn from Ryder it is that if you want to make it to the mid-card in the WWE and capture gold, you can do it as long as you self promote yourself, regardless of how brain numbingly talentless you might be. Or trend on Twitter. Then you go straight into the Hall of Fame.

 

[Psykohurricane55]

The only place that TNA is not beating WWE is the USA. If you pay attention to other countries rating TNA kicks WWE'S ass, and TNA is continually expanding into new markets oversee's which will help it to continue growing larger and larger. They are doing it the smart way because the WWE marks in USA won't allow themselves to like TNA, and continue to not support it. So far TNA'S new promotion in INDIA is getting large numbers of fans, and it looks to be hopefully taking off huge there. More fans more money, and more expanding, and you will see TNA will be huge in the upcoming future.

TNA is only kicking WWE ass Overseas not in North America. I live In Canada and i never heard anybody talk about TNA or speak about it. The last time they came to Montreal back in October, they drew 700 fans in a building that nobody would want to book for a wrestling event, I could name you 2 indy promotions we have in Montreal that can draws more peoples then that.

The fact is TNA is scared of promoting they're product outside of the social media outlets and copying ideas isn'T the way to do it. Zach Ryder could do this because he's part of the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. If let's say Eric Young does the same thing on his own, i don'T think it would work mostly because of were he'S working. While it's they are very popular overseas, nobody cares about them in North America and they are the only one to blame because of how they do business. So before using idea like the Zack Ryder Z true long island story, start by making sure that peoples knows about your product by promoting the product outside of FAcebook and Twitter. If a wrestler goes on a major show like American Idol, make sure to promote the fact on IMPACT and have a video package ready for the next episode of IMPACT. Also MAke sure the wrestler actually mention the Company during the show. That'S the only way your going to get your company over.

 

[Swarles Barkley]

And you were the guy who said someone else doesn't know anything about promotion and marketing. Also, I believe you meant to say "if you're shit in the US, you're shit period". Or maybe even "if you're not the shit in the US, you're not the shit period". In addition, pluck your head out of your red, white and blue ass.

Onto the OP's ... creative proposal. First of all, if you can't spell the dude's name I don't think you're entitled to start threads about him.

Second of all, just because something worked in WWE doesn't mean it will have the exact same impact in TNA. If that were the case, TNA would be pulling RAW's ratings by simply copying every move they make. It works the other way around, too.

No TNA didn't miss any chances. Ryder's case is a unique one, and usually when something like that occurs the dumbest thing would be to try to recreate it. It almost always falls flat on its face because it's not the original. There are numerous Elvis impersonators out there who sing JUST like him, have the same vocal abilities and can fool just about anyone, but you don't see them makin' loads of cash like Elvis did, do you?

Regardless of how good the follow up is, people always prefer the original. And if there is anything to learn from Ryder it is that if you want to make it to the mid-card in the WWE and capture gold, you can do it as long as you self promote yourself, regardless of how brain numbingly talentless you might be. Or trend on Twitter. Then you go straight into the Hall of Fame.

I love when you comment because you make a complete ass out of yourself every time you hit 'Submit Reply.'

You claim the WWE to be "shit," yet you watch and support the garbage that is TNA? You wouldn't know shit if it hit you in the face.

And the idea that you, a guy who worships at the Temple of Russo, can have the gall to call Zack Ryder "talentless" makes me laugh a very hearty laugh. How exactly is Zack Ryder "talentless"? The guy bust his ass every week and improves every week. But the great TNA mark that you are couldn't possibly see anything good in a WWE wrestler. You're a joke.

As far as the OP is concerned, the next guy that tries this will be seen as a copy. Curt Hawkins has a YouTube show, but nobody cares. same with Tommy Dreamer. If some TNA guy suddenly started posting his own videos, people would assume he is ripping off Ryder and ignore it. Ryder was a visionary and found a way to make himself indispensable. It will be hard for anyone else to do that, in TNA or WWE.

 

[kokoBawesome]

TNA is kicking the WWE's ass "outside the US?" numbers? proof? Ratings?

TNA really wants to start a promotion in India, WOW. They can have The Great Khali, he was such a huge draw for the WWE for the last few years.

The WWE is the show. Bound for Glory may be TNA's bread and butter, but take that PPV into an stadium and see what happens. Take it overseas and give us an entire crowd shot. TNA has potential, but it ain't happening. Its not WCW part 2 no matter how badly you wish it was.

Zach Ryder is a one time deal, lightning striking once. Anyone else on any roster tries the same shit and Vince or Dixie is going to put them in their place. Make your name from a copycat gimmick and that's what you'll be known as.

 

[Alex]

Er Zack Ryder got lucky. As has been stated before the Motor City Machine Guns had been doing it way before Ryder and the IWC's favourite punch bag (or one of them) Matt Hardy has been doing this shit for years as well. its not so much a marketing strategy as it is luck.

Go on Youtube and you'll find thousands of Vloggers, only a select few have large audiences, yet they are all essentially doing the same thing

 

[The Bearded One]

The thing is, it's not TNA that should be taking notice, it's all the wrestlers (in TNA and WWE). Ryder wasn't told to do his show, he decided that he was gonna get over, or get out. He got over. I agree this method probably can work again, but TNA shouldn't have to think of how to get over guys they don't want to. TNA is gonna take the guys they like and give them opportunitys, it's the guys that don't get that opportunity that should try stuff like that.

I agree with this more than the original post. Wrestlers need to take notice of how Ryder was willing to go out of his way to get himself over. The Youtube route worked for him, but it's not something that is going to work for everyone. If a wrestler thinks he (or she) isn't getting over as they should, they shouldn't just sit around and wait for the creative team to find something they should do. They need to take matters into their own hands and go out of their way to put in the extra effort to find a way to get over with the audience. A little extra hard work can go a long way to impact how over a wrestler is and a wrestler's standing in the company, and Ryder is a perfect example of that. Other wrestlers need to realize that hard work and dedication and going above and beyond what is expected of them could lead to bigger and better things in their careers.

TNA would also need to do what the WWE has done with Ryder. WWE realized they had something in Ryder and his new-found popularity, so they capitalized on it. TNA would have to do the same thing. If a wrestler goes out and gets themselves over without much help from the creative team, then TNA would have to not be afraid to push that wrestler accordingly.

 

[Rckstrtmmy]

And you were the guy who said someone else doesn't know anything about promotion and marketing. Also, I believe you meant to say "if you're shit in the US, you're shit period". Or maybe even "if you're not the shit in the US, you're not the shit period". In addition, pluck your head out of your red, white and blue ass.

Ok dumbass, for one TNA isn't shit. Meaning TNA is an afterthought. Therefore "TNA is not shit in the US" works. Therefore my comment makes perfect sense if you read past the 8th grade level. It works your way too but its the same thing. I also don't need to pluck my head out of anything because I wasn't being nationalistic you douche. I simply stated that the US is the largest wrestling market in the world. Thats just a fact. Stop trying to be a contradictory asshole for no reason because you just sound stupid.

 

[Krossbreed]

well the only other guys who r making a unique enough show on youtube are tyler reks and curt hawkins with midcard mafia... if someone in tna did this show it would have to be comedy and if any two wrestlers in tna should do it and make me wanna watch it prob would be the motor city machine guns alex shelly has charisma.

 

[mlp420]

Two problems with this thread. Number one, WWE wasn't involved with what Zach Ryder did so it makes ZERO sense to bash TNA for not doing it themselves. If there is a lesson to be learned here, it's for the guys on the TNA roster.

Number two, what does Zach Ryder really bring to the table anyway? Should TNA really be worried about replicating WWE's "success" with Zach Ryder? What has he done? (Please don't mention merchandise sales, that's VERY small piece of the pie.) WWE's popularity is still trending downward. He hasn't renewed interest in the WWE (neither has Punk for that matter) or brought in new fans. All the WWE has accomplished the last several months was raising the morale of some disgruntled fans that have always been there and will always will be. It's not like they've hit paydirt with Ryder/Punk. Far from it. No lesson for TNA here.

 

[wrestlingaddict91]

What people need to realize is that is what tna's problem has been is that they try to copy WWE. The thing is they need to come up with something that is creative. One of the wrestler can do something unique like Zack Ryder did except dont copy him. Example of WWE copying was when WWE did the the 2-21-11 whole deal, tna turned around and did the same thing for sting a month later. It was sickening

 

[Rampage Bentley]

TNA is kicking the WWE's ass "outside the US?" numbers? proof? Ratings?

TNA really wants to start a promotion in India, WOW. They can have The Great Khali, he was such a huge draw for the WWE for the last few years.

The WWE is the show. Bound for Glory may be TNA's bread and butter, but take that PPV into an stadium and see what happens. Take it overseas and give us an entire crowd shot. TNA has potential, but it ain't happening. Its not WCW part 2 no matter how badly you wish it was.

Zach Ryder is a one time deal, lightning striking once. Anyone else on any roster tries the same shit and Vince or Dixie is going to put them in their place. Make your name from a copycat gimmick and that's what you'll be known as.

It's not everywhere outside the US, just England and a couple surrounding countries, TNA is indeed beating WWE in the ratings.

What he failed to mention is that WWE's programming over there is on a channel that requires a specific monthly subscription while TNA is on a basic free channel. It's pretty much like saying the tv show Whitney has more viewers than Game of Thrones, may be true numerically, but not really an equal comparison.

 

[sanefan_har]

Why don't you let TNA be original for a change?? Do they have to start copying Zack Ryder's rise to fame as well?

Let me tell you this. TNA were lucky to have Hardy,Hogan Flair, Nash Sting and Foley work with them. If it wasn't for them, TNA would never have been a major name in the first place.
And where did these guys come from? Thats right the WWE or WCW. Saying TNA was original doesn't make sense if they just hired some WWE rejects to boost viewership and ratings. And that applies to all the marks saying that TNA is better than WWE. Trust me no one would have known about it had these people never joined TNA. TNA is, and always is indebted to the WWE for its "success".

 

[Razordude1717]

Guys I'm from India and have been watching wrestling for a long time now. I can sure as hell ASSURE YOU, TNA is nowhere near as popular in India as WWF was, or WWE is right now. No one here knows anything about TNA... trust me. I know. WWE is way more popular and watched here. It's all a huge misconception. As far as Ryder goes, as someone mentioned previously, he's a one time deal - unlikely to be repeated again. Plus it won't be original and would 90% backfire.

 

[Slack]

Let's be honest here for a second. Everything in pro wrestling was copied from someone else before hand, but the question who made it better. While others did the whole oh let's have a camera with us thing and posted it on the web, Ryder did it better. WCW did the whole evil boss angle with Eric Bishoff, WWE did the same angle and made it better by using Vince Russo.

 

[manstis1804]

The only place that TNA is not beating WWE is the USA. If you pay attention to other countries rating TNA kicks WWE'S ass, and TNA is continually expanding into new markets oversee's which will help it to continue growing larger and larger. They are doing it the smart way because the WWE marks in USA won't allow themselves to like TNA, and continue to not support it. So far TNA'S new promotion in INDIA is getting large numbers of fans, and it looks to be hopefully taking off huge there. More fans more money, and more expanding, and you will see TNA will be huge in the upcoming future.

LOL @ TNA kicking WWE's ass all over the world. How many fans does TNA bring in on their Japanese tours? Or their German tours? Do they pack arenas in Mexico whenever they feel like it? TNA IS doing better TV numbers in England, since they're on a free channel while WWE is on a subscription service channel. But you're making it sound like TNA is this foreign juggernaut known throughout the depths of the universe and that's just not true right now.

 

[multiverseman.com]

That statement makes no sense and holds no ground. TNA was using hand held cameras years before RYDER ever came along.

Perhaps I need to specify.

It's not the handheld camera idea that I'm referring to, it's the internet, direct-to-the-fans marketing and promotion of the talent.

By the way, in case it needs saying, you don't tell people you're viral marketing to them. Set it up as a rogue element.

Of course, since people wanna bash my idea (which isn't even my idea) they're argue against viral videos just to prove me wrong.

Dude its been done once and its worked once. That doesn't make it a proven method...it makes it a flash in the pan. Ryders personality made it happen not the fact that he used a camera and the internet. You obviously know nothing about promotion and marketing.

No it was done once and worked once in wrestling. That's at least a reason to try again.

It's very common in the world of movies and television. Viral videos and internet games that supplement the actual product and enhance and excite the existing fanbase to build buzz.

Also, let's face it. Zach Ryder's personality didn't get him over. The idea that he was a rogue entity, outside the WWE machine trying to get somewhere when the bigwigs ignored him, got him over.

One of the wrestler can do something unique like Zack Ryder did except dont copy him.

An internet movement to supplement your product isn't Zack Ryder's idea, nor the WWE's.

It's been around since The Blair Witch Project and continues to this day.

The internet is a place where you can blur the lines between marketing and reality and TNA should be doing it contantly. They have a poor net presence.

 

[Rckstrtmmy]

No it was done once and worked once in wrestling. That's at least a reason to try again.

It's very common in the world of movies and television. Viral videos and internet games that supplement the actual product and enhance and excite the existing fanbase to build buzz.

Also, let's face it. Zach Ryder's personality didn't get him over. The idea that he was a rogue entity, outside the WWE machine trying to get somewhere when the bigwigs ignored him, got him over.

I'm not saying to never ever try it again. I'm saying that it just won't work for everybody. There are plenty of "rogue entities" around already to the point where that just doesn't matter anymore. Every wrestler seems to have twitter nowadays where they say what they want so that's just commonplace. The fact is, Ryders youtube show was pretty hilarious. He really let his personality shine through and he showed a real desire to succeed which is why fans started to back him. Look at all the stupid shit Jeff Hardy puts online. Does that help him gain popularity? No. It makes him look like a crazy bastard. Ryder was witty, funny and above all else, entertaining. Which in turn made people want to see more of him. Giving somebody a camera and telling him to do what he wants won't do the trick. The person has to take that camera and show people why they should want to see more him. That's what Ryder did. I;m not saying that it will never work again, but with Ryder it was a fresh idea and HE made it work. Now that it's been done, and done well, all these angles will be compared to Ryder. Typically, you just can't beat the original.

 

[ABMorales787]

Last I checked TNA was the first to have a Youtube channel, Facebook page and promote Twitter. They have been leaps and bounds over WWE as far as online media outlets have been concerned. And as far making a Youtube video to "get over", thing is most guys in TNA don't need to beg over the internet for attention. Besides, Zack Ryder ain't got shit on MATTHEW.