TNA & Spike TV Relaunch Flagship Program as "Impact Wrestling"

[SpecialFNK]

The following press release has been issued:

SPIKE TV AND TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING RELAUNCH FLAGSHIP PROGRAM AS 'IMPACT WRESTLING'

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling and Spike TV announced today that TNA's flagship program would be rebranded as IMPACT WRESTLING, beginning Thursday, May 19 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) on SPIKE.

With the debut of "TNA iMPACT!" in 2005, TNA and SPIKE have partnered to bring U.S. television audiences the most exciting professional wrestling in the world today. TNA iMPACT! has been averaging 1.8 million viewers this year and ranks among the top programs on cable with Men 18-34 and Men 18-49 in its timeslot. In 2011, TNA is up 11% in HH rating vs.Q1 2010 and 9% in viewership of persons 2+.

"While the name change is subtle, it is also very powerful. TNA is proud to be in the wrestling business, and not afraid to say it. And, to emphasize our commitment we have added the word 'wrestling' to our already well-known 'iMPACT!' brand," said TNA chief marketing officer Al Ovadia.

In addition to rebranding IMPACT WRESTLING, TNA is launching the tagline, "WRESTLING MATTERS," a statement that reflects every aspect of TNA Wrestling, from program content to marketing to live events.

"We wanted a branding initiative that was scalable and could extend across all platforms," added Ovadia. "We asked our fans what it was about professional wrestling that they found most compelling. We learned it was no single aspect, their passion for wrestling was all-consuming. Whether it's the in-ring action, backstage brawls, the feuds or classic dramatic conflict of good vs. evil, it's the entire experience that makes 'wrestling matter.'"

"TNA is a proven ratings winner on Thursday nights for Spike, delivering a consistently large audience of hard-to-reach young men," said Brian J. Diamond, senior vice president, sports and specials, Spike TV. "We feel the new IMPACT WRESTLING branding message will resonate with our audience who crave the action-packed wrestling that only TNA can provide."

Effective immediately fans can visit www.IMPACTWRESTLING.com for exclusive news and content on the stars of IMPACT WRESTLING. Fans can also access over 300 hours of TNA programming at www.TNAOnDemand.com.

I would take this as TNA (Total Nonstop Action) is still TNA and that the TV show on Thursdays went from being called "Impact" to "Impact Wrestling".
some have said/thought that the entire company would be called "Impact Wrestling" but I would say now that is not correct.
I think this is great. the company is still TNA but the television program has the name wrestling in it.

 

[RVDisTNA]

I think the company as a whole is tna. but the product is now Impact Wrestling. Make any sense? Kind of like how General Electric owns NBC and MSNBC. General Electric is the company but NBC is their product. Or how MSNBC is their news source product.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

I was hoping that it's like that. It's a win-win for TNA. They don't have to erase everything with the TNA logo on it, they change the name of the show, it has wrestling in it, and they can rebrand all they want without making their lives a living hell.

 

[neilphipps]

I think its a great idea for TNA this is pro wrestling & its always been about pro wrestling, doesn't matter what Vince thinks if he wants to be an entertainment company good for him but it doesn't change that fact that WWE is pro wrestling it seems to me that Vince is embarrassed to have a wrestling company hey it only made him a billionaire, so he wants to change his brand about entertainment go ahead pal what a joke. TNA great move love it iMPACT Wrestling it makes sense.

 

[Toroc102]

I think it would be funny if they eventually add 'Championship' to the title, so we can call it IWC. That'd be really cool of them.

Seriously though, Impact Wrestling does sound a lot better than TNA Impact, and I like the whole rebranding too, its a lot cleaner, overall a step in the right direction.