TNA's working conditions; a detailed analysis

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http://www.cagesideseats.com/2011/3/7/2035024/working-conditions-in-tna-a-detailed-analysis

Ok, wow. First off:
-The whole "Flair owning money" story was full of holes. The amount Flair was spending, if his story was true, was pretty much ludicrous, and the reason for it given by him that they said it was cause of Dustin Rhodes was debunked by Rhodes himself.

-Deciding to claim the "TNA's schedule isn't light" on an interview with 2 of the hardest working people in the company (JB, who not only appears at EVERY house show the company runs, and deals with the foreign markets, goes with wrestlers to interviews and appearances, is involved with not only iMPACT, but Xplosion as well. AJ, meanwhile, is in the upper card/main event position since 2004, where he's either involved in a main storyline at the time since the days of Planet Jarrett, to being one of the faces of the divisions in TNA, either in the X-Division, or World title, or Tag title, or the other belts they introduced like the Legend's title.) It would be like if someone took all the other things Cena did, and said every single member of the WWE roster did what he did.

-Am I the only one who finds it strange that these people who had these" horrible things" happen to them in TNA STILL have a relationship? Most of the disrespected knockouts? Open for returns, and have. Konnan and his lawsuit? He and AAA are pretty much in a partnership with TNA, with the training of Hernandez being the proof.

-Trying to link Terry's headshot with Kanyon's suicide is a disgusting act, and I'm ashamed they even sunk THAT low in this.

- The Jeff Hardy chairshot thing may have been pure stupidity but it could've happened to anyone. Sure there were the claims that Hardy showed up to shows in an unfit condition but it can't be proven that he was under the influence of anything when the chairshot occured.

On the other hand, some of that stuff does disgust me. The Angelina Love thing was pure sleez. Borash jumping the gun on Kavals release was pure dumbassery. The MCMG refuasal to balde schtick is a story we will just never know but they certainly did fall down the card after that feud and Shelley made some mention to it in an interview a while back. The Dreamer brutality with his kids was also pretty low no doubt about it.

What are your thoughts on this?

 

[klunderbunker]

I'm still reading it but a few things.

1. TNA people signed contracts to work for this company. If they don't like it, get out of said contract as apparently it's not that difficult to do and go work somewhere else.

2. TNA may be more friendly or whatever. When their top show can come within shouting distance of WWE's B show, let me know.

 

[klunderbunker]

3. Regarding Konnan and other guys being mad about Sting's pay, when they've drawn the money Sting vs. Hogan did, they can get paid that much too. Until then, Konnan needs to go back to AAA and lead the heel stable on the show that draws 1/4 of what Raw gets in the ratings.

 

[klunderbunker]

4. Regarding the chair shot, at the end of the day it's not Bischoff or Dixie or anyone to blame but one person: Rob Terry. If he's not comfortable doing it then he shouldn't go out there. Again, this isn't the only job in the world. I'm getting tired of all these people saying that TNA is causing all these horrible issues for people when it's them that is agreeing to all these things.

 

[klunderbunker]

5. Finished the article. What that anonomyous guy at the end said abotu TNA exploiting dreams: that's called the real world dude. Sorry you didn't get the note about that.

In summation, I have no sympathy for this. They signed the contracts to be on national TV. This is a business and at the end of the day, these guys like AJ or Beer Money etc haven't gotten TNA over the hump at all. No issues here at all.

 

[Daniel]

4. Regarding the chair shot, at the end of the day it's not Bischoff or Dixie or anyone to blame but one person: Rob Terry. If he's not comfortable doing it then he shouldn't go out there. Again, this isn't the only job in the world. I'm getting tired of all these people saying that TNA is causing all these horrible issues for people when it's them that is agreeing to all these things.

Just a couple of things on this point. OK, let's use Terry as an example.

1) Terry may not be educated in the damage that chair shots to the head can do. He may not be aware of the effects that concussions could do.

2) He may believe that performing such a dangerous spot will improve his standing in the company and thus he is obligated for the sake of his career. TNA may breed a culture of "do this crazy thing and management will think better of you". I'm sure many wrestling companies do.

 

[klunderbunker]

Just a couple of things on this point. OK, let's use Terry as an example.

1) Terry may not be educated in the damage that chair shots to the head can do. He may not be aware of the effects that concussions could do.

2) He may believe that performing such a dangerous spot will improve his standing in the company and thus he is obligated for the sake of his career. TNA may breed a culture of "do this crazy thing and management will think better of you". I'm sure many wrestling companies do.

1. In a post Benoit world as a wrestler that's not an excuse.

2. Translation: it was his decision, not TNA's.

 

[Daniel]

1. In a post Benoit world as a wrestler that's not an excuse.

I can see that it's not an excuse. But it is possible that someone isn't educated in it. Wrestlers may skim over it or think of it as an exaggeration. There may be a "oh, one chair shot won't do any harm" for some.

2. Translation: it was his decision, not TNA's.

Of course, everyone has free will over it, but the key word is obligation. It's a powerful thing. A strong sense of obligation can overpower free will.

 

[klunderbunker]

1. Not TNA's fault that the guy doesn't care what happens to his body.

2. Not TNA's fault that the guy doesn't care what happens to his body.

 

[Macca]

3. Regarding Konnan and other guys being mad about Sting's pay, when they've drawn the money Sting vs. Hogan did, they can get paid that much too. Until then, Konnan needs to go back to AAA and lead the heel stable on the show that draws 1/4 of what Raw gets in the ratings.

I think you're missing the point KB. The issue isn't Sting getting paid so much more, it's the fact that Sting is being paid so much while others can't even pay for basic hotels and transport, let alone medical bills. Also, Sting in 2011 is not a ratings draw, the ratings in 2010 were no different with him, and no different without him.

Also, who made the call on the chair shot is irrelevant. A responible workplace should never ever be putting their employees in such a position when they know the possible risks involved.

It's not just wrestling, it's employment as a whole. When I'm at work, if there is a heavy box that I feel I can lift by myself, I still shouldn't be given permission by my boss to lift said box, because of the harm I could do to myself. Occupational Health and Safety, motherfuckers.

Fuck ratings, they don't mean shit compared to the well-beings of those who feed their families every week with this job, that is already dangerous enough as it is.

 

[klunderbunker]

I think you're missing the point KB. The issue isn't Sting getting paid so much more, it's the fact that Sting is being paid so much while others can't even pay for basic hotels and transport, let alone medical bills. Also, Sting in 2011 is not a ratings draw, the ratings in 2010 were no different with him, and no different without him.

Also, who made the call on the chair shot is irrelevant. A responible workplace should never ever be putting their employees in such a position when they know the possible risks involved.

It's not just wrestling, it's employment as a whole. When I'm at work, if there is a heavy box that I feel I can lift by myself, I still shouldn't be given permission by my boss to lift said box, because of the harm I could do to myself. Occupational Health and Safety, motherfuckers.

Fuck ratings, they don't mean shit compared to the well-beings of those who feed their families every week with this job, that is already dangerous enough as it is.

So they should pay someone that has accomplished something the same as someone that has accomplished nothing? That makes no sense.

Then Terry needs a different job if it's hazardous to his health. No one is holding a gun to his head and saying be a wrestler and take a chair or die.

 

[The Dewbliners]

That article is little more than some self-important, megalomaniacal dirtsheet enthusiast spouting off at the mouth. I mean, my god, his only sources are Meltzer, Alvarez, et al? Other than that, I can't take him or his "article" (read: glorified blog) seriously with all those spelling and grammatical errors contained therein.

Wah, they wouldn't pay a Knockout enough money to live comfortably! She had to get a real job and mix it up with regular folk like you and me! Wah! Feel sorry for her! Get over it. All businesses have practices that are contrary to their public image. Just because you're on national television doesn't mean you're entitled to stardom, riches, and never having to deal with the general population. You make more than minimum wage, you only work a few minutes a week, and you know the risk to your health when you sign up. Don't be a bitch when you can't afford luxuries like a hotel room, or that designer handbag or whatever it is you want. Learn to cut corners with your budget, like a normal person.

 

[Macca]

So they should pay someone that has accomplished something the same as someone that has accomplished nothing? That makes no sense.

Then Terry needs a different job if it's hazardous to his health. No one is holding a gun to his head and saying be a wrestler and take a chair or die.

Dude, did you not read my last post? I clearly said that the issue wasn't that he wasn't being paid the same as Sting, but the fact that he is getting paid so little and being on the road for TNA and Sting is getting so much for working two or three times a month. You yourself have said on many occasions that Hogan and Bischoff are being way overpaid for the work they are doing in TNA. And quite frankly, the work they have done has being minicule at best. So why is it that these old ***** are being paid so much for so little and the workers that are constantly on the road are lucky to get $800, not including transport and food and shelter.

And the Terry incident could very well have cost him his spot, which could mean less matches in the week, which means less money per week, which could basically be Terry's job. But hey, maybe I'm wrong, it's not like there has been any other evidence of workplace mistreatment of the sorts. Oh wait, I suppose the Guns getting buried for not wanting to take a blade to their forehead must be a completely different kind of issue.

 

[klunderbunker]

Dude, did you not read my last post? I clearly said that the issue wasn't that he wasn't being paid the same as Sting, but the fact that he is getting paid so little and being on the road for TNA and Sting is getting so much for working two or three times a month. You yourself have said on many occasions that Hogan and Bischoff are being way overpaid for the work they are doing in TNA. And quite frankly, the work they have done has being minicule at best. So why is it that these old ***** are being paid so much for so little and the workers that are constantly on the road are lucky to get $800, not including transport and food and shelter.

Then maybe he/they should:

A) Accomplish something in their careers.

B) Pursue employment elsewhere. They knew what they were entering into when they signed those contracts and if they don't they're fools. What Hogan and Bischoff and Sting are paid has nothing at all to do with what anyone else is paid.

And the Terry incident could very well have cost him his spot, which could mean less matches in the week, which means less money per week, which could basically be Terry's job. But hey, maybe I'm wrong, it's not like there has been any other evidence of workplace mistreatment of the sorts. Oh wait, I suppose the Guns getting buried for not wanting to take a blade to their forehead must be a completely different kind of issue.

Then Terry decided to take that risk himself. He chose advancing his career over his health. That's on him, not TNA.

If the Guns didn't get pushed due to standing their ground, that's their choice also. If they choose to get paid by TNA then they accept whatever consequences they receive for not going with what their employers/bosses suggest they do.

 

[ABMorales787]

Didn't Konnan get all butthurt because he didn't get treated by TNA for injuries and Scott Steiner did? Even though Steiner was inches away from dying?

 

[shattered dreams]

I tried to take the article seriously but it quickly becomes apparent it is guilty of the same thing it is complaining about. How do you complain about Borash jumping the gun and not getting the whole story and then be so conveniently ignorant about what happened with his twitter? Trying too hard to embellish the story shows the bias against TNA. Lighter means less. The TNA schedule is still less taxing than WWE. No one in TNA claims they get all this off time, that is an IWC fallacy, not some misrepresentation on TNAs part.

Sad part is the point could have been made with no need to lose the credibility with the stupid bias. Then again I find none of this that surprising and fall in with kb on the they sign on for it school of thought.

 

[ABMorales787]

I think TNA should be more worried about Rob Terry's intelligence. Or lack of.

 

[TheMaskedNewton]

There has been the Goldust's case...he was on prescription medicine during his time in TNA...he took HUNDREDS of pills every day...and was not tested at all....and the Jeff Hardy case is well known...

I personally think TNA should pay for medical exp and the fuel charges.

 

[a0161613]

I think TNA should be more worried about Rob Terry's intelligence. Or lack of.

I agree. He should have known better. Ignorance was no excuse. I know that they were trying to push him as this dominant monster but I dont think this push would have been harmed by a simple common sense defensive gesture by raising his head.

In this era, WWE probably would have buried him for being so stupid.