I've just been let down by some (not all) of the creative moves perpetrated since Russo's arrival. On the whole, the PPVs still deliver many times more for me than the WWE outings do, so on that front, I'm cool.
I diffenently know what you mean, as i've been letdown a lot also by TNA lately I thought they wanted to give wrestling fans something different but lately it seems like they continue to go for the "Quick Money" and give us a cheap quick fit like Super Gimmicky "NEW" matches that completely dull down their PPV's IMO, WWE talent pushed down our throats I love Christian and Angle as much as the next guy but do I want them headlining TNA PPV's battling for the top title? Hell No! IMO that's not good for TNA.
And About the whole expirence well like we've said time and time again that is suited toward your taste as I think the WWE's slower pace(at times) is better than TNA's quicker spotty style(matches seem too cluttered at times), so again it's just a matter of what someone would prefer.
However, you said it. The indy talent was where they were really doing smart purchasing, and that mentality has gone by the wayside in favor of big-time ex-WWE contracts. Strong, Danielson, and Nigel McGuinness are a few missed opportunities. I also like a kid out of NJPW California named Puma who was a solid performer in a short span a year or so ago who just never stuck around.
Damn! I didn't think many people knew about Puma, but then again maybe I should remember who i'm talking too(lol) I agree he is an incredible talent and exactly the type of guy TNA should be going after and NOT former WCW/WWE/and even top ECW guys, IMO they need to make their own stars a feat which they still have yet to master.
I don't mind having Cage as the champion because he has become a definite heat magnet that finally means Jarrett doesn't have to be conjoined to the damn belt because no one else can draw anything near his level of heat. Christian is also gold on the mic. However, having Abyss job to Sting AGAIN is just stupid. I'm a Sting mark from way back, but the guy is old, has a receding hairline, and is nowhere near the physical specimen necessary anymore to match Abyss in a believable fashion (unlike his days fighting Vader, which he did damn well).
You know I love Cage, always have and always will but having him feud with Rhyno and Angle (Shit we have already seen in the WWE) is BAD booking IMO, it's one thing to have him as champ it's another to force feed us the same shit WWE has already fed us, which is something TNA has a bad problem of doing and sometimes I think they push away more fans then they gain with their choppy booking style, but I personally love Cage as Champ just hope TNA continue's to have him defend against TNA talent, about Sting I didn't like him then and I starting to hate him now, TNA needs to get it through their heads he doesn't have "It" anymore so stop pushing him, I feel the same way about WWE with Undertaker, Ric Flair, Jim Duggan, ECT....I think you get the point.
I just hope within the coming months they learn from their mistakes and keep Hemme out of the ring, feed Kurt to Joe at BFG (preferably for the belt), and stop bleeding a couple of these floudering feuds to death. They also need to re-focus and re-strengthen their X and tag divisions with more length to the TV matches so they can properly build the feuds, and more people dedicated to the tag division. It pisses me off to no end to see someone like Sabin slow a tad and get a mite bit sloppy in the ring, when he was once a shining beacon of picture-perfect execution and raw speed and agility.
The one positive bit of news is that Muta came to meet with TNA about talent exchange between AJPW and TNA. This could be cool because underutilized talent could be sent abroad while stateside TNA gets some new blood to spice up the roster a bit.
Totally and wholeheartedly agree with this comment, I couldn't have said it better myself, although i'd add find better comentator's, backstage interviewers, get rid of oldtime talent Sting, Nash, Backland(who's bright idea was this???!!!),ECT....
And I hope they close that deal as i'd love to see some of AJPW's Brightest Stars in the states I think that would draw in a lot of "hardcore" fans and renew a little faith in their decision making overall.
Also I agree with you about Joe, I think he's more than ready to carry TNA and I hope his match/feud with Christian dosen't end as suddenly/weak as Joe/Angle, I think that feud has all the making of the next great feud in wrestling and could help carry TNA too a bigger and brighter spot.