thebladejob.com
03-14-2011, 11:05 AM
At 10:24 it looked as if TNA had produced a solid pay-per-view as long as the main event between Sting and Jeff Hardy did not totally bomb. To this point the card had been executed fairly well, from the surprise 3D ending to the Bully Ray/Tommy Dreamer street fight, to the stellar athletic wrestling clinic put on by Matt Hardy and AJ Styles. Sure there were a few bumps in the road like the fake blood finish in the Morgan/Hernandez match and the dissatisfying double count out that concluded the Anderson/RVD number one contenders match, but as long as the world title match carried its weight TNA would have completed a successful Victory Road event. Then 90 seconds later all of the progress made throughout the night was immediately nulified like an alcohol enduced Las Vegas marriage.
The night was eerily reminiscent of WCW's Halloween Havoc fiasco in 1998. TNA may not be forced to riemburse their fans like WCW was, but they should. What happened in the ring last night was a travesty for the fans and the wrestlers that left it all in the ring prior to the main event. What's even more frustrating is it was easily avoidable. If Jeff Hardy was not in condition to perform then don't let him perform. Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan are supposed to have total control over the company so a quick change in the main event can happen with no more explanation than they felt like it. Also, the finish to the number one contenders match between RVD and Mr. Anderson created the perfect opportunity for a triple threat match between them and Sting. Even if that match is scheduled for a future event, the company needed to go into damage control. It's not like they haven't rushed a match onto TV in the past, why not do it now when it's necessary? TNA betrayed the trust of their fanbase and will have a tough time regaining it. Here are some suggestions that might help the promotion stop the bleeding.
First of all, TNA needs to distance themselves from Jeff Hardy, at least temporarily. If Dixie Carter and the people in charge want to retain any respect from the locker room, the fans, and Spike TV then they need to make an example out of Jeff. The message needs to be sent that behavior like this is not something TNA management will let anyone get away with. The Jeff Hardy title belt needs to go in the trash and he needs to be replaced in Immortal. After last night, I think Matt Hardy is a prime candidate to take the spot and a returning Abyss will smoothly fill the role as the group's number two man.
Secondly, Dixie Carter needs to start tweeting apologies to the fans. It's understandable that the promotion would not want to apologize on their website or on the air during iMPACT in order to keep kayfabe. However, Dixie, Jeff Jarrett, Jeremy Borash and the other TNA social networking junkies need to get online and beg for the fans forgiveness. If they can tweet about their latest unnecessary signing or the next earth shattering surprise, then they can do it to save face with the remaining TNA supporters.
In the past TNA had given away pay-per-view quality matches for free by choice, now they have no choice. Within the next few weeks on iMPACT they must deliver a TNA World Heavyweigh Title match free of charge to make up for the 45 dollar abortion they featured last night. There are a lot of avenues to go with. Bischoff could announce a surprise opponent for Sting in response to his unannounced come back on March 3rd. Then Abyss returns and they rekindle a long standing rivalry. Or hold a fatal fourway number one contenders match between Styles, Matt Hardy, Anderson, and RVD where the winner receives a title match the following week. No matter what direction they decide to go in, TNA has to treat their fans to something special without a price tag.
Lastly, the organization must treat next month's Lockdown as the most important pay-per-view in the promotion's history. And in many ways it is. Wrestling fans are going to be extremely cautious about spending a dime on another TNA event after Victory Road. They must pull out all the stops for Lockdown in order to generate any buys. The even has to be must see or it won't earn a dollar. It might even be wise for them to offer the event at a discounted price as extra incentive for their skeptical audience to check it out. Every litte bit will count from here on out.
As of right now the future of TNA is up in the air. How they handle last night's situation will determine if they can or cannot weather the storm. Starting Thursday night, TNA management must to go to great lengths to convey their appreciation for the fans or they risk losing them for good.
How do you guys think TNA can save face?
The night was eerily reminiscent of WCW's Halloween Havoc fiasco in 1998. TNA may not be forced to riemburse their fans like WCW was, but they should. What happened in the ring last night was a travesty for the fans and the wrestlers that left it all in the ring prior to the main event. What's even more frustrating is it was easily avoidable. If Jeff Hardy was not in condition to perform then don't let him perform. Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan are supposed to have total control over the company so a quick change in the main event can happen with no more explanation than they felt like it. Also, the finish to the number one contenders match between RVD and Mr. Anderson created the perfect opportunity for a triple threat match between them and Sting. Even if that match is scheduled for a future event, the company needed to go into damage control. It's not like they haven't rushed a match onto TV in the past, why not do it now when it's necessary? TNA betrayed the trust of their fanbase and will have a tough time regaining it. Here are some suggestions that might help the promotion stop the bleeding.
First of all, TNA needs to distance themselves from Jeff Hardy, at least temporarily. If Dixie Carter and the people in charge want to retain any respect from the locker room, the fans, and Spike TV then they need to make an example out of Jeff. The message needs to be sent that behavior like this is not something TNA management will let anyone get away with. The Jeff Hardy title belt needs to go in the trash and he needs to be replaced in Immortal. After last night, I think Matt Hardy is a prime candidate to take the spot and a returning Abyss will smoothly fill the role as the group's number two man.
Secondly, Dixie Carter needs to start tweeting apologies to the fans. It's understandable that the promotion would not want to apologize on their website or on the air during iMPACT in order to keep kayfabe. However, Dixie, Jeff Jarrett, Jeremy Borash and the other TNA social networking junkies need to get online and beg for the fans forgiveness. If they can tweet about their latest unnecessary signing or the next earth shattering surprise, then they can do it to save face with the remaining TNA supporters.
In the past TNA had given away pay-per-view quality matches for free by choice, now they have no choice. Within the next few weeks on iMPACT they must deliver a TNA World Heavyweigh Title match free of charge to make up for the 45 dollar abortion they featured last night. There are a lot of avenues to go with. Bischoff could announce a surprise opponent for Sting in response to his unannounced come back on March 3rd. Then Abyss returns and they rekindle a long standing rivalry. Or hold a fatal fourway number one contenders match between Styles, Matt Hardy, Anderson, and RVD where the winner receives a title match the following week. No matter what direction they decide to go in, TNA has to treat their fans to something special without a price tag.
Lastly, the organization must treat next month's Lockdown as the most important pay-per-view in the promotion's history. And in many ways it is. Wrestling fans are going to be extremely cautious about spending a dime on another TNA event after Victory Road. They must pull out all the stops for Lockdown in order to generate any buys. The even has to be must see or it won't earn a dollar. It might even be wise for them to offer the event at a discounted price as extra incentive for their skeptical audience to check it out. Every litte bit will count from here on out.
As of right now the future of TNA is up in the air. How they handle last night's situation will determine if they can or cannot weather the storm. Starting Thursday night, TNA management must to go to great lengths to convey their appreciation for the fans or they risk losing them for good.
How do you guys think TNA can save face?