**BREAKING** SpikeTV Cancels TNA Impact!

[Tazz Dan]

From the Front Page:

The following is from TMZ.com:

TNA Wrestling’s flagship show “Impact Wrestling” could soon be without a home — Spike TV quietly let the league know it’s not renewing their TV contract … TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the deal … tell us Spike execs contacted TNA President Dixie Carter this week to break the news — and the following day Carter informed members of her inner circle.

TNA’s current deal with Spike reportedly runs through October. It’s unclear at this point when “Impact Wrestling” will stop airing on Spike.

Also read: ​Major Update: Big Meeting At TNA Headquarters Yesterday

We’re told there’s no bad blood, and Spike gave TNA such advance notice so it would have time to shop for a new TV deal.
TNA’s show debuted on Spike TV in October 2005 — and helped the league rise to #2 on the wrestling scene … behind the WWE.

We’ve called TNA and Spike for comment … so far, no word back.

[Seth82]

welp stick a fork in TNA.

http://www.tmz.com/2014/07/27/impact-wrestling-cancelled-spike-tv-tna/

TNA Wrestling's flagship show "Impact Wrestling" could soon be without a home -- Spike TV quietly let the league know it's not renewing their TV contract … TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the deal ... tell us Spike execs contacted TNA President Dixie Carter late last week to break the news -- and the following day Carter informed members of her inner circle.

TNA's current deal with Spike reportedly runs through October. It's unclear at this point when "Impact Wrestling" will stop airing on Spike.

We're told there's no bad blood, and Spike gave TNA such advance notice so it would have time to shop for a new TV deal.

TNA's show debuted on Spike TV in October 2005 -- and helped the league rise to #2 on the wrestling scene … behind the WWE.

We've called TNA and Spike for comment ... so far, no word back.

[Wishbone]

Well shit... Knew this was coming though. As bad as TNA can be I still enjoyed watching it occasionally. Shame for the guys on the roster. Many of them have too much talent to be thrown back into the indies. :-\

[tman220]

at least Kurt Angle can come back to WWE sooner

[slik]

Wow.

[Tom Guycott]

Everyone is just going to run under the supposition that nobody else is going to pick them up?

I understand it isn't likely, but it isn't exactly impossible.

[#1-norm-fan]

The ratings, while they weren't near WWE level, weren't really ABYSMAL in the big picture were they? You'd think they should be able to get a new deal on a lesser network.

Still kinda sucks. Like Wishbone said, as awful as TNA can be they are also capable of occasionally putting on a show that, strictly from a booking standpoint, could blow the lazy nothingness of WWE booking out of the water. I'd like to see them somehow find new hope on a lesser network without the expectations and stay above water long enough to slowly build themselves up but for some reason I just don't think they have the people who can make that happen.

[Poit]

That's unfortunate. They'll probably find another network, but I'd imagine it would be a smaller TV deal, so it'd require budget cuts.

[slik]

I honestly wish the best for the company.

I hope they are able to regroup and find a tv deal.

[tman220]

someone on Twitter said "if vince was sly he would get TNA to pay him top dollar to have a slot on the WWE Network weekly" thoughts?

[Emperor Smeat]

Shame for TNA but not really surprised since it was hinted several times about Spike not really seeing the new deal as a big priority and the recent stuff with Russo probably didn't help either.


The ratings, while they weren't near WWE level, weren't really ABYSMAL in the big picture were they? You'd think they should be able to get a new deal on a lesser network.


Think they average between 0.8 to 1.1 if I remember correctly. Should be good for a smaller network but TNA probably still would need to do a lot of serious rehauling. Doubt the potential new owner would splurge with the cash like Spike TV did until recently.

[slik]

Could be a good grab for WGN or ION. I could see FOX Sports taking an interest as well, though TNA wouldn't be a cornerstone of their programming. Doesn't really fit FX.

[Dark One]

Shame for TNA but not really surprised since it was hinted several times about Spike not really seeing the new deal as a big priority and the recent stuff with Russo probably didn't help either.


I think that's the big one.

I look forward to seeing Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 31 and good luck to TNA on the Weather Channel.

[#1-norm-fan]

Could be a good grab for WGN or ION. I could see FOX Sports taking an interest as well, though TNA wouldn't be a cornerstone of their programming. Doesn't really fit FX.

What about FXX???

[Lock Jaw]

They will definitely get another TV deal no problem. Just a matter of seeing what kind of changes will need to be made because of it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

There's plenty of shitty stations with hours to fill. I wouldn't bet on anything like FXX, FX, Fox Sports 1 though. I wouldn't say their chances are good but they have a shot.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

someone on Twitter said "if vince was sly he would get TNA to pay him top dollar to have a slot on the WWE Network weekly" thoughts?

They couldn't afford the price.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

They will definitely get another TV deal no problem. Just a matter of seeing what kind of changes will need to be made because of it.

I think you are vastly overestimating their value that it'll be a shoe in. They've been nothing but a headache for Spike for awhile and hiring Vince Russo without Spike knowing about it will be a determinant to get a deal. Why do business with somebody who will lie and hire somebody you have a problem with?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

What about FXX???

Might be bad blood from them leaving Fox Sports Net in 2005. Also they spent alot of the Simpsons recently. Might not have the spare cash for a fixer upper like TNA. Spike had to put ALOT of their own cash to keep TNA afloat.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Don: Now we can get on a great station! We're not fucked!

<img class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZA7afCESGk/U811eZUNmUI/AAAAAAAABeQ/q2q-jdKK7H8/s1600/West_Tenay+YEAH.gif" width="300" height="225">

[Tom Guycott]

Couldn't TNA go the syndication route, much like ROH? Granted, they'd prob'ly get a shitty timeslot, but they'd still be on TV. And they wouldn't have to try and sell a potential network any magic beans about trying to compete with Vince McMahon in a year or two.

Meanwhile, for the Network formerly known as Nashville, I can see this kind of backfiring. I mean, axing one of the two things people even watch Spike for can't really set them up to improve any market share.

If iMPACT! Wrestling does end up having to fold up shop as an end result, it's sadder than that attendance they had out by Eastwood Mall, because having one less place to wrestle and get some exposure has already proven to be a bad thing. For as much "fun" as it would be to see Angle or The Dudley Boyz or even Jeff Hardy back in WWE, you cut the nuts off of guys like A Double, Ken Kennedy, or any of the "lesser" talent WWE wouldn't bother taking chances on or likely not rehire for whatever reason...



... but no matter what happens, I'm pretty sure Jeff Jarrett is watching what's going down very closely.



http://smt.blogs.com/.a/6a00d8341c68f553ef01310ff3f483970c-pi
Most likely looking like this while he watches.

[Tazz Dan]

Who stickied this?

[Shadrick]

Tazz, I'm not in your sig. This offends me. The wedding is off.

[GD]

Wow! This is sad news. A lot of people are going to lose their jobs if nobody else picks them up.

[hb2k]

This blows. Hate the product, but it sucks for a lot of reasons.

Getting a crappy, lower-level channel to show the program isn't so much the issue as the money that came with the Spike deal. Without that, or a close equivalent, they're fucked, and because they got dropped, their leveraging power is absolutely zilch.

Saturday Morning Slam wasn't picked up by anyone when that deal expired. Ditto for Main Event. And that's WWE, the established market leader with a build-in fan base.

Jarrett doesn't have a TV deal at the moment, and that's telling.

Perhaps they can make a giant wrestling ring cake and do the show on the Food Network, since it's all about the ring.

[MoFo]

Wrestling is a dying fad

[MoFo]

Bellator killed TNA

[MoFo]

mMa

Were taking over

[whiteyford]

at least Kurt Angle can come back to WWE sooner

Everyone keeps saying this but he was knocked back the last couple of times his contact was up, if there was any real interest he'd be there already. And the state his neck is in could he realistically even pass their physical?

[Droford]

Booker T - final WCW Champion
Ezekiel Jackson - final ECW 2.0 Champion
Bobby Lashley - final TNA Champion ?

hmm..

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I have no idea how they recover from this. With WWE getting embarrassed shopping their product around various networks, I can't imagine any of them wanting to even look at TNA.

They're done.</font>

[Outsider]

They're in too poor of a financial state for anywhere other than a big network to pick them up. Surely a small network would look at them and think there is too much risk that they'll go under to consider giving them any money to produce anything.

There is also a major risk to their ability to continue to do business until their TV deal runs out in October. Once people start to think that they will go under, no-one is going to do anything for them without cash up front, which I doubt they have, which will make the day to day running of the business extremely difficult.

Essentially, this is to very soon be a former wrestling promotion.

A sad day. Not just for the wrestlers, but also the many people they must employ behind the scenes as well.

[road doggy dogg]

loltna

[Schlomey]

I'm not awake enough to come up with something pliable or even witty. I will just say that I quit watching TNA ages ago because it started sucking...But I will miss it being available and an alternative. I hope they find a home somewhere..even if it is public access.


This wrestling show is brought to you through a grant by the Arthur T. Withrow Fund & by viewer(s) like you.

[Hanso Amore]

I don't think they will get picked up.

Their ratings were around that of a re run of cops...while costing far more to put on the air.

Sure they could got the roh route but I don't think the income will be what that company needs.

Wcw couldn't find a new channel when cancelled. I doubt TNA does. This could be the end.

[Droford]

<font color=goldenrod>I have no idea how they recover from this. With WWE getting embarrassed shopping their product around various networks, I can't imagine any of them wanting to even look at TNA.

They're done.</font>
Maybe WWE can buy TNA for pennies on the dollar like WCW and ECW so they can add to their tape library/network.

[hb2k]

Meltzer touched on this and its a good point - the fact that not many people tried to get WWE this year tells you all you need to know about the marketplace for TNA to get on board with a big station for a big contract right now. It's not impossible, but it isn't likely either.

[Seth82]

http://www.thewrestlingfan.com/images/vinceanddixie.gif

[JT]

Maybe they can get on the WWE Network. :shifty:

[JT]

On a serious note, as a guy with a career in television, I do feel very much for the staff of TNA. It's not just the talented wrestlers losing their jobs, but camera people, technicians, producers, writers, etc. A lot of people may be out of work.

As a fan I still find their product to suck and wish something was finally done to do consistant good shows, but still hope that the workers of TNA are able to keep their jobs or find decent employment elsewhere. :/

[Big Vic]

Maybe TLP will only go for an hour now instead of 5.

[XL]

Maybe they could bring the whole operation over to the UK?

[Outsider]

Maybe they could bring the whole operation over to the UK?

Because Challenge TV is one of the most watched TV channels here.....

[whiteyford]

Higher ratings than Raw...

[Outsider]

Challenge is free and available to pretty much every home in the UK.

RAW is on an expensive additional channel.

Never sure why someone like ITV2, BBC3 or E4 didn't look at TNA. Would have done quite well on one of those.

[erickman]

Could be a good grab for WGN or ION. I could see FOX Sports taking an interest as well, though TNA wouldn't be a cornerstone of their programming. Doesn't really fit FX.

maby they could go back to fox sports south

[erickman]

Maybe they could bring the whole operation over to the UK?

i was thinking the same thing about japan they are doing bound for glory there. get jeff to make to make tna part of gfw

[XL]

Because Challenge TV is one of the most watched TV channels here.....

Challenge is free and available to pretty much every home in the UK.

RAW is on an expensive additional channel.

Never sure why someone like ITV2, BBC3 or E4 didn't look at TNA. Would have done quite well on one of those.
You kind of answer your own "question".

They've built a decent following over here and get decent ratings. I'm not sure how long the deal with Challenge is but they could probably get some interest from Channel 4 or 5. Maybe ITV2 or E4.

[Vastardikai]

It think Papa Emeritus and a bunch of Nameless Ghouls said it best...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qJy-hdKT5wM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[drave]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>OH MY GOD THIS RUSSO GIF <a href="http://t.co/l6IP0pJGjN">http://t.co/l6IP0pJGjN</a></p>&mdash; David Bixenspan (@davidbix) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidbix/statuses/493643146849697792">July 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The best comedy writes itself, but the worst writers repeat the same outcomes-- <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OopsHeDidItAgain?src=hash">#OopsHeDidItAgain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SayGoodnightDixie?src=hash">#SayGoodnightDixie</a></p>&mdash; Jim Cornette (@TheJimCornette) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJimCornette/statuses/493618373897760768">July 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Gotta love Jimmy

[Outsider]

You kind of answer your own "question".

They've built a decent following over here and get decent ratings. I'm not sure how long the deal with Challenge is but they could probably get some interest from Channel 4 or 5. Maybe ITV2 or E4.

My point was that they do ok because they're on a free channel, but could actually do much better.

On Challenge they don't have a big enough market to support the company. Hypothetically, had they spent a few years on a mainstream channel, and got the right luck and promotion, I could see there being enough of a market to look at the possibility of being based here. Although a lot would have had to have gone right with them for that to have happened, and no chance now.

And it's all moot as they'll be dead soon anyway.

[The Rogerer]

TNA had no hope of getting on those other channels. On Challenge it has to compete with this:

http://bullseyecontestants.tumblr.com

I wonder if it gets more viewers than an episode of Wheel of Fortune from 1992 because that's generally what's on when I go past Challenge.

[erickman]

so was russo to blame did he kill another wrestling company

[Shisen Kopf]

They should change the name to TSP--total stop action. What a shitty fed with shitty fans. Lol TNA

[Heisenberg]

That one Spud dude made me stop watching. Real talk.

[Outsider]

TNA had no hope of getting on those other channels. On Challenge it has to compete with this:

http://bullseyecontestants.tumblr.com

I wonder if it gets more viewers than an episode of Wheel of Fortune from 1992 because that's generally what's on when I go past Challenge.

I prefer to think they do well despite being on that channel...

[The Rogerer]

Rockstar Spud is the one guy I want to see go to the WWE. He was the best talker on WWE by a long shot. EC3 should go over with him but I don't think WWE will take him seriously again.

[Hanso Amore]

Rockstar Spud is the one guy I want to see go to the WWE. He was the best talker on WWE by a long shot. EC3 should go over with him but I don't think WWE will take him seriously again.

He could make it. Most fans wont remember him and the WWE has brought people back that achieved much more than Derrick bateman did as new characters.

IE bray wyatt.

They could bring in EC3 as anything and it wouldnt be a problem.

[Hanso Amore]

The problem with Spud is that name would never make it in the WWE. So then they bring in him as Reginald barringston Cobblesworth and make him a lackey and it could work but the character would be different.

But Id be ok with Spud rehashing his limey lackey gimmick in the WWE working for HHH

[Emperor Smeat]

A number of media sources have reported that Spike TV will not be renewing Impact Wrestling when the contract expires in just over two months.

There were reports that Carter positioned to her staff at a meeting on Friday that they were leaving Spike on their own volition due to a lack of promotion, but others have confirmed Spike had told Carter they were not going to offer a new deal.

The decision came days after Spike found out that Vince Russo was still working for TNA.

At this point direct sources at Spike did not respond to questions from just after the meeting and most within TNA, including talent, were not aware there was any issue until today when rumors started flying.

This puts the company in grave position. They have UTA representing them in an attempt to get a new television deal, but unless they could get a deal that pays similar to what they were earning on Spike, financially, the company that had been struggling financially with the Spike payments, would not be in good shape.

[Nowhere Man]

Y'know what the worst part about this is?

I'm not going to be on this week's TLP, so I don't get to be all smug about it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Y'know what the worst part about this is?

I'm not going to be on this week's TLP, so I don't get to be all smug about it.

Do whatever you have to do to make it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

You kind of answer your own "question".

They've built a decent following over here and get decent ratings. I'm not sure how long the deal with Challenge is but they could probably get some interest from Channel 4 or 5. Maybe ITV2 or E4.

I doubt they can't afford to produce the show without it being seen on American television.

Their deal elsewhere is based on the show being on Spike.

[thedarkness214]

1f y0u b3l13v3 th1z ur @ m0r0n,,,,,

[Corndad]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Btq3sYuCUAAT6t3.jpg

[hb2k]

TNA can't afford to pay attention right now, let alone pay the whole roster and the crew to fly to England on a regular basis and run houseshows and TV from there. And besides, Challenge's money isn't going to be enough to keep them alive.

[whiteyford]

1f y0u b3l13v3 th1z ur @ m0r0n,,,,,

I know right, clearly Russo is booking Spike TV and this is the greatest swerve in the history of our sport! C'mon people, if this retarded sock/troll hybrid can figure this out then why can't the rest of you?

[Sepholio]

Just gonna go with the standard "It's a work!" angle.

:shifty:

[DAMN iNATOR]

TNA had no hope of getting on those other channels. On Challenge it has to compete with this:

http://bullseyecontestants.tumblr.com

I wonder if it gets more viewers than an episode of Wheel of Fortune from 1992 because that's generally what's on when I go past Challenge.

Classic WoF puts everything TNA has tried to do to shame. This includes the daytime version with Bob Goen as host as well as the regular series which had Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as host/hostess (1/1/1975-12/25/1980), Pat and Susan, and '83-end of Summer '97 Pat and Vanna. Fucking hate that damned electronic puzzle board. Just an excuse for Vanna to be lazy.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I realize that went off-the-rails but, FFS, who the fuck compares a shit wrestling organization and show to an awesome classic game show, and in a Wrestling Forum thread no less?!

#WOOOWrasslinisSRSBSNSS

[Destor]

...so basically Eric Young is such a shit draw the show got canned...gotcha

[DAMN iNATOR]

On the upside maybe he could pull a The Brian Kendrick and wind up on TPiR, as did Vanna back in '80, and oh fuck I'm still several degrees away from Kevin Bacon.

*TPiR pre-2007 losing horn, "WOOOO!"*

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Classic WoF puts everything TNA has tried to do to shame. This includes the daytime version with Bob Goen as host as well as the regular series which had Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as host/hostess (1/1/1975-12/25/1980), Pat and Susan, and '83-end of Summer '97 Pat and Vanna. Fucking hate that damned electronic puzzle board. Just an excuse for Vanna to be lazy.

Are you suffering from a stroke?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

...so basically Eric Young is such a shit draw the show got canned...gotcha

nah bobby lashley is champ now. blame him.

[Destor]

nah bobby lashley is champ now. blame him.
wait...what

[Dukelorange]

TNA needs to just pick a home and just broadcast from there. Florida is not the best place for them. They need to go in the Northeast where they can generate a BIG fan base. Like an ECW for the 21st century. If they market it right it could be a rebirth of the Attitude era. They just need better writing and guys that will help the wrestlers in their presentation .

[VSG]

Is there any source for this other than TMZ? I don't really trust them fully to be honest.

[Sepholio]

TMZ are dicks a lot of the time, but they are pretty much spot on for the most part. At least from what I've seen of them, anyways.

[el bobbo]

Here is something I found on Guyism:

TNA Impact Wrestling is for Sale of Craigslist (http://guyism.com/sports/wrestling/tna-impact-wrestling-sale.html)

For Sale or Trade!
One slightly used wrestling company!
Great for kids birthday parties, local armories, or aaa baseball fields!
I am selling my Daddies wrestling company!11! Tee hee!
It’s Call Total Non, No wait it’s called TNA Wre, no maybe we settled on Impact Wrestling. You know what I’m not too sure but I do know we have Hulk, I mean Sting, I mean AJ St… We have Robbie E.
We currently have a national TV deal but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last. To be honest I’m surprised it lasted this long! But you could always do weekly PPV’s, that work GREAT for us!
Anyway you can contact me to purchase the entire company or I’d be willing to sell my guys individually. If you want Kurt Angle to wrestle at your wedding, no problem! Just buy or trade him out from me!
We have two rings because we never could decide what we wanted to do, and even when we did we were never decisive enough to stick with those decisions.
Contrary to the rumors Vince Russo is not working for us! That was all a swerve that we did just to work the sheets. We got tired of them constantly saying that we sucked and posting photoshopped photos of our HUGE events with no crowds and only empty seats.
Anyway I feel like I’m not doing anything now but just wasting valuable space in this ad and if you know anything about me, you know I’d never waste anything, be it time or money.
So if you are a money mark and in the market for buying yourself respect in the business and want to help raise your stock so you can be friends with the boys, this deal is for you!
And don’t forget, it’s also a GREAT tax write off!

[drave]

Also, Russo was FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!

Or however they do it in lolTNA

[VSG]

Pretty much the same way except that Dixie Carter puts on her beard:

http://www.wrestlingrevealed.com/images/pictures/dixie-carter-beard.jpg

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

TNA needs to just pick a home and just broadcast from there. Florida is not the best place for them. They need to go in the Northeast where they can generate a BIG fan base. Like an ECW for the 21st century. If they market it right it could be a rebirth of the Attitude era. They just need better writing and guys that will help the wrestlers in their presentation .

Very north east...England.

[hb2k]

Don't send these assholes to England. I beg of you.

[Sepholio]

Taz! My balls!

[Dukelorange]

Very north east...England.

New York or Philly would be a good fit. New York loves wrestling. The city has enough money to generate enough revenue to fund the show as long as they don't go on tour.

[erickman]

New York or Philly would be a good fit. New York loves wrestling. The city has enough money to generate enough revenue to fund the show as long as they don't go on tour.

going by jim ross it is expensive to tape up there, i would like them to go back to the fairgrounds of nashville.

[Destor]

going by jim ross it is expensive to tape up there, i would like them to go back to the fairgrounds of nashville.Lord knows the area needs it. too many indies competing since TNA left for florida. hopefully they would run them out and let that area bloom again.