The Monday Night Wars V2.0

[Mr. JL]

As we've speculated all week, TNA will begin on Monday nights in prime time on WGN from 8:00pm - 10:00pm ET. The start date on WGN will be the day after Slammiversary - Monday, June 20.

The WGN show will air live every other week on Monday's from Universal Orlando. Shows will be taped on Tuesday's to then air the following week. The first live show will be Monday, June 20 with a taping on June 21 to air on Monday, June 27 on WGN.

TNA should make an official announcement imminently.

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Now I'm gonna go check if I even get WGN.

[Mr. JL]

oh and credit wrestling-edge.com

[The One]

Now I need to find out what station WGN is...or if I even get it...

[McLegend]

Should be interesting, but it will fail unfortunately.

[mike627]

The first night TNA is on WGN will be the night Jarret wins the NWA title back. :-\

[Mr. JL]

Well, I just checked and I do not get WGN.

[KingofOldSchool]

I got WGN, but I ain't watching TNA over Raw.

TNA will crash and burn.

[Splaya]

Holy shit I am in shock.

[Splaya]

I will watch the first hour of TNA.


Also, how is TNA going to bust out 2 hours of show, they can barely do 1 hour right now.

[Rob]

Should be interesting, but it will fail unfortunately.

Why will it fail then?

[The One]

I plan on watching TNA over RAW...but I have a feeling I will be one of 3 people to make that choice. That is why it will fail.

[James Steele]

They are prime time, but are insane if they even think they can compete (at all) with RAW. I might switch back and forth, but I will most likely watch RAW especially if JJ has the belt.

[loopydate]

I'll watch the first hour of TNA, then flip back and forth from 9-10.

Of course, that's until fall when I'll watch an hour of TNA, then "24," then the second hour of WWE.

[The One]

Maybe WGN plays in all the markets Spike doesn't :shifty: Not that it will matter once WWE goes back to USA. :|

[Gouda]

I'll be watching the first hour.... And hey if Raw starts with a 15 minute HHH promo... Well I'llgladly switch over.

[MVP]

This is probably my ignorance, but what station does WGN stand for?

[McLegend]

Why will it fail then?
Mostly becasue they will be on Monday night.

[James Steele]

Hell, a Tuesday night slot would be perfect.

[Innovator]

BOOYA!

This is what I'm talking about, now it truly comes down to the battle of the initials

JJ vs. HHH

[loopydate]

This is probably my ignorance, but what station does WGN stand for?
I don't think it stands for anything. WGN started as a local station in Chicago, then caught on in cable markets.

[James Steele]

I don't think it stands for anything. WGN started as a local station in Chicago, then caught on in cable markets.

Isn't that what happened with TBS (only in Atlanta not Chicago)?

[The One]

Turner Broadcasting Station...I do believe that TBS was always a national station. I could wrong though, I'm not thinking real straight right now.

[Innovator]

whats WGN stand for?

[James Steele]

Whata Gayass Network



:shifty:

[carrythezero]

I'll have to check and see if I get WGN. If I do, i'll watch TNA during the RAW commercials.

[Jordan]

everyone though WCW was dumb to go against Raw, well it worked. It wont be an overnight success, but give it time and most importantly give it a chance.

[Hired Hitman]

if they do a good job in a few weeks/months the good word will go around and people might change the channel to check it out.

-edit-

but TNA (whatever they're called NWA-TNA, right?) doesn't have millions to burn like Ted did.

[The CyNick]

The difference with Nitro was that they had stars to compete against WWE.

TNA has ZERO stars right now.

I'm sure there are a lot of AJ Styles fans here, but based on my 20+ years matching wrestling in North America I dont think there's a chance in hell he will succeed as a top guy against the giants in the WWE.

The other problem is that they will likely use Jarrett like WWE uses Hunter. Here's where you'll start to really appreciate Hunter. Much like AJ, I cant see a person who has never watched TNA flipping thorugh the channels and accepting the guy who lost to Chyna in a Kitchen match as the "World Champion".

Hopefully they have some deals in place with big stars that are available (ie Goldberg, Hogan and if possible I wou ld suggest Bob Sapp). But outside those guys, I dont see how this can work.

[LK]

Can't see this lasting too long. No big stars going up against Raw is not really the best way to go about things. They will need to put on shows that are a damn sight better than Impact anyway, just to keep it going.

[Dave Youell]

BOOYA!

This is what I'm talking about, now it truly comes down to the battle of the initials

JJ vs. HHH

JJ Moore > HHH

Everytime

:cool:

[Dave Youell]

It's Official Now

They will run from 8 - 10 on Mondays

so TNA's Second hour goes head to head with WWE's First hour.

Sound Idea in theory, if they can book some decent shows, they 'may' be able to put a slight dent on the RAW first hour, which tends to be the lower rated of the 2 hours.

So as long as they keep Big Vis on the first hour TNA are doomed

[Bo]

Sweet Im going to Orlando in August. Gotta go check it out.

[PureHatred]

Can't see this lasting too long. No big stars going up against Raw is not really the best way to go about things. They will need to put on shows that are a damn sight better than Impact anyway, just to keep it going.

This pretty much says it all. For the sake of the industry, I hope it works out. But realistically, this is a huge longshot. They'll need to improve the writing dramatically, use some of this new TV money to sign a viable bigname talent, and do everything possible to showcase Daniels and Styles. And even then......

[Dave Youell]

This is all down to the booking now, They need to make the second TNA seem that good that you are willing to miss an hour of Raw.

Which is possible with the potential names and feuds they could tease and set up, but it is going to take some fucking great booking

[Shaggy]

WHY GOD WHY!!!!!!!!!!!

I Liked having it on two seperate nights...it gave me time to watch both shows when I would remember to catch TNA. Now I have to tape one and watch the other...this is crap.

Id like to see how they handle there first episode though. Might be pretty good. The first episode of Impact was pretty damn impressive but its gone down from there.

[6to1]

now lets see if the wwe will start there show with 20 mins of trips boring the fans, when tna will be wrestling. i think most the cable viewers in the US have wgn except people who live at the collage dorms they probly don't have wgn or usa.

[KingofOldSchool]

I'm hearing that they will be airing TNA on WGN every OTHER Monday night.

So I don't think this is an every Monday night deal.

Unless what I've read is wrong.

[Mr. JL]

^^
I read that there will be one live Impact show and then the next weeks show will be taped. Maybe that is what you read?

[KingofOldSchool]

Yeah I misread, the show will be live every other week. The way they worded it made it to sound otherwise.

[SuperSlim]

I'm just glad I get WGN

[Rob]

Mostly becasue they will be on Monday night.

That's more of a reason why they can succeed in my opinion. WCW were told not to go head to head with the WWF and everyone at the time thought they were doomed. They ended up being extremely competitive very early on and winning the ratings war soon after. Not saying TNA will compete but it's only a step up from where they are now.

Compared to where TNA stands now (excluding finishing their current TV), it's nothing but a big step up.

[Xero]

Well, now I get three hours of wrestling every Monday. :y:

I'll probably switch back and forth. I don't know how well it will fair, but it's in a better timeslot than it is now.

[Innovator]

speaking of Impact, best chant ever:

OOOOOOOOHHHH GO ABYSS

[Altar of Helmsley]

Nice to see that someone is going up against wwe on mondays, first time in over 4 years.

It won't work but at least it will give fans a choice

[Fox]

What a waste of money. The only reason WCW caught on was because it was broadcast on Turner's nationally known and respected networks (TNT and TBS). There are A LOT of people who don't get WGN (me included), so they will probably get shitty ratings, even though there is a large base of people who probably WOULD watch if they could (me included).

Why couldn't they have waited a bit longer and signed a deal with SpikeTV or ESPN or something?

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

for TNA fans that live in Canada like me, if you have Rogers Digital Cable WGN Chicago is channel 171

[PullMyFinger]

I could care less if it flops, I'm so excited. Why? Because even if it's an utter piece of shit, WGN will prob get more ratings with TNA than any other show, and the consumers will actually have an alternative choice.

I was just hoping that with this Monday Night deal...TNA would venture out of Orlando and film in better set all around the country. If it's the same set as Impact!, then that'll just turn fans away IMO. You also want to look friendly on TV.

Now if they can just get tid of that 6-sided ring too....

[Shadow]

Yay for TNA. At least now they won't be at butt fuck AM on some random channel.

And yes...they need to get rid of the 6-sided ring. And with that...Jeff Jarret.

[PullMyFinger]

Oh btw, like I said, I have WGN on both providers. I have it on DirecTV, and also on the shitty 15 dollar a month Comcast deal for the locals w/ 3 or 4 cable channels

[BloodRiotZero]

I live in NYC and I don't get this WGN channel (I think)... WTF!?!?

[Somebody's Gotta Die]

Nobody is strong enough to go head to head with WWE right now... First of all, the RAW brand alone is already head over heels better than TNA and if TNA becomes legit competition, they can put their rosters back together and crush the competition...

RAW offers the following in their main event scene:

Shawn Michaels
Ric Flair
Triple H
Batista
Randy Orton
Edge
Christian
Chris Jericho
Chris Benoit
Shelton Benjamin
Muhammad Hassan
Kane

TNA offers the following in their main event scene:

AJ Styles
Raven
Jeff Jarrett
The Outlaw (Billy Gunn)
Kevin Nash :-\
Sean Waltman :| (X-Pac)
Ron Killings (K-Kwik)
BG James (Road Dogg)
Jeff Hardy and/or Matt Hardy (if he signs)
Dustin Rhodes (Goldust)
Monty Brown
Abyss
& strong cruiserweights (Chris Daniels, Elix Skipper)

Basically, WWE has a strong, young roster... To rundown the TNA roster, they have some positives, but only some...

AJ Styles is pretty awesome, but he's a big spotfest and is more of a cruiserweight (X) champion than a world champion... He's the best thing going for them, nevertheless...

Raven is always awesome and I would have liked to see him as a main eventer in WWE, but that time has passed... If TNA gets a TV deal, they have to focus a lot of exposure on Raven...

Jarrett = HHH of TNA except he's a lot less talented and a lot less over... HHH constantly puts on awesome matches regardless of if people hate him... Jarrett is way past his prime...

Billy Gunn is mediocre at best... I don't see the logic of pushing him as a main eventer or a credible champion since he was shat on throughout the last few years of his WWE run...

Nash is horrible... Flair > Nash... That's all I have to say about that... Nash is really entertaining though and I'm glad he's part of the company because he can help ratings as long as he's in a non-wrestling role...

Waltman is garbage... I can't even look at him the same way after I caught a glimpse of his sex tape with Chyna... Gross stuff... Not a legit main eventer at all...

Ron Killings is pretty good... He should be pushed a little more... BG James is losing it in the ring, but he's good as a tag-team wrestler... Neither is really a main eventer that can get over, although I have a lot of hope for Killings as champion...

The Hardys can get really over if they get a TV deal... Matt Hardy in TNA = ratings judging from the chants we're hearing on RAW every week when Edge and Lita hit the screen... Main eventers though, I don't think so...

Dustin Rhodes is only good in WWE as Goldust... Otherwise, he's old and washed up...

Monty Brown is pretty good... If he can develop into a legit main eventer, it could help the company...

Kane > Abyss and Kane = :-\ so that's all I have to say about that...

The cruiserweights are the main thing that can bring attention to TNA on monday nights... They have a lot of great cruisers and that should be the focus of the company...

Regardless...

RAW > TNA

WWE >>>>> TNA

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[SuperSlim]

MOnty Brown is crap on the mic, waita minute really really crappy on the mic. and his in ring performance is lack luster. I'd rather sit through Goldberg int eh ring than Monty Brown and that says a whole lot.

[PullMyFinger]

I may not like Monty Brown that much, but for some reason, he was always over with the TNA crowd.

[PureHatred]

Nobody is strong enough to go head to head with WWE right now... First of all, the RAW brand alone is already head over heels better than TNA and if TNA becomes legit competition, they can put their rosters back together and crush the competition...

RAW offers the following in their main event scene:

Shawn Michaels
Ric Flair
Triple H
Batista
Randy Orton
Edge
Christian
Chris Jericho
Chris Benoit
Shelton Benjamin
Muhammad Hassan
Kane

TNA offers the following in their main event scene:

AJ Styles
Raven
Jeff Jarrett
The Outlaw (Billy Gunn)
Kevin Nash :-\
Sean Waltman :| (X-Pac)
Ron Killings (K-Kwik)
BG James (Road Dogg)
Jeff Hardy and/or Matt Hardy (if he signs)
Dustin Rhodes (Goldust)
Monty Brown
Abyss
& strong cruiserweights (Chris Daniels, Elix Skipper)


Wow, way to drink the kool-aid, moron.

From your list its pretty obvious you haven't watched TNA much. Several of the guys you listed are no longer with the company. And even a casual TNA viewer would have had enough sense to list the X-division roster on its own; hell, the TNA just made it obvious they're going to build around AJ and Daniels by signing them to long term contracts.

Its one thing to make an objective statement about TNA and their chances to actually compete on the WWE's level. But the fact that you felt you had to list the WWE personas of those performers as if no one would have any idea who they were otherwise shows you're pretty much a mindless WWE fanboy who's opinion in this conversation is totally worthless.

Of course you're not going to watch: you'll be too busy listening to your John Cena CD, voting at WWE.com , and watching your Divas DVD to change the channel before Raw comes on. :roll:

[PullMyFinger]

Wrestling like all the other sports out there, esp football. TNA is kinda like an expansion franchise right now. They need to build up slowly around their own stars (Styles and Dainels) a la the Texans grabbing David Carr, Andre Johnson to be their franchise players. From those two, you can build around a good company with an influx of home-grown stars, and if possible...key grabs from WWE (though they need financial help).

The only thing that's going to fuck over TNA, IMO is the small stage in Orlando along with that piece of shit set that'll make any mark turn away.

[PullMyFinger]

Wow, way to drink the kool-aid, moron.

From your list its pretty obvious you haven't watched TNA much. Several of the guys you listed are no longer with the company. And even a casual TNA viewer would have had enough sense to list the X-division roster on its own; hell, the TNA just made it obvious they're going to build around AJ and Daniels by signing them to long term contracts.

Its one thing to make an objective statement about TNA and their chances to actually compete on the WWE's level. But the fact that you felt you had to list the WWE personas of those performers as if no one would have any idea who they were otherwise shows you're pretty much a mindless WWE fanboy who's opinion in this conversation is totally worthless.

Of course you're not going to watch: you'll be too busy listening to your John Cena CD, voting at WWE.com , and watching your Divas DVD to change the channel before Raw comes on. :roll:
:lol:

[AareDub]

Great, they do this right after I have to start working Monday nights again. I guess I'll have to get my Tivo ready.

[crock69]

If they wanted to compete they should have gotten a Thursday Night Slot.

[Nark Order]

There will be no war here. I live in California and get all New York programming 3 hours early. It'll come on at 5 for me.

[Cooler Tom Schuler]

RAW offers the following in their main event scene:

Shawn Michaels
Ric Flair
Triple H
Batista
Randy Orton
Edge
Christian
Chris Jericho
Chris Benoit
Shelton Benjamin
Muhammad Hassan
Kane

Hassan? What main event are you watching?

[Rob]

What a waste of money. The only reason WCW caught on was because it was broadcast on Turner's nationally known and respected networks (TNT and TBS). There are A LOT of people who don't get WGN (me included), so they will probably get shitty ratings, even though there is a large base of people who probably WOULD watch if they could (me included).

Why couldn't they have waited a bit longer and signed a deal with SpikeTV or ESPN or something?

What shows get good ratings on ESPN? And they hate wrestling.

Spike TV didn't want any more wrestling after WWE. They had talks but they obviously went nowhere because TNA aren't going with them.

[PureHatred]

I'd also like to point out that TBS didn't just show up one day. The reason Turner loved wrestling so much was that when that network was in its fledgling state, WCW Saturday Night (which featured mostly workers from Jim Crockett's NWA) was its highest rated program. As a matter of fact, Sting v Flair at the first Clash held many ratings records for cable television for years and years. It helped put TBS on the map along with the Atlanta Braves.

So when Nitro debuted live, wrestling had been a big part of TBS for more than a decade. WCW didn't just show up and catch on one day in the late 90's. It had a history with that network. And more importantly, that history meant that Turner had a tremendous amount of patience with the product and was willing to accept losses.

Hopefully, the execs at WGN are the same; the TNA rating are going to blow for a while.

[PureHatred]

I'd also like to point out that TBS didn't just show up one day. The reason Turner loved wrestling so much was that when that network was in its fledgling state, WCW Saturday Night (which featured mostly workers from Jim Crockett's NWA) was its highest rated program. As a matter of fact, Sting v Flair at the first Clash held many ratings records for cable television for years and years. It helped put TBS on the map along with the Atlanta Braves.

So when Nitro debuted live, wrestling had been a big part of TBS for more than a decade. WCW didn't just show up and catch on one day in the late 90's. It had a history with that network. And more importantly, that history meant that Turner had a tremendous amount of patience with the product and was willing to accept losses.

Hopefully, the execs at WGN are the same; the TNA rating are going to blow for a while.

[Scootie Stankers]

Wow, no one answered this but....

WGN stands for "World's Greatest Newspaper" which was and or is the name of Chicago's big newspaper. It became the call letters for Chicago's big radio station and then television station. Basically WGN is a Chicago based television network who's availabilty is scattered. WGN has broadcasted Cubs baseball for the longest time, while the White Sox are now on Chicago's Comcast Sportsnet. I live in Philadelphia and we get Spike, USA and our own (and the ORIGINAL) Comcast Sportsnet (since Comcast is a Philadelphia based company) but we dont get WGN. By the way Comcast Sportsnet and FOX Sportsnet have like an agreement to share programs, so in Philly we got TNA on Comcast Sportsnet.

So in conclusion...
1) WGN is "The World's Greatest Newspaper".
2) TNA lost a HUGE Wrestling Market in Philadelphia.

[VicJericho]

I know I'll be watching TNA if they decide to use AJ Styles and Raven in the right way in the 2nd hour, WWE recaps a lot so maybe I wont miss too much by swtiching over. Also I live in the West Coast so I dont know if this is going to effect me or not

[Batsu]

Dammit...that sucks. The Friday 4:00 slot was pretty awful but...at least I got to watch both shows. How are they going to pull this off? Doesn't WGN air Cubs baseball when the season's up?

[The CyNick]

That's more of a reason why they can succeed in my opinion. WCW were told not to go head to head with the WWF and everyone at the time thought they were doomed. They ended up being extremely competitive very early on and winning the ratings war soon after. Not saying TNA will compete but it's only a step up from where they are now.

Compared to where TNA stands now (excluding finishing their current TV), it's nothing but a big step up.

If I believed the WGN network was behind them long term, I would say its a good thing.

However, the fact of the matter is they will be competing for viewers with WWE right off the bat. When people see the two products side by side, everyone by the smarks of smarks will see it as a fourth rate version of wrestling. And when they see Jarrett and Styles as their top 2 guys, people will turn away in a hurry.

In the long run I think that will hurt them. Because they will have to spend a lot of money to make them look competitive with WWE, and then when they dont create a new version of the Monday Night Wars right from jump street like Nitro did, will WGN still back them?

Knowing how guys like the Jarretts and others in that company operate, I guarantee they've been selling the WGN execs on the idea that in a year or so, they'll be competiting neck and neck with the WWE. And we all know thats downright nutty.

It is true they are going nowhere fast right now, but I just see this being like ECW on TNN, where it looks like the beginning of something huge, but it actually speeds up their death. And if that happens who will ever give another wrestling promotion the chance to compete with Vince?

[The One]

And if that happens who will ever give another wrestling promotion the chance to compete with Vince?

I will....but I don't have a wrestling company...or a TV Station...or a good hihstory of wise investments...or any dignity...but I do have a gun and I think I will go use it now.

[James Steele]

If they survive long enough for the "no compete clause" of Ted Turner to wear off, and they can talk Ted into doing it one more time then TNA will have a shot. Not AOL-Time Warner owning TNA, Ted Turner owning TNA.

[Ruien]

WWE won't care, they know that at 10pm everyone will turn over to watch Raw anyway.

But durning HHH's promos, TNA will win. So TNA will at least win half a hour each show.

[Rob]

If I believed the WGN network was behind them long term, I would say its a good thing.

However, the fact of the matter is they will be competing for viewers with WWE right off the bat. When people see the two products side by side, everyone by the smarks of smarks will see it as a fourth rate version of wrestling. And when they see Jarrett and Styles as their top 2 guys, people will turn away in a hurry.

In the long run I think that will hurt them. Because they will have to spend a lot of money to make them look competitive with WWE, and then when they dont create a new version of the Monday Night Wars right from jump street like Nitro did, will WGN still back them?

Knowing how guys like the Jarretts and others in that company operate, I guarantee they've been selling the WGN execs on the idea that in a year or so, they'll be competiting neck and neck with the WWE. And we all know thats downright nutty.

It is true they are going nowhere fast right now, but I just see this being like ECW on TNN, where it looks like the beginning of something huge, but it actually speeds up their death. And if that happens who will ever give another wrestling promotion the chance to compete with Vince?

Well right now they are on at Friday afternoons when people are either at school or work. Anything after that has to be a plus, especially prime time slots.

[Loose Cannon]

It's funny, when WCW came on Monday Nights, I really had never watched them before. I'd seen bits and pieces here and there, but wasn't a die hard fan like I was with WWF. But I still watched WCW more right from the get go. I really believe it was because of the whole Lex Luger thing and because of wanting to see some guys I had never really seen before.

Now TNA doesn't really have those stars that WCW had, but I hope they can land some major deal right off the bat or do something that's going to make people go "oh shit." I hope this works for them.

[Rob]

Think about it this, they get on TV and then within a month, they get Matt Hardy, Rhyno and Test. Unless you know better, that is going to give the illusion they are "raiding" the WWE roster.

[Lamuella]

I don't know what people are complaining about.

Two primetime wrestling shows=better than one primetime wrestling show.

Considering that WGN is not exactly a station that demands impossibly huge ratings (they have repeats of 80s TV in primetime), TNA will not have huge expectations to live up to.

WGN will be happy to have at least some young people watching. Expectations for TNA's success are not through the roof right now. As long as they get a better rating than the Matlock repeats they will replace, they'll be considered a success.

WGN is actually a great choice of network for them. It's carried in loads of places because old people want their Rockford Files. It's in most regular cable packages. Conversely it doesn't need the ratings killers that bigger cable networks require.

Expectations on TNA are lower than if they had signed with Spike TV. All they have to do is get a couple of good first ratings, then build a fanbase.

And how do you build a fanbase? Good wrestling and good storytelling.

[6to1]

yea it is a win-win for both, tna can be the most watched show on the network besides baseball, for wgn towns that do not get it cable watchers can demand there wgn, an wgn will be added to more citys.

[The One]

I am just excited about TNA getting 2 hours. I mean not that I don't enjoy iMPACT! but come on now! You have time to two Dusty/Jarrett segments and maybe 3 matches. More time can only be a good thing in my eyes.

[PullMyFinger]

I don't know what people are complaining about.

Two primetime wrestling shows=better than one primetime wrestling show.

Considering that WGN is not exactly a station that demands impossibly huge ratings (they have repeats of 80s TV in primetime), TNA will not have huge expectations to live up to.

WGN will be happy to have at least some young people watching. Expectations for TNA's success are not through the roof right now. As long as they get a better rating than the Matlock repeats they will replace, they'll be considered a success.

WGN is actually a great choice of network for them. It's carried in loads of places because old people want their Rockford Files. It's in most regular cable packages. Conversely it doesn't need the ratings killers that bigger cable networks require.

Expectations on TNA are lower than if they had signed with Spike TV. All they have to do is get a couple of good first ratings, then build a fanbase.

And how do you build a fanbase? Good wrestling and good storytelling.
My thoughts exactly.

[6to1]

I am just excited about TNA getting 2 hours. I mean not that I don't enjoy iMPACT! but come on now! You have time to two Dusty/Jarrett segments and maybe 3 matches. More time can only be a good thing in my eyes.
but still in that 1 hour we got more wrestling in that 1 hour then 4 hours of the wwe. now with 2 hours we will get 15 mins x div 15 mins tag fueds 15 mins of the midcard feuds and 15 mins for the main eventers should be good.