PullMyFinger
09-27-2005, 05:33 PM
TNA primed to make 'Impact'
By Rennie Detore
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 25, 2005
TNA primed to make 'Impact'
TNA refuses to view its television deal with SPIKE TV as an excuse to follow in the footsteps of Vince McMahon's WWE. In fact, TNA relishes the opportunity to showcase its stars on a national platform, while still maintaining its distinct style.
"We don't need to be our competitor," said Dixie Carter, president of TNA. "That slot has already been filled in this industry. We need to continue to be innovative and try harder, and I'm confident we have all of those things."
A quick overview of TNA, when compared to WWE, reveals that the Nashville-based promotion resides at the opposite end of the professional wrestling spectrum.
TNA, which debuts "Impact" on Saturday at 11 p.m. on SPIKE TV, values wrestling more so than WWE. The proof of that is TNA's highly touted X-Division, which boasts an array of middleweight superstars - led by A.J. Styles -- who consistently deliver one four-star match after another.
"We're going to push a lot of the smaller-sized guys," said Raven, a former NWA world champion - the title recognized by TNA as its world title.
"Look at (Sugar Ray) Leonard vs. (Marvin) Haggler. You don't have to be huge to draw money. Vince is never going to push them (the middleweights). That's what is going to make us different."
The timing of TNA couldn't be better. The company secured a deal with SPIKE TV, the former home of WWE, during a time when professional wrestling's landscape is desperately in need of a fresh product.
TNA fills that void nicely with a roster littered with up-and-coming talent, along with established names such as Raven, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy and Rhyno.
"The reason wrestling has diminished is because WWE stopped coming up with creative storytelling and characters portrayed in those stories," Raven said. "People don't hate wrestling; they've just stopped watching."
Raven points to McMahon's profile as primary proof.
"We (TNA) have young guys who are trendy. You want a show to be hip. If you're going to appeal to that audience (17 to 35-year-olds), you have to know what that culture is like. Vince is a 60-year-old guy and (has) no idea."
McMahon might not be above buying some of that culture. Carter believes strongly, however, in the loyalty of TNA's roster.
"Some of our guys have had the opportunity to go to the competition and didn't do it," Carter said. "We have a fun, amazing and supportive locker room."
That tight-knit unit will have to remain close, especially since TNA has finally hit McMahon's radar. The smug WWE kingpin realizes that TNA is more than just a regional federation with national aspirations.
TNA has arrived: Let the competition begin.
"Competition is great for any industry, especially wrestling," Carter said. "Competition makes everyone work harder and be on your toes."
Raven agrees, citing the previous "Monday Night Wars" as the prime example.
"The market should be competitive. The best wrestling was during "Raw" and "Nitro." Raven said. "Vince knows that, and he's also realizing he can't foster competition" (i.e. Raw vs. Smackdown).
While a full-fledged "war" between TNA and WWE isn't imminent, TNA has stayed true to its wrestling-first ideology, while garnering accolades year after year. The fact that TNA still is pushing forward after three years in existence is enough of a victory.
"Since Day 1, I've been reading this company's obituary," Carter said. "'They won't make it or be around in a couple of months.' To be where we are now is a testament to the product."
Rennie Detore's Pro Wrestling Insider appears Sundays in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
By Rennie Detore
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 25, 2005
TNA primed to make 'Impact'
TNA refuses to view its television deal with SPIKE TV as an excuse to follow in the footsteps of Vince McMahon's WWE. In fact, TNA relishes the opportunity to showcase its stars on a national platform, while still maintaining its distinct style.
"We don't need to be our competitor," said Dixie Carter, president of TNA. "That slot has already been filled in this industry. We need to continue to be innovative and try harder, and I'm confident we have all of those things."
A quick overview of TNA, when compared to WWE, reveals that the Nashville-based promotion resides at the opposite end of the professional wrestling spectrum.
TNA, which debuts "Impact" on Saturday at 11 p.m. on SPIKE TV, values wrestling more so than WWE. The proof of that is TNA's highly touted X-Division, which boasts an array of middleweight superstars - led by A.J. Styles -- who consistently deliver one four-star match after another.
"We're going to push a lot of the smaller-sized guys," said Raven, a former NWA world champion - the title recognized by TNA as its world title.
"Look at (Sugar Ray) Leonard vs. (Marvin) Haggler. You don't have to be huge to draw money. Vince is never going to push them (the middleweights). That's what is going to make us different."
The timing of TNA couldn't be better. The company secured a deal with SPIKE TV, the former home of WWE, during a time when professional wrestling's landscape is desperately in need of a fresh product.
TNA fills that void nicely with a roster littered with up-and-coming talent, along with established names such as Raven, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy and Rhyno.
"The reason wrestling has diminished is because WWE stopped coming up with creative storytelling and characters portrayed in those stories," Raven said. "People don't hate wrestling; they've just stopped watching."
Raven points to McMahon's profile as primary proof.
"We (TNA) have young guys who are trendy. You want a show to be hip. If you're going to appeal to that audience (17 to 35-year-olds), you have to know what that culture is like. Vince is a 60-year-old guy and (has) no idea."
McMahon might not be above buying some of that culture. Carter believes strongly, however, in the loyalty of TNA's roster.
"Some of our guys have had the opportunity to go to the competition and didn't do it," Carter said. "We have a fun, amazing and supportive locker room."
That tight-knit unit will have to remain close, especially since TNA has finally hit McMahon's radar. The smug WWE kingpin realizes that TNA is more than just a regional federation with national aspirations.
TNA has arrived: Let the competition begin.
"Competition is great for any industry, especially wrestling," Carter said. "Competition makes everyone work harder and be on your toes."
Raven agrees, citing the previous "Monday Night Wars" as the prime example.
"The market should be competitive. The best wrestling was during "Raw" and "Nitro." Raven said. "Vince knows that, and he's also realizing he can't foster competition" (i.e. Raw vs. Smackdown).
While a full-fledged "war" between TNA and WWE isn't imminent, TNA has stayed true to its wrestling-first ideology, while garnering accolades year after year. The fact that TNA still is pushing forward after three years in existence is enough of a victory.
"Since Day 1, I've been reading this company's obituary," Carter said. "'They won't make it or be around in a couple of months.' To be where we are now is a testament to the product."
Rennie Detore's Pro Wrestling Insider appears Sundays in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.