SpikeTV Wants TNA to bring in big names [Archive]

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PullMyFinger

11-02-2005, 07:37 PM

Spike TV Wants TNA To Bring In More High-Profile Stars
Date Added: November 02, 2005
Story By: Ben Johnson
Source: PWTorch.com

According to those close to the situation, Spike TV has asked TNA to secure deals to feature more high-profile pro wrestling names on the weekly Impact episodes. The network believes that TNA’s only real chance at competing with WWE is to bring in the top former WCW and WWE names not currently signed to Vince McMahon's company.

Those within the wrestling industry disagree with Spike’s analysis, feeling that TNA will never beat WWE in the battle of “star power.” Its true hope of competing is to secure itself as the destination for great in-ring wrestling.

Personally, I agree with Spike. They don't need to overflood themeselves, but bringing in a decent big name or two would help out TNA a lot...and it'll also make their X Division and homegrown wrestlers well known also.

From what I've read...Panda is a 2 or 5 billion dollar corp that could give a lot more money for their TNA investment...but Dixie believes in using little/small amounts of that and trying to gain a profit and thus use that money for TNA (hope I didn't lose anyone there). I do think Panda needs to cough up a few more million, and all will be well.

Bad Company

11-02-2005, 07:45 PM

A few guys here and there wouldn't hurt. DDP, Sting etc.

PullMyFinger

11-02-2005, 07:48 PM

DDP was already in TNA for a little bit last year...he was a dud.

Brock Lesnar would be a huge coup, Sting would be great, Bret Hart just talked about TNA the other day and said he was impressed....but he can't wrestle anymore....I wonder if Spike meant Bill Goldberg?

Bret Hart, quoted from from the Slam site-

"I've watched a little bit of TNA, but I'm not as familiar with the product as I would like to be. I have a lot of respect for them," Bret said. "They've got a tough job competing with WWE. I appreciate the fact that they're doing their best. If I could do something to help guys out, I could see myself do that."

Savio

11-02-2005, 07:56 PM

if they could get brock that'd be great.

Funky Fly

11-02-2005, 07:57 PM

Goldberg would be terrible. He would have to run through all their talent except maybe Nash, and once he gets bored, he'd quit. That leaves TNA with all their guys looking weak as hell.

PullMyFinger

11-02-2005, 07:58 PM

Goldberg would be terrible. He would have to run through all their talent except maybe Nash, and once he gets bored, he'd quit. That leaves TNA with all their guys looking weak as hell.
lmao, true.

Loose Cannon

11-02-2005, 08:01 PM

Savio

11-02-2005, 08:02 PM

or The Rock

PullMyFinger

11-02-2005, 08:03 PM

Sting and DDP have already been on TNA and did little to next to nothing really. I wouldn't bring them in again.

Yea, guys like Lesner, Christian and even Test would be nice pick ups. They're not young guys, but they're not old neither, which makes them a good fit.
As far as Sting goes..does that really count though considering for most people TNA is a new company? Not much peopel watched it back on FSN.

HeartBreakMan2k

11-02-2005, 08:27 PM

Suicide for the company. TNA cannot afford those guys probably. Spike has a history of asking too much financially of promotions though. Yeah, star power would be great, but can they honestly afford it.

PullMyFinger

11-02-2005, 08:34 PM

They can, but like I said, Dixie wants to spend little of Panda's money and attempt to grab a profit and use that money.

Panda can easily throw millions for TNA, but they choose the conservative route. I believe once profit does start pouring in, then they'll feel more comfortable and add more.

Corkscrewed

11-02-2005, 08:50 PM

LOL

Gee, Spike shoulda thought of that before picking them up.

Kane Knight

11-02-2005, 08:59 PM

Nossir, I don't like it.

Shadow

11-02-2005, 09:29 PM

Shadow Conspiracy says.....

CHRISTIAN IS GOING TO TNA!

mrslackalack

11-02-2005, 09:39 PM

Would you put Christian in TNA as Team Canadas main event guy?

Shadow

11-02-2005, 09:41 PM

Would you put Christian in TNA as Team Canadas main event guy?

Fuck that shit.....I'd have him kick out D'More and then utterly take TC to the main event!

That or just go on his own and kick everyone's ass.

Kane Knight

11-02-2005, 09:52 PM

Christian's Canadian? :?:

Shadow

11-02-2005, 10:16 PM

Christian's Canadian? :?:

That's what I hear. Then again...Benoit's supposed to be Canadian but he's from Atlanta so I don't know what to think!

Kane Knight

11-02-2005, 10:42 PM

Yeah, they tried to tell us Jericho is Canadian, but the only thing of note that ever came out of Canada was Karate.

Ninti the Mad

11-02-2005, 10:49 PM

Yeah, I see Christian going for some reason. He needs to stay on Tv or his rep will die.

GODSON

11-02-2005, 10:56 PM

TNA is about to break even with all the good sales and deals, this is the last thing TNA needs.

By the way, TNA got two more primetime specials line up for the year. I'm telling you by March they will have a weekly two hour primetime slot which is good news for the business.

11-02-2005, 11:19 PM

i think bringing in goldberg for 1 ppv to take on somebody in a hig profile non title match would make the company a good bit of money cause like it or not goldberg did draw good in wcw and wwe

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 12:04 AM

i think bringing in goldberg for 1 ppv to take on somebody in a hig profile non title match would make the company a good bit of money cause like it or not goldberg did draw good in wcw and wwe

It's still monetarily risky, but would be better than trying to book people regularly.

The real problem is that there are cost issues, TNA's not been doing good, but with better business of late, now is not the time to really risk more money. The WWE can afford to risk one offs not selling, because they've got much deeper pockets. Goldberg would be a draw if they could make it widely known he was on TV, but let's face it, there aren't a huge number of viewers, ad space is kinda limited, etc., so the impact might be pretty limited.

I think at this point, they need a major coup though. Hiring Nash isn't exactly thinking big.

FourFifty

11-03-2005, 12:08 AM

I don't like the idea that Spike wants TNA to bring in some big names.

What TNA should do is build up there current names. Remind everyone why The New Age Outlaws were once the top tag team, and let them remember the hell the Dudley Boys could unleash in the ring. Let Raven go hardcore, and someone please stick a dick in the ass of Jeff Jarrett.

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 12:11 AM

and someone please stick a dick in the ass of Jeff Jarrett.

That's how you get a push.

FourFifty

11-03-2005, 12:12 AM

^
I thought it was when Jeff stuck his dick in someone's ass, but I don't really follow TNA that much to know.

Pegasus Crawford

11-03-2005, 12:14 AM

Sounds to me like TNA just wants exposure, while Spike wants an all-out war against the WWE.

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 12:24 AM

^
I thought it was when Jeff stuck his dick in someone's ass, but I don't really follow TNA that much to know.

Jeff's a catcher. You don't wanna know how I know.

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 12:25 AM

Sounds to me like TNA just wants exposure, while Spike wants an all-out war against the WWE.

I hope Spike's willing to put more money into this then...

...A LOT MORE MONEY...

PullMyFinger

11-03-2005, 01:05 AM

I hope Spike's willing to put more money into this then...

...A LOT MORE MONEY...
The Carters sound pretty cheap lol maybe that's their plan. Make Spike pay.

Fox

11-03-2005, 01:08 AM

I think this is both a good idea and a bad idea.

It's good because TNA really does need big name stars to hook in some of the old fans. Names like AJ Styles, Sonjay Dutt, Christopher Daniels, and Petey Williams don't mean anything to the average fan - but names like Diamond Dallas Page, Sting, and Goldberg are recognizable, and may cause more interest in the product.

It's bad because the reason that I watch TNA is for the fast paced, high intensity wrestling from the guys of the X-Division; something that DDP, Goldberg and Sting can't bring to the table. TNA is the FUTURE of professional wrestling, and the future is the X Division - I think they should focus more on those wrestlers and keep putting on those five star matches every Saturday night. With time, those wrestlers will get over, and eventually they'll be the main eventers.

PullMyFinger

11-03-2005, 01:43 AM

Pete

11-03-2005, 03:28 AM

I wouldn't be against it if they used the guys they brought in to put over their existing talent. Or just jobbed Goldberg week in, week out.

11-03-2005, 06:53 AM

I wouldn't be against it if they used the guys they brought in to put over their existing talent. Or just jobbed Goldberg week in, week out.
See that's the problem with this scenario. Sure it would be great if you could bring out Goldberg or Sting or Brock Lesnar, but these the cons are there to be seen as well. These guys will tend to want a decent sum of cash to make their appearance, some are just totally unreliable (Savage) and the question is will they want to put over talent, or just boost their own ego with a crushing defeat of some new comer? *coughcoughHogan/Hassancoughcough*

PYRO-MANIAC

11-03-2005, 07:02 AM

See that's the problem with this scenario. Sure it would be great if you could bring out Goldberg or Sting or Brock Lesnar, but these the cons are there to be seen as well. These guys will tend to want a decent sum of cash to make their appearance, some are just totally unreliable (Savage) and the question is will they want to put over talent, or just boost their own ego with a crushing defeat of some new comer? *coughcoughHogan/Hassancoughcough*

Yeah i agree i mean if they were to bring in 'big names' then they'd have to have feuds for them to go straight into without demolishing the current roster.

They could look at guys like Lesnar, Sting, Goldberg and hell even Scott Steiner and a certain Christian. Id even like to see them give Nathan Jones a chance because he could be massive if he's given a chance.

Some of those guys could be huge for a promotion like TNA, i just dont want to see a squash fest again from someone like Goldberg or Lesnar. Maybe have them go over big in a few triple threat matches or something but no 100 win run or anything like that.. make them more real. :y:

TNA could be huge if they brought in a few big names i really believe that, as long as they keep AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and the likes and top up the current roster with the right big name talents they will only improve as a promotion.

Pinnacle Charisma

11-03-2005, 08:57 AM

Like I said in the Christian quits thread if Christian goes to TNA then other under-utilized WWE wrestlers will go because if an established mid-carder like Christain goes then others will follow.

It’s a real shame that Matt Hardy didn’t end up going to TNA. He has got a big enough fanbase for TNA to make a difference.

But if TNA somehow managed to get Lesnar, Chirstain and Goldberg that would really rival wwe as those names added with some other profilic TNA wresters would easily outdo ether of Smackdown and Raw in terms of fan recognition and talent.

11-03-2005, 09:49 AM

another idea i had was how about bringing the steiners in on a part time deal and have a steiners-team 3d match cause everybody knows people would no doubt pay to see that

BigDaddyCool

11-03-2005, 12:31 PM

Spike does have a point, TNA does indeed suck.

mrslackalack

11-03-2005, 12:56 PM

You know what if they got Ted Turner finically supporting them starting in March 2006? They could open up the pocketsand sign talent away like WCW did.

Sadistic

11-03-2005, 02:34 PM

I don't think TNA needs any more wrestlers. The roster they have is great and using the roster they have they are already putting on shows that WWE could only dream of displaying.
I'm expecting Spike dudley and Christian to go there. Also appearances from Bret Hart. All this will help but I think the fans need to get familiar with the current wrestlers of TNA.

PullMyFinger

11-03-2005, 05:35 PM

You know what if they got Ted Turner finically supporting them starting in March 2006? They could open up the pocketsand sign talent away like WCW did.
For the last time PANDA IS A 5 BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY!!! or 2...

They can inject a shitload of money into their investment if they want, but it's fucking suicide and stupid. The Carters are giving a small amount of money and want to see TNA grow first and bring in a profit before throwing in further money.

The One

11-03-2005, 05:58 PM

Oh and this isn't very important, but PullMyFinger, you mentioned that alot of people didn't watch TNA on FSN so that was the reason Sting didn't make a huge impact (no pun intended)...actually Sting was around only for 3 episodes (if memory serves correctly) and those were back during the weekly Wednesday PPV...so bringing in Sting may actually be quite good for him since he does have a large cult fallowing, and he would appear on national television instead of a PPV that most wrestling fans didn't know exsisted.

Wow that was one long ass run on sentence. On to my thoughts.

TNA bringing in big new names. Let me sum up what I am thinking about that in one word. "KER-PLOP". Terrible. TNA is not at a point that they can afford to bring in large names and keep them. Hence why companies that DO (World Wrestling AllStars, along with a handful of others) fucking sink fast. Yeah they may gain some attention, but if a mark is tunning in to see Bill Goldberg...and they get to see him for 2 weeks before he takes off, said mark is going to be pissed. It makes them look like a small little worthless sack of shit company that can't hold on to their stars. Plus, it's hard to shovel out half a million Goldberg T-Shirts in two weeks, which let's call a spade a spade, Merch is where the Pro Wrestling money is. Well that and ticket sales. TNA simply can NOT afford to have wrestlers who ask for huge numbers per appearence. And not many big name stars want to sign contracts with them. On top of that Big names stars have one thing in common aside from their quest for the fattest pay check...they WILL NOT LAY DOWN. So you feed them David Young or Sunjay Dutt, but who gives a shit. Fans want to see the money makers. They want to see how TNA's biggest names (AJ Styles) stack up against the biggest names (Goldberg)...Nobody, and I mean nobody is going to tune in to see Goldberg face Sunjay Dutt, now they might if he was going on a streak again, but TNA can't afford the time or money to being in countless small time names for him to squash. So in order to make a dime off of Goldberg being in the company they need to face him with Styles, with Monty Brown, with TNA's home grown boys...no factor in Goldberg won't lay down, add in the fact that Goldberg is signed for a 4 show deal, and you have Goldberg beating Dutt, Young, Shark Boy, and then Monty Brown and never being heard from again. Yeah, that makes people want to watch more.

As said before, KER-PLOP.

PullMyFinger

11-03-2005, 06:54 PM

Oh I see. Nonetheless though, we both can agree that due to their circumstances before, no way could Sting have had a big impact back then compared to now.

The One

11-03-2005, 06:56 PM

Agree 100%.

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 08:04 PM

For the last time PANDA IS A 5 BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY!!! or 2...

They can inject a shitload of money into their investment if they want, but it's fucking suicide and stupid. The Carters are giving a small amount of money and want to see TNA grow first and bring in a profit before throwing in further money.

There's also an issue of cost-effectiveness.

TNA's not worth a huge amount of money right now. If they gave it more, it'd probably end up like WCW.

PullMyFinger

11-03-2005, 11:10 PM

There's also an issue of cost-effectiveness.

TNA's not worth a huge amount of money right now. If they gave it more, it'd probably end up like WCW.
Well yeah, and I think that's smart by the Carters.

Kane Knight

11-03-2005, 11:28 PM

Well yeah, and I think that's smart by the Carters.

It's smart, I just wish they were also smart enough to kind of influence them to shy away from JJ as the main focus.

Vastardikai

11-04-2005, 12:30 PM

^

TNA has gotten where it is IN SPITE OF JARRETT, not because of him.

Kane Knight

11-04-2005, 12:43 PM

^

TNA has gotten where it is IN SPITE OF JARRETT, not because of him.

Well ya.

now Imagine how much further they''d get if they didn't have Mini-HHH over there. At least Hunter's got the entertainment factor when he tries.

Vastardikai

11-04-2005, 01:01 PM

Indeed. Replace Jarrett with Raven, who HAS carried a promotion profitably, with decent feuds with Monty Brown (which would be entertaining if only for the "Pouuuuuuuuuuuuuunce"), Abyss

Kane Knight

11-04-2005, 01:02 PM

You forgot Kevin Nash. destroyed quads=ratings.

Destor

11-04-2005, 01:05 PM

Considering Jarret is the only guy in the company that the people will boo, I can understand him being on the top of the mountian.

Vastardikai

11-04-2005, 01:45 PM

The reason people boo him is because he was a big name. ONCE. Fifteen years ago. IN MEMPHIS.

This is how he is viewed OUTSIDE OF MEMPHIS.

Last seen in WWF/E: jobbing the I-C Title. To CHYNA.

Last seen in WCW: Holding World Title, company fell apart.

Role in TNA: ALWAYS HOLDING WORLD TITLE. Company is in rut.

He's on top of the mountain because of political pull. They want to bring in ratings, get him out of the Main Event. Discuss how they want the fans to cheer who they want, when they want. And, most importantly, get the fans into the WORKERS. Why does Joe and Daniels not get along?

Destor

11-04-2005, 01:59 PM

Kane Knight

11-04-2005, 02:40 PM

I don't car why they boo him. Alls I care about is that they boo him. Heat is heat, and willing to believe that people would pay to see Jarret loose/get his ass kicked. He's the best heel that they have right now (might be their only heel) and until they get someone else over (Raven would probably the only only guy they could get over to Jarret's level) Double J needs to stay on top.

Getting booed doesn't equal ticket sales (I know they're not charging right now, but it's part of the point), ratings, PPV sales or merchandise. You should care why they boo him.

And frankly, if the best heel heat they get is X-Pac heat, they deserve to die.