What can TNA do to overcome WWE

[Loose Cannon]

So we have the 2nd addition of the Monday Night Wars coming up in about 2 weeks. Most of us, if not all, have been waiting for this since WCW folded. I for one am excited to see what is going to happen

But I have to pose the quesion, will TNA ever be able to play with the big boy on the block? There's a part of me that says no matter what they do, they will never be able to compete with WWE. The reason I say that is I don't know what they could do to challenge them.

Obviously it has to be something that's going to catch a mass audience's attention and I'm not just talking wrestling fans. But what? It seems everything has been done in wreslting to where people have seen it all.

I really can't think of anything so surprising and new that people will start tuning in by the masses.

I don't want to make this a booking 101 thread, but do any of you have any ideas of what you think will go over to a mass audience and keep them watching for a while?

Or is TNA just bound to stay #2 for a long long while?

[Afterlife]

They could make sure their pey-per-views have names.

[Chavo Classic]

Bring back the six sides and place more emphasis on the X-Division.

[Road Warrior]

Bring back the six sides and place more emphasis on the X-Division.

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[Kalyx triaD]

Six-sided ring was gay and pointless. Difference for differences sake is lame.

Increase high fliers program (X-Division, Cruiserweights, whatever people wanna call it).

They really should stop playing the inferiority complex card. Run the show like they're already the best and no, that's not what they've been doing thus far.

They need comparable superstars. Pick any hero in DC comics and you can find a Marvel equivalent. This works better than you'd think.

Oddly enough, listen to Hulk Hogan.

But don't let him wrestle.

[Chavo Classic]

Whether or not you might like it, its different from what the WWE is offering. The only way to beat your competition is to offer an alternative, and every time TNA came close to entertaining me was when they were showing stuff like the Daniels/Styles/Joe feud. They're not going to win over new viewers by imitating late 1990's WCW.

[Nark Order]

Bring back the six sides and place more emphasis on the X-Division.

That's probably the absolute last thing they should to, tbh. The X-Division can thrive without the gimmicky six sided ring, I'd say. Also, the X-Division should be a big part of the company but it shouldn't be the main feature. They need an established main event and an established mid card just like all thriving promotions. They also need to put more emphasis on the face/heel dynamic as it's almost non-existent right now, but that has alot to do with their retarded Orlando fans and I think it'll get better when they start touring more.

The six sided ring has run its course though. It should never come back.

[Road Warrior]

It might of been more entertaining to you, but the way to beat competiton is not to go backwards, to what you were doing years ago. Do you know what the defenition of insanity is ?

[GD]

They need to sign John Cena. He will sell merchandise and make TNA rich. Boom Baby!

[Chavo Classic]

It might of been more entertaining to you, but the way to beat competiton is not to go backwards, to what you were doing years ago. Do you know what the defenition of insanity is ?

Well, it certainly doesn't mean suggesting something that I enjoyed and believe others would too.

The reason it might work now is because TNA has greater exposure. Many people didn't have access to TNA around the time I enjoyed the shows they were putting on - it wouldn't hurt to have another crack at it.

The difference with that and late 90's WCW was that it was in the mainstream, and people hated it. It killed WCW, while you could argue the X-Division helped TNA through those first rough few years.

[screech]

I agree with everything you said, Narc, except this:

The six sided ring has run its course though. It should never come back.

I think the only time the six-sided should come back is for the Lockdown event. To me, it's a mainstay there because it's really what makes the event special.

[Road Warrior]

Look I'm just saying that TNA has been down that road. Lighter wrestlers have never apealed to the masses, they never have and the never will, not in America. It might catch someones interest for a minute, but thats it. As Narcissus said they need to establish a main event scene and put more emphasis on the face/heel dynamic.

[Chavo Classic]

So, I've gone from insane to making a valid point now I've had to explain it to you in more details because you didn't take the time to consider my point? Thanks

If the X-Division catches someone's attention for a minute, that might be enough. Lets say that in a sample of 100 people who might take a passing interest in the action, 50 might watch on past the match, 25 might watch the next match, and 20 might watch the whole show. Those 20 might watch the next week's and 15 might become regular fans. It's called getting your foot in the door, and worked tremendously well for the the WWE and the Hardcore division and TLC matches in the early 2000's.

[Nark Order]

I agree with everything you said, Narc, except this:

I think the only time the six-sided should come back is for the Lockdown event. To me, it's a mainstay there because it's really what makes the event special.

That could work I'm thinking, but the ring should be treated like what it is. It's a gimmick. The word "gimmick" has gotten a horribly bad rap in wrestling but it has its place. I wouldn't mind seeing the ring back for once a year or so for Lockdown. That would be a step in the right direction I think compared to having that ring all the time. It gets old and it doesn't even feel like wrestling. It's hard to work ring psychology in a six-sided ring designed basically for high spots.

Just like many poorly conceived gimmick matches do, I think the six sided ring really takes away from the performers in the ring. Everyone is paying attention to what else the ring could be used for as far as spots go and they aren't paying enough attention to the guys in the ring going at it. It just really takes away from the ring-psychology of it all. I think screech is on to something though in the fact that it has it's place, I just don't think it should be used or hyped as a staple of the company. Bischoff definitely knew what he was doing by getting rid of it.

[McLegend]

TNA's current ring is kinda gay though. It's too small, and looks even more minor leagues.

They need to find the balance between old guys and their own talent. Also they need to figure out which WWE talent was actually misused, and could become big for them.

Please note I don't think that misused talent is Mr. Kennedy.

[Road Warrior]

So, I've gone from insane to making a valid point now I've had to explain it to you in more details because you didn't take the time to consider my point? Thanks

If the X-Division catches someone's attention for a minute, that might be enough. Lets say that in a sample of 100 people who might take a passing interest in the action, 50 might watch on past the match, 25 might watch the next match, and 20 might watch the whole show. Those 20 might watch the next week's and 15 might become regular fans. It's called getting your foot in the door, and worked tremendously well for the the WWE and the Hardcore division and TLC matches in the early 2000's.

I never said you made a valid point, I just had to explain myself twice to you because you seem to be stuck on TNA going back to what they were doing before anyone was watching. TNA has their foot in the door, thats how they got a tv deal, and it wasn't from spot monkeys doing flips, it was from signing guys like Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, and Sting. Now they're trying to go against the leader of the industry, a household name and your idea for them to revert back to no name guys , wow, fuckin great. Also I never you were insane, I asked you if you knew what the defenition of insanity was ?, It's doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

[Chavo Classic]

I never said you made a valid point, I just had to explain myself twice to you because you seem to be stuck on TNA going back to what they were doing before anyone was watching. TNA has their foot in the door, thats how they got a tv deal, and it wasn't from spot monkeys doing flips, it was from signing guys like Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, and Sting. Now they're trying to go against the leader of the industry, a household name and your idea for them to revert back to no name guys , wow, fuckin great. Also I never you were insane, I asked you if you knew what the defenition of insanity was ?, It's doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

I never suggested putting these "no namers" in the main event. I merely implied that one or two x-division matches which aren't disrupted or cut short and are given some attention and respect on the show. Putting more emphasis, which is what I said, on the x-division would appeal to wrestling fans looking for an alternative.

By all means keep Angle, Kennedy, Hogan and Mick Foley around the main event. You're correct in that these names put arses in seats - that's why they're paid 20 times more than Amazing Red.

[Nark Order]

Also, I think a huge thing that TNA should be doing to definitely stand out from WWE is to treat all of their title belts with almost equal importance. That's something in the WWE that many old school wrestling fans can't stand. What's the point of having all these Championships if they don't really mean anything? I think that the Legends Championship (or whatever they call it now), the X-Division Championship, the Tag Team Championship, or even the Knockouts Championship should be able to main event an Impact. Build up your mid card almost just as well as you're building up your main events so when the time comes for guys to move up to the main event, it's an easy and natural transition.

This alone could help them in leaps and bounds. Just because WWE does it doesn't mean it should be the standard. We all know, as popular as the E machine is, there are many weaknesses that can be exploited here.

[VSG]

They need to have 1 hour live on Monday and another 1 hour show (Probably taped) on Wednesday. Keep the best for monday, and see how it goes instead on having the Nasty Boys on Monday nights while Orton is fighting Dibiase on Raw!

[Road Warrior]

Also, I think a huge thing that TNA should be doing to definitely stand out from WWE is to treat all of their title belts with almost equal importance. That's something in the WWE that many old school wrestling fans can't stand. What's the point of having all these Championships if they don't really mean anything? I think that the Legends Championship (or whatever they call it now), the X-Division Championship, the Tag Team Championship, or even the Knockouts Championship should be able to main event an Impact. Build up your mid card almost just as well as you're building up your main events so when the time comes for guys to move up to the main event, it's an easy and natural transition.

This alone could help them in leaps and bounds. Just because WWE does it doesn't mean it should be the standard. We all know, as popular as the E machine is, there are many weaknesses that can be exploited here.

I agree, you have to make it an honor to be a champion. Make it a big deal deal for a title match to be on the show. I remember when it was like holy shit the world tag team titles are going to be defended tonight. Now you might get 3 title matches on the show each week. That what pisses me off about them having Sheamus as the champion, either he's a ME'er or he's not. Don't put the strap on him and then have him in the opening contest of the show while your announcers basiclly burry the match between him ( the guy holds the wwe title, supposidly something everyone on your show want's ) and Randy Orton by talking about your ME between two guys that aren't the champion. Drove me fuckin nuts last week on Raw.

[Road Warrior]

I've also always been under the belief that you need a mid card champion who is completley over who can help build your other mid card guys. I think TNA needs to figure out who that is. A guy that cuts good promos, can carry a match in the ring and most importantly someone who the fans either really care about or hate to death. Not someone who when your watching him your thinking oh here comes the X-division champ (insert name) I wonder when Angle or Sting is going to show up.

[AngryMidjit]

right now tna shouldn't be focused on beating the wwe, they should just be focused on staying in business, especially once the monday night shits start up again

[Nark Order]

right now tna shouldn't be focused on beating the wwe, they should just be focused on staying in business, especially once the monday night shits start up again

With that attitude they'll be out of business tomorrow. A company should always strive to stay at the level of or surpass their competition. They've got some guys that know what they are doing behind the wheel. If they ever have a hope of competing with the E machine, now is the time to do it. WWE has been the only show in town now for years. If TNA does this right, they can definitely prove to be more competition than the WWE thinks they're going to be.

[screech]

Also, I think a huge thing that TNA should be doing to definitely stand out from WWE is to treat all of their title belts with almost equal importance. That's something in the WWE that many old school wrestling fans can't stand. What's the point of having all these Championships if they don't really mean anything? I think that the Legends Championship (or whatever they call it now), the X-Division Championship, the Tag Team Championship, or even the Knockouts Championship should be able to main event an Impact. Build up your mid card almost just as well as you're building up your main events so when the time comes for guys to move up to the main event, it's an easy and natural transition.

This alone could help them in leaps and bounds. Just because WWE does it doesn't mean it should be the standard. We all know, as popular as the E machine is, there are many weaknesses that can be exploited here.

Definitely agree with this. If this is done, then people won't groan if a new belt is introduced (in addition to the smooth transition).

Take the introduction of the Legends Title as an example. When Booker T unveiled that title, most people tilted their heads because it was "just another belt." If the titles had been put at the same level before then, it would have been seen as a legit title for guys who "aren't quite there" on the card, leaving the X-Division title for guys who fit that mold (rather than lumping them together).

[XL]

They could probably do with keeping things a bit more simple in terms of booking.

If Styles is into it with The Pope ahead of their PPV match in 4 weeks time, why introduce a side rivalry between Styles/Flair and Abyss/Hogan? In fact, Hogan and Bischoff don't need to be involved in most of the storyline threads at all.

[Joesgonnakillyou]

I think TNA just needs some consistency and to simplify. Success isn't going to happen overnight and a casual fan needs to see something familar when they check out the product 4 weeks after the first contact. Russo has a bad case of writer ADD.

Let Talent shine on their own merits (or otherwise).

[Outsider]

You know what TNA should do?

Be happy with the fact that they are running a successful and profitable company and continue to grow in a sustainable long term way without comparing themselves to any company from either the past or present.

I understand why fans are interested in who is better, TNA or WWE, but from a business perspective, they should concentrate on themselves. Taking a big risk by going into direct competition with a far bigger rival just doesn't make sense.

If you owned a crappy burger van, you wouldn't move it opposite McDonalds, you'd keep it as far away as possible and just try to make money.

[Loose Cannon]

Lots of good responses in this thread.

I do agree that making each title seem important is very crucial. That's what WWF did right in the 80's/early 90's and the late 90's. And that what WCW did right in the 80's and mid 90's. Definately something that needs to be done.

I think th X-Division is also very very crucial to the company. This belt should be just as popular as the World Title. I remember in the early days of TNA when the top X-division guys seemed as valuable as the guys going for the World Title. I think you eventually build to a PPV where you have the World Champ and X-division champ face off.

Now keep in mind that the X-Division isn't all about the guys who fly around or the crusierweights if you will. It's always been a mix of talent, which is very imporant that it stays that way.

Obviously storylines are imporant and every single character that appears on Impact should be involved in a storyline that has meaning. From the lower card to the uppercard.

[Loose Cannon]

You know what TNA should do?

Be happy with the fact that they are running a successful and profitable company and continue to grow in a sustainable long term way without comparing themselves to any company from either the past or present.

I understand why fans are interested in who is better, TNA or WWE, but from a business perspective, they should concentrate on themselves. Taking a big risk by going into direct competition with a far bigger rival just doesn't make sense.

If you owned a crappy burger van, you wouldn't move it opposite McDonalds, you'd keep it as far away as possible and just try to make money.


they are already in direct compeition though. It's a done deal. So now that they are going head to head with WWE, what can they do?

[Outsider]

they are already in direct compeition though. It's a done deal. So now that they are going head to head with WWE, what can they do?

.....pray?

[TheAdamEvansFan]

Factions and Tag Teams... Remember Ravens Flock? NWO, NWO WolfPac, The Giants, The Outsiders, Four Horsemen, The Luchadores? and so many more.. WWE offers Main Stream matches with Cena vs other roid popping bad actors. We enjoyed WCW because it was kid friendly but also entertaining. Loyalty and committment was imperative. This is the same kind of fanbase you see in DX and such. Bring in Factions and do alot of advertising and building storylines for these factions actions and you will get great pop or heat from the fans.

[TheAdamEvansFan]

The WWE doesn't focus on Tag Teams or Cruiserweights like they should, which is awful. They rely on taped shows like ECW or Smackdown to fill in those voids but honestly, who watches those? So yea.. TNA can keep focusing on Cruiserweights and bring in factions.. Reuniting the Hardy Brothers would be epic vs the Dudleys!

[screech]

They rely on taped shows like ECW or Smackdown to fill in those voids

Uhh...what?

[Kane Knight]

With that attitude they'll be out of business tomorrow. A company should always strive to stay at the level of or surpass their competition. They've got some guys that know what they are doing behind the wheel. If they ever have a hope of competing with the E machine, now is the time to do it. WWE has been the only show in town now for years. If TNA does this right, they can definitely prove to be more competition than the WWE thinks they're going to be.

That part about now being the time to take on the E machine is retarded, and probably a worse idea than not trying to overtake them at all. They simply don't have the power right now to bring the fight to WWE's door.

[Rammsteinmad]

Make Hogan World Champion! Brother!!!

[James Steele]

TNA should join CM Punk's stable.

[Rammsteinmad]

TNA should join CM Punk's stable.

:lol:

[Fignuts]

They can not suck.

[Emperor Smeat]

Focus on the X-Division like how WCW focused on cruiserwieghts to help start a show and get the crowd pumped for the rest of the show. They already are focusing better than the WWE on female wrestling so no need to change that and have a better tag division than WWE.

They definitely need better bookers since one of the main problems is maintaining a consistent flow to the show since it seems they always have one of those WTF promos/skits/matches that makes no sense and hurts the flow of the show. For example, they started out the 1st Monday episode with a cage match but ruined the finish with it being a no contest since nobody could get out of the cage to face Jeff Hardy.

Another idea is to emphasis less on the WWE-rejects or new signings and focus on developing and pushing their "home grown" wrestlers more often. TNA was starting to do better with them pushing AJ Styles and Daniels but then went backwards by pushing people Hogan brought in over wrestlers like Eric Young who could become a bigger star in the company.

[FourFifty]

TNA needs to focus on their home grown talent (AJ Styles, Abyss, Beer Money, etc), talent that can draw for who they are and what they do (Angle, Wolfe, Jeff Hardy if he signed) and move away from retired WWE wrestlers who get pops for who they were and what they did (Nash, Hogan, Foley, Flair, etc). Stop with the cluster fucks and the swerves, and give wrestling fans something that is seldom seen on WWE programing- Wrestling.

[Jeritron]

The way TNA tried to make themselves out as caring more about new, young talent than WWE has really backfired on them.
I remember the way they used to gloat about how they used (and intended to use) a guy like Samoa Joe, as opposed to how WWE did things.
Now look at CM Punk compared to him.

[roach21]

Sex sales.... and I'm not talking about Orlando Jordan.

[Jordan]

What can TNA do to overcome WWE? Well it looks like they are doing fine at the moment, not a huge success but not failing. So just keep going and improving small details week by week. I don't think the combination of Russo/Hogan/Bischoff is totally a bad thing, there are good aspect of the idea. Personally I don't want to see Hogan's friends wrestle at or at least in big matches and that includes Hogan, Nasty Boys, and Ric Flair.

Some simple ideas they could run with...

If they want to push Joe, the best way is to make him the relentless monster that made him famous in ROH and TNA. Joe as a face is okay but his best use is as the top unstoppable heel. He could do that with any of the three main titles if he found a good tag partner the World Tag Team Titles would be acceptable, the X-Division or World Title would be preferable. I feel like a title adds a lot to Joe's character, and why not have a long title reign, it makes all of the title matches that much more important and it gives a sense of excitement and history, which TNA lacks.

AJ Styles... eh man... I really don't see him as the top guy in the company. That spot belongs to Kurt Angle, there isn't a real problem with them switching places for the time being but I think Angle is better suited to put over guys like Pope, Abyss, or Matt Morgan than AJ is. AJ is amazing, phenomenal of course but I really don't think he is much of a main event draw, he is better suited as a special attraction and fits into the X-Division a lot better.

Hogan said something about Mick Foley that surprised me and was true, he said that there is a lot left in Mick Foley and a lot to capitalize on. I didn't think so for the longest time, but it is so true. He was one of the highest rated wrestlers in WWE for a long time, and he can still put on a very entertaining match, and is better than ever with the promo. If he is still willing to go the extra mile to make his persona fit into the world of wrestling then I say let him. You could even do another angle that leads up to a huge title victory for him. I don't think Mick is too old to have a run at the top one more time, and I think he would surprise everyone.

The Founder Double J Jeff Jarrett is in my opinion better than ever, use him as a stepping stone into the main event. He is much better as a heel and would be great in feuds with Morgan or Hernandez, AJ Styles, or whomever else needs a good rub.

TNA needs to find the charisma in the stars that they have such as Matt Morgan, Hernadez, Pope (who is already finding his way), Daniels, or whomever else is being groomed for a top spot. The thing that WWE has over TNA is simple, its history and characters with long sordid past's that collide and change the relationship every so often. How many times has WWE used Shawn Michaels vs Triple H to main event a PPV or RAW? Tons, but it works for the masses because it is usually a different problem that gets them into the situation. TNA doesn't have a very interesting or compelling history with its characters, it's actually a little embarassing for some. So really find who the performer is most comfortable portraying and let them run with that.

It doesn't matter if the guy is 290 pounds, falling out of his tights, and gets over by saying he is the son of a plumber!

Let them be who they are and they will get over if they have the ability to relate and connect with the audience.