What will it take for TNA to surpass WWE and possibly start another Monday Night War?

**Mr. Nerfect** · 01-15-2012, 01:52 AM

TNA actually seems to keep more consistent ratings than the WWE. They're not even up to SmackDown! yet, mind you, but they seem to have less of a drop each week, and sometimes even have a gain. They also seem to regularly beat the WWE in the UK, too. But if they really want to start making money, then there are some simple things they can do:

1. Start making PPVs mean something, or dramatically cull the number of events you charge for.
Right now TNA seems to use PPV to build to television, and I don't think anyone should really need it explained to them why that is a bad thing. Basically, if you are paying for something that is advertising something free, then you're business is backwards. Most recently, at TNA's Genesis PPV, Robert Roode got disqualified in the main event against Jeff Hardy. I understand that TNA wants to build some faces for Roode to defend his title against, and they want to get him over as a chickenshit heel -- but you need to pick your battles. What is wrong with having Roode beat Jeff Hardy cleanly, whilst setting up James Storm to be the #1 Contender with a victory over Kurt Angle?

It's been reported that TNA does not do too well with PPV buyrates, but they seem to do nothing to really boost that problem. I'm not sure how the PPV did last year, but at least Destination X was an attempt at presenting an interesting event. Maybe if TNA cut their number of PPVs, and used them for "special moments." For example, a case could be made that an ultimate PPV could be made out of:

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
Robert Roode (c) vs. James Storm

Three-Way Classic Rematch
AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe

Jeff Hardy Redeems his Victory Road debacle
Sting vs. Jeff Hardy

TNA X-Division Championship
"The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" Austin Aries (c) vs. "The Greatest Wrestler in the World" Kurt Angle

TNA Knockout Championship
Gail Kim (c) vs. Mickie James

Street Fight
Rob Van Dam vs. Bully Ray

TNA World Tag Team Championship
The Motor City Machine Guns versus any tag team in the world

If TNA used PPV to create new stars, and give fans "can't miss" classic matches and moments, then their events would be worth watching. As it is, you get most of your developments the iMPACT! after their PPVs.

2. Start charging for attendance.
I'm not sure if TNA has started doing this yet. But basically, if you don't believe that your product is worth something as little as a $10.00 entrance fee then why the fuck should I give you my money? It certainly won't change all of TNA's problems overnight, but if your fanbase is paying for it, they have expectations -- which means you'll be putting on a show at least worth that much. If you make more money, you are growing as a company.

3. Stop changing direction all the time.
Right now, TNA is going forward with Robert Roode as TNA World Heavyweight Champion, which I think is a good move. But it would not surprise me if by August, Roode is a babyface that wears dresses to the ring. TNA often tries to push too many guys, and it creates what The Simpsons effectively referred to as "Three Stooges syndrome." If you are trying to convince people that Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Matt Morgan and Crimson are all top babyfaces in the company, for example, then none of them are going to be able to break through that door and become the top babyface. Right now, TNA needs to get behind one guy (and it seems like they do want that to be James Storm), and they need to use Jeff Hardy as kindling to make Roode a more credible obstacle on Storm's route to the top of the business.

TNA will often really promote a dude, and then the next month he's not even in the company. It was not too long ago that Douglas Williams was tearing it up as a wrestler's wrestler and dominating the X-Division. Now he finds it hard to get booked and is selling a piledriver injury from Gunner, who is TNA's new flavour of the month. But if Gunner is now used to put over, say, a once again serious Eric Young -- what is the point of it all?

4. Stop trying to be like WWE and start being like TNA.
One word that TNA has often tried to present itself as is an "alternative." But seriously, what's so different between TNA and the WWE? If TNA listened to the complaints of WWE fans and actually presented a product with more emphasis on wrestling, less ridiculous gimmicks, talented being pushed on the basis of ability, so on and so forth -- they might make a little more ground. Basically they're giving you a choice between Coke and Pepsi, though.

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01-15-2012, 01:52 AM	#21
Mr. Nerfect Posts: 61,634	TNA actually seems to keep more consistent ratings than the WWE. They're not even up to SmackDown! yet, mind you, but they seem to have less of a drop each week, and sometimes even have a gain. They also seem to regularly beat the WWE in the UK, too. But if they really want to start making money, then there are some simple things they can do: 1. Start making PPVs mean something, or dramatically cull the number of events you charge for. Right now TNA seems to use PPV to build to television, and I don't think anyone should really need it explained to them why that is a bad thing. Basically, if you are paying for something that is advertising something free, then you're business is backwards. Most recently, at TNA's Genesis PPV, Robert Roode got disqualified in the main event against Jeff Hardy. I understand that TNA wants to build some faces for Roode to defend his title against, and they want to get him over as a chickenshit heel -- but you need to pick your battles. What is wrong with having Roode beat Jeff Hardy cleanly, whilst setting up James Storm to be the #1 Contender with a victory over Kurt Angle? It's been reported that TNA does not do too well with PPV buyrates, but they seem to do nothing to really boost that problem. I'm not sure how the PPV did last year, but at least Destination X was an attempt at presenting an interesting event. Maybe if TNA cut their number of PPVs, and used them for "special moments." For example, a case could be made that an ultimate PPV could be made out of: TNA World Heavyweight Championship Robert Roode (c) vs. James Storm Three-Way Classic Rematch AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe Jeff Hardy Redeems his Victory Road debacle Sting vs. Jeff Hardy TNA X-Division Championship "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" Austin Aries (c) vs. "The Greatest Wrestler in the World" Kurt Angle TNA Knockout Championship Gail Kim (c) vs. Mickie James Street Fight Rob Van Dam vs. Bully Ray TNA World Tag Team Championship The Motor City Machine Guns versus any tag team in the world If TNA used PPV to create new stars, and give fans "can't miss" classic matches and moments, then their events would be worth watching. As it is, you get most of your developments the iMPACT! after their PPVs. 2. Start charging for attendance. I'm not sure if TNA has started doing this yet. But basically, if you don't believe that your product is worth something as little as a $10.00 entrance fee then why the fuck should I give you my money? It certainly won't change all of TNA's problems overnight, but if your fanbase is paying for it, they have expectations -- which means you'll be putting on a show at least worth that much. If you make more money, you are growing as a company. 3. Stop changing direction all the time. Right now, TNA is going forward with Robert Roode as TNA World Heavyweight Champion, which I think is a good move. But it would not surprise me if by August, Roode is a babyface that wears dresses to the ring. TNA often tries to push too many guys, and it creates what The Simpsons effectively referred to as "Three Stooges syndrome." If you are trying to convince people that Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Matt Morgan and Crimson are all top babyfaces in the company, for example, then none of them are going to be able to break through that door and become the top babyface. Right now, TNA needs to get behind one guy (and it seems like they do want that to be James Storm), and they need to use Jeff Hardy as kindling to make Roode a more credible obstacle on Storm's route to the top of the business. TNA will often really promote a dude, and then the next month he's not even in the company. It was not too long ago that Douglas Williams was tearing it up as a wrestler's wrestler and dominating the X-Division. Now he finds it hard to get booked and is selling a piledriver injury from Gunner, who is TNA's new flavour of the month. But if Gunner is now used to put over, say, a once again serious Eric Young -- what is the point of it all? 4. Stop trying to be like WWE and start being like TNA. One word that TNA has often tried to present itself as is an "alternative." But seriously, what's so different between TNA and the WWE? If TNA listened to the complaints of WWE fans and actually presented a product with more emphasis on wrestling, less ridiculous gimmicks, talented being pushed on the basis of ability, so on and so forth -- they might make a little more ground. Basically they're giving you a choice between Coke and Pepsi, though.