Giving TNA It's Due

[Robstar]

Ok, this is kind of off the back of my TNA Epics thread as I was inspired to write this after watching another episode today that featured a couple of classic matches, namely the crowning of the first X Division Champion in a 2 out of 3 falls match between Jerry Lynn & AJ Styles and also a triple threat X Division title match featuring AJ, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe. Talk about epic matches.

But it did get me thinking. The first match recalled a time when TNA was NWA affiliated and were originally using the 4 sided ring. I am aware that NWA-TNA was an attempt at a revival of the classic NWA promotion, which sadly they're still plugging away at but remain nothing more than an indy promotion. TNA on the other hand have made great strides since stepping away from the NWA, proving that living in the present is indeed a better way of moving forward than attempting to reheat leftovers by futilely focussing on the past.

Anyway, I think I've reached a point where I feel it's time I cut TNA some slack. Sure, they've changed. But how often do we come to criticise something that simply stays the same? Grows stale? More often than not. TNA is still evolving. I (and many) may have preferred it before, prior to the BiscHogan invasion angle, but I can't say it's all bad now. There's still plenty of things I could, in all my infinite wisdom ;), could stand to correct them for, I do it to WWE all the time, but I really want to let go of the bone and see what it becomes. For better or worse.

A couple of things also contributed to my new standpoint. 1 - that it's become clear that Bischoff & Hogan AREN'T in fact in it for not just the minute, but are sticking around and more kudos to them for that. I had them pegged wrong on that one (though there's a lot to be said for negotiations).
2 - Kurt Angle's comments on how Hogan has helped him. Now this really surprised me. A lot of us think of Hogan as self serving and in the past, no doubt, he has been. But to hear this from Angle, who I respect to the utmost, not to mention his commitment to TNA, is more than enough reason to make me stop and reconsider.

Think about it. :)

[K-Jammin]

I agree with each and every single word :) which i rarely do! i too was abit surprised to hear those comments from Angle about Hogan and im actually starting to like the guy again now

[SevenCagedTigers]

Its really not about the intent of Hogan and Bischoff. Its about the results. Their paychecks don't warrant the fact that TNA has changed - for the worst. I do agree that TNA staying the same would have been stale, but TNA changing for the worst is not moving forward in a positive direction. I mean, any one of us could sit here and list 10 major things which have changed for the worst in TNA.

1) The X-division being buried.
2) The constant heel/face turns for the sake of shock value under the mentality that shock equals short term ratings.
3) The loss of THE most dominant women's division in the business.
4) The sheer business ineptitude of constantly bashing WWE.
5) The re-use of old storylines out of a lack of creativity.
6) The meaninglessness of the TV/Legends/Global title.
7) The Impact Zone appearing as a minor league venue.
8) Copying WWE's entrance themes (Mr. Anderson, Flair's, and Hogan's themes are complete rip-offs)
9) The lack of storyline continuity

10) The Nasty Boys.

WWE used to be the embarrassment, and TNA was the wrestling program that adult wrestling fans could be proud of. Now its the other way around.

Saying "TNA isn't bad right now" is giving it too much credit for what it could've been.

[Rich Cranium]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siRCmp8BVI0

What is it with this video?

[Robstar]

What is it with this video?

Yeah it's stupid. Stop posting it or I will infract you

[Robstar]

Its really not about the intent of Hogan and Bischoff. Its about the results. Their paychecks don't warrant the fact that TNA has changed - for the worst. I do agree that TNA staying the same would have been stale, but TNA changing for the worst is not moving forward in a positive direction. I mean, any one of us could sit here and list 10 major things which have changed for the worst in TNA.

1) The X-division being buried.
2) The constant heel/face turns for the sake of shock value under the mentality that shock equals short term ratings.
3) The loss of THE most dominant women's division in the business.
4) The sheer business ineptitude of constantly bashing WWE.
5) The re-use of old storylines out of a lack of creativity.
6) The meaninglessness of the TV/Legends/Global title.
7) The Impact Zone appearing as a minor league venue.
8) Copying WWE's entrance themes (Mr. Anderson, Flair's, and Hogan's themes are complete rip-offs)
9) The lack of storyline continuity

10) The Nasty Boys.

WWE used to be the embarrassment, and TNA was the wrestling program that adult wrestling fans could be proud of. Now its the other way around.

Saying "TNA isn't bad right now" is giving it too much credit for what it could've been.

All valid points SCT but let's not throw out the baby with the bathwater just yet.

[Rich Cranium]

Infract me? Better use a boat oar with holes drilled in the paddle!

[Robstar]

Infract me? Better use a boat oar with holes drilled in the paddle!

No, idiot ;)(jk) The other guy

[samoan619]

Its hard for me to give them any due as of late, no matter what Angle said.. I was a big TNA fan once, and i know things evolve and change but i feel that TNA took about ten steps backward and called it progress.. Ill give them their due when the X-division steals the show again, thats the only thing im asking for..

[Robstar]

I have to agree that they are in massive denial or just plain fronting when they claim to have progressed at this point. But I guess even in a wrestling organisation you can try to fake it until you make it - look at WCW. It was exactly like that when Ted Turner took over and it took a while and a few decent signings for that to improve.

Ha, much the same as my original post, WCW was in the beginning just a glammed up NWA. That didn't gel right away, it took at least a year before they became good enough to challenge the WWF for supremacy - which they achieved, albiet for a short time.

But for as good as the original TNA product was, they seem destined to be just a big, glossy indy production - never a serious threat to making themselves a major player, let's be honest. The biggest worry I have for TNA right now is - is it wise to use the same crew that helmed wrestling's last Titanic to steer your ship?

[samoan619]

I have to agree that they are in massive denial or just plain fronting when they claim to have progressed at this point. But I guess even in a wrestling organisation you can try to fake it until you make it - look at WCW. It was exactly like that when Ted Turner took over and it took a while and a few decent signings for that to improve.

Ha, much the same as my original post, WCW was in the beginning just a glammed up NWA. That didn't gel right away, it took at least a year before they became good enough to challenge the WWF for supremacy - which they achieved, albiet for a short time.

But for as good as the original TNA product was, they seem destined to be just a big, glossy indy production - never a serious threat to making themselves a major player, let's be honest. The biggest worry I have for TNA right now is - is it wise to use the same crew that helmed wrestling's last Titanic to steer your ship?

lol great ending statement.. i make a lot of TNA jokes, but deep down inside im really rooting for them.. If they just had the X-division back in the forefront, i could overlook all the other negatives.. the way i look at it is that the X-division brought me there and now its not the show anymore..

[Robstar]

X Division needs to be focussed on, too right. Plus, wrestling needs divisions, I'm not talking weight restrictions, more like 'class' restrictions - you can't have veeryone clamouring for the top job (world title). By class I mean, it takes a certain type of wrestler to compete in the X Division, like it always did - more high energy, hardcore, spot based wrestlers - Styles, Homicide, Suicide, MCMG etc - who could possibly step up to the top job, but there being others, stylistically different - Anderson, Hernandez, Morgan, Beer Money etc - who can't compete for X Division. Otherwise it's just another belt right?

[Robstar]

Can we get back on topic please? I'm moving these posts to another thread :D

[Lowki]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siRCmp8BVI0Well it's about time someone gives Tna there dues.
as far as the Hogan thing go's peoples hate for Hogan has nothing to do with tna.
people are judging hulk hogan based on his personal life. I don't understand what
that has to do with wrestling. and it's not right. wwe fan boys have always been bad about
bashing tna. I remember back in 2006 I think it was when tna impact the video game was in talks.
long befor hogan came along many wwe fan boys said tna would be out of business befor the game ever hit the stores..the game did suck. but tna is still around. and for the past few weeks it has been awesome!
If were judging wrestlers on there personal life. there is noway I would ever have anything good to say about Chris Jericho are stone cold people that think it's ok to punch women in the face and drive drunk.
But it's okay for that woman to shout abuse and then spit on him yeah? If you don't want to get hit, don't spit on a guy jeez.

I have to admit, i actually sat through 2 hours of impact this week so they must have done something good lol

[THEKEVINBRAND]

I think TNA is trying to turn around for the better, look at why Destination X was moved to July this year? They want to have enough time to bring in new guys to boost the X-division, think about getting Puma and other guys like him in the division, it'll bring credibility back to that belt.

[Rich Cranium]

I think TNA is trying to turn around for the better, look at why Destination X was moved to July this year? They want to have enough time to bring in new guys to boost the X-division, think about getting Puma and other guys like him in the division, it'll bring credibility back to that belt.

Which is why their ratings are at an all time high! http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/showthread.php?5093-TNA-Ratings

[THEKEVINBRAND]

Which is why their ratings are at an all time high! http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/community/showthread.php?5093-TNA-Ratings

i'm hoping the ratings continue to go up and not flop, they're turning around and Russo better not f*ck it up, some people in TNA want impact to go back on the road and stay away from the impact zone as much as possible

[Robstar]

Hopefully it's a sign that Bischoff and Hervey are taking this venture seriously, they need to get out of MCR though, too many irons in the fire

[HCollins-TNA1]

I have to agree that they are in massive denial or just plain fronting when they claim to have progressed at this point. But I guess even in a wrestling organisation you can try to fake it until you make it - look at WCW. It was exactly like that when Ted Turner took over and it took a while and a few decent signings for that to improve.

Ha, much the same as my original post, WCW was in the beginning just a glammed up NWA. That didn't gel right away, it took at least a year before they became good enough to challenge the WWF for supremacy - which they achieved, albiet for a short time.

But for as good as the original TNA product was, they seem destined to be just a big, glossy indy production - never a serious threat to making themselves a major player, let's be honest. The biggest worry I have for TNA right now is - is it wise to use the same crew that helmed wrestling's last Titanic to steer your ship?

If you look at WCW it tok 3 or 4 or 5 years before they was challeging WWF/WWE....
Which WWF always one up WCW..... They had the 1st PPV Survivor Series, pushin WCW to push Starcade to December..
But in 1990s ...1993 and 1994 and 1995 it changed.... The Clash of champions was pushing big ratings as they always did.. But that when Bischoff decided to creat Nitro and the Monday Night Wars started.....
The thing is many say it the same captians in TNA as WCW..... and how wrong some are...
Eric Bischoff, Russo, and Hogan and etc...was just a VIP on the ship..... When Ted Turner turned over control of the ship to Jamie Kellner it was destined to hit the Iceburg!!!!!

[Lowki]

If you look at WCW it tok 3 or 4 or 5 years before they was challeging WWF/WWE....
Which WWF always one up WCW..... They had the 1st PPV Survivor Series, pushin WCW to push Starcade to December..
But in 1990s ...1993 and 1994 and 1995 it changed.... The Clash of champions was pushing big ratings as they always did.. But that when Bischoff decided to creat Nitro and the Monday Night Wars started.....
The thing is many say it the same captians in TNA as WCW..... and how wrong some are...
Eric Bischoff, Russo, and Hogan and etc...was just a VIP on the ship..... When Ted Turner turned over control of the ship to Jamie Kellner it was destined to hit the Iceburg!!!!!
WCW was big in the early 90s... They weren't exactly being destroyed by the WWF for most of the 1990s lol