Former WWE, WCW and TNA creative writer Vince Russo updated his blog and wrote about the issues with TNA wrestling. Check it out below:
“In my opinion, having worked there, what’s hindering TNA more than anything right now, are major factors that lay “outside” the ring. Again, the creative is all subjected, and can be adjusted — if need be – but the financials — the costs to operate — are FACTUAL, much like TV numbers.
For starters, and I don’t need to tell anybody this, including the brass at TNA — trust me, they know — the environment inside the “Impact Zone” is not ideal for what TNA is attempting to put across your TV screen every week. Universal Studios is a “tourist” attraction, so primarily, TNA is drawing “tourists” to watch IMPACT, not die-hard “wrestling fans”. The truth is, many of those people attending might just be wanting to get out from under the scorching Florida sun. As you know, attendance to IMPACT is free, so there is no cost if you’re just looking to stay in the shade for a few hours. But, this isn’t anything that anybody doesn’t know. We all see it every Thursday night. But, no one knows first hand how much an audience can affect your show than me.
You see, when you write a wrestling show, you’re writing it knowing that the fans “cheer” here, the fans “boo” there — that’s how you write any wrestling show. Well, at Universal, you’re not always getting the response your writing for, simply because many of your customers are simple not die-hard wrestling fans. Also, add to that, the performers get FUELED by you — the fans. The less “true” wrestling fans rooting you on — less gas in the tank. That’s just human nature. Unfortunately, in getting back to the facts, at this point in their business plan – Universal Studios is the best route for TNA to take. Are they aware of all the problems? They certainly are, and there is no doubt in my mind that if they had the ability right now to change that – they would – simply because – why wouldn’t they?
But, aside from the lackluster, vacationing crowds, I think there is a much bigger problem that TNA is faced to deal with every week. And, this is the problem that very few fans watching from home either realize, or understand. THE SCHEDULING. Again, due to the FACTS – the FINANCIALS – TNA works under a rigorous schedule that not many fans are aware of. In order to work within their current budget, TNA is forced to shoot MULTIPLE shows, or parts of shows, per night. Unlike the WWE, who has the luxury to just shoot one show – be it three hours – in one night, TNA is usually filming at least a show AND A HALF during that same time. Again, having been a part of it, this leads to numerous problems that have a diverse effect on the end product.
For starters – you have to write accordingly. In other words, many times the writers can’t write their “dream” show, because they have to look at how many times EY wrestled in one night, or, how many in-rings did MVP have. They have to adjust to not wear the performers out on a nightly basis, but also to protect the audience response — whatever there is — from sending a guy out through the curtain too many times. So from the beginning — the writing is being affected to compensate for the work schedule. Again — it is what is it, and they are all working as hard as they can to make it “work” providing the circumstances.”
