– Regarding two our expansion: “We’re obviously thrilled!”
– Regarding TNA’s drug policy: “We have an active drug policy in place that prohibits use of all illegal drugs… That of course includes steroids.” She said they review it regularly and consider it a legal and moral responsibility.”
– Regarding competing on Monday nights with Raw: “That would be an ultimate goal, obviously.” She said they wanted to go Mondays, but Spike TV wanted Thursday nights to brand it. She said all of the timeslot changes for them would be a death knell for many shows, but they’ve succeeded.
– Regarding heading to New York City, she said they’re looking into it. “The live event part of our business is going to be the biggest growth segment for our company in 2008… It’s time for us to get out there.” She said have a commitment to touring.
– Regarding whether there were other networks they negotiated with: “We’ve had a great relationship with multiple people in the Fox network.” She said pro wrestling was a dirty word a few years back. She said Fox Sports first snubbed it as a non-sport. She said Spike TV took a meeting with them after losing WWE and agreed to stick their toe in the water with them. She said it took two years of solid growth to impress them into moving to two hours in prime time. She said Spike has been a terrific partner from day one. She said they know the industry and how to market wrestling. She confirmed talks with Fox on this go-around.
– Regarding any free agents being talked with at this time: “There are several guys out there on the market who could do exciting things with TNA,” she said. Regarding tomorrow night’s show, what struck her is that the two hour this week features all of the guys who brought them to the dance. She said it’s a testament to those who helped them get to this point.
– Regarding any TNA events coming to Canada: “We are absolutely looking at several places within Canada,” she said. She noted Canadian fans who visit them in Orlando.
– Regarding the contract with Spike TV and how long it lasts and whether it includes specials. She said it’s a four year contract and they will look into specials and other concept programming.
– Regarding the taping schedule and whether any TV show be live, she didn’t indicate live events are in the plans.
– Regarding Judas Mesias. He’s out 4-6 weeks and they found out the day before their taping. She said she didn’t know whether he’d be at Bound for Glory.
– Regarding criticism of the creative process and what she in particular would like to see changed: She said she wants to see longer matches and the ability to develop more characters. She said there are so many talented guys on the roster who deserve time. She said it was rushed in the past, but if you slowed things down, they couldn’t feature enough matches and storylines. “This two hour format will allow us to spread our wings and do what we do best.” Regarding criticism, she said she looks at the number of people watching TNA today versus two years ago – 800,000 growing to 1.5 million over two years. “That is a gigantic success story for any television show in any market.”
– Regarding the status of the X Division now being featured more: “When we started TNA, we had that two hour PPV format and we had the time to really get in there and allow the X Division stars to do what they do best. They did so well, some have moved beyond the X Division… We’re growing new stars right now. This format will allow us to get back to what that division does the best.” She cited the Kurt Angle vs. Jay Lethal match, and said it’s one of the best matches they’ve seen in a long time. “It was beautifully done and tells us a little bit about where we’re going with the X Division.”
