A Chaotic Theory: The Destruction of TNA part 1
By Chad
Note to Readers: When I began writing this column I didn’t intend for it to be so long. But as I went on and on writing it, there was just so much that I wanted to say. So I decided to break the article up into two parts, it will give you a chance to think about what I just said and hate me even more for what I am about to say.
There isn’t a debate on why the WWE is on top of the ratings wars. I know a lot of people have great arguments, defending their position, remaining loyal to TNA even though the facts remain, they are being dominated. Just recently Vince McMahon released a statement concerning TNA’s switch to the Monday night time slot. He said that “….We’re in different business. We’re in the entertainment business and they’re in the ‘pro wrasslin’ business. It’s different markets.” He said that TNA presents a “tawdry” product and it is filled with “blood soaked action” and he doesn’t feel that the professional wrestling business is the same it was 10 or 20 years ago. You know what I think? I think he’s right.
Now I am not going to go into some sort of speech about how much I love TNA and how much I want it to succeed just to defend the “ass chewin’” I’m about to hand down. I wouldn’t write if I didn’t care. So now that we have established the close relationship that TNA and I share, let’s move on.
Vince is right. Sorry TNA fans, it may not be something you want to hear, but it’s true. After Hogan and Bischoff intercepted the reigns from Dixie Carter, they quickly swooped in to save the place, which I didn’t even know needed saving. To my knowledge, TNA had a national television program, an excellent roster with stars like, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and Kurt Angle and had a strong fan base that was gradually building. I just don’t understand why we needed Hogan’s “White Horse” to save us. What was so bad that needed to be saved? Yes, TNA wasn’t truly competing against the WWE for fans, because the fans actually got a choice, again. They got an opportunity to see wrestlers from both TNA and WWE each week and support both companies. It was a great time for the fans, two professional wrestling companies again, two different styles and two different shows, it was awesome. Although TNA wasn’t “throwin’ it down” on Monday Nights, they had fans that were growing in numbers, becoming bigger, louder and stronger.
The product that TNA was branding was full of potential. They had a ring that WAS six-sided, we had never seen that before, they had stars with originality and potential for growth. They reshaped and redefined women’s professional wrestling with their Knockout division. They even gained one very loyal WWE fan, me.
So what happened? What is forcing me to switch channels from iMPACT! to Raw on Monday Nights? What kind of columnist would I be if I didn’t tell you? It’s simple, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff! Again, I am not going to go into how much I love Hogan and the things he has done for professional wrestling, to defend my column. What I am going to talk about is what he is doing to TNA and its fans. I hate to say it but Hogan thinks he may be helping, when in actuality he is playing the lead role in its demise.
Joe says
Chad – I think a lot of people are upset with the progression of TNA since it’s historic January 4th episode. Folks say that these things take time, but I think many TNA fans out there are looking for instant gratification with Bischoff and Hogan. And, honestly, I think as long as the iMPACT! show continues to be produced out of that second rate iMPACT! Zone, there is no way that the show can grow.
Part 1 of this column was fun. Thanks!
Adam says
That damn Impact Zone!