My Take on TNA

[Orange]

Alright seeing all of the split feelings on TNA recently on this board, I thought I would offer my take on TNA at the moment. This whole post is just in my opinion, and I haven't read any spoilers if they are out there so I may be off in some of my predictions.

WARNING - LONG POST AHEAD! LONG POST AHEAD! ;D

First of all I'll talk about the main thing a lot of people either like or hate, and that is the feud going on between Hogan & Sting right now. After re-watching iMPACT! tonight and seeing the segment where Hogan was about to hit Sting with the bat, I can honestly say I love where this angle is going. They are not booking Hogan like the Hogan of old (such as in his recent WWE runs), they are booking him as a guy who needs to realize that he is not a wrestler anymore. In this angle everybody from Bishoff to Bubba realizes Hogan can't go anymore, and now it's time for Hogan to realize this as well. I know these are two of the older guys, but it's not like they're wrestling over the belt, this feud is different and I'm anxious to see where it goes.

For years we saw Jeff Jarrett dominate TNA, with title run after title run, and I like how they are seemingly using this for the current angle with Bischoff. Bischoff is making Jarrett start at the bottom, to show viewers that he's not the dominant Jarrett we've seen of old, and that he has to work his way up to the top. I thought the whole bathroom match and chef thing was ridiculous, but him being just a referee in Beer Money's match was great. I'm not sure where this angle is going, but for the most part I like it, Jeff keeps saying he is the founder of TNA and nobody except him (and apparently Hernandez) cares.

Speaking of Beer Money, here's another team who's just getting started in the tag division again IMO. Beer Money is mad that they are not getting their fair share, and I'm excited to see where this particular angle is going. The way TNA is booking this one right now is it makes Beer Money seem rebellious, and they only care about themselves at the moment. I could see them getting the tag straps very soon.

The Knockouts Division is as strong as ever, even without Awesome Kong. I love the feud between the BP & Angelina Love, and I also like how they are involving Daffney in the mix with Tara. No complaints here, the KD has always been strong.

And last but not least another thing I see getting tossed around a lot is a lack of young guys getting their fair share when compared to the older guys, and I don't really agree with this at all. Are Hogan & Bischoff at the forefront of the company and most angles right now? Yes, but that makes sense. Such a big deal was made out of Bischoff & Hogan coming in, if they weren't involved on-screen it'd make TNA look stupid for building them up and not using them. But as much time as Hogan & Bischoff are getting, the young guys are right there with them. AJ is World Champ right now, and is feuding with Abyss who are two of TNA's homegrown talents. Hogan & Flair are involved in this feud as well, but it is centered around AJ & Abyss right now. I'll agree the super power HOF ring thing is silly, but other than that this feud is going pretty strong.

The X-Division also seems like it is becoming relevant once again, and the promo on the live show sealed this deal for me. The X guys have actual storylines now, and I hold high hopes for what they are going to do with the division in the future.

One reason why I believe TNA needs the older guys around with the younger guys is this. TNA on Mondays is brand new to a casual viewer, and if someone who has given up on wrestling or stopped watching after WCW ended turns on TNA and sees some old favorites; it may give them some motivation to watch. TNA doesn't have the benefit of being a huge juggernaut of a company right now like WWE, where they can do pretty much anything and showcase anybody and have people watch, they have to lure people in so to speak. If it was just all young guys the company wouldn't be as marketable, they need some familiar faces there to try and get some new viewers. A TNA where it was just all new guys would be great, but if the company was like that how long would their lifespan be? A casual viewer may not keep coming back for Wolfe and Pope just because they're good, but they may come back if they were fans of Hall & Nash and like seeing them again. We also have to remember that TNA is trying to appeal to the masses right now, and that's why having some familiar faces is necessary. Some of them may not be great wrestlers anymore (looking at you Knobbs), but when you are trying to appeal to EVERYONE you have to do what you can.

So that's why I think of TNA right now, feel free to agree/disagree/or what have you, but thanks for reading

[Bram wants to 'urt you]

I would actually like to see Hogan lace up the boots for "one more match" against whoever and get decisively beaten. While it could be argued that the majority of casual Hogan fans just want to see: YOU! > HULKING UP > BIG BOOT > LEG DROP > AFTER MATCH POSE OFF,
I think it would be shocking and also actually quite touching and realistic to see Hogan discover for himself what the rest of the people on the show are trying to tell him (and that the bulk of wrestling fans have said for a long time), that he simply cannot do it any more.

I'm not sure about it being with Sting however, as something like this really needs to be used to put a younger talent over. At the present time (although a lot of people will disagree) Abyss is perfectly positioned for Hogan to hand over the torch. You'd need to build to Abyss/Hogan, keeping them both as faces, and with Abyss torn over fighting his hero. At the end of the match, Abyss would tell Hogan that he wanted Hogan to have his ring back as he (Abyss) will someday earn one of his own.

And as a final twist, have it turn out that Abyss didn't actually wear the ring during the match, as he felt that it would be "wrong" to "use Hulk's own power against him". So Abyss wins cleanly, entirely on his own merit. Abyss then walks to the back to fetch the ring, leaving the defeated Hogan alone, with the fans cheering him to do a final pose off.

[Dave at the Movies]

Mar 17, 2010 3:56:33 GMT -5 Bram wants to 'urt you said:

I would actually like to see Hogan lace up the boots for "one more match" against whoever and get decisively beaten. While it could be argued that the majority of casual Hogan fans just want to see: YOU! > HULKING UP > BIG BOOT > LEG DROP > AFTER MATCH POSE OFF,
I think it would be shocking and also actually quite touching and realistic to see Hogan discover for himself what the rest of the people on the show are trying to tell him (and that the bulk of wrestling fans have said for a long time), that he simply cannot do it any more.

I'm not sure about it being with Sting however, as something like this really needs to be used to put a younger talent over. At the present time (although a lot of people will disagree) Abyss is perfectly positioned for Hogan to hand over the torch. You'd need to build to Abyss/Hogan, keeping them both as faces, and with Abyss torn over fighting his hero. At the end of the match, Abyss would tell Hogan that he wanted Hogan to have his ring back as he (Abyss) will someday earn one of his own.

And as a final twist, have it turn out that Abyss didn't actually wear the ring during the match, as he felt that it would be "wrong" to "use Hulk's own power against him". So Abyss wins cleanly, entirely on his own merit. Abyss then walks to the back to fetch the ring, leaving the defeated Hogan alone, with the fans cheering him to do a final pose off.

Actually I'd rather see Abyss just go full heel on Hogan down the line and set up a big match between them and let Hogan have a good last showing but then lose gracefully.

I think TNA is in an okay position storyline wise right now. TNA has so much more going on than WWE's RAW storyline wise which isn't very good considering WWE is only a week away from Wrestlemania. WWE needs to be very very careful right now because they don't want TNA to bite them in the ass the same way WCW came out of no where and did just that.

[Orange]

Mar 17, 2010 4:59:50 GMT -5 Dave at the Movies said:

Mar 17, 2010 3:56:33 GMT -5 Bram wants to 'urt you said:

I would actually like to see Hogan lace up the boots for "one more match" against whoever and get decisively beaten. While it could be argued that the majority of casual Hogan fans just want to see: YOU! > HULKING UP > BIG BOOT > LEG DROP > AFTER MATCH POSE OFF,
I think it would be shocking and also actually quite touching and realistic to see Hogan discover for himself what the rest of the people on the show are trying to tell him (and that the bulk of wrestling fans have said for a long time), that he simply cannot do it any more.

I'm not sure about it being with Sting however, as something like this really needs to be used to put a younger talent over. At the present time (although a lot of people will disagree) Abyss is perfectly positioned for Hogan to hand over the torch. You'd need to build to Abyss/Hogan, keeping them both as faces, and with Abyss torn over fighting his hero. At the end of the match, Abyss would tell Hogan that he wanted Hogan to have his ring back as he (Abyss) will someday earn one of his own.

And as a final twist, have it turn out that Abyss didn't actually wear the ring during the match, as he felt that it would be "wrong" to "use Hulk's own power against him". So Abyss wins cleanly, entirely on his own merit. Abyss then walks to the back to fetch the ring, leaving the defeated Hogan alone, with the fans cheering him to do a final pose off.

Actually I'd rather see Abyss just go full heel on Hogan down the line and set up a big match between them and let Hogan have a good last showing but then lose gracefully.

I think TNA is in an okay position storyline wise right now. TNA has so much more going on than WWE's RAW storyline wise which isn't very good considering WWE is only a week away from Wrestlemania. WWE needs to be very very careful right now because they don't want TNA to bite them in the ass the same way WCW came out of no where and did just that.

Could Hogan wrestle Abyss with the condition he's in? It'd be painful to see Hogan take a black hole slam. Although I think a heel Abyss is possible if he loses at Destination X. I'd like to see him say that the ring didn't help him beat AJ Styles, so Hogan is a fraud and the ring is useless or something like that.

Ironfist, I also would love to see your idea, just have Hogan get beat. It'd be so surreal to see that, but it'd make a lot of sense since he can't go anymore. Have him Hulk Up in the match but just get torn down, which would send a message to him and make the angle more personal. Thanks for the replies guys

[Sajoa Moe]

Mar 17, 2010 12:18:17 GMT -5 Orange said:

Mar 17, 2010 4:59:50 GMT -5 Dave at the Movies said:

Actually I'd rather see Abyss just go full heel on Hogan down the line and set up a big match between them and let Hogan have a good last showing but then lose gracefully.

I think TNA is in an okay position storyline wise right now. TNA has so much more going on than WWE's RAW storyline wise which isn't very good considering WWE is only a week away from Wrestlemania. WWE needs to be very very careful right now because they don't want TNA to bite them in the ass the same way WCW came out of no where and did just that.

Could Hogan wrestle Abyss with the condition he's in? It'd be painful to see Hogan take a black hole slam. Although I think a heel Abyss is possible if he loses at Destination X. I'd like to see him say that the ring didn't help him beat AJ Styles, so Hogan is a fraud and the ring is useless or something like that.

Ironfist, I also would love to see your idea, just have Hogan get beat. It'd be so surreal to see that, but it'd make a lot of sense since he can't go anymore. Have him Hulk Up in the match but just get torn down, which would send a message to him and make the angle more personal. Thanks for the replies guys

Hogan can't even take a chokeslam, much less a Black Hole Slam. The only way a Hogan/Abyss match would be watchable is if it were a hardcore match.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2010 1:48:45 GMT -5 Orange said:

One reason why I believe TNA needs the older guys around with the younger guys is this. [ . . .] A casual viewer may not keep coming back for Wolfe and Pope just because they're good . . .

First off - glad you're enjoying the show, so I'm not here to tear down your love for it.

The above statement its what is wrong though. I disagree that TNA can draw in a casual viewer with older guys. Its been done before - many times by TNA and it has never worked. That's not to say it won't work now, but those who don't learn from thier mistakes are doomed to repeat them.

Secondly - A casual viewer may not keep coming back for Wolfe and Pope just because they're good . . .

If a casual viewer does not come back for new, young, charismatic talent - then it has nothing to do with familiar faces and everything to do with the stories they are involved in. You can't throw a real diamond in a pile of cubic zirconias and expect someone to appreciate it.

If TNA's writing were stronger, I firmly believe that a casual viewer would come back week after week for stars like Wolfe, Pope, Hernandez, Homicide, Shelly, Sabin, Beer Money, Morgan, Love, the BP, Daffney, ODB, Sarita & Hamada.

These are all charismatic, talented young stars who could carry a show if given good material to work with.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2010 12:29:25 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

Mar 17, 2010 1:48:45 GMT -5 Orange said:

One reason why I believe TNA needs the older guys around with the younger guys is this. [ . . .] A casual viewer may not keep coming back for Wolfe and Pope just because they're good . . .

If TNA's writing were stronger, I firmly believe that a casual viewer would come back week after week for stars like Wolfe, Pope, Hernandez, Homicide, Shelly, Sabin, Beer Money, Morgan, Love, the BP, Daffney, ODB, Sarita & Hamada

This is one of the more frustrating things bout TNA. At least it has been since I've been a viewer.

It just seems like every time they have one of their youngsters ready to push through or latched on to something good, they find a way to cut them down.

Maybe they sign someone new. Maybe another angle takes up TV time that could've been devoted to them. Maybe they either bail on whatever it was entirely or don't enforce it strong enough.

They drop the ball A LOT, in my view.

It's not all bad. The story lines are holding my attention. There's usually at the very least a hot match or two. They try to cover everything. Sometimes it just seems like The Bischoff/Hogan/Jarrett/Foley/former nWo variety hour(s) featuring MCMG and pals.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2010 12:54:04 GMT -5 @lesscra said:

Mar 17, 2010 12:29:25 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

If TNA's writing were stronger, I firmly believe that a casual viewer would come back week after week for stars like Wolfe, Pope, Hernandez, Homicide, Shelly, Sabin, Beer Money, Morgan, Love, the BP, Daffney, ODB, Sarita & Hamada

This is one of the more frustrating things bout TNA. At least it has been since I've been a viewer.

It just seems like every time they have one of their youngsters ready to push through or latched on to something good, they find a way to cut them down.

Maybe they sign someone new. Maybe another angle takes up TV time that could've been devoted to them. Maybe they either bail on whatever it was entirely or don't enforce it strong enough.

They drop the ball A LOT, in my view.

It's not all bad. The story lines are holding my attention. There's usually at the very least a hot match or two. They try to cover everything. Sometimes it just seems like The Bischoff/Hogan/Jarrett/Foley/former nWo variety hour(s) featuring MCMG and pals.

Strong writing can carry even the most repulsive performer to new heights.

I remember when The Sarah Connon Chronicles brought in Brian Austin Green to play Reese's brother. I just about gave up on the show right there, but I'll be damned if they gave him some great, great stuff to work with and he took the ball and ran with it.

Before to long Brian Austin Green was my favorite part of the show - outshining Summer Glau (which says a lot - TRUST ME).

If a great story and great dialogue can make Brian Austin Green seem cool, then it can do the same for a lot of the supposedly unmarketable "TNA Originals"

[Michael Coello]

Mar 17, 2010 13:08:41 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

Mar 17, 2010 12:54:04 GMT -5 @lesscra said:

This is one of the more frustrating things bout TNA. At least it has been since I've been a viewer.

It just seems like every time they have one of their youngsters ready to push through or latched on to something good, they find a way to cut them down.

Maybe they sign someone new. Maybe another angle takes up TV time that could've been devoted to them. Maybe they either bail on whatever it was entirely or don't enforce it strong enough.

They drop the ball A LOT, in my view.

It's not all bad. The story lines are holding my attention. There's usually at the very least a hot match or two. They try to cover everything. Sometimes it just seems like The Bischoff/Hogan/Jarrett/Foley/former nWo variety hour(s) featuring MCMG and pals.

Strong writing can carry even the most repulsive performer to new heights.

I remember when The Sarah Connon Chronicles brought in Brian Austin Green to play Reese's brother. I just about gave up on the show right there, but I'll be damned if they gave him some great, great stuff to work with and he took the ball and ran with it.

Before to long Brian Austin Green was my favorite part of the show - outshining Summer Glau (which says a lot - TRUST ME).

If a great story and great dialogue can make Brian Austin Green seem cool, then it can do the same for a lot of the supposedly unmarketable "TNA Originals"

The problem isn't on the side of the writing, but on the side of the viewer. Yeah, let me explain this comment.

There was the angle where Hogan wasn't sure about how he can't let this disrespect go, even with his family and friends who told him you can't really go. Looking at the story, you can pick it up and you can see the angle they're trying to put over. Then you see the reactions here, and even before a word was said anywhere, it's all:

"OMG Brooke Hogan sucks! They'll put the belt on her"

"F*** Bubba! He got Kong fired! What a douche!!!"

"Tranny! Tranny! TRANNY!!!!"

You're asking for a complex story to be told to a crowd who are ready to kill over something that happens on one moment with no background, let alone in the time for an angle to resolve.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2010 13:49:12 GMT -5 Michael Coello said:

Mar 17, 2010 13:08:41 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

Strong writing can carry even the most repulsive performer to new heights.

I remember when The Sarah Connon Chronicles brought in Brian Austin Green to play Reese's brother. I just about gave up on the show right there, but I'll be damned if they gave him some great, great stuff to work with and he took the ball and ran with it.

Before to long Brian Austin Green was my favorite part of the show - outshining Summer Glau (which says a lot - TRUST ME).

If a great story and great dialogue can make Brian Austin Green seem cool, then it can do the same for a lot of the supposedly unmarketable "TNA Originals"

The problem isn't on the side of the writing, but on the side of the viewer. Yeah, let me explain this comment.

There was the angle where Hogan wasn't sure about how he can't let this disrespect go, even with his family and friends who told him you can't really go. Looking at the story, you can pick it up and you can see the angle they're trying to put over. Then you see the reactions here, and even before a word was said anywhere, it's all:

"OMG Brooke Hogan sucks! They'll put the belt on her"

"F*** Bubba! He got Kong fired! What a douche!!!"

"Tranny! Tranny! TRANNY!!!!"

You're asking for a complex story to be told to a crowd who are ready to kill over something that happens on one moment with no background, let alone in the time for an angle to resolve.

Or maybe they just didn't like the story, because I sure didn't. I can see where you're coming from though.

I didn't say anything about a complex story. There's nothing complex about Hogan's current story line - its actually fairly basic and they are beating us over the head with it to boot. Its just not good (strictly subjective) and so people don't care enough about the story to get past the fact that Brooke and Bubba are on TV.

But, what's always good isn't what works. Sarah Connor Chronicles was cancelled after two seasons. DAMN YOU FOX!

[comahan]

And Caprica is getting shit ratings, too, and might not be back for a 2nd season

[Michael Coello]

The point I was trying to make is that it seems that all the problems stem from hate on the person or persons that are involved than the actual story, and in fact ignores it just to go after this hate.

Plus, a lot of it seems to step from what COULD happen as to what DID happen. Hogan COULD win the World title. The Nasties COULD job out the tag division and be the champs. The young guys COULD get released and all of the old guys would come in. All the Knockouts COULD be turned into strippers or like the cage dancers in old TNA. It's all about things that COULD happen, as opposed to things that are happening.

[Deleted]

Mar 17, 2010 15:57:48 GMT -5 Michael Coello said:

The point I was trying to make is that it seems that all the problems stem from hate on the person or persons that are involved than the actual story, and in fact ignores it just to go after this hate.

Well, its hard to say if that's the case, but I do believe that if a story is strong enough - people will look past that hate on a person and become more interested in the story itself.

If they don't - then I think its a sign of weak story telling. But this is more in regards to the whole "using older stars to draw an audience in" discussion.

A really good, strong story with good characters will bring in an audience a million times more than nostalgia will. Not only that - but it will keep an audience coming back. Nostalgia is a one time thing (like X-mas) and gets annoying after a while.

To say the audience is the problem won't really help anything though - you can't really "fix" the audience. If TNA wants these viewers they have to fix TNA, not the audience.