What does TNA need to do to grow

[wwefan71080]

Personally they need to go on the road, it would probably cost more than they can spend which also leads to me saying that they should if they need more money to go on the road, charge lets say 15$ to attend impact which would help them go on the road and get more exposure for TNA

[AdamAFL was sooooo wrong]

Other: Pray for another boom period within the wrestling business.

It's been over a decade since WWE had legitimate competition and now, no matter what TNA do, they aren't gonna make a dent in WWE's popularity. It has it's core fanbase that will almost always watch and others that will watch depending on the quality of the product but there are people out there that won't watch TNA simply because it isn't WWE, irrespective of which company provides more entertaining television. I don't know if it's because people are so set in their ways or because people want TNA to fail for some reason but there is a substantial group of people who just will not watch TNA no matter what. Hell, we have people like that on here even in a so-called "smarky" setting so what hope is there for the casuals to not turn their nose up at something because it isn't the WWE?

That being said their promotion needs to be better. And they could do with going on the road and making #ImpactLive a permanent thing. However, none of this will cause a major increase in viewers, it will be minor at best and thus most of these things won't occur since, without a big spike in viewers, they aren't cost effective. Sometimes it's just more profitable to run a worse company that costs less than a better one that costs more.

[Djm Doesn't Find You Funny]

There's nothing they can do at this point. The only thing that could possibly happen is for another era where wrestling is "cool" again.

[Been burned too many times]

Doesn't matter what they do the majority of people recognize the WWE as pro wrestling in America...that's it. The majority of American wrestling fans don't wanna support anything that's not the WWE. Nothing's gonna change that, especially not nowadays when pro wrestling isn't even that popular anymore.

I'd like more on the road shows though.

[HMARK Center]

My honest opinion is that many of the listed choices would help, but they wouldn't be what's needed.

TNA does some very good things: the quality of the wrestling on its PPV's is usually pretty top notch, it's done a solid job in the past year of highlighting the TNA World Title as incredibly important, they've built up heels with actual "we hate you, but we love to hate you!" heat, it doesn't do the ridiculous "break the fourth wall" skits WWE does, and it's done a decent job of shifting the emphasis away from ex-WWE guys to either homegrown TNA wrestlers or ex-WWE guys who "feel" more like TNA guys now. All positives.

However, TNA is still very limited in a number of ways, and I'm starting to wonder if they're going to figure out the core of their problems any time soon.

To me, TNA's biggest issue is that it rarely "cashes in" intelligently, by which I mean that it feels as if TNA doesn't do enough to see its feuds or its hottest characters through to the ultimate pay day that they could provide.

Think of it this way: to this day, the PPV TNA put on that drew the best was that Lockdown in, what, 2008(?) where Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle fought for the World Title in the cage. What made it work so well? Well, despite his slight derailment Joe was still a hot commodity, he and Angle had a history in TNA, and the build up was "you know what we're capable of, we'll show you vingettes of us training and preparing, and you know we'll tear the house down". End result? Bigger buyrate than normal, great reaction.

Too often, TNA gets a feud that could be very hot, but slacks on what could be a great blowoff. Too often, TNA builds up a "company changing" stable, then doesn't allow an execution that could draw serious money (e.g. not having a proper end to the Main Event Mafia). Too often, TNA has a guy who's red hot, they might even put the World Title on him, but then they stand around with a look of "well...what do we do now?" (see: Aries, Joe, etc.).

For TNA to grow, I think the best way to address this is to finally commit to what kind of company it is, what defines a "TNA Title Match" in the fans' minds, building feuds up ALWAYS with the blowoff/pay off in mind, rather than seemingly booking in the moment without much thought on what comes next.

[Mayonnaise]

Other: Decide on an identity, an idea to show it off, stick to it and grow/build it. Don't expect anything to work with out years put into it.

They've bounced around and tried so many things without giving anything support and a chance to grow that identity that no expects TNA to give anything or anyone a fair shot. Something gets maybe a year, year and half and then dump it when they aren't beating WWE or they do get something because of it and drop it because it isn't WWE or what the people with Dixie's ear saw as wrestling.

They went from trying to fill WCW's void to centered around young guys to X Division based to Attitude Era style stuff back to X Division style to classic southern heel to 94-96 grab all the big names we can WCW to a hard hitting wrestling based to Legend v Young to Hogan and Friends to nWo style to the current reality stuff. That's I think 12 different attempts to establish an identity in 10 years and not counting stuff like the ECW reunion stuff, Internet Impact or the brief period before Hogan arrived.

I think they have an interesting idea in the reality based stuff but they need stick with it and do more with it. Where are the Gutcheck winners and why not do a video package on them and their growth other than on a throwaway holiday episode? Use known talent outside of TNA or former TNA guys in it. On Championship Thursdays, maybe bring in the occasional "big name" or former TNA champ now outside the company to argue for a chance? Just a couple of ideas to take the existing ideas and build on them.

[Sajoa Moe]

Take it to the next level, brother.

[Djm Doesn't Find You Funny]

Dec 26, 2012 21:17:19 GMT -5 Been burned too many times said:

Doesn't matter what they do the majority of people recognize the WWE as pro wrestling in America...that's it. The majority of American wrestling fans don't wanna support anything that's not the WWE. Nothing's gonna change that, especially not nowadays when pro wrestling isn't even that popular anymore.

I'd like more on the road shows though.

Here's the thing. I totally agree with this.

But I personally think TNA is doing great with the time they've been around and as many setbacks and detractors as they've had.

They have an audience, they are profitable. They tour internationally. They're doing all the things a mainstream wrestling company is supposed to do.

I don't see what there is to have an issue with. TNA has reached as far as they're going to.

[Been burned too many times]

Dec 26, 2012 22:23:37 GMT -5 Djm Doesn't Find You Funny said:

Dec 26, 2012 21:17:19 GMT -5 Been burned too many times said:

Doesn't matter what they do the majority of people recognize the WWE as pro wrestling in America...that's it. The majority of American wrestling fans don't wanna support anything that's not the WWE. Nothing's gonna change that, especially not nowadays when pro wrestling isn't even that popular anymore.

I'd like more on the road shows though.

Here's the thing. I totally agree with this.

But I personally think TNA is doing great with the time they've been around and as many setbacks and detractors as they've had.

They have an audience, they are profitable. They tour internationally. They're doing all the things a mainstream wrestling company is supposed to do.

I don't see what there is to have an issue with. TNA has reached as far as they're going to.

Same here. Booking wise there's been things I haven't been a fan of and would like them to do more on the road(and live) shows but I pretty much agree with everything you said.

[Straight Edge Scrotum]

Take control out of Hogan's hands.

[Rave]

Dec 26, 2012 23:13:02 GMT -5 Straight Edge Scrotum said:

Take control out of Hogan's hands.

I went with Other to originally say both 1 and 2, but I'd like to say this as well. Letting Hogan have influence on the booking is one of the worst things they've done.

[Glitch]

They should do the one thing that seems to cause Hogan and bischoff physical pain; listen to the damn fans!

Honestly, why would you watch a show where your favorite guys never get pushed, while has-beens from another company shoot straight to the top? The fans voted for Desmond Wolf, and he got a short squash match against rvd.
In addition, dixie doesn't seem to understand word of mouth. People talk to each other and will avoid crap.

I don't think tna has to wait for another wrestling boom period. They have to make it happen. I just hope the recent happenings is an indication of that.

[hughgrection]

Tits and Ass

[The Dark Order Inferno]

TNA are growing, just not domestically. They're in the same position the WWF were in the mid 90s, where their ratings were stagnant at home, but they were reaching new markets internationally and that was where the money is, the difference is, that TNA aren't starting from as strong a position as the WWF were. They really should do more international tours in places that are still hot for wrestling, tour Europe more than once a year and work with the stations that carry them as closely as they have with Challenge here in the UK to capitalise on the popularity then reinvest the money at home, use it to promote house shows and build up a fanbase so impact can go on the road and make money, rather than wasting it on WWE names who don't draw.

They also need to hire someone who knows how to promote wrestling shows, someone who can get bums in seats at house shows and make them into the moneyspinner they should be. If Sign Guy Dudley ever leaves his current role at Cirque du Soleil, Dixie Carter should throw money at him, as he's the perfect guy for the job, he's managed arenas, wrestlers, was the former Director of Promotions and Event Marketing at the WWE and has a vast amount of experience.

Getting rid of Hogan would help as he's making a -lot- of money for little return, while Bischoff, for all his faults I do believe he's a worthy investment for TNA. He has a lot of experience dealing with TV executives and TNA's production values have improved under his watch. I think if they ever get a second wrestling show on American TV, Bischoff will have had a hand in getting it for them... Just keep him the heck away from booking.

[Oh Cry Me a Screwball]

Get rid of the orange tumor.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Dec 26, 2012 21:10:43 GMT -5 Djm Doesn't Find You Funny said:

There's nothing they can do at this point. The only thing that could possibly happen is for another era where wrestling is "cool" again.

Well that is true but there something they can do. They need to do something that makes wrestling cool again. Think about what made wrestling cool again the last time and the time before that? It just didn't happen out of the blue. There was that something that people looked at it and said, that was awesome.

The last time started with the NWO. When that angle happened it started a whole new deal. WWE respond with Austin vs. McMahon and Attitude. So in order for wrestling to be cool again. They need to find there "NWO angle" or that "Austin" with a relatible angle too go with it.

Fans loved Austin for beating up there boss because all working class have all been there where they love too do that at one time. Austin also came off as one with the people.

The NWO was cool because it started as people thinking it was a real invasion. The point is they need to do something to make wrestling cool again. It not just going too happen. They need to find that next new big star and angle. Just like Hogan was before that in the late 80's.

TNA needs to go less with the guys they didn't make and really build the new faces of wrestling. Aries could been it if booked right. IMO they took a couple steps backward when making Hardy champion. He already over and established. He doesn't need a belt at this point.

[Mayonnaise]

See, I am not a fan of Hogan but I think he's helped TNA a lot the last two years.His decision to choose Roode as THE guy to build as their top heel and sticking with him has done wonders. That is not to mention despite how I don't like them making Storm into a modern day Sting, he's become a bigger star, he saw the fans latch onto Aries and gave him the ball and made him a star that can jump back into mix at anytime easily when NO ONE saw that as a possibility, he said talked about all the talent Abyss has and now he, sorry his brother Joseph Park is showing it off and has brought in Joey Ryan and paired him with another guy he sees as a star and is helping in Matt Morgan.

And that is not to mention anything he's doing to help people off camera since he's one of the easiest to approach guys in the back by most accounts. He may not have done anything for the ratings but since 2011 he's helped make TNA a better company.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

Dec 27, 2012 8:10:50 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

See, I am not a fan of Hogan but I think he's helped TNA a lot the last two years.His decision to choose Roode as THE guy to build as their top heel and sticking with him has done wonders. That is not to mention despite how I don't like them making Storm into a modern day Sting, he's become a bigger star, he saw the fans latch onto Aries and gave him the ball and made him a star that can jump back into mix at anytime easily when NO ONE saw that as a possibility, he said talked about all the talent Abyss has and now he, sorry his brother Joseph Park is showing it off and has brought in Joey Ryan and paired him with another guy he sees as a star and is helping in Matt Morgan.

And that is not to mention anything he's doing to help people off camera since he's one of the easiest to approach guys in the back by most accounts. He may not have done anything for the ratings but since 2011 he's helped make TNA a better company.

I can't help but feel that most of these things are the doing of the new Lagana led booking team, rather than the Hulkster. Hogan claimed to have no input into TNA's booking during Russo's run, so I'm not terribly inclined to give him credit for the upswing. He can't even take credit for getting rid of Russo as they were looking to replace him before Hogan arrived. The one thing we can definitely credit Hogan with isn't so positive, the influx of former WWF/E guys from the Hulkamania tour, which turned TNA from a company that was making a profit for the first time in it's existence to one making losses that were so great they had to bring in Dixie's mum to tighten the purse strings.

[Deleted]

Dec 27, 2012 8:10:50 GMT -5 Mayonnaise said:

See, I am not a fan of Hogan but I think he's helped TNA a lot the last two years.His decision to choose Roode as THE guy to build as their top heel and sticking with him has done wonders. That is not to mention despite how I don't like them making Storm into a modern day Sting, he's become a bigger star, he saw the fans latch onto Aries and gave him the ball and made him a star that can jump back into mix at anytime easily when NO ONE saw that as a possibility, he said talked about all the talent Abyss has and now he, sorry his brother Joseph Park is showing it off and has brought in Joey Ryan and paired him with another guy he sees as a star and is helping in Matt Morgan.

And that is not to mention anything he's doing to help people off camera since he's one of the easiest to approach guys in the back by most accounts. He may not have done anything for the ratings but since 2011 he's helped make TNA a better company.

Agreed.

People want to have it both ways. They want to blame Hogan for what happened during 2010-11, but don't want to praise him for the turnaround in 2012. He is either involved in creative or he isn't. You can't have it both ways when it suits whatever agenda you may have.

I said it repeatedly in 2010 and it has since been proven correct: Vince Russo was the problem. I said many times that if they replaced Russo with someone competent, that Hogan and Bischoff could still soak up tons of air time but the product would be better. Turns out, that happened. No more illogical turns. More long-term storyline/build-up. Titles are more valued now than they probably ever were in TNA. That is not a coincidence. Get rid of Russo and the things he undervalues (titles, heel turns, long-term booking) suddenly improve. Samoa Joe went from an afterthought under Russo's reign to being booked as strongly as anyone in the company. Not rocket science.

Hogan is not the problem. He has pretty much gone out of his way to put over the young guys in TNA, from insisting that Roode turn heel (which basically made Roode a main eventer), to verbally putting over Aries during AA's summer run (and now working with a heel Aries in the Brooke storyline), and so on as Ric mentioned. I think Hogan's only real issues were in the beginning of 2010 when he brought his friends over, but that didn't last very long. Since then he hasn't been an issue at all, and I'm surprised that he still gets so much resentment for TNA's lack of growth. The dying wrestling industry in North America is more to blame than anything.

[Push R Truth]

Hogan vs Warrior 3