Chuck Conry
Dennis Stamp
zombies DON'T Run
Posts: 3,716
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Post by Chuck Conry on Jun 30, 2015 0:43:38 GMT -5
Source: The Wrestling Mania.
In a week which seems to be bringing an endless stream of bad news for TNA, the latest is that wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated has announced that it will no longer be recognizing the TNA Title as a World Championship.
In layman’s terms, Pro Wrestling Illustrated is one of the biggest pro wrestling magazines in the world. It’s highly respected within the industry, and its annual “PWI500″ is an official indication of the best wrestlers in the world. By announcing its intention to drop TNA’s top title as an official World Heavyweight Championship, this is perhaps a much bigger indication of how the promotion is perceived within the industry than anything else so far.
It’s been a terrible week for TNA, PR wise. Several of their big stars are no longer contracted to the company including Low-Ki, Magnus, Austin Aries and James Storm, with other wrestling news sources speculating additional names too (although as of this time they remain unconfirmed). TNA Slammiversary was marred by audio production issues, the company informed production staff that they are 2 months behind on pay and former TNA Champion Eric Young let out a fouled mouthed outburst to fans on Twitter after the show, which was quickly deleted.
Further to that, the biggest talking point on TNA TV this week doesn’t even concern them, but instead the focus has been of Jeff Jarrett and his new Global Force Wrestling promotion.
With this latest news of TNA no longer having a recognized World Heavyweight Championship, and talent no longer having guaranteed contracts and being allowed to work wherever they want, it effectively makes them an Indy promotion.
We’ll be monitoring the situation further, as potentially we could be embarking on a massive couple of weeks for TNA.
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jagilki
Patti Mayonnaise
Nobody notices him; No, we noticed him
f*** Cancer
Posts: 33,594
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Post by jagilki on Jun 30, 2015 0:45:08 GMT -5
OMG this is huge.
PWI still exists?
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chazraps
Wade Wilson
Better have my money when I come-a collect!
Posts: 27,846
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Post by chazraps on Jun 30, 2015 0:49:19 GMT -5
Don't know if I necessarily agree with this one. The TNA title is still defended internationally and against competitors all over the world, not to mention is on a program that is still aired in many places across the world too.
There's plenty of things to be critical of TNA at the moment, but it technically is a title that's worldwide.
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Post by Mayonnaise on Jun 30, 2015 1:08:50 GMT -5
OMG this is huge. PWI still exists? That was my first thought. Maybe they were down to like 4 issues a year if that. Then I read the part about the PWI 500 being an official indicator of the best wrestlers in the world and nearly fell out of bed in laughter.
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Post by OVO 40 hunched over like he 80 on Jun 30, 2015 1:09:22 GMT -5
Ok PWI never stopped recognizing the AWA belt even when they where dying. I don't disagree with PWI's assessment, TNA for all intent and purposes is just another indy.
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TWERKIN' MAGGLE
Crow T. Robot
Black Lives Matter
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Post by TWERKIN' MAGGLE on Jun 30, 2015 1:29:06 GMT -5
Sorry ECIII, you were so close.
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Post by DSR on Jun 30, 2015 1:29:27 GMT -5
Oh man, PWI is getting worked SO HARD RIGHT NOW!
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Emmet Russell
King Koopa
Quieter
The best wrestler on earth.
Posts: 12,526
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Post by Emmet Russell on Jun 30, 2015 1:33:17 GMT -5
The WWE is the only one that should have a "World" Title anyway - it's the only belt defended all over the world.
ROH doesn't. TNA doesn't. No Indy does. WWE is the only one that has a legitimate right to do so.
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TWERKIN' MAGGLE
Crow T. Robot
Black Lives Matter
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Member is Online
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Post by TWERKIN' MAGGLE on Jun 30, 2015 1:53:46 GMT -5
The WWE is the only one that should have a "World" Title anyway - it's the only belt defended all over the world. ROH doesn't. TNA doesn't. No Indy does. WWE is the only one that has a legitimate right to do so. Who're you to doubt the legitimacy of the My Butt World Championship? My CAW's been holding that belt since SVR 2006. Yeah his last defense was against Daivari six years ago, but no one's stripped the champ yet!
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Post by Darth Stinger on Jun 30, 2015 2:04:08 GMT -5
PWI stopped being relevant to wrestling fans a decade ago (or longer). The only people who still read it are the wrestlers and that's just once a year to see if they made the PWI 500. To me, this isn't news or even newz. Like that Meltzer guy, they are yesteryear's news.
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Post by Joe Neglia on Jun 30, 2015 2:10:49 GMT -5
The WWE is the only one that should have a "World" Title anyway - it's the only belt defended all over the world. ROH doesn't. TNA doesn't. No Indy does. WWE is the only one that has a legitimate right to do so. Not even sure WWE can really make that claim under absolute scrutiny; they don't have a "true" world title, one that is defended (even if worked) against top people from around the world at the same time as across the world. It's a company title, it's not going to get defended against the best in Japan or Europe or Mexico, just against Ambrose or Ziggler in Japan or Europe or Mexico. The whole meaning of the world really sort of lost its way with the evaporation of the territory system. Not that it really changes the topic at hand, but PWI didn't recognize WWF as having a world title for many years. If I have my timeline right, they stopped recognizing them as such around the time Vincent J. quietly rejoined the NWA and wouldn't reaffirm it as a world title until some point after Hogan won it.
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Push R Truth
Patti Mayonnaise
Unique and Special Snowflake, and a pants-less heathen.
Perpetually Constipated
Posts: 39,218
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Post by Push R Truth on Jun 30, 2015 7:09:17 GMT -5
For the record I still think it a world title.
A shitty, sad and possibly self detrimental title to hold; but still a world title.
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Post by ________ has left the building on Jun 30, 2015 7:37:52 GMT -5
Pro Wrestling Illustrated had been long time dickriders for TNA and even they are abandoning ship. Now to see if the other PWI follows suit.
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Post by cabbageboy on Jun 30, 2015 9:00:33 GMT -5
I recall when PWI first recognized ECW as a world title when they signed with TNN in 1999. The silly thing is that ECW had already been on PPV for over 2 years and the title had been defended at various times in Japan.
The question is not about PWI's relevance. The question is why they would bother to do this right now. Is there some rush to strip TNA of world title status that can't wait until they are thrown off Destination America?
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Post by Hit Girl on Jun 30, 2015 9:03:12 GMT -5
It's been demoted from "world" to "local" status.
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Demented
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Winner of the Harleen F. Quinzel Legacy of Puddin Award
Going to a Jinder reveal party.
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Post by Demented on Jun 30, 2015 9:05:01 GMT -5
OMG this is huge. PWI still exists? Quit hating.
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jagilki
Patti Mayonnaise
Nobody notices him; No, we noticed him
f*** Cancer
Posts: 33,594
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Post by jagilki on Jun 30, 2015 9:11:38 GMT -5
It's been demoted from "world" to "local" status. *must resist typing....* *Can't do it* "Local Title Ruins Everything"
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Post by Finish Uncle Muffin’s Story on Jun 30, 2015 10:46:35 GMT -5
If it makes TNA feel any better, the wrestling community pretty much stopped recognizing PWI about 10 years ago.
But seriously, this is just as much a stunt to get PWI in the conversation at TNA's expense as it is a sign of TNA's imminent demise.
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Post by Been burned too many times on Jun 30, 2015 11:56:20 GMT -5
The WWE is the only one that should have a "World" Title anyway - it's the only belt defended all over the world. ROH doesn't. TNA doesn't. No Indy does. WWE is the only one that has a legitimate right to do so. What are you talking about? The TNA and ROH title were defended around the World. So were the IWGP, AAA, Shimmer and various other World titles that should be recognized.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Jun 30, 2015 12:12:05 GMT -5
The WWE is the only one that should have a "World" Title anyway - it's the only belt defended all over the world. ROH doesn't. TNA doesn't. No Indy does. WWE is the only one that has a legitimate right to do so. Not even sure WWE can really make that claim under absolute scrutiny; they don't have a "true" world title, one that is defended (even if worked) against top people from around the world at the same time as across the world. It's a company title, it's not going to get defended against the best in Japan or Europe or Mexico, just against Ambrose or Ziggler in Japan or Europe or Mexico. The whole meaning of the world really sort of lost its way with the evaporation of the territory system. Not that it really changes the topic at hand, but PWI didn't recognize WWF as having a world title for many years. If I have my timeline right, they stopped recognizing them as such around the time Vincent J. quietly rejoined the NWA and wouldn't reaffirm it as a world title until some point after Hogan won it. Technically no promotion can make that claim for their championship, so the notoriety/visibility of WWE's world title gives it its top tier status in my eyes mainly.
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