TNA appear to have achieved the impossible with me

[strykerdarksilence]

Before I start I just want to state this is not a TNA bashing thread, it's my feeling on the current product and what it has done for me as a wrestling fan. It's also a bit of a follow up to a thread I posted a fair while ago asking people to sell me on TNA (if anybody remembers that discussion) because the company was enjoying greater popularity and success than before but had left my interest in the product at an all time low.

TNA seems to have achieved the impossible with me, because despite all the huge recent developments in the company, I find myself utterly devoid of any interest in their product. I was a massive fan of TNA from 2004 to about 2006/early 2007 when things started to be less appealing to me. It's not a pattern reflected in wrestling on the whole for me. I think the current WWE product is the best since 1992, ROH has me hooked and the major Japanese companies really impress me. TNA on the other hand, despite apparently being more popular than ever and seemingly having a greater buzz about it than in a long time leaves me totally cold.

I was absolutely psyched at the thought of Nigel McGuinness in WWE, but when he turned up in TNA I barely batted an eyelid. To me starting him off with Angle for one, seems a daft idea because other than Hogan and Sting, Angle is their biggest star, and I'm just left with a feeling of "where does he go from here?" because he can't really move up the card from feuding with Kurt. (I do also have to say that as a Nigel fan, he, or whoever said he chose to go to TNA because WWE delayed things, left a bad taste in my mouth when the truth about WWE declining to offer him a contract because of his injury history came out. That isn't TNA's fault, it's his, or whoever was behind that false 'leak').

But it was Hogan's arrival that really made me realise how little I care about TNA's product now. I was very interested in his proposed tour. I was quite happy with the idea of him coming back into WWE for a short programme as long as things were done the right way (i.e, the opposite of the Orton programme). But Hogan turns up in TNA, and I see the internet explode with excitement, gossip, stories, official statements and people really shocked and amazed at the developments, and my reaction was frankly, "nih", because I'd been so put off the product in recent times.

The World Elite has managed to make Team 3D, one of my favourite tag teams of all time utterly boring to me, after I really enjoyed their feud with Beer Money. Also Doug Williams, Eric Young, Homicide and Hernandez for me have been robbed of anything that made them appealing by the generic heel faction. Joe, in his Nation of Violence run before his heel turn was really exciting and drawing me back, then the heel turn killed that for me, and him returning to the X Division title and then being on the losing side of Lashley ruined that for me.

Red winning the X Division title seems a strange choice too. I like Red, but my predominant memory of this run in TNA is him getting squashed and absolutely buried by Nash (which isn't a shot at my 'favourite' guy, it was the purpose of the angle, like Booker and Steiner vs Phi Delta in Suits), so we have the formerly vitally important X Division title held by a guy who couldn't get one offensive move in against a limited veteran.

AJ and Sting was the only recent feud that seemed to be done right, but then after that was over, instead of AJ getting revenge on any members of the Main Event Mafia who had made him look like a chump (and really stole focus from his rise to the title) is thrown out of nowhere in with Daniels and Joe, which while the match is sure to be stellar, has zero build behind it.

I'll have to be honest (and I know I'm sort of leaping all over with these points so please forgive my confusion) that whereas before their anniversary Impact, despite my lack of interest, I would skim through the spoilers and watch anything that caught my eye. I got quite soured on the product by the fact that although it might seem cliched, the lack of AJ and more specifically Jeff Jarrett from the big main event was very disappointing to me, as it should have been about TNA which is encapsulated by those two, as opposed to a lame tag match with very little "TNA" feel about it.

The Jarrett situation also bothers me. I know he may not be the most popular champion in their history, but the guy founded the company and had been on an absolute tear since his comeback with great matches and was going to be Foley's first interesting feud in TNA before that was all ditched because (and I know I'm simplifying the situation here) Angle got upset about stuff from their private lives. Given his own issues of late, I really don't see why such great stock was put into his feelings on a company he has much less vested interest in, and given injuries, probably a shorter tenure with.

I hope that all makes some sense, and I'm not going to do the typical "I'm done with TNA, see you next week" type comment, but I really don't know what the company will have to do to draw me back in as a fan, after over a year of being largely put off and then disappointed when potentially exciting things fall very flat. Bound For Glory was supposed to be a great PPV. I had to watch it in 20 minute stints because I found it at best, colourless and boring, and at worst, hard to watch because of it's distinct lack of appeal.

So TNA has done the impossible and made me not care about stuff that should enthuse me...It made me unresponsive to the biggest news in years! Does anybody feel the same to any degree at all? Am I the only person who thinks this? If so, what am I missing that would make everything click into place again, because as it stands I couldn't care less.

[poi zen rana]

I don't want to try to argue with you, despite my having completely different views, your opinions are your opinions.

I must ask though , why so down on the Angle vs Wolfe program? Do you not like Angle? To me this program is very promising and to overlook it solely because you think Wolfe has no options after this seems odd so I was just wondering if you have other reasons to be against the feud. In all honesty I think you are wrong about them not having options for Wolfe after this is over. He could easily work a great rivalry with AJ Styles over the belt. Or depending on how long his program with Angle lasts they could build up another challenger in the meantime. Plus I don't think it would be a huge downstep if Wolfe worked with Hernandez or Morgan next. Both are main event level like Kurt and are not booked to be beneath him by any measure. They are still booked as threats against Kurt.

Just wanted to ask about that. Bummer your interest is slipping. Mine is the opposite. Haven't been this excited about a large wrestling company in quite some time.

[strykerdarksilence]

Thanks for being courteous bro, I was wondering if I'd get up today and get a bashing from some TNA fans.

I don't have anything against Angle, and I think the matches will be great, I've just never liked debuting against a huge name because the options for progression beyond that are so limited. As I see it, unless he feuds with Hogan or Sting, or for the TNA title, anything will be a step back and a loss of the momentum he came in with.

[ozequal]

I've been enjoying TNA in the last few months more than any time since I was a little Undertaker/The Rockers mark.

I liked Hogan's last WWE run, but i'm really aprehensive about the changes... worried that all the recent good work will get buried in a stuttering, no-longer-relevant Nostalgiamania.

I guess it's proof you can't please all of the people all of the time. I'm digging it and others find it blander than a communion wafer.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Well Nigel facing off Angle I thought was interesting move. Nobody has really debuted right out of the gate against the biggest star. I think the what TNA is doing is make a star as fast as possible. But going against one of the biggest. To me it working because of to Angle's credit selling him in a major way. Doing a strecher job and getting KOed on his big move is really making him look good.

TNA wants him in the ME. That odvise so where does he go from Angle? They got a title feud with Styles. Maybe against Daniels. Which both guys may not be the star power of Angle to the general wrestling fan. But in TNA there top home grown talent. Then you have guys like Morgan or Lashley. I say Sting but we don't know what Sting is going to do. But you just gotta think in this business. After you face the biggest star, you may move down a little and then back up.

Just remember in the WWE. Brock Lensar beat Hogan and then The Rock and became champion. Where he go after that? Taker, Big Show and Angle. Then he face Show again and Cena. When back to Angle. Lost the title to Eddie Guerrero. Now. in the WWE world. Nobody got bigger then Rock or Hogan. The Big Show alway been up and down on the card. He was always the guy when they needed someone to move in the ME he was the guy but if they need him else where. he can move. Taker and Angle where big stars too but in some people eyes are not as big as The Rock because of Main Stream things.

In TNA Abyss in that guy who they make into a ME anytime they need him. Because the fact he beat a guy like Foley. Keeps him ceditable. Now think about that. Foley in TNA and look what he's done. He started with guys like Angle and Sting. Now he with Abyss. Now yeah a little different because Foley was already the star. But he still moving around to different levels of talent.

[strykerdarksilence]

Oct 31, 2009 7:10:51 GMT -5 ozequal said:

I've been enjoying TNA in the last few months more than any time since I was a little Undertaker/The Rockers mark.

I liked Hogan's last WWE run, but i'm really aprehensive about the changes... worried that all the recent good work will get buried in a stuttering, no-longer-relevant Nostalgiamania.

I guess it's proof you can't please all of the people all of the time. I'm digging it and others find it blander than a communion wafer.

I loved his last run in terms of promos etc, and I usually want the face to go over in a feud, but Orton didn't get anything, which as you say is a valid concern now for the TNA guys, I hope to be pleasantly surprised though. I'll keep an eye out for it, because it's Hogan, but I'm still shocked that I'm not more shocked by it all happening so fast, if you get my meaning.

[strykerdarksilence]

Oct 31, 2009 7:30:43 GMT -5 Can you afford to pay me, Gah said:

Well Nigel facing off Angle I thought was interesting move. Nobody has really debuted right out of the gate against the biggest star. I think the what TNA is doing is make a star as fast as possible. But going against one of the biggest. To me it working because of to Angle's credit selling him in a major way. Doing a strecher job and getting KOed on his big move is really making him look good.

TNA wants him in the ME. That odvise so where does he go from Angle? They got a title feud with Styles. Maybe against Daniels. Which both guys may not be the star power of Angle to the general wrestling fan. But in TNA there top home grown talent. Then you have guys like Morgan or Lashley. I say Sting but we don't know what Sting is going to do. But you just gotta think in this business. After you face the biggest star, you may move down a little and then back up.

Just remember in the WWE. Brock Lensar beat Hogan and then The Rock and became champion. Where he go after that? Taker, Big Show and Angle. Then he face Show again and Cena. When back to Angle. Lost the title to Eddie Guerrero. Now. in the WWE world. Nobody got bigger then Rock or Hogan. The Big Show alway been up and down on the card. He was always the guy when they needed someone to move in the ME he was the guy but if they need him else where. he can move. Taker and Angle where big stars too but in some people eyes are not as big as The Rock because of Main Stream things.

In TNA Abyss in that guy who they make into a ME anytime they need him. Because the fact he beat a guy like Foley. Keeps him ceditable. Now think about that. Foley in TNA and look what he's done. He started with guys like Angle and Sting. Now he with Abyss. Now yeah a little different because Foley was already the star. But he still moving around to different levels of talent.

I get what you're saying, and it could well be a launchpad for Nigel to be a huge star, and as you say, due credit to Kurt for putting Nigel over so strongly.

I honestly think though Nigel would be well served by losing the eventual payoff match to Angle with a good showing, so he isn't on top of the mountain so quickly. The money is in the chase, so to speak.

[The OP]

TNA is still kind of an afterthought for me, but I watch it more often than I ever used to. I'm not as excited as a lot of people around here seem to be, probably in large part because I don't really like AJ Styles, but to me it's kind of infectious to see so many fans get excited about the show.

I am extremely disappointed in the company that they changed the name of Nigel McGuinness. It just doesn't make sense to bring someone in based on indie buzz and then change their name. It kinda seems like another way of trying to copy WWE, except that WWE was smart enough to keep the name CM Punk. I actually like that they paired Nigel with Angle right off the bat though. This is the first Kurt Angle feud I've really been interested in since his initial program with Samoa Joe.

TNA still needs to cut way down on the gimmick matches and lose the goofy six sided ring, but I think overall the company has vastly improved. I used to not be able to watch their show at all. Once Hogan and Bischoff come in and give Russo the boot, I think TNA will continue to grow and get more popular.

[poi zen rana]

i don't really think they brought in nigel because of his indie buzz. i think they brought him in because he is a great worker all around. the name thing doesn't bother me at all.

i think the WWE could have changed cm punk's name and it wouldn't have affected how over he has gotten.

[The OP]

Maybe. Or he could've been like Marcus Cor Von or Scotty Goldman. I guess there's no way of knowing.

[Sajoa Moe]

TNA didn't make Nigel change his name. He just wanted to keep the rights to the Nigel McGuinness name if he were to leave the company and use it in the indies.

[stevieraymark]

Im not happy with the way Nige has debuted either, If he doesnt go into the main event after his program with Angle then he's gonna slide quite far down the card, But i'll wait and see how it plays out first.

[ThatDamnPotato]

Personally im not sure about TNA anymore which is really worrying me because before BFG I was so hyped and I loved watching the Mafia and The World Elite and everything was put together perfectly for the biggest pay per view of the TNA calendar but since that...TNA hasnt had much oomph about them I think losing the Mafia was what made it crap for me I loved the Mafia and I love World Elite but at the moment World Elite look like chumps and I think Kiyoshi and Bashir have NO use in there whatsoever id love to see Wolfe join them or maybe Young proposing deals with Wolfe and see if he'll join them I dunno its just atm the product needs to pick up a bit more the past 2 weeks have been average at best

[Allie Kitsune]

Oct 31, 2009 10:35:37 GMT -5 The OP said:

Maybe. Or he could've been like Marcus Cor Von or Scotty Goldman. I guess there's no way of knowing.

Monty/Marcus was doing just fine.

He left (on good terms) WWE because he had to take care of family issues.

[Above Average]

The way you've presented your views makes me believe that no matter what TNA do you'll never be happy. You basically said WWE doing the same things would be exciting for you, but with TNA it just makes you disinterested, and there is no logical reason for that other than you disliking TNA.

I may be wrong though. But in fairness I disagreed with pretty much every point you made up there, so we clearly have different tastes when it comes to pro wrasslin.

[strykerdarksilence]

Nov 1, 2009 13:13:16 GMT -5 Above Average said:

The way you've presented your views makes me believe that no matter what TNA do you'll never be happy. You basically said WWE doing the same things would be exciting for you, but with TNA it just makes you disinterested, and there is no logical reason for that other than you disliking TNA.

I may be wrong though. But in fairness I disagreed with pretty much every point you made up there, so we clearly have different tastes when it comes to pro wrasslin.

If I'd never been a fan I'd be inclined to agree, but I used to be a huge fan of TNA. I've just been so put off by their direction for the last few years, it's almost a case of 'once bitten, twice shy' because I've been so disappointed time and time again.

[The OP]

Nov 1, 2009 13:08:45 GMT -5 Allie Kitsune said:

Oct 31, 2009 10:35:37 GMT -5 The OP said:

Maybe. Or he could've been like Marcus Cor Von or Scotty Goldman. I guess there's no way of knowing.

Monty/Marcus was doing just fine.

He left (on good terms) WWE because he had to take care of family issues.

Well, ok, bad example maybe, but you know what I'm tryin' to say.

[Bubble Lead]

Nov 1, 2009 14:24:53 GMT -5 @strykerdarksilence said:

Nov 1, 2009 13:13:16 GMT -5 Above Average said:

The way you've presented your views makes me believe that no matter what TNA do you'll never be happy. You basically said WWE doing the same things would be exciting for you, but with TNA it just makes you disinterested, and there is no logical reason for that other than you disliking TNA.

I may be wrong though. But in fairness I disagreed with pretty much every point you made up there, so we clearly have different tastes when it comes to pro wrasslin.

If I'd never been a fan I'd be inclined to agree, but I used to be a huge fan of TNA. I've just been so put off by their direction for the last few years, it's almost a case of 'once bitten, twice shy' because I've been so disappointed time and time again.

I just dont see how you could be a fan of TNA back before they even got a show on Spike, but think it isn't good now.

2004 TNA was crap to me. I understand it is different strokes, etc. but when people say TNA is a cheap ripoff of WCW? It surely felt that way back in those days, which was why I barely watched it. I didn't really start caring about TNA until 2005, with Ravens title run and Samoa Joes debut.

TNA now, to me, is probably the best its ever been. The roster is surely the best it has ever had. Most of the young guys are getting the focus and the older stars are working programs with them and putting them over.

You may also be one of the only TNA fans I have seen complain about a LACK of Jeff Jarrett. If he ever got another title run or started hogging the main event again I would have sworn off TNA for awhile. I just never want to see the guy again, beyond a few special attraction matches every once in awhile.

I mean, if you really think WWE is the best it has been in the past 15 years right now yet TNA isn't any good...I really have to question what exactly they do wrong compared to WWE, because I think WWE is TERRIBLE right now, with the whole guest host thing, the same old main events over and over, an obviously aged, slowed down Undertaker as a World Champion who has to be put into matches that protect him to avoid exposing just how run down he is...

How is that good but nothing in TNA is?

[Jiren]

I watch TNA every week and enjoy it.

I haven't watched WWE in weeks and I haven't missed it.

[strykerdarksilence]

Nov 1, 2009 18:45:35 GMT -5 Jiren said:

I watch TNA every week and enjoy it.

I haven't watched WWE in weeks and I haven't missed it.

Nov 1, 2009 16:43:23 GMT -5 Bubble Lead said:

Nov 1, 2009 14:24:53 GMT -5 @strykerdarksilence said:

If I'd never been a fan I'd be inclined to agree, but I used to be a huge fan of TNA. I've just been so put off by their direction for the last few years, it's almost a case of 'once bitten, twice shy' because I've been so disappointed time and time again.

I just dont see how you could be a fan of TNA back before they even got a show on Spike, but think it isn't good now.

2004 TNA was crap to me. I understand it is different strokes, etc. but when people say TNA is a cheap ripoff of WCW? It surely felt that way back in those days, which was why I barely watched it. I didn't really start caring about TNA until 2005, with Ravens title run and Samoa Joes debut.

TNA now, to me, is probably the best its ever been. The roster is surely the best it has ever had. Most of the young guys are getting the focus and the older stars are working programs with them and putting them over.

You may also be one of the only TNA fans I have seen complain about a LACK of Jeff Jarrett. If he ever got another title run or started hogging the main event again I would have sworn off TNA for awhile. I just never want to see the guy again, beyond a few special attraction matches every once in awhile.

I mean, if you really think WWE is the best it has been in the past 15 years right now yet TNA isn't any good...I really have to question what exactly they do wrong compared to WWE, because I think WWE is TERRIBLE right now, with the whole guest host thing, the same old main events over and over, an obviously aged, slowed down Undertaker as a World Champion who has to be put into matches that protect him to avoid exposing just how run down he is...

How is that good but nothing in TNA is?

What can I say? Horses for courses.

The WWE main event is packed with guys who I love to watch and has had great matches, promos and feuds consistently that go in a direction that entertains me.

TNA is jerky and inconsistent, and has disappointed me over and over again.

Additionally, Jarrett is one of my favourite wrestlers of all time, and for my money is better all round than Angle (who I think is great, but not quite as good).