2016 TNA General Thread

[Playa Shunna Ver 3.0]

8 minutes ago, Wyld Samurai said:

Wouldn't it be cheaper to start a new operation rather than buying TNA? 

Or invest in ROH if he wants to get into the wrestling business without the headache of a start up?

I don't think ROH wants investors, and TNA has a TV deal.  Whether it's a good deal or a bad deal, it's a deal.  Apparently it's really hard to get a TV deal for a wrestling show.   

[RIPPA]

yeah - this issue is the TV deal.

Hence why Jarrett's fed has died on the vine and instead he wants you to buy gold

[(BP)]

It's a shame Viacom is in bed with Vince, because one of the VH1s would pick up a wrestling show if Corgan was all over it the way he's been on Impact. 

[RIPPA]

Here is Mike Johnson's report

Quote

By Mike Johnson on 2016-09-27 10:06:00
Heavy lies the head that wears the crown, or so the story goes.

If Dixie Carter wears the crown and by definition, is the queen of TNA, she's going to be using both hands to help prop her head up over the next several days, because by October 2nd, whatever her legacy is in professional wrestling, it looks like a major part of it will be written by her actions as the next several days unfold.

That legacy could go a number of ways, but it certainly appears that time is running out for TNA under her ownership and over the last five days, we have heard more and more that Carter has had communications with WWE about a potential sale.  If that is indeed the case, it's the end of TNA, because WWE is not going to buy it to operate it.  They are going to acquire the video library (which is really the only asset the company has), slide a few talents into the WWE locker room and let the rest of it become part of nostalgia for wrestling fans.  That's what happened to WCW and ECW, each of which had a far stronger footprint when they were acquired.

But, even if WWE doesn't end up owning TNA, the reality is this, the fuse on the TNA bomb is close to the end - someone or something is going to give and it's going to be soon.  There's no avoiding it.  Time is running out and while that may upset some in TNA, it's the truth.

It sucks as someone who loves pro wrestling to even write this, but the reality is that it is impossible to ignore the situation TNA currently has themselves in.  Carter didn't go from the sole owner of the company after buying out Jeff Jarrett a few years back and having TNA removed from the Panda Energy umbrella to being one of four owners unless financially, she had no choice but to make deals to try and keep the company operating - and now those decisions are coming back to haunt her.  She may still be the majority owner on paper but she's reliant on all of these moving parts she's created in order to keep the company moving...and now those parts are coming back with their hands out.

It's already well known that Aroluxe has a piece of TNA and got it because they paid for production costs after TNA's previous production company, A-1 Productions, parted ways with TNA on bad terms.  The stories of production staff from the A-1 days being paid late are well known.  So, now Aroluxe has a piece of the company and are still putting their hand out for their hard work - and they aren't going to produce Bound for Glory, much less next week's TNA TV, for free.  What would be in it for them to do that after all this time?  Aroluxe are going to want something for their time - and the word is that in recent weeks, they have made it clear that they still want to own TNA, going as far as to have a battle plan that would see them produce the TV show a few times a year in order to keep costs low.  Aroluxe isn't going to wait forever and they are the production company that TNA needs to produce TNA's shows in Orlando over the next week.  Dixie is pretty much in the same position she was in back at Slammiversary.  Once again, that wall is pushing in.

Then we have Billy Corgan, who began investing in TNA back around the time Slammiversary took place - the same time period that TNA's Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead talked on his Facebook page that it might be time for himself to retire as he admitted that the PPV and the tapings might not have even happened if it hadn't been for last minute maneueverings.  Those maneuverings were Corgan investing and those investments led to him getting the Presidency of the company.  He was the savior back in June, but it's a different scenario now.  Corgan wants TNA, but obviously, it's not going to be an easy sale because so many others are involved and no one is willing to walk away with nothing to show for their ownership points.  But, where it gets tricky is this - if Corgan has been the money that has kept TNA going since this past June, and he wants to buy TNA and it's not going to happen, why would he keep putting his money in if it's not getting him anywhere?  I pose this question: what if Corgan decides he's not going to float this weekend's PPV and tapings?  Would the other owners be able to pull it off without him?  If not, that gives Corgan a lot of leverage, but that leverage only means something in the end if he gets the company.  If not, he has thrown his money down a well and will be waiting like others to get his money back from TNA.  All signs are that Corgan holds the keys to TNA taping at Bound for Glory and beyond, but that's not going to happen with Corgan getting something he wants - TNA ownership -  nor should it.  That wall is pushing in.

Then we have the talents, who have worked hard and have created a lot of great matches and moments - from Final Deletion on down - over the last several years.  Matt Hardy has recreated himself.  Drew Galloway and EC3 continue to kill it in the ring. Aron Rex has shown a lot of fire and passion.  Maria Kanellis has been a tremendous heel.  Moose seems more comfortable in TNA than he ever did in Ring of Honor if we are going to be honest.  Even Allie has taken off as an endearing character.  The wrestlers have worked hard and the matches are good, but at the end of the day, they need to get paid and there's only so much passion one can maintain if they are worried about what the next chapter of their lives are going to be.  It's great to work hard but hey, everyone worked hard at the end of ECW too, and it didn't get them anywhere at the end of the day.  They have dealt with late checks, broken promises and at times, lies to keep them going and working hard.  Certainly that happens in all walks of life but the roster deserves answers and they deserve to know their future is safe.  That wall is closing in.

Then there is the wall of the past.  Past mistakes.  Vendors looking for money owed.  Former executive producers suing for money they claim to be owed.  Even the company that shipped merchandise via cargo ships into the United States for TNA are looking for what they are owed.   The ghosts of former talents who are doing more successful elsewhere when the company made the decision not to keep them or not to pay them.  All of that builds up and each little brick builds upon the others, threatening to cascade over, because eventually, you either pay the old bills or you go bankrupt.  That's how life works, no matter who you are.  That wall, a wall that isn't as publicly spotlighted as the others, is closing in as well.

Indeed, the walls are closing in and Dixie Carter is standing in the middle of the trash compactor on the Death Star.  So, what does she do?

The pressure is on, because unless everyone gets on board, Carter has to navigate the waters of needing one side for production, needing another side for the money and balancing all of that plus keeping a locker room full of talented and eclectic personalities happy, while also staving off the wolves of the past who are seeking their pound of flesh.  It's a real life "House of Lies" but instead of Washington DC, the politics are about how to keep a wrestling promotion solvent and keeping the focus on what is going on in front of the cameras as the real battle continues to be what is happening behind the scenes.

Even if the scheduled TV tapings didn't take place this week (and let the record state, talent has had their flight details for weeks, so there are obviously plans for the tapings to happen - don't misinterpet what I am about to say), TNA could get around that by repurposing older material, filming new wrap-arounds, etc.  There are ways to do that so that new content is sent to TV partners - even WWE has done that at times in the past.  TNA can get by without producing new TV shows.  But, on Sunday 10/2, TNA has to contractually produce a new, live PPV because if they don't, they will be in a major breach by breaking contracts with not just their PPV providers but all of their international TV partners as well - since Bound for Glory would be a special for those markets.  10/2 is the door Carter has to figure out a way past.

So, time is ticking away and decisions are going to have to be made, because all of the ripples Carter created with the decisions she's made over the last few years are bouncing back towards her at the same time.  Does she tap out and sell to WWE, getting herself some cash and walking away from all the stress she's undoubtedly been under, leaving her minority owners to be forced to eventually sell as well?  If so, does she sacrifice the livelyhood of everyone who is working for the company and everyone who has dealt with the hardships that were beyond their contract so that she can be free and clear and take a deep breath for herself?  Does she let TNA and all that people hoped it might be sink into the depths of the WWE ocean?

Does Carter sell off to Corgan and walk away, knowing that she has to let the company go and exist without her involvement?  Is she even willing, from an ego standpoint, to allow that to happen?  Paul Heyman could have sold off ECW, but chose to let it die.  Could Carter feel the same way?  Is selling off to Corgan going to get her enough money that she's going to be happy with all the time and energy that she's put into TNA from 2002 on?  One of the reasons TNA wasn't sold years ago was Carter had to remain in power and on camera - does she continued to put her own personal pursuits in front of what's best for TNA, it's staff and wrestlers?  Is it time she goes out on her shield so that the company can try and live another day?

Does she just let the Titanic crash into the iceberg and allow the bankruptcy process to go forth by putting TNA in Chapter 7 and allow the courts to extricate the remains and determine who gets what, how and why?  She certainly doesn't need to keep TNA alive in order to enjoy life.  She was the one vacationing with her family in Africa earlier this year.  Carter's life will go on without TNA, but she holds the key to whether TNA lives on.   Does she decide to sell?

Or does Carter figure out a way to pull off one of the greatest Hail Marys in the history of pro wrestling by somehow, without losing any additional footing to minority owners, getting through the weekend and setting the stage for TNA to once again, play Indiana Jones by swinging over an endless chasm, barely making it and pulling itself up by it's fingernails to live and fight another day?  And if so, what is TNA fighting for if, as recent history has shown, that victory is simply hitting reset at the end and playing this game over and over again?  Something is going to have to give.

I don't imagine it's very fun being Dixie Carter these day and she has some heavy decisions to make - and those decisions don't just change her life and the lives of her family, but the lives of everyone who works for TNA and has struggled to see the company through.  Carter's legacy may very well be decided over the next several days - and it will be that decision and that legacy that determines whether TNA follows WCW and ECW into the WWE archives, whether the company is given a fresh lease on life or whether it continues on it's current downtrodden path, a path that continues to get murkier and more convoluted with each step.

Heavy is the crown - as with it comes the responsibility and the blame.  All eyes are on Dixie Carter as every decision she has made has led herself and TNA to this juncture.   The health and future of her company and those who worked there are dependent on the decisions Carter makes over the next several days and trust me, decisions will have to be made.  Choose wisely.  

 

[Jiji]

This is the TNAiest thing TNA may have ever done. They have been a mostly dog shit show for years and still managed to survive. Within months of becoming something a little unique and watchable, they look to be finally going under. This is the first time in a decade I would care if they were insolvent. If only Big Money Matt weren't broken, he could win the day.

[NikoBaltimore]

Anybody else feel a little claustrophobic reading that article?  All that talk about the walls closing in sounds awfully scary.  Great article though.  If Dixie's ego really lets TNA die out instead of selling to somebody to keep it afloat then she can piss off for all I care.

[TheVileOne]

TNA has survived so many times I didn't think they would, I will only believe they are dead when I see it.  I mean, TNA Impact got cancelled from two different networks in LESS THAN A YEAR, and it still kept trekking.

A part of me almost wishes it went away when they were just so embarrassingly mis-managing the company time and time again despite having one of the best roster you could ever ask for.

 

[JohnnyJ]

Isn't the translation of all of this that they owe more money than they are worth so even would be investors don't have the incentive to keep them afloat? 

At this point arent they paying to be on tv with no house show business? Debt aside, what is their source of revenue? Foreign syndication deals?

[RIPPA]

Just now, JohnnyJ said:

Isn't the translation of all of this that they owe more money than they are worth so even would be investors don't have the incentive to keep them afloat? 

At this point arent they paying to be on tv with no house show business? Debt aside, what is their source of revenue? Foreign syndication deals?

Correct on both

The UK and India TV deals are basically all the money coming in

[Dolfan in NYC]

Well, I guess the positive from all of this is once WWE buys the tape library is that Josh Matthews will be out of a job. 

[nofuture]

I really wanted it to be Don West selling pieces of TNA off on some late night shopping channel.  "Buy a near Mint EC3 right now and I'll throw in 3 boxes of Aces & 8 merchandise and an X-Division wrestler for free!"

[JohnnyJ]

53 minutes ago, nofuture said:

I really wanted it to be Don West selling pieces of TNA off on some late night shopping channel.  "Buy a near Mint EC3 right now and I'll throw in 3 boxes of Aces & 8 merchandise and an X-Division wrestler for free!"

Remember when Booker T lost the right to his T in the dying days of WCW? "For just 3 installments of 199.95 you can have own the T in TNA. Some people say it stands for Total. Others say something else. When you own it, you decide!"

"And if you call now, you can get the real life James Storm. Remember when he was in nxt with the cool music and everyone thought he'd have a nice little run. Now you can own him. Reform beer money with the Bobby Roode action figure. Call now!"

[TheVileOne]

Cornette said that calling it TNA was Russo's idea, and it basically sounded like it was a joke on his part.  Then again, the Jarretts listened to him so they deserve the blame too.  A lot of TNA being in the toilet was ultimately Jarrett's fault too, which history seems to forget as of late by making the organization his vanity playground.

[Wyld Samurai]

I never followed TNA. In fact, a big reason was the fact that it was called TNA. I was 22 when they started, so I was in thst demographic... but just the name alone felt like an insult to my intelligence.

[The Great ML]

Same here, I do recall that the initial concept was for weekly Tuesday night PPVs...Tuesday Night All-Stars.

I watched the first few weeks faithfully, only because I had one of those old analog descrambler boxes.

Flying Elvises...dreadlock'd Ed Ferrara getting a simulated oral fix from Francine mid match...KweeWee wrestling for the women's tiara...a hardcore midget beating off in a trash can....the Dupp Cup...Jarrett vs. the World.

yikes.

[zev]

Decay goes to Lucha Underground.

Half the X division and Knockouts go to NXT.

Lashley goes to Bellator fulltime.

Galloway, ECW, Aron and Cody do some ROH/Evolve/PWG combination schedule for a year.

Hardys get the "surprise" entrant slots at next year's Rumble, and get the Dudley style nostalgia run before a HOF induction.

No more Schitt's Creek ads during wrestling shows.

 

All this could happen if TNA goes away....that's not so bad now, is it?

 

 

[Infinit]

2 hours ago, The Great ML said:

Same here, I do recall that the initial concept was for weekly Tuesday night PPVs...Tuesday Night All-Stars.

I watched the first few weeks faithfully, only because I had one of those old analog descrambler boxes.

Flying Elvises...dreadlock'd Ed Ferrara getting a simulated oral fix from Francine mid match...KweeWee wrestling for the women's tiara...a hardcore midget beating off in a trash can....the Dupp Cup...Jarrett vs. the World.

yikes.

The TNA weekly PPVs were on Wednesday nights.

[Nice Guy Eddie]

I'd be all for another Hardy's WWE run as long as they remain broken. I don't want to suddenly see the Hardy's circa 2001.

I think Moose would get snatched up by the 'E. 

Bennett and Maria would most likely return to ROH/NJPW. I'd like to see Maria get a heel run in the 'E and Bennett would be decent for nxt, but I think heat with the Bella's is gonna keep that door closed.

Eddie Edwards would probably end up back in ROH & NJPW, as would Davey whenever he returns. I'd like to see them get anothet shot in nxt and possibly the main roster. I blame their tryout match on The Ascension.

[mattdangerously]

No, that was on the Wolves.  

[The Great ML]

1 hour ago, Infinit said:

The TNA weekly PPVs were on Wednesday nights.

Yes, I'm aware...that's what was settled on...they initially wanted to do Tuesdays.

[DTTW]

13 hours ago, Wyld Samurai said:

Wouldn't it be cheaper to start a new operation rather than buying TNA? 

Or invest in ROH if he wants to get into the wrestling business without the headache of a start up?

 

What's the definition of a money mark again? Did Corgan really just piss away all that money?

1 hour ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

I think Moose would get snatched up by the 'E.

 

It's so funny he left ROH to go to TNA and then this happens. WWE didn't want him because of some domestic issues and told him to try again in a year or so. I'm sure someone will want him if his schedule opens up.

[DreamBroken]

10 hours ago, TheVileOne said:

Cornette said that calling it TNA was Russo's idea, and it basically sounded like it was a joke on his part.

 

7 hours ago, Wyld Samurai said:

I never followed TNA. In fact, a big reason was the fact that it was called TNA. I was 22 when they started, so I was in thst demographic... but just the name alone felt like an insult to my intelligence.

Russo column a couple years ago

Many people dont know this, but I actually came up with TNA, and it was supposed to mean EXACTLY what you think it was supposed to mean (Tits and Ass!). TOTAL NON-STOP ACTION, was just designed to be the EXPLANATION if anybody ever asked. Originally TNA was to be adult-orientated, with adult storylines, harsh language and nudity. Thats why it was originally pitched as a pay-per-view show, rather than a network one. Unfortunately, over the years, TNA became just another wrestling show. When I originally came up with it, it was entitled, Bitch Slap, and it was going to be the GLOW of the 2000s! I pitched it as a weekly pay per view to Direct TV alongside Jeremy Borash, long before TNA was first pitched. Direct TV loved it, but we didnt have the 'know about' to get the funding. I actually met with GLOWs David McLane prior to the pitch. The concept was based around R-Rated female characters with such names as Birdy Hole-4-One (Professional Golfer), Beastie Ally (do I really need to explain?), and Tag Team Champions Moose Knuckle and Camel Toe (again, no explanation necessary).

[TheVileOne]

I have no words.

[The Natural]

TNA has survived time and time again. If this is the end, I have to say this thread and past ones here, the good in TNA and the oh so bad has kept me entertained. Well, less entertained with the bad from fucking Vince Russo and the terrible.

[The Natural]

Broken Matt Hardy knew the possible future...DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!

Sorry ; )