IMPACT: Re-IMPACTed

This deserves a thread, as it will be the biggest wrestling news story of the year.  We can post news and rumors.  What would you do if you purchased TNA?  I'm going to put a whole deal together eventually, but here are some quick thoughts.  

1)  Form a worldwide alliance with every other promotion.  

2)  Bring in JR as President of Operations, and give a percentage of ownership.

3)  Sign Jericho, and give him a percentage of ownership.  

This could be exciting.  

1. Move the hell out of Orlando, Florida
2. Get the Briscoes
3. Refuse to get has been talent just for the sake of name recognition.
4. Make real tag teams a priority
5. Make managers a priority
6. Get the Briscoes
7. Establish a great announce table. They are the only ones involved with every match so make them part of the draw.

I disagree about the name recognition talent. The only reason this purchase makes sense is the cable deal. The only reason, right or wrong, the cable deal exists is Sting, Hogan, etc. Even if they aren't moving the ratings, TV execs like known commodities. Otherwise, a true wrestling organization like ROH would be in a better position.

This is my reason behind Jericho. He's a name, but he knows how to do business. I think he's won two matches in the last three years. But nobody cares. He could be involved with creative, put over new stars along with championship runs, and help his band.

Doesn't he have a sports agency or something like that?

I doubt he'd be interested in coming back to wrestling, and he would never go against the Family.

He was CEO, now Chairman of the Board of Go Demand.  Or something like that.  It provides on demand digital content to China.  I agree with Speeps.  He's not going against the family, despite possible hard feelings.    

If you do a talent raid, pick up all the "character" wrestlers working the indies, geez...

And just as importantly, get rid of the WWE discards... And the crap announcing... And the crap storylines...

But the Briscoes would be interesting/

If its done correctly and with guys other than Hogan, Sting, Nash....

The way The American Dream has been used recently I like. Getting DDP involved would be cool. IDK how his recovery has been going recently but Hall has said it would be cool to manage his son.

You just can't bring these old guys in and pretend they are 20 years younger than they are. That is why Hogan and Sting are huge buzzkills to see..........that being said, the hogan legends thing could be cool but that would be the E doing it the right way....I hope.

Posted by Larry Csonka on 11.04.2013

JR is back to blogging…

- Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry, here are the highlights…

On The State of TNA: The reported sale of TNA to a seemingly endless list of potential buyers is getting ridiculous. My friend Billy Corgan is 'allegedly' one of the latest suitors for the company who's own backers say isn't for sale. I have it on very good authority that Billy is not in the mix. Is there even a mix? TNA could utilize a makeover, for the lack of a better term, and a new approach to their presentation of the product in the opinion of some but that's not an exclusive, TNA issue and is something that many wrestling fans regularly say about other TV wrestling companies. Those that ask me daily on Twitter about me buying TNA get the same answer, No. I should suggest to them that they seek counseling or be drug tested. No one has ever produced a perfect, TV wresting show nor will they ever but the goal to do so should always remain at the top of any creative person's list. Every segment should have a reason for being and not be just 'filler' or 'let me up' content.
Read more at www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/302811/Jim-Ross-Blogs-on-the-Current-State-of-TNA,-The-Wyatt-Family,-More.htm#18Ve5449ipxEmggR.99

Well, that was the argument for bringing in Sting, Rhino, and Angle. Sting is pretty limited, in terms of what he can do. (So was Mick Foley when he was there.) 

Angle was dropped because of drug problems. And he still has his issues, now. Same for Hardy.

I never was a Mr Kennedy or Rhino fan.

The thing of it is, though, I think its time to get away from 80s/90s storytelling, and go with something that's been working in recent times. E.g., MMA-style promotions. An interesting example is PWG: you get one of their "BOLA" dvd's, and its an annual tournament. X number of participants come out; there's no storyline about how X dissed Y's valet, they just go into a very stiff match.

Now, with this, I say, you rig up 4-5 matches an episode. Whoever's on the match doesn't appear the next week (you got to sell the stiffness of the match.) And you basically rotate between 2 or more groups of performers. You want angles, they can film little "do-dah" angles for youtube.

Please keep in mind my thoughts aren't necessarily what I want to see.  I'm suggesting ways to build the promotion into a legit secondary option.  The broadcast deal is the only thing that could keep TNA, or whatever it becomes, alive.  A couple years back, I suggested slashing all talent making significant scratch.  I found out later Spike would have dumped the deal.  We like matches.  We long for "the good ol' days" which weren't really as good as we remember.  

I'm not saying try to mirror WWE.  See what I did there.  Make yourself very different.  But having five, five star matches without a personal issue is going to draw even lower ratings, and even smaller crowds.  Well, maybe not smaller live crowds.  TNA has made that almost impossible.  

At this point, I would say a "legends" roster of Angle, Jericho, and one older guy would be perfect.  They know how to put people over and can still go.  I absolutely want to have both.  Basically take the structure of Nitro in 1997 and 1998, but book it properly.  Open with an X-Division match every show.  Have at least one segment every two hours that features someone never seen in the states or on major US television.  Send your guys for shots in Japan, Mexico, etc. in a talent swap.  This way, they are getting more paydays, but you aren't paying.  Put a real focus on your core of 25-30 male and female wrestlers.  Make them stars.  

I don't have it yet big shooter.  Haha.  That's the other big thing I'm looking for in a new owner.  They have to be properly funded.  I thought Corgan had that type of money, but apparently he'd need a money guy.  If the rumors are even true.  If the owner/backer doesn't have at least 25 million and a cable contract, they're in trouble from the start.  

But I certainly come on as a consultant.  

Someone should watch this tonight. Maybe a Calvert/TNA rant??

Here we go. This is going to be rough.