This is a huge step down as DA is even smaller than FSN was. Sadly I was hoping they went bust so that another company could get a shot. Oh well, we still have Wrestle Kingdom 9.
Why? I never understood why people wished death on TNA. If anything I WANT TNA and Jarrett's company to survive so there can be 3 - 4 promotions in America to watch.
...are you saying that as a general "fuck him" concept, or is Russo actually going to be involved with his Chosen One? Because outside of a "watch the world burn" joke, that'd be shooting the horse in all four legs before the race starts.
They should just film it in high school gyms across America. Then at the end they can end it with a psa of DONT do drugs or you might end up as dead as this company.
Those pictures of Sting wrestling in his T-shirt at Booker T. Washington Elementary in bumfuck Tennessee might've been the saddest thing ever seen in a wrestling ring.
Ugh, I actually didn't really believe they'd end up on a new channel. This would've been the right time for the company to quietly perish. What is the endgame that Dixie has is mind? Now they're going to continue on with a (presumably) lower budget, with even lower visibility, and for what?
If anything, though, we need a good no. 2. TNA has just fucked up so many times that it's clear they will never get better, especially with DIxie in charge. I'd rather a new company form, and I doubt Jarrett's will be the one to succeed.
Considering how well Tommy Dreamer's recent House of Hardcore show went over, they really should've just aired it as a TNA Impact to see how it would do in the ratings.
Between TNA having to accept a giant TV rights decrease on a much smaller TV channel AND WWE killing off its PPV business while drawing lower ratings and house show attendance... is this the worst year for pro wrestling business since before the nWo/Attitude Era? I feel like even during the Benoit year both companies (TNA for sure) were comparatively in better shape.
The PPV business was dying anyway, at least in a monthly format. Ratings and attendence always have the chance of improving, there was no improving the wrestling PPV market.
WWE ending their last 2 ppv main events with giant screwjob finishes definitely doesn't do a good job of getting more people subscribing to the network
The year that followed seemed WAY worse. The first HALF of 2001 was good but the moment Invasion kicked in it was all bad from there. It had it's moments and some pretty good/great matches. 2002 ... terrible. Especially RAW is HHH. Don't think I have ever disliked a World Champion more.
This is as odd as wrestling being on SyFy. Maybe they'll bring in the TNA Destination America Hillbilly and have Sandman do a one shot deal where he canes him too?
Maybe not, but when they were putting on a TV product that more people watched and more people enjoyed in the late 90s and early 2000s, a significant number more people were paying to watch those PPVs every month.
More viewers and more satisfied viewers is gonna equal more people spending their money on PPvs and subs.
This. At least they were trying to bring in new stars and rebuild the workrate emphasis, esp. with the CW division. This after Russo's year plus of sports entertainmentizing the WCW product was refreshing.
Yeah. 2002 was my last real full-time year as a wrestling fan, moreso the current product. I have lightened up a bit and don't mercilessly hate Raw and SD as others do, but still, that was when my fandom jumped the shark.
Honestly? The more the merrier, if only because ultimately the saturation of three or four market challengers will help provide some palate-cleansing from the sterile WWE product. Lucha Underground and NXT as a 1-2 punch is refreshing right now for a wrestling fix; add in GFW next year, sproadic TNA and Ring of Honor stuff, and New Japan providing the puro fix, and there's a wide variety of wrestling on TV.
I could deal with Brothers of Destruction as top babyfaces since it all led to the Benoit/Jericho vs. Power Trip angle. Which had some great stuff. The RAW tag title switch, Benoit/Angle in the cage. 2002 had HHH. Kane for the world title ... and Katie Vick. Actually typing this has made me realize that 2003 may have been even worse. I can't think of ANYTHING redeeming on RAW in 2003.
I do agree...like I said elsewhere, I don't HATE WWE and find it harmless entertainment now, but there's nothing else. There's plenty of indies here, but sadly some (not all, mind you) are run by assholes who don't appreciate their fans. I have TONS of stories about indy bullies, message me or something!
I think people keep losing sight of that -- yes, WWE could've put on more compelling PPVs to increase buys, but for how much longer? Outside of HUGE boxing matches and the occasional huge UFC fight, PPV is dying business model and probably won't exist as we know it in five years.
I said it before, but 2003 = Plan 66 or whatever it was in Star Wars for WWE. As what was left from the inVasion was signed and then killed off, usually by Triple H.
Undertaker and Kane as the top faces in April/May 2001 was the first time I really wasn't enjoying WWE, Triple H as World Champion and the Kane push in October 2002 was when I started to find it a chore to watch.
Not sure what Plan 66 is but 2003 was horrible. Worse than 2002 for sure. I was thinking of HHH/Katie Vick angle and than it occurred to me that whatever was left of Kane got DESTROYED by HHH with his unmasking. Everytime they kept trying to put Kane in main events against HHH (which seemed to happen quite a bit) I couldn't believe my eyes. Were people actually supposed to buy that he had any shot at all?
Put on better shows that increase viewers and fan engagement, and then use those better TV shows to book PPVs that fans want to see? I mean that's one way. ;)
Though I do understand what you're saying, and in principle I don't think the Network model was a terrible idea. But it all comes down to that they have a dwindling dissatisfied customer base and that's going to lead to less PPV buys or Network subs.
I just don't see the point of hating things right now. Sure there is still many, many things that need improving but there's also a lot of good stuff as well.
can't hate on 2002, that much. SD was fan-freaking-tastic from the summer on. Plus that's the year ROH and TNA both started up, each bringing some hope to the landscape.
Right, because while UFC remains popular, only two UFC PPVs since 2010 have done more than 800,000 buys.
That's not to say a huge match (like if Lesnar made a comeback) wouldn't do extremely well, but the days of UFC PPVs regularly doing 700+ is likely over.
So basically they are back to square 1. They should change the shows name from impact and start again. They should just make a product that can bring in the wrestling fans regularly, make a genuine effort to promote their live shows before even thinking of trying to be a "TV" show.
Even low level Indies know enough to push DVD's and shirts but TNA got so caught up in ratings that they forgot to make money.
Fuck no. As disappointing as some things were (Austin heel turn, unification of the world titles, dreaded Invasion angle, etc.), 2001 was still a great year. It at least started off great anyway - we got the greatest Royal Rumble PPV, the greatest No Way Out/February PPV, and the greatest Wrestlemania PPV in history all back-to-back. There were still some excellent things here and there later on throughout the year.
Pick anywhere from between 2007-2010 if you want the worst year in modern-day wrestling or WWE.
Meh, the movie wasn't good enough for me to bother. Although I do have the Extended Universe book with that title, so I should have remembered that one.
Three good guys off the roster. Much like 1995 the roster isn't the problem it's the product itself. I love Dean Ambrose but I LOL'd at you calling him a prop comic.
haha, it was a brief window but it's the only point in time that this amazing character that everyone wanted existed. That's gotta count for something, right?
Dean has done some goofy shit I'll give you but he's mostly made it work, the IC title has been treated better recently and portrayed as important, and as I pointed out above Ryback has improved a ton.
But opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one. And I respect yours.
If that's true (and it probably is), that's because of major companies that used to depend on PPV (and vice versa) advancing in different technological directions, not a problem with the format itself.
If the UFC didn't oversaturate the market and dilute their product, they could still be killing it on PPV.
If the WWE was less beholden to a stale and stagnant product and more willing to take chances (and never launched the network, naturally), they could be too.
Correct. Hardys were first, then the Brothers, then the Chrises, then HHH's quad self-destructed.
Hardys feud: Austin beats Lita like he beat the Rock. I cheer, because I despised the Hardys+Lita then. Oh, and Jeff/HHH exchange the IC title. Brothers feud: Other than the "All titles" match, I have no memories of this one. Chrises: Damn good ladder match, and Austin beating both of them in a triple threat are my only memories.
I'm probably the only guy who didn't love Hollywood Rock. I felt like he was being too much of a cool heel (like the NWO at their worst) than his original douchy heel character in 98. His entrance was awesome though.
Honestly that's kind of impossible but both books have skipped ahead 8 months of the current Marvel timeline and shows how the world is dealing with the collapse of the Multiverse.
Well, we're looking more at PPV as a whole. Boxing's running out of draws, UFC is in the same boat/has oversaturated their market, wrestling's pulling out of PPVs (WWE with the Network, TNA with failure, the others not using the traditional model.), and what else?
You gotta admit one thing, TNA should be completely dead right now.
The fact that somehow, some way, they are still on television (regardless of where they're going) is absolutely insane. A company that has--to my knowledge--never turned a real profit is still on the air after 12 years.
There's only one possible conclusion:
Dixie Carter's vagina must taste of honey and suction the cock like a vacuum.
Apparently the rumor around Nashville is that the deal was worth 3x what the Spike deal was. Meaning the deal with Destination America is worth $18 million/year.
That's a joke, right? That figure sounds both low for what Spike used to pay and high for what Discovery might pay. You're telling me Spike only used to pay $125,000 per episode of Impact? $18 million is way more than Discovery pays for its shows.
You know, doing a quick Google search, skimming over cable ratings and such... TNA is pretty screwed. At a million viewers they weren't even Spike's top rated show anymore. And Destination America doesn't currently have any shows that crack the daily top 100 shows lists (that I could find). At a million viewers they wouldn't even be a top rated show on the main Discovery Channel. But of course they aren't going to get a million viewers anymore. They'll be lucky to get half of that. My gut's telling me they're going to pull like 400,000 viewers, and while that would be a success for Destination America, will make them barely a blip on the average wrestling fans radars.
Of course I'll only be able to observe this all unfold secondhand because I don't even get the channel.
As good as the Smackdown Six matches were, you can't pretend the storylines they or Brock were in were even remotely compelling. The Brock/Undertaker storyline would have been every bit as bad as the shit on Raw if Raw didn't stoop to such unspeakable, Katie Vick/HLA level lows.
UFC actually runs less PPVs than they used to. They have the same issue the WWE did, lack of new stars and the guys they do push as new stars people don't buy. If Chuck Liddell came out of retirement he'd destroy the numbers Jon Jones puts up as champion.
Maybe but they already made it too complicated with the six month commitment. There was a poor understanding of what the network was, how to sign up for it, when you could sign up for it, how much money it cost. They did an excellent job delivering buzz around the network, a very poor job of delivering it in an understandable to the masses form.
Based on what the UFC puts on PPV compared to what it puts on Fight Pass and Fox I have two theories.
A) Based on the huge quality increase to the Fox cards since the Brown vs. Lawler cards (and including the upcoming ones) Fox got tired of being dicked around with and getting fucking Demetrious Johnson fights - so the UFC had to start putting people of actual relevancy in Fox fights again. Hence why Dos Santos, Gustaffson, Nate Diaz, etc... are fighting on upcoming Fox cards. B) They were banking on doing big business in Mexico with only one major Mexican star in the whole org in the form of Cain Velasquez, who of course got hurt and couldn't make the PPV. The Brazilian PPVs are inexplicable, yeah, i love watching the Brazil crowds, they have great atmospheres and forget the haters, I love the crowds there - but they don't put fighters that appeal to the US audience - their primary PPV buyers on there - they lack an understanding of what sells on PPV so they are selling the wrong guys.
The UFC does have long term plans to move Fight Pass toward being a WWE Network like entity but the Network made them gun shy and Neu Lion's infrastructure is shitty and problematic and the WWE has problems with the vastly superior MLB network on the tech side. It'll take till late 2015 to get Fight Pass ready to be capable of delivering something as popular as an Anderson Silva or Jon Jones fight.
By the way, if you don't have Fight Pass it's a VASTLY superior service to WWE network. Far more comprehensive library, i mean, EVERY fucking MMA fight. Multiple live events per month, sometimes as many as 4 - and they actually listen to their fans about adding other orgs. They added Invicta FC and will probably add Metamoris BJJ competitions.
Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva will probably fight in 2015 but I don't expect them to break the million mark. Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz is going to do huge business though and will beat all the PPV they did in 2014.
"There are now two of me here, and there are two of you here. The other me is the Dr.Facts from 1955, the other me that helps the other you get back to 1985. Remember the lightning bolt at the clock tower?"
"Yeah."
"That event doesn't happen until tonight, so you must be very careful not to run into your other self."
Spike was paying only $6 million. I was a tremendous deal for them. Could be why they were paying for other stuff for TNA as well like Hogan's salary etc.
Mine too actually. I used to live with a few roommates and we'd get every ppv, have people over to watch them. Invasion was the last thing I really remember before we gave up the ghost. Didn't get back into it until the Zack Ryder videos and hearing about the Pipebomb.
Guess it makes sense if that's the base amount and they were covering other certain expenses, but DEAR GOD was that a terrible deal for TNA. That's a half million a month--roughly $125,000 per episode. Did that even cover the rent on the Impact Zone? How did they ever expect to compete with WWE? RAW costs like 10x that a week to put on. Jesus TNA...
I don't mean to be a jerk or insensitive of the people that make a living working for TNA, but look how stripped down the product became on Spike after the Carters stopped spending their own money on the product. Now, assuming they will make far less money from Destination America than they made from Spike, how can things possibly get better than the irrelevant status they currently hold? Their TV for the past two months has been in an empty, dark arena that was shot months ago, and their big PPV of the year was basically a televised house show. It probably would be better for the fans if it went away and someone else took a shot at running an alternative promotion.
Well, if the numbers thrown around down there are even 75% accurate, it looks like TNA is actually getting equal money if not better from their new TV overlords.
But, the basic gist of what you're saying is my take on TNA also. They're a damaged name brand that has NONE of the past success or charm a WCW or an ECW had, and I'd rather see someone else in that position at this point.
Why is it a jerk thing to not care if someone who is terrible at their job loses it. That is one of the most confusing things to me about the comment section on the BoD. If someone sucks at what they do (like all of tna) fuck em, they can go flip burgers.
I love when people make sweepingly definitive statements and act like they can dismiss all other points...and provide absolutely no facts, evidence, or data to prove their point.
It looks like they'll actually be getting more money, but that's not the problem--it's viewers. Literally like half of TNA's existing TV audience will no longer have access to them. Maybe more. While Destination America is a growing network their availability on rural cable systems is limited. They're primarily on satellite and metropolitan cable companies. Even where they are available it's on extended cable packages (like in my area). Plus given they lost like 300,000 viewers the week Spike moved them from Thursdays to Wednesdays, the move to the new network could see them draw an embarrassingly low debut number. They're gonna have to work like crazy just to reconnect with their fans, and sadly a whole lot of them aren't going to be able to see them anyways.
All the bad storm troopers in stars wars used to be clones that helped the jedi fight wars, but the evil dudes secretly had plan 66 implemented in the clones which was a program that would make them kill all the jedi they were helping fight battles. (I saw the clone wars cartoon movie a few months ago)
The article I just read said that Destination America is hoping that TNA CAN OPEN DOORS FOR THEM! I can't wait to laugh at the tv ratings they are going to get.
“Together we will create an experience that takes our fans on a new journey that will push the envelope of technology, including where we take our cameras, going deeper into our superstars’ lives and showing the reality of what it takes to create a weekly professional wrestling show, all while showcasing the very best male and female athletes in the world.” Dixies quote to her local shit newspaper. I still haven't found one thing on google news or won about 18 million a year.
Then some of them will find other jobs. TNA closing would open up an avenue for an actual #2 they could work for also. If TNA closes and random wrestler x can't find work as a wrestler, that's how the cookie crumbles.
"TNA closing would open up an avenue for an actual #2 they could work for also."
If that were true why isn't Spike making a deal with a different wrestling company? Why isn't there wrestling on any other respectable cable channels? How is TNA existing preventing another channel from putting wrestling on TV?
$18 million a year for 104 hours of first run "live" content doesn't seem like that bad of a price if Discovery / Destination America is serious about trying to grow their network which does look a lot like Spike's reality offerings at first glance. All they need are some cheap police procedurals and sitcoms to pad out the lineup to broaden the appeal.
Agreed. Mostly all of the FP exclusive cards this year have been better than the most recent FS1 one, and a few ppvs too. Invicta on there is a really nice bonus as well. I actually wish UFC had less live shows a year, so I'd have more time to watch archive stuff on there.
EC3 actually is an awesome talent. One of most legitimately funny promos guys WWE ever had, blessed with wonderful comic timing. He could've easily been, at minimum, a midcard comedy guy for years had WWE ever given him a legit shot.
I love Fight Pass. They have literally everything I could ever want. Every prelim, every TV show, every Ultimate Figher, all the other promotions they bought.... It's so fucking awesome.
Despite what some people seem to think, there isn't an official "smark" consensus on everything. Everyone here is a different person with different opinions. It's so silly when people claim the "IWC are hypocrites" or inconsistent when one person says something, and another person says something else, as if one person is responsible for other peoples online opinions.
Any wrestler leaving TNA will earn a decent living on indies for the forseeable future. Any non-wrestler who has years experience in a (relatively) high profile media company will not have too much difficulty finding another job in the media. Everyone at TNA will be fine. It's not if people lose their TNA jobs they're going to end up homeless or be euthanised.
This company is a cancer on wrestling. But thankfully it mostly filters out the shitty wrestlers from being in WWE or the indies.
ReplyDeletePlaying Right now on Destination America "Hillbilly Blood".
ReplyDeleteThis will be a great fit!
This is a huge step down as DA is even smaller than FSN was. Sadly I was hoping they went bust so that another company could get a shot. Oh well, we still have Wrestle Kingdom 9.
ReplyDeleteWhy? I never understood why people wished death on TNA. If anything I WANT TNA and Jarrett's company to survive so there can be 3 - 4 promotions in America to watch.
ReplyDeleteHell, if they're gonna be on the outer reaches of the cable package, hire Russo. Let's set this bitch on FIRE.
ReplyDeleteThey have a great BBQ competition show on Destination America.
ReplyDeleteFuck THAT. Now is the chance to take risks. Give someone ELSE the book. Lance Storm, Raven..I don't give a fuck, but NO MORE RUSSO!!
ReplyDeleteYes I have Destination America, no, I'm not reviewing Impact.
ReplyDeleteUnless you give me,(holds up pinky to mouth), one hundred million dollars.
Russo! On a channel with 60 million viewers! Free from even trying to be a genuine #2! You have to be a LITTLE curious, lol.
ReplyDeleteIn a word? No.
ReplyDeleteIn two words? HELL no.
He had his chance in TNA. Let him fuck up Jarrett's promotion.
I enjoy that show as well.
ReplyDelete...are you saying that as a general "fuck him" concept, or is Russo actually going to be involved with his Chosen One? Because outside of a "watch the world burn" joke, that'd be shooting the horse in all four legs before the race starts.
ReplyDeleteWonder if those Manhattan Center tapings are a go now.
ReplyDeleteA general "fuck him"
ReplyDeleteThey should just film it in high school gyms across America. Then at the end they can end it with a psa of DONT do drugs or you might end up as dead as this company.
ReplyDeleteSpike was as good as it gets for them. If they blew it there I can't seem them growing on some rinky dink channel.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures of Sting wrestling in his T-shirt at Booker T. Washington Elementary in bumfuck Tennessee might've been the saddest thing ever seen in a wrestling ring.
ReplyDeleteUgh, I actually didn't really believe they'd end up on a new channel. This would've been the right time for the company to quietly perish. What is the endgame that Dixie has is mind? Now they're going to continue on with a (presumably) lower budget, with even lower visibility, and for what?
ReplyDeleteI smell crossover potential!
ReplyDeleteFor the THANK YOU DIXIE chants at the first show. Past that, your guess is as good as mine.
ReplyDeleteTommy Dreamer's sacrifice steak recipe wins him the competition, he cries, and then shows up on BBQ shows for 10 years talking about it.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, though, we need a good no. 2. TNA has just fucked up so many times that it's clear they will never get better, especially with DIxie in charge. I'd rather a new company form, and I doubt Jarrett's will be the one to succeed.
ReplyDeleteConsidering how well Tommy Dreamer's recent House of Hardcore show went over, they really should've just aired it as a TNA Impact to see how it would do in the ratings.
ReplyDeleteThe laptop GM, but in a twist it's the booker. Also it's Jake, because he'd be a great booker but it still might be best to leave him in Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteBetween TNA having to accept a giant TV rights decrease on a much smaller TV channel AND WWE killing off its PPV business while drawing lower ratings and house show attendance... is this the worst year for pro wrestling business since before the nWo/Attitude Era?
ReplyDeleteI feel like even during the Benoit year both companies (TNA for sure) were comparatively in better shape.
This. TNA is obviously not going to become anything significant with Dixie in charge. I'd rather see someone new get a chance.
ReplyDeleteI was a huge defender of TNA for years because I wanted an alternative, but it became obvious that TNA did not have the management to pull that off.
I don't have a ton of confidence in Jarrett either, but at least he is doing something new and compelling so far.
That's like the entire operating budget of TNA.
ReplyDelete2001 was the worst year for pro wrestling in the modern era.
ReplyDelete-ECW dies
-WCW dies
-WWE becomes a monopoly but sees that in-ring careers of Austin and Rock winding down.
The PPV business was dying anyway, at least in a monthly format. Ratings and attendence always have the chance of improving, there was no improving the wrestling PPV market.
ReplyDeleteWWE ending their last 2 ppv main events with giant screwjob finishes definitely doesn't do a good job of getting more people subscribing to the network
ReplyDeleteEven if they put on a universally loved program I still would not pay close to 600 bucks a year to watch all the PPVs.
ReplyDeleteAnd personally I think this month has been much better overall in terms of quality but I realize most here don't feel the same way.
That's hard to argue against, but I'll try:
ReplyDeleteWCW's death was better than 1999-2000 WCW.
The year that followed seemed WAY worse. The first HALF of 2001 was good but the moment Invasion kicked in it was all bad from there. It had it's moments and some pretty good/great matches. 2002 ... terrible. Especially RAW is HHH. Don't think I have ever disliked a World Champion more.
ReplyDeleteThis is as odd as wrestling being on SyFy. Maybe they'll bring in the TNA Destination America Hillbilly and have Sandman do a one shot deal where he canes him too?
ReplyDeleteMaybe not, but when they were putting on a TV product that more people watched and more people enjoyed in the late 90s and early 2000s, a significant number more people were paying to watch those PPVs every month.
ReplyDeleteMore viewers and more satisfied viewers is gonna equal more people spending their money on PPvs and subs.
This. At least they were trying to bring in new stars and rebuild the workrate emphasis, esp. with the CW division. This after Russo's year plus of sports entertainmentizing the WCW product was refreshing.
ReplyDeleteYeah. 2002 was my last real full-time year as a wrestling fan, moreso the current product. I have lightened up a bit and don't mercilessly hate Raw and SD as others do, but still, that was when my fandom jumped the shark.
ReplyDeleteTrue, and again unlike most here I believe they have started to improve but they need to get back their consistency.
ReplyDeleteIt's like Sideshow Bob is trying to kill TNA but Dixie just asked him to sing the entire score of the HMS Pinafore
ReplyDeleteHonestly? The more the merrier, if only because ultimately the saturation of three or four market challengers will help provide some palate-cleansing from the sterile WWE product. Lucha Underground and NXT as a 1-2 punch is refreshing right now for a wrestling fix; add in GFW next year, sproadic TNA and Ring of Honor stuff, and New Japan providing the puro fix, and there's a wide variety of wrestling on TV.
ReplyDeleteYes, more frustrating when they did this after sweeping the legs out of main event pushes for the Hardyz and the Canadian Chrises.
ReplyDeleteI could deal with Brothers of Destruction as top babyfaces since it all led to the Benoit/Jericho vs. Power Trip angle. Which had some great stuff. The RAW tag title switch, Benoit/Angle in the cage. 2002 had HHH. Kane for the world title ... and Katie Vick. Actually typing this has made me realize that 2003 may have been even worse. I can't think of ANYTHING redeeming on RAW in 2003.
ReplyDeleteI can see it now: the first Impact there opens with the TNA Hillbilly, only for him to be caned by Tommy Dreamer.
ReplyDeleteWhy not have the Network at $9.99 with pay per views $14.99 or something for subscribers? At least they're still getting some pay per view revenue.
ReplyDeleteNot as long as Tommy Dreamer's still going.
ReplyDeleteAh, cool. Whew.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be bullshit IMO.
ReplyDeleteThey should have done two tiers for the network..
ReplyDelete$7.99 for archive only; $14.99 for archive and PPVs
I do agree...like I said elsewhere, I don't HATE WWE and find it harmless entertainment now, but there's nothing else. There's plenty of indies here, but sadly some (not all, mind you) are run by assholes who don't appreciate their fans. I have TONS of stories about indy bullies, message me or something!
ReplyDeleteI think people keep losing sight of that -- yes, WWE could've put on more compelling PPVs to increase buys, but for how much longer? Outside of HUGE boxing matches and the occasional huge UFC fight, PPV is dying business model and probably won't exist as we know it in five years.
ReplyDeleteIt also provides jobs to a lot of talented wrestlers and people behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteI said it before, but 2003 = Plan 66 or whatever it was in Star Wars for WWE. As what was left from the inVasion was signed and then killed off, usually by Triple H.
ReplyDeleteand even the UFC is putting shows on it's Fight Pass streaming channel
ReplyDeleteLol. No way they have the much.
ReplyDeleteUndertaker and Kane as the top faces in April/May 2001 was the first time I really wasn't enjoying WWE, Triple H as World Champion and the Kane push in October 2002 was when I started to find it a chore to watch.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what Plan 66 is but 2003 was horrible. Worse than 2002 for sure. I was thinking of HHH/Katie Vick angle and than it occurred to me that whatever was left of Kane got DESTROYED by HHH with his unmasking. Everytime they kept trying to put Kane in main events against HHH (which seemed to happen quite a bit) I couldn't believe my eyes. Were people actually supposed to buy that he had any shot at all?
ReplyDeleteThis is a random TJ but I must say that Johnathon Hickman is probably the best comic book writer around today.
ReplyDeleteEhhh
ReplyDeletePut on better shows that increase viewers and fan engagement, and then use those better TV shows to book PPVs that fans want to see? I mean that's one way. ;)
ReplyDeleteThough I do understand what you're saying, and in principle I don't think the Network model was a terrible idea. But it all comes down to that they have a dwindling dissatisfied customer base and that's going to lead to less PPV buys or Network subs.
I have never been more compelled with an over-arching story than what's going on in Avengers and New Avengers right now.
ReplyDeleteI just don't see the point of hating things right now. Sure there is still many, many things that need improving but there's also a lot of good stuff as well.
ReplyDeleteWrestling's popularity is colder than an ice pack right now.
ReplyDeletecan't hate on 2002, that much. SD was fan-freaking-tastic from the summer on. Plus that's the year ROH and TNA both started up, each bringing some hope to the landscape.
ReplyDelete03 was heel Hollywood Rock
ReplyDeleteRight, because while UFC remains popular, only two UFC PPVs since 2010 have done more than 800,000 buys.
ReplyDeleteThat's not to say a huge match (like if Lesnar made a comeback) wouldn't do extremely well, but the days of UFC PPVs regularly doing 700+ is likely over.
Name 3.
ReplyDeleteSo basically they are back to square 1. They should change the shows name from impact and start again. They should just make a product that can bring in the wrestling fans regularly, make a genuine effort to promote their live shows before even thinking of trying to be a "TV" show.
ReplyDeleteEven low level Indies know enough to push DVD's and shirts but TNA got so caught up in ratings that they forgot to make money.
Dean Ambrose, Luke Harper, and Ryback.
ReplyDeleteFuck no. As disappointing as some things were (Austin heel turn, unification of the world titles, dreaded Invasion angle, etc.), 2001 was still a great year. It at least started off great anyway - we got the greatest Royal Rumble PPV, the greatest No Way Out/February PPV, and the greatest Wrestlemania PPV in history all back-to-back. There were still some excellent things here and there later on throughout the year.
ReplyDeletePick anywhere from between 2007-2010 if you want the worst year in modern-day wrestling or WWE.
Good point 2002 had it's moments. I have been a RAW guy since it's debut so a lot of my perspective comes from that.
ReplyDeleteGive me the short version
ReplyDeleteOkay that is ONE redeeming thing but even he got fed to Goldberg to kick of his disappointing run.
ReplyDeleteProp comedian, NEW Jobber Champ, and Goldberg minus winning A big one? Try again.
ReplyDeletePlan 66: KILL ALL THE FUCKING JEDI.
ReplyDeleteRyback is a horrible Goldberg clone regardless of how much the anti-smark crowd wants to get into his stupid "Big Guy" gimmick.
ReplyDeleteI'll give you the other two, but I'd be surprised if both weren't ruined within six months.
... lifetime.
ReplyDeleteIT WAS ORDER 66 YOU FOOLS!
ReplyDeleteHow about we just agree to disagree?
ReplyDeleteWorks for me.
ReplyDeleteMeh, the movie wasn't good enough for me to bother. Although I do have the Extended Universe book with that title, so I should have remembered that one.
ReplyDeletePPV being a dying format is a fallacy.
ReplyDeleteRyback has improved tremendously since his heel run and is a more than competent worker.
ReplyDeleteAnd thinking like that regarding Dean and Harper is why I can't stand cynicism.
Three good guys off the roster. Much like 1995 the roster isn't the problem it's the product itself. I love Dean Ambrose but I LOL'd at you calling him a prop comic.
ReplyDeleteWHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO POST?!
ReplyDeletehaha, it was a brief window but it's the only point in time that this amazing character that everyone wanted existed. That's gotta count for something, right?
ReplyDeleteIt's a wounded format, and isn't likely to ever regain the level of "relevancy" it had in past years.
ReplyDelete... everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure the Canadian Violence Connection push came AFTER Brother's of Destruction and Hardyz were fed to the power trip.
ReplyDeleteDean has done some goofy shit I'll give you but he's mostly made it work, the IC title has been treated better recently and portrayed as important, and as I pointed out above Ryback has improved a ton.
ReplyDeleteBut opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one. And I respect yours.
If that's true (and it probably is), that's because of major companies that used to depend on PPV (and vice versa) advancing in different technological directions, not a problem with the format itself.
ReplyDeleteIf the UFC didn't oversaturate the market and dilute their product, they
could still be killing it on PPV.
If the WWE was less beholden to a stale and stagnant product and more willing to take chances (and never launched the network, naturally), they could be too.
Yes. Hollywood Rock was astonishing and watching him carry RAW on his back was a great example of why he is truly the The Great One.
ReplyDeleteTHE SCORPION KING~! vs. THE HURRICANE~! no super powers barred.
Rock extends handshake. Hurricane reaches ... SUCKER PUNCH~!
Rock gloats! Whew all that awesome in one human being ....
I get Destination America, woo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteCorrect. Hardys were first, then the Brothers, then the Chrises, then HHH's quad self-destructed.
ReplyDeleteHardys feud: Austin beats Lita like he beat the Rock. I cheer, because I despised the Hardys+Lita then. Oh, and Jeff/HHH exchange the IC title.
Brothers feud: Other than the "All titles" match, I have no memories of this one.
Chrises: Damn good ladder match, and Austin beating both of them in a triple threat are my only memories.
I'm probably the only guy who didn't love Hollywood Rock. I felt like he was being too much of a cool heel (like the NWO at their worst) than his original douchy heel character in 98. His entrance was awesome though.
ReplyDeleteIt's only cynicism if it's unfounded.
ReplyDeleteRight now you can watch a PPV and only pay 10 bucks, plus watch replays and get a ton more content with it.
ReplyDeleteBefore you had to pay 45 bucks, more for HD, and maybe get one free replay right afterwards.
I'd rather have the Network. Unless I didn't have access to the Internet.
I still can't believe that beating the Power Trip gave Lita.
ReplyDeleteDebra should have paid attention ...
If they were talented, they wouldn't be in TNA.
ReplyDeleteHonestly that's kind of impossible but both books have skipped ahead 8 months of the current Marvel timeline and shows how the world is dealing with the collapse of the Multiverse.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X4HYA-lB-U
ReplyDeleteThey have a less than sterling track record I admit but if I think that way for everything I couldn't enjoy myself.
ReplyDeletePlus, don't they get some credit for Bryan and the Shield beak up?
Well, we're looking more at PPV as a whole. Boxing's running out of draws, UFC is in the same boat/has oversaturated their market, wrestling's pulling out of PPVs (WWE with the Network, TNA with failure, the others not using the traditional model.), and what else?
ReplyDeleteBryan, yes.
ReplyDeleteShield break-up, HELL NO. They had months left on the Shield.
Yeah, in hindsight I feel a little bad about cheering for that. Then I remember how much I despised that trio, and stop feeling bad.
ReplyDeleteROH and GFL might find some success on a smaller scale.
ReplyDeleteBut can they pull in enough buys to justify remaining with the traditional formula?
ReplyDeleteI'm not even gonna put forth the effort to argue against that ridiculous statement.
ReplyDeleteBest In The World last June got enough to justify putting Final Battle on the format next month.
ReplyDeleteYou gotta admit one thing, TNA should be completely dead right now.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that somehow, some way, they are still on television (regardless of where they're going) is absolutely insane. A company that has--to my knowledge--never turned a real profit is still on the air after 12 years.
There's only one possible conclusion:
Dixie Carter's vagina must taste of honey and suction the cock like a vacuum.
It also helps that her dad gives her blank cheques.
ReplyDeleteSay what you will about Vince but the reason he's stayed around so long is that he can't afford blank cheques.
Apparently the rumor around Nashville is that the deal was worth 3x what the Spike deal was. Meaning the deal with Destination America is worth $18 million/year.
ReplyDeleteYou really can get anything you want if your parents are rich enough.
ReplyDeleteWell eventually after their month in the main events was over, Jericho was back to the midcard for awhile, Benoit couldn't help it as he was injured.
ReplyDeleteDestination America has a show coming up called "Sinholes: Swallowed Alive" I can see a crossover with Chyna.
ReplyDeleteThe President of Destination America could probably use me on his balls right now, but HE DOESN'T GET TO, 'CAUSE HE HASN'T EARNED IT!
ReplyDeleteYOU are now this blog's Impact recapper! CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteDid TNA have Wade Barrett make the announcement for them, cuz...
ReplyDelete...damn.
ReplyDeleteI like consistency.
So TNA found a company that as stupid as they are?
ReplyDeleteThat's a joke, right? That figure sounds both low for what Spike used to pay and high for what Discovery might pay. You're telling me Spike only used to pay $125,000 per episode of Impact? $18 million is way more than Discovery pays for its shows.
ReplyDeleteI will take the book.
ReplyDelete1. Ice cream.
2. See step 1.
You know, doing a quick Google search, skimming over cable ratings and such... TNA is pretty screwed. At a million viewers they weren't even Spike's top rated show anymore. And Destination America doesn't currently have any shows that crack the daily top 100 shows lists (that I could find). At a million viewers they wouldn't even be a top rated show on the main Discovery Channel. But of course they aren't going to get a million viewers anymore. They'll be lucky to get half of that. My gut's telling me they're going to pull like 400,000 viewers, and while that would be a success for Destination America, will make them barely a blip on the average wrestling fans radars.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'll only be able to observe this all unfold secondhand because I don't even get the channel.
As good as the Smackdown Six matches were, you can't pretend the storylines they or Brock were in were even remotely compelling. The Brock/Undertaker storyline would have been every bit as bad as the shit on Raw if Raw didn't stoop to such unspeakable, Katie Vick/HLA level lows.
ReplyDelete02/03 were some dark times and 2014 is up there.
Mayweather/Canelo is not a barometer for the industry. PPV is in the toilet. It's too easy to steal and it's not a good value per dollar.
ReplyDeleteUFC actually runs less PPVs than they used to. They have the same issue the WWE did, lack of new stars and the guys they do push as new stars people don't buy. If Chuck Liddell came out of retirement he'd destroy the numbers Jon Jones puts up as champion.
ReplyDeleteWhen Pacquiao and Mayweather retire, which won't be too much longer, boxing is in real deep shit.
ReplyDeleteMaybe but they already made it too complicated with the six month commitment. There was a poor understanding of what the network was, how to sign up for it, when you could sign up for it, how much money it cost. They did an excellent job delivering buzz around the network, a very poor job of delivering it in an understandable to the masses form.
ReplyDeleteBased on what the UFC puts on PPV compared to what it puts on Fight Pass and Fox I have two theories.
ReplyDeleteA) Based on the huge quality increase to the Fox cards since the Brown vs. Lawler cards (and including the upcoming ones) Fox got tired of being dicked around with and getting fucking Demetrious Johnson fights - so the UFC had to start putting people of actual relevancy in Fox fights again. Hence why Dos Santos, Gustaffson, Nate Diaz, etc... are fighting on upcoming Fox cards.
B) They were banking on doing big business in Mexico with only one major Mexican star in the whole org in the form of Cain Velasquez, who of course got hurt and couldn't make the PPV. The Brazilian PPVs are inexplicable, yeah, i love watching the Brazil crowds, they have great atmospheres and forget the haters, I love the crowds there - but they don't put fighters that appeal to the US audience - their primary PPV buyers on there - they lack an understanding of what sells on PPV so they are selling the wrong guys.
The UFC does have long term plans to move Fight Pass toward being a WWE Network like entity but the Network made them gun shy and Neu Lion's infrastructure is shitty and problematic and the WWE has problems with the vastly superior MLB network on the tech side. It'll take till late 2015 to get Fight Pass ready to be capable of delivering something as popular as an Anderson Silva or Jon Jones fight.
"Try the all-new TNA.. now with less viewers"
ReplyDeleteBy the way, if you don't have Fight Pass it's a VASTLY superior service to WWE network. Far more comprehensive library, i mean, EVERY fucking MMA fight. Multiple live events per month, sometimes as many as 4 - and they actually listen to their fans about adding other orgs. They added Invicta FC and will probably add Metamoris BJJ competitions.
ReplyDeleteGeorges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva will probably fight in 2015 but I don't expect them to break the million mark. Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz is going to do huge business though and will beat all the PPV they did in 2014.
ReplyDelete"There are now two of me here, and there are two of you here. The other me is the Dr.Facts from 1955, the other me that helps the other you get back to 1985. Remember the lightning bolt at the clock tower?"
ReplyDelete"Yeah."
"That event doesn't happen until tonight, so you must be very careful not to run into your other self."
So what does this mean? Is this good news or bad news for us? Are we happy with this?
ReplyDeleteSpike was paying only $6 million. I was a tremendous deal for them. Could be why they were paying for other stuff for TNA as well like Hogan's salary etc.
ReplyDeleteAs a general rule, any Back to the Future is pretty much an automatic up vote from me.
ReplyDeleteMine too actually. I used to live with a few roommates and we'd get every ppv, have people over to watch them. Invasion was the last thing I really remember before we gave up the ghost. Didn't get back into it until the Zack Ryder videos and hearing about the Pipebomb.
ReplyDeleteGuess it makes sense if that's the base amount and they were covering other certain expenses, but DEAR GOD was that a terrible deal for TNA. That's a half million a month--roughly $125,000 per episode. Did that even cover the rent on the Impact Zone? How did they ever expect to compete with WWE? RAW costs like 10x that a week to put on. Jesus TNA...
ReplyDeleteYeah cause Rockstar Spud and EC3 are such great talent.
ReplyDeleteCool, good for the wrestlers to have at least a semblance options so WWE can't have a total monopoly.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to be a jerk or insensitive of the people that make a living working for TNA, but look how stripped down the product became on Spike after the Carters stopped spending their own money on the product. Now, assuming they will make far less money from Destination America than they made from Spike, how can things possibly get better than the irrelevant status they currently hold? Their TV for the past two months has been in an empty, dark arena that was shot months ago, and their big PPV of the year was basically a televised house show. It probably would be better for the fans if it went away and someone else took a shot at running an alternative promotion.
ReplyDeleteWell, if the numbers thrown around down there are even 75% accurate, it looks like TNA is actually getting equal money if not better from their new TV overlords.
ReplyDelete... IF they're accurate.
But, the basic gist of what you're saying is my take on TNA also. They're a damaged name brand that has NONE of the past success or charm a WCW or an ECW had, and I'd rather see someone else in that position at this point.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it a jerk thing to not care if someone who is terrible at their job loses it. That is one of the most confusing things to me about the comment section on the BoD. If someone sucks at what they do (like all of tna) fuck em, they can go flip burgers.
ReplyDeleteI'd advise you to try and form your own opinion on things without looking to other people.
ReplyDeleteDude that's silly. Source?
ReplyDeleteI guess we'll have to ask her dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat the old deal was, or the lowball offer Spike made to them recently? I'm betting the lowball.
ReplyDeleteExcept that anyone with an internet connection can watch anything on PPV for free so it actually is dying.
ReplyDeleteI love when people make sweepingly definitive statements and act like they can dismiss all other points...and provide absolutely no facts, evidence, or data to prove their point.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like they'll actually be getting more money, but that's not the problem--it's viewers. Literally like half of TNA's existing TV audience will no longer have access to them. Maybe more. While Destination America is a growing network their availability on rural cable systems is limited. They're primarily on satellite and metropolitan cable companies. Even where they are available it's on extended cable packages (like in my area). Plus given they lost like 300,000 viewers the week Spike moved them from Thursdays to Wednesdays, the move to the new network could see them draw an embarrassingly low debut number. They're gonna have to work like crazy just to reconnect with their fans, and sadly a whole lot of them aren't going to be able to see them anyways.
ReplyDeleteAll the bad storm troopers in stars wars used to be clones that helped the jedi fight wars, but the evil dudes secretly had plan 66 implemented in the clones which was a program that would make them kill all the jedi they were helping fight battles. (I saw the clone wars cartoon movie a few months ago)
ReplyDeleteI've been looking and haven't seen anything credible that says TNA got more money. Can someone link that to me?
ReplyDeleteTNA got far less than they were making with Spike.
ReplyDeleteThe article I just read said that Destination America is hoping that TNA CAN OPEN DOORS FOR THEM! I can't wait to laugh at the tv ratings they are going to get.
ReplyDeleteThe "rumor" is they're getting more, but yeah, I haven't been able to find that confirmed anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI've read some people saying that got way more money. Do I believe it? Of course not but I'd like to see where it says they did
ReplyDeletemost of their wrestlers do not suck
ReplyDelete“Together we will create an experience that takes our fans on a new journey that will push the envelope of technology, including where we take our cameras, going deeper into our superstars’ lives and showing the reality of what it takes to create a weekly professional wrestling show, all while showcasing the very best male and female athletes in the world.”
ReplyDeleteDixies quote to her local shit newspaper. I still haven't found one thing on google news or won about 18 million a year.
Then some of them will find other jobs. TNA closing would open up an avenue for an actual #2 they could work for also. If TNA closes and random wrestler x can't find work as a wrestler, that's how the cookie crumbles.
ReplyDelete"TNA closing would open up an avenue for an actual #2 they could work for also."
ReplyDeleteIf that were true why isn't Spike making a deal with a different wrestling company? Why isn't there wrestling on any other respectable cable channels? How is TNA existing preventing another channel from putting wrestling on TV?
Oh shit...maybe iMpact will become a reality show centered on Dixie Carter running a wrestling company
ReplyDeletelol noooooooo (this is probably such a real possibility)
ReplyDeletealso the sad truth is it'll be a good worker like Zema Ion having to rethink his career while a total turd like Mr. Kennedy gets bookings
ReplyDeleteOh I have my opinion. Guaging everyone else's.
ReplyDeleteOh...my.
ReplyDeleteOrder 1: ARM-BAR.
ReplyDelete$18 million a year for 104 hours of first run "live" content doesn't seem like that bad of a price if Discovery / Destination America is serious about trying to grow their network which does look a lot like Spike's reality offerings at first glance. All they need are some cheap police procedurals and sitcoms to pad out the lineup to broaden the appeal.
ReplyDeleteFast-forward to February:
ReplyDelete"We lost to Channel Ocho? What the hell is that?"
Agreed. Mostly all of the FP exclusive cards this year have been better than the most recent FS1 one, and a few ppvs too. Invicta on there is a really nice bonus as well. I actually wish UFC had less live shows a year, so I'd have more time to watch archive stuff on there.
ReplyDeleteEC3 actually is an awesome talent. One of most legitimately funny promos guys WWE ever had, blessed with wonderful comic timing. He could've easily been, at minimum, a midcard comedy guy for years had WWE ever given him a legit shot.
ReplyDeleteor MY CONDOLENCES!
ReplyDeleteIt's the internet, no one is ever happy.
ReplyDeleteHuh. Then why doesnt the WWE book to our interests and to our liking? Why do they aim at kids?
ReplyDeleteI love Fight Pass. They have literally everything I could ever want. Every prelim, every TV show, every Ultimate Figher, all the other promotions they bought.... It's so fucking awesome.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great crossover storyline and I enjoyed it tremendously.
ReplyDeleteDespite what some people seem to think, there isn't an official "smark" consensus on everything. Everyone here is a different person with different opinions. It's so silly when people claim the "IWC are hypocrites" or inconsistent when one person says something, and another person says something else, as if one person is responsible for other peoples online opinions.
ReplyDeleteAny wrestler leaving TNA will earn a decent living on indies for the forseeable future. Any non-wrestler who has years experience in a (relatively) high profile media company will not have too much difficulty finding another job in the media. Everyone at TNA will be fine. It's not if people lose their TNA jobs they're going to end up homeless or be euthanised.
ReplyDelete