Russo on the future of TNA

Adam's fave Vince Russo has written an article on the future of TNA:

For months, we have all been reading the stories concerning the “rumors” that Destination America is going to be opting out of their two-year deal with IMPACT WRESTLING come the end of September. The truth is that more people are talking about that subject matter these days, far more than they are talking about the TNA product itself. Why? It’s simple. TNA losing their television contract will have a major impact on the entire wrestling industry as a whole, while their current product is just the same old, uninteresting, collar-n-elbow lock-up dribble that they’ve been producing for quite some time now.

This column, however, isn’t about the “current” state of TNA, quite frankly because there is zero interest on my part to discuss something that is just not worth discussing. Having worked there, the way the entire Jeff Jarrett Global Wrestling Force take-over has been handled is perhaps the single-worst missed opportunity I have ever witnessed in the history of the business. While there is so much “reality meat” on the bone concerning the Jarrett-Carter history, how those involved in creative could just fail back on a typical “rasslin’” storyline is an absolute sham and embarrassment. No, a lack of creative talent is really what it is.

No, this column is about what TNA Management—Dixie Carter & John Gaburick—may indeed know about the future of their company, that they are not sharing with those that are depending on its survival to make a living. After the holiday, we are merely three weeks from the company’s possible extinction—and, those who have made TNA for well over the last decade—are standing in the dark with not even a pen light.


To me—that sucks. That sucks because I have survived the deceit, and dishonesty of TNA owner Dixie Carter over the years, and trust me, those situations have left deep scars that to this day have not properly healed. The hiring of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff behind my back while Matt Conway and myself were doing everything possible to try to get the company on track by utilizing their young stars to their fullest potential was one thing, but asking me to lie to others about my employment there was a totally different story. But, that simply is how Dixie has done business over the years, and this is what you call—when your past mistakes catch up with you, as a failure to try and correct them.

Three weeks away–both TNA and Destination America both know what the future is–it’s business they have—but, why it is being kept a big secret is beyond me. OR–IS IT? Look, if the news was good, the odds are that there would be champagne popping in Nashville at this very moment, but there’s not, there’s total silence. With four shows running through the end of this month left in the can, TNA should have already announced where their next set of TV tapings are going to be held in an effort to fill the seats—but, they haven’t. To me, that may speak volumes. If the news were good you think the pat on the back of endorsement would have come from the DA execs by now—but it hasn’t—or else we would all know about it.

Look, I’m not a psychic, I don’t have an inside track, as a matter of fact there is no factual basis to any of my thoughts here—just speculation–however, if Dixie Carter and John Gaburick know the future of every man and woman in that company who works for them and they’re not talking—shame on them. Those people deserve better. The truth is always a good place to start whether the news is good . . . or bad. But, again, based on my experience—truth was always the best kept secret in TNA, and quite frankly—why should that change now?

yeah the silence is deafening. Naturally fans and critics will presume the worst when there's been no announcements from TNA on the subject. It's frustrating.

We go back to May, or whenever this first came out, and a simple press release on either side would have nipped all the speculation in the bud. As TP says, the silence is deafening.

Has anyone seen any of the invasion programs? Are they any good? I have them on DVR somewhere, but at the bottom of my to watch list.

Prometheus wrote:We go back to May, or whenever this first came out, and a simple press release on either side would have nipped all the speculation in the bud.  As TP says, the silence is deafening.

Has anyone seen any of the invasion programs?  Are they any good?  I have them on DVR somewhere, but at the bottom of my to watch list.

I've been following, though not watching the shows in their entireity, I admit. I think its safe to say you can leave them at the bottom of the pile.

Lets just say the GFW invasion makes the Aces & Eights story look like a Shakespearean masterpiece.

Shame really, as it was going quite well to start with, with Jeff and Dixie being all pally. The first signs all was not well were Bully and Galloway being taken out backstage by a mystery attacker. In the arena meanwhile all was well with the mixed roster putting on some good matches.

Then after Drew has done some detective work, we get the big revelation that it was one of the GFW guys that attacked him and Bully. Drew confronts Jarrett in the ring. JJ denies any involvement outright. Karen then comes out onto the ramp and says she arranged the whole thing and that she did it for Jeff. JJ feigns surprise for a few moments before admitting he came back to launch a hostile takeover. The GFW roster pile into the ring, taking out Galloway, Spud and the Wolves.

This weekend was worse. Magnus gave his Feast or Fired briefcase to Jarrett, who arranged for the Wolves to get beaten down in the ring, before cashing in the briefcase (a tag team title shot). Earl Hebner refused and stood up to JJ, so he got roughed up and forced out of the ring. Stiffler was brought in ("escorted" by the GFW roster) to referee the match and two of their guys got the win over the Wolves, thanks to plenty of interference.

Roode pulled one back for TNA by beating PJ Black and winning the KOTM belt...which was very confusing for me. I thought the whole point of the KOTM was that it had to have multiple competitors and the belt had to be hung up over the ring? How can it be won in a normal one-on-one match?

At the end after the main event (EC3 vs Matt Hardy for the heavyweight title) Jeff and the GFW roster piled into the ring again. JJ is furious that Black lost the KOTM belt and has a rant about this being a hostile takeover and that GFW isn't going anywhere. Dixie confronts him from the ramp and they have a good old shouting match.

At the end Dixie proposed they settle their battle for control of TNA with a one-off match (Team TNA vs Team GFW). Seems she can still count on Galloway, Lashley and the Wolves. Jarrett accepts.


For me this has evolved way too quickly and with all the subtlety and logic of a stright-to-DVD B movie (think Sharknado or Piranha 3DD).

A couple of weeks ago we have Dixie and Jeff best buddies and working together to grow their respective promotions. In the space of 2 shows its gone from a partnership to all-out war and it appears we are already looking at the endgame. Like I said, it makes the A&E story look like an epic.

dyrewolfe wrote:

Prometheus wrote:We go back to May, or whenever this first came out, and a simple press release on either side would have nipped all the speculation in the bud.  As TP says, the silence is deafening.

Has anyone seen any of the invasion programs?  Are they any good?  I have them on DVR somewhere, but at the bottom of my to watch list.

I've been following, though not watching the shows in their entireity, I admit. I think its safe to say you can leave them at the bottom of the pile.

Lets just say the GFW invasion makes the Aces & Eights story look like a Shakespearean masterpiece.

Shame really, as it was going quite well to start with, with Jeff and Dixie being all pally. The first signs all was not well were Bully and Galloway being taken out backstage by a mystery attacker. In the arena meanwhile all was well with the mixed roster putting on some good matches.

Then after Drew has done some detective work, we get the big revelation that it was one of the GFW guys that attacked him and Bully. Drew confronts Jarrett in the ring. JJ denies any involvement outright. Karen then comes out onto the ramp and says she arranged the whole thing and that she did it for Jeff. JJ feigns surprise for a few moments before admitting he came back to launch a hostile takeover. The GFW roster pile into the ring, taking out Galloway, Spud and the Wolves.

This weekend was worse. Magnus gave his Feast or Fired briefcase to Jarrett, who arranged for the Wolves to get beaten down in the ring, before cashing in the briefcase (a tag team title shot). Earl Hebner refused and stood up to JJ, so he got roughed up and forced out of the ring. Stiffler was brought in ("escorted" by the GFW roster) to referee the match and two of their guys got the win over the Wolves, thanks to plenty of interference.

Roode pulled one back for TNA by beating PJ Black and winning the KOTM belt...which was very confusing for me. I thought the whole point of the KOTM was that it had to have multiple competitors and the belt had to be hung up over the ring? How can it be won in a normal one-on-one match?

At the end after the main event (EC3 vs Matt Hardy for the heavyweight title) Jeff and the GFW roster piled into the ring again. JJ is furious that Black lost the KOTM belt and has a rant about this being a hostile takeover and that GFW isn't going anywhere. Dixie confronts him from the ramp and they have a good old shouting match.

At the end Dixie proposed they settle their battle for control of TNA with a one-off match (Team TNA vs Team GFW). Seems she can still count on Galloway, Lashley and the Wolves. Jarrett accepts.


For me this has evolved way too quickly and with all the subtlety and logic of a stright-to-DVD B movie (think Sharknado or Piranha 3DD).

A couple of weeks ago we have Dixie and Jeff best buddies and working together to grow their respective promotions. In the space of 2 shows its gone from a partnership to all-out war and it appears we are already looking at the endgame. Like I said, it makes the A&E story look like an epic.

2 major problems with your post:

1. Piranha 3DD was awesome.
2. Aces and 8s WAS epic!

I'll agree with your second point...

Thanks dyrewolf, the way you've written it up, it actually sounds good!

I think my biggest problem with this angle has always been that GFW has no brand image. It only exists as a promotion that has run a few shows at baseball parks in the US. So, there's no buy-in for me, as a casual wrestling fan, to get excited about GFW invading TNA, beyond JJ and I'm one of those people who just don't like JJ.

I hear rumours of GFW getting a UK TV contract, which will be announced soon. Lot's of talk about BT Sport, which will mean that GFW goes unwatched by me if that's their outlet.

Lol!

I've obviously made it sound better than it was!

In fairness, the matches were okay to good and the talky segments weren't too bad. Its more that the whole thing just feels horribly rushed. I mean this is a story that should have been at least as big as Aces & Eights, but looks like being done and dusted in just a few weeks.

I get what you mean about the lack of buy-in to GFW. Personally I quite like Jarrett (less keen on his missus), but their roster are pretty much unknown outside of indie promotions..apart from the likes of Sonjay Dutt and Tapa.

I get BT Sport as part of my internet package so I might give it a whirl if thats the case, assuming its on at a reasonable time, or available on a catch-up service.