The thing I never understood about TNA

[Redguard]

Why did they (and still continue to) copy the WWE and model their product as sports entertainment? They should have kept trying to be an alternative and be like a modern version of NWA's product in the 80s. They probably could have regained some of the fans in the south who liked WCW/NWA over WWE. Its not like they didn't have the talent to build a roster that could work and present the promotion as an alternative to the WWE.

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

I agree...but they just dont have the funds to match. In addition, a good majority of the fans jumped to WWE out of necessity, and the rest probably swore off wrestling altogether and are probably by now. It's hard trying to enter a market with a gigantic monopoly in it. Even the best of booking may be futile in this case.

 

[Redguard]

I agree...but they just dont have the funds to match. In addition, a good majority of the fans jumped to WWE out of necessity, and the rest probably swore off wrestling altogether and are probably by now. It's hard trying to enter a market with a gigantic monopoly in it. Even the best of booking may be futile in this case.

It may be rough at first but at least they could have had some sort of identity. I don't get why they don't work with other organizations like AAA, NJPW, Dragon Gate. I mean they did but its like they hardly acknowledge it.

They should have tried cross promote with NJPW but they don't have the roster now to make it work.

Its like they tried all of these quick fix solutions that bombed (Hogan, ex-WWE talent, etc) and now they are struggling because they have ignored the indy scene and the WWE has snatched up most of the good talent.

 

[The Great One]

People are impatient.

They did well trying to be a "wrestling" alternative and had momentum in 2005/2006/2007 but they weren't expanding quick enough and weren't making enough money so they decided to change formats and bring in Hogan/Bischoff.

Then Hogan/Bischoff did well for a little while, but then they too were not doing it as quickly as people wanted and then they had to change courses again, which is what we see now.

 

[Redguard]

Well they can't expect to grow quick overnight. Especially since most fans haven't seen any wrestling product besides the WWE. Which brings me to question their advertising. I mean how are they expecting to get more fans if nobody knows about their promotion?

They need decide on what type of promotion they want to be instead of trying to cater to every fan in the IWC. All these changes and reboots are just confusing fans and potential new fans.

 

[NkrumahWasRight Is Wrong]

I actually tried watching it years back just off the ring design alone..that was a plus for them in the identity department. I was intrigued to see how match dynamics would differ and was willing to give it a chance.

The least they could do is get tons of technical wrestlers in there and actually use "wrestling" as one of their draws, especially as the E is "wrestling/sports entertainment".

 

[Redguard]

The WWE is character driven though (and size due to Vince/HHH bias). If it was wrestling focused Daniel Bryan would have won the WWE championship very quickly.

 

[Hoss]

Being different is their only hope so they might as well at least try it. They're not copying WWE, but they're not trying nearly hard enough to be different either, at least not in the last three or four years. They're playing it way too safe.

Another result of this is that WWE doesn't see any need to improve their product either, since TNA isn't doing anything to challenge them.

 

[K-Apps]

Should've been their plan from the jump, but Dixie got full of herself and started making high risk moves (Russo, Hogan + Bischoff) believing that their pieces away from taking as a legit competitor to the E. I always believe the best way to get attention away the WWE is:
1). 100% different and innovative than them
2). Stacked and great divisions all across the board (Main event, Tag Team, Women's, Cruiserweights, and Midcard)
3). Make the titles mean something, do something like have the World Title only defend exclusively on PPV
4). Have storylines based on hit cable shows and concepts like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy( not Aces and Eights ), etc, that multi layered and well written
5). Be anti-kid friendly, not Attitude Era ish, but like I said before, more on hit dramas that we see on cable TV

 

[tremonthustler1]

Well they can't expect to grow quick overnight. Especially since most fans haven't seen any wrestling product besides the WWE. Which brings me to question their advertising. I mean how are they expecting to get more fans if nobody knows about their promotion?

They need decide on what type of promotion they want to be instead of trying to cater to every fan in the IWC. All these changes and reboots are just confusing fans and potential new fans.

but that's what the IWC craves

 

[Dog Based Gremlin]

TNA having shytty crowds in Orlando lookin like tourists kills it too.

I personally hate how low budget TNA is compared to WWE

 

[Prince Akeem]

One of the main things that is misunderstood about WWE fans is the fact that they are strictly WWE fans and not "wrestling" fans. They have no desire to support another promotion. Its a waste of time chasing them.

 

[threattonature]

Double Post

 

[threattonature]

Triple

 

[threattonature]

Why did they (and still continue to) copy the WWE and model their product as sports entertainment? They should have kept trying to be an alternative and be like a modern version of NWA's product in the 80s. They probably could have regained some of the fans in the south who liked WCW/NWA over WWE. Its not like they didn't have the talent to build a roster that could work and present the promotion as an alternative to the WWE.

I was going to post this exact same thread. To me what's missing in wrestling today is that old NWA grittiness and TNA would be smart to try and jump on that niche. Right now TNA comes off as a company just throwing as much shyt at the wall as possible hoping something sticks. They keep trying to recreate old successful storylines and hoping something sparks. They need more of an identity as a company.