Welcome once again to a Tybo Top Five! I am Tybo, and I’m sure by now you know that I am the ‘Five Star General’ of this operation we call SLTD Wrestling.
Now for the first time in a long time I am going to talk about TNA. I have written some things in the past about TNA, a few months back I did a ‘Tybo Top Five… TNA Stars to NXT’ (that can still be read here) and last year I wrote ‘Tybo Talks… Problems with TNA’ (that can also be read here, personally I think this is one of the best Tybo Talks of last year).
I think it’s really bad that I have been doing this for a long time, and I seem to write about TNA very rarely. TNA is the second biggest wrestling company in the world, whether you care to admit it or not, it’s a fact. They have more media exposure, and are broadcasted in more countries than any other wrestling company, excluding WWE.
So, how can the second biggest wrestling company in the world not have live TV every week? How can they not be making enough money to be touring on a regular basis, and equally how can they not be making enough money to pay everyone in the company on time, and in part be able to keep hold of talent that has been working for the company for 10 years or longer?
All these questions and more baffle me every time I watch TNA. The thing that I think shocks me the most, is TNA’s ‘Bound For Glory’ PPV is this Sunday, and as far as I can tell, there are very few wrestling fans who first of all, are excited to see it, and secondly, even know it’s happening. Bound For Glory was once described as TNA’s Wrestlemaina, and there seems to be very little build for any of the matches. It’s all these things and more that I think a company that is 13 years old should not be fighting with.
I have to say before I continue; this Tybo Talks is not about bashing TNA. I am a TNA fan, I’m watching it right now and I watch it every week. I would really like TNA get back to its former glory but it is going to take a lot of doing and I’m not sure Dixie Carter has got what it takes to do it. This is a huge shame in my eyes.
You have to remember at one point TNA was making money, was touring all the time, was having monthly PPVs and had a rich and deep talent roster including AJ Styles, James Storm, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazerian, Abyss, Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode and Eric Young. No one can deny that all these are great talents that made their name in TNA, and were all cornerstones of the company at one point in time.
That is not even mentioning the ‘legends’ that have come through the TNA doors, including the likes of Kurt Angle, Sting, The Dudley Boyz, Matt and Jeff Hardy, Mick Foley, Booker T, Scott Steiner, Tazz, and not to mention Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. I’m sure you can agree these are some of the biggest names in wrestling at one point in time and helped the TNA product to grow.
There is always an argument whether the inclusion of ‘legends’ help the growth of a wrestling company, or hinder with the huge drain on the funds to have more established household names in a growing company. Personally, I think there are both pros and cons to having them in a company. The Idea of a legend to me is to legitimise the younger, newer talent. If used properly the idea of using a legend can be great, but when you start relying on them as both TNA and WWE have been known to do then it takes away from what I think they are there to do. I think in the past TNA have really fallen into that trap and it has hurt them a lot.
Especially now that the roster is a lot thinner and they have lost almost all of the legends and unfortunately they seem to have lost a large chunk of their original talent too. TNA look to be in a tough spot. So can they do anything to fix the situation and start to look like a formidable wrestling company once again?
In this humble wrestling blog site owner’s opinion, I think they need to rebrand. There is a huge stigma attached to the name of TNA and I think everyone on the company is suffering because of it. There are some hugely talented wrestlers in the TNA locker room, and I think they almost get looked down on from the IWC (Internet Wrestling Community) because of it. I think if TNA rebranded and came back after a few months away with a completely fresh idea and concept it would be a great start for new viewers to watch.
A new wrestling company is not always a bad thing, and can thrive if done right. Just look at the popularity of Lucha Underground and Global Force Wrestling! I honestly think that Jeff Jarrett saw the issues with TNA long before anyone else and knew it was going to see some very tough times, and jumped ship. I really wanted Global Force Wrestling to win and take over TNA when they had the on screen battle with TNA vs. GFW. I think it would have been great to get something fresh out of it and make it seem (at least for a while) that something different was going to happen. I think TNA bring so many mixed reactions with fans it would take a lot to get old fans back and get fresh fans to watch.
What they are doing at the minute is treading water and it’s a shame, Ethen Carter III is doing some great work, and Drew Galloway is a great talent. They have some solid Knockouts in Gail Kim, Madison Rayne and Kong, and honestly The Wolves (Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards) could be the best Tag Team in wrestling at the minute. All the components are there, they just seem to be missing something. I think it could have something to do with the fact that there is no feeling of grandeur to any match. Every match just feels like ‘another match on Impact’. This is a huge downfall in my eyes and should be addressed in some way.
So, it’s Bound for Glory on Sunday. I would ask you all who have read this to check it out. Give the TNA product one more go. The way I see it, for years wrestling fans were asking for Drew Galloway to break free of 3MB in WWE because ‘he deserves more’ well on Sunday he is fighting for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and if you ask me, he looks the favourite to win. I can also guarantee that any wrestling fan will without a doubt enjoy the Tag Team Championship match with The Wolves.
Is TNA in the best shape it’s ever been in? No it’s not, but it will never get back anywhere near that without wrestling fans switching on the product.
What do you think of the current TNA product? What would you do to fix the issues? Are you a fan and already planning on tuning in on Sunday? Comment Below and let me know your TNA thoughts.
Thanks for reading this week’s Tybo Talks. And remember to LIKE Us on Facebook (HERE)
Owner and operator of www.SLTDWrestling.com, host of SLTDRadio at www.SLTDRadio.co.uk and on Spreaker
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