TNA Losing Tv Deal?

    If you have not heard by now it appears that TNA has lost their new TV deal with Destination America. I say new deal because it seems like just yesterday they announced they were moving away from Spike and joining up with Destination America. In fact it was only about 4 months ago that they announced the big move. Honestly I really didn't understand the move to a channel that hardly any one has, I mean how can you expect to gain viewers when you move to a network people have to pay extra to get. I realize that WWE has NXT on the network and you have to pay to watch NXT but you get all the extra content along with the price. I honestly couldn't tell you another show on Destination America and my cable company expected me to pay extra for it? That being said even if I couldn't watch TNA I was still very excited for them. I was hoping TNA would really blossom on the new channel and it looked like they were making some really cool changes that could get people really talking about their product. They brought back the six sided ring, re-signed Kurt Angle and hired Billy Corgan to lead their creative team. These were all cool and exciting changes to their programing that I felt may help bring them new viewers or at least bring back some of their older ones. Unfortunately I think the problem with TNA went a little deeper than just resigning a big name and hiring a new creative mind.

   One of the major problems TNA faced was the simple fact that they just don't have any direction. I mean what is their niche in the wrestling business? This is something they really have not had since they got rid of their six sided ring. They use to have the niche of being something different than WWE. They had the different ring; they had the big names like Sting, Angle, and Jeff Hardy. They also had the X division which was incredibly original and fun to watch! All those things made TNA an amazingly cool show to follow. Now they were in no way shape or form competing head on with WWE but they did bring something to the table.  But then things began to change and I don't know if it was the owners or if it was Hogan and Flair like so many people claim. But one thing is for sure it they just have never gotten their momentum back. They have almost been limping along ever since.

I recently listened to TNA president Dixie Carter's interview on the Steve Austin podcast and for what ever reason the interview really filled me with a little hope for the future of TNA. She presented herself and her product in a strong and confident way. She seemed to give the impression that big things were on the way and when I look at their roster and the reviews of the product from the past few months I would almost agree. As I said before in the article they just resigned Kurt Angle which was huge for them and they have a few stars like MVP, Bobby Lashley, and my personal favorite Havok. All these names and more really gave them plenty of talent to put on some amazing shows and it seemed that Destination America was willing to give them a little funding to play with.

I guess only time will tell if Dixie Carter's confidence on the Steve Austin show was well placed or if it was just the empty optimism from a captain of a sinking ship. In all honesty I really hope they can get off the mat and come out swinging! I really like their roster and as a wrestling fan I never want to see a company go under. The more companies out there the more wrestling I can watch! TNA has had a proven track record of bouncing back when everything seems totally hopeless. So here's to hoping they can do it once again!

Until next time wresting fans!

 
EXTRA NOTE: How interesting was it that the same night Samoa Joe former TNA star and  backbone for many years debuted on WWE programing; the news broke that TNA had lost their deal with Destination America. I mean talk about when it rains it pours.