TNA Might Not Be "The Alternative" But They Do Fill A Void

[Bob-O]

Since going live a few weeks ago, I've been watching TNA again. The company has changed and I'm intrigued by it, Impact keeps me tuning in for next week. Not to see if AJ knocked that girl up, or who's Stings attackers were. It's bigger than that. Whether they meant to or not, TNA is filling a void that has been empty for a long time. A void that hasn't been filled for me in 15 years. Let's go back in time a bit...

I posted about this a few weeks ago, but in case you missed it, I grew up watching WWF. I picked it up in the later '80's and never looked back. While I had access to World Class Championship Wrestling, and it complimented WWF nicely, nothing could truly compare to the World's biggest stars and the industry's biggest budget. WWF was the Big Leagues! Now, I kept up on the industry through Apter Mags, but the only wrestling I actually got to see was whatever programming WWF was putting on that week. So when guys debuted, it was momentous for me! I think of guys like Vader, The LOD, The Steiners, Kerry Von Erich, The Brain Busters, Ric Flair... I'd read all about them, I knew these guys, but the feeling of actually seeing these guys I'd only read about, to SEE what all the hype was about, to SEE them in a WWF ring was awesome.

Obviously, things have changed. Today, WWE has opened up to independent wrestling a little bit, but over all scouts and develops their own talent. Those indy guys they do sign get renamed and repackaged, and put through extensive developmental training, they're watered down and given to us in a heavily scripted, heavily controlled roll. More often than not destined for failure by the shortcomings of creative and backstage politics.

Later on in my childhood, WCW became available to me much like TNA did a few years ago. Much like my youth, I was overwhelmed by this excitement to see the guys I'd only read about. Samoa Joe was my Lex Luger. AJ Styles was my Sting. A whole new door opened and I was obsessed with it! The six sided ring! The X Division!

Ironically, I lost interest in both when Hulk Hogan was signed. Sure, some excitement came with these companies signing the sports biggest legend, but that fades. WCW went to 'War' with WWF, much like TNA tried to when they brought in Hogan. TNA stopped featuring those guys I tuned in to see, and I tuned out.

TNA went live and I started watching again. I couldn't explain it at the time, but I was interested. I don't like the storylines. I've never been a huge fan of Bobby Roode. This Dixie/AJ thing is an absurd waste of time. What was drawing me back to this product...

...it hit me like a ton of bricks when I saw Jigsaw. I'd never seen him before. Sure he had a different name, sure he lost his match, but THAT was JIGSAW! I'd only read about him! Just like Joey Ryan, Austin Aries, and now Kenny King. My Apter Mags have since been replaced by the internet, but I'm getting to see these guys I've only read about make their national television debuts, and make them like they matter! TNA doesn't pretend like I've never heard of them!

TNA, in the tweaks to their program model are filling the void left by WWE. The void that any true fan needs filled. Sure, today it's easy enough to look up whoever on YouTube, but these are guys getting their breaks on national TV. I'm not impressed with Joey Ryan, but it's AWESOME to see him show up on Spike TV! It's awesome to finally SEE him, and I can't wait to see who they might have in store for me next!

WWE is leaving the door for this demographic, the Wrestling Fan, wide open and it's about time TNA chose to capitalize on it. We'll see what they do with the inevitable signing of Matt Morgan, but ~if~ they let him anywhere near the top of the card, it won't be something we'll see again anytime soon. By capitalizing on this, TNA might not be on the level of WWE, but they are filling a void left by them. A void that put WWE where it is today.

[cero2k]

thank you Bob! awesome read!

[Big Red Machine]

A good read.

[cero2k]

i do have a concern here.

tna picked a great moment to go live. The build up to the Destination X PPV. I've been worried that everything that i've been liking about tna right now is just because it builds up to the ppv, but once that is over, it may start to slow down. you mention that they're bringing in guys like jigsaw or kenny king, but that's part of the build up. they still have gut check after this sunday, but will it be the same?

[Big Bad Booty Daddy]

Great read Bob. I know recently that ive been complaining bout TNA's programming but it has me tuning in every week. Infact ive only tuned in to WWE 3 times since 2005. Once was for Vaders match, second was to see Sid return and the third was fr the retro Raw a couple of years ago!! Nothing has kept me interested

Yet TNA seems to do that no matter how poor the programming is!!!

[Bob-O]

i do have a concern here.

tna picked a great moment to go live. The build up to the Destination X PPV. I've been worried that everything that i've been liking about tna right now is just because it builds up to the ppv, but once that is over, it may start to slow down. you mention that they're bringing in guys like jigsaw or kenny king, but that's part of the build up. they still have gut check after this sunday, but will it be the same?

I think so. My sudden attraction to the product isn't because they've been bringing in new names on a weekly basis, the attraction is that they've established themselves as an outlet for these guys to go and be noticed. Kenny King can show up and be Kenny King, Austin Aries can show up and be Austin Aries, and so on.