The Official TNA / Impact / GFW Discussion Thread

[BHK1978]

Well it looks like TNA is off Destination America once September rolls around. It is not really that much of a shock as there seems to be no buzz about TNA and that channel was not exactly the right fit for it.

 

I kind of wished it would have been able to make a go of it over there. I actually like it more than what the WWE is doing right now. Oh well those are the breaks I suppose.

[Bigpapa42]

Well, that is likely all she wrote for TNA then. Can't see them finding another lifelife to drag it out for another six months or a year. I can't say I feel sad, beyond the suckiness of some individuals who will possibly be unemployed if it is the death knoll.

[Tigerkinney]

<p>TNA is shown on free TV here in the UK on Challenge TV (a widely available TV channel) and I've been checking it out again for the last few weeks, after swearing off TNA for being burned on them too many times.....</p><p> </p><p>

Anyway point being, is that the product has been 'OK' lately, not great but watchable, but if they are to go out of business I can't be saddened by it, as the promotion has brought all these problems on themselves with all the misguided decisions they have taken over the years. TNA's increasingly inevitable demise, all stems from the fact that they tried way too hard to be competition for the WWE (i.e WCW Mark II), instead of settling for being a genuine alternative and a solid number 2. </p><p> </p><p>

<em>Rough time line of TNA and how they screwed up </em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>2002-2004:</strong> The weekly PPV era- A mixed bag- There was some real wrestle-crap in the early days but to counter-balance that there was the X-Division. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>2004-2006:</strong> Still not perfect, especially as the main event scene was quite boring with Double J hogging the spotlight but the X-Division headed by the triumvirate of A.J Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels saw TNA carve itself as a genuine alternative to the WWE. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>2007-late 2009</strong>: Whilst many feel that TNA's problems began during the Hogan-Bischoff era, the seed of them were actually sown here. Instead of elevating the likes of Styles, Joe and Daniels to main event status, they instead get them held down in upper midcard limbo, whilst pushing continuing to push ex WWE/WCW talent as the bigger stars. </p><p> </p><p>

Instead of using the likes of Angle/Sting/Booker T etc to put over TNA's homegrown stars, they instead (give or take the odd exception) were consistently made to look unstoppable. Mishandled feuds such as Main Event Mafia vs Frontline, only ended up being favourable towards the ageing stars, whose prime was during the previous decade. </p><p> </p><p>

Meanwhile the X-Division the very thing that gave TNA an identity of sorts was being de-emphasized. Whilst not everything was bad during this era, TNA's move towards being WWE-lite began here. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Late 2009:</strong> A somewhat forgotten oasis in the history of TNA, the autumn/winter of 2009 saw TNA push the re-set button of sorts and finally begin to push their homegrown 'stars' towards main event status- Sadly all it was in the end, was a 'holding pattern' before the arrival of Hogan/Bischoff. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>2010-2013:</strong> The dreadful Hogan/Bischoff era, that is pretty much responsible for leading TNA towards it's death-bed. Instead of building on the promising direction they had at the end of 2009, Hogan/Bischoff bought in their chronies and near enough only push ex Monday Night Wars talent. Whilst decisions such as trying to literally re-ignite the Monday Night wars (by going head to head with WWE on the same night) and expanding touring ended up being expensive and embarrassing failures. </p><p> </p><p>

Whilst 2012 saw the promotion take some steps in the right direction <em>(the pushes of Bobby Roode and Austin Aries</em>), the damage of the first two years of the Hogan/Bischoff era had already been done, and they inevitably ended up undoing their good work from that year, with the dreadfully executed Aces and Eights angle. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>2014- Now:</strong> The post Hogan/Bischoff era has seen the promotion operating as a shell of it's former self, barely hanging on to it's existence. Whilst the current product isn't at all terrible, TNA has gathered up too much ill-will towards it that it will struggle to convince the old fans it's lost over the years to return to it's product and for new fans to give it a try.</p>

[Mootinie]

<p>From yesterday's Wrestling Observer, a memo from Destination America:</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Destination America is not renewing TNA Wrestling next year. While the ratings were strong, the audience was not large enough to justify the program investment. We plan to honor the current contract and continue to air original episodes of TNA Wrestling on Friday nights through the end of the third quarter 2015. When the up-front rate card is released, the Friday night anthology title will now be called ‘American Tales,’ which will be a combination of Paranormal and Americana programming. I hope this is good news given all of the advertisers that included TNA on their DNA [Do Not Advertise] list.</div></blockquote>

[KeyserSoze]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tigerkinney" data-cite="Tigerkinney" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>TNA is shown on free TV here in the UK on Challenge TV (a widely available TV channel) and I've been checking it out again for the last few weeks, after swearing off TNA for being burned on them too many times.....<p> </p><p> Anyway point being, is that the product has been 'OK' lately, not great but watchable, but if they are to go out of business I can't be saddened by it, as the promotion has brought all these problems on themselves with all the misguided decisions they have taken over the years. TNA's increasingly inevitable demise, all stems from the fact that they tried way too hard to be competition for the WWE (i.e WCW Mark II), instead of settling for being a genuine alternative and a solid number 2. </p><p> </p><p> <em>Rough time line of TNA and how they screwed up </em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>2002-2004:</strong> The weekly PPV era- A mixed bag- There was some real wrestle-crap in the early days but to counter-balance that there was the X-Division. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>2004-2006:</strong> Still not perfect, especially as the main event scene was quite boring with Double J hogging the spotlight but the X-Division headed by the triumvirate of A.J Styles, Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels saw TNA carve itself as a genuine alternative to the WWE. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>2007-late 2009</strong>: Whilst many feel that TNA's problems began during the Hogan-Bischoff era, the seed of them were actually sown here. Instead of elevating the likes of Styles, Joe and Daniels to main event status, they instead get them held down in upper midcard limbo, whilst pushing continuing to push ex WWE/WCW talent as the bigger stars. </p><p> </p><p> Instead of using the likes of Angle/Sting/Booker T etc to put over TNA's homegrown stars, they instead (give or take the odd exception) were consistently made to look unstoppable. Mishandled feuds such as Main Event Mafia vs Frontline, only ended up being favourable towards the ageing stars, whose prime was during the previous decade. </p><p> </p><p> Meanwhile the X-Division the very thing that gave TNA an identity of sorts was being de-emphasized. Whilst not everything was bad during this era, TNA's move towards being WWE-lite began here. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Late 2009:</strong> A somewhat forgotten oasis in the history of TNA, the autumn/winter of 2009 saw TNA push the re-set button of sorts and finally begin to push their homegrown 'stars' towards main event status- Sadly all it was in the end, was a 'holding pattern' before the arrival of Hogan/Bischoff. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>2010-2013:</strong> The dreadful Hogan/Bischoff era, that is pretty much responsible for leading TNA towards it's death-bed. Instead of building on the promising direction they had at the end of 2009, Hogan/Bischoff bought in their chronies and near enough only push ex Monday Night Wars talent. Whilst decisions such as trying to literally re-ignite the Monday Night wars (by going head to head with WWE on the same night) and expanding touring ended up being expensive and embarrassing failures. </p><p> </p><p> Whilst 2012 saw the promotion take some steps in the right direction <em>(the pushes of Bobby Roode and Austin Aries</em>), the damage of the first two years of the Hogan/Bischoff era had already been done, and they inevitably ended up undoing their good work from that year, with the dreadfully executed Aces and Eights angle. </p><p> </p><p> <strong>2014- Now:</strong> The post Hogan/Bischoff era has seen the promotion operating as a shell of it's former self, barely hanging on to it's existence. Whilst the current product isn't at all terrible, TNA has gathered up too much ill-will towards it that it will struggle to convince the old fans it's lost over the years to return to it's product and for new fans to give it a try.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> 99,99% agree. Instead being their own product, they tried to be something like WWE...</p>

[RayW]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>From yesterday's Wrestling Observer, a memo from Destination America:</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't know how much of that I can believe, especially as the apparent memo says they will continue to air Impact on Friday nights, while the DA ROH statement says that it will serve as the 'lead in' to Impact on Wednesday nights. I'd assume a legit memo would have more accurate information? Guess we'll just have to wait see.</p>

[Mammoth]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RayW" data-cite="RayW" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don't know how much of that I can believe, especially as the apparent memo says they will continue to air Impact on Friday nights, while the DA ROH statement says that it will serve as the 'lead in' to Impact on Wednesday nights. I'd assume a legit memo would have more accurate information? Guess we'll just have to wait see.</div></blockquote><p> I'm not saying I believe it (I'm not a fan of dirt sheets or "internet news" of any kind) but from what I understand, the "memo" is from a couple of weeks ago when Impact was still on Friday nights. In fact, there is a lot of talk that Impact was moved to Wednesday nights after the memo in a last ditch attempt to get some more viewers and to see if it was the airing night that was hurting it. Who knows? I haven't watched TNA since 2006 and I watch Ring of Honor on it's website... plus I'm British and don't get Destination America. ¬_¬</p>

[Warhawk8492]

I am fast losing all faith in humanity. I am a big TNA fan and I don't want to see them die.

[RayW]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mammoth" data-cite="Mammoth" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm not saying I believe it (I'm not a fan of dirt sheets or "internet news" of any kind) but from what I understand, the "memo" is from a couple of weeks ago when Impact was still on Friday nights. In fact, there is a lot of talk that Impact was moved to Wednesday nights after the memo in a last ditch attempt to get some more viewers and to see if it was the airing night that was hurting it. Who knows? I haven't watched TNA since 2006 and I watch Ring of Honor on it's website... plus I'm British and don't get Destination America. ¬_¬</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Same, British, don't get DA, and watch ROH on their website.. I guess I'm just trying to be optimistic. I never visit dirt sheets as they, as far as I'm concerned, are usually full of lies or misinformation. I'm not a TNA fan, the last time I watched it Booker T was the Legends Champion (or something), but I don't want to see them go out of business.</p>

[Mammoth]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="RayW" data-cite="RayW" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Same, British, don't get DA, and watch ROH on their website.. I guess I'm just trying to be optimistic. I never visit dirt sheets as they, as far as I'm concerned, are usually full of lies or misinformation. I'm not a TNA fan, the last time I watched it Booker T was the Legends Champion (or something), but I don't want to see them go out of business.</div></blockquote><p> To be honest, I can only see them going out of business as a good thing. I don't mean to disrespect TNA fans, but the promotion has been on the decline for years and if it was to close, I like to think promotions like Lucha Underground (which in my opinion, is the best promotion in the world right now) and Ring of Honor would be given more of a look-in. Not only will networks looking to add a wrestling promotion to their schedules start looking at those promotions with a genuinely brilliant product, but it'll also free up some of the talent that TNA has on it's books to work in said promotions.</p>

[Stennick]

Man I agree with you Lucha Underground just isn't the best promotion in the world right now its the best promotion in a decade for me. The last time I had can't miss tv as far as wrestling was in 2003 for Smackdown.

[jwt13]

<p>Even if TNA loses the DA deal (If you believe Meltzer who is not reliable when it comes to TNA he's wanted them to die since 2002) The would not die, they are backed by a billion dollar company and have multiple international deals for TV.</p><p> </p><p>

DA is not a good channel for wrestling and ROH fans will see that when they don't even hit 200,000</p>

[guyver3]

Having a billion dollar company backing you doesn't mean they can't die look at WCW. Also to the point ROH being on DA can only help them at the stage they're at. If anything having ROH as the lead in show might cause TNA turn themselves around so they don't get out done by ROH's shows which I believe are about to start highlighting the NJPW ROH shows. Of course this is TNA they'll probably just screw themselves up worse to spite everyone.

[jwt13]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="guyver3" data-cite="guyver3" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Having a billion dollar company backing you doesn't mean they can't die look at WCW. Also to the point ROH being on DA can only help them at the stage they're at. If anything having ROH as the lead in show might cause TNA turn themselves around so they don't get out done by ROH's shows which I believe are about to start highlighting the NJPW ROH shows. Of course this is TNA they'll probably just screw themselves up worse to spite everyone.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> TNA's product is not bad, it's entertaining. TNA has stigma on it because of online fans who have not watched the show in years.</p><p> </p><p> ROH is just boring to me, its a indy who's main purpose is to fed talent to NXT/WWE</p>

[Teh_Showtime]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jwt13" data-cite="jwt13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Even if TNA loses the DA deal (If you believe Meltzer who is not reliable when it comes to TNA he's wanted them to die since 2002) The would not die, they are backed by a billion dollar company and have multiple international deals for TV.<p> </p><p> DA is not a good channel for wrestling and ROH fans will see that when they don't even hit 200,000</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If TNA loses American television they will be done. Period</p><p> </p><p> They don't run shows other than TV, so they have no ticket income (and havent sold a ticket since the UK tour in January). People point to their international TV deals but they are clearly insignificant if you see the immediate budget cuts that happened when the got dropped from spike.</p><p> </p><p> TNA and it's fans try to play the victim instead of living in reality. Meltzer doesn't want TNA to die, he has been praising the show for SIX MONTHS STRAIGHT. Man that really sounds like he wants them to go belly up because he reports factual information. Does he want Lucha Underground to die too because he reports that they are bleeding money?</p>

[Mootinie]

ROH are most definitely not an indy.

[MrSelfDestruct]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>ROH are most definitely not an indy.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think he was referring to them as basically a glorified indy.. which isn't really wrong. Their production value is bad, their stars are young guys who will likely not stay around more than a few years because they want to advance their careers. And with that said, I enjo0y ROH, but they are not and doubtfully ever will be, on the level of WWE/TNA.</p><p> </p><p> But my thoughts on TNA given the recent news. </p><p> </p><p> If they die, I honestly am not surprised. I remember spotting them as a youngin on Fox Sports Detroit, and was like man, these guys are WRESTLING not talking half the show away. </p><p> </p><p> I liked them alot, all their young talent it seemed they would easily surpass WWE as they grew their stars, but they didn't.. I loved the X division, then that basically died.</p><p> Both the WWE and TNA product began to suffer after the Benoit situation and I stopped watching. </p><p> </p><p> Years later, I catch an episode of TNA hyping up Austin Aries and Bobby Roode. It seemed they had built Roode well (I never saw him reaching main event), and I was sold that they were heading in the right direction. I watched the Destination X PPV in full, first wrestling event in years, and Aries and Roode tore the house down and got me hooked on wrestling again. I watched Aries as champ the next few weeks and they just botched it. He was a great wrestler but he didn't get nearly the run Roode had. So I drifted off again.</p><p> </p><p> like 2 years ago I went to a TNA live event, during the Aces and 8's gig. Expecting Kurt Angle and AJ Styles (as were hyped to be there on a tv ad) the biggest star there was RVD. Main event was Mr. Anderson and Gunnar vs. Aces n 8's. like WTF? They didn't have the star power to even make me satisfied.. None of their best talents were there, X-division match was Zema Ion and RVD (who nearly broke his neck going for Rolling Thunder at one point) and it wasn't anything like an X-division match. RVD and Eric Young got pops and literally no one else. This is when I knew they were going to die.</p><p> </p><p> When they die, not if, it will be a good thing. Hopefully WWE can sign some of their hot young talents, Magnus, ECIII (again), Roode, Aries. I have no hope anymore for them</p>

[jwt13]

<p>I stand by calling ROH an indy, the production is terrible and the wrestling is over hyped. Wrestling matches mean nothing unless you have a interesting story behind the matches and ROH doesn't do that to me.</p><p> </p><p>

In related news ROH drew 163,000 on it's first DA show and Impact drew 297,000. Proving my other point that DA is not a good station for wrestling (to be fair I'll give the ratings for both a few more weeks since it was boths first Wednesday show)</p>

[D-Lyrium]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="petecrimson00" data-cite="petecrimson00" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> like 2 years ago I went to a TNA live event, during the Aces and 8's gig. Expecting Kurt Angle and AJ Styles (as were hyped to be there on a tv ad) the biggest star there was RVD. Main event was Mr. Anderson and Gunnar vs. Aces n 8's. like WTF?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> On what planet is RVD a bigger star than Mr Anderson, post-2010?</p><p> </p><p> This reads as "I haven't watched the product in ages and RVD was the only guy I recognised".</p><p> </p><p> That said, I do agree with the general point. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Anyone got any thoughts on Traingate? >_></p><p> </p><p> Personally I'm fine with it. None of the big companies are even trying to pretend wrestling is in any way real any more. Kayfabe is long-dead. So why not treat it like a soap opera or drama show. </p><p> </p><p> If Someone got pushed in front of a train on Breaking Bad, nobody would bat an eyelid. </p><p> </p><p> I'm not suggesting people should be pushed in front of trains whenever they have a music tour coming up, but I don't see any harm in the more entertainment-orientated companies treating wrestlers like characters in any other show as long as they're consistent with it. TNA should try it. </p><p> </p><p> Cut commentary during backstage angles, the cameras aren't following the wrestlers, there are no cameras, you're seeing the drama unfold like on any other show. Don't reference things like Knockouts photoshoots or things your wrestlers are doing outside of your show. You are your TV show, nothing that happens behind the scenes exists. Make sure the website is strictly used to sell merchandise and give information on shows, plus kayfabe charecter bios. No 'exclusive behind the scenes clips'. Don't ever reference a wrestler's achievements in another promotion, they don't exist either. Not even a previous gimmick in this promotion. </p><p> </p><p> I think that could work for TNA. It would at least make them different again. Not for everyone of course but the casuals might enjoy it. At least that would mean *someone* does.</p>

[evileddie10]

In regards to trainsgate. I agree, and would like to mention how some of the over the top storylines in Lucha Underground don't seem to get mentioned. Two weeks ago we had a guy get what looks like beaten to death, and this week we had a woman assaulted by a group of men. Most of this seems to be standard TNA bashing. Having not acvitely watched the TNA product in a while, I have no clue if the bashing is warranted. I did see the train angle though, and honestly do not see what the fuss is.

[Mitsunari]

<p>I watched TNA for the first time in a while this week. I haven’t tuned into an episode of Impact Wrestling since the switch over to Destination America. I think the last time I watched Impact on weekly biases was for last year’s UK tour. I enjoyed the Impact tapings I went to in Manchester last year but fell out of the loop since.</p><p> </p><p>

I have to say I did enjoy the wrestling side of the show. The Austin Aries /Bobby Roode VS The Wolves was a great match. I have always enjoyed the tag team of Aries and Roode. I was in attendance when they won their first tag team championship against Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez. They have always put on good matches as a team and this time was no different. I can’t compare it against the other matches in the series but as not a regular viewer it was something I enjoyed. </p><p> </p><p>

I think the opening segment was a little confusing with EC3 theme being sung? That was a bit of a turn off. It’s a shame because I like EC3 theme song but it was just terrible pulled off. I would also question EC3 logic being number one contender. If Rockstar Spud could cash in and become World Champion wouldn’t that be an easier title match than going up against Kurt Angle for the belt? Again maybe there is a reason am missing as to why EC3 wouldn’t want Rockstar Spud to be champion then challenge him. The question as to if he would cash in or not was a good story and the segment were Rockstar makes his decision was the highlight of the show.</p><p> </p><p>

I think Trainsgate as you are calling it was the worst part of the show. As a view it was more of a “Did he just killer her?..... Okay then….” reaction to that segment. I think it was a little over the top. It is a shame because the rest of the videos between Mickie James and James Storm were okay. Then it turned into attempted murder. I think that took you out of the show a little bit as a viewer.</p><p> </p><p>

Lucky for the show it was saved by the main event. The ending of the show was damn good. It did make me want to tune in next week for Destination X. You can’t ask for much more from a TV show than to make you want to come back.</p><p> </p><p>

I watched NXT, ROH and TNA yesterday. Hard to watch them all live with living in the UK and time differences. I think NXT put on the better show. I don’t know how far back these episodes of ROH and TNA were tapped. Be interesting to see what happens when they start tapping more up to date episodes with the day change and both ROH and TNA being on the same network now.</p>

[Mootinie]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jwt13" data-cite="jwt13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I stand by calling ROH an indy, the production is terrible and the wrestling is over hyped. Wrestling matches mean nothing unless you have a interesting story behind the matches and ROH doesn't do that to me.<p> </p><p> In related news ROH drew 163,000 on it's first DA show and Impact drew 297,000. Proving my other point that DA is not a good station for wrestling (to be fair I'll give the ratings for both a few more weeks since it was boths first Wednesday show)</p></div></blockquote><p> I don't care if you dislike them haha, that's irrelevant. They are not an indy because a) they are not an independently run company like EVOLVE, they are owned by a multi-million dollar broadcasting corporation, and b) they have people on signed contracts earning guaranteed money. They're basically like TNA business structure-wise, but with more people watching their TV, more people buying their PPV's and more people attending their live events. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="D-Lyrium" data-cite="D-Lyrium" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Anyone got any thoughts on Traingate? >_><p> </p><p> Personally I'm fine with it. None of the big companies are even trying to pretend wrestling is in any way real any more. Kayfabe is long-dead. So why not treat it like a soap opera or drama show. </p><p> </p><p> If Someone got pushed in front of a train on Breaking Bad, nobody would bat an eyelid. </p></div></blockquote><p> Difference being: Aaron Paul plays Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, a work of total fiction. Mickie James is herself on IMPACT Wrestling, a reality TV wrestling broadcast.</p><p> </p><p> I think it's pretty stupid, but only because Mickie James isn't portraying a character on IMPACT Wrestling, she's playing herself and they are using her real life marriage to Magnus as a storyline. I'm cool with blurring the lines between what's real and what's fiction, but this is obviously not real, and it's happening to a "character" that is very much real and as such, I think it's absurd.</p>

[MrSelfDestruct]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="D-Lyrium" data-cite="D-Lyrium" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25170" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>On what planet is RVD a bigger star than Mr Anderson, post-2010?<p> </p><p> This reads as "I haven't watched the product in ages and RVD was the only guy I recognised".</p><p> </p><p> That said, I do agree with the general point. </p><p> .</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> May be somewhat biased, as the show was in Michigan.. </p><p> </p><p> and no, I'm a hardcore fan, I knew nearly everyone on the show, hence my disappointment at the absences. I think the lineup was like</p><p> </p><p> Kid Kash vs. Garret Bischoff,</p><p> Miss Tessmacher vs. Gail Kim(all Tessmacher did was shake her butt so the crowd popped terrible match), </p><p> Crimson vs. Doug Williams(he was semi-retired I believe), </p><p> RVD vs Zema Ion, </p><p> Eric Young was in a tag match with ODB, Young was great to the point I forgot their opponents. </p><p> Mr Anderson and Gunner vs. two unknown Aces n 8's guys. </p><p> </p><p> Granted it was a house show, thats still weak. No Daniels, no Joe, no Styles. so basically no TNA homegrown successes that would be a reason to see TNA. I've seen better indy shows, like UCW in Bay City.</p>

[Slim Jim]

Difference being: Aaron Paul plays Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad, a work of total fiction. Mickie James is herself on IMPACT Wrestling, a reality TV wrestling broadcast.

 

I think it's pretty stupid, but only because Mickie James isn't portraying a character on IMPACT Wrestling, she's playing herself and they are using her real life marriage to Magnus as a storyline. I'm cool with blurring the lines between what's real and what's fiction, but this is obviously not real, and it's happening to a "character" that is very much real and as such, I think it's absurd.

 

She's not really playing herself. Just like Stephanie McMahon isn't really playing herself in WWE, and the same for any other wrestler. It's a lot closer to reality than most other TV shows, obviously, but it's like Matt LeBlanc playing "Matt LeBlanc" in Episodes. Sure, he has the same name and various other qualities from his real life, but what happens on the show is still fictional and the audience know that. It should be the same in wrestling. Mickie James isn't playing Mickie James, she's playing "Mickie James", and there's a definite difference there, however subtle it might be (or how badly it might be handled at times).

[D-Lyrium]

Yeah, I kinda agree with Mootinie in that the thing with the trains works better if everyone is playing a chararcter instead of characterisations of themselves. Can't very well kill Mickie James off on-screen while trying to promote the hit new album by... Er... Mickie James. Awwwkwaaarrd.

 

Obviously nobody thinks the real Mickie James is dead, but it does make things a bit strange to say the least. It's not like they killed off Miss Tessmacher (one can dream?).