Ping: Wrestling Fans: TNA PPV & WWE Cuts

[Suicane75]

Was wondering what yall thought of the cuts that WWE made this week.
Palumbo, Billy Gunn, Nidia, Jazz, Rodney Mack, Test, Rico, A-Train & Gail Kim are all gone.

It would be nice if they used that money to raid ROH & TNA and bring in 5 or 6 guys that could improve the "wrestling" quotient but even then they'd probably be given horrendous storylines or ignored altogether. It's just interesting that buisness is at the point where they're releasing guys left and right.

And my other point of buisness, will anyone be ordering the Victory Road PPV from TNA tommorow? Seems to me that they have about 5 or 6 months to really start turning a profit or else they could be in serious jeopardy. I havn't seen a full PPV in forever but i have downloaded (Dont call the cops) indivisual matches and caught some of their FSN shows and while the wrestling itself is heads and shoulders above WWE right now the storylines for the most part are WCW circa 1999 retarded. I wish they would bring in someone like Bill Watts to just have complete authority and whip the angles and pushes into shape and let the wrestling shine.

[DeToxRox]

WWE or F or whatever it is these days needs to bring back Adam Bomb, Skinner, Hakim the African Dream, Dino Bravo (even if he is dead), the Mountie, Nailz, Brother Love, the Body Donnas, the Godwinns, Bob "Sparkplug" Holly, the 1-2-3 Kid and Fake Diesel and Fake Razor Ramon, and they'll be golden. ... And Leif Cassidy.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Even if they raided every promotion in the world of talent, they'd just screw it up.

At least in this case, they cut a collection of dead weight.

[TLK]

The only thing wrestling related, that I'm looking forward to, is the ECW DVD that is going to be put out by the WWF(E)....

[MikeVic]

WWE would ruin anyone they brought it. Look at what they're doing to Eugene (aka Nick Dinsmore). He was suppossed to be a very good wrestler, and now he's stuck with a retarded gimmick (literally).

Palumbo, Nidia, Rodney Mack, and A-Train I don't really care about. Billy Gunn was pushed and pushed, but never seemed to click with the fans recently... so releasing him is no big deal. I feel like they shouldn't have released Jazz, Test, and Rico. Jazz was a good female heel, Test always seemed to start off some good push, and then just fade out for some reason. Rico is suppossed to be a decent wrestler, but enver had a good story. And Gail Kim was just a failed project I guess.

And I'd watch TNA is I could catch it here somewhere. I haven't seen WWE in a couple of months at least... but I'd watch TNA if I could.

[TLK]

TNA TO ISSUE “APOLOGY” TO VINCE McMAHON AND WWE

November 12, 2004 (Nashville, TN) In response to media reports about a misunderstanding that occurred at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL this past Wednesday -- TNA Entertainment issued an apology to Vince McMahon and WWE for what was apparently a mistakenly perceived “hostile” act.

In recent months, Universal Studios and TNA have become the epicenter of the wrestling world. Last Sunday at Victory Road, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and “Macho Man” Randy Savage made their dramatic returns to professional wrestling. Even the immortal Hulk Hogan was backstage and also witnessed the electricity of that historic night. Two days later, during a TV taping for iMPACT!, Diamond Dallas Page made a surprise return to the ring.

This past Wednesday, Vince McMahon and all the top stars of WWE were at Universal Studios, just feet from TNA’s Sound Stage 21, to film a commercial.

TNA staff was elated that the WWE was coming to their home. While filming vignettes that day for TNA’s upcoming pay-per-view, “Turning Point”, TNA Superstars 3 Live Kru, Traci, Abyss and “The Franchise” Shane Douglas decided to offer some hospitality and welcome WWE to their home. Carrying cookies and balloons, they approached the WWE talent during a break in their shooting. However, the congenial welcome was met with ungracious resistance. The WWE talent immediately withdrew to their studio, where they remained sequestered behind closed doors.

WWE has filed a formal letter of complaint with Universal Studios. One senior WWE official even sent a production assistant to TNA Soundstage 21 and delivered a verbal warning that if any WWE talent was filmed by TNA, “we will sue your f------ a--.”

“I was disheartened,” said “The Franchise” Shane Douglas. “If our kind gesture was mistakenly perceived as threatening and hostile, we sincerely apologize.”

Even the monster Abyss, in a rare melancholy moment, was seen with a tear in his eye, still clutching the very same balloons that no one from WWE wanted.

“Personally, I just wanted some mahi mahi,” confessed BG James, upon seeing the elaborate WWE catering spread. “The only thing I had to eat all day was a stinking cold sandwich from my cheap free-lance producer. Now I know how the other half eats.”

Some things in life are consistent. Success breeds envy. The bully always picks on the little guy. But we all know how the story of David and Goliath ends…

The alternative for the true wrestling fan, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling prides itself on delivering quality, family programming that is clean, innovative, cutting edge and with the high-risk, high-flying athleticism that TNA Wrestling is known for. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling “iMPACT!” airs Fridays at 3:00 p.m. on FSN (check local listings). TNA “Xplosion” is a syndicated program (check local listings). TNA Wrestling pay-per-views are available on iN DEMAND, DISH Network, DIRECTV, TVN, Viewers Choice Canada, Bell ExpressVu and Shaw Communications.

nail meet coffin for TNA

[DeToxRox]

The only thing wrestling related, that I'm looking forward to, is the ECW DVD that is going to be put out by the WWF(E)....

What's on the ECW DVD?

I hope it has some of the early matches with the Pitbulls, Cactus Jack, The Funker, Sabu, Terry Gordy, etc

[Deattribution]

nail meet coffin for TNA


Huh? How is that a nail in the coffin? They are poking fun at WWE (crying while clutching the balloons), as well as using it as a way to get free press on the net.

[TLK]

What's on the ECW DVD?

I hope it has some of the early matches with the Pitbulls, Cactus Jack, The Funker, Sabu, Terry Gordy, etc



This 6-hour, 2-disc set follows the rise and eventual demise of the company that raised the bar and revolutionized sports-entertainment forever. DVD EXTRAS:
Seven bonus matches, including:
*The Pit Bulls vs. Raven & Stevie Richards
*Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Psicosis
*Mikey Whipwreck vs. The Sandman
*2 Cold Scorpio vs. Sabu
*Tommy Dreamer vs. Raven*
*Tazz vs. Bam Bam Bigelow*
*Rob Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn*
They missed a few matches that would of been great on it.... but it still sounds decent

[TLK]

and even more from DVDVR:


This is from pwinsider

Last weekend, PWInsider.com noted that an article in the new issue of Smackdown Magazine gave the appearance that the never before seen angle where The Sandman was crucified by Raven and his nest appeared on the Rise and Fall of ECW DVD. I spoke to a source today who confirmed that the angle is seen in several clips with Kurt Angle (who was at the show and freaked out, upset about the angle) and Steven Richards discussing it.

Among those who are featured with comments on the DVD as well are Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon, Tommy Dreamer, former ECW producer Ron Buffone, Mick Foley, Nunzio (Little Guido in ECW), Bubba Ray Dudley, Chris Jericho, D-Von Dudley, Tazz, Mick Foley, Al Snow, and Spike Dudley. I am told that McMahon confirms that Heyman was under WWE payroll during ECW's run, partially in return for talent that left ECW for the then-WWF. The main feature of the DVD is said to run close to three hours total in a documentary-style presentation.

The chapter list for the DVD is as follows:

*Early ECW
*The Public Enemy
*Taz
*Sabu
*Terry Funk
*The Night The Line Was Crossed
*Paul Heyman vs. WCW
*Tommy Dreamer
*The Sandman
*Sandman-Dreamer Feud
*ECW Evolution
*Cactus Jack
*Mikey Whipwreck
*The Extreme Begins
*Philadelphia
*Technical Wrestlers
*Production Value
*The Fans
*Raven/Dreamer
*Sabu Gets fired
*Taz breaks his neck
*The Monday Night War
*Lucha Libre
*Steve Austin Comes to ECW
*Promos
*Cactus Jack Leaves ECW
*Taz returns
*Sandman/Raven
*The bWo
*Beulah & Dreamer
*ECW & WWE
*The Crucifixion
*The importance of PPV
*ECW loses the PPV
*The PPV is back on
*WWE Co-promotion
*Barely Legal: Lance Storm vs. RVD
*Barely Legal: Taz vs. Sabu
*Barely Legal: The Main Event
*Raven goes to WCW and Jerry Lawler invades ECW
*A Locker Room mole?
*The Superstars' Roles (a discussion of everyone's out of the ring responsibilities)
*Paul Heyman's creativity
*WCW & WWE's ECW Imitation
*Taz & the FTW Title
*The Dudleys: the most hated tag team
*Financial Woes
*The TNN Deal & Taz Leaves
*The Dudleys Leave ECW
*Disappointment with TNN / RVD - the whole F'n show
*Mike Awesome controversy & Tommy Dreamer wins the title
*The Demise of ECW
*Paul Heyman debuts on Raw

[Franklinnoble]

I liked the WWF back when they had their own cartoon.

Of course, I was, like, 9 at the time.

I outgrew it.

[dubb93]

I liked the WWF back when they had their own cartoon.

Of course, I was, like, 9 at the time.

I outgrew it.

I honestly hope u aren't tryin to say that TODAY's wrestling is for kids? Its much more adult themed and has been since about the mid 90's. I'll be damned if I let my kids watch anything but sunday night heat.

[Sun Tzu]

nail meet coffin for TNA

What the hell are you talking about?

[Suicane75]

I think TLK is saying that the WWE could severly hurt them in court if they choose too. Or he's saying they lack no buisness plan and will be out of buisness soon.
Either way he's right :D

As for the ECW DVD, i havn't seen it but what I've heard about is pretty good, but F it, i'll pop in some old tapes if I wanna relive the glory days.
The Pitbulls vs Ravens & Richards match is one of the best tag matches ever. It's a shame how far down the tubes things went when they started trying to go bigger and began bleeding money, but nothing lasts forever, except an Undertaker match.

[Sun Tzu]

Does it pain anybody else to see <i>The Franchise</i> doing interviews?

[TLK]

What the hell are you talking about?
TNA won't be around one year from now. As Suicane mentioned, all-around their product isn't good. Now, they go and piss off Vince, not too smart. McMahon, like him or not, is wrestling in North America and could make life for TNA very rough. It was a sad day for wrestling, when the second promotion in this country, has a ppv headlined by Jarrett and Jeff Hardy. It's funny how ECW pumped out their own stars for years and TNA can't hit on any.

[jbmagic]

what the best wrestling website for all rumours and news?

[Suicane75]

I use http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/ for news, nothing very in depth but it's the best site for the hard news and not the innuendo and rumors.

pwtorch.com is good if you want alot of info, but the majority of it is fluff to me.

http://www.insidepulse.com/ is a mega site that mainly clips and pastes news from all the other sites but they do have a huge array of writers who are pretty good at opinion pieces, reviews etc.......

And TLK, I don't think the problem is that TNA has no stars, but rather they don't push them to the forefront like they should. AJ Styles needs to be given the world title and they need to put all the money they spend on aging has beens in pushing him to the moon cause he and Petey Williams and AMW and XXX and team Canada should all be the focal point of that promotion.

[jbmagic]

suicane thanks

the first link, seems like you have to pay to read the news on it
http://www.liveaudiowrestling.com/wo/

[TLK]

by the way.... from the Observer


"A reliable backstage source in TNA has apparently confirmed that Panda Energy is growing frustrated with TNA. According to reports, if TNA cannot get a financial backer in 90 days they will go out of business. So if there is no new buyer, Final Resolution could be the final TNA PPV.

Panda Energy, in the two plus years it has been funding TNA, has lost approximately $15 million on the venture. This came on the heels of the $1.6 million Health South lost in getting the company off the ground. There may also have been losses that Jerry Jarrett incurred during the interim period between Health South money and Panda Energy money. Because of the cost of buying television time, producing television, and signing higher priced talent, the losses in recent months have hit $200,000 to $250,000 per week. With the exception of WCW from 1999 on, no wrestling company in history is believed to have ever burned money at anywhere near close to this rate. Worse, they've done so without really making any mark on the industry or having any significant public visibility. There is simply no possible way the company could make money as things stand, but that has been clear for some time. The weekly PPV system was a big loser. Overseas revenue, television ad revenue and merchandising income, something counted on for profitability because of the WWE model, has been largely non-existent. All the talk of doing house shows is a pipe dream, because WWE is having difficulty drawing for house shows, and TNA simply can't make money running house shows. It would only cause more losses. The only revenue source is PPV."