Column: Boycotting TNA Wrestling
I was just about to come on here and write a really unbiased piece about TNA. And then they go and, once again, take a shot at WWE.
TNA are now calling their online community the “TNAtion”. The slogan being ‘Why get lost in a universe… When you can join a nation?’ WWE Universe… Oh, I get it? Is it funny? NO!
Was that dig really necessary? One of my biggest problems with TNA is that they just can’t make enough digs about the WWE product when, nine times out of ten, THEIRS IS NO BETTER. You see, I have no problem whatsoever with TNA opening up an online community. That’s not the issue. It’s the dig. Why is this such a problem? It’s a problem because if TNA spent half of the energy they do digging at WWE, that they did in making their product better, their own product would be in a ten times better state.
That cheesy little line, which they obviously feel is ‘crossing the line’ as they like to call it, is just outright stupid. Thing with TNA is they’re proving two things with that line alone; Number one: they’ve proved that they watch WWE programming. And number two, they’re proving that they ARE second rate to WWE. How many times, really, do WWE have a pop at TNA? How many times do you get something like that on WWE.com? I’ll tell you, it’s never.
Remember when Christian returned to WWE from TNA? Matt Striker didn’t say, “Christian’s back after a few years in TNA,” did he? No, because that is not only free promotion for TNA, but it would have proved that WWE is second rate. WWE don’t do this.
Do you know why? It’s because, even back in the Monday Night Wars, Vince McMahon was and is smart enough to know that you never acknowledge the competition… period. I know TNA are only really still young, but whoever is allowing this crap to continue is just an ass. It’s all too often that you hear Mike Tenay say, “Well, you won’t find Women’s wrestling like this anywhere else!” then Don West chuckles, “You got that right brother”. I totally agree, but why do you need to say it? Why not let the in-ring action speak for itself. Because that’s what it’s supposed to do. It’s a wrestling show.
Don’t get me wrong, I know WWE aren’t the be-all and end-all. I know that the sun certainly doesn’t shine out of WWE’s asses, but I know that WWE are MUCH smarter than TNA. They don’t pull this crap because it’s childish and immature. This is the stuff that really makes me hate TNA. Would I feel the same about the WWE? You damn right I would. So please, if I’m wrong in what I’m saying, and WWE do take constant digs at TNA, correct me. Tell me where they do it and how often. But I don’t think you can.
You know what, I think Lance Storm has the right idea. He recently posted an article on how TNA really makes him want to pull his hair out. I didn’t watch Sacrifice, I didn’t watch this past weeks Impact, and I’m actually happier for it. So you know what, I am following in Lance Storm’s footsteps and I am boycotting watching anything TNA does. Don’t get me wrong, I think they have some amazing talents. This isn’t a dig at the talents, it’s a dig at TNA Creative, it’s a dig at the TNA web staff and it’s a dig at Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter.
It goes beyond a dig, I’m just discontent with the TNA product overall. This is one of my MANY reasons for not watching the TNA product anymore. I’m just so damn sick of it.
So you know what, TNA, until you get your act together, stop trying to be like WWE and start trying to be TNA, you’ve lost yourself another viewer.
P.S. I am now going to use that stupid picture about the opening of the TNAtion as my screensaver, as a reminder of why I’m not watching TNA anymore.
Thanks for reading,
Matt Saye.
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I think you’re forgetting the fact Matt Striker actually said Christian was an “instant classic” and was making an “Impact” during his commentary on Christian’s WWE return from TNA.
Also, I feel TNA has improved its product as of late. The booking has become less frustrating and the people who deserve time are getting it – better still, productively. They have single-handedly managed to double the credibility of their Tag division over the course of a month with the Team 3D invitational Tag Tournament. This has created a new team in the form of the British Invasion (Ok so the gimmick is cheese, but it’s proven to work over in the States, and they’ll certainly be over in the UK if they’re still together) whilst keeping the interesting feud of Beer Money/Team 3D on the go.
I think it may be worth checking out the last few Impacts and the PPV, both of which have been an improvement over recent TNA tapings, I feel.
This is coming from someone who has only honestly been a TNA fan since they come over to London last.
Selby
I totally agree with you every time I watch TNA there making fun of WWE I mean why? Go on youtube and search up Tna makes fun of WWE and you will find so many damn videos about Them making fun of WWE. Now search up WWE makes fun of Tna and you will find NO VIDEOS!!!
i agree that tna need to shape up and move away from comparing themselves to wwe. But dont say wwe isn’t just as bad or most of the times worst. wwe’s denver nuggets parody, DX’s wcw invasion?
totally agree the constant swipes tna do against wwe are pointless if tna think they put a better show than wwe why constantly make jibes towards them, oh and wwe did do a swipe during the monday night wars with the billionaire ted, nacho man, hukster digs towards wcw if im right. but true that wwe havent made any digs towards any competition since and tbh wwe used ecw in the years that ecw first started as a company before wwe took over instead of sinking them vince helped promote them. shows that wwe dont need to make swipes the numbers and money they bring in shows merchandise etc speaks volumes
Thanks for the responses, people.
I’ll try and get through this quickly.
Carl Keane – How can you tell me WWE can be worse than TNA on this subject? I’ll give you the DX stuff and the Denver Nuggets debacle, but let’s get one thing straight here; more often than not, the WWE leaves it’s competition alone. Yeah, the Denver Nuggets thing was very stupid, and devoting an entire episode of Raw to it was dumb, but the fact of the matter is 99.9% of time WWE focus on WWE. And if you re-read what I said, I actually laid claim to knowing that WWE aren’t perfect in this situation. So please, don’t tell me WWE can be worse on this subject – that’s just lying.
Dan Selbey – The ‘Instant Classic’ comment was a dig. Given. But how would you have seriously reworded Christian making an impact. That’s what he was doing, wasn’t it? I mean, what other way round is there to put that?
People, I know WWE make digs at other promotions, but 9 times out of 10 they keep it to a minimum. And before one of you tells me about the ‘Did You Know’ stuff on TV, most of the time that’s WWE bragging about THEMSELVES in terms of their website or cable ratings. TNA make digs at the WWE product itself.
TNA has every right to take digs at the HORRIBLE product that WWE has been putting out lately. It’s entertainment and it’s comical to say the least, as a DIE HARD WWE fan I’ve since turned my pages around and have gone with TNA. WWE and their lackluster programs each week can’t entertain me any longer.
Sure it’s reminiscent of the WCW days but you know what, that wasn’t a bad thing.
I don’t agree at all. So what if they make digs at WWE? How you choose to try and get an edge against a competitor is your on business. Will the snipes work? Probably not. Definitely not if the in ring wrestling isn’t competitive. But I think it is, based on what WWE puts out lately.
You don’t think WWE tries to make TNA look bad every chance they get? Of course they do. And whether they openly say it or not, they do watch TNA programming. Why else would WWE outbid TNA to land a knockout for $400,000, purposely hold her out, and make her job to Maryse when she finally does get on TV? To try and reinforce the fact the WWE product is superior.
You think Chris Harris wasn’t better than Santino what’s her name? Of course, but how far did Chris Harris get? He got himself a fresh start to try and resurrect his career, that’s what he got. Gail Kim will be the same way. She will never get a real chance. She will probably be in development before long. Just give her enough TV time to act like they tried, and then make it seem like, “oh, she came from TNA”, “she just doesn’t have enough talent.”
I don’t mind the digs at all. What I can’t stand is the arrogance of WWE thinking they are the be-all, end-all that you mentioned.
In fact, when they sign Kennedy, I hope he hands out digs on TV just about every other week. And Taz. And Victoria, though I know she won’t.
tna is just pathetic…. bottom line
Do you really think MVP is a caliber performer? He looks so out of touch with his persona. Matt & Jeff should be telemarking instead of on wrestling. Cryme Time is awesome but not together – why? Orton is so boring along with Chris Jerico. To have Ric Flair ( who I was a big fan in the day ) whip Orton like a dog???? Bastista looks so out of it like Lex Loser, along with the big show. Ever TiVo WWE and look at the punches that doesn’t even land or the Texas two step that Bastista & Big Show do to try to sell a move? TNA is a viable option to Billionaire Vicky McMahon
I would just like to say that I think we are all forgetting the past a little to soon. It’s not like TNA are giving away WWE results on there live show.
I really don’t see the problem. The Original (and only) ECW, ECW, ECW used to constantly rip on WCW and WWE and it was not a big deal at all. It’s good fodder for story lines, something which WWE has forgotten how to come up with.
Look Matt, I see your point that TNA should stop wasting there time with the little cheap shots at the competition and worry about what’s happening in there little neck of the woods, but WWE is really giving them alot more ammo (with the shit that they are churning out atm) which they choose not to use. They are little jabs and really don’t effect anybody.
I, like the person above am a die hard WWE fan, but more to the point I’am a “Wrestling” fan and have been a big fan of what TNA is doing since I started watching in 04′. I just can not stomach WWE anymore and really the only WWE programming I can watch is dvd’s. I’m really enjoying TNA atm (past 5 years) and if they think that taking little shots at there competition is what they need to do, more power to them.
With all the crap that is said about the 2 companies not been in competition you have to remember at the end of the day… They ARE! And WWE/F for the past 25 years or so has done alot worse to every other company that they have come up against.
Don’t sweat the small stuff people?
Matt u r so right
Who cares if TNA take a digg at WWE?! WWE don’t know how to use their talent! The only good thing WWE have done recently is lower John Cena so he could help out guys like The Miz and Big Show and lets face it nobody likes Cena in the main event picture! But going back to the original topic, TNA take diggs at WWE because they want to be noticed but TNA have to realise that at the same time they’re helping WWE! Think about it like this, if TNA make one WWE refrence it gets more people thinking about WWE!
I realize that I am quickly becoming controversial!
But it’s great to see wrestling fans voicing opinions on a very controversial issue.
I’d like to thank you all for replying (and the many, I’m sure who will) and I’d like to thank WrestlingTruth for allowing me the time for this column. The next one should be along soon.
Until then, keep checking back to WrestlingTruth. But, don’t forget to take a peek at NWE-Entertainment – my E-Fed!
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in response to Matt’s earlier comment
i understand that TNA commits this act much more frequently than WWE
but where TNA’s motive is to create some exciting rivalry (now that SD, Raw and ECW all fall under seperate categories) recognising in my opinion that they’re taking this risk, Vince makes his rare occasion moments look so petty and pointless; especially when the motive is revealled.
WWE’s goal for the majority is instead trying to connect to the audience through varying cheap parodies and references to popular culture which hardly makes Raw a wrestling product.
I am however disappointed at TNA’s sharkboy and Palin gimmicks and both companies stereo typing of Shaun Daivari.
Carl,
TNA aren’t trying to ‘create a rivalry’ between them and the WWE. They are simply scoring cheap points over them, just to try and make themselves look ‘better’ when actually looking cheap and pathetic.
I agree, Raw has become a comedy-skit centeral. But you must also understand that this is a planned move by the company. They’ve finally worked out that they can use their three shows for different things.
Even if Raw has become, as you called it, ‘cheap parodies and references to pop culture’, at least WWE aren’t trying to make themselves look better by taking constant jabs at TNA.
SIDE NOTE, NOT FOR CARL: I’m so sick of hearing about how WWE makes jabs at other ‘entertainment companies’. The column I wrote was about a wrestling company taking jabs at other wrestling companies. Not because Vince McMahon made a mountain out of a mole hill about E.Stanly Kroenke. So please stop replying with ‘well Vince does it to the NBA’ and other stuff. I simply won’t reply to you.
TNA TNA TNA TNA!!!!
who really cares if TNA makes references about WWE it makes no difference to whats going on in the ring and i watch TNA because i love wrestling and they have the best wrestlers in the world so i couldn’t care less if TNA wants to make comments about WWE
Have you ever seen a Toyota commercial saying how much better they are than Hyundai?.. cant say that i have.. my point on this is the WWE is bigger. Bigger payroll, bigger bank roll, bigger in everything. They dont need to make jabs to point out that they believe they are better. Everything else is tryin to be them. There is no point for them to do it, thus TNA reminding people why they are watchin their program and not WWE. Makes you most of the time say “thats true”. I dont know.. my 2 cents.