At this point, Jeff Jarrett's big announcement is expected to have something to do with TNA's new TV deal with WGN. TNA should begin airing on WGN, which airs more or less throughout the nation, starting in mid-January.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
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Looks like the unhappy WWE wrestlers who could benefit from competition MIGHT have an alternative (albeit not as promising).
Originally posted by madiqToo bad TNA doesn't have any wrestlers from Chicago it could push to the forefront...
I hope I'm not the only who remembers that D'Lo Brown is from Chicago.
A WGN deal could finally bring the competition we've all desired. Of course, I can't help but remember Eric S's take on the idea and weep a little bit. I don't think the WGN higher-ups have the same passion for wrestling that a Ted Turner does and because of that, I'm fearing that TNA's deal will turn out less like Monday Nitro and more like ECW on TNN.
Admit it. You laughed too when you found out Brock was feuding with Sparky Plugg.
It may be a good thing for NWA in that WGN is available across the country in Canada as part of the superstation package. This deal may help get a few more PPV buys in Canada
WGN used to run a WCW weekend show including the Brickhouse Bonus, a commentator's editorial.
I hope they don't sandwich it between Andromeda and Mutant X. Worse, I hope it isn't pre-empted by baseball as much as my beloved reruns of One Day At A Time and Welcome Back, Kotter.
I'm for it. Way to go, TNA (if this is true), and congrats to the workers for making the show attractive to a superstation.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Still, TNA needs to find a way to advertise its presence on the channel. Hopefully, it's first show will be huge - we should all watch it as a demonstration of IWC solidarity...
Originally posted by Matt TrackerWGN used to run a WCW weekend show including the Brickhouse Bonus, a commentator's editorial.
I hope they don't sandwich it between Andromeda and Mutant X. Worse, I hope it isn't pre-empted by baseball as much as my beloved reruns of One Day At A Time and Welcome Back, Kotter.
Meltz said it would air at 0900 Saturdays (Central), which is a death timeslot that the XWF *turned down*.
All this looks to be is a quicker way for Panda to run out of money to spend on TNA. Fine by me
Originally posted by CRZAll this looks to be is a quicker way for Panda to run out of money to spend on TNA. Fine by me
Sometimes you baffle me. I know you don't enjoy watching the show, but are you really rooting for them to fail? Why?
--K
Well, let's put it this way - I'm not rooting for them to succeed, I know that. The truth is, at this point a world without weekly TNA PPV television will be strikingly similar to my world as it is now, so it's no skin off my nose. I would LIKE to be optimistic and think that suddenly these shows are actually going to be worth making the investment, but I have so much history backing up a contrary point of view. Don't get me wrong; the WWE shows I've missed (and since caught on tape) haven't had me regretting not opening up the wallet, either - not to mention the warmed-over ECW rehash that is MLW. I can't really say there's ANYTHING out there right now that gets me really EXCITED to be a pro wrestling fan, not to mention making me wish these people were making gobs of money so they could in turn SPEND gobs of money buying television clearances for their shows so *I* could watch their product...and then maybe be spurred on to give some of MY money to THEM. Nope.
As happy as I am that TNA got a national TV deal, I'm very afraid that this could spell the death of the company. Spending $50,000 (or some ridiculous number like that) a week for the show will be a SERIOUS drain on their wallet (a wallet that isn't getting a whole lot of money put in it, in the first place).
Originally posted by OMEGAAs happy as I am that TNA got a national TV deal, I'm very afraid that this could spell the death of the company. Spending $50,000 (or some ridiculous number like that) a week for the show will be a SERIOUS drain on their wallet (a wallet that isn't getting a whole lot of money put in it, in the first place).
But you have to know that TNA cant stay on PPV forever. If they want to survive long term they have to get on free TV. hey i always said If they get on free TV ill watch them and I will. And damn weve all wanted an alternative to the WWE or at least for them to have a reason to get there act together. And now they do.
I think Chris Daniels is from Chicago-land, i know he got his start in windy city wrestling about 10 years ago.
As for other important details will the show be strictly for advertising TNA PPV's like Explosion is? Will it be recaps of TNA PPV's sorta like ECW was in 94-96 plugging the ECW arena shows? Or will it be TV tapings?
Cause im thinking if it it's the second it might not be the magnetic mine in the battleship everyone expects. Maybe a formula of one or two matches from the PPV per week, a lot of angles, some interviews, video pieces (which they do very well) would be a nice short term alternative to another TV taping, and the production costs associated with it. Since it is cable it isn't nessecarrly the Lose-Lose situation that syndication has become, though like everyone else I realize it is far from a victory for us wrestling fans expecting someone to nip on Vince's lazy heels.
See I don't see it as the battle for TV ratings, as much as it should be for PPV buy rates. Cause remember ECW and even a dying WCW were rated higher then 90 percent of cable shows, It's just that Pep Boys and Slim Jim commerials didn't equal profit. Be the alternative, not the follower. If by some divine intervention they are still on 12-16 months now, then go after WWE. Until that point, just concentrate on building the foundation, letting the chips falls where they may.