TNA SuperThread SPOILERS

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Jeremy Botter, who covers MMA for Bleacher Report as its lead writer and is at tonight’s Bellator MMA event, has tweeted out that he was told by Spike TV executives at the event (as they own Bellator and Bobby Lashley fights for the the promotion) that they will be getting out of the wrestling business and will no longer be airing TNA Impact. Again, he stated that he was told that Spike executives said that the network will not be airing TNA next year.

Earlier this year Spike gave TNA an extension of their existing contract, which was to expire at the end of September, while TNA explored its options for a new TV deal. The extension was to run through the end of December but Spike has already pre-empted the 11/26 episode. Next Wednesday’s show is the last fresh broadcast that TNA has recorded. Spike has not released its December schedule yet.

http://pwinsider.com/article/89605/tna-impact-new-tv-deal-update.html?p=1

To follow up with what Dave Scherer wrote on the site, we are hearing from TNA sources that their new TV deal is expected to finally be announced this coming week.

TNA has a hold on the Manhattan Center in NYC on 1/6/15, 1/7/15 and 1/8/15.
We are also hearing that this Wednesday's episode of Impact Wrestling will be the final episode on SpikeTV and that the originally planned "best of" episodes will not be airing on Spike after all. It may be that TNA is waiting for the Spike episodes to complete their run before they announce where they are heading.

http://pwinsider.com/article/89607/more-on-the-tna-tv-situation.html?p=1

So TNA will have TV for 2015, however it is safe to say they won't have the exposure in the US that they did on Spike.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Will wait to see where they end up. Even if it's a smaller station, if they support TNA and promote the product then the company will be better off than with Spike who really were checked out for some time before this current deal expired.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

True, the support they will get will outstrip what Spike was offering at the end. TNA cruelled themselves though after the Bischoff / Hogan period, then flat out lying to Spike by saying Vince Russo was no longer with the company when he was a creative consultant.

They do have a great core of wrestlers to rebuild around though, and mainly non ex-WWE:

- Roode
- Joe
- Aries
- Low Ki
- The Wolves
- The Beautiful People
- Jessicka Hovok

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

We can confirm that we have been told by a few TNA sources that the company is indeed done with Spike TV and is expected to begin airing on a new partner in January of 2015. For those asking why so many people from within the company were tweeting about Spike and Bellator last night, we have been told that TNA and Spike are not having an acrimonious break up. TNA will still have a connection with Spike through Bobby Lashley and at this point, the December episodes of Impact are still scheduled to air on Spike at this time. Unlike when Spike cut off negotiations with WWE years ago, costing them money in their TV deal with USA as their leverage was taken away, this situation is said to be the opposite.

The new TV deal is said to be extremely close to completed, if it’s not already. We have heard from numerous sources that it will be a multi-year deal, which means TNA will have at least two more years on the air. It should be noted that many have speculated that the company was going to die at the end of the year, as some felt that they wouldn’t be able to find a new home for Impact. Barring and unforeseen development, that will not be the case. TNA will live on.

All signs point to it getting done in the next week, as Dixie Carter tweeted last week that they would announce a deal soon. We have been told that it will air on a smaller, lesser known network. While no one will confirm where the show will end up, there has been a lot of talk that it will end up on Destination America, which is owned by Discovery Communications (you can see if you have access to the channel by clicking here). It is available in a little more than half of the country, though speaking personally it is not currently available on the plan I have with Cox. I will have to pay to add it here in Las Vegas.

All signs point to the fact that the new deal will bring in less money than the old one did, at least at the start. However, with the new deal the company will have more opportunities in other areas. They will reportedly be able to have more programming on the network than just Impact and they will be the bellwether brand for the new partner, putting them in a position where they will be a top priority for the new network. They will be in a position to potentially help grow a network. Even if they can’t, once the deal is signed they will have at least two more years to “start again” and that will be their plan once they start doing new shows in January.

http://www.pwinsider.com/article/89623/tna-impacttv-deal-update.html?p=1

 

[Big Pete]

Good news.

TNA has been treading water for awhile, basically waving the white flag in uncertain times so I'm glad they've been given a reprieve.

The cool thing is, Impact has been relatively consistent and while it isn't 'must-see' television, it isn't 'why do I still watch wrestling?' tv either. If they can keep that up, TNA maybe able to get back to where they were in 2012.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

It's a shame only half the country will have access. Would be good if they were able to somehow get access to the other half (through streaming or a secondary deal etc).

The important thing is where it says that TNA will be a top priority for the new channel as well as allowing them to offer more programming and opportunities.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

TNA were the first ones to do pre + post game shows that the WWE currently uses, so I would expect to see that back. I would also think they would do a US version of British Bootcamp, which is probably their most successful series outside of Impact.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

"El Patron" Alberto Del Rio let slip during an interview that he has signed a deal with TNA, as well as Lucha Underground. While I'm not surprised by the LU signing as they have a working agreement with AAA, I am surprised by the TNA one since they have been cutting back big time across the board.

 

[Rosetta]

TNA/Discovery Communications announced the new TV deal;

http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/6216

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE BROADCAST RIGHTS TO TOP PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING LEAGUE, TNA IMPACT WRESTLING, FOR DESTINATION AMERICA
(Silver Spring, Md.) – Discovery Communications announced today that it has signed a multi-year deal with TNA (Total Nonstop Action) IMPACT WRESTLING to bring the popular league to homes nationwide on Destination America, the only network dedicated to celebrating the people, places and stories of the United States. Destination America officially enters the ring with its first world premiere of IMPACT WRESTLING in January 2015. The series features some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley and Gail Kim. The partnership includes the U.S. premieres of additional TNA WRESTLING series and specials and provides Discovery Communications with international broadcasting rights in select regions, to be announced at a later date.
“Our partnership in this uniquely entertaining franchise with TNA IMPACT WRESTLING provides a significant addition to Destination America’s programming strategy,” said Henry Schleiff, Group President of Destination America, Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Discovery Fit & Health and Discovery Family Channel. “The enduring, cross-generational enthusiasm of pro wrestling is felt by millions of fans around the country, from coast-to-coast and throughout the heartland. We are delighted to bring this beloved American pastime to the one and only network dedicated to celebrating the unique spirit of the U.S., Destination America.”
“Our knockout partnership with TNA IMPACT WRESTLING continues Destination America’s mission of bringing our viewers the best of all-American entertainment, and going center ring with one of the world’s foremost professional wrestling leagues fits perfectly within our DNA,” said Marc Etkind, general manager of Destination America. “Wrestling has created a fiercely loyal, passionate and widespread fan base, and we look forward to being part of the TNA family.”
“We are very excited about Destination America being the new network for IMPACT WRESTLING and the partnership with Discovery Communications both domestically and across the globe. Their commitment to promote and grow our brand in innovative and compelling ways was instrumental in knowing we had found the right home,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Together we will create an experience that takes our fans on a new journey that will push the envelope of technology, including where we take our cameras, going deeper into our superstars’ lives and showing the reality of what it takes to create a weekly professional wrestling show, all while showcasing the very best male and female athletes in the world.”
Since launching in 2012, Destination America has become one of cable’s top five fastest-growing networks*, earning 10 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth in Prime among P2+. With top series that explore unique American cultures and ways of life – including Mountain Monsters, A Haunting, Hillbilly Blood, Buying the Bayou, Buying Alaska, Ghost Asylum and BBQ Pitmasters – Destination America’s programming spans the nation from Alaska, Hawaii and Colorado to Louisiana, West Virginia and communities in between. To find Destination America, the new home of TNA’s IMPACT WRESTLING, go to destinationamerica.com/watchda.
TNA is a privately held sports entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn., specializing in TV properties, events, merchandise, music, and the management and promotion of professional wrestlers. TNA annually delivers more than 500 hours of original content to millions of fans around the world.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Hopefully this hiatus will refresh TNA.
Give the writers time to plan some epic storylines

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

TNA has had excellent shows since their tapings in Manhattan. If they continue the way they have recently then they will be in good hands. Some things obviously aren't working (the Gunner vs Sam Shaw and Redneck Revolution storylines are just dying on TV), but it is more than made up by the various title pictures across the company, as well as going back to basics for storyline feuds.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Heaps of TNA news coming out of their live broadcast from NYC

Spoiler: New Champions Crowned

Austin Aries def. Low Ki to win the X-Division Title

Bobby Lashley def. Bobby Roode to win the TNA World Title

Spoiler: TNA Return

After the Knockouts Title Battle Royale, Awesome Kong returned to confront Jessicka Havok

Spoiler: Heel Turns

What would a TNA taping be without heel turns. Low Ki, Samoa Joe, and Eric Young all turned heel during the World Title match, aligning themselves with MVP's faction.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Looks like an interesting Impact. TNA has always been good at throwing all their eggs in the basket and doing strong one off shows, it's the week to week shit that gets things muddled with constant turns, dropping of angles, nonsense angles etc.

Hopefully they set a standard and hit it every week.

Not very balanced on the face/heel ledger, so I imagine we'll see developments in the coming weeks.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

I was a bit surprised by the heel turns, as this means that their top faces now are Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, and the Hardy Boyz. They really need to elevate someone soon. I wouldn't be surprised to see Lashley turn face though.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I was surprised, but not disappointed. Low Ki and Joe could make a killer tag team (Muscle Buster follow by Warriors Way would be brutal) and we know both can go in singles too.

Eric Young is probably the bigger surprise, but I think it's necessary. He played the comedy role for so long then they pushed him too fast too soon as a serious face. I think a heel is where he will finally be able to break out.

Definitely think Lashley turns face at some point. If Joe and Low Ki don't go the tag route I can see MVP staging a Samoa Joe world title win as Lashley's replacement.

I'm wondering if they have a new signing getting ready to come in. They do seem a little face light, but Angle, Roode, a turning Lashley can hold up their end. There's also Aries as well.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Mr Anderson turn face.

The only thing I'm probably concerned about is whether or not Storm's group gets lost in the shuffle now with this larger heel stable. The group itself is a little meh, but the individuals are talented.

 

[redvscotty]

Kong vs. Havok is a womens match up I actually want to watch!

Enjoyed the show, will keep watching to see if the standard holds up, as said above it's usually one awesome show then a run of weird or bad ones.

Agree on Joe/Low Ki

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Problem is that TNA really need a whole lot of home runs right now since their TV move, but moving a few of your top faces into heels really limits the booking. As does bringing a 46 year old out of a backstage role to be your top face. I'm starting to think that TNA is going to try and build Roode as the next Sting - sans face paint.

The main surprise turn is Young, as while he has been a very good heel before as the leader of World Elite, but the audience just didn't want to buy it since they loved EY too much (the less said about his run with The Band the better). The only way I can see it working is if they bring in a guy like Petey Williams for him to reform Team Canada, and pitch it as the real guys behind the group and Roode riding their coat tails. A bit long in the tooth, but all last year that is how Tenay and Taz built it, and Matthews and Taz hit on it again during the swerve (where is Russo when you need him).

 

[azzah72]

I really enjoyed that unique way of doing that intro, so refreshing from an opening 20 min promo.

All the matches were passable with the main event being pretty great and Kong being back was cool.

I have always prefered TNA in the last few years when it comes to the in-ring action, I think they are kilometers ahead of WWE atm, I just get frustrated at the Stupidity that seems to happen and it still looks low rent, I get why but it still takes it away a bit.

I they could seriously find a way to invest some big dollars in production and advertising, try and get some bigger crowds in different arenas, They would gradually start competing with WWE imo.

Easier said then done though.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Problem is that TNA really need a whole lot of home runs right now since their TV move, but moving a few of your top faces into heels really limits the booking. As does bringing a 46 year old out of a backstage role to be your top face. I'm starting to think that TNA is going to try and build Roode as the next Sting - sans face paint.

The main surprise turn is Young, as while he has been a very good heel before as the leader of World Elite, but the audience just didn't want to buy it since they loved EY too much (the less said about his run with The Band the better). The only way I can see it working is if they bring in a guy like Petey Williams for him to reform Team Canada, and pitch it as the real guys behind the group and Roode riding their coat tails. A bit long in the tooth, but all last year that is how Tenay and Taz built it, and Matthews and Taz hit on it again during the swerve (where is Russo when you need him).

I don't think they'll turn Lashley fairly quickly. I agree it could be limiting in the long run, but short term there's enough there to keep them going for a few weeks without it being limiting.

Expecting Anderson to appear as a face soon, Lashley to turn, possibly a new face comes in to save the day.

I think within a month it will be balanced enough and they have enough going on to get through that.

 

[Scott Gourley's Lovechild]

Anderson isn't at the tapings in NYC, but doing PR with Dixie Carter in LA. So they have 2 more days of tapings before they head off to the UK. Perhaps a Magnus face turn while they're over there since he will get a home crowd pop.