TNA Impact Thread

[Gnrfan]

TNA creative team member Vince Russo a new blog on his Facebook page discussing Monday's iMPACT!, working with Hogan & Bischoff and more. Visit Facebook.com to read the full blog.

"We learned a lot, on Monday night as a company--a lot We hit some home runs, but also struck out once, or twice--but that's OK. What really mattered is that we took risks. We gave you everything we had--and didn't play it safe.

"That's what Eric Bischoff and Russo/Ferrara both did back in the mid-to late 90's. Nothing was safe--NOTHING. The programming, whether it was WWF, or WCW was DANGEROUS. Never one time, no matter how hot we got--did Eric or I EVER rest on our laurels--NEVER. I can't tell you how long Vince has been resting on his . . . I honestly can't.

"I sat in the production truck and I wanted our show, side-by-side to Vince Monday night. It was great to see Bret --I love the guy--always have. But as our show went on, and as I watched his, I just kept asking myself--'where's the effort?'"

"Does Vince think that little of TNA that he felt that he could just produce 'another show' on Monday night? I mean, you take away that first segment and that last segment, and you had a wrestling show that wasn't even mediocre at best. Again--going back to the 90's--that NEVER, would have happened if Eric, or I were in Vince's shoes--NEVER. Resting on your laurels is the worst mistake that anyone can ever make--no matter what type of business you are in."

Think thats pretty accurate IMO. RAW's Bret segments were good but everything else was a run-of-the-mill WWE Raw as where TNA went out and tried to put on a great show. Some hit, some missed but the intent was good.

[Gnrfan]

I respectfully disagree on the Drug Policy. I think it is highly important in Wrestling today. The health and safety of the workers in your company is vital and also these guys and girls are role models for young kids.

I personally find it irresponsible to not have some kind of Drug Testing/Policy in place. I'm not saying that it has to be as severe as WWE's welness policy but there needs to be something! You can't have guys jacked up on steriods or weed while competing.

If Wrestling has learnt anything from the last decade its that Drugs & wrestling can be a dangerous combination and i'm not just talking about Benoit!

I don't see wrestlers problem with testing.... its could be random and if you are AJ or Daniels like D's example you have nothing to fear!

[Izzy]

I'm always interested to hear what the writers say

I'm also always baffled that armed with such experience that they get so much wrong so often

[Izzy]

All those that died were WWE only guys - TNA wrestlers haven't died

that suggests there is a policy there - even if it's not out loud and proud

simply not giving the title shot to a guy who is cheating solves the problem

no incentive to do drugs = drug free sport

[Gnrfan]

All those that died were WWE only guys - TNA wrestlers haven't died

that suggests there is a policy there - even if it's not out loud and proud

simply not giving the title shot to a guy who is cheating solves the problem

no incentive to do drugs = drug free sport

Simply coz their champions are smaller guys is not a reason to say no-one does drugs here.

If you are clean, what do you have to hide.

Have an independant drugs testing program which means that 5 wrestlers are tested once a quarter.... but because they don't know when, its effective.

A couple of bad eggs could lead to negative publicity at a time when TNA are trying to gain fans by word of mouth and quality shows and need everything running smoothly.

[Gnrfan]

"That's what Eric Bischoff and Russo/Ferrara both did back in the mid-to late 90's. Nothing was safe--NOTHING. The programming, whether it was WWF, or WCW was DANGEROUS. Never one time, no matter how hot we got--did Eric or I EVER rest on our laurels--NEVER. I can't tell you how long Vince has been resting on his . . . I honestly can't.

Thats the intersting bit to me. Its high risk but high reward! Its exactly what TNA needs

[Izzy]

But what is meant by danger?

A typical politically incorrect Russo angle?

Or taking a chance on a young guy and giving them a push?

Wrestling probably needs both - if u can tell what's going to happen next in an angle or match, it's a bad angle or match

when was the last time WWE really surprised anyone...

[Gnrfan]

when was the last time WWE really surprised anyone...

I think Sheamus was quite a suprise

[D]

yeah but then they still treat him like a midcarder

champions should carry the show,champions should have the most segments on TV.

Sheamus gets less time than Hornswoggle.

[Gnrfan]

yeah but then they still treat him like a midcarder

champions should carry the show,champions should have the most segments on TV.

Sheamus gets less time than Hornswoggle.

I'm not saying they use him well. I'm saying it was a suprise in an answer to when did WWE last suprise anyone.

And in fairness He has been champion at a time where Bret took center stage and Cena was off last week. He destroyed Bourne which showed how dominant he could be.

End of the day he is WWE champion thats not treating him like a midcarder. He's hardly being made to look like MVP is he?

[Hammy]

You shouldn't have to wait until guys start dying before you impliment a drug policy, WWE took too long.

And technically guys have died while with TNA, I believe Curt Hennig and Crash Holly were performers with the company when they died.

[D]

I dont have a problem with drug policy per se

i have a problem with how it only applies to certain wrestlers.

[Izzy]

What 'dangerous' things should TNA be doing?

If they keep doing the **** matches they need to stop being so reliant on 'spots', they are forgetting about the rest of the match

[Gnrfan]

What 'dangerous' things should TNA be doing?

If they keep doing the **** matches they need to stop being so reliant on 'spots', they are forgetting about the rest of the match

Its not about **** or Spots its about thinking outside the box. The last thing TNA can afford to be is predictable or safe in terms of booking. Yeah there will be some spots and maybe some blood but thats not what its about.

An example for me would be saying they are playing it safe with old nWo faction. They know nWo marks will like it and therefore they hope they will watch.... thats BS. Thats what WWE has done with DX. Its to sell merch and its "safe"!

If they run with this whole Hall-Waltman-Nash-Bischoff thing then i just couldn't watch TNA. For all the good the likes of Joe, Angle, AJ, Daniels and X-Division brings that would ruin it for me.

I'm not against factions, infact i like them but lets not go over old ground. Create something fresh!

[Gnrfan]

I dont have a problem with drug policy per se

i have a problem with how it only applies to certain wrestlers.

I know what you are saying. But random drug tests are usually performed a maximum of 3 times a quarter (although sometimes you only get 1) the wrestler would be random as would how many they test (they have to have performed though).

You can also check past failed wrestlers outside of this system, which might mean if they have been caught before they might come under scrutiny for 6 to 12 months.... but then thats expected.