TNA News: Update On How TNA Wrestling Is Planning To Survive Without American TV Deal
TNA Wrestling is by no means in a great place right now. Not only are they losing some of their top stars, but they are also potentially losing their television deal with the Destination America network in the next few months. TNA has survived many things over the last number of years, including the loss of their TV deal with Spike TV just last year. However, losing their second TV deal in a year is certainly not helping them staying alive.
On top of all of this, long time pro-wrestling magazine Pro Wrestling Illustrated has now downgraded TNA to an Indy company and no longer recognizes their World Title as one.
Now that TNA is set to potentially lose their TV deal, they are planning ways to survive without an American TV deal, according to Cageside Seats. Apparently, TNA will attempt to survive on overseas deals while they continue to shop around their show to American networks. It is unlikely many will bite, considering the low numbers TNA has had even since their debut with Destination America.
Everyone knew there would be a drop-off from their Spike TV numbers, but they have essentially lost many of their Destination America viewers too. Some say it is due to the extreme tapings TNA has, where they will tape around two to three months of television at one time. Spoilers end up killing them in the end. They also announce surprises so often that it has become a bit stagnant for them to do the surprise angle.
TNA is allowing contracts to expire, which is why so many people have left TNA in recent weeks. TNA is planning to go with a per date deal. Meanwhile, some are leaving for Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling, who will be doing an “invasion angle” of sorts with TNA. Essentially, TNA could lose a talent like Magnus to GFW. He would be able to be under contract with them while also still working TNA tapings and potentially be on a per date option. So it is more money in the end than simply staying with TNA.
Some do not like the idea of a per date deal, and may have issues with management. MVP has left along with people like Austin Aries. Long-time TNA announcer and backstage worker Christy Hemme left TNA yet again this past week, according to Daily Wrestling News. So really, TNA cannot get anything going with many of their top stars or those who have been big parts of their programming over the last number of years. Every TNA original has left, and more could follow.
In the end, many understand why TNA is trying to save money by not having many under contract. However, there is a big feeling that without an American TV deal, TNA will not be able to last very long. If they do, they will not have many of their top stars with WWE affiliations in their past. WWE would take back many potentially, so do not be surprised to see that.
[IMG Credit: ImpactWrestling.com]
