TNA News: Dixie Carter Responds To Vince McMahon Saying TNA Is Not Competition To WWE

Vince McMahon has claimed countless times that TNA Wrestling is not competition to the WWE brand. However, don’t tell that to TNA President Dixie Carter. She feels that Vince’s claims of TNA not being competition to WWE is ridiculous. She recently spoke with the Royal Ramblings blog on the Huffington Post to talk about this and various other things.

Regarding Vince’s claims of TNA not being competition, Dixie had this to say.

“Well, I think it’s ridiculous to say that we’re not competition. If we weren’t competition they wouldn’t try to stop our growth at every turn. We’re both wrestling companies and so competing for the same networks internationally and the same ticket sales globally and therefore you are competitors but all we can do is focus on what we do best. My big focus for 2015 is to further distinguish our product from anybody else’s out there. What can we do better and what have we been doing great that we can take to another level. We’re going to be announcing in the coming weeks some realty exciting changes to our show and that’s a big part – trying to make our brand much more distinctive than not just WWE but other wrestling companies around the world.”

To many, Dixie if off base with her comments. TNA has failed to do well in ratings with Spike TV, which led to the network cutting ties with TNA this year. TNA is now signed with Discovery Communications property Destination America. The network is on less cable and satellite packages with no Canadian affiliate. So TNA has lost a lot in their move to the cable channel. However, it is a network nonetheless, which is backed by one of the better television companies in the world today.

What is interesting is that Dixie also has a point. If TNA was not competition, why would WWE add them to the no-compete clauses of their talent when they are released? CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio both confirmed TNA was part of their no-compete. Both were able to get the no-compete clause thrown out in settlements. However, it is interesting that a company not considered competition is blocked by the company who claims such.

Dixie also claims she spoke with Shane McMahon, a story that drew a lot of interest. She was asked if any jokes were pulled on her by talent, she responded with an interesting story.

“I don’t think the talent have really ever done anything to me. I had somebody call me once and leave a message to call back Shane McMahon. So I returned his call but he had never called me. We had a conversation and he’s a lovely guy. But don’t give the roster any ideas!”

It is interesting that, if Shane never called, he would still take the time to talk with Carter. Shane is out of the wrestling business, and is involved with his own company. However, Shane is not beyond making deals. He once spoke with Paul Heyman about potentially buying ECW. There was at least a buy-in that was rumored. Heyman confirmed those rumors since then on his DVD and interviews. Could Shane have simply given business advice to Dixie? Maybe. Of course, Dixie says to not get any ideas from it. However, why would she say such a thing if she didn’t want rumblings to start?

Who does she feel is the breakout star for TNA right now?

“I’m a huge Bobby Lashley fan – I think he had an outstanding year. He may not be one of the new guys but he came back so fresh and was a beast in the ring. I’m so proud of the matches he had, we threw every kind of style at him and he had great matches with everybody. Of the young guys, I love what we’re doing with tag-teams right now and the Wolves were a big part of revitalizing that. Im really looking forward to exciting changes in the X-Division this year too. I’m a huge EC3 fan – and not just because he’s my nephew but because he has everything it takes to be a superstar. Bram surprised me this year, he was fantastic…. It’s like asking me who’s your favourite child! Everyone contributes and there’s not one of the talents on our roster that I’m not proud of.”

TNA has lost a lot, however, with rumors that they are taking a different direction in 2015, TNA could be a show worth seeing once again for fans who gave up on it. The company clearly has a lot of talented performers. However, they have not been able to get over the hump to get anywhere close to WWE. Ratings have not been great on Spike, so it can be expected that they will only lower on Destination America.

However, if TNA can get the wrestling world talking, they may have a shot at taking on WWE in the future once more. TNA has potential, but they have yet to live up to it. Fans want them to, very badly. It only makes for better TV for both TNA and WWE. It’s also better for the wrestlers. If they can manage to become relevant in the wrestling world, even for casual fans, TNA could shock some people.

[IMG Credits: Prowrestlingpowerhouse.com, stillrealtous.com, betweentheropes.com]