The WWE held a virtual monopoly on all domestic major league wrestling for a few years following the deaths of ECW and WCW, but those dark ages are no longer. Vincent Kennedy McMahon finally has some true competition again, and there are only two things he can do about it: nothing, or like it. TNA is on Spike TV Saturday nights, and they’re drawing ratings, as reported here. In fact, we may be close to the dawning of a new Monday Night War.
TODAY’S ISSUE: Comparing the “Big 2”.
Since Panda Energy’s little pet project is no longer a small-time promotion, I’m going to compare TNA and WWE. I’ll use a few factors that I consider important for big time pro wrestling companies.
In-Ring Action: Perhaps the most important category. Storylines are worthless if they don’t culminate in a good match or series of matches. There’s no question TNA blows WWE away between the ropes. The X division is truly fantastic, but the heavyweights and tag teams are very exciting as well. Monty Brown, Lance Hoyt, Abyss, AMW, the Naturals, and Team Canada are all better in the ring than most of Vince’s roster. The sad thing is, WWE could have a fantastic cruiserweight division, but Vince doesn’t usually focus storylines on anyone smaller than 6’4″ and 250 pounds. That is, of course, unless it’s for comedy (can anyone say “juniors division”?).
Storylines: TNA has tighter continuity in character motivation and storyline development. This isn’t to say that TNA’s storylines are always better or more interesting, but they don’t allow key plot points to fall through the cracks. Case in point: The longtime babyface team of AMW recently turned heel and joined forces with Jeff Jarrett. As soon as possible, AMW explained their actions. I don’t need wrestlers with the depth of Shakespearean characters, but at least give me a reason for someone’s sudden and/or drastic actions.
Exciting Television: TNA only produces one hour of television a week. WWE produces four hours for primetime and two more for their internet-only B shows* Heat and Velocity. Therefore, it’s comparing apples and oranges to judge who has the more exciting television product.
I will say that more often than not iMPACT! is over before I know it, and segments rarely drag. With SmackDown!, even while watching on tape so I can fast forward at will, I still find myself trying to quickly get through the show to stay abreast of storyline activity, but I rarely enjoy an episode. I do still enjoy RAW for the most part, but more time to fill means more stupid segments, like the two dreaded Diva Search contests, or JR’s embarrassing ass-surgery skit. Bravo, Vince.
*As far as the online shows, I like having the ability to play one quarter-hour without watching the entire show. If I want to see the cruiserweights on Velocity, for example, I watch the one match and get on with my life. That’s a nice feature.
Character Development: WWE has much more television time than TNA to develop their main players and undercard talent, but TNA isn’t as much about characters. The average personality in TNA is more of a pro athlete. Their motivation is that they want to win. Some are willing to take shortcuts while others have more integrity, which does allow for the face vs. heel dynamic. Admittedly Abyss is all character, but he’s the exception in TNA, not the norm.
Meanwhile on SmackDown, it’s 1993 all over again. The Boogeyman, who according to ring announcer Tony Chimel hails from “The Bottomless Pit” (although his WWE.com bio reads “parts unknown”), is as cartoonish a character as Vince has ever featured. Along with the Undertaker, who rises from the dead 3 to 4 times a year and shoots “lightning bolts” all over the arena, these horror film rejects are intimidating their opponents and making strange things happen throughout the arena. Yeah, I’m really scared of clocks that run backwards and lighting failures. Who is the target audience for WWE television these days, 11-year-old boys on their first camping trip?
By the way, during his debut match on SmackDown last Friday night, the Boogeyman executed one very simple maneuver. Well two, if you consider eating worms a wrestling move.
Conversely, the vignettes that TNA has been airing featuring the “real life” of Rhino have helped to add that crucial third dimension to Rhino’s all-around character. When sports fans feel they know a competitor and understand his motivation, they connect with that athlete. They support him, want to see him win, and (here’s the important part) pay to watch him perform. That’s how important character development is.
Commentators: “Professor” Mike Tenay is one of the best the business has ever had. As badly as Don West sucks, Tenay carries him with the greatest of ease. The Professor was one of the only bright spots in WCW in the late 90’s. About two years ago, I held out hope that TNA would fold, just so Tenay could replace Michael Cole on SmackDown. It’s a joy listening to Tenay call a match, highlight important plot points, and interview wrestlers. However, this category is suddenly a toss-up, since Joey Styles has officially become the permanent play-by-play man on RAW. If only we could do something about SmackDown’s announce team, WWE would win this category.
A bunch of penis jokes based on the name of the newest tag team “The Dicks” – is this the best Cole and Tazz can offer? If Vinnie Mac finds that shtick to be cutting edge, he’s missing the mark. That crap is NOT changing Friday nights…
Obviously there’s nothing quantifiable here, as these are merely my opinions. However, you’d be hard pressed to convince another wrestling fan that WWE’s in-ring product and storyline management are superior to TNA’s, that iMPACT! isn’t an exciting hour of television each week, or that Mike Tenay isn’t a great announcer.
Finally, there is another alternative for wrestlers, and for wrestling fans. In that regard, Jay Reso (Christian Cage) recently made a huge statement in the business. He left the WWE on his own terms, and chose to move to TNA. Certainly he’ll be a bigger fish in a smaller pond compared to his spot on the WWE roster. Less money? Yes, but less travel, less wear and tear on his body, less stress, new career challenges and opportunities, and a significantly bigger push. Sounds like a great deal to me. He’s stated that he made and saved plenty of dough during his 8-year run “up north”, so money wasn’t a player in his decision. He’s going to have a better deal in TNA, all things considered.
The point is, Christian (along with several recently released WWE guys like The Dudleys, Rhino, Gail and Jackie, etcetera) has shown Vince McMahon that WWE is not the only game in town anymore. Vince’s wrestlers should consider Christian’s newfound happiness and look at the way his star shines in TNA. They have a choice once again. When things were hot in the wrestling war, performers always had an ace up their sleeve when considering career opportunities, and it seems to be that way once again.
TNA excels at the things I find most important, and they are obviously on the map now. They present hard-hitting, faced-paced action with reasonable explanations for what’s going on in the ring. If they do move to Monday nights, it becomes a difficult choice. I feel I need to keep up with RAW, and I’m already taping CSI: Miami on my second TV for later viewing. I don’t have any more televisions, so I hope if TNA does move to Mondays, the time slot in which they air allows me to watch or tape everything on Monday nights.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled reality.
p.s. – Have you ever heard somebody say that someone was wearing a pair of “tight slacks”? If they’re tight, then they have no slack, right?
