The General Wrestling Thread

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Meltzer flat out said on tonights audio that TNA is for sale, and that there are potential buyers looking at it. He said people are going to get on him for saying it, but that he knows for a fact that the Carter's want out.

Alvarez asked if Bischoff is in the mix, and Meltzer said he wouldn't be surprised at all, provided he could find backers.

Cutting the costs they did, this isn't a surprise either. When you cut the extreme costs like they did, its to make the company more profitable by subtraction...looks good to potential investors.

[FedEx227]

Meltzer flat out said on tonights audio that TNA is for sale, and that there are potential buyers looking at it. He said people are going to get on him for saying it, but that he knows for a fact that the Carter's want out.

Alvarez asked if Bischoff is in the mix, and Meltzer said he wouldn't be surprised at all, provided he could find backers.

Get the Fusient Media Venture crew back together!

[FedEx227]

Cutting the costs they did, this isn't a surprise either. When you cut the extreme costs like they did, its to make the company more profitable by subtraction...looks good to potential investors.

Much like WCW, the key will be Spike TV and if they want to keep wrestling programming on their channel. Given their (Viacom's) investment in Bellator and the correlation in Bellator ratings to TNA, things look good for the sale.

[Leftwich]

[Leftwich]

Also, WTF?

[JimLeavy59]

Also, WTF?

Thats how I feel whenever I'm watching a HHH promo.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Also, WTF?

Danshoku Dino.

DDT wrestler who does a silly, over the top gay gimmick. Its so over the top and goofy, that gays seem to love it.

You should Google Razor Ramon Hard Gay.

[Warner2BruceTD]

TNA is taping a bunch if shit in England, including Impacts & two evergreen canned PPV's.

Not a bad idea, they always do their best crowds in Europe, and the fans will be hot.

[s@ppisgod]

Much like WCW, the key will be Spike TV and if they want to keep wrestling programming on their channel. Given their (Viacom's) investment in Bellator and the correlation in Bellator ratings to TNA, things look good for the sale.

Honestly, outside of Bischoff smoozing his connections, who in their right mind would want to buy TNA? They've got the national TV deal, which is hard to get. They've got steady ratings. But that's it. Their fanbase is declining, no one is going to shows anymore, shows are cancelling which isn't going to appeal to the 40 people that did buy tickets. Merchandise sales and PPV buys are probably laughable. Yeah, there is potential because the ownership now is sooo incompetent. But who in their right mind would want to take on the risk?

[Guest]

Honestly, outside of Bischoff smoozing his connections, who in their right mind would want to buy TNA? They've got the national TV deal, which is hard to get. They've got steady ratings. But that's it. Their fanbase is declining, no one is going to shows anymore, shows are cancelling which isn't going to appeal to the 40 people that did buy tickets. Merchandise sales and PPV buys are probably laughable. Yeah, there is potential because the ownership now is sooo incompetent. But who in their right mind would want to take on the risk?

Not even sure if Heyman would want it, given he has his say in WWE and I doubt he does that much work for it, but if a group wants to buy, they should get him in on it and give him creative control.

[BigBiss]

Honestly, outside of Bischoff smoozing his connections, who in their right mind would want to buy TNA? They've got the national TV deal, which is hard to get. They've got steady ratings. But that's it. Their fanbase is declining, no one is going to shows anymore, shows are cancelling which isn't going to appeal to the 40 people that did buy tickets. Merchandise sales and PPV buys are probably laughable. Yeah, there is potential because the ownership now is sooo incompetent. But who in their right mind would want to take on the risk?

You would be surprised, all it would really take is a new perspective on things, when Tony and Bruce took over the NWA alot of folks thought it was crazy and a waste of time ... though small steps they are slowly making the brand relivent again. same thing could happen with TNA on a larger scale

[s@ppisgod]

Not even sure if Heyman would want it, given he has his say in WWE and I doubt he does that much work for it, but if a group wants to buy, they should get him in on it and give him creative control.

Heyman is a slam dunk. But the guy is too well off. They need him for the long haul, and he doesn't have that in him. He gets what he wqnts out of the biz now, gets paid pretty well, he's in good with a company that will be around for 100 more years. It's a pretty sweetheart deal, so they'd need to back the Brinks truck up to him. What they need is someone who loves the business to come in and be fine with spending plenty of money and resources and time, and ok doing all of that and still coming in at a loss. But even those people are dropping out (Turner, Dixie). The worst thing they could do is sell to the wrong group who continues to see it flounder for a few years before selling it or shutting it down. That would scare off any potential buyers and pretty much put a nail in the coffin of a secondary wrestling market in the US. Unless ROH wakes up....

[Guest]

Heyman is a slam dunk. But the guy is too well off. They need him for the long haul, and he doesn't have that in him. He gets what he wqnts out of the biz now, gets paid pretty well, he's in good with a company that will be around for 100 more years. It's a pretty sweetheart deal, so they'd need to back the Brinks truck up to him. What they need is someone who loves the business to come in and be fine with spending plenty of money and resources and time, and ok doing all of that and still coming in at a loss. But even those people are dropping out (Turner, Dixie). The worst thing they could do is sell to the wrong group who continues to see it flounder for a few years before selling it or shutting it down. That would scare off any potential buyers and pretty much put a nail in the coffin of a secondary wrestling market in the US. Unless ROH wakes up....

But the thing is that WWE can equal the amount of money, and probably surpass it, just to keep Heyman with them and away from others. They have to rely on Heyman wanting to do it, which I don't think he wants to do at this point. There aren't that many guys who could do it, to be honest, and the list of those who want to doesn't have the quality on it.

[s@ppisgod]

You would be surprised, all it would really take is a new perspective on things, when Tony and Bruce took over the NWA alot of folks thought it was crazy and a waste of time ... though small steps they are slowly making the brand relivent again. same thing could happen with TNA on a larger scale

They need to find the right balance. The business types aren't likely to have the patience with the product that they would need, whereas the wrasslin types haven't shown the business savvy to eventually turn the corner into noticeable profits.

[Warner2BruceTD]

TNA has strong national TV which is the hardest thing to secure and the most important.

TNA could easily turn a nice profit with fiscally responsible people running the show, who are willing to show an eye for the future. There is plenty of cheap, quality talent who would love national TV exposure who (wisely) have stayed away from TNA. But don't think somebody like TJ Perkins is unique, he isn't, there are others who would jump at the chance to work for a well run TNA, if nothing else to get away from the indie grind of being their own boss.

Heyman is never coming to save the day, but just follow the model he laid out. Get rid of everybody over 40 except for one or two who you use to put people over. Build around fresh, non overexposed youth. Stick to the plan. You will do the same 1.1 million from the start because those people like wrestling and have proven they will watch ANYTHING. But it would grow. That's just how it works. New stars can be made. TNA tries but botches it badly every time. Let's tell the real life story of TJ Perkins, which is a good one, then put him under a mask. Mind boggling. Let's build up James Storm, then switch gears at the last second because The Hulkster says so.