The state of TNA

[Jwriter]

So I havent really regularly checked out TNA in a very long time. Its quality started going down hill and my interest went with it. I cant even remember how long ago this was. I want to say when Bischoff came into the picture. I've caught parts of shows here and there, but still havent been impressed.

My question is this though; What is the current state of TNA in your opinion? Is it worth watching? Has it improved at all? What are some of the best things it has going for it right now.

Essentially, try and get me (and anyone else) interested in the product they're producing right now.

[BARCELONA]

Keeping in mind I've been one of TNA's harshest critics in the past... I have to say I think the show is excellent at the moment. It isn't really reflected in the ratings, but I genuinely think the show as a whole is much, much better than any time since 2005.

Some of the old issues remain. The pacing on the shows is still way too fast, segments don't really sink in because TNA doesn't allow that to happen. There are segments that are really corny and weird (Devon and G. Bischoff dancing, the whole AJ/Dixie BS), and there are still screwy finishes that are irritating. Tenay and Taz on commentary also sucks a big one.

However, the quality of wrestling on the show overall is great. There is a lot of talent in TNA right now, and they're given a chance to use their own style and work their own promos. Unlike WWE, there's no cookie-cutter style applied to every wrestler. TNA actually has variety and for once is utilising it properly. They've got a good, young, dominant champion and the belt isn't being hot-shotted like it has been done in the past. The X-Division and its title is relevant again and they've done a great job building it up. Hogan, Sting and the other older guys are being phased out as far as in ring work goes, and are now mostly reserved for one off appearances or authority-figre/manager roles, as it should be.

So yeah, from the perspective of somebody who had basically given up on TNA... some huge steps in the right direction as of late. Whether they can sustain it remains to be seen, but the company deserves support for the current show it is putting out.

[Mistress]

I'm blind TNA fan...i wont say mark cause i can clearly see it has it's flaws, but they arent enough to make me miss an episode. I think TNA is worth watching. it can be somewhat ridiculous but right now i think it's very entertaining. My only complaint is the AJ/Dixie nonsense...

[Lony]

Outside of the AJ/Dixie storyline I'm rather enjoying TNA at the moment. Really love what their doing with both Austin Aries and Bobby Roode and then there's the BFG series which James Storm will most likely win this year before facing Bobby Roode for the TNA heavyweight title at Bound for Glory.

[Nightwolf]

Yeah, TNA is pretty good right for all of the reasons posts above said.


I have to add that if you don't take wrestling seriously you can enjoy the AJ/Dixie stuff, it's so damn bad it's hilarious.

[kovu rex]

I would have to agree with Mistress...I am a huge TNA fan, have been for a long time and have enjoyed it more than WWE (I dont really watch WWE anymore)...i have stuck through the good and bad, but recently they have picked it up a lot...they have put on a couple of really good PPVs in a row and Slammiversary was great IMO and Destination X looks like it is going to be good as well.

Roode has been a great heel champion (even if I would like to see him with a good clean win once in a while), the once prominant tag division is seriously lacking right now, but the X-Division seems to be picking up quite nicely with this tournament.

Even Brooke Hogan cant ruin a good KO division.

Even the cheesy AJ/Dixie/Daniels/random chick storyline hasnt ruined the product for me.

I really enjoy pretty much everything going on right now, just want a revamped tag division.

[The Champ]

Like Nightwolf said, the AJ/Dixie storyline is great, because it's so absolutely terrible.

Seriously, the shit is comedy gold.

[BARCELONA]

If the AJ/Dixie stuff was a lower/mid-card storyline I wouldn't care so much... it's more irritating because it's got such high billing in the show. I don't really find it funny or anything, it's just annoying because it makes it difficult to fully justify TNA as an alternative when that shit is so prominent in the show.

[akita]

Florida

So I havent really regularly checked out TNA in a very long time. Its quality started going down hill and my interest went with it. I cant even remember how long ago this was. I want to say when Bischoff came into the picture. I've caught parts of shows here and there, but still havent been impressed.

My question is this though; What is the current state of TNA in your opinion? Is it worth watching? Has it improved at all? What are some of the best things it has going for it right now.

Essentially, try and get me (and anyone else) interested in the product they're producing right now.

[Slushy]

Hogan & Bischoff ran the company into the ground, but I'd rather watch the product over WWE's current BS.

[Jack Nichols]

I think Impact Wrestling is pretty good right now. I like how they use their titles and I like the x-division stipulation, Austin Aries vs Roode, I hope Roode wins clean in a great match. The Roster is good right now too, I even liked those new guys who had a match last thursday. Joseph Parks vs Bully Ray. Where the Fucks Abyss??? Sting gets beat up by masked men, who were they? Whats gonna happen with Taz/Joey Ryan? Last years BFG was pretty good I think it'll be good this year too. All reasons to watch Impact Wrestling.

[kovu rex]

They may have run it into the ground at first but it seems lately they have finally learned...just think of where they MIGHT be if they hadn't taken 100 steps back when Hogan and Bischoff first showed up on the scene.

[Raven*]

The current product is definitely worth checking out. It would not be a waste of your time. They seem to have learn from their mistakes of the past, and are moving on to the future. The main event scene is fresh and also contains TNA originals in AJ Styles, James Storm, and of course, Robert Roode. Speaking of Robert Roode, he has been a fantastic champion. The only division that needs work on is the tag division due to the lack of teams.

Overall, it's an exciting time to be a fan of the company.

[ShinobiMusashi]

I didn't really start watching current wrestling again until earlier this year around Wrestlemania, and I have to say that from what I've seen over the past month TNA has been better than Raw(I don't watch Smackdown so I don't know). Much better action in the wrestling matches, and just more action in general.

Plus, I love seeing the old ECW guys still working, even though RVD is half of what he used to be in the ring, it's nostalgia I guess. I really like what they've done to Buh Buh Ray though. Easily one of the best heels in the game right now.

Austin Aeries is a stud, and he seems to be getting a pretty good push right now. An Aeries vs Roode fued should be really good, even better than anything going on in WWE right now.

[SM]

TNA has been pretty good for a while now .

Yeah, they still do some dumb stuff like, the Dixie/AJ/Daniels/Kaz stuff, but every wrestling company has done dumb stuff all the time .

You have to take the good with the bad and luckily there has been more good lately than the bad .

[brandonium]

I'm a TNA fan and I don't really watch WWE anymore. I had'nt bought a TNA Pay-per-view in a long time, but I chose Slammiversary. I got my money's worth, man Samoa Joe/Austin Aries match was awsome. Right now I'm loving Aries,Roode,Bully Ray,Samoa Joe,Joseph Parks,The Knockouts so,soWhere's Sarita and Rosita?. But even that Joey Ryan thing going on with TAZ. I want to see more Erick Young & ODB I love them.Except the whole A.J./Dixie thing is really poitless and anoying.

[Lony]

I really like what they've done to Buh Buh Ray though. Easily one of the best heels in the game right now.

Oh yeah I've really enjoyed Bully Ray's transformation into a singles star... hell I'm loving this whole Bully Ray vs. Joseph Parks/Abyss feud just really great stuff.

[The Champ]

Oh, TNA's easily been better than Raw during the month of June (can't really speak to before that as I wasn't watching).

And I've always been one of the biggest WWE homers here.

[kovu rex]

Oh yeah I've really enjoyed Bully Ray's transformation into a singles star... hell I'm loving this whole Bully Ray vs. Joseph Parks/Abyss feud just really great stuff.

I would agree with this 100%, its not your normal tag star turned singles star (Bret Hart, HBK, Booker T) but it has been an amazing transformation and he has been one of the best heels around...I also love his current feud its great.

[ShinobiMusashi]

Buh Buh Ray and D-Von were both legendary heels in ECW, probobly the best of all time(under Bischoff & Mcmahon of course). Some of thier foul mouthed promo's with Joel Gertner still remain my favorite of all time.

Bully Ray in TNA is fucking awesome.

[Jack Nichols]

Bully Rays Calves are AWESOME!

[kovu rex]

Buh Buh Ray and D-Von were both legendary heels in ECW, probobly the best of all time(under Bischoff & Mcmahon of course). Some of thier foul mouthed promo's with Joel Gertner still remain my favorite of all time.

Bully Ray in TNA is fucking awesome.

Yeah WWE has a way of taking the edge off of big time heel teams (Destruction Crew/Beverly Brothers, Sheepherders/Bushwackers, SSST/Headshrinkers)

[komapro]

Less Hogan on TV works for me, the biggest problem I have is with Bobby Roodes horrible trick/dirty finishes to damn near every match. It hurts to have your champ having to cheat to win most of his matches...I'd love to see him get some clean wins over some of the top guys. I love him as champ but he looks weak with the screw job wins.

[FozzyWozzy]

In my opinion, Hogan has ruined TNA for me. Though I won't say I am a long time fan, I will say I was watching it from the start. TNA was original when it first started and I wish they kept it that way, beginning with the eight-sided ring. Upon Hogan and Bischoff's arrival, my viewership faded. I have been watching the show here and there and there are many good aspects about I will say about it. They have better talent and a strong Knockout's divison but I hate how limited they put them in the spotlight. To me, TNA could surpass WWE in quality and when that happens, my viewership will come back.

[The Industry]

The Dudley's were never the best heels of all time

TNA isn't excellent however when you've been bad for ten years I can see how people make that mistake when the booking finalkly gets it right.

AJ/Dixie is good