TNA is currently setting up its next TV tapings. It's possible they have dates in mid-December in the Midwest , but they could also wait until early January in NYC. The UK tour will also likely feature tapings of Impact. Either way, I doubt we see any new TNA material until 2015.
TNA will have opportunities to expand beyond the two hours of Impact Wrestling, as they will be the centerpiece of Destination America. It might be good to branch out with something new, as it seems like they've hit the ceiling of how many people will watch their wrestling show.
Update: It's entirely possible future One Night Only PPVs will end up on Destination America in the form of monthly specials. If that works better for TNA than the current situation, I say it's worth doing.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
There were a number of options for TNA as far as a TV home, including WGN America, FOX, and CMT. I wonder what went "wrong" for them to end up on such a low-tier network.
There's talk of Eric Bischoff getting into a separate wrestling promotion from TNA. I'd imagine it'd be something like CCW or Half Pint Brawlers instead of a direct competition to WWE or TNA. I'll be surprised if he actually goes that route without Hogan invovled.
TNA is trying to get more talents locked into contracts now that a new TV deal is set. I'm curious to see who stays/returns and who goes elsewhere.
TNA live events will likely be light in 2015, at least at first. I can't blame them there. They need to see how strong the brand is or isn't before they go back into that.
Kurt Angle is expected to remain in TNA in a part-time role, at least for 2015. Gail Kim is also expected to be back in the fold, based on her being advertised for the move to Destination America.
Some other talents who are no longer under official contract could come to TNA on a per-appearance basis. Does that mean more ECW nostalgia? I couldn't care much less about seeing those names in TNA in 2015. Even Bully Ray.
TNA is currently with no home in Canada come 2015, but is working on that. That's a big market.
Impact will remain at two hours, and is likely to remain on Wednesdays. Time will tell whether it changes nights.
Mick Foley brought up the possibility of returning as an authority figure. I think WWE should go with a fresher face in the role, namely Brad Maddox. As for being students of the game, Foley's dead on. Almost all wrestlers pull something from a previous generation. It's all in how they make it their own that matters.
Mickie James talked about potentially returning to WWE. Yes, please! I'd love to see her face AJ and Paige (and not Eva Marie). She had good things to say about the current NXT stars, most of whom do have nice upsides. It probably is tough for Mickie to watch some of the current Divas after working with some of the names of her own era.
Sheamus has undergone a surgical procedure. He could miss some time. Surprise Rumble return?
Hulk Hogan pitched one more match, again. He's pretty much a cartoon character at this point.
Impact drew 980,000 viewers Wednesday night, a very slight increase from the previous week. Anyone expecting a big jump for the last fresh episode on Spike had to have been shocked there. I don't anticipate them getting anywhere close to that on DA.
Zack Ryder will be out at least through the end of 2014, after a stem cell treatment to repair his rotator cuff. It's possible he'll need surgery after that, but he's trying to avoid it.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
1. Maybe in GFW? I liked the match well enough, but it was pretty convoluted (dare we say Russo-riffic). I popped for the Stomper reference.
2. The name Adam Cole has definitely come up. As was said, they passed on the Briscoes come years back. It's a new day in some ways with HHH at the helm, so it's possible we do see more ROH names go to WWE in the future. I'd like Jay Lethal to make the jump myself.
3. Yeah, I think Lashley will be the only link to them going forward. Rampage has said he's never coming back to TNA, and I'm shocked we saw King Mo return in NYC. I really doubt either appear in TNA in 2015 or beyond.
4. Kaval takes pro wrestling very seriously. Vince McMahon takes sports entertainment very seriously. I think that's what it came down to. I don't think there were any plans for Kaval after the IC Title shot, so Kaval went where he could be utilized and make money.
5. I think it was a great idea from the standpoint of turning someone who's a great wrestler into someone who has more range as a character. I think it was a good move, and Kaval learned a different side of things.
6. Touring logistics and previous relationships with the arenas in question are usually why WWE goes with one venue over another.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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