Title: TNA notes
Description: from PWInsider
whitemilesdavis - July 11, 2006 04:52 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
In what was probably the most important episode of TNA iMPACT! from a ratings standpoint since the debut back in October of 2005, the 7/6 edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a final 1.0 cable rating with an average audience of 1.1 million viewers, slightly down from last week's 1.1 rating. Demographic wise, the show scored a 1.0 rating among males 18-49 and a 1.12 among males 18-34. For those unaware, the importance of the show was due to TNA not having a UFC lead-in and instead airings of two new programs. Spike TV was paying very close attention to see how TNA would draw on its own and I think it is safe to say it was a success, but with room for improvement.
TNA has filed a trademark for the name "Austin Starr" for Austin Aries, who will be returning to the company after signing a new deal with TNA. It should be noted that TNA's new battle plan with stars they sign who have already established themselves on the independent scene is to create new names that the company can own and market. One example of this already is Low Ki, who changed his in-ring name to Senshi in TNA.
Although nothing has been confirmed, there is already talk of TNA returning to the Northeast later this fall after successful shows in Philadelphia, PA and Wayne, NJ.
Source: Mike Johnson @ PWInsider.com |
The Last Free Voice - July 11, 2006 04:57 PM (GMT)
Good to see there wasn't a mammoth ratings drop. And to see Aries will apparently get some sort of push.
Mad Dog - July 11, 2006 04:58 PM (GMT)
I don't like Austin Starr that much. It's too similar to jobber Mark Starr.
whitemilesdavis - July 11, 2006 05:06 PM (GMT)
I don't know Mark Starr, but I think Autin Starr sounds better than Austin Aries. Hopefully he'll pump up the x-div some.
dynamite kido - July 11, 2006 05:37 PM (GMT)
Dear TNA. Run house shows in Pittsburgh. Ya fucks.
D.A.V.E. - July 11, 2006 05:50 PM (GMT)
Fun story. Around the time of TNA's difficult birth, the Torch was LAYING into the guys backstage, a lot of whom were only there because they hated the WWE. An initial suggestion from...I think Jim Caldwell, was to name a jobber "Austin Suggs", and give him a dopy underdog push, so the crowd would chant his name, in the hope it would come off as "Austin Sucks" on TV. For whatever reason, thats the fist thing I thought of when i read that about Aries. Smart move by the way, but the WWE have been doing it for years
Big F'N Swigg - July 12, 2006 08:25 PM (GMT)
I don't know if I like the naming thing or not. It annoys me when people have built a name for themselves, and then can't use it. Low-Ki is the perfect example. Give them a nickname, like how Austin had "Stone Cold."
Mad Dog - July 12, 2006 08:27 PM (GMT)
I wonder if they'll have him join up with the Nash/Shelley/Devine stable.
SamoaRowe - July 12, 2006 08:31 PM (GMT)
"Austin Aries" has such a good ring to it, that it's kind of upsetting to think he won't be performing as that in TNA anymore. Perhaps "Austin Starr" will grow on me after a while.
whitemilesdavis - July 12, 2006 08:34 PM (GMT)
It's better than TNA copyrighting the name they have worked to build up, and then them having to change it after they leave. I really think it is a touch of class on TNA's part.
jamiegeist - July 12, 2006 08:39 PM (GMT)
I really think it is a good idea by TNA, and I understand why.
I just really like the name Austin Aries, and much like Low-Ki, I'll probably never call him by his other name.
Of course, I thought 'The Rock' was gay as hell and said I would call him Rocky Maivia for ever. That last about 6 months.
dynamite kido - July 12, 2006 09:21 PM (GMT)
Personally I don't like it and it kills name recognition that guys have when getting brought in.
But I do understand why they are doing it.
eStragand - July 12, 2006 11:15 PM (GMT)
Name changes are wonderful. Look at Michael Shane/Michael/Matt Bentley/Maverick Matt.
By the way, is he still around?
dynamite kido - July 13, 2006 02:44 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (eStragand @ Jul 12 2006, 05:15 PM) |
Name changes are wonderful. Look at Michael Shane/Michael/Matt Bentley/Maverick Matt.
By the way, is he still around? |
I haven't heard of him being released or anything, but he hasn't been on in sometime.
whitemilesdavis - July 13, 2006 02:36 PM (GMT)
It wasn't long ago that his contract was up. If I remember correctly he tested the WWE waters to find no interest, and then resigned with TNA, so I'm guessing he is still under contract and just not being used.