TNA Impact Makes Good

After reading the numerous rave reviews for TNA PPV’s over the past couple of months, I decided that it’s time I started educating myself in their product. I began by recording this past week’s TNA Impact. I’d watched Impact a few times before, but quickly lost interest. However, after this past week’s episode, I can say there are a number of things the show does right that make TNA a legitimate prospect to, over time, run along side WWE as a top wrestling product.

Impact seems to be quite good at showcasing numerous wrestlers. Impact features numerous matches per episode. They’re not all superb, but they are just as good as any WWE Raw or Smackdown in terms of the action and psychology they provide. Impact is interesting in that it showcases most of the mid and opening card wrestlers the most. Main event wrestlers are also prevalent on Impact. However, they are mostly reserved for ring side commentary, or in-ring promos. It’s a smart move for the weekly show, as it gives fans plenty of action packed matches, and teases the main event storylines. Given that Impact is mostly an advertising mechanism, versus a weekly installment of storyline advancement, it’s a good plan. As TNA becomes more popular, they will have to work to make Impact a more integral part of the storylines, versus leaving all the major developments to the PPV. However, for now, the dynamic works well.

Impact also does a good job of distinguishing itself from other pro wrestling products. Most obvious is the six sided ring, which distinguishes TNA from any other American promotions of which I can think. FSN also provides TNA an interesting look. With scrolling information at the bottom of the screen, and match information at the top of the screen, Impact puts the sports into the sports entertainment aspect of their pro wrestling product.

There are some aspects of TNA which are less than spectacular. I found myself watching the entire show with the volume off. The announcing is shrill, obnoxious stuff at best. It makes Lawler’s screeching man child commentary seem welcome. This puts Impact at a serious disadvantage. While I understand it’s important for the announcers to sound excited, they are so overboard that it reaches the realm of unbearable. While I like that TNA has decided to remain a local promotion, allowing their wrestlers a reasonable lifestyle (another major pro for TNA as a company), the confines of Universal Studios in Orlando Florida are less than ideal. While “The Chute,” TNA’s answer to the entrance ramp, does distinguish itself, it, and the general elements of the arena, give Impact a low production quality look that make it feel cheesy. It would be one thing if TNA entirely avoided the flashy production value esthetic, they’d be better off than doing it with second rate effects and fireworks. I’d like to see them fill a small sports arena in the area on a regular basis, versus the studio space they currently are in.

Impact has its pros and cons. Overall, I think the pros, especially the fact that they give away solid matches on TV, outweigh the cons. TNA seems to do the important things well, and as long as they work on the issues they need to improve, I see no reason why TNA won’t eventually be able to move up the pro wrestling ladder and run side-by-side with WWE.

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Quite a good analysis on iMPACT! I think he hits the nail on the head with every point. What do we think?

I agree on most points, however I think the announcers are good. I know, we've had that arguement before.

I also disagree on the production quality. I have no problem with TNA's production values. I think it looks pretty good, and Universal seems to be a good fit. I woulod however love to see them hit the road as we've also discussed earlier.

TNA's production qualities is top notch for an Indy promotion. Compared to MLW's (before folding), TNA quality looks like WWE... on WWE's great days.

Yes, but TNA's set looks like it's made of spray painted particle board. I agree that it needs work.

Were I TNA, I wouldn't give another thought to the set. From this point I'd try my best to rely on product.

DING! We have a winner.....

True, but let's say that they start turning a profit. After a while, it would be a really good idea to design a new set.

I won't argue with that, but that may never happen. (turning a profit)

When the company is losing money, designing a new set that 99% of the fans probably don't give a rats ass about is the least of their worries.

I really prefer a show with no set, that just looks like a big boxing match, but that's just me.

Me too. Part of me would love to see a return to old school arenas in which the wrestlers just come out from a curtain with the company logo above it.

NWA 80's bitches......NWA 80's......

All the Japanese stuff has that cool, big-sport feel to it.