This could be interesting...

[gwffantrav]

I don't know if it would work though (but something similar to Clash of Champions in 88). I was reading the Q& A on PWInsider.com and someone (foolishly) asked if TNA would run a PPV against Wrestlemania (let's be real).

When I first saw that, I thought, maybe a TV special like the Clash could do a minor dent. Scrolling down, the guy answering said the same thing.

My question is, do you think it would work like the Clash did in 88? I think it would be interesting to see it happen, but it would no doubt have to be live.

[Big Bri]

It wouldn't work, as TNA is not nearly enough of a competitor to WWE as the NWA was to it in 88 and 89.

[GMAN]

i agree with Big Bri, i don't think they are as competitve ratings wise to pull off a show like that and be successful doing it. Tho i would like to see a Clash of the Champions style show done, just not around the time of Wrestlemania (because it is the Big show of the WWE)

[LWPD]

The best opportunity for TNA and Spike TV to capitalize in a similar fashion to the old Clash of Champions/WWF PPV same day showdown recently fell through.

Courtesy of USA Network Press Release

"On Monday Feb 13, USA Network will be showing the Westminster Dog Show. This will be the first time in over a decade that there is no first run wrestling program on a Monday night. The RAW that was to be on the 13th, will instead be broadcast on Thursday February 16 at 9PM. The show will be recorded on the 13th in Greensboro, NC."

Spike TV initially planned to run a TNA Live special that night to capitalize on the preemption from the dog show (which history shows from the Nitro days has little cross over audience from the Raw demo). Since fans have been conditioned to habitually watch pro wres on Monday Nights...strategic promotion of the special offered more 'potential' to expose their product to a larger universe of pro wres fans than virtually anything else they've ever tried in their efforts to to build their audience.

TNA was willing to follow up their Sunday PPV the night before with the live special but Spike execs decided to put a bullet in the concept. It's strange that the suits at Spike will go to the larger expense of fronting the cash to gamble on Sting with money they'll likely never make back, but they won't take advantage of a time proven opportunity when it's staring them right in the face. Go figure.

Like Watching Paint Dry (who remembers how Eric Bischoff used to strategically cash in on the old USA Network/Westminster Dog Show preemptions back in the days of the Monday Night Wars...with it consistently paying off for WCW big time in the ratings)

[jsanudo]

I think TNA should concentrate on getting out of their current timeslot. No matter how many channel flipers you would get on a Monday Night when RAW isnt on, I would bet 99.99 percent of them would not watch TNA long term at 11pm on Sat. Night. I honestly feel TNA will not go much higher in ratings, if at all. The hardcore fans are the only ones who are going to watch TNA in their current timeslot, and they are already watching.

[pikemojo]

I just read that Spike might move TNA to Thursdays and give them a better replay timeslot.

[Bazzy]

Would it work a Clash v WWE Wrestlemania . Not against the WWE biggest one of all wrestlemania . Maybe a smaller PPV . It depended on what matches would be shown and what happened (title/s changed . Big name stars fighting etc) . . The most you could expect is a small dent in figures 5-10% ? .

[gatekeeper]

Even against the smaller PPV's, I don't think it would work. TNA has to establish a bigger audience first (as stated earlier by Big Bri).

[gwffantrav]

But, if they never give them a chance to try and make a dent...they never will.

I think if they refuse to put them on Monday night during the dog show....it's hopeless. TNA is strictly filler programming until they can get the rights to Kung Pow.

[pikemojo]

Putting TNA against the dog show is actually a great idea. The people that would normally be watching Raw might just watch TNA that night. Going against WrestleMania is pretty dumb though. The only people that would watch are the people that weren't going to order Mania anyway. (me (too expensive))

[LWPD]

Courtesy of 1Wrestling.com

TNA DRAWS BEST RATING SINCE DEBUT ON SPIKE
By: Ratings
1/31/2006 1:11:15 PM

iMPACT! drew a 1.1 rating for the 11pm Saturday night airing that featured the first appearance on national television by Sting in five years. The rating, based on data compiled by Nielsen Media Research easily topped the best previous rating, a .9, for the show.

Not bad at all. Breaking 1.0 is a watershed moment that exceeds what was initially projected back when they first got the deal.

Morphoplex (which heavily sponsors the Impact show) actually offered to buy TNA outright from Panda and were flat out refused. As long as they maintain some form of television outlet that they don't have to pay for TNA will continue to be considered an attractive pro wres project to those looking to break into the industry...and if they can somehow find a way to consistently deliver those type of ratings in such a poor time slot I don't see their deal with Spike ending anytime soon.

While making this work long term remains a gamble with the odds against them, this 'Peace Train' style optimism isn't necessarily a bad thing for the wrestlers, the fans or the industry as a whole.

Like Watching Paint Dry (who remembers even WWE rarely breaking past 1.0 in that time slot even back when they ran the old Confidential first run material...It would be very impressive if TNA can keep this up)

Now I've been smiling lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
Now come and join the living
It's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer
Soon it will all be true

-Cat Stevens 'Peace Train'