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Post by canadianpittbull on Jul 1, 2006 10:27:49 GMT -5
Somebody missed the boat when booking this show for sure. I will continue to watch since I do like what TNA is doing in the ring. We didn't even get anymore on the Nash and the X division! I will hope to see Joe win the Fatal Four Way and then pound Jarrett into extinction! They better pull up their socks and get back on track. Team Canada disbanded?! WTF is that all about!!!
The Abyss/James gang also came out of nowhere and makes no sense. So I guess TNA picked up some of the crappy writers from RAW as well? Some really stupid decisions on this show.
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Post by mwjergs on Jul 1, 2006 11:24:55 GMT -5
To answer the original question.
I think that the fact no one wrote about TNA's show is about as important as no one every writing about Smackdown's show.
ECW and RAW seem to dominate most of the discussion.
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Post by gwffantrav on Jul 1, 2006 15:06:49 GMT -5
I really don't get the break up of Team Canada. I'm going to watch tonight to figure it out. You need some groups in feds or it just feels like they will get lost in the shuffle.
Roode, Williams and Young are too good to get lost in the shuffle. Plus, "The Coach" is as well.
Why is it that there cannot be any groups anylonger?!? Don't they read Tom's writing! Having groups helps to get people over and keeps them from being lost in the shuffle. Sighhh
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Post by PureHatred on Jul 1, 2006 16:01:17 GMT -5
To answer the original question. I think that the fact no one wrote about TNA's show is about as important as no one every writing about Smackdown's show. ECW and RAW seem to dominate most of the discussion. If you look at the ratings, those are the two shows people are watching. This may only be a message baord with a small amount of posters, but if wrestling fans aren't even talking about the show, it does indicate a certain lack of interest. |
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Post by swarm on Jul 1, 2006 16:31:38 GMT -5
I have been honestly trying to watch all the shows the last few weeks. RAW (as always), ECW, SD and TNA.
I can't stay awake for more than 20 minutes watching TNA. Despite it's several flaws, it's really the low-class production that bores me to sleep.
I have enjoyed smackdown, or more-so many of the new or newer characters on the show: Finlay, Regal, King Booker, Lashley, Henry, Gunner Scott, Great Khali, and Little bastard to name a few.
But not like RAW or even ECW yet. RAW has been just awesome and ECW has been wonderful considering the only other wrestling I ever remember being on Tues. night was TNT like 15 years ago...not to mention we have been getting to see guys like Cena, Edge, Sabu, and RVD twice as much in a week.
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Post by ThePunisher on Jul 1, 2006 16:43:40 GMT -5
I didn't watch it but if what all of you are saying is true, it sounds like the writers let their children decide how to go about making a successful wrestling TV show at 11:00 pm on a school night.
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Post by Splattercat on Jul 1, 2006 18:40:39 GMT -5
I didn't watch it but if what all of you are saying is true, it sounds like the writers let their children decide how to go about making a successful wrestling TV show at 11:00 pm on a school night. Great...George Lucas is writing for TNA.... |
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Post by gatekeeper on Jul 2, 2006 1:17:20 GMT -5
A big problem for TNA is that they need to have one of their feuds be the top one and really develop it. It seems like there's just too much going on and it may be them trying to squeeze everything into 1 hour. But, they should take a look at the ECW show and follow the blueprint.
They don't need to show every guy, every week. Some weeks we shouldn't see Jay Lethal and non essential guys so they can devote more time to their top guys.
They are on the biggest network they can be and need to take this opportunity to draw in new viewers and "hook" them. You can't do that when it seems rushed and jumbled.
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Post by Pete on Jul 2, 2006 1:51:08 GMT -5
DR hit the nail on the head, re: production values.
It's really to the point where I can't watch the show start to finish myself. At this point I really only TiVo it to watch Samoa Joe matches, Cornette promos, and Scott Steiner promos (I'm serious with this: Scott Steiner right now is the best heel in wrestling.)
The big problems I have...
THE ANNOUNCING. Tenay at one time was quite good but is now an over-the-top shill, and Don West...ye Gods, Don West, a man with a megaphone implanted in his throat so loud that he makes David Crockett sound like Walter Cronkite. Two seconds of listening to these guys reinforces every single cliched stereotype of both wrestling fans and wrestilng announcers as seen by the general public, and how its portrayed in other media. West needs to be have his eyes pried open Clockwork Orange-style and listen to Gordon Solie and Kent Walton announce matches for about 48 hours straight. That understated style--exactly as it was--probably wouldn't fly today, but some restraint is a must.
The music and entrances: every piece of music is the same lame piece of assignment music for Imitation Nu-Metal Powerchords 101. That's compounded by the annoying practice of shifting from one entrance theme directly to the other, with no fadeout and pause in-between. I know that sounds like a little thing, but a.) if you didn't notice it before, you will now and you'll be annoyed by it, and b.) little things matter. WWE fades out the first entrance theme, and that tiny, momentary pause before the next one starts probably doubles the crowd pop.
The absurd special matches. From the website...
Uh, got all that? "Different" does not equate to "good." And what the heck kind of backwards logic is it where you win a match by giving away the title belt?? The reason the ladder match works is because it's a literal demonstration of the "sport's" objective: work your way up the ladder and capture the title.
This is basic, Writing 101-level stuff that they're screwing up. That's leaving aside the goofy stips they add to Ultimate X, and the Steel Cage Armwrestling Match.
Oh, and Jeff Jarrett's attempt to have more title reigns than Ric Flair and Jerry Lawler put together, but that goes without saying.
Having ranted enough about various and sundry wrestling-related topics the past few days, I'll list what I do like about TNA:
The video packages. Former WWE editor Dave Sahadi was a really underrated steal by TNA. Sometimes he gets a little too overwrought but his 3-minute pieces do more to sell me on a PPV (not that I ever actually buy PPVs) than 60 minutes of Tenay & West screaming. The one for Joe vs. Steiner was probably the best build-up to any match this year, in either the WWE or TNA.
Samoa Joe, Abyss, AMW, and Austin Aries. Especially Joe. Scott Steiner can't work worth a damn anymore but as I said, he's a truly awesome heel because he actually makes you believe that he's not playing a role--the guy is a legitimate psychopath. Yet another demonstration of why guys learning to speak off the cuff and do their own promos is about 9 million percent better than memorizing a script prepared by somebody else.
Most of the relevant action takes place in the ring. As a workrate nerd, I go for that.
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Post by gwffantrav on Jul 2, 2006 2:44:56 GMT -5
The big problems I have... THE ANNOUNCING. Tenay at one time was quite good but is now an over-the-top shill, and Don West...ye Gods, Don West, a man with a megaphone implanted in his throat so loud that he makes David Crockett sound like Walter Cronkite. Two seconds of listening to these guys reinforces every single cliched stereotype of both wrestling fans and wrestilng announcers as seen by the general public, and how its portrayed in other media. West needs to be have his eyes pried open Clockwork Orange-style and listen to Gordon Solie and Kent Walton announce matches for about 48 hours straight. That understated style--exactly as it was--probably wouldn't fly today, but some restraint is a must. The music and entrances: every piece of music is the same lame piece of assignment music for Imitation Nu-Metal Powerchords 101. That's compounded by the annoying practice of shifting from one entrance theme directly to the other, with no fadeout and pause in-between. I know that sounds like a little thing, but a.) if you didn't notice it before, you will now and you'll be annoyed by it, and b.) little things matter. WWE fades out the first entrance theme, and that tiny, momentary pause before the next one starts probably doubles the crowd pop. You are right about the announcing. Get rid of West. And the music...it's right out of WCW 2000. Same generic stuff. I agree about going to one entrance theme to another. If you want to look at the WWF/E music for example how it makes a good character. In the 80s, I thought they had good characters to go along with good entrances. in the early to mid 90s, character development sucked, as did the music. Late 90s, great character development and great music I think now, most of the character development is on the downside with the music about the same. Music is one thing that can help get a guy over. They (TNA) really do need to invest some $$ in a good songwriter |
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Post by Knapik on Jul 2, 2006 6:21:06 GMT -5
Great post, Pete.
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Post by mwjergs on Jul 2, 2006 11:41:32 GMT -5
I'm with Pete on a lot of his points.
The production values aren't bad, they just look like WCW did when they did Saturday Night "The Mothership" from the same location. A six sided ring isn't they only way to make their product look different.
The announcing is awful. Even, "The Professor" Tenay, who was very good at one time, is a screaming shill trying to out do that ridiculous clown Don West. It embarrassing how bad they have become. I worry that Joey Styles is headed down this road since joining the new ECW he has shilled the product more than calling the match, a trait of many WWE announcers.
The main issue is focus. They must focus on their top talent and let them develop characters and connect with the audience. I don't think it has anything to do with a one-hour program. The best TV of the 80's was UWF Power Hour or Mid-Atlantic World Wide. That should be part of their guide.
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Post by canadianpittbull on Jul 2, 2006 11:51:30 GMT -5
I agree, I have been saying this from the get go. TNA writers/bookers NEED to focus on their major storylines and push them. Heck if there is info they want to get across whilst still put on matches without long winded moments in the ring. have Tenay and West explain some of what has been going on as of late. It takes nothing to get the point across and still have some damn fine wrestling matches.
I think with Jim Cornette coming in they have had to spend a great amount of time to explain who he is since most casual fans don't know who the hell he is! So due to this they lost their focus to putting it all on one individual cause lets face it TNA booking team have shown on more than one occasion that they cannot walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.
Everything else seems to come to a halt when they get some new main event talent OR some major storyline. Hopefully they can get it together and move forward. I think the majority of this board could book a 1 hour show and still have great matches and strong build up in their storylines in the given time. Hell, I have seen it on the feds that exist on these boards whether LOW or GWF!
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Post by PureHatred on Jul 2, 2006 12:50:59 GMT -5
Great post by Pete.
The only little niggling thing I can disagree with is that I'm almost ceratin that Scoot Steiner IS a genuine psychopath. The man tried to gouge out DDP's eyes.
But yeah..he's a great heel and I agree with everything else.
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Post by steelthunder814 on Jul 3, 2006 0:28:32 GMT -5
Yeah its amazing what the Jose Canseco Milkshake can do to a guys ego!
TNA,WWE and yes ECW lack quality announcing, I miss the days of the old Jim Ross in WCW when he could call a good match or Gordon Solie who IMO was the best KAYFABE announcer ever and of course Joey Styles from old ECW and when he was calling the Raw matches decently!
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