TNA Impact Wrestling??? What Is You?

Miss Tessmacher on the Ropes, Impact Wrestling
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Ed Webster

Have you heard of TNA Impact Wrestling?

The TNA stands for Total Non Stop Wrestling, and it's supposed to indicate a bit more of an extreme style of wrestling than what the WWE has to offer.  If you take a look at some of the matches, and the roster, you'll see that they are indeed off the hook.

All matches take place in Hollywood Studios, Florida, and many of them require tables, fire or other such extra items.

One of the things that TNA does very well, is the handling of their lady wrestlers ,which they call Knockouts.  In a previous blog post, this is something I indicated, that the WWE could do a better job of.  As in, Don't Forget the Ladies.

Miss Tessmacher and Velvet Sky
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Simon Q

Anyway, the WWE could use a little of what TNA has to offer.  Their women's roster is loaded with buxom young beauties, and wouldn't you know it, they give them storylines and rivalries, just like the guys.  That's crazy right?

However, take a moment now, and try to figure out how easy it is to watch TNA Impact Wrestling?  Go ahead, I'll wait...

That sure took a while.  Right?

I mean, they use to at least be shown once a week on Spike Channel, but now, where are they?  DESTINATION AMERICA???  I mean, COME ON!

The WWE has RAW, Smackdown, Superstars and Main Event, and they're on USA and SYFY Channel.  Those are easy to find.  Destination America doesn't show up in my area until Channel #147, that's pretty far down.

But that's not even my biggest problem with this.  I don't have cable, so now how can I watch?  WWE has the WWE Network at just $9.99.  I have a ROKU.  How am I supposed to watch TNA Impact Wrestling?

The answer is, I can't.

That's right.  This is the insane alternative wrestling that doesn't offer any kind of insane alternative viewing capabilities.  If you don't pony up for BIG CABLE, you can forget it.

No, No, really!  You can forget about watching this second class wrestling show.  There's just no chance.  If you don't have mainstream TV, you'll have to settle for the mainstream WWE.  Which is just fine by me.  I like the WWE.

But what about TNA?  Don't they want new viewership?

At the end of 2014, they were dropped by Spike TV.  They tried to be a travelling show, much like the WWE, but the costs were just too high, so they settled for being a one location shop, making their home Universal Studios.

They grab any roster stars the WWE throws away, like Sting, Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam.  They are also losing rostered wrestlers like flies.  They recently cut lose stars Velvet Sky and Bully Ray, who are together in real like.

Bully Ray
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by wwejason

Interestingly enough, Bully Ray started on WWE, and recently made a surprise appearance as one of the entrants in the WWE's Royal Rumble.

So, what to do?

Well, for starters, YOU SHOULD OFFER A STREAMING ALTERNATIVE FOR PEOPLE WITH SET TOP DEVICES.

It's just a thought.

I mean Roku, Apple TV, Chrome Stick and Amazon Fire are taking over.  Think about it TNA, you could offer 24/7 subscriptions, and if you watch what WWE has done, they just rerun everything they have.

Even if TNA doesn't offer their own subscription service, why not put all old episodes on Hulu Plus.  I mean, that right there will get you some new viewers.  I know Hulu is how my family got into the WWE.

But, whatever, TNA, just go ahead and rot on Destination Whatever.  What do I care?

Velvet Sky, Knockouts Champion
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Mike Kalisnik

The truth is, though.  I've seen a few of the episodes, and they have some great entertainment, and it'd be a shame to see it go to waste.