In 2001, the world of professional wrestling flipped upside down. During an episode of WCW Nitro, the first face the audience saw was none other than – Vince McMahon. With reports going around at the time that World Championship Wrestling was being purchased by an outside buyer, that episode gave us our answer.
Thus, the Monday Night Wars finally came to an end. While WWE attempted to have a stand-alone WCW part of the show, it only took one match between former WCW Champion Booker T and former WCW Tag Team Champion Buff Bagwell for them to realize that this was not a very good idea.
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A number a WCW talents were acquired during the purchase, but only a few truly rose to the top and succeeded with their rival company. Even a WWE version of the nWo ended up being a flop, and main event names such as “Diamond” Dallas Page ended up getting relegated to midcard status after having a shocking debut.
A year later, former territory promoter Jerry Jarrett sought out to offer professional wrestling fans a healthy alternative than to just watch WWE on TV. It started with a weekly PPV on Wednesdays, which had names such as Jeff Jarrett, Ron Killings (formerly known in WWE as K-Kwik), AJ Styles, and the inaugural champion, Ken Shamrock.
This was the momentum they needed to change the weekly pay per view into a televised show, which really showcased the X Division and the Women’s Division. Soon, names like Sting, Kurt Angle, Christian (Cage), and Rhyno saw the success TNA was having and decided to join the roster.
Fourteen years after it opened, shoddy and stubborn business decisions have led the company to a major economic downturn, and below average creative writing. More than ever, talks of TNA experiencing the same fate as WCW are strong, due to the lack of consistent finances provided for both programming and talent.
Most recently, talks of WWE purchasing TNA have surfaced. In a recent meeting with staff, Dixie Carter confirmed that WWE has made a bid for the company, but assured talent that it was just a bid, and they have nothing to worry about.
Sadly if WWE does end up purchasing TNA, it would simply be for the library, not the talent, according to Jim Ross on a recent episode of The Ross Report. This would leave many without a job, searching for independent bookings or work outside of a wrestling ring.
For avid professional wrestling fans, we understand that competition is good for creative enhancement for the opposing company. However, if TNA dissolves, we may see a WWE product that is even lazier than it is now.
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