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Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

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TNA Entertainment, LLC.
Company typeLimited liability company
IndustrySports entertainment
Professional wrestling
FoundedMay 10, 2002[1]
FounderJeff Jarrett
Jerry Jarrett
Headquarters
209 10th Ave. South Ste 302 Nashville, TN 37203[1]
Key people
Dixie Carter
President
Andy Barton[2]
Executive Vice President of Licensing and International television distribution
Chris Sobol[3]
Vice President of Operations
Mike Weber[4]

Vice President of Marketing
Dean Broadhead[5]
Chief Financial Officer
Al Ovadia[6]

Chief Marketing Officer
OwnerRobert W. Carter
ParentPanda Energy International
WebsiteImpactwrestling.com

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling[7] is a privately held company which primarily operates in the professional wrestling industry. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet with its primary wrestling program being Impact Wrestling.

TNA also gains revenue from live events, product licensing, and direct product sales. In 2002 Panda Energy International purchased a controlling share in TNA.[8] Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett serve as founders with Dixie Carter as President of the company.[9]

TNA headquarters is located Nashville, Tennessee; its trading company TNA Entertainment, LLC. operates out of Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida. The company previously bore the name "NWA Total Nonstop Action" as, at the time of its formation, it was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). TNA was granted exclusive rights to both the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and the NWA World Tag Team Championship. TNA abdicated from the NWA in 2004, but was permitted to continue to use the championships until the NWA abrogated their contract agreement with TNA in May of 2007, after which TNA created its own championship titles.[10]

In 2004 TNA became the first American wrestling company to make exclusive use of a hexagonal wrestling ring (as opposed to the more conventional square ring). In 2010 the company reverted back to the original square ring which the company used in the Asylum years. The organization also employed the unconventional rule that a championship can change hands as the result of a disqualification or countout, but has since phased out this rule. TNA is broadcast in more than 100 countries all over the world reaching a vast global audience.[11]

History

Formation

File:TNA logo 2005.png
TNA logo, used from 2003 to 2008.

The concept of TNA originated shortly after the end of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 2001. Bob Ryder, Jeff Jarrett, and Jerry Jarrett went on a fishing trip and contemplated their futures in the business of wrestling. The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) remained at that time, the only wrestling product on U.S. national television — WWF had purchased WCW in March 2001, and Extreme Championship Wrestling had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2001. Ryder felt that this situation led many television stations to regard wrestling as bad for business and suggested a company that does not need television, but rather just goes straight to pay-per-view. Of the three, only Jeff Jarrett took the discussion seriously (the other two thought of it as "just fishing talk"). The Jarretts found the help they needed, and the company put on its first show on June 19, 2002. This night, however, in a dark match just before they went on the air, a 450 lb wrestler named Cheex hit the ropes with so much force that one of them broke. The estimated repair time was 30–60 minutes, which they did not have because the schedule called for them to go live in a few minutes, whether the ring was ready or not. Backstage, the producers shuffled the schedule so that some non-wrestling segments went first to give the ring crew some more time, but they did not have many of them. The ring crew fixed the rope with the help of Ron and Don Harris, and everyone went live hoping for the best.[12]

Expansion

In November 2006, TNA started holding select pay-per-views outside of its central filming location, the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando. TNA has also expanded into other areas with the development of a video game with Midway Games, titled TNA Impact!, released in 2008.[13] In April 2006, TNA announced a partnership with YouTube where TNA supplied YouTube with exclusive video content in exchange for hosting, leading to the production of internet shows. In January 2007, TNA's mobile content deal with New Motion, Inc. led to the introduction of TNA Mobile and mobile fan voting.[14] TNA has also launched the TNA U program to help promote the brand and has started airing podcasts through YouTube which they call TNA U TV.[15]

TNA footage appears in the wrestling documentary, Bloodstained Memoirs.[16] On June 21, TNA launched an online video vault subscription service, where subscribers could watch past pay-per-views by choosing either one of three payment options.[17]

On October 23, 2008, TNA made the transition to HD and since then all Impacts! and pay-per-views are broadcast in High Definition.[18] In addition, TNA introduced a new HD set that included new lighting and several very large high-resolution screens. This set is currently used for all Impacts! and pay-per-views,even though its been altered several times.[19][20] In May 2011, Namco Bandai released a TNA game for mobile phones, iPhone and the iPad.[21]

Former programming

Initially, TNA's weekly pay-per-view show operated as the company's main source of revenue, in place of monthly pay-per-view events used by other promotions. These shows started on June 19, 2002 and were held mostly at the Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. After 27 months and 111 PPVs, TNA felt that they had enough of a fanbase to begin holding a weekly television show and monthly three-hour pay-per-views. The last weekly PPV was held on September 8, 2004.

File:TNA HD Logo.png
TNA Wrestling HD logo 2008-2010

TNA Xplosion was launched on November 27, 2002 as TNA's first regular cable show and featured exclusive matches from the TNA Asylum as well as exclusive interviews with TNA Superstars. On November 18, 2004, the show became a recap show of the previous week's Impact! in light of alterations in the taping schedule. However, Xplosion resumed airing exclusive matches (billed as "Xplosion Xclusives") once more on October 7, 2005 in addition to recapping Impact!. The "Xplosion Xclusives" also aired on the now-ceased TNA Global Impact! internet show. Airing of Xplosion in the United States ceased at the end of 2006 although some of the exclusive matches can be seen on TNA Today.

Current programming

TNA began airing TNA Impact! (officially typeset "TNA iMPACT!") on June 4, 2004 on Fox Sports Net. After TNA's contract with Fox Sports Net was not renewed the following year, TNA was forced to broadcast Impact! from their official website, while seeking a new television outlet.[citation needed] TNA later secured a deal with Spike TV and aired its first episode on October 1, 2005.[22] Impact! expanded to a two-hour format on October 4, 2007.[23] On February 15, 2010, TNA made a new deal with Spike TV which moved Impact! to Monday nights. The first episode took place March 8, 2010.[24]

In December 2009, Dixie Carter announced in an interview that TNA Epics, which had recently aired its first season exclusively in the United Kingdom, would be debuting in the United States in January 2010. The second season began on Thursday, January 14, 2010. TNA Epics showcased matches and events from the history of TNA Wrestling, much like WWE Vintage Collection. The show was hosted by Mick Foley, and aired on one Thursday each month on Spike, until April 2010, On April 12, 2010, TNA wrestling aired a pilot episode of their new show TNA Reaction, which is a documentary-style show that presents an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the stars of TNA speaking about taking on their rivals.

On May 3, 2010, TNA announced that TNA Impact! will be moved back to Thursday nights re-branded as "TNA Thursdays".[25] At the same time the company also announced that Spike had picked up Reaction, which would start airing weekly prior to each episode of Impact!, starting June 24.[26] The premiere date for Reaction was later changed to July 15, when it would start airing after Impact! instead of before it.[27] However, in late June Reaction was pulled from Spike's schedule.[28] On August 3, 2010, TNA announced that Reaction would premiere on August 12 and air every Thursday following Impact! on 11pm ET/10C.[29] Also in June, TNA revamped Xplosion, still airing on international markets, making it more of an original program instead of a highlight show.[30][31] On December 27, 2010, Reaction was officially canceled by Spike, with its final episode airing three days later.[32][33] In the UK, Impact! was broadcast on Bravo which ceased by British Sky Broadcasting on January 1, 2011. A new deal was struck later in January 25, 2011 with Sky to start broadcasting Impact! on Challenge TV.[34] On May 3, 2011, TNA Impact! was re-branded Impact Wrestling.[7][35][36]

House shows and touring

Main article: Impact Wrestling Zone

Apart from their weekly shows in Universal Studios, TNA started running house shows on March 17, 2006.[37] In August 2007, live-events coordinator Craig Jenkins stated that TNA intended to stage eight pay-per-views and 96 house shows outside Orlando, Florida in 2008.[38] In 2008 TNA conducted its first tour of the UK, with most shows selling out. 2009 saw the promotion first touring Germany. On July 2, 2010, MCU Park hosted a live Total Nonstop Action Wrestling house show, which also has broke TNA attendance record and is currently the most attended live TNA house show in the USA with an almost capacity crowd of 5,550 TNA fans.[39]

Features

From 2004-2010, TNA used a hexagonal ring

Ring shape and locations

TNA originally used a traditional four-sided square ring. In 2004, in an effort to make themselves different from other United States professional wrestling promotions, TNA switched to a hexagonal ring. In 2010, they returned to using a four-sided ring. The six sided ring returned for one night on July 10, 2011, at Destination X.[40] Also, although TNA runs some house shows and a few PPV events in arenas, TNA holds most of its events at a set location (Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida) as opposed to an arena, presenting more of a rustic regional feel to the events.

X Division

Main article: X Division
High-flying, high risk stunt like moves are a centerpiece of the X Division

Since its origin, TNA has featured a high-flying, high risk style of wrestling called its X Division. Rather than emphasizing the fact that most wrestlers who perform this style are under 220 lb (100 kg) by calling it a cruiserweight division, TNA decided to emphasize the high risk nature of the moves that these wrestlers perform, removing all restraints on its wrestlers, allowing them to perform almost stunt like wrestling moves. There is no upper weight limit on the X Division or its title, though in practice, most of the wrestlers in this division have been cruiserweights, with Samoa Joe, billed at 280 pounds, Kurt Angle, billed at 230 pounds, and Abyss, billed at 350 pounds, being notable exceptions. To further emphasize this point, the slogan "It's not about weight limits, it's about no limits" is used to describe the division. Although it was de-emphasized throughout 2007, the X Division is generally regarded as one of the key attractions of TNA and was replicated in several other promotions.

Ranking system

On April 26, 2010, Eric Bischoff appeared on Impact! to unveil the TNA Championship ranking system. According to Bischoff, the system combines several factors to determine the #1 contender for the TNA Heavyweight Championship. These factors include the overall performance and achievements throughout a wrestler's career, the TNA win/loss record of the wrestler, and online voting by the fans, which takes place on the promotion's website. It was also announced that a "TNA Championship Committee" had been set up to make the final decision based on these factors. The committee consisted of TNA President Dixie Carter, Hulk Hogan, and Bischoff himself.[41]

The ten wrestlers chosen to appear on the first ballot were Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson, D'Angelo Dinero, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss, Rob Terry, Desmond Wolfe, and A.J. Styles. The first round of voting ended on May 3 and was won by Desmond Wolfe, who received his title shot that night on Impact! against Rob Van Dam.[42] The second round started that same night. New names included in the new poll were Matt Morgan, Brother Ray, Brother Devon, Rhino and Hernandez.[43] The first Top 10 ranking was revealed on May 20, with Sting claiming the number one spot.[44] On the second Top 10 ranking Abyss, Jeff Hardy, and Mr. Anderson were tied for the top three spots.[45] A month later Abyss claimed the top spot.[46] The ranking system was abandoned shortly thereafter.

Personnel

Creative team

Jeff Jarrett, founder of TNA

As of 2011 Vince Russo operates as the head booker of TNA, with the collaboration of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. Former bookers, whether temporary or semi-permanent, include Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Jarrett, Jeremy Borash, Mike Tenay, Abyss, and Dutch Mantel. At times, the position of booker has been coterminous with the on-screen position of Director of Authority.

Authority figures

When TNA first launched, it billed the on-air authority figure as a representative appointed by the National Wrestling Alliance. It did this for storyline purposes only, however, and the actual "representatives" already worked in some capacity for TNA. From February 19, 2003, TNA had no active authority figure until July 23, 2003 when Erik Watts made his return to TNA as the Director of Authority.[47] Watts started feuding with Don Callis (TNA Management Consultant), ending with Watts forced to quit. On February 18, 2004, TNA named Vince Russo the new Director of Authority, a position he held until November 7, 2004 when Dusty Rhodes defeated and replaced him.

The NWA Championship Committee, established in 2004, comprised a group of wrestling veterans who acted as arbitrators, determining a winner in the event of a time-limit draw. The committee consisted of Harley Race, Larry Zbyszko and Terry Funk, with Funk later replaced by Roddy Piper without ever having appeared on TNA television. After Race and Piper left TNA, the Committee essentially ceased to exist as a physical on-screen body, although Zbyszko continued to be referred to as a member of the committee while simultaneously acting as on-screen authority figure, booking matches and giving title shots. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff currently reign as the on-air authority figures.[35][48]

TNA contracts

TNA wrestlers are forbidden by contract from working for WWE, but are free to perform non-televised work for any other independent wrestling promotion, domestic or international.[5] Many TNA wrestlers perform regularly for various promotions on the independent circuit in addition to TNA's weekly shows. The majority of TNA wrestlers are paid on a per appearance basis.[5] Like any other wrestling company, TNA wrestlers are classified as independent contractors and are not entitled to form workers' unions or employer health coverage.[5]

Championships

Current champions

Main article: List of current champions in TNA Wrestling
Championship Current champion(s) Date won Event Previous champion(s)
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Sting July 11, 2011 Impact Wrestling Mr. Anderson
TNA Television Championship Eric Young May 17, 2011 Impact Wrestling Gunner
TNA World Tag Team Championship Beer Money, Inc.
(James Storm and Robert Roode) 		January 9, 2011 Genesis The Motor City Machine Guns
(Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin)
TNA X Division Championship Brian Kendrick July 10, 2011 Destination X Abyss
TNA Women's Knockout Championship Mickie James April 17, 2011 Lockdown Madison Rayne
TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship Ms. Tessmacher and Tara July 12, 2011 Impact Wrestling Mexican America
(Sarita and Rosita)

Note - TNA wrestler Jeff Jarrett is also acknowledged and recognized by TNA as being the AAA World Heavyweight Champion.

Former championships

Sanctioned

Former Title Last TNA holder Date won Event Previous champion
NWA World Heavyweight Championship[49] Christian Cage January 14, 2007 Final Resolution Abyss
NWA World Tag Team Championship[50] Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) April 15, 2007 Lockdown The Latin American Xchange (Homicide, and Hernandez)
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship[51] Kurt Angle June 29, 2007 Fighting Now Bom-Ba-Ye Brock Lesnar
IWGP World Tag Team Championship[52] Team 3D (Brother Devon and Brother Ray) October 18, 2009 Bound for Glory The British Invasion (Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams)
IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship[52] The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) January 4, 2009 Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome No Limit (Tetsuya Naitō and Yujiro)

Unsanctioned

Championship Last TNA holder Date won Date aired Event Previous champion
World Beer Drinking Championship James Storm February 25, 2008 February 28, 2008 TNA Impact! Eric Young

Other accomplishments

Accomplishments Latest Winner Date won Event Previous Champion
Queen of the Cage ODB April 19, 2009 Lockdown (2009) Roxxi Laveaux (Lockdown (2008))
King of the Mountain Kurt Angle June 21, 2009 Slammiversary (2009) Samoa Joe (Slammiversary (2008))
X Division King of the Mountain Suicide June 21, 2009 Slammiversary (2009) Kaz (June 5, 2008 edition of Impact!)

See also

References

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  5. ^ a b c d Dixie Carter - pp. 9, 13, 17[dead link]
  6. ^ Johnson, Mike (2010-08-24). "TNA hires new marketing exec". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
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  21. ^ http://www.namcobandaigames.com/ios/tnawrestling
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  52. ^ a b Martin, Adam (2009-04-19). "Lockdown PPV Results - 4/19/09". WrestleView. Retrieved 2010-06-27.
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