The Verdict- TNA: Dire Straits or a New Tomorrow?

[thegrids3624]

It's been awhile since I've done one of those, mostly because I never get as much back as I invest into these, but here we go again. The premise of my little board game has always been to make people think by looking at both sides of an argument, supplementing their own opinions on an issue, and perhaps opening their eyes to a few things they ignorantly chose to hate before fully understanding.

This week's case is the state of TNA. In light of some new events, founder and Vice President Jeff Jarrett has been pulled from action by his major sponsor Panda Energy (more specifically Dixie Carter) in hopes of cooling the ego of one Kurt Angle, Olympic Gold Medalist and internationally renowned professional wrestler, after it was discovered that his former wife, Karen Angle, was allegedly having an affair with Jeff Jarrett. Perhaps letting cooler heads prevail, Jarrett stepped out of the spotlight and relinquished his backstage powers indefinitely, leaving Dixie and Panda Energy at the helm of the TNA ship. So far, within the wake of Jarrett's departure, many changes have came over TNA. Bookers have been fired, with the promise of more following out the door, Don West has allegedly been pulled from commentary in favor of Taz. Main Event Mafia has linked itself to the somewhat dead-in-the-water intercontinental faction of the World Elite, thus giving it new life and vicariously giving new life to the former, and hardly formidable "Front Line" in the process, thus giving new importance to talents like Daniels, the Machine Guns, Eric Young, Bashir, and even the somewhat neutral party of Matt Morgan. Other characters outside of this storyline like Abyss have also been given a more serious and brooding element, opposed to the goofy and quirky flawed human approach. More changes are set to come as well, as many speculate that Carter plans on lining more ducks behind the Main Event Mafia in coming months, even after the recent volitile events involving current world champion and Mafia Godfather Kurt Angle outside of the ring with former girlfriend Rhaka Khan, and the recent finding of HGH on his person. TNA has even gone as far as to post Angle's bail in order to keep him in the program up until his hearing, opposed to elevating talents to replace him. While these booking antics are questionable, Carter seemingly counteracts these actions by pushing young talents like AJ Styles towards the main event, and making a list of Jarrett disciples backstage she plans to clean out of the company, including Brian Armstrong, Kip Sopp, Vince Russo, and various other Jarrett supporters. She also seems more interested than even Jarrett himself to push the bigger names into marquee spots, with such bouts as Bobby Lashley vs Kurt Angle for the World Title and Mick Foley vs Kevin Nash for the Legends Championship, along with 3D vs Steiner and Booker for the tag titles being rumored for the upcoming Bound For Glory. While this is an impressive card on a name value basis, one's left to ponder where such originals as AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, the Motorcity Machine Guns, Abyss, or Beer Money Incorperated fall on this card. While the Jarrett era may have been almost equally as Superstar Happy as Carter's oncoming reign over TNA, he was still prone to sprinkle the likes of AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and even Abyss into the marquee bouts to elevate their status in the fan's eyes.

So it's your call IWC. Will TNA flourish in the absence of the King of the Mountain, or will it flounder in the "Age of the Panda?" Most thoughtful answer gets BA.

[daniela]

I preferred when Jeff Jarrett was in TNA and i thought he did a great job as the booker.

I honestly can't find a good thing about Dixie Carter taking over everything while Jeff Jarrett steps down from creative. Dixie Carter has just been pushing the same superstars such as Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, and many others. Dixie Carter needs to realize that she has to put some of the spotlight on some of the TNA originals, who are extremely popular and well known by TNA fans. Kurt Angle didn't provide much ratings in TNA because TNA originally was getting ratings because of Christian Cage, Sting, AJ Styles, and others. Kurt Angle hardly raised the ratings for TNA, but TNA is stubborn on repeatedly pushing him. Jeff Jarrett at least provided some spotlight for younger talent such as AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and Abyss. I think TNA fans are tired of this Main Event Mafia vs The "Frontline: angle.

Jeff Jarrett is the one that brought the majority of talented superstars to TNA. Jeff Jarrett is the foundation of this company and he had created fantastic matches for TNA in the past. Everyone can agree that 2002-2005 was TNA's year and TNA should turn to that road again. Dixie Carter isn't making TNA unique or different from WWE because there are so many similarities between the two promotions. Dixie Carter has to realize that while they have the notable names in this decade, they need to start building up new stars. I'm glad Dixie Carter has been giving superstars like Matt Morgan and Hernandez pushes, but many superstars are still left out in the shadow of the Main Event Mafia. Jeff Jarrett always thought highly of the TNA originals and they were usually on the card in nearly every TNA PPV.

Dixie Carter has been slowly cutting off ties with all of Jeff Jarrett's bookers and writers. Many writers and bookers that have supported Jeff are now fired. Dixie Carter has even taken Don West as an announcer and I don't know ho to respond. Don West was doing a great job as a heel commentator and taking him away so abruptly doesn't sound like a wise decision to me. Dixie Carter is slowly taking over this company, but what is the positive factor of this company with Dixie Carter taking over. TNA has flourished under Jeff Jarrett in the past and Jeff Jarrett has the experience. Dixie Carter is rather inexperienced and might just cause problems of TNA rather then solving it.

Like you mentioned, Jeff Jarrett tried to elevate many wrestler's statuses. Dixie Carter has been focusing on the Main Event Mafia and she seems to plan on continuing the war between TNA originals and the union of the World Elite and the Main Event Mafia. TNA is already bad enough with Main Event Mafia overshadowing many superstars and it doesn't need even more buildup. Dixie Carter's direction of continuously pushing the same superstars is not a wise decision. Kurt Angle is unreliable with troubles on his personal life and many wrestlers in TNA are bound to retire. Who will support TNA when the older wrestlers retire? Many superstars in TNA have been poorly booked and even the X Division is hardly receiving any attention. Jarrett thought that the X Division was a huge asset to TNA, but Carter isn't utilizing the drawing power of the X Division.

I don't think TNA can survive with its current circumstances and TNA is better off having Jeff Jarrett, who is of great importance to TNA. Jarrett has the experience and knowledge of carrying the company. I think we've yet to see how TNA will change with the upcoming changes in booking and feuds.