(28 May 2015, 10:10 am)MurdnunoC I think it would be fair to say that's always been the case.

This isn't the first time they've been without a television deal. They signed with FOX in May 2004 and Impact was conceived. A year later, FOX decided not to renew their contract. TNA continued to produce Impact in the hope of securing another television deal. During this time Impact was only viewable on the internet. In October 2005 they managed to nab a television deal with Spike TV which ended in December 2014. They reached an agreement with Destination America to start airing Impact from January 2015 onwards; that deal has now ended.

In 2004 and 2005, there were still enough ex-WCW (and ex-WWE) stars and up-and-coming independent talent available to convince television executives a market existed for an alternative wrestling product which could viably complete with WWE. Spike TV invested heavily in the television production side of things which allowed TNA to concentrate their efforts on signing (and developing) talent to be used on TV which, in turn, would draw money for both TNA and Spike through merchandising and advertising deals. While there were some short-term gains and successes overall, TNA failed in their endeavours. 

Today, there are very few wrestling stars outside of WWE. Remember, TNA is attempting to engage the casual wrestling fan in tis product. The casual wrestling fan is someone, much like yourself, who regularly watches WWE but has a passing interest in wrestling. They are not likely to seek out foreign, local or nationally-known independent promotions unless someone specifically makes reference to their product. WCW was something that a casual fan might take interest in as it contained recognisable wrestlers with. for lack of a better term, star value. As already noted, TNA could achieve this in 2005 with a Sting, a Kevin Nash, a Kurt Angle, a Jeff Hardy or a Hulk Hogan but, fast-forward ten years later, all notable stars are either well past their prime or have now signed with WWE. Making new stars is extremely difficult when they're perceived by casual wrestling fans as WWE cast-offs like Drew McIntryre or Derek Bateman which is a problem TNA faces. 

TNA's programming will be expensive to produce because of the high-standard of television production values they've either set or been accustomed to over the years. In turn, this will increase the price of the television program to the network. ROH will be able to produce their program for a lot less money meaning it'll be cheaper to buy. If each wrestling program essentially contains 'nobodies' - and arguably, ROH contain 'nobodies' who casual fans are more familiar with - it makes business sense for television executives to go with the cheaper option.

 

(28 May 2015, 10:44 am)MrFozz I seem to remember Bischoff once saying he led a consortium that tried to buy WCW  and he was told there would not be a TV Deal and he said words to the effect of 'Without TV it wasn't worth 25 cents'

I guess that goes along with what your saying.

Is Wrestling at a point now where it is WWE and nobody else will get a sniff because they can't compete with Vinny Mc's production values nor have the clout he has

(30 May 2015, 1:07 pm)MurdnunoC It's always funny watching over-zealous fans getting carried away and interfering in wrestling matches.

Here's a video, made by same guy who produces Botchamania, dedicated to those who just can't keep their emotions or stupidity in check. 

(31 May 2015, 9:59 am)MurdnunoC A little bit of wrestling nostalgia from ECW. My favourite ring announcer....Joel Gertner.

Loads of good chat-up lines here to use with the ladies. Sadly, I lacked the verbal delivery skills necessary for them to work for me 



My own personal favourite starts at 3:25.

(31 May 2015, 8:11 pm)Malarkey http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/tyneside-wrestler-neville-swaps-westerhope-9358428#rlabs=2

(31 May 2015, 8:25 pm)MurdnunoC I was always led to believe he from my neck of the woods - not Westerhope as the article claims. A couple of friends of mine knew an old tag-team partner of his from his time in the IWF. Apparently the tag-team partner, Hot Ed, was from Derwentside. His old IWF bio - long since vanished into the ether - also listed Rowlands Gill as his home town. Of course, as with a lot of things in wrestling, his hometown could have been worked although I don't understand the importance of stating one over the other. 

 

(07 Jun 2015, 9:45 pm)Malarkey http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/biggest-televised-british-wrestling-event-5834608

(11 Jun 2015, 6:15 pm)aureolin http://www.wwe.com/inside/dusty-rhodes-passes-away

(11 Jun 2015, 6:57 pm)MurdnunoC Very sad. 

Hope they bring back War Games in his memory. It was perhaps the best kind of match he ever created.