Scott,
Let me play Devil's Advocate for a moment…
You are in a meeting with Bob Carter. Bob asks you why Panda Energy should fund the money-losing TNA in 2014 instead of pulling their support for the company.
What do you say to convince him to break out the checkbook and cover another year's worth of expenses for your wrestling company?
wouldn't. I'd tell him to sell it to Viacom so that they'd be the ones profiting off whatever ratings increase it might get, and thus giving SpikeTV a direct interest in making it a better show. This would be a case where network tampering could only HELP.
Something to the effect of "you can do nasty things to my daughter if you continue to fund TNA"
ReplyDeleteIf that's your endgame then why not pull a Mitt Romney on this?
ReplyDeleteBottom out, create a short but sustained period of growth (business wise if not real world wise) and then cash out when the value is overinflated and let the next sucker worry about the true value.
That's definitely what I would do with TNA. They've plateaued with this current business model. Create a new one, sell on the basis of your short term success and let Spike try and make it into a new WWE (and fail).
Depends. If Dixie is still in charge then I agree with Scott. But let's say Dixie goes back to promoting concerts and I'm replacing her. I say that the American Wrestling Landscape is begging for competition and that TNA has already gotten over the biggest barrier (getting a national TV show). I'd explain that although TNA is a distant #2, there is still potential money to be made.
ReplyDeleteI would then say that I wanted to make an alternative to what WWE is doing to try and capitalize on fans that have stopped watching or have become casual viewers. I'd also have a financial budget that would cut expenses heavily.
We'd let Sting and Hogan go to the WWE and get rid of all the fat. We get rid Hemme and Taz and give Jeremy Borash a raise to do their jobs. I'd get rid of nearly every big contract. I'd show them that ratings haven't changed since the show came to Spike, so why not see if they stay the same if all the "stars" are gone?
"Like allow her to continue to run TNA."
ReplyDeleteBecome a tribute fed. Instead of spending money on bookers and creative, just have the wrestlers do move-by-move re-enactments of the greatest shows in wrestling history, such as Wrestlemania III.
ReplyDeleteCreate a fucking identity!!! What do you think of when you think of TNA? I dont know really. ROH, I think of workrate, Chikara, you think of over the top stuff, ECW was extreme, etc. Create an identity to differentiate it from WWE Jr., establish a loyal fan base while trimming off the fat on the roster (looking at you Hogan and Sting), and just try to create an identifiable BRAND. This will take a young babyface star though
ReplyDeleteBecause the end result would be the Obama Wrestling Federation (Linda McMahon, tres.) would be a permanent part of the sports entertainment landscape, condemning it into HHHistory.
ReplyDeleteI get what you are going for here, but it didn't work.
ReplyDeleteI think of Mickie James.... mmmm.....
ReplyDeleteDid Hulk Hogan hack your new account?
ReplyDeleteThe programmig is probably worth enough to Spike that it would make sense for them to buy it and run the company. And if I'm Spike and I do that, my first move is to make a run at Jim Ross, even if it means moving the company's home base to Oklahoma so he can commute from home. JR's voice on a show devoid of Hogan/Bischoff bullshit would be appoitment television for me and many others every week.
ReplyDeleteNot only JR's voice, his ability to scout talent is second to none.
ReplyDeleteYeah goddamn right. I'm not just bringing JR to be the voice of the company, I'm bringing him in to RUN the company.
ReplyDeleteHad it ever been disclosed what their PnLs have been?
ReplyDeleteNope. There are enough clues for most of us to guess that they're not doing so hot, but in the end, we are guessing. I would love to analyze one financial statement from them.
ReplyDeleteOther things I'd try:
ReplyDelete- I'd also go back to a six-sided ring, because at least that shit was different.
- I'd do six ppvs a year, and on the off-months try to use the tape library to put together specials to air on ppv instead of the taped ppvs.
- I'd run a free show against WrestleMania from 6pm to 9pm on Spike.
Yea, my assumption is they always operate slightly in the red but really have no idea. Would love to see actual numbers
ReplyDeleteBasic business stuff (assuming the point of this hypothetical is to keep the company going not just give up and cut your losses) cut down heavily on the biggest expense any business has... payroll. Come up with a number based on actual metrics and anyone making over number X is either fired or takes a pay cut in order to be beneath said number. Cut some people outright either for having too low of an ROI (Hogan, Sting, Bischoff... probably even people like Angle and Kennedy) or for adding no value that someone with far less salary could provide (Taz, Hemme etc...), fire and consolidate a lot of the production and road crew and staff them with part timers, interns, and contractors that you don't have to pay traditional wages to and therefore don't have to match payroll, social security etc... Make it clear that your long term goal is profitability above all else... not competing with WWE or even being similar to them, not to revolutionize the business... hell not to even necessarily make an entertaining wrestling program but to simply make the company turn a profit. From there determine what revenue streams can be increased or cut. Maybe more PPV was more profitable, maybe different live venues, different merchandising approaches, more international dates and so on. Without access to their numbers it is hard to make specific suggestions but basically business 101 stuff. Not really what I want as a fan, but if I am an investor, all I care about are the balance books and how to make them better.
ReplyDeleteMan all of that made me sound like a Ferengi... or worse, a Republican. :: Shudders ::
Hey, there's nothing wrong with running a proper business. I agree with all your points.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Being a self sustaining long term profitable company should the goal above competing with Vince.
ReplyDeleteMock me if you must, but even you would shed a tear when AJ finally gets Bully Ray up for the bodyslam.
ReplyDeleteThreadjack: CM Punk is the BEST in the WORLD.
ReplyDeleteAJ? You think Hulk is allowing anyone but himself to recreate WM3? He will dig up the bones of Andre if he has to.
ReplyDeleteHave they ever settled the Abyss/Joseph Park deal? Or maybe finally putting an end to Aces & Eights? I mean I feel like they started angles out last year (over a year ago) and they never really finished them. Like, Park and Abyss are the same guy and they don't know it, right? What's the end game there?
ReplyDeleteHulk is already gone, brother.
ReplyDeleteAces & Eights seem to be breaking up, I don't think the Abyss/Park angle has gone anywhere. I admit I don't watch Impact very much.
ReplyDeleteCrazy thought three: Book a tour of college campuses for TV. Small college venues, pack 'em with crazy college kids and see what kind of atmosphere that creates. It wouldn't cost much (the campus would probably love to have something for kids to do on a Thursday night that isn't drinking) and it would create the image of a hot product in front of a packed house.
ReplyDeleteFootball threadjack: tell me how a Denver -10/Over 42 tease loses tonight. Tell me!!
ReplyDeleteI don't either, and I stopped because it seemed like that was they were going to make a move with Park & Abyss and a year later "Joseph Park" is still stumbling around like he's Eric Watts and Abyss is nowhere to be found.
ReplyDeleteI got burned by the Browns yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI was reading that a $100 parlay of the Jags and Oakland paid $30k. I gave it a whirl...I had no dreams of it happening, but that was a hell of an investment if it did.
Well, not sure if you really want him completely running the company. His stint booking WCW was kind of 'meh'.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, you definitely want his input in some form. He does have a great eye for talent. And unlike many other 'old timers' he seems to be willing to adapt with the times.
Manning breaks his neck slipping on a wet floor in the locker room.
ReplyDeleteDont jinx it!
ReplyDeleteFarva, I want to make sure I understand this: if you take that bet, Denver has to win by 11 and the total score has to be over 42 points?
ReplyDeleteI don't see how you can't hit that tease.
ReplyDeleteFor my money TNA really jumped the shark when they started bringing in all the old timers that ruined WCW. I really enjoyed when TNA finally got a one hour TV show and bought the occasional weekly PPV. The Super X Cup show is one of my all time favorite wrestling shows. They had some fresh faces and talent, and some guys like Raven and Ron Killings that were eager to get a fresh start. They flushed all that down the toilet to be WCW 2.0. Monty Brown was ready to be the next huge superstar in wrestling and instead I'm given "The Band". TNA is a walking corpse.
ReplyDeleteAll of this applies except to Scott Steiner who was awesome. He should have been made color commentator.
Id bet anything getting 300-1 odds. Crazier shit has happened. I teased Cle +13 with Dallas so did ok with the Browns.
ReplyDeleteAbyss is still listed as TV Champ on their web site. Make of that what you will.
ReplyDeleteHe was part of the booking committee that brought you the Steamboat/Flair trilogy and the Flair/Funk feud. He also watched Watts book Mid-South and UWF. I think he'd be great. And at least meh would be a huge step up from whatever TNA is doing.
ReplyDeleteYes, if one hits and the other doesnt I lose the entire bet.
ReplyDelete"Son, I'll tell you why you keep funding something that loses money. Sometimes its just the right thing to do. We live in a world where it's impossible to get anyone to agree on anything, people fight and argue and scream at each other every single day, and seemingly no one ever changes their mind. Kids are obsessed with their phones and Americans are growing more and more disillusioned with our world, our leaders, and our country.
ReplyDeletePro wrestling is as close to modern day folk lore as you're going to get. The heroes are larger than life and the villains are dastardly in ways we can all agree are bad. No one is murdered, no one is shot, no one is raped or brutalized, and everyone lives to fight another day. Have you seen the light in a wrestling fan's eyes when something amazing happens in the ring? Have you seen pictures of a 12 year old fan who meets their favorite wrestler at a meet-and-greet, or backstage at a show? I didn't think so. Next time you watch our product, look at our fans. look at our fans who come and see our show day in and day out, through good matches and bad, who show up because they love it. They love the atmosphere, they love the excitement, they love the athleticism, they love to boo the bad guys and cheer their heroes, and they'll do it as long as you give them a reason too.
Our company has fallen on hard times, that's for sure, and I can't tell you pro wrestling is a sound investment for anyone, because it's not, but by God, as long as I'm on this earth, as long as there are wrestling fans on this earth, I will provide them with wrestling as long as I can, not because it's the smart thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do"
I was not aware that he was booking during '89. I was thinking more of later on when Watts was in charge of WCW. Which had some good stuff, but didn't really pay off on some of the obvious feuds (like Steiners vs. MVC).
ReplyDeleteThis. How much of ECW was crazed nuts looking like they were having the time of their life in a packed bingo hall? Lots
ReplyDeleteI think they are working towards getting back in shape at the moment. Cutting costs, working on finding a permanent home again to save on travel/arena rental costs, and letting Hogan go at the end of the contract (Sure hope this happens, seem to be the way it is heading). As far as booking goes, I'd cut even more costs and offer Scott D'Amore a good contract to return as head booker, he is the best booker TNA has ever had, and booked them during their best period.
ReplyDeleteThat whole part is weird to me. If they're losing money(let's be generous and say they're breaking even) and, according to Jerry Jarret, Dixie never watched wrestling before, what's the pull to keep going? At least with Vince, they're still making money and Steph has some type of interest in this business. But if you're not making money and it's just a side vanity project, why's Panda keep it rolling? Dixie totally incompetent and the father wants her out of their business?
ReplyDeleteI'm learnin' gambling! Mom would be so proud!
ReplyDeleteI could see a 31-7 type of game, but it's a healthy proposition if you're a bettin' man...which I ain't
ReplyDeleteOne of the things Meltzer pointed out in his most recent Observer (which I read before I subscription expired): it makes no sense for them to tape every two weeks in Las Vegas (a suggestion location) because they'll save no money on travel. They'll still have to fly talent and crew from the TNA offices and/or their homes in Florida every other week.
ReplyDeleteWould they save money on rent? A casino that basically says you're here to be an act to fill our venue, so we won't charge you for the building? Does anyone know how the AWA's deal at the Showboat back in the 80s worked?
Cena/Punk at last year's Night of Champions was *****.
ReplyDeletePryor makes things interesting, he and Run DMC will get some scores. My sense is 35-17, with 14 of the 17 coming in garbage time.
ReplyDeleteThey will save on road costs being stationary. Transport and road crews aren't cheap
ReplyDeleteI have the identity: Rasslin'. Hell, name it Dixie Carter Promotions. Run Vegas and the South. Nobody is running that style anymore.
ReplyDeleteI think Sullivan would work here as long as he doesn't have to mess with Creative Control clauses.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I just watched a Wilfred Brimley Quaker Oats commercial.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the GOP
ReplyDeleteIf only someone had pulled Ted Turner aside before he signed the merger, and said that...
ReplyDeleteRun a show right before WrestleMania.
ReplyDeleteI really did like that six sided ring.
ReplyDeleteFree show.
ReplyDeleteCan't we just pretend I am a gay black Muslim and therefore not welcome?
ReplyDeleteI really don't think JR wants to run a company at this point. He isn't getting any younger and he's been through a lot physically. Definitely not someone I'd be looking at for long term business.
ReplyDelete-Six sided ring was a minor thing, but it gave them an identity. I had friends ask me what that wrestling with the weird ring was.
ReplyDelete-The PPV model works for WWE because they've been at it for 30 years. It is NOT the model to use. People will not pay $40 for a product they know nothing about.
-A Clash style show is a good idea.
You aren't????
ReplyDeleteThey are starting to hint more that he's Abyss, but that should have been done six months ago. And Aces is almost 2 years in and only was slightly interesting when Bully was revealed as leader.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they need a home base and only do shows within a 3 hour driving radios. They can venture further out for BFG.
ReplyDeleteI would tell Bob Carter that I'm basing the entire promotion around what's going on in Congress right now. The first night sees Barack Obama kick the shit out of an old man for the TNA World Title despite interference by Sarah Palin. Obama spends the next year battling AHIP, the Tea Party, the NRA, the One Percenters and Fox News. Every time he tries to do something positive (he's all about Hustle. Loyalty. Respect.) he's opposed by the Orange Goblin and The Turtle, who ramrod their way into things.
ReplyDeleteAt Bound for Glory, Romneybot, who has united the factions, challenges Obama but badly gets his ass kicked. Romney is kicked out of the group the next night ala Shawn Michaels and DX, and he's replaced by Aqua Buddha and Calgary Cruz. They tell Obama they are going to shut down TNA unless he relinquishes the title, but Obama gives them the middle finger and tells them to go fuck themselves. The Tea Party and their tiny dicks shrivel up and go home.
But with slightly less dia-beetus.
ReplyDeleteand TNA ends up being assimilated by The Borg Wrestling Federation (Michelle Obama, treasurer; Linda McMahon, sec.) and we're forced to watch an unfunny version of Botchamania.
ReplyDelete...at getting beat down week in and week out.
ReplyDeleteNo, that makes you a smart individual. Congratulations, you're two steps ahead of Nancy Pelosi and her cohorts in Congress.
ReplyDeleteOr a soulless bastard who only cares about the bottom line... that is actually more accurate...
ReplyDeleteDoes it have to be exactly 11? Say, if Denver wins 30-14 (their D snuck in a safety somehow) do you win the bet?
ReplyDeleteYea, if I take the favorite they need to win by the spread or more. It doesnt have to be exact
ReplyDeleteThe whole over/under thing confuses the hell out of me. It's why I don't gamble. (That plus I'm broke, plus I suck at picking winners.)
ReplyDeleteBut did you feel like checking your blood sugar and checking it often?
ReplyDeleteThey also need to fire Taz and Christy Hemme and bring Don West back like yesterday. They need a guy who will go batshit insane for a jobber match instead of an overpaid ECW reject who sounds like he's about to go to sleep during a main event and a Lilian Garcia doppelganger who gets paid six figures and still can't pronounce Bobby Roode's name properly.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the point of running a free show? And why against WrestleMania? TNA has two types of fans, the hardcore guys who watch EVERYTHING (who will stick with Mania) and the guys who hate WWE (who will pay).
ReplyDeleteDon't compete with WWE, Vince will kill you.
i'm saying run a free TV / free for the public show in a public place like Chicago or something the day before mania. The buzz will be nuts.
ReplyDeleteYeah, steal the ROH model, that was my entire idea.
ReplyDeleteI do that every day anyway...
ReplyDelete