Black Widow
01-17-2009, 02:08 AM
MANY people mistakenly believe that WWE is the only show in town when it comes to pro-wrestling.
Dixie Carter has had her sights firmly set on changing that perception for five years.
And look around you next week and you’ll see TNA, the alternative, large as life, right here in the UK on the Maximum Impact tour.
TNA was roundly derided and written off for the first three years of its existence, and to this day there is a prevailing negativity aimed at the company.
Far from letting the cynics ruffle her feathers however, Carter has taken a pragmatic approach to taking on a monopoly and has developed a blend of youth and experience which is finally getting the TNA creations over with fans on a serious scale.
Dixie told us exclusively this week that this tour will stage the biggest shows in TNA history.
“I think this is a special and important market for us,” she said. “It’s where the fans have embraced our product on an equal level with the competition – and much quicker.
“On a weekly basis to be above or on par in the ratings is a huge victory for us. It’s an incredible response, and to come back and be greeted by this number of fans is a wonderful accomplishment for us. We are very grateful.”
The credit crunch might well have forced wrestling down the list of priorities on family budgets worldwide, but Carter contends that TNA is in robust health.
She said: “We had a great year – we quadrupled our revenues. To do that in a year when world economies are crashing, well, it’s a testament to our product and our fans.
“How do you grow it from here? Interaction... allowing the fans that sense of touching the product, touching the talent, being a part of the TNA experience. We have to get out to these countries that have put us on a par with
others and show our gratitude.”
The departure of Christian Cage was the worst kept secret in wrestling, and Carter says she’s sorry to lose the services of the Canadian.
“I’m very disappointed. I like him as a person as well as a talent. It’s interesting, he was the first big name to jump ship to us and he’s been the first to jump back. I wish him all the best.
“When I look up on that stage and see Booker, Angle, Steiner, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, I sit and go wow! Two or three years ago I couldn’t have dreamed of it.
“Combine that with how much we have grown TNA’s own stars and when I go to a show in the UK Styles gets the biggest ovation of the night. It’s the best feeling.”
Carter tells me the only trepidation she’s bringing in the TNA luggage is that fans go away with the same warm fuzzy feeling as they experienced in the smaller venues in June. Being able to cuddle up to the product is vital, she says.
“It’s the most important thing to me. I knew fans walked away in June having had the greatest wrestling experience of their lives, and not just the fantastic in-ring wars the guys put on.
“My concern as it gets bigger is how do we keep that personal touch with fans even seated in the farthest seats in the larger arena.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure we keep that for the fans we love.”
FT suggests we all join the sharing and caring TNA experience while we have the opportunity.
TNA is in the UK next week – January 20 at the MEN Arena, Manchester; January 21 at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham; January 22 at Braehead Arena, Glasgow, and January 24 at Wembley Arena, London.
dailystar.co.uk
Dixie Carter has had her sights firmly set on changing that perception for five years.
And look around you next week and you’ll see TNA, the alternative, large as life, right here in the UK on the Maximum Impact tour.
TNA was roundly derided and written off for the first three years of its existence, and to this day there is a prevailing negativity aimed at the company.
Far from letting the cynics ruffle her feathers however, Carter has taken a pragmatic approach to taking on a monopoly and has developed a blend of youth and experience which is finally getting the TNA creations over with fans on a serious scale.
Dixie told us exclusively this week that this tour will stage the biggest shows in TNA history.
“I think this is a special and important market for us,” she said. “It’s where the fans have embraced our product on an equal level with the competition – and much quicker.
“On a weekly basis to be above or on par in the ratings is a huge victory for us. It’s an incredible response, and to come back and be greeted by this number of fans is a wonderful accomplishment for us. We are very grateful.”
The credit crunch might well have forced wrestling down the list of priorities on family budgets worldwide, but Carter contends that TNA is in robust health.
She said: “We had a great year – we quadrupled our revenues. To do that in a year when world economies are crashing, well, it’s a testament to our product and our fans.
“How do you grow it from here? Interaction... allowing the fans that sense of touching the product, touching the talent, being a part of the TNA experience. We have to get out to these countries that have put us on a par with
others and show our gratitude.”
The departure of Christian Cage was the worst kept secret in wrestling, and Carter says she’s sorry to lose the services of the Canadian.
“I’m very disappointed. I like him as a person as well as a talent. It’s interesting, he was the first big name to jump ship to us and he’s been the first to jump back. I wish him all the best.
“When I look up on that stage and see Booker, Angle, Steiner, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, I sit and go wow! Two or three years ago I couldn’t have dreamed of it.
“Combine that with how much we have grown TNA’s own stars and when I go to a show in the UK Styles gets the biggest ovation of the night. It’s the best feeling.”
Carter tells me the only trepidation she’s bringing in the TNA luggage is that fans go away with the same warm fuzzy feeling as they experienced in the smaller venues in June. Being able to cuddle up to the product is vital, she says.
“It’s the most important thing to me. I knew fans walked away in June having had the greatest wrestling experience of their lives, and not just the fantastic in-ring wars the guys put on.
“My concern as it gets bigger is how do we keep that personal touch with fans even seated in the farthest seats in the larger arena.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure we keep that for the fans we love.”
FT suggests we all join the sharing and caring TNA experience while we have the opportunity.
TNA is in the UK next week – January 20 at the MEN Arena, Manchester; January 21 at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham; January 22 at Braehead Arena, Glasgow, and January 24 at Wembley Arena, London.
dailystar.co.uk