TNA's scores in the ratings again!
Eric Schomburg
October 12, 2005
I am one happy wrestling fan right now, because TNA, Total-Nonstop Action, has scored big again in the ratings. Why does this make me happy? Some would say that I’m a TNA mark, but I’m not. I’m a mark for actual wrestling, and the ONLY promotion that supplies America with actual professional wrestling IS TNA.
The first week of TNA Impact made an impact with a 0.8 cable rating, with a 1.6 share. With the time and day that TNA was aired, Saturday at 11pm, a 0.8 is a strong rating; however, a lot of people considered that this was a fluke, because it was the debut of TNA to cable television.
Critics, including myself, praised the show that TNA brought and was exciting that actual professional wrestling with high impact and great wrestling was back on television. What is more impressive is the “sports-entertainment” brand of “wrestling” had a show a couple of months ago at the same time on the same day on the same network, and it was easily defeated by TNA by 44%. However, it’s easy to say that maybe a lot of wrestling fans were just curious what all the hype was about? Was TNA going to be a one show sensation?
Week 2 of TNA Impact brought more great wrestling action with more fresh faces and a main event that could easily be a pay-per-view sell out. TNA Impact introduced the show with Tito Ortiz, famous for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as he will be the special guest referee in the main event of Bound for Glory. The main event is Jeff Jarrett vs. Kevin Nash. Two former WCW World Heavyweight Champions.
The X Division triple threat match between Christopher Daniels, Austin Aries, and Matt Bentley was just as exciting as last week’s X Division match. The match included everything an X division match could need. High impact moves, fast pace action, and, for once, a very beautiful valet in Tracy Brooks.
TNA introduced a monster in Abyss. Abyss is what his gimmick is, a monster. Abyss has a powerful presence with his mask and chain, but what really stands Abyss out is his manager, “Father” James Mitchell, who was also known as the Sinister Minister in ECW. However, Abyss’ true power in his presence is his performance, especially his finisher, the “Black Hole Slam.”
Finally, the dream tag-team match was a reality for wrestling fans. America’s Most Wanted vs. Team 3-D. It’s a relief to see tag-team wrestling again, unlike the “sports-entertainment” brand of “wrestling.” With all the great action between the two tag-teams, what stood out was the debut of former women’s champion, Gail Kim. Gail Kim low-blowed Brother Ray and teamed up with Jeff Jarrett and America’s Most Wanted.
Another great week with great action, surprises, and new faces introduced. However, did the ratings show a disaster with decline?
Absolutely not! In fact, TNA scored higher than last week’s TNA Impact by 5%. TNA’s Impact scored a 0.82 rating with 740,000 households tuning in. In fact, the show peaked at the very end of the show with a 0.9 rating, which meant that the majority of people watched the show from start to finish with new viewers tuning in at the end. Compare TNA’s second Impact show to the “sports-entertainment” once late-Saturday show, TNA’s score now rises from 44% to 48%. In other words, more people tuned in to the second episode of TNA Impact then watch the “sports-entertainment” late-Saturday show.
TNA is definitely heading in the right direction, and the ratings are showing it. TNA is providing what other so-called wrestling companies cannot. Wrestling. It still surprises me that TNA can have an hour show with 3 or 4 matches and a couple of promos. Other companies do more talking than wrestling, and they have 2 hours to play with.
Check out TNA Impact on Spike every Saturday at 11pm.
TNA’s next pay-per-view, Bound for Glory, is actually shaping to be a pretty good card. A.J. Styles vs. Christopher Daniels in an Ironman match. Samoa Joe vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger. A triple threat X division match between Chris Sabin, Petey Williams, and Matt Bentley. A Monster’s Ball match between Abyss, Jeff Hardy, Rhino, and Sabu. And the main event, two of the biggest names in professional wrestling history, Kevin Nash vs. NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Jarrett.
Bound for Glory will be live October 23rd only on pay-per-view.
On a side note, I would love to see Raven wrestle on Spike, because he will always be a favorite of mine, and I know it's his time to make his impact on Spike TV.
Check out TNA's website at TNAWrestling.com
The first week of TNA Impact made an impact with a 0.8 cable rating, with a 1.6 share. With the time and day that TNA was aired, Saturday at 11pm, a 0.8 is a strong rating; however, a lot of people considered that this was a fluke, because it was the debut of TNA to cable television.
Critics, including myself, praised the show that TNA brought and was exciting that actual professional wrestling with high impact and great wrestling was back on television. What is more impressive is the “sports-entertainment” brand of “wrestling” had a show a couple of months ago at the same time on the same day on the same network, and it was easily defeated by TNA by 44%. However, it’s easy to say that maybe a lot of wrestling fans were just curious what all the hype was about? Was TNA going to be a one show sensation?
Week 2 of TNA Impact brought more great wrestling action with more fresh faces and a main event that could easily be a pay-per-view sell out. TNA Impact introduced the show with Tito Ortiz, famous for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as he will be the special guest referee in the main event of Bound for Glory. The main event is Jeff Jarrett vs. Kevin Nash. Two former WCW World Heavyweight Champions.
The X Division triple threat match between Christopher Daniels, Austin Aries, and Matt Bentley was just as exciting as last week’s X Division match. The match included everything an X division match could need. High impact moves, fast pace action, and, for once, a very beautiful valet in Tracy Brooks.
TNA introduced a monster in Abyss. Abyss is what his gimmick is, a monster. Abyss has a powerful presence with his mask and chain, but what really stands Abyss out is his manager, “Father” James Mitchell, who was also known as the Sinister Minister in ECW. However, Abyss’ true power in his presence is his performance, especially his finisher, the “Black Hole Slam.”
Finally, the dream tag-team match was a reality for wrestling fans. America’s Most Wanted vs. Team 3-D. It’s a relief to see tag-team wrestling again, unlike the “sports-entertainment” brand of “wrestling.” With all the great action between the two tag-teams, what stood out was the debut of former women’s champion, Gail Kim. Gail Kim low-blowed Brother Ray and teamed up with Jeff Jarrett and America’s Most Wanted.
Another great week with great action, surprises, and new faces introduced. However, did the ratings show a disaster with decline?
Absolutely not! In fact, TNA scored higher than last week’s TNA Impact by 5%. TNA’s Impact scored a 0.82 rating with 740,000 households tuning in. In fact, the show peaked at the very end of the show with a 0.9 rating, which meant that the majority of people watched the show from start to finish with new viewers tuning in at the end. Compare TNA’s second Impact show to the “sports-entertainment” once late-Saturday show, TNA’s score now rises from 44% to 48%. In other words, more people tuned in to the second episode of TNA Impact then watch the “sports-entertainment” late-Saturday show.
TNA is definitely heading in the right direction, and the ratings are showing it. TNA is providing what other so-called wrestling companies cannot. Wrestling. It still surprises me that TNA can have an hour show with 3 or 4 matches and a couple of promos. Other companies do more talking than wrestling, and they have 2 hours to play with.
Check out TNA Impact on Spike every Saturday at 11pm.
TNA’s next pay-per-view, Bound for Glory, is actually shaping to be a pretty good card. A.J. Styles vs. Christopher Daniels in an Ironman match. Samoa Joe vs. Jushin “Thunder” Liger. A triple threat X division match between Chris Sabin, Petey Williams, and Matt Bentley. A Monster’s Ball match between Abyss, Jeff Hardy, Rhino, and Sabu. And the main event, two of the biggest names in professional wrestling history, Kevin Nash vs. NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Jarrett.
Bound for Glory will be live October 23rd only on pay-per-view.
On a side note, I would love to see Raven wrestle on Spike, because he will always be a favorite of mine, and I know it's his time to make his impact on Spike TV.
Check out TNA's website at TNAWrestling.com
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