With the recent releases of Matt Morgan, Luke Gallows, Tara, Joey Ryan, Christian York, Bruce Pritchard and a slew of others, the budget cuts in TNA continue to scare both employees of the company and wrestling fans. While the real faces of the company have yet to flee, is it only a matter of time? Is TNA on its last leg? Can it even be saved?
According to most reports, TNA is two months behind their payrolls. That’s Paul Heyman-run ECW territory right there.
At this point, TNA feels more like WCW in 1999- desperately trying to find its way, but lacking the mobility because of older stars, who refuse to give up their spot. Lets face it- AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Austin Aries, Frank Kazarian and Chris Sabin aren’t little kids anymore. They are ready to be stars and have already proven that they can thrive in other companies if given an opportunity.
Opportunity that has yet to come in TNA because the company seems focused on putting their World Title on WWE washouts and guys that the E passed on, only to let them go or allow them to leave when they don’t produce. While the title runs of Mr. Anderson and Bully Ray were welcomed ones and entertaining, reigns from Jeff Hardy and sadly Christian over the years, stopped the guys who could really help TNA from being the stars they should be.
Even TNA “legends” Kurt Angle and Sting have been roadblocks for TNA’s younger guys. Their salaries and the ones of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, limit the company’s ability to be fresh and new. Instead, they’re like Florida for WWE veterans.
In order to be saved, these large contracts have to be cut and for the time being, TNA has to stay inside the Impact Zone. Like Jim Crockett-run WCW before it, TNA has stabbed itself the back by venturing out past its home. With escalating costs, TNA must keep the bulk of their X-Division stars turned heavyweights and simply build from there. otherwise, this company is finished.
At this point, the only people that can save TNA are the people inflicting the most damage.
In the end, those former stars won’t give up their paycheck and that ultimately means TNA, unless saved by someone with cash or decent business sense, will be dead and dozens of quality workers will be back to the bingo halls they started their carers in.
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