The Rise & Fall Of TNA | Wrestling Timelines

30. June 4, 2004 | Making An Impact

TNA iMPACT makes its debut. This is the first glimpse of the TNA that most people remember. The show emanates from what will be titled the ‘Impact Zone’, a small building in Universal Studios, Orlando, that TNA’s production crew is able to make it look far bigger than it is, and compared to the dark, low-rent vibes of the previous Nashville residency, the Zone looks vivid and sharp. It feels a bit more synthetic than cutting edge, but factoring in how small it really is, it’s a very effective grift. In addition to the financial reality of the deal - TNA is paying for the time slot, the idea being that exposure will allow the promotion to leverage its name value with a better network in the medium-term - another issue is distribution.  

TNA iMPACT is broadcast by Fox Sports Net, the collective name for a group of regional networks, for one hour at 3PM on Fridays in most U.S. markets. It’s not the best day for wrestling, and the visibility and viewership reach of the respective channels is less than ideal. The show is often preempted by the more pressing matter of high school sports. Also, nobody buys tickets; the “fans” watching the show get in for free with the price of theme park admission. 

This is a small and barely significant step, but in relatively good news, the show actually draws acclaim. Fans are enthusiastic about the pseudo-sporting presentation (i.e. the clock recording the time limit). And, while this will change (and how), there is a complete dearth of hokey backstage segments. 

Abyss, TNA’s resident monster, is introduced the proper way. In a remarkably sensible scene, by TNA standards, he smashes through Shark Boy in a one-minute squash. TNA observes the rule of a pilot by promoting a shocking moment when the acclaimed America’s Most Wanted win the NWA World Tag Team titles. In the main event, AJ Styles is presented as the star of the promotion in winning a blinding four-way sprint against Chris Sabin, Elix Skipper, and Alex Shane. The name on the marquee reads ‘Total Non-Stop Action’; often ironic in the extreme, it’s true here.