10 Big Mistakes TNA's New Owners Can't Afford To Make In 2017
9. Copying The Competition
TNA’s constant copying of WWE is a well-worn complaint, and one of the biggest reasons they’re where they are today. From recreating the Montreal Screwjob to ripping off the Daniel Bryan underdog story with Eric Young, the company have borrowed liberally from Vince McMahon throughout their existence. It has led to their long-established reputation as purveyors of second-rate sports entertainment, and it’s a habit that Anthem must kick if TNA is to succeed in 2017.
They’re not exactly off to an ideal start either. Last week’s Impact kicked-off with a lengthy WWE-style in-ring segment, and TNA recently continued their longstanding tradition of signing burned-out ex-WWE wrestlers by bringing Hornswoggle to the company. The past few years have proven that TNA can’t fulfil their ambitions of rivalling WWE by ripping them off, and that their focus should be on finding a niche and standing-out as a genuine alternative.
TNA have been treading this path for far too long. No company is ever going to realistically challenge for WWE’s crown in the current wrestling market, and TNA will always feel small time under this approach. People don’t want a watered down version of what they see on Raw and SmackDown, but a fresh product with unique selling points, and that’s exactly what Anthem should be trying to provide this year.