Speaking of when TNA tried to stand out as different to everything else around them, the six-sided ring achieved that. First appearing in 2004, the hexagonal platform was influenced by the AAA promotion in Mexico, and became instantly recognisable. This was a big decision, because nobody in North American wrestling had ever tried anything like this before. When Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came on board in late-2009, they decided to go back to a more traditional four-sided square shape. In 2014, long after those men had departed the company, the six sides returned. Generally speaking, fans were happy when TNA made the decision to bring back the unique shape, because it helped the company be distinct. The idea was that wrestlers - specifically in the X-Division - would have more scope to run off the ropes and dive around the ring. There were more turnbuckles, making top rope moves a more tantalising prospect, and it gave people flicking channels something different to look at. For a company set up in 2002 as an alternative to WWE, this was exactly what they needed.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
