10 Ways TNA Totally Screwed Themselves Over
8. Not Hiring Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman has his detractors, but he’s widely regarded as one of the most influential bookers of all time. Sure, a bad stream of business decisions eventually ran ECW out of business, but his vision transformed the Pennsylvania promotion from a lowly NWA territory to a genuinely iconic brand. ECW had an ethos, an identity, and a rabid fanbase: three things that TNA haven’t had for years.
Heyman came very close to joining TNA in 2010, and he had a straightforward vision for the company: cut the budget, get rid of anyone aged over 40, and push the young talent. The company’s tendency to promote over-the-hill veterans instead of exciting young wrestlers has long been one of TNA’s biggest bugbears, and Heyman wanted to clear the decks and realign the company’s focus.
But TNA said “no,” thus creating the biggest missed opportunity of their existence. Heyman is a proven star-maker, and had a hand in developing the careers of some of the sport’s biggest wrestlers (Rey Mysterio, Steve Austin, and Rob Van Dam, just to name a few). His youth-orientated vision would have not just set TNA apart from WWE, but crucially helped develop their own homegrown top-level superstars.
TNA fans were “treated” to several years of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff instead.