TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling is the next most popular form of Professional Wrestling after WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). It came from small and simple roots to jam-packed arenas and its own pay-per-view. It is the only real competition that faces the WWE.
Formed in May 2002 by former WWE and WCW wrestler Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry, TNA was initially a member of the storied NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), before forming its own identity and franchise base in 2004. Operating out of Nashville, Tennessee, TNA focuses most of its promotion and live events around the TNA Impact set at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
In 2004, TNA began broadcasting "TNA Impact!" as a weekly show along the lines of WWE's RAW and Smackdown. Despite rating difficulties early on, which eventually led to the Fox Sports Net, the original broadcaster to drop the show. It has now found a home at WWE's former base, Spike TV. TNA also broadcasts overseas into countries such as the UK and Australia.
TNA also runs monthly pay-per-view shows that culminate with Bound for Glory (TNAs equivalent of Wrestlemania), the showpiece of TNA Wrestling. These monthly pay-per-views have allowed TNA to move out of their Florida home and to take the TNA brand both across America and internationally, having completed successful tours of Asia and the UK in 2007 and 2008.
To differ itself from the WWE, TNA established itself with a different identity. The biggest difference and definitely something that shapes the company, from the storylines to the structure of the presentation is the use of the six-sided ring. Normally, wrestling events would feature a standard boxing sized rectangular ring, but TNA uses a hexagonal ring which provides a different complexity and style from the WWE.
The six-sided ring is complimented by a six-sides of steel match which duplicates the standard steel cage match seen in other promotions, except with the added addition of two more steel sides. TNA also has a history of pushing sports entertainment to the extreme, especially in their Cruiserweight league, the X Division.
Formed in May 2002 by former WWE and WCW wrestler Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry, TNA was initially a member of the storied NWA (National Wrestling Alliance), before forming its own identity and franchise base in 2004. Operating out of Nashville, Tennessee, TNA focuses most of its promotion and live events around the TNA Impact set at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
In 2004, TNA began broadcasting "TNA Impact!" as a weekly show along the lines of WWE's RAW and Smackdown. Despite rating difficulties early on, which eventually led to the Fox Sports Net, the original broadcaster to drop the show. It has now found a home at WWE's former base, Spike TV. TNA also broadcasts overseas into countries such as the UK and Australia.
TNA also runs monthly pay-per-view shows that culminate with Bound for Glory (TNAs equivalent of Wrestlemania), the showpiece of TNA Wrestling. These monthly pay-per-views have allowed TNA to move out of their Florida home and to take the TNA brand both across America and internationally, having completed successful tours of Asia and the UK in 2007 and 2008.
To differ itself from the WWE, TNA established itself with a different identity. The biggest difference and definitely something that shapes the company, from the storylines to the structure of the presentation is the use of the six-sided ring. Normally, wrestling events would feature a standard boxing sized rectangular ring, but TNA uses a hexagonal ring which provides a different complexity and style from the WWE.
The six-sided ring is complimented by a six-sides of steel match which duplicates the standard steel cage match seen in other promotions, except with the added addition of two more steel sides. TNA also has a history of pushing sports entertainment to the extreme, especially in their Cruiserweight league, the X Division.
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For those interested in getting their hands on some TNA Wrestling DVDs should visit the Vendetta Films site.
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