News reports have been going around that TNA and Spike TV had a meeting this past week about possibly adding more TNA programs and specials to the Spike TV lineup. Some of these rumored shows are to include special live television broadcasts and the idea of turning the tnawrestling.com show, Spin Cycle, into a weekly television program. Part of that last sentence has me excited, while the other part has me hoping that Spike TV nixes the idea.
I will start off by saying that I think the Spin Cycle is a great show. They have done a good job at putting the right mix of people on it and it gives everyone involved an opportunity to break character and let their own personalities come out for a bit. This is a good thing, especially for the ones who don’t get much of an opportunity to let any personality come out during Impact and the like. With that said, I do think that it is a good fit for their web site and it should stay as a Internet-only show.
I don’t really see myself sitting in front of the TV every week to tune into a discussion panel talking about anything and everything from wrestling to politics. Recently, the Spin Cycle has been expanding by adding in other things like the last episode’s tattoo segment, but this kind of quirky show belongs on the Internet and it should stay on the Internet. Television time is too valuable to spend on something like this, which is why tnawrestling.com and YouTube are great homes for it. Not to mention the fact that they can get away with more online.
As far as special live broadcasts are concerned, I am all for that as long as TNA treats them as specials and not just another couple of hours that resembles an ordinary Impact broadcast. I would be thrilled to see TNA try something like the NWA/WCW of old with a few Clash of the Champions style specials. Of course, in the day of monthly pay-per-views this could pose a bit of a challenge, but I do think it could be done.
For example, the Sacrifice pay-per-view this past May almost solely focused on the tag team division with the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament to crown new tag team champions. As a fan, I found it hard to put down nearly $30 to order the event that was so focused on one aspect. Having the tournament brackets play out over the course of a live two-hour special, though, and I am more apt to tune in and watch it unfold before my eyes.
Better yet, have the tournament go on up until the final round and have the finals take place at the next pay-per-view. This way it gives the fans something to look forward to and an incentive to put their money down on said event. Either way it is a win-win situation for TNA, Spike TV, and the fans.
You’ve just been spun.
I agree wholeheartedly that The Spin Cycle should remain a webisode series, not an actual episode of television. It reminds me of TNA’s “Road to” specials before their pay-per-views, which typically did poorly in the ratings. If TNA and Spike TV are going to devote an additional half hour or hour to programming, I would recommend a blend of X Division and Knockout action, or even other wrestlers we don’t typically get to see wrestle on the show. Maybe move Xplosion over to the Spike TV network or another network owned by parent company Viacom.
I enjoy watching the Spin Cycle, and like you it seems, would prefer it remain on the Internet. I also agree with your idea that live shows would do wonders for TNA, as they would be able to deliver on literally nonstop action and guarantee a certain unpredictability. WWE programming has featured numerous “surprises” within recent weeks, but I feel most have fallen short in comparison to the many shocking moments of WCW Nitro and WWF Raw. If TNA could capitalize on live television and is able to produce a live show, I would support it.
Perhaps one of the reasons they wanted to move Spin Cycle on the air, as opposed to another kind of show, is because they already tape Spin Cycle and it would reduce any additional costs.
Regardless, I feel you’ve made a pretty fair assessment here, and I’d just like to say I always enjoy reading your articles. I went back to read this one after skimming your recap of iMPACT! (I actually watched the show), and I think you are a very fair critic and enjoy your work. Keep it up!