TNA 2012: Post Lockdown
TNA has just showcased their second biggest PPV of the year; headlined by what many believe should have been one of the greatest milestone matches in TNA history. You would think having their own two home grown stars, and most over characters on the roster, in a heated match for the World Heavyweight championship could score nothing but a home run for the company. However, this was far from the case. Statistics show that Lockdown drew a measly 10,000 buys, and struggled to make a 2,000 head attendance considering the show was also aired in the company’s most loyal city, Nashville Tennessee.
Ratings didn’t do the company any justice either, averaging a 1.1-1.2rating which had been the case for the past 3 years. It was clear changes needed to be made, and fast. Hours after the Lockdown PPV Dixie Carter did the unthinkable and publicised her concerns for the company via a tweet saying “we’ve really been trying, but I guess experience just doesn’t add up in the numbers” clearly referring to the recent hiring of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff who were supposedly expected to shake up the ratings. Just hours after Lockdown they were removed from the TNA roster page. Hogan, speaking on behalf of himself and Bischoff had the following to say to Wrestling Insider.com, “Yes, it’s true we’ve been terminated of our contracts. Truth be told it’s going to take a miracle to turn that s***hole around.”
And just 3 days later a miracle did indeed happen. Yes, this miracle headlined all wrestling news sources, and of course the TNA front page, with the headline that Paul Heyman, yes you did read that right, Paul Heyman, had signed a lucrative 1 year deal with TNA will full creative control on the direction of the company. It’s obvious from such a grand contract, Dixie had high hopes in putting her faith in Heyman, and she wasn’t the only one, the cult following of the wrestling scientist, and other fans alike expected nothing but the best from what they perceive to be the long awaited saviour for TNA.
So in just 4 days it seemed the company has taken a complete 180 degree turn. And so here we are, it’s the first Impact show after TNAs second biggest PPV, Lockdown. So buckle up and enjoy the ride, as a new era of TNA beckons before you. This is TNA 2012.
Roster
Abyss
AJ Styles
Alex Shelley
Amazing Red
Anarchia
Angelina Love
Austin Aries
Bobby Roode
James Storm
Bully Ray
Charlie Haas
Chris Sabin
Christopher Daniels
Crimson
D’Angelo Dinero
Eric Young
Gail Kim
Gunner
Hernandez
Jay Lethal w/Ric Flair
Jeff Hardy
Jeremy Buck
Jesse Sorenson
Kazarian
Kid Kash
Kurt Angle
Madison Rayne
Magnus
Matt Hardy
Max Buck
Mr. Anderson
Raven
Rob Van Dam
Rosita
Samoa Joe
Sarita
Savage (CAW)
Scott Steiner
Senshi
Shannon Moore
Shelton Benjamin
Sonjay Dutt
Tajiri
Velvet Sky
Winter
Zema Ion
Tag Teams
Joe & Magnus – Samoa Joe and Brutus Magnus
Motor City Machine Guns – Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
Young Buck – Jeremy Buck and Max Buck
Haas & Benjamin – Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin
Factions
Mexican America – Hernandez, Anarchia, Rosita and Sarita
Raven’s Flock – Raven, Gunner, Kazarian and Winter
Main Staff
Owner: Dixie Carter
On screen General Manager: Paul Heyman
Writers: Paul Heyman, Vince Russo, Raven and Jeff Jarrett
Head of Talent relations: Raven and Tommy Dreamer
Commentators: Mike Tenay & Desmond Wolfe & Don West
Post-match ringside interviewer: Christy Hemme
Backstage interviewer: Jeremy Borasch & So Cal Val
**Dispositions such as heel/face will be revealed once the shows are posted (you'll get an idea of who's who). However, they are mostly the same as they were from Lockdown.**