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TNA wrestlers set sights on War Memorial, more

Posted: Dec 24th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling will make its debut in Johnstown next month, but the Cambria County War Memorial is not the only new territory the wrestling promotion plans to invade in early 2010.

Little more than seven years removed from the promotion's first match, TNA is setting its sights on perhaps the biggest, most powerful force in professional wrestling: the WWE.

Beginning Jan. 4, the company will add a Monday night broadcast on cable network Spike TV, going head-to-head with the WWE's flagship program and filling a competitive void that has lingered since the WWE bought their last major competition in 2001.

"Competition is good in any form of business," said TNA founder and vice president Jeff Jarrett, who has spent a lifetime involved in all facets of the wrestling business.

For many fans, Jarrett is most recognized for his in-ring antics, which almost always end with a splintered acoustic guitar smashed over an opponent's head. But the third-generation wrestler has also been everything from a ticket-taker to part of a production crew, and he approached the industry with a sense of business savvy long before he co-founded TNA with his father in 2002.

"When I'd go to work and go to the meetings, I always had my eye on how things were done, what was good and what was bad," said Jarrett, who wrestled for WWE in two separate stints from 1993-96 and 1997-99. "I guess you could say I was prepared as best as I could be to start a wrestling promotion."

So he assembled TNA from scratch, keeping in mind that for TNA to succeed, it would need to find a way to distinguish itself from the WWE beyond the hexagonal ring the promotion employs.

"They are sports entertainment; we are professional wrestling," Jarret said. "Our in-ring product takes priority over other facets of the business."

The idea, he admits, is nothing new. But it has helped TNA reach fans in more than 100 countries.

"The product that has drawn millions and millions of fans over the years, going back to the '60s, is professional wrestling ... (TNA) is fresh and modern, but it is in the essence of what has always been done."

The company also places an emphasis on providing a memorable experience for fans, inviting audiences to meet their favorite TNA stars after the event.

When TNA comes to the War Memorial for a live event Jan. 14, TNA ring announcer Jeremy Borash will hide a backstage pass somewhere in the arena prior to the show. He will then announce the location on his Twitter feed. Other fan perks include backstage passes for loudest fans and free DVD giveaways for fans sitting on the floor level.

"We recognize the fact that we've got to earn our fans one at a time," Jarrett said. "I have been a part of wrestling my entire life, but I've never seen this kind of excitement generated by the backstage access, the autograph sessions, and the opportunities to get up close and personal with the TNA stars at the merchandise table."

And more fans will tune in, he hopes, when wrestling legend Hulk Hogan joins TNA next month.

"He's the most recognizable name in professional wrestling by far, and for him to be a part of our product speaks volumes," Jarrett said.

"Things are getting bigger and better. With the addition of Hulk Hogan, skies are very blue for TNA."

But while Jarrett is predicting a big year for TNA in 2010, he is not expecting to supplant the WWE as the most prominent wrestling promotion in the world ? at least not immediately.

"Are we going to come right out of the gate and beat them? Are we claiming that? Absolutely not," he said. "But we're in the game, and competition is good. We are very optimistic that by the end of 2010, it'll be a different game."

Wrestlers scheduled to appear in Johnstown include Rhino, Daniels, Jay Lethal, The Beautiful People, A. J. Styles, Homicide, Abyss and Mick Foley.

The Jan. 14. event begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets range from $25 to $50.

Tickets are available at the War Memorial box office, 326 Napoleon St., or by calling 1-800-745-3000.