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TNA wrestlers set sights on War Memorial, more

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.

 

Tags: TNA, WWE, Jeff Jarrett, A. J. Styles, Mick Foley

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Spotlight in History

  • 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Title
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  • 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Title
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  • 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 2025 Frankie Lee def. K. J. Gold for the RDW Iron Man Title

Week of Sun 06-07 to Sat: 06-13

  • 06-07 1969 Jose Lothario def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2008 Ky-ote Johammed def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-07 2008 Mo'Body Gillespie def. Ky-ote Johammed for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-07 2013 Bobby Starr def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 06-07 2013 Ignition def. Super Skunk Ape, Jr. for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-07 2013 The Canadian Red Devil def. Michael York for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2014 Steven Sterling def. Sam Stackhouse for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 06-07 2014 Jake O'Brien def. The Canadian Red Devil for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-07 2014 Terry Montana def. Ignition for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-07 2014 Havoc def. Buster Cherry for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 06-07 2014 Rick Russo def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-07 2014 Terry Pantera became the BPPW Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-07 2025 Frankie Lee def. K. J. Gold for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 06-08 1959 Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller def. Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 06-08 2013 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-08 2013 Hurricane Ross def. Billy Ray for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-08 2019 Michael Duplanti def. Anarchy [2nd] for the NAW Lightweight Title
  • 06-08 2019 Big Smooth def. Hurricane Ross for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-08 2024 Billie the Kiid became the NAW Indigenous Land Champion
  • 06-08 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
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  • 06-08 2024 Michael Duplanti became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 06-08 2024 Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) def. The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Manico) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-09 1959 The Golden Giant became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-09 1966 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-09 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) def. Junkyard Dog & Buck Robley for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
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  • 06-09 2017 The Rising (Matt Durden & Riker) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
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  • 06-09 2023 Mr. Nasty def. Mascara Purpura for the CPW 918 Title
  • 06-09 2023 Red James def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW 918 Title
  • 06-10 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-10 1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-10 2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-10 2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 06-11 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-11 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Title
  • 06-11 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 06-11 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 06-11 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 06-11 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 06-11 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-11 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 06-12 1982 The Spoiler def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-12 2009 El Latino became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 2021 Brawler Morrison def. Blade [2nd] for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 1960 Tony Borne def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-13 1969 Chuck Karbo became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-13 1978 Karl Krupp became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1998 The Bad Boys (Splash Jackson & Bull Schmitt) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 06-13 2008 Brent Albright def. Slam Shady for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 06-13 2008 Josh Michaels became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2009 The Canadian Red Devil became the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Seth Angel & Adrian Dell def. Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-13 2015 Killista def. Paul Puertorico for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-13 2015 Rolling Thunder def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2015 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Queens Title
  • 06-13 2015 Michael Wolf def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 06-13 2015 Jake O'Brien def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
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