83 Weeks - TNA 1st Weekly PPV 06.19.02 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Eric - on this date in 2002 - TNA launched its first show and today we’re going to be watching it and discussing the show, the idea of the promotion, the thought process of the business model and more…

3-2-1!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAmbK135FVw&t=2656s

You wrote that Jeff & Jerry both contacted you about coming in and being part of the organization. Was it Jeff or Jerry who reached out to you?

Did you think this was the time to start competition against the WWE?

The business plan - model - running pay-per-views weekly and charging $10 a week for it - what did you think of it?

Did you think it would ever compete?

Now you were in talks with the WWE at this time when the debut show happened - how close were you to going into TNA?

What was your relationship like with Jerry Jarrett during your time in WCW when he was a consultant?

What can you tell us about Jay Hausman - the pay-per-view rep that TNA brought in from WCW - that ended up screwing the company and almost costing them everything money wise?

Do you think the time was right for another promotion - or do you think it would’ve been better right after WCW & ECW originally closed in 2001?

Have you ever written a business plan on starting a promotion instead of “taking one over” like when you & Hulk walked into TNA in 2009?

Do you think Jeff and Jerry knew what they were getting into?

Should they had started a regional type promotion first before trying to go national?

From the Torch:

“At a time when more and more programming is being made available on an a la carte and on demand basis, the Jarretts may be getting in on the ground floor of the next big technological programming advancement. They may also be the victims of entering a market that isn’t ripe. Cable companies are investing in expensive equipment in order to offer programming on demand. DirecTV is doing the same, announcing this week that their Starz premium movie channel will be available with VOD (video on demand) features.”

I mean Wade is absolutely spot on regarding the changes in cable and what it would evolve into…and about a market that wasn’t exactly ripe…

“There are two hurdles that TNA needs to clear to be successful. The Jarretts need to convince at least 50,000 wrestling fans that it’s worth paying $9.95 per week to view their Wednesday night two- hour show, designed to be a hybrid between Raw and a typical three-hour monthly PPV. They also need to provide a product that keeps those fans coming back for more.

The Jarretts are banking on there being an appetite for an alternative wrestling product for a relatively small core group of loyal fans who can afford a $40 a month increase on their cable bills.”

To put this into perspective, let’s pretend that they’re using the monthly model like every other promotion had before this. To turn a profit they would need 200,000 buys at $40 a month a month…and the goal is to take over what WCW’s market share and what the WWF had run off by this point in time. WCW’s last pay-per-view that drew over 200,000 pay-per-view buys was Halloween Havoc 1999. That’s 2 full calendar years later…was the plan insane?

At the end, with WCW still on TNT & TBS, Sin - the last January pay-per-view, sold 80,000 buys. WCW’s last pay-per-view, Greed, drew 50,000…do you think WCW ran those people off of wrestling all together and it didn’t matter what company was formed next but they needed to grow a fanbase from the complete ground up?

From the Torch

The thought process among TNA management is that they need the “credibility” of having national names to help mix with the newer talent at the beginning, with the goal being to use the established names to help build the younger, unknown talent for the long run. The problem is the “established name” talent available is extremely limited, and hiring people like Rick Steiner and Buff Bagwell confirms that fact loud and clear. Rather than building around a new generation of stars and touting them as such, advertising Bagwell and Steiner sends a message that “this is the best that we could get, and it isn’t much, is it?”

Perception is reality is it not?

Let’s talk about the name - Total Nonstop Action - you have always said it was a terrible idea. Was there a name that you could think of you’d use to start a promotion?

From the Torch

“The first TNA event almost began with a nightmare as the ring broke just minutes before going on the air. Jerry Jarrett had scripted the event to begin with the six–man tag match. The NWA legends segment was to take place afterward. Instead, they moved the legends segment ahead in order to allow time for the ring to be fixed. It was fixed in time for the first match about 15 minutes into the PPV.”

Talk about foreshadowing Eric…

The show opened with a symbolic gesture to Jerry Jarrett’s old Memphis–based wrestling group opening montage—the spinning trophy of wrestlers. It then exploded as the screen changed to a more upbeat, modern collage featuring the TNA logo. The set looked high enough budget to pass as major league, although more in the WCW Thunder category than WWE, but above ECW and well above WWA. The lighting was good and the crowd might as well have been a sellout unless you were looking at the top of your screen for empty seats.

What do you think of the set as you see it for the first time?

“Jeremy Borash introduced the show from center ring and then introduced Don West and Ed Ferrara (sporting dreadlocks and trying to look half his age), who each did some mic work on the way to the ring. Ferrara touted the “T&A” aspect of the promotion as if he were a 12 year old whispering to his buds about discovering a Playboy. Kinda pathetic for someone his age. Anyway, then Mike Tenay sitting at ringside provided a somewhat sane and classy appearance in a tux.”

What can you tell us about your relationship with Jeremy Borash in WCW and why he was a good fit for TNA?

Don West - the story has always been that Vince Russo had always wanted to use him in WCW but it never came together. What did you think of his work?

Ed Ferrara - commentary probably wasn’t his best use was it?

Of course finally the Professor Mike Tenay. Mike was a TNA staple for years - did you ever see him as a lead play-by-play guy at any point in WCW? What would Mike’s role had been in your new WCW had it taken place?

Borash then introduced Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr., Jackie Fargo, Bob Armstrong, Corsica Joe, Sarah Lee, Bill Behrens, and Ricky Steamboat. Steamboat brought the current NWA World Heavyweight Title belt with him to the ring.

He talked about his 1989 victory over Ric Flair in Chicago to capture the title. He announced that he would be special ref for the title match. Tenay acted as if Steamboat had just announced that Israel and the Palestinians had reached a peace agreement. His reaction was embarrassing considering Steamboat as ref had been announced days earlier on the TNA website; for announcers to have credibility, they ought to know at least as much as the general public ordering the show.

Is this too much history - if that makes any sense?

Jeff Jarrett walked onto the stage and interrupted. He’s sporting a new haircut (still short, but styled rather than shaved and thankfully no guitar). He said it sucked having a battle royal determine the champion. Fargo, upset with Jarrett’s lack of respect, said he would have to be the first entrant in the battle royal. Ken Shamrock then stepped onto the other side of the stage and interrupted Jarrett. He admitted the battle royal was a bad idea for a title contest, but then ripped on Jarrett. Scott Hall then appeared in the crowd. He, too, said the battle royal was a bad idea, but then told Jarrett and Shamrock to “deal with it,” adding they needed to worry about one man in the match—that being him, of course. Good dose of TNA’s top star power to open the show. Tenay referred to Hall as “wrestling’s real outlaw.”

Here’s what I don’t understand Eric - this is how the show launches. The 3 top stars, and Jackie Fargo, are complaining about a bad idea to crown a champion. Is this right out of the Vince Russo playbook or what?

Backstage a female interviewer talked to midget Puppet, known as the Psycho Midget. He cut a good promo, although it seemed too much like a kid imitating a wrestler in front of a mirror. In a nice detail, the camera swung over to Jeff Jarrett in the background kicking chairs and yelling about Fargo.

Do you think anybody knew or cared about Jackie Fargo on a national basis?

WCW didn’t use little people a lot - that was a call by you wasn’t it?

“(1) The Flying Elvises (Jimmy Yang & Siaki & Jorge Estrada) beat Low-Ki & A.J. Styles & Jerry Lynn when Yang pinned Styles at 6:25. The old–timers were shown backstage reacting negatively to the Elvis gimmick. Good spotfest, but a six-man tag with this much talent needs at least 15 minutes to develop an internal logic. Nonstop action with some stiff moves. Good at setting the tone for what TNA can offer, even if it’s not as polished as the top WWE matches. (**3/4)”

The first match right out of the gate sets the tone for the future of TNA, good wrestlers, short time, goofy gimmicks. What say you?

Between segments they showed women dancing inside cages similar to a strip club setting, which was a reasonable way to include T&A as background eye candy.

The Nitro Girls meet 2002?

(2) Teo pinned Hollywood at 2:45 in a midget match. They didn’t let the midgets leave the ring, but inside the ring they had a decent short match. This match was expendable, but entertaining enough to earn the three minutes of time it absorbed. If they build a storyline around these three midgets it could be a solid every-other week type ongoing segment. (*)

Is this…embarrassing to you or was it entertaining?

Ferrara and West entered the ring to introduce women who will partake in next week’s T&A battle royal. Francine, Miss Joanie, Shannan (Daphne), Alexis, Sasha, Aaron (a Baltimore Raven cheerleader), Elektra (from ECW), Taylor, and Teresa. Ferrara announced next week would feature the biggest cat fight in TV history to crown a Miss TNA. Francine spoke up and said none of the other women deserved to share the ring with her. Elektra interrupted and said she single–handedly bankrupt ECW. Francine said nobody deserved to see her in her underwear, so she’d win Miss TNA.

At least they’re building to something for next week right?

Backstage, Mortimer Plumbtree talked about his tag team, The Johnsons. He said they will do anything he says and wear anything he asks of them because they owe their livelihoods to him. It hinted at a bigger backstory that will be revealed as the weeks go on leading to Mortimer pushing his team “too far” so they snap and turn on him. Mortimer has a Jim Cornette–type persona.

Here’s where we get ridiculous Eric - you’ve never seen this gimmick before have you?

(3) Rod & Richard Johnson (w/Mortimer Plumbtree) beat James Storm & Psicosis when a Johnson pinned Storm at 4:50. Alicia (Ryan Shamrock from WWF, Ken’s real–life girlfriend) walked down the aisle during the match for some unknown reason. Morty interfered at the end helping his team win. After the match the ref gave Alicia a wad of cash. Not sure why. The Johnsons look like an ’80s musclebound team caught in a timewarp. (*)

Yes that is the James Storm - future member of America’s Most Wanted & Beer Money. Is this the silliest shit you’ve ever seen?

Backstage the Dupps doing a hillbilly gimmick picked their noses. Behrens, getting his required TV time, told them not to get intoxicated on TV. One of the Dupps said he didn’t know of anyone ever getting drunk off of beer. I hope this humor plays better in the South than with me.

Racers Hermie Sadler and Sterling Marlin came to the ring to be interviewed by Jeremy Borash. Marlin is the point leader in NASCAR and a legit celebrity among NASCAR fans. K-Krush interrupted and did a bit about racers not being real athletes. He used language like “your kind” and “my kind” which came across as thinly veiled race-dividing. Brian Christopher interrupted (although the announcers couldn’t decide whether his last name was Christopher or Lawler). They set up a match for next week.

NASCAR and WCW worked together a lot during its time. Do you think that branded WCW as Southern or do you think at this point NASCAR was more national?

Backstage Jeff Jarrett choked out Fargo.

This is like watching a television show on pay-per-view that you spent $10 on. We’re 3/4 through, do you think you got at least $7.50 worth at this point?

(4) The Dupps beat Christian York & Joey Matthews at 3:41. Good action, but too short to be much of a match. The Dupps are a bit too Bushwacker to be taken seriously, but may be good for mid-card laughs. (*1/2)

It has to be difficult to introduce all these new characters all at once - and it’s a lot so far - how do you think TNA has handled this creatively?

Is the basis of the show good do you think - and how would you compare it to your various restart/relaunch shows of WCW & TNA in the past?

Toby Keith’s hit video aired. Then Keith began singing his new controversial anthem that Peter Jennings refused to associate with. Jarrett interrupted (late in the song), shoving him from behind. He said nobody wants to hear him sing. “Get your ass out of here, I have a world title to win,” he said, then finished with what may be his new catch-phrase: “How do you like me now?”

Toby Keith is a legit gigantic star and his relationship with Jarrett is excellent so Toby could help bring viewers in. Did you ever try to get Toby to come into WCW at any point in time?

(5) Ken Shamrock beat Malace to end a 20 man Gauntlet for the Gold battle royal to capture the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Title at 37:37.

“Jarrett eliminated the next three entrants in order: Buff Bagwell, Lash Laroux, and Norman Smiley. Then out came Apollo, K-Kwik, Slash (w/Jim Mitchell), Del Rios, Justice, Konnan, Lenny, and Bruce (replacing injured Lodi). Gertner introduced Lenny & Bruce with a limerick. Rick Steiner then came out and eliminated several in rapid-fire fashion. Malice (w/Mitchell) entered next followed by Scott Hall. When Steiner charged Malice with a clothesline, Malice ducked and Steiner flew over the top rope to be eliminated. It came down to Jarrett, Apollo, Malice, and Hall at that point. Toby Keith came back to the ring and suplexed Jarrett with Hall’s encouragement. Big pop. Chris Harris came out next, followed by Vampire Warrior, Devon Storm, Steve Corino, Ken Shamrock, and final entrant Brian Christopher. Corino, Vampire, Storm, and Harris were eliminated rapid-fire, then Shamrock eliminated Christopher and Malace eliminated Apollo. Malace then threw out Hall at 31:30. Rick Steamboat entered the ring to ref as Shamrock worked Malace over with submission holds. Shamrock finally finished off Malace with his belly–to–belly slam finisher. Fans got

behind Shamrock. Good final seven minutes. (***1/2)

A 30 minute battle royal to close the show to a 7 minute main event to crown a new NWA Champion is quite the finish to this show. Toby Keith was by far presented as the biggest star but Steamboat going in there and being the referee to crown Shamrock as the new champion was made to seem like a big moment. Would you had crowned someone on the first show or let it build - maybe a tournament ran over various weeks?

When you have this many people wrapped up in one match on a debut show - it feels a lot to be desired does it not?

TNA - now Impact - has now celebrated its 21st year in business - more than double what WCW did, last 13 years more than ECW did, and it’s various forms have led itself to being purchased by a company who bought a TV channel just to continue to air it - I never saw that coming - did you?

As Tenay began his wrap–up, Jarrett stormed out again and complained about Keith’s interference. Fargo and Keith came out to address Jarrett. Fargo announced Jarrett would fight “their guy” Scott Hall on next week’s PPV.

Was it too Southern? Was it not national enough? What’s the honest feedback Eric? Would you had bought a second show if you had bought this show?

“Promoter and booker Jerry Jarrett told the TORCH after the first PPV concluded that he was happy with the event, but already sees room for improvements and tweaking. “The fact that the show even took place is a blessing considering the ring broke five minutes before we went on the air,” he said. “It almost caused me to have a heart attack. We were under the gun, I’ve been moving non–stop for two days. My brain is fried, but I’m looking forward to sitting back and watching a tape at home. We have a week to produce the pretaped second show and two weeks to learn from this first taping to plan out the third show. We’ll be talking to everybody.”

He added, “You can’t build Rome in a day,” but said from what he saw from the producer’s truck, he thought the show went alright. He said the representatives from In Demand who were at the event told him early reports from cable companies were that the buyrate was encouraging. “Overwhelming success was the language they used,” said Jarrett, “but we won’t really know anything until Friday.” He said he still doesn’t believe fewer than 50,000 will

have ordered it, break–even–build–from-there starting point.”

Jerry & Jeff had been fooled by Hausman but that’s a story for another day. If the pay-per-view provider is happy though - it’s hard to be disappointed right?

“The Jarretts announced that future pay–per–views will be held live every week from Nashville. With ticket sales estimated at less than 500 the week before the first PPV in Huntsville, Ala., the Jarretts finalized plans to hold their events at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium on a weekly basis. As part of the Nashville move, the Jarretts also announced plans to hold their PPVs live every week as opposed to the original plan, which was to hold bi–weekly tapings. The Jarrett family sent a crew of workers to Huntsville last week to begin handing out free tickets to the event. The crew is said to have passed out over 10,000 coupons that had to be turned in for free tickets. On the afternoon of the show, the group had reportedly distributed over 1,500 tickets as a result of the give–away.”

This though…is a sign of things to come is it not? Why do you think all those people shit on you when you rebuilt WCW on the sound stage and then couldn’t give tickets away in what they thought was their home base of a company that had died in 1997 (USWA)?

Are there things you would’ve done differently?

What do you think Eric - thumbs up, thumbs in the middle, thumbs down?