Monday Night Wars: Round 2

There has definitely been a lot of debate about the Monday Night Wars and more specifically if TNA is at the level it needs to be to compete.

Since I'm not French I'm gonna go ahead and choose a side. I do think this is the beginning of a wrestling ratings war. Will it be as intense as Nitro vs. Raw in the 90's? No, probably not. Will either show garner a 5 or 6? Definitely not. Will Impact's numbers improve past a 2? I really think so. In fact I think at some point they'll hit a 3.

I think the thing that has people the most doubtful about this rating war happening is TNA's popularity level and I really think that is a very poor point. TNA doesn't need to be as over as WCW was to compete.

All they need is TV time in North America on a decent TV station, a solid roster, a few recognizable faces and to call the WWE out. They have everything they need to compete and they called the WWE out, which creates the illusion of competition in the minds of the fans.

Much like the recession we just had, all it takes is enough people to spread the word that there's a recession and people start to panic and spend less money which in turn loses the business that consumer would have given to a particular company, causing that company to cut costs and/or jobs which in turn puts another unemployed person out there that can't spend money somewhere else.

So that company has to do the same thing until the recession takes full form. Like the recession, people talk about a ratings war which makes others believe there is one. And all that talk makes more people watch and creates a full-fledged war.

Regarding the actual products, Vince didn't put anything new or amazing out(let's face it, Bret Hart was NOTHING special.) which I think does well to keep talk of a war out of hardcore WWE fans' mouths.

But TNA did a lot to stand out. First off, this week's Impact was the first one I watched in months. Secondly, they put out some good matches and even more importantly about those matches they were a lot different than those featured on any WWE program. Kudos to them for that.

I was however, absolutely horrified to see a fat, old, probably drunk Scott Hall show up with Sean "Corey Mason Sr." Waltman(The resemblance is uncanny. No disrespect to either guy.).This show felt VERY much like an episode of Nitro that was badly in need of a box of Just For Men.

And did we really need to see Val Venis or the Nasty Boyz? I understand that they want to bring in some memorable guys from the Attitude Era but it really wasn't necessary. I will say that Jeff Hardy is a good addition to their roster and he could be used to propel the X Division back to the main event. It doesn't have to be more or less important than the world title, just different. Wishful thinking I know but at least it earned my viewer ship for at least another week.

I remember seeing a few indy workers' Facebook statuses supporting TNA and if this indy support spans beyond Ontario, they just might be able to reach the next level and seriously compete.

Next week when TNA drops the ball and a Styles/Nash match ends with a fingerpoke of doom I'm gonna have to come back and retract everything and admit there's no ratings war and it's not going to be an exciting few months. But until then I stand behind my belief that TNA can do it.

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