Ranking The TNA Impact Eras

 

TNA Wrestling makes it debut on AMC tonight. An unusual channel to air pro wrestling on the surface, but in this media landscape maybe what both the network and TNA need. I for one am excited for the promotion and look forward to what they may do with additional resources from this deal 

I started thinking about TNA/Impact turbulent TV deals over the years. And decided to rank them. So here we are with the various Impact Eras by channels.

6. Pursuit

In early 2019 during the Don Callis and Scott D'Amore era joined the Pursuit network. A very odd combination as Pursuit is an outdoor focused network. Both probably partnered up to survive in the rapidly changing landscape.

TNA had a great roster at that time, Brian Cage, Moose,Penta, Johnny Impact, Jordynne Grace, Tessa Blanchard and more. However no one saw TNA as the show aired at 10 pm on Fridays on a third rate cable channel no one heard of.

5. Destination America 

After the 9 1/2 year stability of being on Spike came to an end in 2015, moving to Destination America Kickstarted TNA's TV deal problems. Destination America was another third rate cable channel, most people hadn't heard of before the promotion joined.

Lasting only a year on the network, despite some good wrestling and angles. Such as The Beat Down Clan and Drew Galloway (McIntyre) reinventing himself. The network wasn't a good fit for the promotion however. Leaving the promotion to fall behind in the wrestlingsphere.

4. FoxSportsnet

Airing on FoxSportsnet in 2004, there wasn't much special about this era. TNA aired an hour long show, with often fluctuating start times    However, it laid the groundwork for TNA to be seen by more people, as their only source of programming at the time was the weekly pay-per-views. 

Which led to score a deal with Spike TV a year later. 

3. Pop TV

In January of 2016 TNA then rebranded as Impact Wrestling joined the pop network. Which at the time was recently rebranded from the TV Guide network. Airing on the network until 2018, this era is probably best known for ushering in the Broken era of Matt Hardy. 

While giving guys like Moose, Brian Cage, Eli Drake, and EC3 opportunities to shine. Honestly they did not have the reach as far as how many homes it was available in. However, POP promoted Impact heavily and seemed like a good TV partner.

Other than that while the promotion had a talented roster. Many creative decisions during this time, led to many fans stepping away. Including that awful idea of merging with GFW

2. SpikeTV

Spike TV was probably the best TV partner TNA had thus far. In hindsight they could have done more to help the brand grow, as far as additional programming or specials. Maybe none of that was ever in the cards. However TNA's time on Spike helped the company be taken serious for a while.

Because Spike TV was available in so many homes and Impact was one of it highest rated programs. TNA became the de facto #2 promotion, and produced tons and tons of great wrestling moments. Questionable creative decisions and constant behind the scenes turmoil would often derail momentum during this time.

That mid-2000's run of TNA on Spike TV is legendary 

1. AxsTV

In October 2019 after parent company Anthem bought axstv, the promotion moved there. Since Anthem was not available in many homes, the wise decision to also air on twitch occured. Once Don Callis and Scott D'Amore put their steady hands on the promotion and slowly rebuilt it.

Fans started taking notice and appreciating the promotion. Monumental moments like rebranding back to TNA from Impact wrestling occured during this era. Many started considering Impact must see TV every week, even preferring it over WWE and AEW.

Despite not being an easily available channel, some of the promotions best content and historic moments occured on axs.

Here's to an new era.