TNA True Impact No. 5: Who The Heck Is In Charge of TNA?

Critics of TNA have many questions.

Who's a heel and who's a face?

Why is Mick Foley the champ?

Why is the company not pushing its homegrown stars?

But lately, no one seems to be asking the obvious question: Who the heck is in charge of TNA?

Let's take a ride on the merry-go-round called TNA leadship.

Jim Cornette

Through the years, TNA had used several different people as the face of TNA management.

A board of directors "controlled" everything, but none of them were ever shown. They all acted through a figurehead icon.

TNA struck gold by putting Jim Cornette, arguably one of the best talkers in the business, in that position.

He ran the company better than any of the WWE general managers, made people laugh and took care of business when the time called for it.

He made matches, he stripped champions of their gold and he tormented the heels.
Cornette became a character who fans looked forward to seeing each week, and he always kept them entertained.

Then, the guitars started appearing in the ring, helping guys like A.J. Styles and Samoa Joe win matches.

Everyone knew it could only mean one thing...

Jeff Jarrett

After a nearly two-year absence from the six-sided ring after the death of his wife, Jeff Jarrett returned to action last fall.

But when the King of the Mountain returned to TNA, he brought with him a new title (not championship, title): founder of TNA Wrestling.

Everyone already knew Jarrett had founded the company with his father, but it was never revealed in storylines (a la HHH and Stephanie McMahon's marriage in the WWE).

In a time of brewing contention amongst the TNA Originals and the industry veterans, Jarrett found himself in a position to take the helm.

He began booking matches, primarily involving this brewing feud.

But as things developed more and more, Jarrett's on-screen character assumed more of a leadership position.

And before long, the doors opened for another man, a legend in his own right, to enter the power structure of TNA.

Mick Foley

After leaving the WWE commentary booth to head to TNA, the hardcore legend Mick Foley debuted as TNA's new "executive shareholder."

No one really understood what this new role meant, nor did they care because it simply meant that Foley had become TNA's newest big name acquisition.

At first, he played a supporting role to Jarrett and began a storyline with Kurt Angle. He carried a few smaller feuds, including a brief one with Alex Shelley of the Motor City Machineguns.

But before long, Foley began booking matches and making decisions himself. He became another player in the power structure of the company.

Then, at the Lockdown pay-per-view, Foley did the unthinkable and became the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. More on that later.

Traci Brooks

Deciding to take a break from in-ring action, Traci Brooks was appointed the "knockout law" by Cornette.

She was put in charge of maintaining peace and stability in the knockouts division.
But this never really took off, and before long, Brooks had all but disappeared from television all together.

If not for her relationship with Kaz, believed by many to be a future star in the company, she might not even be employed still.

Mystery Investor

Several months back TNA began releasing text messages about a new female investor who would be buying into the company.

This happened shortly after the Mick Foley acquisition, and fans began wondering who it could be.

Some people believed it would be Karen Angle's return to the company following her separation from Kurt. Others thought it would be Jenna Morasco, the Survivor winner who was rumored to join the company.

Well, in the end, fans never got an answer, as this plan failed to materialize, probably for the betterment of the company.

Dixie Carter

While she's never involved with storylines, this story wouldn't be complete without mentioning Dixie Carter, president of TNA.

In real life, she and her family's company are major investors in the company and have much backstage control.

She's not really riding the merry-go-round of kayfabe leadership, but she deserves recognition for her work in the real day-to-day operations and success of the company.

Vince Russo

He really has no relevance to this article, but people blame him for everything, so he might as well be in charge. Right?

So what's the deal?

Well, it seems as if the TNA merry-go-round will keep on spinning for a while longer, as things get more complicated and convoluted in TNA.

The following may be a spoiler, so skip the italicized portion of this if you don't want to know what's ahead:

Foley will be defending his championship in a fatal four-way match at Sacrifice against Angle, Sting and Jarrett. That puts two of TNA's top leaders in a title match. Where's the sense in that?

Cornette has not been nearly as involved as before, and that's something that needs to be rectified immediately. Cornette needs to have a major presence in TNA television weekly.

Karen Angle likely won't be returning, and Jenna Morasco is involved with Kevin Nash and Sharmell right now.

So who the heck is in charge? Who knows.

But something needs to be done. TNA needs a better authority figure. Here's a possible scenario, but bear with me as it does involved adding another face to the televised equation.

The future

Carter should make an appearance on TNA television, revealing herself as the company's president, but stressing it as a special appearance.

She should inform a group of people in the ring (including Jarrett and Foley) that TNA management has been extremely disappointed in the way things have fallen apart in the company.

Then, she can call Cornette outand tell him that he's back in charge, and it doesn't matter who founded the company or who owns the most stock.

It's her company and she can do what she wants. The past is the past, and Cornette has the power to move things forward.

This could present an opportunity to use Cornette as the heel general manager and have him feud with the likes of Jarrett, or they could turn Jarrett heel and have his be the disgruntled TNA founder who has been stripped of what he believes is rightfully his own.

After the fall of the Main Event Mafia, this could be the next war to brew in TNA, with each Jarrett and Cornette taking people on their side.

In closing

This scenario may not be the best option, but it's a way to clear things up in the management picture.

Or there's always the other option: allow myself and a select group of Bleacher Creatures to run the company our own way, both on and off the screen. First orders of business: bring back Petey Williams and Roxxi, can Rhaka Khan, and get the belt off Mick Foley.

Who's with me?