History Repeating Itself: Are TNA and Eric Bischoff About To Challenge the WWE?

The vast majority will say no. The ratings do not lie. The TNA Impact Zone looks poor, whilst the WWE operation is international and highly professional.

And yet in terms of content, it is arguable that TNA is working harder than the WWE.

Wrestling is of course all about opinions. What one fan may enjoy, causes another to reach for their video collection to relive nostalgic moments from the past. The polarising effect of John Cena is enough to show just how difficult it can be to be a wrestler promoter.

And yet for all their success, the WWE is in danger of repeating the past with its current format. Much has been written about the PG era but the problem lies in the creative output of the show.

On the flip side, TNA is following the similar Bischoff model of "controversy creates cash." It could also be called "trial and error" with the wrestling community divided on exactly how many of the ventures have been successful.

But what is striking is the comparisons that could be made with the mid 1990s WWF. Fresh off the golden era of Hogan and Savage, wrestling was in the doldrums. There was a fresh crop of wrestlers, but after the steroid trials, it was no longer mainstream television.

Ironically at a time when Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker were in their prime, the WWE was beginning to fall into decline.

What made the WWE so susceptible to the onslaught that would become WCW, was its poor content. Switch over to TNT and you had unpredictable action, a strong locker room and a good wrestling card from top to bottom each week.

The WWE of the mid-1990s had little drive or focus. The storylines were weak and the wrestlers were being under used. Losing Lex Luger, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall showed the world that wrestling was beginning to change.

Suddenly the mighty WWE was being challenged. By 1997, it was on the verge of bankruptcy.  

Fast forward 13 years, and while it's not exactly the same, the WWE is nonetheless looking somewhat complacent. Embarrassing promos, pointless guest hosts, and extremely poor matches are beginning to dominate the flagship program, Raw. On Smackdown, changes are no doubt afoot, but its content has also been poor.

As I have written before, the decline of a business does not come overnight. The WWE is likely to survive for many many more years to come. Without consolidation however the company is under threat of losing its position of strength. When we consider that the WWE had several million more viewers in the Attitude Era, the decline begins to show.

TNA do not need to beat the WWE in ratings to succeed. All they need to do is get attention and build on their success. Bischoff has been in charge now for nine months and for TNA to succeed, he must begin to initiate a long term plan.

There are some like Paul Heyman that doubt this in place, but for TNA to challenge, there needs to be a series of steps taken.

At present, TNA looks like the WCW of old. It's edgier, it's unpredictable, and it is striking at the weaknesses of the WWE. The fundamental problems that exist are still there but with sustained effort, a little bit of luck and a few gambles, TNA can begin to roll forward.

The things they must do are well documented but its efforts to bring about a genuine challenger to the WWE are evident. Whether they will succeed depends on many factors but the complacency of the WWE at the moment is telling.

In 1995, the WWE was the only wrestling organisation of note, within two years it had been overtaken. Contraversies and complacency had allowed Bischoff and Hogan to creep through and seize the initiative. Fuelled by his desire to win, McMahon reacted and the Attitude Era was born.

Monopolies in any area of life is not a good thing. There is no incentive to improve, no challenge, no need to listen to the consumer. TNA may not be the WCW of old, it may never even get close to the WWE. But the lessons of the past must be respected.

The WWE needs to fire back, it needs something to reinvigorate its programming. People watch TNA now for good wrestling and unpredictability. What can we say is the WWE's main selling point at moment?

The PG era might restrict another Stone Cold but if it is obliterate the challenge of TNA before it has even started, the WWE needs to act now and get stronger in terms of its creativity.

TNA may very well implode but there is always a chance that if it can get out of Florida, the roll on effect can bring about a new wrestling rivalry.

Vince does not need to act now for the WWE to be safe but if he wants to remove all doubt, change is needed.

Stone Cold made wrestling mainstream again, the company needs that success again to stay unopposed at the top.