TNA Impact Wrestling: The 10 Things That Held Back the Company the Most in 2011

If there was ever a wrestling promotion that needed life support on occasion to remain active and functional, it is TNA Wrestling.

Created nine years ago as an alternative to the WWE and the empire that Vince McMahon had built, TNA, with their roots entrenched in Florida, is still scratching and clawing its way up the ranks of the wrestling food chain.

Remember, there are only three "major" promotions in the states with several independent territories still putting a handful of people in the seats.

About halfway through the year, it looked like the creative team and corporate development had gotten themselves on the same page, trying to brand a group that is unique in its approach to the "sport" of wrestling.

Now, as the new year is around the corner and the big bad WWE is still atop the mountain as the best there is and will be, TNA is faced with many questions about how to promote its brand and keep people happy in the seats without becoming the red-headed stepchild.

There were many reasons why this promotion was held back this year and while some things really worked, there were others that just fell apart and set TNA back years on end.

10. Victory Road: Sting vs. Jeff Hardy

It was supposed to be the future taking on the past and present.

What happened allowed fans to really see the Jeff Hardy we all feared.

This match was supposed to be Hardy having the torch passed to him.

It set back everything the company had been working on to establish itself as a leader, not a follower.

9. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff

Like a bad train wreck, these two continued to hold the company back.

Bischoff is still in the spotlight and while Hogan is out of camera shot, he is still rumbling with his mouth and actions.

These two helped destroy WCW and it looks like they are attempting to do the same thing in TNA because of greed.

8. Letting Good Talent Go

Over the course of a year, we saw Jay Lethal and Generation Me leave the company for various reasons.

in my opinion, this company is still reeling from the loss of Petey Williams.

This severely hurt the talent pool.

These four competitors were golden and made it happen when they were on camera. Instead we were left with Scott Steiner, Shark Boy and third-rate wrestlers.

7. Mick Foley Left as Quick as He Came in

We expected Foley to help get the company on square footing. Creative differences led to him asking to be let out of his contract.

This was another big blow to the development of talent and storylines.

Foley could have been a huge influence backstage. Hogan and Bischoff were an opposition for the icon.

6. Falling Back on WCW Ideas and Getting No Return

The thing I really like about TNA is its approach and the idea that the brands before them worked. Jeff Jarrett knows this. Eric Bischoff knows this. Sting knows this.

Dixie Carter and Vince Russo don't have a clue.

Trying older NWA-like ideas is a good thing if they worked before. If they were abysmal, then they should never be attempted.

5. Replying Too Much on Older Wrestlers

Scott Steiner has no business being in wrestling.

Bully Ray is great but is stuck where he is.

Sting finally decided to get out of the ring.

Not allowing Crimson, Gunner, Matt Morgan, Beer Money and Austin Aries to step up sooner has hurt this company.

Allowing younger talent to shine can only make TNA better.

4. Dixie Carter

Does everything that is negative about this company fall on the shoulders of Dixie Carter?

No.

Does everything that looks shortsighted and fast in action fall on the shoulders of Dixie Carter?

Maybe.

There needs to be stronger management and communication. If Carter's real-life persona is anything like her on-screen character, then this company needs to be sold to management that can really take it somewhere special.

There needs to be an overhaul starting at the top.

3. This Is Not the WWE

So much is made about the old "Monday Night Wars" and how WCW kicked Vince around for 80-plus weeks.

TNA is nothing like the WWE. The brands are not similar and the notion they are competitive with each other is a joke.

One makes money by capitalizing on the industry. The other just wants to be part of the industry.

2. Lack of True Push with New and Original Characters

You can make a case there are five or six superstars being held back right now for whatever reason.

And their talents are being wasted like three-day old bread.

The Pope, Samoa Joe, Kazarian, British Invasion and Velvet Sky.

Someone needs a swift kick in the ass and be moved out of the director's chair.

1. Too Many Changes in the Script

From time to time, the ideas of creative heads will clash.

It seems like an every-hour opportunity in TNA.

Whether it is Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan or others, the story keeps changing and the belt moves from hand to hand like a hot potato.

I can honestly say TNA is doing the right thing by putting the strap on Bobby Roode.