Happy 15 Years TNA, er I mean Global Force Wrestling

When TNA (Total Non-stop Action, so don't go there) debuted on the wrestling scene, it was a weekly PPV show. Back in 2002, I didn't watch WWE PPVs. Paying to see the equivalent of weekly wrestling product was a non-starter. I became more interested in TNA around 2004-2005 as my interest in the independents grew but particularly because of its connection to the NWA. So I read up on the flagship of the NWA. They did put on series of PPVs, which were PPVs but I didn't see them until they were on DVD. Considerably after. So once NWA-TNA's Impact show was available on the 'Net and then TV, I made sure to watch.


The NWA connection didn't last long. I continued watching though. Total Non-stop Action wasn't just a fancy name. While the selling and story-telling could have used improvement, the action was top-notch. For a television show, Impact put on matches of a caliber that WWE reserves for PPV. I bought a bunch of DVDs. Some I still haven't watched.


Anyways, the company went through several phases but drifted away from the fast action pace into WWE lite. I'd like to say I stopped watching because of that. Really, it was for the same reason as WWE. Unlike WWE, TNA was, and far as I know currently is, a difficult product to follow. WWE has its network and Hulu streams some of WWE's shows. TNA has had... difficulties. Aces & Eights was the primary storyline when I last watched the promotion.


During the years since, TNA has had problem after problem. Occasionally, I would see a snippet on Social Media on go Hmmm. Jeff Jarret formed a new promotion called Global Force Wrestling (GFW). Both promotions would have cross-overs?


In any case, TNA was hyping up toward its big PPV of the year, what they call their anniversary PPV Slammiversary. As I still had yet to get back fully into wrestling, you could guess I wasn't planning on ordering it. You'd be correct. Still it was nice to see the underdog promotion was still ticking.


Then I discovered today, TNA was no more. Instead, it is becoming Global Force Wrestling. Turns out all troubles led to a new owner and that new owner liked how Jeff Jarret thinks. They also didn't want folks minds going into the gutter every time 'TNA' popped up. Ergo both of Jarret's promotions are merged into one, ala GFW. There's talks about expanded markets and entering the world of streaming television. The latter being a good thing as it would be nice to actually, you know, watch a full program of Global Force Wrestling.


So in two days time, at Slammiversary, TNA will officially become Global Force Wrestling. As an old fan, I wish it the best. Happy 15 years GFW.


Next Time.