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PWINSIDER Q&A: GIMMICK MATCHES, WOMEN IN TNA, PUNJABI PRISON AND MORE

Answered on 9/1

As a way of boosting interest (and therefore ratings), why doesn't WWE use more interesting stipulation and theme matches that interest viewers? For example, during the "Attitude" era, Hell in a Cell matches, Steel Cage matches, Casket matches, Street Fight matches, Buried Alive matches, etc. were commonplace on PPVs, and many times on Raw is War. While a lot of the popularity of that era is certainly a result of the power, skill, and popularity of the wrestlers of the time (Stone Cold, Foley, Rock, Kane, DX), I think a lot of the popularity can also be attributed to interesting match stipulations. Nowadays, it is rare to even see a Steel Cage match. I think more matches like these, or even the increase of simply using foreign objects could boost ratings, especially in ECW since that is the program that would be most receptive to it, but what do you think?

I think someone in WWE must agree with you, since we will be seeing both a Hell In A Cell match and a TLC match on the next PPV!  Seriously, I think gimmick matches can draw attention, but in the long run, too many gimmick matches will just lessen the impact of them, and make "regular matches" seem dull.  I prefer to see the gimmick matches come out when they mean something, as part of a long running feud (like the TLC match for Edge and Cena).  Having gimmick matches just for the sake of having them won't replace telling better stories from a creative standpoint.

Why WWE didn't promote what was a Punjabi Prison match? I saw pictures of the structure and it looked intriguing. Having seen that before the show, I think I would have been more inclined to order the GAB. were they hoping for '' I don't know what a Punjabi Prison match is... let's order the show'' kind of reaction of the fans or what? I think they dropped the ball on that one.

I agree, I think WWE underestimated themselves in regards to this gimmick.  Even though the match wasn't spectacular, the structure was impressive looking, and even showing pictures or drawings of it on television would have been more intriguing than going with the "We don't know what it will be, buy the PPV to find out" tactic they used.

Is there a reason TNA doesn't make more of their DVDs available to rent, besides the obvious reason that they want us to buy them outright? Netflix doesn't carry any TNA DVDs, and Blockbuster.com only lists 3 "best of" discs (Jeff Hardy, Raven, and Christopher Daniels). I think making them as widely available to rent as possible would help the company expand their fan base, increase PPV buys, and bring in new revenue. What do you think?

Honestly, I don't think having DVD's available in rental chains will expand TNA's fanbase any more than having a nationally broadcast cable show every week would.  If TNA was still a PPV-only company, I would agree with you, but since they are on television every week, they can reach a much larger audience.  If anything, not having titles to rent is a good thing for TNA.  If TNA had all their titles in Netflix, fans would be more likely to rent than buy, and TNA wouldn't make as much in their DVD revenues. 

I must respectfully disagree with you. I think that women wrestlers would have outstanding matches on TNA PPVs. They can be as tough and as exciting as their male counterparts, if they were only given the chance. Would you agree?

I don't want to be derogatory towards the female performers, or give the impression that I don't respect them, because I do.  However, can anyone honestly say that any combination of Gail Kim, Sirelda, Traci Brooks and Christy Hemme can have a match as "tough and exciting" as Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Senshi, Rhino, Homicide, Christian Cage, etc.?  Kim vs. Sirelda was the worst match on the last TNA PPV, and exposed that Sirelda wasn't ready for the spot yet.  The talent just isn't there, and with only four hours of TV a month to promote the PPV events, TNA really doesn't have the time to try and build interest in a women's division that barely exists to begin with.  If they started importing Japanese and Mexican workers, as well as the better female performers on the indy scene, then maybe there would be reason to do so, but I don't see TNA doing that either. 

What advice could you give to an indy guy living in the UK, who would like to get noticed and hopefully a development deal with WWE?

Move to the U.S.  Seriously, the first thing you would want to do is work as much as possible and improve in the ring to the point where you at least have a local reputation where you are now.  If you can get on shows with U.S. talent, which will be seen by more people, even better.  If you get established, it will be easier for you to get a try-out match with WWE, or at least put together a North American tour working for some indy groups, so you can gain more experience.  Obviously, the best way to get noticed is to enroll in a school or join a promotion with WWE ties, or that have a track record of sending talent to WWE.  However, those promotions are in the U.S. 

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