Author Archives: Mark Hulser

Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle has an ankle lock on fellow wrestler Mr.Anderson at a recent Impact Wrestling Live Event. Photo: Mark Hulser

What is TNA Wrestling?

 TNA wresting, known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling was first created in 2002, right after World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) bought rival companies World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling. Even though WWE was the premiere brand of wrestling, TNA felt that over time it would be able to create a WCW style company. They have been able to find diamonds in the rough in professional wrestlers to work for them such as A.J. Styles and Robert Roode. The company’s expansion has also allowed them to scoop up talent from rival WWE and Independent Organizations like Ring of Honor. These names include some of the most well known wrestlers in the world, including Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and former WCW Legend Sting. Yet the company, now into its 10th anniversary, has struggled to find its niche.

 The Changes

Hulk Hogan takes time to stop and sign autographs for some wrestling fans while promoting TNA wrestling. Photo: Mark Hulser

 The first seven years of the company had been ok, but even with top shelf talent in Kurt Angle, Sting, and Samoa Joe, the ratings were still not even close to what WWE was pulling in. There would also be live untelevised events that would only sell about half of the seats. A WWE event, regardless of it being untelevised always either sells out or is nearly sold out to this day. So on October 27^th 2009, TNA received a much needed boost. The legendary Hulk Hogan and former WCW Head Eric Bischoff were brought in to give TNA a makeover. Drastic changes were made throughout the company. Examples of those changes were turning the original six-sided ring into a standard four-sided ring and changing the entire focus of the company. New names were brought in and current stars were either given their walking papers or given a new gimmick. The biggest gamble was putting TNA Wrestling on the same time as WWE Monday Night Raw. Unfortunately, even with the help of Hogan and Bischoff, TNA has still not even made a dent in WWE’s ratings and at one point was forced to move their weekly show back to Thursday nights.

Why Are These Changes Not Working?

Wrestler Jeff Jarrett (White and Gold Trunks) has his counterpart Crimson in a headlock in front of a suspect crowd at a recent live event in Brooklyn. Photo: Mark Hulser

It is very hard to determine why these changes have not produced the expectations of TNA brass. Every few months, it seems as if more changes are made and the changes appear not to be the right moves. Whether it is shaking up the storylines, or bringing TNA on the road to other states besides Florida (which is where they are based), nothing seems to make an impact on ratings.  Recently, TNA decided to change the name of their wrestling program to Impact Wrestling. The reason for this change was because WWE decided to drop the wrestling name from their company all together and now consider themselves an entertainment industry. Their message is the right message, conveying that TNA is still a wrestling company so they can appease wrestling fans all over. Only time will tell if TNA can muster up something that can change their fortunes in years to come.

Knicks in Complete Turmoil

Dwight Howard makes it look easy against Amar'e Stoudemire and Jared Jeffries in a recent Knicks loss. Photo: Mark Hulser

The New York Knicks were supposed to be championship contenders this season, but unfortunately for their fans, it has been a disappointing start to the season. During the offseason, General Manager Glen Grunwald decided to establish a defensive presence on the coaching staff. He chose to hire Mike Woodson as the “defensive guru,” which was quoted by Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni before the season started. There has been little improvement. As of yesterday, the Knicks were allowing 95.14 points per game, which is 17th in the NBA. Also, opponents are shooting at a 45% clip from inside the arc and nearly 40% from behind the arc. All three statistics surpass what the Knicks have produced on their end.

Can the real Carmelo Anthony please stand up?

Carmelo Anthony chats with the referee, but unfortunately, that will not really help his game. Photo: Mark Hulser

Small Forward Carmelo Anthony has been a very poor shooter as of late. In nearly every game, he has shot 40% or less from the field. Even in wins, most recently against the Bobcats in Charlotte, he went 0 for 7 from the field and finished with one point. It has been disputed that because of the lockout, he has not found his groove. Carmelo is shooting a paltry 40.3% from the field, about 6% less than his career average. Yet, he still gets a starting spot in this year’s All-Star game. So the question remains, where is Carmelo Anthony?

Just a Bunch of Benchwarmers

Bill Walker takes time to stop for the fans outside Madison Square Garden before a recent game. Photo: Mark Hulser

When Power Forward Amar’e Stoudemire and Center Tyson Chandler come off the floor, it seems as if the Knicks are bringing people from the concession stands to play as reserves. Shooting Guard Bill Walker, Power Forward Jared Jeffries, Small Forward Renaldo Balkman, Center Jerome Jordan and all the other bench players are just plain awful. They may be very fan friendly outside the Garden before games, but that does not excuse them from their pitiful performances. The Knicks as of today have 8 wins and 14 losses; regardless if there was a lockout or not, they need to turn it around as soon as possible. Otherwise, the fans will stop showing up like a few years ago and this time they may not come back.