TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling, now known as Impact Wrestling, is an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. It emerged as an alternative to WWE, the dominant wrestling promotion, and sought to provide a different product with a mix of established stars and new talent.
### History and Evolution
**Early Years (2002-2004):**
– **Foundation:** TNA was founded in Nashville, Tennessee. Initially, it operated as a weekly pay-per-view (PPV) promotion, distinguishing itself from WWE’s weekly TV shows.
– **Innovations:** TNA introduced the six-sided ring, which offered a unique visual presentation and allowed for innovative match formats.
– **Key Figures:** Early stars included Ken Shamrock, AJ Styles, and Jeff Jarrett.
**Growth and Spike TV Era (2005-2014):**
– **Television Deal:** In 2005, TNA secured a TV deal with Spike TV (now the Paramount Network), significantly increasing its visibility.
– **X-Division:** TNA’s X-Division, featuring high-flying and athletic wrestlers, became a standout aspect of the promotion, with stars like AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Samoa Joe.
– **Main Event Talent:** TNA attracted major wrestling stars such as Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage (Christian in WWE), and later, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
– **Bound for Glory:** This annual event became TNA’s flagship PPV, similar to WWE’s WrestleMania.
**Challenges and Rebranding (2015-Present):**
– **Leadership Changes:** The company underwent several leadership changes, with Dixie Carter, Billy Corgan, and Anthem Sports & Entertainment taking turns in ownership and management.
– **Rebranding:** In 2017, TNA was rebranded as Impact Wrestling. The promotion aimed to rebuild its image and streamline its product.
– **Talent Exodus:** Over the years, many key talents left for WWE or other promotions, prompting TNA to develop new stars like Ethan Carter III (EC3), Bobby Lashley, and Drew Galloway (Drew McIntyre).
– **Partnerships:** Impact Wrestling established working relationships with international promotions like AAA (Mexico), NJPW (Japan), and others to cross-promote talent and events.
### Key Features and Contributions
**X-Division:**
– Aimed at showcasing high-flying and technical wrestling, it was epitomized by the slogan “It’s not about weight limits, it’s about no limits.”
– Key matches include the Ultimate X match, where competitors navigate cables above the ring to retrieve an object.
**Knockouts Division:**
– TNA’s women’s division, known as the Knockouts, became notable for its competitive matches and strong storylines. Stars include Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, and Taryn Terrell.
**Innovative Matches:**
– Apart from the six-sided ring, TNA introduced match types like the King of the Mountain match and the Feast or Fired match, adding unique elements to traditional wrestling formats.
**Major Storylines:**
– Key storylines have included the rise of the Main Event Mafia, a faction of veteran wrestlers; the dominance of Aces & Eights, a biker gang-inspired faction; and the ongoing rivalries within the Knockouts division.
### Current State
**Impact Wrestling:**
– The promotion continues to broadcast weekly episodes of Impact! on AXS TV and other platforms.
– Recent years have seen a focus on rebuilding the roster with new talents and creating compelling storylines to compete in the modern wrestling landscape.
– Major recent stars include Rich Swann, Sami Callihan, Tessa Blanchard, and Moose.
**Partnerships and Collaborations:**
– Impact Wrestling has collaborated with AEW (All Elite Wrestling), allowing for cross-promotional storylines and matches, enhancing its profile and audience reach.
### Legacy
Impact Wrestling, despite numerous challenges, remains a significant player in the professional wrestling industry. Its contributions, particularly in introducing new match formats and promoting high-quality women’s wrestling, have left a lasting impact on the sport. The promotion continues to adapt and evolve, maintaining its place as a notable alternative to WWE and other wrestling organizations.