Back in 2004 when Impact Wrestling was still TNA, the company announced a deal with Fox Sports Net to run its new TNA Impact program. I thought it was dope because I had only gotten my hands on TNA action from a college friend who taped the weekly PPVs.
Immediately, Impact Wrestling sought to stand out by taking AAA and Toryumon 2000 Project’s six-sided ring. This part worked. While TNA Impact presented a product that faster paced but still familiar, that ring drew your attention. Sometimes you need a gimmick, folks.
However, that FSN deal wasn’t to last and by 2005 TNA bounced to Spike. It would be the beginning of a long journey with the company moving from network to network, being seen by fewer eyes each move.
What Was Awesome About TNA Impact on FSN
First, the company’s roster at the time was really good. We know about the TNA Classic roster of Jarrett, Styles, Lynn, Low Ki, Red, Triple X, 3Live Kru, Monty Brown, and AMW.
However, during the FSN days, Impact Wrestling brought in more young talents and we got guys from AAA who were putting in competitive matches for the promotion’s World title—yes, I’m talking Hector Garza and Shocker.
The other thing I loved about their FSN slot was the minor touch of the time clock. Paired with the news ticker, it gave TNA Impact a sports presentation feel. It didn’t come off as just another wrestling show completely. With the one-hour length, booking was consistent.
Impact Wrestling wanted an exciting product with a pace that matched the name “Total Nonstop Action.” It had the roster for it, it just needed to stay at one hour to pull it together perfectly. Which it did! I tuned in every Friday afternoon after finishing classes and something happened every episode.
You got Jarrett being all “Southern Fried Triple H” as the “King of the Mountain”, exciting tag team matches and X Division bouts, Monty Brown on the mic something always happened.
Where The FSN Deal Failed for Impact Wrestling
Three words: afternoon time slot. That time slot was awful. I was able to make it home in time to watch wrestling at 3PM in the afternoon but Impact Wrestling was missing out on major demographics. A chunk—if not the majority—of adults worked during the day. Kids are just getting out of school and depending on the market, high school students didn’t get out until 3:30PM.
FSN hooked Impact Wrestling up with the worst time slot outside of the graveyard slot. The only promotion with a worse slot was Women’s Extreme Wrestling being on ESPN at like 1AM.
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