James Storm and Bobby Roode recently spoke to The Huffington Post UK to promote TNA’s UK tour. During the interview they talked about TNA trying to keep viewers hooked, WWE signing ex-TNA talent and more. You can check out the full interview here and read some highlights below.
Big Dick from Lucha Underground suggested WWE was trying to buy up the whole roster there. With Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, AJ Styles etc going over to NXT do you think WWE is pursuing the same strategy with TNA?
JS: For me, it only makes smart business. If they’re able to do it because they have the financial backing then so be it. However, it’s also big props to the guys that don’t go. A lot of people are always hating on the guys that don’t go or leave or something. It’s like you don’t have to wrestle in WWE to be successful. A lot of people can’t live with that.
BR: the one thing that you learn in this business is that perception is reality. What you see on TV or what you read about the business isn’t always true. As James said, you don’t have to go to WWe to make money or to be happy. I’ve been in TNA for nearly fifteen years. I’m very happy, financially I’m doing well and it’s been very successful. In this business were all one big happy dysfunctional family. It doesn’t matter which company you work for, everyone wishes everyone else the best. Nobody ever wants to see a company fold. I don’t know why some fans want to see the company do badly. On social media, people are bashing TNA. Why? If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. When I was a kid, I would have wanted wrestling on every singly night. It didn’t matter what it was.
JS: If the company does go out of business, WWE might not pick up your favourite wrestler you were watching on the other company. Now you don’t get to see the guy you wanted to see.
With TNA on an upswing what’s your advice to the creative team to keep viewers?
JS: Just consistent storylines. There’s been a lot of times here in TNA where things have been hot-shotted or just rushed. When I was growing up watching wrestling, story’s took a while. In this day and age, with TV and TNA not running as many Pay-Per-Views as other companies, storylines are kind of rushed. I think when they’re really good and drawn out that keeps the audience involved.
Related: James Storm Is A Free Agent According To James Storm
BR: the storylines are really important. Wrestling has changed so much with TV – its wrestling for the ratings now. So it’s hard not to hot-shot an angle sometimes but it would be nice for a story to evolve. James and I, our story lasted over a year and it was an intriguing one. If it lasts over a year and a half people can sink their teeth into something. Already people are saying they want to see us wrestle the wolves but that’s something you can build up to and get to that point.
Does taping shows before theyre broadcast put TNA at a disadvantage?
JS: Growing up, there wasnt social media and things weren’t taped months in advance and that was a great thing. I think if social media was around then, I wouldn’t go online to read the sports because I wanted to be surprised. If you read the spoilers it’s like you’re ready to go see the new Star Wars movie but you know the ending! Its not as good! Me, as a wrestling fan, I don’t want to know what happens.
BR: These days you’re used to spoilers – that’s fine to go read it. I read about the Royal Rumble and saw AJ was in it, so I’m going to go watch it. AJ’s a friend and I’m interested. I know what happened but I still want to see it. If I read that Beer Money is facing the Wolves on TV, I’m still going to want to watch it because I know it’s going to be a good match. Same with Matt Hardy beating EC3. If you’re a real wrestling fan, you’re going to watch it.
