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Bruce Pritchard gone from TNA. Removed rankings section because it was a very short lived gimmick, and not really relevant to the article.
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|location_country = [[United States]]<ref name=BBB/><ref>[http://www.impactwrestling.com/info/Contact-Info Contact Info and ShopTNA Orders]. Impactwrestling.com (2011-01-01). Retrieved on 2012-05-15.</ref>
|location_country = [[United States]]<ref name=BBB/><ref>[http://www.impactwrestling.com/info/Contact-Info Contact Info and ShopTNA Orders]. Impactwrestling.com (2011-01-01). Retrieved on 2012-05-15.</ref>
|area_served = Worldwide<ref name=Global>{{cite web |url= http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3373-TNA-IMPACT-WRESTLING-Worldwide-Broadcast-Schedules |title=TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Worldwide Broadcast Schedules & Channels |work=impactwrestling.com |year=2012 [last update] |accessdate=20 March 2012}}</ref>
|area_served = Worldwide<ref name=Global>{{cite web |url= http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/3373-TNA-IMPACT-WRESTLING-Worldwide-Broadcast-Schedules |title=TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Worldwide Broadcast Schedules & Channels |work=impactwrestling.com |year=2012 [last update] |accessdate=20 March 2012}}</ref>
|key_people = Robert W. Carter<br /><small>(Owner/Chairman)</small><br>Janice Carter<br /><small>([[CEO]])</small><br>[[Dixie Carter-Salinas|Dixie Carter]]<br /><small>([[President]])</small><br>[[Jeff Jarrett]]<br /><small>([[Vice president]])</small><br>Andy Barton<br /><small>(Executive Vice President of Licensing and International Television Distribution)</small><br>Chris Sobol<br /><small>(Vice President of Operations)</small><br>Mike Weber<br /><small>(Vice President of Marketing)</small><br>Dean Broadhead<br /><small>([[Chief financial officer]])</small><br>[[Bruce Prichard]]<br /><small>(Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations)</small>
|key_people = Robert W. Carter<br /><small>(Owner/Chairman)</small><br>Janice Carter<br /><small>([[CEO]])</small><br>[[Dixie Carter-Salinas|Dixie Carter]]<br /><small>([[President]])</small><br>[[Jeff Jarrett]]<br /><small>([[Vice president]])</small><br>Andy Barton<br /><small>(Executive Vice President of Licensing and International Television Distribution)</small><br>Chris Sobol<br /><small>(Vice President of Operations)</small><br>Mike Weber<br /><small>(Vice President of Marketing)</small><br>Dean Broadhead<br /><small>([[Chief financial officer]])</small>
|industry = [[Professional wrestling]], [[sports entertainment]]
|industry = [[Professional wrestling]], [[sports entertainment]]
|owner = [[Panda Energy International|Panda Energy International, Inc.]]
|owner = [[Panda Energy International|Panda Energy International, Inc.]]
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[[File:Ultimate X.jpg|thumb|High-flying, high risk moves are a centerpiece of the X Division]]
[[File:Ultimate X.jpg|thumb|High-flying, high risk moves are a centerpiece of the X Division]]
Since its origin, TNA has featured a high-flying, high risk style of wrestling known as its [[X Division]]. Rather than emphasizing the fact that most wrestlers who perform this style are under {{convert|220|lb|kg|abbr=on}} by calling it a cruiserweight division, TNA decided to emphasize the high risk nature of the moves that these wrestlers perform, removing all restraints on its wrestlers, allowing them to perform almost [[stunt]] like wrestling moves. Originally, there was no upper weight limit on the X Division or its title, though in practice, most of the wrestlers in this division have been cruiserweights, with Samoa Joe, billed at {{convert|280|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, Kurt Angle, billed at {{convert|230|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]], billed at {{convert|350|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, being notable exceptions. To further emphasize this point, the slogan "It's not about weight limits, it's about no limits" was used to describe the division. Although it was de-emphasized throughout 2007, the X Division is generally regarded as one of the key attractions of TNA and was replicated in several other promotions. In August 2011, the division was given a {{convert|225|lb|kg|abbr=on}} weight limit.<ref>{{cite video|people=TNA Wrestling|date=2011-08-11|title=Eric Bishoff Imposes New Rules on the X Division|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veLkO90LH0Q|publisher=TNAWrestling at Youtube.com|accessdate=2011-08-13}}</ref> This was quietly repealed in March 2012. In March 2013, Dixie Carter announced new rule changes to the X Division with a new weight limit of 230&nbsp;lbs. and all X Division Title matches being triple threat matches.
Since its origin, TNA has featured a high-flying, high risk style of wrestling known as its [[X Division]]. Rather than emphasizing the fact that most wrestlers who perform this style are under {{convert|220|lb|kg|abbr=on}} by calling it a cruiserweight division, TNA decided to emphasize the high risk nature of the moves that these wrestlers perform, removing all restraints on its wrestlers, allowing them to perform almost [[stunt]] like wrestling moves. Originally, there was no upper weight limit on the X Division or its title, though in practice, most of the wrestlers in this division have been cruiserweights, with Samoa Joe, billed at {{convert|280|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, Kurt Angle, billed at {{convert|230|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]], billed at {{convert|350|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, being notable exceptions. To further emphasize this point, the slogan "It's not about weight limits, it's about no limits" was used to describe the division. Although it was de-emphasized throughout 2007, the X Division is generally regarded as one of the key attractions of TNA and was replicated in several other promotions. In August 2011, the division was given a {{convert|225|lb|kg|abbr=on}} weight limit.<ref>{{cite video|people=TNA Wrestling|date=2011-08-11|title=Eric Bishoff Imposes New Rules on the X Division|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veLkO90LH0Q|publisher=TNAWrestling at Youtube.com|accessdate=2011-08-13}}</ref> This was quietly repealed in March 2012. In March 2013, Dixie Carter announced new rule changes to the X Division with a new weight limit of 230&nbsp;lbs. and all X Division Title matches being triple threat matches.

===Ranking system===
On April 26, 2010, [[Eric Bischoff]] appeared on ''Impact!'' to unveil the TNA Championship ranking system. According to Bischoff, the system combines several factors to determine the #1 contender for the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]]. These factors include the overall performance and achievements throughout a wrestler's career, the TNA win/loss record of the wrestler, and online voting by the fans, which takes place on the company's website. It was also announced that a "TNA Championship Committee" had been set up to make the final decision based on these factors. The committee consisted of TNA President [[Dixie Carter-Salinas|Dixie Carter]], [[Hulk Hogan]], and Bischoff himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_40923.shtml|title=TNA News: Full details on new Championship Ranking system announced|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=2010-04-26|accessdate=2010-05-05|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

The ten wrestlers chosen to appear on the first ballot were [[Kurt Angle]], [[Jeff Hardy]], [[Ken Anderson (wrestler)|Mr. Anderson]], [[Elijah Burke|D'Angelo Dinero]], [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], [[Jeff Jarrett]], [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]], [[Rob Terry]], [[Nigel McGuinness|Desmond Wolfe]], and [[A.J. Styles]]. The first round of voting ended on May 3 and was won by Desmond Wolfe, who received his title shot that night on ''Impact!'' against [[Rob Van Dam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_41070.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 5/3: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show from Orlando|first=Wade|last=Keller|date=2010-05-03|accessdate=2010-05-05|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The second round started that same night. New names included in the poll were [[Matt Morgan (wrestler)|Matt Morgan]], [[Mark LoMonaco|Brother Ray]], [[Devon Hughes|Brother Devon]], [[Rhino (wrestler)|Rhino]] and [[Shawn Hernandez|Hernandez]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/news/item/1746-new-tna-ranking-system-vote-now|title=New TNA Ranking Voting Now Online|date=2010-05-03|accessdate=2010-05-05|publisher=Total Nonstop Action Wrestling}}</ref> The first Top 10 ranking was revealed on May 20, with Sting claiming the number one spot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_41456.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 5/20: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of show on Spike TV including Top Ten Contenders revealed|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=2010-05-20|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=2010-05-21}}</ref> On the second Top 10 ranking Abyss, Jeff Hardy, and Mr. Anderson were tied for the top three spots.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42023.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 6/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=2010-06-17|accessdate=2010-07-28|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> A month later, Abyss claimed the top spot.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1279252015|title=Impact Results – 7/15/10|first= Josh|last=Boutwell|date=2010-07-15|accessdate=2010-07-28|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> The ranking system was abandoned shortly thereafter, when Bischoff revealed that the ranking was created to give Abyss a World title match.


===TNA Hall of Fame===
===TNA Hall of Fame===
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==Personnel==
==Personnel==


===Creative team===
[[File:Jarrett.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Jeff Jarrett]], founder of TNA]]
[[File:Jarrett.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Jeff Jarrett]], founder of TNA]]

{{As of|2011}}, [[Bruce Prichard]] operates as the head [[Professional wrestling booker|booker]] of TNA, with the collaboration of Dave Lagana and Matt Conway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_54011.shtml|title=TNA News: Creative team shake-up – Russo out as head writer, when will the change take effect?|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=2011-10-06|accessdate=2011-10-06|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>


===Authority figures===
===Authority figures===

Revision as of 04:20, 18 July 2013

"TNA Wrestling" redirects here. For the video game, see TNA Wrestling (video game).
TNA Entertainment, LLC.
Company typePrivate, Limited liability company
IndustryProfessional wrestling, sports entertainment
FoundedMay 10, 2002 (2002-05-10)[1]
FounderJeff Jarrett
Jerry Jarrett
Headquarters
Nashville, Tennessee
,
United States[1][2]
Area served
Worldwide[3]
Key people
Robert W. Carter
(Owner/Chairman)
Janice Carter
(CEO)
Dixie Carter
(President)
Jeff Jarrett
(Vice president)
Andy Barton
(Executive Vice President of Licensing and International Television Distribution)
Chris Sobol
(Vice President of Operations)
Mike Weber
(Vice President of Marketing)
Dean Broadhead
(Chief financial officer)
OwnerPanda Energy International, Inc.
WebsiteOfficial website

TNA Entertainment, LLC.[4][5][6] is an American Publicly held organization dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from live events, product licensing, and direct product sales. Founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett in 2002, it is currently the second largest professional wrestling promotion in America (after WWE), reaching over 1 million viewers in the U.S. and broadcasting its shows to more than 120 countries.[7]

Robert W. Carter is the majority owner and chairman of the company after purchasing a controlling share of 71% in 2002 through company Panda Energy International, where he is head executive.[8] In 2009, Carter became full Owner and Chairman when Panda Energy acquired the remaining share of TNA (29%) from the Vice-President and co-founder, Jeff Jarrett.[9] [dead link] Carter's daughter, Dixie, is President of the company.[10] The company's headquarters are located in Nashville, Tennessee. The company previously bore the name NWA: Total Nonstop Action as at the time of its formation, it was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

History

Formation

File:TNA logo 2005.png
TNA logo, used from 2003 to 2008. (Still used on some championship belts)

The concept of TNA originated shortly after the end of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Bob Ryder, Jeff Jarrett, and Jerry Jarrett went on a fishing trip and contemplated their futures in the business of wrestling[citation needed]. The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) remained, at that time, the only wrestling product on U.S. national television; WWF had purchased WCW in March 2001, and Extreme Championship Wrestling had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2001. Ryder felt[citation needed] that this situation led many television stations to regard wrestling as bad for business and suggested a company that does not need television, but rather just goes straight to pay-per-view. The Jarretts found the help they needed, and the company put on its first show on June 19, 2002. This night, however, in a dark match just before they went on the air, a 450 lb wrestler named Cheex hit the ropes with so much force that one of them broke. The estimated repair time was 30–60 minutes, which they did not have because the schedule called for them to go live in a few minutes, whether the ring was ready or not. Backstage, the producers shuffled the schedule so that some non-wrestling segments went first to give the ring crew some more time, but they did not have many of them. The ring crew fixed the rope with the help of Ron and Don Harris, and everyone went live hoping for the best.[11]

Transition

In May 2004, TNA Wrestling announced that they would be including a television program on Fox Sports, dubbed TNA iMPACT!, at Soundstage 21 in Universal Studios Florida. The transition included the use of a six-sided wrestling ring, the implementation of the "Fox Box" displaying competitors and timekeeping for the match, and a generally more sports-like style than the sports-entertainment style exemplified by WWE.

With the switch to cable television, TNA discontinued their weekly pay-per-view shows in favor of a monthly 3-hour pay-per-view format as previously utilized by WCW and ECW and as currently used by WWE. In November 2004, TNA held the first of these pay-per-views, Victory Road, beginning the pattern of pay-per-view shows that continues to this day.

The television contract with Fox Sports expired in May 2005 and was not renegotiated, leaving TNA without television exposure. This prompted TNA to air iMPACT! via webcasts - originally made available via BitTorrent and eventually via RealPlayer. During this time TNA continued pursuing a profitable television deal for regular broadcasting. On October 1, 2005, TNA iMPACT! began airing on Spike TV, returning the company to national cable-exposure.

Expansion

File:Impact Wrestling UK.jpg
TNA's February 2012 Impact Wrestling taping in London was the largest event by attendance in the promotion's history until TNA Lockdown in 2013.

In November 2006, TNA began holding select pay-per-views outside of its central filming location, the TNA Impact! Zone, in Orlando. In April 2006, TNA announced a partnership with YouTube whereby TNA supplied YouTube with exclusive video-content in exchange for hosting, leading to the production of internet shows. In January 2007, TNA's mobile-content deal with New Motion, Inc. led to the introduction of TNA Mobile and mobile fan-voting.[12] TNA has also launched "TNA U TV"; podcasts aired through YouTube to help promote the company.[13] On June 21, 2009, TNA launched an online video-vault subscription-service where subscribers could watch past pay-per-views by choosing one of three payment options.[14]

On October 23, 2008, TNA made the transition to HD and since then all programming has been broadcast in high-definition.[15] In addition, TNA introduced a new HD set that included new lighting and several large high-resolution screens. As of 2013 it uses this set - albeit altered several times - for all Impact! programming and pay-per-views.[16] On November 7, 2011, TNA announced that it had reached a deal with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) to become TNA's official training and developmental territory.[17] In December 2011, TNA debuted their new India-based subsidiary promotion Ring Ka King.[18] In March 2013, TNA President Dixie Carter-Salinas stated that TNA was a profitable company.[19]

File:TNA HD Logo.png
TNA Wrestling HD logo 2008–2010

Former programming

Initially, TNA's weekly pay-per-view show operated as the company's main source of revenue, in place of monthly pay-per-view events used by other promotions. These shows started on June 19, 2002 and took place mostly at the Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee. After 27 months and 110 PPVs, TNA felt[citation needed] that they had enough of a fanbase to begin holding a weekly television show and monthly three-hour pay-per-views. The last weekly PPV was held on September 8, 2004. TNA Xplosion was launched on November 27, 2002 as TNA's first regular cable show and featured exclusive matches from the TNA Asylum as well as exclusive interviews with TNA Superstars. On November 18, 2004, the show became a recap show of the previous week's Impact! in light of alterations in the taping schedule. However, Xplosion resumed airing exclusive matches (billed as "Xplosion Xclusives") once more on October 7, 2005 in addition to recapping Impact!. The "Xplosion Xclusives" also aired on the now-ceased TNA Global Impact! internet show. Airing of Xplosion in the United States ceased at the end of 2006, although some of the exclusive matches can be seen on TNA Today.

Current programming

TNA began airing TNA Impact! (officially typeset "TNA iMPACT!") on June 4, 2004 on Fox Sports Net. After TNA's contract with Fox Sports Net was not renewed the following year, TNA was forced to broadcast Impact! from their official website, while seeking a new television outlet.[citation needed] TNA later secured a deal with Spike TV and aired its first episode on October 1, 2005.[20] Impact! expanded to a two-hour format on October 4, 2007.[21] On February 15, 2010, TNA made a new deal with Spike TV, which moved Impact! to Monday nights—directly opposite the WWE's Raw (Although the network kept the Thursday-night slot open for repeats of the Monday-night shows). The first episode took place March 8, 2010.[22]

In December 2009, Dixie Carter announced in an interview that TNA Epics, which had recently aired its first season exclusively in the United Kingdom, would be debuting in the United States in January 2010. The second season began on January 14, 2010. TNA Epics showcased matches and events from the history of TNA Wrestling, much like WWE Vintage Collection. The show was hosted by Mick Foley, and aired on one Thursday each month on Spike, until April 2010. On April 12, 2010, TNA wrestling aired a pilot episode of their new show TNA Reaction, which is a documentary-style show that presents an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the stars of TNA speaking about taking on their rivals.

File:Tnalogo.png
Alternative blue TNA logo.

Spike TV's decision to keep Thursday nights open for repeats of Impact! proved to be a smart move, for the show floundered in the Monday-night ratings opposite Raw. On May 3, 2010, TNA announced that Impact! would be moved back to Thursday nights, re-branded as "TNA Thursdays".[23] At the same time the company also announced that Spike had picked up Reaction, which would start airing weekly prior to each episode of Impact!, starting June 24.[24] The premiere date for Reaction was later changed to July 15, when it would start airing after Impact! instead of before it.[25] However, in late June Reaction was pulled from Spike's schedule.[26] On August 3, 2010, TNA announced that Reaction would premiere on August 12 and air every Thursday following Impact!.[27] Also in June, TNA revamped Xplosion, still airing on international markets, making it more of an original program instead of a highlight show.[28][29] On December 27, 2010, Reaction was officially canceled by Spike, with its final episode airing three days later.[30][31] In the UK, Impact! was broadcast on Bravo which ceased by British Sky Broadcasting on January 1, 2011. A new deal was struck on January 25, 2011 with Sky to start broadcasting Impact! on Challenge.[32]

On May 3, 2011, TNA Impact! was re-branded Impact Wrestling.[33][34][35] On May 31, 2012, Impact Wrestling began airing live at a new start time of 8pm EST on Thursday nights.[36] The live schedule would continue throughout 2012.[37] From July 12 onwards, TNA was set to have a three hour block every Thursday, with a new one hour program named Rewind airing before Impact Wrestling at 7pm EST.[38] However, the program was canceled after only one episode, which garnered a 0.2 rating.[39] On July 11, DirecTV, the carrier of Spike, blocked all Viacom stations affecting TNA viewership from DirecTV subscribers.[40] On July 20, DirecTV announced that it had reached an agreement with Viacom and had added back all 17 removed channels, which included SpikeTV.[41]

On January 31, 2013, TNA Wrestling announced that they would tape their weekly show Impact Wrestling in different venues around the United States, with the first live show being held on March 14, 2013 in the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Chicagoland area).[42]

Lawsuit against WWE

Ric Flair during a TV taping of Impact Wrestling
Main article: TNA Entertainment, LLC v. Wittenstein and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

In May 2012, TNA filed a lawsuit against WWE and former TNA employee Brian Wittenstein, claiming that he took "confidential trade secrets" to WWE and helped WWE gain an "unfair" competitive advantage in negotiating contracts with TNA talent. According to the suit, TNA was informed of Wittenstein's breach three weeks later by a WWE official, after which the promotion fired Wittenstein. According to TNA, Ric Flair attempted to terminate his TNA contract two days after Wittenstein's firing. The exact allegations filed by TNA in the suit include "interference with existing contracts", breach of duty of loyalty, conversion, breach of contract, civil conspiracy, unfair competition, and violation of the Tennessee Uniform Trade Secrets Act.[43][44] The lawsuit was formally withdrawn on January 15, 2013 without prejudice.[45]

House shows and touring

Main article: Impact Wrestling Zone

TNA started running house shows on March 17, 2006.[46] In August 2007, live-events coordinator Craig Jenkins stated that TNA intended to stage eight pay-per-views and 96 house shows outside Orlando, Florida in 2008.[47] In 2008, TNA conducted its first tour of the UK, with most shows selling out. 2009 saw the promotion tour Germany for the first time. On July 2, 2010, MCU Park hosted a live Total Nonstop Action Wrestling house show, which also broke the current TNA attendance record and is currently the most attended live TNA house show in the USA, with a capacity crowd of 5,550.[48]

Features

From 2004–2010, TNA used a hexagonal ring

Ring shape and locations

TNA originally used a traditional four-sided square ring. In 2004, in an effort to make themselves different from other US professional wrestling promotions, TNA switched to a hexagonal ring. In 2010, they returned to using a four-sided ring. The six sided ring returned for one night on July 10, 2011, at Destination X.[49] In February 2013, TNA left Universal Studios and took IMPACT WRESTLING on the road; they tape two episodes every other week in various venues and arenas.

X Division

Main article: X Division
High-flying, high risk moves are a centerpiece of the X Division

Since its origin, TNA has featured a high-flying, high risk style of wrestling known as its X Division. Rather than emphasizing the fact that most wrestlers who perform this style are under 220 lb (100 kg) by calling it a cruiserweight division, TNA decided to emphasize the high risk nature of the moves that these wrestlers perform, removing all restraints on its wrestlers, allowing them to perform almost stunt like wrestling moves. Originally, there was no upper weight limit on the X Division or its title, though in practice, most of the wrestlers in this division have been cruiserweights, with Samoa Joe, billed at 280 lb (130 kg), Kurt Angle, billed at 230 lb (100 kg), and Abyss, billed at 350 lb (160 kg), being notable exceptions. To further emphasize this point, the slogan "It's not about weight limits, it's about no limits" was used to describe the division. Although it was de-emphasized throughout 2007, the X Division is generally regarded as one of the key attractions of TNA and was replicated in several other promotions. In August 2011, the division was given a 225 lb (102 kg) weight limit.[50] This was quietly repealed in March 2012. In March 2013, Dixie Carter announced new rule changes to the X Division with a new weight limit of 230 lbs. and all X Division Title matches being triple threat matches.

TNA Hall of Fame

Main article: TNA Hall of Fame

The TNA Hall of Fame was announced on May 31, 2012. As part of the yearly process, selected inductees will be chosen based on their overall contributions to TNA's history.[51][52] On June 10 at Slammiversary, Sting was revealed as the first inductee into the Hall of Fame. His formal induction took place at Bound for Glory in October 2012.[53]On June 2,2013 TNA president Dixie Carter revealed that the newest member of the TNA Hall of Fame is the Olympic Gold medalist Kurt Angle.

Personnel

Jeff Jarrett, founder of TNA

Authority figures

When TNA first launched, it billed the on-air authority figure as a representative appointed by the National Wrestling Alliance. It did this for storyline purposes only, however, and the actual "representatives" already worked in some capacity for TNA. From February 19, 2003, TNA had no active authority figure until July 23, 2003 when Erik Watts made his return to TNA as the Director of Authority.[54] Watts started feuding with Don Callis (TNA Management Consultant), ending with Watts forced to quit. On February 18, 2004, TNA named Vince Russo the new Director of Authority, a position he held until November 7, 2004, when Dusty Rhodes defeated and replaced him.

The NWA Championship Committee, established in 2004, comprised a group of wrestling veterans who acted as arbitrators - determining a winner in the event of a time-limit draw. The committee consisted of Harley Race, Larry Zbyszko and Terry Funk, with Funk later replaced by Roddy Piper without ever having appeared on TNA television. After Race and Piper left TNA, the Committee essentially ceased to exist as a physical on-screen body, although Zbyszko continued to be referred to as a member of the committee while simultaneously acting as on-screen authority figure, booking matches and giving title shots. Jim Cornette then appeared to be the on-air authority figure from 2006 under the title of the "TNA Management Director", until 2009. In 2010, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff ran TNA as the "business partners of Dixie Carter". In October 2011, Dixie Carter gave on-air power to Sting and named him the General Manager of Impact Wrestling. As of March 2012, Hulk Hogan acts as the on-air authority figure.[55]

TNA contracts

TNA wrestlers are forbidden by contract from working for other companies with televised wrestling shows, but are free to perform non-televised work for any other independent wrestling promotions, domestic or international, as well as televised events held by foreign promotions that TNA is linked to or has a working relationship with such as Ring Ka King, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah, and Asistencia Asesoría y Administración.[56] Many TNA wrestlers perform regularly for various promotions on the independent circuit in addition to TNA's weekly shows. However, in 2012, TNA changed policy, preventing its talent from appearing at any independent events that are later released on DVD.[57] The top TNA stars have guaranteed contracts but the majority of TNA wrestlers are paid on a per appearance basis.[56] TNA wrestlers are classified as independent contractors and are not entitled to form workers' unions or employer health coverage.[56]

Championships and accomplishments

Current champions

Main article: List of current champions in TNA Wrestling
Championship Current champion(s) Date won Event Previous champion(s)
TNA World Heavyweight Championship Bully Ray March 10, 2013 Lockdown Jeff Hardy
TNA Television Championship Abyss June 2, 2013 Slammiversary XI Devon
TNA X Division Championship Vacant July 4, 2013 Impact Wrestling Chris Sabin
TNA World Tag Team Championship Gunner and James Storm June 2, 2013 Slammiversary XI Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
TNA Women's Knockout Championship Mickie James May 23, 2013 Impact Wrestling Velvet Sky

Other Championships used by TNA

Former title Last in TNA Reign Event Previous champion(s)
NWA World Heavyweight Championship*[58] Christian Cage January 14-

May 13, 2007

Final Resolution Abyss
NWA World Tag Team Championship*[59] Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) April 15-

May 13, 2007

Lockdown The Latin American Xchange (Hernandez and Homicide)
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship**[60] Kurt Angle June 29, 2007

- Feb 17, 2008

Fighting Now Bom-Ba-Ye Brock Lesnar
IWGP World Tag Team Championship**[61] Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) October 18, 09-

Jan 4, 2010

Bound for Glory The British Invasion (Brutus Magnus and Doug Williams)
IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship**[61] The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) January 4,

-July 5, 2009

Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome No Limit (Tetsuya Naitō and Yujiro)
AAA World Heavyweight Championship** Jeff Jarrett June 18, 2011

-March 18, 2012

AAA Triplemanía XIX El Zorro

(*) - Indicates title previously defended in TNA due to membership in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)

(**) - Indicates title defended in TNA due to working agreements with internationally based wrestling promotions

Defunct Championship

Championship Last TNA holder Date created Date retired Event Previous champion(s)
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Eric Young and ODB September 20, 2009 June 27, 2013 Impact Wrestling Gail Kim and Madison Rayne

Unsanctioned

Championship Last TNA holder Date won Date aired Event Previous champion(s)
TNA World Beer Drinking Championship James Storm February 25, 2008 February 28, 2008 TNA Impact! Eric Young

Other accomplishments

Accomplishments Latest winner Date won Event Previous champion(s)
Queen of the Cage ODB April 19, 2009 Lockdown (2009) Roxxi Laveaux (Lockdown (2008))
King of the Mountain Kurt Angle June 21, 2009 Slammiversary (2009) Samoa Joe (Slammiversary (2008))
X Division King of the Mountain Suicide June 21, 2009 Slammiversary (2009) Kaz (June 5, 2008 edition of Impact!)

See also


References

  1. ^ a b "TNA Entertainment LLC Business Review in Nashville, TN". bbb.org. 2011 [last update]. Retrieved October 30, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  2. ^ Contact Info and ShopTNA Orders. Impactwrestling.com (2011-01-01). Retrieved on 2012-05-15.
  3. ^ "TNA IMPACT WRESTLING Worldwide Broadcast Schedules & Channels". impactwrestling.com. 2012 [last update]. Retrieved 20 March 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)
  4. ^ "Company Overview of TNA Entertainment, LLC". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
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