| Wrestling World |
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action, the number-two professional wrestling promotion in North America, began operations in May 2002 running weekly pay-per-view events in a bid to provide an alternative to the dominant World Wrestling Entertainment. Since then, it has switched to a monthly PPV format with weekly television shows in an effort to compete more directly with WWE.
Founded by Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, the company began life as NWA-TNA, in association with the National Wrestling Alliance, and now controls the NWA's World Heavyweight Championship and World Tag Team Championship. Now backed financially by Dixie Carter's Panda Energy, TNA has separated from the NWA, forming its own championships.
Selling itself as a modern, innovative take on wrestling, TNA prides itself on its six-sided ring (introduced in June 2004 with the weekly iMPACT! series) and X Division, a style based on fast-paced, often cruiserweight action, with its own championship. Utilizing a combination of former WWE/WCW stars such as Sting and Kurt Angle, and new talent unfamiliar to casual fans such as AJ Styles and Samoa Joe, the company is still considered to be in a period of growth, not yet making a steady profit. However, while slowly beginning to tour outside of its current Orlando base and explore international avenues, TNA has openly stated its intentions to nip at WWE's heels and become a global force at the industry's top level.
|
| |
|
