Slammiversary - Spoilers

At the end of June, TNA is running its PPV "Slammiversary".  I've not been reading the spoilers for the upcoming tapings, so I only know one match on the card Angle vs EC III for the title.

I'm really not so sure this is a good idea for TNA, but I wanted to see if there are other opinions.  Here, is my reasoning...  

There are reports (whether we choose to believe them or not I think there is no smoke without fire) that Destination America is less than impressed by the number of viewers that followed TNA from Spike and the advertising revenue it is able to raise from Impact.  So, it kind of feels to me like TNA should be focusing on its TV deal and trying to make its free to air show more popular.  

Historically, TNA buy rates have been pretty low and that was when TNA had a few household names, so unless they give this show away, it is difficult for me to see that this is going to do any numbers that make the event worthwhile.  

And this could even have a negative impact on viewers.  Let's say that I'm a loyal Impact watcher, but for whatever reason I don't buy Slammiversary.  Well, like 90% of the audience (assuming a high-point in previous TNA buy rates hold) then I'm not going to see this.  Does that endear me to the product and make me want to keep following it on TV?  In the other case, where I'm one of the ones who buys the PPV, well if nothing significant happens to not upset the TV viewers, then how am I going to feel about handing over money for this?  There's IMO a potential lose-lose here.

But its free to watch in the UK. But hypothetically speaking I would not pay to Watch it.

I know where you are coming from but at the same time, if its free to air, then how do they make it feel special? If they are planning some big surprises or spots, then thats how you draw them in to the next one.

There are people who buy the PPVs - look at WWE and the turds they churn out.

I think they need to keep the 2PPVs to keep building, even if they dont sell diddly at this point.

I'd not realised it was free. I'm sure when I first heard about this I read that Challenge had confirmed this was a PPV, which I took to mean I'd have to buy it. Is it airing free and live?

I see what you are saying Adam, but isn't the counter what does it matter if you have a big surprise, or spot and no-one watches? Doesn't that drive the argument that if I'm a casual viewer I'm going to think that these only happen on a PPV, so why watch the TV program. I think if TNA could see itself doing a big buy rate (let's say around 200,000) then I'd go with the idea of building up PPVs, but if they are only going to sell much less than that, I think they would be better off concentrating on TV and building to a special event but on TV.

You have actually lost me now on the build towards PPVs - thats what every company does! WE all know that nothing major is ever going to happen on RAW or Smackers but you still watch. The only major things ever to happen are on a PPV. I have never paid for a wrestling PPV but I read what happens and would check out the next RAW afterwards and thats what TNA should be doing.

You always have to have pay offs to feuds and stories - PPVs are the end game always.

It won't be live. That's for sure. PPV's have always been free for UK viewers on challenge. I don't think anythings changed in that regard.

I think, Adam, I'm less questioning the build to a PPV as opposed to whether (and how) a PPV makes sense for TNA right now
- Their cumulative Friday night figures are reported at less then 500,000 viewers.
- Reports are suggesting that their TV partner is not impressed with these figures.
- When TNA was getting over 1M viewing figures, its PPV buy rate was reported to be down in the 40-50K range

So, personally I'm just not seeing how this is working for them. Because to me, it doesn't seem like it is going to be a major revenue event. And I'm not seeing how this gets extra eyes on the product. So, to me, I'm just struggling to see what this delivers when I think all TNA should be concentrating on this year is increasing its TV viewers.

I've missed the last couple of Impact shows due to various things, so I'm a bit out of the loop on current events.

That said TNA usually manage to put on good shows for their marquee events. If nothing else I'll watch just for the possibility of ECIII becoming the new champ.

He is about the only person to have had an interesting and consistent build-up, since his introduction...not to mention he is one of the few genuinely entertaining characters.

So, what do we feel about Slammiversary now?

Obviously it has been completely hammered by Destination America, via changing the day that Impact is shown (and any creative control they have) and now neither the Championship nor the tag titles will be on the PPV, but will be on the free-to-air show.

As such, this seems to me a 1 match PPV. And, I'll be honest. I think they've done what they can with that match. While we can still discuss the motives on both sides for JJ coming back, there's one thing clear. His last match in TNA makes a story.

I shudder to think what the buy rate will be. What's it going for in the States, $40? You look at $9.99 for Mania, or what is coming for free on the next Impact, I dunno how many fans will justify it. So, for me, running this PPV I still see as a mistake, but as I say at least it has one story in it now, even if we still don't know what they are fighting for.

Here's the latest line up I saw:
Storm vs Magnus - non-sanctioned match
KotM - JJ, Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode
Jessie Godderz vs Robbie E
The Doll House vs Awesome Kong & Brooke
Lashley & Mr Anderson vs EC3 and Tyrus
Bram vs Matt Morgan
Davey Richards vs Austin Aries (winner chooses match 5 stipulation

which we know from tapings to be: