Second Tier Title in TNA

[Troy]

With TNA reportedly retiring the Television Title soon TNA will go back to having two men's singles titles, the TNA World Heavyweight Title and the TNA X-Division Title. That leaves them with a situation where there isn't really a second tier title for regular midcarders. The X-Division title is meant to be about no limits but it is clearly now about weight limits as crusierweights seem to be the only ones that wrestle in that division these days. A strong second tier title is a great addition to any wrestling company because it provides a way to push and promote talent that aren't quite ready to mainevent or that don't quite fit into the mainevent scene at that time.

The Television title had a few name changes and it's latest name is it's third name in it's short four year history. At first, when Booker T started carrying it around for no reason, it was the Legends Championship and then when Eric Young was championship he renamed the title the Global Championship. Then around two years ago the title became the Television Championship whilst AJ Styles was champion. Three months ago it was announced that it would be defended weekly but that was scrapped soon after and the TV title hasn't meant much for quite some time.

Unfortunately TNA hasn't managed to make this second tier title seem relevant at any stage, it's beginnings didn't help and recent events like ignoring the defending it each week stipulation haven't helped at all. I think that it would be good if TNA actually created a new midcard title that would be seen as the number two title in the champion right behind the heavyweight title. It will help give more definition to the roster by giving guys like Magnus, Crimson, RVD, Mr Anderson etc. something to fight over whilst being out of the mainevent scene. If they were to bring in another second tier title then they need to do a much better job of debuting it than randomly giving it to a wrestler. Create a tournament and make it seem like an important title right away.

Do you think that TNA need a second tier title? Should TNA keep the Television title or should they bring in a completely new title?

 

[Undertaker]

I think what they should do is introduce a title similar to WWF's Hardcore Championship, something that introduces spontaneous matches and moments. TNA have the advantage of not being a PG company so introducing this sort of belt would probably get them a few extra fans and drag the teenagers away from WWE (that don't enjoy storylines like Team Friendship) and introduce them into a bit of hardcore wrestling and no holds barred type matches. I reckon this would definitely improve ratings and would be another step forward for the company.

 

[Killz]

I don't think TNA need a second tier title for a numer of reasons.

Firstly, I don't think the X Division title is stuck in any sort of 'weight limits' scenario. That's not to say I don't think it's there now because it clearly is but it doesn't have to REMAIN there. Case and point: if they wanted to monster push Big Rob T it would take no work whatsoever to drop the "it's about NO LIMITS RARRR" line and all is well again.

Also, as it stands, the tag-team champions are two solid mid-carders to upper mid-carders, the kind of guys who have been in the main event spotlight before, and they have feuded with other perennial main event talent. The typically strong TNA tag division and tag-team title holders mean that in many ways the tag gold could be seen as a 2nd tier title for singles competitors after the dilution of the division post Beer Money break up and MCMG injuries.

As for the other singles title, the World championship, I much prefer a division where a number of guys are in contention. How many guys competed in the BFG series? 10 or something in that region? When they did the rankings last year it was the 'top 10' and I much prefer this attitude era style of having several potential main eventers instead of the WWE system of having #1 face, #2 face, #1 heel, #2 heel and the rest are forgotten about. If guys are good enough to main event they shouldn't need a second tier title to remain relevant.

Also, as a final point against the 2nd tier gold, I think FORCING writers to think outside the box and develop feuds away from titles is a blessing. It allows for more creative story telling and whether that story telling is hit or miss I tend to prefer the politics and backstage malarky TNA have going on in comparison to WWE.

Having said that, there is merit in that 2nd tier title spot so I'd say the best way around this is to NOT bring a new title in and simply insert a couple of bigger guys into the X Division and continue to prominently feature the tag-titles being held between mid-card and main event caliber superstars. If the tag division was to be rebuilt with 4 or so legit tag-teams again a 2nd tier title could become viable. At the moment none of the gimmicks, of Television or Legends, have stuck and there's a reason.

 

[Nevermore Arcanum]

I think what they should do is introduce a title similar to WWF's Hardcore Championship, something that introduces spontaneous matches and moments. TNA have the advantage of not being a PG company so introducing this sort of belt would probably get them a few extra fans and drag the teenagers away from WWE (that don't enjoy storylines like Team Friendship) and introduce them into a bit of hardcore wrestling and no holds barred type matches. I reckon this would definitely improve ratings and would be another step forward for the company.

I was just thinking that when I scrolled down to this post! LOL. Hardcore gimmick matches are part of what built TNA back in the day,
so it would make sense that they reintroduce this sort of thing to break away from WWE.

 

[Keith]

Think I would just push the X Title harder. Am not against adding a hardcore title but I just think TNA, X, KOs and Tag are is enough when you only have three hours TV time a week.

 

[Dale]

Get rid of the X-Division title especially when now it's stuck with garbage like Sorensen and Ion and just have one big midcard division. Instead of putting the TV Title on garbage like D-Von and Robbie E (even though I like the guy) put the TV title on someone actually talented who can have a good matches and cut all this shit out with the spot monkey X-Division'ers.

 

[Keith]

Get rid of the X-Division title especially when now it's stuck with garbage like Sorensen and Ion and just have one big midcard division. Instead of putting the TV Title on garbage like D-Von and Robbie E (even though I like the guy) put the TV title on someone actually talented who can have a good matches and cut all this shit out with the spot monkey X-Division'ers.

But people who followed TNA from the start (many of who I am sure still watch it) care more about the X Title than the TV Title, that should be TNA's IC Title.

 

[Dale]

Doesn't mean it's not garbage though.

 

[EffectsofRaven]

^ THIS!

Seriously, it looks great and stuff, should actually make this a legit belt lol.

 

[Deezy]

TNA doesn't have enough time in their product to try get over another belt, I've said this about the TV Title and I'll say it about any other one they try to bring in. They barely have enough time to put over the X-Division title, and by barely I mean none whatsoever.

Why bring in another title?

 

[The Wrestling Addict]

^ THIS!

Seriously, it looks great and stuff, should actually make this a legit belt lol.

Although I don't like the idea of a TNA US belt, where did you find the picture? It looks well created.

Now as to how I feel on a midcard title in TNA, if they are going to have one, it needs to be done right. It does seem as if there are many guys on the roster who have nothing to do and a legit midcard title would give them some credibility and something to work towards. With that being said, there are two ways of doing this. BTW, if one was to be brought in, I would call it the TNA Elite Championship. As to my two ways of bringing in the Elite title, here they are.

1. Like a lot of people, I am high on Bully Ray and with him not being in the main event at BFG, I would have him wrestle his ex-tag partner D-Von, for the TV Title. The winner becomes the TV champ, the loser leaves TNA. Ray wins and does something similar to the Shane Douglas promo with the NWA title in 94, except Ray says the TV Title never once had prestige and that all the TV champions were a disgrace to the company. Ray throws the belt in the trash can and brings in a new belt, called the Elite Title. He says the Elite Title will have prestige and won't be lossed in the shuffle because only the Elites in wrestling can hold the title. Ray would then state that there would be a tournament to crown the number one contender in the next few weeks and the winner faces him at Turning Point.

2. Just have a TNA figurehead announce the birth of the Elite Title and have a tournament for it.

 

[Chris]

TNA doesn't have enough time in their product to try get over another belt, I've said this about the TV Title and I'll say it about any other one they try to bring in. They barely have enough time to put over the X-Division title, and by barely I mean none whatsoever.

Why bring in another title?

I agree with this completely.

Also, if they brought in a US title they would get a lot of shit from copying from WWE.

 

[TKK]

Here's an idea - Give someone else the TV Title?

 

[Deezy]

Maybe they think WWE is going to do away with the US title?

 

[Keith]

Although I don't like the idea of a TNA US belt, where did you find the picture? It looks well created.

Now as to how I feel on a midcard title in TNA, if they are going to have one, it needs to be done right. It does seem as if there are many guys on the roster who have nothing to do and a legit midcard title would give them some credibility and something to work towards. With that being said, there are two ways of doing this. BTW, if one was to be brought in, I would call it the TNA Elite Championship. As to my two ways of bringing in the Elite title, here they are.

1. Like a lot of people, I am high on Bully Ray and with him not being in the main event at BFG, I would have him wrestle his ex-tag partner D-Von, for the TV Title. The winner becomes the TV champ, the loser leaves TNA. Ray wins and does something similar to the Shane Douglas promo with the NWA title in 94, except Ray says the TV Title never once had prestige and that all the TV champions were a disgrace to the company. Ray throws the belt in the trash can and brings in a new belt, called the Elite Title. He says the Elite Title will have prestige and won't be lossed in the shuffle because only the Elites in wrestling can hold the title. Ray would then state that there would be a tournament to crown the number one contender in the next few weeks and the winner faces him at Turning Point.

2. Just have a TNA figurehead announce the birth of the Elite Title and have a tournament for it.

Like your thinking on Ray and the elite title idea.