NWA: TNA- The Genesis

[BattleTank]

“Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.

Then God said, “Let there always be an alternative to WWE programming”; and then there was TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION!”

-Book of Genesis (maybe)

SHOW #001- “A Brand New World”- Coming on 6.19

: VACANT

:VACANT

:VACANT

Press Release: Nashville, TN (June 1, 2002)​

Jerry Jarrett, CEO of J Sports & Entertainment, commented today on the announcement of the launch of the new weekly NWA: Total Nonstop Action wrestling series, and talked about the importance of the NWA name being attached to the show.

“We’re thrilled to be using the NWA name for our program,” said Jarrett. “The National Wrestling Alliance has a long and prestigious history and was at one time the dominant name in the professional wrestling industry. We believe it’s important for our company to be affiliated with a name that fans will recognize and we believe the NWA name is a familiar one to most fans of professional wrestling.”

NWA President Jim Miller was equally excited, saying, “This is a win-win for everybody involved. I’m very excited about the prospects of working with J Sports & Entertainment to make NWA: Total Nonstop Action a tremendous success. The pay-per-view broadcasts will expose the NWA to fans in a way that hasn’t been possible before and the opportunities for our member organizations will be better than ever.”

J Sports President Jeff Jarrett added, “The NWA name is the foundation that sports entertainment was built on. We plan to build on that foundation with the cutting edge characters and revolutionary concepts expected by today’s wrestling audience. Total Nonstop Action will be more than the name of the show, it’s what we want our fans to think of every time they watch our program.”

NWA: Total Nonstop Action will broadcast every Wednesday night at 8pm Eastern and will be available on cable and satellite at a suggested retail price of $9.95.

(^Original Shoot Press Release)

BT NOTE: I am challenging myself to stick to the TNA schedule in 2002, and post a weekly show every Wednesday up through December, starting on June 19. I will be following the TNA schedule of 2002, which means a few random breaks in between. There will be two more posts leading up to June 19 with some other tidbits of info, but I really just wanted to post this page as something that will hopefully become "the hub" filled with archived shows and title histories.

In terms of the roster, I am giving myself a bit of creative freedom since the talent was so thin and the company virtually went under until they were bailed out by Dixie in the late summer of 02.

Plus, the first year had Vince Russo’s prints all over them, which is something I am veering away from. No, I don’t plan on randomly bringing The Undertaker or Triple H into this world, but after months (years) of research I’ve found a few interesting guys to throw into the mix. Some guys who came around in 2003 (almost the entire wrestling world was on a TNA show at some point between 02-06) will start off signed to TNA, or debut shortly after the first PPV…

I am hoping to make it pretty far as I have a lot of ideas, and for the first time in a very long time, I’m motivated to write. Also, this TNA idea has been floating around my head/computer for at least the last five years. So, enough with the BT note- Scroll for the results, stay for the graphics, but most of all, enjoy reading!

 

[Dubb]

Ok, super excited about this. I'm always excited anytime I see a BT project come about but starting a company from the beginning (...no cheap plugs here...) is always so interesting because you have a bit of a blank canvas to work with and can take it any direction you want. Can't wait to see what you do here.

 

[BattleTank]

Press Release: Nashville, TN (June 5, 2002)

NWA:TNA TAPS LEGEND TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT

In what is to be considered a monumental day for the upstart NWA: Total Nonstop Action company, Jerry Jarrett announced a blockbuster hiring for the official NWA: TNA President in long-time legend JAMES E. CORNETTE! Cornette, a fixture in wrestling for over three decades, had spent the past few years in WWE’s feeder-system program OVW.

“I have a great deal of respect for Jim Cornette, and when the two sides started dialogue, I figured it was a pipe dream that we could land him. Following talks that lasted for several weeks, Jim decided to jump on board and we are very happy to have him. He will be a crucial piece of our day-to-day operations, and will help immensely in a multitude of areas." Jerry Jarrett, CEO of J Sports & Entertainment said in a press release.

The idea of bringing in Jim Cornette was considered too far outside of NWA: TNA’s radar, solely because Cornette was a part-owner of OVW. Sources say Cornette was officially bought out from his share of OVW in mid-May, signaling a departure in the near future.

“It is a great honor that NWA: TNA and the Jarrett’s had enough faith in me to bring me along for this exciting journey. I am looking forward to working as the NWA: TNA President, and plan on helping out in a plethora of roles. We have some big things lined up for NWA: TNA, and I look forward to bringing an alternative to the millions of professional wrestling homes.” Cornette said.

NWA: Total Nonstop Action is set to debut in TWO WEEKS time, on June 19, 2002 from The Nashville Fairgrounds. It will be broadcasted at 8pm Eastern and will be available on cable and satellite at a suggested retail price of $9.95.

BT NOTE: Just a small update to get out of the way before we get cooking. I will see everyone next Wednesday to hype up the first card, and then on June 19 for the first show!​