A few weeks ago it was announced that Bret Hart would be returning to the WWE on the January 4th episode of RAW, most likely in a general manager type role that would eventually culminate in a match between himself and Vince McMahon at Wrestlemania. At the same time, TNA is debuting their 3 hour IMPACT telecast to compete with RAW by having Hulk Hogan return in what can only be described as a puppeteer role. Online rumors also abound about a possible return of the NWO on TNA, with Scott Hall being granted "one more chance" at a comeback (oh joy...it's 1996 all over again). I stopped watching professional wrestling in the early part of the millennium, not really due to its "fakeness", but rather because it became extremely repetitive and otherwise boring.
Nevertheless, one thing is for sure: I may actually sit down and watch RAW (and Impact) on Monday night for the first time in years (at least for nostalgia's sake).
The ratings wars between WWE's RAW and WCW's Nitro in the mid to late nineties are regarded as the pinnacle in the history of professional wrestling. Competition breeds good product. I have a suggestion for TNA...if you want to up the ratings, make it a priority to promote the hell out of your young stars and keep them under contract (easier said than done), while having the old farts job to them consistently. Maybe also put Dixie Carter in front of the screen more often. Is there a more attractive business owner in the world of professional sports / entertainment today? I think not.
reading about wrestling has always been way more fun than actually trying to sit through and watch it.