This is something I wanted to write up last week but didn’t get the chance:
As we see the WWE, and the Wrestling World in general, shift slightly more into the realm of reality (or at least continue to blur the lines…ignoring Broken Matt Hardy for a moment) I wanted to compare and contrast how both TNA and Lucha Underground, within the same week, went about adding new elements to their shows to accomplish this.
First, TNA. By adding the Impact Grand Championship, the company is attempting to give the fans a division that leans more toward MMA/Boxing/Fight Sports.
Here are the rules for this division:
– Three 3 minute rounds
– 10 point must system
– 3 judges
– Judging categories: Physicality, aggressiveness, controlling the action
Wins can happen anytime via pin or submission.
– If there is no winner after three rounds, a winner decided by judge’s decision
Pros-
Options for story telling. With the matches we’ve seen so far, we’ve already witnessed the ability to make someone look incredibly strong via points, and then have someone come out of nowhere with a pin, effectively emphasizing that the winner “escaped” with a W, as well as having a certain wrestler in an incredibly advantageous spot, like having their finisher applied, only to have to break the hold due to the round ending, adding more ambiguity to a feud you perhaps want to prolong.
That’s really all I have, and I really had to reach for that….you can still accomplish this objective within a regular wrestling match
Cons –
Convoluted. The announcers having to explain the rules to the audience each match multiple times is telling here. The benefits don’t seem to outweigh the costs. It muddles what is supposed to be a big point of emphasis for TNA, exciting and non-stop action.
Now on the other hand, we have LU, and Dario’s Dial of Doom.
A wheel is brought out in front of the crowd, with names of wrestlers on it. You spin the wheel and whoever’s name it lands on gets a title shot right then and there.
Amazingly simple, excitingly unpredictable, and it adds a beautiful slice of realism without unnecessary explanation.
For me, it also feels like it fits in with the Lucha Underground vibe and theme. Dario’s demented demeanor is on full showcase here, and plays to his character – hiding what really comes down to feeding underdog fodder to his Champion, his brother Matanza, under the guise of “opportunity”.
From the outside, it just seems to me like these things are actual reflections of the state of these two companies.
TNA is struggling to differentiate itself, and throwing things at the wall to see of it sticks, being different for difference sake. Meanwhile, LU knows who exactly who they are and have a clear direction and style, and seem to have a handle on being able to be different with a purpose.
