  We had occasion to partake
in the TNA teleconference with TNA President Dixie Carter. Below are highlights
in text format and a link to listen to the audio from the teleconference,
free of charge, from your friends at the Epicenter! Enjoy!
DIXIE CARTER
-When asked about TNA expanding to two hours, she noted
that they have changed timeslots on SpikeTV several times since they debuted
on the network, which is unheard of. She praised SpikeTV for their role as
a broadcast partner, saying that "they know how to market wrestling." Carter
noted they currently have a "four year deal" with the network, although she
didn't go into detail on that and said that live specials and other "forms
of programming" could be in the future for the company on Spike.
-Carter commented that she had hoped for a Monday night timeslot but Spike
opted to leave Impact on Thursdays. Carter stated that a move to Monday to
compete with WWE's Raw "would be an ultimate goal, obviously." Carter noted
changes to the company's TV taping schedule but did not clearly answer whether
live broadcasts could be in their future.
-During the conference I asked Carter about whether she felt criticism of
the TNA Creative Team were fair and what she herself wanted to see changed
about the creative process now that the company had a longer timeslot to
work with. In regard to the criticism, she said that everyone is entitled
to their opinion and not everyone is going to like everything the company
produces. She then stated that their audience size has grown tremendously
since they debuted on Spike, praising it as something that any company would
be happy with. I brought up Vince Russo's name as someone that is often
criticized by the online fan base, but she didn't respond to that.
-Regarding changes she would like to see in the TNA product, Carter said
that she wants to see longer in-ring matches and more characters being developed.
She said that with their previous 42 minute time slot, there were performers
who deserved time and TNA was forced to either feature them in rushed segments
or to slow down and only focus on a smaller crop of performers and storylines.
-I also asked Carter about the presentation of the X-Division in today's
TNA product, comparing it to the earlier days of the company where names
such as Senshi and Christopher Daniels were given a chance to shine and build
their names while today names such as Jay Lethal and Sonjay Dutt are not
often provided that same forum to have stellar bouts, and that is something
fan response here on PWInsider.com has disliked about the product at times.
Carter pointed out that Lethal had just had "one of the best matches I've
seen in a long time" against Kurt Angle at No Surrender. She said that when
the company was formed, they had the time and ability to give the X-Division
stars a chance to perform on the two hour Wednesday PPVs. She stated that
the two hour expansion will give the X-Division a chance to go back to doing
what it does best.
-When asked about a company steroid policy, Carter stated that they have
a drug policy in place that prohibits all illegal drugs, including steroids
that is reviewed regularly.
-Carter was asked about TNA running live events in several markets including
Canada and New York City. She noted that TNA has a firm commitment to getting
out on the road with live events in 2008 and that it will be their biggest
expansion internally for next year. She didn't confirm any new markets but
said that the company is working on a lot of new cities.
-Regarding heading to New York City, she said they're looking into it. "The
live event part of our business is going to be the biggest growth segment
for our company in 2008... It's time for us to get out there." She said have
a commitment to touring.
-When asked about Judas Mesias' status for Bound for Glory next week, Carter
stated that they learned of his injuries just the day before their first
two hours tapings and she couldn't confirm anything in regard to his appearing
on the PPV. She noted he was going to need at least 4-6 weeks of recovery
from the back injuries suffered falling off a ladder in Mexico working for
AAA.
-When asked about signing any additional free agents, Carter said there are
some performers out there that could do "exciting things" with TNA but she's
proud that the two hour debut features wrestlers that "brought [TNA] to the
dance" and it's a testament to those wrestlers that they've helped TNA come
so far.
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