Details on Why TNA and GFW are Set to Work Together

New reports have provided further details on why TNA and GFW are set to work together with an “invasion” angle in the upcoming months. As previously reported, the two promotions began working together towards this new program a few weeks back when GFW owner and former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett returned to “IMPACT WRESTLING” and worked “Slammiversary,” winning the main event King of the Mountain Match.

TNA stars are sending GFW stars, especially Jarrett, messages on Twitter about how they’re coming to GFW to try and become the first ever GFW World Heavyweight Champion since Jarrett came to TNA and won the King of the Mountain title. Stars like former TNA World Heavyweight Champions Bobby Roode and Eric Young are just two of the TNA superstars set to “invade” GFW on July 24 during the promotion’s first set of TV tapings.

The company doesn’t even have a television deal in place (that the public is aware of), although some people believe that Destination America will be showing GFW material during the “IMPACT WRESTLING” time slot as part of this invasion angle. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter shares why this idea is a “swing for the fences” type of move, and why many are looking at it negatively, saying,

“One thing regarding the GFW interpromotional feud angle, a lot of people are negative about it thinking it won’t work. And in a company whose business is mostly ratings, the first week was a terrible blow. But as far as keeping the TV deal as is, this is Hail Mary time and you have to try.

The big question that is unanswered is if DA doesn’t change its mind about cancellation, does DA want them off the air so they have the time slot for their own programming in the fall, or would they accept a deal, like they have with ROH, for maybe an hour or two hours, where the programming is provided for free. If TNA has no other TV options, it at least keeps them alive in the U.S.

The slashing costs and not signing talent whose contracts are up are lowing overhead. The ROH precedent makes you think it’s possible. The negative is if word gets out that TNA is providing programming for free, it’ll become even harder to get anyone to pay for it, and DA will probably never pay for it again. But with time running out, it is a scenario that keeps the perception of them as a living breathing television wrestling promotion in the U.S. alive.

For Jarrett, he’s got to do whatever he can for attention and this has at least gotten attention, and it gives him access to some good talent which is in a new setting. Remember, A.J. Styles couldn’t draw at all with the TNA brand, and then he left and was headlining to far bigger houses in most places he went, and that was happening even before New Japan made him IWGP champion.”

Editor’s Note:

It will be interesting to see what/how all this plays out. Nothing to lose for Jarrett…and EVERYTHING to lose for TNA.