A look at tonight’s premiere of TNA Reaction (w/video)
After watching a five-minute preview video of TNA Reaction, the new show that premieres tonight at 7 prior to Impact, I have to say that I’m impressed.
TNA describes the show as “a never-before-seen look at the combustible world of TNA Wrestling with exclusive backstage access and candid interviews featuring the biggest names in wrestling. Fans will experience all the unseen drama as rivals speak openly about their plans to destroy their most hated foes.”
Basically, it’s a reality show, except that all of the wrestlers are in character. I think it’s a great idea for a show for several reasons:
• It’s an innovative concept and something entirely different than anything WWE is doing
• It has the feel of a behind-the-scenes documentary
• It will allow the audience to form a stronger connection to the talent
• It will clarify story lines
Now, the bad news: TNA hasn’t done a very good job getting the word out. The company is debuting a new show in addition to Impact starting an hour earlier, and I’m guessing a lot of fans aren’t aware of either development. Of course, the worst news of all is that I now have FIVE hours of wrestling (actually about 5:20 with the overruns) to watch on Mondays, plus “24.” What a predicament. WWJBD – What Would JB Do? (That’s Jack Bauer, not Jeremy Borash).







Comments
Unfortunately for you, Jack Bauer would get cancelled.
RESPONSE FROM KE: That's OK. 24 has eight good seasons and it's run its course. There are plans for a theatrical movie.
Posted by: Pat Coyne | April 12, 2010 4:12 PM
It says all my questions will be answered.... but they never explained why their preshow is called "Reaction." That was my only question.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | April 12, 2010 4:37 PM
This does look cool! I saw this on their Facebook page. TNA does a great job on FB of updating fans on this sort of stuff. Of course, not everyone's on Facebook... My guess is we'll see ads for this on the show tonight. Why not last week? Maybe this was something they just came up with. Anyway, here's hoping for one of the "good" TNA shows tonight, no unprotected chair shots to the head, and no BTLS, although I think we're still in for more of the latter for a while...sigh.
Posted by: Curtis | April 12, 2010 4:55 PM
Seriously, who cares?
Posted by: Horseman420 | April 12, 2010 5:15 PM
Watch 24 first (I never miss an episode
for anything) that wasy you can FF through Raw. Watch Reaction tonight I guess before 24 and watch Impact Thursday. Thats what I'm been and will continue to do until 24 goes off the air. I wonder if Impacts ratings will see a slight bump after the series finale.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I would watch Impact on Thursday if I didn't have the blog. I think people will want to read about it before then. BTW, Dana Walsh is much more interesting after her heel turn.
Posted by: Rich Bailin | April 12, 2010 5:19 PM
That looks great.
Bet we don't get it down here in Australia, though.
Posted by: John | April 12, 2010 6:07 PM
Jack Bauer would do what is necessary:
Tie up Dixie Carter and torture her until she agrees to fire Hulk Hogan, Vince Russo and Scott Hall.
Then he'd move on to Vince McMahon - and torture him until he agreed to give a real push to John Morrison, MVP, Kofi kingston, R-Truth and Evan Bourne. Then he'd demand a return to really good story lines.
Posted by: rob | April 12, 2010 6:29 PM
Couldnt agree more about Dana Walsh. Me and my fiance were so bored with her story but we held on cause we knew it had to go somewhere.
Posted by: Rich Bailin | April 12, 2010 6:55 PM
1st off-Pat Coyne needs to meet the business end of a taser from Jack Bauer for his comment about 24 being cancelled.
2nd off-24 takes priority over EVERY thing else on tv
3rd off-I think something really big happens on 24 tonight,im predicting a major death(no i dont read any spoilers)
in closing
watch 24 Dam*it!!!
Posted by: Tony Almeida | April 12, 2010 6:59 PM
Why do I need to get tased Tony? 24 GOT cancelled.
Posted by: Pat Coyne | April 12, 2010 8:17 PM
"BTW, Dana Walsh is much more interesting after her heel turn"
I love how everything can be related to wrestling. Yesterday, my mate had a fight with his wife. Or, as he called it, 'cut a shoot promo on her'.
Posted by: Tony | April 12, 2010 8:19 PM
Hmmm...a lot of 24 fans here. So, Kevin, is a "24 Blog" next?!? In your spare time, right? :)
Posted by: Curtis | April 12, 2010 8:21 PM
I'm not sure that 24 theatrical movie is still happening after the rating drop-off these last couple years. (How anyone can watch this show after season six is beyond me.) Anyway... my Comcast still says it's Ultimate Fighter: Lidell vs. Ortiz followed by Impact. No mention of this Reaction show. What gives?
Posted by: DuBrow | April 12, 2010 8:48 PM
What would Jack do? Jack would watch 24 on one tv record Raw on another and watch Impact Thurs. I like Reaction especially with wrestlers remaining in character. Without the backstage interviews it would just be an AM Raw ripoff.
Posted by: jason | April 12, 2010 8:49 PM
I'm interested, but you're right, TNA didn't do a very good job of promoting this. I didn't know about it until today.
I generally like TNA's video packages/recaps better than WWE's. WWE are way overdone, and often have ridiculously pompous music, way too much slow motion, freeze frame, and filters, but almost no actual highlights. TNA's are much more straight-forward.
That said, I can get behind a TNA recap/highlight/backstage/promo/not-sure-yet-exactly-what-it's-going-to-be show. I like the blurring of backstage out-of-character stuff with in-character stuff. Also, the online show "The Spin Cycle" with JB is pretty good. I wouldn't mind if that found a way onto the show. Jay Lethal would get over in no time if it did.
Posted by: J Newbs | April 12, 2010 9:33 PM
..ok it was crap. it was a whole show made out of the 'recap' parts you get on smackdown or superstars. the parts i always skip. with some half a--ed sounding promos... not good.
Posted by: unltimate_krang | April 13, 2010 5:01 AM
Cool concept. I like it, but how does a show called Reaction come on BEFORE a show called Impact? verbally that makes no sense.
RESPONSE FROM KE: I guess because it's a lot of recaps and interviews after last week's show, that's the reaction.
Posted by: Brandon | April 13, 2010 10:34 AM
Let's just call a spade a spade here. This is the rope opera that Vince Russo has so desperately wanted his entire career. An hour of TNA superstars with no wrestling? Can't that just be considered as an additional portion of Impact?
Posted by: Bignasty247 | April 13, 2010 5:43 PM