Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Welcome to the Busted Open Podcast. This is Dave LaGreca. On today's episode, myself and Nick Nemeth talk AEW Dynamite and also the state of TNA as we close in on Slammiversary. Right now on the Busted Open Podcast.
Chapter 2: What is the significance of Slammiversary for TNA?
This is the Busted Open Podcast. In all seriousness... You got this opportunity coming up at Slammiversary. To me, it's Slammiversary and Bound for Glory are the two biggest shows in the calendar year for TNA. I mean, it's no secret. You know, there's been a lot of changes with TNA over the last couple of weeks. You know, this is a chance to kind of chase away that dark cloud that hangs over TNA.
And it really has a lot to do with the match that you have with Mike Santana. So, I mean, what are your feelings going into this match on Sunday?
Uh, that's a great call because there's a bunch of stuff, you know, there's been, yeah, it's been a rough couple of weeks, uh, especially like, you know, watching things happen. And, you know, uh, we're, I'm biased, uh, for, you know, from, uh, I'm friends with Tommy first and then, you know, work for him as, as a mentor, boss, friend, everything.
So those feelings, you know, that's, that's, that's tough to get through. But thinking about the momentum that TNA had and seems to be having back and forth, and it really is on the talent. And I think the reason I came to TNA was seeing the infrastructure behind the scenes and then the talent. And that's what talked me into the door.
And now seeing this weekend coming up where there's so many matches, where everyone's trying to outdo themselves. That's what we've done every step of the way since I've been here. Every step of the way, it's been like, guys, we got a goal to get to this many tickets, this many people talking about us, get a TV deal.
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Chapter 3: How does Nic Nemeth feel about his upcoming match with Mike Santana?
Let's get it going. Let's sell this many. Let's have everyone talking about our pay-per-view. And now this big weekend with, you're right, there's some half gray clouds, half shiny clouds over the top of us that we're looking to break through and have that entire roster come out and go wild. Look at this show. Look at what we're capable of. Look at the women's division.
Look at the knockouts kicking ass. Look at the tag. Look at the ultimate X that's probably going to blow everybody out of the water that I have to try and follow in the main event. But I know that there's a reason I'm in that main event.
Chapter 4: What recent changes have affected TNA's direction?
It's because Mike Santana is an ass-kicking SOB who has absolutely carried... the company on his shoulders. And now it's my turn to knock him on his ass. Let everybody know that this company can go even farther down the line. I want everybody to see this show. I want everyone to watch each match and go, damn, that was good. And know that the main event has to deliver.
And there's a reason I'm in that match because it has to deliver and it has to have everyone talking the next day that TNA is the place to be. And holy shit, did you see that card? Did you see that Ultimate Next? Did you see that main event at Slammiversary? Did you see that? Yes, I can't wait to see what the hell happens on Thursday night on AMC.
Yeah, I love it. And I love that attitude. And again, it's going to be Nick. And I say this in all honesty. It needs somebody like you to step up and present that opportunity to the fans because you're a star. You're a workhorse. You're amazing in the ring. People know your name. You're a household name.
This is what TNA needs right now in the main event, especially at an event like Slammiversary that we're going to see this weekend. And that's not me blowing smoke up your ass. That's 100% the truth. And I've said this. I said it to Bully at the beginning of this week when we're looking ahead to all the events we're going to see this weekend because it's stacked.
Chapter 5: What challenges does TNA face in the current wrestling landscape?
You can say all you want about what's been going on on the outside and the changes that are happening. I like what I've seen every Thursday on AMC. I've liked this show. This show has been good to very good almost since after that first little blip on the radar week one when TNA started on AMC. After that, I can't see how you're a fan of TNA.
And if you're actually watching the shows on Thursday, and I know a lot of people like to comment and pile on. If you're watching the shows, you have to be happy with what you've been seeing on Thursday nights at 9 o'clock on AMC.
That's a great call because there's been times when I've been traveling and I missed out on a Raw or a Dynamite or a SmackDown and we had to talk about it in the air. And I caught the clips. I caught some pieces. But you're right. Aside from that first show and maybe one other one, I've been absolutely proud of every minute of every show. And we talk on here.
It's like, hey, the Sickos wanted an alternative to WWE. And WWE gives you four or five matches at a PLE, draws everything out. Well, the sick was an AEW with an alternative. They get mostly matches and banger matches and the great matchups that you wanted to see.
And I really think when I talk and promote DNA all over the world, I go, this is, it's a mixture of the two to where you have all the stories, you have the fun pieces, but everything makes sense. And then you get the matches to pay it off. So it's the best of both worlds. And I really appreciated like every step of the way, watching creative deliver that way. And it's like this.
Why does this make sense? Like, hey, what the hell is this? This makes no sense. And, you know, actually, in two weeks it could go here. And I was like, oh, OK, great. I love the stories that we're telling and have been telling and will be paying off in so many different aspects on Sunday. And then Thursday, it's right back to it, going, who's the new challenger? Who's the new champion?
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Chapter 6: How do the hosts view the momentum of TNA's talent?
Who's coming out here? Who's coming for the X Division? And there's so many ways we can go, and I'm very excited about it for this weekend. But I really just want this show to happen because I know so many in the back. are waiting to go out there and absolutely deliver and then get everyone talking about what a kick-ass pay-per-view. You're right.
Maybe I should watch the full show instead of just read what's online. And you can see the stories, the characters, and absolutely the match stories delivering at the end. And I know the responsibility that I have on Sunday. And it's on mic as well, but we're going to deliver. But there's something big that has to happen.
And I'm so glad I'm part of this main event because I know we're going to send everybody home going, holy shit, that was great. How do I watch again on Thursday?
And listen, Nick, like, you know, when it comes to every company, AEW, TNA, WWE, there's multiple stories happening at the same time. Now there's going to be stories that you just don't connect with. And there's going to be stories that you do connect with. We'll get, we'll get into dynamite and everybody knows that listens to the show. I am completely connected with MJF and Mark Briscoe.
I am not connected with the death riders. So when I come on the air, I'll talk about the things that I connect with and the things that I don't connect with, but that's fine. Everybody has a different opinion.
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Chapter 7: How is Will Ospreay's role evolving in the AEW narrative?
And obviously there's plenty of people that understand the death riders and that's their thing. It's the same thing here in TNA. There might be some stories that you don't connect with, but as for me, I love what's going on with the Hardys and Righteous. I love what's going on with the system right now. I love what's going on with Mike Santana. Everybody said creative, creative. Was it?
Am I missing something? If you want to have the argument about all right, Mike Santana should have won the title last year at Slammiversary in New York. Well, it led to the biggest house that TNA ever had at Bound for Glory and Mike Santana winning in front of the biggest house ever in TNA and becoming your champion.
Now, if you want to say, oh, it should have happened a little bit earlier, okay, fine. To me, that's not a reason to say, oh ā
creative and tna is absolutely awful because i'm sorry i'm not buying it because there's enough going on on the show that i'm connecting with now if if you're not that's fine too i just don't understand if you're watching this show on a weekly basis how you at least don't like or think it's good what you're seeing on your tv
Right. And that's simple stuff. Like, man, it's the X division stuff that for the ultimate X, I just know that's just going to be knocked out of the park to where I go, how the hell do we follow this? And, like, the elegance brand on the stories. Even Eric Young, he's been to the top and bottom of the card for years and been Mr. TNA. He's doing some cool-ass scary shit with Ricky Sosa.
Like, there's so many cool stories. The knockouts, the two friends fighting, Lei Yingli, and, like... there's so much stuff going on that is cool and good. And you're right. If you watch the whole show, you'll be like, oh yeah, it's a great show. And it's a really good wrestling show.
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Chapter 8: What storyline developments are surrounding the Death Riders?
As someone who watches a bunch of wrestling shows for work, I go, hey, this is pretty damn good. And I'm a really harsh critic of myself more than anything else. But when I watch my stuff back, I'm like, oh, I messed up here. This wasn't that good. But watching TNA back, I'm like, I'm proud of the show that we put out. And that's why when I go to do media shows,
And it's hopefully soon to be doing media as champion. I'm like, hey, man, I'm not just proud of this. I'm letting you know that the people involved behind the scenes, the talent, everybody, they have a big say in this and they're doing their job better than most.
And this is one of those companies that I've been to different places where, you know, you can offer opinions and kind of get an eye roll or you can go, yeah, sure, we'll get to it. Or you just get dismissed or they, you know, the old story with Vince, you're like, do you walk in there asking for something? He gives you exactly what he already wanted and you've got a smile on your face.
At TNA, it's like, hey, we have this idea for you. And you're like, well, what if we went in this direction? They go, wow, that's really interesting. Let's explore that. And you go on and you're like, what, really? Oh, well, my voice matters here as part of the creative. And it's not just teams. It's actually the talent having a lot of say and being a part of it. I go, that's great.
And we can all, we all think we got it all figured out. So actually having the creative there to take us back a notch every once in a while too, because we're like, what about this? This is like, hang on. We got to tell a story for six months here. Let's do a little breadcrumb here. Let's have a little piece here. Let's do a little nod to that here. And you're like, okay.
And then you have that beautiful give and take that I've seen since day one in TNA.
Listen, I've had the privilege and honor of being behind the scenes in TNA because I was doing those pre-shows for a while for TNA, which I really enjoyed. And I got to see the interactions of everybody in the back and how it really did feel like a team. Now, I'm only going by what I saw, but I spent hours. You know, Nick, you would see me in the corner.
You know, you wouldn't even acknowledge me or pretend like you knew me. But I got to see a lot of the interactions with the talent and the staff and the executives. And it did my heart good to see it felt like a team. Everybody was on the same page. Everybody was rooting for each other. Now, it's not my place to say it, but I'll say it now.
All these people are saying, oh, behind the scenes, it's a mess. I never witnessed any of that. If anything, it was completely the opposite. So I don't know where all that comes from because everything that I witnessed every time that I was there, I saw a bunch of people that worked as a team and had everyone's back.
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