Paul Heyman/TNA: "I'm not interested in being a cog in the wheel"

Quote :

Posted by: Wrestling-Radio.com
Source: The Wrestling Globe Newsletter

- Paul Heyman did an interview with Bryan Alverez during the UFC 116 weekend in Las Vegas. He said he has no desire to join TNA unless he's given complete control and points in the company. Basically he wants to be Dana White. "I'm not interested in being a cog in the wheel," he said. "If I'm going to put my emotional investment into it, I want to get something financially and emotionally out of it." Heyman believes that TNA has a 5 percent market share of the industry right now with WWE controlling the rest. He said: "They need to redefine the company and take about 10 percent of that market share off the WWE. Then they make some serious money and bring in multi-millions. If I could take the company and turn it around, boost PPV revenue, work with Spike and make it work then it would be worth the emotional investment for me. There's nothing that I'm doing now that will pay $25-30million dollars over the course of the next five years. If that's a situation that can happen, and I can also put a team together and put together a five year plan, then it merits a lot of consideration. If it means anything less than that, I'm not taking the time away from my children."

Paul E will never work for the Hogan/Bisch goon squad

It's pretty obvious by now.

My question though is how patient will Spike get before pulling the plug on Hogan & Bischoff and give Paul Heyman what he wants? Honestly, I think he can pull it off. On the creative side, absolutely no doubt in my mind. Financially, he better surround himself with some very competent people to work with to avoid the demise of ECW.

I don't know if Spike Execs understand what Hayman could bring to TNA. Unless at least one of them is a true wrestling fan, they probably have no idea.

Hayman did not handle ECW well finacially, but I am sure that he knows that better then anyone and he would love to have a second chance. That whole ECW/TNN thing was a cluster fuck from the begining. Now, Spike knows that pro-wrestling can be very profitable cable networks. NBC Universal has loaded up on pro-wrestling programing, with SD moving to Syfy in the fall and Raw still being on USA for at least the next 5 years or so, they have proven just that.

I think that Spike execs do understand what Heyman can bring to the table. After all, he was the guy with ECW when ECW was on TNN 10 years ago. The situation is totally different now since Heyman isn't handling any financial aspects and would largely be brought for his creative mind. Spike has already invested so much in TNA and being probably their best TV program on the network (I'm assuming, I don't know how programs like Blue Mountain State for instance, are doing), they need to make sure that TNA has the best people to work on.

So, as I said, it really will come down to how long Spike executives will tolerate Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. It could come sooner than later if one or both ot them make some waves about a possible Heyman hiring.

Spike's highest rated programing is UFC stuff. Wednsday night is basically UFC night, with UFC Unleased, and or TUF, and or The Best of Pride. Also, any live UFC fights on Spike always get them great numbers. That being said, TNA is by far their second most popular programing, but with a line up that once had Blue Montian State and now has Half Pint Brawlers, that isn't saying much. Spike has obviously put a lot of money and faith behind TNA and I think they are itching to give TNA another couple of hours for new wrestling programing, if TNA can prove they can handle it. Recently they haven't done so well with Impact, so a second show is not the best idea right now.

If Heyman does come to TNA, I hope Bisch stays as an on-screen character only. As much as I dislike what he has done with TNA, I still think Bisch is a great heel GM.