WWE Versus TNA - The Live Experience

For a long time the WWE had the edge on its competitors and dominated the UK/European scene with their brand of live House shows. Often selling out the numerous venues and raking in an obscene amount of cash whilst doing so. Of course this was after WCW folded and no one else was in competition to offer a similar product to the wrestling starved fanbase. I've attended many WWE shows and found that in recent years the roster sent has improved dramatically. Yes we still get some c-list grapplers, but more often than not you do get to see Triple H, Orton, Jericho and on the last occasion Shawn Michaels too.
So what is the difference between a WWE show and TNA one?
WWE shows are slick, the grapplers usually perform well and don't often slip out of character. We get the full pyro entrances and some very decent matches.
TNA offer something different indeed, the grapplers show a more fun side to them, though still pull out all of the stops. The more intimate venues allow the fans to feel more a part of the in-ring action and the roster use that to their advantage.
You can feel an atmosphere more like the old ECW shows than a glossy WWE show and that is where TNA works best.
During the recent Dublin shows (see my review on the Sun's site for full details) We were fortunate enough to be given not only VIP treatment, but to get ringside seats on the first night. The venue was a purpose built boxing stadium and housed 2000 people, the six-sided ring was so close you could touch it and when the action started you could feel the bump and slams as they echoed through the ring. I must admit it was tough to concentrate when The beautiful People decided to station themselves right in my eye line during their tag match with ODB and Taylor Wilde.
Ringside is unique spot to watch a wrestling show from, on one hand you get to See the action up close, shake hands with your heroes and witness perfect moves and spot botched ones in equal measure. The drawback is when the crowd rush the ring to do that same and you get squashed beneath a horde of fellow fans.
WWE have more of a problem with this than TNA though.
The other thing you'll notice about the two companies is that TNA seem to be a lot more relaxed security wise etc, they allow press like myslef bakcstage more, the pr people (Steven Godfrey you are a legend) spend time with you and staff even take time out from their matches/rest to watch the shows. During the second night in Dublin, whilst enjoying the show from the elevated stage entrance area, senior official Earl Hebner literally walked from the backstage area and sat behind me to enjy the show before he refereed his next match. You'd never see this on a WWE show. Earl (who i'd interviewed last year in Liverpool) chatted for a while about TNA, his enjoyment of working there and the general feeling backstage, yet again you'd never get this in WWE unless it was scripted or checked first. TNA also has the best PR person it can have in TNA President Dixie carter, she not only attends as many shows as she can, but personally makes sure she meets and greets as many fans as she can prior or following a show. This is where TNA sauced and prove their worth, the fans mean a lot to them and not simply act as a means to an end. So which company is better to see live? well it depends what you want, if you only watch WWE then that's the one for you, if you watch TNA only then same goes, if you are open to new ideas and willing to witness the contrasting styles and factors then give them both a try.
What you'll find is that some stars you don't rate on ppv or tv are actually well worth their ages when you see them live, Team 3D may seem past it at times, but live and in comic form the duo have something special indeed.
It's really a personal choice, but for fan interaction and involvment I'd plump for TNA, with the like sof Jeremy Borash whipping the crowds into a frenzy and the fan friendly appeal they have the edge so far, it may change when the company grows. The recent 8000 record sell-out in Wembley England may be good, but did it feel as intimate and special? Only time will tell I guess, here's hoping we can all enjoy watching, seeing and participating along he way.