While the news that TNA iMPACT! is moving to Monday night comes as no surprise, there was some intrigue in the fact that Spike TV scheduled its two-hour wrestling program to go directly head-to-head with RAW.
Previous speculation assumed iMPACT! would air from 8PM-10PM, a staggered approach that would give the program a chance to build an early audience against WWE’s 9-11PM powerhouse on USA. But in going directly against RAW, there has been some concern about what visibility TNA will have on Mondays, especially since its programs will not all rival the magnitude of the successful January 4 special.
At press time, however, the faces of TNA are confident that it made the right decision.
“This was the decision we felt was best to start with,” said TNA President Dixie Carter at a press conference Monday. Carter also put over that the “wonderful, amazing [TNA fanbase has] always followed us,” a sign of confidence that the show can succeed on Mondays.
Hulk Hogan offered the “wrestler’s point of view,” explaining, “If you’re going to prove that you’re the best, then you’re going to get in the fight.”
He added, “[If I were still an active wrestler], I would want to go head-to-head with what we call the competition…for me, that would be the only option…The wrestlers like a fight and like to prove themselves.”
TNA iMPACT! moves to Mondays beginning March 8.
