Did Destination X create a real "Impact"?

Austin Aries is now with TNA.

The funny part about professional wrestling sometimes is that the fans are always waiting for the next big thing to come a long. 

The problem is that big moments sometimes go by without any acknowledgement from wrestling fans and media alike. 

Total Non-Stop Action wrestling held it's annual Destination X Pay Per View on Sunday, July 10, 2011 and the show itself was incredibly hyped for weeks leading to the event.



Going back to the roots of the company, Destination X featured an exclusive show using all wrestlers that portray the "X" division style of wrestling.  Many of the companies featured performers put on excellent bouts and the Pay Per View lived up to the hype in the eyes of many fans and industry insiders.

Unfortunately for TNA, even a card like this has a legitimate drawback in it's viewership.  With an estimated 36,000 buys (the company's highest Pay Per View buy rate of the year), this is more than 100,000 fewer buys than the WWE's latest offering.  (WWE:  Capitol Punishment had 163,000 buys on June 19, 2011)

With match-ups that included Samoa Joe vs Kazarian, Ring of Honor standout Austin Aries winning a contract in a four-way match, and AJ Styles vs Christopher Daniels stealing the show in the main event, this type of pure wrestling action could not be matched by most other wrestling companies on any given night.

However, even with their flagship show "IMPACT Wrestling" promoting why "Wrestling Matters", they continue to sit at a stand still.  With television ratings averaging between a 1.1-1.3 cable rating, Pay Per View buy rates ranging from 15,000 to 36,000 buys this year, and small house show attendance, TNA always seems like the underdog that can't make the progress that they have envisioned. 

What TNA does have that makes them relevant is exclusive Internet content, fan friendly events that allow fans to meet all performers, contracts that allow their wrestlers to appear at independent events (TNA collects a fee for "loaning" out their stars), and a small rabid fan base that has stuck with the company since it's inception.

While TNA may never be number one in the eyes of many fans, they can remain relevant by providing the fans cards like their latest Pay Per View offering.

Maybe "X" can mark the spot?