Sting to TNA? You're Kidding, Right?

Throughout the early parts of last week there were reports that TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling president Dixie Carter had announced that at a major announcement would be made at last night's pay-per-view. As with anything in wrestling, the contents of the announcement were leaked and it turns out that the announcement was that former WCW World Champion STING has signed a deal with TNA. Reportedly, a 1-year deal for up to $500,000. $500,000 ???? You have gots ta be kidding. I checked a few other sites and they all quoted the same figure. That's more than alot of WWE wrestlers are probably pulling in. John Cena probably doesn't even get that much (before merchandise royalties - they are marketing so much Cena / Chain Gane crap that I wouldn't be surprised if he pulls in 'Stone Cold' money after merchandising). How are they possibly going to afford that? Panda Energy (TNA's parent company) likely has money to waste, but why waste it on STING? After all, TNA hasn't posted a profit since its inception a few years back. This just digs the hole deeper - a lot deeper. There is no way that this can pay-off in the long run.

I understand that Spike TV told TNA to go out an get talent that the fans recognize in hopes that more fans will tune it. That's exactly what Ted Turner told Eric Bichoff to do in WCW. Sure, it worked in the short term, but old men with recognizable names can only go so far before the fans lose interest.

In case you're wondering, at the conclusion to the TNA PPV the arena went dark, a scorpion (Sting's logo) appeared on the Jumbotron, and a steel chair, black coat and boots, and baseball bat were shown in the center of the ring. Confirming that Sting was indeed coming to TNA.

I may be wrong, but we'll have to wait and see. Let me know