Corgan signs for TNA

This week, Total Nonstop Action announced that The Smashing Pumpkins lead singer, Billy Corgan has signed as a creative consultant for the promotion and the news was reported on various main stream media outlets. Corgan, who is a well known wrestling fan, made a few appearances for the original ECW and his guitar shot to Lou E. Dangerously remains one of the highlights of the promotion. Aside from being involved in the music industry for almost three decades, Corgan has a background working in professional wrestling as well, most recently working with the Chicago based Resistance Pro until he left the company late last year. Prior to his departure, Corgan helped develop a potential reality series based around the backstage scene of the business and there were rumors that cable networks might air it, but it hasn't happened yet. Would a reality show have launched a company? Probably not, but considering that networks saw potential in the project, it shows some of the concepts Corgan could bring to TNA.

Obviously, Corgan proved himself as a very creative person throughout his music career, but will that actually translate to pro wrestling? It's possible, but it will be an uphill battle for him because while Corgan has experience running a wrestling company on an independent level, the national aspects of a company are a completely different situation. The hurdles for Corgan will be similar to the obstacles of previous TNA writers, specifically the perception that TNA is damaged goods and that there's no identity for the brand. Former WWE stars that were used strictly because they were on WWE TV at some point remained a problem for TNA even after the move to Destination America, which was hyped as a "new era" for the company. Should Bobby Lashley really have been the TNA champion again? He was a mid carder in the WWE and the attempt to build a cross over audience for TNA because he fought sporadically in Bellator didn't work. The ratings were stagnate on Spike TV and the network decided not to renew the TV deal. The Destination America contract kept the company afloat and while solid numbers help the network, there's a smaller audience watching TNA on a weekly basis because Destination America doesn't have the TV clearance of Spike TV. With less TV distribution, is Corgan going to have the tools to build the brand?

When the news of the Spike TV decision to not renew the TV deal was reported, I mentioned that in many respects, TNA was similar to WCW, considering that the brand was almost too damaged to rebuild itself and it seems as though some of the stigma still remains for TNA. Reports of talents being paid late and more specifically, the departure of Taz, which he acknowledged he was paid late on his podcast haven't helped the perception of the company either. Corgan's involvement actually helps the perception of the company because a notable person from the entertainment business thinks there's potential for the brand. Obviously, Corgan wouldn't sign with the organization if he didn't think there could be a bright future for it, but there's also a downside to it as well because it could be seen as somewhat of a novelty act to garner press for the company.

It would be great to see Corgan improve TNA, but despite his efforts and noble attempts to better the sport, I don't think it will happen, which is nothing against him. I still say that I think the TNA brand is too damaged for Corgan or anyone else to rid the company of the stigma towards it after the years of booking fumbles and ridiculous storylines.