If I may steal a quote from Dr. Ian Malcolm from The Lost World: Putting TNA up against WWE on Monday night has to be the worst idea in the long, sad history of bad ideas.

But don't tell that to Hulk Hogan, who promised Mike Mooneyham that TNA would make history:

"They (the WWE) don't acknowledge anybody else in the wrestling business, [but] the corporate side of the office is running around like the place is on fire. They're panicking. That's the real inside scoop. Within six months (WCW was) dominant and it stayed the same way for a long time. I don't think the same outcome is going to happen here. It is a war and we will win this. This company has a better product. We're not going to repeat history ... we're going to make history."

They made history alright, by making the dumbest move in the history of the promotion. On March 8, 2010, TNA Impact! made its move to Monday nights to go head-to-head with WWE's Monday Night RAW. And not surprisingly, it got its ass kicked and was chased back to Thursday nights less than two months later with its tail between its legs.

Here is what back-up lights sound like on paper (via TNA President Dixie Carter):

"Our fans made it clear that they preferred the Thursday night time period. This is a win-win opportunity for both TNA and the fans. We are looking forward to delivering what the fans are asking for!"

Actually, it was probably SpikeTV -- not the fans -- who made it clear. As in, "Keep drawing a 0.5 rating and the only thing that will be runnin' wild is the pink slips." TNA went back to its old timeslot and has continued to do decent enough numbers to justify its existence.

At least for now.

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Other posts from the

08 - MARCH

CSS Archives

08 MAR 2012:

• The Indie Corner: Appreciating Eddie Edwards by Thomas Holzerman Mar 8, 2012 9:44 PM CST - 16 comments
• Video: WWE Superstars from March 8, 2012, featuring Dolph Ziggler vs Kofi Kingston by The General Mar 8, 2012 9:14 PM CST - 8 comments
• Dragon Gate USA and Evolve star Sami Callihan gets WWE tryout by Sergio Hernandez Mar 8, 2012 4:00 PM CST - 7 comments
• Video: WWE NXT from March 7, 2012, featuring Titus O'Neil vs Percy Watson by The General Mar 8, 2012 2:00 PM CST - 2 comments
• Cageside Quote: Eric Bischoff thinks TNA should let Ric Flair go to WWE Hall of Fame ceremony by The General Mar 8, 2012 12:30 PM CST - 2 comments
• Video: Hulk Hogan sex tape talk, Ultimate Warrior takes pot shot by The General Mar 8, 2012 11:01 AM CST - 22 comments

08 MAR 2011:

• WWE YouTube video - Hip hop John Cena still wants The Rock's ass by Keith Harris Mar 8, 2011 5:20 AM CST - 12 comments

08 MAR 2010:

• WWE Raw Results and Thoughts, 3/8/10 by Cox813 Mar 8, 2010 10:37 PM CST - 8 comments
• Open thread for WWE Raw and TNA Impact on March 8th by Keith Harris Mar 8, 2010 5:52 PM CST - 4 comments