Oh, its that time of year again friends. As a fellow wrestling fan I'm sure you know what I mean. That's right, it's time to give TNA it's annual chance to win me over. As it seems that once a year or so, TNA does something to win my attention back. It's usually a push of a certain wrestler, a la Bobby Roode, that draws me back -- but not this time.

Nope, this time it was the great crowds in the U.K.

For the last month or so, to be honest, I have been watching the playlists that CSS has been good enough to post on Fridays. I usually have it play the videos at work while I type up my weekly T.P.S. reports. (Yes, I like OfficeSpace) But seriously, I haven't really been impressed.

But something changed recently. TNA decided to go on their yearly tour of the U.K. -- And oh, what a difference their live crowds make. I found myself actually enjoying what I was watching, sans Aces and Eights.

Nothing ruins a wrestling product more than a bad crowd. You can have a classic Five-star match and it will be ruined by the silence in the audience. Just like I can try to please my lady friend, but it's usually ruined because well, she's sleeping. Just kidding, she always has a headache. Maybe I should get her to see a doctor? Anyway, Back to what I was saying. This isn't Japan, so I want a lively crowd.

The crowd is the embodiment of my emotions when I watch wrestling. I'm not dead inside, at least when I'm on my meds, so I need the audience to draw me in. That's why I'm so excited that TNA is finally going on the road. I have no illusions that they will be able to draw huge crowds like in the U.K. In fact, I'm a little worried that the shows will draw like an indy event and come off really small-time. But as long as they can get a good crowd they should be fine.

TNA being able to see what and who is actually working well in front of a live crowd, is something I'm looking forward to, so they can plan their stories better. If I were in charge of TNA, I would make the Trip to the U.K. two to three times a year, instead of once. WWE doesn't go there very often, and there certainly is a market for live wrestling there. Why not exploit it and use it to get your company more over?

Another great thing about the recent live U.K. shows is the lighting. It's completely different than WWE's. When you watch Raw everything is extremely well lit, just bright. TNA was darker, more intimate, and the announcers actually talk more about what is happening in the ring. It makes TNA seem fundamentally different -- and that's a good thing. TNA will never grow if they just try to be a WWE clone.

Now here comes the bad part: TNA has burned me many times. My guard is up. It's going to take time and consistency to win me back. I honestly don't think they can do it.

But just as I said earlier, it's their one chance of the year -- so, don't blow it TNA. I want you to succeed despite yourself.

Sure, I want the wrestlers who work your shows to be financially stable. But most importantly, I want you to succeed because the wrestling industry needs competition. Wrestling in the United States is dying a slow, slow death due to the lack of competition, and the stranglehold of a monopoly that WWE has on the industry. Here's hoping we can revitalize the industry.

TNA this is your moment, cue Eminem's "Lose Yourself."

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