Dot Net Exclusive: Is TNA changing their creative approach? More MMA-style matches?

The TNA creative team has no plans to make radical changes to the on-air product. Although Kurt Angle previously stated that his MMA-style match with Samoa Joe at the Lockdown pay-per-view would be the launching pad for significant change, two well-placed sources reiterated today that there is no such plan for a dramatic shift in place.

Both sources raved over the more traditional pro wrestling style match that Joe and Angle had at the television tapings last night and noted that Kurt was back in his regular wrestling gear. The feeling backstage was that the match on Wednesday night was significantly better than the pay-per-view match they had.

Powell's POV: The company is open to the idea of doing more MMA-style matches in the future, but most people feel they are better off incorporating elements of MMA into the matches as opposed to presenting matches like Angle and Joe had at the pay-per-view. Angle remains the primary advocate of switching the style to be more MMA based. However, he doesn't have many backers.

The goal of the creative staff continues to be giving viewers something different all the time. There are definitely some within the company who feel they need to pick a direction and stick with it, but most of the creative team members want viewers to come away with the feeling that they never know what TNA is going to do next.