BY RICHARD GARDNER, PWTORCH SPECIALIST

By Richard Gardner, Torch specialist

It's unconfirmed that TNA will be moving to Monday nights on March 1, so for the sake of argument, let's assume Impact starts on Monday nights one month from now.

WWE is the most established and recognizable wrestling brand on the planet and it will not be challenged overnight - despite its own creative problems - and taking on McMahon's organization is a bold move to say the least.

The 1.45 rating that TNA drew on Monday, January 4 was a great achievement, particularly considering they were opposed by an edition of Raw that featured Bret Hart's first WWE TV appearance in 12 years. This suggests there are a number of wrestling fans who are still interested in wrestling, but no longer watch Raw. WWE has not faced regular wrestling competition on a Monday night since WCW Nitro was cancelled in 2001, and the lack of competition has caused complacency within the company. Even WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase said last week he welcomes the competition.

There is no pressure on Vince McMahon to address the problems with WWE, as Raw still draws acceptable ratings and is not losing viewers to a rival promotion. Yet wrestling fans have recently been isolated by the embarrassing antics of Hornswoggle and the guest hosts, which dominate Monday nights. It's as if Vince McMahon has become so wrapped up in his vision of WWE as an entertainment format that he has forgotten what made his company so popular in the first place.

TNA has their own problems. While TNA has previously positioned itself as a WWE alternative, some of the decisions that have taken place in the early days of the Bischoff/Hogan regime have called this into question. Older, ex-WWE stars have been put over their TNA counterparts. Granted, storytelling is less frenetic, but there is still reliance upon nonsensical twists, such as a disqualification in a cage match or a re-enactment of the Montreal Screwjob.

A notable feature of the original Monday Night War was the movement of talent between WCW and WWF. Despite the fact that WWE is considered the industry leader, TNA offers a viable alternative for disenchanted WWE talent. Instead of outbidding WWE in contract negotiations, as WCW did in the late '90s, TNA has the ability to offer a vastly reduced schedule in comparison to the grind of life on the road with WWE. Jeff Hardy's appearance on the January 4 Impact has already illustrated that big names are willing to make that jump.

Regardless of the problems with WWE and TNA, a permanent move to Monday nights for Impact would be fantastic news for both wrestlers and wrestling fans alike. WWE wrestlers will be in a better position to negotiate contracts with the option to defect to an organization that is direct competition. Wrestling fans would have choice on Monday nights, and can vote with their remote controls when WWE's regular bad comedy segments air.

TNA is not perfect, and I have been as critical as any other writer about certain aspects of the Bischoff/Hogan regime. The focus on stars from the past has been alarming to say the least. Yet a move to Monday nights should be the catalyst for renewed creativity from both sides. The 1.45 rating that Impact garnered on January 4 was promising. Although a show laden with big debuts and surprises is not sustainable on a weekly basis, it can be cited as evidence that wrestling fans are willing to watch an alternative to Raw.

If TNA moves to Monday nights, it will be hugely beneficial for wrestling fans, who will have choice for the first time in nearly ten years. Those who write Raw and Impact will have nowhere to hide if certain angles lose viewers to the opposition.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]

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