In comparing WWE with TNA, it is perhaps best to first compare the latter to the erstwhile WCW.

Back in its heyday, World Championship Wrestling was undoubtedly the hottest wrestling promotion in the world. The formation and subsequent domination of the New World Order was the most talked-about angle in pro wrestling for years, superstars such as 'rookie sensation' Bill Goldberg were making headlines in the wrestling media and the group's often under-rated and vastly under-utilized cruiserweight division were putting on some of the finest performances inside an American wrestling ring.

Then, it all went a bit silly. When former WWF Magazine editor-turned-show writer Vince Russo defected to the Atlanta-based outfit, bringing with him Ed Ferrera, another WWF writing talent, and a whole host of confusing gimmicks and storylines, WCW's product rapidly declined.

Celebrity appearances were ill-received by the crowd (especially actor David Arquette's brief spell as WCW champion), heel/face turns occurred more frequently than a Barry Horowitz loss, and the company began spiraling out of control both on screen and backstage to the point where media overlord Ted Turner (owner of WCW's parent) company sold the whole thing to WWE's Vince McMahon.

With McMahon's main competition out of action and a whole host of WCW performers left with no work, a flood of talent was released onto the independent circuit, something the father-son combo of Jerry and Jeff Jarrett hoped to capitalize on when they formed NWA: TNA (Total Non-stop Action).

In the begining, many fans hoped (and the Jarretts probably envisioned) that TNA would become what WCW used to be back in the day; an alternative to World Wrestling Entertainment, with a focus of in-ring talent combined with plausible plot-lines and plenty of action.

And for a time, it was.

Whilst the WWE continued to focus on 'crazy' gimmickery, short, nothing matches and tastless angles, TNA provided the antidote.

It's revolutionary X-Division, not dissimilar to WCW's fondly-remembered cruiserweight division yet where, as the company says 'it's not about weight limits, it's about no-limits', was producing some stellar matches, stars such as Ron Killings and indie-favorite Samoa Joe were on the rise, and things were looking good for the company.

Today though, things are very, very different.

WWE are producing believable, emotional and intense storylines (see the recent Jeff Hardy v Randy Orton story), gripping

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