LYT on the T's of TNA
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Mar 22 2010, 5:03 PM
I've mentioned before that I own a lot of wrestling T-shirts, but am picky about the ones I like. WWE has disappointed me a lot lately in that area, with one notable exception. But with TNA now deciding to be the "edgier," less-PG alternative (a total 180 from when TNA first came on the scene as an antidote to the then-raunchier WWE), there is some hope for my wardrobe again.
Now, TNA has taken a long time to get it together as regards their merchandise. The key to a hot-selling wrestling shirt is that it has to work even for someone who has no clue about wrestling. Where TNA has erred in the past is putting slogans on the back of the shirt, and the wrestler's name on the front. For example, I could probably sell a shirt sporting the slogan "Big Sexy" to any number of large guys, but if that's only written on the back, while the front just says "Kevin Nash," I'm not gonna have much luck except with Kevin Nash fans.
But just as Hulk Hogan promised hope and change, it is coming to the TNA merch department. Let's look at a few new ones that meet my smell-test.
THIS is what I'm talking about. Any egomaniac in the world, yours truly included, would be delighted to announce themselves as a "Phenomenal One." Fans know it refers to AJ Styles, non fans just think you're kind of amusingly obnoxious (or a total douche, depending on how you play it). Plus it looks like the Affliction style of shirt that a real-life meathead would wear anyway. WWE's been ripping off Affliction for years, and TNA just now figured it out.
Beer Money happens to be a great name for a tag team, but it's also a pretty good all-purpose phrase for drinkers to sport. If you're feeling generous, donate one to one of the more sarcastic homeless people you know, and save them the trouble of making a cardboard sign.
This one's a total win...especially since WWE never figured out how to make a decent shirt for the former Mr. Kennedy. "Pro wrestling is real...people are fake" is a nice snappy way to declare your fandom, and for people who don't know who Ken Anderson is, they'll see the "people are fake" part alongside "Mr. Anderson" and get a total MATRIX vibe. You do still like THE MATRIX, right? I do. Nice font, and not overloaded with pointless spiky flourish clip-art like some of TNA's other stuff (Taz, I'm looking at you...).
Where would we be without a new Hogan shirt? We know, wink-wink, that "Fu" in this case stands for "Fu Manchu mustache," but the naughty insinuation is clear, and since John Cena hasn't been allowed to call his signature move the "F.U." in a while, TNA can grab it. But is it saying "F.U." to power, or promoting the power of F.U.? Neither, officially...but c'mon.
Anyway, I would wear all these shirts. And you can buy them now at ShopTNA.com.
I've mentioned before that I own a lot of wrestling T-shirts, but am picky about the ones I like. WWE has disappointed me a lot lately in that area, with one notable exception. But with TNA now deciding to be the "edgier," less-PG alternative (a total 180 from when TNA first came on the scene as an antidote to the then-raunchier WWE), there is some hope for my wardrobe again.
Now, TNA has taken a long time to get it together as regards their merchandise. The key to a hot-selling wrestling shirt is that it has to work even for someone who has no clue about wrestling. Where TNA has erred in the past is putting slogans on the back of the shirt, and the wrestler's name on the front. For example, I could probably sell a shirt sporting the slogan "Big Sexy" to any number of large guys, but if that's only written on the back, while the front just says "Kevin Nash," I'm not gonna have much luck except with Kevin Nash fans.
But just as Hulk Hogan promised hope and change, it is coming to the TNA merch department. Let's look at a few new ones that meet my smell-test.
THIS is what I'm talking about. Any egomaniac in the world, yours truly included, would be delighted to announce themselves as a "Phenomenal One." Fans know it refers to AJ Styles, non fans just think you're kind of amusingly obnoxious (or a total douche, depending on how you play it). Plus it looks like the Affliction style of shirt that a real-life meathead would wear anyway. WWE's been ripping off Affliction for years, and TNA just now figured it out.
Beer Money happens to be a great name for a tag team, but it's also a pretty good all-purpose phrase for drinkers to sport. If you're feeling generous, donate one to one of the more sarcastic homeless people you know, and save them the trouble of making a cardboard sign.
This one's a total win...especially since WWE never figured out how to make a decent shirt for the former Mr. Kennedy. "Pro wrestling is real...people are fake" is a nice snappy way to declare your fandom, and for people who don't know who Ken Anderson is, they'll see the "people are fake" part alongside "Mr. Anderson" and get a total MATRIX vibe. You do still like THE MATRIX, right? I do. Nice font, and not overloaded with pointless spiky flourish clip-art like some of TNA's other stuff (Taz, I'm looking at you...).
Where would we be without a new Hogan shirt? We know, wink-wink, that "Fu" in this case stands for "Fu Manchu mustache," but the naughty insinuation is clear, and since John Cena hasn't been allowed to call his signature move the "F.U." in a while, TNA can grab it. But is it saying "F.U." to power, or promoting the power of F.U.? Neither, officially...but c'mon.
Anyway, I would wear all these shirts. And you can buy them now at ShopTNA.com.
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