Shit! Just as we thought we were out of the woods! TNA’s official website has a revised preview of tonight’s Impact and a new graphic to boot (see above) – where they refer to the Diva formerly known as Victoria, as Tara.
In all earlier references, they had referred to her as ‘Lisa Marie’, which appeased us fans but it looks like they’ve gone ahead and jumped on the ‘Tara’ bandwagon anyway. A big step back, if you ask me.
‘Lisa Marie’ works just fine and it’s much better than bland, boring ‘Tara’. The reason behind the name switch is because like WWE before them, TNA wants to have full copyright ownership of the ringname Lisa uses in TNA so if she were to leave, she wouldn’t be able to piggyback on the back of the name. In a report earlier this week, one wrestling news site suggested that Lisa isn’t the caliber of ‘top stars’ like Kurt Angle or Bobby Lashley, who were allowed to retain their real names.
Funny that considering the Knockouts segment last week, which featured Lisa, was the highest rated portion of last week’s Impact. Furthermore, Shane Douglas – a barely there midcarder for TNA and WCW – is back under his real name, if I had to argue, I’d say Lisa is a far bigger star than the now fat Douglas, who made his return last week too.
It just goes to show that TNA is no better than WWE and doesn’t consider women’s wrestling a draw. While WWE’s ratings do show that male stars outdraw the female ones, in TNA it’s the other way around. If TV ratings counted – and they should – the Knockouts of TNA should be treated like stars over the men. But alas, wrestling is a “men’s sport” and there will always be unfair prejudice against women in it.
TNA had the opportunity to prove they take women’s wrestling seriously. They could have really pushed Lisa, who is without a doubt a hot commodity – male or female – and make her their top babyface under her real name, giving her the same ‘star treatment’ as Angle, Lashley and Douglas. Instead they prove that they are no better than WWE and consider Lisa ‘just another Knockout’ by opting to change her name.
Posted by 
June 4, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I really don’t see the big deal with her new name. We will all get used to it and in the end love her for the great wrestler that she is.
June 4, 2009 at 7:29 pm
your reading too much into it… just cos they change her name doesnt mean she isnt going to be pushed…
June 4, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I didn’t say she wasn’t going to get pushed.
June 4, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Bleh. I guess what name she wrestles under really doesn’t matter, but I still think that they should have allowed her to use her real name. I just think that it is kind of difficult for wrestling fans who are so used to knowing her as Victoria or Lisa Marie Varon, to see her as “Tara.” Whatever, I’ll be happy as long as they let her go out there and put on some really good matches.
June 4, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Melanie raises a really valid point in this post.
And as a whole, ‘Tara’ is just a really lame name change in my opinion; especially for someone of Victoria’s caliber.
June 4, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I agree I rather perfer Victoria. But oh well she is still my favoirte no matter what name she is all though Lisa marie sounds better. Ah well. Most likely tonight she will face off against Velvet or Melody whatever that other member name is oh sorry Madison LOL
June 4, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Sure, the name Tara sucks, but it’s one step above Velvet Sky and Moose! I think the big picture is being missed here: it’s not the name that matters, it’s what the person does while using that name. As long as Lisa Marie is putting on good matches and is healthy and happy in TNA, that’s what counts.
June 4, 2009 at 9:18 pm
I understand that it’s ‘just a name’ and I agree with you, but I – and many other old school fans – tend to think that a name is part of the ‘total package’ and anyone worth a damn in wrestling should be the ‘total package’. Putting the name to a face is a big part of marketing and the name ‘Tara’ just plain sucks.
Furthermore, as I point out in this blog, there is an underlying issue here: TNA obviously – like WWE – has a disregard for female workers in this industry, even though – unlike WWE – they deliver the company it’s flagship show’s best ratings. WWE has an excuse for putting Cena et al on a higher plateau than the Divas. TNA on the other hand, is biting the hands that feed them, because Angle, Sting etc. don’t draw the ratings the Knockouts draw.
June 4, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Since when is Bobby Lashley a top star?!
June 5, 2009 at 1:11 am
It’s quite possible that TNA would have allowed her to use Lisa Marie in exchange for trademark rights to the name. And rather than give up any name ownership, she decided to go with a new name instead to keep her real name. Then TNA can use Tara however they want. Who knows, it also may tie into retaining her real name for MMA promotions.
June 5, 2009 at 12:43 pm
“TNA had the opportunity to prove they take women’s wrestling seriously. They could have really pushed Lisa”
becos they didnt give lisa her real name they suddenly dont take womens wrestling seriously? it is JUST a name. TNA still treat their women better than wwe in terms of matches and tv time.
i think you are reading far too much into this i mean think about it logically. if Lisa really HATED the name she would have went against it. they would have complied with her. shes worth it.
for all we know she may have some sort of sentimental attachment to the name! we dont know!
all i know is tht Tara is her ring name and lisa seems happy with it.