Fair enough.
I think things are a bit blurrier from January 2010. The creative influence of Hogan and Bischoff cannot be discounted. The fact that Hogan had talked about building a promotion around RVD long before he came to TNA is of particular relevance, I think.
For that reason, I'd think the second half of 2009 - after they cleared out Jarrett's supporters, and before Hogan and Bischoff took over - is the purest example of Russo's own vision, and I think it's significant that there were a lot of positives. Plenty of mistakes, mind you, but a lot of positives.
Perhaps, regardless of who was in charge, it was the situation which Heyman referred to - the benefits of a unified vision, rather than the compromised product which results from competing booking styles and plans.
Hopefully Hogan and Bischoff go at the ends of their contracts in a few months, and we can see a new direction for TNA.
I see your point about the "blurry" transition in early 2010. TNA wants their fans to believe that Hogan and Bischoff are working as consultants and in that position they are advising management about what works and what doesn't. Trouble is, there has been a lot of controversary generated when some names have announced their confusion about who their boss is. As far as I can tell, Dixie Carter is still in charge, she is the one who authorises payments, signs contracts and says "yes" and "no". But it also seems as if Hogan and Bischoff were given a good chunk of control.
Bischoff is one of those management types who cannot function to their full potential unless they have almost complete control of their position. It seems as if TNA said "You two come into our promotion as on air personalities but we'd also be willing to have you work behind the scenes in developing our product". I'm surprised Bischoff even came to TNA, given his business style, it must be frustrating having to make suggestions and not have the authority to implement ideas. Although, like i've speculated, in may be that Bischoff did initially have a lot more control than was specified.
TNA's attitude towards talent in the last year or so has been disgraceful. Here is every World champion in the last year...
Rob Van Dam
Jeff Hardy
Mr Anderson
Jeff Hardy
Sting
Mr Anderson
Those 4 men are all established household names from different promotions. Rob Van Dam made his career in ECW and solidified his status as a headliner in WWE. Sting was at one point considered among the top babyfaces in the world. He had an incredible run in WCW, holding the WCW title on multiple occasions, having acclaimed feuds with the likes of Ric Flair, Vader, Hulk Hogan and The Great Muta and he holds the distinction as one of the only world renowned wrestlers to have never worked for the WWE. Jeff Hardy made his career in the WWE, despite having personal problems and needing to take time off on more than one occasions, he reached his peak in 2008 and captured the WWE championship once and the World Heavyweight championship on two occasions. Citing burnout and the need to recuperate, he left WWE and resurfaced in TNA a few months later. Mr Anderson I've never been big on, I compare him to Dolph Ziggler in the way that he has a certain look and can have good matches with people, but he is often lumbered with no real storylines and is partirculary overrated by the IWC, who have compared his mic skills to that of The Rock. Nevertheless, his carelessness with Randy Orton and tendancy to get injured cost him his job in the "work you like a horse and if you get hurt then you'll lose your spot" WWE. And then of course, TNA swooped in like a magpie seeing something shiny.
There are three men in TNA who should be working the main event but aren't for a variety of reasons. These three men are AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe. Each one of them has been with TNA from near the beginning, they've helped develop the product whilst growing as performers themselves. They've not used their successes in other promotions to further themselves without putting the work in like so many of the ex WWE and WCW names have.
Hulk Hogan, along with Dixie Carter are apprently heavily invested in Abyss and his constant featuring role in upper mid card and main events is a result of this backing. Whilst Abyss is a good solid talent and has a unique look and style in the ring, they've really put their foot in by having him hold the X Divison championship and behave like Hulk Hogan prior to his heel turn.
Crimson along with Gunner both have a lot of supporters backstage and I could easily see TNA giving one of them a trial with the TNA World Championship, whether or not its the best thing to do. WWE took a similar risk with Sheamus back in 2009, however that did pay off because Sheamus has the ability to talk and wrestle to the WWE standard.
All in all though, it seems the problems TNA have, tend to be more politically related than people are willing to let on.