Tag: Carlos Silva

TNA president addresses whether WWE played role in TV deal negotiations

Posted on by Joseph Currier

According to TNA President Carlos Silva, WWE did not play a role in the negotiations for TNA’s new television deal.

TNA and AMC announced this week that the two sides have reached an agreement for AMC to become the new broadcast home of TNA Impact starting on January 15, 2026. While discussing the news with The Takedown on SI, Silva shot down rumors that WWE helped negotiate the deal for TNA. Silva said TNA negotiated it themselves with talent agency CAA (Creative Artists Agency) acting as its partner. Silva did keep WWE informed throughout the process, however.

“No, we did all the negotiations ourselves with me leading the charge on the TNA side, and then [Creative Artists Agency] leading the charge as our representative and our partner on the deal,” Silva said.

“Look, WWE and NXT are very important partners to us. So we kept them in the loop. They knew what was coming. They knew about the deal before you knew about the deal. But no, they’ve got their own deals. They’re very busy with their deals. So they let us go out and cut a deal and get on a major network. And I think they’re happy for us. And we were happy with the way it went.”

The press release announcing TNA and AMC’s deal highlighted the partnership with WWE NXT among the positives that TNA brings to the table. That partnership will be continuing, with Silva saying he hopes big things are ahead in 2026.

Starting with the January 15 episode, Impact will air on Thursday nights on AMC and AMC+ from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time.

TNA celebrates Chris Bey with All Star Award

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Over Bound for Glory weekend, TNA Wrestling celebrated Chris Bey by honoring him with one of the company’s All Star Awards.

It was nearly one year ago in October 2024 that Bey suffered a broken neck in an in-ring accident while competing for TNA. The injury was scary and Bey was given little chance to walk again, but he is back on his feet and has the long-term hope that he’ll be able to wrestle again one day.

Bey was in Lowell, Massachusetts for TNA Bound for Glory weekend and even made an appearance on the pay-per-view broadcast. Before the show, TNA President Carlos Silva presented Bey with an All Star Award that TNA has started to give out at its big events. The award celebrates people who make significant contributions to TNA on screen or backstage.

“Chris walked in, and Chris was different than he was 3-4 months ago when I saw him,” Silva said about seeing Bey. “Chris was now not just a guy that had been injured and was working to get better, it was like he was back. And the way he was moving, and the way that, of course, he was smiling, and the positive energy that he gives off — it felt so good for me to see that. And so, Chris, we’re so happy that you’re here and here to celebrate and hopefully to break the [TNA North American attendance] record with us tonight.”

Bey dedicated the award to everyone in TNA and shared the good news that he has been discharged from physical therapy.

“I’ll keep it simple: obviously, this award belongs to all of us. God is great. I’ve had a tough year, but a fun year still, because I like journeys,” Bey said. “I like the difficulty because it makes for great stories. But, also, I like to watch what you guys do because it motivates me, it makes me work harder. So every time I see you guys breaking records or doing great shows, doing great business with other companies, it helps me push my next workout. It helps me push my next therapy session. Which, I did officially just get discharged from physical therapy. But it takes a village. So you guys keep doing what you do. I’ll keep doing what I do. And together we’ll keep winning. I love you all.”

Bey told ESPN this summer that, while out of action, he would like to use his talents to help contribute behind the scenes and help other wrestlers. He is a three-time TNA Tag Team Champion, having held the titles with Ace Austin, who is now in AEW.

Daily Update: Vince McMahon, Bronson Reed, Carlos Silva

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the  Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site:

  • Updates on Crown Jewel and WrestleDream, interest level, lineups and what could be added
  • Notes on Tuesday’s AEW/NXT head-to-head battle
  • Odds regarding upcoming big matches
  • Tokyo Dome ticket sales and notes from Hiroshi Tanahashi and Aaron Wolf
  • NXT No Mercy coverage
  • New Japan Destruction in Kobe notes
  • CMLL Noche de Campeones notes
  • Fuerza Guerrera retires with a look back at his career
  • Television ratings are crazy this week and what is the change
  • One of the most impressive attendance streaks in history has ended
  • CMLL’s focus on women’s wrestling in October
  • Tessa Blanchard back in CMLL
  • AAA goes head-to-head with CMLL featuring AEW and WWE stars on each show
  • Saya Kamitani becomes double champion
  • Go Shiozaki leaves NOAH
  • King of Pro Wrestling show finalized
  • Mistico vs. Bandido singles match this past week
  • Bret Hart talks his career and we look back at what he said
  • New wrestling documentaries
  • European star may have cost himself his career with full details as to what happened
  • MLW makes comment on WWE business on its TV show
  • Upcoming TNA TV news
  • Thoughts on Andrade’s return to AEW and what happened
  • History of pro wrestling on the SuperStation
  • Zuffa Boxing TV deal and notes on the promotion
  • Dana White on 60 Minutes coverage
  • How UFC went from almost dying to a $15 billion business, the moves it made and how Vince McMahon killed one of its biggest TV deals
  • What happened with Wanderlei Silva’s boxing match after it was over
  • Notes on stockholder lawsuit against TKO
  • WWE top star to take time off for major movie role
  • WWE headed to Japan for big shows
  • Injury updates
  • Updates on Edris Enofe and Jazmyn Nyx leaving the company

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • Paradigm Talent Agency has signed NXT wrestler Kelani Jordan and WWE LFG season winner Shiloh Hill as clients. Other WWE talent represented by Paradigm include CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, Sheamus, Rusev, Montez Ford, Natalya Neidhart, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Alexa Bliss, and Blake Monroe.
  • PWInsider reports that Jazz and Ace Steel are guest coaching at the WWE Performance Center this week.
  • Cody Rhodes posted his WWE schedule for October:
    • October 10: SmackDown in Perth, Australia
    • October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
    • October 17: SmackDown in San Jose, California
    • October 24: SmackDown in Tempe, Arizona
    • October 31: SmackDown in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • To promote Crown Jewel, Rhodes briefly appeared on ESPN First Take.
  • Bronson Reed told The West Australian that, despite getting hurt, he would still try the spot again where he was injured at Survivor Series 2024 hitting a Tsunami off the War Games cage through a table:
    • I feel like we’re sort of in that business where we have to take those risks.
    • That’s sort of what we do. But it’s calculated risks. I was not scared jumping off the top of that cage. I didn’t expect what was going to happen. But in a heartbeat, I’d do again. I just think I could nail it again and not hurt myself, hopefully.
    • In the moment, I had known that I had injured myself but I didn’t know to what severity. I actually stood up, walked out and went backstage. So, the doctors backstage didn’t think I had broken anything because I was walking around.
    • Then about an hour later, the pain set in, and I couldn’t stand up. And I was like, okay, something, something’s gone wrong here.
    • My leg was not allowed to be weight bearing for two-and-a-half months. I had to build up all the muscles in my leg again. I had to learn how to walk again on my right leg, and then run, and then jump, and then everything that we do in the ring as well.
    • So in the back of my mind, it was a little scary wondering ‘will I be able to get back to where I was or exceed where I was?’ Thankfully, I put in the hard work rehabbing, and now I’m better than ever.
  • Stephanie Vaquer, Grayson Waller, Nathan Frazer, and Axiom visited Perth Children’s Hospital while in Australia for Crown Jewel.
  • Nick Hogan made an Instagram post remembering his late father:
    • Just thinking about you Big Dog. I miss you. 
    • I know it doesn’t make sense to post this on insta because he can’t see it but I wanted to share some photos that mean a lot to me.
    • I’d do anything to call my dad and just say hi.
  • Vince McMahon is scheduled for a court hearing in Stamford, Connecticut next Thursday (October 16) stemming from the July car accident where he was issued a misdemeanor summons for reckless driving and following too closely.
  • The Wrestling Classic has an interview with Kevin Nash.
  • To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, WWE and AAA luchadors participated in a video where they blind ranked lucha masks.
  • Today would have been Eddie Guerrero’s 58th birthday. Rey Mysterio and CM Punk are among those who took a moment to remember him on social media.

Other Wrestling

  • Bobby Horne – formerly known as Mo in the WWF stable Men on a Mission – is currently hospitalized with a blood infection and pneumonia:
    • Please keep Bobby “Sir Mo” Horne in your prayers.
    • He’s battling a severe blood infection & pneumonia and remains in the ICU. His wife Denise Jones is with him and they need all the love & strength the wrestling world can send.
  • On SiriusXM’s Off The Ropes with Jonathan Coachman & Nic Nemeth, TNA President Carlos Silva discussed how TNA can help younger talent get to WWE:
    • TNA is an interesting platform because we can bring and provide a new platform for legends that have already been in the game for 10 and 15 years-plus. But then we can also help to bring on the young talent. Look, is that talent at times gonna leave? Is that talent gonna wanna go to WWE if they’re younger talent? They are and I’ve said it and I’ve said it in our — Nic knows this, I will be the person that will help them as well, if that’s the path that is great. I also know that they’re gonna continue to support TNA and maybe come back to TNA some day, to continue creating this engine, and that’s how we’re gonna continue to operate.
  • Lio Rush vs. Mascara Dorada is set to take place at show two of Fantastica Mania UK on October 18. The show is being presented by RevPro and CMLL.
  • Indie promotion Warrior Wrestling announced that it will return with a Resurrection event in Chicago on December 5.

Carlos Silva: TNA has ‘a lot of goals to accomplish’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Carlos Silva outlines his goals for TNA.

In an interview with Justin Barrasso ahead of Sunday’s Bound for Glory, the president of TNA explained the company’s role in pro wrestling, not only cultivating young talent but also providing space for wrestlers who made their names in TNA and elsewhere.

“We have a lot of goals. We can develop young stars,” he said. “Joe Hendry is a great example. I know he wrestled elsewhere, but TNA provided a platform for him to reach new levels–then you saw him at WrestleMania. TNA is a place for young stars like Leon Slater. It’s a place for legends like The Hardys and stars like Eric Young, Nic Nemeth, Matt Cardona, and Frankie Kazarian–and I could go on and on.”

Silva took over for Scott D’Amore, who departed the company in 2024. Silva complimented the team that has taken over since.

“TNA has been around 23 years, so I’m building off a really good foundation,” he said. “We have some great minds in the company like Eric Tompkins, Tommy Dreamer, and Ross Forman. We brought in sports executives for production and marketing, too. We’re bringing best practices from sports and applying them to our live events. It’s a team that is pulling all together, and that makes a big difference. It’s been a great nine months, but we’re not going to slow down.”

Bound for Glory is set for this weekend at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachussetts. Top matches include Trick Williams defending the TNA Championship against Mike Santana and The Hardys taking on Team 3D in a tables match for the TNA Tag Team titles.

TNA ‘very excited’ about potential new TV partner, update on start date

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA President Carlos Silva is “very excited” about the promotion’s potential new TV home.

While speaking with the Battleground Podcast, Silva reiterated that TNA is now in the middle of active negotiations for a new media rights deal. He did not name the partner that TNA is negotiating with, but Silva expressed excitement over where TNA could land.

“The good news is that the process has started. We’re working through the details,” he said. “And I feel really good about it, I’m very excited about the partner. I think they’re excited about us. That’s why it feels good. But like everything, we just kind of got to get through the paperwork, understand sort of final deal terms and certain things where there’s going to be a little push and pull from both sides.”

Back in August, it was reported that The CW — where NXT airs every week — had legitimate interest in TNA’s TV rights. There’s been no word if that’s the network TNA is negotiating with, but it would make sense given that the TNA roster has been featured in NXT, including a Showdown special between the brands that will take place next week.

It shouldn’t take too long to find out the identity of TNA’s new TV partner, with Silva telling the Battleground Podcast that he thinks a deal is close to getting done.

“I don’t think it’s going to take much longer, because I think we’re pretty close,” he noted. “Everyone seems enthusiastic to get a deal done, which is always the best feeling when you enter into these kind of deals with big distributors, big companies. But so far, so good. I’m excited about it.”

When asked if we could get an announcement by the end of the year, Silva responded:

“We have to, actually, because the deal that we’re contemplating starts at the beginning of 2026.”

TNA Impact currently airs on AXS TV on Thursdays and also streams for TNA+ subscribers. AXS TV is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment.

It’s been mentioned that TNA is seeking a figure of around $10 million per year in its new media rights deal.

Daily Update: Lexis King, Carlos Silva, wXw

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out with the fallout of three major shows this past weekend and what key things we learned from them:

  • Reader polls on the weekend shows
  • Key points we learned from WWE going after AEW
  • Numbers for all three shows and how they did
  • Does the price make a difference, how is afternoon vs. evening?
  • What we’ve learned about AEW that goes against the grain of 30 plus years of PPV numbers
  • Mistico vs. MJF looked at as well as Mistico’s place in Lucha Libre history
  • Misconceptions about John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
  • The next big shows from WWE & AEW
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Advanced ticket sales for the major shows over the next month
  • Odds for last weekend and next weekend
  • Where wrestling shows stood in the weekly ratings and comparisons with the same week in 2024 and 2023
  • Exactly how much the audience makeup has changed for AEW on television this past year
  • For every major TV show, what percentage of viewers were women this past week
  • Blue Panther wins title at 65 years old
  • Big head-to-head battles in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday this week
  • Lineup for the women’s Grand Prix match in Mexico City with talent from RevPro, Stardom and AEW/ROH
  • Notes from the Pokemon CMLL crossover event
  • Story about the changes in the crowds at Arena Mexico and leading reporter opposes the story
  • Lots of health updates
  • Real American Freestyle signs first woman gold medalist
  • Masha Slamovich controversy
  • Zuffa Boxing close to announcing TV deal
  • Former WWE developmental talent signs with UFC for November debut
  • International promotion in talks with ESPN Unlimited
  • Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis silliness
  • Cody Rhodes talks Paul Levesque’s successor
  • Mark Shapiro talks how WWE & UFC will decide on locations for big shows
  • ESPN review of Wrestlepalooza and the controversy allows ignoring the far bigger story
  • Jazmyn Nyx turns down WWE offer, says it’s too low

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) announced the passing of his brother Jesse Morgan:
    • I lost my brother today.
    • He was a badass, highly intelligent, witty and charismatic dude who grew up in the 90s.
    • He loved video games, Warhammer, R.A. Salvatore, among many other cool bro stuff.
    • Recently we had been on Discord playing StarCraft 2 co-op together and he was enrolled in classes at the University of Cincinnati.
    • He was a veteran who suffered from issues after surviving some traumatic events while serving in Afghanistan.
    • He loved his country, his last Facebook post was this:
    • ‘Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.’ —Franklin D. Roosevelt
    • Some words to live by…
    • The battle with your demons is now over brother.
    • Rest in Peace Jesse Morgan
  • In recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bret Hart shared a video from his daughter Jade, who successfully completed cancer treatment in 2024:
    • I’m so immensely proud and joyful that my daughter Jade has triumphantly battled breast cancer with a courage and strength that will always define her. As a cancer survivor myself, I can’t begin to express how grateful I am, that my beautiful daughter Jade has won her fight. She proved that faith and love can beat anything when one’s heart is full. I am so proud beyond words. 
    • I wanted to share this video she made for #breastcancerawarnessmonth as a reminder to everyone that early detection is the best protection. Please remember to self examine and schedule your mammogram.
  • Charlotte Flair appeared on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football today and will be attending tonight’s Thursday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. At the game, Charlotte and her father Ric Flair will serve as honorary Rampede Captains:
    • Retired professional wrestler RIC FLAIR and second-generation professional wrestler Charlotte Flair will get fans on their feet and kick off the game as the honorary Rampede Captains.
  • AFL Today interviewed Bronson Reed.
  • Fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk was the guest on the latest episode of “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW aired a video package on Dynamite last night celebrating the show’s anniversary and its first six years.
  • Will Ospreay thanked chicken restaurant Nando’s for sending him a care package as he recovers from neck surgery:
    • Never cried over food before…
    • Didn’t expect such a lovely gift from someone that works in @NandosUK near me.
    • Whoever done this…genuinely thank you so much for the love
    • Super hard right now but this hit me in the feels.
    • Your chicken gives me strength.
  • TNA President Carlos Silva spoke to TV Insider about the NXT-TNA relationship and next week’s Showdown special:
    • Working with the NXT folks as well as WWE folks has been very easy. There has been great coordination. We’ve kind of supported each other with last-minute asks on both sides, which I think is a testament to a good partnership. It’s not just one asking. We might ask, or they might ask, and we always find a way to move things forward. This big Showdown episode of NXT happening down in Orlando is going to be great. You saw it on The CW live with the teams sort of aligning. I think the theme is building. There is also intrigue and maybe a little strangeness the way certain teammates are on each team, but they have certain alliances and allegiances to the other organization. Whether they’ve come from that organization or been there or holding the belt from one organization even though they work for the other. I think all of that there. I think as a result it’s going to be awesome Tuesday night on NXT down in Orlando.
  • Silva reiterated that he wants TNA Impact to air more live episodes in 2026:
    • All of us that are new to the organization are live sports and entertainment executives. I brought in a new executive producer in George Veras, and he is working closely with Eric Tompkins (VP of TV production and executive creative director) and our team down in Nashville. We all want to do more live. We’re all live guys. So, I think building TNA and continuing to be healthy as an organization gives us the ability to do more live. In a perfect world, I’d love to be live every week. But there are different operational implications and budgets to being live every week including a place to do some of them because you’re probably not going to be traveling 52 weeks a year. The short answer is we’re going to continue to do more live in 2026 and lay out that schedule right now. The talent responds to live in a way that is great also. They all tell us, so we want to continue to build this all together and do more live in 2026.
  • German promotion wXw has ended its relationship with wrestler Marius Al-Ani after he posted a social media video using a Nazi marching song. Along with cutting ties with him, wXw has vacated the European Championship at Al-Ani held.
  • In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Tetsuya Naito gave an update on how he’s feeling after working back-to-back dates for wXw and RevPro at the end of September:
    • After leaving New Japan, I did feel like I wasn’t wrestling enough. This time, wrestling back-to-back matches brought back that familiar ache in my body. It felt nostalgic. That’s when I realized, ‘This is what being a pro wrestler is all about.’ I want to get back in the ring soon, and there are so many countries that haven’t seen pro wrestling yet. I want to show people all over the world the real Tetsuya Naito.
  • Naito has matches coming up in Hong Kong this month and Singapore in November, with Tokyo Sports writing that more are “expected to be added, primarily in Asia and Europe.”
  • Daisuke Sekimoto is out of action with a broken leg.
  • Women’s promotion Genesis Premier League announced that it has signed Leyla Hirsch and Abaddon to its roster.
  • Indi Hartwell will be defending her House of Glory Women’s Championship against Zayda Steel at With Glory Comes Pride in Queens, New York on October 10.
  • Chris Van Vliet interviewed MMA legend Mark Kerr on a new edition of Insight.

TNA president addresses Joe Hendry-WWE rumors

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During an interview on the Battleground Podcast, TNA President Carlos Silva addressed rumors that Joe Hendry is expected to leave the company and join WWE full-time.

It was reported last month that Hendry is in the process of being phased out of TNA ahead of joining WWE on a full-time basis by the start of 2026. At the moment, Hendry remains under contract with TNA while also being featured in NXT. He is coming off a victory against Eric Young at TNA Victory Road.

Silva did not deny that Hendry will eventually end up joining WWE, but he told the Battleground Podcast that Hendry is still on the TNA roster at the moment.

“That’s correct,” Silva responded when asked if Hendry is still a TNA star. “Yes, he is. You know, he is until he’s not. But he is. And Joe’s been great. Joe’s been great for us. Joe’s been great with WWE and NXT. We’ll continue to sort of work through that as good partners do.”

Hendry, a former TNA World Champion, has made frequent appearances for NXT during the WWE-TNA partnership, along with showing up at the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania earlier this year. He’ll be working a live event for NXT in Florida this weekend.

Next Tuesday’s NXT episode is an NXT vs. TNA Showdown special. In storyline, the TNA roster has questioned where Hendry’s loyalties lie — and Mike Santana did not select him for Team TNA because of that.

The 37-year-old Hendry is from Scotland with a background in amateur wrestling and music.

TNA now in ‘active negotiations’ for new TV deal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling’s negotiations for a new media rights deal have advanced into a new stage.

While speaking with TV Insider, TNA President Carlos Silva gave an update on the negotiations, revealing that things have now progressed to the point where TNA is in active negotiations with one partner. The two sides are working things out and there is no firm timeline on when a deal will get done, but the aim is for the deal to begin at the start of 2026.

“We’re now in active negotiations with a partner, and we’re going to work through that. I can’t really put a timeline on how long that will take,” Silva said. “The good news is the process has started. We’re no longer just talking to a bunch of people to sort of gauge interest. Now we have an interested partner and working through potentially a deal for 2026.

“It’s going to happen as soon as it can happen. We were working on it as recently as yesterday, exchanging papers and trying to figure it out. We’re excited about it and keep pushing it forward to get this over the finish line. It’s done when it’s over the finish line.”

Silva did not reveal the identity of who TNA is negotiating with. Over the summer, it was reported that TNA could potentially land on a WWE-affiliated station like The CW or A&E. The CW would make sense as a partner given that TNA wrestlers are currently being featured alongside NXT in a storyline where the two rosters are at odds. There will be a Showdown special on The CW next Tuesday with an NXT vs. TNA theme.

It’s been mentioned that TNA is hoping for a deal around $10 million per year that would allow Impact to air live more often. Whether Impact would remain on Thursday nights — or potentially move to Wednesdays opposite AEW Dynamite — remains to be seen.

Impact currently airs on AXS TV as well as being broadcast for TNA+ subscribers.

TNA has Bound for Glory, traditionally its biggest pay-per-view of the year, coming up on Sunday, October 12. The event is being held in Lowell, Massachusetts and will be headlined by Mike Santana challenging Trick Williams for the TNA World Championship.

Daily Update: Melina, Tony Nese, TNA media rights deal timeline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We have one of the most news and business heavy issues of the year:

*All the details of the WWE’s deal with ESPN, what is in the deal, what isn’t, who can watch for free and why that probably won’t be for long, what ESPN Needs for it t make economic sense, as well as break-even for the ESPN UFC PPV deal and when the ESPN deal with WWE starts
*Brock Lesnar returns to WWE, how it happened, why it happened, why it was inevitable because of how TKO management views things, the double talk, comments from loads of people in WWE as well as Janel Grant’s side, exactly what was in the lawsuit that regards Lesnar and other example of TKO decisions which show a pattern
*Full coverage of SummerSlam, business details, the Rollins cash-in, Netflix numbers, attendance numbers and next PPV show
*Notes on UFC and WWE business numbers, what is up and what is down
*Hulk Hogan’s funeral, Brooke Hogan’s claims of info on Hogan’s Moves never talked about before, a ton of Hogan history, Hogan’s heyday in Japan and much more.
*Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
*Forbidden Door and the surprising record it has set and other major notes regarding the show and update n the card
*The most complete look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows of the past week, competition, demos, why ratings were up or down, as well as Netflix numbers for Unreal and Raw.
*MJF returns to Arena Mexico and coverage of Friday’s hwo
*Salvador Lutteroth talks his fan base and AEW
*TripleMania updates
*Five Star Grand Prix updates
*Hogan documentaries
*RevPro anniversary shows
*Bloodsport notes
*A change at Discovery that is major and how that affects AEW streaming as well as notes on the current streaming deal
*How much did WBD loss or gain by losing the NBA
*Lots of injury updates
*Notes on Dustin & Cody Rhodes
*Backstage stuff in AEW ande what is and isn’t real
*Who at this point isn’t at Forbidden Door
*Ticket sales for upcoming TNA, AEW and WWE shows over the next few months
*More notes on Zuffa Boxing run by Nick Khan and  Dana White
*Peacock and WWE business
*How much is Dwayne Johnson’s WWE stock worth
*Karrion Kross and Scarlett contract update
*Raw ad rates on Netflix and comparisons to AEW on TBS

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Nia Jax vs. Lash Legend match from NXT last night.
  • In an interview with SHAK Wrestling, Torrie Wilson named Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Tiffany Stratton as some of her favorite women’s wrestlers in WWE.
  • Wilson also praised Dominik Mysterio for how much he’s grown as a performer:
    • It’s crazy to see how far he’s come [since being a kid]. I mean, he is not only an exceptional performer, but his wrestling ability is crazy. And to think when he first came in with Rey [Mysterio], it was just like, okay, he seemed a little quiet, like, you just had no idea that this was going to come out of him. And it’s just really been fun, as I’m sure you think, watching him grow and he just really does remind me of Eddie [Guerrero] also, which people say a lot.
  • Former WWE wrestler Melina told WrestlingNewsCo that she would like to see Evolution treated as the women’s version of WrestleMania:
    • It’s a shame that it’s the second [Evolution event] – the first was a long time ago. The first Evolution was a long time ago, in my opinion. That’s a long time [2018 to now].. and now it’s a beautiful thing to finally see Evolution 2. I hope on everything, there needs to be an annual one. This is the women’s WrestleMania. It should be treated as such.
  • R-Truth spoke to Undisputed about his backstage segment with John Cena from SmackDown last Friday, where they reunited for the first time since Cena became a babyface again:
    • It was so organic. That’s why it came across that way. You could feel it.
    • The proof is in the pudding. For just over a minute promo to be one of the biggest takeaways from the show, come on, I love that.
    • John is the G.O.A.T. in my eyes. Not only is he my childhood hero, I’ve learned a lot from being in the ring with him–and I’ve learned a lot from him in the back.
  • NXT wrestler Adriana Rizzo posted a Tiktok video explaining how her torn ACL happened, saying she had a partial tear a year and a half ago but worked through it until recently having her knee “explode” while doing a drill at practice.
  • Houston Life interviewed Charlotte Flair.
  • Ten Count Media has an interview with Jacy Jayne.
  • MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was the guest on this week’s episode of Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast.

Other Wrestling

  • To promote tonight’s Dynamite episode in his hometown of Cincinnati, Jon Moxley made an appearance on Cincy Lifestyle.
  • Fightful reports that Tony Nese has been working as a coach/agent in AEW.
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey uploaded a new episode of his vlog.
  • While speaking with The Takedown, TNA President Carlos Silva gave an update on the timeline for when the promotion could agree to a new media rights deal: 
    • I think Bound For Glory is a great stake in the sand in terms of us getting everything together as we look to the 2026 year and season.
    • And so, I think August will be quiet. It usually is in the media, in the media deal space, but hopefully we’ll work through a few things, move the ball forward a little bit in August, and then I think in September and October as we get to Bound For Glory, that would absolutely be the goal to try and get it done by then. Or certainly, if it’s not done, have it agreed to.

TNA president addresses possibility of new video game

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A new TNA video game is something company president Carlos Silva has on his list of goals.

It’s now been nearly 20 years since the promotion’s first console video game — “TNA Impact!” — was released in 2008. While it doesn’t sound like any official announcements about a new game are imminent, TNA President Carlos Silva tells Daily Star that the idea is now something he is looking to explore.

“In terms of the game, we didn’t set that as a priority in these first six months since I’ve been here, but it’s now gotten added to the list,” he said. “We just had to do some things to really drive and create the kind of stuff that we had with Slammiversary. Like everything in an organization, if you do too many things, you don’t get anything done. So we had to concentrate on some successes, but I think now coming out of some success, we can now put that on the docket and look to understand where we go with a TNA game, for sure.”

When asked if TNA’s partnership with WWE has opened doors for things like TV deals and video games, Silva said the partnership is benefitting TNA everywhere.

“Everything, everything’s open — it’s opened doors everywhere,” Silva said. “And I think it’s been the power of the partnership. It’s been a big benefit for TNA, and we appreciate everything that WWE and NXT has done. And they’ve done it, like, with pleasure. They’ve made it a true partnership.”

TNA is seeking a new media rights deal in the range of $10 million per year with Silva hoping that the deal can be agreed to within the next few months.

TNA president gives update on potential new TV deal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An agreement hasn’t been made yet, but TNA President Carlos Silva is confident that the promotion is moving closer toward getting a new TV deal.

In the aftermath of Slammiversary, Silva was a guest on the Battleground Podcast and was asked if there are any new updates on TNA securing a new media rights deal. Silva recently said his goal is to find a deal that would allow TNA Impact to air live every single week. He is targeting an agreement in the range of $10 million per year and thinks it could be reached within the next 60-90 days.

“You know, I think every day it gets closer,” he told the Battleground Podcast. “I certainly think Slammiversary and the kind of fan, social, the buzz, talking with you and so many others now that we’ve gone past it — all of it matters. But like [all] of these things, and I’ve done it throughout my career, you need to work hard every single day to be there. And if you work hard every single day to be there and you perform and the product’s great, then you get lucky. Luck doesn’t just happen because it happens, it happens because we keep doing these things every single day. That’s going to be what gets us a TV deal.

“Look, everyone notices — the media space is about buzz. It’s about creating this feeling of getting bigger and growing. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. So, is it going to help? Yeah. Is it done yet? No, it’s not done yet. But I’m working on it today and I’m working on it tomorrow. And it’s my focus to get that done. And there’s a couple of different options that we’re working on, and we’re going to keep pushing every day.”

Impact currently airs on AXS TV, a station that is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, as well as being simulcast online for TNA+ members.

Silva became the new president of Anthem’s sports division in December 2024 and oversees TNA as part of his job duties. He’s appeared in the crowd at TNA and WWE NXT events during his time as president. With the working relationship TNA has with WWE, NXT wrestlers Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne currently hold TNA’s top titles.

The Battleground Podcast’s complete interview with Silva can be watched below:

Gail Kim responds to TNA president’s comments about her firing

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Gail Kim has issued a response to comments that TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva recently made about her firing from the company.

In March of this year, Kim was shockingly let go by TNA Wrestling in a behind-the-scenes shakeup. She was a Hall of Fame wrestler for the promotion and a seven-time Knockouts Champion before transitioning to a role in talent relations. Her departure led to Kim receiving an outpouring of support from fans and her peers within the industry who did not agree with the decision.

Silva addressed Kim’s firing during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show this week. He called it the toughest decision he’s had to make during his time leading TNA, but Silva said the move was made to “reinvigorate” the locker room and the Knockouts division.

On social media today, Kim reacted to Silva’s comments.

“On comments recently about the KO division needing to be reinvigorated, I want to let it be known that I was pushing for that for a year plus before Carlos Silva came in,” she wrote. “To grow homegrown talent and do more with the KO division. I was fighting for that since Scott [D’Amore] departed.

“My loyalty and passion towards the KO division should never be questioned and how I wanted that division to be upheld. I fought for them on the weekly. Just wanted my thoughts to be clearly delivered.”

Kim has not signed anywhere for a new behind-the-scenes role following her TNA exit but has been backstage at some recent NXT events.

Silva is the president of Anthem Sports Group, which includes TNA, women’s MMA promotion Invicta, and The Fight Network.

Anthem Sports president: TNA in ‘60 or 90-day window’ for new media rights deal

Posted on by Ian Carey

Anthem Sports Group president Carlos Silva says TNA is close to securing a new media rights deal.

One day after revealing he’s seeking a deal that would allow the promotion to air live 52 weeks a year, Silva appeared on Wednesday’s edition of The Ariel Helwani Show and was asked if there was a timeline for finalizing a new agreement.

“We’ve been working on it since the beginning of the year, really since I joined. And it really has accelerated over the last 60 days,” Silva said.

“I think we could be in a 60- or 90-day window to get something done. I mean, as you know, the media landscape is changing every single day, and literally week to week things are changing.”

“It’s never done until the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, but we’re working hard at it,” he added.

Silva also expanded on his comments from Tuesday’s interview about going live each week. He mentioned that they have experimented recently with airing a live episode of Impact on TNA+ before it aired on AXS TV the following Thursday.

Silva also mentioned that they’ve been asked about going live each week by potential broadcast partners.

“We’ve been asked by many partners that they’d like it to be live 52 weeks a year. And so we’re talking through how we would do that. Maybe it wouldn’t go live in January straight away, 52 weeks. But we would certainly lean into that to try and make it happen now.”

He later clarified that this wouldn’t necessarily mean they would be in a new location each week and on the road all year.

Helwani asked Silva about the speculation that WWE’s motivation for partnering with TNA is to hurt AEW. Silva said that was not his understanding and that the partnership provides WWE current and former talent another place to work.

He responded:

“(That’s) not really how I see it. I just think that we’ve built such a great partnership together that I think they see the value in not only building up stars like a Joe Hendry that came up through TNA, but also letting the Hardys and Nic (Nemeth) and others find another place to continue to celebrate their greatness. And they’ve now also crossed back over into WWE and NXT as well over these last couple of months. So I think that combination is why we’re all working so well together.”

Silva’s full appearance on today’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show is available below:

TNA seeking media rights deal to go live 52 weeks a year

Posted on by Ian Carey

TNA Wrestling is hoping to secure a new media rights deal that would allow them to go live 52 weeks a year.

Anthem Sports Group president Carlos Silva spoke to JohnWallStreet.com about his plans to grow the promotion as it receives increased exposure from its partnership with WWE.

Silva said:

“We are [regularly] being featured on every major WWE and NXT platform — PLEs as well as weekly programming on The CW and their other [broadcast] outlets like Peacock,” Silva said. “This [has resulted in] a huge [television] audience lift for [us], along with all the social media support we get from [them].”

Silva believes $10 million per year is in the range they are targeting.

He also said a new media rights deal for TNA would “provide us the opportunity to go live 52 weeks a year, and in today’s world live matters.”

“Usually when we’re live, we’re doing around 100,000 household viewers,” he continued.

“A weekly number between 250,000–500,000, in terms of Nielsen-esque P2+ households, is perfectly realistic on a network in 40 or 50 million homes.”

“Something in the $10mm/year range is where we think we should be.”

“We’re talking to [all the established] linear guys and a couple of newer platforms that need a foundational [programming] centerpiece.”

In December, TNA announced a new media rights deal in Canada with Sportsnet, which was set to lose its wrestling programming the following month as WWE content moved to Netflix. Other international media rights deals left open by WWE’s move to Netflix included Fox Sports Mexico, which announced a deal with AEW in October.

Dave Meltzer addressed the situation in January on Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that WWE is hoping TNA will fill the vacant media rights spots since the deal with Netflix means they are unable to. He also noted that people close to the situation believe WWE will end up owning TNA Wrestling at some point.

TNA is running UBS Arena in Long Island on July 20 for its annual Slammiversary show. According to an update from WrestleTix on July 5, 3,510 tickets have been distributed for the show.

TNA president: No blood ban, talent encouraged to use extreme violence more sparingly

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: TNA

Fans that enjoy blood and extreme acts of violence in their TNA Wrestling matches may have to wait a while to see a crimson mask again, but that wait time won’t be forever.

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Alba reported on Wednesday that according to TNA president Carlos Silva, blood in matches hasn’t been banned as previously reported, but that wrestlers are being encouraged to use blood and violence “more sparingly.”

PWInsider first reported two weeks ago that during a talent meeting, it was stated that excessive blood, extreme violence and purposeful blading were not to be allowed going forward. Our Bryan Alvarez also reported TNA was “taking a break from the blade.” That news came in the wake of both the recent Eric Young vs. Steve Maclin dog collar match and the Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner barbed wire brawl.

However, Silva told Alba that the edict was “misrepresented” and that blood was, in fact, not banned. He did confirm that “the company is being cognizant of potential advertisers and partners” as they look for a new media rights contract.

From the report:

“However, Silva said when addressing talent in the meeting, it was instead done to encourage the locker room to utilize brutality and intentional bleeding more sparingly, coming off of two extreme instances in a short period of time.”

Silva said TNA is open to having blood or extreme violence used if talent/creative feels that it’s “earned for their story or the stakes of the match,” also noting the logistical issues that can come with blood-stained mats for TV taping nights.

There was some concern about Maclin especially after his excessive bleeding in the aforementioned Young bout, but Silva was in contact with him throughout that night to ensure he was ok.