Tag: Rob Kligman

Gail Kim departing TNA Wrestling in behind-the-scenes shakeup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling is making significant changes to its behind-the-scenes staff.

First reported by Fightful, TNA sent out an internal email on Tuesday announcing that Gail Kim, Ariel Shnerner, Rob Kligman, and Michael Shewchenko are departing the company’s senior leadership team. Of those four, Kim — a TNA Hall of Famer and one of the top wrestlers in company history — is the best known to fans. She had been working in talent relations for TNA.

Kim has not yet publicly commented on being let go. She is retired from the ring but did return for a match in 2023 on the 1000th episode of Impact.

Shnerner was Senior Vice President of Content, Distribution & Marketing for TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment and had been overseeing TNA’s creative following the firing of Scott D’Amore in early 2024. PWInsider reports that former ROH booker Hunter Johnston (wrestler Delirious) will now be the head of creative. Tommy Dreamer will head talent relations and remain on the creative team, with both Johnston and Dreamer reporting directly to TNA President Carlos Silva.

A former WWE executive, Kligman was named Chief Revenue Officer of Anthem Sports Group in June 2024.

Shewchenko was Anthem’s Vice President of Digital Operations. He will remain with Anthem until April 30.

The internal email also listed Rafael Morffi, an entertainment industry veteran who has worked for both WWE and AEW, as departing TNA. He had been consulting with TNA on its business strategy for live events and touring.

“In addition to these leadership departures, we also say thank you and goodbye to Karen Clevett, Sebastian Dastranj, Romy Glazer and Rafael Morffi,” the email said. “Our company is built on the strength and dedication of our team and these changes do not diminish the value or the contributions of those affected.”

TNA’s next events are a set of television tapings in St. Joseph, Missouri this Friday and Saturday.

Anthem executive: Main difference between WWE & TNA is content distribution

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a new interview, a former WWE vice president who now is an executive with TNA’s parent company spoke at length about the differences between the two wrestling brands, the early stages of their partnership, what he feels wrestling fans want, and the possibility of a collaboration during WrestleMania weekend.

Speaking to Essentially Sports, Anthem chief revenue officer Rob Kligman said the recent cross-promotion of sorts is driven by what fans want to see, that they are doing their part in bringing that to the fanbase, and that’s there’s no longer a barricade between the two companies.

He later went on to say the following:

“The brands both can speak for themselves and stand for themselves. Right now, the difference really is the distribution mechanism that WWE uses to push their content out vs. what TNA does. Right now, we’re focusing on getting that distribution even larger than it is for TNA. But that’s the big differentiation point. The production is the same quality and the content is the same quality. The difference is the distribution,” he stated, later saying that is why he came on board to Anthem.

“It’s simply distribution because when you look at the content, the production…is spot-on and the content and the characters are spot-on so once we get that distribution deal, I think you’re gonna see a little bit more of an even keel between both organizations,” he said.

Kligman worked for WWE for nearly eight years, finishing up as their vice president of global digital and integrated sponsorship sales. He was hired by Anthem nearly three weeks ago.

During the talk, he discussed how he was involved in the initial talks with Netflix years ago that brought in sponsorship money for the first time from the streaming giant and “showed Netflix what the power of WWE could be.” He also took credit for the brand synergy between Snickers and WrestleMania.

Kligman said he feels the big takeaway from what’s happening with WWE and TNA is that fans just want to watch wrestling and don’t necessarily care if it’s AEW, TNA or WWE. They want a blend of familiar names along with up and coming names and feels the opportunity for TNA to become a real force in wrestling is based on that.

“We believe in Joe Hendry, but we believe in the business. I think that’s where you are seeing the correlation. You’re bringing up great stars and great talent, it makes us start to believe even further that this is a real business that has a lot of legs and a lot of fanbase behind it. You just change a couple different things and all of a sudden, it’s a mega property,” he said. “We’re not far away and we’re close.”

Kligman was also asked about a few other items during his talk:

The early stages of the WWE/TNA relationship

When asked about overcoming any early barricades in making a deal, Kligman said, “I think it’s just making sure it works for both organizations. I think you want to make sure that when you do a partnership, that both organizations have a chance and a fair shot at everything written into the contract that allows both to grow, both to make revenue and both to prosper, and for talent to both excel on both levels.”

WrestleMania weekend

Asked if anything would be happening between the companies during WrestleMania weekend, Kligman wasn’t sure as his philosophy is to take a crawl/walk/run approach, but “that’s an ultimate goal and would be amazing.”

“I think there’s an opportunity for potentially maybe doing events in the same weekend. Finding a way to do something where we parallel the opportunity for fans to gather around and see content where they want to see it at their time and that could be an event weekend that parallels TNA and WWE at some point. You just never know,” he said.

TNA’s parent company hires former WWE executive for sports division

Posted on by Ian Carey

TNA’s parent company has hired a former WWE executive.

Anthem Sports & Entertainment announced on Monday that Rob Kligman is the company’s new chief revenue officer. Kligman had been WWE’s Vice President of Global Digital & Integrated Sponsorship Sales from 2014 to 2021. He’d spent the last three years as Vice President of Marketing Operations & Sales for G Force. Before starting with WWE, Kligman also worked for USA Today and Sports Illustrated.

Kligman’s responsibilities in the role will include driving revenue, increasing sponsorship, and developing strategic partnerships for both TNA Wrestling and Invicta F.C.

“Anthem Sports Group has quickly built a diverse portfolio packed with world-class content offerings from across the entertainment spectrum,” Kligman said. “TNA Wrestling remains one of the most iconic brands in the sport, while Invicta FC continues to break new ground as the premier destination for all-female MMA action. I look forward to working with Anthem’s dynamic team to build upon the success that they’ve already enjoyed, driving revenue growth by serving TNA and Invicta’s vocal and loyal fan base, and forging new and innovative strategic partnerships.”  

“Rob has built a distinguished track record in the sports arena, guiding some of the biggest brands in the business to grow existing revenue and develop new revenue streams,” said Anthony Cicione, President of Anthem Sports Group. “His duties as Anthem Sports Group’s CRO will place special emphasis on TNA Wrestling and Invicta FC, for which he is uniquely suited after spending eight successful years with WWE. His professional wrestling prowess and sports industry relationships will prove vital, as we continue to create and cultivate new areas of growth and opportunities to take TNA and Invicta to even greater heights.”