Tag: TNA news

TNA confirms signing of recent roster addition

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling has announced some more contract news, confirming that Mr. Elegance is officially signed to the company.

The Mr. Elegance character debuted this month as the culmination of a storyline where The Elegance Brand held a talent search looking for a new member. It was said that the winner of the talent search would receive a one-year TNA contract — and AJZ (Andreas John Ziegler) was unveiled to be Mr. Elegance on TNA Impact’s AMC premiere. He confirmed during an appearance on the Battleground Podcast that he is now signed to TNA.

AJZ graduated from the Firestar Performance Center in Greensboro, North Carolina in 2019 and has competed on the indies for promotions like Ohio Valley Wrestling.

The Elegance Brand also includes Ash By Elegance (the former Dana Brooke), Heather By Elegance (Heather Reckless), M By Elegance (Maggie Lee), and their Personal Concierge (George Iceman). Heather & M became the new TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions when they won the belts from The IInspiration on Impact’s AMC premiere.

Along with that title win, The Elegance Brand got some good news recently with Ash By Elegance declaring that she’s now “back.” She had been working to get medically cleared from an undisclosed issue that seemed like it could end her in-ring career.

The start of 2026 has been a busy period for TNA contract news with Nic Nemeth among those who have signed new deals to stay with the company.

TNA Impact AMC premiere ratings revealed

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

We now have viewership information for TNA Impact’s premiere episode on AMC.

The January 15 edition of Impact averaged 173,000 viewers on AMC, which should be a significant increase over what the show had been doing on AXS TV. The most recent available ratings information from a few years back had Impact hovering around 100,000 viewers.

Despite that, this is below what AMC currently averages in prime time.

Impact’s debut on the channel drew a 0.04 rating in the 18-49 demo. That is in the range of what AMC normally averages in prime time and is up from what TNA was doing on AXS a couple of years ago — when reported numbers were usually between 0.01 and 0.03.

The demo rating is higher than AEW Collision drew for its January 10 episode, though Collision had higher viewership. Collision averaged 271,000 viewers for that show with a 0.03 demo rating.

Impact’s AMC premiere was headlined by a World Championship match between Frankie Kazarian and Mike Santana. There was also an appearance by AJ Styles on the show, along with the surprise TNA debuts of Daria Rae (Sonya Deville) and Elayna Black (Cora Jade).

Impact returns this Thursday with another live episode airing on AMC from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time.

Former Sonya Deville reveals how TNA debut came together, whether she’ll wrestle

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daria Berenato (the former Sonya Deville) had good timing when reaching out to TNA Wrestling about joining the company.

Now known as Daria Rae, Berenato arrived in TNA last week as a new on-screen authority figure. Her debut took place on the company’s AMC premiere — and Berenato revealed in a new interview with Denise Salcedo that she actually reached out to TNA right before news of the AMC deal broke. She viewed the serendipitous timing as a sign that she was making the right decision by returning to the pro wrestling industry.

Berenato departed WWE in February 2025 when her contract with the company was not renewed. She explained to Salcedo that her first contact with TNA actually came shortly after her WWE departure, but she wasn’t ready to get back into wrestling at that time.

“I took a much-needed break, and then as we rounded the end of the year, I just had an epiphany,” she said. “I looked at my wife and I was like, ‘Babe, I think I want to go back to wrestling in some capacity.’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, I think you should.’ So that was kind of it. I had been talking to TNA kind of from the moment I left [WWE]. Because TNA is owned by the same company that Invicta FC the MMA company is owned by — Anthem Sports. So I had met [TNA President] Carlos [Silva] at an Invicta event. We had talked back then, and I just wasn’t ready then. And then I was. So I reached out and I was like, ‘Let’s do this.’ And it happened to be the day before they were going to announce the AMC TV deal.”

Aside from her wife, Berenato did not tell anyone about her TNA debut in advance. She received supportive messages from Natalya, Liv Morgan, CJ Perry (Lana), and Bianca Belair after popping up on Impact.

Berenato said she’s very passionate about her TNA character and is having so much fun putting it together. Working alongside Santino Marella was one thing that drew her to TNA, with Berenato thinking they could have a really fun dynamic as opposing authority figures.

It remains to be seen whether Berenato will ever wrestle again. When asked if we could see her without a suit in TNA, Berenato did not close the door on competing.

“Well, I don’t know. I really like wearing suits,” she told Salcedo. “But if you were to ask me a year ago if you would ever see me in heels, I would have told you no. So anything can happen, I’ll leave you at that.”

Former Dolph Ziggler signs new contract with TNA Wrestling

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nic Nemeth is staying with TNA Wrestling as the promotion enters a new era on AMC.

On Busted Open Radio this morning, the former Dolph Ziggler confirmed that he has signed a new contract with TNA. Nemeth called the decision a “no-brainer” and said he’s looking forward to the future. He first arrived in TNA in 2024 under a handshake agreement and has been a World Champion and Tag Team Champion while with the company.

“I am happy to be with TNA. My contract is signed,” Nemeth said. “Everything is official now.”

Nemeth praised the behind-the-scenes structure in TNA, including Carlos Silva, Tommy Dreamer, and Hunter Johnston. He also spoke very highly of the work Lance Storm is doing for the company as a producer.

In November 2025, Nemeth returned to WWE for a match in the Last Time is Now tournament. He stepped back into his Dolph Ziggler persona for one night, losing to Solo Sikoa in the opening round. It was Nemeth’s first time wrestling for WWE since his September 2023 release.

Nemeth called tonight a “monumental” moment for TNA with Impact debuting on AMC. Airing from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time, the episode is being headlined by a TNA World Championship match between Frankie Kazarian and Mike Santana. Nemeth could potentially factor into the title picture with the Call Your Shot trophy that he currently possesses.

An appearance by WWE star AJ Styles is also set for tonight’s Impact. The show is being held in Garland, Texas at the Curtis Culwell Center.

Another TNA wrestler confirms re-signing contract

Posted on by Joseph Currier

More contract news continues to pour in ahead of TNA Impact’s AMC premiere.

John Skyler will be featured on Thursday’s Impact when he and his Order 4 stablemates Mustafa Ali & Jason Hotch face off against The Hardys & Elijah in a six-man tag match. Ahead of the bout, Skyler appeared on Busted Open Radio and confirmed that he recently re-signed with TNA. It was not a difficult negotiation for Skyler, with him quickly agreeing to the offer that was presented to him by Tommy Dreamer.

“Oh gosh, this is a great story. I guess I can talk about it now,” Skyler said. “I was getting ready to walk out my front door to go to the gym. And my cell service here at my apartment complex is actually terrible, so I look down at my phone and see Tommy Dreamer’s calling me. So I step back into my apartment because I feel like this is probably important.

“I pick up the phone and I hear on the other end, ‘Yo, what’s going on?’ I said, ‘What’s up, Tommy?’ He goes, ‘Is your contract coming up in December?’ And I said, ‘Yes, it is.’ And he goes, ‘Cool, thanks for telling me. How about this amount of money to stay?’ And I said, ‘Sounds good to me.’ [Dreamer says] ‘Sweet, thanks for negotiating. I’ll talk to you later.’ And that was it.”

Skyler called TNA the best team he’s ever been on and said the January 15 AMC premiere feels like a dream. He compared the moment to ECW’s first pay-per-view Barely Legal in 1997.

A journeyman in wrestling before finding a home in TNA, Skyler was a regular on AEW Dark back in 2020-2021. He told Busted Open that being part of Order 4 in TNA and teaming with Hotch has been the biggest blessing of his career.

Ali, Cedric Alexander, Jody Threat, and Home Town Man (Cody Deaner) have also re-signed with TNA in recent weeks. Steve Maclin is also reported to have signed an extension, though the length is not known yet.

Impact airs live on AMC and AMC+ from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow night. The episode is being headlined by a TNA World Championship match between Frankie Kazarian and Mike Santana. Along with that, WWE star AJ Styles will return to TNA for an appearance

Frankie Kazarian: AJ Styles doesn’t represent where TNA is going

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It sounds like there could be some issues between Frankie Kazarian and AJ Styles brewing in TNA.

Last week, it was announced that Styles is returning to TNA Wrestling for an appearance on Impact’s AMC premiere this Thursday night. Frankie Kazarian — the current TNA World Champion — reacted to that news during an interview on Busted Open Radio this morning. Kazarian’s answer seemed to include some storyline comments aimed at Styles, painting him as someone who represents TNA’s past while Kazarian represents both the past and present.

“Always great to see AJ. He is my friend, that’s not, you know, breaking news,” Kazarian said. “But to your point, what I was talking about earlier, I represent where we’ve been and where we’re going. AJ 100 percent represents where we have been and is a massive part of where TNA has been. He doesn’t represent where we’re going. I do. So as long as those lines are drawn and everybody understands that, we’re good. It will be good to see AJ and shake his hand and catch up.”

Kazarian is defending his TNA World Championship against Mike Santana in the main event of the AMC premiere episode. Styles’ role for the show has not been confirmed yet, past that he will be appearing live.

Recently, Kazarian has said he’d be excited to face Styles in TNA if WWE would allow that match to happen. Styles is retiring from the ring at some point in 2026, so there is not a ton of time left if he is going to have one more TNA match before his career ends.

Thursday’s Impact is being held in Garland, Texas and will be broadcast live on AMC and AMC+ from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. TNA announced today that Busted Open host Bully Ray will be returning as a special guest commentator for the Kazarian vs. Santana match.

Bully Ray set for role on TNA Impact AMC premiere

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling Hall of Famer Bully Ray is returning to the company to play a role on Impact’s AMC premiere.

As TNA continues to hype Thursday’s AMC debut, it was announced today that Bully Ray will be making an appearance on the episode. He’ll serve as a special guest commentator for the main event, which will be Frankie Kazarian vs. Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship.

“For the first time since the emotional final showdown between The Hardys and Team 3D at Bound For Glory, Bully Ray is back in TNA Wrestling,” the promotion announced. “The two-time TNA World Champion, 23-time World Tag Team Champion, TNA Hall of Famer and host of Busted Open will be the Special Guest Commentator for the main event of the Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC premiere.”

Known as Team 3D in TNA, The Dudleys were inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2014. Bully Ray still competes in the ring, but D-Von retired in October 2025 when they faced off against The Hardys at Bound for Glory.

Bully Ray hosts Busted Open Radio on Sirius XM and is featured as a coach on the competition series WWE LFG.

WWE star AJ Styles is also returning this Thursday (January 15) for Impact’s AMC premiere. His plans for the show have not been announced yet. The episode is taking place from Garland, Texas and will air live on AMC and AMC+ from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time.

AJ Styles returning for TNA Impact AMC premiere

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One of TNA’s greatest-ever legends will be in the building as the promotion kicks off a new era.

It was announced today that WWE star AJ Styles will make an appearance when TNA Impact premieres on AMC next Thursday. There are no further details on Styles’ role for the show — and it remains to be seen whether Styles will compete for TNA one last time prior to his retirement later this year.

“The premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC will be PHENOMENAL,” TNA announced. ” For the first time since Slammiversary, AJ Styles makes his jaw-dropping return to TNA Wrestling as a new era begins LIVE January 15 from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas.  What will ‘The Phenomenal One’ have in store as TNA Wrestling makes history once again?”

Styles, considered by most to be the greatest homegrown star in TNA history, returned at Slammiversary last summer for an appearance but did not wrestle on the show. He’s expressed doubt over whether another TNA match will happen for him, though TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian would love for a match between them to take place. Styles last competed for the promotion in 2013.

There is no set date for when Styles, 48, will be retiring from the ring yet, past that his final match will happen at some point in 2026.

Ahead of this TNA appearance, Styles will face off against Gunther in Germany this coming Monday.

Impact’s AMC premiere is set to air live from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time on January 15. Taking place from Garland, Texas, the episode is set to feature a TNA World Championship match with Kazarian defending against Mike Santana.

The partnership between TNA and WWE is continuing into this new era for TNA with the promotion now having an increased platform on AMC and AMC+.

Mustafa Ali re-signs with TNA Wrestling

Posted on by Joseph Currier

As the promotion enters a new era, Mustafa Ali has re-upped with TNA Wrestling.

We’re now one week away from TNA Impact debuting on AMC. In an interview with Denise Salcedo, Ali revealed that he has re-signed with the company ahead of the AMC premiere. Ali noted that he put a lot of thought into his decision and chose to re-sign because he was so fulfilled by the work he was doing in TNA.

“Just a few days ago, I officially re-signed with TNA Wrestling. So, yeah, TNA, Mustafa Ali, AMC,” Ali announced. “And I’m very, very happy with that. TNA management, Carlos [Silva], Tommy [Dreamer], everybody top to bottom has just been very supportive. I don’t want to say they see the vision, I bring them this idea. I’ve earned it I feel like, but there’s so much trust from them.”

Ali said his experience in TNA has been fulfilling from both an in-ring and storytelling perspective. He debuted for the company in 2024 after being release by WWE the prior year. Ali has played a heel politician character in TNA, leading a faction called Order 4 with Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Tasha Steelz, and Agent Zero (Bill Collier).

In TNA’s year-end awards for 2025, Ali was recognized with his falls count anywhere bout against Mike Santana from Rebellion winning Match of the Year.

Impact is set to premiere on AMC next Thursday (January 15). The promotion’s Genesis 2026 pay-per-view will then take place on Saturday, January 17. Ali vs. Elijah has been confirmed for the PPV.

Matt Hardy thinks new TNA TV deal could lead to more WWE crossovers

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Matt Hardy believes TNA’s new television deal could open the door for some WWE main roster stars to cross over into the promotion.

The WWE-TNA relationship is set to continue as TNA Wrestling enters into a new era on AMC. So far, the partnership has largely been between TNA and the NXT brand. But Hardy thinks we could potentially see main roster talent pop up in TNA now. He also feels confident that the partnership will lead to himself and his brother Jeff showing up at a WWE main roster event.

“I feel very confident you are going to see The Hardy Boyz show up on a main roster show, maybe a main roster pay-per-view, who knows? Anything can happen now,” Hardy told Reel Appreciation. “And I think you’re going to see WWE main roster talent even coming over to TNA now that we’re on AMC. I think it’s a game-changer, and I think it’s going to make wrestling so much more fun and so much more unpredictable. And wrestling is at its best when it’s unpredictable.”

TNA Impact will air on AMC and AMC+ every Thursday starting next week (January 15). Going into this new era, Matt Hardy sees himself and Jeff as locker room leaders in TNA. They are still feeling good physically and want to deliver the best matches they can.

“It’s huge, it’s massive,” Hardy said about the AMC deal. “Because AMC is on every basic cable package. If you have cable TV, you get AMC. Every hotel has AMC. So we’re back in the game, man. You know, TNA — they did great things with Spike. After the Spike deal went away, they were struggling [for a few years] and they were getting by. And now, we’re back in the game. We’re back on the same level as a WWE, as an AEW. So it’s really exciting. And the thing I’m most happy about is that it makes the pro wrestling industry healthier.”

Jeff added that, with AMC known for its high-quality dramatic programming, he could see TNA producing some “badass cinematic matches” on the channel.

“Thinking about shows like Breaking Bad [and] The Walking Dead, I could see some really, like, badass cinematic matches happening in TNA on AMC,” Jeff said.

The Hardys have re-signed with TNA, and Matt told Reel Appreciation that they are not thinking about retirement at the moment or putting any kind of timeline on when they want to end their careers.

“We feel great. We feel like we’re 30 years old. And we’re both ready to rock and roll, man,” Matt said. “And we’re ready to kill it with TNA on AMC.”

Daily Update: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Doc Gallows, TNA Impact

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is now available and covers the following topics:

  • Polls on Worlds End plus Continental Classic MVP and best match polls.
  • The story of the WWE/UFC merger and Vince McMahon’s resignation, how real was it, the big unanswered question about the WWE Board of Directors, lots of Discovery information in the shareholders lawsuit against WWE, McMahon, TKO, Nick Khan and others, things behind the scenes about the merger, and the change in plans prior to the 2023 WrestleMania in more detail than ever before.
  • Full coverage of AEW Worlds End and business notes on the show
  • The retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi and the Tokyo Dome show
  • The record setting 2025 at Arena Mexico and biggest attendance week in the 92 years of CMLL, a look at the last week as well as how many Americans are at the shows.
  • The few times in history that a company sold out a major arena three times in the same week.
  • A look at the Stardom Dream Queendom show
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH hosts the first major show of 2026
  • Weekly odds
  • 2026 Observer award ballot
  • Most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week.
  • Weddings and engagements in pro wrestling this past week
  • All Japan has its best match of 2025
  • William Regal and others talk about neck injuries in pro wrestling and our thoughts on it as well as the reaction of some
  • Who had the most great matches in 2025
  • How Eric Bischoff’s new promotion is similar to Sam Muchnick starting out as a promoter
  • Company does a Vince McMahon/Janel Grant angle on its TV show
  • AEW business partner delisted
  • Tony Khan talks a ton of different subjects
  • Top merch sellers in US outside of WWE
  • Tom Aspinall update
  • Don Frye talks health issues
  • Lots of injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Last night, Tony Khan was in Las Vegas to attend Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards. Khan took photos with Michael Phelps and Cal Raleigh on the red carpet for the event, where NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was honored as Sportsperson of the Year.
  • AEW wished Darby Allin a happy 33rd birthday.
  • At the ceremony for the 2025 Tokyo Sports awards, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi addressed how he feels after retiring from the ring:
    • Yes, I do [feel a sense of relief]. Until I retired as a professional wrestler, every morning I would wake up and think, ‘Oh, where’s my match today?’ and I always had that feeling of tension. But when I woke up this morning and thought, ‘Oh, I won’t be having any more matches,’ I felt a little sad, but I also felt like I’ve moved on to a different stage.
  • Tanahashi added that he’s planning to get a haircut soon:
    • I’m getting a little break next week, so I’ll get my hair cut around the weekend. Yes, I’ll be cutting off all the hair at the back.
    • Well, I’m going to become a handsome older man. Just a handsome older man, just a cool guy.
  • Here is the full preview for Thursday night’s TNA Impact, which is the last episode before the show moves to AMC:
    • Contract signing for next week’s Frankie Kazarian vs. Mike Santana TNA World Championship match
    • International Champion Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo defends against Steve Maclin
    • The System (Moose, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC) vs. Leon Slater, Cedric Alexander & The Hardys
    • Mustafa Ali and Order 4 address TNA Genesis
    • Dani Luna vs. Harley Hudson
    • The Hardys kick off the episode
  • Frankie Kazarian wished his wife Traci Brooks a happy 16th anniversary: “16 years building an amazing life with this incredibly kind, beautiful and wonderful woman. I am beyond lucky. Happy anniversary @TheTraciBrooks”
  • Lei Ying Lee was a guest on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez.
  • Donovan Dijak has been confirmed as an entrant for MLW Battle Riot VIII.
  • GCW announced the schedule for The Collective 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • In an interview with Orlando Weekly, Mick Foley discussed how nostalgia has helped boost his relevance with fans:
    • I think nostalgia is a huge factor for fans. Somewhere around 2010, I went from being washed up to being part of people’s childhoods. I’m the same guy. I’ve only gotten older, but I’m no longer old and irrelevant. I’m part of people’s collective memories.
  • Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) appeared on the Lay It On podcast with celebrity chef Brad Leone.

Matt Hardy names one thing he regrets about in-ring style

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If Matt Hardy could go back in time, he would preserve his body by delivering fewer top rope leg drops.

Safety in wrestling has been a big topic lately after William Regal urged young wrestlers to stop doing “stupid” moves where they drop each other on their heads. Matt Hardy agreed with Regal’s advice and said it’s something that every wrestler in every promotion should consider.

When asked if he has any regrets about the risks he’s taken in his own career, Hardy responded to a fan on social media and said he would change his style on house shows — including limiting how often The Hardy Boyz did their “Event Omega” move. It’s a double-team maneuver where Matt hits a leg drop from the top rope while Jeff Hardy simultaneously delivers a splash.

“Yes. Biggest one being changing my style on house shows/live events,” Matt wrote. “Jeff & I used to do our finish ‘Event OMEGA’ (simultaneous legdrop/splash off opposite top ropes) every single night. Our schedule was 10 days on, 4 days off. WOULD NOT do the top rope legdrop every night again.”

Despite the risks they’ve taken, The Hardys are still active with Matt now being 51 years old and Jeff being 48. They are the current TNA Tag Team Champions and have signed new contracts with the promotion.

Matt tweeted that one thing he strives to do in TNA is teach young talent how to take calculated risks.

“I take great pride in @ThisIsTNA’s recent resurgence & I’m fully invested in growing the TNA brand larger than ever,” he wrote. “I also strive to teach younger guys & gals how to have longevity & ‘get over’ whilst taking smart, calculated risks. I appreciate a great match where 2 guys bust their asses & kill it & work the crowd into a frenzy. But how far is too far? Every wrestler playing the character of a superhero or supervillain do not have superhuman abilities, they are all mortal human beings who can be crippled in an instant. Our industry can’t forget this. The industry’s fans should also respect this fact, especially those who claim to be ‘smart’ fans.”

Frankie Kazarian had ‘really good conversations’ with WWE after AEW departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

When he left AEW at the end of 2022, Frankie Kazarian had some “really good” conversations with WWE about potentially signing with the company.

Kazarian ultimately ended up returning to TNA Wrestling and is one of the top stars for the promotion as their current World Champion. But Kazarian told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that there were talks with both TNA and WWE at the time.

“They were very, very gracious,” Kazarian said about WWE. “Some really good conversations with them too… There was conversations, you know, but logistically, it probably wasn’t going to work. You know, I wasn’t like a signature away, but there were a lot of, like, really good conversations.”

Kazarian noted that, when he returned to TNA in January 2023, he received a text message from Paul “Triple H” Levesque wishing him well and leaving the door open for them to do business together in the future. Kazarian did end up later working a couple of matches for NXT because of the partnership that exists between WWE and TNA.

“As a matter of fact, I can say this, when I debuted with TNA — re-debuted in January 2023. I just came out and basically the promo saying, you know, like, ‘I know I was here as a guest last time, but now I’m back for good. I signed a multi-year deal and I’m back.’

“After that, check my phone as we do, because we’re all marks and we want to see what people are saying,” Kazarian said. “I got a text from Triple H saying, like, you know, ‘Hey man, I know things didn’t work out and that’s cool. I look forward to you kicking ass. And you know, when it’s time for us to do business together, let’s do it.’ And I’m like, he didn’t have to do that. He didn’t have to. He went out of his way just to say like, ‘Hey, cool.’ It’s a [Killer] Kowalski guy too, so — but that holds a lot of weight with me.”

Kazarian told Insight that, at the end of 2022, he decided to request his release from AEW because he felt the need to bet on himself. Kazarian wanted to spend the rest of his career somewhere that valued him more than he was being valued in AEW. He had signed a new AEW contract the prior year, but Tony Khan granted his release because of the respect he has for Kazarian as a man and as a wrestler.

“Obviously, they probably didn’t see anything long-term in me,” Kazarian said. “Which was astonishing, because I was like, why would you re-sign me for very good money for another three years? And if they didn’t see anything, I get it, of course, that’s how it is. Look, I could probably still be there today, doing what I was doing. But I’m much, much, much happier where I am now.”

The 48-year-old Kazarian said he’s having a lot of fun in TNA and is not ready to put a timetable on how much longer he has left before retirement.

TNA Champion Frankie Kazarian having ‘way too much fun’ to retire right now

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A lot of his peers are stepping away from the ring, but TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian has no plans to retire right now.

The 48-year-old Kazarian told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that he still feels great physically and believes he is currently doing the best work of his entire career. He’s having a ton of fun in TNA, so he’s not ready to put any kind of timetable on how much longer he has left as an active wrestler.

“I get asked that a lot, especially now because my peers and my friends are [retiring] or already have retired. Christopher Daniels isn’t doing this anymore, which is still blowing my mind, you know? Because he’s a little bit older than me, but he still looks incredible and he was still working at a high level,” Kazarian said. “Old pal John Cena’s had maybe the best run ever and he’s finishing up. AJ [Styles] has made it known that he’s finishing up.

“When this all started to happen, I started to think like, ‘Man, is my hourglass — how’s it looking?’ But, dude, I feel better than I have any right to feel. I’m in the best shape of my career. And I think I’m having the very best matches of my career. And I’m on top of my game from a character standpoint, and I’m having way too much fun. So, you know, I can’t really put a timetable on it.”

Kazarian said he does intend to retire when he’s no longer capable of delivering the type of matches that he’s always been able to have.

“I do want to get out once I start slowing down, once I can’t be Frankie Kazarian,” he said. “One thing I’m very proud of right now is that I’m not not doing anything that I did 20 years ago. I was always very smart about having a style that could be sustainable. So like, when you see Frankie Kazarian, it’s not a parody of what I was doing in 2003 in the X-Division. I’m still doing that same stuff.”

It’s an important time for TNA with Impact set to debut on AMC on Thursday, January 15. Kazarian won the TNA World Championship from Mike Santana in November and is now champion heading into this new era.

Steve Maclin reveals there were plans for CM Punk TNA feud

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If things had gone differently, Steve Maclin could have worked a feud against CM Punk in TNA Wrestling.

Maclin spoke to the Pro Wrestling Illustrated podcast this month and revealed that, if Punk had decided to sign with TNA after being let go from AEW in 2023, there were plans for them to face each other. Scott D’Amore — who was in charge of TNA at the time — attempted to sign Punk after his AEW run but always knew that the prospect was unlikely. Punk returned to WWE instead, where he is the current World Heavyweight Champion.

“If you want some behind-the-scenes dirt that nobody knows about — CM Punk, before [he] almost possibly signed with TNA, was coming in and I was going to be his first challenger, which I found out right as Scott D’Amore was let go,” Maclin said. “We were having dinner one night and [D’Amore] let me know, ‘Yeah, Punk was going to almost sign there and then you were going to be his first challenger.’ I was like, ‘Sh*t!’ Would have been cool, man.”

Maclin noted that he saw Punk backstage at TNA shows in Chicago a few times around this period. Punk remembered Maclin from when he was a WWE extra.

“It was cool to just see him,” Maclin said. “And it was just like — it was fun. I’m like, ‘Oh, CM Punk, what’s up, man?’ He’s like, ‘Oh, what’s up Mr. Maclin?’ I was like, ‘Cool. Good to see you.’ Because he was really good to me when I was an extra at WWE. You always hear the horror stories as an extra, when you say hello to people, like, people shun you and stuff. But he was very respectful, and I never forgot that. That’s always something in wrestling that I never forget is the people that were nice to me on the way up.”

Maclin is a former World Champion and International Champion for TNA.

TNA star Moose has also mentioned that there were plans for him and Punk to feud over the TNA World Championship if Punk ended up coming to TNA.