Details on Backstage Reaction To TNA Wrestling Firing Gail Kim

It was previously reported that TNA Wrestling fired several top executives in the company, including Gail Kim, Ariel Shnerner, Rob Kligman, and Michael Shewchenko. This was part of a restructuring in the company, which includes Hunter ‘Delirious’ Johnson coming in to lead creative. Fightful Select has more details on the release of the executives as well as the backstage reaction to Kim being among them.

Several TNA talents contacted Fightful about the news, with reactions like “shock”, “disbelief” and “anger.” It was said to be “unanimously unpopular” according to the talent, with at least one saying that they plan to leave TNA when their deal was up because of it. Others noted that they were afraid for their jobs. The reaction to Kim leaving was more negative than the exit of Scott D’Amore last year. As negative as it has been publicly, it’s been worse in private.

Another person said that they were not surprised by the move, as Kim is not shy about making her opinions known creatively, and occasionally had disagreements with those running the company. Another person added: “That’s what you want out of a person in her position. Someone who will advocate for a better show.” Kim was said to be upfront about things she thought could be handled differently or “more professionally.” She wasn’t involved in creative but had been pushing for more for the Knockouts division after D’Amore left the company.

AEW and WWE sources expect there will be a lot of interest in Kim now that she’s a free agent and a few said they were going to push to hire her. Kim plans to stay in the wrestling business. Outside of TNA, there was said to be shock from people in the business at her firing, with several wanting to know why it happened. As for Kim, it was said that she seemed “determined” when contacted. She did not have a non-compete clause in her contract and can appear or work for whoever she wants.

One source noted that Anthem is likely trying to change the regime in the company, after the exits of D’Amore, Kim and Josh Mathews, who had been there for years. There have been several different TNA Presidents as of late, with different visions from those Presidents. The decision to fire Kim came from TNA President Carlos Silva, who told her what happened but didn’t say why other than “changes.” He has heat on him in the company now for what he did.

Tommy Dreamer, who is still in creative, was moved to talent relations to fill Kim’s role.