One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The Ongoing Saga of TNA

TNA has been around, in one form or another, for the past 22 years. In the wake of WCW’s death, father and son, Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, founded TNA Wrestling. It had a unique strategy of airing its weekly show on PPV. For the cost of one WWE PPV, you could get four TNA shows, which isn’t a terrible deal. TNA quickly made itself a haven for wrestlers whom the WWE had rejected, mixing it up with young up-and-coming stars.

With tag team and cruiserweight wrestling not being a priority for the WWE, TNA set itself apart with a stacked tag team division and the X Division. It seemed like there was an actual alternative to the WWE. TNA may not have been on the same level as WWE, but it was an upstart looking to make waves.

Of course, the PPV model wasn’t paying the bills, and so the Jarretts turned to investors and Panda Energy answered the call. This put Dixie Carter in charge and started us on the LOLTNA roller coaster that has given us so many ups and downs since. From Vince Russo to the Hogan Bischoff regime, the Billy Corgan drama and the Anthem buyout, losing their national TV deal, and finally finding a new footing as Impact Wrestling. TNA seemed to be on a good track, but then Scott D’Amore and Gail Kim were fired. And things have slowly fallen apart.

TNA’s partnership with the WWE did get them some good coverage during 2025. And that coverage landed them a deal with AMC. But now we are left wondering if the company is even going to be around to see that deal through.

Classic LOLTNA Booking

One of the biggest stories of 2025 was the rise of Mike Santana. And as his star rose, NXT star Trick Williams had been holding the TNA World Championship hostage. These two stories culminated at Bound for Glory in October, when Mike Santna beat Trick Williams to bring the title home. Santana was set to be the next big star for TNA. But then, just over a month later, he loses the title to Frankie Kazarian.

Months of build behind the new face of the company, and then the rug gets pulled out from under him. And yes, this allowed him to get the big win on the debut of Impact on AMC. But they could have achieved the same by having him defend the title. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Kazarian, and I’m glad he can say he is a former TNA World Champion. But this didn’t make any sense.

Outside of the Mike Santana situation, we’ve seen the return of an old TNA troupe. The reliance on established names, while not pushing new stars. TNA has a roster turnover issue. (Something we will get into shortly). And I can understand being hesitant to push young talent, only for them to get poached. But if you don’t push them, they’ll leave for better opportunities anyway.

The System hasn’t done anything for anyone. Bear Bronson and Cedric Alexander deserve better than to be weighed down by the group. As much as I enjoy Eddie Edwards, he has been in TNA for so long and should be using his experience to help elevate others. Which he isn’t doing for the guys in his group. Eric Young is in a similar position. He is past his prime and doesn’t need to be challenging for the World Championship.

Roster and Office Cuts

Since 2025, TNA has lost Mike Bailey, Josh Alexander, Joe Hendry, Jordynne Grace, Ace Austin, Mance Warner, Steph De Lander, Myla Grace, Jake Something, The Rascalz, Steve Maclin, Tessa Blanchard, Tommy Dreamer, and Sami Callihan. Alexander Hammerstone, Tasha Steelz, Killer Kelly, and more.

That is a huge list of names for such a short time. Wrestlers like Hendry, Alexander, and Grace had done everything they could in TNA. And so, it is a bit natural for them to leave and try their hand at bigger promotions. But so many of the names listed left because they weren’t being used to their fullest and decided it was time to move on.

Ace Austin spent six years in TNA and could have been a huge star for them, but they never pushed him like one. Bailey is in the same category. If I’m TNA, I’m doing everything I can to keep them both. Because they are wrestlers you can build around. When you’re in TNA’s position, it’s hard to hold onto people once they reach a certain level. But you should be using the talent for all you can while you have them. To just let them waste away in the undercard is bad business.

What’s the Future Hold?

Oh, you didn’t hear? Fresh off his tenure as lead writer for SmackDown, Road Dogg is possibly on his way back to TNA. After firing the creative member and Head of Talent Relations, Tommy Dreamer, as well as Sami Calihan, TNA seems to be looking to the guy who has brought us the worst booked women’s division on television. And when your company has prided itself on having one of the best women’s rosters in the US. That is not great for any Knockout’s future.

It doesn’t surprise me that so many of them have been asking for their release. Or being asked to choose between a lucrative deal with CMLL or TNA. Road Dogg, Candice Michelle, and Delirious are not the creative team that TNA needs. They need solid bookers who will get behind the young talent and help to build them into the future. Because, as far as has been reported, TNA has a three-year deal with AMC. And if they want to see that deal through to the end, and renewal, they need to rebuild and refocus.

Make TNA the place for young wrestlers to get exposure and cut their teeth. You can still have it be a place for wrestlers like Mustafa Ali, Nic Nemeth, Young, Kazarian, and Edwards. They are all veteran voices that young wrestlers can learn from. And yeah, you eventually are going to see those younger wrestlers move on to bigger ponds. But if you use them wisely and continue to build wrestlers beneath them, you will never run out of new stars.