A few weeks ago, PWInsider reported that TNA was banning “heavy and intentional blood” going forward for both the safety of the talent and the visual for potential new sponsors and media partners – this was brought on after a brutal dog collar match between Steve Maclin and Eric Young where the wrestling mat was stained with lots of blood throughout and following the match.
TNA President Carlos Silva pushed back on that later, saying that blooded wasn’t being banned, just used more sparingly when a story called for it.
Now, Fightful Select is reporting that more bans are in the way.
“We got word that the talent relations department passed down a memo that stated that slaps will no longer be allowed unless approved by an agent. In addition, it was noted that throat slashing wasn’t allowed at all, and would come with a $100 fine each time it’s done.”
The last slap that was done on television was on the 5/15 TNA iMPACT episode where Tessa Blanchard slapped NXT-TNA liaison Arianna Grace backstage, leading to a match.
This new changes are likely to appeal to potential new television partners, which has been revealed to be about five different outlets, according to Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated.
Two weeks ago, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Alba reported that TNA has been “heavily” shopping around for new and better distribution.
Many TNA talents and figure heads have been talking about finding bigger distribution for the product, most recently Frankie Kazarian back in March when he said that “getting on a better network is the focus of management.”
Speaking of a better TV deal, TNA star Matt Hardy has repeatedly stated that Anthem/TNA is “actively working on that.”
Back in December of 2024, Anthem hired Carlos Silva to oversee Anthem Sports Group – which includes TNA Wrestling, Invicta FC, and Fight Network – who stated that his near-team focus is to find the best distribution available and sponsorships.
Back in January, Tommy Dreamer spoke about the ambitious goals of TNA in 2025, which mincludes “a larger television platform.”
Whether a new television deal happens in 2025 remains to be seen, but TNA has also been licensing out their replay rights to regional networks in multiple areas.
Within the last week or so of 2024, TNA confirmed the Bodyslam report that they would be partnering with Sportsnet in Canada for an exclusive, multi-year deal to air their weekly TNA iMPACT programming on their Sportsnet 360 channel.
It was also announced within the last few weeks that TNA will be airing on Claro Sports for the Latin America countries.
***The UBS Arena in New York is running a Memorial Day sale this weekend for 25% off select upcoming events — One of those events is this July’s TNA Slammiversary PPV.
Fans can use code MDAY25 through 5/26 at 11:59pm for the discount.
To order tickets, click here.***
Head over to TNAMerch.com for all of the newest official TNA merchandise.
Watch TNA WRESTLING EVERY Thursday
–AXSTV – USA
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-SportsNet 360 – CANADA
-Claro Sports – Latin America
Catch the REPLAYS of TNA iMPACT:
–Right Now TV Network – multiple markets in the US (9-11pm Eastern time Tuesdays // episode from the previous week)
–SportsNet Pittsburgh– Pittsburgh, PA (Thursdays 10pm Eastern)
–New England Sports Network National Feed – 6 different states in the Northeast (Saturday 12-2pm Eastern, Sundays 12-2 am Eastern)
–Fight Network (13 day delay)/ TNA + app(14 day delay) – Canada
Help support Chris Bey by purchasing the “We Heart Bey” T-Shirt. All proceeds go to Chris Bey.
Here: https://tnamerch.com/collections/all-new-t-shirts/products/we-heart-bey-t-shirt?variant=46760894791904
Bey’s new “Greatest Story Ever Told” shirt from Pro Wrestling Tees: https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/wrestler-t-shirts/chrisbey/greatest-story-ever-told.html
Other ways to help: https://tnawrestling.com/bey/
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