Spike President Talks TNA Working Relationship, Future MMA Cross-Over

Spike TV president Kevin Kay talked to Sherdog Radio about the current working relationship with TNA and how it relates to Spike bringing Bellator on-board to replace UFC in the MMA genre. "We worked really hard with TNA to help make choices about their roster and improve their production and improve their storytelling, and, for us, as marketers, to promote it in different ways. We recently changed the name from TNA to Impact Wrestling. There’s lots of thinking and thoughtfulness that went into this process that I think has helped them, and I think they would tell you the same thing. If we do our job right and they do their job right and we protect it and build it, we will be successful. And I feel like we’re doing exactly the same kind of strategy with Bellator, which is [Spike] working very closely with the organization," Kay said.

Kay added that there will be more cross-promotion between TNA and Bellator as opposed to TNA and UFC. "I think, generally, their feeling was it was a little confusing to the fans, and it’s not necessarily the same audience," Kay said about UFC's view. "We believe a little differently, and TNA has always believed a little differently, so you’re going to see lots more of those opportunities. I do believe there’s crossover. Maybe it’s a little behind closed doors, but I think lots of wrestling fans are mixed martial arts fans and lots of mixed martial arts fans are wrestling fans. And those are two big platforms we have that we believe can help promote each other, so you’ll see that."

source: sherdog.com