TNA Announces New Partnership

TNA sent us the following today:

Comprehensive Global Content Partnership

Toronto – Fight Network, the world's premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, and TNA Entertainment announced today they have entered into a comprehensive content partnership to seize a global digital audience for fight-based content.

Fight Network's over-the-top (OTT) app available on digital platforms will become the global home for TNA Wrestling content starting in the second quarter of this year. Fight Network and TNA Wrestling will collaborate to produce digital content and will also partner on cross-promotion and joint sales efforts in global markets, as well as in the U.S. and Canada.

Fight Network's OTT app is available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Verizon Go90, Layer 3 and KlowdTV.

Fight Network is currently the home of TNA Wrestling programming in Canada, including its two hour flagship weekly program IMPACT WRESTLING, TNA Wrestling's Greatest Matches and TNA Xplosion. Fight Network will now also air select TNA Wrestling archive programming on its linear channels in select U.S. markets and in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East where Fight Network currently broadcasts.

"As a TNA Wrestling broadcast partner, we see the quality of the content, the viewer reaction and the potential to bring great programming to the world," said Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. "Our global OTT service now available on several platforms will be immeasurably strengthened by this partnership and we see this as just the first step in building global fight themed destination channel together."

"Our enhanced partnership with Fight Network to deliver new and archived content through linear and over-the-top platforms, as well as to bring TNA programming to new and emerging markets around the world, is a significant step in the execution of TNA's strategic plan," said TNA president Dixie Carter. "Fans are hungry for easily accessible content they can view on demand, and come this summer, the action of TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will be more available than ever."

For more information about the Fight Network OTT, visit fightnetwork.com.

Jade on Who Has Helped Her In TNA, Dixie Carter Being a Fan of the Knockouts, The Dollhouse Changes

TNA Knockout Jade recently spoke with Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Magazine to promote Impact Wrestling. The full interview can be found at this link. Below are highlights:

The Dollhouse and Knockouts changes in TNA:

“It has been a challenge, because back-to-back stuff has been happening and we didn’t know what was going on. We didn’t know what to do. We pretty much had to think on our toes. First, it was Taryn leaving and then we were thinking, who would be the leader. Then it was Kong, which we liked the idea because we all loved her. Not that we didn’t love Taryn, but there was a good connection with Kong. Then she left. The first time we were together was in the UK where we had to step up on our own and show them we didn’t need to depend on anybody else. We felt we could do our own thing and run with it. That’s what we’ve been doing.”

Transitioning from the indies to TNA and who has helped her:

“It’s really difficult for me, as I’ve been wrestling on the independent scene for about eight years or so. There, you just go out there and do your thing. You cut a promo here and there, but I never had a set character. I was just a wrestler. Now I’m an actual character. I’m Jade. I’m this bad ass and member of the Dollhouse. There are so many things I have to focus on besides wrestling. You have to get your character over and talk on the mic and master mannerisms. It’s a completely different feel than what I’m used to, so I’m still getting help. Tyrus has helped me out. Marti has helped me. David Lagana and Pat Kenney have also been there. I’m open to asking questions and looking for help because that is one part I still have trouble learning. No matter how much experience I have on the independents, the character and promos were my biggest issues. So it’s getting easier with experience and having people support me. It also helps that I know who my character is now, so I can play into that. In the beginning maybe I couldn’t pinpoint what they wanted for me or what I should be like.”

Dixie Carter being a fan of the Knockouts:

“It was actually really cool after the Lethal Lockdown — the minute we came back, she was there standing and clapping for us and giving us all hugs. She said, ‘You did it for us women!’ It was really cool to have that personal touch, being a female and knowing what she goes through in her role and then supporting us.”

The Latest on TNA Seeking Investors, Why the Company is Looking to Partner Up, Is Panda Energy Still Funding the Company?, More

As noted yesterday, TNA is currently in talks with outside investors, and Dixie Carter has been taking meetings recently to discuss the future of the company.

With regards to why TNA is seeking outside investors, it’s simply because the company wants to expand, and the current financial situation is not allowing it to do so. The company has had to cut back on office space in recent months, and has also cut certain talents who were supposed to appear on the most recent UK tour. As the company stands right now, it might be making enough money to keep it afloat, but it’s not enough money to turn a longterm profit. So partnering up with an investor who could take a percentage of the company might help TNA realize the 5 year plan Dixie Carter reportedly has in place.

With regards to Panda Energy, which used to fund TNA Wrestling, it’s being said that while Panda might remain an owner in name, it no longer funds TNA and is not actively involved in any aspect of TNA operations. All operations and paychecks are said to be coming directly out of Nashville at this point, and it appears as if Panda stopped funding TNA back when Jeff Jarrett’s minority stake in TNA was bought out.

As for whether or not TNA is for sale, sources in TNA are being careful to note the company is seeking investors at this time, and the company is not for sale. That does not mean, however, that Dixie Carter would not at least consider selling the company if the right money offer was made. TNA executive John Gaburick, however, has repeatedly said TNA is looking for a “strategic partner”, not a new owner, and Dixie Carter has turned down sale offers in the past.

TNA Seeking Outside Investors, Executive Comments On 'Strategic Partnership Talks' And Growth Plan

TNA is reportedly seeking outside investors to work with the company and President Dixie Carter was recently in Los Angeles for related meetings, including one at the POP TV offices, according to PWInsider.

TNA's John Gaburick confirmed to PWInsider that the company is seeking outside investors and said they have been in "strategic partnership talks with several major global media companies and investment firms about the company's next phase of growth."

Gaburick also confirmed that Dixie was in Los Angeles for those meetings, adding that she and other TNA executives have also spent a lot of time in New York City lately. Gaburick said this is all a part of the 5 year growth plan that Dixie has mentioned in past media interviews. He called it a very exciting time for TNA.

TNA Claims They Had AJ Styles Agreed To A Deal, Issues Statement On Their Recent Talks

We noted before that TNA really tried to sign former World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for their Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV earlier this month. That obviously didn't happen and AJ is believed to be WWE bound. TNA issued this statement on their talks with Styles about Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming into the company with him:

AJ Styles has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history - something we are very proud of.

In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.

For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.

These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter's home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.

Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.

AJ's lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.

New Details On The Rumored Dixie Carter - Destination America E-mail Incident

We noted back in May of this year that there were unconfirmed rumors going around saying Dixie Carter accidentally copied a Destination America executive on an e-mail where she was complaining about the network. At the time, sources in TNA weren't outright denying the rumor but they weren't confirming it actually happened either.

This e-mail incident really did happen, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It turns out Dixie sent an e-mail to several unintended recipients. Whoever she was sending it to, the e-mail was mostly Dixie complaining about how Discovery doesn't send out information on the +3 ratings, since Impact Wrestling usually does 15% to 20% more viewers when DVR viewership over the following 3 days after it airs is factored in.

Dixie reportedly called Discovery President Mark Graboff some negative names in the e-mail and took a shot at his intelligence in some way. Besides the intended recipients, Dixie also sent the e-mail to Destination America Group President Harvey Schlieff and several other Discovery executives. Schlieff responded to Dixie and said he was sorry she felt that way about Graboff. Graboff was also copied on the e-mails, apparently by Schlieff so he could see what was happening. Obviously this did not go over well with the network and likely added to the problems that the ratings had brought on.

Dixie Carter On TNA's Being Done With Destination America This Year, TNA Continuing To Exist, WWE

TNA President Dixie Carter, GFW's Jeff Jarrett and several TNA stars recently spoke with Sports Illustrated's Extra Mustard site. The full interview is at this link. Below are highlights:

Dixie on TNA's status with Destination America:

"The biggest challenge for us is building a brand in the U.S. That's where we need to grow. We're contracted to Destination America through the end of the year, and we are in discussions going on for 2016."

Dixie on TNA's future:

"TNA will continue exist, and on a level that far exceeds what we're currently doing. I'm looking ahead five years down the road, not a year down the road."

Dixie on TNA creating competition and WWE:

"Besides WWE, we're the only global promotion in the world. We're in over 120 countries worldwide and in 19 languages. We made a conscious decision about three years ago to take a step back and focus on young talent. We've had some of the biggest names ever on our show. People have given us a hard time about using WWE talent, but after a hot run with us, almost every one of them has worked with WWE again. That is a huge compliment for us.

"I do feel we've taken some unfair blows. Competition, no matter who it is, is healthy. It's absolutely imperative for the industry to grow. There's a reason that there is a Lowe's on the corner of every Home Depot, and a Walgreens across from every CVS. It's important for the industry."

Dixie Carter Confirms TNA Hall of Fame Induction

Dixie Carter confirmed on Twitter that she inducted Jeff Jarrett into the TNA Hall of Fame during tonight's Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando. The ceremony should air in late July or early August. No word yet if TNA is still planning on doing an induction at this year's Bound For Glory pay-per-view.

Rumor Mill - TNA Force Talent To Cancel Bookings With Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling

TNA management have barred any talent working for them from working for any promotion on broadcast television, which includes the traditional ones such as WWE and Ring of Honor, as well as Lucha Underground. However, they are also no longer allowing talent from working for Jeff Jarrett's Global Force Wrestling promotion even though it has no TV deal. The premise of this comes from Tyrus (formerly Brodus Clay in WWE) taking bookings with GFW this summer, who had to cancel the bookings and posted the following on Twitter:

Due to contractual obligations I will not be working for GFWs up coming shows #CardSubjectToChange sorry for any inconvenience #NuffSaid

This comes not because of GFW taping for television, but in Dave Meltzer's words, "because he'd be working for Jeff Jarrett". TNA officials reportedly threatened to fire him if he didn't cancel the bookings. Karen Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett's wife, tweeted out the following in response:

Sounds like someone is throwing a temper tantrum in Nashville. Oh you can't control the world darlin!

— Karen Jarrett (@karenjarrett) June 2, 2015

More on ROH Airing on Destination America

-TNA talent was not informed of the deal between D.A. and ROH and found out like everyone else, when the news broke online.

-So far as we know, TNA officials (possibly including Dixie Carter) were not aware there was a deal happening between D.A. and ROH. The two sides coming to terms had very little, if nothing, to do with TNA and whether or not the network plans to continue running Impact Wrestling past September.

-D.A. has syndicated broadcasting rights of the already existing Ring of Honor TV series. That means it will be the same show that airs on syndication all around the country on Friday or Saturday (depending on where you live). That being said, ROH will maintain their syndicated programming through Sinclair and their affiliates, so they aren’t trading one network for another. This is a matter of getting the TV show into a few major networks they had trouble penetrating before, most notably Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Los Angeles.

-The status of Samoa Joe is uncertain. He was scheduled to work ROH TV dates in the future, but it’s believed WWE allowed him to work anywhere as long as it was not for a rival television network. With ROH on Sinclair this wasn’t a problem, but D.A. makes them a national TV show, which could mean they have to go back to the negotiating table, or that Joe would have to make a long-term decision one way or the other.

-Wade Keller is reporting that there is potential down the line for D.A. to air first-run ROH content at some point in the future.

-With syndication and a national TV deal, plus PPV and IPPV and on-demand through their website, it’s very possible Ring of Honor will take over as the #2 promotion in the U.S. just in terms of viewership and TV ratings. Whether or not they’ll beat the two-hour Impact show remains to be seen (although it’s incredibly unlikely at the start, as TNA has a more established national presence), but it’s the combination of everything that puts them over the top.

-Destination America wants pro wrestling on their network. The entire reason there was talks about them dropping TNA – and it may very well still happen in September – is that Impact is expensive to run. Pro wrestling ad rates are through the roof, and many advertisers just don’t like wrestling, period. WWE was in a similar situation with USA Network, who is now trying to better promote them across all of NBC, basically by pushing them as celebrities and not pro wrestlers. ROH gives D.A. an incredibly inexpensive pro wrestling brand and, unlike Impact, they aren’t responsible for the vast majority of their financial backing.

-ROH may end up airing as both a lead-in and a follow-up, meaning they would replay the show directly before and after Impact every week. So basically ROH ratings would help Impact, and Impact would help ROH.

What The TNA Talent Has Been Told About The Cancellation Rumors

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the TNA roster has been told that the company will respond to cancellation rumors at the next set of television tapings, which are currently scheduled for June 24th through the 28th. TNA has four full days of Impact Wrestling tapings during that period, in addition to the Slammiversary pay-per-view. Neither Destination America, nor Discovery Network has commented on the status of Impact Wrestling or the cancellation reports.

Rumor Mill - Dixie Carter Holds Talent Meeting at Impact Tapings, Instructs Talent to “Pay No Mind” to Viewership Information

According to PWInsider.com, TNA President Dixie Carter held a meeting at this past weekend’s Impact Wrestling tapings and instructed talent not to believe what they might read on internet websites where it concerns ratings and viewership information.

Dixie claimed ratings data exists which internet sites are not privy to, but are available to people like her. She claimed when websites publish TNA ratings data, the sites are not including the information with the West Coast numbers, but rather we post the data that comes from Nielsen. Dixie also pointed out that websites don’t report on the +.3 or +.7 DVR numbers, as some fans watch Impact broadcasts on days other than Friday.

Dixie added the numbers are better than they appear to be, and instructed talent to “pay no mind” to what the internet reports.

Kurt Angle on his failed return to WWE, wrestling Daniel Bryan

TNA star Kurt Angle recently did an interview with Sports Illustrated, and when the subject of negotiating with WWE back when he was a free agent came up, Angle had the following to say:

“Paul [Levesque] is in charge. I found that out when I contacted Vince [McMahon]. I’ve always had a good relationship with Paul, so I didn’t consider that a problem. But he decided they had enough talent. For the Vince McMahon who I knew, enough was never enough. He always wanted more. I don’t know what was going on over there, but they even canceled our meeting. I never went to see them. They didn’t even sit me down and talk to me.

It blew my mind. It was as if I was a nobody, that I wasn’t Kurt Angle. From a wrestling standpoint, they just weren’t interested. But TNA not only stepped up, they gave me everything I wanted – the dates, the money, and it’s no secret that I’ve went to rehab in the past, and they gave me time off. You talk about a company that’s loyal to you, and you want to be loyal back. So I didn’t pursue the WWE any further. When it comes down to it, you’ve got to stick with the people who want to take care of you. And [TNA president] Dixie Carter took care of me.” Click here for the full interview.

TNA Announces New TV Deal Bringing Impact To Canada, Dixie Carter Comments

Fight Network, the world's premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced a multi-year deal with TNA Wrestling to broadcast exclusive shows and series across Canada.

Beginning next Friday, April 3, Fight Network will premiere TNA's two-hour flagship weekly program IMPACT WRESTLING every Friday night at 9 p.m. ET. The roster features such greats as Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Lashley, Bobby Roode, MVP, EC3, James Storm, the high flying X Division, Gail Kim and the lovely and lethal Knockouts, and many more.

Premiering on Saturday nights at 11 p.m. ET, TNA Xplosion features explosive exclusive matches, a look back at historical matches, as well as pop culture roundtable discussions, plus recaps of IMPACT WRESTLING.

TNA Wrestling's Greatest Matches, premiering Fridays at 8 p.m. ET leading into IMPACT WRESTLING, is a series looking back at the greatest feuds, match types and highlights from the careers of individual wrestlers from the past and present TNA Wrestling roster.

"TNA has been a staple and innovator in the professional wrestling business for the past decade, providing countless memorable matches and moments, while spawning the careers of new stars and showcasing all-time greats in the industry," said Chad Midgley, VP of Content at Fight Network. "We're excited to become the official exclusive Canadian broadcast partner. In addition to airing the popular IMPACT WRESTLING weekly show, we'll be reliving some of the organization's unforgettable history on the Greatest Matches series."

"We can't wait to be back in living rooms across Canada starting this Friday. Our fans across Canada have been vocal and incredibly patient as we worked to find a fantastic broadcast partner for IMPACT WRESTLING," said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Wrestling. "The good news is Fight Network has picked up other TNA programming like Xplosion and Greatest Matches, so fans in Canada will now have more access than ever to the best pro wrestling entertainment in the world, including TNA Superstars and Canada's own Bobby Roode, Gail Kim and Eric Young."

Rumor Mill - TNA Making Major Changes to Impact Wrestling on Destination America, More Like Reality TV

TNA Impact Wrestling will reportedly have a heavy reality TV theme to the show when it premieres with Destination America this week. The idea is to have cameras filming everything from wrestlers walking around backstage, entering the building and even being out of character. Dixie Carter is said to be a big fan of reality TV and Destination America already shows a lot of reality-type programming. TNA will be changing the format of Impact some to fit Destination America better.

Dixie Carter Comments On Recent Comments Made By Vince McMahon

During a recent interview with the UK-based Mirror, TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter spoke out against comments made by WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon during his appearance on Stone Cold Steve Austin's podcast, in which McMahon stated that his roster is comprised of "millennials" who "aren't as ambitious" as individuals like John Cena.

Below is what Carter had to say:

"I can’t even comprehend that statement. It doesn’t sit with our group. My own roster’s completely different than that. I don’t have a complaint about anybody on my roster. The young guys are just as hungry … the young guys from 10 years ago are now the Bobby Roodes, Samoa Joes, James Storms. My main eventers, who were brand new young talent from 10 to 12 years ago, I’m proud of how far they’ve come. This young group of talent we have right now, they’re the hardest working, most positive team players around."

Dixie Carter Announces New TNA Show to Air on Destination America

TNA President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter that "TNA Unlocked" will be a new show on Destination America. It will premiere on Saturday, January 17th at 10am.

Photo: TNA reveals new logo for Impact Wrestling

TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on Twitter:

"I want to share with you first the new Impact Wrestling logo! Now share with your friends. LOTS more to come today!"

Discovery’s Destination America Sets Rights Deal with TNA Impact Wrestling

Latest Details On TNA’s New TV Deal, Rumored Networks & More Programming

The frontrunner to land the domestic TV rights to TNA’s programming is one owned by Discovery Communications. Discovery currently owns 14 domestic networks but the two rumored to land TNA programming include Velocity and Destination America.

Velocity was available in 58 million homes as of 2013 and is an HD-only network. Destination America was available in 57 million homes as of 2013 and has an HD Simulcast (like other cable networks such as Spike TV). How both networks compare to Spike TV is they are available in significantly less homes. Industry estimates have Spike in 98.7 million homes.

It is certainly possible that TNA will get more clearance on their new domestic TV deal. While their deal with Spike gave them a two-hour weekly slot in prime time for Impact, that was it (aside from occasional specials). They currently distribute TNA Xplosion and British Bootcamp internationally and Dixie Carter made it abundantly clear in a piece she did with Grantland.com that she wanted two things with a new domestic TV partner – stability and more hours. Below is her quote:

“We will die a slow death on the vine if we just stay as one two-hour show in the U.S.,” she says. “I have big decisions to make. I want this to be a big play. I don’t want this to be a status quo play.”

TNA already has TV tapings scheduled for January and those tapings will be for their new network. While we wait for TNA to announce their new domestic TV deal, here’s what we know:

TNA will continue to air on TV in the United States from 2015 and beyond
The final first-run episode of Impact will air on Spike TV on Wednesday, November 19, 2014
TNA’s new TV partner is rumored to be Discovery Communications
Rumored networks to house TNA programming include Velocity and Destination America
TNA will be available in fewer homes in the United States
Dixie Carter wants more than 2 hours per week and the new domestic deal has the possibility of more weekly hours