Backstage Reaction To TNA’s New iMPACT! Television Deal

Nov 20, 2014

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

UPDATE x 3: According to several sources, TNA is seeing its move to Destination America in 2015 as a positive step for the company’s future. This is even though the move will have TNA broadcast in less homes than before on Spike TV.

According to the sources, Destination America is fully on board with TNA and wants to take steps to help promote the product in two ways. Destination America plans on replaying iMPACT! every week and add secondary shows and unique specials. There is talk of bringing British Boot Camp to the US with the move or creating a US formatted version of the show.

TNA was initially planning to run a live show in New York on January 7, 2015. However, those plans have now changed. TNA has reportedly let its roster know that there will be update in the next few days. There are rumors that the company will film a new set of TV tapings later in December. For now, talks are said to still be up in the air.

Also, TNA announced the deal to their talents at a meeting (conference call) during the morning hours on Wednesday. The story/press release was then posted online immediately after the talents had been notified.

Bull Ray tweeted the following cryptic tweet after the deal was announced:

Would you rather die of thirst or sip from the cup of mediocrity?

— Bully Ray (@REALBully5150) November 20, 2014

UPDATE x 2: Dixie Carter tweeted the following today, thanking SpikeTV President Kevin Kay:

Sincere thanks to Kevin Kay, Fish & the entire @SpikeTV team for giving @IMPACTWRESTLING an amazing platform for 9+ yrs. Very grateful!!

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 19, 2014

Discovery’s Destination America Sets Rights Deal with TNA Impact Wrestling http://t.co/xBL3m5t2SF

— Variety (@Variety) November 19, 2014

Proud to announce @IMPACTWRESTLING is coming! find @DestAmerica on your TV http://t.co/hz2OVXdBl2 #DestinationIMPACT pic.twitter.com/Oa6r3yIf8k

— Destination America (@DestAmerica) November 19, 2014

Proud to join the @Discovery family! @IMPACTWRESTLING comes to @DestAmerica in January! http://t.co/xmyk00Qcuf #DestinationIMPACT

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 19, 2014

UPDATE: This was in the TNA announcement, but it was buried at the bottom of the press release. If you want to know whether your cable provider carries iMPACT’s new home of Destination America is available in your home, go here.

ORIGINAL: Spike TV issued the following statement regarding TNA’s departure from the network. According to the end date revealed in the statement, it appears that the previously rumored “best of” episodes of iMPACT! will air on December 3rd, 10th, 17th and finally on the 24th.

Our partnership with TNA Wrestling will officially come to an end with our last telecast on December 24.

Dixie Carter and her team have been incredible partners to work with over the past 9 years, delivering high-action entertainment and strong ratings.

As Spike continues to evolve into a network reaching a broader audience, we continue to look across our schedule to find opportunities to add original scripted and non-scripted programming that appeals to a wider demographic.

On behalf of everyone at Spike, we would like to wish Dixie and TNA all the best and continued success.

Kevin Kay President, Spike TV

**FIXED LINK** – Find out the *REAL REASON* TNA is leaving SpikeTV – SHOCKING!