Backstage Update on TNA Management Changes and Firings, Gail Kim Issues Statement on TNA Firing

As noted before, Anthem made another shakeup to the management teams of their company and TNA Wrestling. Eight executives were fired as part of a round of firings affecting both companies, which included TNA Talent Relations and Producing Gail Kim.

Fightful Select reported that their sources provided additional details regarding those who were fired from TNA and Anthem and potential reasons for some of the firings.

In regards to Romy Glazer, it was reported that Glazer was well-liked within TNA and she was instrumental in increasing TNA’s metrics. Among her successes included expanding the company’s marketing reach and growing the email list to 140,000 and sending over 13 million promotional emails. Glazer reportedly was also involved in several high-profile partnerships with companies such as VitaCoco and BLCKSMTH. Glazer’s work reportedly helped sell out multiple TNA+ events and also led to major content deals for the company.

In regards to Kligman, it was reported that he was responsible for securing almost $1 million in ad sales in under a year as TNA’s Chief Revenue Officer.

In regards to Michael Shewchenko, it was reported that he was responsible for TNA’s shift to TNA+ and the company’s successful move from on-demand to simulcast streaming for events. This reportedly led to TNA’s app business being doubled.

In regards to Rafael Morffi, it was reported that he was not officially working with TNA due to a non-compete clause but he had contributed to increasing live event attendance and helped secure important shows, including this year’s Slammiversary event at the UBS Arena. It was reported that several of those spoken to speculated that slow ticket sales for TNA’s upcoming event at the UBS Arena might have contributed to his firing.

In regards to Sebastian Dastranj, it was reported that he had contributed to multiple areas in TNA including marketing, merchandise, and social content. Besides his duties in TNA, Dastranj also helps run Smash Wrestling in Canada.

In regards to Ariel Shnerner, it was reported that those spoken to stated that Shnerner was involved in an incident at NXT where talent had requested he not be in the locker room and was corrected by WWE SVP of NXT and Talent Relations Shawn Michaels. This incident reportedly contributed to his firing from TNA.

In regards to Kim, it was reported that her departure came as a shock to many within TNA.

Kim issued an official statement earlier today on Instagram thanking all of her fans and peers for their support and her time in the company. Kim also stated that this is not the end of her career in wrestling.

“I Just wanted to say thank you to the fans, friends and especially my peers for all the support you have given me over the last few days. I’ve received such an enormous amount of love and it really has helped process this change for me. More than anything I am grateful for all the years and opportunities I was given to help build something I always dreamed of. The KO division is and will always be my heart and all the women who were a part of it. Thanks to the incredibly hard working and passionate TNA talent & crew that I have had the pleasure of working with. This will not end my passion or my love for wrestling and this is not the end of Gail Kim in the wrestling world. You don’t put in 17 years in one company and stop when you are this passionate. I look forward to sharing my journey and am taking some time for myself and prepare for what’s ahead. Looking forward to the future.

THANK YOU and one last thought……. More women in leadership roles. Not less. ????????”

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