TNA is back.
And I know that because it is heavily under scrutiny by the internet.
But that criticism comes with being back on a major platform like the AMC Network, and of course, taking the next step after a super successful 2025.
So, what did I think?
The show was...ummmm okay, at best. Some of the challenges the company faced heading into this weekend were well documented among the rumor mill, which didn't bode well for the company. In balancing reported visa issues with talent, pivoting after losing core talent to free agency, and attempting to build and manage talent workload with a premium live event on Saturday, TNA found themselves in the usual TNA stuff. The most peculiar - and strangest - of situations to be in going into a big network premiere.
This company, man!
All in all, again, the show was okay. It had its flaws. It had some cool moments. It didn't live up to the hype (or the expectations we each had for such a premiere). But it's one show. TNA has put together a strong effort to revive itself over the last few years to get back here...and well, they dropped a game.
They'll be back. I'm not too concerned.
Some overarching thoughts from the TNA on AMC debut:
Production
- The new set is cool! It looked even better than it did on social media when it was all lit up for entrances. Cool stuff.
- It's been well talked about everywhere, but yeah, I agree on some of the head-scratching decisions that were made, such as the empty seats visual, the miscue on AJ Styles' song to start the night, and the overall visual (different cameras?) of the show.
- TNA has to improve in this area, period.
- The truth is, I've never considered (or trusted) live TNA events. Historically, I've become used to that expectation as a TNA loyalist. Their taped or canned products are their best work. Tonight's show was just another example of that. I am used to it. Maybe jaded. Unfortunately, many new and returning fans aren't. Again, must improve here. However, I think they know that.
Creative
- Creative teams in pro wrestling have become the new general managers in sports. Everyone wants them fired when things aren't going right (or the way they want them to go!) Remember when we didn't know who "booked this shit"? Ahhh, simpler times!
- Unlike the rational thoughts on the internet - yes, that is sarcasm - I completely empathize with the position TNA found themselves in. The truth is, not many talents were available. And visas are VERY difficult considering the political climate.
- Yet, I still thought at the end of the night, when the credits (yup, very WWE-like) appeared, I found myself immediately armchair quarterbacking:
- Considering the lack of talent, shouldn't the goal have been to clear enough runway for Mike Santana vs. Kazarian to just do their thing? Why not give them 25-30 minutes on the premiere? Maybe with elongated entrances to make the match feel big-time?
- Just my thoughts, man...
Internet Wrestling Community
- Boy oh boy, did the internet come for TNA! The criticism is justified and welcomed. That's allowed. However, there seemed to be a lot of lazy takes from many who clearly didn't watch the show. Also, as we all know, negativity sells, and it's the greatest currency on social media. Sometimes, wrestling fans can be the worst.
- By the way, the tribalistic stuff is so incredibly lame. I love that we're in a place where pro wrestling is on, and I, as a fan, can drop in on various companies and brands at different times with plenty of talent shining everywhere. How is that bad? Maybe it's just me...
- Finally, who cares who the #2 company is? Is that really a thing? Is there a scoreboard?
Other random thoughts:
- Having AJ Styles on TNA TV is absolutely amazing! The stare down with Kazarian somehow gets lost in all of the reviews, thoughts, and feedback - that was awesome. Maybe I'm just a TNA geek.
- The debut of Daria Rae was entertaining. I'm not one for all of the "authority" figures, as it can get convoluted, but having Rae in charge (eventually) would be a nice change of pace for storylines and the overall show. Plus, Rae is very good at what she does.
- Ryan Nemeth continues to be fun and an unsung hero for TNA
- Where was the Hometown man? I'm kidding, sort of. Really, they needed workers; where was he?
- The former Cora Jada, now Elayna Black, debuted. She was okay during the brief run in TNA. I didn't catch much of her in NXT. I'm still awaiting a creative directive for some of the other new knockouts.
- There was wayyyyyyyyyy too much talking in this episode!
- Also, the night doesn't feel like it has a central thread, which is why I pitched building it around the World Title match. :::shouder srug::::
- Perez Hilton? Well, that was a choice from TNA.
- Because of the excess talking, I was eagerly looking forward to the knockout tag team match more than I expected. Also, I was subconsciously hoping it would go a bit longer as the show needed a banger.
- Speaking of bangers, Myron Reed vs. Leon Slater would've been a game-changer for this episode, huh?
- I'm a huge fan of the Elegance brand. The debut of Mr. Elegenace... I thought it was fine. But that could've waited until next week.
- Cedric Alexander is awesome in the ring! I want to know more about him...he seems so, well, bland in character thus far.
- The System needs to return to being heels. This segment also could have just been backstage. I am intrigued about who replaces JDC? The group needs something new.
- Whoa...Dixie Carter! Is EC3 in the future? Why else re-introduce Dixie?
- I'm not a Bully Ray hater, but why was he here?
- After typing that sentence, I'll contradict myself by saying I enjoyed the Bully and Dixie staredown.
- I was there in the Manhattan Center that night...just a quick humble brag.
- There has been A LOT of talking on this episode.
- Kazarian vs. Santana was great, but it felt rushed.
- I absolutely hated - DESPISED! - Santana no-selling the Canadian destroyer. If anything, that move should be protected in TNA of all places.
- I'm glad Santana is back on top. I'm all for lining up a bunch of heels and throwing them at Santana for the next few months with a face vs. face match at Slammiversary. Santana vs. AJ Styles? I'm getting really ahead of myself. Let's just hope he remains at Genesis. Santana needs to be allowed to be the guy for a bit. Let the new audience fall in love with his story and authenticity
- By the way, there's a lot of "drama" that can be done with Santana as the hood ornament. It is AMC, right?
- As for Genesis this weekend, I hope they pull out something big there, which will provide some buzz going into next week's show. We'll see...
All in all, my biggest fear is that TNA turned off many new fans to the product. It might be true for some.
But again, the show wasn't that bad. Yet, it wasn't great. It was a mish-mash of introducing new characters, explaining some history of the company, covering some wacky behind-the-scenes happenings, and ironing out production stuff. If you bunch all of that with the internet wrestling community providing their "fair and honest" opinion on TNA (yes, more sarcasm)...
Yup, TNA is back. It is so back.
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Photos courtesy of TNAwrestling.com