WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle recently opened up about his time in TNA Wrestling and offered a surprisingly honest comparison to his legendary WWE career. Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Angle revealed that despite his iconic run in WWE, he believes his best in-ring work came after he made the jump to TNA in 2006.
“I had a better career, too. I had better matches,” Angle admitted. “That’s really hard to say because I had some great ones in WWE, but I came into my own [in TNA]. You don’t really hit your stride until six or seven years in, and that’s right when I left WWE.”
Angle said that joining TNA reignited his passion for wrestling, especially given the wealth of fresh talent on the roster at the time. He went on to list several of his top opponents, including AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Bobby Roode, and James Storm, among others.
“When I left WWE, I was salivating because there was so much untapped talent in TNA,” he said. “I couldn’t wait to get down there. I take pride in that period — I think I had a better career there.”
Angle also noted that his move to TNA seemed to spark an influx of big names from WWE joining the company, such as Kevin Nash, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan, which helped TNA build one of its strongest rosters ever.
“Once I went to TNA, I felt a whole slew followed me… we had a lot of good years and great talent,” Angle said. “I’m proud of what we accomplished.”
Health Update: Angle Shares How He’s Managing Injuries
Angle didn’t shy away from discussing his ongoing health struggles, a result of decades of intense physical competition. The Olympic gold medalist shared that while some surgeries have helped, others haven’t gone as planned.
“I had my knees replaced, and that was a blessing — no pain there,” Angle said. “But I had surgery on my lower back, and that didn’t work at all. What did help was core training. Not the surgery — the training.”
However, Angle revealed he’s now facing another tough decision regarding his shoulders.
“My doctor told me shoulder replacement surgeries are a 50/50 deal,” he explained. “He suggested waiting a few years because technology’s improving. So for now, I’m holding off.”
Despite the setbacks, Angle continues to train and stay active, though he’s careful not to overdo it.
“I just go through the motions and keep my body in shape. I have to keep my weight down because my knees are only supposed to last 20 years — if I gain too much, that drops to 10.”
Kurt Angle’s legacy spans both WWE and TNA, but hearing him reflect so fondly on his time in the six-sided ring underscores just how important that chapter was to his career — and to the evolution of modern wrestling itself.
Halloween Havoc is about to get a whole lot more “delightful.” The Hardys are bringing the chaos of the multiverse with them. Matt and Jeff Hardy will defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against DarkState — but this won’t be a standard title defense. The bout will be contested under Broken Rules, which essentially means no rules, no limits, and pure Hardy-brand insanity.
The announcement came in cinematic fashion straight from the Hardy Compound in Cameron, North Carolina. During a pre-taped promo from DarkState, the screen flickered and distorted before cutting to the familiar grounds of the Compound. There, fans saw Matt, Jeff, Señor Benjamin, Reby Hardy, and even the Hardy kids take part in a chilling ritual at the Lake of Reincarnation.
Moments later, the brothers emerged from the water transformed once more into Broken Matt and Brother Nero, signaling the long-awaited return of their most eccentric personas. In classic Hardy fashion, Matt declared, “State of Dark, you have broken the Broken Hardys. DarkState, you only broke us to make us stronger!”
This marks the first time the Broken Hardys have appeared in NXT under their infamous gimmick, and the timing couldn’t be better. Halloween Havoc has long been known for its spooky flair and over-the-top theatrics, making it the perfect stage for a Hardy resurrection.
Expect chaos, creativity, and maybe even a few lawnmowers of doom when the Broken Hardys defend their gold against DarkState under Broken Rules. One thing’s for sure — the universe of deletion has officially collided with NXT.
On a special After the Glory edition of TNA iMPACT!, go beyond the ring with exclusive access to the biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory. Don’t miss never-before-seen interviews, backstage footage and more. Plus, the champions will be in studio to take you inside their epic clashes.
Tune in this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ around the world, AXS TV in the US, and Sportsnet+ in Canada.
Highlights From the matches that took place at TNA Bound For Glory on Sunday
Interviews with the champions coming out of the PPV
TNA delivered a memorable Bound For Glory this year, mixing nostalgia, chaos, and emotional moments in front of a red-hot crowd. From new champions to double winners and surprise appearances, the show had fans buzzing from start to finish.
Countdown to Bound For Glory
TNA Hall of Fame Inductions
The Beautiful People were first to be enshrined in the 2025 TNA Hall of Fame. Tommy Dreamer handled the induction — though, in true Beautiful People fashion, they put a paper bag over his head before their acceptance speech. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky shared their gratitude with names like Dreamer, Terry Taylor, Jeff Jarrett, and even “Cute Kip” Billy Gunn, while giving a heartfelt shoutout to the “Pigeon Army” fans. The segment closed with a crowd-wide “Let the pigeons loose!” chant.
Mickie James was the second inductee of the night, introduced by her longtime friend and rival Lisa Marie Varon (Tara/Victoria). Mickie thanked Jeff and Jerry Jarrett for giving her an opportunity in TNA, reflected on her early run with Raven’s Gathering stable, and credited Dixie Carter for believing in her “Hardcore Country” reinvention. Mickie summed up her legacy best herself: “I might be too crass, too badass, not your cup of tea — but I’ll always be Hardcore Country.”
Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The IInspiration (c) def. Elegance Brand
The IInspiration held onto their gold after a well-timed mistake from their challengers. Heather accidentally struck her partner M, opening the door for Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay to hit the IIdolizer for the win. Ash by Elegance accompanied her team but couldn’t prevent the champs from keeping their streak alive.
Bound For Glory Main Card
TNA International Championship
Steve Maclin def. Frankie Kazarian (c) to win the title
Maclin kicked things off with an ambush during Kaz’s entrance, setting a violent tone early. The two traded each other’s signature moves and even dragged Kazarian’s mother into the story — who flipped off Maclin after being taunted. After a gritty back-and-forth, Maclin countered Kaz’s tree-of-woe spear attempt and nailed the KIA DDT to become a two-time International Champion, celebrating with his mother afterward.
Tessa Blanchard def. Gia Miller
Tessa showed zero respect for Gia’s clean wrestling approach, using the steps, exposed steel, and even interference from Victoria Crawford to maintain control. Once Crawford was ejected, Jody Threat evened the odds — but Tessa used a roll of quarters to knock Gia out cold while the referee was distracted, stealing the pin.
Call Your Shot Gauntlet – Double Winners
Frankie Kazarian & Nic Nemeth declared co-winners
In one of the most chaotic “Call Your Shot” matches yet, the bout ended in controversy as Kaz and Nic Nemeth simultaneously scored pinfalls following a superplex and double cradle. With two referees giving two separate counts, Santino Marella ruled a rare double victory — and the crowd erupted with “bullshit” chants. Both men now hold guaranteed title shots at any TNA championship.
Notable highlights:
Jody Threat had her spot stolen by Kazarian.
Santino got revenge with a Cobra strike on Kaz.
Ryan Nemeth was accidentally superkicked by his brother Nic.
Matt Cardona’s elimination came after interference from Mance Warner and Steph De Lander.
Knockouts Championship
Kelani Jordan (c) def. Indi Hartwell to retain
In one of the night’s most technically competitive matches, Hartwell came close to ending Jordan’s reign with the Hurts Donut, but Jordan’s ring awareness saved her. After Indi missed a top-rope elbow, Jordan connected with a sharp kick and a split-legged moonsault to seal the win.
Hardcore War
The System (Moose, Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers & Johnny “JDC” Curtis) def. Order 4 (Mustafa Ali, Tasha Steelz, John Skyler, Jason Hotch & Agent Zero)
This wild, WarGames-style brawl lived up to its name. Agent Zero made a statement by choke-bombing Alisha Edwards onto thumbtacks. Moose later wrapped a steel chain around his arm for a devastating spear, and after chaos all around, Eddie Edwards put Ali away with a barbed wire–wrapped Boston Knee Party. Brutal from bell to bell.
Chris Bey announced the new TNA attendance record for North America with 7,794 fans.
X-Division Championship
Leon Slater (c) vs. Je’Von Evans – No Contest
This one had “match of the night” written all over it until the finish went south. After a 20-minute time limit draw, Santino Marella restarted the bout for five more minutes. Just as Evans seemed ready to capture the gold, the lights went out — and DarkState attacked both men, ruining a fantastic contest. The crowd let TNA know how they felt about that one.
TNA/NXT Tag Team Championship (Tables Match) – One Final Table
Matt & Jeff Hardy (c) def. Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
Bound For Glory turned into a nostalgia trip when Team 3D faced the Hardy Boyz in a throwback tables match. With Spike Dudley making a cameo, both teams hit their classic moves in a hard-hitting, crowd-pleasing encounter. Jeff’s Swanton Bomb through a table evened the score, and the Hardys finished Bully Ray with a double table spot to retain both sets of titles. Afterward, Team 3D removed their boots and handed them to the Hardys.
Mike Santana def. Trick Williams (c) to win the title
The main event was emotional, violent, and story-driven from the start. Trick Williams’ trash talk lit a fire under Santana, who brawled with the champ through the crowd before the match even officially started. Williams targeted Santana’s head and taunted his daughter at ringside — earning a slap for his trouble. Santana fought back through blood and interference, hitting Spin the Block to capture the TNA World Title. He celebrated in tears with his daughter in the ring.
But Bound For Glory wasn’t done yet.
Post-Match Chaos
As Santana basked in victory, Nic Nemeth arrived to cash in his Call Your Shot trophy — only for the lights to go out. A familiar guitar strum rang out, and Elijah returned from injury to smash Nemeth with his signature weapon. Meanwhile, Frankie Kazarian tried his own cash-in attempt, but Santana stopped him cold with another Spin the Block. Santana closed the show still champion as the crowd chanted, “TNA! TNA! TNA!”
Bound For Glory 2025 delivered everything fans could ask for — legends, hardcore violence, shocking finishes, and emotional payoffs. With Santana leading the charge as TNA World Champion and multiple wrestlers holding title shots, the road ahead for TNA looks absolutely wild.
The final TNA iMPACT! before the biggest event of the year (Bound For Glory) — don’t miss a moment of the action this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ around the world, AXS TV in the US, and Sportsnet+ in Canada.
No Disqualification: Joe Hendry vs. Eric Young
Matt Cardona vs. Ryan Nemeth
Mustafa Ali vs. JDC
Kelani Jordan and Indi Hartwell have a contract signing
The Hardys continue to make history. Matt and Jeff Hardy added another championship to their legendary résumés Tuesday night, defeating Darkstate’s Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions at the WWE NXT x TNA Showdown special.
The win makes the veteran brothers double champions, as they currently hold the TNA Tag Team Titles as well. Their next challenge? A tables match against longtime rivals Team 3D—Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley—this Sunday at TNA Bound For Glory, where both sets of tag titles will reportedly be on the line.
The title bout in Orlando opened the highly anticipated crossover event with classic Hardy energy. Darkstate’s powerhouse tandem managed to keep Jeff Hardy grounded early, cutting the ring in half and punishing the high-flyer. But the “Charismatic Enigma” turned the tide with a signature Whisper in the Wind, creating the opening to tag in Matt.
Matt Hardy unleashed his trademark offense, smashing Lennox’s head into each turnbuckle before nearly scoring a three-count. The challengers briefly regained control and attempted a Doomsday Device, but Matt countered in midair with a Twist of Fate. After another Twist to Lennox, Jeff climbed the ropes and sealed the victory with a picture-perfect Swanton Bomb.
As confetti fell and the crowd erupted, The Hardys stood tall with both the NXT and TNA Tag Team Championships held high—while Team 3D watched from ringside, making it clear that their decades-long rivalry is far from over.
With Bound For Glory just days away, the stage is set for another chapter in one of wrestling’s greatest tag team rivalries—Hardys vs. Dudleys—with double gold hanging in the balance.
WWE NXT Showdown live tonight on The CW – NXT vs. TNA
Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team NXT (Ricky Saints & Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans & Myles Borne) vs. Team TNA (Mike Santana & Moose & Leon Slater & Frankie Kazarian) (with Joe Hendry as special guest referee) – Men’s Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match
Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team NXT (Jacy Jayne & Sol Ruca & Jaida Parker & Lola Vice) vs. Team TNA (Kelani Jordan & Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee & Mara Sade) (with Jordynne Grace as special guest referee) – Women’s Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match
Title vs. Title – Winner Take All: TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin)
NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mustafa Ali
The numbers are in, and they’ve got people talking across the wrestling world. With Nielsen officially rolling out its new “Big Data + Panel” system, both WWE and AEW have seen noticeable dips in their TV ratings this week — and that’s raising a few eyebrows inside the industry.
While streaming has become a major player for both promotions — “WWE Raw” now living on Netflix and AEW airing live through HBO Max — traditional Nielsen ratings still carry major weight for networks, advertisers, and executives. The new hybrid data method, designed to more accurately reflect viewing habits across devices, has reshuffled the deck, leaving wrestling shows looking weaker on paper than before.
AEW Keeps Calm Amid The Shift
According to Fightful Select, AEW is keeping a close eye on the situation. Sources say Tony Khan understands the new methodology inside and out thanks to his well-known love of numbers and analytics. While the updated system might make week-to-week trends look rough, AEW still benefits from its simulcasts on HBO Max — even if those exact streaming figures aren’t being publicly shared. Reports suggest about 500,000 viewers tune in weekly to stream “Dynamite” and “Collision.”
A contact within Warner Bros. Discovery (AEW’s media partner) downplayed any panic, noting it’s far too early to make judgments with such a small sample size. The source also pointed out that AEW and WWE both ran head-to-head with Major League Baseball this past week, a sport that — along with college football and the NFL — has actually benefited from Nielsen’s new approach.
When asked if this change could spark talk of cancellations, the WBD insider reportedly laughed off the idea, saying that topic always comes up but is “never actually on the table.”
Interestingly, the new data system has one upside for AEW — it’s expected to end the use of “fast national” ratings, those early estimates that often circulated within hours of broadcast. Because Nielsen’s new reporting adds another day’s delay, those quick-turn numbers will no longer offer an accurate read, potentially eliminating a common talking point in the ongoing WWE–AEW ratings rivalry.
WWE’s Network Partners Weigh In
Over in WWE’s corner, USA Network and The CW are also monitoring the changes. While Raw has made the jump to Netflix, “SmackDown” remains on USA and “NXT” airs weekly on The CW — both still reliant on traditional TV numbers.
A USA Network source told Fightful they’re discussing the new metrics internally, but they’re not alarmed. The feeling is that while the numbers might suggest wrestling isn’t as “hot” as it looked under the old system, the overall value of WWE programming remains undeniable. WWE content continues to deliver strong returns at relatively low costs — something USA has appreciated for decades.
The CW didn’t comment, but the network has reportedly been pleased with NXT’s performance since day one. The shift in ratings measurement isn’t expected to change that enthusiasm.
TNA’s Situation & Industry Impact
One WWE insider did note that the updated Nielsen process could make things tricky for TNA Wrestling, which is currently seeking a new television home. Even so, company president Carlos Silva told Fightful the issue hasn’t come up during negotiations, and discussions with potential partners are still moving forward.
Meanwhile, talent across the major promotions have reportedly felt little direct impact, aside from a few more tweaks to production and travel schedules than usual.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Nielsen’s overhaul is shaking up how TV success is measured, but the wrestling industry has weathered plenty of changes before. Between the rise of streaming, shifting network priorities, and a fan base that consumes content in more ways than ever, the true picture of viewership might take months — if not years — to fully understand.
For now, one thing’s clear: both WWE and AEW are still drawing millions of passionate fans every week, no matter how the math gets crunched.
TNA Wrestling may be on the verge of its biggest move in years, as company president Carlos Silva has revealed that the promotion is now in active talks with a new broadcast partner.
Speaking to TV Insider, Silva confirmed that negotiations have officially gone beyond the “feeling out” stage, with one network showing serious interest in bringing TNA to its lineup. While Silva stopped short of naming names, it’s worth noting that TNA has recently been linked to networks like The CW and A&E — both of which already feature WWE programming.
“We’re now in active negotiations with a partner,” Silva explained. “The good news is the process has started. We’re no longer just talking to a bunch of people to gauge interest. Now we have an interested partner, and we’re working through, potentially, a deal for 2026.”
TNA has called AXS TV home since 2019, but the promotion has been openly exploring new broadcast opportunities throughout 2024. With the company looking to expand its footprint — including a show earlier this year at Long Island’s UBS Arena — Silva is confident that a bigger television deal could be the next major step in TNA’s resurgence.
The timing couldn’t be more interesting, as TNA continues to ride the wave of mainstream attention from its ongoing working relationship with WWE. That partnership has brought more eyes to the product, and the company isn’t shying away from the competition either. In fact, TNA is set to go head-to-head with WWE NXT on October 7 when NXT presents its Showdown edition.
Silva made it clear that while there’s no finalized timeline just yet, the wheels are in motion: “It’s done when it’s over the finish line. We’re excited about it and keep pushing it forward.”
If TNA does land a new broadcast partner, it could mark one of the company’s biggest opportunities in over a decade — giving them a national platform just as momentum around the brand is starting to climb again.
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