Another shake-up has taken place in the world of pro wrestling. TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore has been let go, with Anthony Cicione of TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc. taking over as the new President. The company’s press release states that the intent is to further integrate TNA into Anthem’s Entertainment Group, which Cicione is already the President of.
According to a report from PWInsider, it is believed that the decision came directly from Anthem’s owner, Len Asper. As echoed by the official statement, Anthem management will be taking on a larger role in the day-to-day operations of TNA, with Cicione leading that charge.
D’Amore’s termination comes less than a month after the company changed its branding from Impact Wrestling back to TNA, its original moniker. With the relaunch, the company has brokered a great deal of goodwill with fans, making D’Amore’s exit all the more surprising. According to an update on the matter from Fightful Select, Anthem management met with TNA talent over Zoom this afternoon. The report also quoted one talent who understood the reasoning behind the change but credited D’Amore with saving the promotion.
In contrast with D’Amore, Cicione has no direct experience working in the professional wrestling industry. The Anthem press release touted his history of “executive-level management experience,” specifically referring to cable and digital channels. It remains to be seen if the company intends to keep Cicione in charge of TNA long-term or if he will be managing the promotion until Anthem finds a suitable replacement.
Similarly unknown is how the company intends to handle the creative process moving forward. In addition to his management duties, D’Amore was previously a key part of the team in charge of booking TNA’s TV shows and pay-per-views.
Some talent such as Brian Myers crediting D’Amore for helping save the company from closing entirely. Since his termination, many members of the TNA roster have spoken out in support of D’Amore.
“The incredibly painstaking, tedious, and difficult work that [Scott D’Amore] has put in to bring [TNA] to this very exciting moment in time, cannot be understated,” said TNA star Frankie Kazarian. “We all, wrestlers and fans alike, owe him a debt of gratitude.”
TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace, who recently appeared in the WWE Royal Rumble, posted a picture of herself and D’Amore. Grace also called the former executive the “heart and soul” of the promotion.
Former Impact World Champion Steve Maclin posted a picture of himself with D’Amore presenting him with the title belt after a particularly bloody victory. Meanwhile, TNA star Alex Zayne thanked D’Amore for both the opportunities he gave Zayne personally as well as everything he’s done for wrestling as a whole.
“Not all people in leadership roles are leaders,” said Jody Threat. “[Scott D’Amore] was a leader. [Honored] to have been led by him. Thank you for everything.”
TNA star Jake Something posted a video of himself talking about D’Amore and his impact on Something’s career. The wrestler stated that he was “proud to be a Scott D’Amore guy.” Referee Brandon Tolle also referred to himself in the same manner while thanking D’Amore for the opportunities he provided.
Wrestler-turned-announcer Jade Chung posted a series of pictures of D’Amore, including a shot of D’Amore sitting behind the backstage monitors with a young child, presumably his own. Another former Impact World Champion, Josh Alexander, also posted a picture of himself in the ring with D’Amore. Alexander thanked the company’s former President and referred to him simply as “coach.”
Source: Wrestling Inc.
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