Tag: TNA Wrestling

Former WWE Tag Champs The War Raiders Set For Bloodsport XIV, Natalya vs. TNA’s Masha Slamovich, Plus a Few Other WWE Stars

While WWE gears up for its two-night SummerSlam extravaganza at MetLife Stadium this weekend, the underground fight scene in pro wrestling is heating up just a short drive away. Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV is set to kick off Saturday afternoon in New Jersey, and a pair of former WWE World Tag Team Champions are officially stepping into the no-ropes ring for the very first time.

Josh Barnett took to social media to break the news himself, declaring: “WAR is coming to Bloodsport.” That’s right—Erik and Ivar, collectively known as The War Raiders, are making their long-awaited debut at the gritty hybrid shoot-style event.

Last seen on the July 10 episode of WWE Main Event, where they steamrolled LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, Erik and Ivar will now test their mettle in one of wrestling’s most unforgiving formats. True to Bloodsport tradition, their match will be contested in a ring stripped of ropes and turnbuckles, with a hard-hitting MMA-meets-pro-wrestling ruleset. Their opponents for the event have yet to be revealed.

They won’t be the only WWE talents on the card, either. Raw veteran Natalya is set to face off against TNA Wrestling’s dangerous and unpredictable Masha Slamovich, while SmackDown‘s Pete Dunne brings his brutal British strong style to a clash with Jonathan Gresham. Also announced: NXT’s Charlie Dempsey returns to Bloodsport following his loss to Tavion Heights earlier this month. His opponent remains under wraps for now.

WWE’s growing crossover with Bloodsport isn’t exactly new. Last year’s Bloodsport X featured Shayna Baszler and Charlie Dempsey, both of whom picked up big wins—Baszler over Slamovich (with Zoey Stark in her corner) and Dempsey over Matt Makowski. The appearances signaled a surprising but intriguing collaboration between WWE and GCW, one that seems to be gaining more momentum with each event.

Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV kicks off Saturday at 1 PM ET, offering a violent, visceral counterpoint to the polished spectacle of SummerSlam. Whether it’s WWE talent, indie legends, or international heavy-hitters, expect no frills—just fights.

The IInspiration Returns: Former WWE Tag Champs Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay Resurface at TNA Against All Odds

TNA Wrestling just got a major boost to its Knockouts tag division — and fans of women’s tag team wrestling have a big reason to get excited.

In a surprise appearance at Against All Odds, former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay — known collectively as The IInspiration — made their long-awaited return to the company. The duo, best known to longtime WWE fans as The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce), confronted current Knockouts Tag Team Champions Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance during the pre-show countdown, making their intentions crystal clear by gesturing to their waists: they’re gunning for gold.

This marks Lee and McKay’s first appearance in a wrestling ring since they quietly stepped away from the business in 2022. Their previous run in TNA (then IMPACT Wrestling) saw them quickly grab the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, cementing their place as top-tier competitors in the promotion before taking time off — both eventually becoming mothers during their hiatus.

Behind the scenes, Fightful Select reports the pair have officially signed new contracts with TNA Wrestling. The deals were finalized within the last few weeks, and while short-term (under a year), they reportedly include an option for mutual extension. Sources within the company also noted that recent regime changes helped pave the way for the duo’s return.

Lee and McKay bring both star power and championship pedigree wherever they go. After all, they shocked the world by capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 35 in 2019, during a near seven-year WWE run that showcased their charisma, chemistry, and comedic timing. When they were released by WWE in 2021, they didn’t waste time rebuilding their momentum, debuting as The IInspiration at Bound for Glory later that year and immediately winning gold.

Now, with the Knockouts tag division heating up again, the return of The IInspiration adds a dose of experience, flair, and serious in-ring credibility. Don’t be surprised if their second TNA run is even more iconic than the first.

Stay tuned — the Knockouts tag scene just got a whole lot more… inspirational.

Joe Hendry Confirms TNA Contract Set to Expire in Late 2025: “I’m in My Contract Year Right Now”

TNA Wrestling standout Joe Hendry has shed some light on his contract status—and it turns out he may be hitting the open market sooner than previously thought.

While earlier reports suggested Hendry was locked into a deal with TNA through late 2025, the Scottish star has now clarified that his current contract is actually set to expire this year. Hendry made the revelation during a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where he discussed his current mindset heading into what he calls his “contract year.”

“Who knows what’s going to happen next?” Hendry said. “I’m in my contract year right now — it’s a very exciting time. I’m doing my best to deliver strong performances, give everything I can to the audience, and enjoy the ride.”

This development adds an intriguing wrinkle to Hendry’s future. Known for his unique blend of charisma, musical flair, and in-ring skill, Hendry has become a fan favorite in TNA. With his deal now confirmed to be expiring in 2024, speculation is sure to ramp up about whether he’ll re-sign with the promotion or explore opportunities elsewhere—including a possible jump to WWE or AEW. I would say it’s most likely he will sign with WWE, who is real high on him.

For now, Hendry seems focused on the present, continuing to connect with fans and build momentum during what could be a career-defining stretch. Wherever he ends up next, it’s clear that Joe Hendry plans to make the most of every moment.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on Hendry’s contract status and all the latest in the world of TNA.

TNA Unbreakable 4/17/2025 (Card)

TNA Wrestling presents Unbreakable streaming LIVE at 10pm ET on TNA+ from the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas,

  • Barbed Wire Massacre: Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan
  • TNA International Championship Tournament Semifinal Match: Eddie Edwards vs. Ace Austin vs. Steve Maclin
  • TNA International Championship Tournament Semifinal Match: Zachary Wentz vs. JDC vs. Eric Young
  • TNA Internatioanl Championship Tournament Finals: TBD vs. TBD vs. AJ Francis
  • Mike Santana & The Hardys vs. Mustafa Ali & The Nemeth Brothers
  • Joe Hendry & Masha Slamovich vs. Frankie Kazarian & Tessa Blanchard
  • TNA X-Division Champion Moose vs. TBD

SPOILER – TNA Wrestling To Introduce A New Championship

TNA Wrestling is shaking things up once again. The company has officially retired the Digital Media Championship and unveiled a brand-new title: the TNA International Championship.

The first-ever champion will be crowned at TNA Unbreakable 2025, set to take place during WrestleMania Week at the Cox Pavilion in Paradise, Nevada. The championship will be decided through three-way qualifying matches, leading up to the grand showdown at Unbreakable.

This marks a significant shift for TNA, as the Digital Media Championship had been part of the promotion since 2021. With the introduction of the International Championship, it appears the company is looking to expand its global reach and add more prestige to its mid-card division.

Unbreakable 2025 will air live on pay-per-view, making it a must-watch event for TNA fans. Stay tuned as more details, including participants for the qualifying matches, are revealed in the coming weeks!

Gail Kim Issues Statement On Her Shocking Firing From TNA

Gail Kim worked as the Head of Talent Relations. Her departure came as a shock to many. The TNA Hall of Famer issued the following statement on her Instagram page earlier today:

“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. ????????

#womenswrestling #wrestling #TNA #WWE #AEW #NXT #champion #knockout #tnawrestling”

Below is the same statement she posted on X.

TNA Wrestling Confirms Major Executive Departures and New Hires

As reported here earlier today, TNA Wrestling is undergoing a significant leadership shakeup, as President Carlos Silva has confirmed the departure of eight key executives from both TNA and parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment. These changes, which include the exit of TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim and longtime creative leader Ariel Shnerer, mark a major transition for the company as it continues its ongoing partnership with WWE.

Key Departures from TNA and Anthem

Among the most notable exits are:

  • Ariel Shnerer (Executive Producer & Head of Creative) – Shnerer, who had been a key figure in shaping TNA’s creative direction, is stepping away from the company. In his place, former Ring of Honor booker Hunter “Delirious” Johnston will take over as the new head of creative, with Tommy Dreamer remaining involved in the department.
  • Gail Kim (Talent Relations & Producer) – A legendary figure in TNA, Kim has officially left her role in talent relations and producing. Having been with the company in various roles since 2005, her departure marks the end of an era for the Knockouts division. Tommy Dreamer will now oversee talent relations moving forward.
  • Rob Klingman (Chief Revenue Officer) – Klingman, who held the role since June 2024, is also exiting.
  • Michael Shewchenko (Digital Department) – Shewchenko will remain with the company until April 30.
  • Karen Clevett, Romy Glazer, and Sebastian Dastrani – All three are leaving from different departments within TNA and Anthem.
  • Rafael Morfi (Live Event Consultant) – Morfi, who has played a key role in TNA’s event operations, will also be stepping away.

New Senior Executives Join TNA

Despite these high-profile departures, TNA has also announced the hiring of two new senior executives to help steer the company’s future:

  • David Clevinger (Senior Vice President of Digital) – Clevinger, set to join next month, brings experience from top-tier organizations such as the NFL, UFC, and NBA.
  • Nicole Rachine (Senior Vice President of Sales) – Rachine has already started in her new role, coming from a background in World Team Tennis.

What’s Next for TNA?

This executive restructuring comes at a pivotal time for TNA, which recently solidified a multi-year partnership with WWE that has seen talent cross between both promotions. While the departures of creative minds like Shnerer and industry veterans like Kim may raise concerns, the additions of Clevinger and Rachine suggest that TNA is looking to evolve its business strategy moving forward.

UPDATE

According to Fightful Select, Romy Glazer in Marketing and Sebastian Dastranj were also let go.

Major Shakeups in TNA: Gail Kim and Top Executives Depart, Talent Expresses Frustration

TNA Wrestling is undergoing yet another major transformation, with multiple high-profile executives—including TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim—officially exiting the company. This wave of departures follows the 2024 exit of former company president Scott D’Amore and comes at a time when TNA is actively working with WWE in a cross-promotional partnership.

Gail Kim, Creative Leaders, and Executives Exit TNA

According to Fightful Select and PWInsider, Kim, who played a crucial role in TNA’s talent relations and worked as a producer, is stepping away from the company. Her departure leaves veteran wrestler and Busted Open Radio host Tommy Dreamer in charge of TNA’s talent relations department.

In addition to Kim, longtime Executive Producer Ariel Shnerer—who was instrumental in TNA’s creative direction—is also leaving. Taking over TNA’s creative responsibilities will be Hunter “Delirious” Johnson, a familiar name in wrestling who previously served as the head booker for Ring of Honor before ROH was sold to Tony Khan in 2022.

The departures don’t stop there. Chief Revenue Officer Rob Klingman, along with Michael Shewchenko, Karen Clevett, Romy Glazer, Sebastian Dastrani, and live event coordinator Rafael Morfi, have all left TNA as well.

TNA Talent Reacts to the Shake-Up

News of these exits didn’t just stun fans—it also sparked outrage among TNA’s own roster. Several stars took to social media to voice their frustration, particularly regarding Gail Kim’s departure.

  • Steph De Lander posted an exasperated message on X (formerly Twitter), asking, “[What the f**] is TNA doing?”* Her post quickly gained traction, racking up over 115,000 views and 2,100 likes.
  • Kimber Lee (Kimberely Ford) joined the conversation, calling Kim’s exit “beyond absurd” and referring to the TNA legend as a “trailblazer” for women’s wrestling.
  • Ford made a post of her own, irate at Kim’s termination from TNA’s board. In her post, Ford hailed Kim as a “trailblazer” for women’s wrestling, and called her exit from TNA “beyond absurd.” 
  • Rosemary kept her response short but impactful, replying with an angry emoji—a sentiment many fans echoed.
  • Tasha Steelz also expressed her frustration, with her post amassing over 27,000 views. One fan even suggested that WWE’s NXT talent appearing on TNA programming was a sign that “WWE stars are replacing TNA’s Knockouts.”

TNA’s WWE Partnership: A Factor in the Changes?

This executive shake-up comes just two months after TNA and WWE announced a multi-year working relationship. Over the past year, the two promotions have exchanged talent, with TNA stars like Joe Hendry making appearances in WWE—including a surprise entry in the 2025 Royal Rumble—while NXT talent such as Charlie Dempsey and Wes Lee have wrestled on TNA programming.

One of the most notable crossovers in recent weeks saw NXT’s Cora Jade challenge Masha Slamovich for the Knockouts Championship at TNA: Sacrifice, though Slamovich successfully retained her title. Additionally, TNA legend Abyss, now working as a producer in WWE, will be included as a playable character in WWE 2K25 as part of an upcoming DLC pack.

With TNA continuing to evolve and its partnership with WWE becoming more prominent, fans are left wondering: is this restructuring necessary for growth, or is it a sign of trouble behind the scenes?

Backstage Update To TNA Firing Gail Kim

There are some within TNA that are now worried about the stability of their jobs. At least some are under the impression that the decision was made by TNA President Carlos Silva.

If it wasn’t already evident enough, there is belief within TNA that the company wants a “major regime shift,” with the latest wave of firings following up on Scott D’Amore getting fired last year. The reaction to Kim’s departure is said to be even more negative than it was for D’Amore’s, which was already overwhelmingly unpopular in the locker room.

Kim reportedly has no intention of leaving the world of wrestling behind, and there are already people within both WWE and AEW pushing for her to be brought in. In addition to her in-ring history with the company, Kim had long-standing backstage roles in TNA as a producer and in talent relations, and there is no non-compete clause in place to prevent her from showing up elsewhere.

The report stated that Kim was known for pushing back on higher-ups in TNA parent company Anthem, which likely contributed to the company’s decision to let her go. However, talent within the company viewed this trait as a positive, as they believed Kim was fighting to improve the promotion.

TNA Sacrifice 3/14/2025 (Card)

TNA Wrestling Sacrifice goes live from the El Paso County Coliseum in El Paso, TX at 8 pm ET on Friday night, March 14. The show will be available for streaming through the TNA+ subscription and Triller TV.

CARD

  • 10-Man Tag Team Cage Match: Joe Hendry, Matt Hardy, Elijah, Leon Slater, & Nic Nemeth vs. The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, JDC) & The Colons (Eddie Colon, & Orlando Colon)
  • TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Cora Jade from NXT
  • TNA X-Division Championship – Ladder Match: Moose (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
  • Mustafa Ali vs. Mike Santana
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Lei Ying Lee
  • The Rascalz & Ace Austin vs. Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont, & Tyriek Igwe from NXT
  • Street Fight: Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander
  • TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship – 2 on 3: Spitfire (c) vs. Ash by Elegance, Heather by Elegance, & The Personal Concierge
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Steve Maclin
  • AJ Francis & KC Navarro vs. Laredo Kid & Octagon Jr. (pre-show)

TNA Announces New Partnership

TNA Wrestling issued the following:

Comprehensive Global Content Partnership

Toronto – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, and TNA Entertainment announced today they have entered into a comprehensive content partnership to seize a global digital audience for fight-based content.

Fight Network’s over-the-top (OTT) app available on digital platforms will become the global home for TNA Wrestling content starting in the second quarter of this year. Fight Network and TNA Wrestling will collaborate to produce digital content and will also partner on cross-promotion and joint sales efforts in global markets, as well as in the U.S. and Canada.

Fight Network’s OTT app is available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Verizon Go90, Layer 3 and KlowdTV.

Fight Network is currently the home of TNA Wrestling programming in Canada, including its two hour flagship weekly program IMPACT WRESTLING, TNA Wrestling’s Greatest Matches and TNA Xplosion. Fight Network will now also air select TNA Wrestling archive programming on its linear channels in select U.S. markets and in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East where Fight Network currently broadcasts.

“As a TNA Wrestling broadcast partner, we see the quality of the content, the viewer reaction and the potential to bring great programming to the world,” said Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. “Our global OTT service now available on several platforms will be immeasurably strengthened by this partnership and we see this as just the first step in building global fight themed destination channel together.”

“Our enhanced partnership with Fight Network to deliver new and archived content through linear and over-the-top platforms, as well as to bring TNA programming to new and emerging markets around the world, is a significant step in the execution of TNA’s strategic plan,” said TNA president Dixie Carter. “Fans are hungry for easily accessible content they can view on demand, and come this summer, the action of TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will be more available than ever.”

For more information about the Fight Network OTT, visit fightnetwork.com.