Eric Bischoff Certain That TNA is ‘One Deal Away’ From ‘Being A Major Player’

Ever since its inception in 2002, TNA Wrestling has been rising to the pedestals of the wrestling world. And even among heavy hitters like the WWE and AEW, the promotion has certainly left an iMPACT! (No pun intended, unless it landed). In fact, according to WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, the promotion is only a deal away from entering the big leagues.

As a guest on the Ariel Helwani Show, Bischoff was all praise for TNA, stating that the promotion has been making “smart decisions,” which, in turn, clears the path for incremental growth.

“They’re making a lot of smart decisions. I remember when Carlos (Silva) came on, they made an announcement when Carlos came on, and I was like, okay. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “They’re growing incrementally, right? And they’re doing it almost quietly. They’re not out there thumping their chests and talking about taking down the competition.”

Bischoff further praised the promotion for “quietly” producing great shows and bringing in exceptional talents and involving themselves in smart partnerships.

The recent Slammiversary might just be a testament to Bischoff’s words. Drawing in over 7300 fans to the UBS Arena, the promotion saw its highest North American attendance yet. The event saw the return of well-loved talent like AJ Styles, who made a comeback after 11 years.

Moreover, their ‘multi-year partnership’ announcement with WWE, earlier this year, has kept fans glued in for future events.

Meanwhile, Bischoff is certain that they are merely a deal away from greatness, which might be in regard to the recent broadcast deal for TNA iMPACT!

“They’re one deal away from being a major player. If they get a broadcast partner. If they get the right broadcast situation, because they’ve got the product. They know what they’re doing. There’s a good team of people. They just need a bigger platform. And if they get it, watch them take off,” he said.

“By This Time Next Year”

On the other hand, Bischoff even has a timeline for when TNA will surpass the AEW, a reality that he believes is inevitable. Talking during the same podcast episode, he revealed when fans could expect to see TNA become the number two wrestling promotion, albeit with a few caveats.

“By this time next year. I think so. Depends on a TV deal. If the TV deal isn’t a big one, damn near impossible. But what’s number two? By what revenue? By what measure do we define a number two? But I think in terms of television ratings, popularity, yeah, they could be number two in a minute,” he said.

Joshua Ben Joseph

Joshua Ben Joseph is a Boxing writer renowned for his unparalleled coverage of live events and insightful interviews with prominent athletes in the world of combat sports. With a career spanning over several years, he has authored more than 800 articles. As an experienced editorial cartoonist and investigative journalist, Joshua has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering quality content. Aside from his writing, Joshua is an avid powerlifter and solo traveler, embodying the same spirit of determination and exploration that he brings to his work. With a deep love for the sport of boxing that dates back to childhood, he is committed to delivering the highest quality content and helping to build a more transparent and credible industry.

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