Eric Bischoff Believes TNA Could Pass AEW With Right TV Deal – During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff shared high praise for TNA Wrestling, commending the promotion for its steady growth and strategic decisions in recent months. Bischoff noted that TNA is avoiding the hype-driven approach other companies have taken, instead opting to build quietly and methodically.
“They’re making a lot of smart decisions,” Bischoff said. “I remember when Carlos came on, they made an announcement when Carlos came on, and I was like, okay. We’ll see what happens. But 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 and all the crazy stuff that, for example, AEW did in the very beginning.”
Bischoff highlighted that TNA is focused on producing quality shows, securing strong partnerships, and signing top-tier talent without making grandiose claims. “They’re just quietly going about their business, producing great shows, bringing in great talent, and getting involved with great partnerships. They’re growing their business. And that’s the part that excites me, watching a business grow, especially a wrestling business. I got a little bit of an affinity for it, so it’s been fun watching TNA grow.”
According to Bischoff, TNA is “one deal away” from becoming a major player in the industry, referring specifically to the importance of landing a substantial television deal for TNA iMPACT.
“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.”
When asked whether TNA could surpass AEW and become the number two wrestling promotion, Bischoff responded confidently.
“By this time next year,” he said. “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.”
Bischoff also critiqued AEW’s current direction and praised TNA for sticking to fundamentals.
“They’re just doing the basics,” he said. “They’re doing the basics and producing a show for the mainstream wrestling audience, not for that 10% hardcore sicko that everybody thinks is a cool demo, because it’s not.”
Eric Bischoff Believes TNA Could Pass AEW With Right TV Deal
