Carlos Silva is excited for where TNA is headed.
TNA President Carlos Silva spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard to promote this weekend’s Slammiversary pay-per-view. The event will feature several NXT stars who crossed over as part of the ongoing partnership with TNA. The talent exchange has been going on for the better part of a year, but really “accelerated in a big way” in recent months, including then-TNA Champion Joe Hendry’s appearance at WrestleMania 41.
Silva says both sides are focused on understanding where storylines are going, finding ways to capitalize on the biggest shows for each respective brand. He says pro wrestling is a business that thrives on keeping fans happy, and believes they’ve done just that so far.
Carlos Silva on the NXT/TNA partnership
“Obviously, WrestleMania, [that’s] the biggest show on the planet with the biggest brand. It’s great that TNA was invited and part of that. Then you look at what happened in Tampa at Battleground with NXT. Big show for them, I was there. The arena was packed. So many people, and again, the storyline just continued with Trick [Williams] and Joe. You got [Mike] Santana in the middle of that as well. And now, we got a title for title match on the women’s side, which is super exciting. And I just think we continue to find ways to move our fans’ excitement from brand to brand. Both up. Both down. And then in the case of maybe AAA sideways.
“We have done some stuff with [AAA]. TripleMania was super fun down in Monterrey, Mexico, like a month ago. And again, the team there, they just been really easy to work with and our wrestlers, Joe [Hendry] had a great time in Monterrey. He ran in, came into the stadium to the Joe Hendry song in Spanish. How cool was that? So, I just think there’s a lot of it and even this last weekend, Santino and Iguana were in a match together, a mixed tag match, which was interesting. And again, the fans loved it. So, I think we are just going to keep doing it. If the fans like it — we are in the business of making fans happy. That’s what this sports and entertainment business is all about. And so far, so good. So, we are keeping at it and I think it has become pretty easy to work together for sure.”
Carlos Silva on if there are any limits on the partnership with WWE
TNA has sent its talent to NXT, and vice versa. It seems like there’s some sort of integration on every show now, including NXT’s Trick Williams serving as the current TNA Champion. RAW and SmackDown talent haven’t “crossed the line” yet, but Silva says that there aren’t any restrictions on talent trade-offs and the excitement should continue through the end of the year.
“Not really. It’s really just the ebb and flow of the weeks and the months, really,” Silva explained. “We are just logistically working through all of that and how we move the wrestlers through the storylines across it. We try to plan out as best we can. But, in this wrestling business too. And people told me, I’ve been in the live sports entertainment business my whole career. You got to stay light on your feet, you got to be willing to pivot. You got to be willing to make changes and we are, and the partnership has also been that way with us. So, it’s really been great, and I think it’ll continue. I think we are going to see a lot of excitement through the Fall and into the Winter as well.”
Carlos Silva on TNA’s TV deal
Carlos Silva previously made headlines when he said that TNA was negotiating for a new TV deal that would see them go live 52 weeks a year. Silva said there’s no update on that now, but he has taken calls about it to “keep the momentum going.” He believes what they do at Slammiversary will help push those deals forward and create more buzz, getting them closer to the finish line.
“When you create great buzz, people want to work with you,” Silva said.
Silva shared his excitement for Slammiversary, sharing that he believes performing in a large arena like UBS Arena will elevate everyone involved.
“I think TNA is long overdue to be elevated to that quality. And for all of the wrestlers, we talk with the wrestlers a lot. We spend a lot of time together. I know that they all perform when they get elevated, too. I think that is just going to elevate everyone,” he explained, touting the strength of Sunday’s lineup. “I’m just excited for being on such a big stage for our wrestlers. I look forward to seeing them perform for all the fans and just having the place erupt. It is going to be great.”
TNA Slammiversary takes place on Sunday, July 20 at the UBS Arena on Long Island.
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