What the hell is going on with TNA?
It seems like that question can be asked about the company a lot. Not a great sign, but it keeps fans talking? Maybe? See? Glass half full.
Seriously, though. The company started the year with some strong momentum coming out of a 2025 that was filled with WWE and NXT crossovers. They kicked down the door of 2026 with a new television show on AMC and then … well, yuck.
It’s not that the show has been bad since the premiere on AMC, but it’s been safe. Flat. Kinda boring. WWE light. The talent have put on fine matches, but it’s all just been a little uninspired.
On Wednesday, an emotional Tommy Dreamer revealed on Busted Open Radio that he was leaving his post as the Head of Creative for TNA. Dreamer was visibly shook and upset, but authentically spoke about his strong connection to the company that he helped build for so long.
Dreamer was sad about losing his job. Who isn’t? That’s an awful thing that can do a lot to mess with a person’s head and confidence. Remember that I wrote that as you read the rest of this.
For as painful as it was to watch Dreamer make his way through the news of his TNA departure, the creative turmoil his absence will cause has it’s benefits for the company.
TNA needs a new creative vision
Turmoil can generate fresh ideas. New storylines. An up to date look at star power. TNA needs all of that. They need a new creative vision and you simply can’t get that when the person holding down the top creative spot is responsible for the current product, which is stagnant.
This isn’t a knock on Tommy Dreamer. In a lot of ways, Dreamer has been the most important creative force that the company has ever had. He had a hand in helping TNA generate the momentum it needed from the partnership with WWE in order to secure the new TV deal with AMC. He’ll forever be historically significant to TNA for that contribution. That doesn’t mean he should continue in the role.
Yeah, it’s a cold business. It’s kind of like a professional sports coach who brought up, mentored, and taught a batch of young players, only to lose the job right as his team was ready to finally be good and win championships. TNA isn’t on the cusp of dethroning WWE at the top of the pro wrestling mountain, but Dreamer had an important role to play, he played it, and now it’s time for the new coach to get in there and get things to another level.
From The Takedown on SI
Now, the turmoil that I speak of? It’s only good for the company if they succeed with what’s next. TNA needs a strong new creative leader. They need a home run with that hire.
If my TNA column in six months starts with “What the hell is going on with TNA?” and it’s all about a disaster of a choice with this hire, well then, TNA TNA’ed again I guess.
A fresh face in the big seat
TNA needs a fresh face in the big chair. A report by Fightful this week suggested that the company was looking in the direction of Road Dogg as the guy to take the book from Dreamer. That ain’t fresh.
I mean, it’s new, but Road Dogg? His creative vision for pro wrestling has been on television for years. His presence in the wrestling business? That’s been around for decades.
What I’m saying is, brand freaking new. Like Eric Bischoff to WCW-style stuff. Who is going to be the next person to put new fingerprints on the wrestling business? That’s the creative hire TNA needs to make.
Where do they find that person? Look everywhere. Anywhere. Hollywood writers, under the radar indie bookers, or hell, an egg avatar person on X. The point is, it doesn’t matter.
The TNA secret weapon
For TNA to succeed as the third or fourth most important wrestling company in the United States, it needs to withstand being talent raided by the big boys. It has to hold up as any good idea they come up with gets stolen and monetized at a higher level that isn’t them. They are the XFL to the NFL. TNA can combat those realities by constantly running out new material. New stars, new storylines, new everything. That’s the TNA secret weapon.
It sucks, but Tommy Dreamer isn’t the guy to run that type of product. Maybe YOU are?
Question! Who would you like to see take the creative power in TNA after the departure of Tommy Dreamer?
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