TNA Wrestling has introduced further adjustments to on-screen presentations, with new guidelines reportedly being issued for talent for specific in-ring actions. The development, reported by Fightful Select, follows a recent mandate from the company to reduce the use of blood in matches for performers.
According to the Fightful Select report, TNA’s Talent Relations division has distributed a memo explaining the new changes. The note states that slaps require prior approval from agents before they are used in matches or segments. The more severe and popular “throat thrashing” gestures are reportedly banned entirely. The report shows that talent for performing the gestures will be subject to a $100 fine for each instance.
These new rules come just after TNA management addresses blood use in programming. The company had requested that talent reduce the frequency of bleeding in matches.
In an interview that took place shortly after the initial blood command, TNA star Steve McLin commented on the company’s inference. McLinn stated his belief that the decision to shrink blood is a strategic move designed to make its use more impactful and meaningful if it occurs in a critical storyline or match.
The newly reported restrictions on slaps and a complete ban on throat slash gestures suggests TNA’s ongoing efforts to improve the creative presentation of its products, appealing to a wider audience to attract more advertisers.
The ban on throat slash gestures is a provocation used by many wrestlers across various promotions over the years, meaning an imminent finishing move or threatening an opponent is a noticeable change.
