In a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, former WCW president Eric Bischoff made a striking prediction that TNA Wrestling might surpass All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as the second biggest wrestling promotion in North America by next year. Bischoff praised TNA’s recent growth and smart decision-making while criticizing AEW’s creative direction.
Bischoff highlighted TNA’s successful Slammiversary event and the steady growth under new leadership. He mentioned a conversation with Carlos Silva, congratulating him on the big turnout and the wise moves the company has made.
He believes TNA is on the verge of a major breakthrough, especially with key broadcast partnerships potentially in place. “They’re one deal away from being a major player,” Bischoff said, emphasizing the importance of securing the right TV deal to expand their platform.
When asked if TNA could overtake AEW, Bischoff confidently said yes, but noted that this depends heavily on TV deals. He thinks TNA is focusing on the essentials and catering to the mainstream wrestling audience rather than just hardcore fans, which gives them the potential to quickly become the second most popular wrestling promotion in terms of TV ratings and overall fanbase.
Bischoff also dismissed the idea that WWE’s partnership with TNA is primarily a strategic move to hurt AEW. Instead, he views it as a proactive business strategy to avoid antitrust lawsuits and maintain flexible partnerships rather than a direct competition tactic against AEW.
Fan Take: This prediction is huge for TNA Wrestling fans as it signals a potential resurgence and more competitive opportunities for the company in the wrestling scene. If TNA secures the right television deals and keeps making smart choices, it could shake up the industry’s landscape and bring more excitement and diversity to the sport.
