TNA Wrestling held the debut episode of iMPACT on AMC last Thursday, January 15. Sean Ross Sapp discussed the backstage reactions from talents regarding the promotion's inaugural event on its new broadcast home in the latest edition of Fightful Select Answers.
According to Sapp, many talents were "very pessimistic and realistic" about how the event turned out. He noted that the show received criticism for its production values, the lack of in-ring action, and the fact that only three matches took place over the course of two hours. Fans were also critical of the appearances by former TNA President Dixie Carter and gossip reporter Perez Hilton.
Sapp pointed out that some talents felt the general audience did not fully understand the challenges TNA faced with last week’s show, and some staff members had "understandable excuses." He explained that, “by and large,” most talents believed the AMC debut "wasn't a good show," although a few claimed that it was the type of event TNA "needed" to produce.
This feedback comes after reports indicated that work visa issues prevented multiple talents from appearing on the show, including X-Division Champion Leon Slater, who instead appeared on WWE SmackDown in the UK that week. Additionally, PWInsider.com reported that AMC executives present at the event "were very happy with the show." TNA iMPACT currently airs on Thursday nights at 9 PM ET on AMC.
