Earlier this month, a report surfaced from pwinsider.com that indicated that TNA had instituted a new edict, banning blood from matches effectively immediately. The report added that it was mainly aimed towards intentional blading with the reasoning being that it was to protect the wrestlers' health as well as to be sensitive to current and future advertisers. It appears the accuracy of that report may have been a little off.
Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated reported today that since the above report came out, TNA officials have reached out to SI and stated that the edict that came out of the meeting was "misrepresented" and that intentional bleeding was actually not outlawed. TNA President Carlos Silva further reiterated that no such ban existed.
Silva did seem to confirm part of the report that the company is being more cognizant of the use of blood as it pertains to maintaining relationship with advertisers and partners as they shop for a new media rights deal. However, he made it clear that when officials spoke to talent, the message was to use intentional bleeding more sparingly and only when necessary.
Silva also noted that members of TNA's creative team - including Tommy Dreamer - were on board with the motion and have been supportive in making sure violence is "more impactful" but that if creative felt that having intentional bleeding and/or heavy violence would help the storyline, it is "absolutely" something they would be open to doing.
Finally, Silva mentioned that because TNA tapes several sets of TV shows at once, having a match early on where there is excessive blood makes for logistical challenges due to the ring mat and canvas being stained or even damaged and there is also the concern for the wrestlers who engage in a high level of violence.
