Is Impact Wrestling and TNA the Same?

Is Impact Wrestling and TNA the Same?

Impact Wrestling and TNA (Total Nonstop Action) are often used interchangeably, but are they really the same thing? Let’s delve into the history and evolution of these two wrestling promotions to find out.

The Birth of TNA

TNA was founded in 2002 by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett. The company aimed to provide an alternative to the dominant wrestling promotion at the time, WWE. TNA started as a weekly pay-per-view event before transitioning into a regular television program.

Under the TNA banner, many legendary wrestlers made their mark, including AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, and Sting. TNA gained a loyal following and established itself as a solid competitor to WWE.

The Rebranding as Impact Wrestling

In 2017, after years of being known as TNA, the promotion underwent a rebranding effort and changed its name to Impact Wrestling. The decision was made to distance themselves from some of the negative connotations associated with the TNA acronym.

Fun Fact: The “TNA” initials were often mocked by critics who interpreted them as suggestive innuendo rather than representing “Total Nonstop Action.”

The rebranding aimed to rejuvenate the promotion’s image and signal a new era for Impact Wrestling. Despite the name change, many fans and media outlets continue to refer to it as TNA out of habit or for simplicity’s sake.

Ownership Changes

The ownership of both TNA and Impact Wrestling has undergone several changes over the years. In 2016, Anthem Sports & Entertainment acquired a majority stake in Impact Wrestling. This acquisition brought stability to the promotion and allowed it to continue operating.

Under Anthem’s ownership, Impact Wrestling has made efforts to expand its global reach and develop partnerships with other wrestling promotions worldwide. These collaborations have led to cross-promotional events and the exchange of talent, further enhancing the wrestling landscape.

The Impact Wrestling Brand Today

As of today, Impact Wrestling continues to produce regular television programming, showcasing a mix of established stars and emerging talent. The promotion has a distinct style that emphasizes athleticism, high-flying moves, and hard-hitting action.

Did You Know? Impact Wrestling introduced the innovative “X Division,” which features fast-paced matches with no weight limit. This division has become synonymous with exciting and acrobatic wrestling encounters.

The Impact Wrestling roster includes notable names such as Eddie Edwards, Moose, Deonna Purrazzo, Rich Swann, and many others who contribute to the promotion’s ongoing success.

In Conclusion

To summarize, while TNA was the original name of the wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett, it underwent a rebranding in 2017 and is now known as Impact Wrestling. The change in name aimed to refresh the promotion’s image and distance itself from any negative associations.

However, both terms are often used interchangeably due to familiarity or simplicity. Regardless of what it is called, Impact Wrestling continues to provide entertaining wrestling content for its fans worldwide.