Speculation Surrounding TNA Wrestling Staff and Talent “Jumping Ship”

Speculation surrounding TNA Wrestling staff and talent “jumping ship” continues. As previously reported, many superstars have been leaving TNA over the last few months, such as Austin Aries, Samoa Joe, Magnus, and more. The latest confirmed name to leave the company was Executive Vice President Andy Barton, who had worked with the Carters for almost 20 years.

According to Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com, his departure made a big impact on TNA’s staff and locker room, and not in a positive way. Meltzer writes,

“In a real surprise, Andy Barton, the company’s longtime Executive Vice President, left the company. He has been one of the key people in the company from the time Panda purchased it from the Jarretts. It’s hard explain how big a deal this is. Barton was by far, the closest person in the company to Dixie Carter.

He’s been one of the major executives in the company and the longest lasting, having been there since 2002, and was considered the No. 2 guy of late. He’s been with the company since the Carter family purchased majority interest from Jeff & Jerry Jarrett, and before that, worked with Carter at her publicity company, Trifecta Entertainment, since 1996.

Within the company, his leaving was taken as a gigantic move, and not in a good way. The term “rats jumping off a sinking ship” is being used regularly of late with the departures from the company, and this was described as “the biggest, fattest rat jumping off.” 

His position looks to be filled by Eric Sherman, who has been brought in as Chief Strategy Officer. Sherman’s background includes having overseen VH 1 Classic, VH 1 Soul and Palladia as well as President of Fuse TV and CEO of the Veria Living Channel. Sherman’s role is to develop, coordinate and oversee implementation of global strategic initiatives for the company.

The feeling is that the production people, who haven’t been paid yet for the May tapings, will be paid as promised after 7/15, because of the fear they won’t come in for the 7/22 tapings. After that, it’s anyone’s guess what happens because they are taping so much in a short period of time, and it could be October or November until they tape again, or even longer if they lose U.S. TV and do what they did last year with filling weeks with “Best of” shows.”

It seems the speculation surrounding TNA’s longevity will continue to run wild until the company finally closes its doors, whenever that may be.

Editor’s Note:

Wow. Talk about a punch straight to the company’s nuts. Meltzer’s FIERCE.