TNA Makes Major Change in Talent Contracts, Several Wrestlers Upset

With potential cancellation looming around the corner from Destination America, TNA has reportedly made a drastic move that will have an effect on how talent are paid.

According to a report from PWInsider, TNA will no longer be paying talent guaranteed contracts. Instead, they will be paid per appearance, similar to how a typical independent promotion does.

The outlet’s Mike Johnson explains the change in contractual pay:

“The way the former contracts worked is that TNA paid talents a monthly fee and then paid them additional per appearance. So if a talent was booked ten times a month, they were paid that as well as their guarantee. If they didn’t work at all, they still had the guarantee.

 In some cases that we have heard of, TNA will now pay talents a little more per appearance than they were already receiving with the idea that it will make up for the loss of the guarantee and should the company start booking more dates, the talent could be in line to get even more money.”

For obvious reasons, it appears multiple TNA talent are upset with this change, especially coming in the middle of their contracts. Johnson notes some of the top stars will keep their guarantees, but the rest of the roster are likely to work per appearance. The belief, according to him, is some talent will be so upset guaranteed money is being ripped away, they may just simply ask to finish out their obligations with the company and walk away.

This kind of move is not good news for several talent who reportedly signed new contracts, such as Bram, who reportedly returned to TNA “with arms wide open.”

Editor’s Note

It’s simple…this is bad news. There is no good that can come from this in terms of keeping talent involved for the long run. But it’s probably necessary given the financial structure of the company.