Eric Bischoff was once pretty high on TNA’s chances of catching AEW, but now he’s walking that back in a big way.
Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff reacted to criticism over his past claim that TNA could become the number two wrestling company. He said he still believes it was possible under the right circumstances, but those circumstances clearly are not there anymore.
“Reacting to criticism that I made suggesting TNA could be made the number two wrestling company—yes, I think with the right TV deal that’s still possible.”
Bischoff explained that when he first made the prediction, the WWE and TNA relationship looked like it was going to be a much bigger strategic partnership. At the time, he thought WWE would keep sending talent back and forth between NXT and TNA.
“I think as recently as when the TV deal was announced, I came out and said that this could be… TNA could become the #2. When I said that, if you go back and research, the relationship with WWE and TNA Wrestling looked to be one that was going to—it was a good, strategic, sound relationship.”
He said he believed WWE would use TNA as a place to develop NXT talent in front of real crowds before moving them back to NXT, RAW, or SmackDown. But according to Bischoff, that momentum stopped after the new TV deal was announced. From his view, the relationship lost steam fast.
“I thought there was going to be a lot of back and forth with talent because there was at the time. It looked like WWE and TNA were going to work together on a consistent kind of talent trade, back and forth, and build up the NXT talent within the TNA environment in front of a real crowd as part of the developmental process, and then move back into NXT or RAW or SmackDown.
That’s what it looked to me as if it was going to happen. And had that happened—which it clearly has not, because that relationship just stopped the minute the new TV deal was announced—from the outside looking in, that’s what it looks like to me.”
Bischoff said that was the version of TNA he believed could become number two. With WWE talent, press, and a stronger TV situation, he thought TNA had a real shot. Then he dropped the line that makes it clear how much his view has changed.
“Like WWE jumped in, tons of talent and press, oh my gosh, new TV deal—yes, I believed at that point TNA could become the #2 organization under those circumstances. Clearly those circumstances don’t exist. What does it say to me? One step closer to the grave.”
That is a brutal shift from what Bischoff said back in July 2025, when he praised TNA after Slammiversary at UBS Arena and said the company was one major broadcast deal away from taking off.
“They are one deal away from being a major player. If they get a broadcast partner. If they get the right broadcast situation… they have the product. They know what they’re doing. Good team of people. They just need a bigger platform. If they get it, watch them take off. By this time next year. Depends on the TV deal. With the right television partner. What’s number two? By what measure do you define number two? In terms of television ratings and popularity, they could be number two in a minute.”
Now, things look a lot different. TNA has gone through a ton of departures, including Tommy Dreamer leaving as head of creative, Sami Callihan parting ways, Tessa Blanchard securing her release, Steve Maclin leaving, and Luke Paron confirming his own departure after years with the company.
Bottom line, Bischoff once saw TNA as a company with a real shot to climb past AEW if the WWE relationship and TV deal lined up. Now, with departures piling up and that WWE partnership apparently cooling off, he sounds way less convinced. Actually, he sounds like he thinks TNA may be moving in the wrong direction fast.
What do you think about Eric Bischoff backtracking on TNA’s chances of becoming the number two wrestling company? Drop your thoughts below and let us know.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.