Interview: TNA’s Thomas Hannifan on TNA’s Momentum, AMC Move, and the Road Ahead

Darragh sits down with Thomas Hannifan of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ahead of a major stretch for TNA across the United States. The conversation covers Thursday Night iMPACT! and its new home on AMC and AMC+ in the United States, as well as how fans can tune in via Sportsnet 360 in Canada and TNA+ worldwide. Along with TNA’s return to Nashville, Tennessee at The Pinnacle on February 13 and 14, followed by Atlanta, Georgia at GICC Arena on March 5 and 6, and New Orleans, Louisiana at the Alario Center on March 27 and 28. Ticket information is available at TNAWrestling.com.

Darragh: Tom, thank you very much for sitting down with me. I really appreciate it. You are the voice welcoming people to TNA in this era every single week. What is that like, and what is the feeling inside the company as you head into this string of live events?

Thomas Hannifan: It is a spectacular responsibility and honestly something I have been working toward for many years. To have the responsibility of being the voice of the company and representing TNA in that fashion is a tremendous honor. I never take it for granted.
It is also really cool to see where we are now. When I first signed with the company in 2022, I was asking questions like, do we want to get to a bigger network? Are we trying to get to more live television? To see that incremental progress and now this huge opportunity with AMC, it means the world to me and to so many people who have been with this company for over a decade. We have been through the highs and the lows. Now we have this opportunity in front of us. It is exciting, but the work has only just begun. And we are having a lot of fun with it.

Darragh: For someone who has never been to a TNA live event before, what makes that experience different from watching on television?

Hannifan: It is the energy. The energy of our roster continues to impress me year after year. Like any wrestling roster, there is turnover, but you are going to see incredible rising talent that may not yet be household names. You quickly realize just how talented they are.

You will also see performers you recognize from their time in WWE or AEW who are now thriving in TNA. Guys like Mike Santana, Bear Bronson, Frankie Kazarian, Eric Young, Moose and Eddie Edwards. And then you have legends like Matt and Jeff Hardy, who are still doing it in 2026. They are living legends for a reason.

We have a tremendous roster across the men’s, women’s and tag team divisions. The energy at a TNA event is always palpable.

Darragh: With Thursday Night iMPACT! moving to AMC, has that changed the energy of calling the show week to week?

Hannifan: The energy is always there. I was trained that if you are not enthusiastic and energetic, why should the fans be? I try to bring that same level of passion to every show.

What has changed is that we now assume there are new viewers discovering us for the first time. On AMC, someone might tune in without knowing the history of the characters or the storylines. So Matthew Rehwoldt and I have to explain a bit more, articulate more detail and make sure new viewers can follow along.

It is extra work, but it is good practice. You never know when someone is watching for the first time, and we want them to come back the following week or buy a ticket to a live event.

Darragh: TNA has long had a reputation for being unpredictable. Have you felt that in this current era?

Hannifan: Absolutely. Pro wrestling is at its best when it is unpredictable. Jeff Hardy’s return in Chicago a few years ago is a great example. There were rumours, but when he walked out, the place erupted.

The partnership with WWE and NXT has also created some incredible moments. Those unpredictable crossovers are when the business really shines. At Bound For Glory last October, Leon Slater versus Javon Evans was not something anyone expected, but once it was announced, fans were buzzing. That is what makes this industry special.

There are also emotional moments, like Team 3D’s retirement. Those are the kinds of memories that stay with you.

Darragh: You are starting this live run in Nashville at The Pinnacle, the early home of TNA. What does that mean to you?

Hannifan: It is special. I live in Nashville now, so being connected to the production team and our studio here adds another layer to it. The company’s roots are in Nashville, so coming back always feels meaningful.

It has been a few years since we were here on our own terms. Now it feels like a fresh opportunity, especially with the AMC partnership underway. It is another chance to build on the positive momentum.

Darragh: Then you head to Atlanta and New Orleans. Big wrestling cities. How important are those markets?

Hannifan: They are huge. In Atlanta, we previously worked the historic Center Stage venue. Now we are in a larger building, which reflects our growth. That is something we are proud of.

New Orleans is always a fun time. The Alario Center is a great venue, and the city brings its own atmosphere. These are wrestling towns, and they help amplify the live experience.

Darragh: How significant was the move to AMC?

Hannifan: It was incredible. It caught some people by surprise, but AMC is a legacy network with an outstanding track record. Shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Dark Winds speak for themselves.

For me personally, it means my family and friends can easily tune in every Thursday at 9 PM Eastern. It gives us broader exposure and a sense that both sides are invested in making this partnership work.

Darragh: In Canada, fans can watch on Sportsnet 360, and globally on TNA+. How has the locker room reacted to this increased visibility?

Hannifan: It feels like an opportunity to show what we are all about. Matthew Rehwoldt has compared this moment to the NXT black and gold era, when that roster had a chip on its shoulder and was eager to prove itself.

There are people here who have experienced big stages before and can provide stability. There are also others discovering it for the first time. The key is working together and embracing the challenge. I believe we are ready for it.

Darragh: Speaking of TNA+, are there matches in the TNA vault that you recommend to newcomers?

Hannifan: Overdrive 2022, Frankie Kazarian versus Josh Alexander for the TNA World Championship is one I love. The first Lockdown match between Abyss and AJ Styles is another classic.

Rockstar Spud versus EC3 is a masterclass in storytelling. And the library is enormous. There are moments dating back to 2002 that still resonate today. That is one of the great strengths of TNA+.

Darragh: Finally, for someone who has never checked out TNA before, why is this the perfect time to start?

Hannifan: Because we are finally getting the opportunity this roster deserves. TNA has always been an underdog story. If you are looking for someone to root for, this is it.

We own our history, both the good and the bad. Right now, we are in a very good period, and it is only getting better. This is a team in front of and behind the camera that is constantly learning and striving to improve. If you have been with us through tough times, this moment is for you. And if you are new, we are thrilled to have you. We just want to entertain people.

Check out Thursday Night iMPACT! On its new home on AMC and AMC+ in the United States, and via Sportsnet 360 in Canada and TNA+ worldwide.