Earlier this month, Anthem announced that Scott D’Amore had been ousted as the TNA President. Anthony Cicione assumed the role, upsetting a lot of talent.
On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, former TNA World Champion Alex Shelley weighed in on D’Amore’s shocking exit from TNA.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On D’Amore’s firing: “I’m glad you’re getting to this early, because it’s kind of the elephant in the room to be honest with you. I’ve been at TNA for about 20 years, give or take. I stepped away for NJPW, I was under contract to Ring Of Honor. When we were told about Scott D’Amore leaving the company, I think probably because I’m at the point of being an elder statesman even though I’m only 40 — in TNA, a lot of people came to me and they were very upset and understandably so. Because this isn’t just a change in management, this isn’t just a new booker being appointed and the old one leaving. This is people who’ve had more of a traumatic loss. What they lost was a paternal figure, they lost a coach, they lost a mentor, they lost somebody that they’ve know since they were a teenager.
“The difference is that when you’re around this industry long enough, and I feel comfortable saying this, you get used to this or you’ve seen it before. I think this is probably the sixth or seventh time in pro wrestling I’ve seen the booker or whoever’s in charge upended and taken out of that position. It’s the third time I’ve seen it in terms of outside of wrestling, it happened to me when I was in the workforce in physical therapy too and I kind of look at it from that standpoint as well. Because we lost somebody who wasn’t just the booker, he was in charge of a lot of the administration work and the logistics as well, he’s gone. Scott wore both of those hats.”
On speaking to the TNA locker room about it: “I also had to express to people that often times, the worst case scenario looks like this. It looks like whoever’s in charge is out, somebody else is in, and with that come their crew and the people they trust, and I don’t ever hate on anybody for that. But often, you’d see half of the locker room cut off and you’d never see these guys again. That’s not what’s happening here. I tried to express to everybody in our locker room who came to me for perspective that ‘Scott aimed the gun, but you were the bullet. This is ours, this is hard work. Yeah, we trusted him and he was there for us in so many ways, but you got in the ring and wrestled. It was you, you did this, so try to remember that this is your legacy too.’
“I think when they get that bit of information, they start to think on that like, ‘You know what, you’re right. This is something we created, of course we didn’t do it alone.’ As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that nobody is successful by themselves, you just aren’t, right? Certainly not in pro wrestling. But at the same time, don’t diminish what you did and everybody in that locker room, at least for the past two years since I’ve been back, they were the ones that brought TNA back too. So, Scott’s gone, that happened. We move forward and we deal with this because looking back on it at this point does anybody any good.”
In a recent announcement, Anthem revealed that Scott D’Amore has been removed from his position as the TNA President. This news came as a shock to many, including the talent within the company. Former TNA World Champion Alex Shelley recently shared his thoughts on D’Amore’s departure during an episode of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast.
Shelley, who has been associated with TNA for nearly two decades, expressed his understanding of the upset among his colleagues. He emphasized that D’Amore’s exit was not just a change in management but a loss of a paternal figure, coach, and mentor for many individuals who had known him since their teenage years.
Having witnessed similar situations in the wrestling industry before, Shelley acknowledged that such changes are not uncommon. He also drew from his experience outside of wrestling, recalling instances when he had seen the same upheaval in his previous profession as a physical therapist.
Shelley highlighted D’Amore’s multifaceted role within the company, stating that he not only served as a booker but also handled administrative work and logistics. Losing someone who wore multiple hats like D’Amore can be particularly challenging for any organization.
When approached by members of the TNA locker room seeking perspective, Shelley aimed to provide reassurance. He reminded them that while changes in leadership often result in new personnel and allegiances, this situation would not lead to mass cuts within the roster. He encouraged his colleagues to remember that their hard work and dedication played a significant role in shaping the company’s success.
Shelley emphasized that although they trusted D’Amore and appreciated his support, it was ultimately their efforts in the ring that contributed to their legacy. He urged them to recognize their individual contributions and not diminish their achievements. Success in professional wrestling, like any other field, is rarely achieved alone, but it is essential to acknowledge one’s own role in the journey.
As the TNA roster reflects on D’Amore’s departure, Shelley believes it is crucial to focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past. He encouraged his colleagues to embrace the challenges ahead and continue building upon the foundation they have collectively established over the past two years.
While the departure of Scott D’Amore as TNA President may have been unexpected and unsettling for many, Alex Shelley’s perspective offers a reminder that success in the wrestling industry is a collaborative effort. As the company navigates this transition, it is essential for the talent to remain resilient, united, and committed to their craft.