Nothing has changed for Tommy Dreamer as far as his role with TNA goes.
Earlier today, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Tommy Dreamer is now the Head of Creative for TNA Wrestling following Scott D’Amore’s contract being terminated by Amthem. This now appears to have been inaccurate.
PWInsider are now reporting that news regarding Dreamer becoming the Head of Creative is “100% incorrect,” and after speaking with multiple sources, were able to confirm the following:
“The existing TNA Creative team of Tommy Dreamer, RD Evans and Hunter “Delirious” Johnston will remain in place and continue to work as they did prior to Scott D’Amore’s departure.
-PWInsider
The existing team will be supported by Gail Kim, who was already one of the top officials for the company backstage and does so many things from a talent relations and producing perspective that it would take an hour to list all of her responsibilities. So, now Gail can officially add creative to that list, although she had input and a voice in everything she worked on already.
Jorge Barbosa has also joined the creative process. Barbosa has been a Senior Producer for Anthem Sports & Entertainment for a long time and was the person behind all those excellent Fight Network Diary documentaries focusing on TNA and MMA personalities. He’s got a great creative rep from the projects he’s worked on in the past.”
As for who will be spearheading the creative direction of the company, PWInsider additionally reported that Ariel Shnerer will be overseeing all TNA content moving forward alongside company president Anthony Cicione.
“PWInsider.com has confirmed that Ariel Shnerer will be overseeing all TNA content going forward and will be working in conjunction with new TNA President Anthony Cicione. It will be Shnerer who will have the last word on any talent and creative decisions, although Cicione will be the top of the pyramid.”
-PWInsider
Shnerer previously served as the General Manager of the Fight Network and has been involved with IMPACT/TNA since Amthem acquired the company in 2017.
Whilst Shnerer has made onscreen appearances for the promotion as Dr Ariel, his behind the scenes work has been his most significant contribution, as whilst managing TNA’s distribution across Anthem, Shnerer was involved in securing TNA’s deal for DAZN and a number of TNA streaming deals for Roku and Pluto TV, among other platforms, on top of leading the launch of the TNA+ streaming service.
On top of PWInsider’s report, Dreamer himself has now also denied the rumours, setting the record straight during an appearance on Busted Open Radio.
“I’m so glad people know things about my life that I don’t know. Everything is staying intact of how it was before with myself, Robert Evans, and Delirious. There are no changes. Purposely made sure that was a thing. Whoever reported about stuff in my life, thank you, but as someone who has been doing the same stuff the entire time I’ve been there, nothing has changed. Thanks for the promotion. I hope I get a raise. If I was head of creative, Moose is losing the title to me at the next show. Book myself on top, brother. It’s the same deal as before. Nothing has changed within the creative process.”
-Tommy Dreamer
TNA talent were seemingly very unhappy with D’Amore’s dismissal, issuing a collective letter to Anthem expressing their frustrations and concerns about the decision that can be found here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the future of TNA following Scott D’Amore’s contract termination as soon as we hear more.
H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
