Impact Wrestling President Scott D’Amore has answered the question wrestling fans are asking the most about the return of TNA.
As seen at the end of Bound For Glory, a video package confirmed that Impact will be reverting back to the TNA name in 2024. Along with the overwhelming positivity regarding the news, many are asking if the iconic six-sided ring will also be making a comeback.
D’Amore was part of a media call on October 24th to discuss the next steps of the promotion. When asked about the return of the hexagonal ring, D’Amore confirmed that it would not be coming back, rightfully prioritising athlete safety as the reason:
“The six-sided ring question comes up all the time, I get it, I was in the ring when the six-sided ring was brought in. I know it has its supporters. The fact is, at the end of the day, almost to a person, the athletes that have performed in the six-sided ring don’t prefer it. They say it’s harder on the body, it creates more injury, and more than injury, it creates more wear and tear on the body.
Doing it night after night is harder on the body. We’re happy to have conversations about how to make the product look the best, but one of the things, unwaveringly, that we’re not willing to negotiate on or compromise is the athlete’s health and safety. We’re going to be a four-sided ring.
I know that disappoints a lot of people, but my respectful and honest question to that is, ‘do you really love the six-sided ring more than you love ensuring the health and safety of the men and women who get in the ring and put their health on the line? Do you want to make a more dangerous situation for them?’ It’s wrestling, never say never, there could be changes in the future. It’s a simple one for us, athlete safety is number one, so we have four sides. Take that off the table and anything else is possible,”
H/t to Fightful.
Featured image: The Sportster
