TNA President Carlos Silva Says If Young TNA Talent Wants To Go To WWE, He’ll Help Them Get There

Carlos Silva’s outlook on the topic.

Joining Jonathan Coachman and Nic Nemeth for a recording of Off The Ropes was TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva.

The focus of the chat was the partnership between WWE and TNA, and the conversation came up about TNA talents possibly making the jump to WWE. Silva started by speaking about retaining talent, TNA not being a feeding ground, and making sure it becomes a destination.

He stated that he’s focused on retaining those who have brand names and equity backstage amongst the talent roster because that is how younger talents like Leon Slater are encouraged to join the promotion. He knows there will be younger talents who may have an interest in joining WWE, and if that is the case, he’ll help them get there.

Silva added that he knows those talents would continue supporting TNA and might come back in the future.

“Yeah, I think it’s both. I think it’s a little bit of both. You gotta extend and protect the talent that is foundational. I mean, one of the guys on the line here is with us in Nic (Nemeth). I mean, Nic brings foundational talent, history to TNA. Obviously, The Hardys do it and showed that last night (at NXT vs. TNA Showdown). A bunch of the other guys in the ring yesterday as well. I mean, whether it’s Frankie Kazarian, Moose, you could continue to list them. They’re super important because they’re recognized, they have brands, they have fans that follow them, know their walkouts and celebrate with them, and those guys and gals are so important because then they help to bring along talent like Leon Slater, and a bunch of others. The list goes on but as I see what The Hardys have done with Leon and the way they talk to him — being an athlete myself and really knowing and remembering my coaches that took care of me, I see the same sort of backstage stuff… when it comes out of Nic and The Hardys and Matt Cardona and Frankie and so many, and they all listen. They’re dialed in when they get the feedback from those athletes that have been in the ring for so long. It’s so important so I think we gotta be cultivating both sides. TNA is an interesting platform because we can bring and provide a new platform for legends that have already been in the game for 10 and 15 years-plus. But then we can also help to bring on the young talent. Look, is that talent at times gonna leave? Is that talent gonna wanna go to WWE if they’re younger talent? They are and I’ve said it and I’ve said it in our — Nic knows this, I will be the person that will help them as well, if that’s the path that is great. I also know that they’re gonna continue to support TNA and maybe come back to TNA some day, to continue creating this engine, and that’s how we’re gonna continue to operate.”

Next up on the docket for TNA is their final slate of televised programming before Bound For Glory, and that is the 10/9 edition of TNA iMPACT. Bound For Glory is scheduled for Sunday, October 12th, in Lowell, Massachusetts.

If the quote in this article is used, please credit Off The Ropes with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.