IMPACT President sheds more light on AXS deal.
On Sept. 9, IMPACT Wrestling parent company Anthem made a big move, purchasing AXS TV and bringing IMPACT to the network. AXS TV had an established track record with wrestling and combat sports as it is the current home of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and Women of Wrestling. It also housed Ring of Honor during the HDNet era. Meanwhile, IMPACT was struggling to find a sustainable network for their weekly television show, recently settling into a Friday at 10 p.m. ET slot on Pursuit before the AXS purchase.
Speaking to David Penzer on the Sitting Ringside podcast, IMPACT President Ed Nordholm revealed Anthem purchasing IMPACT was about more than just finding a permanent home for IMPACT.
"The idea that we made a nine-figure purchase to buy a network for a television program, it would have been a lot cheaper just to buy time on some network if that's what we were doing. We didn't buy the network for wrestling, we bought a network because we like the network and it happened to be a good network for wrestling," he said.
With IMPACT's parent company owning a network that features other promotions like NJPW and WOW, many have wondered what the future is for both companies. Nordholm has ensured fans that IMPACT wants to make the best of the situation for all parties.
"We are in the middle of another season for WOW and we have the option on New Japan for next year, which I assume we'll exercise because there's no reason not to. Our view, since we got involved in the wrestling business, is we should all be working together to rise the tide for wrestling promotions smaller than the market leaders. We'll continue to work with New Japan, WOW, or anybody else."
When asked about a potential partnership with NJPW, he replied, "That's a wrestling decision where I would hope they would see the value for them and their presence in the United States. They have their existing relationships they need to work around and through, but hopefully we can find ways to work together, and not interfere in the relationships they have."
IMPACT premiered on AXS on Oct. 29 with an event headlined by Sami Callihan defeating Brian Cage to win the IMPACT World Title. You can find full results from the show by clicking here.
If you use any of the quotes above please credit Sitting Ringside with a h/t to Fightful for the transcription.