Dreamer discusses Trick Williams being the new TNA World Champion.
The main event of NXT's Battleground pay-per-view saw Joe Hendry defend the TNA World Championship against Trick Williams. In the end, Williams emerged victorious and for the first time, a WWE-contracted talent is in possession of a TNA Title.
TNA creative team member Tommy Dreamer discussed the title switch on Busted Open. He mentioned that in the lead-up to Battleground, there were holes in TNA's weekly show because they were taping for the future without knowing what the future entailed.
He spoke about how before Battleground, there were conversations about promoting Against All Odds on June 6th, but they did not know who the World Champion was going to be. Trick Williams is scheduled to defend the belt against Mike Santana on the 6/3 NXT, just days out from Against All Odds. Dreamer confirmed that there will be a TNA World Title match at Against All Odds.
“Like I said, it’s uncharted territory because you don’t know… There were holes left in the show because TNA had to tape back-to-back episodes before the (NXT) Battleground happened and you’re kind of taping what’s gonna happen in the future when you don’t know what’s going on creatively. It’s really hard. However, when you leave holes in your show also not to spoil stuff for the crowd, you have to go out of your way to do that because I mean, honestly, we just saw something get spoiled by the WWE where everyone was up in arms about it with something with AAA. But, you really have to go out of your way when things happen like that and also there’s things sometimes go out of your own control which sucks because if you make arrangements -- and I’m not talking about leaks -- I’m talking about stuff, like, whether it’s digital, whether it’s that… TNA has Against All Odds and we have to be like, ‘Well, who do we promote when we have two weeks going into this show of who’s gonna face who, without also giving it away to the crowd so it’s a lot of moving parts but, I will tell you this, the TNA World Title will be defended at Against All Odds. But, who is gonna be the talent to step up and bring that title home?... It happened before with AEW. A totally different time and totally different ramifications. So, it’s a thing."
Dreamer went on to state that he knows one talent who was initially penciled in to face Hendry for the TNA World Title at Against All Odds.
“I know one wrestler, like for Against All Odds was gonna be facing Joe Hendry for the World Title, and he has a gripe. He put it on social media.”
As for Williams being the champion, Dreamer heaped praise onto him. He added that one of his concerns is WWE wanting Williams on the main roster while he's still in possession of the title. He feels it could put the TNA World Title in flux.
“You know what else I fear? Or you have to think about? What if Trick (Williams) gets called up tomorrow? And then they say, well, he can’t defend it. Even though Trick said he wants to defend it but he has another boss. These are just telling you behind-the-scenes things, right? And so if he gets called up, then what? Do we have a new champ? Are they gonna vacate the title? These are all -- back of your mind, you have to think of. I love Trick, I love Trick’s work. I’ve been a fan since day one. I’ve loved his ascent to the top of the business. I think the TNA World Title being on Trick helps Trick, helps TNA, helps NXT…”
TNA's next TV broadcast is on 5/29. It is going to air live and the new champion Trick Williams is scheduled to appear.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit Busted Open with an H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.
