Impact Wrestling leadership scouting UK talent as company's new era begins
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Impact Wrestling 's new leadership are visiting the UK this week during what promises to be a very exciting time for the company.
The revamped promotion's latest episode has been billed as the beginning of a new era for the organisation, following a turbulent 2017.
Impact’s executive committee Ed Nordholm, Scott D’Amore and Don Callis made the trip across the pond to seek out new opportunities.
The new regime has already made some big changes in just over a month in control, including overseeing the departure of several key stars.
But the team has also acquired major independent names including Brian Cage and a new Impact World Heavyweight Champion, Austin Aries .
The trio spoke to Mirror Sport's Tony Quant about their trip to the UK, key changes within the company, reflecting on 2017, looking forward to 2018 and much more.
What brings you all to the UK?
Scott D’Amore (SD): It's important for us, we are wrapping up month one of a new management team and the UK has historically been such a vital part of this company's success and we acknowledge that the UK has to play a big role in the company's success going forward. We are here to meet with people and potential partners on the UK scene.
We already have an amazing TV partner in 5 Spike and have done many live events in the past. Doing live events in the UK is in our plans in the future. When we do re-enter the market in live events, we want to be able to make informed decisions on those things.
Are there any specific UK talents you are looking at while on your trip?
SD: There is as much talent in UK as I think there has ever been. It's pretty rare to see all three members of a senior management team come over together, but one of the things we are doing is seeing a bunch of events because it's important for us to see the talent in a live environment. Because you can watch them on a computer screen and get a feel, but you certainly get a different feel in a live environment and getting to meet them.
Some talents we are meeting with and getting to know a bit and [seeing] how we can look to incorporate them into our product. We are looking at some UK talent... who are they? I guess you have to keep tuning into Impact Wrestling to find out.
Last year you made history breaking into the India market. Is that also a market which you will continue to look to build upon and grow in 2018?
Ed Nordholm (EN): The taping in India last year was a watershed moment for the company. We were the first professional wrestling company to broadcast from India. Measured by our YouTube views we have India as our second largest market. Everybody knows it's a great market on many levels and a market we intend to find a way to address better than we have.
SD: The days of distinct territories is over, we all exist in one territory, it's a global one. India, UK, China, Japan are all our territories.
Looking forward, what does success look like in 2018 for Impact Wrestling?
EN: Success for 2018 is relatively modest. Success is that we started and each week will be a little better. Aspirations are to build slowly but surely, build trust, re-establish there is a product that people can come and see. From a product perspective, I don’t think there is going to be a watershed moment, where there will be a big reveal. It's going to be incremental successes. As we are here today, we do want to reestablish ourselves in the UK market, build on what we did last year in India, but both of those will be modest.
Don Callis (DC): Globally speaking, by the end of 2018 we want the product to be a destination for wrestling fans. I don’t think it's been that for a while quite frankly. I don’t think there has been a buzz or cool factor for the product. We are going to rely on talent and our ability to put them in the best position possible for success, so that at the end of 2018, there is a buzz about the product. Once you have that buzz you have fan engagement and then a lot of good things can happen after that.
(Image: Impact Wrestling)
You recently announced a partnership with Twitch. While it's still early days, what has the feedback been like from them and how have you found the response from fans on the content available via Twitch?
EN: It’s been very strong. As you say it’s still very early days but its lived up to our expectations, if not exceeded them. It will be a great platform for us to distribute content and expand on the type of content we produce and make available and also provide a different style to our fans. So aside from having a monthly house style show which will be exclusive to Twitch we will also have weekly events behind the scenes with our talents. This is not straight up Wrestling content, its genuine connection with our talent in a very unique distribution platform.
Has the partnership with Twitch reduced your subscribers to your Global Wrestling Network app?
EN: Actually quite to the contrary since the launch. The app got launched and we are encouraged by how that has been taken up. Since the Twitch channel launch I think it's just got that little extra push into the market and we have seen the pace of take ups on the app increase. They are both very different products but both are opportunities for our fanbase to be able to see the content when they want, how they want and where they want.
One change you have implemented is breaking news as it happens at live events. The first example of this was when Austin Aries won the Impact Championship. Is this something we can expect to see more of?
SD: I mean we are looking at it and evaluating everything. No matter what happens whether we report it or not, it's getting out there immediately. That was such a watershed moment to us that we thought it was important for us to get out and do it. You know lots of people responded positively to it. We are going to be careful of how we put stuff out there, to be cognisant of how people like to view the show.
Given that it is a taped show, how do you respond to those who say why would they watch it, when the results are freely available weeks in advance?
SD: I mean I think there are lots of shows that are taped and are out there. One of the things we have to do is be cognisant of how we run this company as a business. If you look at the past there was a snap decision made to get out with live shows and with all due respect, that decision led to some hard times with the company. We have to be responsible and business savvy with how we approach everything. One thing that has been proven, even with taped shows, is that if you put out compelling content, then people are going to follow it.
(Image: Impact Wrestling)
DC: When results get out, it's not just 'so and so beat so and so', therefore I will not watch this because I know. The other information that gets out is that 'so and so had a kickass match with so and so'. So it can have the total opposite effect. You don’t ever want to say wins and losses don’t mean anything, but there is a portion of the new reality of pro wrestling that is 'must see' match, 'must see' spot and so that's the flipside of those results going out.
Looking at the current Impact roster, you have boosted it with really exciting names such as Austin Aries and Brian Cage. Who do you guys see as the next big names to take Impact Wrestling forward?
DC: I think there are two versions of that in a sense. There's one which is the obvious one and that's the guys we have brought in who we clearly hold in high regard. But there are also people who have been here for a while, Rosemary for example, who perhaps weren’t handled in the best way possible in the past. Part of our job as a creative team is to create the infrastructure and support system and promotional machine that can take that raw talent to a new level. We will look at people like Allie, Eddie Edwards and say 'what can we do to take them to the next level?'
(Image: © Impact Wrestling)
As we wrap things up, on reflection looking back at 2017 what were the highlights for Impact Wrestling?
EN: Where would I begin with that? Day one we took over the operation January 1st and I am not a wrestling guy by background and we began a whirlwind tour from there. The highlights would be hard to say, whether it be the TripleMania events with Triple A and building that relationship... In September Scott and I spent a week bromance in Tokyo. Slammiversary was a great event for Impact and being able to bring it home to Canada for Bound for Glory. I would be hard pressed to choose which what was the key highlight of a dramatic year.
You can watch Impact Wrestling every Friday from 10pm on 5 Spike.
The channel can be found on Freeview 31, Freesat 141, Sky 160 and Virgin Media 154.
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