Summary

Carlos Silva says TNA's recent decisions around AEW-related independent bookings came down to protecting the company, not answering critics.

Silva addressed the controversy after Leon Slater and Nic Nemeth were pulled from independent matches against AEW talent during WrestleMania week. Slater had been set to face Ricochet, while Nemeth was scheduled for a match with MJF. At the time, Silva cited partner conflicts.

The issue picked up even more attention after Will Ospreay publicly criticized the decision. It later spilled into another round of back-and-forth when MJF fired back at Silva's earlier comments.

Quote from Carlos Silva

While speaking with Josh Martinez on Superstar Crossover, Silva said:

"I don’t know if I need to really respond. Business is business. Every pro wrestling business is going to protect themselves, and we’re going to continue to do that. What I would say to the fans is, I got a lot of heat, and it’s okay. The fans can bring the heat, but there is only one reason that I did it, and that was to protect TNA and have our house protected. If people are going to come at us, we’re going to do thing to protect TNA. We were asked when we were looking at our TV deal, ‘What would be the best night?’ We started looking at all the nights and we said, ‘Everyone has their nights. We’re on Thursday night. We should be on Thursday night.’ So, if someone is going to come onto Thursday night against us, we’re going to take that seriously. If someone is going to block us from going into a venue because they are not allowed to talk to us because another organization is there, we’re going to take that seriously. That’s the kind of stuff that happens. When I hear all of the chatter, I smile. It’s okay. Will Ospreay and everyone can come at me, but we’re going to do what’s best for TNA, our champions, and the fans."

What Silva's comments mean for TNA and AEW

Silva tied TNA's stance directly to the company's move to Thursdays, saying the night was chosen deliberately during its television discussions with AMC. That gives his response a larger business angle than a one-off booking dispute.

It also keeps the TNA-AEW friction alive beyond the original WrestleMania week controversy. AEW Collision has aired on Thursdays multiple times this year, and it went head-to-head with TNA iMPACT for the first time since iMPACT moved to AMC on April 2.

Sources

Carlos Silva while speaking with Josh Martinez on Superstar Crossover