TNA veteran Moose says new TV deal will make British professional the following breakout star
EXCLUSIVE: TNA Wrestling had a huge 2025 and 2026 looks like it could be even bigger with a major new tv deal and a returning legend to kick off the year – and its long-time stars are excited for it
Moose is a former X Division Champion(Image: TNA WRESTLING)
Veteran TNA wrestler Moose says the company’s new TV deal feels like “redemption” for its long-time stars who have been through “highs and lows” over the years.
The former heavyweight champion, 41, has been with the company for a turbulent decade, which has included changes of ownership, financial struggles and a high turnover of talent.
But in an exclusive interview with your Daily Star, he said he felt that 2025 had been TNA’s best ever – and 2026 could be even bigger.
The company will kick off the year with a bang when its flagship show iMPACT! airs this Thursday on its new US TV home of AMC, a cable channel with more than 60 million subscribers.
He told us: “I think, speaking for everyone on the roster, it’s a very exciting time. Especially for guys like myself, Eddie Edwards, Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian, guys who have been in the company for a decade and longer, we’re really looking forward to it.
“We’ve been through the ups and the lows so this is almost like redemption. We’re excited about it. I can’t wait. I feel like the lows was everything from when I signed until about Covid was definitely the low period of my experience with TNA.
“I think the highs was from us going from Impact Wrestling to where we are now. And on January 15 in Dallas, it’s going to start a new generation of TNA. A bigger generation of TNA and I’m looking forward to it.”
Former professional NFL player Moose, real name Quinn O. Ojinnaka, said the low points make the current good mood around the company even sweeter, adding: “You can’t have a testimony if you don’t have a low period. I’m very excited for this.
“I’m excited for the guys that are the OG OGs, like Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian. I’m speechless. I wish you could feel how I feel every time I think about the AMC move, it’s such an exciting time for the company. I can’t wait.
“I think 2025 was the biggest year of my career. Some people would say last year was the best year TNA has had since the beginning. I’m just looking forward for what 2026 brings now that we’re going on a network like AMC, which is in 60 million homes.”
TNA legend AJ Styles will be returning to the company for the first iMPACT! of the new era at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. The stacked event will be see Frankie Kazarian defend the TNA World Championship against former champion Mike Santana.
And Moose revealed he’d love to work with TNA original Kazarian, telling us: “I’ve never touched or worked with Frankie Kazarian and that’s crazy because we’ve both been in the company for a long time.
“Another name that comes to mind is Agent Zero. He’s been doing phenomenal since he came to TNA. He had an all-star showing in a 10-man tag match at Bound For Glory. I’d love to do something with him.”
And he tipped Bradford-born Leon Slater to be the next breakout star who will wow new fans this year. He told us: “I think the next big thing in TNA is definitely Leon Slater. I can’t wait until we get on AMC and see how the new fans can take what he does.
“He’s not a huge star yet, but he is definitely on track to be one and the sky is the limit. He has the opportunity to be the next AJ Styles of TNA, so I’m looking forward to watching his journey and seeing how great he does.
“I feel like for a guy who’s only been wrestling for three or four years, he does all the small things right. He’s naturally gifted athletically and I could praise him all day for the things that he does. He’s the next big deal.”
Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC debuts January 15, 2026 at 9/8c in the US. Fans in the UK can watch on the TNA+ app, which can be downloaded here, and also includes access to the full TNA content library for just £9.99 a month or £99.99 for the year.
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