TNA icon Gail Kim sacked by company as decision branded 'most baffling' in wrestling

Gail Kim was among a number of leadership team departures announced on Tuesday by TNA Wrestling, including 7-time Knockouts Champion and long-time wrestling producer Gail Kim

21:25, 25 Mar 2025

Gail Kim has been let go by TNA to huge uproar from fans(Image: Impact Wrestling)

Long-time TNA Wrestling producer Gail Kim is one of several people who were laid off on Tuesday (March 25), a decision which fans have called the most baffling.

TNA announced a number of departures from its leadership team, including the 7-time Knockouts champion and esteemed producer Kim.

Anthem, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's parent company, sent out a company email noting the leadership changes. It said they were also letting go of Senior Vice President of Content, Distribution and Marketing Ariel Shnerer, as well as Chief Revenue Officer Rob Kligman and Michael Shewchenko, who was on the digital team.

The decisions have sent shockwaves through the wrestling community.

[Gail Kim]

Anthem, TNAs parent company, sent out a company email noting the leadership changes(Image: TNA)

In the email announcing the news, Anthem said: "Gail has had a long and storied career in TNA as both a champion wrestler and a part of the TNA leadership team.

"Gail has been a powerful presence in our locker room, supporting our talent and their great performances."

Ariel Shnerer was apparently very hands on with the current partnership deal with WWE, a TNA talent told The Takedown on SI.

Other Anthem team members that have been dismissed include Karen Clevett, Sebastian Dastranj, Romy Glazer and Rafael Morffi.

Shirleigh on X said: Gail Kim is THE reason women's wrestling turned a corner in the late 2000s.

Firing one of the best minds in wrestling is actually insane.

Wrestling reporter at Fightful.com Sean Ross Sapp said: Firing Gail Kim is one of the most baffling decisions I've seen a wrestling company make from a personnel standpoint.

[Gail Kim]

Other Anthem team members that have been dismissed include Karen Clevett, Sebastian Dastranj, Romy Glazer and Rafael Morffi(Image: Getty Images)

She's one of the most respected people in wrestling, and an instant "in" to have a conversation with almost any talent you want because of the respect she carries.

Pro wrestling is desperately lacking female leadership and influence in creative, talent relations, booking, agenting roles.

Some fans are anticipating a sale.

One X user said: Wow. Feels like they are just going to sell the company to WWE in the end. So much change."

Another added: I pray to God TNA isnt being sold.

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Too many wrestlers under contract that will be without jobs epecially at a time we get to see TNA talent on NXT that WWE wouldnt bring in.

A source told the Daily Star that TNA owners are looking to sell the company to WWE and probably will in the long-term. These rumours are yet to be confirmed by TNA.

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