TNA Hall of Famer Velvet Sky recalls Dixie Carter’s infamous 2009 speech that left fans confused and talent irritated. When footage of the speech surfaced online recently, Sky, who was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame last month, spoke out very negatively about Carter’s speech and about Carter herself.
“I remember this day,” Sky wrote on X. “The consensus of the locker room and staff during this ‘meeting’ was not one single person gave a s*** what she was saying and we actually had to take time out of production day for this nonsense from her and it had to be filmed so she could have her ‘my way or the highway’ ego stroked even more. She was not well-received by most because of the way she treated people who could do nothing for her and the way she would talk down to people. Vile.”
One of Sky’s followers said it was stupid to do this segment “as a work.” Sky’s response: “None of what she said was a work.”
In November of 2009, TNA had publicly announced the signing of Hulk Hogan, but he had not yet appeared on their television show. It was a turbulent time in TNA, with several wrestlers reportedly requesting their releases. In that environment, Dixie Carter, who had rarely been seen on TNA television, opened Impact by laying down the law to her entire roster, who sat glumly in the stands.
“Nobody likes drastic change. Nobody likes big moves. I understand that. And it affects different people different ways. And while I respect that those of you out there that might have differing opinions of the decisions that I’m making, I expect you to support me 100%. When you question things in this company, you’re questioning me. And I cannot allow that to happen,” Carter said.
“Business is about choices,” she continued. “I’ve made the choice to put my finances, my reputation, my passion, my love behind each and every one of you and this company. And it’s time for you to do the same thing. You have a choice to make. You can choose to support me, you can choose to support the direction TNA is going, or you can choose not to. But you’ll need to find another place to work.”
Velvet Sky started with TNA in 2007 and was a regular part of the promotion through 2016. Carter’s parents purchased TNA in 2002, and she ran the company for 14 years before it was sold to Anthem Entertainment in 2017. TNA’s next live event is Turning Point, scheduled for November 14 in Orlando, Florida.
I remember this day. The consensus of the locker room and staff during this “meeting” was not one single person gave a shit what she was saying and we actually had to take time out of production day for this nonsense from her and it had to be filmed so she could have her “my way… https://t.co/EgoqsXyCjL
— Velvet Sky (@VelVelHoller) November 7, 2025
Dixie Carter's infamous talent speech aired 16 years ago today. pic.twitter.com/FIG9ynEQEx
— Garrett Kidney (@garrettkidney) November 5, 2025
