TNA Wrestling is introducing further adjustments to its on-screen presentation, with new guidelines reportedly issued to talent regarding specific in-ring actions. This development, reported by Fightful Select, follows a recent directive from the company for performers to scale back on the utilization of blood in matches.
According to the Fightful Select report, TNA’s talent relations department circulated a memo outlining the new changes. The memo stated that slaps will now require prior approval from an agent before being used in matches or segments. More stringently, the popular “throat slashing” gesture has reportedly been banned entirely. The report indicates that any talent performing the gesture will be subject to a $100 fine for each instance.
These new rules come shortly after TNA management addressed the use of blood in its programming. The company had requested that talent reduce the frequency of bleeding in matches, as there was a feeling that it had become somewhat overused.
In an interview conducted shortly after that initial directive on blood, TNA star Steve Maclin commented on the company’s reasoning. Maclin stated his belief that the decision to scale back on blood was a strategic move designed to make its use more impactful and meaningful when it does occur in significant storylines or matches.
The newly reported restrictions on slaps and the outright ban on the throat slash gesture suggest a continued effort by TNA to refine the creative presentation of its product, while appealing to a broader audience to attract more advertisers.
The banning of the throat slash gesture, a taunt used by numerous wrestlers across various promotions over the years to signify an impending finishing move or to intimidate an opponent, is a notable change.
