TNA wants to show NXT whose turf they are stepping on.
NXT Showdown is set to take place on Tuesday night. The lineup features several NXT/TNA crossover matches, including a men’s and women’s Survivor Series rules elimination matches. TNA President Carlos Silva spoke with WrestleZone about his expectations for event, as well as how the roster and title picture have somewhat complicated things.
Bragging rights are on the line, but those seem to be the only stakes. Silva was asked if he could see something else being put up for grabs, like a potential wager with NXT’s Shawn Michaels. He said it’s certainly an interesting question, but praised the working relationship the two sides have had to date. Silva says it will be interesting to see how everything plays out. He said the show will be full of high energy and twists and turns, which makes for an exciting night.
TNA is ready for a turf war
“It is interesting because even the lineup and the choosing of sides and teammates, was very sporting and team-oriented. So I thought it was good to see. I thought it was great with Shawn coming out at the end and laying his eyes on the situation. All I can tell you is we’ve been doing a lot of stuff together. The NXT people have been great to work with. I think all the TNA-ers have been great to work with. But TNA’s gotta go in there and do exactly what I think all of the talent was saying, which is ‘defend the TNA turf.’
“And I think that’s what’s gonna happen at Showdown next Tuesday night, I’ll be there, so I’m looking forward to it. I think the energy is gonna be big. And there’s some interesting crossover with certain athletes and talent on each side being either former WWE NXT, holding a belt and even the other side with Trick being an NXT star holding the TNA belt. So it will be interesting to see how everyone defends their turf.”
Carlos Silva on Ash By Elegance’s future in TNA
One big surprise was NXT’s Kelani Jordan winning the TNA Knockouts Championship. Her win was set up by a more shocking moment, as Ash By Elegance vacated the title due to not being cleared to compete. Silva was asked if TNA had talked with her about remaining as an on-air personality or what the future of the Elegance Brand is. Silva said Ash always has a home in TNA. He also appreciates what she did as champion in the short time she held the title.
“Ash and I had a nice set of time when we were recently together in Edmonton [for TNA Victory Road]. What I can tell you is exactly what everyone has said; she’s not medically cleared to wrestle. And so, she’s going to step away. But I think she’s really appreciative of TNA, appreciative of the locker room and working with all of us. I told Ash that she’s got a home here at TNA, whenever she decides, whenever it all gets sorted out; she knows that.
“And so we’ll continue to do stuff with Ash and talk about it and figure it out as a good teammate. And she’s great. I think she’s brought just some great energy and attitude to the ring. And her having the TNA belt, I know it was a short time, but I think it did elevate everything. The Elegance Brand got elevated. We hope she’s not going to go too far away and we’ll be able to do some stuff together. But I think we just have to give her a little bit of time. And she knows that she can pick up the phone and call or text us anytime, so we can figure it out.”
TNA is a phone call away
Pritchard noted that Ash also did a great job of promoting the TNA brand, and it would be good to at least see her stay on as a brand ambassador. It was also noted that despite her stepping away from competition, Silva sounded more optimistic that fans could see her back in the ring.
“Oh, yeah. No, I mean, I couldn’t have said it the same way. Ash and I gave each other a hug when she made her announcement in the ring. [We] sort of said all the same things there to each other. We’re here. She knows she can call us and trust us with whatever direction she wants to go in and we’ll try and sort it out together. That’s what you do for good teammates.
“She’s a great teammate, and you’re right. She’s done a great job with media, and she just always brings it. These things happen, but there’s always—we all have little ‘left-hand turns’ on our journey that sometimes are unexpected. She’ll sort through it, and she knows she can call us.”
NXT Showdown airs live on The CW at 8 pm EST.
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