As reported earlier on the site, James Storm’s contract with TNA ends tomorrow after Slammiversary, as does that of Magnus. In the case of both men, they went to TNA management and asked to be let out of their deals due to the fact that TNA runs far fewer shows than they have in the past, meaning they are making a lot less money.
Storm and Magnus have opportunities to work in other places and both wanted to be able to do so and make money for their families. To their credit, TNA management understood the new reality that the company faces, as less shows equal less money for the talents, and they let both men out of their deals. At this point, TNA is largely a wrestling company that produces a TV show as opposed to a full on wrestling company that does live events as well, and they are changing the way that they operate to reflect the new reality of what their business is.
The current plan is to have both men come back and work the tapings and be members of the promotion’s TV shows, while being able to find other work to supplement their TNA work. Obviously, if WWE wanted to make a run at either man, they could do so and TNA realizes that. They decided to take the risk of that happening due to the respect that they have for both men. I applaud them for that. They didn’t have to let them out of their deals but they did the right thing as the circumstances around the company changed since the contracts were put in place.
Austin Aries will also see his contract expire after tomorrow’s show so he will be in the same situation as the men above. TNA also wants to work with him in the future.
