Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Santino Marella says TNA gives wrestlers more creative freedom
Santino Marella says TNA gives wrestlers more creative freedom than WWE and AEW.
He made the comments in an interview with We R Wrestling, discussing how TNA’s shows are produced.
Marella says TNA has fewer writers and producers, giving performers more room to develop their characters and promos.
He compared this approach with wrestling’s past, when performers often wrote their own promos.
Television still requires quality control, he said, including checks to avoid content that could offend sponsors.
Marella has worked as TNA’s on-screen Director of Authority since 2023 and previously spent nearly 11 years with WWE.
He recently re-signed with TNA for another year, and the promotion’s creative approach remains a point of difference he highlights.
Santino Marella says TNA gives wrestlers more creative freedom than WWE and AEW.
He says TNA is not overproduced and has fewer writers and producers.
Marella says wrestlers have more room to develop their characters and promos.
He also says television requires quality control to avoid offending sponsors.
Marella re-signed with TNA in October for another year.
- Who
- Santino Marella, TNA’s on-screen Director of Authority.
- What
- He said TNA gives wrestlers more creative freedom than WWE and AEW.
- When
- The interview date is not stated. Articles about his comments were published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- In an interview with the We R Wrestling Podcast.
- Why
- He believes creative freedom is one of TNA’s strengths and lets wrestlers develop their characters.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Marella re-signed with TNA Wrestling for another year.
Fightful published an article about Marella’s comments.
Wrestling Observer published an article about Marella’s comments.
- Promotion
- TNA Wrestling
- Comparison
- WWE and AEW
- Writers
- Marella said TNA does not have 15 writers.
- Producers
- Marella said TNA does not have 15 producers.
- Contract
- Re-signed for another year in October 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
TNA is not overproduced. We don’t have 15 writers. We don’t have 15 producers. We have more freedom.
The individuals in the ring have a little more freedom
You’re on television, you’re on a network. You have to- there has to be some quality control.