TNA Wrestling’s huge AMC debut was expected to mark a fresh new chapter—but not everyone on the roster could make the curtain. While Steve Maclin’s absence raised eyebrows, new backstage details explain why he wasn’t the only one missing from Thursday night’s premiere.
Fightful Select reports that a number of talents were absent due to visa issues that didn’t get resolved in time. Among those affected was Dani Luna, as well as a few agents who were also unable to make the trip.
The January 15 episode of TNA iMPACT! aired live from the Curtis Culwell Center in Texas and served as the promotion’s debut on AMC and AMC+, offering fans a chance to tune in without jumping through hoops like they did during the AXS TV era.
While Xia Li and The IInspiration were not among the absentees—since they reside in Orlando—some big names weren’t as fortunate. The visa holdup put a damper on what was otherwise a historic moment that featured major names like AJ Styles, Nic Nemeth, and Matt Hardy returning to the TNA stage.
Despite the missing names, TNA still delivered a stacked show with marquee matches and surprises aimed at setting the tone for its new era on mainstream TV. But with notable faces absent, fans are left wondering how soon those talents will appear—and how these absences might affect early storylines and momentum.
Stay tuned to Ringside News for live play-by-play coverage and post-show results.
What do you think about these visa delays? Will the absences impact TNA’s rollout on AMC? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
