What are your hopes for NJPW's western expansion? Do you want Impact to be a player in it?
everyone wants to do business with NJPW. We are focused on improving our product and positioning us where everyone will want to work with us. At that point many doors open. I think NJ has a unique product and if they stick to being unique they will do well in the US etc
I've been enjoying Impact since you and D'amore took the helm, it's been real good. Since the company has made a turn for the better recently, my question is where do you see Impact being by the end of the year? Do you have a plan of what direction you want to take the company?
by end of the year to be the company that everyone is talking about, with a cutting edge product both on POP and on Twitch.
I'm listening to the podcast right now. What has been the most challenging part of becoming co-Vice VP of Impact? What has been the most gratifying part?
we are a lean mean executive team (hey that rhymed) so we all get our hands in lots of different projects which is also what makes it cool
most gratifying part is working hands on with the great talent
I saw Scott D’Amore say how he wanted to push Trevor Lee in multiple divisions. I have to agree with him as I feel he is incredibly talented for his age. Do you feel the same way?
Trevor is excellent
What will Impact look like 1 year from now? Whats something you guys want to provide to wrestling fans with Impact that WWE doesnt?
like the hottest promotion in the world. i can't comment on what WWE does or doesn't provide only that we want to be the best
Would you be open to outside bands contributing their music for entrance themes with Impact Wrestling in the way thar ROH does?
How about some Fozzy songs?
I like Take That
Hey Don, how's the vibe in the back at Impact at the moment? I imagine it's been up and down over the years but it feels like there's a real optimism about the show at the moment, and it seems like it's heading in a great direction. Also, any funny backstage stories recently?
super positive! i think Ed set the tone wth the IP announcement and the talent sees the commitment from the whole team. funny story would be Tommy Dreamer continually trying to gross me out
I’m a big fan of tag team wrestling, and although Impact have tried their best to produce quality from the tag division over the years, I really wish Impact would stack the division with a lot of talented teams. Are there any plans to help revive the tag division in the near future?
I love tag team wrestling and a revitalized division is something to look forward to for sure!
Hi Don, I was wondering if you were given the opportunity which NJPW star would you love to bring even just for one appearance to Impact wrestling (other than Kenny Omega), and who would you have them wrestle against? Thanks.
great question..... I would book Takahashi against Sami Callahan
Is Slammiversary due to come back or are all the TNA brand PPVs due to be replaced?
Some kept some surprises! hit me up with some new names!
If the opponent and timing both fall into place, could there be an opportunity for Chris Jericho to have a one-off match for Impact Wrestling as a special attraction? (Much like how Jushin Liger faced Tyler Breeze at TakeOver)
well he does owe me a favour......
Has your MBA helped when it comes to dealing with the business side of dealing with running and promoting IMPACT and working with NJPW?
yup!
How did the Impact vs Lucha Underground show come to be? Whose idea was it, how much convincing did it take, can we expect more Impact vs Insert Promotion Here shows?
we are super open to working with everyone! break the old walls down!!
How do you view the current state of the Canadian market (viewership, social engagement, etc) and do see any major opportunities to gain more exposure here in the short term?
for sure. Canada is one of the best wrestling markets historically in the world. As Impact continues to ramp up we will see further engagement IMO
Does the new direction of Impact wrestling influenced by your experiences in New Japan? You did commentary on many of their shows and see the matches they have, the in ring action.
I feel that Impact Wrestling has changed since you took over: The in ring aspect has drastically improved with matches getting more time to tell a story. We also didn't see any "fuck finishes" to matches aka run ins or disqualifications which I also love.
So yeah did you transfer some of the in ring philosophy of New Japan's wrestling to Impact wrestling?
Btw great work on Impact.
my philosophies on finishes go back to watching All Japan in the mid nineties
How Did you feel your NWATNA Run went and any stories form that time period ?
it was fun! i wasn't booked well, but I didn't really care at that time. i still remember Dutch getting me to smoke a pipe and have a bow tie. Tremendous stuff!!
Hey! Years ago I remember you feuding with Erik Watts over control of TNA. At the end of that you won control of TNA but pretty quickly disappeared.
Seemed a bit weird to have you victorious and then write you off the show. Was there a story behind that?
WHEN you are top talent you have creative control!
Hi Don, great to have you doing the AMA. Do you think Jeff Jarrett going into the WWE HOF will benefit Impact in any way?
i like Jeff and wish him all the best. He was always very good to me when I was in TNA in 03-04
Hi Don,
I'm glad to see you working with Scott D'Amore again, you two were my favourite part of Border City Wrestling in 2001 and 2002. I'm wondering if your current partnership has you helping Scott with Border City Wrestling again and their new found partnership with Impact.
i am still the undefeated BCW tag champ!!!!
Hi Don, I'm a huge fan of your commentary work! If you could come back and manage one wrestler in any promotion who would it be and why?
i would manage Patron or Aries
What are you impressions about this friday show on twitch? How do you see the twitch partnership until now?
I love Twitch!!excited for this friday!!
Who is your favorite wrestler outside of NJPW?
Aries
Do you need a color commentator for Impact?
not sure where i could find a handsome top talent
Hi Don, great work at impact. Have two questions. Will we see a new commentary team for ppv and impact? Also will the wrestling be a bit stiffer in impact I notice it looks like everyone is a few steps behind faster matches would be awesome. Thanks Don
wait and see!!!! STIFFER AND FASTER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER. wrestling is about characters and telling a story and selling
Do you have a desire to use wrestling managers in a significant way on Impact Wrestling? With Jimmy Jacobs acting as the mouthpiece for Kongo Kong, and James Mitchell/Sinister Minister appearing on TV again, it seems managers might be an important part of the equation.
Also, if you could steal one talent from NJPW for Impact Wrestling, who would it be?
I like managers, but not managers who wrestle but I am a big believer in the heel manager concept as I grew up watching the great bobby heenan here in Wpg.
If i could steal one talent probably Tanahashi
Hi Don!
What has been the biggest challenge so far in your position as VP of Impact Wrestling?
writing television while floating in Scott's pool
Won't ask about NJPW but mainly TNA since this seems to promote TNA mainly.
What is your vision for TNA? We seen shows turn around within months (205 after HHH took over is a good example).
Good luck.
we want to be the hottest promotion in the world. connect better with fans and get folks talking
In retrospect, do you really think you gave the people what they wanted? If not, what did you do to get more in touch these days, as shown by Impact's turn around?
always try and please the fans
who's the strongest?
in the gym? BRIAN CAGE in smell: Drakkar Damore
Glad to hear of Impact's partnership with RISE recently, as regards the KO division, are there any plans to partner with any Japanese women's wrestling promotions such as TJPW or Ice Ribbon?
our policy is open to work with everyone!
Hey Mr. Callis. Thanks for the AMA. What can you tell us about where you want to take Impact Wrestling over the next few years?
hottest and coolest promotion on earth!!
Hi Don, I've been working in film/television, on and off screen, for 10 years and independent wrestling for 5 years as a manager and commentator. I want to work for and positively contribute at Impact Wrestling, but I'm not sure how to get my foot in the door. If there's any way you could point me in the right direction, I'd sincerely appreciate it!
send us a reel!
Hey Don, what do you think of modern day wrestling compared to wrestling of old? Would you still consider matches like Flair/ Steamboat classics today?
yes, absolutely. I liked 80s NWA-WCW the best
Don! What's the biggest money match that NJPW (either alone or with their partners, such as ROH) could put on at the next Wrestle Kingdom? Care to make your pick for the next big star in wrestling?
OMEGA IBUSHI SAMI CALLIHAN and Brian Cage
Any new international partnerships possible or in the works, any update on new japan and impact ?
like any good aspiring Bond villain I am all about global domination.
Is Impact going to get new commentary? Don West and Robert Flores were fantastic at Slammiversary and that was the only time in years(maybe since West and Tenay) that we had a good commentary team that enhanced the product
all in good time grasshopper
Love the podcast and you're one of my favorite commenters right now. What's it like to balance work for TNA and NJPW?
No problem. the jet lag allows me to work on Impact stuff at all hours!!
Hi, Don who is your favorite Women's wrestler at the moment?
Rosemary
Will the new belts be showcased at NOLA this week?
now that could spoil a surprise
Hey Don, any plans to change the arena presentation over the coming months or is everyone focused right now on what happens in the ring?
lots of changes still to come!
Was there something that TNA/IMPACT brought to the table in the past during it's "prime" that you'd want to either return or emphasize on more with your current product?
need to be cutting edge
Say Jericho was to wrestle in Impact who would be your dream program for him in Impact?
Callahan or Aries
Who is the leader of the locker room there? Is there an Undertaker type of leader that everyone knows is the Alpha male of the group?
Aries or Patron
Jim Cornette was the authority figure on Impact before the Canada Tapings. Jim is extremely entertaining on TV. You like Jim, I think. He is the type of authority figure that does not hog the show.
Any chance Jim comes back?
I love Jim. but authority figures are overdone. I was the second to do it in ECW and then did it in TNA and I thought it was overdone then and that was 2003!!
Do you think you can persuade Cody and the Young Bucks to return to Impact?
Cody has caused myself and Kenny and Kota a lot of distress so probably not
Who do you think is the best wrestler in the world? (Apart from Kenny Omega)
Aries.
Are there any particular aspects of Vince's vision of the business that you agree with?
making money
Opinions on Dixie Carter?
always pleasant to me
Weirdest interactions you’ve had in the past year with fellow wrestlers?
Calihan is a legit freakshow. no disrespect intended