TNA is already getting side-eyed over all the backstage exits lately, and now the company’s Street Team tweet has somehow turned into another PR headache.
The company took to Twitter and posted that it is looking for fans in Boston, Albany, Philadelphia, and Chicago to help promote upcoming live events by hanging posters and handing out flyers. Pretty normal wrestling promo stuff, but the timing had people doing a double take.
“TNA Wrestling is expanding its Street Team and looking for motivated fans in Boston, Albany, Philadelphia & Chicago. Street Team members (must be 18+) will help promote upcoming TNA live events by hanging posters, distributing flyers, and more.”
Mara Sade was quick to point out that this was not some brand-new thing TNA suddenly cooked up during the current drama. According to her, the Street Team has already been part of the company’s usual event promotion.
“hope yall know this has BEEN a thing. Settle down kids lol”
That did not stop Paul Walter Hauser from questioning the timing of the post: “What in the actual-?” AJ Francis then jumped in to defend TNA, saying this has been normal business for the company for years.
“TNA has done that with the street team for every show for the entire 2 and a half years I’ve been in TNA and well before that…”
Hauser later clarified that his issue was not with street teams existing. It was the timing, because he felt it was incredibly tone deaf from a PR standpoint for TNA to post something like that following their recent departures.
“Oh, I don’t have a problem with street teams. That’s an entirely normal and familiar concept. It just felt tone deaf to put that out, from a PR standpoint, at this exact moment in time.”
The problem is that nothing TNA posts right now is being viewed in a vacuum. Luke Paron, a longtime TNA photographer, previously confirmed his time with the company is over.
“My time with TNA has come to an end. What a run, what a dream. I could go on for literally ever so I will just say this – thank you to everyone who made this experience what it was. I will never forget it. “…though I will miss flexing that I was co-workers with Jeff Hardy❤️”
That comes after Sami Callihan also parted ways, Tommy Dreamer exited as head of creative, Delirious took over the creative side, Tessa Blanchard secured her release, Steve Maclin left earlier this month, and Dani Luna and Myla Grace also exited earlier this year.
So, the Street Team tweet might have been business as usual. But when a company is already dealing with that much movement behind the curtain, even a flyer-hanging post can turn into a whole thing. Bottom line, TNA had people defending the post, but the reaction shows fans are watching the company’s every move right now. The bigger issue may not be the Street Team itself, but the fact that TNA’s current situation has made even routine announcements feel loaded.
Do you think TNA’s Street Team post was tone deaf, or did fans read too much into it? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.
