Sami Callihan ‘kind of went off’ on Zoom call after being fired by TNA
During the Zoom call where he was fired by TNA, Sami Callihan vocally stated his case for why the company was making a bad decision.
Callihan was fired from his behind-the-scenes role this week in what TNA called a “workforce reduction.” While appearing on Busted Open Radio, Callihan detailed what the day was like. When he found out that Tommy Dreamer and TNA were parting ways, Callhan thought he might be getting added to creative. There were talent in TNA who texted Callihan that they wanted him in the role, and TNA informed him of an afternoon conference call that they wanted him on.
He initially thought this would be his long-awaited move to creative, but Callihan started to rethink that when he saw who would be in the meeting. Callihan realized that this was either going to be the highest of highs with him being promoted or the lowest of lows with him getting fired.
“So I get on the Zoom call and they start talking. I was like, in my mind, I’m like, maybe this is still, maybe I’m getting added,” Callihan said. “And then it came to, ‘We’re sorry, we’re gonna have to part ways.’ And I kind of went off. I am not one of the people that usually goes off like this. I tried not to be very profanity-laced. And I don’t think it was a thing of screaming or yelling, but I stated my case.
“The people on that call were like, ‘Oh, well, this is this.’ I was like, ‘Well, you’re gonna listen to me now.’ Like, I’ve given my life to that company. There has been multiple times where I could have left that company. I broke my leg for that company. I was World Champion for that company. I love TNA. I didn’t in particularly want to go work for another company at the time. Like, TNA was my end-all, be-all at the end of the day. And anyone can say that. I knew that company, I feel like almost better than anybody, from the wrestling to the production to everyone there. And I had good relationships with everyone.”
Callihan unsuccessfully tried to advocate for himself, telling management that they were making a terrible mistake.
“And I stated my case. I was like, ‘Hey, this is why I think you’re making a terrible mistake. This is why I think this isn’t happening right now. I am not the guy.’ And I was told as part of that workplace reduction act, and I went, ‘That should not be me.’ I was like, ‘That’s not me.’ I’m like, ‘That’s not me. That should not be me in a million years.'”
After the call, Callihan did send a text to TNA President Carlos Silva admitting that he should not have handled things this way, even if he does not agree with TNA’s decision.
Callihan thought he was going to be with TNA for life and believed that he would one day be among the people helping to run the company. He clarified that he was not just a producer for TNA. Callihan helped run the merchandise division, worked in the marketing department, and was an agent/producer.
The TNA creative team was headed up by Dreamer and Delirious (Hunter Johnston) prior to Dreamer’s departure, which was called a mutual decision between Dreamer and TNA. While not saying anything bad about Dreamer, Callihan told Busted Open that he did feel a creative overhaul was needed. He thinks pro wrestling in general needs to be more willing to embrace ideas from the younger generation. Since debuting on AMC, Callihan feels TNA has played it “so safe” creatively in a way that has been detrimental to the promotion.
“Why does pro wrestling have to be like that? Why can’t it be synergy?” Callihan asked when Bully Ray said older generations have never been willing to give up their spots in pro wrestling. “Why can’t one generation — and it doesn’t seem like this happens in wrestling, instead of being like, ‘Oh, I’m taking the keys from you.’ Why isn’t it, ‘Hey, I know professional wrestling from this generation. I’m extremely smart. I have all these connects. But this younger generation, they understand the analytics. They understand what a younger fan base wants.’ Why can’t that be meshed together into one perfect unit?”
TNA has discussed bringing in former WWE writer Brian “Road Dogg” James to join the creative team alongside Delirious, though that move has not been confirmed yet.
What’s next for Sami Callihan? —
Callihan described himself as a “Swiss Army knife” of pro wrestling who is capable of filling a number of different roles. He believes he has a good resume in the industry, a great understanding of modern wrestling, and is putting out lines to see where he’ll land next.
Along with that, Callihan runs Wrestling Revolver, which is one of the top indie promotions in the United States. He retired from active competition in August 2025 and isn’t particularly interested in getting back into the ring.
Callihan told Busted Open that Revolver is profitable and would be even more so if they weren’t screwed out of “a ton of money” by Triller TV with all of the financial issues Triller has gone through.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.