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Chris Jericho interviewed the new Impact executive team Don Callis and Scott D'Amore on his podcast this week.
The pair discussed their history together, the business experience outside of wrestling that will help them see It from a different perspective and how Chris Jericho helped grease the wheels for the new regime to take hold of the company. Scott discusses the different vibe with the Len Asper and Anthem in charge. Don Callis says that he hopes he can help young talent like Paul Heyman and Terry Taylor helped him.
In regards to the big picture plans for the company, they want a roster that believes in the future creating a symbiotic relationship building the brand of Impact while also helping the talent with their brand as performers. This will bring back goodwill to Impact because the independent scene is so strong. There will still be contracts with Impact but it will be structured in a way that when they're not working dates for the company they can market the brand in other places.
Scott D'Amore realizes they can't run 250 dates a year so they want talent to work as much as possible. He says they want a roster of homegrown stars and established talent. They hope to do this by giving talent a creatively free platform that cultivates new stars.
Scott D'Amore says international is very big for the future of the company. He brings up their worldwide distribution deals. He states that the product has to be thought of globally not just a single wrestling booking style.
Don talks about the true economics of international business in China and India is very much different than in the US. But it is a possibile for professional wrestling to have believability in the business however it takes time. Callis talks about cultural differences in regards to content and live events.
Jericho asks about roster overhaul in which D'Amore answers by saying it's going to be a long process which will move people in other roles and see others part ways. When asked whether there will be a core group of talent on the roster, Callis answers bringing up All Japan in the 90s saying the company will have to find a balance in cycling in new talent and established stars of Impact. The pair says the company wants to be competitive but they're not going to be reactionary they want to worry about their own business.
The moving of Impact Wrestling to Canada is discussed. Don and Scott say that there are plans to shoot television and events in multiple different countries and markets in order to give the company an international feel.
When asked if Orlando TV tapings are done they say no. They state the first taping date is January 10 at Universal Studios, which is what PWInsider.com has previously reported.
In regards to what creative direction they want to take the company, Don says that they don't want to be "WWE lite". They don't want to overproduce talent. They want talent to be comfortable and find the originality and creativity that comes within. Callis says a good booker cannot tell you your character better than you can. But they want to help direct and push talents to find themselves. They say that they have full creative control, Anthem has a hands-off approach to the company.
Callis states he is a bigger picture thinker with an 18-month plan for the company. When asked about live events, Don states they have to build the brand and the excitement for the brand before really going out there on the road. But plans are in place. They say however that the size of the company allows them to be more nimble and fluid in the marketing for market unlike WWE tailoring promotion to different markets.
Don is asked about his NJPW duties and he says it's a sign of the new openness of Impact be able to work both jobs. D'Amore says the mission statement for the new company is to establish trust between performers. Callis states that is going to a culture shift in the right direction.
A really good interview.
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