Real Reason TNA Aren't Bringing Back The Six-Sided Ring

Total Nonstop Action will soon be a part of our lives once again as it was revealed in the closing moments of the Bound For Glory pay-per-view that IMPACT Wrestling would be returning to its original name of TNA Wrestling from Hard to Kill on January 13, 2024. 

Along with the new/old name, there will be plenty of changes to TNA but one iconic element of the promotion in the six-sided ring won't be making a comeback, IMPACT President Scott D'Amore confirmed during an interview with Tom Hannifan. 

D'Amore also revealed why the promotion won't be bringing back the six-sided ring, saying: 

"The six-sided ring question comes up all the time, I get it, I was in the ring when the six-sided ring was brought in. I know it has its supporters. The fact is, at the end of the day, almost to a person, the athletes that have performed in the six-sided ring don't prefer it. They say it's harder on the body, it creates more injury, and more than injury, it creates more wear and tear on the body. Doing it night after night is harder on the body. We're happy to have conversations about how to make the product look the best, but one of the things, unwaveringly, that we're not willing to negotiate on or compromise is the athlete's health and safety.

"We're going to be a four-sided ring. I know that disappoints a lot of people, but my respectful and honest question to that is, 'Do you really love the six-sided ring more than you love ensuring the health and safety of the men and women who get in the ring and put their health on the line? Do you want to make a more dangerous situation for them?' It's wrestling, never say never, there could be changes in the future. It's a simple one for us, athlete safety is number one, so we have four sides. Take that off the table and anything else is possible."

The six-sided ring was a staple of TNA from 2004 until it was infamously retired in 2010. The ring was then revived briefly between 2014 and 2018 until it was retired once again.

While the ring won't return, TNA will have a new look and feel from Hard To Kill 2024. 

"I know the fans have been waiting for a new set, and some have been waiting very patiently and some have been waiting a little less patiently than others, and it all comes from a point of passion. We're hard at work designing a new look and new feel for TNA to both honour our history but also to be forward thinking and forward moving," D'Amore said.

H/T to Fightful