TNA and its parent company have framed the moves as a workforce reduction aimed at profitability. Matt Hardy said on his Extreme Life podcast that talent is leaving because they are being offered per-night deals, and that president Carlos Silva's role is to streamline money and maximize profit.

Callihan told Busted Open he believes his exit was a straight-up money thing despite the work he did coaching, producing, and promoting Impact and TNA PPVs, saying the company lost a lot of money. Hardy disputed that financial picture and addressed speculation that TNA's cost-cutting could be in advance of a WWE purchase similar to last year's Lucha Libre AAA deal.

So financially, TNA is okay. We're not about to be bought by WWE right now. I know that's the rumor. I think down the road in a few years that [could] happen, whatever. But right now that is not happening.

Longtime WWE employee Brian "Road Dogg" James, who is also connected to current WWE executives Triple H and Shawn Michaels, reportedly could take Dreamer's place in TNA creative. Silva may have been working on that move before this week's departures, with WWE encouragement. James was described as a very fundamentals style booker who would do that product a lot of good, and enthusiastic when dealing with talent.

Eric Bischoff said on his 83 Weeks show he no longer thinks TNA will pass AEW to become the number two wrestling company, and now believes the promotion is finally about to go down.

WWE jumped in, tons of talent and press, oh my gosh, new TV deal, yes, I believed at that point TNA could become the #2 organization under those circumstances. Clearly those circumstances don't exist. What does it say to me? One step closer to the grave.