10 People Most Responsible For TNA's Failure

8. John Gaburick

Hulk Hogan
YouTube

John Gaburick is a former WWE Vice President of Television Production who had a brief on-screen role in Tough Enough’s early seasons, and left the company in 2013. He was handed a job by TNA a few months later, and while he largely stays out of the public eye, his name is constantly dragged through the mud whenever former employees criticise the company.

Jim Cornette once described him as someone who has “never booked a fart after dinner at Taco Bell,” and “an out of work friend of Kevin Dunn who was given a pity job producing Tough Enough.” AJ Styles accused him of not knowing how to negotiate, and blamed him for the failed contract talks leading to AJ’s eventual departure. Frankie Kazarian, Christopher Daniels, Awesome Kong: the list of talents who ripped into the man on their way out of the company is almost endless.

It’s no coincidence that Gaburick’s tenure has coincided with Styles, Daniels, Samoa Joe, and countless other big names leaving the company. As TNA’s head of Talent Relations, all reports suggest that Gaburick has had a hugely destructive influence on TNA roster, and while it’s often safest to take Cornette with a pinch of salt, the sheer number of voices who’ve spoken out against him says it all.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.