7 Big Questions Raised By GFW's Latest Financial Meltdown
3. Are Anthem Looking For A Way Out?
Anthem haven't even been in the wrestling business for a year yet, but may already be looking for a way out. Reports of GFW "haemorrhaging funds" have apparently shaken Ed Nordholm & co. up to the point where they feel they cannot turn the promotion into a profit-making enterprise, and are now looking to cut their losses and wash their hands of the business.
The company have seemingly had to gut their longstanding Fight Network channel to fund GFW. If this is true, and the financial troubles run as deep as has been suggested, then it's easy to understand why Anthem would want to escape, even though they've only owned the promotion for eight months.
Nordholm doesn't have a background in professional wrestling, and there have been constant whispers that he doesn't "get" the business throughout his tenure. This would explain the apparent tension between him and Jarrett, whose father, Jerry, brought him into the sport back in 1986.
It could be the case that Anthem have stepped into an industry they weren't familiar with, tried to turn a profit, and decided to flee at the first sign of major struggle. It'd be hard to fault them for this, though news of the upcoming Global Force Network streaming service suggests they may stick around.