The debate over the TNA World Heavyweight Championship has intensified as Trick Williams, known for his success in WWE‘s NXT, continues to hold the top title. As the Slammiversary event draws near, industry veteran Bully Ray has raised concerns about whether Trick Williams TNA World Champion is in the best interest of the company, adding urgency to discussions among fans and insiders.
Bully Ray Weighs In on Title Controversy
Bully Ray, a WWE Hall of Famer and prominent figure in TNA history, recently shared candid viewpoints regarding the championship landscape. Addressing listeners on Busted Open After Dark, Bully acknowledged both the strengths and drawbacks of having Trick Williams, an NXT standout, as TNA World Champion. The forthcoming title defense, set for Saturday, July 20 in Montreal at the Verdun Auditorium, will see Williams face off against Mike Santana and Joe Hendry—two stars deeply associated with TNA’s own legacy.
Bully drew attention to the unique rivalry between challengers, noting,
“Joe Hendry and Mike don’t like each other, but here’s what they have in common. They need to get that strap off of Trick Williams.”
—Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Balancing Brand Identity With Broader Visibility
According to Bully, this cross-promotional storyline offers both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, bringing in talent from another promotion like NXT elevates TNA’s profile. However, Bully raised a critical question: does having the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in the hands of an outsider uphold the company’s identity? He directly posed to fans,
“Do you think it’s time for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to come back to TNA, or do you like it on the shoulder and around the waist of an NXT talent?”
—Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
Expressing both skepticism and hope, Bully admitted,
“Let me know right now. I think TNA needs the help. I don’t know what TNA is doing that’s really knocking everybody’s socks off with their own product. It’s good, don’t get me wrong. It’s good—but not enough people see it.”
—Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
What Trick Williams Means For TNA’s Future
Despite his concerns, Bully conceded that featuring Trick Williams at the top might benefit TNA, especially in terms of reaching a larger audience. He said,
“If Trick Williams can hold on to that TNA championship, more people will see it, thus giving more credibility to TNA Wrestling.”
—Bully Ray, WWE Hall of Famer
With Slammiversary set as one of TNA’s flagship events and anticipation building in Montreal, the outcome will be watched closely by fans, wrestlers, and industry experts alike. Whether Trick Williams, Joe Hendry, or Mike Santana walks away as champion, the decision is likely to have important implications for TNA’s branding and future growth.
As debate continues, the championship match at Slammiversary stands out as a key moment that could redefine the company’s direction and how its most prized title is viewed both within TNA and across the wrestling world.
