Jody Threat is looking forward to being a part of what is shaping up to be one of TNA Wrestling’s most transformational years. The company is on the verge of its big Thursday Night iMPACT! premiere on AMC. January 15 is a milestone date for the team with more eyes on the product after a six-year run on AXS TV.
We were called into a virtual meeting where we were told the great news,” Threat said, looking about when she was told about the TV deal. “It felt like a movie moment where we were like, ‘Yay, it happened.’ It was an accumulation of years of hard work. Not only on the front of us workers, but everyone in the office too. It really was a team effort. It really is a beautiful thing. It was a beautiful end to a story when you get a big win like this with all the work put in because we’re not always so lucky.”
The excited Canadian was putting in the work to hone her skills for a number of independent promotions. This got Threat recognized among TNA officials where she secured her first TV wrestling contract.
I have an extensive career where I’m doing it in front of a crowd, but now having to do it in front of cameras, it was a bit of a learning curve,” she said. “Everyone was so supportive in helping me get comfortable and improve my presentation on the television screen because it is very much different…I’m not much of a fancy girl, so a lot of [the Knockouts] helped me with my fashion and helped me present myself onscreen when I’m not in the ring too. Honestly, from day one I knew [TNA] was something special and felt supported and somewhere that I felt like I was at home.
Among those who helped Threat ease into the new environment in 2023 and beyond has been Alisha Edwards. The System’s not so secret weapon followed in the footsteps of those who supported her like Gail Kim and Madison Rayne. She has since paid it forward.
“This might blow her cover,” Threat said playfully. “ Lish has been someone who has truly helped me deal with dressing myself and being more comfortable with photoshoots and my skin when it comes to that. As much as I’m a performer, I actually don’t like to be the center of attention.
Threat also felt some sort of divine intervention as Dani Luna came in around the same time. Together the powerhouse duo formed Spitfire, going on to win the TNA Women’s Tag Team Championship.
Dani came in a little bit after me, but Dani is one of my best friends in real life,” she said. “Her coming after me was great. Before my trainer was at TNA, Josh Alexander was my trainer. For me to be hired by the company where my mentor was, I felt like I was truly set up for success. He was able to mentor me through things. A few months later one of my best friends shows up and we’re able to come together as an official tag team. It did make the transition of being on TV more manageable because it is a big difference.
One aspect of the business the emerging star admittedly is still finding her footing with is social media. She credits producer-director Jorge Barbosa for assisting in developing content. He has served as a mentor in this space.
From Day 1, I set the goal that we would not go out of my comfort zone and my morals and values. If you notice, what I represent online, I don’t try to sell sex…I’m trying to put out a representation of what it takes to be a woman that is a bit different. That doesn’t always mean dressing up cute. I’m a tomboy,” Threat said. “It is what it is. I like to fight. I like to lift heavy weights. I love dogs. I love baked goods. You’re going to see all of that and explore the world and film my content. I do a lot of stuff when I’m in a new city, I’m exploring the food.
“I’m a big food guy. I feel like I’m lucky because that is the branding I’ve done from Day 1, even when I was in the indies trying to grow my following. Most people respect that. I feel like I don’t have the same engagement as fans that are a bit disrespectful or weird or feel it's okay to make comments because someone is wearing a cute bikini or something like that. Of course, I’ll get weird comments in the DMs, but we really don’t look at the DMs. But for me, my social media is a platform to represent what it means to be a female, girl, a woman, and doing it my way.”
As someone with a wealth of experience, Threat has taken pride in helping others along. Among them is newcomer Jada Stone.
Jada is so talented and so new to the game. So, it’s fun. I feel like she was very much me coming in. Just excited,” Threat said. “She is more athletic than me. It’s crazy what she can do with her body. I’m a big sister. I have two younger sisters. I’m very comfortable being the big sister in different roles. It’s cool and very natural. I learn stuff from Jada as well. I love it.
The star looks to January 15 as history for TNA. A roster known for scratching and clawing for everything including getting on a major network. Years of build has led up to this. One would argue there hasn’t been this much potential visibility for the brand, even going back to the Spike TV days when considering AMC+ accessibility. Not to mention the fact many TNA performers have also been appearing on WWE NXT programming.
This partnership is allowing our imaginations to go wild a bit more and create different match-ups and opportunities you didn’ t think would be possible,” Threat said. “I love it. I love women’s wrestling and the opportunity to be challenged by different people and different flavors. I’m a big fan of fusion food. I feel like NXT is one flavor. TNA is another flavor, and we’re putting it together for a fusion of delicious flavors and really great wrestling, really sick wrestling, really unique wrestling. Match-ups you didn’t think you’d ever be able to have.”
The “Wild Child” could see a wealth of possibilities with TNA and AMC. Perhaps, even bringing her “Bumps & Bites” travel food show to bigger audiences. She filmed a pilot for the travel food show that sees the colorful figure explore the city she is wrestling in. “For me, if I could get that on a bigger screen, that allows me to eat more food and show all the yummy food. That would be great.”