Create A Pro founder Pat Buck has criticized TNA management for pulling Nic Nemeth from an interpromotional match with MJF.
Buck issued a statement to PWInsider addressing the recent cancellation of the scheduled encounter, which had already been promoted. TNA pulled Nemeth from the May 1 match, with the veteran citing contractual crossover conflicts.
Buck expressed frustration with TNA President Carlos Silva over the late alteration. He noted that the company failed to offer replacement talent or other solutions to compensate for the change.
Additionally, he highlighted his school’s history of supporting major promotions, including past positive relationships with TNA. Buck contrasted Silva’s approach with that of AEW President Tony Khan.
The veteran praised Khan for protecting his brand while assisting the wider wrestling industry.
Buck currently serves as Vice President of Talent Development for AEW. He transitioned to the promotion in April 2022 following a three-year stint as a backstage producer for WWE.
He co-founded the Create A Pro Wrestling Academy with Brian Myers in 2014, establishing training facilities in New York and New Jersey.
Buck provided the following complete statement to PWInsider.
I don’t usually speak on things like this, but this one’s too ridiculous to ignore.
TNA, specifically Carlos Silva, forced a change to the main event of our Create A Pro show three weeks out after it was already approved and promoted.
Not sure who that helps.
Create A Pro is a training school with a promotion focused on developing talent while running consistent live events. We’re a school, dojo, and a mom and pop business… just with two dads.
Live events are a necessary training tool, and they’re disappearing, even at the highest levels, because they’re not as cost effective and the money is in television. In a direct way, we are providing a service for your talent to make $ and keep their skills sharp. Do you not see that ?
We train wrestlers for wrestling companies. And now a wrestling company has stepped in and hurt another wrestling company that helps wrestlers get to wrestling companies. Makes perfect sense. Maybe I’m the one missing something.
I’m annoyed, as it’s hard to ignore how unnecessary, and honestly how cringe, this situation is.
And to be fair, talent wasn’t pulled, but altering a main event match like that on our limited stage has the same impact. Anyone who has actually promoted shows understands that.
When something changes that affects another promoter’s show, you make it right. Whether that means sending talent, strengthening the card, or finding a way to return value, you don’t just create the problem and walk away from it.
That didn’t happen here. And if any attempt is made now to make it right, it’s a bit too late. You meet people with grace, not chaos.
Create A Pro isn’t a competing media company. It’s a training ground that built its own platform to develop talent. No TV deal, no streaming, and we’re not attached to any bigger company, yet.
Between CAP/WrestlePro, we run around 25 events a year and reinvest back into us, our leases, rings, and the equipment needed to put on shows.
Equipment that, at one point, your company needed to rent to operate in this market. And at another point, when your company needed content and additional matches, talent was placed on Create A Pro and WrestlePro shows because there wasn’t enough content to support it. Did anyone let you know about a past positive relationship?
Years ago your company used our students for extra work in a meaningful way. Now it looks more like carrot dangling, ring crew, and helping with catering but that’s an entirely different conversation.
Create A Pro has been a pipeline and a support system to just about every major company in wrestling. Most people know that. (Unless you ask the WWE ID program, then we apparently don’t exist.)
I’m willing to believe Carlos may not know who I am, and that’s fine. But if you’re in an executive position, you should probably understand the room you’re operating in and the etiquette that comes with it. Maybe Tony Khan can give a quick crash course on how to protect your brand while still helping the overall scene. It’s times like this I’m glad to work for someone who actually champions the entire sport, not tries to shrink it.
And yeah, I’m on the payroll but these words are from experience not influence.
At the end of the day, we’ll adjust like we always do. But if the goal is to grow this industry, or even your own company, this isn’t the way to do it.
Keep it up!
Pat Buck CAP Founder/Trainer,
AEW VP Talent Development
One of the Adults in the Wrestling Room
