T.N.A. Miscellaneous News Thread

[Y 2 Jake]

Put all T.N.A. news in here that wont necessarily lead to discussion and that does'nt need it's own seperate thread. Although feel free to discuss if there is anything you would like to comment on. Please state a source and dont just make stuff up, or post spoiler's

Kurt Angle was telling people at the 12/13 Video Game Awards that he was going to fight Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz or Chuck Lindell this year.

Speaking of Angle, he filmed his segment for the syndicated George Michael Sports Machine television show. Check your local listings.

Vince Russo has been told internally that he is writing too much stuff for each one hour episode of Impact. Gee, you think?

TNA has interest in Amy "Lita" Dumas.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Wrestlezone.com

Hotstuff Hernandez from LAX worked 12/16 in Coyoacan (near Mexico City) as the masked Mr. Texas. Hernandez lost a mask vs. mask match to Vegelis.

Johnny Swinger has resurfaced as a TNA agent, at least on trial basis.

TNA had tentative plans to run the April Lockdown PPV in St. Louis, Missouri, however, the building they had planned to run does not allow the use of blood, and since Lockdown features all cage matches, that pretty much guaranteed it wasn't going to happen.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

AJ Styles tried to work heel at the 12/15 house show in Raleigh, North Carolina against Brother Runt, but fans wouldn't boo him.

Jim Cornette was asked by TNA to help produce interviews, but is not involved in the creative process.

The plans to run a TNA live event or PPV in April in St. Louis are out.

TNA made the decision to stop allowing Hermie Sadler's UWF to run shows under the TNA banner. The UWF will however continue to use a six sided ring and many TNA talents.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNAwrestling.com is reporting that Jerry Lynn will return to the ring for TNA at the Final Resolution PPV on January 14 when he challenges Chris Sabin and champion Christopher Daniels for the X Division Championship. Lynn, who is referred to as the pioneer of TNA's X-Division, has stayed active on the independent scene and wrestled at numerous TNA House Show's in 2006.

Just as a clarification, it was previously reported that the woman who played Samoa Joe's girlfriend during the Joe-Angle segment recently on iMPACT! was Joe's real life girlfriend. However, the woman was just an actor and NOT Joe's real life girlfriend.

TNA Wrestling is encouraging their fans to help spread the word about them. As announced on TNAWrestling.com, the company has established themselves on several major websites. The idea is to promote fan interaction in hopes of spreading the word about TNA Wrestling. Such websites that TNA recently has established themselves on include, MySpace, You Tube, ITunes, and more.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Bob Backlund and the Disco Inferno are currently scheduled to judge the finals of the PCS at Final Resolution.

We'll keep you posted.

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

 

[Y 2 Jake]

There is still talk of Psicosis arriving in TNA in 2007.

He was supposed to work a show in AAA back on 12/8, but stopped returning phone calls.

AAA and CMLL both want his services, but it appears he'll work independently in Mexico in the early part of '07.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

A vignette is set to air on this week's edition of iMPACT! featuring Abyss returning to the prison that is based around his storyline "secret".

TNAwrestling.com has announced that AJ Styles vs Rhino at Final Resolution will now be a Last Man Standing Match.

Even though St. Louis has been ruled out the April Lockdown PPV is still scheduled to take place outside of Orlando. The top two front runners for the event are Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Bestbuy.com has the Bound for Glory 06 DVD up for pre-order for just $14.99

 

[Y 2 Jake]

SoCal Val's photos have been updated at tnawrestling.com.

TNA did sign Sting for another year, which some have questioned as he hasn't meant much in terms of pay-per-view buy numbers.

Samoa Joe-Kurt Angle II looks to have done about half the PPV buys November's Genesis PPV generated.

When Konnan learned about his kidney problems, he assumed it was due to long-term steroid use, but the doctors think his situation is inconsistent with the kidney damage associated with steroids.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

TNA has told Konnan that they will not pay for his kidney transplant surgery which is going run him around $100,000 in the U.S. TNA has offered to loan him the money to have it done but he must pay it back. Konnan can get the surgery done in Mexico for much cheaper at around $35,000. The Roldan family who now runs AAA, has told Konnan that they plan on running several benefit shows to help him pay for the surgery. Konnan is the head booker for AAA.

Regarding the dropping of TNA paying for hotels, this only pertains to the talent. Everyone else from the announcers to bookers to production staff will still get their hotels paid for. The shuttle from the airport to the hotel rooms cost $24 while the hotel rooms at the Doubletree cost $69. However, the talents who's rooms are not being paid for are free to stay anywhere they wish.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA is reportedly scheduled to have a meeting with all staff in Nashville, TN this week to discuss upcoming strategies for the company in 2007.

In a story that seems to change every week, the plan to hold the Lockdown PPV on April 15 outside of Orlando, FL in another city may not end up happening after all. The goal is to book the event in cities such as Pittsburgh, Chicago and St. Louis, but nothing has been finalized yet. If nothing is worked out, expect the event to take place in Orlando.

Many TNA stars headed to Portugal yesterday to take part in several TNA/APW events in the country titled "Impacto Total." Events in Portugal are as follows: January 5 in Lisbon and January 6 in Oporto. TNA talent scheduled to take part in the shows include NWA World Champion Abyss, Kurt Angle, Christian Cage, AJ Styles, Rhino, Team 3D, Voodoo Kin Mafia and many more.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Former enemies Jim Cornette and Vince Russo have been working together backstage at the Impact tapings after being brought together by Jeff Jarrett. At the production meetings Cornette usually sits over a couple seats from Russo, beside Don West and Mike Tenay. Some onlookers have even said that the meetings are almost as entertaining as Impact itself with Cornette openly challenging every idea from Russo that doesnt make sense.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Spike TV has offered TNA a two-hour timeslot but right now the holdup is over money. Spike wants a multi-year exclusive commitment and TNA wants to get more money out of the deal.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source: Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter

Jerry Lynn, Simon Diamond and Shane Douglas were not used as agents by TNA at the last TV tapings in Orlando, FL. Lynn was at the tapings, but was not working as an agent and was instead used to shoot an angle about his return to the ring at the Final Resolution PPV.

It is believed that Lynn, Diamond and Douglas were not used as agents at the taping because they didn't turn in written reports by the previous Wednesday as requested by TNA management. So, this was taken as a form of punishment. TNA agents are paid on a per-show basis, so it actually saved TNA some money.

The tapings were said to have run even smoother than usual with Terry Taylor, Dutch Mantel and Jeff Jarrett filling in. Speaking of Jarrett, he has reportedly been outspoken recently about the work of the agents not being up to his expectations lately.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

According to reports, Spike TV officials have discussed with TNA about the possibility of airing either a two-hour special or just a regular one-hour edition of iMPACT! on February 12 due to WWE Monday Night Raw not airing on either USA Network or Sci Fi that night.

As noted earlier, Raw will be preempted due to the Westminster Dog Show. The company was able to get the show bumped to Sci Fi last year the first time around, but not this time.

If Spike TV and TNA decide on a deal, many see this as TNA's only opportunity to air on Monday night unopposed by Raw in the foreseeable future

 

[Y 2 Jake]

From Matt Biles: I recently spotted TNA's Kip James in a commercial for the coffee drink "Options". The ad featured a woman at a coffee bar on several dates with different guys, who were supposed to be representing the various drink flavours, one of whom was Kip James.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Mike Johnson reports that TNA is looking to boost the number of extras found on the DVDs for their PPV events. New things such as exclusive pre and post match interviews, music videos and bonus matches will be implemented soon.

TNA has backed off in talking with Bob Sapp about a possible match with Kurt Angle after receiving a legal letter from K-1. Sapp is under contract to K-1 and they want promotions to go through them when trying to book him.

As noted on TNAWrestlingNews.com, Simon Diamond, Jerry Lynn, and Shane Douglas were suspended as agents from the last set of tapings for turning in their agent reports late and being to easy on the talent. The tapings were said to have gone smoother without them in charge.

Konnan has been put on a very strict diet by the doctors. He has been told no alcahol, no salt, no dairy products and to keep his protein intake low. TNA has been in constant contact with him almost on a daily basis to make sure he is doing ok.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA star Konnan will undergo hip replacement surgery today in Mexico. Because he does not have health insurance, donations are currently being collected for the kidney transplant that he will need. You can send donations via paypal.com to [email protected] or email that address for more information.

Spike TV will run a Final Resolution special preview show this Saturday night at midnight after the TNA iMPACT! replay.

Kurt Angle will be featured in a story on the George Michael Sports Machine this Saturday. Check your local listings for the air time in your market.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Chris Harris will make his return to TNA television during a sit down interview at this week's edition of Impact. This will most likley to be set up a match against James Storm at Final Resolution.

Former TNA star Apolo was backstage at the WWC event Euforia this past Saturday, January 6. The wrestler still have a contract with IWA and word is that the contract will be up on either February 15 or February 22, so I guess he will be part of WWC after those dates.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source: Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter

As reported elsewhere, TNA management made a decision recently to stop paying for hotel rooms for their wrestlers. This decision was announced at the last TV tapings before the holiday break and it reportedly caused outrage among wrestlers.

BG James was one of the only wrestlers who spoke out about the decision. James reportedly called Jeff Jarrett, Dixie Carter and Terry Taylor over the matter and threatened to quit. James has had a history of doing this before with TNA and people within management didn't take him that seriously.

This new decision by TNA was done as a cost-cutting measure, which will end up saving the company around $120 per wrestler for a two night stay at a hotel in Orlando. TNA wrestlers are required to fly in a day early so flight delays can't cause a problem. What makes this situation interesting is that wrestlers who are paid $300 per shot with TNA, they will now have to pay out of their pocket for a hotel room that will usually run them $100-$120 a night. While some talent may opt to stay at a cheaper hotel and take a shuttle to Universal Studios, it will still take at least $100 out of every wrestlers pay. This definitely wasn't good news to those talent who are only getting paid $300 to begin with. It should be noted that some within TNA management pointed out that WWE wrestlers are required to pay for their own hotel rooms. In response, some TNA talent noted that the only difference is that WWE wrestlers get paid much more and can afford it.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Samoa Joe's knee has responded well to some recent physical therapy and should be okay for the Final Resolution PPV this Sunday. Joe wrestled Kurt Angle at both of TNA's events in Portugal last weekend and also made an appearance for the PWA promotion in Canada as well. Whether or not Joe will have trouble working the full 30 minutes of the Iron Man Match against Kurt Angle remains to be seen, and even the same could be said for Angle considering his health.

Alex Marvez has an interview up with one half of the NWA World Tag Team Champions and current ROH World Champion Homicide in his syndicated column that can be read at RockyMountainNews.com.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source(s): Dave Meltzer

Konnan got his hip replacement surgery this past Thursday in Monterrey, Mexico. According to reports, the surgery was a success and he will remain in Monterrey for the next week as they don't want him to be flying at the moment. Konnan is expected to be home by Wednesday. As of now, he won't be appearing at the Final Resolution PPV tomorrow or the TV tapings the following Monday night.

As of now, TNA is expected to have a taped edition of iMPACT! air on February 12, which is the Monday night where WWE Raw is preempted due to the Westminster Dog Show. TNA would then re-air the show on Thursday as well. While this decision isn't 100% right now, plans that are in the works right now would say otherwise. There is no word on if TNA would present a live edition of iMPACT! that night after the PPV instead of a taped special and then resume TV tapings on Tuesday.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Kurt Angle segment on The George Michael Sports Machine Show will air today, January 14. Michael is a fan of Angle and hand picked him to appear. The segment was taped in late December.

TNA is no longer pursuing a Kurt Angle vs. Bob Sapp program. Sapp is currently going through some complicated contract issues with K1 in Japan.

TNA management, particularly the Carters, have been calling Konnan almost every day to check up on his condition and how he is feeling. Konnan will likely be a lot smaller when he does return due to his new strict diet and the fact that he cant do any weight training. He is not allowed to eat any dairy products and has to cut down on protein intake, which is a huge change for someone who has been on a bodybuilders diet for years. Konnan has been very passionate about getting over LAX, and TNA has been impressed with his work in the role as their manager and mouthpiece.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Konnan has lost 35 lbs. from dialysis and dieting since the last TNA TV tapings.

As previously noted, the Impact scheduled for 1/25 will air the day before on 1/24 at 10pm.

Jeremy Borash had tickets to the Liddell/Ortiz UFC fight but couldn't go because he had to go to Texas and tape the skits with VKM at the Alamo.

TNA Xplosion will still be produced for international markets but it will no longer be airing in the U.S.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

A dark match was held prior to the PPV event that saw The Riggs Brothers d. Kazarian & Johnny Devine. The Riggs Brothers worked in OVW prior to being released from WWE.

AJ Styles busted open his nose the hard way at the Final Resolution PPV. He was also having groin problems and was pretty beat up when he got backstage. He should not miss any time according to their site.

AJ Styles and Rhino will have another match at the next TNA PPV with a different stipulation.

Speaking of AJ, he and his wife are expecting a second child. Congrats!

That was Ms. Jackie (Jacqueline from WWE) who debuted in TNA last night attacking Gail Kim. Look out for the TNA Women's division in 2007.

The TNA PPV ran late which is why they didn't do the normal 'boxing' introduction for the main event competitors.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Christian Cage vs. Kurt Angle has been confirmed by Tnawrestling.com as the main event of Against All Odd's.