T.N.A. Miscellaneous News Thread

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA's 'Big Fat Oily Guy' is Tiny the Timekeeper from the Nashville days according to a report on TNAWrestlingNews.com.

TNAWrestlingNews.com is reporting that you can expect to see a women's division in TNA sooner or later.

900 hundred fans packed the Impact Zone for the Final Resolution PPV, with a few hundred more turned away.

 

[Big Ace]

Wow. People actually got turned away. Let's give them an estimate of about 1,200 people. That's pretty good. Those people might've gone home and ordered it. Add about 1,000 more who probably ordered and that's a big number of people who saw the PPV. TNA is really improving this year and late last year. I think that when fans turn off WWE, they turn on TNA and that's good news.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Tatanka is now claiming that he asked for his WWE release, which I for one doubt. He now want's you to e-mail T.N.A. in the hope that he will get a contract.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source(s): The Wrestling Observer, TNAWrestlingNews.com

As things stand according to TNAWrestlingNews.com reports, Kurt Angle will likely compete in a tag team match at the 2/18 New Japan Sumo Hall show.

TNA's X Division could very well be something of a legit sport's division. The booking team is looking to do a new concept that would differentiate itself from WWE. TNAWrestlingNews.com reports that their current idea would be a "shoot" style X Division which would feature a time limit in all the X Division Matches. The outcome of the match would be in the hands of real judges as they'd decide the outcome as a shoot on who was legitimately the best performer in the match.

TNA made some more financial cutbacks last week. Many members of the office staff, who have their hotels paid for in Orlando, were told they could double up and stay at the Doubletree, or get a single room at a less expensive place. They also eliminated the company shuttle getting people to and from the airport, and thus they'll have to get their own rental cars.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA have been wanting to do Team 3D vs. The Steiner's for a long time, but due to Scott's contract issues the timing has never worked out.

UWF (Hermie Sadler's promotion) actually has this match booked for March of this year.

With Scott recently signing a new long-term contract with the company, TNA will likely bring in Rick to do the angle at some point in 2007.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Kevin Nash is claiming that he's the reason Jeremy Borash is back handling the bulk of the backstage interviews instead of Letisha (Leticia Cline).

Apparently, they were having to redo segments over and over because Letisha is somewhat green at interviewing. Nash also made a remark saying that if she was pretty enough to justify them having to work until 1 a.m. doing promos because they have to do so many takes with her. So that is why Letisha hasn't been seen much on television as of late.

Also, Nash and Borash have been friends dating back to WCW.

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Just a reminder that TNA iMPACT! airs one day early tonight at 10EST because of the live UFC fight night tomorrow night on Spike TV.

The following matches are on tap for tonight's Impact: Chris Sabin (c) vs. Senshi vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Austin Starr (non title), Rhino vs. Raven, and Christian Cage (c) vs. Christopher Daniels (non title).

TNA announced last night in a press release that their Lockdown PPV on 4/15 will take place in St. Louis, Missouri at the Family Arena. This will be the company's second "on the road" PPV after their 2004 relocation to Universal Studios Florida as their homebase. This will also likely feature the climax of the Baseball storyline as well.

Expect at least 3-4 more PPV's to be held outside of Orlando, FL this year as well.

Kurt Angle was on Bubba The Love Sponge yesterday, talking about his MMA fighting chances. He said again that he would fight in the next 6-12 months and claimed it would be likely be with the company affiliated with Showtime (EliteXC headed by Gary Shaw). He said that getting cleared medically is his biggest issue with fighting. Angle said his neck would be the only medical issue that would be of concern with passing a physical to fight MMA and commented that he wants to pass so bad that he would lie to do so. He talked up how he would do against Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and others. Angle praised Randy Couture, who is coming out of retirement to fight for UFC during the interview as well.

 

[Big Ace]

What seemed to sum up TNA at Final Resolution is that in the VKM segment at the Final Resolution PPV they mocked WWE for having people chanting "TNA" during the Rosie/Donald skit, but later in the same segment they had their own fans chanting "We Want Wrestling". Everyone backstage knew that segment was a complete disaster but they had to do it to further the upcoming Women's division.

Kurt Angle suffered a concussion at the 8:00 mark in the Iron Man Match. Angle always calls his own matches, but from that moment on the match was called by Samoa Joe and Earl Hebner.

As noted earlier by forums.wrestlezone.com, Konnan had his hip operation on 1/11. Just the fact he had it is very good news as they felt he was healthy enough to survive the surgery thanks to the dialysis he's been on. The doctors have told him that in four to six months he'll be moving better than he has in years. He flew back home to San Diego on 1/17 and there has even been talk of him being back on the 1/29 tapings next week.

Kurt Angle was on the George Michael Sports Show two weeks ago. He was described as the TNA heavyweight champion. He said no one in TNA tells him what to do, he calls his matches, wrestles them how he wants and tries to make them as real as possible. He also claimed again he wants to do an MMA fight.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA issued a press release last night officially announcing that the company's Lockdown PPV on April 15 would be taking place in St. Louis, Missouri at the Family Arena. This venue holds around 10,000 and is easily one of the larger venues TNA has run since the company's first ever show in June of 2002 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This will be TNA's second PPV event on the road after holding the Bound for Glory event last October in Detroit, Michigan. Tickets for Lockdown go on sale February 16.

Speaking of TNA taking PPV events on the road, the company could be taking 2 to 3 more PPV events on the road this year outside of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Again, plans can always change, but that is the goal as of right now.

Brother Runt remembers Bam Bam Bigelow at TNAWrestling.com.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA's press release about the Lockdown PPV also confirmed that David Eckstein of the St. Louis Cardinals and A.J. Pierzynski of the Chicago White Sox would take part in a "Team Eckstein" vs. "Team Pierzynski" match at TNA's Against All Odds PPV on February 11 in Orlando.

There is already talk of holding this year's Slammiversary PPV on the road. This PPV will celebrate TNA's 5th year anniversary.

TNA is selling a number of autographed package deals at their www.ShopTNA.com website.

Samoa Joe will be signing on 3/10 at Collector's Realm (44 Raymond Avenue) from 12-2 PM in Poughkeepsie, New York.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA will be taping two weeks worth of iMPACT! for Spike TV this coming Monday night in Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios. These will be the final tapings before the Against All Odds PPV on February 11. The next set of tapings are scheduled on Monday, February 12.

Speaking of that date, Spike TV currently has a three-hour block of "UFC Unleashed" scheduled for Monday, February 12. This date is relevant because WWE Monday Night Raw will be preempted that night on the USA Network due to the Westminster Dog Show and will instead air on Thursday that week. There has been talk of having TNA hold a primetime special that night to capture the Monday night wrestling audience. Whether or not they will come to an agreement remains to be seen, but that date is quickly approaching.

Speaking of Spike TV and TNA, there have been a number of negotiations between both parties in the recent weeks about both expanding their relationship.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Angle on Bubba Highlight Points:

- He makes more money with TNA than WWE.
- Dixie Carter is a better business person than Vince McMahon could ever be.
- TNA had their highest rating ever last week and that their ratings are better than Smackdown (?) and ECW.
- Hopes to have Big Show and Hogan in TNA and said Big Show was the hardest worker in WWE and Vince did not appreciate him.
- Nash cannot wrestle for a year and he would like to have him wrestle when he is ready.
- There are rumors about Jericho coming in.
- He talked to a doctor about Vince and Vince "looks like a heart-attack waiting to happen".
- WWE got their business deal with China because of him. He then clarified he passed a number onto Shane and he never received credit.
- HHH is a "slimeball" but has great ideas and great psychology and will be best for WWE after he retires.
- Again stated TNA had a 1.5 last week and beat Smackdown (?).
- Hogan, Goldberg might come in and then they will beat RAW.
- The three top free-agents for TNA are Hogan, Show and Jericho.
- Test is a multi-millionaire from real estate.
- Jericho was drunk and started a fight with Test in WWE and held his own.
- Test has nothing wrong with him and should have been pushed better.
- He brought Bobby Lashley into Pro Wrestling.
- Christian needs to change to be a true heel and that is what they (Angle and TNA) are doing with him and that he hopes Christian has a long run as champ, but needs to change his style and take direction better. Angle will have a match of the year with him soon.
- He does not know if he is a babyface or not currently in TNA, but likes his character.
- He is doing commercials for Bald Guys - a grooming company with shampoo for bald men.
- Undertaker stiffed him in the ring after Kurt told him he did not understand the "carny speak" in the ring during their first match.
- Talked briefly about his concussion and said he has no idea how the Iron Man match wound up being that good. He apologized to Samoa Joe and claimed Joe will take a month off soon because of injuries.
- He had a 5-star match with Hogan at King of the Ring and said he has a lot of respect for Hogan.
- Admitted he is an agent and writer and said if Big Show comes in, he would be undefeated and Kurt would make sure of that.
- Talked about his heat with Shawn Michaels over the fact Michaels did not go to Smackdown when asked. He claimed that McMahon lied when he said Angle was his top choice to switch brands. He then admitted that Michaels was the one that said he would put over Angle at WM. This was right after he said Michaels did not put people over.
- RVD admitted to Angle that he had no idea how to work and that he only hits highspots and points to himself and says "RVD".
- He wants Bubba as a manager in TNA.
- He wants Tito Ortiz on the phone next week live on Bubba's show to talk to him about fighting.

During the course of the conversation, Bubba claimed:
- Hulk Hogan told him Dixie had her sh** together and her backers could buy & sell Vince ten times over.
- Hogan has talked with Dixie Carter about coming in.
- Turner/WCW went with well known names to combat Vince and how TNA should do that. Angle agreed.
- He and Kurt should put the Hogan/TNA deal in motion.
- He will contact Dixie about making TNA appearances.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Already reported by us is that TNA will air a two-hour special on Monday night, February 12 when Raw is preempted by the Westminster Dog Show special on the USA Network. It will feature five matches that are basically replays.

Mike Johnson is reporting that there was talk of doing the show live from Orlando, but that they believe that by doing a pre-taped show they can hide any negatives and present the best produced program that they can present. They will air five recent pay per view matches and video packages on the talent and on TNA as a whole.

TNA and Spike TV are still considering options on what to call the special and we do not have a start time yet although one can assume it will be from 9pm-11pm in Raw's time slot.

The 1/24 Wednesday edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a final 0.8 cable rating. While this is way down from the 1.1 rating the show has been averaging in primetime, the feeling is that since the show was switched days and on at a later time, many in the company aren't seeing it as a bad thing right now.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Before the last PPV (Final Resolution), there was a disagreement backstage with Kevin Nash and Bob Backlund.

Dave Meltzer reports that Nash wanted to put one over on Backlund by talking about "gimmicks" (wrestler talk for getting high on somas or other forms of downers) and other drug references that he thought Backlund wouldn't get.

Backlund though did get what he was talking about and threatened to leave unless Nash changed it.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

A.J. Pierzynski and Bob Backlund are both scheduled for tomorrows TNA TV tapings in Orlando, FL.

We'll have spoilers on the site likely during RAW at some point tomorrow. forums.wrestlezone.com will of course be providing their weekly live coverage of the tapings as well.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

We heard a rumor over the weekend from a source within TNA that Scott Steiner would be back tonight at the iMAPACT! tapings. They may hold it off though.

We'll try to get a confirmation on that later today.

Stay tuned to TNAWrestlingNews.com for more thoughout the day today as well as live spoilers later tonight here on the site.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Konnan spent nine days in the hospital after getting his hip replaced. Doctors have told him not to wrestle for at least six months, so obviously he's booked himself to work for AAA in three months time.

His problem is his kidneys though. His mother has volunteered to be a donor and so far all the testing on her is going well.

AAA is planning on doing a benefit show in February to help pay for it, and WWE has agreed to let Rey Mysterio appear.

Konnan was told the damage to his kidneys was consistent with what would be expected after heavy steroid use.

He may appear at the TV tapings tonight.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA backstage morale is down again.

There is now a real divide between the star group (Nash, Sting, Angle, Christian, Jarrett) and the rest of the roster. The star group not only get more money but also have a separate dressing room to the rest of the workers.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Source(s): The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, forums.wrestlezone.com

Konnan spent nine days in the hospital after getting his hip replaced. Doctors have told him not to wrestle for at least six months, so obviously he's booked himself to work for AAA in three months time. His problem is his kidneys though. His mother has volunteered to be a donor and so far all the testing on her is going well. AAA is planning on doing a benefit show in February to help pay for it, and WWE has agreed to let Rey Mysterio appear. Konnan was told the damage to his kidneys was consistent with what would be expected after heavy steroid use.

TNA backstage morale is down again. There is now a real divide between the star group (Nash, Sting, Angle, Christian, Jarrett) and the rest of the roster. The star group not only get more money but also have a separate dressing room to the rest of the workers.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Konnan is scheduled to be at tonight's Impact tapings managing LAX. He will probably be on crutches. We're still trying to get an update on Scott Steiner's status but as of last Friday he was set to be there.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Kurt Angle's debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling on February 18 will see Angle team with Yuji Nagata against Giant Bernar (former WWE star Albert/A-Train) and current TNA star Tomko.

According to the website for the Family Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, ticket prices for TNA's Lockdown PPV on April 15 will be $150, $125, $65, $55, $40 and $20. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 16.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Brother Ray has a lot of heat over the last PPV match with LAX over eating up Homicide.

There is still talk of adding members to LAX. Konnan has been pushing hard for Senshi, but his attitude is such that TNA aren't sure about pushing him. The booking committee have suggested bringing Apolo and Machete back to the group.

Dutch Mantel, Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett have asked Mike Tenay to rejoin the booking committee. They have also asked Jim Cornette to join the committee and Cornette has agreed in principle but they haven't come to a deal over money yet. Even with Tenay and Cornette involved though Russo will still be in charge and will continue to have the greatest impact in the shows.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

SPIKE TV and TNA should be making an official announcement about the 2.12.07 Prime Time Special in the next two days. TNA taped footage before the live crowd last night in Orlando with Mike Tenay and Christian Cage that will be used on the special.

Tickets for TNA Lockdown will go on sale Friday 2/16. Ticket prices will range $150, $125, $65, $55, $40, and $20.

There will be a fan fest that weekend for the show.

The extras for the TNA DVD release of their Bound for Glory 2006 event will include footage from TNA's Fan Interaction meet and greet, as well as some backstage footage from the event.

TNA will be filming some footage in New York this week for the LAX vs. Team 3D feud. They plan to film at Johnny Rodz' Wrestling School, where Devon was trained.

 

[Shining Wizard]

The following press release was issued regarding TNA's television plans on the one week RAW won't be on at its regular Monday night slot.

Also, it looks like TNA will actually be going through with that "shoot" concept that was reported about a few weeks ago. According to the press release, they plan to unveil a new concept match at March's pay-per-view. The vague idea is to have some X Division matches have time limits but have real judges deciding the outcome based on who gave the best performance in the match.

WITH NO “DOGGONE” COMPETITION, SPIKE TV WILL TELECAST TWO-HOUR TNA WRESTLING SPECIAL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Two-Hour Wrestling Special Features 5 Of The Greatest Bouts In TNA History,

Never-Before-Seen On Cable And Showcases TNA’s Innovative Concept Matches

With Members Of Its All-star Roster Including

Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss and Samoa Joe

Countdown The Top 5 Moments In TNA Wrestling History

TNA To Unveil Newest Concept Match To Debut At March PPV Event

New York, NY, January 31, 2007 – Spike TV and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling today jointly announce that they will telecast a special primetime two-hour wrestling event on Monday, February 12 (9:00 – 11:00 PM, ET/PT) entitled “This is TNA!” The two-hour special encores on Thursday, February 15 (7:00 – 9:00 PM, ET/PT), and will be followed by an all new “TNA: iMPACT!” (9:00 – 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

"Spike's not going to stand by and let wrestling go to the dogs on Monday February 12th. Wrestling fans deserve better!" says Kevin Kay, EVP and General Manager, Spike TV. “This special event is an opportunity for viewers not familiar with TNA’s distinct brand of high-impact wrestling to tune-in and see what TNA is all about.”

“This is TNA!” will offer die-hard fans and the casual viewer a fast-paced, action-packed look at TNA Wrestling. The two-hour spectacular will showcase five of the greatest bouts in TNA history never before seen on television except pay-per-view, featuring some of the biggest names in wrestling today including Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, Abyss and Team 3-D, as well as TNA’s amazing young talent – AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe and Chris Sabin. The special will spotlight TNA’s innovative concept matches including “King of the Mountain” and “Six Sides of Steel.” Throughout the night, there will be a countdown of some of the most extraordinary moments in TNA history – recalling the timeless wrestling memories that will stay emblazoned on the minds of wrestling fans forever.

“TNA is proud to answer the call of fans and bring the best wrestling in the world to a Monday night event. ‘This is TNA’ will give new fans an introduction and TNA fans a chance to relive their favorite moments,” says Dixie Carter, president of TNA Entertainment, LLC. “We’re confident that by experiencing the unforgettable action of our past and present, fans will call out the future of professional wrestling by chanting ‘TNA.’”

An added bonus for viewers, TNA will reveal its newest concept match which will debut at their March 11 “Destination X” PPV event.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

The donation drive for Konnan's medical bills is still continuing. You can donate money via PayPal at the following e-mail: [email protected]. The drive has raised $8,000 already so far.

The 1/27 Saturday replay of TNA iMPACT! drew a final 0.7 cable rating with a 1.4 share.

Bob Backlund is scheduled to be a regular on iMPACT! from now on.