T.N.A. Miscellaneous News Thread

[A.J.]

forums.wrestlezone.com is reporting that the object of the "Last Rites Match" at Destination X between Sting and Abyss is to strap your opponent to a steel contraption and have it raised above the ring. TNA showed off this rather odd idea during last night's edition of iMPACT! during a Sting promo when he was laying on it.

MLB.com has an article up taking a look at New York Yankee Johnny Damon and his recently involvement with TNA along with AJ Pierzynski and David Eckstein.

Information about the new AJ Styles DVD can be seen at TNAWrestling.com.

 

[A.J.]

TNA will be holding another set of TV tapings for Spike TV this Monday night (February 26) in Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios. These will be the final TV tapings before the Destination X PPV on March 11.

Scheduled for iMPACT! next Thursday is Samoa Joe vs. Tomko and Alex Shelley being hired by a "new client" to film footage for his Paparazzi Productions.

Current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell made an appearance on Bubba The Love Sponge this morning on Sirius Satellite Radio. During the show, Bubba played a clip of Kurt Angle saying he could beat Chuck in an MMA match. Liddell said Angle is not used to getting hit for real and that he would hit him hard. He added that Angle would have no idea what that would be like. When Bubba asked Liddell if a fight with Angle would outdraw Liddell/Tito Ortiz, he said he had no idea and guessed that Angle has a huge fan base from his WWE days. According to those who listened, Liddell didn't take the comments by Angle seriously and tried to avoid talking more about it.

 

[A.J.]

The current plan in TNA is to bring in Doug Basham and Damaja (formerly known as Danny Basham) as a new heel tag team to be managed by Christy Hemme to feud with the Voodoo Kin Mafia.

In the long run in her feud with VKM, Hemme is expected to turn heel. The idea is that the male audience can't get a girl, and certainly not one that looks like her, so therefore they want to see hot women being degraded, with Kip James representing the males in the audience.

In her tuxedo match with "The Fat Oily Guy" at Against All Odds, the idea was to get Kip over as a face and Christy as a heel. Russo's original script called for BG James to cover up Hemme with a towel after she had been stripped, but he refused. He said that if the idea is for VKM to be faces, putting a towel over Hemme would turn him heel.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Norman Smiley was removed from the TNA website's roster page this past week. Smiley will still probably be used every now and then, but on a per appearance basis in an enhancement role.

One of the beauty pageant entities sent TNA a legal letter saying that they owned the rights to the name 'Miss Tennessee'. Due to that, Jacqueline Moore's name has since been changed to Jackie Moore, 'The Pride of Tennessee'.

As noted yesterday, The Diamonds in the Rough are no more. Elix Skipper and David Young were released from their TNA contracts last week. Neither had been used in some time. Simon Diamond, who managed the team, will be staying on with the company as an agent. TNA has also released A-1 (Alastair Ralphs), formerly of Team Canada, from his contract.

The Slammiversary 2007 PPV will be held on 6/17. Slammiversary will be the next TNA PPV held outside of Orlando, Florida after Lockdown. forums.wrestlezone.com is reporting that it looks like Nashville at the current time.

TNA will tape iMPACT! this Monday 2/26 at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

 

[A.J.]

TNA has announced the dates for their May and June PPV events. The May Sacrifice PPV will take place on the 13th while the June Slammiversary PPV will take place on the 17th.

Bill Banks confirmed in his newest column on TNAwrestling.com that the 2007 Slammiversary PPV and the Lockdown PPV events will be held outside of Orlando but he didn't mention the locations.

Banks confirmed as well that TNA will be holding a live event in Mississippi in the coming months.

 

[A.J.]

Jim Cornette is getting more involved in producing segments, and points out when segments make no sense.

A brand new autograph special will be up for sale at Shoptna.com during the first week of March. The package which will be limited to only 300 will include among other items an autographed copy of the soon to be released Best of AJ Styles Volume 2 DVD.

New entrance themes have been added to music player on the roster page of TNAwrestling.com.

forums.wrestlezone.com is reporting that TNA will be featured during the entire month of March at Maximonline.com.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

A brand new autograph special will be up for sale at Shoptna.com during the first week of March. The package which will be limited to only 300 will include among other items an autographed copy of the soon to be released Best of AJ Styles Volume 2 DVD.

New entrance themes have been added to music player on the roster page of TNAwrestling.com.

TNA will be featured during the entire month of March at Maximonline.com.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA will tape the next two weeks of Impact tonight from Orlando. Scheduled for the main event for Thursday's show is Samoa Joe vs. Tomko.

Speaking of Tomko, he is scheduled to work a tour for New Japan that starts on March 4th and includes a show on March 11th, the same day as the Destination X PPV. Unless Tomko will be pulling a heavy travel day, he may be written off of the PPV. An angle for that could happen at tonight's tapings.

TNA is releasing their "Best of the Tag Teams" DVD on 3.13.07. On that day Jeff Jarrett, James Storm, and Eric Young will have a DVD at the FYE on West End Avenue in Nashville, TN.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA is planning on announcing a house show in Northern Mississippi as well as some other house shows within the next week.

Next month the Maxim Magazine website will be featuring TNA personalities.

Jackie Gayda is still with the company.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

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

It was The Yukes idea to book the Kurt Angle and Yuji Nagata tag team match on 2/18. The working idea is for TNA to book Nagata and Hiroshi Tanahashi, and for Angle to return to New Japan to face Nagata in a single's match, although no time tables have been established.

The current plan has Christy Hemme managing Doug and Danny Basham to feud with VKM. forums.wrestlezone.com will have more on that later this week.

The LAX vs. Team 3D feud is planned to run through the April Lockdown PPV. As noted earlier by forums.wrestlezone.com, Brother Ray approached Jeff Jarrett with the idea of turning idea, but Jarrett nixed it.

 

[A.J.]

According to the guys over at forums.wrestlezone.com, Sean Waltman and his girlfriend Alicia Webb (Ryan Shamrock), as well as Shawn Stasiak were all backstage at TNA Impact tapings Monday night.

Kurt Angle is scheduled to appear at the Steel City pop culture convention on 3/24 in Pittsburgh, PA.

You can now see nearly 100 from last night's TNA iMPACT! TV taping online. You can see the pictures at http://mattboom.smugmug.com Don't look if you don't want the next two episodes of iMPACT! spoiled for you

 

[A.J.]

TNA has sold about 2,500 tickets for the April Lockdown PPV in St. Charles, Missouri. The building will be set up for 9,249 seats.

forums.wrestlezone.com has received new reports that the Basham Brothers might only be used for a single shot in TNA. That could always change and TNA is definitely said to be interested in using them. It depends on how things go and the always changing creative plans.

It is expected that Christopher Daniels will be finishing up as a Ring of Honor regular soon. Daniels worked over the weekend in ROH sporting a beard which likely has something to do with his new TNA gimmick.

 

[A.J.]

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

It has been determined that Konnan’s mother wasn’t compatible, thus will be unable to donate her kidney to her son who is need of a kidney transplant.

Apparently TNA wants Vince Russo to relocate from Atlanta to Nashville, but Russo doesn’t want to uproot his family.

forums.wrestlezone.com is reporting tonight that Samoa Joe is working with a torn MCL, and is putting off surgery. He did admit in an interview on Sunday with the Wrestling Observer that his knee was in bad shape.

 

[A.J.]

Kurt Angle attended the St. Louis Cardinals spring training camp today in Florida. TNA filmed footage of Angle taking part in batting practice to promote the Lockdown PPV in St. Louis on April 15. Rhino also took part in the visiting as well as David Eckstein's guest. Speaking of Angle, he is scheduled to make an appearance at the Steel City pop culture event on Saturday, March 24 in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

[A.J.]

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

forums.wrestlezone.com is reporting that TNA 'job guy' Norman Smiley is booked to return to AAA on 3/3 as Black Magic.

After Raven recently brought his wife backstage and she got into a verbal fight with a former girlfriend of Raven, TNA adopted a new policy of no longer allowing wrestler's girlfriends or wives into the backstage area.

Former WWE superstar Orlando Jordan has been spotted backstage at TNA events as of late according to the guys over at forums.wrestlezone.com. Apparently Jordan is looking for work while visiting with friends.

 

[A.J.]

Andrew Turk passed on a link to a story on ESPN.com noting Kurt Angle's appearance at the St. Louis Cardinal spring training camp on Tuesday.

Kurt Angle has been getting a lot of publicity in the last day or so after appearing at the St. Louis Cardinals spring training camp yesterday. ESPN, MLB.com, and the Associated Press all covered Angle taking batting practice and his meeting with Albert Pujols. Angle was quoted saying the following about Pujols. "By the time he retires, he'll be considered one of the best ever. It was an honor him telling me what to do in there. It would be like me getting him in the ring. I really admire these guys because of their work ethic and the way they go all year long." Most of the stories also mentioned the 4/15 Lockdown PPV in St. Louis. Many Cardinals players are expected to attend that show.

TNA has announced that LAX has "attacked" Johnny Rodz in New York City and that they will air footage of the attack on Impact this week. The footage was taped weeks ago, the same day the Long Island attack on Brother Ray's uncle was filmed.

While he didn't appear in front of the crowd, Christopher Daniels was backstage at the TNA TV tapings this past Monday night in Orlando, FL.

 

[A.J.]

TNA has released the list of names that are currently scheduled to appear at the Lockdown Fanfest and they are Kurt Angle, Sting, Christian Cage, The Monster Abyss, Rhino, Jeff Jarrett, Team 3-D, Rhino, Samoa Joe, Scott Steiner, Tomko, Showtime Eric Young, Robert Roode, Kevin Nash, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Raven, Serotonin, Petey Williams, Cowboy James Storm, Wildcat Chris Harris, the TNA Knockouts, LAX, Voodoo Kin Mafia, Lance Hoyt, Jerry Lynn, Chris Sabin, Don West, Mike Tenay, James Mitchell, Ron Killings, Senshi, Jay Lethal, Austin Starr, Alex Shelley and Sonjay Dutt. forums.wrestlezone.com will be covering this event live for all you TNA fans.

TNA will release Best of the Tag Teams Volume 1 on DVD on 3/13.

All the previously unreleased PPV event posters from 2006 and 2007 are now up for sale at Shoptna.com.

The good guys over at forums.wrestlezone.com are reporting that the upcoming TNA video game by Midway had a small mention in the March issue of Game Informer Magazine. It was only about a 3-4 sentences long. They just mentioned that the game is do out in '08 and they wondered if it can take down Yukes and the WWE Smackdown series which has been dominate in the wrestling video game genre for the past 6-7 years. Beside that was a small photo of Samoa Joe from the trailer. To view exclusive photos from the game, click here.

 

[A.J.]

Credit: TNAWRESTLING.COM

Here is the preview of what will take place on Thursday night’s “iMPACT!” broadcast on SpikeTV:

MAIN EVENT: “THE SAMOAN SUBMISSION MACHINE” SAMOA JOE VS. TOMKO
Samoa Joe has his shot at the World Title against Christian Cage on March 11 at “Destination X”, but the challenger knows he’ll also have to contend with the threat of Cage’s backup, Tomko. As a result, Joe has demanded that he face Tomko this Thursday night on “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV! Can Joe eliminate Tomko before the huge Pay-Per-View event in order to guarantee a fair fight against Cage? Will Tomko attempt to injure Joe before his World Title bout? Tune in and find out!

ALEX SHELLEY IS HIRED FOR ANOTHER PAPARAZZI SHOOT!
Alex Shelley has informed TNAwrestling.com that he has been hired by another client to film a video this week, the footage of which will air on Thursday’s “iMPACT!”. According to Shelley, this mission will be his most sensational and epic video shoot to date! Who has hired Shelley and what will he be filming? What could possibly top his past shoots, which included Sting’s family, Cage’s private life and the LAX attack on Team 3D’s uncle? We’ll find out Thursday night on “iMPACT! on SpikeTV!

 

[A.J.]

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

Jim Cornette continues to get along well with Vince Russo backstage in TNA. He is not less frustrated with the booking in TNA, but is said to be more of a team player than anyone anticipated as it was first thought that Cornette would distance himself as far as possible from Russo.

Speaking of Vince Russo, TNA wants to relocate him from Atlanta to Nashville. Russo, who currently lives in Atlanta, is hesitant to make the move because of the possible lack of job security with TNA and the move would involve him uprooting his family which includes school age children.

 

[A.J.]

TNA President Dixie Carter recently did an interview with MondayNightMayhem.com. Below are exerts from the interview:

*Dixie congratulated The Mayhem on their 5th anniversary and reminded the listening audience that both TNA & Monday Night Mayhem's anniversaries are just a few months apart from one another respectfully.

*She says that the upcoming Destination X PPV will feature the first-ever Elevation X Match, and that it is unlike anything the company has ever done. Personally, she is very excited about "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles vs. "The War Machine" Rhino.

*Tickets are going great for the April Lockdown in St. Louis, and that they are looking forward to the biggest audience that they have ever performed in front of.

*She said that TNA will be taking Slammiversary & Bound For Glory on the road, and they hope to do more road shows in the future. They are also going to be continuing the house show tour in the months ahead.

*Christian Cage vs. Samoa Joe will be a "showstopper" at Destination X for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

*Dixie did wish to clear the air on something discussed in depth amongst the wrestling fans throughout the world: their relationship with ROH (w/Samoa Joe leaving & the rumors of "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels finishing up soon): TNA has a "working relationship with Ring Of Honor." Many of their guys have started there, continue to work there, and she hopes to keep seeing it for a while.

*TNA Impact vs. WWE RAW head-to-head for the first time a few weeks ago: Dixie hopes the company can do better. TNA did better in the ratings vs. World Wrestling Entertainment than the UFC did.

*She feels that the WWE bringing in Donald Trump to the WWE is "brilliant." That was a big night for World Wrestling Entertainment, so more people watched in the long run.

*Destination X is going to be a "showcase of their X-Division talent."

*Lockdown is going to be the second most important show of the year for the company, so they are heading into a very important month for TNA. They are still encouraged now more so than ever to get the "TNA" name out there to new fans.

*Kurt Angle's growth in TNA: Dixie believes that Kurt is "a great person (personally & professionally), a great family man, & also the hardest worker." She says that he is "passionate about the product, the entire locker room, & making TNA a bigger promotion."

*Hulk Hogan possibly coming into TNA in the months ahead: He is a tremendous talent and knows how to work with the business better than anyone around. "The fans should just stay tuned."

*Current WWE superstar, Rob Van Dam & the rumors of him not re-upping his WWE deal, & also coming into Total Nonstop Action Wrestling: Dixie said that Rob is a very good in-ring talent, and that he would be a good asset to any roster. Their challenge, however, is to get everyone currently on the roster onto a one- hour show. They need to get two hours, use the talent they have, & go from there. *The buzz about Vince Russo being frustrated with the company: "He is in a good position, is an amazing creative talent, and he should not take the heat he does." Dixie added that most of the "heat" that is being bantered about is for things that he has nothing to do with.

*TNA Mission Statement Into The Rest Of 2007: She closed the interview by saying that TNA this year will have some of the best matches & shows ever seen, and that they have some very good angles in store as the weeks & months progress onward.

Log onto www.TNAWrestling.com for all of the latest on tonight's edition of iMPACT, the upcoming Destination X Pay-Per-View, as well as how you can purchase your tickets to the April Lockdown spectacular, & the TNA InterAction Fanfest. The entire interview w/Dixie, along with the rest of the February 28th show (which also features the first public aired public comments from "Judge" Jeff Jones, on the passing of former ECW World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Awesome), is now available for download.

*All new & old Mayhem listeners can still check out the archived programs/shows of "Your Home Of Wrestling Radio" -- available on www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.ObsessedWithWrestling.com, www.Showdown.net, & www.AudioWrestling.com. And remember, you can feel The Mayhem (live & worldwide) each & every Monday night on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network, beginning at 9PM ET/8PM CT.

 

[A.J.]

Partial Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In an effort to fix what TNA management is speculating as their main weakness, Jeff Jarrett recently made the decision to make matches longer on television. This move is expected to strengthen the quality of the matches on iMPACT.

Its being reported that around 11,500 people attended The New Japan Pro Wrestling event that featured Kurt Angle. Many are saying that the actual number is believed to be less than that, however it’s being said that Kurt Angle was paid around $10,000 for that one appearance with the promotion.

 

[A.J.]

HECTOR GUERRERO JOINS TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION WRESTLING
Official announcement on Thursday’s “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV

TNAwrestling.com is proud to announce that Hector Guerrero of the famous Guerrero family has officially joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling!

Guerrero is a longtime veteran of the sport and is the brother of Chavo and the late Eddie.

Mike Tenay ��" joined by Guerrero - will make an official announcement this Thursday night on “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV during an in-ring presentation

In addition to working behind-the-scenes in TNA, Guerrero will also be a part of the Spanish broadcast team along with current announcer Willie Urbina.

TNAwrestling.com has also learned that Guerrero will be presented with a special award this Thursday night on behalf of TNA and the Hispanic Legacy Foundation for his achievements in the sport of professional wrestling.

Tune in this Thursday night on “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV beginning at 9pm ET as TNA welcomes Hector Guerrero to our family!

 

[A.J.]

The New Japan Pro Wrestling show that featured Kurt Angle was announced as having 11,500 people in attendance, however the actual number is believed to be less than that. It is believed that Kurt Angle was paid $10,000 for the appearance.

Jeff Jarrett recently made the decision to make TNA TV matches go longer. This is being done in an effort to fix what management feels is their main weakness, the quality and length of matches on Impact.

Konnan is back in need of a kidney donor after it was determined that his mother was not compatible to donate. There are quite a few fans who have volunteered to be donors but first need to undergo full medical testing to see if they are healthy and compatible.

 

[A.J.]

AJ Styles will be doing the Spike TV/TNA iMPACT! Monthly Conference Call on 3/6. forums.wrestlezone.com will be covering this call live on their website.

While I was watching the NFL network on Thursday evening, I noticed that DirecTV ran an ad promoting the Destination X PPV on 3/11. The advertisement, however, focused on the Ultimate X match, and not Elevation X.

According to Dave Meltzer, Konnan and Brother Ray of Team 3D have legit heat, in fact, it is said they hate each other.

 

[A.J.]

Last night's 3/1 edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a final 1.1 cable rating with 1.4 million viewers overall.

This is up from last week's 1.0 rating.