– Destination America executives were at TNA Headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee recently to discuss ways that TNA can be integrated into their network, as well as other ideas that would benefit both sides.
– As noted recently, TNA may be taping some episodes of Impact Wrestling in the Midwest in December. The tapings may actually take place in Michigan. TNA officials are currently working out the details before deciding on taping in December or January.
As noted earlier today, former WWE Tag-Team Champions The Usos teased that they would be featured in a special on the WWE Network after Monday’s post-Survivor Series edition of RAW.
The Usos wrote the following: “Check out a lil preview on the app for The Usos special!! Tune in Nov. 24 after Raw!! #USOOO.”
We can now report that the special will be called “10 Hours to Houston” and will be a thirty-minute special that features The Usos.
WWE SmackDown was taped in Houston, Texas back on October 28th, so it’s likely that the special was filmed during that week.
The Wednesday, November 19th edition of Lucha Underground on the El Rey Network produced approximately 16,000 viewers, which was down from the 17,000 viewers who tuned into the show the previous week.
Of the 16,000 viewers who tuned in this past Wednesday night, only 5,000 viewers fall into the coveted 18-49 demographic.
To date, the best numbers for an episode of Lucha Underground was for the second episode, which averaged roughly 29,000 viewers.
TNA issued the following regarding their special online, Thanksgiving-edition of Impact Wrestling next week:
Thanksgiving’s Nonstop Action: “Thanksgiving Throwdown” To Air on YouTube This Wednesday
Thanksgiving is here! A time to stuff your face with delicious food, spend time with family and friends, and shop til’ you drop.
Since IMPACT is taking a week off of Spike (returning December 3), TNA is sharing an online exclusive of the best Turkey Bowl matches of all time when “Thanksgiving Throwdown” premieres on YouTube this Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 9/8c.
“Thanksgiving Throwdown” is hosted by everyone’s favorite turkey, Jeremy Borash, and gives you the best Turkey Bowl matches in TNA history. Relive the hilarious moments when grown men must put on the famous TNA turkey suit.
Also, ShopTNA is starting Black Friday early for fans who watch the show. Get an exclusive offer revealed during the “Thanksgiving Throwdown” YouTube broadcast. One lucky fan that places an order at ShopTNA through Black Friday will win a World Heavyweight Championship replica belt.
So gather the family and watch TNA’s “Thanksgiving Throwdown” premiering Wednesday at 9/8c exclusively on YouTube with on-demand replays available through midnight on Black Friday.
And be sure to watch IMPACT as we return to Spike December 3.
The following are highlights of a new Reno Gazette-Journal interview with Roman Reigns:
On those who call him a “mini-John Cena”: Last time I checked, I’m 6’3″ 265 pounds, which is bigger than John Cena. Last time I checked, my hair is long and jet black, and last time I checked John Cena’s isn’t. I’m way better looking and I’m way more athletic than he is so for anybody to compare me to him is completely asinine.”
On fans comparing the success of the former Shield members: “This is what everybody needs to understand, we’re all doing awesome. I mean, we’re all in that very top ring, we’re all top competitors and we’re all the future of the WWE. For any fan to complain that one of us is doing better than the other … is just complete B.S.”
– WWE Superstars The Usos teased that they will be featured in a new WWE Network special after this coming Monday’s edition of RAW. The Usos wrote the following: “Check out a lil preview on the app for The Usos special!! Tune in Nov. 24 after Raw!! #USOOO”
– The new “Shoot Nation” heel faction in NXT has a new member, as Tucker Knight is now part of the group. Knight was an amateur wrestler at Arizona State University. With his inclusion, the group now consists of Chad Gable, Angelo Dawkins, Jason Jordan, Sawyer Fulton and Knight.
– WWE is asking fans to record brief messages thanking the U.S. Troops for their service, some of which will be selected and used during the company’s upcoming “Tribute To The Troops” special in December. For more information, click here.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley posted the following on Facebook about wanting to return to WWE television as a General Manager.
“Everywhere I go these days, I am asked about the rumor that I will be the next GM of WWE Monday Night Raw. Yes, I’ve heard the rumor – but the runor’s only out there because I started it by writing last week that I would probably do it if asked. But as far as I know, that’s ALL there is to it, BUT, if the authority loses this Sunday at #SurvivorSeries, it does seem like there will be a shift in power – and possibly a new GM.”
– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with veteran pro wrestling journalist Bill Apter, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP170 – Bill Apter of Pro Wrestling Illustrated
“Bill Apter, formerly of Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, talks to the “1990 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Rookie Of The Year” (that’s Steve Austin in case you’re wondering) about Buddy Rogers, the death of the territories, the Von Erich family legacy, Gary Hart, Eddie Graham finishes, the Andy Kaufman-Jerry Lawler feud, Hulk Hogan in Rocky III, and the MRI machine that almost got the best of our favorite G.I.A.N.T. (global icon and national treasure).”
– The official WWE Survivor Series poster is featured on the latest edition of WWE’s “Canvas 2 Canvas” web show, which you can see below.
Resistance Pro Wrestling owners Gabriel Baron and Jacques Baron issued the following statement, addressing the departure of Billy Corgan from the promotion:
RESISTANCE Pro Fans and Friends,
As many of you may have heard, Billy Corgan has left his role as Creative Director for RESISTANCE Pro. Owners Gabriel and Jacques Baron – as well as the staff and roster of RESISTANCE Pro – will be eternally in his debt for everything he did during his time with us. He opened up doors and offered opportunities to us that would otherwise had been unobtainable for an independent professional wrestling promotion. His creative outlook and noble dedication to charity have inspired us since day one, and we will continue to keep those lessons near and dear to our hearts. There would not have been a RESISTANCE Pro without him guiding it since its inception back in 2011, and we will always respect and be in his debt for that.
RESISTANCE Pro has always been a professional wrestling company and that is what we will continue to be. Our sense of community is the heart of the company that keeps us moving forward into 2015. The New Year offers many new possibilities, change, and a challenge to ourselves that only we can meet. On January 17, 2015 we present our first show of 2015 – ANIMALS – in this new era of RESISTANCE Pro. It’s a fundraiser for the South Suburban Humane Society – a charitable cause that does amazing work in our community. We ask that longtime fans of R-Pro join us that evening to celebrate our past and the curious give us the opportunity to entertain you with an exciting new product. Our goal is to entertain and have fun while doing some good. Let’s make that happen – together.
– Former WWE Diva Beth Phoenix wil be honored next year, as she is scheduled to receive the Cauliflower Alley Club’s prestigious women’s wrestler award in 2015.
– WWE Divas The Bella Twins turn 31 years old today. Nikki and Brie were born on November 21, 1983. Also celebrating birthdays today are Shane Douglas (51), Afa The Wild Samoan (72) and former WCW star Jerry Flynn (55).
– Below is part four of Jeff Meacham’s “Talk Wrestling” interview with Rob Van Dam, where he talks about the current state of WWE and WWE’s process for developing the next “face of the company.”
The following are highlights of a new Total Wrestling Magazine interview with Diamond Dallas Page:
On who he enjoys watching in WWE currently: “I love to watch Randy Orton. I love that we have a similar finish, he is one of the top guys in the world, if not the guy. I’m a big Bray Wyatt fan too, I love his look, his promos, his energy.”
On his thoughts on his WWE run: “I didn’t have the run I should have had in WWE, but that’s ok, I had a great run in WCW. I lived the dream, and it was great fun. In WWE, I got the European Title, Tag-Team Titles, sure, but they didn’t mean anything to me. There was too much heat on the WCW guys at that time, they were seen as the enemy, we almost put the WWE out of business.”
On how Jake Roberts is doing now: “Jake’s not quite 100 percent, he still has a bit of pneumonia in his system. He isn’t close to dying or anything, but he isn’t a kid anymore, he’s close to 60. He’s just concentrating on getting better.”
– In the following video from Diamond Dallas Page’s official YouTube channel, WWE Hall Of Famer Scott Hall pays tribute to fellow WWE Hall Of Famer “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig.
– Former WWE Superstar CM Punk recently filmed some footage for Nerdist.com in Aquora Hills, California. Below is a photo from the shoot.
Earlier this week, TNA finally announced a new multi-year television deal that will see Impact Wrestling airing on Destination America starting January 2015.
There has been a lot of speculation that TNA will see a total reboot when they change networks and TNA Producer Bryan Edwards has since confirmed those reports.
Edwards said fans should expect “new everything” from TNA next year:
Former WWE Diva & TNA Knockout Mickie James recently spoke to Scott Fishman of The Miami Herald to promote her return to the ring on November 30 in North Carolina, where she’ll face Tessa Blanchard, daughter of Tully Blanchard.
Here’s what she said about wanting to return to WWE:
“It’s something I’m really interested in,” James said. “I’d have to revisit that whole thing…Things have changed since then. I think, ‘I’m better than 90 percent of the talent on TV now. Why am I going to step to the side to just train the future?’ I’m not ready to do that, and I’m not trying to be arrogant and self-absorbed. I can see how it can come off that way, but it’s the truth.”
“You look at least 75 percent or at least 80 percent on TV now. I know in my heart of hearts that I can draw more money than them and that I am better than them. I can put more asses in the seats than them. Why would I want to step aside? This is an ego thing, obviously. It’s about knowing your worth and your talent as well.”
“Why would I step aside to allow them to continue to be on top when you know you not only deserve to be there, but you deserve to be the best or one of the best. That is where my mind was over a year ago when I was first considering this whole thing. I was real intense about it. Obviously, now I have more than myself to think about. My position on it has changed in a sense that it’s not about just me anymore.”
– Former WWE Superstar Santino Marella will be making his return on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW with special guest host Larry The Cable Guy. The two will be promoting their film, “Jingle All The Way 2.”
– WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair is scheduled to do a one-man show tour in the United Kingdom in 2015. Below are the dates for the “Audience With Ric Flair” tour. For more information on the tour, visit MDAPromotions.co.uk.
May 24th – Scotland
May 25th – Newcastle
May 26th – Leeds
May 27th – Derby
May 28th – Leicester
May 29th – Portsmouth
May 30th – London
– Sting makes a guest appearance for IGN News, talking about TBS renewing the animated series “American Dad” in the video below.
– Although it was initially reported that the project was completed, apparently WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair will be filming the fitness DVD with NBA legend Dennis Rodman on Friday. Below is a new tweet from Flair regarding the project.
– Below is a video from the official WWE YouTube channel which features William Regal talking about the “NXT Takeover: R Evolution” live WWE Network special on December 11th.
NXT General Manager William Regal has officially announced the “NXT Takeover: R Evolution” live special for Thursday, December 11th at 8pm EST. on the WWE Network.
The main event for the show will feature Sami Zayn vs. Adrian Neville for the NXT Championship. The stipulation for the match has Zayn promising to quit if he loses.
More “NXT Takeover: R Evolution” matches are expected to be announced in the near future.
WWE Superstar Zack Ryder posted a video on YouTube, updating fans on the status of his shoulder injury.
In the video, which you can see above, Ryder says he received a stem cell injection to try and avoid surgery for a full thickness tear in his rotator cuff.
Ryder says he hopes to know if he will require surgery at some point in the next two months. As things stand now, there is no timetable for his WWE return.
As we wrote earlier this week, Triple H announced at the WWE SmackDown television taping on Tuesday night that all of the members of “Team Cena” would be fired if they lost the traditional elimination match at this Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view..
As it turns out, the stipulation is actually one that will see all of the “Team Cena” members get fired — except for John Cena himself — if the team loses to “Team Authority” at this Sunday’s pay-per-view main event.
Apparently Triple H said that Cena is still valuable to WWE, while his team members, Ryback, Big Show, Dolph Ziggler and Erick Rowan, are replaceable.
The Wednesday, November 19th edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, the final first-run edition of the show on the station, scored a final cable rating of 0.83, according to Nielsen Media Research. The number was down slightly from last week’s show, which finished at an 0.84 rating.
Wednesday’s Impact Wrestling averaged 980,000 viewers for Spike TV, which was actually up slightly from the previous week’s show, which averaged 970,000 viewers.
The following is an excerpt from a new Classic Rock website interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan:
“I always loved music and was in the UK for some award show, and Jerry Hall, Mick Jagger’s old lady, was walking out with me to present this award. I heard her talking on the phone to Mick about, ‘Oh, you got to find a bass player and you’ve only got two different choices.’
“She had already told me her kids were big fans and she wanted merchandise. I said, ‘Look, I used to play bass. I know all The Rolling Stones songs. Tell Mick if you guys need a bass player, I swear to god I could show up.’ I got home, sent her all the merchandise – and never heard a word back.”
After being asked whether or not there are plans in place regarding the threat of riots in St. Louis, which is where Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series will be taking place, WWE has issued a statement.
The riot threats stem from the announcement of the grand jury’s ruling on whether or not police officer Darren Wilson broke the law when he shot and killed Michael Brown.
Below is a statement WWE issued regarding the situation.
“As always, WWE is working closely with the venue to ensure the safety of our fans and performers, and they will keep us abreast of any developments.”
– Roman Reigns, who is still recovering after undergoing emergency surgery on an incarcerated hernia in September, could return to action as soon as Saturday, Dec. 20. He is being advertised to compete at a WWE live event taking place that night at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is the earliest date he is presently scheduled for.
– Check out for the first time ever, Sting’s WWE 2K15 Entrance.
– Tickets for the WWE live events in Texas on Sunday, Jan. 4 in Beaumont and Hidalgo go on sale this Saturday to the general public. Roman Reigns, Rusev, Ryback, Big Show and Mark Henry are advertised for the Beaumont show at Ford Arena, while John Cena, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins will be in action at the Hidalgo event at State Farm Arena.
– There is some speculation that WWE is building towards a Ryback vs. Triple H match. While nothing is official at this point, there’s been some talk that if the match were to happen, it would be at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
– WWE posted the following promo on their YouTube channel, focusing on the “Team Cena” vs. “Team Authority” main event at this Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.