There have been a number of backstage altercations in TNA Wrestling over the past week or two. Here’s the latest:

— There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

— According to the PWTorch Newsletter, AJ Styles went off on Vince Russo and was frustrated over “what he argued was dismal booking of him early in his run as champion.” Styles feels he’s been made to look like a weak champion by Russo. Samoa Joe also had some beef with TNA management, but it was not wrestling-related, Samoa Joe complained that TNA blew-off of a commitment to use his friend’s catering business at the Bound For Glory PPV in California. Joe complaining about catering .. insert joke here.

— Chris Sabin suffered a concussion at the TNA Impact TV tapings on Wednesday night in Orlando, FL. Sabin’s concussion took place during a tag team match between The Motor City Machineguns and Team 3D when Sabin landed awkwardly. Sabin reportedly told people backstage that he was out cold during the match, but somehow regained his composure and finished the finish. We’re told Kevin Nash blew up backstage about the incident and was overhead yelling at Team 3D for not killing the original finish as he felt Sabin’s health should have been the first priority. Nash felt that as veterans, Team 3D should have made that call on the fly and that someone in production could have given a cue to the referee to end the match. While it probably won’t air, Nash did walk out in front of the Impact Zone and cut a promo about how upset he was that the match continued as Sabin was laying on the ring apron. Sabin was said to be feeling much better after the taping had finished. Nash is being praised by other wrestlers with the company for looking out for the safety of his coworkers.

— There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

According to a very reliable source in TNA Wrestling , the person who attacked AJ Styles on iMPACT this week was former WWE and TNA star Tomko.

As we reported on Tuesday afternoon, Tomko was backstage in Orlando for Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings and was expected to appear on camera. From what we’ve been told, there current plan is for there to be a series of attacks on AJ Styles where the attacker looks like Daniels (bald head) but his face will not be revealed until a further date.

This will likely lead to a match between Styles and Tomko at some point, playing off their long history together in TNA.

In case you missed the attack on iMPACT!, here it is:

ECW creator Paul Heyman has accused pop star Rihanna of ripping off ECW’s 1998 music album “Extreme Music” for her new album, Russian Roulette. Heyman wrote the following on his Heyman Hustle site:

The entertainment community is abuzz about Rihanna’s new album cover , where the once-but-never-again-almost- Mrs.-Chris-Brown is wrapped up in barbed wire, with her right arm in the air, and blood dripping on the cover design.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm……… is this familiar to anyone?

…[H]ere’s Rihanna’s album cover today, and here’s The Sandman on the cover of the ECW album in 1998. Hardcore thievery? Dangerously Inspired? “Extreme” Coincidence?

What do you think? Did ECW invent barbed wire??

Thanks to reader Jon Hewett for sending in this live report from last night’s SmackDown tapings:

– Batista & Mysterio vs. Jericho & Kane tonight.

– Chris Jericho starts things off. Bragging Rights hype. JTG interrupts, then Vickie Guerrero interrupts. JTG’s better on the mic. Eric Escobar comes out, then Dolph Ziggler, then Drew McIntyre. Finally, Kane. Kane & Jericho run down their team for not being ready and set up a 4 on 5 tag match, because Shad is sick. Different stipulation than Raw’s 5 on 5 match.  This time, if a member of Team Smackdown loses, the whole team is replaced.

– 1st Match – Eric Escobar, JTG, Drew McIntyre & Dolph Ziggler vs. The Hart Dynasty, Finlay, Matt Hardy & R-Truth. Long match. Hardy pins JTG with a Twist of Fate after Finlay with a shillelagh hit.

– CM Punk, Scott Armstrong and Teddy Long are in the back talking about the screw job. Armstrong bails out, but runs into Vince McMahon.

– 2nd Match – John Morrison vs. Mike Knox. Morrison wins with Starship Pain.  Morrison gives a short promo after the match.

– Jericho & Kane congratulate Hardy and company on replacing all 5 of the old Smackdown team.

– Mickie James, Michelle McCool, Mae Young and Beth Phoenix promo. Young slaps the fool out of McCool.

– Batista & Rey talk backstage.

– 3rd Match – Batista & Mysterio vs. Jericho & Kane. Pyrofest 2009. Batista pins Kane with a spear after Mysterio scarifies himself to Kane on a chokeslam.

– Vince McMahon talks up tonight’s main event. Armstrong caved in. Taker-McMahon WrestleMania 26 foreshadowing here. Vince blackmails Armstrong by saying Bullet Bob could go in Hall of Fame this year if he cooperates.

– 4th Match – Mickie James vs. Layla. Mickie wins with a spin kick. And let’s just say she’s gotten the message from being moved.

– Captain Lou package.

– Cole & King hype Bragging Rights.

– 5th Match – CM Punk vs. Undertaker -  Submission Match for the World Heavyweight Title. Punk and company come out with a Straight Edge promo. Great simple stuff from Punk. Taker wins with Hell’s Gate despite Punk’s attempts at another screwjob. Punk tapped way too quickly.

– Taker plays to the crowd to send us home happy.

This morning, Matt Hardy posted several items on his Twitter account regarding his brother Jeff’s future. Matt wrote:

“A year or so from now, Jeff will be a bigger star and celebrity than he’s ever been-we locked him into a major project this week.”

“Nothing is gonna happen to Jeff, he’s a victim of a corrupt scam-the truth is coming out, and will come out in it’s entirety in the future.”

Interestingly enough, the comments have already been removed.

While this news does seem pretty juicy, let’s wait and see if anything materializes. Knowing Matt, he’ll follow up with an “AHA!” post how we’re all idiots for thinking he was talking about Jeff HARDY, when he was actually talking about his neighbor Jeff Jones, who was wrongfully accused of painting his house the wrong color.

Jeff Hardy was arrested back on September 11th after a search of his Cameron, N.C. residence yielded 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 Soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia. He was charged with felony trafficking in opium, two counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling to keep controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Related News:

• Rumor On What Led To Jeff Hardy’s Arrest
• Jeff Hardy News – Main Listing
  

Source: PWInsider.com

World Wrestling Entertainment has signed former tag team champion Lance Cade to a new contract.  He reported to Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE’s developmental territory, earlier this week.

Cade, who was trained by Shawn Michaels in Texas, is best known from his tag team with Trevor Murdoch. He had been in the midst of the biggeset push of his career, working as Chris Jericho’s second during a feud with Michaels when he was suddenly released in October 2008. WWE announcer Jim Ross reported at the time that Cade was let go after suffering a seizure on a flight that required emergency treatment. The belief at the time was that Cade’s seizure was the result of “something he had taken.”

Since his WWE releasse last year, he’s been working for the NWA in California as well as in Japan.

At Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings, Cryme Tyme member Shad Gaspard told WWE management that he was unable to participate on the show as scheduled because he was feeling very sick.

Gaspard’s partner, JTG took his spot at the last minute and you can read what went down here:

• *SPOILERS* SmackDown Tapings Results for Friday 10/23

After some online reports that some people backstage were questioning the legitimacy of Gaspard’s illness, he posted the following message on his MySpace page earlier today:

“Ok before this thing gets out of hands let me set the record straight. This past Monday I got sick while traveling from Mexico to the US. On Tuesday my symptoms increased drastically to body pains, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. I tried several over the counter medicines that temporarily worked, but didn’t help in the long run.

Finally I went to or WWE doctor who prescribed to give me a shot of Phenergan, which should have worked. Unforchantly it made me drowsy and brought on cold chills. The office thought it best I leave than try to perform. I spent Tuesday night in my hotel room vomiting and dealing with bad diarrheaa all night (Trust me no one ells was near or around me). When I got back home I dealt with the same symptom all day as my girl helped me get better bye taking what our family physician prescribed, and getting rest…..

I’ve never let being sick ever keep me from performing, I’ve worked sick, hurt, and injured before on live events, TV tapings, and Pay Per Views, I just never let no one excluding my partner know how I felt or what I was going through. I apologies to my tag team partner, the participants in my match and the WWE universe, I should have found out all the information about what was given to me before I took it, and prevented my self from getting sick in the first place.

I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m sorry. In our industry there is a tradition that the show must go on no mater what, and I feel I have betrayed that tradition bye not performing last Tuesday. The greatest joy in my life is performing in the WWE (Win, Lose or Draw), I love what I do, and I will never let something like this happen agene.

Sincerely
Shad Gaspard

At Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings, Cryme Tyme member Shad Gaspard told WWE management that he was unable to participate on the show as scheduled because he was feeling very sick.

Gaspard’s partner, JTG took his spot at the last minute and you can read what went down here:

• *SPOILERS* SmackDown Tapings Results for Friday 10/23

After some online reports that some people backstage were questioning the legitimacy of Gaspard’s illness, he posted the following message on his MySpace page earlier today:

“Ok before this thing gets out of hands let me set the record straight. This past Monday I got sick while traveling from Mexico to the US. On Tuesday my symptoms increased drastically to body pains, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. I tried several over the counter medicines that temporarily worked, but didn’t help in the long run.

Finally I went to or WWE doctor who prescribed to give me a shot of Phenergan, which should have worked. Unforchantly it made me drowsy and brought on cold chills. The office thought it best I leave than try to perform. I spent Tuesday night in my hotel room vomiting and dealing with bad diarrheaa all night (Trust me no one ells was near or around me). When I got back home I dealt with the same symptom all day as my girl helped me get better bye taking what our family physician prescribed, and getting rest…..

I’ve never let being sick ever keep me from performing, I’ve worked sick, hurt, and injured before on live events, TV tapings, and Pay Per Views, I just never let no one excluding my partner know how I felt or what I was going through. I apologies to my tag team partner, the participants in my match and the WWE universe, I should have found out all the information about what was given to me before I took it, and prevented my self from getting sick in the first place.

I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m sorry. In our industry there is a tradition that the show must go on no mater what, and I feel I have betrayed that tradition bye not performing last Tuesday. The greatest joy in my life is performing in the WWE (Win, Lose or Draw), I love what I do, and I will never let something like this happen agene.

Sincerely
Shad Gaspard

The November 2009 issue of Men’s Fitness magazine has exclusive excerpts from former WWE and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan’s new book, My Life Outside the Ring. Here are a few highlights:

Filming Rocky III with Sylvester Stallone: “So Stallone starts doing his Rocky thing and starts reaching out to try to punch me… I laughed out loud. He was maybe 170 pounds and I was pushing 320 at that point.”

Contemplating suicide: “Just three pounds of pressure is all it would take – nothing for these big hands – and if I moved that finger an inch in the right direction, like flicking a a switch, I could have blown my brains out.”

Being injured by The Undertaker: “Heck, the tips of my fingers are still numb from that Tombstone incident (an ill-executed move with the Undertaker, which caused Hogan to temporarily lose feeling in numerous body parts) way back in the 90s.”

The November 2009 issue of Men’s Fitness magazine has exclusive excerpts from former WWE and WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan’s new book, My Life Outside the Ring. Here are a few highlights:

Filming Rocky III with Sylvester Stallone: “So Stallone starts doing his Rocky thing and starts reaching out to try to punch me… I laughed out loud. He was maybe 170 pounds and I was pushing 320 at that point.”

Contemplating suicide: “Just three pounds of pressure is all it would take – nothing for these big hands – and if I moved that finger an inch in the right direction, like flicking a a switch, I could have blown my brains out.”

Being injured by The Undertaker: “Heck, the tips of my fingers are still numb from that Tombstone incident (an ill-executed move with the Undertaker, which caused Hogan to temporarily lose feeling in numerous body parts) way back in the 90s.”

Thanks to reader Greg Harlow for sending in these results from last night’s TNA iMAPCT! tapings in Orlando:

Xplosion:
Sheik Abdul Bashir vs. Kip James
Sheik wins after a missed Famasser into a roll up with a handful of tights

Impact:
Kurt Angle comes out by himself says he is in the ring without a family and its been a year since they started the Mafia. He says they were not about job security, it was about respect. He sees that the roster is evolving and growing up talking about the talent of Eric and AJ, focusing on how AJ strives to be the best. Then moves on to Morgan’s talent. He says that he now sees the locker room as his peers and he wants to fight alongside them. 

Out comes Rhino who says the Mafia is no more. He says TNA management wants to phase the vets out to make room for people like Morgan and Hernandez. Kurt says maybe they earned it, but Rhino disagrees.

Now 3D comes out and Brother Ray is screaming at Rhino about what he did to him at BFG (Crowd is ALL OVER Rhino). Rhino says 3D is in the same boat. He tells them maybe they should go in the back and check the card because they are not on it, while he has a match with Hernandez later tonight.

Backstage interview…AJ and Daniels talk about what just happened with Kurt and says its just them against the competition.  Lauren says at Turning Point its Joe vs. Daniels vs. AJ for the title.

Raisha Saieed is in the back with Lauren talking about her match with Kong tonight

Homicide must have attacked Red backstage because he threw Red down the face tunnel and they fight toward the ring…after a great showing between the two Homicide wins after the Gringo Killer.

Matt Morgan vs. Scott Steiner
Before the bell, Steiner goes to Bobby Lashley’s wife, Krystal Marshall who is sitting ringside.  They have a back and forth match which ended up outside the ring near Krystal. Steiner throws Morgan back in the ring and goes after her. Lashley comes out while Hebner is preoccupied with Morgan and they brawl. Morgan wins with the Carbon Footprint.

AJ and Daniels vs. Joe and Nash
Nash and Joe win after Daniels goes for a tag but AJ moonsaulted onto Joe on the floor. Nash chokeslams Daniels and says he’s going after Eric Young.

Eric Young is in the back and says he has a huge announcement for next week’s Impact.

Lauren is backstage with the Motor City Machine Guns talking about the first Ultimate X Match on broadcast TV.

Earlier today they taped a segment with the Beautiful People in catering which they called the set for their new movie, “Meanest Girls” which was an attack on Taylor and Sarita.

Raisha Saeed vs. Awesome Kong
Raisha actually had some decent offense including a top rope “famasser”. Kong wins after an Implant Buster. She drags Saeed to the top of the ramp after the match and power bombs her off the stage. It takes easily 10 minutes to stretcher her out.

Team 3D comes out for commentary.
Rhino vs. Hernandez
Hernandez wins after a big splash off the top. While Hernandez is celebrating, Rhino attacks him. Hernandez gets in the offensive and 3D stops him from Border Tossing Rhino telling him that Rhino is not worth a suspension.

Nigel McGuiness debuts as Desmond Wolf during a backstage segment where he beats down on Kurt Angle.

Six Sides of Steel for TNA Tag Titles: Beer Money vs British Invasion (Champions)
Awkward setup as the teams actually have to tag in and out. Crowd is HOT for this match, however not happy with the result when Beer Money wins by DQ after Brutus knocks out referee Slick Johnson. Still Champions, British Invasion.

Dave Penzer announces to the live audience that Kurt Angle is on his way to ringside and he apparently doesn’t know why…previous beatdown maybe?

As the ring crew is taking down the six sides of steel Kurt comes out and calls out Desmond Wolf. He doesn’t come out and as Kurt goes to the back he is attacked from behind. He sets Kurt up on the top rope and hits a Tower of London on Angle.

Ultimate X for Tag Title Shot at Turning Point: MCMG vs Lethal Consequences
In an awesome match that had some great spots in it, the Machineguns won when Sabin retrieved the X

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted an update regarding his health and future plans after suffering a 3rd attack of Bells Palsy earlier this week. Ross says he will not be at the Bragging Rights PPV on Sunday and his future as an announcer is currently in question.

“I saw my neurologist today in Norman and had a long consultation and some testing,” Ross wrote. “He diagnosed me, as expected with full blown Bells palsy. It is on the right side of my face and has adversely affected my vision in my right eye more than previous bouts. We are concerned about the cornea in my right eye being damaged which is why I am using a ton of artificial tears and having to tape my eye shut at night to sleep along with using a gel in my eye under the eye patch…

“My time line on returning to work is unknown as I write this. I wish it was going to be this Sunday in Pittsburgh as I wanted to be a part of Bragging Rights on PPV. I think it will be a fun and a unique show that will be showcasing some new talents in key bouts…

“So, Sunday night I will be at home in Norman watching Bragging Rights on PPV. I don’t know the announcer lineup but it ‘might’ be a three man team of (Michael) Cole, King (Jerry Lawler), and Todd Grisham but that’s only an educated guess. It could be something else altogether but obviously Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler will be figured in the mix prominently.

“For those fans that think that this is the end for me or the end is near I suggest you rethink your position. I won’t allow your views to adversely affect me because I still love to play the game. I am an old school guy who still loves calling wrestling matches and sitting at ringside soaking up the adrenaline from the fans.”

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted an update regarding his health and future plans after suffering a 3rd attack of Bells Palsy earlier this week. Ross says he will not be at the Bragging Rights PPV on Sunday and his future as an announcer is currently in question.

“I saw my neurologist today in Norman and had a long consultation and some testing,” Ross wrote. “He diagnosed me, as expected with full blown Bells palsy. It is on the right side of my face and has adversely affected my vision in my right eye more than previous bouts. We are concerned about the cornea in my right eye being damaged which is why I am using a ton of artificial tears and having to tape my eye shut at night to sleep along with using a gel in my eye under the eye patch…

“My time line on returning to work is unknown as I write this. I wish it was going to be this Sunday in Pittsburgh as I wanted to be a part of Bragging Rights on PPV. I think it will be a fun and a unique show that will be showcasing some new talents in key bouts…

“So, Sunday night I will be at home in Norman watching Bragging Rights on PPV. I don’t know the announcer lineup but it ‘might’ be a three man team of (Michael) Cole, King (Jerry Lawler), and Todd Grisham but that’s only an educated guess. It could be something else altogether but obviously Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler will be figured in the mix prominently.

“For those fans that think that this is the end for me or the end is near I suggest you rethink your position. I won’t allow your views to adversely affect me because I still love to play the game. I am an old school guy who still loves calling wrestling matches and sitting at ringside soaking up the adrenaline from the fans.”

The results are in for our second poll here at SEScoops.com and the results are not a good sign for WWE heading into Sunday’s Bragging Rights Pay-Per-View.

Over 3,000 SEScoops.com readers cast their vote when we asked, “Are You Looking Forward To 60 Minutes of John Cena & Randy Orton?

70% said, “NOOO – Not More Cena & Orton!!”

30% said, “Hell Yeah – These Two Have Great Matches”

There’s a new poll up now – let’s hear what you think about Nigel MGuiness signing with TNA Wrestling….

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan says he had his finger on the trigger of a gun and was about to kill himself when he received a phone call from a concerned celebrity friend.

The New York Daily News has published quotes from Hulk’s new book “My Life Outside the Ring,” where he describes hit rock bottom after the nasty breakup with his wife of 23 years and coping with Nick’s car accident that put Nick in jail and left family friend John Graziano brain-damaged.

Hulk says he did everything he could to keep his family together. “I practically begged her, ‘Please, don’t file. Our son’s just had this accident — if we do this now, it’ll make us look like the Britney Spears family. Please, don’t file for divorce.'” Hogan calls Linda an abusive alcoholic who once threatened to beat Nick with a wine bottle. Hulk says the extend of Linda’s crazy side was never really seen on their “Hogan Knows Best” VH1 reality show because “There were plenty of times when Linda would lose it, but no one wanted to see that kind of ugliness on TV.”

Hogan then describes a darker chapter in his life, where he almost committed suicide. Hulk said one day while filming NBC’s “American Gladiators,” he downed a heavy cocktail of rum and the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. Later in the day, he received a phone call from co-host Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali, who was concerned for him after noticing he seemed distracted at work. Hogan said in the book that he had reached for a gun and put his finger on the trigger when Ali called.

• Buy Hulk Hogan’s “My Life Outside The Ring” Now at Amazon.com

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan says he had his finger on the trigger of a gun and was about to kill himself when he received a phone call from a concerned celebrity friend.

The New York Daily News has published quotes from Hulk’s new book “My Life Outside the Ring,” where he describes hit rock bottom after the nasty breakup with his wife of 23 years and coping with Nick’s car accident that put Nick in jail and left family friend John Graziano brain-damaged.

Hulk says he did everything he could to keep his family together. “I practically begged her, ‘Please, don’t file. Our son’s just had this accident — if we do this now, it’ll make us look like the Britney Spears family. Please, don’t file for divorce.'” Hogan calls Linda an abusive alcoholic who once threatened to beat Nick with a wine bottle. Hulk says the extend of Linda’s crazy side was never really seen on their “Hogan Knows Best” VH1 reality show because “There were plenty of times when Linda would lose it, but no one wanted to see that kind of ugliness on TV.”

Hogan then describes a darker chapter in his life, where he almost committed suicide. Hulk said one day while filming NBC’s “American Gladiators,” he downed a heavy cocktail of rum and the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. Later in the day, he received a phone call from co-host Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali, who was concerned for him after noticing he seemed distracted at work. Hogan said in the book that he had reached for a gun and put his finger on the trigger when Ali called.

• Buy Hulk Hogan’s “My Life Outside The Ring” Now at Amazon.com

WWE World Heavyweight champion The Undertaker is not expected to retire at WrestleMania 26, despite speculation to the contrary. His surgically repaired hip is still causing him a great deal of discomfort during and after his matches, but he’s working through it and receiving regular physical therapy to manage the pain.

There has been speculation that he had hip replacement surgery after WrestleMania, but a well-placed source disputes that rumor. “That’s physically impossible to come back that soon” (from hip replacement surgery), the source said.

The feeling is that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Dead Man is hoping to work his current [reduced] schedule for another two to three years.  Even then, after he’s had enough of being a full time member of the roster, the belief is that he’ll still make himself available for special appearances and the occasional special attraction match.

(Credit to prowrestling.net for some of the information used in this report)

WWE World Heavyweight champion The Undertaker is not expected to retire at WrestleMania 26, despite speculation to the contrary. His surgically repaired hip is still causing him a great deal of discomfort during and after his matches, but he’s working through it and receiving regular physical therapy to manage the pain.

There has been speculation that he had hip replacement surgery after WrestleMania, but a well-placed source disputes that rumor. “That’s physically impossible to come back that soon” (from hip replacement surgery), the source said.

The feeling is that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Dead Man is hoping to work his current [reduced] schedule for another two to three years.  Even then, after he’s had enough of being a full time member of the roster, the belief is that he’ll still make himself available for special appearances and the occasional special attraction match.

(Credit to prowrestling.net for some of the information used in this report)

– TNA Bound For Glory PPV was reportedly Booker T’s final appearance with the company. His contract expires in November and the company has no intentions on resigning the former WWE/WCW star. It is said that Dixie Carter would have considered resigning Booker if he approached the situation properly but instead he refused to do a job at the last Impact tapings. Booker T was not well liked backstage and one source went as far to saying, “He’s been such an asshole that most people were just happy to see him go.” Booker T has been telling people that he has an offer from WWE. (Source: prowrestling.net)

• Warning: The following contains spoilers for Thursday’s edition of TNA iMAPCT!

The following matches were announced for TNA Turning Point on 11/15 at Tuesday’s iMPACT! tapings:

TNA World Title Match
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels

Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolf (Nigel McGuiness)

Former WWE & ECW champion Rob Van Dam appeared on the Between The Ropes radio show with Brian Fritz on Tuesday night and talked about his experience at Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory event. Van Dam met Vince Russo and Dixie Carter for the first time at the show.

Regarding his meeting with Vince Russo, he said, “I think that was the first I’ve met him,” Van Dam said. “I’ve talked to him on the phone a few times. I stood there and talked with him for a few minutes the other day. I’ve only known him by reputation before, which was a little choppy.” Van Dam sounded a bit skeptical of Russo, but acknowledged that most of what he’s heard has been second and third hand information.

Van Dam also described his brief encounter with TNA president Dixie Carter. “It was real short,” Van Dam said. I introduced myself to her. She said, ‘Yeah, we’ve talked on the phone.’ And then it was it was real awkward like she wanted to talk, but there wasn’t anything to say.”

To listen to the full interview, visit BetweenTheRopes.com.

Former WWE & ECW champion Rob Van Dam appeared on the Between The Ropes radio show with Brian Fritz on Tuesday night and talked about his experience at Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory event. Van Dam met Vince Russo and Dixie Carter for the first time at the show.

Regarding his meeting with Vince Russo, he said, “I think that was the first I’ve met him,” Van Dam said. “I’ve talked to him on the phone a few times. I stood there and talked with him for a few minutes the other day. I’ve only known him by reputation before, which was a little choppy.” Van Dam sounded a bit skeptical of Russo, but acknowledged that most of what he’s heard has been second and third hand information.

Van Dam also described his brief encounter with TNA president Dixie Carter. “It was real short,” Van Dam said. I introduced myself to her. She said, ‘Yeah, we’ve talked on the phone.’ And then it was it was real awkward like she wanted to talk, but there wasn’t anything to say.”

To listen to the full interview, visit BetweenTheRopes.com.

Warning: The following contains *Spoilers* for tonight’s edition of TNA iMPACT!

Former Ring of Honor champion Nigel McGuiness made his TNA Wrestling debut at Tuessday’s iMPACT tapings from Orlando.

McGuiness, now known as Desmond Wolf in TNA, made his debut in a backstage segment with Kurt Angle in which Wolf attacked the Olympic gold medalist.  Later in the show, Angle and Wolf were in the ring together and Wolf gave Angle his Tower of London move.

Wolf signing with TNA Wrestling came as a surprise to many. Over the summer, Ring of Honor issued a statement that he was leaving their company and had agreed to a deal in principle with World Wrestling Entertainment. He was telling people at the iMPACT! taping that he signed with TNA after he got fed up with WWE “dragging their feet” and not sending him a contract after they had agreed on a deal.

Update: Its been confirmed that the reason Nigel McGuiness failed WWE’s pre-screening physical and WWE pulled their verbal offer to him and never offered him an actual contract. The story goes that this was not the case of Nigel failing a drug test, but a medically related test that caused WWE to shy away from signing him. TNA does not have a pre-screening test for their incoming talents.

Warning: The following contains *Spoilers* for tonight’s TNA iMAPCT! tapings

Former Ring of Honor Champion Nigel McGuinness is backstage at the TNA iMPACT! Zone in Orlando, FL for tonight’s taping, according to Jason Powell of prowrestling.net. Although Ring of Honor recently issued a statement that McGuiness had “agreed in principle” to a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment, it appears he has opted to sign with TNA instead and will debut at tonight’s tapings.

In an interview with the U.K. Sun on September 4th, McGuiness said, “I am not 100 percent on board yet. I still have to cross some I’s and dot some T’s but it’s looking positive. I don’t want to tempt fate until it’s all signed sealed and delivered.”

McGuiness is telling people that he opted to sign with TNA because WWE took too long to send his contract.

There has also been some buzz that fellow former ROH Champion Bryan Danielson might be TNA-bound as well. ROH also sent out a statement last month that Danielson was WWE bound, but that appears to have fallen through.

The early talk is that WWE dragged its feet on signing the duo, so TNA swooped in and signed Nigel. Danielson very well could be next.

UPDATE: We’ve received word that former WWE & TNA star Travis Tomko is also backstage in Orlando and is expected to work tonight’s taping.

While on a Monday night flight from Oklahoma to Columbia, South Carolina for tonight’s SmackDown tapings, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Rosss suffered his 3rd Bells palsy attack. He was able to reach WWE doctors and they called in the medicines he needed to get started on to slow down the paralysis. He wrote on JRsBarBQ.com this afternoon:

“This isn’t my first challenge I’ve had to deal with and there are lots of folks that have much worse issues than do I that they contend with on a daily basis. My intention is to fight thru this and continue doing what I love.”

“The wrestling business and those that work in it have become such a huge part of my life and the way I see it this is just another bump in the road as I am far from “tapping out. With all the fans that have always supported me thru 35 years, I know I won’t be going thru this alone.”

Ross had planned to work tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings alongside Jerry “Lawler,”  filling in for the recently married Tod Grisham. Those plans have now changed.

“It has been decided that I should not risk further issues by working tonight and I am in the process of arranging a flight back to OKC so I can see a neurologist on Wednesday.”

“I want to be a part of Bragging Rights but only time will tell if that will be physically possible. My passion and love for the game is in tact but I have to do what’s best for my long term health”

“Life is about facing the challenges we encounter so I am going to do all I can to get better and back at the announce desk asap. I wish I had more answers but I simply don’t at this time … Never count me out of the game as this isn’t the first mountain that I have had to climb. Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole will handle SD from Columbia. My thanks to every one for understanding this matter. Better days are on the horizon.

Ross said he’s grateful that WWE has been “tremendously supportive” of his situatiion.

We wish JR a full and speedy recovery.

While on a Monday night flight from Oklahoma to Columbia, South Carolina for tonight’s SmackDown tapings, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Rosss suffered his 3rd Bells palsy attack. He was able to reach WWE doctors and they called in the medicines he needed to get started on to slow down the paralysis. He wrote on JRsBarBQ.com this afternoon:

“This isn’t my first challenge I’ve had to deal with and there are lots of folks that have much worse issues than do I that they contend with on a daily basis. My intention is to fight thru this and continue doing what I love.”

“The wrestling business and those that work in it have become such a huge part of my life and the way I see it this is just another bump in the road as I am far from “tapping out. With all the fans that have always supported me thru 35 years, I know I won’t be going thru this alone.”

Ross had planned to work tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings alongside Jerry “Lawler,”  filling in for the recently married Tod Grisham. Those plans have now changed.

“It has been decided that I should not risk further issues by working tonight and I am in the process of arranging a flight back to OKC so I can see a neurologist on Wednesday.”

“I want to be a part of Bragging Rights but only time will tell if that will be physically possible. My passion and love for the game is in tact but I have to do what’s best for my long term health”

“Life is about facing the challenges we encounter so I am going to do all I can to get better and back at the announce desk asap. I wish I had more answers but I simply don’t at this time … Never count me out of the game as this isn’t the first mountain that I have had to climb. Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole will handle SD from Columbia. My thanks to every one for understanding this matter. Better days are on the horizon.

Ross said he’s grateful that WWE has been “tremendously supportive” of his situatiion.

We wish JR a full and speedy recovery.