SEScoops

Category: TNA

  • Jeff Hardy Legal Update, Bischoff & Hogan’s TNA Future

    Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    – Jeff Hardy’s trial was scheduled to begin yesterday morning in Carthage, NC with Judge James M. Webb. No word yet on what happened in court.

    – The feeling within TNA right now is that Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan won’t be leaving any time soon.

    – Awesome Kong recently tried to trademark the Awesome Kong name so she could use it on the independent scene. Right now she’s using the Amazing Kong name until the issue is settled.

    – Mr. Anderson’s recent babyface turn in TNA was a decision that was made just before the Sacrifice pay-per-view where he wrestled Jeff Hardy.

  • TNA iMPACT! Preview For Tonight: Hardy, Styles, Sting

    Here’s a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s TNA iMPACT! on Spike:

    * Roxxi vs. New TNA Knockout Rosie Lottalove

    * AJ Styles vs. Kazarian vs. Jay Lethal

    * Rob Van Dam vs. Sting vs. Matt Morgan Samoa Joe

    * Mr Anderson vs. Robert Roode

    * Desmond Wolfe & Orlando Jordan vs. Abyss w/Chelsea & Rob Terry

  • TNA Victory Road 2010 PPV Poster With Kurt Angle & Synopsis

    PPV provider iNDEMAND has released the official pay-per-view poster and synopsis for TNA’s Victory Road, which takes place on July 11th from the iMPACT Zone in Orlando:

    Synopsis: On Sunday, July 11th, watch Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Mr. Anderson as they fight their way to victory! Which contender will earn RVD’s TNA heavyweight title? Tune in on July 11th to find out! Order “TNA: Victory Road” live on Pay-Per-View!

  • Knockouts Upset Over Pay, Hot Chicks At iMPACT!

    (sources: f4wonline.com, pwtorch.com)

    – TNA’s iMPACT! television tapings last week featured planted fans as attractive young women were purposely placed in the front row.

    – There has been more grumbling than usual amongst the female performers of TNA over the pay discrepancy between them and their male wrestler counterparts. Reportedly, they talked amongst themselves early last week of getting all the women together to demand a raise from management. However, the three-day television tapings in Orlando concluded without confrontation.

    – In an interview with www.Angel-Williams.net, Angelina Love comments on TNA moving back to Thursday nights, whether she misses working with Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne in “The Beautiful People,” how she came up with the name Angel, working with Natalya, and more.

    When asked to comment on Lacey Von Erich, who made some choice remarks about her during her brief hiatus from the organization, she answered: “Well Lacey and I had never met each other until I came back to TNA at the beginning of this year. I think having the chance to be around each other has changed any pre-conceived feelings we may have had for one another. She’s definitely one of a kind!”

    Love also noted that she hopes to work with Mickie James one day.

  • TNA Very Interested In Signing Mickie James Next Month

    According to a reliable source in TNA, the company plans to offer Mickie James a Knockouts contract when her 90-day no-compete clause with World Wrestling Entertainment expires in late July.

    Earlier this month, TNA president Dixie Carter wrote on Twitter that she and Jeremy Borash attended Mickie James’s album release party in Nashville. This was actually not the first time Carter and James met as the two met in person shortly after the multi-time Women’s Champion release from WWE to begin informal discussions on joining TNA.

    Friends of the recently released WWE Diva indicate she’s not looking to do anything wrestling related for the time being as she is concentrating on her country music career. It’s also said that she doesn’t talk about the wrestling industry much these days. Nonetheless, TNA is very interested in signing her.

    Mickie James worked for TNA back in 2003, before her time in WWE. Here are some pictures of Mickie in TNA, wrestling as Alexis Laree:

  • Update On Booker T, Backstage Heat On Newcomer, Kevin Thorn

    (source: www.pwtorch.com)

    — As noted earlier, Booker T was a surprise replacement for AJ Styles at TNA’s live event in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He lives within driving distance of the venue and was asked to appear when Styles was unable to appear at the show. Booker was also backstage the following night in Houston. Though he’s close with TNA World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam, it’s been indicated that he won’t be returning to the company.

    — Many in the locker room are sounding off on TNA using international wrestler Kazuchika Okada, who thus far has been regulated to Xplosion. Many feel he’s not nearly as talented as fellow Japanese wrestler Kiyoshi, who has been sparingly used in recent months.

    — Kevin Thorn was not backstage at the company’s last set of television tapings despite online reports claiming he was. The former WWE star regularly appears for the Winnipeg-based independent promotion WFX, taking part in a faction called “The Brotherhood.”

  • Varon To Meet With WWE Officials, Update On ’93 Raw DVD Set

    — Lisa Marie Varon (a/k/a Tara; formerly known as Victoria in WWE) is expected to speak with WWE officials regarding a potential return to the company now that her contract with TNA has expired. However, friends of Varon say it’s possible she’ll return to TNA should WWE not make her a better contract offer as she’s on good terms with management again. (source: www.pwtorch.com)

    — According to a recent issue of WWE Magazine, there were tentative plans for WWE to release every single episode of Monday Night Raw from 1993 on DVD. The project has been scrapped in favor of “best of” DVD set highlighting the first two “seasons” of Monday Night Raw — 1993 and 1994. Click here for more information on the upcoming release.

    — Former WWE Divas Lisa Marie Varon, Lilian Garcia and Christy Hemme have been added to Wizard World’s Chicago Comic Con taking place August 20-22 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Other wrestling talent scheduled to appear include Diamond Dallas Page, Mick Foley, Amy Dumas, The Iron Sheik, Shane Douglas, The Honky Tonk Man, Jackie Haas, Charlie Haas, Bushwacker Luke and Rikishi. Click here for more information.

  • Hogan Undergoes Back Surgery, Early Details On Impact Rating

    — Hulk Hogan underwent successful back surgery earlier this week. TMZ reports Hogan had bone spurs removed in a three-to-four-hour procedure on Wednesday. He left the hospital the same day as the procedure.

    Flair said during a promotional tour overseas this week that Hogan wouldn’t be able to wrestle again unless he underwent successful back surgery.

    — Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT! averaged 1.34 million viewers over the course of the two-hour broadcast. This number is up from last week’s 1.29 million viewership total. The official number is expected to be released on Monday. (source: www.pwtorch.com)

    — To correct an earlier report, ODB is not engaged. Shelly Martinez, who is friends with ODB, read the online report and asked her about it. The TNA Knockout said it’s not true.

  • Waltman Diagnosed With Hepatitis C, Homicide Working Injured

    — Sean Waltman said during an in-studio interview with The Cowhead Show on Thursday that he missed last month’s Lockdown pay-per-view because he tested positive for Hepatitis C. He also said he tried to commit suicide in Mexico, hanging himself with a garden hose and taking pills. However, the attempt was foiled when Alicia Webb (formerly known as Ryan Shamrock in WWE) found him.

    — Homicide is working with bad ribs, which he suffered a few weeks ago wrestling in a bad ring at an independent show. He hurt himself worse working against Jushin Thunder Liger at a Jersey All Pro Wrestling event last Saturday as they concluded the match prematurely. The X Division has no plans on taking any time off.

    — Last Saturday’s TNA live event at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas drew approximately 1,500 fans.

    (source: f4wonline.com)

  • TNA Seeking New Ring Announcer – Lilian Garcia To Follow?

    In light of ring announcer David Penzer’s departure from TNA Wrestling last week, Jeremy Borash is now being used as the company’s full-time ring announcer. However, the move may not be permanent as TNA officials are reportedly seeking talent outside the organization to assume the role.

    According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA officials have displayed interest in acquiring veteran ring announcer Gary Michael Cappetta, whose career dates back to the 1970s. While he has worked for Ring of Honor in recent years, he hasn’t worked full-time in the industry since leaving World Championship Wrestling more than a decade ago. Currently, he is a Spanish teacher at Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey.

    There is also an unconfirmed report circulating online indicating TNA officials have contemplated asking former WWE songstress Lilian Garcia about joining the organization. While the former WWE Diva has yet to publicly acknowledge TNA, she’s very much aware of the Orlando-based wrestling promotion. The former ring announcer of Monday Night Raw has privately told friends she considers herself very loyal to WWE and thus she could never see herself working for TNA. Though she loved her job with WWE, she cited the taxing road schedule as her main reason for departing the company last year. Recently, Garcia moved out west to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment field, so a return to professional wrestling appears highly unlikely at this point.

  • Maria Says She Hasn’t Spoken To TNA, Complaints On Rob Terry

    — Contrary to reports stating Maria Kanellis has been negotiating with TNA Wrestling officials, the former WWE Diva said in a recently filmed “shoot” interview with Highspots.tv that while she has received overtures from people affiliated with the organization, she has not had any official conversation or offer. As stated in previous interviews, she has not, however, ruled out joining the promotion in the future.

    — A number of wrestlers have been complaining as of late over the company’s decision to prominently feature Rob Terry, as well as Jesse Neal and newcomer Rosie Lottalove, on television. Many in the locker room feel the Team 3D Wrestling Academy students are not ready to be featured on national television and should still training.

    — Ashley Fliehr, daughter of Ric Flair, married long-time boyfriend Riki Johnson this past Sunday. His older daughter Megan married for a second time several weeks ago. Flair left for the UK directly after Ashley’s wedding to promote TNA’s upcoming tour there.

  • Two TNA Knockouts Cleared To Return, Update On Hamada, More

    — TNA president Dixie Carter announced on Thursday that both Angelina Love and Daffney have received medical clearance to return to the ring. Carter said the duo “will be back in the coming weeks.”

    Love has been out with an arm injury suffered during a Triple Threat Match last month against Tara and Madison Rayne. Meanwhile, Daffney suffered a badly bruised sternum during a match against recent signee Betsy Ruth last month. The incident resulted in “The Scream Queen” being stretchered out of The Impact! Zone.

    — Infrequently seen TNA Knockout Hamada was recently in danger of being released but scored a reprieve from management due to the shortage of female wrestling created by Lisa Marie Varon’s departure from the organization, as well as injuries suffered by Angelina Love and Daffney. Talk of cutting Hamada led to much head scratching amongst the wrestlers as she’s considered the best worker in the Knockouts division.

    — TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Madison Rayne will be throwing out the first pitch at Saturday’s Durham Bulls minor league baseball game in Durham, North Carolina.

  • TNA Reportedly Signs Reid Flair, Hogan Trends Ahead Of Coleman

    — According to Ric Flair, TNA Wrestling has signed his son Reid.

    The WWE Hall of Famer is currently in the midst of a media tour helping promote TNA’s tour of the United Kingdom beginning in January 2011. During an interview promoting the tour, Flair said TNA signed his son to a contract.

    The 22-year-old’s wrestling career has been sidetracked by trouble with the law. On March 4, 2009, he was arrested for driving while impaired in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but released after posting $1,000 in bail. He was arrested again on April 26, 2009. After crashing his car, police found black tar heroin inside it, resulting in felony charges. He was also charged with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia, but was released after posting $15,000 in bail.

    — Hulk Hogan is listed as the No. 2 trending topic tonight on Yahoo.com. Meanwhile, actor Gary Coleman, who passed away today after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage, was briefly listed at No. 9 but has since fallen out of the top search list.

    — TNA has added Roxxi to its roster page.

  • Ric Flair To Wrestle Again, Booker T’s TNA Status & More

    – Ric Flair spoke to the UK’s Daily Mirror this week to hype TNA’s Maximum iMPACT! III tour of the UK in January. In part 1 of a video interview conducted with Flair, he says he will wrestle on the tour and will remain and on-air character with TNA as long as he remains healthy. He also says he’s currently the happiest he’s been since 1986 – because TNA “lets him be Ric Flair,” something he couldn’t do in WWE. Flair says Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are with TNA for the long haul and makes the bold claim that TNA will have “as much awareness as” WWE in six months time.

    To watch Part 1 of the Daily Mirror’s interview with Flair, click here.

    – After Booker T made a surprise appearance at last weekend’s TNA live event from Houston, Texas, the company issued the following statement to PWInsider.com clarifying that it was a one-time deal:

    “Booker T is not affiliated with TNA Wrestling at this time. However, due to a mechanical issue, AJ Styles was unable to fly in for the TNA live event, and Booker made a surprise appearance in his place. TNA prides itself on creating the best live events in professional wrestling, and you never know what can happen when you attend TNA Live.”

  • Vintage Sound Off 17: Cena Diagnosed With Foot-In-Mouth Disease

    Solomonster Sounds Off

    DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
    Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 17)
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    Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 20 minutes

    A new episode of the Sound Off will return next weekend, but this Memorial Day, enjoy a VINTAGE episode (#17) featuring a classic Solomonster rant on John Cena. From 3/2/08.

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  • Ric Flair Says He’ll Never Retire Again & Talks TNA, WWE

    The legendary Ric Flair was recently interviewed by the UK’s DigitalSpy.com to hype TNA’s Maximum iMPACT! 3 UK tour in January. Here are some highlights of what the Nature Boy said about:

    Working for TNA: “I love it, it’s fantastic. The fact they are working so hard to enhance their brand and become competitive with other sports entertainment companies is huge. They have the money behind them and they have a tremendous boss in Dixie Carter. She is awesome to work for and – unlike most promoters – she is sympathetic in a very unsympathetic business!”

    The Internet: “I can’t even turn a computer on and if I could I wouldn’t pay any attention to it anyway! It’s not that I don’t respect the fans, but it’s just what can a wrestling fan tell me about wrestling? One of the problems with the young guys is they are more concerned with what the fans think about them than what they are achieving as individuals and what their boss thinks of them. But that’s normal with young guys and I get it but it’s nothing that will ever affect my role or thought process about myself. I know when I am in the ring when I am good and on, and when I leave the building if I was good and on. And 99 percent of the time I was on or I wouldn’t be here today!”

    Retiring Again: “I don’t even think like that. I have already had one retirement. I’ll never retire again. I’ll just walk away. Or fall off the top rope and turn to ash or dust! I’ll just crumble and they will sweep me into a waste basket and I’ll be gone!”

    Does He Miss WWE?: “I have friends I miss but I have made new friends here. I don’t dwell on the past ever. I’ll always have those guys for friends and we’ll always respect each other, but it’s like anything else, when you go home you go home. I don’t watch myself on TV. I go home and relax and enjoy my wife, my kids, and I have some grandchildren I love playing with. I’m in a good place and I do what I love doing.”

  • TNA iMPACT! Preview: Hardy vs. Wolfe, Anderson vs. Styles

    The following is scheduled for tonight’s episode of TNA iMPACT! on Spike ..

    * Ken Anderson vs. AJ Styles.

    * Jeff Hardy vs. Desmond Wolfe.

    * Sting confronts TNA Champion Rob Van Dam.

    * Jay Lethal vs. Kazarian

    * Abyss vs. Orlando Jordan.

    Related: *Spoilers* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For Tonight

    Here’s the official video preview for tonight:

  • Russo’s Future In TNA, Angle Banged Up, Stable For Foley?

    – Vince Russo is looking to become Executive Producer of TNA iMPACT, if he leaves the creative team. This is similar to the job that Kevin Dunn holds on WWE’s RAW brand.

    – Despite returning to the ring already, Kurt Angle is still banged up from the Lockdown match with Mr. Anderson. Angle hurt his ribs again at the May 21st TNA live event.

    – Speaking of busted ribs, Homicide is also nursing some soreness after working in a bad ring on the independent scene a few weeks back. Homicide aggrivated the injury even worse during a match with Japanese legend Jushin Lisger at the May 22nd for Jersey All Pro show.

    – As previously reported, the reason TNA did the storyline with taking Mick Foley off TV was because he was running out of dates on his contract. Foley recently pitched an idea to TNA officials that he’d return this summer with a new stable. It’s been speculated in the past that Foley would team up with a group of ECW Originals.

    Props: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Pope’s Shoulder Injured, New TNA Knockout Has Some Upset

    – D’Angelo Dinero recently suffered a labral tear in his shoulder. Though he appeared at last week’s television tapings to take part in a segment promoting the Top 10 Contender’s Rankings, he told friends he’s a month or two away from being healthy enough to return to the ring.

    – A number of people within TNA are negative on the company’s decision to sign independent women’s wrestler Betsy Ruth (Mary-Kate Duignan), whose Rosie Lottalove persona is reportedly based on Rosie O’Donnell and mid-90s WWE character Bertha Faye. Some within the organization see her as a potential replacement for Awesome Kong. However, she’s considered very green and many feel there are several other talented females available who could make an immediate impact in the company.

    Many assume management leans on talent from Team 3D’s wrestling academy because they work cheap and reside within driving distance of the Impact! Zone in Orlando. One wrestler believes management is paying Duignan $250 per appearance, and noted that TNA would have likely retained Kong had they bumped her salary up $250.

  • Borash Talks TNA Roster Cuts, iMPACT! Leaving Monday Nights

    TNA announcer Jeremy Borash was a guest on the “Right After Wrestling” radio show last night and spoke in-depth about TNA iMPACT! leaving Monday nights and returning to Thursdays.

    “I think it’s definitely a different era. It would have been nice to re-capture the competitive spirit of being on Monday nights, but at the end of the day, it was just more of an inconvenience. Perhaps being back on Thursday nights, we can prosper and thrive.  At the same time, I would have liked to have stuck it out a little bit longer on Mondays, especially at a point where there were very exciting programs that we did produce.” He added, “There are a lot of things about the Monday Night Wars that we could have taken part in and really brought some popularity to the idea of it again.”

    Borash was also asked about the online reports that TNA will be letting go 15-20 superstars in coming weeks in order to save money.

    “I don’t know if you look at it as roster cuts. You don’t say anything or we don’t hear anything about when we spend more money to hire people. When you say ‘roster cuts,’ it obviously invokes an ‘oooh’ kind of feeling to it,” Borash said. “At the same time, we have 60-something people under contract, so I think it’s a natural evolution of business. Sometimes you do have to trim the fat. The programs are being written differently where less people are being featured more prominently.”

    Borash also spoke also responded to criticism that “Total Nonstop Action Wrestling” and “TNA” are terrible names for a wrestling promotion. Many have pointed out that the name is grammatically awkward and the letters “TNA” conjure up images of what the acronym is most commonly known for – “tits and ass.”

    “We have years of promotion invested in it and it’s definitely something, you know – what it is, Total Nonstop Action – they are three easy-to-remember letters. Whether you like it or you don’t like it, it’s stuck around and it’s definitely made us three easy letters to remember.”

    To listen to audio of the Borash interview, visit HardcoreSportsRadio.com.

  • Dreamer Denies TNA Rumors, Daffney Possibly Being Dropped

    (source: www.f4wonline.com)

    — Daffney (Shannon Spruill), 34, may be dropped by TNA. Her contract expires later this year and there is talk it may not be renewed.

    Other Knockout contracts expiring this year including Hamada, ODB and Taylor Wilde.

    — Regarding speculation of Tommy Dreamer joining TNA, he says he has yet to be asked to join the promotion. For the time being, wrestling in Japan is his top priority.

    — Eric Bischoff made the hasty decision to turn Mr. Anderson baby as he was impressed with his crowd reactions in recent weeks. Long-term plans called for Anderson to remain heel, but the crowd reaction was too much to ignore.

  • Ric Flair Talks Coming Out Of Retirement, HBK’s Retirement

    TNA star Ric Flair recently spoke to Minnesota’s Duluth News Tribune to promote an upcoming TNA live event in the region. Here are some highlights of what the Nature Boy said about:

    Retiring At WrestleMania 24: “I don’t know what I thought at the time. Remember that it was WWE that decided to retire Ric Flair. Obviously it was very emotional for myself, Shawn, and my fans. It is not easy to do this for as long as I have and then all of a sudden quit because the company you work for tells you to. I’m not bashing WWE as I have great respect for the group. I believe that the whole set up was beautiful and they did a great job with the hall of fame ceremony and the goodbye on Raw afterward. But I am not ready to sit at home and build a garden. I feel great, I work hard, and I am ready to keep going.”

    Coming Out Of Retirement: “The athlete in question is the only person that truly knows if they are ready to retire. No one else .. The only one that truly will know the right time to stop is myself .. I was provided a unique opportunity and had a blast going to Australia. I feel I have a lot more to offer and that is what I am doing. I love TNA and feel that they have the right tools to be something huge. I am having just as much fun now as I did in the ’80s and that is saying something.”

    Shawn Michaels’ Retirement: “I think Shawn definitely wants to be a family man and be home with his wife. I do, however, feel that he will have a return match at a pay per view sometime down the line.”

    How Much He Is Like His On-Air Character: “Enough to give my attorney a few sleepless nights.”

    ?

  • Details On TNA’s Maximum iMPACT! UK Tour In January

    TNA has announced details for the company’s “Maximum iMPACT! III” UK tour in January 2011.

    Ric Flair will join World Heavyweight Champion Rob Van Dam and “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy on the tour – the first time these men will be appearing in England as TNA Superstars.

    Also named for the tour are British stars Desmond Wolfe and Doug Williams, former TNA Tag Team Champions Beer Money and TNA Knockouts The Beautiful People.

    TNA President Dixie Carter said on the TNA website: “The United Kingdom continues to be one of TNA’s hottest fan bases in the entire world. We’ve enjoyed great success bringing our live experience to the UK fans over the last three years, and now it’s become a tradition. For myself and our wrestlers on the tour, it has become one of our favorite experiences every year.”

    Flair added: “These are going to be nights like no other the UK has ever seen. Woooo!”

    The tour will include the following dates:

    • January 27 at in Glasgow, Scotland at Braehead Arena
    • January 28 in Manchester, Eng. at Manchester Evening News Arena
    • January 29 in London at Wembley Arena

    Tickets go on general sale Friday 4th June 2010 at 9am at www.gigsandtours.com, www.ticketmaster.co.uk,  24 hr cc hotlines (0871 2200 260) (0844 826 2826) and www.gigsinscotland.com (08444 999 990).

  • Von Erich Considering Quitting Wrestling, ODB Engaged, More

    — TNA Knockout Tag Team Champion Lacey Von Erich announced on her Facebook account that she is currently involved in a custody battle over her son, Daniel. She also noted she may consider quitting wrestling over the ordeal.

    “I just found out my son’s father is trying to take him away from me. I can’t stop crying,” Von Erich wrote on Friday. “My schedule has been so hectic he might win. I hope I don’t have to quit wrestling. Who knows a good family attorney in California? I need help…”

    She posted a follow-up on the situation yesterday:

    “Thank you for everyone’s support on my custody matter with my son! I have the best fans in the world! I have my beautiful son today and I’m talking to an attorney. Also I’ve worked out a better schedule with TNA. I’m lucky to have such a family oriented company that works with me! Love ya’ll!”

    — Sorry fellas, but ODB is off the market. The “Sexy, Smart & Powerful” TNA Knockout has announced that she is engaged to be married. No word yet on who is the lucky husband-to-be.

    — In this week’s TNA webmatch, Douglas Williams squares off against Okada. You can view the bout here.

  • Booker T Replaces AJ Styles In Main Event At TNA House Show

    Multi-time world champion Booker T made a surprise appearance wrestling in the main event against Rob Van Dam at last night’s TNA house show in Lake Charles, Texas. It was announced to the audience that AJ Styles was unable to make the show in time and thus Booker would be replacing him in the main event.

    Before the bout, Booker said he was there to win the TNA World Title. He then added that he “doesn’t give a damn about TNA or the fans.” Booker ultimately fell short as he succumbed to the TNA World Heavyweight Champion following a Five-Star Frog Splash.

    Booker lives in Houston, which is approximately two hours away from Lake Charles. He parted ways with the organization last fall.