SEScoops

Category: TNA

  • Hulk Hogan Talks Monday Nights, Changes In TNA, Cena Trash Talking Him, Russo, If He’ll Wrestle

    Hulk Hogan

    Hulk Hogan was a recent guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip (MP3) of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Hogan said about:

    How He & Bischoff’s Experience in WCW Will Help Them In TNA: “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing…you just lock down like you did when you ran against Vince with Ted Turner. I thought that would work just to work it in and make a crack, but things are different than they two-three months ago because of the economy. When you figure in the networks & the head of Viacom, and they’re watching the minute by minute numbers for 18-34, it’s not like you could just plug in the old NWO and do it like we did when we punked Vince out. It’s ever-changing moving parts, so we did learn from our mistakes; like when you get successful sometimes, you can get too full of yourself. Believe me, we are so grateful to be working with Dixie, we are so grateful to be with TNA, such a young company that’s got ‘more moves than a bowl of Jello.’ It’s not a public company where you gotta’ sit down with people to talk about votes & what we aren’t going to do. We don’t have a bunch of people that don’t know the wrestling business running the company. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are learning, almost like on the job training, because some of the stuff that worked two weeks ago, didn’t work last week, so we’re digging in and have our ears & eyes to the ground.”

    When TNA iMAPCT! Will Move To Monday Nights: “All week we have been getting good news, and we are pushing hard in that direction. There’s stuff that’s already been scheduled, there’s budgeting issues, there’s shows for the new season, so it’s not like ‘Ok, let’s go live on Monday nights.’ Nothing is that easy. A lot of the fans, a lot of the ‘smart marks’ are saying we should go live Monday nights. They have no idea what it entails, I’m just now having people set me down after 30 years of wrestling and go ‘Guy, you know what it’s all about.’ Now you’re dealing with the network and the way the audience flips & changes…it’s almost like that metal that comes out of ‘The Terminator.’ Right when you think you have it figured out, it starts to mold, and manipulate, and shape. Pushing hard for Mondays, trying to get there, a lot of variables, but it looks much better than it did yesterday.”

    If He’ll Wrestle In TNA: “I learned one thing in Australia, and that was I shouldn’t be in the ring anymore. The way my body is beat up, I was definitely on a wing & a prayer in Australia. I just needed to air my shorts out after the crazy divorce & legal stuff. If you could imagine jumping out of a plane without a parachute and know hopefully that you are going to land safely & being naked…that’s how it was in Australia. I needed to get out of the house, get back in the ring, and feel that love & that crazy vibe even if I was dragging a leg or limping around. I found out in Australia that me wrestling in a ring in not the place to be, so if I was to wrestle in TNA, the hardest part of my night is walking down that ramp and staying straight-faced, because my back, and my hips, and legs hurt so much. If you watch closely, I’m doing a bit of a shuffle out there, so if I was crazy enough to wrestle in that ring, they might be using a broom & a dustpan to sweep out the ring at the end of the match, so not anticipating going in the ring.”

    John Cena Saying He’s Wasting His Time in TNA: “John’s doing what he’s gonna’ do take care of his family, true to his paycheck. We see John Cena all the time at the (Tampa Bay) Rays games with me & Brian Knobbs when we’re up in the box. He’s just doing what he has to do to cover his ass brother. You never know, one day John Cena may be working for me. Vince McMahon could be working for me…who knows?”

    Big Changes & New Talent In TNA: “I’ve got all kinds of people from the WWE calling me, wanting to hang out, wanting to talk, wanting to fell me out. This thing is really going down. I mean whether you like it or not, I’m not looking for the players like back in the day. When I was running, we had these crazy big contracts, these big money contracts, but times have changed. At the end of the day, I’m looking for these guys who want to help me build a company. I’m looking for these guys that invest their hearts & their souls like Samoa Joe said…’whatever it takes.’ Like AJ Styles said, ‘whatever it takes, with no limitations.’ Those are the type of guys I’m looking for to build this company and step in. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, if (John) Cena wants to play that game down the road, he can get real. I’m looking for guys who can get real with me & not a bunch of posers.”

    Vince Russo: “My mother told me if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture, and sometimes if things get real nasty, you don’t want to step in shiznit, you want to step over it. Because I’m getting along with TNA right now, I’m not saying I get along with Vince Russo. I’m not saying I get along with everybody, but the big picture is for me to make a left-handed, back handed comment about this situation right now, I haven’t read his book, and I didn’t hear the radio interview. But all I know is if you’re gonna’ tell the truth, you gotta’ tell all the truth, not just part of it, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”

  • Universal Studios Changes TNA Schedule – 3/1 Show Removed

    — Universal Studios has updated the TNA schedule on their website. Here are the changes and additions:

    * The TNA tapings in early March have been moved back to March 8th & 9th, so the live special on March 1st appears to be off.

    * The TNA taping on March 24th has been canceled.

    * TNA will be holding tapings on April 5th, 6th, 19th & 20th.

    (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

    — Angelina Love posted a note on her MySpace account today making it perfectly clear that she does not have an account on Twitter. She wrote:

    I’ve made this a status update before, but I guess people didn’t read it right or didn’t see it because I’m still getting messages & questions about this……..

    I DO NOT HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT!!!!
    I DO NOT HAVE A TWITTER ACCOUNT!!!!

    If you are twatting with someone who says they are Angelina Love, Angel Williams or Lauren Williams (or any mix of those names) you are twatting with a poser! I have no plans to get a Twitter account either so I hope that clears it up.

    — Samoa Joe, Hernandez and Sylvan Grenier headline for Top of he World Wrestling on Mar. 5 at the Pierre Charboneau Center in Montreal.

  • Flair Interview: TNA Holding Him Back, Styles’ Potential & More

    Ric Flair and TNA Champ AJ Styles

    The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:

    His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”

    “I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”

    AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”

    Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”

    Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA: “I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”

  • Hogan Turning Heel Soon, TNA’s New Ranking System

    — Hulk Hogan claimed this past week on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show that he would be turning heel soon. He also said he doesn’t want daughter Brooke to become a wrestling character.

    — Eric Bischoff recently came up with the idea of a ranking system for top title contenders in order to justify title shots. Fans can check out the ratings system on TNA’s Against All Odds countdown show on DirecTV.

    — Starting with Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view, TNA will be putting all pay-per-view events live on the company’s web site at a cost of $14.95.

    (credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)

  • TNA Passes Over Former WWE Tag Team, Steiner Update, More

    — Former WWE wrestler Johnny Stamboli, who wrestled as Rellik during his previous stint in TNA, inquired about returning to the organization as part of a tag team with Chuck Palumbo, but company officials were said to not be interested. Alongside Nunzio, Stamboli and Palumbo worked together as a tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment as “The F.B.I.” — Full Blooded Italians. The partnership ended when both Stamboli and Palumbo were released from their WWE contracts on November 4, 2004.

    — Regarding Scott Steiner’s departure from TNA Wrestling this past week, his contract expired and he wasn’t offered a new contract. He is now accepting independent bookings through wrestling representative Bill Behrens and is also available for teaming with his brother, Rick Steiner, as the Steiner Brothers. Those interesting in booking “Big Poppa Pump” can contact Behrens at showbis@aol.com.

    — Ric Flair is looking to open a gym and wrestling school in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He owned several Gold’s Gyms years ago, and when he sold them, he had a non-compete clause which ran out at the end of last year.

    (credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch and Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)

  • Angle Wants A Reduced Schedule, News On Von Erich & Sting

    — Kurt Angle is looking to reduce his schedule with TNA.

    — Lacey Von Erich will be making her TNA live event debut at this week’s shows in Virginia. She will be teaming up with fellow “Beautiful People” members Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne to take on Tara and Angelina Love in 3-on-2 Handicapped matches. Also note, these shows will mark as Love’s return to TNA house shows.

    — As a reminder, this month’s edition of TNA Epics airs tomorrow evening directly following iMPACT!. Sting will be the show’s focus.

    (credit to the Wrestling Observer for some of the information used in this report)

  • Bobby Lashley Removed From TNA Roster

    The TNA website has removed Bobby Lashley’s profile from its roster page, which suggests he is no longer affiliated with the organization.

    Hulk Hogan recently said that he and Lashley would need to have ‘a serious talk’ regarding his simultaneous involvement with professional wrestling and mixed martial arts.

    “You can’t put [Strikeforce] ahead of us,” Hogan told Sports Illustrated. “That’s not going to work me. I’m going to fix that real quick.”

    Lashley, who took his MMA record to 5-0 by defeating Wes Sims, said that his Strikeforce debut would go a long way toward deciding his future in the wrestling industry.

    Lashley is scheduled to fight at Strikeforce’s next event on Apr. 17. His opponent has yet to be determined.

  • Hogan & Nasty Boys Mock Young Star, Hernandez To Mexico

    Source: Pro Wrestling Torch

    – There was some eye rolling in the TNA locker room when Hulk Hogan and The Nasty Boys had a laugh at the expense of X Division star Jay Lethal. Jerry Sags openly questioned how long TNA will keep him employed and laughed at the audacity of his “Black Machismo” character. Apparently in a tongue in cheek tone, Hogan later cracked during an appearance on The Bubba The Love Sponge Show that TNA should bring in Randy Savage to manage Lethal.

    – TNA officials have spoken to the Mexican-based AAA promotion about sending Hernandez for an extended stay. While this idea has come up in the past, there are some who feel he could become a legitimate star in Mexico. On the other hand, others fear Mexican wrestling fans could turn on him once they discover that he doesn’t speak Spanish particularly well. For those curious, Hernandez is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent.

  • Could Brooke Hogan Be Coming To TNA?, More On HTM Rumors

    — According to a post on the SLAM! Wrestling website, Brooke Hogan is rumored to be joining TNA Wrestling. They wrote: “With Brooke Hogan’s career in music and television stalled, it is rumored she might take an on-camera role with TNA.”

    — According to the webmaster of The Honky Tonk Man’s official website (www.HonkyTonkMan.net), the recap of The Shoot interview where HTM said he made up the rumor that he was going to TNA was taken out of context.

    According to his webmaster, Jeff Jarrett contacted The Honky Tonk Man for a TNA legends deal with Jakks Figures to create merchandise.

    What Honky Tonk Man is referring to is no deal to appear on air. However, he is/was indeed in talks with TNA for a merchandising deal.

    — Last night’s TNA live event in Joplin, Missouri drew approximately 2,000 fans to the 2,700 seat Joplin Memorial Hall. The event saw Jeff Jarrett defeat Mr. Anderson in the main event.

  • Tara Has Another Wardrobe Malfunction?, Reaction To Ratings

    — Peculiarly, the left side of Tara’s top was blurred throughout the conclusion of her match with Angelina Love on this past Thursday’s iMPACT! broadcast. It seems strange because the blurring commenced once the match came back from a commercial break and carried on towards its conclusion. Furthermore, it would not appear to be a case of an insignia issue as the top she wore simply read “Poison” with no logo beared. Also note, she’s worn the ring outfit before on television.

    It’s been speculated that Tara suffered a wardrobe malfunction at some point during the match and that TNA’s production staff decided to digitize her top through the conclusion of the match as a precautionary measure.

    Tara’s apparent wardrobe malfunction comes on the heels of last month’s live iMPACT! special where ODB pulled her trunks a bit too far south while attempting a roll-up. The TNA Women’s Knockout Champion’s buttocks was blurred during the episode’s subsequent Thursday replay.

    Likewise, Tara’s Thursday opponent, Angelina Love, suffered a wardrobe malfunction of her own roughly two years ago as her breast momentarily came exposed during a taped television broadcast while backing towards the ramp at the conclusion of a match which she had just interfered in. In that case, TNA’s production crew missed digitizing her.

    — As reported earlier, Thursday’s episode of iMPACT! drew a final 1.2 cable rating with 1.6 million viewers — a drop from the previous week’s record high 1.4 rating. The Wrestling Observer is reporting that there was a lot of unhappiness within the company when Thursday’s rating was released.

    — TNA will be holding live events in Virginia this coming Thursday and Friday (Charlottesville and Norfolk) before heading off to Orlando for Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view. Fans that purchase a $35 seat ticket will receive a free TNA DVD.

  • Sound Off 99: Enjoying the Cruise Down WrestleMania Road!

    Solomonster Sounds Off

    DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
    Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 99)
    *right-click, “Save As”, or stream it!

    Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 25 minutes

    | Thoughts on the Royal Rumble and Edge’s not-so-shocking return to TV

    | Bret Hart and Vince McMahon create a few great Raw moments, but how might Batista and John Cena factor into their Mania plans?

    | Looking at the possibilities for WrestleMania 26 … and loving every minute of it!

    | ECW about to bite the dust (yet again) in favor of the Next Generation

    | TNA is still going full-time to Monday nights, but on Friday afternoon, they weren’t very happy

    | Details on Sound Off 100 and what it means to me

    Want your question on the air? Send feedback to THESOLOMONSTER@gmail.com.

    Wanna subscribe to the Sound Off via iTunes? CLICK HERE!

    Visit The Solomonster on Twitter @ twitter.com/solomonster

  • Honky Tonk Man Considering Legal Action Against Eric Bischoff

    — The Honky Tonk Man has posted a message on his official website requesting that Todd Alan Clen (a/k/a Bubba the Love Sponge) give him copies of all recordings where Eric Bischoff mentions him. HTM is considering legal action for defamation of character based on statements Bischoff made concerning his “value to the wrestling industry.”

    Prior to this, Clen requested that HTM remove all media from said show posted on his website.

    — On her Facebook account, Angelina Love spoke out against those impersonating her on Twitter, vehemently stating that she doesn’t have an account. She wrote: “Hey Everyone, I know there are a lot of posers out there and I just wanted to clear up that I do NOT have a Twitter account! A lot of people have been asking me about twitter.com/TNA_AngelLove and I want you all to know that is NOT me…”

    — TNA will be holding house shows at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, Kentucky on April 8th, 2010 and the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia on April 10th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

  • Hogan & Bischoff Upset With Sting Over Missing Shows

    Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff appeared on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show last Friday for a combination work/shoot interview segment that included one new piece of news, which was Bischoff knocking Sting for missing the last set of television tapings.

    Sting missed last month’s Genesis pay-per-view and subsequent television tapings due to a family emergency, though it remains unclear what is was exactly. What is known is that nobody is questioning its legitimacy considering that he has been in the wrestling industry for years and has never had a reputation for coming up with excuses to miss dates.

    Bischoff said that everyone in TNA has to be completely committed to the organization or things won’t work out, with Hogan adding he doesn’t see how they can use anyone missing shows. Internally, it was noted as a message being sent to Sting, though it’s unlikely he’ll get it considering that he pays no attention to the wrestling business except on days when he’s working as he doesn’t follow it online. Nonetheless, the belief was Sting had a very legitimate reason for missing the last set of shows.

    Bischoff said, “Sting’s a great talent. Love him to death. My problem is now that we’re trying to do this big picture. I understand how big picture it is for the wrestling business. Sting had life-and-death personal issues, but from a business side, it totally screws us up. If at any time that happens, I got a personal issue, now we have to switch gears on who we use, you can’t build the world around them.

    “Everybody has got to make a commitment. It’s easy to say we want TNA to be No. 1, but if you’re not willing to put TNA as a priority above almost every situation, then it’s probably not going to work out.”

    (Credit to the Wrestling Observer Nesletter for the information used in this report)

  • Which Stars Have Not Won A Match This Year?, Update On Flash

    — Taking house shows, television and pay-per-view events into account, here are some interesting win and loss statistics for TNA this year.

    * Brutus Magnus dropped to 0-12 on the year following his loss to Mr. Anderson in the opening Eight Card Stud qualifying match last night on iMPACT!. The only wrestler with a worse record than Magnus is Daniels, who is currently 0-13 on the year.

    * TNA World Heavyweight champion AJ Styles lost his first match of the new year last night on iMPACT! to “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero. Styles was 16-0 before the airing of the match.

    * Wrestlers who have yet to be beaten so far this year include Matt Morgan (4-0-1), Mr. Anderson (3-0), Orlando Jordan (1-0), and the Nasty Boys (1-0).

    * Lacey Von Erich is the last remaining unbeaten in the Knockouts division as she is 1-0. Angelina Love was 1-0 prior to her loss to Tara last night on iMPACT!. (source: www.pwtorch.com)

    — For those interested, “Future Legend” Cheerleader Melissa (a/k/a Alissa Flash, a/k/a Raisha Saeed) is now available for wrestling bookings, personal appearances and autograph sessions by contacting Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. He can also be reached at www.sbibookings.com.

    — You can follow Orlando Jordan on Twitter at the following link.

    (Credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for some of the information used in this report)

  • TNA AAO Matches, TNA’s WM26 Plans, Steiner Gone?

    – The following matches have been confirmed for TNA’s Against All Odds pay-per-view on February 14th:

    TNA Heavyweight Title Match:
    AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe

    Tag Team Legends Collide:
    The Nasty Boys vs. Team 3D.

    – While some speculated that TNA would be holding live events Arizona during WrestleMania weekend when WWE is in town, the company has actually announced shows  in Alabama and Georgia that weekend. They will be in Ozark, Alabama on March 25th and Columbus, Georgia on March 26th.

    – Scott Steiner has been removed from the TNA roster page, which doesn’t say good things about his standing in the company.  It was reported a few weeks back that Steiner’s future with TNA was up in the air. Ric Flair and Mr. Anderson have been added to the roster page.

  • Update On TNA iMPACT! Moving To Monday Nights

    The decision has been made within TNA that iMPACT will be going to Mondays full-time but it’s not known yet when those changes will take effect and it’s unknown if the show will air from 8-10pm or 9-11pm.

    The current plan has TNA taping the show every other week doing a live shot on Monday and taping on Tuesday with the taped show airing the next Monday. Because of the occasional odd number of weeks between pay-per-views, it’s possible there will be times there TNA will tape three shows or do a taping where they would fly people in just for one live Monday.

    TNA may make the decision to go live every Monday night depending on how low the ratings for taped shows are. iMPACT going to Monday nights has actually been discussed between Hogan, Bischoff, TNA officials and Spike since October of 2009.

    (Credit to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter for some of the information used in this report)

  • Hulk Hogan Calls Into RVD Radio: Lots Of TNA Talk (AUDIO)

    Hulk Hogan appeared on Rob Van Dam’s RVD Radio this week and talked to the former WWE and ECW Champion about coming into TNA. Hogan called up to speak with Van Dam personally but ended up appearing as a live caller on the radio show.

    Hogan told Van Dam that TNA has some serious momentum right now and if they had RVD “ruling the roost”, it would make things a lot easier. Van Dam asked Hogan about TNA on Monday nights and Hogan said the move is definitely going to happen sooner than later .Hogan kept saying how much fun everyone is having in TNA.

    Hogan said TNA needs RVD’s help and Van Dam said he is very interested in hearing what Hogan has to say about him coming in. Van Dam told Hogan that now is a better time than ever as his wife is healthy, he is healthy and he’s not burnt out. RVD said he was curious about coming into TNA and said that he and Hogan will discuss it.

    Hogan said he spoke to Jeff Hardy earlier in the day and both men agreed RVD would be a good fit in TNA. Hogan said he and Hardy have tossed around some “crazy ideas” that he guarantees will work.

    RVD asked Hogan if it was his decision to go back to the four-sided ring and Hogan confirmed it was. Hogan put down the six-sided ring and Van Dam agreed with the decision.

    Overall it was a real interesting segment and it was cool listening to Hogan and Van Dam going back and forth.

    LISTEN BELOW: Hogan appears at about the 23 minute mark ..

    * As a WARNING to our readers, RVD and his guests use some colorful language throughout the show.

  • Kurt Angle Mentioned In Steroid Trial, Hogan Frustrated

    – Despite the positive spin he’s putting on TNA in media interviews, Hulk Hogan has been complaining to friends that he’s frustrated with several things in TNA.  Hogan feels pressure to push people he does not believe in – namely, some of the TNA originals. Word is that Dixie Carter doesn’t want the TNA originals to be buried by Hogan’s buddies, but there are some TNA originals that Hogan sees nothing in and wants to get rid of.  Hogan is said to be a big fan of Abyss as well as Tomko, saying at least both men look like wrestlers.

    – TNA star Kurt Angle’s name came up in a federal trial of nine men associated with Applied Pharmacy in Mobile, Alabama that is going on this week. Assistant US Attorney Donna Dobbins brought up Angle and Jose Canseco as clients of the pharmacy in her closing arguments on Tuesday. She said, “Each one of them (the defendants) participated in this conspiracy. They operated a steroid mill, and they would dispense anabolic steroids to anyone whose credit card was good.”

    – Ed “Brutus Beefcake” Leslie was backstage at the TNA iMPACT tapings on January 20th. Leslie is a longtime friend of Hulk Hogan, brother.

    – As for the news that Scott Hall and Sean Waltman are gone from TNA, this is not the case. The duo has been removed from the TNA iMAPCT! opening video as well as the TNA Roster page on the company website, but them being removed is part of the storyline.

    (Credit to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for the information used in this report)

  • Bischoff Wants Jim Ross In TNA, AJ Styles’ New Character

    – Eric Bischoff is still intent on bringing Jim Ross into TNA as an announcer. After many months of speculation as to what he’d do when his WWE contract expired, Ross signed a short-term extension back in December and is expected to be with WWE through mid-2010. That said, the face of the pro wrestling industry is sure to change this year, with TNA likely going to Monday nights at some point, so who knows what the future holds.

    – As we’ve seen in recent weeks on iMPACT!, Nature Boy Ric Flair has taken TNA Champion AJ Styles under his wing.  The basis for the storyline is that Ric Flair is the consummate World Champion. AJ Styles is a master in his own right inside the ropes, but Flair will teach Styles how to be a World Champion outside the ring – the women, the limousines, etc. TNA wants AJ Styles to be the kind of guy that stands out in a crowd, which is why they’ve been suggesting for him to bleach his hair blond.

    Update: During a surprise appearance on RVD Radio on Wednesday night, Hulk Hogan talked about AJ Styles and said he’s got big plans for Styles’ character. Hogan said he can’t even reveal the “new name” for Styles’ character, but the TNA champm is going through a transformation right now that will unfold in the coming weeks. (RVD Radio Recap)

    – When Rob Terry won the TNA Global Title on January 27th at a TNA live event in Cardiff, Wales, he was not told about the title change until the day of the show. Terry played the role of the local babyface and as noted before, his family were in attendance with TNA camera crews filming everything.

    (Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

  • Location For Lockdown Announced, New Additions To TNA Roster

    — TNA president Dixie Carter announced today on her Twitter account that April’s Lockdown pay-per-view will be held in St. Louis, Missouri.

    St. Louis hosted Lockdown in 2007, which featured an Electrified Six Sides of Steel Match between Team 3D and LAX, as well as Blindfold Match between Chris Harris and James Storm.

    — TNA has added Generation Me to its roster page. They have also added an additional TNA roster members page at the following link.

  • TNA Agent Gone, Bischoff Calls Borash A Mark, Candice

    — TNA agent Scott D’Amore has parted ways with the company, according to PWInsider.com. D’Amore a message on his Facebook page stating, “Scott D’Amore would like to wish TNA well in their future endeavors. More to follow.”

    -  Eric Bischoff wrote on Twitter today, “Jeremy Borash posted a picture of himself with Bret Hart on his Twitter account. What a MARK! To see the picture, click here.

    – Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle posted a picture on Twitter of her pregnant stomach, which you can see here. The caption reads, “Look at my growing belly! So much fun! :)”

  • Taz Blogs About ECW Shutting Down, Criticizes Vince

    ECW original and TNA announcer Taz has posted a message on his Facebook.com page regarding Vince McMahon’s announcement that ECW is shutting down once and for all in 3 weeks.

    Last night on Twitter, Taz wrote “thank god” WWE’s version of ECW is done and sarcastically called McMahon not thanking Paul Heyman or the ECW originals a “classy” move. On Facebook, Taz explains exactly what bothered him about McMahon’s announcement:

    “Point is, why not acknowledge the Paul Heymens contributions to the industry? Or, saying thanks to all the ECW original wrestlers? A lot of blood, sweat and tears were dropped during the original ECW’s life! If you are going to thank cameramen & directors (etc) than acknowledge the past history because its well deserved.

    Even if Vince McMahon did not feel Paul Heyman and the ECW originals deserved to be acknowledged, Taz feels Vince once again left money on the table by not getting the most out of an asset he bought:

    “If you utilized the letters ECW to make a lot of $$$ over the past several years I would assume that your respect the history of ECW? If you would produce and sell a successful DVD documenting the companies history…I would assume you feel that the original ECW history has value….than why not give it a proper send off?”

    He concluded the message by saying he’s happy the ECW letters are being retired, as they deserve to rest in peace. Visit Facebook.com to read the full blog.

  • Bret Hart Has Dinner With Jeremy Borash (Picture)

    After last night’s WWE RAW, Bret Hart went out to dinner with a number of employees from TNA Wrestling, including Jeremy Borash

    Borash posted a message on Twitter today stating:

    “Had dinner with an ol’ friend last night. Nobody was screwed”

    Several fans sent in emails saying they saw them eating at Bailey’s in Nashville, TN.

    Borash also posted a picture of himself and Bret Hart from last night, click here.

  • Bischoff Talks About Working With Russo, Monday Nights

    – With the recent additions of Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan to TNA Wrestling, many have wondered how they would interact with Vince Russo, whom they had trouble working with in WCW. Eric Bischoff has posted a few messages on Twitter this week about Russo specifically:

    On Monday, Bischoff wrote:
    “Vince Russo has a new book out….I am going to be VERY interested in what he has to say in his book. Hmmm”

    This morning, he wrote:
    “Sorry to disappoint all of you who are expecting heat between Russo and I. Actually enjoy working with him so far. Ed [Ferrara] and Matt [Conway] too.”

    As always, visit PWTweets.com to follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter!

    – The decision has been made within TNA that iMPACT will be going to Mondays full-time but it’s not known yet when those changes will take effect and it’s unknown if the show will air from 8-10pm or 9-11pm. The current plan has TNA taping the show every other week doing a live shot on Monday and taping on Tuesday with the taped show airing the next Monday. Because of the occasional odd number of weeks between pay-per-views, it’s possible there will be times there TNA will tape three shows or do a taping where they would fly people in just for one live Monday. (Source: f4wonline.com)

    TNA may make the decision to go live every Monday night depending on how low the ratings for taped shows are. iMPACT going to Monday nights has actually been discussed between Hogan, Bischoff, TNA officials and Spike since October of 2009.

  • Samoa Joe Talks About Dead Weight On The TNA Roster

    TNA star Samoa Joe was interviewed by TNA’s official website and talked about “dead weight “on the TNA roster. Joe also defended the infamous shoot promo he cut at Turning Point 2007, when he verbally blasted Scott Hall in the middle of the ring for no-showing the event. Joe told TNA interviewer Hermie Sadler:

    “It was a statement that needed to be made. This is a company that can’t have a lot of dead weight attached to it. You either come here to work or fight or get down or you don’t come here at all. For the people that I was speaking about, I made it known I wasn’t here to play games and just be a TV star. I’m here for this company to be the very best and for me to be the very best.”

    Joe’s admits that his comments were harsh, but he stands by everything he said and said them because he cares about the company’s survival.

    “If anything that I said out there you didn’t find to be true, then maybe you don’t need to be here because everything I said out there I still stand by. I apologized for the tone to some people because they may have taken offense, but at the same time, in their heart of hearts, they knew everything I said out there was absolutely true.”

    Joe also talks about a ton of other TNA topics in this video interview with Hermie Sadler:

    (Credit to PWTorch.com for transcribing the interview quotes)