TNA wrestler Rockstar Spud recently spoke with Marc Madison of The News Hub about his feud with Ethan Carter III, working alongside TNA President Dixie Carter and the evolution of the Rockstar Spud character. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On winning British Boot Camp: You can see that when they announced that I was the winner and I collapsed to the ground on my knees crying my eyes out that you know what it meant to me. You know, you know what it meant to me. It meant everything to me. It meant all my years of telling my friends that I’m not going out on a Saturday because I have to roll around in a wrestling ring. In their eyes, so you’re missing out family and for rolling around in a ring with a dude? Or oil and micro? Dude, you fight and perform man and nothing is going to happen. That’s all, I used to hear every day. I have friends go, hey man, why don’t you get a jacket on and come traveling with us? And do this and do that? I’m like guys, I don’t know why I know I just know there is a purpose for me I just got to stay. I’m going to stay the course. I really believe in this. I believe in myself. Even when my mom and dad say, you know you should really pack it in. I believed in myself. I didn’t feel like I was stupid anymore. It meant so much to me. So much.”

On training in Ohio Valley Wrestling: “Danny and Rip, if I did something wrong, I’d be going to Danny’s office and the only time I did something wrong the next day I had to choke down a lot of red wine. I got my punishment, I got my licks and off we go. Rip, was an interesting cat himself but was a pro wrestling genius an absolute genius and you can see it in his tweets he cares still to this day so much about pro wrestling. Anyone that want’s to learn what this business is about go and train there because it’s worth every penny. It was worth all the 10 months of waiting and hearing people’s frustration all the 10 months of just learning was so worth it. It was an amazing time.”

Check out the complete interview at The-NewsHub.com.

• BOBBY LASHLEY On CM PUNK’s UFC Debut: “EVERYBODY’s Going To Be Mad!”

One-half of The Wolves tag-team — Davey Richards — recently spoke with Marc Madison of The News Hub for an in-depth discussion. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On how joining TNA came about: “We were talking to TNA pretty much the whole time and I really wanted to go to TNA from the start and Eddie really wanted to give NXT a chance and check it out and I can understand. So we went down and TNA was really cool about it. They totally understood. We go and do our thing with NXT and TNA came to us with the deals and said hey we’ve got something for you and can get you guys started right away on TV. As soon as we cleared up things with NXT we told them we weren’t going to go any further and they said they weren’t willing to go any further and we had a contract with TNA within 5 minutes.”

On his time with NJPW: “It was a great experience. It was absolutely phenomenal. I was pretty much there full time for over two years. That was always the one company in Japan that I wanted to work for. I always wanted to be in the Super Juniors and I did that and wrestle in the Tokyo Dome and I did that. It was great and it really helped me to understand how a big company like that works. I always did the independents so it was a phenomenal thing and I learned a lot from those guys and I still carried a lot of what I learned there and work ethic and the professionalism that they embedded in me there carried it on to now. It approaches my style a lot to where wrestling is first and foremost as a sport and a time that I hold very near and dear to me.”

On which matches stood out throughout his career: “I really liked my matches with (Tetsuya) Bushi from Super Juniors in New Japan and then Ring of Honor I would have to say that 45 minute match between me and Eddie (Edwards), Bryan Danielson, Tyler Black as well it was in Canada I remember that was a really big one and I don’t really remember my world title wins because I was knocked out for most of it. I’m sure that was swell too. That match and then my matches with Bushi were just two of my matches I just remember having a lot of really fond memories and having a lot of fun in those.”

Check out the complete interview at The-NewsHub.com.

• BOBBY LASHLEY On CM PUNK’s UFC Debut: “EVERYBODY’s Going To Be Mad!”

TNA has announced that Awesome Kong and Brooke Tessmacher vs. The Dollhouse has been added to Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view. Taryn Terrell’s Knockouts Title will be on the line. With that match set, here’s the updated card for TNA Slammiversary:

King of the Mountain Match
5 Wrestlers TBA

Vacant TNA Tag Team Title Match
The Wolves vs. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode

Handicap Match for the TNA Knockouts Title
Awesome Kong and Brooke Tessmacher vs. Jade, Marti and Taryn Terrell

James Storm vs. Magnus

Robbie E vs. Jessie Godderz

TNA will be returning to the Impact Wrestling Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida later this month and next month to tape several future episodes of Impact Wrestling. They will also hold their TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view at the venue.

Universal has announced the following dates and times for upcoming TNA tapings and/or live events.

* July 22 at 7:00 PM

* July 23 at 7:00 PM

* July 24 at 7:00 PM

* July 25 at 7:00 PM

* July 27 at 7:00 PM

* July 28 at 7:00 PM

* July 29 at 7:00 PM

NOTE: If any SEScoops.com readers are attending any of the above shows, feel free to send in a report or any notes from the show to us @SEScoops.

**BRAND NEW PHOTO GALLERY** — Ronda Rousey In SKIMPY Bikinis & SUPER-TIGHT Outfits!

Ring Of Honor performer Roderick Strong recently sat down for an interview to discuss a wide variety of topics. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On the differences between TNA & ROH: “Well obviously the way I was used in both companies was vastly different. To me that would be the biggest thing that stood out. I thought my time in TNA went about as well as it possibly could for what it was. With me being as young as I was and them trying to highlight the x division like they did. I had an opportunity to have some really good matches there. I was blessed and lucky to be put in divisions where I could showcase my talent at both places.”

On his future aspirations: “I don’t see myself going into the tag team division. I see myself winning the number one contender’s match that I have June 19th live on pay per view and then I see myself going on to beat whoever is world champion either Jay Lethal or Jay Briscoe. So I see being the Ring of Honor world champion again in my future.”

On ROH’s move to Destination America: “My thoughts are its great. What it means for Ring of Honor is 40-50 million homes get a chance to tune in and watch us do what we do best. That is be the best pure wrestling company on the planet. I think it can open a lot of eyes and help with this continual growth that Ring of Honor has been on the last couple of years. The timing of it couldn’t be better I feel. Sinclair is a company that has a better understanding of what who and what Ring of Honor is. I think Ring of Honor is just starting to hit its stride and I think the next six months is going to be really interesting for us.”

Check out the complete interview by clicking here.

• **BRAND NEW PHOTO GALLERY** — Ronda Rousey In SKIMPY Bikinis & SUPER-TIGHT Outfits!

Earlier today we reported on the news that Samuel Shaw had left TNA following in the footsteps of Gunner who had also parted ways with the company a few days earlier.

PWInsider.com reports that both men were released from the company due to a lack of plans for either of them, however it should be noted that neither man had caused their release.

Gunner wrote on social media following the news: “Thanks to all of Impact wrestling fans and the guys I worked with. Blessed to have worked with you all since 2009. New chapters happen often and I will keep being the Modern Day Viking like always. Romans 8:28?

Samuel Shaw took to his Twitter account taking the opportunity to thank everyone at TNA. The tweets can be seen below.

https://twitter.com/TheSamuelShaw/status/612331550064144384

https://twitter.com/TheSamuelShaw/status/612767895404290049

It looks like Gunner wasn’t the only main roster talent to part ways with TNA Impact Wrestling this week.

Just 24 hours after the news broke that Gunner had parted ways with TNA, the news surfaced on Sunday that Samuel Shaw may be on the way out as well.

Shaw, who made his first appearance with TNA back in August of 2010, wrote on Twitter, “I can be an artist in any promotion.”

Shaw, who also spent a year in TNA’s Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental system before coming back as a regular character on television in 2013, also wrote on Sunday, “Time to explore new artistic ventures. Thanks to everyone at Impact Wrestling that helped maximize my talents.”

Whether or not Shaw was informed of his TNA release on Sunday, which happens to be the Father’s Day holiday, remains to be seen, although one would assume that the announcement of the release came earlier, and that he just made the news publc today. For that matter, Shaw may have personally requested to be released from the promotion.

We should have more information on this story on Monday afternoon.

Below are the tweets Shaw sent out on Tuesday, June 21, 2015:

https://twitter.com/TheSamuelShaw/status/612331550064144384

https://twitter.com/TheSamuelShaw/status/612767895404290049

• NEW PHOTO GALLERY: Ronda Rousey In SKIMPY Bikinis & SUPER-TIGHT Outfits!

TNA performer Davey Richards was interviewed to promote the upcoming TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view event. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On what to anticipate at TNA Slammiversery: “We are going to do what we always do and go out there and deliver the best package of professional wrestling match that we can on the planet today. For this one, I don’t want to spill the beans but we’re going to have something truly special and something that hasn’t been done in a very long time and it takes a very unique blend and a lot of trust from a company to do and they are going to allow us to do it. It’s going to be something that I think we are going to be remembered for a very long time and something I’m very proud to be a part of. So definitely don’t miss it.”

On training under “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and Tony Kozina: “Paul was real old school. When I say old school, people always say what does that mean. He was really just get in there and do the basics over and over and over again I have a lot of respect for what you do where you had to have it perfect because you were taking someone’s life in your hands. I learned all the basics and a real good fundamental grasp of wrestling and Tony really helped me out with getting out there and getting my name known and getting out there and travelling and being recognized and really sacrificed a lot of things for himself to really help me get out there and make my name. I wouldn’t be where I am today without either one of those guys so I’m eternally in debt both are great guys. Paul was a little more scary and a little more stern and Tony is definitely the funniest person I have ever met so it’s very unique blend of guys.”

Check out the complete interview by clicking here.

• WWE To Sign TOP UFC Fighter?, TV Storylines Already Being Worked On!

The Wednesday, June 17th edition of TNA Impact Wrestling drew 476,000 viewers for the first and second airing of the show combined. Viewership was up from last week, as a combined total of 404,000 viewers tuned into the first and second airing of the show.

The first airing of Impact Wrestling this week delivered 374,000 viewers, and the replay that followed the ROH show drew 102,000 viewers.

This week’s edition of Ring Of Honor TV, which was the “Best in the World” pay-per-view “go-home” show, drew 272,000 combined viewers, down from last week’s show, which drew a combined total of 299,000 viewers.

ROH this week drew 172,000 viewers for the first airing, while the replay drew 100,000 viewers.

• Details On MORE WWE & TNA Stars JUMPING-SHIP To Fight In MMA!

In the past year, TNA has reportedly made a legitimate attempt to sign multiple top-tier former WWE Superstars, such as Edge, Alberto El Patron and CM Punk. Apparently the promotion is currently focused on trying to sign one major talent that recently officially parted ways with the company.

According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA is in the process of making a big play for former WWE Champion Rey Mysterio.

TNA reportedly tried to sign Mysterio just this past week, as both Dixie Carter and John Gaburick spoke with him about the possibility of signing with the company.

According to one source, both TNA executives tried to push the idea that they could get Mysterio’s merchandise into stores and assist him in getting television and film work.

Additionally, Carter and Gaburick gave Mysterio the impression that they would build TNA around him as the company’s long sought after Hispanic star. They reportedly told him that the deal would be a non-exclusive deal, as he would still be allowed to work for other promotions on days that do not conflict with TNA’s schedule.

For what it’s worth, the belief is that Mysterio will still be signing a contract to officially join Lucha Underground in the near future.

• CM Punk Talks IN-DEPTH About The Passing Of Dusty Rhodes

TNA Impact Wrestling Results
Taped at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida
Aired on June 17, 2015 on Destination America
Report by ProWrestling.net

[Q1] Impact opened with a brief tribute to Dusty Rhodes… A video package focussed on Kurt Angle and EC3… Josh Mathews and “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero checked in on commentary from the studio… Mike Tenay hosted the contract signing for the Kurt Angle vs. EC3 match for the TNA Title. EC3 and Tyrus came out first, then Angle made his entrance. EC3 ran through the nicknames of the WWE and TNA stars that Angle has defeated and said the thing they all have in common is that they have been beaten, whereas he has not.

“Kurt Angle, you can’t beat me,” EC3 said. He labeled the TNA Title a big red torch that will be passed to him. EC3 signed the contract. Angle asked Tenay how many of the contract signings he’s been involved with. He said it’s important because it shows he has been there before. He said EC3 is a spoiled brat who thinks he should be champion because he’s undefeated. “You have no idea, kid,” Angle said. EC3 pointed out that he’s defeated Angle before. Angle said it’s different because he’s healthy now and is the greatest wrestler alive.

Angle said EC3 will have to look at himself in the mirror once he loses and it will haunt him for the rest of his life. Angle signed the contract. Tenay said that make the match official. He said they have mutually agreed to have “tuneup matches where you will pick each other’s opponent.” Angle said EC3’s opponent will be Lashley. Mathews questioned how it was fair even though they agreed to it. Lashley walked onto the stage…

In the studio, Mathews said he supposes it’s fair since EC3 will get to pick Angle’s opponent next week. Mathews and Pope hyped The Dollhouse appearing after the break… [C]

The broadcast team hyped the Ultimate X three-way match to crown the new X Division Champion for next week…

[Q2] A video package recapped the best of five series featuring The Wolves vs. Bobby Roode and Austin Aries… The Wolves headed to the ring. Mathews said he thought it was telling that the Dirty Heels (Roode and Aries) had to go to the lengths they did last week to avoid being swept. He questioned whether they were just avoiding the inevitable. He noted that The Wolves are a win away from becoming TNA Tag Team Champions for the fourth time.

Davey Richards recalled how Roode and Aries won last week. He said he and Eddie Edwards were fooled once and it won’t happen a second time. Edwards took the mic and challenged Roode and Aries to have the fourth match of the series now. Roode came out and mocked The Wolves for thinking they are calling the shots. He said Aries wasn’t medically cleared to wrestle following his TNA Title match with Angle last week. He said Aries was home resting for the fourth match.

Edwards didn’t buy the sob story. He said that Roode could face one of them in a singles match. Roode worked up the crowd with “right here right now” teases before saying no. He asked how badly they wanted him in the ring. He said they could up the ante by having the winner of the singles match pick the stipulation for match four. Richards said he just wanted to kick the crap out of Roode and said that was fine. Edwards took the mic and said he wanted the match and said he would kick Roode’s ass. “You’re on,” Roode responded. Mathews said the match was coming up after the break… [C]

1. Eddie Edwards (w/Davey Richards) vs. Bobby Roode. The TNA Tag Titles were at ringside. Edwards went on an offensive run and got a near fall.

[Q3] Roode came back with a spinebuster for a two count. Roode spat in the face of Richards, which led to Davey standing on the ring apron and being held back by the referee. Roode motioned to the back. Aries ran out and slid a chair inside the ring. Rodoe swung and Edwards ducked. Roode wound up again, but Richards took the chair from him. Edwards rolled up Roode and pinned him…

Eddie Edwards pinned Bobby Roode in 8:15 to earn the right to pick the stipulation for the fourth match of the best of five series for the vacant TNA Tag Titles.

After the match, Richards took the mic and announced that the fourth match in the best of five series will be a Full Metal Mayhem match…

A Lashley video package… Mathews hyped EC3 vs. Lashley for later in the show…

Backstage, Jeremy Borash said he was scheduled to interview Bram’s opponent, but there was no one around. Joseph Mark entered the picture and said he’d gone through hard times. He said he stumbled onto his new nickname. Park said he lost his law firm and his teeth. He said he’s in between jobs. He said a match with Bram is his chance to be a guy on top. Borash corrected him and said a top guy… A shot of Bram watching backstage. He charged the camera… [C]

A Drew Galloway vignette aired. He spoke about living in a world of negativity and said that it affects pro wrestling, which is his passion. He encouraged the fans to show their Impact..

[Q4] 2. Bram vs. Joseph Park. Park cut a brief promo before the match that Bram interrupted by attacking him to start the match. Bram grabbed a chair and tried to use it, but Park cut him off. Park tried to use it, but Bram cut him off. Bram pulled a kendo stick and a table out from underneath the ring. In the end, Bram speared Park through the table once it was set up in the corner and then pinned him…

Bram defeated Joseph Park in 3:45.

Taryn Terrell cut a promo from the porn set, er, bedroom set. She said that if Brooke and Awesome Kong beat The Dolls then they both get title shots, but if they lose they never get title shots again… Mathews hyped the Knockouts tag match for after the break… A vignette with a female narrator said the world is burning, seconds are ticking by, injustice must be extinguished, and playtime is over for the wicked… [C]

Footage aired from of the Kurt Angle and EC3 contract signing from earlier in the show… Mathews and Pope spoke about Angle and EC3 picking opponents for one another… The Knockouts video aired… Ring entrances for the Knockouts tag match took place. The Dollhouse attacked Brooke before Kong made her entrance. Kong came out and helped Brooke and then referee Earl Hebner started the match…

[Q5] 3. Awesome Kong and Brooke vs. Marti and Jade (w/Taryn Terrell). Mathews noted that Taryn would tie Gail Kim for the longest running Knockouts Title reign at 211 days at midnight. Marti and Jade worked over Brooke and isolated her in their corner. Brooke dodged a moonsault by Jade and then both women tagged out.

Kong threw clotheslines at Marti and bodyslammed her. Kong set up for her finisher, but Jade ran in and broke it up. Kong suplexed both opponents. Brooke speared Jade. Kong ran into a boot from Marti, who then jumped into a chokeslam from Kong. Kong tagged Brooke and had her stand on her shoulders. Brooke dove off and performed an elbow drop on Marti and got the pin…

Awesome Kong and Brooke defeated Marti and Jade in 6:30.

A video package on the Eric Young and Chris Melendez feud aired… Mathews hyped that Melendez is declaring war on Young and would be inside the ring after the break… [C] Mathews recapped the Edwards vs. Roode match and hyped the Full Metal Mayhem match…

Ring announcer Christy Hemme introduced Chris Melendez, who came to the ring for a promo. Melendez called out Eric Young, who made his entrance.

[Q6] Young said he’s trying to do Melendez a favor. He said Melendez is a hero who paid the price for his country. Young said he doesn’t care. He recalled removing Melendez’s prosthetic leg and said he did that on the fly, so imagine what he would do if had time to think about it. Young said he’s at the top of the industry and Melandez is a nobody. He asked if he really wanted this. Melandez said he would see him in the ring next week… [C]

4. Jessie Godderz vs. DJ Z. Z attacked Godderz to start the match. Godderz cut him off and then used a nice power move by lifting him up by one arm and throwing him into the corner. Godderz applied a Boston crab for the win.

After the match, Godderz dubbed himself the man and said the only time he’s ever felt like the fans and “this loser” is when he was part of BroMans. He said he’s the reason BroMans won the tag titles twice. He pressed Z, but Robbie E ran out and attacked Godderz and eventually ran him off…

Jessie Godderz defeated DJ Z in 1:45.

[Q7] A video recapped James Storm shoving Mickie James in front of a train. Mathews said Magnus demanded mic time and would be up next… [C]

A Slammiversary commercial aired for the June 28 event…

Magnus came to the ring without entrance music. He said he was going to start cracking heads until James Storm came out to face him. He said he wasn’t leaving the ring, building, or state until Storm showed his face. Three security guards headed to the ring. Magnus said he would break them all in half if they put their hands on him.

Magnus called out to TNA executives. He said he would not forget what Storm did. James Storm’s music played and he walked onto the stage. He said Magnus tried to tell Mickie and the people that he was the bad guy when it was actually Magnus who was jealous and looked like the bad guy.

Storm said it was Magnus who hired a television camera to follow his fiancee around. “What do you think she was doing when those cameras were not there?” Storm asked. Magnus tried to escape security. Storm rolled a stroller onto the stage and said Magnus should be careful about who he lets watch his son.

Storm said he would never lay a hand on a child, but it was an insurance policy to make sure Magnus didn’t do anything crazy. Storm said he gave Mickie a chance, but he now sees why she and Magnus are together since they are both sorry excuses. Magnus fought through security and attacked Storm on the ramp. Storm kicked the stroller off the stage. Magnus rushed over and found a doll rather than his child…

In the studio, Mathews and Pope hyped next week’s show… Ring entrances for the main event took place… [C]

[Q8] 5. Lashley vs. EC3 (w/Tyrus). Late in the match, Lashley scored a near fall and followed up with a spinebuster. He played to the crowd and a handful of women cheered. Ouch. Tough crowd. Lashley went for a spear, but he ran into a chair that was placed between the ropes in the corner. EC3 covered him for a two count.

EC3 went for his finisher, but Lashley shoved him off and it led to a ref bump. Lashley speared EC3 and went for a cover, but the referee was at ringside. Tyrus hit the ring and dropped an elbow on Tyrus. A second referee ran out and counted (apparently not caring that Tyrus interfered), but Lashley kicked out.

The second referee was knocked out. Tyrus performed another power move on Lashley and called for another ref. Sure enough, a third referee ran out and counted, but Lashley kicked out. Tyrus attacked the third referee. Lashley speared Tyrus. EC3 ran in and hit Lashley with a chair and then put him down with the One Percenter finisher. EC3 covered Tyrus and the first referee woke up and counted the pin…

EC3 defeated Lashley in 9:20.

A video for next week’s show questioned who EC3 would select as Angle’s opponent and hyped the fourth match of the best of five series between The Wolves and The Dirty Heels…

It would have been nice to hear from Rockstar Spud this week given that he cashed in his X Division Title for a failed shot at the TNA Title. Sure, they could play it up like he’s been away because he’s distraught or something, but it would have been better to hear from him last week or this week when the match is fresher in the minds of viewers. Meanwhile, TNA seems to have thrown in the towel on Slammiversary. I believe there was one spot that aired tonight and that’s it. I know they were saddled with an awkward taping schedule due to Impact changing nights, but I can’t remember a pay-per-view that felt so meaningless with only the go-home show remaining.

• Details On MORE WWE & TNA Stars JUMPING-SHIP To Fight In MMA!

Ring Of Honor performer Frankie Kazarian recently spoke with the folks at PW Mania for an in-depth interview. Below are some of the highlights.

On his time in WWE: “My time in the WWE was less than a year and all that had to do with me. I didn’t mature enough as a wrestler or a man to be there. It was the first time that wrestling became a business and not something I loved because I saw the business side of it. Now I realize that what it is and not then. I was like wow, the WWE is a giant machine that is the biggest company in the world and always will be. I just wasn’t ready to be there on a mental level personally or professionally. As for Tough Enough, part of it pains me to see guys coming on and cutting their promos and saying I love this business and I would do anything to be in this business – then why haven’t you done that yet? It always kind of bugs me to see that. There are a lot of us that took the road and did the Indies and went to Japan and Mexico and busted our ass just for a chance to get looked at somewhere and all of a sudden a game show comes along where people can submit their tapes. I’m not going to fault anyone for getting a spot the way they get a spot. If you love this business and your willing to work hard then more power to you. At the end day though it’s a show, and they want to gather numbers or ratings for the network so its entertainment. You have to take it with a grain of salt. People coming in and saying they love this business and they have no idea what this business is going to do to them so. But if it works and the numbers are good enough for the network that’s great. I’m happy for anything that enhances pro wrestling as a whole.”

On TNA factions he was involved in: “The Serotonin thing was looking back was really good for me but looking back I didn’t appreciate it. To learn underneath Raven was something I probably took for granted but I did learn a lot from him and it was a way for me to reinvent myself because it was a matter at the time of me being just admittedly a good wrestler and I didn’t necessarily have the personality or at least I hadn’t been given the opportunity to express my personality and doing that and putting us under his (Raven’s) wing was something that was good at the time and allowed me to break free from the other guys in the group and eventually go and do my own thing. Raven’s a guy that has an incredible mind for the business so I was able to absorb as much as I could. I changed my look and tried to become comfortable with that and something that was out of my sight. Looking back, I appreciate it more than I did when I was doing it and I think that comes with just maturity as a human being. With Fortune, with AJ and Bobby and later on Chris were my friends and being in a stable with guys like that it was natural. A lot of the backstage stuff we did was us just being natural and working with Ric Flair what can you say? He was great! He was great to me. He always offered a friendly advice. He was always complimentary and was up for anything that we would come up with it was lovely to work with him. Not many people can say they’ve been in the ring with him and been in a faction with him. A second coming of the Horsemen, third of fourth whatever you want to call it. It was fun for me and another step forward to allow me to come out of my shell from a personality stand point.”

On working with Ring of Honor: “It’s great. I mean being here has made us, me especially raise my game because there are a lot of guys that you are only hearing about, reading about and watching that are getting a lot of notoriety. Guys like Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly, Adam Cole and Michael Bennett and Matt Taven. Guys that I have just kind of seen from afar. Now I’ve been in the ring with all of them and seen what they are all about because they are all the real deal. It’s an incredible roster of young guys and mixed with a lot of veterans and it’s been awesome. It’s been really fun just to reinvent ourselves again and raise our game have these hard hitting and competitive matches, it’s one of the reasons why I love this company.”

Check out the complete interview at PWMania.com.

• Details On MORE WWE & TNA Stars JUMPING-SHIP To Fight In MMA!

It’s Wednesday and that means we’ve got another action-packed night of wrestling from 4 of the top promotions in the world. Highlights for tonight include Samoa Joe vs. Kevin Owens on NXT (non-title), Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo on Lucha Underground and Hiroshi Tanahashi in action for Ring of Honor.

Here’s a preview for all 4 of tonight’s shows:

WWE NXT On The WWE Network (8pm EST)

– NXT Champion Kevin Owens vs. Samoa Joe (Non-Title)

– Enzo Amore, Big Cass & Carmella vs. Wesley Blake, Buddy Murphy & Alexa Bliss

– The Vaudevillians versus Jason Jordan and Mikaze

– Charlotte versus KC Cassady

Lucha Underground On The El Rey Network (8pm EST)

– Lucha Underground champion Prince Puma vs. Johnny Mundo

Ring Of Honor On Destination America (8pm EST)

– Contract signing for ROH Champion Jay Briscoe and Jay Lethal for Friday’s “Best in the World” PPV.

– Tanahashi & Naito vs. Matt Sydal & A.C.H.

– The Decade vs. War Machine.

– Cedric Alexander vs. Moose.

TNA Impact Wrestling On Destination America (9pm EST)

– Contract signing for TNA Champion Kurt Angle and Ethan Carter III’s match on the July 1st Impact.

– TNA Tag Title Series continues with The Wolves vs. Austin Aries & Bobby Roode.

– Brooke & Awesome Kong vs. The Dollhouse

– Magnus calls out James Storm.

– Bram calls out a past TNA star.

– Chris Melendez makes a “declaration of war” against Eric Young.

– Jessie Godderz vs. D.J. Zema.

TNA star Tyrus (formerly known as Brodus Clay) recently appeared as a guest on The Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On the transition to TNA and being a “big man”: “I was focused on reestablishing my work. Especially during the end of my time in the WWE and I feel like I wasn’t able to do that. For me it was important to get back to what I think is important and that is building your work. I spent so much time under Double A and Dean Malenko. I’ve never wanted to be labeled as a “big guy”. I feel like the term big guy is a crutch and gives you an excuse to be lazy in the ring. I don’t work like that. Since being in TNA I don’t do that. There is nothing worse then seeing a guy getting hit in the face with a dropkick and not taking a bump. TNA is allowing me to work like that. I like the slow build. I am reestablishing myself and building a new persona. I’m not piggy-backing off my time in the WWE, although I really enjoyed my time in the WWE. I like the ability to build something new.”

On being booked as a monster vs. a comedy act: “My frustration was why can’t you do both. You can have an Apollo Creed entrance but when the bell rings why can’t you be Clubber Lang in the ring. My goal was to bring the two things together. You need time in the ring for that and people to give you the ability to do what you do. I don’t like the body-gurard role. I don’t need anyone in front of me. I never have. As the Funkasaurus I established that. The situation with EC3 is different. My presence is adding to EC3 and elevating the whole story and is more of a game changer. When you are not booked to the level of your potential it is frustrating.”

On wrestlers not being given the platform to excel and break through: “You see it happen all the time in the WWE. Guys who should no doubt be on the top of the card and be main eventers. Guys like Cesaro. There is no reason why he shouldn’t be on his second World Title run, guys like Jack Swagger, Big E the list goes on and on of guys that are there right now that could change the game. The Triple H factory as I call it seems to be the running the show and the ratings result in it. Hopefully someone is able to change that and break through. The last guy to break through was Daniel Bryan and he was able to be bigger then the machine. If this was 20 years ago the fans would have crazy choices of people to choose from. There were so many stars. I feel like that has been taken away from the fans.”

On having choices to work outside WWE: “There are so many Independent promotions that are growing. The International scene is growing. TNA is kicking again, Global (GFW) is coming up, Lucha, Big Time Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Syndicate it seems like the territories are kind of coming back again. I was in Oklahoma and we were wrestling infront of 2500 people. People have a choice and it is different. Maybe 5 years ago there wasn’t many choices but now things are kind of changing and its exciting to be a wrestling fan. I’m having the time of my life. I love what I am doing. I am my own boss, I am traveling all over this continent and I am busy as hell doing what I want to do. To me, Indy kind of represents not the machine. The majority of the wrestling world is aware that there is something else out there an there are stars out there. My popularity continues to grow outside of WWE and I really don’t look back.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

• CM Punk Talks IN-DEPTH About The Passing Of Dusty Rhodes

On Tuesday, TNA President Dixie Carter announced that at the upcoming TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, the old “King Of The Mountain” gimmick match will return.

Below is the release with all of the details.

King of the Mountain Returns To Slammiversary

For the first time in six years, the King of the Mountain Match returns to Slammiversary on June 28 live on Pay Per View at 8pm ET.

A TNA original, and one of the most innovative matches in all professional wrestling, the King of the Mountain was a staple of the annual Slammiversary event through 2009. Some of the greatest wrestlers in TNA history have entered the King of the Mountain match in hopes to stake a claim to TNA Gold.

Impactwrestling.com is going to take you through the rules that make up the King of the Mountain match, and in the coming days join us right here to relive some of the best moments of the King of the Mountain matches from past Slammiversary.

King of the Mountain Rules:

– The match consists of 5 competitors who begin ineligible to win. In order to become eligible one must score a submission or pinfall where falls count anywhere.
– Once eligible the competitor must retrieve the belt from the official while the person who was pinned or submitted must spend 2 minutes in the “penalty box” cage.
– Multiple competitors can be locked in the penalty box resulting in alliances or the fight continuing.
– Once the belt is in play any other wrestler who is eligible may steal the belt, if at any point the belt is dropped it goes back to the official.
– An eligible competitor hangs the belt on a hook suspended 15 feet above the ring via a ladder to win the match.

Tell us what you think about the return of King of the Mountain to #Slammiversary by using #KOTM.

You've waited… You've asked. We delivered. King of the Mountain match returns at #Slammiversary! #KOTM http://t.co/c8JTjmhbBI

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) June 16, 2015

• CM Punk “Super OK” If UFC Debut Doesn’t Happen Until 2016

Multiple TNA performers are claiming that the company is again behind on payroll. According to a new ProWrestling.net article, TNA is roughly a week behind on talent payroll.

One TNA performer expressed frustration over the company showing off their new X-Division Championship, as he believed it was an expensive new title belt, however according to one source, it’s actually not a new title, it’s just painted a new color.

The same source noted that employees of the company are paid on time, whereas the independent contracts (wrestlers, production staff, etc.) fall victim to the late pay.

The assumption of the talent is that their checks will arrive sometime in the next week due to the fact that TNA has television tapings and a pay-per-view coming up.

• CM Punk “Super OK” If UFC Debut Doesn’t Happen Until 2016

– The reason TNA decided to do the Kurt Angle vs. Ethan Carter III title match at the upcoming Impact Wrestling television taping on July 1st instead of the Slammiversary pay-per-view was because there was no way for the company to tape episodes of Impact Wrestling that would air after the pay-per-view without spoiling the plans. TNA is currently working on a new main event for Slammiversary that won’t involve the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

– TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following photo of the new X-Division Championship, which will officially be unveiled soon.

First look at our NEW #XDivision Title for one of the best divisions in pro-wrestling. @IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/sPntHL0pjG

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) June 15, 2015

• CM Punk “Super OK” If UFC Debut Doesn’t Happen Until 2016

Despite previous reports to the contrary, the rumored TNA Heavyweight Championship match between Kurt Angle and Ethan Carter III will not be happening at the upcoming TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view on June 28th.

Instead, the Angle-EC3 match is booked for the July 1st edition of Impact Wrestling and the contract signing for the bout will take place on this coming Wednesday’s episode. The match is currently scheduled to be taped at the Impact Wrestling tapings later this month, which is actually before the Slammiversary pay-per-view.

Speaking of TNA Slammiversary, while there is only one official match at this point — Magnus vs. James Storm — other matches rumored for the show include The Wolves vs. The Dirty Heels for the TNA Tag-Team Titles, Low Ki vs. Grado vs. Tigre Uno for the vacant TNA X-Division Title and Brooke vs. Awesome Kong vs. Taryn Terrell for the TNA Knockouts Title.

• Paul Heyman Talks In-Depth About CM Punk’s Upcoming UFC Debut

The viewership for this week’s TNA and ROH shows on Destination America on Wednesday night were slightly up compared to last week’s shows.

TNA gained nine percent in viewership this week and ROH was up ten percent.

Below is the viewership breakdown for this week:

ROH:

8pm — 161,000 viewers
11pm — 138,000 viewers

Total Viewers: 299,000

TNA:

9pm — 330,000 viewers
12am — 74,000 viewers

Total Viewers: 404,000

• PHOTO: Is Ken Shamrock Taking STEROIDS Before Fight With Kimbo?!

TNA President Dixie Carter confirmed an official match for the TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view event from Orlando, Florida.

On Thursday, Carter tweeted the news to her followers, announcing Magnus vs. James Storm for the show, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 28th.

Also confirmed for the show is a World Heavyweight Championship match between Kurt Angle and Ethan Carter III.

Below is Carter’s tweet about the Magnus-Storm match.

Hear it here first! #Slammiversary2015 Match Announcement: @MagnusOfficial vs. @JamesStormBrand! Lots of tension. Going to a be good one…

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) June 12, 2015

• PHOTO: Is Ken Shamrock Taking STEROIDS Before Fight With Kimbo?!