TNA taped the September 18th episode of Impact Wrestling on Thursday night from the Manhattan Center in New York City. Here are spoiler results, courtesy of Lordsofpain.net:

– The TNA Tag Team Titles are hanging above the ring.

– Gail Kim defeated Brittany in an Xplosion match.

– The Menagerie make their entrance. Austin Aries vs. Knux is up next. Aries gets the win in an Xplosion match. They hug after the match.

– The re-tape the debut of Chris Melendez from Wednesday night due to botches in the match. It will still air on September 11th and he defeated DJ Zema Ion.

– #1 contender Bobby Roode kicks off Impact and is interrupted by MVP, Kenny King and Bobby Lashley. Roode talks about facing Lashley next week and they attack him. Samoa Joe and Eric Young make the save, setting up a six-man match for later.

– Robbie E, Jessie Godderz and Velvet Sky defeated Knux, Crazzy Steve and Rebel.

– Kurt Angle comes out to a big pop and calls Ethan Carter III to the ring. They talk and Angle has a surprise in the form of Rhino vs. EC3 in a NYC Street Fight. This was another fun hardcore match. Ethan gets the win.

– All of the Knockouts are in the ring and Velvet Sky is announced as the cover girl for the next TNA calendar. Jessicka Havok interrupts and destroys Brittany and Gail Kim.

– Tajiri and Austin Aries vs. Sanada and James Storm is next. Sanada pins Tajiri to get the win for his team.

– Bram defeated Gunner. Samuel Shaw tried to interfere on Gunner’s behalf but it backfired. Gunner and Shaw had words after the match and Gunner left on his own.

– Rockstar Spud defeated Crazzy Steve in a bad comedy match. Fans booed them. They chanted “we want wrestling” and “change the channel.”

– The Wolves defeated The Hardys and Team 3D in a Ladder Match. Davey Richards grabbed the belts for the win. This was said to be another awesome match with these three teams and a must see. There were several ladders used and various ladder spots. Each team has a win in the series now.

It has been reported by various pro wrestling media outlets that Spike TV recently made an offer to buy a partial ownership stake in TNA (rumored to be approximately 10 percent of the company), an offer that TNA President Dixie Carter reportedly declined.

Subsequently, a report on pro wrestling website PW Insider is now claiming that Spike TV President Kevin Kay is backstage at the TNA Impact Wrestling television taping in New York City, which is ongoing right now (Thursday) at the Manhattan Center.

It’s worth noting that Spike TV executive Scott Fishman was in attendance at the Impact Wrestling tapings in New York on Wednesday night as well.

While anything past this point would at best be speculation, many are considering this to be a positive sign in terms of TNA’s future on Spike TV.

We will update you here with any updates regarding this story as soon as they become available.

• Jim Ross/MMA Update, CM Punk To FIGHT In MMA?! + HHH & Stephanie TRASH UFC!

TNA President Dixie Carter was a guest on this week’s edition of Ring Rust Radio. Here are some highlights of what she said about:

What She’s Learned From Working With Wrestling Legends:

“From Hulk (Hogan) and Sting and Ric Flair, all of those guys, you talk about the truly great performers, Kurt (Angle). What they do is they just let go. They don’t think about it, they don’t worry about it, they just be their character, and they do what’s right for the company. I think when you play yourself— because I’m not playing Sanada, I’m not playing Tigre Uno or The Wolves— I’m playing the president of a company. I think for so long I just felt very business, presidential about it. It did take me just a beat to say, “You know what, you’re not really playing yourself now.” This is a caricature of someone who you’re really not and you just need to have fun with it, so that’s what I’ve tried to do.”

Getting Put Through A Table By Bully Ray:

“It hurt like hell. I have such mad respect for these men and women and what they do every time. I sit there as they come backstage and they’re warriors. I talk to professional football players and fighters and NBA guys, and they all tell me they could never do what these men and women do 52 weeks a year, no offseason, multiple times a week. People are like, “Is that table fake?” No, this stuff hurts, it hurts like hell. To be able to do what they do, it was just a small way of me paying respect for what they do for me personally and to our company and for the fans. So, it did hurt, you’ll just have to watch and see what really does happen and then maybe I’ll tell you how serious it was, but yes, I was injured.”

Changes She Wants To Make With TNA:

“I think if you look at us over the last six-to-nine months we’ve made more changes to our company that I think are really starting to resonate with our fans. Fans who may have left at some point and some people who are just now finding us, and that is really trying to listen to what our fans and viewers want to see. Bringing back the six-sided ring, that was a change. Letting the fans decide; if it had won by one vote or another it would have gone down as the fans’ decision. Instead we got a landslide and made the change. The introductions just in the last nine months I counted almost 15 new talents, either brand new or completely repackaged characters that we’ve interviewed in the last nine months. We did not do that in the last nine years. Excuse me, not nine years, maybe five or six years. Don’t hold me to the date, I don’t know the math, but I’m just telling you it was years and years and years. To see some of them doing so well and in such amazing, great roles and just knocking it out of the park every night I just couldn’t be more proud. I think we have undergone changes from the ring to the new characters on the show, how young our talent is to the way we’re trying to tell our stories right now to the way we’re going about focusing on the wrestling. I think that those have been tremendous changes. Are there more to come? Absolutely, but I’m really proud of all that we’ve accomplished in the past few months.”

TNA’s Negotiations With Spike TV:

“Every two years I go through this. This is just the first public negotiation I’ve ever had. I think social media has really changed this kind of thing. I’m used to every two years negotiating with Spike and negotiating with other networks. This time is absolutely not any different. We’re still talking with them, but there are other people, thank God, that are interested in our product. I want to grow this brand; I want to grow it domestically. I want us to be able to start having the kind of success domestically that we’re having internationally. I’m not going to stop and none of us are going to stop until we get there. I’m real excited to see and I think we’ll know sooner than later what’s going to happen.”

TNA taped the September 11th episode of Impact Wrestling on Wednesday night from the Manhattan Center in New York City. Here are spoiler results, courtesy of Lordsofpain.net:

– Samuel Shaw and Gunner vs. Bram and Magnus is up first. Gunner hurts his knee and Bram rolls him up for the win.

– Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim is next with the Knockouts Title on the line. There were “we want puppies” and “better than Divas” chants. They did a neckbreaker on the steel steps and Taryn hit a RKO. Fans chanted “this is awesome” also. Kim wins and retains the title.

– After the match, Jessica Havok debuted to a big pop and destroyed both Knockouts.

– Austin Aries calls Sanada and James Storm to the ring. Storm hypes Sanada and says he is reborn now. Storm says he will reboot Havok as well. Aries called Sanada a legendary asshole. Tajiri comes out for the save, he and Aries clear the ring.

– Rockstar Spud with Ethan Carter III vs. Rhino is next. Rhino wins with a Gore. Rhino hit a second Gore on Spud after the match and carried him away.

– Bobby Lashley defeated Samoa Joe with help from Kenny King.

– Mr. Anderson defeated Magnus with a Mic Check.

– MVP defeated Low Ki. This was said to be the match of the night so far.

– The Hardys vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves in a Tables Match in the main event is next. The Hardys win after a Swanton from the top through a table on the outside.

TNA taped the September 4th episode of Impact Wrestling on Wednesday night from the Manhattan Center in New York City. Here are spoiler results, courtesy of Lordsofpain.net:

– Bobby Roode and Eric Young kick off the show with an in-ring promo about how the cage match ended last week.

– Taryn Terrell defeated Madison Rayne in what was said to be a bad match.

– War hero Chris Melendez comes out to a nice pop. He wins his debut match over DJ Zema Ion with a sideslam. Melendez looked green but that was expected. He got a nice pop and a “we the people” chant at one point.

– James Storm comes out and introduces Sanada, who has a new look. Storm calls him The Great Sanada, a shot at The Great Muta. Sanada vs. Austin Aries is next. Sanada wins with the mist to the face and a kick like Muta.

– Young vs. Roode in a #1 contender’s match will take place later. They had to clean the mist from Sanada off the ring.

– Bobby Lashley, Kenny King and MVP come to the ring. They talk trash about NYC. Samoa Joe interrupts to a big pop and they set up Joe vs. Lashley. Joe gets beat down until security breaks it up.

– The Menagerie defeated Robbie E and Jessie Godderz in an Xplosion match earlier.

– DJ Zema Ion vs. Manik vs. Tigre Uno vs. Homicide vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Low Ki in a #1 contender’s match is next. Homicide gets the win. After the match, Storm and Sanada come in. Sanada kicks Manik and they drag him off to the back.

– Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud come out. They cut a promo until Rhino interrupts and attacks Ethan, setting up a match for later.

– Roode vs. Young in a #1 contender’s match is next. This was a great exchange with the crowd into it. Lots of near finishes. Roode gets the win and they shake hands after the match. It’s possible TNA is taping out of order tonight between the two episodes.

– TNA has booked the Manhattan Center for another set of Impact Wrestling tapings in September.

– TNA management held a talent meeting at last night’s tapings from the Manhattan Center to address the status of the company’s television deal. The wrestlers were told that negotiations were still ongoing and their hard work is very appreciated, despite all the negative news that’s come out in the press regarding TNA’s future. The meeting was said to be very positive and upbeat.

– The topic of SmackDown possibly moving to Thursdays was also a topic of discussion backstage at the Impact tapings. The TNA wrestlers who have worked for WWE were also very surprised that longtime WWE timekeeper Mark Yeaton was let go this week.

(Source: PWInsider.com)

The following are highlights of a new v2 Wrestling Podcast interview with Bully Ray:

On TNA spoiling their own storyline with the trailer at the end of last week’s Impact for Bully putting Dixie Carter through a table this week: “When you watch other TV shows whether they are soap operas or reality TV, many TV shows show you what’s coming the following week, and you always want to encourage the highest amount of people to watch your product, so I have no problem with it.”

On comparisons between the ECW and TNA locker rooms: “I do appreciate where he was coming from, to see the guys all amped up and ready to go, and more passionate than ever before, but nothing will ever replicate or duplicate the feeling and the rush that it was like to be in a company like ECW.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

Mainstream media outlet The New York Post covered the upcoming TNA debut of amputee veteran Chris Melendez.

The publication profiled Melendez, the East Harlem veteran who lost his leg during an IED explosion, and promoted his upcoming debut at the Impact Wrestling taping next Tuesday night at the Manhattan Center in New York.

You can check out the NY Post’s coverage of Melendez’s TNA debut online at NYPost.com.

The following are highlights of a new Main Event Radio interview with Jeff Hardy:

What have been your favorite memories working for TNA Impact Wrestling? “For sure it was coming back after Victory Road 2011. 2012 was the best year of my pro wrestling career. Being clean and straight up. Looking great, loving life. 2012 was huge with me, every match. Winning the World title in a killer match-up against Austin Aries. The #1 year for me.”

Victory Road 2011 – I would assume that that had to be the worst night of your career? “I was too f—ed up to even try to get through the match. You see yourself on video, not knowing how bad you were. It’s embarrassing; it’s terrifying watching yourself. Me seeing myself in that shape devastated me. A huge let-down for the fans. Everything that was bad in me pretty much died that night.Thank God they didn’t fire me that night. After Victory Road, that was a huge eye opener. I had a huge decision…I had the chance to do a 120-day outpatient rehab. It was good for me. It saved me.”

When you came back later that year, how did it feel to be forgiven and embraced by the fans? “When I returned I had to go and apologize to everyone in the locker room. I could barely talk, it was horrible. I went in there and went through it, begged for forgiveness. I begged everyone for one last chance. I came out of that whole situation better than ever.”

Recently you were portraying the character of Willow, which we know you’ve done in the past – What brought Willow back in TNA? “We through it around maybe my 2nd or 3rd year. But my hair was cut short and I had to grow it longer for the character to work. One of my best friends, Shannon Moore, his wife made me this awesome mask for it. But it just wasn’t the right time for it. Me and Jeff Jarrett actually talked about it. Some time went on and then I had some time off in January and February this year. Then they called me and I tried to get it ready really quick. Try to develop my approach to the character. Debuted at Lockdown, lasted awhile, and was pretty cool as far as I’m concerned. It will be around, basically as a part of Jeff Hardy’s imagination.”

Reuniting with your brother Matt, the Hardy Boys “It was great. Matt’s been doing his own thing on the indies and Ring of Honor. I’ve been doing my thing in TNA. He went through his own dark period too. Now both of us are on the other side of that.”

Who he would like to work with: “The Wolves, I saw them in ROH and I thought these guys are special, crazy talented. There are so many young talents. We will work with anybody. Devon’s back in TNA. We’re older now and we have so much history with Team 3D. So amazing considering what we’ve put our bodies through and still going out there and doing what we do.”

Do you plan on bringing back the TLC match/Full Metal Mayhem (as it’s known in TNA), maybe at BFG vs the Wolves and Team 3D? “That would be a crazy main event and a definite show-stealer and is entirely possible.”

You recently had a world championship shot against Bobby Lashley. You did a Swanton Bomb and landed directly onto the steel steps. You’re now 36, I’m thinking that your body doesn’t heal as quick. Why put yourself through such risks? “People have texted me while watching Impact saying that I look great. I wish I felt great. It was rough after that match and I had to tape a few more days. I’m so blessed to be in TNA. I can go hard for 3-4 days then I have 2 weeks to heal. I see a chiropractor 3 times a week. I work hard then I go home to heal then I go hard again. My mentality will probably never be right. Each time I go out there and wrestle I think it could be my time, my luck could run out. Luckily I still have a little in me. I’m going to let my body decide. If I feel the same way I do in 5 years from now I will still keep doing what I’m doing right now.”

If you could go back in time and talk to a younger version of yourself, what would you say? “Don’t f*** up man. You know better. Don’t let a substance control you. There’s a long road to recovery and it’s crazy how long it took me to get it. I basically say get it now before it’s too late. Thankfully it never became too late; I never died. But I let the substances control me.”

TNA TV Deal thoughts: “I hope in two years you’re still watching me on Spike every Thursday night. I love being on Spike. I hope they work something out in their negotiations. They use me for my talents and I show up and do the best that I can. It’s not up to me to make that decision, out of my control and I just hope for the best. Ultimately, I would love to remain on Spike.”

Your current goals, as a singles competitor and as a tag team? “I’m not sure if Matt wants a long-term deal or not. As long as he is around we will team. We’ve both got great solo careers also. To win the world title again would be great but I just want to do the best I can. I want to make Jeff Hardy and Willow work in the “3 faces of Foley” character kind of way. In a way that the fans get a glimpse into my mind. When I’m getting ready for a match, the fans see me in as a dark room as Willow seeing what he is telling me in my mind and the fans get to see it and get pumped up. I want to make that work as the Charismatic Enigma.”

Check out the complete interview at MainEventRadio.com.

The following are highlights of a new Ring Rust Radio interview with Jeff Hardy:

Donald Wood: You and your brother Matt, The Hardy Boys, are reuniting for Thursday’s Destination X edition of Impact Wrestling and will be squaring off against The Wolves in a Tag Team Championship match. What are your feelings about teaming up with your brother and challenging for the titles heading into the marquee match?

Jeff Hardy: This week on Impact is beyond great. When you talk about tag team wrestling, this is the top of the mountain, man. The Wolves are one of the best tag teams in the world, and my brother and I, the Hardy Boys, are back in TNA and we’re going for the titles one more time and you do not want to miss this match this week on TNA Impact Wrestling,. It’s a show-stealer.

Mike Chiari: With yourself and Matt wrestling a couple matches as a team in New York, is the Hardy Boys reunion in TNA just a short-term deal or do you anticipate and expect to be teaming together for the foreseeable future and getting back into the tag team scene on a more permanent basis?

Jeff Hardy: It’s kind of the unknown. I mean, I don’t know what Matt’s going to do or what he wants to do as far as a long term deal. I’d like it to be long term, but right now it feels short term, but I can’t speak for Matt. So, we’ll see what happens.

Brandon Galvin: Jeff, you and Matt have always been among the most innovative tag teams in the business. Now that you have a bit more freedom in the ring when working together, how often do you two discuss new maneuvers and has there ever been something you’ve wanted to try in the ring but haven’t had the opportunity to do so?

Jeff Hardy: I’ve had some recent new ideas that I’ve talked to Matt about but we haven’t debuted them yet, but are pretty possible. It’s like riding a bicycle. Matt and I teamed for a long time and we did an Omega show at the high school that Matt and I graduated from and wrestled the Briscoe Brothers and the whole show from beginning to end was so good and the Briscoes vs. the Hardys was a killer main event. I also did a few other Indy shots with Matt and we were just as good as we’ve ever been. And now, to be wrestling the Wolves and they’re an amazing tag team and we tear it up. There’s so much to do that hasn’t been done, it’s just about following through and trying to conquer it.

Donald Wood: The Hardy Boys teamed up in TNA in 2011, but the run was short lived. With both of you being in a much different place in your lives, do you appreciate the ability to work together again more now that you have overcome adversity?

Jeff Hardy: Oh, now more than ever. We both went through the dark periods and on the other side of those dark periods, we came out on the better side and to be performing the way we are, whether he’s on an Indy show or Ring of Honor and I’m doing my thing, we’re still rocking. To reunite and to be just as good as we’ve ever been pays off for us and the fans. It’s a good feeling. I’m 36 years old and to get back together and still rock the house is a good feeling.

Mike Chiari: There’s no question that the Hardy Boys are one of if not the greatest tag teams in the history of professional wrestling. As someone who has seen and done it all in the tag team ranks, who do you consider to be the greatest tag team of all time aside from yourself and Matt?

Jeff Hardy: I don’t think there’s such a thing as the greatest of all time or the greatest in the world. If I had to choose, I mean, the Legion of Doom, I loved those guys as a kid but then the Rockers, the Rock N’ Roll Express, back in those days. I don’t think there’s one best in the world or best of all time, but I’m going to go out on a limb and speak with confidence and say Matt and myself are in that category.

Donald Wood: If you had to pick one, Legion of Doom or Demolition, who ya got?

Jeff Hardy: I’ve been doing interviews all day and I think this is the perfect answer: In my opinion, for me in the NWA it was Sting, WWF back in the day it was the Ultimate Warrior; myself combined I was both of those guys. In the tag team world, I mean, LOD NWA and WWF Demolition, I was those as well combined, that’s my style, that’s my vibe. The other worldly vision of these painted faces and huge men that are just incredibly talented and going to war. If I had to choose, I’d go with LOD, but I don’t have to choose.

Brandon Galvin: Jeff, I often feel the Hardy Boys vs. Dudley Boys’ first-ever tag team table match in WWE is overlooked when discussing the Hardy Boys’ top defining moments. Do you too feel that match is overlooked when discussing the history of the Hardy Boys and how do you feel about having the opportunity to wrestle the Dudleyz again now that both teams are in TNA?

Jeff Hardy: It’s almost surreal. If you had asked me what I would be doing 10 years from now when I was 26, I would’ve never said ‘oh, we’ll be wrestling Team 3D in TNA’, but that’s how everything just falls into place in the universe. The stuff we did back in the day, with Edge and Christian as well, those few matches and in TNA today as well with myself, Matt, Devon and Bubba, it’s incredible that we’re still able to do what we do from what we put our bodies through and to be as good as we are.

Donald Wood: Impact Wrestling is returning to New York City and the Manhattan Center on August 5, 6 and 7. What was it like to return to a wrestling-centric city like NYC for the last set of tapings and do you expect more of the same from the raucous crowds when you return next week?

Jeff Hardy: I think so, yeah. I had done one live event there in that building previously and there’s been so many killer shows that took place at that venue and naturally the fans are harder and you’re going to hear some graphic chants. It’s intimidating to many people and leading up to the New York tapings last time it was intimidating to me, but the overwhelming response I got and the matches I had I mean, I hope we remain there as long as we can.

Mike Chiari: You showed your range as a performer over the past few months with the Willow character. Having always worked as yourself in TNA and WWE, what type of satisfaction did you gain from switching things up from a creative perspective and going in a totally different direction with Willow?

Jeff Hardy: One thing that none of my fans truly know is that Willow is Jeff Hardy. In the days of Omega, I was Jeff Hardy, with the painted face, the babyface, and then I was Willow later in the show, wrestling my brother later in the show as the bad guy, the demon from down under and I was completely different back in the day, but that was before I got tattooed up and now it’s very hard to cover my tattoos and it’s just not reasonable. The thing about Willow and Jeff Hardy is that Willow is the idea I had and a figment of my imagination that has inspired so many of Jeff Hardy’s moves and Jeff Hardy’s style and the cut up sleeves on my arm that originally came from Marilyn Manson, I thought that all would be great for Willow and I would be rocking that back in Omega where it originated and it became one of the top merchandise items of all time. The coolest thing about TNA letting me do Willow is that they were unafraid to let Jeff Hardy express himself, like an extended version of himself, and they weren’t afraid to put a mask on me, which WWE probably would’ve never done, but I truly believe, and you’ll see in the future, that it’s going to work. Jeff Hardy, with his Imag-i-nation and the figment of it that is Willow, you’ll be able to see a cool visual of what actually goes on in my mind and you might see Willow every now and then, but for the most part it will be a glimpse into my mind.

Donald Wood: You are one of the top singles competitors in the sport today. While joining forces with your brother is something the fans are going to enjoy, do you still have the taste for the World Heavyweight Championship and is that something you’d like to achieve in TNA again?

Jeff Hardy: Oh, for sure. That’s that feeling that never gets old and when you talk about holding onto something as long as you can. Whether I retire a year from now or not I would like to hold that title one more time and keep it until that point that breaks me, whatever it may be. I would love to end my career as World Champion. I can’t be Jeff Hardy without taking chances, if I feel like I do now, I’m going to keep going out there like I did against Bobby Lashley a few weeks ago. I’m going to go all out and go hard and go for it to win that title.

Donald Wood: Would you go through your brother Matt to win the world title?

Jeff Hardy: Oh my god, I would love it. I think it could be done so tasteful it would be insane in TNA. I would love that more than anything. I’d love to work Matt, especially for the world title, it would be so good.

Mike Chiari: TNA has obviously done a good job of locking up a lot of its talent to long-term contracts in recent months. Have you given any thought to your contract situation? Would you be interested in a long-term deal to remain a focal point of TNA?

Jeff Hardy: Possibly, yeah, I mean I’m locked in pretty much for two more years because I re-signed, and it’s up to TNA to keep me around. I’ll make that decision as we get closer to the time, but right now I pretty much have a dream job. I have a three year old daughter and I’m fortunate enough to be able to have this dream job and so much time at home each day with her and I take advantage of it. As long as I keep going now with this schedule, it’s perfect for me. As far as 5, 10 years down the road, I can’t say.

Brandon Galvin: If you had the opportunity to book your last match, would you guys prefer to wrestle against Matt or as a tag team with him?

Jeff Hardy: Oh, that’s a good question, ultimately it would be killer to wrestle Matt because we dove into this journey wrestling each other and we’ve done it so many times. Yeah, that would be the perfect last match, to wrestle Matt.

Check out the complete interview above.

* Angelina Love vs. Gail Kim in a Last Knockout Standing match is first. Velvet Sky is at ringside. Gail won to retain her title in what was called an outstanding Knockouts match. There was a loud “better than Divas” chant at one point.

* Tajiri came out to a nice pop and defeated Robbie E. Tajiri looked great.

* Kurt Angle cuts a promo from the balcony but is interrupted by MVP, Kenny King and Bobby Lashley in the ring. They get heat and MVP threatens to have the NYPD start handing out chokeholds, referencing the recent death of a man. Tommy Dreamer comes out to confront them and gets a big pop. Lashley vs. Dreamer in a NYC Street Fight is next.

* Lashley defeated Tommy Dreamer in a NYC Street Fight. This was described as a good hardcore match. MVP and Kenny King joined Lashley in the ring after the match.

* Manik, Homicide and DJ Zema Ion vs. Tigre Uno, Low Ki and Crazzy Steve is up next. Team Manik gets the win.

* Ethan Carter III defeated Rhino with help from Rockstar Spud.

* Kurt Angle comes to the ring for a promo. American flags are handed out to fans in the crowd. Team 3D are out next with Mr. Anderson. War hero Chris Melendez is out next, making his debut. He’s also from the Team 3D Academy. They did a really feel-good segment to introduce Melendez.

* The Hardys vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves is next. Team 3D wins what was called a pay-per-view quality main event. This is the first of a series of matches between the team. The next will be a Tables Match.

* We’ve got a decent crowd tonight, reportedly sold out but as of when the first match kicks off, it doesn’t look even close to sold out.

* Tigre Uno defeated Crazzy Steve in a match taped for Xplosion.

* Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love vs. Taryn Terrell is next. Kim gets the win and retains her title.

* Stairway to Janice with Bram vs. Abyss is next. There’s a ladder at ringside and Christy Hemme points up to Abyss’ Janice weapon hanging above the ring from a chain. This was described as a crazy violent match. Bram gets the win by retrieving Janice.

* In-ring segment with Ethan Carter III, Rhino and Rockstar Spud. They turn on Rhino and beat him down, blaming him for Dixie Carter getting put through a table.

* Samoa Joe defeated Low Ki in a great match.

* Mr. Anderson defeated Samuel Shaw in an I Quit Match. Gunner was at ringside and stopped Anderson from delivering a post-match beatdown.

* Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy come out for a promo and get a big pop. Team 3D are out next to an even bigger pop. The Wolves interrupt next and the three teams cut promos for their upcoming match.

* The crew comes out to set up the steel cage. It will be a 6-man match with the winner being the new #1 contender to the World Heavyweight Title.

* Bobby Roode vs. Gunner vs. Eric Young vs. Austin Aries vs. Magnus vs. James in a #1 contender’s cage match is next. The crowd is hot for the start. The match ends when Roode and Young both escape the cage at the same time and hit the floor. They argue but there is no winner.

Vince Russo recently issued the following official statement regarding his situation with TNA and Spike TV:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING MY SITUATION WITH TNA/SPIKE TV

As always, there has been much rumor, hearsay and scuttlebutt surrounding certain topics concerning myself, TNA and Spike TV. At this point in time, having parted ways with TNA and the ability to finally speak freely–there are a few things that I would like to set the record straight on.

1. As I stated earlier this week on the VIP Section of pyroandballyhoo.com, I was officially hired by John Gaburick as a creative consultant on October 24, 2013, with the plan being that it could lead to a permanent position in the future. At the time of my hiring, the specific instructions laid down to me by Dixie Carter,was that if anyone was to find out about our working relationship outside of me, herself and Gaburick—it would come to an end. I asked why the blanket of secrecy from the start—but never received an answer. Almost 9 months later, when an e-mail that I had accidentally sent out to a third-party was brought to the forefront, Gaburick was untruthful in telling the source involved that I was recently hired to produce the TNA announcers.

2. John Gaburick told me sometime in January/February that at a recent TV taping, he DID INDEED tell Spike representative Scott Fishman, that I was working with TNA as a consultant. He even went as far as to tell me that Scott “was cool” with it. Therefore, the story that Spike just found out about my involvement with TNA merely weeks ago, which caused them to not renew their TNA contract, is an ABSOLUTE MISTRUTH. Spike knew of my TNA presence some 6-plus months prior.

3. YES, I am 100% GUILTY of trying to work that said source who received the e-mail, in an effort to protect the wishes of my employer. I regret even agreeing to be dishonest, deceitful and untruthful from the beginning, but the TRUTH is that I needed the income, so I agreed to the verbal restraints that were dictated to me from the start. I regret that now. Hindsight being 20/20, I should have never accepted the job under those circumstances being that my ability to be honest and truthful with family and friends was taken from me.

I hope that clears up many of the rumors that have surrounded me as of late. I take full responsibility for LYING to protect the wishes of my former company, but that is the extent of my responsibility. If I could do it all over again, I would have turned down the job under those guidelines, regardless of the financials involved.

There is much more to this story, but I choose to lay it out one step at a time due to the intricacies of the situation. I just feel it is VITAL at this time to, again, get this point across—if John Gaburick did indeed tell me the truth—that he informed Spike representative Scott Fishman of my working relationship with TNA back at the beginning of the year—then SPIKE TV HAD FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT I WAS WORKING WITH TNA OVER SIX MONTHS AGO.

In going forward, my focus becomes 100% on my website pyroandballyhoo.com, and those who choose to go along with me on my journey. In addition to that, there are a couple of projects I’m currently working on and just wanted to share with you briefly.

-I am in talks to further develop a script that my son Will and I wrote about a year ago called Belle of the Brawl – the premise of the show involves a fictional wrestling company owned and operated by a woman.

– Also, I plan on writing the third installment of my wrestling trilogy series that will go into detail concerning my 10 year run with TNA from start to finish. The title of the book is Total Non-Stop Agony, and the plans are to release it digitally through pyroandballyhoo.com.

In conclusion, after 20 years of dedicating my blood, sweat and tears to three major wrestling organizations, without ever holding anything back, and always delivering the best product I possibly could, I think it’s fair to say that that portion of my life has officially come to an end…

…or has it???

Peace,

Vince Russo

– In addition to the Samoa Joe vs. Low Ki and Hardys vs. Team 3D vs. The Wolves, TNA has announced a match for the Knockouts Championship with Velvet Sky vs. Angelina Love vs. Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim at their Impact Wrestling tapings in New York City next week.

– It has been revealed that the person TNA is teasing joining the company soon is female wrestler Jessika Havok. Below is the teaser video that the company is running on television.

http://youtu.be/aIf3Rvr2uL8

The following is from ImpactWrestling.com:

Major Matches Announced for #TNANYC Tapings Next Week

TNA Executive Director Kurt Angle has just announced two incredible matches for #TNANYC next week (August 5-7). First on August 5, it will be Samoa Joe vs Low Ki as the two iconic X-Division performers square off one-on-one for the first time in years!

On August 6th, a tag team dream match is scheduled! In a triple threat match, it will be TNA World Tag Team Champions The Wolves facing The Hardys and Team 3D. Last night, The Wolves and The Hardys stole the show at Destination X. When Team 3D joins this battle, we expect a match for the ages!

Already announced for NYC, war hero Chris Melendez is set to make his debut. Japanese legend Tajiri will also be in action. Additionally, Hardcore Justice is scheduled to be taped and will feature the return of Six Sides of Steel!

Many more surprises are planned for these shows AND all fans who purchase tickets will be invited to stick around after each show for a FREE meet and greet with top TNA stars!

The following are highlights of a new CBS New York interview with Mr. Anderson:

On if wrestlers had a say in the six-sided ring returning: “As far as I know (wrestlers) didn’t have any. As far as I know that was strictly an organizational thing. You know, the higher ups in the company going off of the fans vote on it. I believe that was completely out of our hands. I had no say in it as far as I know.”

On whether or not the Attitude Era is now holding pro wrestling back: “I sort of think that if fans are holding on to ECW and that era and things from the past, I sort of think that means we’re not giving them what they want to see… I think the best way to go about that is to keep trying new things until something works. And that’s what we do. That’s what our writers do. They’re continuously coming up with new ideas.”

On if Sting told TNA he was going to WWE: “No, he didn’t make any mention. This is the nature of our business. The wrestling business… people come and people go. It’s sort of been that way forever.”

Check out the complete interview at CBSLocal.com.

The Thursday, July 31st edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV averaged 1.383 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is down from the previous week’s average of 1.42 million viewers.

The final rating for this week’s Impact Wrestling should be available on Saturday.

– The following matches have been announced for next week’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling:

-Team Dixie vs. Team Bully Ray [Eight-Man Hardcore War Match]
-Sanada vs. Low Ki vs. Samoa Joe [X-Division Title]
-An announcement from Angelina Love

– TNA is teasing the debut of a new star. You can check out the first teaser video below.

http://youtu.be/aIf3Rvr2uL8

The TNA “One Night Only: X-Travaganza 2” event premieres on pay-per-view tonight. The following matches are scheduled for the show:

– Qualifying Match: Rashad Cameron vs. Zema Ion

– Qualifying Match: Rubix vs. Kenny King

– Qualifying Match: Low Ki vs. Chris Sabin

– Qualifying Match: Trent Baretta vs. Manik

– Qualifying Match: Sonjay Dutt vs. Rockstar Spud

– Qualifying Match: Tigre Uno vs. Petey Williams

– $25,000 Ethan Carter III Invitational Ladder Match: The Wolves vs. Bad Influence

– 2-out-of-3 Falls X-Division Title Match: Austin Aries vs. Sanada

– Winners of the qualifying matches compete in an Ultimate X match for a future X-Division title shot.

Above is a video promo for tonight’s PPV.

TNA President Dixie Carter has been doing some hard-selling of tonight’s Destination X edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, which emanates from New York City. Below are some tweets she put up today pushing the show.

One of my favorite shows of the year TONIGHT #DestinationX #ImpactOnSpike http://t.co/JMPDMI4e8K

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) July 31, 2014

Watching the final edits to the show tonight. I still can't believe what @AustinAries did!!

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) July 31, 2014

Carter also tweeted about TNA’s return to the Manhattan Center in NYC next week, where the company will tape a few more episodes of Impact Wrestling.

Our #TNANYC tapings last month were unbelievable. Can't wait to get back! @ManhattanCentNY NEXT WEEK. Don’t miss it! http://t.co/iu7Enacl5g

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) July 31, 2014

Despite Vince Russo’s claim on Twitter on Wednesday that he left TNA, word from within the company is that he was actually fired.

As the story goes, TNA executive John Gaburick called Russo and suggested that TNA and Russo no longer work together due to all the controversy from Spike TV, however it ended up not mattering, as Russo was ultimately released from the company altogether.

TNA has announced that former X-Division champion DJ Z has signed a new multi-year deal with the company. Here’s the announcement from ImpactWrestling.com:

Just announced by Executive Vice President John Gaburick, TNA Wrestling is happy to announce the re-signing of DJ Z! The former X-Division Champion and incredible talent, both in and outside of the ring, signed a new multi-year deal effective immediately!

On Monday, August 4th, catch DJ Z as the special guest DJ on Sirius XM’s popular “Sway In The Morning” show on Shade 45!

TNA has announced that former US Army Sergent Chris Melendez, who served his country in Afghanistan and was awarded a Purple Heart has signed with the company

Because of injuries suffered in combat, the brave soldier returned home a single leg amputee. Melendez, a member of the Wounded Warrior Project, will make his TNA debut at next week’s Impact Wrestling tapings from New York City.

“The ability to captivate an audience without having to say any words is what got me hooked,” he told ImpactWrestling.com.

Melendez trained at the Team 3D Academy of Professional Wrestling in Florida.

The following matches are confirmed for tonight’s Destination-X edition of TNA Impact Wrestling from New York City, New York:

TNA World Heavyweight Championship
– Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Aries

TNA Tag-Team Championships
– The Wolves vs. The Hardy Boys

TNA X-Division Title Qualifiers
Match 1: Low Ki vs. Manik vs. DJ Zema Ion
Match 2: Sanada vs. Brian Cage vs. Crazzy Steve
Match 3: Samoa Joe vs. Homicide vs. Tigre Uno

– Also, Dixie Carter will be appearing with Team Dixie, including Snitsky and Rycklon “Zeke” Stephens.

The following are highlights of a new Between The Ropes interview with Jeff Hardy:

On whether or not he was worried that he wouldn’t get one more chance with TNA a few years ago following his personal problems: “Oh yeah, definitely. It was a dark, depressing time in my life after Victory Road 2011 was real … it was a sad time for me cause they could have easily fired me and let me go. As far as them giving me that second chance and letting me prove myself, TNA saved me. They saved my life pretty much.”

On hIs thoughts on the talk that Spike TV will not renew Impact Wrestling once the current deal expires: “I just hear that negotiations are ongoing. People have their doubts but me, I’m the type of guy that, you know, I have faith in TNA wherever we end up. I have faith that, you know, a year from now we’re still going to be on Spike. I don’t read Twitter timelines. I don’t follow the social network at all. So, I don’t know. I feel good about being in TNA and as far as I’m concerned I’m going to be on Spike this time next year.”

On if he would like to finish up his career with a return to the WWE like Kurt Angle has said he wants to do: “From time to time I’ll turn on Raw and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the WWE Universe man, because they, what a … the crowds. When I watch, it hurts a little bit. I’m going ‘oh man, that’s my creatures man, my fans’. They’ve supported me so much. And even on the Instagram posts that’s all I ever see. ‘Go back to WWE. You said you’d come back. It’s never forever, it’s just for now’. I mean, ultimately, when the time is right, who knows. But I started there and whether it’s 10, 15 years down the road I would like to end there.”

You can download a MP3 for the complete audio of the above Jeff Hardy interview by clicking here.