TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young recently spoke to The Sports Courier’s Fred Richani for a new interview.
Young spoke about his upcoming “Off Limits” show on Animal Planet, his TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view main event against MVP, his epic beard and more.
You can check out the complete interview above.
The following is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
Tune in Thursday night on SpikeTV to witness the fallout from MVP’s new alliance and the path of destruction they unleashed this past week! After beating down World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young, Austin Aries and World Tag Team Champions The Wolves, is there anyone in TNA that can stop the trio of MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King?
– Plus, TNA President Dixie Carter confronted MVP this past week, but she was interrupted by Bully Ray before she could finish. Will we find out more about Dixie and MVP’s current business relationship this Thursday? Tune in and find out! Video: Dixie Carter confronts MVP and his alliance
– Speaking of Bully Ray, will he unleash all his fury after being beaten down by MVP, Lashley and King…AND then humiliated after Dixie ordered ECIII to put him through ANOTHER table? Will everyone feel Bully’s wrath on Thursday? Don’t miss it!
– After what happened this past week, Brittany has challenged The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky) to a Knockouts tag team match on IMPACT! Who will Brittany get to be her tag team partner?
– Also on Thursday’ IMPACT, Mr. Anderson and Gunner will take on The BroMans in tag team action
– Plus, TNA newcomer Bram will be in action as he continues to try and get Magnus to unleash a more violent, aggressive side!
All this and much more on Thursday’s huge IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c, including all the latest news on the upcoming “Slammiversary” event!
– Kurt Angle has posted his first post-surgery appearance on his new official YouTube channel. You can check that out below.
– Below is the official video preview for this Thursday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling.
http://youtu.be/IHsfxRaR_nM
TNA star Magnus recently wrote in a column for Fighting Spirit Magazine, calling the wrestling media “parasites” and urging WWE and TNA to stop insider information from being leaked online. Here’s an excerpt of what he wrote:
“Why do internet fans and gossip writers always have to find an ulterior motive for decisions? It baffles and frankly irritates the hell out of me that these people always have to assume the worst, and report it as fact. More needs to be done in both companies to combat internal sources talking to these parasites. I was asked by a promoter if I lost the title because there was heat between me and John Gaburick, our Executive VP of Talent and Creative. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, “Big” and I are able to freely express ourselves to one another, which means we get to speaks our minds properly, and we’ve had that relationship since he first arrived in TNA.
Furthermore, how ridiculous is that notion? Do you think if there was heat, that he would have put the title on me in the first place? On average, numbers went across the board while I had the strap. The job of the heel champion is to get the babyfaces over, and leave the place in a better state than he found it. Mission accomplished. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into my next chapter.”
TNA ADDS THREE TELEVISED AUGUST EVENTS IN NYC
TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 30 AT 10 A.M. ET
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (May 27, 2014) – In response to incredible demand from IMPACT WRESTLING fans, TNA Entertainment is adding three televised events in New York City August 5, 6 and 7 at the famed Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom. Tickets for the August New York City IMPACT WRESTILNG Live! events, which will broadcast on Spike TV in the U.S. and to millions of fans in more than 120 countries across the globe, go on sale this Fri., May 30 at 10 a.m. ET, and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800.745.3000.
Tickets start at $20 and elite front row ringside seats are available for $75. A pre-sale for the August events will start at 10 a.m. ET on Wed., May 28. For exclusive pre-sale codes follow TNA President Dixie Carter on twitter @TNADixie.
A limited number of VIP Packages, which include premiere seating, a meet and greet autograph session with select TNA Superstars and a commemorative souvenir, are also available starting Wednesday at 10 a.m. via ShopTNA.com.
TNA has now announced a total of six televised IMPACT WRESTLING Live! events this summer at The Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center; June 25 –27 and Aug. 5 – 7.
For more information on TNA in NYC visit www.impactwrestling.com and follow @IMPACTWRESTLING on twitter and on Facebook at www.fb.com/IMPACTWRESTLING.
– Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling has applied for the trademarks “Global Force Wrestling”, “GFW” and “Global Force Entertainment” to be used in “digital media and streaming material on the internet.”
– TNA has booked three more Impact Wrestling tapings at the Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom in New york City. Aside from next month’s shows on June 25th, 26th and 27th, TNA will be taping three more shows on August 5th, 6th and 7th.
How will TNA be received when they debut at the Manhattan Center? If this video from last weekend’s ROH “War Of The Worlds” show is any indication ….
(Source: PWInsider)
– TNA recently asked fans via their official Facebook page whether they prefer a traditional four-sided ring, or the old six-sided rings that they used to use. It should be noted that most of TNA’s old six-sided rings have been converted to traditional four-sided rings.
– TNA recently gave up approximately 25-percent of their corporate office space they were renting in Nashville, Tennessee. Most of the space that they gave up was previously being used to store TNA merchandise, which is now being kept in a separate warehouse.
(Credit: PWInsider.com)
Kurt Angle has published the third installment of his #MyComeback video series. On this episode, Angle travels with his family to church and addresses his ongoing recovery from substance abuse. In a voiceover, Angle says:
“This afternoon, I’m going to an AA meeting. I go a couple times a week. It really helps me to stay in recovery from addiction.”
“Going to these meetings not only helps myself, but helps others around me. And, I’ve grown stronger with my relationship with God, my family, my wife, and my kids.
“Going to these meetings and staying clean – I know that I’m going to break the cycle so that my kids don’t have to go through this when they grow older. So, this is really important to me.”
“Besides God himself, this is my #1 priority. To stay clean, to stay focused on my recovery and stay focused on my comeback.”
The Thursday, May 22, 2014 edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV scored a final cable rating of 0.87, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 0.87 final draw marks a pretty decent increase as compared to the 0.83 final rating that the show drew the previous week.
Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling averaged 1.07 million viewers, which as well was an increase when compared to the average viewership for last week’s show, which came in at 1.053 million viewers.
Due to the fact that TNA is already promoting Kurt Angle’s return to the company on television, many are under the impression that the company is confident that he will be re-signing when his current deal expires.
TNA has mentioned that Angle will be back in approximately five months, a time frame that will fall around mid-October, which would be after his existing contract is expired.
As of right now, there is no real definite word as to whether or not WWE has any interest in the former Olympic gold medalist.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
On Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, it was announced that Ethan Carter III will face at the upcoming TNA Slammiversary PPV. Here’s the updated card:
TNA World Championship Match:
– Eric Young (c) vs. MVP
Grude Match
– Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III
Join us here Sunday night, June 15th for Live Coverage of TNA Slammiversary XII.
The following is TNA’s preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
– After this past week, can anyone stop the new alliance of MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King in TNA Wrestling? MVP is more powerful than ever now that he has major backup in the form of Lashley and King! After their beatdown on Eric Young, are EY’s days numbered as the World Heavyweight Champion? How will Young respond to this new triple threat from MVP, Lashley and King?
– Plus, we’ve received word that due to the recent actions by MVP and his abuse of power, TNA President Dixie Carter will make her return to IMPACT on Thursday night to address the situation! What will Dixie say about the recent events involving MVP and his new alliance? Is this powder keg about to explode on IMPACT?
– Also this Thursday, TNA Knockouts champion Angelina Love has issued an Open Challenge for anyone to face her for the title! Who will step up and answer Angelina for a shot at the gold?
– Plus, the rivalry between Magnus and Jeff Hardy’s alter-ego WILLOW continues on Thursday as they meet in a Falls Count Anywhere Match! Will Bram finally get inside Magnus’s head and unleash a more aggressive Magnus on TNA Wrestling?
– TNA star Davey Richards revealed on his official Facebook page recently that he is now officially engaged to his girlfriend.
– TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young will be hosting “Monster Week” on Animal Planet this week.
TNA’s Senior Audio Producer Jason Seeman reportedly resigned from the company on Monday. Seeman left the company after eight years as an employee.
The backstage reaction regarding Seeman’s departure was that of shock, as many within the company saw Seeman as one of the most well-liked and hardest working employees in the TNA production crew.
(Credit: PWInsider.com)
The following are highlights of a new Between The Ropes interview with Frankie Kazarian:
On the last few months with the company: “Honestly, since after Bound for Glory, there just wasn’t any direction for Bad Influence the tag-team. We continued to ask questions, we continued to pitch ideas and it was just like “OK, we’re thinking of this or that” but we never got a straight answer and we were just kind of floating. It kind of bothered us because, honestly, we’re too good for this. We should really be involved in something. When Davey (Richards) and Eddie (Edwards) came in, we were kind of licking our chops. Sweet! This could be six months, a year. A lot of folks on the internet and within the wrestling community were excited for the potential matchup of us and The Wolves. So were we and so were they when they came in. So we thought we were going to get back in the fold and it never happened and we never got a straight answer other than we’re going with other teams. What can you say other than OK? After the UK, we did Lockdown with Muta and Sanada. That was great and after that we were left off television. Right then it was like OK, they literally have nothing going on for us. And here we are now.”
On seeing so many longtime TNA wrestlers no longer with the company: “It’s different. My last day at TNA, I said this to a few people, I didn’t feel like I was leaving TNA because I didn’t feel like I recognized the company. There was still people I’ll miss but it didn’t feel like I was leaving TNA. Honestly, there was a couple of red flags, and this was even preceding when I was starting to make up my mind about my current situation, AJ Styles leaving obviously, because I’m very close to AJ and knowing what he was going through and talking to him, that was huge. I was like wait a minute. I say this as his friend and I say this selfishly, I don’t understand why they didn’t do whatever it took to keep him there. And I’m not just saying that because he’s a friend. I’m saying that because he’s a franchise guy. He’s one of the best in the world. He’s a good human being. He’s a guy you can continue to build the company around. He leaves and real soon thereafter Jeff Jarrett leaves so that was a big red flag being waved. Wait a minute … things are changing. I don’t know that they’re changing for the better. It could just be me. Internally, management, complete turnover, people on the creative team, people in management. It really is just different.”
One the talk last year of TNA being close to being sold: “I didn’t know. I heard the rumors and there’s no one I can really ask. It’s not like I can call Dixie (Carter) and go hey, are we being sold? I could but I would never do that. Obviously, it’s none of my business. I would hope and pray that if that were to go down that they would call a meeting and say “hey guys, by the way, we’re selling the company”. When it was all going down, I had people here i the gym near where I live asking me if TNA is being sold. I was like I don’t think so. And then we all got an email from Janice Carter one day saying, first email and last I promise you I’ll get from Janice Carter believe it or not, saying please don’t believe the rumors, we’re not being sold. And I thought that was odd because I was like wow, all these years and all these rumors of TNA and everything that’s ever been said and now we finally get a letter saying don’t believe the rumors. OK. All I can do is take that at face value but we later found out that maybe that was … I still don’t know what the situation was because that’s all part of the business side. I had hopes that whoever wanted to buy it wanted to buy it because they were passionate about wrestling and wanted to try and do something different with the product. But apparently it’s not being sold, it’s not for sale, there’s not a for sale sign on it.”
Check out the complete interview at BetweenTheRopes.com.
TNA recently issued the following press release:
Challenge and TNA Entertainment have joined forces for a historic announcement – teaming up to deliver TNA’s first ever wrestling programming specifically designed for a family audience.
An all-new version of TNA Xplosion will air weekly on Challenge from Saturday May 31 at 9am. The show has been reformatted with families in mind and to purposely differentiate itself from TNA’s flagship post-watershed programme IMPACT WRESTLING.
Xplosion – which is hosted by Jeremy Borash and features a mix of new matches, classic bouts and the hilarious ‘Spin Cycle’ panel debates – will also continue to be shown in its current late night timeslot of 11pm on Wednesday evenings. TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is broadcast every Sunday at 9pm.
Challenge can be viewed across the UK and Ireland on Sky (145), Freeview (46), Virgin Media (139) and Freesat (145).
TNA President Dixie Carter said: “Xplosion moving to Saturday morning on Challenge is a strategic and natural evolution of TNA programming, as our product resonates with fans of all ages.
“Families with young children are always strongly represented during TNA’s annual MAXIMUM IMPACT Tour. I am confident with the new format and time slot of Xplosion we will continue to attract new fans, particularly kids.
“Ask any TNA Superstar and they will tell you, there is no greater feeling than seeing the eyes of a child light up when he sees his favourite wrestler in action.
“Through TNA’s flagship IMPACT WRESTLING programme and the all-new Xplosion, combined with innovative and engaging content delivered daily through our digital and social channels, there are more ways than ever to engage fans with the TNA brand.”
Stephen Ladlow, Director of Challenge, commented: “As the exclusive home of TNA in the UK and Ireland, it’s great to be able to bring TNA to a whole new audience with our new family friendly show.
“We know that the TNA UK Tour attracts fans of all ages, so it seems fitting that Challenge can now cater for them whether young or old with this new Saturday morning Xplosion show.”
Jeremy Borash added: “TNA’s awesome fans across the UK and Ireland can expect Xplosion to showcase their favourite TNA Superstars each week, with an emphasis on two of the most popular types of matches, X-Division and the Knockouts.
“With exciting competition in the ring and the popular ‘Spin Cycle’ panel, the new Xplosion will be must-see Saturday morning TV!”
TNA also have a special Family Package for all those wanting to attend the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour, which comes to Glasgow, Manchester and London in January 2015. Anyone buying four tickets together (maximum of two adults) can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on the standard ticket price.
Full details on the TNA UK Tour – including dates, venues, roster and ticket prices – can be found by visiting www.impactwrestling.com/uktour
The following are highlights of a new RCWR Show interview with former TNA star Christopher Daniels:
On his TNA departure: “Just disappoint really. I envisioned there be an opportunity for Bad Influence vs the Wolves to happen on television but I found out that really wasn’t in the plans. TNA made the decision of what they thought was best for their product. I don’t necessarily agree with it but in the end it’s their decision and they need to make the decision that they think are best for their business. Whether it’s for financial reasons, creative reasons or a mixture of the two. So disappointment? Yes but not frustration or bitterness. It’s happened before. For every company around has made decisions that have fans scratch their heads on but at the same time those guys have the long term picture in their heads and it may not be clear to the wrestling fans at this point of why they’re doing it but something will come in the future where they will understand and at the same time I’m not dwelling on that decision. I’m looking forward to working in different companies, and the many matchups available for myself and Frankie Kazarian right now in the independent scene. It’ll be interesting to see what we do in the next couple of months.”
On fans seeing TNA as an unrecognizable product with so many veterans gone: “In terms of my presence there you’ll see and feel in the next couple of months cause I won’t be there and you’ll be able to notice before Daniels and after Daniels in that respect. But for people that are saying they’re not going to recognize the talent roster, my retort to that is there’s still going to be guys like James Storm, Ken Anderson, Gunner, Robbie E and Jesse G, people like Gail Kim and the Beautiful People are still there. And then you’re getting this opportunity with guys like Sanada, like Brittney, like Tigre uno, Bram, even Magnus who is still somewhat new to the promotion or at least to the position that he’s in far as being one of the top guys. He’s still a young face and is making strides as a character and as a performer. I think that most wrestling fans will give wrestling an opportunity and it’s up to those people that I just named to give the wrestling fan base reasons to continue to tune in. I neglected to even mention Eric Young who’s their new World champion there. He’s been around for a while, he’s a recognizable face and he’s now the World champion. He’s already got another show in the works for Animal Planet, he’s a very high profile individual and probably a very good choice of World Champion at this point. Now it depends on building up that fan base and getting them use to the idea of Eric Young as champion and those names that I just mentioned to be the benchmark for the company.”
On Eric Young as World Heavyweight Champion: “I feel like he sort of got thrown in the deep end. There wasn’t really an opportunity for fans to get behind him, get behind his road as a no. 1 contender. It all happened so quickly. That’s no fault to Eric as it’s the decision the creative team made. Now it’s up to the creative team and the company as a whole to sort of get behind Eric. The creative team has to decide on how to present him as a strong champion and put all their effort behind him or do you go back to Magnus. Are they going to make Eric a transitional champion and put the title on someone else? These are all the questions that have to be answered in the next couple of months. I feel like if he’s given the chance to succeed on his own merit then I believe he can succeed. It’s just a matter of how decisions are made sometimes and like I said you don’t always understand them when their first made but hopefully people can take a step back and sort of look at the grand picture and hopefully things will turn out will for Impact and Eric Young overall.”
On the reason he was never World Heavyweight Champion: “Not my decision. Those decisions don’t come from us. Any wrestler that has ever been asked why you haven’t been World champion yet the answer is you’re asking the wrong people. When you have your interview with John Gaubrick, Dave Lagana or Matt you can ask them. I think every wrestler in the world has wanted to be World champion at some point and written a scenario where they could be World champion and I’m no exception. I’ve pitched ideas and thought to myself maybe I could do this or that or maybe this would be a good position for me, why they didn’t go that way? In the end it goes back to that broad picture. Creative teams usually have this broad idea and they have certain months and months in advance sort of laid out and their decision making…it’s not up to me to question as I just assume they are just doing what’s best for their business. I thought for a while I was hot enough to do something in that respect but they obviously had a different idea or at least they viewed me in a different light in terms of what I could bring to the table as a character, performer.”
Check out the complete interview above.
The following are highlights of a new MLive interview with former TNA star Chris Sabin:
On getting back into the indies: “I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life. It’s getting back to my roots since I started out in the independents. Professional wrestling is my passion. I’m trying to stay as busy as possible. I believe I can have a good match with anyone. It doesn’t matter if they were on television the last 20 years or just an independent wrestler coming up through the ranks.”
On how he changed mentally after getting injured in 2010 and 2011: “It was probably mentally and physically the toughest thing I’ve ever had to go through in my entire life. I was wrestling for almost 11 years straight up until that first injury then all of a sudden I was sitting at home not doing anything, not even being able to walk. I was pretty apprehensive for months about what I could do in the ring. I even did an interview not too long ago where I felt I couldn’t do all the high-flying stuff I could do before my injuries. I was almost embarrassed when I saw myself saying that, it shows a lack of believe in myself. If I put my mind too it, and put the work in, I know I can be the Chris Sabin I was before the injuries. I know I’m stronger for getting through this.”
Check out the complete interview at MLive.com.
As previously reported, TNA recently finished up a run of television tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, the company’s last few for at least several months.
As things stand currently, TNA has no official dates scheduled at Universal Studios. The word going around is that the sound stage that TNA uses is booked through September, so they will be forced to tape Impact Wrestling on the road until at least October.
It goes without saying that taping on the road would be a costly move for TNA, as production fees would be much greater than those at home base.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– It’s being said that many talents in TNA have been contacting Ring Of Honor and Jeff Jarrett due to nervousness that grows each week that goes by without a new Spike TV deal announcement.
– TNA looks at “The Menagerie’s” entrance in the latest edition of “#IMPACT365,” which you can check out below.
http://youtu.be/UjXPR2uJ_44
(Partial Credit: F4WOnline.com)
The following are highlights of a new MLive interview with former TNA star Chris Sabin:
On getting back into the indies: “I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life. It’s getting back to my roots since I started out in the independents. Professional wrestling is my passion. I’m trying to stay as busy as possible. I believe I can have a good match with anyone. It doesn’t matter if they were on television the last 20 years or just an independent wrestler coming up through the ranks.”
On how he changed mentally after getting injured in 2010 and 2011: “It was probably mentally and physically the toughest thing I’ve ever had to go through in my entire life. I was wrestling for almost 11 years straight up until that first injury then all of a sudden I was sitting at home not doing anything, not even being able to walk. I was pretty apprehensive for months about what I could do in the ring. I even did an interview not too long ago where I felt I couldn’t do all the high-flying stuff I could do before my injuries. I was almost embarrassed when I saw myself saying that, it shows a lack of believe in myself. If I put my mind too it, and put the work in, I know I can be the Chris Sabin I was before the injuries. I know I’m stronger for getting through this.”
Check out the complete interview at MLive.com.
As previously reported, TNA recently finished up a run of television tapings at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, the company’s last few for at least several months.
As things stand currently, TNA has no official dates scheduled at Universal Studios. The word going around is that the sound stage that TNA uses is booked through September, so they will be forced to tape Impact Wrestling on the road until at least October.
It goes without saying that taping on the road would be a costly move for TNA, as production fees would be much greater than those at home base.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– It’s being said that many talents in TNA have been contacting Ring Of Honor and Jeff Jarrett due to nervousness that grows each week that goes by without a new Spike TV deal announcement.
– TNA looks at “The Menagerie’s” entrance in the latest edition of “#IMPACT365,” which you can check out below.
http://youtu.be/UjXPR2uJ_44
(Partial Credit: F4WOnline.com)
Vince Russo recently published a new editorial looking at MVP’s recent turn in TNA and turns in professional wrestling in general. The following is an excerpt from the article:
“THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE WRESTLING CAREER I HAD ACTUALLY NEVER “TURNED” A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER.”
Yeah, you got that right–-that’s why I put it in bold type. Here–-I will say it again:
“I HAVE NEVER “TURNED A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER”.
Not to be disrespectful to any one reading this, because that’s not my purpose at all–remember, I’m a Professor now, so I have to lead by example–but, I don’t think that the wrestling fan truly understands that a “turn” is not a “turn” at all, but rather a character “reacting” when faced with a certain set of circumstances, a certain situation–-or–a certain conflict. It’s that character –staying true to himself–at that point in time–under the cirmcumstances/situation given. In other words–-there is NO TURN at all–-the character is just reacting to what’s now been handed to him.
Let me explain–-and I’ll do it with MVP.
Upon his arrival in TNA as the “Director of Business Operations”, MVP clearly told us the story of his checkered past: life on the streets, his gang affiliation, doing time in jail for breaking the law, etc. MVP then went on to explain that he was given a “second chance in life”, and that he was very grateful for this opportunity in TNA.”
OK–-so from a storytelling POV (point of view) MVP has just explained to us his background–-his past–who he was at another time in his life.
So from there, MVP goes on and conducts himself in a professional manner as the Director of Wrestling Operations at TNA. He’s all about truth, justice and the AMERICAN WAY!!”
Russo goes way more in-depth on this topic in the full piece, which you can read right now at PyroAndBallyhoo.com.
The following are highlights of a new Sun Herald interview with TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young:
On being TNA World Champion: “I’m living a dream. Being the heavyweight champion is all I’ve wanted to be. The heavyweight champion has the biggest clout in the company. It’s a big responsibility and a role I take very seriously.”
On who helped train him: “I received good training from Von Erich, Leduc, D’Amore and Kanyon,” Young said. “I put in thousands of hours to become a good wrestler.”
On being one of the few originals left in TNA: “TNA’s a cool place to wrestle. I’m one of the four originals left. I’ve been on TV every week since 2004. It’s really cool to be through all the changes at TNA.”
Check out the complete interview at SunHerald.com.