The following are highlights of a recent radio interview with TNA Impact Wrestling star Kurt Angle:
On the Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter storyline: “I love the heel turn Dixie has made, it has helped a lot. Obviously we have had a few bumps in the road the last few months. We’ve been able to iron it out. Hogan is not under contract right now, but I have a feeling he will be back. I don’t know when. He’s an icon, he’s a guy that has done so much for wrestling you always want him under contract, even if he can’t wrestle anymore.”
On a possible WWE Hall Of Fame induction: “I am very honored to be in the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, but any hall of fame that’s out there especially the WWE Hall Of Fame you wanna be a part of it. That’s where I started. I have to give them credit on my character development and for teaching me my skills. You always want to be a part of their Hall of Fame. It’s legendary.”
On his recent rehab: “They have been awesome. I had to take some time out and clear my head and physically get better. TNA has been awesome. They have been 100 percent supportive. Dixie Carter has been amazing. The WWE Rehabilitation program has been awesome for me. My road to recovery is great. I’m really happy to be where I am right now.”
SESCOOPS.COM reader Nicole Platt from Spike TV sent along the following:
Spike TV premieres the 3-part non-scripted series “Rampage4Real” on Thursday, October 17 at 11pm ET/PT.
Episode #1:
Rampage Jackson has the biggest fight of his career coming up when he faces Tito Ortiz on November 2nd. But before training starts, Rampage tries to get in the last of his partying. Watch as he lives the rock star life style with his entourage, before he attempts to start getting back into shape.
RAMPAGE AND TITO HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE FRIENDSHIP HAS TO BE PUT ASIDE, AND ONE MAN’S FIGHTING CAREER COULD BE OVER
Watch the clip here
BEFORE THE REAL WORK CAN BEGIN, RAMPAGE BRACES HIMSELF
TNA star Christopher Daniels spoke with the Miami Herald as hype for this weekend’s Bound for Glory PPV. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Where the name “Bad Influence” came from: ““Frankie always liked the name, and I thought it fit with what was going on with us at the time. So we started calling ourselves that before the company did. We are the ‘Bad Influence’ of TNA. We decided that’s who we are, and we kept pushing it and pushing it, and finally everybody [in TNA] hopped on board with it.”
What he’d be doing if he wasn’t a pro wrestler: “I’d probably be running a comic book store somewhere. I was working at a comic book shop before I got into pro wrestling, making a little extra cash and getting comic books for free. Who knows? That may be in my future.”
What he tells his kids he does for a living: “I’ve explained a few things to them. They know I’m playing a bad guy on TV, but I’m not really a bad guy, and they know what I do is not something they should be doing at school on the playground. They understand dad’s doing a job, and it’s entertainment. So it’s easy for them to watch dad get thrown around, booed and goof off like I do. I tell them dad likes getting the thumbs down from everybody, and they know dad doesn’t need to be liked to be successful, but they do wonder why I lose all the time. ‘Dad, when are you going to win?’ ‘I’m not sure yet kids. We’ll keep trying.'”
TNA star AJ Styles spoke with Mike Riker and Dave Lagreca on SiriusXM’s Busted Open to hype Sunday’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Being back in TNA’s main event scene:
“It feels awesome. I’ll tell you what feels better than being better in the main event; it’s having the crowd behind you. They know what they want out of A.J. Styles now. They know what to expect, when before they did not know what to expect, they didn’t know who I was or what to expect and to tell you the truth, I didn’t. But I think these fans know who I am now and what I’m after and who I have to beat to get it and that’s a great thing when you step into an arena and people are going crazy for you. It gives you that extra boost of energy that you can’t explain until you step into the ring or you step onto the field where all these people are cheering for you. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Unhappiness in the TNA locker room:
“Not everyone is going to be happy. Not everyone is going to be happy with the storyline that they are in, that’s just professional wrestling. Everyone wants to be at the top. Everybody thinks that they deserve more and you can’t blame them. You’re in a business where it’s going to take its toll on them as they get older and they want to make as much money as they can and think they have the ability to but when you’re not in that spotlight and believe me I know, it bothers you. I don’t want to say that we all are like: ‘This sucks,’ because we’re not. There are a lot of us just having fun but there is always going to be disgruntled guys in the back. It happens, it’s a cycle. You have to go through your turn of: ‘Oh crap, ok. Here we go.’ It’s one of those kinds of things. The locker room to me is not bad but it’s never going to be perfect. I don’t care where you’re wrestling at.”
Kurt Angle being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame:
“He’s a machine. I know you guys must have heard that a million times but it’s true. He is one of the best professional wrestlers in wrestling. He’s got it all. He can get on the microphone and entertain you there or he can get you in the wrestling ring and do the same. I definitely think Kurt Angle deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. That’s the things that bother me the most is that our Hall of Fame is that our guys are still wrestling. Ultimately wait until they are retired because they still have more work to do. Image all the good things you can say about them and then they have the match of there life after we induct them to the hall of fame. You got to bring that up. But those guys, Sting and Kurt deserve to be in the Hall of Fame and I have no bad feelings towards them because they are great guys.”
You can hear Busted Open on Sports Zone; Sirius 92, XM 208 and on the app.
Update: Despite our earlier report that Hulk Hogan is likely returning to TNA after WWE made a lowball offer to him, we can confirm that as of today (10/16), Hogan has still not signed with TNA or WWE and is currently a free agent.
Original Article:
It appears that Hulk Hogan will be returning to TNA. After becoming a free agent and negotiating with both TNA and WWE, f4wonline.com reports that TNA offered Hogan substantially more money than WWE did.
WWE’s offer was said to be a “lowball” offer – and nowhere near what they’ve offered other big stars in recent years, like The Rock and Brock Lesnar.
TNA’s offer to Hogan is believed to be a 1-year deal that will pay him approximately as much as The Rock and Brock Lesnar make for a single match in WWE.
With WWE looking to stack the WrestleMania XXX card as much as possible, making such a weak offer to Hogan could be a sign that one or more other big names (The Rock, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels) have already agreed to work the show.
The following are highlights from a recent DirecTV interview with TNA Impact Wrestling star Austin Aries:
On idolizing Bobby “The Brain” Heenan: “Bobby Heenan is one of my favorites of all time. Even back in the AWA, I just always thought he was great. And obviously The Horsemen dominating as well as Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, Magnum T.A., The Midnight Express, and The Freebirds. Of course Jake Roberts and Rick Rude. Those are the guys I grew up watching and idolizing.”
On his favorite opponents: “I always mention Bobby Roode. We just click on a lot of different levels. We grew up appreciating the same type of wrestler and same type of wrestling. We are similar students to the game. We work together against each other or as a tag partner. Guys like Samoa Joe, no matter what it’s been, what promotion, every time we are in the ring there is such an easy storytelling and psychology in there. We always had good matchups. Matches with Brian Danielson (Daniel Bryan of WWE) have always brought the best out of me. We’ve had a number of clashes over the years. Those are some guys off the top of my head.”
On Bound For Glory and the Ultimate X match: “Bound for Glory is Impact Wrestling’s biggest event. It is out in San Diego, and it is a whole weekend event. Unfortunately, I find myself challenging for the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X Match. It is exactly the type of match I look forward to as well as the fans. But there is an extra element of danger, having to scale a 20ft rope to grab the belt where it is hanging over the ring. You have three former world champs (Aries, Chris Sabin, and Jeff Hardy), as well as the current X division champ, Manik, and we all bring a little something different to the table. Anything can happen, and it is an exciting match for the audience and you definitely get sweaty palms participating in it because of the dangers that come with The Ultimate X Match.”
Check out the complete interview online at DirecTV.com.
The following is a new tweet from the official Twitter account of former TNA Impact Wrestling star Low Ki, who also worked in WWE NXT as Kaval, announcing his retirement from pro wrestling following an incident in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) recently:
Due to @alljapan_pw not honoring their contractual obligations of medical care after being injured in AJPW, I'm retiring from Pro Wrestling
Top TNA Impact Wrestling star Magnus recently took to Twitter to reveal that he and former TNA Knockout’s Champion Mickie James, who were a couple in real-life, are no longer dating.
Magnus wrote the following:
Only tweeting this to prevent rumours and speculation: Mickie James and I are not an item anymore. No drama/bs, just different directions.
-TNA Impact Wrestling is advertising Hulk Hogan as appearing at their upcoming “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view, which takes place next Sunday night, October 20th.
-According to online indications, tickets for the entire second row of ringside seats near the entrance ramp for the upcoming TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings in Baltimore, Maryland are still unsold. Apparently you can still purchase up to 14 seats next to each other in the second row.
-The Frank Shamrock special that aired on Spike TV on Thursday night, which features Frank patching up his differences with his adopted brother and former WWE Superstar Ken Shamrock, is now available online at Spike.com.
-TNA Impact Wrestling has released their 30-minute “Before The Bell” hype-special for their upcoming “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, October 20th. You can check out the “Before The Bell: Bound For Glory 2013” special below:
-TNA Impact Wrestling has announced a Bound For Glory Fan InterAction update on their official Twitter account. The company revealed that “The Icon” Sting has been added for VIPs. You can read the tweet below:
BFG Fan InterAction Update: STING added for VIPs: Full List Of Superstars Attending http://t.co/TxFQMmCkAP
According to a recent TMZ article, TNA Impact Wrestling star James Storm is looking to pitch a reality television show based around a new bar he is opening in Nashville, Tennessee. Storm, who will be with the TNA crew in Southern California next week for the “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view, will reportedly meet with various network executives and production companies about the show idea.
The idea for the show, according to the TMZ article, would include celebrity cameos and showcase various activities at the bar. Additionally, the article notes that Storm is not looking to leave his job as a pro wrestler, instead he is looking to “expand his brand” related to his on-air character’s trademark beer-drinking.
You can check out the complete article online at TMZ.com.
TNA Knockout Taryn Terrell recently revealed via her official Twitter account that she is pregnant with a baby girl. The following is the tweet she posted on Saturday evening:
– “Showtime” Eric Young and Joseph Park are embarking on a 10-day road trip to Bound For Glory in San Diego, California, where the duo will participate in a Pre-show Gauntlet Match (against Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, The BroMans, and Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez) in hopes of landing a World Tag Team Championship opportunity during the pay-per-view event. The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released this video of Young and Parks preparing for their trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH8ZhZXt78s
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released this half-hour Before The Bell video previewing Bound For Glory. The annual pay-per-view event takes place in eight days at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University in San Diego, California.
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, recently departed TNA Wrestling star Brooke Hogan has been announced to appear at the New York Comic Con at the Javits Center 655 W 34th St. New York, New York, tonight at 7:30 p.m. for a panel discussion.
Posted October 12th, 2013 in TNA. Tagged: Eric Young.
The following are highlights from a recent AP interview with Hulk Hogan:
His Recent Discussion with Triple H:
“He just welcomed me with open arms. He said if ever I decide I get the itch to come back home, the door’s open.”
The Possibility of Appearing at WrestleMania XXX:
“My mind has been going crazy the last couple of weeks trying to figure out the best thing to do will be.”
His Status With TNA:
“We couldn’t figure things out. We’re talking, but I’m wide open right now.”
If he has one more match left in him:
“Let me put it to you this way, brother: With the right guy, the right situation, with a big enough event, big enough storyline, you’re damn right I have one more left in me.”
Check out the complete interview online at AP.org.
-The next TNA “One Night Only” pay-per-view theme will be that of a tournament among past TNA champions to determine the “best champion in TNA history.” Matches include: James Storm vs. Mr. Anderson, Samoa Joe vs. Jeff Hardy, Austin Aries vs. Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode vs. Sting and Bully Ray vs. James Storm in the first round.
-The latest edition of the TNA Podcast is now online and features Jeff Hardy, Kazarian, Taz, Mike Tenay and more. Fans interested in checking that out can do so online at TNA2Go.com.
-Following the TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view on October 20th, the next TNA Impact Wrestling television taping will be held on October 24th at the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The Thursday, October 10th edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV drew a final cable rating of 0.82, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 0.82 final draw marks a decrease from last week’s 0.95 final rating.
Impact Wrestling this week averaged 1.084 million viewers, which is also down significantly from last week’s average of 1.126 million viewers.
As far as competition is concerned, TNA did face stiff challenges in their key demos with a major Thursday night NFL game between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears (7.8 million viewers) and the MLB playoffs (5.445 million viewers). Regardless of competition, the decline in viewership for TNA can’t be considered a good thing as they head into their biggest annual event, Bound For Glory, on October 20th.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Marc Kruskol from MJK Public Relations sent along the following:
Christopher Daniels just wrapped filming for Susan G. Komen Orange County, California.
Chris will be appearing in Komen Orange County’s second holiday
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and TNA Impact Wrestling superstar Christopher Daniels just wrapped filming for Susan G. Komen Orange County. Chris will be appearing in Komen Orange County’s second holiday jingle video campaign, which is scheduled to debut just before Thanksgiving. Chris, along with several others, was asked to lend his singing voice to help raise funds for mammograms for underserved and underinsured women and men in Orange County. Chris spent an afternoon belting out new lyrics to the tune of “Jingle Bells” about raising money for breast health. Pro wrestling star Brian Kendrick generously lent himself and his school, Brian Kendrick’s School of Pro Wrestling, for filming. The result, of course, was anything but ordinary. Look for the video on YouTube and all over social media, launching in mid-November.
Here’s a link to the Komen Orange County website: KomenOC.org
– Future TNA Hall of Famer Kurt Angle returned on last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling for the first time since leaving television a few months ago for personal reasons. Angle interrupted E.G.O.’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Bobby Roode – and challenged Roode to a match at Bound For Glory.
– Also on Impact, TNA ran the latest promo for the upcoming debut as Ethan, now known as Ethan Carter III (“EC3”). Ethan Carter is portrayed by former WWE superstar Derek Bateman.
Following last night’s Impact Wrestling tapings, here is the updated card for TNA Bound For Glory 2013, which takes place on Sunday, October 20th:
World Heavyweight Championship
Bully Ray vs. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles
“The Icon” Sting vs. Magnus
Bobby Roode vs. Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle
Ultimate X Match for the X Division Championship
Austin Aries vs. Manik vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe
Tag Team Championship
James Storm and Gunner vs. Preshow Match Winners
Knockouts Championship
ODB vs. Gail Kim vs. Brooke
Preshow Gauntlet Match
(Winners earn a Tag Team Title shot that night)
Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs Joseph Park and Eric Young vs The BroMans vs Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
Spike TV Pre-Show: Bad Influence vs. Joseph Park & Eric Young vs. Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez vs. BroMans for PPV title shot.
The following are spoiler results for next week’s episode of TNA Impact Wrestling:
*Robbie E defeated Hernandez, Eric Young, and Christopher Daniels in a Four Way.
* TNA President Dixie Carter came out and announced there will be a Bound For Glory contract signing later tonight. Bully Ray came out, followed by Magnus. Dixie booked them both in a singles match for tonight’s main event.
* Samoa Joe defeated Chris Sabin with the Kokina Clutch. Austin Aries attacked Joe during the match, which led to Jeff Hardy and Manik running down to the ring.
* AJ Styles came out for a promo. Aces & Eights interrupted him. James Storm and Gunner came out and they all brawled.
* Gunner defeated Knux.
* Kurt Angle cut a promo on his Bound For Glory opponent, Bobby Roode. Roode came out and attacked Angle. Bad Influence beat everyone him down.
* TNA Champion Bully Ray defeated Magnus. Sting came out and had a staredown with Magnus.
* A contract signing was held for AJ Styles’ TNA World title shot against Bully Ray at Bound For glory. Dixie Carter tried bribing AJ into skipping the match, but he once again blew her off and vowed to win.
AJ Styles’ upcoming biography has been put on hold, according to David Dee of VIP Ink Publishing. He sent along the following statement today:
“After months of board meetings between VIP Ink Publishing, L.L.C. and A. J. Styles both sides have come to the agreement to slow down on the release date of the book due to waiting on copyright approvals, a few more interviews, as well as the timing of the match for the Heavy Weight Championship with Bully Ray. We feel that the fans deserve nothing but the very best and that is what we intend to give them.
While we know this is a disappointment, we want the fans to know, we are just as disappointed as you are. As both sides continue to work diligently together, please keep a watchful eye to the website www.vipinkpublishing.com and A. J. Styles’ facebook page facebook.com/ajstylesorg for more updates. As soon as we have a release date and cover layout, we will release another press release.”
The following are highlights from a recent Miami Herald interview with Chavo Guerrero:
On the business situation in TNA: “When TNA went live, it was either going to take off or it was not going to take off. It’s a crucial time right now in TNA, and I really hope it takes off because it’s better for the business, better for the wrestlers, better for the fans, better for everybody. They got the right players in place, but they have to tweak it all…You can’t beat our wrestlers. Our roster is incredible. The wresters, we are all doing our part. We are all trying. You can only do so much…”
“It’s a business. I’ve seen that exact same thing in every other company I’ve been in. It’s the nature of the beast. They are making what they think are the best decisions for the company. That’s the way it is. That’s in any business. I know people that are teachers, and they are let go. They are great teachers, but for some reason they are let go. It’s just the way it is.”
On the success of Vickie Guerrero in WWE: “Nobody knew. She didn’t know. We didn’t go, ‘Okay, we are going to make her the next big thing.’ It just happened. She is a total natural. She is so good she doesn’t even know how good she is. She is a general manager that doesn’t really wrestle, and she is the biggest heel in wrestling basically. They hate her. That’s a big thing to have a general manager who is not a wrestler have the most heat in the company. Eddie is looking down smiling saying, ‘That’s my girl.'”
The following is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s live episode of Impact Wrestling from Tulsa, Oklahoma:
– What will the the fallout from “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan telling TNA President Dixie Carter to take his job and shove it? Carter wanted Hogan on #TeamDixie, but in a major shocker, the former IMPACT General Manager told her “I QUIT” and walked out! How will Carter react to what Hogan did? Is it really the end of Hulkamania in TNA? And without Hulk this Thursday, WILL IMPACT FALL INTO COMPLETE CHAOS?
– The countdown continues to TNA’s biggest event of the year – “Bound For Glory” on October 20! How will Magnus prepare for his BFG bout against “The Icon” Sting? Plus – X Division Champion Manik, Austin Aries, Jeff Hardy and Chris Sabin get ready for the Ultimate X Match! MORE matches will be announced on Thursday’s broadcast! Video: Ultimate X returns at Bound For Glory
-Christopher Daniels and Kazarian surprised Bobby Roode this past Thursday night when they informed him he would be the 1st member of the E.G.O. Hall of Fame. What will happen when Roode is officially inducted by Daniels and Kaz this Thursday on Spike? Video: E.G.O. celebrates Bobby Roode’s Induction
– Lei’D Tapa has arrived to the ranks of the Knockouts! The dominant TNA newcomer made an instant impact by attacking Velvet Sky this past week! What’s next for the imposing Knockout as she plans to unleash a path of destruction? Who is next on her list? Tune in and find out! Video: Lei’D Tapa attacks Velvet Sky
– Plus, WHO is ETHAN and when will he arrive in IMPACT WRESTLING? We got a sneak peek this past week – more to come on Thursday night!
Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who “quit” TNA on last week’s taped edition of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, recently did a promotional interview for this week’s TNA television taping in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
While Hogan mentioned that he may not be at the taping this week, it is a bit curious when stepping outside of the storylines and analyzing the real-life contract situation with Hogan and TNA, considering the fact that Hogan’s contract reportedly expired on October 1st, and he is still promoting future TNA events.
Hogan, who played up his television feud with company president Dixie Carter, told the Tulsa World recently, “I think Dixie has flipped the switch or something, she’s off on a tangent here.”
Additionally, Hogan spoke as if he is still part of the behind-the-scenes effort to build the current TNA television product by saying, “It’s an artform and a lot of the artform has been lost because the TV demands that things happen fast and get out of the ring. So we’re trying to make wrestling how it should be.”
Check out the complete Hulk Hogan interview online at TulsaWorld.com.
-Former TNA backstage interviewer Goldilocks is doing her own reality show on YouTube. In promotion for the new show, Goldilocks is described as: “She’s a pop culture icon, a professional wrestling personality, a motivational speaker, songwriter and rock artist, highly sought-after photographer and a rock hard fitness buff.” You can check out her official YouTube channel online at YouTube.com/GoldyKnows.
-The LAW (Live Audio Wrestling) radio show featured a new interview with former TNA Knockout and WWE Diva Mickie James this week. Fans interested in checking out the show can do so online at FightNetwork.com.