– Hyping this summer’s slate of Impact Wrestling episodes on Spike TV as “the biggest summer ever” in the history of the nine-year program, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter touted via Twitter the soon arrival of a “big free agent signing.” On the social networking service, two-time world champion Bill Goldberg immediately squashed the possibility of joining the Nashville-based promotion.

“I’m telling you now it would never happen,” he said in response to a user asking him whether he is the individual in question.

The same Twitter user then wrote, “thank god for that I’d quit watching impact.” In response, Goldberg quipped, “Yep…..you and the other 4 people.”

A few months after Hulk Hogan’s arrival to TNA Wrestling, the legendary grappler claimed that Goldberg was in negotiations to join the organization. Goldberg, however, debunked the claim, stating to TulsaWorld.com, “Pardon my French, but Hulk Hogan’s full of crap because I was never in negotiations with TNA.”

– Sunday night at Slammiversary, the second member of the TNA Hall of Fame will be announced—the formal induction will take place in October at Bound For Glory. The official YouTube account of TNA released the career tribute video from last year’s ceremony honoring 14-time world champion Sting.

– Hyping this summer’s slate of Impact Wrestling episodes on Spike TV as “the biggest summer ever” in the history of the nine-year program, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter touted via Twitter on Thursday a “big free agent signing” arriving during this time frame. On the micro-blogging service, former WWE champion Dave Bautista responded to a question asking whether he is the individual in question.

“Seriously? I am a @WWE guy to the core,” he wrote.

When asked whether he has anything against the promotion, he wrote, “no of course not.”

– Tomorrow night at Slammiversary, Taryn Terrell will face Gail Kim in a Last Knockout Standing Match. In this video interview, Terrell says she has a lot to prove when she faces Kim.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF5cMPnDsM4

– ShopTNA.com has released a new AJ Styles T-Shirt promoting the multi-time champion’s rebellious character. It reads “No One.”

Several of TNA’s top superstars spoke to the Boston Herald this week to promote Sunday’s Slammiversary XI pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what the following stars said:

Bully Ray: “TNA is the best wrestling product out there. We have some of the greatest veterans of pro wrestling and some of the greatest modern-day wrestlers. There’s great in-ring action, great talkers, great brawlers and hot girls. Anything that you want in pro wrestling, you can find in TNA.”

Sting: “This Sunday is going to be intense,.There is a large wrestling audience that doesn’t want to say goodbye to my generation — guys like myself and Hogan — and still appreciates us. It’s the same for me. It’s hard to walk away. I want to give Boston something to remember.”

Christopher Daniels: “This is TNA’s first time in Boston,” said Bully Ray. “This is enemy territory. I’m a New Yorker from Hell’s Kitchen, New York City. I’m a New York Yankee fan. I’m overlooking Fenway, standing atop the Green Monster, and I feel like the evil emperor . . . Our roster is second to none. When you put us in the ring and really give us the chance to go, we deliver. We’re looking to steal the show this Sunday.”

* HUGE Rumor On TNA’s “MAJOR” Free Agent Signing

On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, several changes were made to the Slammiversary card, including the announcement that Jeff Hardy will team with Samoa Joe & Magnus vs. 3 members of Aces & Eights. With that match set, here’s the final card for this Sunday:

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP: STING’S LAST SHOT
“The Icon” Sting vs. Bully Ray

AJ STYLES VS. KURT ANGLE

FOUR TEAM ELIMINATION TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels and Kazarian vs. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. “Cowboy” James Storm and Gunner

TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Joseph Park vs. Devon

SIX-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe & Magnus vs. Aces & Eights

ULTIMATE X: X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Suicide vs. Kenny King vs. Chris Sabin

LAST KNOCKOUT STANDING MATCH
Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell

GUT CHECK TOURNAMENT FINAL
Jay Bradley vs. Sam Shaw

PLUS – TNA will announce the second member of the TNA Hall of Fame, to be inducted during Bound For Glory weekend in October.

• COMMENT BELOW and give us your predictions for Slammiversary – and who YOU think should be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame this year.

* HUGE Rumor On TNA’s “MAJOR” Free Agent Signing

TNA WRESTLING BRINGS ‘BOUND FOR GLORY’ TO SAN DIEGO SUNDAY, OCT. 20

TNA’S BIGGEST PAY-PER-VIEW EXTRAVAGANZA OF THE YEAR CAPS WEEKEND FULL OF NOTABLE EVENTS, INCLUDING INDUCTION OF THE SECOND MEMBER OF THE TNA HALL OF FAME

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 30, 2013) — The miles traveled, the battles fought, the challenges met and the lives changed … all of them lead here. TNA Wrestling is heading to San Diego for the very first time with its marquee Pay-Per-View event of 2013 BOUND FOR GLORY, live from Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University Sunday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

Tickets for BOUND FOR GLORY go on sale Friday, June 7, through the Viejas Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.

“I’m really looking forward to bringing our biggest Pay-Per-View event of the year to San Diego for the first TNA show ever in this great city,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Since 2005, Bound for Glory has brought fans from across the world together to enjoy a jam-packed weekend of fun and intense competition, and I’m thrilled that we will have the sunny Southern California coast as our backdrop.”

The BOUND FOR GLORY Pay-Per-View will be the capstone on a weekend full of activities featuring TNA Superstars, including a TNA Fan InterAction event Saturday, Oct. 19, plus the induction of the second member of the TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame during a special ceremony Saturday night.

The newest TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame inductee will be revealed this Sunday during TNA SLAMMIVERSARY, live on Pay-Per-View.

TNA Wrestling Superstars including inaugural TNA Hall of Famer “The Icon” STING, “The Immortal” HULK HOGAN, BULLY RAY, “The Charismatic Enigma” JEFF HARDY, Olympic gold medalist KURT ANGLE, “The Phenomenal” AJ STYLES, BOBBY ROODE, AUSTIN ARIES and “The Cowboy” JAMES STORM, are among those expected to appear at BOUND FOR GLORY, as well as standout competitors from the X-DIVISION, plus the lovely and lethal KNOCKOUTS.

Fans interested in the “BOUND FOR GLORY VIP Weekend,” including expanded activities in the San Diego area, TNA Fan InterAction and the annual TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame induction can visit www.ShopTNA.com for info on travel packages that include lodging, premium first or second row tickets to BOUND FOR GLORY and so much more.

We encourage you to follow us on Twitter @IMPACTWRESTLING, @TNADixie and @TNAPR, and on Facebook at www.fb.com/IMPACTWRESTLING for our latest social news.

* HUGE Rumor On TNA’s “MAJOR” Free Agent Signing

Here is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling – airing at a new start time of 9/8c:

– Thursday’s broadcast will feature the final countdown to Slammiversary with a huge main event match that will start the broadcast at 9/8c: “The Icon” Sting will team with Joseph Park to battle World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray and Devon of The Aces and Eights! With just days before Slammiversary, will all hell break loose when Sting and Park battle one of the greatest tandems in wrestling history in Team 3D? Will Bully Ray try to eliminate Sting before their World Title main event? With Joseph Park in action – will “The Monster” Abyss make another unexpected appearance? Don’t miss the opening to Thursday’s broadcast!

– After spoiling the patching-in ceremony by the Aces and Eights this past week, AJ Styles will be in action on Thursday against Mr. Anderson! However, plenty of questions still surround Styles – despite burning the Aces, AJ also blasted Kurt Angle! After being made a fool, will Anderson try to get revenge on Styles? Will AJ explain his actions from this past week? Just when we think we know the answers – AJ changes the question!

– Also on IMPACT, it will be mixed tag team action with Chris Sabin and Taryn Terrell taking on X Division Champion Kenny King and Gail Kim

-Also, a HUGE 8 man tag team match will occur this Thursday on IMPACT as Chavo Guerrero, Hernandez, James Storm, and Gunner team to take on Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, Daniels, and Kazarian.

– Plus, more news and updates on Slammiversary, Thursday on SpikeTV at the NEW START TIME of 9/8c!

*SPOILERS* For Tonight’s Episode of IMPACT WRESTLING On Spike TV

– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday afternoon that Jeff Hardy will return to action at this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event.

“Spoke w/@JeffHardyBrand & he’s ready to return to action. Happy to announce he’ll be back at #Slammivesary. Tune in Thurs (9-11pm) to hear,” she wrote.

Hardy has not appeared on TNA Wrestling programming since the April 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he was defeated by Bully Ray in a Full Metal Mayhem Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

– Infrequently seen TNA Wrestling Superstar Sam Shaw appears on the latest edition of The List with Robbie E. The synopsis reads, “After some time off the list is back with Gut Check Winner Sam Shaw and Robbie E is willing to give his a chance to get on the list… Granted he doesn’t seem to care to much for the list it seems.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXiUjs5sPt8

– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian will appear at Comicazi 407 Highland Ave. Somerville, Massachusetts this Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

TNA star Kurt Angle was interviewed by Alfonso Castillo of Newsday.com and spoke about returning to TNA’s main event picture soon:

“This is a nice little break, but I’m getting ready to step and get back in the front seat. By no means am I ready to retire. I’m doing this to help the company. But pretty soon, I’ll be back in the main event mix.”

Angle also spoke about the possibility of returning to WWE before he reties, saying that anything’s possible:

“Since these guys wrestle part-time, obviously it’s appealing. But that’s what I do in Impact Wrestling now,” Angle said. “My loyalty is with Impact Wrestling right now. I can’t think about it yet until my contract is up. But is there a possibility (of returning to WWE)? You can’t throw anything off the table.”

Comment Below and tell us if you want to see Kurt Angle in a WWE ring again.

TNA Star Hulk Hogan made headlines over the weekend after he suffered bad burns on his hand due to a radiator explosion on his boat – and then tweeted the gruesome pictures.

Hogan, who was taken to the emergency room of Tampa General Hospital following the incident, tweeted the following late Monday night:

I apologize for posting my burned hand photos,with all the feedback I now realize I really should take a moment before I make a decision. HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) May 28, 2013

Download Solomonster Sounds Off Episode 275 Here

Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Solomonster noticed something odd about the way Lesnar pinned Triple H at Extreme Rules and pitches an idea for how it could lead to a match with The Undertaker at Summerslam, why it would make sense, a bothersome trend in wrestling, why Daniel Bryan is poised to be WWE’s next big breakout star, the introduction of CURTIS AXEL on Raw and his curious interaction with Triple H, a full review of this week’s NXT with the debut of Sami Zayn, the Zema Ion situation and why TNA should do the right thing, the anniversary of Scott Hall’s Nitro invasion, what ever happened to Jamie Kellner (the man who canceled wrestling on the Turner networks) and did CM Punk’s push come at the expense of men like MVP and Shelton Benjamin? To view the Daniel Bryan column referenced on this week’s show, click here!

Follow The Solomonster on Twitter and on Facebook and subscribe to the Sound Off in iTunes!

Are you an Android user? Get the free Sound Off app on your device by visiting the Google Play Store today!

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

Solomonster Sounds Off by The Solomonster is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

TNA taped next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Thursday night from Tampa, Florida. Thanks to live correspondent Scott Brooks, who was in attendance for the following taping results:

Dark Match

* The Amish Bishop Evangelist Cain defeated Jason Static. The former was from Lancaster, PA. The latter was from Portland, OR. Static is a Florida independent wrestler while I have never seen the Bishop before.

Xplosion:

* Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez defeated DOC & Knox via DQ when Knoc used a tag title in Chavo.

* Robbie E defeated Shark Boy.

Impact Wrestling (Airing Thursday, May 30, 2013 on Spike TV):

* In an 8-man tag, Gunner, James Storm, Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez defeated Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels & Kazarian when Gunner made Aries tap to the Torture Rack.

* Bully Ray and Devon come out for a promo. He says Devon will retain and he will also retain. He says for Sting to be an icon he may have accomplished something and runs down who Sting has beaten in the past including the likes of Flair and Hogan. He said he took out Hardy and is looking forward to making sure he will take out Sting and he will never get a shot again. He calls out Sting and Joseph Park to face him and Devon.

* Sting and Joseph Park defeated Aces & 8?s Team 3D when Sting pinned Devon with the Scorpion Death Drop. Abyss’s music player and Ray went to the ramp. Sting hit his move and Park prevented Ray from getting back in.

* Dixie Carter comes out. She says Sunday is a very special night for their 11th anniversary. He commends the men and women that have have put everything on the line the past 11 years. She promotes the Hall of Fame and its second inductee. She wishes Sting good luck. Aces &8?s music hits and Garett Bischoff, Wes Brisco & DOC. They all surround her in the ring until Samoa Joe’s music hits and he and Magnus run out as Aces bail. Joe says for one month he took bandages off of his face and he was wanting to get his hands on all of them. He says Garett gets really scummy when he gets in the ring with women and he challenges Garett one on one to beat him into the man that he will never be.

* Garett Bischoff w/DOC & Wes Brisco vs Samoa Joe w/Magnus or thrown out when all 3 Aces tried to gang up on Magnus. Joe hit a dive on all 3 of them. He takes a mic and calls them cowards. Sunday in Boston it will DOC, Wes, Garett vs Samoa Joe, Magnus and the returning Jeff Hardy.

* Mickie James came to the ring to celebrate her title win from last week. She said it has been almost two years since she was the title. She thanks for the fans and says she loves them. She said there has been a minute handful who have doubted how she won the title. She said it is not fair and she deserves the belt and would like to address it right now and calls out her dear friend Velvet Sky. Velvet comes out, noticeably with her knee tapes up. Mickie says she said she was willing to wait until Velvet was 100% ready and calls her a fighting champion. She asks the fans to give it up for Velvet. Velvet takes the mic and says the support from the fans has been great. At the end of the day though she wants her rematch. Mickie says the rematch can be whenever and Velvet requests for Slammiversary. Mickie says she already spoke with Brooke who already signed Gail and Taryn for Slammiversary. Gail’s music hits. Gail claims Mickie won the title with her help after she destroyed Mickie’s leg and says that she has been frustrated for a long time. Gail and Velvet bicker over who is next Iine. Gail kicks Velvet in her bad knee and goes to do her let submission in the turnbuckle. Taryn chases Gail off. Mickie slowly backs up the ramp and leaves. Velvet is helped to the back. Up next we have an intergender tag.

* Chris Sabin and Taryn Tarrell defeated Kenny King & Gail Kim when Sabin hit his cross legged sit out piledriver. Sabin took a mic and said after two torn ACLs and two years of physical surgery he becomes a 5-time X-Division Champion. Kenny hits him with the belt. He goes to hit the Royal Flush on Sabin but Suicide runs out and hits his move on Kenny. He picks up the belt and looks at it as he and Sabin have a staredown.

* AJ Styles defeated Mr. Anderson via DQ when Angle runs out and hits AJ. Aces run out as does Joe, Magnus, Park & Sting. AJ and Angle brawl to the back. It comes down to Sting and Ray in the ring. Sting has the advantage but Devon hit Sting. They hit 3D on him. Aces all posed to end the show.

Read more: https://www.pwmania.com/spoilers-impact-wrestling-taping-results-for-may-30-2013#ixzz2UDtCAOD3

– Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling featured the return of Suicide to TNA as he defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to earn a spot in Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin. The character was portrayed by TJ Perkins, who participated in tryout match for the organization last September shortly after requesting a contract release from Ring of Honor.

In the past, Suicide has been portrayed by Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and Kiyoshi. The character was initially introduced in 2008 to promote the TNA iMPACT! video game.

– Shark Boy returned to action Thursday after resurfacing on Impact Wrestling to convince “Cowboy” James Storm to select him as his tag team partner for the World Tag Team Championship Match against Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez at Slammiversary—the spot went to Gunner. Following the broadcast, he faced Robbie E in a match taped for an upcoming episode of TNA Xplosion.

Another Xplosion match was taped as TNA World Tag Team Champions Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez faced Aces and Eights members D.O.C. and Knux.

In a dark match result, a wrestler announced as Amish Abe defeated veteran independent wrestler Jason Static.

– Alex Shelley, who parted ways with TNA Wrestling one year ago this week, turned 30-years-old on Thursday. He is currently working for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he is a former two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.

(source: PWInsider.com)

One new match has been announced for Slammiversary as Sam Shaw will face Jay Bradley in the Gut Check Tournament Final where the winner will earn a spot in the Bound For Glory Series.

On Impact Wrestling, Shaw was supposed to face Alex Silva in a match to advance to the Final, but advanced after Aces and Eights member Wes Brisco came out to congratulate Shaw because the group laid out his opponent in the parking lot. Shaw was subsequently beaten by the Aces and Eights until being saved by Magnus.

It was also revealed that Gunner will team up with James Storm when they take on Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez in a match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. Plus, Suicide defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to land a spot in Ultimate X Match at for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin.

It was announced during Thursday’s show that the second inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame will be revealed at the pay-per-view event. Sting was revealed as the inaugural inductee into the Hall of Fame at last year’s event before being formally inducted by Lex Luger at Bound for Glory in October.

The updated card, which takes place at the Agganis Arena on the campus of Boston University on Sunday, June 2, is as follows:

* Bully Ray defends the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting – billed as “Sting’s Last Shot.”

* AJ Styles will face Kurt Angle.

* In a Four Team Elimination Tag Team Championship Match, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode, and “Cowboy” James Storm and Gunner.

* Devon defends the TNA Television Championship against Joseph Park.

* Kenny King defends the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X Match against Chris Sabin and Suicide.

* Taryn Terrell will square off against Gail Kim.

* Jay Bradley takes on Sam Shaw in the Gut Check Tournament Final.

It was announced on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling that Sting will team up with Joseph Park to face Team 3D—TNA World Champion Bully Ray and TNA Television Champion Devon—on next week’s show. Days later at Slammiversary, Sting will challenge Ray for his title while Park will challenge Devon for his.

The program also saw the returns of three familiar wrestlers in Gunner, Shark Boy and Suicide.

Shark Boy resurfaced in an attempt to convince “Cowboy” James Storm to select him as his tag team partner for the World Tag Team Championship Match against Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez at Slammiversary (Robbie E also appeared to try to convince Storm). This was followed by the return of Gunner, who took out Shark Boy as well Robbie E. Storm then confronted Gunner and said he would “See him at Slammiversary.” He then shook his hand.

Earlier in the show, Suicide defeated Joey Ryan and Petey Williams to land a spot in Ultimate X Match at Slammiversary for the X Division Championship against titleholder Kenny King and Chris Sabin.

Following the event, Gunner remarked on his return to Impact Wrestling—he had not appeared since October. The North Carolina native wrote on Twitter, “Great to finally return home to Impact tonite! @Cowboy_J_Storm and I see eye to eye! We want tag gold! See ya in Boston folks.”

Mickie James has captured title gold once again as she defeated Velvet Sky on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling to regain the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship for a third time.

As the match concluded, Velvet went for a flying headscissors, but hurt her ailing knee further while attempting the maneuver. James subsequently clipped Velvet’s knee and hit her with a DDT to score the pinfall victory and the title.

Villainous and absent-due-to-pregnancy Knockout Madison Rayne praised James for her move. She wrote on Twitter, “FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY!!!! @MickieJames showed her pissed off side! Even saw a momentary look of craziness on her face!!!”

Between WWE and TNA Wrestling, James is now a record-setting nine-time female champion in national wrestling (she is trailed by Trish Stratus, who held the WWE Women’s Championship seven times, and fellow Knockout Tara, a two-time WWE Women’s Champion and five-time TNA Women’s Knockout Champion). She is also the only person to hold the WWE Women’s, WWE Divas and TNA Knockout Championships in wrestling history.

– Tonight on Impact Wrestling, it will be revealed whether TNA Wrestling cornerstone AJ Styles has turned his back on the company and the fans. The Aces and Eights have announced that on the show, they will hold a “Patching In” ceremony to officially welcome Styles intoto the gang.

TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter hyping the show, and hopes Styles will come to his senses. She wrote, “In Tampa for our 1st TNA Show EVER in that great city. #ImpactLIVE! going to be big tonight. @AJStylesOrg needs to make the right choice.”

– Last week at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, Kurt Angle attended “The Rumble On The Rails,” an amateur wrestling event where three of the world’s top powers joined forces in solidarity to promote the sport. The event was broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, with the multi-time wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist being shown in attendance during ESPN coverage. Here is video footage of Angle attending the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpdmQsQf_4

– This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion on Challenge UK features Mickie James squaring off against Tara.

TNA Wrestling announced Thursday the launch of a social media initiative where two individuals will “face-off” on Twitter in a “battle” to provide the best online commentary for Impact Wrestling. At the conclusion of each broadcast, users on the website will vote on who had the most entertaining messages, with the winner taking on a new challenger the following week. Complete details are as follows:

The #IMPACTFanBattle – Every Thursday On Twitter During IMPACT WRESTLING

IMPACT WRESTLING takes the social conversation and turns it into a battle Thursday nights with its new #IMPACTFanBattle.

Each week, two twitter challengers will “face-off” on twitter in a “battle” of the best online commentary – perhaps your stellar play-by-play skills…or your killer color commentary – about the night’s #IMPACTLive. During the #IMPACTFanBattle, @IMPACTWRESTLING will retweet the some of the best tweets from our two competitors while keeping an open eye for potential challengers for the next week’s competition!

The #IMPACTFanBattle wages on Thursdays during our IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on Spike TV. Then, at the conclusion of each night, we leave it to your peers to vote on who had the best tweets – and ultimately decide who will face a new challenger next week the reigning champ of the #IMPACTFanBattle! Got mad twitter skills and earn the respect of your peers two weeks in a row? We’ll send you a prize pack from ShopTNA.com!

Want to be a part? We’re looking NOW! Tweet out this article with the hashtag

#IMPACTFanBattle and we will set our eyes on you. Once IMPACT is on the air, we will pick one of you tweeting with #IMPACTLive and put you into battle with the reigning champion.

The following is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling, airing live from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida:

– Has a TNA Original finally turned his back on the company and the fans? The Aces and Eights have announced that on Thursday’s IMPACT from Tampa, they will hold a “Patching In” ceremony to officially welcome AJ Styles to the group!

– How will TNA General Manager Hulk Hogan react to the news that AJ is joining the Aces? Hogan will be on IMPACT in Tampa to address the situation!

– In a huge match Kurt Angle will take on Mr. Anderson from Aces and 8s renewing their rivalry.

– The final countdown is on to Sting vs. Bully Ray for the World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary! Both champion and challenger will be in attendance on Thursday’s IMPACT – will Bully Ray and The Aces attempt to eliminate Sting before their title match?

-James Storm announced last week on IMPACT that he will be in the Tag Team Title Match at Slammiversary. Who will “The Cowboy” select to be his partner? Find out this Thursday on Impact!

– The TNA Knockouts championship will be on the line on Thursday’s huge broadcast as Velvet Sky will defend the gold against her friend (and former titleholder) Mickie James!

– The GutCheck Tournament continues on Thursday for a spot in the upcoming “Bound For Glory Series”, as Sam Shaw battles Alex Silva

– The mysterious masked X-Division superstar SUICIDE makes his return IMPACT WRESTLING on Thursday as well!

* Rumored BOUND FOR GLORY Main Event, Aces & Eights Storyline Plans

TNA Knockout Mickie James joined TJRWrestling Radio to talk about her country music career, her wrestling career and her Knockout Title match against Velvet Sky this Thursday on TNA Impact Wrestling. Here are some comments from the interview.

On her new country album “Somebody’s Gonna Pay” that was released on May 7th:

“It took about a year to complete this album. I’m grateful that it did because we really took our time with it. We had a chance to make it right, make it really flow and make it a reflection of who I am. We had some of the best musicians in the world in the studio in Nashville – at least I felt like it – they were incredible. Hopefully people can connect with the album and love it. If they don’t then that’s okay too.”

On the upcoming CMA Fest in Nashville:

“I get in town on June 4th and leave on the 9th. I’m performing on the Hard Rock stage outside on the 7th in the afternoon. I’ve done it before and had a blast. I’m also doing something at the kickoff party and something on the Saturday night as well. There will be other shows that I will be a part of too. There’s live music all over the place and Broadway Street is shut down. You never know who you might see performing in a bar. It’s so much fun. Come out and have a great time if you’re in Nashville that week.”

On her next challenge in wrestling:

“Continuing to raise the bar for myself, to have better matches and do stuff that is fresh in terms of storylines. I think you want to be able to be a part of a story that takes the fans on an emotional roller coaster ride. That’s what made my storyline with Trish Stratus (at WrestleMania 22) so special because once you reach that point people are so enveloped in the storyline itself. It just worked. It’s really hard to get that kind of moment without that beautiful story behind it.”

On the differences of a heel and a babyface:

“It’s been so long since I’ve been a heel (2006) that it’s really hard to judge. You can have a lot of fun playing a bad girl. You do get a chance to say a lot of things that you can’t when you’re a face. It’s a completely different kind of character. The babyface character is kind of close to who I am in real life except the volume is turned up all the way. As a heel you get to make twists and turns that really sell that character so that you can get that genuine kind of heat from people that want to hate you. I really think that some of the best heels are also those people that can really get reactions as babyfaces too. As a babyface you often think about what a heel might do to react to you too so that when you finally turn heel you visualize all that stuff.”

On her match against Velvet Sky for the Knockouts Title this Thursday on TNA Impact Wrestling:

“Because we’ve been partners and worked together so much in the past I feel like we know each other’s stuff so well. It won’t be one of my easiest matches. I’m really hoping she feels up to par to go out there to wrestle because she has a knee injury and she was given the ringpost figure four by Gail Kim last week too.”

On growing up as a fan of the wresting business and helping others:

“I grew up as a wrestling fan. It kills me to watch bad wrestling; I can’t do it. I want to be the best and I watch matches because I want to see what other people are doing to see what’s new and fresh. You have to keep up with what’s hot. If at any point I can help somebody along the way and maybe try to keep them from making the same mistakes that I made along the way then that’s great. I think that’s a cool thing because I had people do that for me.”

You can listen to the full one hour discussion on TJRWrestling Radio for more on her careers in wrestling and music. She joined the show at around the 30:00 mark. You can order Mickie James’ new CD “Somebody’s Gonna Pay” at MickieJames.com or check it out on iTunes as well.

The following press release was sent out today:

Georgia Lottery Introduces New IMPACT WRESTLING Game

ATLANTA (May 21, 2013) – The Georgia Lottery Corporation has partnered with IMPACT WRESTLING to launch its new instant game IMPACT WRESTLING.

“We are pleased to partner with IMPACT WRESTLING to offer a fresh, new game to our players and wrestling enthusiasts,” said Georgia Lottery Corporation President and CEO Debbie D. Alford. “Every dollar raised by this game will benefit HOPE and Pre-K students.”

The IMPACT WRESTLING instant game went on sale statewide Tuesday.

“Given the rich history of professional wresting in Georgia, we are honored and delighted to be the first wrestling organization to be featured on a Georgia Lottery ticket,” TNA President Dixie Carter said. “Our partnership with the Georgia Lottery is a uniquely exciting one for both our Impact Wrestling brand and our superstar talent.”

With IMPACT WRESTLING, players can win prizes up to $25,000.

Players also can enter non-winning tickets for a second chance to win tickets to a live IMPACT WRESTLING event. Visit www.galottery.com for more information.

– Velvet Sky and James Storm are making appearances in Atlanta today to promote the launch of the Georgia lottery Impact Wrestling instant game ticket. They will be appearing at a press event promoting the game launch at Central Park at Atlantic Station at 1pm. TNA tweeted the following picture of them from earlier today:

If you're in the Atlanta area today where @georgialottery tix are sold – ya might get lucky and see these two! pic.twitter.com/TCaJbKaGFs

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 21, 2013

– TNA has announced that Kurt Angle will face Mr. Anderson on Thursday’s live episode of Impact Wrestling. Also on the show, Hulk Hogan will call out Abyss and announce AJ Styles’ opponent for Slammiversary.

– Speaking of James Storm, TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following about his injury status:

An update on @Cowboy_J_Storm. He has a slight abdominal tear but should be back in action soon.

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) May 21, 2013

– Jeff Hardy has been added to the 7/5 TNA Basebrawl event in Brooklyn, New York.

– Next month, TNA will debut a new “Unfinished Business” PPV special, looking at the Jeff Hardy vs. Austin Aries feud.

– Following this week’s Impact Wrestling taping, here’s a look at TNA’s upcoming events schedule:

• June 1st: Slammiversary Fan Interaction event (Boston, MA)
• June 2nd: Slammiversary XI PPV (Boston, MA)
• June 6th: Impact Wrestling taping (Duluth, GA)
• June 7th: TNA Live Event (Rome, GA)
• June 8th: TNA Live Event (Aiken, SC)

– TNA’s Bully Ray and Devon will be hosting an “Evening With” event on June 8th from Monroe, NJ. For details, visit Legendsofthering.com.

– The film Springbreakers, which features Jeff Jarrett in a cameo role will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on 7/9.

– TNA has posted several Before the Bell videos previewing Slammiversary at YouTube.com.

* PAUL HEYMAN’s Next Client: Who Should It Be? Read Our Thoughts & Discuss It HERE

(Source: PWInsider.com)

Download Solomonster Sounds Off Episode 274 Here

Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Solomonster previews the Extreme Rules PPV, why Ryback should take the title, thoughts on The Shield’s undefeated streak coming to an end, praise for Daniel Bryan and why he needs to be elevated back to the main event, trying to make sense of WWE’s treatment of Antonio Cesaro and their view that he’s boring (and why they’re dead wrong)… plus, pitching an idea for Jake Roberts and next year’s Royal Rumble, the three WWE Network shows already confirmed, Dixie Carter’s pipe dream of a WWE vs. TNA event, getting rid of heels and babyfaces, punishing guys for working stiff and why it’s a bad idea, and is CM Punk just another cog in the wheel in WWE? To view the Jake Roberts column referenced on this week’s show, click here!

Follow The Solomonster on Twitter and on Facebook and subscribe to the Sound Off in iTunes!

Are you an Android user? Get the free Sound Off app on your device by visiting the Google Play Store today!

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

Solomonster Sounds Off by The Solomonster is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

TNA star Zema Ion has been battling health problems lately – and has revealed that not only has he been suffering from appendicitis, but doctors also discovered he has a tumor.

Earlier this week, he tweeted that he had a very bad stomach ache, was “getting sick” and thought he had a bad case of food poisoning. He was hoping he wouldn’t have to be hospitalized, but he eventually did go – and it saved his life.

Good morning! Ended up goin to the hospital afterall last night. And long story short….it was one of the smartest things i could have done

— Joaquin Wilde (@joaquinwilde_) May 15, 2013

He posted another update on Facebook today – revealing the extent of the medical issues he’s facing:

“I’m alive! Seriously thank you all for the get well wishes. Means the world to me. I was rushed to the hospital lasts night for sharp stomach pains i was having. I couldnt stop puking. For like 9 straight hours. I didnt wanna go to the hosptial, but the pain was too much to handle. Thank god i went, as i ended up having appendicitis and had to have my appendix removed today. I consider this a blessing in disguise too, coz the cat scans also revealed that i have a tumor on my colon and will eventually need another surgery to try and remove it. Hoping it is not cancerous. Pray for me! This really sucks lol”

It was announced tonight on Impact Wrestling that stipulations have been added to Bully Ray’s TNA World Heavyweight Championship defense against Sting at Slammiversary. The contest will take place under No Holds Barred Match rules, and should Sting lose, he can never challenge for the title again.

Five additional matches were announced for the pay-per-view event, which emanates live from Agganis Arena on the campus of Boston University on Sunday, June 2. The updated card is as follows:

* Bully Ray defends the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting – billed as “Sting’s Last Shot.”

* AJ Styles will face Kurt Angle.

* In a Four Team Elimination Tag Team Championship Match, Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Christopher Daniels and Kazarian, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode, and “Cowboy” James Storm and a mystery partner.

* Devon defends the TNA Television Championship against Joseph Park.

* Kenny King defends the X Division Championship in an Ultimate X Match against Chris Sabin and an opponent to be determined.

* Taryn Terrell will square off against Gail Kim.