This Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast will feature the television return of Mickie James as she has been announced to compete in a #1 Contender Knockout Battle Royal for the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship currently held by Tara.
“Thrilled to have @MickieJames back and 100% on #ImpactWrestling this Thurs in a #1 Contender Knockout Battle Royal,” TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter wrote on Twitter Monday.
The episode is being taped tonight in Orlando, Florida, while next week’s Thanksgiving Day episode will be taped tomorrow. The shows should also feature the return of Madison Rayne, who noted on Twitter Monday that she was en route to the city.
With TNA creative’s shift in recent months to solely focusing on talent with etched storylines, James’ screen time has been drastically curtailed. The two-time Women’s Knockout Champion last appeared on Impact Wrestling on August 2, following months of sporadic appearances. Her absence was further compounded by a surgical procedure she underwent last month, which she did not disclose the type of.
Meanwhile, television authority figure Brooke Hogan teased changes to the Knockouts Division in a Twitter post Monday. She wrote, “Boss lady. At TNA offices changing a few things…”
– This week on “The List,” Robbie E lists the five biggest Hamsters in TNA Wrestling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dji544AtuX4
– Madison Rayne competed in a bikini competition Friday for the annual NPC National Bodybuilding Championships in Atlanta, Georgia and placed 14th in her class of 44 contestants.
– The official website of Universal Studios Florida has Impact Wrestling dates scheduled for January 3, 10, 17 and 18. The first three dates will be live broadcasts.
– Ring of Honor announced on Monday that former WWE/TNA star Matt Hardy will get a shot at ROH gold at the company’s upcoming Final Battle iPPV on 12/16. Matt Hardy will challenge ROH TV Champion Adam Cole at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. The main event will see ROH World Champion Kevin Steen defending against El Generico in a Ladder War match. For more information, visit ROHWrestling.com.
– Last week’s Impact Wrestling (11/8), the go-home show leading into Sunday’s Turning Point pay-per-view, drew a 1.02 cable rating. The hourly numbers were 0.96 and 1.09.
Impact opened with a weak 0.88 rating, but increased to a 0.95 rating in the second quarter-hour and was then above 1.0 for the remainder of the show. Impact peaked with a 1.13 rating at the top of the second hour and then lost viewership for the remainder of the broadcast.
– TNA has announced their “British Bootcamp” reality show will premiere on the UK’s Challenge TV channel on January 1, 2013 at 10PM. The series following four prospective TNA wrestlers and the build to TNA’s annual January UK tour.
– Following Sunday’s Turning Point PPV, TNA released the following video hyping December’s Final Resolution show. The promo hypes the event as the “final chapter” for TNA World Heavyweight champion Jeff Hardy.
“For him, it’s been a year of conquests, success, and ultimate triumph. But, his story is far from over. On December 9, will this be Jeff Hardy’s final chapter?”
– TNA Impact Wrestling will not be live the next two weeks. TNA will tape this week’s episode of Impact tonight (Monday) and will tape the Thanksgiving episode of Impact (11/22) tomorrow night.
– Following Sunday’s Turning Point PPV, TNA announced that Thursday’s Impact will feature a #1 contenders match to determine the next challenger to TNA Knockouts Champion Tara. No word yet on who will be competing in the match.
– In TNA’s latest preview for Thursday’s Impact, James Storm is named as the “next in line to get a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship.” Storm will address his role as #1 contender on Impact.
– Also teased for for Impact is A.J. Styles reacting to his loss at Turning Point, more members of Aces & Eights potentially revealed and the the road to Final Resolution begins.
TNA Wrestling announced three more matches for Sunday’s Turning Point pay-per-view event during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast. This includes Rob Van Dam defending the X Division Championship against Joey Ryan.
Also announced is Joseph Park facing Aces & Eights member Doc (formerly known as Luke Gallows) and ODB and Eric Young taking on Tara and Jesse.
The announced card for the event is as follows:
* LADDER MATCH: WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP – Austin Aries vs. (c) Jeff Hardy
* #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH – Bobby Roode vs. James Storm vs. AJ Styles
* TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP – Christopher Daniels & Kazarian vs. (c) Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
* NO DQ TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP – Magnus vs. (c) Samoa Joe
* Devon vs. Kurt Angle
* X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP – Joey Ryan vs. Rob Van Dam
The following is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
– Announced by IMPACT WRESTLING General Manager “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan: On Thursday night, “The Icon” Sting and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle will face two members of The Aces & 8s on the broadcast in tag team action!
– In a huge match on the LIVE Thursday broadcast – and a preview of the #1 Contender’s Match at “Turning Point” – “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. battle Bobby Roode on IMPACT!
– Just days before their main event Ladder Match at “Turning Point”, what will happen on IMPACT between World Heavyweight Champion “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and his challenger Austin Aries? Don’t miss it!
– Did Christian York pass the TNA Gut Check? The judges will make their decision on York’s future on Thursday’s broadcast! Will he earn a spot on the TNA Wrestling roster?
– Plus, what will be the fallout after the latest member of The Aces & 8s was revealed? What’s next for the biker gang – and how will “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan react to the latest reveal? Tune in and find out!
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/8c – the final countdown to Turning Point!
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced via Twitter that Kurt Angle and Sting will face two members of Aces & Eights Thursday night on Impact Wrestling. This is the final show before Turning Point, which will see Kurt Angle take on Aces & Eights rep Devon.
– In the following video, Robbie E and Robbie T bring in Miss Tessmacher to take a shot at getting on “The List”.
– This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion on Challenge pits AJ Styles against Robbie T.
TNA star Kurt Angle went on a Twitter rant on Tuesday night accusing somebody named Wafi Wahidi of scamming him out of nearly $35,000 after Angle hired him to create a mobile app for his Angle Foods company.
Angle tweeted last night:
“Please Listen. Wafi Wahidi and WabaSocial Scammed Me for $34,700. He Scammed Me. I don’t want to hurt Him. I Only Want My $ Back. Wafi Wahidi was supposed to Make a fitness Apps. He Didn’t. I Spent $35k to Do It. Wafi failed by Oct24. I’m Suing this scumbag. I’m suing WabaSocial or Weave Social. Wafi Wahidi Changed the Co. Name. He is from Cali and Moved to Denver. He’s a crook. I lost Alot Of $ from this Person. My Attorney Has Civil and Criminal Charges Against Him.”Thank You to All My friends for Your Support. I Want to Make Sure It Never Happens to anyone Else. His Name is Wafiullah Wahidi. Thanks to All My friends for Your Support. Love You. GOD Bless.”
This morning, Angle continued his rant:
“Watch Out for Scam Artists Like @WafiWahidi and WabaSocial. He pretended to Make a fitness App and Stole $35,000 from Me. I’m Suing Him! I Even Lent @wafiwahidi $ because He had trouble making a living and He Scammed Me Out Of that $ too. Don’t trust lowlifes. By the Way, @wafiwahidi Said that all My twitter friends are Rednecks that Are Useless to Him. I Actually Kept the text. #scamartist”
Promoting her return to Canada this Friday at TNA’s live event in Windsor, Ontario, Gail Kim spoke to SLAM! Wrestling on a number of topics, including her desire to compete more than she had in WWE.
“(TNA) has really focused on women’s wrestling in a different manner than WWE, and I just enjoy it more here,” Kim says of the differences between both leagues. “I’ve experienced both major promotions twice now, and I can honestly say that TNA is a better fit for me.”
Now after wrestling for thirteen years, Kim finds herself working with girls who don’t have nearly as much experience as her, such as Miss Tessmacher. She says she’s enjoys working with the greenhorns as much as the veterans.
“I love both aspects of it—working with girls that have been doing it for ten years-plus like Mickie James and Tara, and with those who are looking forward towards the future,” said Kim. “And I enjoy being able to help some of the more inexperienced girls that I can help—I remember my first match back was a tag match with Brooke Tessmacher; she didn’t really know that much in the ring back then, but she has come so far in the past year.”
Kim says that while becoming the first TNA Women’s Knockouts Champion is one of her favorite moments of her career, she feels more accomplished with her pro-women’s wrestling cause.
“If you think about the whole picture, the thing that makes me most proud is fighting for that women’s division and it actually happening,” said Kim. “It wasn’t overnight, it took a lot of begging and pleading to wrestle. For that to happen, and for it to become successful, that was a dream come true.”
Kim also remarks on being named the top women’s wrestler of 2012 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, her marriage to celebrity chef Robert Irvine (the two met on Irvine’s TV show Dinner: Impossible), and more. The full article is available here.
– Eric Young suggested on Twitter Monday that his time with TNA may be coming to an end. He stated that this week’s live event tour may be his last with the organization.
“TNA Live shows in MI and Windsor Canada. Ill be there could be my last live shows with TNA come and get crazy with me!” wrote Young.
Young, who has not competed on Impact Wrestling since May, has kept busy in the meantime as the host of Animal Planet’s fishing roadtrip adventure series, Off the Hook: Extreme Catches. The program was recently renewed for a second season.
– Sarita, known internationally as Dark Angel, appears in this commercial promoting El Luchador 2 on A&E Latinoamerica.
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Miss Tessmacher appears at Pro Wrestling World at the Merchants Square Mall 1901 S. 12th St. Allentown, Pennsylania on Sunday, November 18 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 610-798-9900 or e-mail prowrestling1@aol.com.
– Madison Rayne, who has not appeared on Impact Wrestling since Aug. 30, stated on Twitter that she is still affiliated with TNA Wrestling despite her absence.
“Yes everyone, I am still employed. Happily. No need to keep asking/worrying. It is ALL good. LoL. Thank u for all the concern tho,” she wrote.
The four-time TNA Women’s Knockout Champion has kept busy in the meantime by training for fitness competitions. She placed second in her class at a competition in Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday.
– Jeff Hardy, Robbie E and Robbie T appeared on Sunday’s broadcast of WrestletalkTV on Challenge in the United Kingdom. Hardy offered his take on the greatest moment in wrestling history while E and T discussed their respective careers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tf9Oo6GV3A
– AJ Styles and Christy Hemme appear at Direct Auto Insurance 14187 West Colonial Dr. Winter Garden, Florida, this Saturday from noon to 2:00 p.m. Call 407-656-2274 for more information.
Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio with Rob Van Dam
Airs on 100.3 FM KFAN in Minneapolis
Hosts: Big D, Crisco, and Tim
Available at Facebook.com/Extremeprowrestlingradio.
Rob Van Dam called into Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio on 100.3 FM The Fan in Minneapolis and spoke about how holding out and staying in ECW in it’s last years developed him, how physically he hasn’t changed, how he would change the X-Division, and if marijuana use has kept him from being the poster boy of the different organizations he’s been with.
How staying in ECW in it’s last few years helped develop RVD into what he is today: “… WWE didn’t want RVD to get over when I was there. They tried so much to… to… not get me… to…to… keep me from that. They didn’t understand why the fans liked me because I don’t fit the cookie cutter formula because I am a non-conformist. I’m so confusing to wrestling promoters, and I’m used to that, but because I stayed in ECW and learned how to express myself the way, ah, that I could connect with my fans, it made my strong Rob Van Dam character uncompromising… and I owe that to ECW. If I would have left and went to WCW way back then, they were gonna make me… they were gonna put a mask on me and make me one of those Glacier characters… ”
On whether age has affected his physical condition and does he have to stop doing some moves because of it: “Not even in the slightest… not even a little bit. … as a matter of fact, every once in a while, I’ll pull out a move because I haven’t done it in awhile. I was wrestling Jeff Hardy, I think this was, like, two months ago, I went up to the top rope and I went, ‘you know what, I don’t think I’ve done a 450 splash in like 10 years’. Boom… I just bust it out… I haven’t cut anything out, and if it was up to me, ah, I would change that X-Division Title into hardcore rules and I would have 20 minute matches every night, bouncing off the guardrail, bring in a chair… and hell yeah, that’s what I got to show still!”
On whether being “420 friendly” has kept him from being “the man” everywhere he has been: “I would think, ah, with TNA, probably not so, because they, they usually like to make those references, ah, whenever they can. And I think they appreciate the extra, ah, the extra cool attention that it gets them. Obviously, my… high profile bust, when I got pulled over in Ohio with possession of 18 grams, uh, and..and… resulted in suspension and loss of the titles… I mean, there is no way in denying that that definitely knocked me off from the track that I was on. At the same time, I don’t mind going down in history for that or drawing attention to a cause that I believe is worthy…”
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV 8/7c – The Final Countdown to Turning Point
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV, featuring the final countdown to the “Turning Point” event! If you can’t watch IMPACT on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action.
– In a huge match on the LIVE Thursday broadcast – and a preview of the #1 Contender’s Match at “Turning Point” – “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. battle Bobby Roode on IMPACT!
– Just days before their main event Ladder Match at “Turning Point”, what will happen on IMPACT between World Heavyweight Champion “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and his challenger Austin Aries? Don’t miss it!
– Did Christian York pass the TNA Gut Check? The judges will make their decision on York’s future on Thursday’s broadcast! Will he earn a spot on the TNA Wrestling roster?
– Plus, what will be the fallout after the latest member of The Aces & 8s was revealed? What’s next for the biker gang – and how will “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan react to the latest reveal? Tune in and find out!
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/8c – the final countdown to Turning Point!
– Former WWE developmental talent Christina Crawford (a/k/a Caylee Turner) competed in a dark match following Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast in Orlando, Florida.
The younger sister of WWE Diva Alicia Fox faced ODB in a match.
Crawford, as well as peer Ivelisse Vélez, were released by WWE in August. Vélez also competed in a dark match last month.
TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Tara remarked on match via Twitter, stating, “Great match with @TheODBBAM and @wwecayleeturner . Yayyyy!”
Meanwhile, AJ Styles faced Robbie T in a match taped for TNA Xplosion.
– Watch Before The Bell: Turning Point, a half-hour broadcast special spotlighting TNA Wrestling’s Turning Point pay-per-view event on Sunday, November 11. (Watch)
– Luke Gallows was revealed as a member of Aces & 8s on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
As Joseph Park was being beat down by a member of the nefarious faction, he ripped the assailant’s mask off, revealing the former WWE star. Gallows, who was not identified over commentary, then slammed Park through the table and left the ring as Sting and Kurt Angle hit the ring.
– On the Impact Post Show, Hector Guerrero appears after being called out by Kazarian and Christopher Daniels on Open Fight Night, who stop in later in the show. Magnus, Hernandez, Robbie E, Robbie T and Taryn Terrell appear as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49Ek5oI78Y
– Chavo Guerrero, Hernandez and Tara appear at Direct Auto Insurance 211 S. 10th St. McAllen, Texas, today from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Call 956-664-2626 for more information.
– There is talk of Paul Heyman flying to Europe to take part in WWE’s current overseas tour from 11/5-10.
– Speaking of WWE’s European tour, there have been some changes to the top matches that were previously advertised. CM Punk will no longer be wrestling John Cena in the main events. WWE has been pleased with CM Punk’s work with Ryback in recent weeks, so the new main events are now CM Punk vs. Ryback and John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler.
– A 2-hour version of WWE’s Falls Count Anywhere DVD will begin airing on pay-per-view on 12/3.
– The Rock dressed up as the Incredible Hulk for Halloween.
– Early estimates are in for TNA Bound For Glory are around 20,000 buys, which would be TNA’s best buyrate of the year but slightly down from last year.
– The one-hour “Unfinished Business: Jeff Jarrett and Jeff Hardy” TNA pay-per-view will begin airing on December December 1st.
– Omaha.com reports that Joel Luke, one of the man charged with stealing the TNA World Heavyweight title belt (valued at $6,000) and a replica belt (valued at $400) back in August has pleaded guilty to fifth-degree theft and has been sentenced to two years of probation. His accomplice, Forrest Jamison, has been charged as an accessory and is awaiting sentencing.
Here’s is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
– Thursday’s broadcast features the return of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT! Who will get called out? Who has a score to settle? Who wants revenge? You never know who will get challenged every month during OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!
– One challenge that is already set for Thursday’s OPEN FIGHT NIGHT is Bully Ray vs. Devon from the Aces and 8s! The history between these two superstars is legendary – formerly one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, now bitter enemies – and their war continues on IMPACT WRESTLING!
– What will be the fallout from the Aces and 8s brutal attack on Kurt Angle? The gang picked Angle as their main target and certainly delivered on their promise. The question is, are the Aces prepared for the possible payback that is coming from the angry Olympic Gold Medalist?
– TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan has informed Knockouts Champion Tara and her Hollywood boyfriend Jesse that ODB plans to call out Tara’s main man for a fight! Will Jesse “man up” and answer ODB’s challenge?
– Also on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV is the monthly “Gut Check” series, as Christian York will attempt to earn a spot on the TNA roster!
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7c.
Kurt Angle is once again accusing WWE of stealing ideas from TNA.
Angle referenced two angles in particular from Monday’s RAW where he thinks WWE is copying TNA: John Cena and AJ Lee’s alleged affair and the 3MB backstage segment.
Here is TNA’s official preview for this week’s Impact Wrestling on Spike, as Championship Thursday returns and the road to TNA Turning Point continues:
– Thursday’s broadcast features the return of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT! Who will get called out? Who has a score to settle? Who wants revenge? You never know who will get challenged every month during OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!
– One challenge that is already set for Thursday’s OPEN FIGHT NIGHT is Bully Ray vs. Devon from the Aces and 8s! The history between these two superstars is legendary – formerly one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, now bitter enemies – and their war continues on IMPACT WRESTLING!
– What will be the fallout from the Aces and 8s brutal attack on Kurt Angle? The gang picked Angle as their main target and certainly delivered on their promise. The question is, are the Aces prepared for the possible payback that is coming from the angry Olympic Gold Medalist?
– TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan has informed Knockouts Champion Tara and her Hollywood boyfriend Jesse that ODB plans to call out Tara’s main man for a fight! Will Jesse “man up” and answer ODB’s challenge?
– Also on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV is the monthly “Gut Check” series, as Christian York will attempt to earn a spot on the TNA roster!
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7c
TNA announced on Monday that Christopher Daniels and Kazarian will get a tag title rematch against Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez at next month’s TNA Turning Point pay-per-view.
With that match set, here’s the updated card for Turning Point:
TNA World Heavyweight Title Match:
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Austin Aries
TNA Tag Team Title Match:
Chavo Guerrero & Hernandez (c) vs. Daniels & Kazarian
Aces & Eights will also be involved a match, but their opponents have yet to be announced.
TNA Turning Point takes place on Sunday, November 11th from the Impact Zone in Orlando Florida.
TMZ.com is reporting that Hulk Hogan has settled his lawsuit against Bubba the Love Sponge stemming from his recent sex tape scandal. While no financial terms of the settlement were made public, but Bubba released a letter of apology today, noting that he felt Hogan has nothing to do with the recording of the tape…
“It is my belief that Hulk is not involved, and has not ever been involved, in trying to release the video, or exploit it, or otherwise gain from the video’s release in any way.”
He also noted that he was, “committed to helping Hulk and his attorneys find whoever is responsible for the release of the tape.”
Hogan is still continuing on with his $100 million lawsuit against Gawker for publishing the tape. He is also seeking damages from Bubba’s ex-wife, heather Clem.
Here is the full letter of apology…
October 29,2012 Re: Public Apology to Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) and Retraction of Statements
After further investigation, I am now convinced that Hulk Hogan was unaware of the presence of the recording device in my bedroom. I am convinced he had no knowledge that he was being taped. Additionally, I am certain that he had no role in the release of the video.
It is my belief that Terry is not involved, and has not ever been involved, in trying to release the video, or exploit it, or otherwise gain from the video’s release in any way.
Regrettably, when Hulk filed the lawsuit against me, I instinctively went on the offensive. The things that I said about him and his children were not true. I was wrong and I am deeply sorry for my reaction, and for the additional pain that it caused Hulk and his children on top of the pain that they already were feeling from having learned that Terry was taped without his knowledge, and the public release of the video.
I am committed to helping Hulk and his attorneys find whoever is responsible for the release of the tape and holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.