It appears that Hulk Hogan’s close friend, radio shock jock Bubba The Love Sponge, might be the man who released his now infamous sex tape.

Hogan called in to TMZ Live yesterday and was “completely stunned” when they told him that the final minutes of the Hogan sex tape include footage of Bubba telling Heather Clem (Bubba’s ex-wife and the woman in the tape) that they could get rich and retire by selling the Hogan sex footage.

Hogan told TMZ, “I’m sick to my stomach right now.” Hogan says Bubba swore to him that he didn’t know anything about the tape and didn’t even know there was a camera in the room to capture the romp.

He says he warned Bubba, “If you had anything to do with this, that means we were never friends.”

Hogan maintains that he is still considering taking legal action and promised that the responsible party will pay for recording the action and releasing the footage.

* ANOTHER Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Is Out There – Full Details

– TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Miss Tesssmacher suffered a pulled hamstring at a house show last Friday in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She admitted on Twitter that the injury occurred when she performed a dance move mid-match. She has since said she’s doing better and plans to defend her title as scheduled against Tara this Sunday at Bound For Glory.

– According to PWInsider.com, a cloaked Eric Bischoff appeared as a mouthpiece of Aces & Eights on recent episode of Impact Wrestling. The website, however, notes that Bischoff is not the leader of the group and was done to keep viewers guessing.

– This Sunday night before the Bound For Glory, SpikeTV will air a special Countdown to Bound For Glory one-hour broadcast previewing the pay-per-view event. The broadcast airs at at 7:00 p.m. TNA has released the following video promoting the show. (Watch)

TNA star Hulk Hogan appeared on the Howard Stern radio show on Tuesday morning and as you can imagine, the topic of Hogan’s sex tape came up.

In response to rumors that the woman in the tape was Heather Clem (Bubba The Love Sponge’s estranged wife), Hogan confirmed that it was indeed her.

Hulk said that the tape was filmed 6 years ago, when Hulk’s marriage to Linda was falling apart. After Hulk was getting verbally and emotionally abused by his now ex-wife, Bubba gave Hulk his blessing to “sleep” with Clem.

Hulk admitted that he was an emotional wreck at the time and that his “performance” wasn’t up to par.

Hogan says he’s working with police to find out who released the tape, because he swears he didn’t know he was being recorded.

Hulk vows to press charges against the perpetrator and is working to block the tape’s sale/release.

* MAJOR Changes Coming To WWE: Find Out What VINCE Has Planned

– Following his in-ring confrontation with CM Punk on Raw tonight, Vince McMahon yelled at a stage manager, according to a live fan account. The WWE CEO’s anger may have stemmed from a fan sign, which was immediately confiscated. The stage manager appeared very flustered following the ordeal.

– WWE developmental wrestler Xavier Woods defeated Michael McGillicutty in a dark match prior to Monday’s Raw broadcast. The former Consequences Creed worked this weekend’s Raw live event tour.

– The following matches aired on the latest episode of WWE Vintage Collection: Judy Bagwell On A Pole Match – Buff Bagwell vs. Kanyon (WCW New Blood Rising – 2000), Loser Wears A Dress Match – Perry Saturn vs. Chris Jericho (WCW Souled Out – 1999), Blindfold Match, Rick Martel vs. Koko B. Ware (WWF Prime Time Wrestling – March 17, 1991, Hair vs. Hair Match – Edge vs. Kurt Angle (WWE Judgment Day – 2002).

– WWE Champion CM Punk and TNA World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries are featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, which touts a “dream match” scenario. To view the cover, click here.

(source: PWInsider.com)

– Promoting next Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view event, Christopher Daniels addressed a number of TNA topics in an interview with Jeff Wilen of The Daytona Beach News-Journal, including the Aces & 8s storyline.

“I know our company has sat down and mapped up where it wants to go months ahead of time,” he states. “The end result will be something months of effort have been put into.”

As the current TNA World Tag Team Champions, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian have dubbed themselves “The World Tag Team Champions of the World.” He explains the label.

“With the idea of being a team a year ago, we saw a lack of long-term tag teams in TNA. We decided to do a tag team and be a tag team like Motor City Machine Guns and Beer Money. Other circumstances have allowed us to be the best tag team in our company right now. I feel we’re the team to beat. I feel we’re the target. We’ve set it up so we’ve made the belts mean something,” he said.

Now 42-years-old and having wrestled since 1993, Daniels doesn’t plan on hanging up the boots anytime soon.

“As long as I don’t prostitute my principals, I see many, many years of wrestling left,” Daniels said of his future in wrestling. “My goal is to get to 20 years. In January, I will be at 20. I’d love to get 25 or 30. I probably will still be in the business after wrestling, maybe in play-by-play or color commentary. We’ll see. I don’t see an end to my in-ring career yet.”

Daniels also addressed company morale, the Claire Lynch storyline, Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy at Bound For Glory, if he plans to remain a tag team wrestler and more. (Interview)

– Taryn Terrell, who works as an actress outside of TNA Wrestling, appeared completely nude on Sunday night’s episode of Treme on HBO. The episode airs multiple times this week.

TNA sent out the following press release on Monday announcing several new global television partnerships:

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING announces a number of major new global television partnerships, including a deal that brings its top-rated TV show, “IMPACT WRESTLING” to the Middle East and North Africa for the very first time.

TNA’s “IMPACT WRESTLING” has begun broadcasting on the popular FX Middle East channel at 10:30pm every Tuesday (local time.) The show is now seen in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mauritania and Somalia.

Beginning mid-October, Egyptian fans will also be able to watch “TNA Xplosion” and TNA’s “Greatest Matches” thanks to a new partnership between TNA and Dream TV. The channel will shortly be announcing broadcast times for both shows.

Starting in early 2013, Kuwait TV will also begin airing archive episodes of TNA “IMPACT WRESTLING” under the “CLASSIC IMPACT” brand.

TNA has also made a number of strides in Eastern Europe and is now airing on GSP TV in Romania with TNA’s “IMPACT WRESTLING” being broadcast every Monday at 8:00pm and “TNA Xplosion” airing each Wednesday at 8:00pm (local times). GSP TV will also broadcast TNA’s monthly pay-per-view events including “Bound For Glory,” “Lockdown” and “Slammiversary.”

TNA’s debut on Orange Sport in Poland earlier this year was also very successful, with high ratings and positive media coverage.

A number of TNA’s current international TV partners have recently signed contract extensions, including Thailand’s GMM Grammy Sport One, which will now broadcast “TNA Unfinished Business” and TNA’s “Greatest Matches” alongside TNA “IMPACT WRESTLING” every week.

“I’m thrilled that this year has seen us bring the very best in professional wrestling to more and more people around the world,” stated TNA President Dixie Carter. “The TNA IMPACT WRESTLING family is growing all the time, and I can’t wait to chat to all our new fans from every corner of the globe on Facebook and Twitter.”

– TNA star Rob Van Dam was recently interviewed by Joe McDonnel and spoke about drug testing in TNA, medicinal marijuana and more. To listen to the podcast, visit iTunes.

– TNA has posted a 30-minute “Before The Bell” special hyping Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view

Watch the biggest “Before The Bell” broadcast of the year, spotlighting the annual “Bound For Glory” epic event on Sunday, October 14 live on Pay-Per-View, online around the world at TNAOnDemand.com and airing at select movie theaters nationwide (visit TNAOnScreen.com for locations!). “Before The Bell” features exclusive interviews with your favorite IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars as they prepare for the historic night!</>

– Matt Morgan made surprise appearances at both TNA live events in Arkansas this weekend. After attempting to pick a fight with Rob Van Dam Friday night in Hot Springs despite being an attendee, Morgan tried to get involved at Saturday’s show in Fort Smith. Following this, he wrote, on Twitter: “Fort Smith AR. Statement? MADE! Biggest one? Still to come!”

Morgan was acknowledged on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling as footage of a recent house show run-in was broadcast. Bruce Prichard then lectured D’Lo Brown on the incident and warned him to not let it happen again.

– Dark Angel (a/k/a Sarita in TNA Wrestling) has returned to Mexico following a near two-month excursion in Japan for all-women’s league STARDOM’s 5 STAR Grand Prix Tournament. Despite recent friction between the veteran wrestler and CMLL, she will return to the promotion this Tuesday for their show in Guadalajara.

While she was away, CMLL falsely advertising her for multiple shows in an effort to hurt her reputation. Organization officials were reportedly displeased with the wrestling standout for taking it upon herself to work a two-month tour for the Japanese promotion when their official women’s wrestling partner in the country is REINA. It was also claimed that Dark Angel arranged her own deal with the Japanese promotion, thus shutting out CMLL of financial compensation.

– Taryn Terrell noted on Twitter that she will appear on tonight’s episode of Treme on HBO. The program airs at 10:00 p.m.

– Tara, who has received a renewed push in TNA Wrestling in recent weeks, revealed during an interview Friday with PWTorch Livecast that she recently signed a one-year contract with the organization.

“I just recently signed another year, so I’m pretty happy. I hope everyone knows the passion – I love what I do. I hope people see that love,” she said.

The veteran grappler explained that she only signs contracts on a year-to-year basis due to her physical state. This, however, has led to brief departures from the organization.

“I signed for a year and they wanted to a three-year (contract), but I said, ‘I just do year-to-year. I have to listen to my body, and I don’t want to be locked into anything,'” she said. “Then, my contract expired (in 2010) and it was just negotiations. It was not that I wanted to leave, but it was the paperwork. I don’t like that part of the business at all. Then, the next year (2011), it expired again and we had to go through it again.”

Tara also commented on challenging Miss Tessmacher for the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship at Bound For Glory, the state of the Knockouts division and recalled a conversation she had that prompted her to part ways with WWE in 2009. The 17-minute interview is available here.

– TNA Wrestling has released its Before The Bell broadcast previewing Bound For Glory on Sunday, October 14. Before The Bell features exclusive interviews with Bobby Roode, James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Austin Aries and more as they prepare for the annual pay-per-view event. (Watch)

TNA Wrestling has released has the official preview for next Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, the final episode before Bound For Glory. No matches have been announced, only teases of confrontations between Team Hogan and The Aces & 8s, Bobby Roode and “Cowboy” James Storm, and TNA World Heavyweight Championship Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy.

IMPACT Preview: The Final Countdown To Bound For Glory | Thursday 8/7c on SpikeTV

Preview Thursday’s huge TNA IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7! If you can’t watch it on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record it!

– IMPACT will feature the final countdown to Sunday’s “Bound For Glory” epic event! Team Hogan is set to battle The Aces & 8s, as Sting will join forces with Bully Ray – but does the gang have one more trick up their sleeves before Sunday night? Find out Thursday night on SpikeTV!

– “Bound For Glory” will also feature the culmination of the year-long war between former partners Bobby Roode and “Cowboy” James Storm, with MMA superstar and TNA newcomer King Mo serving as Special Enforcer! With Storm and Roode both scheduled for Thursday’s broadcast, will all hell break loose again before the Pay-Per-View?

– Also appearing on Thursday’s IMPACT on SpikeTV will be World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries and his challenger in the “Bound For Glory” main event – “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy! The countdown to the biggest main event in Bound For Glory history begins on IMPACT WRESTLING!

All this and much more on Thursday’s LIVE broadcast, plus “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, TV Champion Samoa Joe, Chavo Guerrero, Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher and many more of your favorite superstars!

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

Brian Fritz interviews Jeff Hardy for Between The Ropes:

On what he won’t do in a match any more that he used to do: “I just wrestle a lot smarter. I try to tone down my thoughts a bit. I have a very vivid imagination. I have all these ideas that I think may be possible. But I’m very careful about what I do. I almost hesitated doing the swanton at last year’s Lockdown pay-per-view, this year’s Lockdown pay-per-view because it was scary and I was terrified I was going to get injured bad. But I went for it and it turned out great. I just think overall I wrestle a lot smarter. I don’t do as much as I used to do. And I just take better care of myself.”

The craziest thing he has thought about doing in the ring but never did: “I have to say, and I still think about it a lot, it would be a reverse … like a moonsault 450. I think it’s been done before. I know I could do it. I’m just scared to even try but especially like a backflip off the top rope and missing your feet. Instead of hitting a leg drop, you know, take a complete back bump on it so it would be like a reverse moonsault 450 if you know what I’m saying.”

On what the past few years have been like for him: “Up and down, and down, down, down and then on a straight incline since last year’s Victory Road. I was in a dark place there for a while. My legal situation was horrible as far as stress and I about went crazy during all that. Luckily, it’s over now and I’ve done everything I’ve had to do. I’m on my second year of probation now and everything with that is going extremely well. Everything is great and I have nothing to complain about.”

On what was his darkest moment during his troubles: “The darkest moment was probably, I’d have to say, it may have been Victory Road, when I was unable to perform because after all the years it finally caught up with me. I was out of my mind to even perform against one of the guys I looked up to as a kid, you know, Sting. That was probably rock bottom. That allowed me to go home and take care of everything I needed to take care of and get better and pretty much start over. I have a second chance, one more shot and luckily I got that and have improved ever since and have been on a steady incline.”

When that happened at Victory Road, did you immediately know you screwed up on did it take a while to sink in? No, I knew I messed up. I totally knew I messed up. And driving home that next day, I knew I had messed up for the last time. That’s what I knew that day. It took a while, about six months, and I came back. I totally knew I messed up.”

– TNA star Hulk Hogan is threatening to sue the website Gawker.com for posting video footage of his infamous sex tape. Hogan’s attorneys will be sending a “nasty cease and desist letter” to the website for posting a video preview of the 30+ minute tape as well as a very detailed description of its contents.

Hulk’s lawyer David R. Houston tells TMZ.com:

“This tape was made secretly without Hulk’s knowledge or permission. We are going to do everything in our power to figure out who did it. Anyone displaying the tape will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”

Gawker.com claims the tape was sent to them anonymously.

– Mick Foley has announced the following dates for his upcoming appearance tour to promote his new children’s book, “A Most Mizerable Christmas”:

* 10/9 in Hamilton Township, NJ (Barnes & Noble).
* 11/15 in Rockford, IL at (Barnes & Noble in the Cherryvale Mall).
* 11/17 in Valpairso, IL (Barnes & Noble in the Valpairso Marketplace).
* 11/18 in Indianapolis, IN (Barnes & Noble in Castleton Square).
* 12/1 in Jefferson, NH (Santa’s Village).
* 12/16 in Huntington, Long Island (Book Revue).

Monday Night Mayhem with Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez
Hosts: The Big Mosh and Todd Vincent
Recap by Kahlil Thomas

How the situation presented itself for Chavo to become part of the TNA roster and why the company has indeed lived up to his personal and professional expectations thus far: “To be honest, I didn’t really know if I was going to TNA, or if I was gonna stop wrestling, or what I really was going to do. I knew I was going to take some time off, and regroup, and regain some of my sanity after going 12 years in the WWE. Sometimes you have to do that. We just started talking back and forth a bit, me and TNA, over a two-month period, and we decided that would be a good fit. We tried, and it has been working really, really good. I’m just so happy to be there. It’s just nice to have people really appreciate your work, because sometimes people just expect that and never thank you, so it’s a good thing.”

Their initial thoughts when they found out they were going to team up together and why their tag team is “a completely different dynamic” from Los Guerreros or The LAX: (Hernandez): “When Chavo came to TNA, everyone talked about the family heritage and experience, but what they don’t realize is that this guy is reinventing himself. Every match, he’s breaking out something you haven’t seen before, or he hasn’t done in a while.”

(Chavo): “Don’t confuse our tag team with Hernandez’s previous tag team partners. Much respect to Homicide. He’s my boy. And with Konnan, the only thing we have in common is that we are Latinos. We are not LAX. They are not just plugging me in as ‘the new Mexican guy.’ It’s a completely different dynamic. This is not Los Guerreros or LAX. It’s completely different.”

Why they are looking forward to their three-way Match (vs. Kurt Angle/”The Phenomenal AJ Styles and “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels/Kazarian) for the TNA World Tag Team Titles at Bound For Glory: (Hernandez): “Kurt Angle, in my opinion, is hands down the best performer in the world right now. That’s just how it goes. AJ is AJ. He is the man. This guy truly is phenomenal. He could do anything his body lets him do it’s just crazy. It’s going to take all of my power and everything Chavo can come up with to become (TNA World) Tag Team Champions.”

(Chavo): “Kazarian and Daniels are the champs, and they are both really good. They both know how to hold onto those Tag Team belts. I think we match really well against them, because one thing they don’t have is the power. I’m just looking forward to getting to Bound for Glory and facing them.”

Busted Open satellite radio show with King Mo
Host: Dave Lagreca and Doug Mortman
Airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays
Sirius 94 and XM 208 from 2-4 ET

Where does he feel he is at with his wrestling training: “As far as where I’m at, I’m still a baby. Some people it takes years. Some people it takes a few months. I’m hoping it takes a few months, but I want to be on the level of Kurt Angle. If I could get to that level in  a few years, I’ll be alright. I still have a long way to go. I’m willing to spend the time and dedication to get there.”

What his role will be as enforcer in the James Storm/Bobby Roode falls count anywhere match? “I guess I’m a referee and an enforcer. I figure if I’m the guest enforcer, I might as well be the referee as well..I’m cool with anyplace besides the bathroom. I don’t want to be slapping one, two, three and there is piss on the floor. I don’t care if its dirty, I just don’t want any bodily fluids on the floor. If it’s blood, I’m ok with it. Any type of urine, I don’t want to deal with that.”

Will he fill the void of the lack of bad-asses in wrestling: “Here is the thing. Most of the guys who played the badass role are terrible wrestlers. I’m not saying I’m better than them, but I’m hoping I’m the badass with also being a good worker. The Ultimate Warrior was a badass but he wasn’t any good. Goldberg they said was horrendous. I’ve seen guys like Nathan Jones who wasn’t any good. So guys who played that badass role tend to be terrible workers. I want to change that perception. If I’m going to be a badass in this business, I want to be known as a guy that worked well too.”

Which career would he rather have? Ric Flair or Hulk Hogan? “I’m more of a Ric Flair fan. NWA and WCW that was all me. I loved Hulk Hogan, but to me Sting and Ric Flair were those guys that got me star struck. I’d rather be Ric Flair. The cars, Space Mountain, the women, I’d much rather be Ric Flair.”

Talks about his debut on Impact Wrestling: “Right now I’m nervous. My armpits are sweating. I’m nervous, but when I get out there I’m just going to be me. I’m going to let it come natural. I’m not going to try to force anything. I’m just going to be me. You see guys out there that play a role that’s just not them. The crowd is on to it and they don’t buy it. The people who play the role that is similar to them, a bigger version of them, then the crowd eats it up.”

The following is TNA’s official preview for tonight’s Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:

– Thursday’s broadcast will feature the IMPACT debut of MMA star and TNA newcomer King Mo! In an unprecedented move – one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, “King Mo” Lawal, will compete in Spike TV’s two major sports properties, Bellator Fighting Championships and TNA’s IMPACT WRESTLING. King Mo is set to be the special enforcer for the James Storm vs. Bobby Roode match at Bound For Glory! What will happen when King Mo debuts on Thursday? Don’t miss it!

– The fight between Aces and 8s and Team TNA is set for Bound For Glory! “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan will not be allowed to enter the fight – so who will represent TNA in the battle? Don’t miss Thursday’s broadcast for details!

– Tensions continue to rise between “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries as their main event match at Bound For Glory draws closer! What will happen when champion and challenger cross paths on Thursday’s IMPACT?

– Plus, IMPACT will feature Knockouts Tag Team action as Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher teams with ODB to battle Tara and Gail Kim

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7!

– Former WWE Divas Champion tried out for TNA Wrestling last Thursday as she lost to Tara in a dark match. According to F4WOnline.com, company officials felt she did well.

– In the following video, SoCal Val tells you how you can get a free Bound for Glory 2012 T-Shirt after watching the Pay-Per-View at any participating movie theater. Visit www.tnaonscreen.com for participating locations.

– Chavo Guerrero appears at The Wrestling Guy in the Sanat Fe Springs Swap Meet Space H-5 13963 Alondra Blvd. Santa fe Springs, California, on Oct. 12 from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. (Event Information)

(source: F4WOnline.com)

TNA Star Jeff Hardy spoke with the Phoenix New Times to hype TNA Bound for Glory in Phoenix next Sunday night. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Overcoming His Personal Demons: “I know how I am and what I’ve done and I wish it was as easy for [him] as it was for me I guess. Matt [Hardy] went through a dark period and I was just getting through my stuff and that was tough on me. I was like, “Oh my god, people are different.” I’ve never suffered physical withdrawals from not doing drugs, but that’s what separates me from everybody else, I guess, because I’m not like everybody else. I wish I could explain why some people don’t succeed but I don’t know. I mean all I know is how and who I am.”

His Brother Matt’s Videos Where He Appeared Intoxicated: “Yeah, I hated it. I hated everything he put up. I was embarrassed for him. But that was just stuff that he was going through. If I’m going to put something on YouTube it’s just going to be fun.”

Returning to WWE in the Future: “Man, I really can’t answer that. I’m happy where I’m at right now with TNA. But you never say never in this business, so it depends on where I’ll be at in a few months.”

Christopher Daniels was a guest this past weekend on The LAW (www.liveaudiowrestling.com) discussing Bound for Glory (October 14th, 8pm EST on pay-per-view) and also touched on the recent Claire Lynch storyline and his thoughts on “The Amazing Spiderman” and “The Dark Knight Rises” from this past summer. The full interview can be downloaded here. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

The Claire Lynch storyline: “As far as Frankie (Kazarian) and myself, our main goal was to try to come out of it looking like the crap-stirring scumbags that we wanted to play, that we’re trying to be. Every time we went out there with a promo, every time we went out there with a pre-tape or any sort of interaction like that, we were looking to see how quickly we could get people’s ire raised. Whatever the positivity of it in the beginning, and then what some people sort of perceive as missteps in the angle, it didn’t matter to us how that was going. All that mattered to us was that at the end of each segment or the end of each episode of this particular saga, Frankie and I came out looking like the dastardly duo that we are.

“I think that people misunderstand what happened behind the scenes as the reason that it ended. My understanding of it from the beginning was that it was going to end when it ended. All the pertinent players weren’t there when it ended, but that didn’t affect the way it went down. The major parts were myself, Frankie, and AJ, and that was the important stuff. The focus was started there, and it ended there; everything else was just incidental, in my eyes. I was very happy with the way it ended, because in the end AJ got his vindication. Frankie and I, our reputations are what they are, and what we built them up to be, and now we move forward with not just us versus AJ, but us versus the Impact Wrestling locker room.”

The Amazing Spiderman: “Honestly, when I first heard he was cast, I wasn’t very impressed. I saw him in The Social Network, and out of the whole cast of The Social Network he was one of the lower points to me personally. I was gonna see the movie anyway, just because the trailer sort of got me with its look. Going to watch the movie, yeah, he absolutely got it. When people ask me, I tell them there’s regular Marvel universe Spider-man, and then there’s Ultimate Spider-man, and comic fans know what I’m talking about. The Tobey Maguire Spider-man was very much the Marvel comics, the tried and true Spider-man, whereas Andrew Garfield, to me that storyline and the way it was portrayed was more of the Ultimate Spider-man line. I think that the comic fans, the ones that already knew it was gonna be great, understand that reference. I think fans that aren’t fans of the comic books will go and they’ll immediately understand and appreciate the differences between the two films.”

Possible spin-offs with Robin and Catwoman: “I don’t think it’s gonna be a Robin, I think it’s gonna be a Nightwing if they were gonna go to do that at all. I think that Joseph Gordon-Levitt would probably be the most logical, and have Anne Hathaway be not a supporting character, but not be the focus of the movie. That’s just my opinion. Near the end, as you’re watching The Dark Knight Rises, as you realize where they’re sort of going with it, I think there’s a lot of hype, or at least fanbase built-up hype, towards a Nightwing/Robin movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, with the success that he’s had in the last couple years, and the stuff that’s upcoming for him, I think that there’d be a lot of desire to see something like that with Christopher Nolan directing and him starring. That would be a big deal, I think, for DC (Comics). Now that they’ve sort of closed the book on Christian Bale as Batman, it’d be a good evolution of the characters to go that route.”

Video – Ryback botches his finisher on Raw ->

Here are some highlights of what TNA star Kurt Angle said during a recent interview with MMA Uncensored:

King Mo Getting Into Wrestling and Batista Doing MMA: “Well, I think King Mo is a natural because he has a lot of charisma. He’s has to learn the techniques. He’s actually called me probably every other week asking me when will the soreness go away. Pro wrestling is very grueling, you take a lot of punishment.

“But I think Bautista is a special talent. I think he’s a very tough guy, I think he’s going to do very well in MMA. He wasn’t an amateur wrestler like most pro wrestlers that cross over usually were amateurs wrestlers like Brock Lesnar or Bobby Lashley. But, Bautista will do really well. He’s a tough kid, he’s got a great knockout punch. I know that for sure because I was up in WWE and I’ve seen him have a couple of fights. [Laughs.]”

If He Would Have Chosen MMA Over Wrestling If It Was 1999 Again: “Yes, I would have done MMA if I would have known that it would have blown up the way it did. I’d say, in 1999, I joined the WWE and pro wrestling and then went to TNA. If MMA would have blown up, I would have done it. I would have gone full blown into it. But, I was so far into it, main eventing WrestleManias, that there was no way for me to turn back. I do love pro wrestling and being with TNA — I don’t regret it, but it just wasn’t the right time. The money was in pro wrestling at the time.

Dana White Saying  He Agreed To Be On The Ultimate Fighter 10 and Then The Deal Falling Through: “That is true. The hard part about it was that Dana and I never had a problem with money. I met with Dana at different times — two times to be exact — where I went out to Las Vegas and sat down with Dana White. I even took the UFC physical. The problem was the starting date. He wanted me ready in four and a half weeks. I did not think I would be ready at that particular time.

“I didn’t want to go in there half-hearted, I didn’t want to embarrass myself. I wanted 3-6 months but at the time, he couldn’t give me that time. I respect Dana White and his decision and my decision, I hope he can respect that as well.”

Whether or not He and Brock Lesnar Had A Legit Wrestling Match In WWE & Who Won: “A, it is true. What happened was Brock Lesnar came in and he said I was too small and he was too big for me. I kept challenging him every week. Eventually, we got in the ring and we went at it. I’ll just say that I got the better of him but I can tell you that Brock Lesnar is an animal, he’s a beast. At his prime — and I want to say before he got sick — I wanna say he’s one of the baddest guys on the planet.

“He had the strength, the quickness, the finesse. you don’t have a guy that size that can do the things he did. He wasn’t just a great pro wrestler, he was a great MMA fighter. He would have gotten better if he didn’t get sick. I think that the sickness that he had definitely brought him down a couple notches to where he really wasn’t the real Brock Lesnar.

Whether He’d Still Consider Doing An MMA Fight: “I can’t say yes or no. I’m 43. I tried out for the Olympics last year and I kept getting injured. It was one of those things where I was wrestling great, I think I could have made the team but I just kept getting injured. I’m 43-years old, my body is breaking down. The pro wrestling hasn’t helped me.

“It’s probably no, but if the offers good enough, you never know. Kurt Angle might be in the MMA octagon.”

The following press release was issued today announcing that Bully Ray and Devon’s wrestling academy in Florida has raised more than $7,000 to fight breast cancer:

Team 3D Academy and “Hope for a Single Mom” Fight To End Breast Cancer

Melbourne, Florida – October 2 2012 –The Team 3D Academy of Professional Wrestling and Sports Entertainment is proud to announce that along with “Hope for a Single Mom” they were able to raise more than $7,000 to help in the fight against breast cancer.

On September 8, 2012, Devon Hughes, p/k/a Devon Dudley in WWE and Brother Devon in TNA, teamed with “Hope for a Single Mom” in order to put on a family friendly wrestling show at Viera High School in Melbourne, FL. All proceeds from the show went towards the “Hope for a Single Mom” charity. The show featured talent from QWEST Pro wrestling, a top independent wrestling promotion in Florida, which showcases many of the Team 3D academy students.

The “Hope for a Single Mom” charity was started 2 years ago. Every year, the two founders and the people at Breast Friends of Florida choose a single mother to raise money for in order to help with medical and other expenses that have been incurred to lost income while battling cancer.

Devon is a 23 time World Tag Team champion along with his long time tag team partner, Bubba/Bully Ray, holding championships in every major organization in North America, including TNA, WWE, ECW, WCW, NWA as well as Japan. They are the most decorated team in the history of Professional Wrestling.

The Team 3D Academy was opened in May of 2007 and prides itself on having trained some of the best young talent in professional wrestling today, having students signed to WWE Developmental contracts, TNA Gut Check, Ring of Honor (ROH), and Zero-1 Japan.

The Team 3D Academy, located in Kissimmee, FL, is under an open enrollment policy and is always accepting new students. All interested in joining the Team 3D Academy may visit www.team3dacademy.com and also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Team-3D-Academy-of-Professional-Wrestling/. All SERIOUS applicants may schedule a preliminary appointment by calling (407) 390-9005.

TNA Wrestling has released a preview for next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV.

IMPACT Preview: King Mo Debuts, Who Joins Team TNA vs Aces & 8s?

Preview Thursday’s LIVE IMPACT broadcast on SpikeTV at 8/7c as the road to “Bound For Glory” Pay-Per-View continues! Remember – if you can’t watch IMPACT on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action!

– The fight between Aces and 8s and Team TNA is set for Bound For Glory! “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan will not be allowed to enter the fight – so who will represent TNA in the battle? Don’t miss Thursday’s broadcast for details!

– Also on Thursday’s huge event on SpikeTV, King Mo makes his IMPACT WRESTLING debut after being announced as the special enforcer for the Bobby Roode vs. James Storm match at Bound For Glory!

– Tensions continue to rise between “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries as their main event match at Bound For Glory draws closer! What will happen when champion and challenger cross paths on Thursday’s IMPACT?

– Plus, IMPACT will feature Knockouts Tag Team action as Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher teams with ODB to battle Tara and Gail Kim

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7!

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

TNA Impact Wrestling announced Friday that Lex Luger will be one of the featured guests as part of the inaugural TNA Hall Of Fame Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13 in Phoenix, Arizona inducting “The Icon” Sting. Their official statement reads:

Lex Luger To Attend Sting’s TNA Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING announces Lex Luger to be one of the featured guests as part of the inaugural TNA Hall Of Fame Celebration inducting “The Icon” Sting. The TNA Hall Of Fame Celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort at 8pm local time and will profile the iconic career of Sting. Featured guests include Hulk Hogan, Dixie Carter, AJ Styles, Mike Tenay and Lex Luger.

Multi-time World Champion Luger is a long-time friend to “The Icon” Sting. Even in fierce competition the two remained friends while competing against each other in multiple championship matches.

The TNA Hall Of Fame Celebration will be part of the biggest weekend in TNA history as the stars of IMPACT WRESTLING set for “Bound For Glory” on Sunday, Oct. 14 live worldwide on Pay-Per-View. On Saturday, TNA will also host the popular Fan InterAction event giving fans the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet many of their favorite IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars.

TNA Wrestling’s biggest Pay-Per-View event, “Bound For Glory”, is LIVE from the new Grand Canyon University Arena on Sunday, Oct. 14. TNA’s Inaugural Hall Of Fame Celebration will be Saturday, Oct. 13 “Bound For Glory” will feature the stars of IMPACT WRESTLING as seen Thursday’s LIVE on Spike TV.

Tickets for the TNA Hall Of Fame are available at ShopTNA.com.

Ticket for Sunday’s Bound For Glory are on sale now at Grand Canyon University Arena box office, gcuarena.com or charge by phone at 602-639-8999.

The Hall of Fame Celebration & Dinner will feature the Induction of “The Icon” Sting. Be part of history as one of the greatest wrestling superstars of all time is honored with the induction as the very first member of TNA Wrestling’s Hall of Fame. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will never happen again. The event includes an intimate dinner setting along with special guests Hulk Hogan, Dixie Carter, AJ Styles, Mike Tenay, & Multi-time World Champion Lex Luger! Additionally, each banquet table at the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame Ceremony will be hosted by a TNA Impact Wrestling superstar!

– TNA Wrestling has been removed Devon from its roster page on ImpactWrestling.com. The organization announced Wednesday that he had parted ways with the organization after negotiations between both parties reached an impasse.

– On this edition of the “Spin Cycle” with Sting, James Storm, Austin Aries and Kurt Angle, “The Icon” talks about being the first inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame and the panel weighs in who should be the second inductee. The group also discuss their personal favorite British wrestlers of all time. (Watch)

– Robbie E has has posted a blog on Spike.com explaining why he should be made the face of Impact Wrestling.

Noting his speaking ability, he remarks, “Ever hear me talk? I’m on point. I’m loud and clear and always to the point. I’m quick-witted and never can be played out. I am the verbal champ.”

– TNA Xplosion matches taped last night in Orlando were Magnus vs. James Storm and Kazarian vs. Eric Young.

– Samoa Joe defeated Mr. Anderson on Thursday night’s episode of Impact Wrestling to win the vacant Television Title.

– Former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall wrestled a dark match prior to Thursday’s Impact, losing to former WWE co-worker Tara.

Hall lives in the area but there’s on word yet if TNA plans on signing her.

– WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine was backstage and sitting ringside for last night’s TNA Impact Wrestling. Leavine currently wrestles in Puerto Rico and is the WWC Universal Champion.

– With Matt Morgan back under contract with TNA and making unadvertised run-in appearances at TNA live events, there are still no plans for him to be brought back to television in the immediate future.

– The 9/20 TNA live event from Salem, Virginia drew 450 fans. The following night’s day from Winston Salem, North Carolina drew 650 fans.

– TNA’s new UK reality show is said to be the pet project of Jeremy Borash, with JB missing live events over the weekend to work on the project.

– Ticket sales are looking strong for next month’s TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, October 14th from Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The venue will be set up for around 3,800 fans.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)