IMPACT WRESTLING BECOMES FIRST ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY TO STREAM LIVE TO TWITTER
TNA WRESTLING makes history with IMPACT franchise by becoming the first entertainment company on Twitter to stream its “Backstage Access” live
NASHVILLE, TN – (August 4, 2012) — TNA WRESTLING made history on the Thursday August 2, 2012 LIVE broadcast of IMPACT WRESTLING by becoming the first entertainment company on Twitter to stream its “Backstage Access” live via its YouTube partner on IMPACT’s Enhanced Twitter Page at www.twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING.
IMPACT WRESTLING has pioneered in the field of social media when it comes to professional wrestling – whether incorporating live tweets from fans into the weekly television show on Spike in real time, interacting with fans during live pay-per-views in live Q&A’s, allowing fans to choose the main events and even allowing fans to help chose the fate of whether or not a wrestling hopeful gets a professional wrestling contract.
“We’ve always tried to keep connected with our fans and social media is a great way to do so,” says TNA President Dixie Carter. “We’ve had a wonderful relationship with Twitter and we’re glad to be able to use their technology to bring the experience to our fans in a new way.”
The “Backstage Pass” allows fans to interact with the Superstars of IMPACT WRESTLING who appear on the television show as the show happens by sending questions via twitter using hashtags. The questions then get answered live via the live stream. The “Backstage Pass” also provides continuous coverage of live action in the ring when the show goes to commercial.
IMPACT WRESTLING airs live every Thursday at 8/7ct on Spike TV.
TNA star AJ Styles says it’s time for TNA to hold a pay-per-view event from the United Kingdom, where the company has a strong following.
During a recent interview with the U.K. Sun’s podcast, Styles said:
“What baffles me the most is why we haven’t run a PPV here. That’s what I want to see. And not just any PPV. I want to see Slammiversary here. I want to see Bound for Glory here. These fans, they want it – let’s give it to them. They’ll be there, they’ll watch it.”
Styles acknowledged one of the main issues with holding a pay-per-view event overseas – the time difference would require the show to take place at a very late hour, or be recorded in the afternoon (US time) and then air on tape delay:
“What’s the problem? Let’s get it done. Just tape it. You’d get it a couple of hours late (in the U.S.) but people are going to buy the PPV whether it’s taped or not. They’re going to want to see it. If it’s a money issue, then there are going to be so many people in that arena that it’s not even going to be a factor.”
Chris Masters appeared on Inside The Ropes radio Thursday night. Highlights are as follows:
How he finds Vince McMahon backstage: “He’s above and beyond everybody. Even The Hulkster. He’s the guy that put this stuff together. They’re an odd family. They are good at business. People who are business savvy tend to come off a little cold. They don’t get too close to the performers. My first meeting with him was very cool. I told him in due time, I could definitely be a huge player for WWE.”
Who came up with Masterpiece gimmick: “Dr Tom Prichard changed my name to Masters. My friend Matt Morgan and I were sitting one day and he said Masterpiece. I brought it to Jim Cornette and he ran with it, WWE ran with it. I joke that I give 10 per cent of my salary to Matt Morgan. I’m just kidding. He always ribs that he’s responsible for it but I tell him he just had one moment of brilliance (laughs).”
On working with John Cena in 2005/06: “That guy had some heavy fists. Carlito and I used to joke around that in tag matches with Cena and HBK, we would literally rush to get to Shawn Michaels, because he wasn’t as heavy with hands and the other guy would be stuck with Cena and you’d be potato’ing each other left and right. I remember at the Elimination Chamber I felt like I was in a real shoot fight. It’s not that he’s bad, he just gets really fired up and he’s got big hands, he doesn’t realise his own strength.”
Thoughts on his TNA dark match and ending up working for Dixie: “I think there’s a good chance I’ll be working them in the future. It’s a different vibe to WWE. I like that Dixie Carter makes herself accessible to the talent. Jason Hervey came up to me after the match with a camera and just let me talk, it wasn’t some writer giving you stuff to say. There was a good reaction from the crowd. All in all it turned out as good as it could go. I’ve planted all the seed I could. It’s up to them if they want to capitalise, if not I’ll just go about my way.”
To hear the rest of the interview where Masters discusses how he broke into wrestling, his first WrestleMania, working a program with HBK, The WWE’s Wellness Policy and the infamous Pec Dance gimmick, head over to www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork.
– Sting appeared on TNA Xplosion to announce that Challenge TV has a contest running called the “Summer Of Sting Competition,” with the winners getting free Sting merchandise. More information is available at Challenge.co.uk.
– TNA Knockout Rosita will be appearing in a new horror movie called Self Storage.
The following is the TNA website’s official preview for tonight’s live episode of Impact Wrestling:
– The broadcast will feature the IMPACT in-ring wrestling debut of Chavo Guerrero!
-Last week accusations flew that James Storm may be involved with Aces and 8s. Could there possibly be any truth to these rumors?
– IMPACT will feature a HUGE Bound For Glory Series main event match as Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle battles “Cowboy” James Storm! The competition for a shot at the World Title at “Bound For Glory” continues with two former World Champions battling on Thursday night on SpikeTV!
– In tag team action, World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries teams with newcomer Kenny King against Bobby Roode and X Division Champion Zema Ion
– TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan makes her return to IMPACT for the first time since the brutal attack by The Aces & 8s gang on her legendary father, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan
– In Knockouts action, it will be Mickie James vs. Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne vs. Tara in a four-way #1 Contenders match for a shot at the Knockouts Championship
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV.
– TNA Wrestling has released the promotional poster for No Surrender, which takes place September 9, 2012 at the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida. The twelve wrestlers participating in the “Bound For Glory” series are featured on the poster: AJ Styles, Bully Ray, Christopher Daniels, D’Angelo Dinero, James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Magnus, Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam, Robbie E and Samoa Joe.
– Sam Shaw has been added to TNA’s roster index on ImpactWrestling.com after being awarded a contract last week on Impact Wrestling in the “Gut Check” challenge.
– Tara has changed her Twitter handle to taralisamarie.
– With Kelly Kelly still off WWE television, WWE sources indicate that she has not signed a new contract with the company. WWE reportedly offered her a new 5-year deal in recent weeks. She was backstage at RAW 1,000, but was not used. During her time away from WWE, she has been doing her own personal appearances and looking for acting work.
– The latest in TNA’s ongoing lawsuit against WWE and former employee Brian Wittenstein is that a hearing is set for this Wednesday, August 2nd in Nashville, Tennessee.
The nature of the hearing is that TNA is looking for the temporary restraining order against Wittenstein to be changed to a court injunction that would require him to submit all materials relating to confidential TNA manners and prohibiting him from him transferring that material to a third party.
– Chavo Guerrero, who made his TNA Impact Wrestling debut last Thursday, has been added to the roster page on ImpactWrestling.com. The website refers to WWE by name in his bio, “Chavo’s amazing career has included WCW, WWE and now TNA!”
Meanwhile, Ric Flair, Velvet Sky and Matt Morgan remain listed on the roster page even though they are no longer affiliated with the organization. TNA stated in a court filing against WWE that Flair’s contract was terminated in May. Sky stated last week on Twitter that she was granted her release. Morgan fulfilled his contractual obligations and tweeted last week that he would never return to TNA.
– Infrequently seen TNA Knockout Mickie James appears in Bucky Covington’s new music video. TNA Impact Wrestling has released a video going behind-the-scenes of its filming.
http://youtu.be/UbPJDIYXyVI
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, former TNA Knockouts Velvet Sky and Angelina Love will appear at Sideline Sports at the Middletown Market 128 Dolson Ave. Middletown, New York on October 7 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
– After defeating Magnus to earn seven points in the Bound For Glory Series at TNA Wrestling’s BaseBrawl event in Washington, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Kurt Angle addressed the audience about his failed attempt to make this year’s United States Olympic wrestling team.
http://youtu.be/XuRumAU_UkA
In another Bound For Glory Series match result, Mr. Anderson defeated Magnus today in Akron, Ohio via submission to earn ten additional points, according to TNA Wrestling Dixie Carter’s Twitter account.
– Rarely used TNA wrestler Mark Haskins recently got engaged to fellow British wrestler Vicky Skeeles. Skeeles was briefly under developmental contract to WWE in 2010.
– TNA star Eric Young appeared on CNN’s “Starting Point” to promote his new show on Animal Planet, “Off The Hook: Extreme Catches,” which premiers on Monday, July 30th at 9pm (EST). Young did not mention TNA by name, but spoke about wrestling, extreme fishing and more. A few clips from Off The Hook were shown, including one of him shopping for pantie hose, which he stuffs with bait when hunting for sharks.
– Thursday’s TNA Impact Wrestling did 1,578,000 viewers, up from last week’s 1,316,000 viewers. Preliminary data shows that the show drew around a 1.1 cable rating. The final number will be released by Monday.
– TNA senior official Earl Hebner tweeted inappropriate message on Thursday night to a user he is following:
“I Will take ur blow j when u are ready 2 give it 2 me.”
The tweet was deleted immediately, however it was re-tweeted by several people on Twitter. The message was likely meant to be a direct message and not meant to be public.
Dixie Carter tweeted that two Bound For Glory Series matches took place at Friday night’s TNA live event from Dayton, Ohio. Rob Van Dam pinned Kurt Angle and Magnus pinned Jeff Hardy. Both winners were awarded 7 points each. RVD’s win moved him up to fifth place (now tied with Hardy).
The current Bound for Glory standings are as follows:
(1) Samoa Joe: 47 points (5-3)
(2) James Storm: 45 points (4-1-2)
(3) Kurt Angle: 34 points (4-4)
(4) Mr. Anderson: 30 points (4-3-1)
(5t) Rob Van Dam: 28 points (4-3)
(5t) Jeff Hardy: 28 points (4-4)
Kurt Angle vs. Magnus (7/28 live event)
A.J. Styles vs. RVD (7/28 live event)
Mr. Anderson vs. Magnus (7/29 live event)
James Storm vs. Kurt Angle (8/3 iMPACT!)
<a href=”http://stg.sescoops.com”><b>* Find Out Which Former WWE Superstars Are Part Of ACES & EIGHTS</b></a>
– Hailing from one of the more storied and successful families in the pro wrestling history, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. made his TNA Impact Wrestling debut on Thursday. After lauding the Guerrero family legacy and proclaiming that it was his time to shine in TNA, he was attacked by Gunner and Kid Kash, who took exception to his remarks. Guerrero’s aunt Vickie, who appears for WWE as the mouthpiece of Dolph Ziggler, congratulated her nephew’s debut for the Nashville-based wrestling promotion.
“I am proud of @mexwarrior with his debut on TNA!! A true professional Miss him and his family xxoo,” she wrote on Twitter.
Don’t expect Vickie to ever join Chavo in TNA. She stated last year in a Twitter message that she would never turn her back on her WWE family: “I would never go to TNA…no disrespect to anybody…WWE is my family…period.”
– WWE.com has released a poll asking fans to choose their favorite all-time team of D-Generation X—Shawn Michaels and Triple H or Triple H, X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn. Chyna, who partnered with both D-X gangs, was omitted from the poll.
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia has posted a new photo shoot on her official website, LilianGarcia.com. The website also features her WWE theme song, which is solely played off-camera at events.
Velvet Sky’s departure from TNA Impact Wrestling this week has sparked rumors and speculation that the colorful grappler could eventually wind up in WWE as a ‘Diva’. Though it is publicly unknown how WWE brass perceive the ten-year veteran wrestler, Sky has at least one backer in the sports entertainment organization in “Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley, who feels she would fit in nicely with their array of female talent.
When asked via Twitter whether the former TNA Women’s Knockout Champion would make for a great addition to WWE’s Divas division, he responded, “I think @VelVelHoller would be a valuable addition to the @WWE Divas roster. Hope it happens.”
Sky acknowledged Foley’s remarks, writing, “Thank you Mick!”
While working her way up the wrestling ranks, Sky, who was then known as Talia, appeared for WWE as an extra and enhancement wrestler in 2005 and 2006. She also auditioned for the 2007 Diva Search, but did not make the final cut. She opened up on the setback earlier this month during an interview with The Post and Courier.
“The only thing I’m going to say about that is the only reason I did that is because there were powers at be within that organization that told me they wanted to see me do it. Some higher-up people in the organization came to me and told me that they would like to see me do it,” Sky said.
“It’s not a way that I wanted to break into wrestling. But if someone is basically telling you that they want to see you do this, then you do it. You bite the bullet and you do it.
“Everything happens for a reason, and it just wasn’t my time then. I’m glad I didn’t get through.”
– Chavo Guerrero spoke out after being attacked by Gunner and Kid Kash on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast on Spike TV.
http://youtu.be/BEC3KojwTz0
– Impact Wrestling senior official Earl Hebner posted an inappropriate message on his Twitter account Thursday night—likely meant as a private message to a user he is following.
The message stated, “I Will take ur blow j when u are ready 2 give it 2 me.”
Though the post was hastily deleted, it was noted by multiple users on the website.
– Despite her departure from TNA Wrestling in April, Traci Brooks is still featured on the company website’s Knockouts page.
Don’t miss TNA IMPACT WRESTLING every Thursday night LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV! If you can’t watch Thursday, don’t forget to set your DVR to record it! It’s two hours of Total Nonstop Action featuring your favorite wrestling superstars – including “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, “The Icon” Sting, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam, “Cowboy” James Storm, the lovely and lethal Knockouts, the high-flying X Division athletes and many more! TNA IMPACT WRESTLING takes place from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida! IMPACT WRESTLING is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling, airing in over 120 countries worldwide!
Preview Thursday’s huge LIVE broadcast as the road to the August 12 “Hardcore Justice” Pay-Per-View event continues:
-Last week accusations flew that James Storm may be involved with Aces and 8s. Could there possibly be any truth to these rumors?
– IMPACT will feature a HUGE Bound For Glory Series main event match as Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle battles “Cowboy” James Storm! The competition for a shot at the World Title at “Bound For Glory” continues with two former World Champions battling on Thursday night on SpikeTV!
– In tag team action, World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries teams with newcomer Kenny King against Bobby Roode and X Division Champion Zema Ion
– TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan makes her return to IMPACT for the first time since the brutal attack by The Aces & 8s gang on her legendary father, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan
– In Knockouts action, it will be Mickie James vs. Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne vs. Tara in a four-way #1 Contenders match for a shot at the Knockouts Championship
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV
Velvet Sky, who developed a rabid following courtesy of her skimpy attire and suggestive ring entrances, is gone from TNA Impact Wrestling. The wrestling starlet announced Thursday that she has been granted her release from the organization.
“I have been granted my release by TNA at this time. It’s what’s best for me right now and I wanted to thank TNA and all the fans for their constant support in me. Stay tuned though,” she wrote on Twitter.
“And I also want to thank Vince Russo for creating and believing in the team of The Beautiful People. We had a great run! @Actualalove.”
Multiple online outlets reported this week that the popular female grappler was parting ways with TNA due to a contract dispute. She had been with the organization since the inception of the Knockouts division in October 2007.
– Spike TV indicated Wednesday that there have been talks of maintaining Impact Wrestling as a live program on Thursday nights once its scheduled run concludes at the end of the summer. If no commitment is made, TNA will resume taping the program on a bi-weekly basis.
– Chris Mordetzky, formerly known as Chris Masters in WWE, posted a message on Twitter promoting tonight’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast: “Make sure u check out @IMPACTWRESTLING tonight!”
Masters has been campaigning for a roster spot in the promotion after competing in a dark match last month. He also took part in their satellite promotion, Ring Ka King, earlier this year.
– Christopher Daniels defeated Robbie E in a “Bound For Glory Series” match on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion.
– Matt Morgan continues to suggest via Twitter that he will not return to TNA Wrestling after reportedly fulfilling his contractual obligations with the organization last month. When asked when he will return to Impact Wrestling, he replied, “I’d say somewhere in between NEVER and EVER.” He then responded “sooner vs. later” in regards to appearing on any television show again. In response to a potential return to WWE, he once again wrote, “Tick-Tock…..”
– Lending credence to rumors of Velvet Sky’s apparent departure from TNA Wrestling, all references to the popular female grappler have been removed from the company website’s Knockouts photo gallery page. Her profile was removed from their roster index Wednesday but returned later after news of the edit surfaced online. She is advertised to appear on iPPV for Pro Wrestling Syndicate on September 14, which would indicate that she is no longer affiliated with TNA since contracted talent are prohibited from appearing on broadcasts for other wrestling organizations.
– None of the wrestlers used in the X Division Tournament to determine a new TNA X Division Champion have reappeared since Destination X. According to the Wrestling Observer, their status currently remains uncertain.
– Former TNA star Murphy turns 38 years old Wednesday.
– Lending confusion to Velvet Sky’s contractual status with TNA Wrestling amidst rumors that her tenure is drawing near, the popular female wrestler’s profile was removed from their roster index Wednesday before being placed back after news spread online. Though she remains listed as a member of the active roster, another online sign would confirm that she is no longer affiliated with the organization.
Sky is advertised to appear on iPPV for Pro Wrestling Syndicate on September 14—event taking place at the Rahway Recreation Center in Rahway, New Jersey. Though contracted TNA Wrestling talent are permitted to appear for independent wrestling promotions, they are prohibited from appearing on shows which are broadcast.
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday that an Interim General Manager for Impact Wrestling will be appointed in the opening segment of Thursday’s live show.
“While Hulk Hogan is recovering, I’ve asked another man to step in and take control,” she tweeted. “He appears right at 8/7 Central on (Spike TV) tomorrow.
– Tickets for TNA Wrestling’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view event on October 14 in Phoenix, Arizona go on sale this Friday (10:00 a.m. MST/1:00 p.m. EDT) at the Grand Canyon University Arena box office, GCUArena.com or charge by phone at 602-639-8999.
To add more confusion to Velvet Sky’s contractual status with TNA Wrestling, the popular female grappler’s profile was removed from the company website’s roster index Wednesday and promptly placed back after word spread online.
Since TNA rarely acknowledges talent departures, a profile removal from the roster page of ImpactWrestling.com generally indicates a parting of ways. On the other hand, Ric Flair remains listed as a member of the active roster after TNA terminated his contract on May 11, 2012, according to court documents filed in their lawsuit against WWE for interference with existing contracts. The page edit comes on the heels of multiple online outlets reporting earlier this week that she was on her way out of the company due to a contract dispute.
Sky, who has been with TNA since the inception of the Knockouts division in October 2007, last appeared for the organization at a BaseBrawl event in Memphis, Tennessee on July 14. She is presently booked for a Legends of the Ring convention in Monroe, New Jersey the same weekend that TNA holds its annual Bound for Glory festivities. She has tweeted recently about holding a “Beautiful People” reunion tour outside of TNA auspices with Angelina Love, who recently left the company.
Mr. Anderson joined Washington Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker and Chuck Carroll on this week’s “4th & Pain”—the only pro wrestling show hosted by an NFL player. More information on the show is available at 4thandpain.com. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
Is he still happy in pro wrestling?: “I really am. And I think I’ve been reinvigorated. I took some time off a few months back… I took about four months off and took care of some personal things and just cleared my head. I’ve been in the business now for 13 years and was part of that major wrestling corporation for six or seven years. And the fact that we don’t have an offseason and we go 52 weeks each year–that’s what a lot of people don’t realize–it does take its toll on your body, takes its toll on your mind. I will say that it’s gone in waves. I’ve had some big ups in my career and I’ve had some lows. But overall I’m happy with every single thing I’ve done. I’m happy with the mistakes that I’ve made because I’ve learned from those mistake. I’m very happy with our company right now and the direction that it’s going. I hope our fans are as excited about it as we are.”
How he got the idea to announce his name twice: “The microphone fun and two-time name announcing began in high school when he was tasked with creating a fake radio advertisement for invisible underwear. No, we’re not making this up.”
The teacher encouraged him to get into radio and shortly there after he began announcing for the school’s basketball games. It was there he would “add a little flare” and say the last names of the players twice.
Flash forward 15 years later he was in Ohio Valley Wrestling and it happened . . .
“I’m down at OVW and Paul Heyman suggested to me that I go out to the ring and announce myself,” Anderson told the 4th & Pain crew. “And that was just something… I threw in the last Anderson, the second Anderson and I came I came back through the curtain everybody was like, ‘That was awesome when you said your last name twice.’ And it turned out that was what it took to get me to the dance. It seems so stupid, but just saying my last name twice… It’s just those little things. ”
When Anderson’s wrestling days are over he will have a future as a journalist. He asked Adam a question he’d never been asked in the three years he’s been with the Redskins. The answer, for Redskins fans, was shocking!
The New World Order created chaos in the ranks of World Championship Wrestling as the renegade faction sought success by any means necessary. Now, group founder Kevin Nash is looking to reform the nefarious faction and run roughshod over the world of wrestling once again.
“A lot of you wanted an NWO reunion, there will be one. As you know we only come in take over mode. Stay tuned!!!,” he announced Tuesday night via Twitter.
The group’s reformation could take place in WWE and if Nash has his wish fulfilled, with CM Punk as their leader. Nash tweeted to a fan that he wants the WWE Champion as group captain with the “NWO army to protect the gold.”
“Rock will never walk out of the Rumble with the belt. We got Phil’s back,” he adds.
Meanwhile, TNA Wrestling executive Eric Bischoff re-tweeted Nash’s announcement reading “A lot of you wanted an NWO reunion, there will be one. As you know we only come in take over mode. Stay tuned!!!”
Velvet Sky could be leaving Total Nonstop Action Wrestling just as her former “Beautiful People” mate Angelina Love did. ProWrestling.net has confirmed PWInsider.com’s report that the popular grappler is on the verge of parting ways with company due to a contract dispute.
Bruce Prichard, who serves as Talent Relations for the organization, has reportedly asked numerous wrestlers to restructure their contracts. A company source says some talent who have time remaining on their deals are among those being asked to restructure, even if they’re due for raises. Many of those individuals believe they are being presented with “take it or leave it” type offers. Sky is not believed to be among those asked to restructure their contract, but rather, her contract is expiring. She has told colleagues that she is not happy with how the negotiations are going.
Sky, who has been with TNA since the inception of the Knockouts division in October 2007, last appeared at a BaseBrawl event in Memphis, Tennessee on July 14. She is presently booked for a Legends of the Ring convention in Monroe, New Jersey the same weekend that TNA holds its annual Bound for Glory festivities. Sky often responds to online rumors via Twitter, but has yet to address the matter.
