Allie recently spoke with Sportskeeda to talk about various topics. Here are the highlights:
Jeff Jarrett no longer being with Impact Wrestling:
“Well, I had a really good relationship with Jeff. I knew Jeff when Braxton [Sutter] and I actually worked for Global Force in the UK. We did a tour, and we also did some of his shows around the US, so both Karen and Jeff we knew pretty well. They’ve really been great with us. I’ve had a great relationship with both of them for a while. We haven’t been back at TV, so it’s gonna be different without them, but I know the company is in really good hands, so I’m not too worried.” Working with Gail Kim: “Well, I’ve looked up to Gail since before I started wrestling and I actually heard so many stories about her at the school I was training in — Squared Circle Training – Gail also did some training at that school. So, I heard so much about Gail, how athletic she was, how amazing she was. Then to be able to debut for Impact Wrestling against Gail, and now flash forward to Bound For Glory to be able to share the ring with her during her retirement year, it’s kinda like mind-blowing for me and it’s an honor to share the ring with her.” You can read the entire interview here.
On this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, it was announced that Taryn Terrell has been pulled from Bound For Glory, where she was scheduled to be part of the Fatal 4-Way Knockouts Championship match. Sienna will now the Knockouts Title in a Triple Threat match against Allie and Gail Kim.
The reason given for Terrell’s absence is that she is medically cleared to compete after being slapped by Gail Kim last week. On Friday morning, Impact revealed that Terrell is no longer with the company and wished her well in the next chapter of her career.
Update: @IAmTarynTerrell & #IMPACT are mutually parting ways. Taryn would like to pursue other career options and she has our full support. We wish Taryn well in whatever she does next. pic.twitter.com/3PzY541t2u
Taryn returned to Impact Wrestling over the summer during the company’s Destination X special where she attacked Gail Kim during her Knockouts Title match against Sienna, costing her the match.
The news of Taryn Terrell leaving Impact Wrestling follows the recent departures of Jim Cornette, Davey Richards, Robbie E, Low Ki, Da Pope, Tyrus, Al Snow and Brandi Rhodes.
Magnus is one of the many stars who left TNA amidst of their financial crisis back in 2015. He returned to the company as a result of the GFW-Impact merge but didn’t stay with them for long and left once again within 6 months, back in May this year.
The former TNA Star recently had an interview with CLICKON Sports where among other things, he also revealed why he didn’t re-sign with the company. Below are some of the highlights from his interview:
On becoming a father:
“The real turning point for me was becoming a father. I sometimes joke that I wish that had happened [becoming World Champion] a year earlier, because we found out Mickie was pregnant whilst I was World Champion. It just calmed me down and gave me so much more of a level head, and created so much more of a perspective. I stopped blowing up about small, unnecessary things and focused on the bigger picture”
Becoming World Champion:
“They [pundits] like to believe this false rhetoric that Dixie had it in her mind from day one that this guy was going to be the top guy, almost like I was handed stuff. People forget that I started there in 2009 and got the title in 2013. I had worked every spot on the card, I’d been in tag teams, factions, I’d had all sorts of different responsibilities. I held the ratings well, live events well, and had a strong impact on the UK market. I was proud of myself.”
Why he left TNA:
“The business model there was vulnerable. They had one major client which was Spike TV, and the big vulnerability there was that if that relationship ended then we knew it wasn’t gonna be around. I was safe for another year and a bit because I had a guaranteed contract, and I kind of said when this expires let’s go our separate ways.”
Wrestling in future:
“I’m not saying wrestling is on the back burner, but I’m not going to go and fall down for money as much when I have to run businesses and have to take care of my kid. But if an opportunity comes up, I’m still there.”
Causal Wrestling fans only know MVP for his stint with WWE but the former United States Champion has worked for many famous wrestling companies in his career so far including TNA, Lucha Underground and more.
The former WWE Star who is currently working for NJPW recently had an interview with The Roman Show where he talked about a variety of wrestling related topics. Below are some of the highlights from his interview:
Pitching New Japan World to The NJPW President in 2011:
“I remember having a meeting with President Naoki Sugabayashi in 2011 and I pitched New Japan World back then because there is a huge English speaking audience that wanted access to the product,” MVP recalled. “I guess it was just matter of timing.”
Mismanagement of TNA:
“I don’t know what to say about them it’s constant mismanagement. Some of the greatest talent came from there, guys like Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, Bobby Roode. You have all these guys that aren’t there anymore. TNA was must successful under Jeff Jarrett’s leadership. Under Dixie Carter, it spiraled under. I was hoping Jeff Jarrett would raise it, but I don’t know, it remains to be seen.”
If TNA should shut down:
“Our industry needs TNA. I never understood fans that hoped TNA goes out of business. We need a strong solid company for guys to continue to work that can make money and do well. That’s just stupid to me. I don’t like orange soda, but I don’t wish Sunkist goes out of business. I just don’t drink it.”
His favorite wrestling company:
“New Japan is my personal favorite wrestling company. Working there was my dream. It was my dream to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome. I am happy the WWE Universe is being exposed, in my opinion, to the best wrestling on the planet.”
– We noted before how Alberto El Patron was expected to return to GFW TV during the Bound For Glory PPV on November 5th and now the company has confirmed these reports. They announced his return for the upcoming PPV during the latest episode of Impact Wrestling via the following promo:
Alberto Del Rio was suspended by GFW back in July this year after the infamous airport incident involving his girlfriend Paige. He was the GFW World Champion at the time of his suspension though the company later stripped him of the title.
-Below is an interesting video of the upcoming WWE 2K18 game posted by Xavier Woods’ Youtube channel UpUpDownDown in which, Braun Strowman is seen doing the entrance of The New Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto:
Impact Wrestling’s James Storm recently took part in a media conference call and talked about a number of wrestling-related topics. Below are some of the highlights from the call courtesy of WrestlingInc:
On being in the ring with The Hardy Boyz:
“Any time I can get in the ring with Matt and Jeff is fun because they’re so over,” the Cowboy says. “It doesn’t really matter what happens in the match, the crowd’s going to be so excited and have fun. It goes to show you how over the Hardys are and have been for the last 15 years. Whether I was a good guy wrestling evil Matt or whether I’m a bad guy wrestling the Enigma Jeff Hardy, it’s always fun.”
Young Bucks not protecting the Superkick by using it numerous times in a match:
“I think if they want to do it, it’s up to them, They make money off it; other people do it. That’s fine. But when I’m in a match with someone, it only gets used once. I always say, they can knock people down with theirs, but I knock people out. You didn’t see Shawn Michaels throwing four, five, six superkicks in a match. It’s just one of those things – Shawn protected it, I’ve been using it for 15 years. Any time I’m in the ring, I try to protect it as well.”
Earlier today, Anthem Sports & Entertainment launched the Global Wrestling Network, an over-the-top streaming network featuring the “the entire IMPACT Wrestling library, including every classic pay-per-view event, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events and cards from international promotions and partners, classic content from old territories, over 1,000 hours of original programming, plus the ability to purchase premium live pay-per-view events.”
The subscriptions cost $7.99 per month, but several fans were quick to point out that the Global Wrestling Network website is a non-secure Wordpress site – meaning that credit card information submitted could be stolen by hackers.
SEScoops.com contributor David Bixenspan also spotted several ‘LOLTNA’ aspects of the operation, including the fact that the man who developed the site left Anthem last month after less than a year with the company.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment, parent company of Impact Wrestling, has officially launched the Global Wrestling Network – an over-the-top streaming service.
The service features “the entire IMPACT Wrestling library, including every classic pay-per-view event, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events and cards from international promotions and partners, classic content from old territories, over 1,000 hours of original programming, plus the ability to purchase premium live pay-per-view events.”
The Global Wrestling Network will be available on all major over-the-top (OTT) platforms and devices, including web at GlobalWrestlingNetwork.com, iOS and Android, and coming soon to Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs.
A premium subscription will be priced at just US$7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members. The subscription tier offers access to the weekly Impact Wrestling shows (where available).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ry9Th8xrnk
Here’s the official press release:
Anthem Launches Global Wrestling Network Multi-Platform Digital Service
NASHVILLE | TORONTO – Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., the parent company of IMPACT Wrestling, announced today the launch of the Global Wrestling Network, a multi-platform digital service designed to give fans around the world instant 24-hour access to the extensive IMPACT Wrestling library, including every classic pay-per-view event, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events and cards from international promotions and partners, classic content from old territories, over 1,000 hours of original programming, plus the ability to purchase premium live pay-per-view events.
Global Wrestling Network will be available on all major over-the-top (OTT) platforms and devices, including web at GlobalWrestlingNetwork.com, iOS and Android, and coming soon to Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV and Smart TVs. A premium subscription will be priced at just US$7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members.
Members will also have free access to episodes of the weekly flagship show IMPACT!, as well as new weekly episodes of Xplosion and other original digital content featuring top professional wrestling stars, including Eli Drake, Bobby Lashley, EC3, Eddie Edwards, James Storm, the high-flying X-Division, the lovely and lethal Knockouts, including Sienna, Rosemary and Gail Kim, and talent from international partner promotions such as Johnny Impact, Naomichi Marufuji and El Hijo del Fantasma.
“Within just one year, we have made tremendous progress by re-branding and re-energizing the IMPACT Wrestling product,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “The launch of the Global Wrestling Network marks a significant milestone in the brand’s digital growth and international expansion. Working with our partners, GWN will create, acquire and curate content from various promotions around the globe to become the leading provider of independent professional wrestling content in the world.”
Programming from IMPACT Wrestling’s 15-year library showcases household industry names such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and many more.
Impact Wrestling held a media conference call featuring James Storm earlier this week. Storm spoke about his current relationship with former tag team partner Bobby Roode, his short stint in NXT back in 2015 and more.
Here are some highlights of what James Storm said about:
The perception that TNA used to sign WWE castoffs:
“I tell fans all the time; they don’t get it. The talent looks at this as a business. So many fans look at it like, ‘oh well, he’s a sell-out. It’s not like that. We have to provide for our families so wherever we have to go to get work, that’s what we’re going to do. It seems to get over looked when the WWE picks up TNA guys, but as soon as TNA Impact picks up a WWE guy, ‘oh, they’re picking up a WWE guy, blah, blah, blah’. That’s not really fair for the guy because he’s just looking for a place to provide for his family.”
The reason why he ultimately decided against a run in NXT in 2015:
“A lot of people say it was money, but it wasn’t. It was a family thing. Hunter told me they’d run 100-125 shows over the next two years. My wife wanted to have another kid, but she had to do shots, and I had to be at home a lot more. It was a decision: do I go and live this crazy of wrestling in the WWE or do I stay home and help my wife have another child that she wants? I decided that my family was what is really important to me.”
His current relationship with former longtime tag-team partner Bobby Roode:
“I’ll shoot him a text every now and then. I’ll text him and say congratulations because that guy definitely has earned everything that he’s got coming to him. He proved what he proved here, that he can get in the ring with anyone. I always say, if he can go on and make a living, which is what he’s doing, the best to him. I wish him nothing but good luck.”
‘Cowboy’ James Storm is one of the TNA Originals who first signed with the company back in 2002 and has been with them for the majority of the time ever since.
The former World Champion recently had an interview with WrestlingInc where he talked about the company which has been his home for so many years and more. Below are some of the highlights from his interview:
On the rebranding of the company:
“I’m so used to calling it TNA, just because I’ve been here for 15 years, I know a lot of other guys still refer to it as TNA. But I think it’s just the lettering – especially here in the States, when you tell someone you wrestle for TNA, they look at you like you’re a weirdo because they think something totally different – but I think it should just be called Impact Wrestling. Plain and simple. That’s what the name of the show is, that’s what a lot of wrestling fans are accustomed to. But at the end of the day, that’s not my call.”
On how Impact can improve:
“We don’t have the John Cena or even the Roman Reigns. With Impact, it seems like they try to make everybody on the same level; being in the wrestling business 20 years, I’ve never had it be like that,” he says. “To me, it seems like in Impact they try to have everyone on the same level and everyone’s fighting for the same title. Whereas, to me, I think you should have your main event guys, and you have your undercard and undercard title, and all of the undercard guys are working to get to that spot.”
On where his journey in GFW is headed next:
“There’s a lot that I can’t really talk about, but I always say: you never know what the future holds. There might be a new door opening, I don’t know. All I can do is work my butt off, get in the best shape I can, just show up to work and do what I’m told.”
You can check out the complete interview of James Storm here.
Lucha Underground Star Taya Valkyrie who made her Impact Wrestling debut last month was recently interviewed by Wrestling Epicenter where she talked about a number of Wrestling related topics. Below are the highlights from her interview:
On her debut with Impact Wrestling:
“This is only the beginning! It’s been amazing! It is so different from what I’m used to like being in AAA and Lucha Underground, but that’s what is exciting! I try to always evolve as a wrestler and a performer and as a character. I just think this was a natural progression and next natural step in my career.”
How Impact is different from AAA or Lucha Underground:
“[Laughs] Everything about it is different! It is a totally different roster, obviously, so I’m facing women I’ve never faced before who all wrestle in different styles. I’m Canadian, but I also spent 5 years of my life in Mexico in AAA. It’s just so different. The speed is different. We’re wrestling to the left instead of the right. The ring is different. The fans are completely different! But, it’s cool! It’s a challenge just like anything, but, you know, I’ve started at the bottom and came up from there always. I’ve always had these challenges throughout my career and different barriers I have to break through and create a name for myself. This is just one more opportunity to do so!”
On the infamous Sexy Star shoot incident:
“I was just so disappointed. I was in LA watching, I was not in Mexico, even though some people try to say that I was. I was just so disappointed in the whole situation because I consider myself to be the face … Heavily involved within the Lucha Libre world. It was really sad for me to watch. I don’t think I really want to say too much about it because I think it has been talked about enough. Some people just don’t deserve that attention, but I just think that everyone’s true colors show in the end.”
Apart from this, Taya also talked about her boyfriend Johnny Impact and how she is on her own at Impact.
Eddie Kingston announced today that he is no longer with Impact Wrestling.
Kingston made his debut with the company in 2016 as a member of the DCC (Death Crew Council). Prior to GFW/Impact Wrestling, he wrestled for Ring of Honor from 2006-2014.
Kingston wrote on Twitter that he is now accepting independent bookings:
Billy Corgan recently spoke with Sports Illustrated about his future plans for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) brand, his time working for Impact Wrestling and his time working with Impact Wrestling. Here are the highlights of what Corgan said about: The Future of the NWA: “We want to be part of a new revolution of how wrestling can be consumed by fans and matches can be presented. This NWA brand dates back to 1948. The past few years have not been as kind as we would have liked, but we plan on building this into a powerhouse over time. Our focus is on the NWA plan, and we have a 20-year plan. We’re not going to just come in and throw money around for two years.
We’ve learned from the past mistakes of TNA, which we have intimate knowledge of. We’re armed with this knowledge, and we’re setting out to rebuild the brand so a fan that currently doesn’t know anything about the NWA will respect the tradition and also respect what we’re trying to accomplish, like a Ring of Honor or a New Japan. That’s where we are starting, and we’re building from there.”
His time in Impact Wrestling: “I was very, very frustrated by the obstacles I faced internally, both culturally and fiscally, at TNA. I dealt with a lot of backstabbing and lies. I was able to push through some things that ended up being successful at TNA, and I was very frustrated because you would think the success would have led to more leverage and further opportunities. But it was exactly the opposite.
People were out to get me because I had power. At least now, in this situation, I am my own boss. You have to build your own infrastructure from the bottom up and work with people you really trust. The traditional ‘carny’ aspect of the wrestling business that plagues a lot of companies, and has plagued a company like TNA, are problems that hold the business back. You can’t run an effective business if it’s like Game of Thrones every week.” You can read the entire interview here.
Here are some Impact Wrestling news items, courtesy of PWInsider:
– John Gaburick of Impact Wrestling revealed earlier this month that Alberto El Patron is set to return from his suspension at Bound For Glory on November 5th. During a media conference call, he said:
“We have plans for Alberto, we’re excited that he’s gonna be coming back at Bound For Glory, We’re excited about the future for Alberto, he’s an amazing talent and as a creative group we’re really excited to come up with some real cool scenarios and stories for him in the upcoming months.”
There had been rumors of Alberto facing either Rey Mysterio or Jeff Jarrett at the PPV, both those plans were scrapped since the Mystery negotiations fell through and Jarrett is on indefinite leave from the promotion.
Alberto’s BFG opponent has yet to be announced, but he’s expected to get a big push when he returns.
– Speaking of Gaburick, he’s been taking the lead at creative meetings and conference calls with talent in recent weeks. Impact President Ed Nordholm’s role has been scaled back in terms of day-to-day operations, but he’s still involved in the company’s business affairs.
– Impact Wrestling will not be returning to Universal Studios in Orlando any time soon. With Bound For Glory taking place from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the company will be holding the next round of tapings the week following BFG from Ottawa. Those tapings should take them through the end of the year.
As for early 2018, Impact Wrestling has discussed holding tapings from New York City, Chicago and Toronto. There had been talks of holding a live event from Chicago later this year, but it seems those plans are on hold.
Thank u @RobbieEImpact for all the years teaching me how to work the gimmick, how to get free stuff and how to GET IT. I miss my friend guys pic.twitter.com/hPamCH571o
Impact Wrestling announced on Monday that Bound for Glory will take place on November 5th from the Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The venue will also host five days of Impact TV tapings on November 6-10.
During an interview with OttawaCitizen.com, Impact president Ed Nordholm was asked why they are aren’t running a larger arena instead of the Aberdeen Pavilion, where they are expecting around 500 fans in attendance.
“We’re legacy people,” Nordholm said. “It’s a great facility with a rich history. An arena would be a big place for us to sell. We want to have a venue with an intimacy with the crowd. The crowd will pack it rather than be spread out through it. It’s just the right size, it’ll ensure we can get people in the stands where they’ll have a connection with our wrestlers and vice-versa.”
Nordholm continued, “Our tagline is Less Talk More Action. It’s a style of wrestling that focuses more on the action in the ring than in the storylines. Not to take anything away from WWE, that is their product and they obviously do a spectacular job. But we have a very good show with talented wrestlers, athletic wrestlers.”
It’s worth noting that once again, there were no references to Global Force during the interview.
Impact Wrestling announcer Josh Mathews joined Interactive Wrestling Radio this week to discuss the turmoil in GFW/Impact, his time in WWE and almost joining the broadcasting team of Lucha Underground. Here are the highlights:
The Global Wrestling Network streaming service:
“It is super exciting. In 2017 and going forward, I think you almost have to have a footprint and a presence on these OTT platforms. Not only will we have Global Wrestling Network, GWN, but we’ll also be on Pluto TV which is a streaming over the top service – free service. We are also on Rock Fighting in Germany, that launched last week. We are really growing exponentially digitally. So, it is an extremely exciting time for all of us here.”
Why there are always reports of GFW/TNA’s Demise:
“I don’t know. I wish I knew. At this point, it becomes white noise. We’ve seen it so many times. Even when I was in WWE for 13 years, you’d see it monthly or weekly that Impact or TNA, whatever it was going by at that time, was going away and wasn’t going to exist anymore. Now being here, and defending it, and constantly seeing these stories that I call “The Fake News”, it gets tiresome. You have to stop looking at it, stop paying attention to it and just know where we’re going and know what we’re building towards.”
Why he never worked that first TNA Wednesday PPV He Was Booked On:
“Because i got an offer from WWE to work there and that was, at the time, my number one priority. I was able to tear up the contract that I had with this company and go and pursue the opportunity and the goal that I had set for myself from a very young age and get to experience my career there before I came here.”
How WWE knew he wanted to be an announcer:
“When Season 2 of Tough Enough ended and they flew us back to do… What do they call those? Reunion episode! It was there that I was approached to be an announcer. I flew to New York a few weeks later. They just saw me having fun, not really caring about what was happening. It was two long days of filming. I was in New York which is my favorite place in the world, and they saw me just having fun and they thought that was something they could put on television. At the same time, I was talking to MTV about being a VJ. This was before they changed everything and got rid of the VJ… So, the hosting was an opportunity that presented itself to me that I never saw coming when I was training to be a wrestler.”
The “Greatest Play by Play Guy” Tweet Turning Him Heel:
“No, because I had been saying it for a while! (laughs) It wasn’t something I had come up with that day. I said it when I left (WWE), I said it to Wade Keller the next day! I said it on numerous platforms. And, I said my contract not being renewed from there (WWE) had nothing to do with talent. That was the only issue I had with them. I believe it, I said it, it had legs, and we ran with it.”
Advice for announcers that call indy shows:
“Well you have to remember it isn’t about you calling it. The best advice I ever got was if I get someone over, I get over in the process. So, if I get a talent over, I’m getting over and that is just the way it was presented to me at a very young age. It didn’t really sink in until a few years later. But, if I can get someone else over I am getting myself over without trying.”
Vince McMahon the commentator being an influence:
“Absolutely! He was the second half of my career, he was the audience that I was working to – Not that I was trying to appease one audience, I’ve heard that said in the past. But, he’s the one that is listening to every word that you’re saying while you’re calling his shows and he wants you to call them a certain way.”
Getting used to saying “Wrestling” After WWE:
“Not really. I still don’t say it a whole lot. I also didn’t say TNA even though it was the name of the company for 2 and a half years while I was calling shows because it was something that I just didn’t like. You find ways around it. Look, they are bigger than wrestlers. They are bigger than wrestling! So, you can change it and call them stars. I love the branding of Knockouts – I think that works super well. I think the Knockouts, that branding, is better than any branding of female wrestlers anywhere. Stars just seems to fit with the male talent – athletes. There are ways to work around it if you don’t want to use the word “wrestlers”. Look, I wasn’t allowed to say the word “belt” for a number of years but I still don’t think you should call it a belt – It’s a championship!”
Almost joining Lucha Underground:
“I had a contract in my home office for both companies – A Lucha Underground one and one to come here to Nashville. I decided to come here. Lucha was kind of always there. I was in LA when they were getting ready to tape their first shows. I was working on another project. Their play by play guy couldn’t make it. Again, they called me. “We know you’re here. You’re right down the street. You don’t have to sign a contract. You can come up with whatever you want. We’re really in a bind here.” I stuck with the decision I made to come here to Impact and not pursue what they were doing even though it was very tempting after seeing an episode and seeing what they were doing, it was very tempting to go and be a part of Lucha Underground.”
His thoughts on Lucha Underground’s product:
“Honestly, this isn’t me trying to make a joke or be insulting but I don’t watch it. The only wrestling that I watch is our product. Everything we produce, I watch. And then, I’m wrestling’d out after watching all of our stuff. (laughs) I have so many different interests and so many other things that I don’t have time, or the desire quite frankly, to watch any other wrestling.”
His on-air feud with Jeremy Borash:
“It was fun! It was a little uneasy at times. Looking back, and I don’t look back at anything, I think the outcome got us to where we want to be and especially going forward. That is the most important thing to me.”
If Mike Tenay was considered to call Slammiversary 2017:
“Yes he was. I don’t know what happened. But, I do know that yes, he was.”
If wrestling at Slammiversary made him want to wrestle more again:
“No, I think it put all of that to rest for me. No, I never had a desire to do that once my career went on this path. I did it willingly. I had fun. But, it is not something that I regret, the decision.”
The future of GFW Imapct Wrestling:
“We’re moving at 5 to 10 yard increments. We’re not moving at Hair Mary’s. It is one of those deals where, you know, stick with us. We’re not going away. The reports of our demise have been greatly exagerated again.”
According to F4WOnline, Jim Cornette is done with Global Force Wrestling. Jim Cornette was called in by Jeff Jarrett in August to return to GFW. The agreement was for Cornette only to work one set of television tapings to help along few storylines. Those storylines being stripping Alberto El Patron of the GFW Championship, the on-screen firing of Bruce Prichard so he could return as a heel manager, and try to make Anthem Sports & Entertainment babyfaces to fans of Global Force Wrestling.
Cornette and Jarrett agreed that he would come back for Bound for Glory and then for a few days of tapings in November. However, Jeff Jarrett is no longer in the company and the company’s creative, headed by Scott D’Amore and Sonjay Dutt, are more focused on the in-ring product and less on authority figure angles.
Bound for Glory is set for the Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Canada on November 5th. GFW will also hold tapings November 6th through the 10th. Cornette hasn’t been to Canada since he was turned away at the border in 2010 due to his record of arrests from years ago, most of them were incidents involving fans who attacked him while he was a manager in the 80s. Cornette explained to Dutch Mantell that he would not be able to appear at Bound for Glory or the tapings since they were being held in Canada.
Cornette agreed to go to Nashville and do whatever needed to be done on camera for his storyline exit from the company, but as of now there are no plans for him. Cornette says there is no heat over his GFW departure and it was just a matter of circumstances. Cornette is expected to go into more detail about this on his podcast this Thursday.
Impact Wrestling has announced that this year’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view will take place on Sunday, November 5th from Ottowa, Canada. That’s right – Impact Wrestling.
The official press release as seen below contains no mention of Global Force Wrestling, the latest ‘mixed signal’ and sign of uncertainty regarding the company’s branding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUTqT9xIZiM
IMPACT Wrestling Announces ‘Bound for Glory’ Set for Nov. 5 in Ottawa, Canada Exclusively on PPV
NASHVILLE | TORONTO – IMPACT Wrestling, a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., announced today that Bound for Glory, its premier annual pay-per-view event, will be broadcast from the historic Aberdeen Pavilion in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, November 5, 2017.
The Aberdeen Pavilion will also play host to five days of IMPACT television tapings from Nov. 6 to Nov. 10. Ticket on-sale information for Bound for Glory and IMPACT will be revealed in the coming weeks.
“We are ecstatic and honored to bring our blockbuster event Bound for Glory to a Canadian venue rooted in cultural heritage and tradition,” said Ed Nordholm, president of IMPACT Wrestling. “Our loyal Canadian viewers on Fight Network and GameTV have been vocal supporters of IMPACT Wrestling over the years and we thought the nation’s capital would be a fitting place to stage our biggest event of the year. Canadian professional wrestling crowds have a reputation for their energy and enthusiasm, so we are excited to bring them an unforgettable night of action.”
Bound for Glory will feature World Champion Eli Drake, former champion Alberto el Patron and Johnny Impact, the holder of the Mega, Latin American and World Cruiserweight championship belts in Lucha Libre AAA, who will be making his inaugural Bound for Glory appearance. Bobby Lashley has unfinished business; will he return and will his cohorts from American Top Team, led by owner Dan Lambert, continue to meddle with his career? The Knockouts will collide as Hall of Famer Gail Kim works through her final year in professional wrestling, and the stars of the X-Division will bring their high-flying brand of athletics to the ring. International talent for the event will include El Hijo del Fantasma, Pagano and El Texano Jr. from Lucha Libre AAA.
Located in Lansdowne Park, the historic fairgrounds of Canada’s national capital, the 33,000-square foot Aberdeen Pavilion is an Ottawa landmark, which has been home to many significant events throughout the city’s history, including Stanley Cup challenge matches in 1904. Built in 1898 and inspired by London’s Crystal Palace, the venue was designated a national historic site of Canada because it is the only large-scale exhibition building in Canada surviving from the 19th century.
Showcasing some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, IMPACT airs on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Pop in the U.S., as well as Fight Network and GameTV across Canada.
GFW World Heavyweight Champion Eli Drake recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated to talk about several different topics. Here are the highlights:
Winning the GFW World Title:
“Once I heard the decision was made [to win the world title], I put a lot of extra pressure on myself to not relax or be complacent,” said Drake. “I actually started doubling up my workouts and I was in the ring two or three times a week extra just because I wanted my work in the ring, on the mic, and my conditioning to be second to none. If I’m going to be the face of the company, then I’m going to make sure I can go like nobody else.” Impact Wrestling competing with Thursday night football:
“I don’t like to use that as an excuse,” he said. “If we’re putting out a compelling product, then we should still have the eyeballs on our product. If you rewind about 20 years, and look at WWE in 1997, they were putting on a great product but nobody knew because WCW made such a loud noise via the NWO. It took WWE another year-and-a-half to make that big comeback, even though they were producing some great stuff with [Steve] Austin and DX.”
Global Force released a teaser video on Friday regarding the company’s upcoming Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 5th.
The teaser indicates that Bound For Glory may be held in the UK, but we’re told this is not what’s planned for the show. GFW officials decided over the last week that Bound For Glory will be held somewhere outside Orlando and the host city will be announced this coming Monday.
It’s also worth noting that the Bound For Glory logo featured in the video displays the “IMPACT!” logo, while a logo for the event released last week had the letters “GFW” in that space.
https://youtu.be/z1MT8GZ01rc
Update: GFW has released similar “Where will Bound For Glory land?” videos featuring footage from various other cities, including New York, Las Vegas and Mumbai:
https://youtu.be/8o-PUmeXkUA
The question of the day has been, "where will Bound For Glory land?" Let the speculation continue now. Where do you think? #BFG2017pic.twitter.com/UjIDdMEiHZ
Global Force Wrestling and Lucha Underground star Taya Valkyrie was the latest guest on Ring Rust Radio.
Topics discussed include her recent Impact Wrestling debut, the possibility of working with Johnny Impact in GFW, her elaborate ring entrance, GFW’s Women’s division, attending the finals of the Mae Young Classic tournament, the Sexy Star / Rosemary incident from AAA TripleMania XXV and the future of Lucha Underground.
Here are the highlights from the interview sent in by Donald Wood:
Ring Rust Radio: On the September 7th episode of Impact Wrestling, you made your GFW debut with a grand entrance and an attack on Rosemary. What ultimately went into your decision to sign with GFW and what was the signing process like?
Taya Valkyrie: I’m constantly trying to expand where I am wrestling and who I am wrestling and looking for the best female wrestlers everywhere, you know what I mean? Karen and Jeff had known me for about five years and they would come down to Mexico and work with AAA all the time. Karen and I would laugh about me coming to work with her and do her projects with her and stuff, but I just couldn’t. It was really an exciting thing to be asked to be a part of it. I am really happy and excited to see what happens. It’s a different opportunity, it’s a different demographic than the lucha libre crowd and I get to wrestle some girls that I’ve never worked with before. It’s a new challenge for me so I’m very excited.
Ring Rust Radio: You and Johnny have worked great together in Lucha Underground as part of Worldwide Underground, and now that you’re both in GFW there’s inevitably going to be questions about whether you’ll team up there as well. What’s your personal preference between either keeping that alliance alive in GFW or both of you just doing your own thing?
Taya Valkyrie: Throughout my entire career, I’ve always been part of factions. In Lucha Underground, I’m part of the Worldwide Underground. With this opportunity at GFW, I get to stand on my own. It’s exciting and it’s something I haven’t done before. You never know what the future will hold, and I’m so happy the way Johnny Impact is doing what he’s doing on his end in GFW. I’m excited to see and show that I can be on my own and hold my own by myself. So, it’s different and challenging. You never know what the future will hold as far as John and I working together or in a group, but for now I’m really excited for Taya Valkyrie and proving that I can do it about myself.
Ring Rust Radio: Your GFW debut featured an incredible entrance. What went into setting that up and what type of creative input or freedom do you currently have or think you’ll have moving forward at GFW?
Taya Valkyrie: Taya as a character I just find her to be another side of myself and it’s really cool to now have Taya Valkyrie in GFW be so different than Taya in Lucha Underground every week. I was the longest reigning Reina de Reinas champion and that’s where the Queen stuff comes from because Reina de Reinas means Queen of Queens. I’m of Norwegian background and the Taya Valkyrie you are seeing now is this dominant force, goddess, queen, bitch if you want put it any other words. This Taya is coming to dominate. Creatively, I always come with my own ideas and everyone is super open to my ideas and everything I have come up with so far so hopefully it keeps going that way.
Ring Rust Radio: You enter a GFW women’s division stacked with stars like Gail Kim, Rosemary, Sienna, Allie and more. Who are you most looking forward to squaring off against and what are your ultimate goals in GFW?
Taya Valkyrie: Obviously, my ultimate goal is to be the Knockouts champion, who doesn’t want that, you know what I mean? Right now, I’m just going to pick them off one by one and prove why I am there. I am going to prove my worth, demonstrate and show to everybody in the American public and the world stage which is the stage of GFW Impact, that I deserve to be there and why I am the longest reigning Queen of Queens champion. I am going to show them why I was given all these opportunities and show the knowledge that I’ve gained through the wrestling career that I’ve had.
Ring Rust Radio: There’s been so much buzz surrounding women’s wrestling in recent years, and one thing that really seems to be taking the wrestling world by storm currently is the Mae Young Classic. What are your impressions of the tournament if you’ve been following, and what kind of impact do you think it can have on women’s wrestling globally?
Taya Valkyrie: I was actually at the final last night here in Las Vegas. Anything that promotes women’s wrestling to me is a positive thing and I know so many girls and women that were in the tournament who are friends of mine. I follow their careers and for me I’m just so proud of being part of a movement that’s happening right now. I’m coming from a different side of it with the lucha libre world and stuff, but I’m just really excited to see what happens. Women, we main event now, we are not the arm candy. We are the ones breaking down barriers, breaking the rules, and I think the Mae Young Classic is just another part of that. I’m just happy that more eyeballs and people are seeing what women’s wrestling is and taking it seriously and not viewing it as a joke.
Ring Rust Radio: GFW, WWE and Lucha Underground are really leading the charge for women’s wrestling in the mainstream. What do you make of the way these companies promote their women wrestlers and what do you think yourself and the other women need to do to receive more main-event opportunities?
Taya Valkyrie: I just think we need to just keep doing what we’re doing and chipping away at it. I think we’re doing the right thing right now and we are proving it in the ring every single time. You’re seeing it at different indie shows and Lucha Underground and Impact and WWE. Given the opportunities that women have on these different rosters, we take it and we go with it. I just think we need to keep doing what we’re doing: working, training hard and making people that aren’t believers into believers. Slowly but surely we are proving it and that’s the most important thing to me.
Ring Rust Radio: One major topic of conversation in recent weeks has been the incident between Sexy Star and Rosemary. As a AAA veteran and someone who worked with both Sexy Star and Rosemary, what are your thoughts on the situation and how it was handled?
Taya Valkyrie: I don’t want to go too much into it because honestly, I don’t want to give more attention to something or someone that doesn’t need it. Rosemary is the nicest, most professional woman, and a fellow Canadian. Obviously, I had the privilege and continued privilege to work with her. I was so embarrassed and disappointed watching that match on a whole, not just the finish but the whole thing. I consider myself as an international woman and a face of what women’s wrestling is in AAA, and I just feel so embarrassed and I think basically that’s all I can say about it. It was so ridiculous to me, uncalled for and unprofessional. I was so disappointed and I continue to be disappointed by it. I just feel like it happened but it’ll never happen again. I hope to God it never happens again. I experienced similar situations in my five years being in AAA with different female wrestlers there in the Indies throughout Mexico because I am Canadian, I look different, it’s crazy to me, but it still exists. There are still people that are just out for themselves. It is what it is, but I’m so happy that Rosemary is doing better because I can’t wait to kick her ass.
Ring Rust Radio: There continues to be a lot of interest and support for Lucha Underground, especially with Ultima Lucha coming up soon, but I think there’s some concern from fans about whether a fourth season is going to happen. What would you like to see happen with Lucha Underground moving forward, and what’s your expectation with regard to whether there will be a fourth season?
Taya Valkyrie: Lucha Underground changed my life. As I mentioned in Jericho’s podcast, that is where I finally branched out to wrestling in the states, I met my fiancé there and it really changed my life. So, for me obviously I want to see a Season 4. We have so much fun when we are filming and the creative team, the entire roster we just create magic during those tapings. I just want to do it again, who doesn’t? So hopefully the fans keep watching it and supporting it and let’s hope to the Lucha Gods we get to do a Season 4. So far, we don’t really know what’s going on exactly but I’m really, really positive that with something as special as Lucha Underground we will be able to do it again. I am very confident, but I honestly don’t know. I still don’t know, but I just have faith. I always try to look at the shiny side of the whole situation and find something good in it. Yeah, we haven’t filmed in like 15 months or something, but I love creating that product. It’s so different from GFW and WWE. It something new and exciting and I get to be two characters. I am still under the name Taya obviously, but I truly believe that Lucha Underground and GFW are so different and I get to be a part of both. So, we will see what happens moving forward and hopefully Season 4 happens sooner rather than later.
Global Force wrestler Alberto El Patron announced on Twitter that he is suing Mexican wrestling promotion Federation Universal de Lucha Libre (FULL) for fraud.
El Patron claims FULL owes him 1,200,000 pesos (approximately $67,556 USD) for shows he worked on May 19th, 20th, 21st, and 27th.
Blue Demon Jr., Latin Lover, El Cibernetico, and Tinieblas Jr., were also allegedly not paid.
The statement notes, “We will announce the pertinent legal actions against these crimes committed.”
– GFW officials are planning to host a Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday, November 4th in Orlando, FL during Bound For Glory weekend. No word yet on who will be inducted this year. The current list of Hall of Fame inductees includes Team 3D, Gail Kim, Earl Hebner, Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle and Sting.
– The following is the updated line-up for tonight’s episode of GFW Impact Wrestling on Pop TV:
Garza Jr. vs. Braxton Sutter
El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Impact Grand Champion Ethan Carter III
OVE vs. GFW Tag Team Champions The LAX from Mexico
Falls Count Anywhere: Trevor Lee vs. GFW X Division Champion Sonjay Dutt
Low Ki vs. Johnny Impact to crown a new #1 contender to GFW Global Champion Eli Drake
Plus, Bobby Lashley reveals his decision about whether to continue pursuing pro wrestling or MMA.
Below is a promo for tonight’s Impact vs. Ki match:
We noted before that in the latest GFW meeting it was decided that Sonjay Dutt, Scott D’Amore and “Big” John Gaburick will be leading the Creative Team in future.
This trio recently held a media conference call to discuss various topics related to the company and during the call Gaburick revealed that Alberto El Patron will return at the Bound For Glory event on November 5:
“We have plans for Alberto, we’re excited that he’s gonna be coming back at Bound For Glory, We’re excited about the future for Alberto, he’s an amazing talent and as a creative group we’re really excited to come up with some real cool scenarios and stories for him in the upcoming months.”
It’s worth mentioning here that according to Wrestling Observer, the original plans for Alberto were for him to face either Jeff Jarret or Rey Mysterio at the PPV.
However, since the talks between Mysterio and GFW are dead and Jarret is also taking ‘indefinite leave of absence’ from the company, those plans are nixed now.
So it’d be interesting to see what the new creative team has planned for their former World Champion once he returns to the GFW programming.