IMPACT Wrestling has officially announced a new big signing in KUSHIDA as they build toward their TNA rebrand in 2024.

KUSHIDA has been working sporadically with IMPACT since 2022 but on December 13, the promotion announced that he’s signed with the company. No details or press release have been sent out , but IMPACT did send out their own style of graphic, akin to what AEW does when they announce a signing.

BREAKING: KUSHIDA signs with TNA Wrestling! pic.twitter.com/9JYC3IIGrl

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 13, 2023

KUSHIDA appeared on the Battleground Podcast and discussed his decision to make TNA his new home.

Kushida on signing with TNA:

“One of the reasons I chose TNA is because of my good friends Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. These two influenced my life. [We’re] all signed to same company—I can’t believe it. I’m so excited for next year.”

– via @battlegroundihr pic.twitter.com/PXbzwKBHJ9

— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) December 13, 2023

KUSHIDA really made a name for himself wrestling in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, teaming with current IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley as members of the Time Splitters. Over the course of three years from 2012 to 2015, the duo became two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

Shelley even had his second “cup of coffee” in WWE as the Time Splitters competed in the NXT 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The duo competed and lost in the first round to the Grizzled Young Veterans.

KUSHIDA’s time with WWE NXT was also about three years, making the most of his time with the black and gold brand. While there, he became the Cruiserweight Champion and ended up not re-signing with the company when his contract expired in 2022.

This led to him returning to NJPW and also in IMPACT. As expected, he re-aligned with Alex Shelley as the two and Chris Sabin formed a faction appropriately named Time Machine.

KUSHIDA did stop by All Elite Wrestling back at the beginning of 2023, competing against Darby Allin for the TNT Championship in a losing effort.

Kazuchika Okada is set to make his return to TNA Wrestling and his returning match has been announced.

Impact Wrestling is reverting back to TNA Wrestling once again next month. The promotion will usher in a new era with TNA Hard To Kill on Saturday, January 13 from The Palms in Las Vegas.

It has been announced that the following night, TNA will host another show ‘Snake Eyes’ from the same venue. They also recently announced the huge news that NJPW/AEW star Will Ospreay will wrestle in a TNA ring at Snake Eyes. Well, Ospreay is not the only one to make a huge mark on the show. 

A blockbuster announcement was made regarding Okada’s return to the promotion for the first time since 2011. It has now been announced that he will team up with Motor City Machine Guns in his returning match. Motor City Machine Guns recently teamed up with El Hijo del Vikingo and defeated Los Vipers (Abismo Negro Jr. & Latigo) & Trey Miguel.

On December 9, at IMPACT Final Resolution, it was revealed that Okada would make his long-awaited TNA comeback by teaming up with Motor City Machine Guns to face Moose, Brian Myers, and Eddie Edwards in a six-man tag match. 

BREAKING: @rainmakerXokada. @AlexShelley313 and @SuperChrisSabin will face @TheEddieEdwards, @TheMooseNation and @Myers_Wrestling at TNA #SnakeEyes on January 14 at the Palms in Las Vegas!

Get tickets HERE: https://t.co/uIMNT4ffq6 pic.twitter.com/ulJLOVurFt

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 10, 2023

Okada is currently one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. There have been a buzz about Okada becoming a free agent at the end of January. Though he is making his return to TNA Wrestling, the possibilities of signing with a different promotion still remains intact.

IMPACT Wrestling (soon to be TNA Wrestling) is set to team with Endeavor to deliver its TNA+ on-demand streaming service. 

IMPACT will make the move to TNA Wrestling official next month with their TNA Hard to Kill 2024 pay-per-view. The change was announced in the closing moments of Bound for Glory 2023 this past October. IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley recently told SE Scoops in an exclusive interview that the reaction to the name change has exceeded the expectations of those in IMPACT/TNA. 

In a statement, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Endeavor Streaming will power the new TNA+ app which will deliver “an enhanced user experience to all fans across the top streaming platforms.” The TNA+ service will come into effect on Friday, January 5, just eight days before TNA Hard to Kill 2024. The TNA+ app will feature a new look, expanded options and “increased functionality.” 

The TNA+ app will feature TNA’s full archive of content, in addition to exclusive original content and wrestler-created series. Users will even have the chance to interact with some of TNA’s top stars.

The New TNA+

IMPACT/TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore gave the following statement: 

“This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy. We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favorite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5.”

Pete Bellamy, Chief Commercial Officer at Endeavor Streaming, added: 

“Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalised OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience. We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”

Further details and subscription information for the new service can be found at TNAwrestling.com.

Endeavor is no stranger to the world of professional wrestling. In April of this year, the company reached a deal with WWE to acquire the Sports Entertainment juggernaut for $9.3 billion. This acquisition was finalized in September with the launch of TKO Group Holdings. 

Kazuchika Okada will soon make his first appearance for TNA Wrestling since 2011.

Impact Wrestling will become TNA Wrestling once again next month. Various aspects of the company are already reverting to the TNA branding and the first pay-per-view of the new era is TNA Hard To Kill on Saturday, January 13 from The Palms in Las Vegas.

The following night, TNA is running another show from the same venue, Snake Eyes. Impact/TNA recently announced the blockbuster news that NJPW/AEW star Will Ospreay will get his wish and wrestle in a TNA ring at Snake Eyes.  It turns out, Ospreay won’t be coming alone. 

.@rainmakerXokada RETURNS to TNA at #SnakeEyes at The Palms on Sunday, January 14th!

Get tickets and be there LIVE: https://t.co/uIMNT4ffq6#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/clys9Xtqvz

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 8, 2023

Okada in TNA

Okada wrestled for TNA a few times in 2010 and 2011. Associating with Samoa Joe, he played a character named Okato, who was similar to Green Hornet’s sidekick Kato. Years later, Okada shared strong negative feelings about the experience. The connection between NJPW and IMPACT was harmed by this role.  However, neither company, nor Okada himself, are the same as they were over a decade ago. 

BREAKING: @rainmakerXokada returns to TNA on January 14 at #SnakeEyes at the Palms in Las Vegas! @njpwglobal

Get tickets HERE: https://t.co/uIMNT4ffq6 pic.twitter.com/ONIXdcTLsj

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 8, 2023

Okada currently holds one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. This marks his first time he has held the title.

Okada will be a free agent at the end of January and recent reports suggest that a new deal with NJPW “would typically be underway”, but the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is “seriously entertaining the possibility of wrestling for a different promotion.”

Former TNA Wrestling star Anthony Mayweather, better known to fans as Crimson, has been arrested for violation of a protection order.

Mayweather, 38, made several calls to his juvenile son’s phone and sent several text messages to his wife, Heather Mayweather, despite the protection order against him prohibiting this.

The former TNA wrestler made these calls and sent these texts, even while police were present, according to Clarksvilletoday.com.

After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Mayweather was detained and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on March 8, and charged with contempt.

A judicial commissioner set his bond at $1,000, and Mayweather was previously arrested for headbutting his wife in 2016.

Crimson in TNA Wrestling

During his second tour of Iraq, Mayweather decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling and would train at the NWA Main Event school in Clarksville, TN.

In 2010, Mayweather competed in a series of dark matches for TNA, which resulted in him being signed and would debut as ‘Little Red,’ the brother of Amazing Red, that December.

Mayweather was reintroduced as ‘Crimson’ the following month and would go on a winning streak, which would include becoming World Tag Team Champions with Matt Morgan.

When the pair lost the titles (with Morgan being pinned) TNA stated that Crimson was still undefeated, and the newly-turned heel feuded with Morgan.

After a 470-day streak, Crimson’s undefeated streak was definitely broken by James Storm, who defeated him at Slammiversary 2012.

Crimson was moved to OVW for further conditioning shortly after, and would make appearances in 2015 and 2017 for TNA/Impact Wrestling.

El Generico was a huge fixture of the indie scene for years. Around 2012, he reportedly went to Mexico where he may or may not have been killed by the cartels. There’s allegedly an orphanage named after him.

There are reports that WWE’s Sami Zayn was close to El Generico. While the masked man spent many years in Ring of Honor before going to Mexico, he did take his talents to IMPACT Wrestling shortly before his alleged death.

“Lost” El Generico Matches

On their latest episode, DEADLOCK Podcast host, Johnny, called on IMPACT Wrestling to release the unaired matches.

Back in 2011, the “late” wrestler had tryout matches with what was then TNA Wrestling. In the first match, he lost to Amazing Red. The next day, he won a match against TJP.

IMPACT Wrestling tweeted that “two never before seen El Generico matches from 2011 against Amazing Red and TJP are available now for the first time ever on IMPACT Plus!”

• Paul Heyman: “I Can Guarantee You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Sami Zayn”

You do have to subscribe to IMPACT Plus to watch the lost matches.

A former Impact Knockouts Champion has left Impact Wrestling and may be competing with another promotion soon.

Wrestling free agency is becoming an interesting topic for fans. Talent that has signed with promotion fans are familiar with is exploring free agency to find a new home. One of the free agents expected to sign with a different wrestling promotion is former New Japan Pro Wrestling star, Jay White. Another potential free agent from All Elite Wrestling is reportedly looking at the free agency market soon.

A new report from PWInsider claims that a former Impact Knockouts Champion has wrapped up with the company and is now a free agent.

Spoiler on Former Knockouts Champion

The report shared that former Impact Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie has left Impact Wrestling and will be with a new promotion.

“Taya Valkyrie has finished up with Impact Wrestling as of their TV tapings in Las Vegas. As we noted at the time, Taya was not signed to Impact, and the word is that she is believed to be signing elsewhere,” said the report.

She is also the current MLW Women’s Featherweight Champion, and she teased a feud with Billie Starkz in a recent episode. If Valkyrie is to sign with a new promotion, she could drop the title soon.

Where Is She Expected To Go?

On the March 8 episode of AEW Dynamite, TBS Champion Jade Cargill issued an open challenge to a Canadian opponent for next week’s episode. It’s worth acknowledging that Valkyrie is Canadian, which makes sense for her to accept the challenge. AEW hasn’t revealed if she is signed with the company. However, based on her history with WWE, AEW seems to be where she could sign, especially if it happens soon.

Where do you think Valkyrie will sign, and are you excited about her becoming a free agent?

Former Impact Wrestling star Angelina Love and Fodder are tying the knot as man and wife. 

Love took to her Twitter account to announce the news as she shared photos of herself sporting an engagement ring alongside the fellow wrestler.

The two have been wrestling on the independent scene and in the NWA. Fodder has only wrestled for two years while Love has been in the wrestling business for 22 years where she has competed in promotions such as TNA Wrestling, Ring Of Honor, Game Changer Wrestling, SHINE Wrestling, and AAA. They signed with the NWA last year.

The Announcement

Love, who is a former six-time TNA Knockout’s Champion, captioned the post that had photos with the following: 

“It was so easy to say YES! to this man ? My King, my best friend, my soulmate and David’s Big Cheese ? love you always and forever @LoKeys910.”

Congrats to the happy couple!

Love most recently wrestled on NWA Powerrr on February 12th when she lost to La Rosa Negra. Fodder’s last match happened on this same episode when he beat VHS. 

Eddie Edwards, a 2-time Impact Wrestling World Champion, has signed a new contract with the promotion. The news was first reported by PWInsider.

Edwards has been with Impact for nine years and has been a full-time roster member longer than anybody currently with the company.

Edwards previously reflected on the milestone while speaking with SEScoops and made it clear that he wants to stay with the promotion. He has long-term plans and he’s excited about the future. He also reflected on his relationship with the promotion.

“Impact has treated me with nothing but respect,” Edwards told SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall. “A relationship with respect goes both ways. That’s the best type of relationship and I’m proud to be a member of impact I’m proud to be the longest-tenured roster member at this point and I want to keep it going until the wheels fall off.”

He added that he feels like he has always been treated with respect by the management, and he doesn’t feel like he’s taken for granted.

Edwards has been wrestling for Impact since 2014. In addition to his world title runs, he is a two-time X-Division Champion and a five-time Tag Team Champion.

Prior to joining Impact, he had a successful run in Ring of Honor, where he won the ROH World Championship. He has also wrestled for Pro Wrestling NOAH, among other promotions.

Jerry Jarrett passed away at the age of 80. 

Dutch Mantell was the first to break the news today, and then the tributes poured in for the iconic wrestling promoter and father of Jeff Jarrett.

Mantell wrote, “SAD NEWS: I’m hearing reports of my friend and long time booker/promoter Jerry Jarrett died this morning in TN. I last saw him last year when we did the VICE show THE TERRITORIES in Atlanta. Very creative booker. Condolences to Jeff/Deborah and the Jarrett family.”

Dave Meltzer later reported on F4Wonline.com that Jarrett passed away undergoing treatment this morning, according to a family friend, as he had been battling esophagus cancer.

Jarrett promoted spot shows as a teenager and worked with his mother. He later worked as a wrestler alongside Tojo Yamamoto and Jackie Fargo before retiring full-time. 

Jarrett started up his own promotion in 1977 along with Jerry Lawler, Lance Russell, and Dave Brown in Memphis, TN. They dominated the market before territorial wrestling was done.

Jarrett and Lawler would rotate as bookers over time before Lawler made a power play with Russell and got 50 percent of the promotion. Jarrett later sold it in 1997. He and his son, Jeff, started TNA Wrestling before they ad to sell the majority interest in that company to the Carter family.

Impact Wrestling talent Dirty Dango wants to prove he can be a serious wrestler when he needs to be.

Throughout his career in WWE, Dango(FKA Fandango) used to entertain fans with his funny persona. He started as a serious dancer when he debuted in 2013, but his character became more comedic over time. While it brought him success in winning the NXT Tag Team Championship with Tyler Breeze, Dango primarily stayed a comedic act for the majority of his WWE career. His run with the company ended on June 25, 2021, when WWE released him.

After spending some time as a free agent, PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that Dango signed a one-year deal with Impact Wrestling on Jan. 31. He recently had a match with Steve Maclin on Jan. 19 episode of Impact Wrestling. In an interview with Windy City Slam Podcast, Dango shared that he doesn’t have an opponent he wants to wrestle against but wants to prove that he’s not only a comedy act.

What’s Next for Dirty Dango in Impact Wrestling?

On the Feb. 2 episode of Impact Wrestling, “Director of Authority” Santino Marella revealed that Dango would compete in a qualifying match that, if he wins, will be involved in a fatal four-way match at No Surrender to determine the following number one contender for the Impact World Championship.

The company also shared on Twitter that Dango will compete against Brian Myers on the Feb. 9 episode of Impact Wrestling. Dango will have the opportunity to prove that he can be a serious contender for a world title in Impact and show that he’s more than the comedic persona he’s demonstrated for years.

• Watch Our Exclusive Interview with Santino Marella

WrestleMania weekend just got bigger as IMPACT Wrestling, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced a co-promoted show. 

The event will take place on Thursday night, March 30, at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles, with stars from both promotions competing. There will be numerous first-ever dream matches confirmed.

The show, titled Multiverse United: Only The STRONG Survive, is slated to air live on pay-per-view on fite.tv, starting at 8 p.m. PST.

The Matches

Some of the top matches announced for the show include IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander taking on KUSHIDA while “Speedball” Mike Bailey battles Will Ospreay in the co-main event.

 The match between Bailey and Ospreay will be their fifth singles match against each other, with the first taking place in 2015 while their most recent bout coming in August 2022. 

“Will Ospreay is the best professional wrestler in the world, after me,” Bailey said. “So, this will be the best professional wrestling match of the year.”

Also set for the show is Jeff Cobb vs. Moose. IMPACT’s X Division Champion Trey Miguel, Ace Austin, and Chris Bey are advertised to appear. At the same time, NJPW will be represented by KENTA, Rocky Romero, Minoru Suzuki, Clark Connors, Kevin Knight, Fred Rosser, and many others.

 Tickets for Multiverse United start at $60 and go on sale this Friday at 10 am EST on highspots.com. Fans can get front-row seats for $350 each. There will also be limited VIP seats that are perk-filled, including an exclusive event t-shirt, commemorative ringside photograph, and more.

There is a new sheriff in town at Impact Wrestling, and his name is Santno Marella. Yes, the son of a gun who once pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever against the late Umaga. The DOA (Director of Authority) has taken over for Scott D’Amore, who is recovering from an onscreen attack from Bully Ray. Marella, real name Anthony Carelli, attributes his run with Impact to timing. 

The 48-year-old is happy to step in the shoes of one of the most entertaining characters in WWE history. “Instead of being a knock-off, I get to be the genuine article,” he added. “It’s the icing on the cake for sure.” 

Santino Open to Wrestling Again

Impact’s parent company Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions was able to secure the trademark for the ring name in December. One that went dormant in 2021. Marella may be helping maintain order on Impact, but he doesn’t rule out having a match or two. 

“I don’t know when I will be distributing or administering the first cobra, but it’s always with me,” he added. “…I think I can wrestle a little bit. I’ve got some injuries, so it really just depends on how meticulous I am with my rehab. I have a bad back, so I’ll really need to warm it up. I can’t do it consistently but I can do a match here or there if need be.” 

Impact’s Promising Roster

The veteran is impressed with the talent pool in the company with champ Josh Alexander at the top of the list. He also appreciates the backstage atmosphere. 

“A locker room is supposed to be a mix of younger guys and older guys with the older guys helping teach,” Marella said. “If it’s the same education, there is no teaching. It can’t be rookies teaching rookies. In this case, it’s a really nice balance.”

“It’s a fun locker room. There are no locker room cancers. Nobody is complaining. It’s an upbeat locker room, which is what it’s supposed to be because you should be grateful if you’re a wrestler for a living.” 

– Santino on the Impact Locker Room

The Canadian certainly has the credentials to be a coach as the founder of the Battle Arts Academy. Even though it’s not a role he was hired for, he’ll give pearls of wisdom. Like how certain moves and motions can contribute to an overall story. 

“I always wanted to be some form of developmental,” Marella said. “We’ll talk about that more as I get settled in.” 

When asked about his future with Impact, he responds, “I’m here period. As long as they’ll have me.” 

Santino’s Plan for Impact

As far as what we’ll see in this next chapter, Marella looks to bring comic relief. He also wants to bring some structure and consistency to the show. “So many bad guys who think the rules don’t apply to them,” he said. “I’m here to make sure the rules do in fact apply to them.” 

Along with his Impact commitments, he’ll also watch proudly while his daughter Bianca looks to pave her own way in the business. “She is going to surpass anything I’ve ever done in the business within the next two years,” Marella predicts. “It’s so fun to watch.” 

One member of the family he hopes we don’t see is Marella’s “twin sister” Santina. From the sounds of it, we won’t be seeing “Miss WrestleMania” in the Knockouts division any time soon. “She would do well, but she is very irritating backstage,” Marella said. 

By the same token, he feels the future is bright with the company. Marella is happy to be back in the mix. 

“I never really left the business,” he said, about his journey. “I just pivoted from entertainer to coach. I guess I was a promoter a little bit to get my students some shows. I did enjoy that. Back onscreen…I’ll be a coach again in a different capacity or a producer down the road. I realized I’m in this business for life. I’ve got a four-year-old who wants to be a wrestler, so I guess I got to stick around now.” 

Impact Wrestling has announced a special ‘season pass’ of tickets for three upcoming double-header events in the Chicago area.

All six shows will take place from Cicero Stadium. The venue hosted Impact Emergence last summer, as well as several Major League Wrestling and mixed martial arts events.

For the first time ever, secure your ticket for all 6 nights! It all starts with Spring Slugfest this April and continues through July with Chicago Heat and it all leads to an unforgettable Bound For Glory. The Season Pass secures your ticket for all events!

The Season Pass Ticket Option is valid for 1 Ticket to all 6 Events. Spring Slugfest, Chicago Heat and Bound For Glory.

Here’s the official schedule for the shows:

• April 28-29: Spring Slugfest
• July 28-29: Chicago Heat
• October 21-22: Bound for Glory and BFG Fallout

Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com starting this Friday. The Season Pass Ticket option is valid for 1 Ticket to all 6 Events (Spring Slugfest, Chicago Heat and Bound For Glory).

Former NXT star Steph De Lander, better known to WWE fans as Persia Pirotta made her debut for Impact Wrestling during the company’s TV taping on Friday.

The Australian professional wrestler came out and cut a promo on Jordynne Grace. She claimed that the Impact star has fallen from grace and the whole Knockout’s Division is shaking in their boots.

Jordynne Grace then made her entrance and the two female stars competed in a singles match. Lander lost her debut match for the promotion.

Steph De Lander made her wrestling debut back in 2017 under the ring name FaceBrooke. She wrestled for promotions such as Shimmer and Rise Wrestling before signing with WWE in March 2021.

She made her NXT TV debut later that year as a friend of Indie Hartwell who had come from Australia for Hartwell’s wedding with Dexter Lumis.

The two then teamed up for a number of tag team matches on the development show. In January 2022, they started a feud with Toxic Attraction. This led to a match for the NXT Tag Team Championship at Vengeance Day before her release in April 2022.

It’s unknown whether Lander has signed a long-term contract with Impact Wrestling or if the surprise appearance was a one-off deal.

Ex-WWE star Santino Marella has revealed why he made the decision to sign with IMPACT Wrestling recently.

Over the weekend, Marella debuted for IMPACT at their Hard To Kill event, being revealed as the new “Director of Authority” while Scott D’Amore recovers from his attack courtesy of Bully Ray. Shortly after his debut, Marella joined The Dave Van Auken Show to discuss his debut.

Marella was able to debut as the actual Santino Marella character from his WWE days, as WWE didn’t renew the trademark for the character, allowing IMPACT to pick it up.

“I have two small children—one and four—so I wasn’t really looking to get on the road again. Scott D’Amore is a friend of mine, and we chatted about possibilities a few times, and everything seemed to line up. All of a sudden, I was looking for 2023, not this early, but to kind of get back out there and do something.

“Scott, as a habit, when he gets former WWE guys, he goes and checks the trademarks. He found that in 2021, WWE did not renew the Santino Marella trademark. Scott jumped on it and IMPACT Wrestling now owns the Santino Marella trademark. So that’s why a lot of people, when I came out and said I was Santino Marella, they were like, ‘Woah, how is he able to use that?’

“That was almost bigger news than me coming out, being able to use the name. It was fun. Not having to modify the character and just being Santino, something that I am good at and comfortable with, and I can flick a switch and I can be Santino on the drop of a dime. I wasn’t gone long enough to where nobody knows me, but I was gone long enough that it means something. It was a good balance. Timing is everything, and it was the right time.”

Marella admitted that he did have one ask for D’Amore when he signed, and that’s to do something with his daughter inside the ring once she’s called up.

“I did talk to Scott in the beginning and said, ‘One of the only things I ask is that when my daughter is able to be called up, I’d like to do something in the ring with her.’ He’s cool with that.” Marella said.

“AEW, I’ve been to a couple of shows backstage, a lot of friends. So many guys I admire or I’ve worked with. WWE, my life is so perfectly balanced right now, I can’t gamble that. To go on the road for 50 weeks a year, even if it’s for one day—the Booker T schedule where I fly in, do commentary, fly home—that’s still every week. I really like this schedule [with IMPACT].”

Marella initially ran with WWE from 2005 to 2016. He won two Intercontinental Titles during that time, as well as a United States Title run, and a Tag Team Title run alongside Vladimir Kozlov. Since his WWE release, Marella has been working sporadically through the independent scene for the past several years.

Quotes via WrestleZone

Frankie Kazarian is no longer ‘All-Elite’ and is now part of the Impact Wrestling roster.

Kazarian signed with AEW in January 2019, making him one of the earliest wrestlers to join, and is one-half of the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions (with Scorpio Sky.)

After SoCal Uncensored was forced to disband following a loss to the Young Bucks, Kazarian would become the ‘Elite Hunter’ though struggled to pick up wins over the group.

Impact Wrestling

In July 2021, Kazarian appeared for Impact Wrestling as part of his feud with The Elite.

Returning in May 2022, Kazarian would make regular appearances for the promotion and won the X-Division Championship at Bound for Glory that October.

Invoking ‘Option C’ (vacating the X-Division title for a shot at the Impact World Championship) Kazarian would come up short in his efforts to dethrone Josh Alexander.

At Hard to Kill 2023 this week, Kazarian appeared on the Pay-Per-View and announced he has signed with Impact.

Kazarian spoke about being complacent in AEW, and working with “people he thought were his friends.”

Leaving AEW

After appearing at Hard to Kill, PW Insider confirmed that Kazarian is finished with All Elite Wrestling.

It is reported that it was after facing Alexander in November 2022 that Kazarian asked for his release which Tony Khan granted.

Kazarian’s reasons is that he wants to push himself in these final stages of his career, and believes he will have better luck in Impact than on AEW’s roster.

Kazarian reportedly “did business the right way” and would be welcomed back into the AEW locker room at any time.

Mickie James’ career lives on, and the wrestling veteran has now added another reign as Knockouts World Champion to her impressive resume.

In the main event of the show, James dethroned Jordynne Grace to start off her fifth reign as Knockouts Champion.

The finish saw Grace lock in a sleeper on the veteran, who slammed Grace into the ring post to break the hold, and leveled her with a tornado DDT to become the new champion.

Speaking backstage after the match, James spoke about the odds being stacked against her going into Hard to Kill.

Last Rodeo

In September of last year, James kicked off her Last Rodeo, vowing to retire from wrestling the next time she lost a match in pursuit of the Impact Knockouts World Championship.

The list of opponents James has defeated in that time includes Mia Yim, Taylor Wilde, and Gisele Shaw, among others.

What’s Next?

Mickie James’ career continues on, but the new Impact Knockouts World Champion will soon face a mammoth challenge.

Hard to Kill also saw Masha Slamovich become the new number-one contender for the Knockouts title, winning a fatal four-way.

Slamovich demolished Deonna Purrazzo, Taylor Wilde, and Killer Kelly to earn a spot at James.

Impact Wrestling has yet to confirm when their title match will take place.

Slamovich debuted for Impact Wrestling in June 2019, but it was only after impressing Impact Wrestling official (and Hall of Famer) Gail Kim) that she was offered a contract in 2021.

Results

Here are the results for Impact Wrestling Hard to Kill 2023.

• [PRE-SHOW] Kushida defeated Angels, Delirious, ”Speedball” Mike Bailey, Mike Jackson and Yuya Uemura by submission
• [PRE-SHOW] Impact X-Division Champion Trey Miguel (c) defeated Black Taurus by pinfall (title match)
• Impact World Champion Josh Alexander (c) defeated Bully Ray by submission (Full Metal Mayhem. Title Match.)
• The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) (c) defeated Heath and Rhino, The Major Players (Brian Myers and Matt Cardona) and Bullet Club (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) by pinfall (Fatal Four-Way. Title Match)
• Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry (c) defeated Moose by pinfall (Title Match)
• Masha Slamovich defeated Deonna Purrazzo, Killer Kelly, and Taylor Wilde by pinfall (Number One Contenders Match)
• Steve Maclin defeated Rich Swann by pinfall (Falls Count Anywhere Match)
• Eddie Edwards defeated Jonathan Gresham by pinfall
• Mickie James defeated Jordynne Grace (c) by pinfall (Title Change)

Those working at Impact Wrestling gave a touching tribute to the late Don West at last night’s Impact Hard to Kill Pay-Per-View.

West joined Impact (then NWA:TNA Wrestling) in 2002 and was the voice of the promotion for years.

On December 30, 2022, West died from lymphoma of the brain at the age of 59.

During last night’s show, Impact’s first Pay-Per-View since Don’s passing, the roster gathered on the entrance ramp and a ten-bell salute was given in West’s memory.

Don West

Before coming to wrestling, West made his name on the Shop at Home Network, joining the channel as a knife salesman in 1991.

In 1993, West would be promoted to Sports Collectibles, a position he had applied for years earlier, but had been rejected due to his “scrabbly voice.”

West won over viewers with his passionate, often frantic sales pitches, which were parodied by the likes of Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan on Saturday Night Live.

After turning down an offer to join WCW in early 2001 (wisely seeing that the promotion’s days were numbered) West joined Impact a year later, after Vince Russo introduced him to Jeff Jarrett.

West debuted for Impact on the June 19, inaugural Pay-Per-View, and would later host the YouTube series ‘TNA Today.’

Using his Shop at Home Network skills, West would promote new TNA merch as part of his ‘Don West Brown Bag Specials’ and would be made Head of Merchandise development in 2009.

In May 2012, West parted ways with TNA, having accepted a role as director of sales and marketing for the Wenatchee Wild ice hockey team.

In 2017, West returned to Impact as part of the merchandise team and would commentate one last time at Slammiversary XV that July.

Santino Marella, a former WWE United States, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Champion, is the new Director of Authority in Impact Wrestling.

The former WWE star was announced as the temporary replacement for the injured Scott D’Amore at the Hard To Kill 2023 pay-per-view on Friday night. 

His first piece of business was to restart the Digital Media Championship match between Joe Hendry and Moose after the title was awarded to Moose when he used a low blow and spear to Hendry.

The Announcement

In the early days of TNA Wrestling, Dusty Rhodes was once the director of authority. Now, Santino proudly carries the mantle.

Impact Wrestling, via its parent company of Anthem Sports, recently filed to trademark the name. Anthony Carelli had previously appeared in Impact Wrestling out of character, but now, he is playing the same persona he portrayed for over a decade in WWE. 

He was hired by WWE in 2005 and given an opportunity at Ohio Valley Wrestling, one of the company’s development brands. During a Raw episode from Milan, Italy, he made his debut. He won the Intercontinental Championship in his first match after being chosen as a fan from the audience and defeating Umaga. In the years that followed, he also took part in either a storyline as Santina Marella, Santino’s twin sister. He left WWE in 2015 after announcing his retirement in 2014. He founded Battle Arts Academy.  

Impact Wrestling will hold a set of TV tapings on Saturday night that will feature the fallout from this show. 

Eric Bischoff was a prominent name on TNA Wrestling for years, despite having low expectations of the company.

Bischoff joined TNA (now Impact Wrestling) in 2009 and was a key part in bringing in Hulk Hogan in 2010.

The former WCW magnate and Raw General Manager would remain with the company, mostly working behind the scenes until his departure in 2014

Reeks of Russo

Bischoff would work for TNA Wrestling for years, all the time hating the name of the promotion.

In his new book ‘Grateful‘ Bischoff recalled being hesitant to join TNA.

“To be honest, I was never interested, at any level or at any time, in potentially working for TNA. First and foremost, I hated the TNA name (‘T and A’ – do you get it? It’s just so clever.). When I heard about it for the first time, I thought, ‘This just reeks of Vince Russo.’”

Russo was TNA’s Head of Creative at the time but of course, had no role in the naming of the promotion.

Bischoff added that the idea among fans that TNA was a ‘spiritual successor’ to WCW was “ridiculous.”

Not Wanted

When approached about the opportunity to join TNA, Bischoff didn’t leap at the chance of a return to wrestling.

In his memoirs, the WWE Hall of Famer said that the success he and business partner Jason Hervey were having with their Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment made a return to wrestling seem unnecessary.

“Jason and I were having so much success, with BHE, that I doubted I would even have time to get involved in wrestling again.

“I was basically thinking, ‘Okay – I went through the WCW journey, and it didn’t end up the way I wanted it to end up, but the WWE opportunity came along, and it was a way for me to kind of write the end of my own story.”

Bischoff writes that Dixie Carter, the then-President of TNA was against bringing him in, believing that her role as the ‘female Vince McMahon’ would be jeopardised by bringing him in.

h/t – 411 Mania

Mike Tenay informed fans today that Don West passed away after battling lymphoma. He was 59 years old. 

West worked for TNA/Impact Wrestling from 2002 to 2012 as the color commentator alongside Tenay. He was also a great salesman and known for his hot deals on the TNA website. He returned to the company in 2017 for the Slammiversary XV pay-per-view event. 

West also worked for the Shop at Home Network and had a radio show in Nashville, Tennessee. Tenay tweeted the following: 

The Announcement

“Just heard from wife Terri that our brother @DonWestDeals will be spending New Years in heaven. Terri said D-Dub finally had to tap out from his match with lymphoma. We bonded as soon as we met, both as broadcast partners and friends. Years of great moments both on and off camera.”

West first revealed in June 2021 that he had been diagnosed with brain lymphoma.  West announced that after eight weeks of chemotherapy and 13 treatments of radiation, his cancer was in remission in September. Unfortunately, in December 2021, it was revealed that he was battling cancer for a second time.

A GoFundMe was previously set up to help West and his family with the medical bills. The wrestling world has already started to react to the news, as seen below: 

On behalf of SEScoops, we send our condolences to the Don West family. 

Sami Callihan’s time with Impact Wrestling is seemingly coming to an end with his contract set to expire.

Callihan signed with Impact in 2017 and captured the Impact World Championship in 2019 during Impact’s debut on AXS TV.

Prior to arriving in Impact, Callihan wrestled for Ring of Honor, CZW, Evolve and Dragon Gate, as well as having a three-year stint in WWE as Solomon Crowe.

Leaving Impact

Callihan signed a two-year contract extension in early 2021, which means his deal with the promotion will expire within the next few months.

Sources who spoke to Fightful Select said that the former World Champion hasn’t been given any clarity about his status.

Callihan’s contract situation has caught the interest of “outside promoters” but no specific companies were named in Fightful’s report.

Callihan has remained an integral figure with Impact, main-eventing several Pay-Per-Views.

In addition to working for Impact, Callihan is a successful promoter himself with Pro Wrestling REVOLVER being one of the top indie companies on the planet.

Callihan in Impact

After debuting in 2017, Callihan aligned with Dave and Jake Crist of ‘Ohio Versus Everything,’ and would later unsuccessfully challenge for the X-Division Championship.

In 2018, Callihan would feud with Eddie Edwards and in one of the most gruesome moments of the year, Edwards would suffer a broken nose and broken orbital bone thanks to an errant shot with a baseball bat.

In addition to his reign as Impact World Champion, Callihan is a five-time Impact End of Year award winner, including having 2019’s match of the year against Tessa Blanchard.

Santino Marella was a lovable comedy wrestler (portrayed by Anthony Carelli) who competed for WWE from 2007-2020. A new trademark filing indicates he could be headed to Impact Wrestling in the coming new year.

Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions LLC, parent company of Impact, recently secured a trademark for the name Santino Marella. According to the USPTO database, the live trademark was filed on December 19, 2022.

The ‘Goods and Services’ usage description includes:

• Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests;
• Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer;
• Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a a professional wrestler and sports entertainer;
• Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainment personality;
• Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality;

WWE previously held the Santino Marella trademark, but let it expire in October 2021.

Santino’s daughter, Bianca Carelli, currently wrestles for WWE’s NXT brand as Arianna Grace.

Rich Swann will be wrestling under the Impact Wrestling banner for years to come.

Swann has been wrestling for Impact since June 2018. He’s held a lot of gold during this run, including the Impact World Championship, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, the X-Division title and the recently-introduced Digital Media championship.

The 31-year-old star from Baltimore, MD will have many more opportunities to add further accolades to his resume. During a conversation with Chris Van Vliet, Swann announced that he’s signed a new two-year contract with the organization. The deal will keep him part of the Impact family through the end of 2024.

Swann Comments on His Future

Swann tells CVV that his world has been ‘lighting up’ as of late. In addition to this new deal with Impact, he’s got a one-year-old baby boy (“Little Richard Jr.”) with fellow Impact star Su Yung.

He spoke very highly of Impact Wrestling, as well as the other stars on the roster.

Swann has dealt with a series of injuries, which have been difficult to work through. Thankfully, Impact was supportive through all of it.

“Unfortunately, I broke my back and my leg, my hip, my foot, everything on my right side was damn-near damaged,” said Swann. “I was told by doctors that I wouldn’t walk the same, let alone wrestle again.”

He’d go on to become Impact World Champion, an accomplishment and opportunity he’ll never forget. Swann feels that he’s doing the best work of his career and now has two more years to show the fans what he’s capable of.

Swann is scheduled to compete against Steve Maclin on this week’s edition of Impact TV.