On Thursday, Kurt Angle’s official Twitter page announced that the Olympic gold medalist underwent emergency surgery to correct a near fatal issue he was dealing with.

Below are the tweets from Angle’s management company:

Friends and Fan this is a message from Mr Angles Management. Yesterday while Mr Angle was preparing for his travel to the UK for Comic Con

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

he was experiencing sever pain, he lost feeling in his extremities, and starting to have some difficulty breathing. His wife, Giovanni,

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

very concerned rushed him to the hospital, where doctors informed Kurt that his symptoms were the result of his recent surgery that left a

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

large buildup of fluid on his spinal cord. Since the condition could be fatal, they immediately underwent emergency surgery to relieve the

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

pressure on his spine. The surgery went well and doctors believe he will have a full recovery. Kurt apologies to his friends and fans that

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

He will not be appearing at Comic Con in London this weekend as hoped. Kurt is doing well and we will keep you posted on his progress.

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) July 16, 2015

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

TNA has released Hernandez from the company and scrapped several already-taped segments of upcoming Impact Wrestling episodes after being found in a legally actionable position at the hands of Lucha Underground. The promotion was forced to make the changes after bringing Hernandez back on board, despite the fact that he was still under contract to Lucha Underground.

According to PWInsider.com, Hernandez informed the company that he was contractually free and clear to sign with them which led to a deal being agreed upon. Hernandez was then introduced on television and became part of the Beatdown Clan, but after the appearances at TNA’s television tapings, Lucha Underground approached the company and said that Hernandez was still under contract to them and had not yet been released, so he could not legally appear on TNA television.

TNA attempted to resolve the issue and offered to pay Lucha Underground for the appearances Hernandez made with them, however Lucha Underground ultimately turned down the offers. This left TNA unable to use the footage and the company decided to pull anything involving the Beatdown Clan from their television. All of the storylines are done and TNA will be replacing that material with existing material, including matches from this year’s Slammiversary pay-per-view.

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

TNA announced a partnership with AO1 Productions, a global production company that will team with Ron and Don Harris, two pro wrestling and production veterans, to enhance broadcast production and the fan experience for TNA live events.

Below is the official press release TNA issued today with all of the details.

TNA Partners With Industry Leader To Enhance Broadcast And Live Event Production

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 15, 2015) TNA is partnering with AO1 Productions, an industry-leading global production company, that will tag team with Ron and Don Harris, two seasoned professional wrestling and production veterans, to enhance broadcast production and the fan experience.

“We recognize the importance that advancements in technology play in producing and delivering a more immersive fan experience, whether cheering from the arena or at home watching TNA programming,” said TNA Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead. “A01 brings a vast knowledge of current and emerging technologies we will be integrating into our production. While some upgrades will directly engage the fan’s senses, others are focused on driving operational efficiencies behind the scenes.”

TNA annually produces more than 300 hours of dynamic professional wrestling programming broadcast in 18 languages to more than 120 countries around the globe.

AO1 Productions, a Virginia-based multi-media and multi-platform production house, has more than 50 years of experience consulting and activating global broadcast events, delivering world-class audio, visual and lighting solutions to corporate and entertainment clients.

“We are proud to be partnering with TNA and utilizing our experience and knowledge of state-of-the-art technology to deliver enhanced in-venue and broadcast experiences that will have TNA fans engaged from start to finish,” said AO1 Director of Operations Tim Morin.

Twin brothers and TNA veterans, Ron and Don Harris, who have 30 years of experience both in front of the camera and behind the scenes in production and touring, have returned to the company to lead production of live events and broadcasts, including flagship IMPACT WRESTLING seen in the United States Wednesdays at 9e/p on Destination America.

The next televised live events for IMPACT WRESTLING, Xplosion and One Night Only are scheduled for July 22-30 at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. For more information visit www.impactwrestling.com/tickets

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

Former TNA star Gunner recently spoke to Wrestling Inc’s Sean Ross Sapp about his release from the promotion and his ultimate goal to end up in WWE. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On being cut by TNA and how he was used by the promotion: “I truly believe releasing me is just something trying to free up money. I’m 33, but there’s bigger doors opening up for me. I felt like I was underutilized, and I told them that. I don’t know if that was something that made them mad. We did those tapings in February, and there was a day I did four matches, and me and Bram were the last two guys in the tournament.”

On his career goal to end up in WWE: “The [TNA] tapings in May that I was a part of, the story lines got a little jacked up and I suffered from that. I always felt like there was a place for Gunner. I’d been there for six years, I’d paid my dues. I drove up for a year and a half on my own in 2009 and 2010 to work security to get a job. I honestly felt like it was a slap in the face, but a blessing in disguise. My ultimate goal is wrestle for WWE or a company that’s going to use me right.”

Check out the complete interview next week at WrestlingInc.com.

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

Rockstar Spud recently sat down for an interview with Tom Feaheny. Below are some of the highlights.

On his feud with EC3 and their fight in London: “We didn’t want to go in their and give a good match. What’s wrong with the pro wrestling business now a days is everyone wants to deliver a great match, five star wrestling match, with me that doesn’t draw money. What got me is the emotional connection between two characters to that moment there, the biggest moment in their Impact Wrestling careers. There I was bleeding and the crowd are going mad, that’s wrestling if not with your eyes, it’s love and hate, good vs. evil.”

On Billy Corgan: “He’s a good guy, he’s offering an opinion out of the wrestling bubble. I’ve had several chats with him and he’s a pro-wrestling fan, that’s what we all are. We could talk each other’s ear off and back in the day. He is a wonderful addition to the team, I’m looking forward to working more with him.”

On wrestling in 2016 in Birmingham during the UK tour: “I used to work by the arena in Birmingham, I used to stare out the window, dreaming of wrestling in it, EC3 V Rockstar Spud has not had it’s conclusion yet, if we go to Birmingham and he’s still champion I want EC3 V Rockstar Spud, I want to be the first Birmingham World Heavyweight Champion, the history we have is money, I’m throwing out the challenge now.”

On his next goal and who he would like to wrestle next: “For me the X-Division championship was a goal I have achieved, now it is time for a new goal. I want to be the World Heavyweight Champion, names I’d like to face Bram, Eric Young, Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, guys we have on our roster are superior to anywhere else in the world.”

On plans for a British PPV: “It would be amazing if TNA got a PPV a Slammiversary, a Bound For Glory, Lockdown maybe, I know some things are in the pipeline, there are things in the works, we’ve already had a live PPV on British TV that was aired in the U.S., eventually there will be some great news.”

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

– Tonight’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Destination America will feature the reveal of the new TNA authority figure. Also on tonight’s show are title defenses from TNA World Heavyweight Champion Ethan Carter III, TNA Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell and TNA Tag-Team Champions The Wolves.

– TNA has a new article up on their official website, ImpactWrestling.com, focusing on Rockstar Spud granting a wish to a six-year old boy in the U.K. named Reegon. Reegon has been diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition. The wish came through TNA’s partnership with the U.K.’s “Starlight Foundation.”

“I can honestly say that not one thing I’ve accomplished in wrestling or in any other aspect of my life will stand out above this day,” said Spud of the day he spent with Reegon.

• *NEW* — PHOTO Of THE UNDERTAKER Working Out At The Gym! [>>]

Former TNA Star Samuel Shaw recently spoke with The Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast about a number of topics related to his TNA run. Below are some of the highlights.

On his release from TNA: “I wasn’t too surprised to be perfectly honest. I had sort have been on the shelf not really doing anything for quite some time and I was extremely ready to get back on TV, just busting my ass in the gym and being a student of the game and pitching ideas like crazy. Just doing everything I could to get in front of the right people and get back on TV. Things just didn’t pan out the way that I thought they might, I’m not heartbroken over it whatsoever, I’m excited about the future and I think that there are a lot of great opportunities out there right now for someone like myself.”

On how he found out he was let go: “I got a call from John Gaburick or “Big” as everyone calls him and we had a nice conversation and he was responsible for getting this character for me off the ground and he had a lot of faith in me to run with a character like that and I give him a lot of credit for that. We had a nice conversation, he just told me that in all honesty that “we have two hours of TV a week and we have so much talent on the roster” and said he felt bad just keeping me off TV and wanted to give me the freedom to get out there and use my talents and I think that was a very nice thing of him to do.”

On what is it about TNA that causes the abrupt end to storylines: “I just feel like TNA in a sense has an identity crisis. Since I signed there in 2012 and not to mention that I’ve been doing stuff with them since 2008 because I trained at Bubba and D-Von’s School in Kissimmee, Florida and that is basically in TNA’s backyard with Universal Studios and The Impact Zone. I’ve seen the place change so much and it seems like they have a lot of momentum going into a new regime change and then it just sort of fizzles out and they not so much drop the ball but they really know how to start something that looks like it has longevity and is going to be great and it just seems like they don’t know where to go from that point. They get to a high point and it just fizzles out.”

On if Samuel Shaw was booked into a corner: “I was pitching ideas left and right. I feel that maybe coming in and having such a strong presence as the character I was portraying it may have put me up against the wall from a creative sense, I was known as the “creepy bastard” and just the “creepy guy”. What was he going to do just creep on the knockouts and move on to the next one? It’s basically what a psycho does just repeats the same thing over and over again but I think there were so many different directions the character could have gone and I feel like there was so much longevity to the character and in a lot of ways the writers did too and that’s why they kept me around for so long. They just didn’t have anything at the moment and they kept signing new guys and new talent was coming in and they were ready to move forward with other guys and I was sort of sitting at home not doing anything but was ready, willing and able to do something.”

On if he experienced any pay issues: “I never put all my eggs into one basket and I’ve always had other little things going on. I didn’t really pay attention to when my checks got to me. I was just staying busy and not trying to worry myself to death over little things like that. But I never had a case where I did not get paid. I don’t think my checks were very late whatsoever and they have never not paid me.”

On how was he approached with the Samuel Shaw character: “‘Big’ approached me about doing somewhat of an “American Psycho ” gimmick and I was very receptive to that because that is one of my favorite movies of all time, Directed by Mary Harron, and Christian Bale is phenomenal in the movie and as luck would have it it’s just a movie I would gravitate towards. Not to mention the Dexter element, that is just a tremendous TV show that I’ve enjoyed tremendously and sort of taking elements from both of those; the movie and the TV show and putting it in a wrestling related environment was going to be a challenge but I think it had a pretty big impact initially and there was so much more that we could have done with this character. To be honest, I don’t think I’m done with this character, my creative juices are flowing now more than ever before.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

• HUGE Backstage Update On Beef Between RODDY PIPER & STEVE AUSTIN~!!

Nick Aldis (aka Magnus) recently spoke with Rolling Stone to promote the launch of Global Force Wrestling. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On what led to him leaving TNA: “I’ve been with TNA for six-and-a-half years, which has been incredible for me. I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time, just like you would with any company. I’ve seen a lot of resets, and all the while I’ve always somehow managed to stay the course and develop and grow as a talent. I reached what I thought was the pinnacle of my career at the end of 2013 [when he won the TNA World Title].

I came to the decision, if I’m honest with myself, about six months ago, maybe a bit before that, that I would leave the company when my contract was up. I’ve done everything that I can do, and I appreciated everything. It’s just time for me now, at 28 years old, to do something else to renew my focus and my energy. I just feel like I maxed out what I can do at TNA. Some people call it the seven-year itch, and I can totally relate to that.”

On signing with GFW and GFW working with TNA: “There is something I have to clear up. It’s not so much that I’m leaving TNA for GFW, that’s just a coincidence that I’m going there immediately. I had let TNA know that I was going to leave on June 30, and we left on good terms. We agreed to wrap things up the right way, and I loved the way that we did. Then Jeff showed up on TV, and I looked at him and just said, “What the hell?” I was backstage at the TV tapings, and little Kody [Angle] came running up to me and gave me a big hug. I didn’t put two-and-two together, because I thought maybe Kurt had the kids. Then I saw Jeff’s kids, and then I saw this SUV. Suddenly the window rolls down and Jeff is there. I just told him, “I don’t even want to know.” I had no idea he was going to show up, and I’m still not sure what is going on completely.”

On what the TNA locker room was like over the past few months: “To be honest, it was very turbulent. I’m sure you’re aware of the conference call that took place not too long ago. There were things said in that conference call that were a long time coming. I’m not about to throw any talent under the bus, but there were certain things that I heard in that conference call, like talent saying, “I’m disgusted by this” or, “We have a right to know.” Anyone that’s been involved with TNA knows that at times, I’ve been very outspoken. There was a point where I just sat there and thought that what everyone has to remember is that as an independent contractor in wrestling, nobody owes you a living. You don’t have a right to be guaranteed a living just because you signed a contract somewhere. Most contracts, with exceptions, can just be canceled anyways. I just kind of went, “Nobody owes you a living.” Every day that I get to put on a pair of tights and boots and get to feed my son, that’s a good day.”

On if he would support a wrestling union: “In principle, pro wrestlers would absolutely benefit from a union, but it would take a huge number of guys to shift the balance of power. And the sad reality is that the business has had decades of experience squashing any union potential. I feel a little vulnerable even talking about it in this hypothetical sense. I wrote a column in Fighting Spirit Magazine years ago about how I thought British wrestlers qualified to be a part of Equity, the U.K. performing artists’ union. Shortly after the column came out, I was contacted by someone at Equity who said they agreed with me. Even when there was an existing union available to join, nobody did. But then I heard that this guy who was known for being a con man in the business was telling the guys that he had set it up and would get them in for a fee, which pretty much sums up the business; there will always be one guy who cuts the golden goose open rather than let it lay eggs.”

On what else he has planned for his future besides GFW: “I have a fitness book that’s due for imminent release. I wish I could tell you the exact release date, but it should be any day. The book is called The Superstar Body. It’s my real-world techniques on how to have the kind of body that you associate with not necessarily bodybuilders, but movie stars and wrestlers, MMA guys. The premise of the book is that you don’t have to live like a monk and do plain chicken breast and rice. This is what works for me in the real world, with a demanding job and a baby at home, and I still go out and drink beer with my friends. Not only that, this is how my buddy who is a Muscle and Fitness model does it, and this is how Kurt Angle does it, this is how Rob Terry does it. I have input from loads of different guys. So for anyone who is interested in getting in shape, it’s not just me describing my philosophies. It’s also input from all these other guys and girls.

“I’ve got a renewed energy though. Especially since I’m so close with Jeff. Jeff is a very open guy, and I just got off the phone with him, and I’m excited. I feel like I’m part of something. It’s a startup, and there’s still a lot to form, but it’s forming. I’m also very much a free agent. While I’m with Global Force, I’m available. But the reality is that when Jeff described it to me, I knew I was in. There’s a lot of moving parts, and there’s going to be more to come very soon.”

Check out the complete interview at RollingStone.com.

• BACKSTAGE NEWS: USA Network UPSET w/ WWE Over Tough Enough!

TNA Knockout Gail Kim recently spoke with Marc Madison of The News Hub about a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On training under Ron Hutchison, Rob Etcherverria and Dave ‘Fit’ Finley: “Ron was the first person that I went to and trained with and obviously a lot of people associate him training Edge and Christian, Trish Stratus, many great Canadian wrestlers so I knew that was the place to be. He really taught me psychology and taught me the basics and taught me right. A lot of wrestling schools would grab the student and say hey you can learn this cool move and do a moonsault your first month in and he really just pump trained us on the basics in terms of psychology and train wrestling and after we moved onto the more advanced stuff and he was a great trainer.

When I trained with Rob and I was a student of his (Ron) and Rob decided later on to open up his own school and he favored the Mexican style of wrestling, the Lucha style also I took a liking to that as well. Once I had enough experience where I could have matches, pretty much a year after that I could be fearless with Rob and he was very supportive towards the women.

When I joined the WWE, Dave “Fit” Finley was our first agent that we worked with all the time and he brought in another form of aggression in me. I was very green when I started but he always said to me, “you need to be more aggressive”. I thought I was being aggressive but he was would say “no, more aggressive” and then more aggressive. I think each one of them gave me a little piece of who I am today and I think if you were to ask any of the women that I work with I think that is one of the things that they’ll acknowledge about me is that I like to be physical and I’ve become more aggressive. I think each one of them (Ron, Rob and Dave) you’ll see a part of me when I wrestle.”

On her initial run with TNA and the decision to be aligned with America’s Most Wanted: “He (Scott D’Amore) said we want to build the women’s division and but the only thing is we only have an hour of programming and realistically it won’t happen for a little while and he said we want to bring you in and we want you to manage and they wanted to give me a prominent role, this was Jeff Jarrett and America’s Most Wanted and I said oh, I’d love to do that and I did that for over a year and that was really fun. All the guys in that company were always so supportive of the women including women. Sometimes you may see back in the day women come down there and really do nothing and hope to be a part of and get camera time. They always included me and then eventually me just having a passion for the sport of wrestling was very hard for me to just stand on the outside and watch the guys do what I’ve loved and eventually I said, ‘you know guys’ you said that you wanted to have a women’s division and I’ve been waiting and you know I just can’t wait anymore so luckily Jeff (Jarrett) said can you work with Jackie Moore and I said yeah, absolutely.

“I can work with whoever you want me to work with she’s absolutely amazing and the toughest women I’ve been in the ring with so we just had some amazing catfights as you would call them, physicality and people loved it and people were like oh, holy crap these girls are beating the crap out of each other and so just went slowly with Jackie and brought in Jamie D from the Independents and they would bring in girls slowly one at a time and then all of a sudden they said they wanted to bring in a title and bring in 10 girls and it was just a success overnight virtually and it just happened so perfectly I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

On whether or not TNA Impact Wrestling capitalized on #GiveDivasAChance: “I don’t think it’s ever really changed. The true wrestling fans that watch TNA Impact, I think they’ve always known. I don’t want to say they take it for granted in anyway but they always just know that TNA and Impact Wrestling are going to give them women’s wrestling. It’s almost like they want to see it in the WWE and this is why they are so vocal as well. I don’t know if anything really changed.

I think we’ve always been strong with women’s wrestling and I think the fans have always known that. I think that’s a lot of the reason why they would tune in from the feedback I get from it through social media or meeting fans or that’s one of the things that I think that they love is that they would always say Impact Wrestling treats the women really well and one of the reasons they love watching it is because the women’s actually wrestle. I’m just glad when I was fighting for us to wrestle I would always have people tell me Gail, women’s wrestling is for the bathroom breaks, you know they really don’t want to see it. I would get discouraged a little bit but I was very adamant so I’m glad that we girls proved them wrong.”

Check out the complete interview at The-NewsHub.com.

• BACKSTAGE NEWS: USA Network UPSET w/ WWE Over Tough Enough!

TNA World Champion Ethan Carter III recently spoke with the Phoenix New Times to promote Clickjab’s Summer Bash event. Below are some of the highlights.

On working with Kurt Angle: “It’s been the greatest honor of my life to be able to work with that man and do what we did together. It’s not often you get to have the dream match you envisioned when you were 8… a child watching wrestling. If it wasn’t for Kurt Angle, I would’ve never made it this far because I never would have pursued wrestling because he’s the kind of guy… the guy that made me love it. And to have that match with those stakes on the line, it meant the world to me.”

On if he was disappointed that his match with Kurt Angle was on TV instead of PPV: “You know, we’re at a point in the business where, I mean, everything leading up to that match has been perfect in the build for it that I couldn’t be disappointed, per se. The only thing is that the crowd at Slammiversary was so good that I would’ve liked to have that match in front of that crowd, but I think the crowd we had was great as well. So it ended up not really mattering. But we had a very special crowd at Slammiversary, there was a lot of loyals and die-hard that could’ve made that match [better], if it could’ve been made it any better, which it couldn’t have been.”

On getting a shout out from Seth Rollins after his win: “For him to do that… it was cool, because the way WWE handles social media and tries not to say anything else about any other [wrestling] company. You know, I got a lot of texts from a lot of those guys, but [Seth] went out on social media and said that. That meant a lot to me because we did both go through the [WWE developmental] system together and we have a ton of respect for each other and he’s awesome. It was cool that he went out of his way to do that.

“You think about world champions — he’s WWE world heavyweight champion and I’m TNA world champion and I think that banter between the two of us is pretty special from a respect standpoint. It’s between two hard-working professionals who fully respect where each other came from and the work ethic we both have to be represented by our respective companies.”

On if he feels vindicated after being cut by WWE: “You know, every second of every day I’m motivated by whatever’s happened to me in the past. It’s vindication, in a sense, but my vindication’s coming just being successful with where I am and who I represent. My vindcation came when these people gave me an opportunity and they believed in me, invested in me, and hopefully I paid off for them.”

On his undefeated streak versus Goldberg’s: “I think it’s two completely separate entities. Goldberg was a monster babyface who ran through the competition, while EC3 is an entitled, smarmy kind of a jerk who lucked into a lot his [success] but has become battle-tested in the process and has solidified himself. But we’re two different entities. He’s a monster and I’m a champion that doesn’t lose, but there’s been some help along the way. I can hang, but sometimes I choose not to.”

On Pro Wrestling Illustrated no longer recognizing the TNA World Title: “The wrestling business is speculative. If they were a governing body of any sort of promotion in wrestling, maybe it would be something .But to me, that’s just outside noise and does not affect me one bit. If they don’t think I’m a world champion, they could talk to me about it, I can tell them why, and we could respectfully disagree. But, it doesn’t affect my business one bit, it doesn’t affect my paycheck one bit, it doesn’t affect my company one bit, and just as if I said, “PWI isn’t legitimate wrestling journalism,” it would not affect their business, it would not affect their paychecks, it doesn’t affect anything. It’s all opinion based. And everyone’s warranted to their opinion.”

On rumors that TNA morale is down due to the uncertainty with the company: “Well, my morale’s high as can frickin’ be, isn’t it? Look, a lot of people read into rumors that may come from unwarranted sources. This is all speculation. As far as I know, the people that want to be there are going to be there, they’re in it to win it, and they are motivated, and their morale is where it should be. Morale’s based on what you bring up yourself, and if you have low morale, then maybe you shouldn’t be there. And if your morale’s high and you want to work hard and succeed, then you should.

Of course, their all rumors, because rumors aren’t based in truth. The thing about [TNA], people just tend to believe ’em — unwarranted, unjustified. And that’s fine. I can handle any rumor we have.”

On if he thinks TNA will go out of business if they lose Destination America in September: “No. Why would I think that? We’re internationally in so many markets. Domestically, do I know what the direct future holds? I have a pretty good idea, and I think we’re going to be just fine. But people have been saying this company has been going out of business for 13 years and it continues to go. We’re doing some of our best work now and the people doing it won’t let it fail.”

On if he has a backup plan just in case: “Why do I need one? I just said no. TNA isn’t going anywhere.”

Check out the complete interview at PhoenixNewTimes.com.

• BACKSTAGE NEWS: USA Network UPSET w/ WWE Over Tough Enough!

Current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Ethan Carter III, also known as EC3 featured on The Chad Dukes Wrestling Show where he spoke about winning the title from Kurt Angle.

EC3 also spoke about influences on his character, his release from the WWE and the challenges you can face when you work so much televised wrestling.

On the influences for his character E3C explained:

Like a Stone Cold, a Rock, a Kurt Angle, a John Cena were guys that can, they are entertaining and they can entertain you and they can make you laugh a little bit, but they’re not comedy. They’re not out there pulling a sock out of their junk, they’re not with a little Anaconda thing doing finger pokes of doom. They’re entertaining and being entertaining and endears you to the fans to either love you or love to hate you. As opposed to being, you know, our business is kind of ridiculous in a sense that when you take it uberly seriously, right off the bat, I think that it’s hard, at least from my perception, it’s hard to endear to a character when it’s too dry. I think there needs to be different levels of entertaining but to be able to be serious is also important especially when you’re in a main angle or main guy because comedy can only get you so far, where an entertaining personality who takes this business very seriously is what makes money.”

On his release from WWE and heading to TNA, EC3 said:

“I always look at that Stone Cold mentality. Steve Austin, Stunning Steve over in WCW was always a good hand, but he just never breaks through, whether it was on him or was on to someone not seeing it in him. He kind of had a rough deal on his exit. Wasn’t he fired via FedEx or something just ridiculous like that while he was injured? Kind of a similar mindset that I had and experienced. You take that motivation, even though he was a guy that’s probably incredibly motivated as it was, much like I was, to come out there and be like, ‘you know what, the only thing left to do is shove it up their ass and show you what I can do.’”

To check out the full interview with EC3 on The Chad Dukes Wrestling Show then you can do so by clicking this link.

– There are a lot of people involved that feel the TNA-GFW inter-promotional angle is a bad idea. According to one source, many feel that the idea isn’t good for either promotion, and that it just won’t work.

– There’s a feeling within TNA that the production crew, which still hasn’t been paid for the May Impact Wrestling television tapings, really will be paid after July 15th as promised because of the fear that the crew won’t show up for the upcoming Impact Wrestling television tapings that begin on July 22nd.

• CM Punk Narrows His UFC Fighting Debut Down To The EXACT MONTH!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

One-half of the TNA Tag-Team Champions, Davey Richards, was knocked unconscious during a match against Chance Prophet at the ASW independent wrestling event in West Virginia on Thursday evening.

Because he was knocked out less than 24 hours ago, Richards will not be able to work tonight’s EVOLVE show as scheduled.

Richards tweeted the following about the subject:

https://twitter.com/RichardsWesley/status/619496622481911808

• INSANELY HOT Photo Gallery Of Sexy UFC Fighter MIESHA TATE!

TNA X-Division Champion Tigre Uno took to social media on Thursday to address the controversial comments Donald Trump made about Mexicans this week. The official TNA website noted that Uno will address the comments further on next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling.

Below are comments made by Uno and TNA President Dixie Carter:

He estado callado demasiado tiempo! @fightbobby dile a tuamigo @realDonaldTrump que me siento orgulloso de mi país! Mi gente! Mi cultura!

— XtremeTiger TJ (@XtremeTigerTJ) July 9, 2015

English Translation: “I’ve been silent long enough! @fightbobby tell your good friend @realDonaldTrump that I am proud of my country. My people. My culture.”

Voy a arreglar esto yo mismo! @realDonaldTrump si usted es lo suficientemente hombre para enfrentarse conmigo me encuentro @impactwrestling

— XtremeTiger TJ (@XtremeTigerTJ) July 10, 2015

English Translation: “I’ll fix this myself. @realDonaldTrump if you are man enough to face me I am @IMPACTWRESTLING #TigreVsTrump”

Proud to see @tnatigreunoxt #StandUp for his people and to @realDonaldTrump #TigreVsTrump http://t.co/50DMMIcRl1 pic.twitter.com/ee8qEHAtjO

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) July 10, 2015

• INSANELY HOT Photo Gallery Of Sexy UFC Fighter MIESHA TATE!

Both the TNA and ROH television ratings on Destination America were up significantly compared to last week, as both shows returned to their usual levels.

TNA’s combined audience was their highest (by 2,000 viewers) since moving to Wednesday evenings, while ROH’s replay out-drew their first airing on Destination America.

Below is the viewership figures for this week’s shows:

– 8 p.m. ROH 128,000 viewers

– 9 p.m. TNA 353,000 viewers

– 11 p.m. ROH 134,000 viewers

– Midnight TNA 100,000 viewers

Combined:

TNA: 453,000 viewers
ROH: 262,000 viewers

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

Thanks to F4WOnline.com for the following report …

We get a long recap of the EC3-Angle match from last week, with new camera angles. EC3 is shown holding the belt up last week, and comes out with it now. Josh hypes up a new day for TNA, but sadly didn’t use clap therapy for it. EC3 says he’s unbeaten and the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Tyrus holds the belt up for him and EC3 says that Dixie’s returning and has put him in charge tonight. He’s booked a heck of a card and will defend his title EC3-times tonight!

Matt Hardy comes down and wants a title match. He asks for a Twitter campaign here on this taped show. EC3 asks Tyrus if he likes the idea of #mattforchamp, and Tyrus disagrees while a giant “yes” chant breaks out. EC3 declines and Matt guarantees an ass-kicking anyway. EC3 points out that he’s running the show and mocks Matt for being a new dad and sings “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”. The Dirty Heels come down and we get a brief recap of the Wolves beating them.

Matt Hardy vs. The Dirty Heels

EC3 comes down for commentary and hypes up a slobberknocker. Pope asks why the dinosaur is here and EC3 buries Pope for not following him on Twitter. Josh buries Pope for preventing him from talking to EC3. Aries runs wild with kicks and face rakes while Pope buries EC3 for making this unfair match. Matt gets the Ice Pick, which you’d never know because Josh is too busy talking about EC3’s mic not working. Hardy gets the Ice Pick once again, now on Aries. Pope gives EC3 his headset and Matt gets some clotheslines and a bulldog/dropkick to both guys. Matt does his goofy stuff before the Twist and it gets countered, so he doesn’t do that crap and hits it. Aries runs wild, but eats a kick in the corner. Aries counters a suplex and Roode holds Matt’s foot down for the win. EC3 says he lives for this – I sure hope not.

Josh hypes up the return of Dixie Carter and the second part of Jeff Jarrett’s interview, which will hopefully go longer than a minute. The Rising is backstage with Eli on a crutch to deliver one final message. If they were forced to disband last week, why weren’t they allowed to deliver this message then? Why are they being given a one week stay of execution? Did the BDC sign off on that or does every broken up faction get an extra to talk from now on?

An ad airs for Knockouts Knockdown 2015 and The Rising is mid-ring. Drew is sad about the end of The Rising. Why? Josh said last week that you can just change your name and get around the stipulation. Eli says they all deserve better than this and he thanks him for bringing him into TNA, and soon, he’ll show him how much that means. I don’t like Drew’s odds. Drew says that wrestling will be around forever and the roster is the future and the future is bright. A very mild TNA chant breaks out. Drew says that #standup will continue and EC3 feigns crying at ringside.

Tyrus comforts his boss in his time of need, and EC3 laments that he’s already booked Drew in a three on three tag because he now has no partners and “this ship has sunk”. Yup, the ship sure has. EC3 says that it’s time for Drew to have a new one on three match against a totally different faction than the one he was feuding with. Josh points out that this is the second handicap match of the evening, which doesn’t make this any more interesting.

Drew Galloway vs. The Revolution

Pope calls the action, or at least the Twitter action as #standup is apparently a global phenomenon. Abyss chokes Drew on the ropes. Drew clotheslines and neckbreakers the heels down, but Khoya gets a Sky High for two because Abyss wants the win. Drew dropkicks Khoya into Abyss, which sends the 350 pounder to the floor and crotches Manik up top. Drew counts to three and gets a Sick Kick for the win.

Backstage, Anderson congratulates EC3 on winning. Even though he doesn’t like the guy, he appreciates him being able to accomplish his dream and do so on his own. Anderson respects him putting the title up three times and wants one of the shots. EC3 declines and says he already has a match – against Bram. According to Twitter, he’s re-signed a deal with TNA – and that match is next. Anderson comes to face “The Chesterfield Plague, The Human Hate Machine” Bram who seemingly gets a new nickname with every contract.

Mr. Anderson vs. Bram

Maybe TNA has signed each nickname of Bram’s to a contract and that’s why he’s signed up through the end of time. Bram gets an armbar on the ground. Anderson gets a neckbreaker and a two count off a Kenton bomb. Bram hits him with a chair to the head on the floor for a DQ and Josh ponders that he doesn’t care. Well, I sure hope Bram wouldn’t care about a DQ against Mr. Anderson. Bram yells at someone to drop Anderson’s mic, and Bram uses it to do Anderson’s intro and bash his head in with. Josh says “ouch” to every shot and we close to Bram rapping the mic against his own head. Okay then.

Jessie “The Man” Godderz is mid-ring and we see clips of a street fight from last week. Did that air on Xplosion? I have no recollection of it on Impact, but it’s leading to a street fight match this week. Pope says he wouldn’t wear his tights or boots to a street fight like these men are.

Jessie Godderz vs. Robbie E – Street Fight

Robbie dives to the floor and gets a running trash can lid shot to the head. Robbie gets a kendo stick from under the ring and gets a Cesaroplex onto a lid. Robbie puts the can over the genital region of Jessie and thwacks the lid with the stick. Jessie sidesteps a plancha and drives Robbie’s back into the post with a backbreaker. Josh theorizes that Jessie is trying to hurt him, which Pope buries him for since it’s a street fight. Jessie gets a slow buckle bomb and rakes the forearm across the face.

Jessie gets the cane and hits the gut and back, but tosses it to the crowd. Jessie tosses a garbage can in and puts it in the corner. Robbie is down and Jessie gets another cane, but Robbie legsweeps him. Robbie’s nose is busted up and he eats a big dropkick after a few punches. Jessie brings a few chairs in, but gets rammed into the trash can.

This is a by the numbers garbage match from nearly any video game of the past decade. Jessie lands a Last Ride through two chairs and it only gets two. Why not have that as a finish? It’s an over move, it looked vile, and it’s a mid-card match. Ah, now it makes sense – the Adonis Crab is locked on with Jessie sitting in the chair and trapping Robbie, who passes out from the pain. Why would you re-use the legendary Austin vs. Bret finish for Robbie E vs. Jessie Godderz of all things?

EC3 talks about having three five star matches tonight, thus creating a 15-star evening. Lashley bumps into EC3 and wants to be one of the opponents. EC3 declines, but does make Lashley vs. Tyrus. God, I hope that’s short. Angle is reading and the camera guy asks what he’s reading, and Kurt just says that things are going to get interesting.

Jarrett interview is up and Jeff says the deal between GFW and TNA is a work in progress. In August of 2014, he made GFW and has made alliances with companies across the world. He never thought TNA would be one of the alliances, thus framing GFW as bigger than TNA on TNA’s TV show. We get some GFW Youtube footage of the events of the past couple of weeks. Jeff says the KOTM title will now be the centerpiece of GFW and possibly other companies. Mid-ring, EC3 is here instantly – it’s title match time. EC3 says he has to go back to where he started – against Norv Ferman. Or Norv Fernum as he was known before and as the graphic states.

EC3 vs. Norv Fernum

Maybe TNA has re-signed Norv Fernum and/or Norv Ferman to contracts. Headlocker driver hits and Norv takes a great bump for it. EC3 doing his own intros and outros is quite great – he’s good at the job. Pope says that this is just a way for EC3 to stroke his ego while Josh strokes him. EC3 says that it’s Shark Week on Discover, so it’s time for Shark Boy!

EC3 vs. Shark Boy

Shark Boy was last seen being fat and thus getting a months-long series of storylines out of what was going to just be a one-shot – so kudos to him for that. He’s also lost his excess weight and is back in shape. EC3 tells him he’ll need a bigger boat and asks if he has a chance – Sharky responds with a shell yeah! Shark Boy pounds away with corner mount punches, but he eats a big lariat. Headlock Driver hits for the win. Josh wants a “shelfie” with Shark Boy. I normally don’t like Josh, but that was a great line.

EC3 asks Tyrus to cut him and Kurt comes down with his envelope. Kurt says he has a contract and can get his rematch whenever he wants. He wants the title back and wants the rematch tonight. Pope wants this while Josh clearly doesn’t. Lashley’s out now too – so maybe he’s the third man. According to Josh, it’s Kurt. I have no idea what’s happening here.

Lashley vs. Tyrus

So the series is over, and now it’s time for Lashley vs. Tyrus. Lashley manages to outwrestle Tyrus, but eats a facebuster. Lashley hops up for a sleeper, but eats a crossbody for 2. EC3 says that Norv is like his son and we’re seeing his guy dominate an MMA expert. Exploder by Tyrus to Lashley and we’ll be getting EC3 vs. Angle in the main event. Tyrus goes up for a Vader bomb, but he’s hit in the thigh and hit with an electric chair drop. This was pretty scary as he kept moving backwards a bit and Lashley couldn’t keep him very steady – he hits it and gets the spear for the win. Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne is up next.

But first, it’s part two of…part two of the Jarrett-Tenay interview. Jeff is asked what his legacy is in TNA ans he says the facts speak for themselves. In the ring, he was proud of his series with Kurt at that point in his career. He loved his early matches with AJ Styles and he’s proud to see him become what he is and he’s so proud of AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and the other TNA Originals. He loved Don West and he takes great pride in that team. Velvet comes out first while Josh talks about her just wanting her spot back. Madison gets a jobber intro, but a mic. She says Velvet’s dressed like a fan, so Velvet beats her up.

Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne

Pope says that Velvet’s got not just any stunner – but the Number One Stunner. Velvet beats her up on the floor, but breaks the count at 7. Madison tackles her down for 2. Northern lights suplex gets 2 and Madison follows that up with a cravate and knee strikes. Madison does the wave and shakes her hips before the headscissor driver. Velvet gets up and hits a series of kicks while Pople rattles off the Konami code. Velvet gets the Number One Stunner for the win.

We see the TNA crew doing some charity work, and get Kurt Angle’s ring introduction right after. EC3’s intro is greeted with a pretty healthy amount of cheers. EC3 comes out and the belt looks great on him, but it’s hurt by him being scared and not arrogant – so he doesn’t look nearly as cool here as he usually does.

EC3 vs. Kurt Angle – TNA World Title

EC3 rolls to the floor out by “the man dinosaur” as Pope calls him. EC3 breaks the count a few times, but Kurt traps him in the corner and works on the leg. Kurt snap suplexes him over for 1. Rolling Germans hit for Kurt, but Tyrus goes up on the apron to take out Tyrus. Ankle lock is on EC3 mid-ring and EC3 pulls himself up via Brian Hebner and punches him out and taps out. Another ref came in and calls for the bell – and we’re told it’s via DQ. Josh says we’re not quite sure what happened and he recaps the events. Okay then. The main event will be Dixie Carter’s return and she comes into the building for the first time since being put through a table by Bully Ray nearly one year ago.

EC3 is mid-ring twirling the mic around and says he’s done it again. Tonight, his aunt returns and we get her theme again. Dixie gets no reaction coming out, but a quick “Dixie” chant. Ethan hopes his aunt is proud and she stumbles over her lines as he talks. She shuts him up and says that she hasn’t been in the ring since she broke her back due to the “reign of Carter”. She says she was the monster who lied and manipulated everyone while hurting the company and its fans. Now he’s making the same mistakes she made. Dixie says she can’t change the past and wishes she could, but she can make sure her mistakes aren’t repeated.

He’s earned the title, but he has to defend it without his last name. She’s embarrassed by the show tonight, but he’s right about one thing – the show needs someone in charge to make the tough decisions. She wants this to be the best wrestling company in the world and knows who can make it that – it’s not her, and it’s not EC3. Next week, we’ll get an X Title three way and Brooke vs. Taryn for the Knockouts title. Well, that was an abrupt ending to a largely bad show.

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

Global Force Wrestling’s invasion of TNA is currently slated to kick off on the July 22nd edition of Impact Wrestling, which will air on a slight tape delay. The invasion will continue through the first Global Force TV tapings from Las Vegas on July 24th, which will see the crowning of GFW’s first World Champion and Women’s Champions.

Eric Young, Bobby Roode and several other TNA stars will be taking part in the first GFW TV tapings as part of the invasion angle. Young will be appearing at this weekend’s GFW live events to confront Jeff Jarrett.

GFW stars confirmed for the GFW tapings include Nick Aldis (Magnus), Chris Sabin, PJ Black (Justin Gabriel), Sonjay Dutt, IWGP Jr. Champion Kushida, Chris Mordetsky (Chris Masters), Sanada, Mickie James and Lei’D Tapa.

Country music star Toby Keith, who is a longtime friend of Jarrett’s and has had talks in recent years about buying into TNA, is said to be helping Jarrett finance Global Force Wrestling, but it’s not an open checkbook. There is apparently a specific benchmark Keith is pushing Jarrett to reach, which is likely a TV deal.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

The reason William Regal was in Japan last week and over the weekend was due to the WWE tryout session.

WWE reportedly had six men and two women at the tryout session, including Leona Fujinami, son of WWE Hall Of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami.

Also at the tryout was former TNA X-Division Champion Seiya Sanada, who still lives in the United States, but flew to Japan to take part in the tryout.

Other talents who took part in the tryout included Japanese talent Yohei, an independent wrestler from Osaka, Hikaru Shida, a popular women’s wrestler and the other names were people not as well known.

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA World Heavyweight Champion Ethan Carter III recently appeared as a guest on Busted Open Radio to talk about a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.

On being the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion: “Well I do have a heart but it’s pumped black full of panda-energy oil. I can take you on a trip down memory lane … First off, I know that this was built as a Slammiversary match but unfortunately circumstances negated that and we were kinda in a lose-lose situation because if we did it at Slammiversary but filmed TV prior … you know, it weird, but it did work out. It worked out great, I think Bell-to-Bell was our best show that we’ve had in a very long time. Everyone killed it on that show, it was great… great matches. The match with Kurt was perfect for what we were doing. It told the perfect story. It was my dream match as a kid to have and to have it for a World Championship was out of control and surreal. I mean, there was some definite knocks on the way, it’s been a long journey to get any sort of vindication for success, there’s been personal and professional ales that I’ve had to but I’m here and it’s AWESOME.”

On what kept EC3 motivated after all of the things he’s gone through throughout his career: “I kind of live my life by a motto, and whether it’s in wrestling or it’s in relationships with crazy ex-girlfriends or it’s any sort of, you know, people who spite me along the way … “It’s not over, until I win”. It is not over until I win and I will do everything in my being to prove people wrong. So, it wasn’t over until I won. I won. But now it’s just getting started. People think it’s like a death sentence to be released from WWE, when in fact there are plenty of places around the world to prove yourself… around the world to work and hopefully around the world to build up to be something special and build something great. TNA has afforded me that opportunity to just take the ball and kind of run with it and let me develop as a character, be myself and show who I truly am and I’ve hopefully repaid them by doing good work.”

On his infamous post-match promo: “It was immediately after [the match]. After a brain-rattling 15 German Suplexes and a lot of emotions unfolded. Before that promo took place, you know, cameras go off and my mom and dad were there… I brought them down to watch it. You’re getting all misty-eyed with my black heart but you know, we had a nice moment there. Miss Natalie, my girlfriend, was there. She’s seen me go through some shit in the day and you walk back to a round of applause from the guys on the roster… the girls… everyone that works there. And I was like “Wow. Get back to work, guys”. This is literally what I said and I completely regret it because it was such an emotional moment for me and I can’t help but be an idiot when I speak out loud sometimes but that meant the world to me. If they endorse me, the people in the back, the majority of them, that’s the justification I need. So, I am walking back because we’re actually filming more TV that day and I still had a whole gamut of activities to do but I took a seat down and this camera showed up in my face. They asked me how it felt to be the new TNA World Champion. It was raw and emotional and I look back on it… I forgot that I did it probably immediately after but … I look back on it and if it was a “wrestling promo” it may not have worked as much as, like, that was just me. And then it was like, “EC3 cuts expletive- ridden promo taking shots” and before I take any shots, WWE was really good to me for a long while and took care of me and taught me everything that I know and there is a lot of people that still to this day that I keep in touch with and good friends with and a lot of people are happy for me for succeeding elsewhere. There may be one or two guys that ended up being my death sentence there… one might not be there anymore … but do I need the motivation? No. I’ve always had the motivation. But if you could add fire to a fire to make it a bigger fire that is what happened and like I said, it’s not over until I win.”

On who from TNA gave EC3 his chance: “Coming over, I was on NXT before NXT was cool and awesome, you know, it was a chop-shop game show, I was on the internet, it was throwaway. We did the redemption thing and nobody cared. It was whatever. Probably people, major players in the office never even watched it or barely looked at it. That’s fine because they have better things to worry about. So I was at NXT then and John Gaburick was over in WWE and he’s in the truck all the time and he’s watching everything. When he came over to TNA, I was free and he immediately brought me in for a try out and next thing you know, I’m dropping Norv Fernum on his head and we’re off to the races. He saw something … a couple of other people vouched for me from over there to him and he brought me in and I was sort of his first “guy” to bring in and you know, regardless if I shit the bed or didn’t, he was going to be behind me because that’s wrestling and you get behind “your guys” and give them every chance to succeed even if they fail. Fortunately, it was pretty good and successful thus far.”

On people from across pro-wrestling who have reached out since winning the title: “You mentioned all those great people (Mick Foley, Seth Rollins) saying nice things and that meant the world to me. I’m a villain and I’m evil, but a lot of people kind of resonated with me personally and the journey I guess and especially with that promo. Foley? Wow. Jim Ross? Wow. And then Seth … Seth’s awesome. We came up similarly … he was more of a “Super-Indy” while I was more of a guy trying to get signed because that’s what I thought I’d be best at. We spent a lot of time at developmental together and we drove a little bit and we’re pals but we’re not the best of friends … we’re busy with our respective things but for him to be champion, and to say that, that meant a lot, I thought that took balls … not really because he’s the champ and he can do whatever he wants, as he should. It was very, very cool of him and I was just like, “Yeah, that’s awesome, Seth. I hate the fact that I’m a year older than you though. Damnit!” No… he’s great. He’s doing a great job and he deserves every bit of success he’s getting too.”

Check out the complete interview at BustedOpenNation.com.

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

Kurt Angle underwent successful surgery to remove a benign tumor from his neck earlier this week. By all accounts, the former Olympic gold medalist seems to be in good spirits.

Angle posted the following updates from the hospital after undergoing surgery.

https://instagram.com/p/415EmUiYON/

https://instagram.com/p/42TOOmiYNk/

https://instagram.com/p/42O69giYE1/

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

MVP mentioned on social media this past weekend that independent pro wrestling promoters can now book him for dates at BookMVPNow@Gmail.com. As a result of the post, MVP received several questions about his status with TNA.

MVP revealed that his current TNA deal expires in February of 2016, however it allows him to accept independent bookings.

Below is what MVP wrote on Monday:

1) My contract with TNA allows me to take independent bookings.

2) My contract with TNA runs through February.

3) I hate Flatscans.

— MVP (@The305MVP) July 6, 2015

• VIDEO: UFC Releases Footage Of CM Punk Training For Octagon Debut!

As she alluded to on Twitter last week, TNA President Dixie Carter is in fact returning to television on tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Destination America.

Dixie will be there to help kick off the “Era of Carter” following her nephew’s TNA World Heavyweight Championship win last week.

EC3 tweeted:

Dear Internet, All that good will and friendship I built with you guys this week Watch me torch it #ReignOfCarter pic.twitter.com/R9Y3BlQHmi

— #ec3isCHAMP (@EthanCarterTNA) July 6, 2015

Dixie tweeted:

For the first time since August 7, 2014 I will walk back into the arena on @IMPACTWRESTLING. It will be history. Wed 9/8c

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) July 7, 2015

Austin Aries recently spoke with the folks at Busted Open Radio about a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights from the interview:

On the pro wrestling business changing and what could come of it: “It’s kind of important for the fans to remember that we are kind of in uncharted territories with wrestling. They’re seeing some business models changing, some ideas and thought processes maybe changing a little bit. You know, I’ve only been out of a contract with TNA for a little over a week and we deciding not to resign there at the time wasn’t really an indictment of TNA as much as the landscape in general and just really wanting to take some time and get a lay the land so to speak because there is a lot of great things going on. I haven’t ended my conversations with TNA and you could see me back there because they are maybe willing to bring some guys in that aren’t under exclusive deals and they’re seeing that the landscape is changing. I think everyone just has to kind of be patient and not jump to conclusions. I always see “He’s back signing with ROH”, and so people are still back in that old thought process of if a guy is going somewhere then he must be under lock and key … and as we saw as you alluded to with Samoa Joe showing up on NXT under, initially, a non-exclusive deal, that really changed the landscape and opened some doors that maybe hasn’t been opened before. I think it’s a really cool time … a really exciting time for wrestling. There is a contingency of people who have come into positions to make a difference, who are trying to do business the right way, and move the wrestling business forward … and I think we need to jump on those trains at full speed ahead because wrestling needs to be moved forward. Like I said, I’m out here in LA, with a talent management company, dealing with lots of friends in different avenues of entertainment … and it’s funny because they look at me in awe, and my colleagues in awe, at what we are able to go out there and do on a performance level. But then understanding the professional wrestling business end, they’re also in awe of that a little bit too because maybe we aren’t always put on the pedestal we should for what we go out there and do.”

On TNA dropping the ball on his title run: “I guess as frank as I can say it … somebody dropped the ball, and it wasn’t me. I was ready to run with it and somebody knocked it out of my hands from behind. I’m not sure where the decision was made, but I agree with your assessment and I think a lot of people agree with that assessment [that TNA had red hot momentum when they put the title on Aries]. You know, sometimes you have too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak. At that time, that could have been the case of what was going on. You have different people fighting for different directions. All I wanted to do was to go on television every week and have the best god damn wrestling match of any company, anywhere. And we were poised to do that because we had all these fresh guys and matchups lined up that people wanted to see and the buzz was there and it was organic. Cowboy James Storm, he had earned a right for that championship title match and I kind of came along and maybe stole it from him … and I didn’t want to forget about him. I wanted to bring him back in the fold and give him the opportunity he had … I thought there was a lot we still could have done. And yeah, I’m disappointed I didn’t get the opportunity, but again… I don’t make those decisions. I take what decisions are made and do the best with them. I do feel that there was a lot more left on the table there that could have been done. And I think they may be a problem overall in wrestling … not just with TNA or any certain company. I think people tend to think that once a guy wins a championship, that’s when he’s made … and for me I always feel that’s when it begins. That’s when a guy has a real opportunity to cement himself as a superstar or as a top tier guy. But you have to be able to see that through and give the guy the opportunity to succeed or to fail on his own. That’s really all I wanted … was the opportunity to succeed or fail on my own. But plans change. Jeff Hardy came in … no one is going to discount Jeff Hardy and what he brings to the industry with his name value, his name recognition … so it had nothing to do with Jeff personally, I just felt like I didn’t get the opportunity to really help the company to the best of my abilities.”

On being a veteran in the business: “I don’t know what you guys are talking about, veteran presence, I’m a hot up and comer! In my head, I’m still like, “Wait till this wrestling world hears about me! I’m gonna take ’em by storm!” It’s funny … I guess I still don’t view myself like [a veteran]. I know I do have the time served now, but in my head I’m still that young upstart. It’s funny because I’ll read or I’ll people say, “Well, he’s passed his prime now … he’s over 35″. But I feel like I’m as good as I’ve ever been. I’m certainly wrestling smarter than I ever have. Listen, I know that I may have lost a half step, but I look back on those VHS tapes … because I am old … of my early days in wrestling and I had athleticism to spare. So, I have lost a half step but I think I’m maximizing what I have now and I’m better than ever. Understanding who I am. Understanding how I can be an asset for a promotion. And listen man, not everybody has to be on top. Not everybody has to be in the main event to make a main event impact. There are a lot of guys in TNA who embody that. They may be so good that it goes under the radar and people don’t understand just how good and how selfless they are. That is what I think that wrestling fans sometimes miss out on when they are watching or grading a match… the selflessness of certain wrestlers compared to other wrestlers. It’s easy to go in there and be about yourself and make yourself look like a star. But can you go in there and be selfless and can you go in there and make another guy look like a star, and then also make yourself look like a star? I think that there is value to that and I think that those guys eventually always make it to the top and the guys who are a little too selfish … they are gonna hit a certain point and they are going to get outed, so to speak.”

Check out the complete interview at BustedOpenNation.com.

• KEN SHAMROCK Talks About BEATING UP Big Show & JBL BACKSTAGE In WWE!

Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett recently checked in with a new video to update fans on a number of current noteworthy topics.

In the video, which you can view below, Jarrett talks about his recent TNA appearances, the announcement that Bobby Roode has signed with GFW, the upcoming GFW television taping and more.

https://youtu.be/AZsReUZLmh4

• KEN SHAMROCK Talks About BEATING UP Big Show & JBL BACKSTAGE In WWE!

TNA star Kurt Angle recently took part in a Q&A with fans on his official Facebook page. Below are some of the highlights.

On keeping a straight face when singing to Vince McMahon on TV: “It was difficult. Vince told us not to laugh until he yelled “cut”. We held it in long enough to get each one done. It was all improvisation. So much fun!”

On his father: “My father didn’t influence me into wrestling, my brothers did. They all wrestled so I was kind of forced into it, but my Dad was my #1 fan and supporter. He was at every single event I had until he passed when I was 16. He was always supportive, even when I didn’t do so well.”

On his bench press capabilities: “Most ever was 400. I’m not a strong upper body guy…legs and hips got me my GOLD, but I wasn’t weak either. Lol. I don’t bench press anymore, I do more toning and maintainence.”

On who he would want to retire against: “My retirement match would be Daniel Bryan. He’s so polished in the ring. I just don’t know if it’s possible. But I’d Love it!”

On if he wanted to face Undertaker at WM 22 and break the Streak instead of facing him at No Way Out: “Undertaker at Mania was only a thought that Undertaker came up with. I would have preferred him at Mania. Not to break the streak, but for the respect I have for him. At that point in his career, he didn’t have that “Mania Match” he always wanted. But he did after WM 22. Shawn Michaels, HHH. So I’m happy he got the mania matches he deserved.”

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