Former WCW President Eric Bischoff recalled his time in TNA during a recent episode of his podcast 83 Weeks. He and Conrad Thompson discussed TNA’s 2010 Bound For Glory pay-per-view.
During the episode, Eric Bischoff shared his thoughts on Abyss, describing him as a wonderful human being who was “stuck on this Mick Foley ripoff character.” It was a gimmick Bischoff confessed he always hated.
“Abyss is a wonderful human being. He is an amazingly talented guy but he was stuck on this Mick Foley ripoff character. I always hated that character, I couldn’t stand it when I was in TNA,” Bischoff said. “I couldn’t wait to get Abyss out of the Abyss character and get him into the Chris Park character which he did a phenomenal job at.”
Abyss competed against Rob Van Dam in a Monster’s Ball match on the card. Despite the match stipulations intending to, in theory, favor Abyss, Van Dam would emerge victorious from their bout.
In 2019, Chris Parks, who portrayed Abyss in TNA, signed a contract with WWE. He currently works for the company as a producer. He made his on-screen debut during the August 14 episode of SmackDown, appearing as AJ Styles’ statistician during Styles’ feud with Jeff Hardy.
WWE has posted a video on Youtube welcoming several new backstage producers to the company. The list includes several former stars from Impact Wrestling, including Abyss (Chris Parks), Sonjay Dutt, TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett, Shawn Daivari and Shane Helms.
Jarrett says Double J returned at the Royal Rumble, but Jeff Jarrett returned the following night at Raw. He believes WWE has a ton of young talent with potential, but nothing replaces experience and wisdom. It is now his job to doing everything he can to pass that wisdom on to the next generation.
Joseph Parks revealed that joining WWE is a lifelong dream come true and something he’s wanted for over two decades. After a Hall of Fame career in Impact, he’s now ended up with the best organization there is.
Sonjay Dutt is excited to work with so many old friends and colleagues again.
Shawn Daivari feels being back in WWE as a producer is the natural evolution of his career that he wanted to take. This is not a job you apply for and is honored WWE chose him.
Former WWE Cruiserweight champion Shane “Hurricane” Helms says, “you never wind up where you think you will.” He’s looking forward to mentoring WWE superstars.
Watch WWE’s video welcoming Abyss and more:
Posted February 21st, 2019 in WWE, News. Tagged: Abyss.
Impact Wrestling Hall of Famer Abyss and Sonjay Dutt are both gone from Impact Wrestling. According to PWInsider, both men are expected to join WWE in the near future. That report states Abyss and Dutt had “great opportunities” awaiting them in WWE and Impact willingly allowed them to pursue them.
Abyss had been with Impact Wrestling since the company’s formation back in 2002. After a storied career, he was inducted into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame during Bound For Glory weekend last October. Abyss had been working behind the scenes as a producer. He is the last of the Impact “originals” still on board.
It will be very interesting to see what Abyss’ role will be in WWE and whether or not he gets an on-screen run before settling into a backstage role.
Dutt started with Impact back in 2003. He’s a former X-Division champion and was also working as a producer.
Konnan and Tommy Dreamer will replace Abyss and Sonjay Dutt on the Impact creative team. They’ll be working with Don Callis and Scott D’Amore in the months ahead as Impact looks to gain traction in 2019.
Impact Wrestling has announced who will induct Abyss into the 2018 class of their Hall of Fame. On Thursday night, the promotion revealed that James Mitchell will do the honors.
The TNA Original will be celebrated and honored for his contributions to Impact Wrestling this weekend. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 13th in New York City at McHale’s Pub. He’s a former World Champion, X-Division Champion, and World Tag Team Champion. He joins Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Gail Kim, Earl Hebner, and Team 3D as members of the Hall of Fame.
The pre-show will air on Twitch at 7:30PM ET that will see stars of the roster arrive while the Hall of Fame ceremony will begin at 8PM ET. Fans who purchased VIP Tickets for Bound For Glory will be invited to attend the Induction Ceremony the night before Bound For Glory. Also, tickets are available as well, it will be a limited engagement.
BREAKING: Father James Mitchell will induct @TherealAbyss into the IMPACT Hall of Fame as it streams TOMORROW live on Twitch.
As of this writing, Abyss doesn’t have a match lined up for the biggest pay-per-view event of the year for Impact Wrestling, which is Bound For Glory, but with only six matches advertised to take place, it’s possible that they can book him in a match that would follow up his induction night.
Posted October 12th, 2018 in TNA, News. Tagged: Abyss.
Abyss continues to make the media rounds to promote the brand of Impact Wrestling, which has taken great strides in improvement with not only their storylines but the in-ring product this year, as well his latest accomplishment.
Abyss recently spoke with SportsKeeda to talk about various topics including who he thinks should be inducted into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame next year. This is when the TNA Original stated that there are a lot of people who are deserving but the first name that comes to mind is Mike Tenay because he believes Tenay was the heart of this company for a lot of years and is a dear friend of his. He added that Tenay has helped him so much and put him over strong throughout his career in pro wrestling.
Staying Loyal
Abyss will be celebrated and honored for his contributions to Impact Wrestling next month as the promotion has chosen him to be this year’s Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee. The ceremony will take place on October 13th in New York City at McHale’s Pub. He’s a former World Champion, X-Division Champion, and World Tag Team Champion. When asked about why he stayed loyal to the brand, he brought up how they gave him a chance and took a gamble on him. “And I was hired immediately afterwards. And they invested in me personally and professionally. Sure, the ups and downs are well documented that this company has gone through. Some of the lows and some of the trials and tribulations that occurred under past regimes. And I must emphasize past when I say that. We fought through a lot. A lot of people were betting against us. We pulled through it together. The talent did. We did. The company did. The office did. This company has always treated me well. This company has always treated me with respect. I was one of the founding members of this company. I was one of the cinder blocks that it’s sitting on top of.”
He continued to state that it always carried a lot of weight in him as being one of the original members of this company and that the promotion has been home to him for over 16 years now.
Posted September 27th, 2018 in TNA, News. Tagged: Abyss.
TNA Original Abyss will be celebrated and honored for his contributions to Impact Wrestling next month. It was announced last week that Impact Wrestling has chosen Abyss to be this year’s Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee.
The ceremony will take place on October 13th in New York City at McHale’s Pub. He’s a former World Champion, X-Division Champion, and World Tag Team Champion.
Abyss made an appearance on Busted Open Radio on Tuesday to talk about a wide range of topics including his induction. He stated that the company is and was always home for him as it’s where he started and spent the majority of his adult life there. He stated that he has been in the pro wrestling business for 50 percent of his life. He stated that the promotion took a gamble on him when he was a nobody coming out of Puerto Rico with a decent name, but nothing to where he was known in the United States. He stated that they gave him a chance when nobody else was biting at the time.
Abyss would bring up how to see the growth of the company and be a part of it, was one of the reasons that he didn’t leave because he had been there since the beginning and was part of the ground floor of the promotion. He reflected on working Wednesday night pay-per-views in ’02-03 where they didn’t know if there would be another event but kept coming each week. He recalled people telling them that they were going to close up the doors in six months and has said that for twelve years.
He is proud of what the company has done as there has been a lot of ups and downs but it’s a great company. He added that although they struggled and plowed through some obstacles along the way, it’s been his home and something that he can see himself leaving.
Abyss has been announced as the next inductee into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 13th during Bound For Glory weekend in New York City
Abyss is an Impact Wrestling original. He wrestled as ‘Justice’ on the first-ever TNA Wednesday night pay-per-view back on on June 19, 2002. He would debut as Abyss one year later. Abyss has done it all in Impact and held virtually ever title there is to hold. He’s a former Impact Wrestling world champion and a ‘TNA Grand Slam Champion.’
As the latest inductee, Abyss will take his rightful place alongside Sting, Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, Team 3D, Earl Hebner and Gail Kim. He issued this statement on Twitter in response to the news:
I’m absolutely over whelmed with the response to my upcoming @IMPACTWRESTLING Hall of Fame induction. Thank you ALL for your messages. This is one of the highlights of my career. I’m over come with emotion. Thank you to everyone who ever supported me. This is for all of YOU!!
Several years removed from being fired by the promotion, Hogan was reinstated earlier this year. Hogan had a sex tape leak out into the public which included some racist comments towards African Americans.
As a result, he was removed from their Hall Of Fame and essentially black-listed from WWE history. Earlier this year before the WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view (PPV), Hogan was reinstated into the Hall Of Fame. He also apologized to the entire WWE roster.
Its been said by several stars that the locker room is split on the reception of Hogan’s apology. IMPACT Wrestling star Abyss was recently interviewed by Wrestling Epicenter.
During the interview, Abyss offered his thoughts on Hogan’s reinstatement into the WWE Hall Of Fame. Abyss, who has worked with Hogan before in TNA, said he’s “thrilled” for “The Hulkster”:
“I’m thrilled about it. I’m so happy for him. I know how much it means for him to be back in the Hall of Fame. I got to know him really, really well when Hulk was working for Impact Wrestling. We became close, we became friends.
“We still talk. A lot of the things that happened were unfortunate. A lot of the things that happened were not good. I think he was truly apologetic, I think he truly feels sorry about it.
“I think he’s taken his rightful place back in the WWE Hall of Fame and back in wrestling history, I think that means more to him than anything in the world.”
IMPACT Wrestling star and creative team member Abyss spoke to WrestleZone Radio recently. The former TNA X Division Champion was asked about the current momentum within the company.
Abyss said he credits Scott D’Amore, Sonjay Dutt and Don Callis for the current upswing within IMPACT and also noted that the roster is one of the strongest ones in the world:
“I’ll credit Scott D’Amore, Sonjay Dutt and Don Callis. They have really hunkered down and you can see it in the production, you can see it in our commitment to moving the show around and you can see it in the talent.
“Those guys really, really, really hunkered down and I think that our roster right now is as strong as any roster in the world. Guys like Pentagon, Fenix, Sami Callihan, Austin Aries, Moose and Eddie Edwards.
“I think our roster has really started to take shape in 2018 and I think it’s really starting to come together as a top notch roster. The women as well with Tessa, Su Yung and Allie. We’ve got them in good places.”
Abyss has been in the professional wrestling business since the mid-’90s. He signed on with TNA back in 2002. Abyss has remained with the company for over 15 years. He has won several titles over the course of his career with the promotion; such as the NWA World Title, X Division Title, World Tag Team Titles, and more.
He has also feuded with names such as Matt Morgan, Dr. Stevie and also won the NWA World Tag Team Championships with AJ Styles. Now, Abyss finds himself as a member of IMPACT’s creative team as well.
Posted August 1st, 2018 in TNA, News. Tagged: Abyss.
UK based promotion IPW:UK recently made a blockbuster announcement for their December 17th show in Rochester, England. Former WWE 205 Live Superstar Austin Aries will be making his way back to Great Britain for the company at their ‘Undisputed’ event and now IPW have another ace up their sleeve.
Former PROGRESS World Champion Jimmy Havoc will be taking on former TNA Champion Abyss in a Monster’s Ball match. If you know Havoc’s history then you know exactly what he is capable of in a no holds barred environment. Conversely if you know ‘The Monster’ Abyss then you also know exactly what to expect on December 17th!
Tickets are still available to purchase via the IPW:UK site.
Longtime Impact Wrestling talent Abyss was recently interviewed on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, where he discussed the rise of the “Broken Hardys.” Abyss called the characters “incredible and awesome,” and credits the Hardy brothers with successfully reinventing themselves.
“I think it is groundbreaking in a lot of different ways,” Abyss said of the Broken Matt Hardy saga. “Matt and Jeff both have reinvented themselves and Matt really is the character and he is that. So it is such a great transition for them, so unique the whole angle with the Delete or Decay stuff, The Great War at Bound For Glory and everything that we have done with them has been incredible and I think it has been groundbreaking in a lot of ways and very different and very talked about. It has been fantastic and a great effort by a lot of different people.”
Abyss feels his Decay group has come a long way in the last year, and says he had almost-instant chemistry with the other members. Abyss changed his look for the group and says while his previous masked look was successful, he feels his new look with the face paint fits The Decay better.
“I do it with a blank slate each time and it is never the same which is kind of cool,” said of his face paint. “It’s something different and another layer to the character I’ve been able to add over the years.”
Abyss also touched base on working with Hulk Hogan, saying it was a highlight of his career and he had a great relationship with The Hulkster. You can listen to the full podcast with Abyss at podomatic.com.
According to a recent interview with TNA star Abyss, he was once being considered by WWE as a potential opponent for The Undertaker. On the Pancakes and Powerslams Show podcast, Abyss discussed turning down an offer from WWE in 2006 and said that he has no regrets.
“There was interest from [WWE],” Abyss confirmed. “I was at a time in my career where my contract was coming up, but I decided to stay with TNA… It was definitely an offer there in 2006 to work with Undertaker, but again, I was such a big part of the beginning of TNA, I was such a home-grown talent, a base talent who they were building around, I decided to stay.”
Abyss said that he doesn’t second-guess his decision to stay in TNA, and that it was a “pretty easy” decision to stay in TNA.
“I have no regrets, to be honest with you,” he told the Pancakes and Powerslams Show. “Like I said, TNA has been my home and treated me so good, so in the end it was a pretty easy decision for me to make, and I’ve never looked back.”
You can listen to the entire podcast with Abyss here.
Jeremy Borash appeared on Wrestling Observer Live this week and said tonight’s “Delete or Decay” match with The Hardys and Reby Sky vs. Abyss, Rosemary and Crazzy Steve will not be the Final Deletion Part 2 because it will be a very different match. Borash also called it the first battle in the great war that leads to The Hardys vs. The Decay for the TNA Tag Team Championships at Bound For Glory on 10/2.
Tonight’s Impact on POP will also feature a big announcement from President Billy Corgan, Jade & Gail Kim vs. Sienna & Allie and a BFG press conference with Ethan Carter III and World Champion Lashley. Here’s a teaser for the press conference:
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his Q&A section at JRsBarBQ.com, fielding questions from topics such as TNA’s new deal with Pop TV, the possibility of Kurt Angle showing up at WrestleMania or Abyss jumping to WWE and more. Below are some of the highlights.
On how TNA should handle changing their TV product now that they are moving to Pop TV:
“If I was TNA I would think very strongly on how I revamp my TV presentation and to develop a new, game plan for the future. Lots of ways to accomplish this but they do need a plan that is well thought out and one that they are able to execute.”
On if he thinks Kurt Angle will appear at WrestleMania next year:
“I’d say highly unlikely but as close to a no as I can get without saying it. Ship’s sailed or so it seems. Anything is possible.”
On lots of wrestlers getting hurt due to a lack of selling in matches:
“Many wrestlers take too many unnecessary chances, are often times reluctant to sell so that tey can look stronger and they have ot gained the skill set of mat /submission wrestling. It’s sad and it’s simply not a case of me being too old school.”
On the possibility of Abyss going to WWE at this stage in his career:
“Abyss’ offer to go to WWE was years ago and he’s happy where he is especially at this stage of his career. You’re thinking about a decade too late for any Abyss to WWE talk.”
On whether or not Bobby Lashley should be mentioned in the same sentence as Brock Lesnar and if TNA has dropped the ball with him:
“Bobby has really come into his own in TNA the past several months but he never had the amateur career to the level of Lesnar. Two, entirely different athletes. I’m a fan of Lashley’s work both in the ring and in the MMA cage.”
Engaged WWE couple Rusev and Lana, both of whom are currently away from WWE due to injuries, are on vacation in Europe. Here are some photos of them in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Rusev’s home town:
– As noted, Kurt Angle is scheduled to return to the ring at the TNA live event in Salem, Virginia on Saturday, October 3rd, which is the same night that TNA will be inducting Earl Hebner into the TNA Hall Of Fame. It is now confirmed that Angle will be facing Eric Young in one-on-one action at the 10/3 event. There is no word yet as to who Angle will be wrestling at the TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view the following night in Concord, North Carolina.
– TNA posted the following video which features Abyss sending a message to Mahabali Shera as they prepare to square off on this week’s edition of Impact Wrestling, which airs Wednesday night on Destination America.
https://youtu.be/-i9_90_8X6w
– TNA announced that British rock band “Chasing Cadence” is doing the new theme song for their TNA Xplosion show. The song is called “Dear Life.” Check out the new intro below.
TNA star Abyss recently spoke with Donald Wood and the Ring Rust Radio crew. Below are some highlights of what he said about:
TNA Joining Destination America:
“The locker room was excited. We hadn’t seen each other in a little while because we had a bit of time off, so everybody was super excited to get back to work and perform in the ring. It was fun to see the enthusiasm and the excitement as we embark on this new venture with Destination America. It’s not really that much of a difference as far as the atmosphere. It’s a different network and there are different expectations and different things that we want to accomplish, and I’m sure Destination America wants to accomplish, so we’re feeling each other out and understanding each other’s goals. From that standpoint it’s a little different, but other than that, it’s very much business as usual.”
The Evolution Of His Character:
“I’m so proud of the evolution of the Abyss character throughout the years. Longevity in this business is not something that a lot of talents get the privilege to experience, and I’ve been able to do that. To see the character evolve like it has from its roots with Jim Mitchell to the different phases of the character: the insane asylum character to working with Hulk, and then you throw in some of the Joseph Park stuff, I’ve had a lot of support along the way. My relationship with Dixie goes all the way back to early 2003 and everything she has provided, the tools for me to be able to showcase myself on that platform. David Lagana and Matt Conway, the writing team, have been fantastic in coming up with new angles and new ways to present the character. It’s been a great team effort. I’m more proud of the fact that I’ve been with TNA since 2003 than any belt I’ve ever won or any accomplishment I’ve been able to do in the ring. Being a part of the Impact team for well over a decade is something that I’m extremely proud of.”
His Loyalty to TNA:
“Being a part of TNA since the beginning is something that I’m extremely proud of. Not to say that other places aren’t good places to work – I’m sure they are – but for me, the decision to stay was due to the fact that I love TNA. I’m TNA through and through; I always will be and I’m proud of that. I did have opportunities to go to other places and I’m proud that I was afforded those opportunities, but the reason that I stayed was for loyalty. The company has treated me fantastic over the last decade-plus years that I’ve been there, from Dixie to everybody there. I’m happy there. I wanted to stay and be a part of something that I started with from the ground up. There’s no other place in the world I could have gone and said that, so that was the reason that I stayed and I have zero regrets. If I had to do it over again 100 times, I would do it 100 times.”
If He Regrets Never Signing With WWE When He Had The Chance:
“I absolutely 1,000 percent would make the same decision again. I absolutely have no regrets whatsoever. Being a part of TNA since the beginning is something that I am extremely proud of. I’m not saying other places aren’t great places to go work, but for me the decision to stay on that occasion and several others is that I love TNA. I am TNA through and through and I always will be. I did have opportunities to go other places and I am proud that I was afforded that opportunity. The reason I stayed was for loyalty and no other reason. Not stage fright as Tommy joked in that interview, it had completely to do with the fact the I love TNA through and through. The company has treated me fantastic over the decade plus years I have been there. From Dixie to everyone there I am really happy there. I wanted to stay there and help build the company, be a part of something that I was with since the ground up. There is nowhere else in the World I could go and say that. That was the reason that I stayed and I have zero regrets. If I was asked to do it over again a 100 times I would do it 100 times.”
Posted January 23rd, 2015 in News, TNA. Tagged: Abyss.
TNA executive John Gaburick announced via his official Twitter account the re-signing of former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young.
Young joins Kurt Angle, Abyss, Ethan Carter III, Mr. Anderson, Jessie Godderz, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards and Madison Rayne, all of whom have officially signed back on with the promotion for their upcoming Destination America debut.
Below is the announcement from Gaburick’s Twitter page:
Proud to announce that former World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young (@ShowtimeEY) has signed a new contract with @IMPACTWRESTLING!
TNA announced today that they have re-signed Mr. Anderson and Madison Rayne to new deals with the company.
Anderson and Rayne join Kurt Angle, Abyss, Ethan Carter III and Jessie Godderz as recognized TNA talents that have re-signed with the company this week.
TNA has announced the re-signing of former TNA Tag-Team Champion Jessie Godderz. Godderz joins Kurt Angle, Abyss and Ethan Carter III as talents that have re-signed with the promotion this week.
Speaking of TNA talents, the company has moved Bully Ray, Devon, Brittany, Quinton Jackson and Shark Boy to the alumni section of their official website.
In the case of Bully Ray, his deal with TNA expired and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be re-signing with the company for their return to cable television on Destination America later this month.
In addition to Kurt Angle and Abyss, who TNA revealed re-signed with the promotion earlier this week, the company has now announced the re-signing of Ethan Carter III.
EC3 joins what will become a growing list of talents whose TNA deals expired recently that will be returning to the company now that they are gearing up for their re-launch on Destination America.
Below is a tweet from Dixie Carter confirming the EC3 re-signing.
After announcing the re-signing of Kurt Angle on Tuesday, TNA has also confirmed that Abyss (aka Chris Parks) has also re-signed with the company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Many of the TNA deals have expired since the promotion’s last television taping, so it’s believed that we will see a number of re-signing announcements in the coming days.
Abyss posted the following on Twitter about his TNA signing.
The following are highlights of a new Main Event Radio interview with TNA wrestler Abyss:
On Monster’s Ball Match Memories: “All the Monsters Ball matches. I’ve had so many of them. Me and Sabu, me and Rhino had some really good ones, me and Bully Ray, AJ Styles, all of them. I’m so proud of them. It’s kind of my match, it’s named after me and it’s neat to see all the different kind of matches that occurred in the Monster’s Ball. It’s going on 10 or 11 years that we’ve been doing it. It’s a pretty big thing and I love it. At Bound for Glory 2007, the 4-way with Samoa Joe, Rhino, and Brother Runt. In 2008, the only tag team Monster’s Ball that’s ever been done. Me and Matt Morgan, Team 3D, LAX, and Beer Money. That one is not one of my best memories, that one is one of the most extreme memories. That was probably the most pain I’ve ever felt and the most injured I’ve ever been after a match. Some good memories and some bad memories to it.”
On working with Bram: “He’s incredible. I just can’t rave enough about the guy. He’s such a physical wrestler, he’s cut out of my mold; reminds me of a young Bruiser Brody. An incredible wrestler, his ring awareness and his acumen in the ring is just above a guy his age. Those two matches we had – Stairway to Janice and the Monster’s Ball were incredible. I was so proud of it, they were physical matches and the fans enjoyed it. We took a lot of risks, he put his body on the line, I put my body on the line and the result is what ended up happening. He’s a star on the rise.”
On young talents: “TNA has a bunch of guys who are on the cusp of breaking through. Ethan Carter, EC3, I really think is a star. A guy who has great acumen and awareness. Everything he does he strives for perfection. The Bromans are two great athletes, an incredible tag team together. Rockstar Spud. We have a good group of young guys who are really making their mark and are going to continue to.”
The following are the main news items coming out of this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling:
– Samoa Joe vacated the X Division Title to sell his injury angle. A new champion will be determined next week on Impact in a four-way match featuring Low Ki vs. Tigre Uno vs. D.J. Zema vs. Mannik.
– James Storm & Abyss captured defeated The Wolves to capture the TNA Tag Titles. The match was set up when Davey Richards refused to join James Storm’s offer to join his heel faction, which led Storm to cash in his Feast or Fired Briefcase. Abyss is now part of Storm’s group.
– Gail Kim and Taryn Terrell will face Havok in a three-way match for the Knockouts Title next week.
– There will be a confrontation between TNA World Heavyweight ChampionBobby Roode and Bobby Lashley next week.
– Tommy Dreamer will face Bram in a Hardcore match next week.