SEScoops

Tag: AJ Styles

  • Yoshi Tatsu Provides An Update On His Broken Neck

    Former WWE Superstar Yoshi Tatsu has provided an update on his health after breaking his neck in the ring back in November. The injury occurred when Tatsu landed wrong while taking a “Styles Clash” from AJ Styles at the New Japan Pro Wrestling “Power Struggle” internet pay-per-view event on November 8th (Video).

    Unfortunately Tatsu is not doing well almost 3 months later. He tweeted on Sunday night:

  • Dixie Carter On TNA Challenging WWE, If She Regrets Losing AJ Styles & More

    The following are highlights of a new What Culture interview with TNA President Dixie Carter:

    If TNA could ever challenge WWE like WCW did: “Absolutely, I think we can be in that position or we wouldn’t be in business today. We’ve got some exciting things on the horizon and our television partners worldwide are really stepping up and are committed to growing our brand, and that’s a big part of it.

    In the United States, we have one, two hour television show every week and we want to be developing the programming and doing some exciting new strategic things to grow our company in ways that we’ve never even had the opportunity to do in the past. So 2015 and beyond looks very bright for us.”

    If she regrets losing AJ Styles from TNA: “Of course, I regret [it] and I miss a lot of people who are no longer a part of our roster, but I think that’s what so great about our company is that hopefully, at some point, he will be back, and so will others. I look at this past year with Matt Hardy returning and Low Ki returning, and Rhino and so many others.

    I think it makes for great TV and when they came back, all the characters were so fresh, and besides, AJ was so synonymous with TNA, and to me, he’ll always be a part of our family.”

    Her gender being an advantage or disadvantage in the industry: “To me, it’s been an absolute advantage. I think, in the first several years, people didn’t know quite what to make of me. I’m a very positive person and a very different personality to what they had experienced in the industry before. You know, I really care about them and I care deeply for this group of people who work for us and for the fans of the show and I think it’s an absolute advantage in corporate meetings and behind the scenes with the talent.

    There’s just a different perspective, I think sometimes. I mean, I can deal with a man, I have no problem, I’ve done that my entire career. It just gives you a unique perspective, it’s helped me and played to my advantage many times.”

    Her thoughts as she was about to go through a table: “My head was a complete blank, honestly! It was very surreal. I was in Los Angeles last week and I was watching a video highlight reel that Discovery had put together for Destination America. I was watching all the different episodes and the crazy things that I had done last year, and, you know, I was looking at that person going “Who is that?” [laughs], and then I see her about to be powerbombed from the top rope through a table….to me today, it’s so very surreal.

    I just tried not to think about it and tried not to worry about it and just do it. I felt like, every single day, I’d sit behind the cameras and watch…and to our company and our fans and our television show, I just felt like it’s the least I could have done, to show them how much I respect what they do and just a small way of saying thank you. I don’t think I expected to break my back, but at least it makes for a good story now!”

    The one thing she would change from her past in TNA: “Oh wow, I’ve never been asked that question before! I think the thing I would change would be to realise that just because someone’s been in this business a long time, doesn’t mean that they have the magic silver bullet that’s going to change everything. People who’ve been doing this successfully in the past, and their experience, doesn’t necessarily mean that that will work today.

    Times have changed, viewing habits have changed, social media has changed so much about the world we live in today, and how we experience life. I think I would have not put so much stock in that, and would have looked beyond for fresher outside ideas earlier.”

    Check out the complete interview at WhatCulture.com.

  • Jeff Jarrett On GFW’s Plans As A Stand-Alone Promotion, AJ Styles Finisher, More

    The following are highlights of a new Pandemonium Podcast interview with Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett:

    On when GFW will be a stand alone company: “2015. I know that’s very, very broad. We rolled out the name of the company in April & got our AAA alliance announced. The NJPW alliance, building up the brand. We got a couple funny Twitter comments from you [laughs] that I smiled all about so there’s another alliance in there [to special guest co-host, Marty] but, no, all kidding aside… rolling out the brand. And then the New Japan situation came about and all eyes in Global Force are focused and if I would have to release details from now until January 4, I don’t want anything seeding headlines or move anything. We’re laser-focused on January 4. Post January 4, I’m going to be making announcements about distribution, talent, venues, and sponsorships, and everything that goes with a stand-alone. 2015 I’ve obviously been holding things pretty close to the vest and that’s obviously by design. I made it a real focus. I want Global Force to be a different kind of brand. Yes, it’s going to be a standalone. We have these professional relationships where we can present, not just to the North American audience but the entire globe… different styles, different forms, different, innovative ways to bring wrestling to the masses.”

    On doing cross-overs & co-promotions with other wrestling companies & whether is it essential to please wrestling fans: “Essential is a pretty strong word. Do I believe it’s beneficial? Absolutely. It goes without saying that WWE 95% of the market share. It’s all about how do you cut through. Not that just because it’s wrestling, WWE is #1, who’s #2, who’s #3, who’s #4, who’s #5. I don’t think it’s appropriate or necessary. I think it’s counterproductive to success. In the music business, you can have 10 country music artists who are selling out arenas. You can have pop music, rock music, and all different forms. So, I believe it’s in everybody’s best interest. A couple of weeks ago, ROH had their pay-per-view and we used our digital space and our social media to encourage people to watch the show. I think that it’s healthy for the industry if all promotions are thriving. Is it essential? I don’t think I’d say it’s essential but I do say it’s very, very healthy.”

    On competition and Bullet Club: “Well, I said back in February or March that I thought that the industry as a whole was right on the cusp of a boom period. Some people thought I was crazy and some people agreed. But, here we are 11 months later, NJPW is going to be on access, we’re bringing the pay-per-view with Jim Ross and I can’t tell you just how the media requests, alone. Jim can talk until now until January 4 and he wouldn’t be able to get it all in. NJPW is going to be on access, Lucha Underground is on El Ray, TNA, God bless them, signed a new TV deal, & WWE has the WWE Network. There is a lot of healthy things going on in this business. The more needs for professional wrestling? I do think there is a void in the marketplace. WWE, how could you complain or argue about their success? They’re publicly traded company, a billion dollar organization that’s been around for 60 years. What they do is their style and they do it very well. Do I think that NJPW will be coming to North America or AAA coming to North America? Other forms of wrestling coming to North America? Do I think that would be successful? You’re damn right, I do. Let’s take that show this past Saturday night [Pro Wrestling Syndicate]. There were 1500 people in the building and I think I saw 250 Bullet Club shirts. That, to me, is a very strong indicator of how hot that product is and The Bullet Club is all American, outside of Takahashi, are all American. They’re all great wrestlers. Kenny Omega and AJ Styles are two of the very best performers in the world. Gun and Gallows held the [tag] titles for a year now. They’re strong. Young Bucks, who I think is the best tag team in the business today, their timing in what I call, ‘new age wrestling’. I think there’s a lot of indicators of that indicate the potential of how successful it can be here.”

    On independent wrestling: “They’re independent promotions but I don’t call the guys working them ‘indy wrestlers’. I think there’s a negative connotation that goes with that, unfortunately. I’m calling them free agents and, I think the free agent market right now is as hot as its ever been. You’ve got guys that are working Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from anywhere 1,500 to 2,500, and these promoters… you’re always going to have some bad promoters out there. But, for the most part, I’m looking around and seeing guys who are businessmen who are putting on really good shows. The business is healthy and that really excites me. My family has been in the business since the 1940s. My grandmother started. It’s ‘put groceries on the table’ for over 70 years. To see the amount of work at shows and, not just in North America, but in Europe, UK specifically, is having some really good shows and Austailia. There’s a lot going on out in the world of professional wrestling that is not WWE-related.”

    On being the only person who is both a member of the NWO and the Bullet Club: “Funny you ask. At that show, Kevin Nash was there and we filmed him and that video came out yesterday. To hear Kevin Nash be so complimentary of the Bullet Club. I’m still in shock. I’m lucky that I’m the only guy to be in both. When those guys approached me back in August after NJPW and GFW solidified their relationship, they said, ‘Hey, we want you to be part of Bullet Club.’ How could you turn that down at this stage in my career? So I’m really honored and can’t wait to get to the Tokyo Dome. But, when I was talking to Kevin and listening to when he was getting interviewed, and he said the Bullet Club is much more athletic than the original members of NWO– Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan. I’m like, ‘he’s right.’ He’s being honest about it. I can tell you that i witnessed firsthand when the NWO first came on the scene and they powerbombed Bischoff off the stage and just the buzz and showing up at those Nitros and they were sold out 5 days in advance. Just the electricity and the buzz… I mean, they were selling out buildings just by showing up in limos and beating people up and they didn’t even have their first match. If you look at the comparison and the vibe, the Bullet Club does the ‘Too Sweet’ that’s the homage to NWO and Kevin threw it back at them so it’s cool. It’s a special time in the business, I’ll say.”

    On what he predicts will be “match of the night” on Wrestle Kingdom 9: “Well, I mean, typical wrestler… I have to say my match is going to be the best [laughs] I’m kidding, I’m kidding. No disrespect to the other nine matches but there’s three in my mind that I believe are going to be 5-star matches. I believe the 4-team match is going to be a match that is going to be potential to set the standard barrier. I don’t want to call this a exhibition match because it’s bigger and broader. It’s more dynamic. The 4 corners match is going to be a showstealer. The main event is for the title so that’s the second one. One of the best rivalries. AJ Styles’ match is going to be off the charts. Those are the three. Sorry I couldn’t nail it down to one.”

    On whether AJ Styles should change his finisher, The Styles Clash: “I want to have all due respect to guys that have been injured but I’ve heard that and I just have to laugh. Actually, I laughed. This business, as Jim Ross says, ‘it ain’t ballet.’ But you need to learn how to protect yourself and if you can’t protect yourself, either A get out of the business or B don’t take it. Don’t put it on AJ. Back in the asylum, Frankie Kazarian took it wrong and I know that the nature of our business is the tuck your chin to protect your neck. On this, know going in, focus and know, if AJ can be in this predicament. You know what to do. I put it on the performer, not on AJ. Not even close. It’s ridiculous, in my opinion, for someone to say, ‘AJ, that move needs to be banned.’ He’s done it for 12 years and, if a guy can’t protect himself, it’s not AJ’s fault.”

    On the funniest people in wrestling: “When you look back over the years, the first name when you said funniest in the dressing room– Road Dogg and Brad Armstrong, God rest his soul. Brad was the funniest of the bunch and Brian will tell you today, Brad was the funniest but it never coorelated to the audience but Brian’s did.”

    Check out the complete interview at VOCNation.com.

  • Jeff Jarrett Talks Leaving TNA, His Plans For GFW, Wrestle Kingdom 9 & More

    The following are highlights of a new Main Event Radio interview with Jeff Jarrett:

    On the NJPW ‘Wrestle Kingdom 9’ pay-per-view: “This is truly a global event. The most widely distributed live wrestling event in history. New Japan is a red-hot promotion. Expecting over 50,000 fans and I can tell you this will be a card that is on par with a Wrestlemania. Jim Ross, the voice of a generation of wrestling fans is going to be calling the action. This truly is a can’t miss event.”

    On The Young Bucks: “I consider the best tag team in wrestling today. New age wrestlers of 2015 and beyond.”

    On AJ Styles: “We’ve gone side-by-side together for the last 12 years…he stepped away, out of his comfort zone and he had in my opinion possibly the best year of his career. He’s an incredible athlete and an even better person. I met AJ when he was in his early 20’s and now he’s married with 4 kids. I’ve seen him develop as a man and I’m very proud of him as a man and in his career. The X division matches that he had and his world title runs, he is without a doubt the hottest free agent out there and a great professional wrestler.”

    On Jim Ross: “We knew when Global Force Wrestling and New Japan cemented the deal in August and then got the PPV contracts confirmed throughout United States and Canada with every provider in both countries. So when we looked around to find out who would be the English-speaking announcer and realized that Jim Ross was available, it was a no brainer. He is the best of the best of the best, he has no peers and he is simply the best. We knew by signing him, by acquiring him, he was going to raise the profile of the event. But over the last 3-4 weeks the amount of publicity and media requests has taken off a whole new life. The buzz is taken off the charts. With the Flipps app, this event is available on a worldwide basis for anybody to watch.”

    On leaving TNA: “It was time. I founded the company back in 2002. We were rocking and rolling. I put everything I had into that company. I knew when 2013 came to an end; I looked in the mirror and knew it was time for me to take the next step in my life and my career. I’ve got no regrets, I’m very happy with my time there but it was time for me to go in a different direction. Very thankful, very blessed, and very grateful for my time in TNA. The early years were such a unique set of circumstances. The rabid fan base began to grow back on a weekly basis back on the Wednesday night PPVs. The original fans, then we got the Spike deal and things began to gel. From 2002 right through 2009 were my favourite times. A lot of fun, great talent, the X division, it really exploded.”

    On if it bothers him at all that TNA refers to Bobby Roode as their longest reigning champion: “No, because that’s wrestling. Bobby’s a good friend. I can remeber him at the early days at the asylum. I walked up to Bobby and I scratched my head why he wasn’t signed to WWE. We jumped on him immediately and signed him. He’s a great talent, I’ve got a ton of respect for the guy and he can get it done in the ring.”

    On his plans for Global Force Wrestling: “We have very methodically rolled out the Global Force Brand. Partnering with AAA in Mexico, New Japan in Japan, with announcements to come for United Kingdom, Australia, and South Africa. Systematically, we’re having patience. We’re going to be a fully-functioning promotion with our roster, sponsorships, venues, talent, distribution. We’re putting those all in place. In early 2015 the roll-out of GFW will continue. Stay tuned. We’ve got some really unique opportunities ahead of us. A wrestling PPV has not been promoted without a traditional cable outlet. We’re innovative. Everything, not just the wrestling business, is headed to the digital world. WWE Network, New Japan World, Major League Baseball. With us partnering with other promotions around the world, that is a fundamental difference in today’s wrestling.”

    Check out the complete interview at MainEventRadio.com.

  • THE BUNNY Caught In Backstage Segment WITHOUT His Mask On! Who Is He? [PHOTOS & VIDEO >>]

  • AJ Styles Explains Why He Doesn’t Want To Work For WWE

    NJPW star AJ Styles (and his fellow Bullet Club members Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) were guests on MLW Radio’s Talk’n Shop Podcast (Episode #25). Styles spoke about breaking into wrestling and said “Benjamin Franklin” inspired him to become a pro wrestler, implying he was motivated by making a good living.

    When asked about the worst “shoot” he’s ever seen, Styles said:

    “I’ve seen Low-Ki chop a guy’s nipples off… Just beat him, man. Some guys you’ve got to fight back or they’ll just keep doing it. That’s probably the first thing you learn in wrestling; you’ve got to take it or you’ve got to give it back.”

    One of the hosts said he’d seen Low-Ki work very stiff against Prince Devitt (NXT star Finn Balor) and explained that there wasn’t any malice involved, they were just working for a promotion that put on stiff matches.

    When asked if he ever wants to join WWE, Styles replied:

    “Why would I want to go to WWE? AJ SI mean honestly… They’re struggling right now with the Network… I’m in the hottest wrestling company in the world—New Japan—and I’m with the hottest wrestling group. We can say it over and over again. It’s absolutely true.”

    You can listen to the entire episode at this link.

  • Magnus Tells Backstage Story About Sting, Talks Current State Of TNA, AJ Styles

    The following are highlights of a new interview with Magnus:

    His current status with TNA: “I haven’t….I’m still under contract. There’s been no discussion of any of that. I already knew I was booked for the (UK) tour. I think I was one of the first names advertised when the dates were first booked. I think it was just one of those things where when they did the finalised line-up. There’s…..as of now, as of right now, I still have a contract. That’s about as much as I’m willing to discuss.”

    How Sting went to bat for him in a situation with Jim Cornette: “Jim Cornette – who I have a lot of respect for and get on with and now – he was not necessarily on ‘Team Magnus’ when I first showed up. And with good reason! I didn’t fucking belong there! I didn’t know a fucking headlock from a headlight!….Jim Cornette looked at me and was like “Alright kid, keep your mouth shut and your ears open and maybe we’ll get through this!” Sting kind of reprimanded him a little bit and was like “Actually, Jim, he’s got some really good ideas and I pretty much want to do the match that we’ve already discussed.” He was like “Eh, ok…alright then” It ended up being a good piece of business and Cornette was happy.”

    What he didn’t enjoy about being part of AJ Styles’ last match in TNA: “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful – but I don’t know if it was as much them having faith in me or…or if I was an easy person to have the heat on, at least. There were some very unfortunate circumstances around the AJ thing….I suffered a concussion when I won the title in the match with Jeff…I was pretty much on auto-pilot. I was in a bad way….I’ve never had one since…..That then meant that we weren’t able to do what we wanted to do with AJ. It’s my understanding that we were to do a straight up match, but that wasn’t possible. They did the best thing they thought they could do…..It wasn’t wrestling. It was just an angle.”

    His love of U.K. television in the 1990’s: “(Gladiators) was part of that Saturday night line up….Friday night was swimming, fish and chips and ‘Top of the Pops’. Saturday was football practice or a game, and then that night it would be ‘Blind Date’, ‘Noel’s House Party’ and ‘Gladiators’.”

    Growing up as a wrestling fan: “When I was a kid, like a small kid, we didn’t have Sky. We didn’t have satellite TV. But I was still completely familiar with the WWF and that’s really a testament to how incredible their marketing is. Even though I never really had access to it because I couldn’t see it on TV, u still knew who everybody was. …For me, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart was held on a pedestal with superheroes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and stuff….He was like a real hero….Probably around 1996/97 was when I started to get back into it when Shawn Michaels and HHH started doing DX….That was where the first time it started to pique my rebellious teen interest…From the age of 13 it was formulating in ny head that that was what I wanted to do.”

    Check out the complete interview above.

  • HUGE Update On Backstage Reaction To CM Punk Interview w/ Very DETAILED & SPECIFIC Stories

  • Video: AJ Styles Botches Styles Clash Again

    Last night at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s World Tag League 2014 event from the Zentsuji Citizen Gymnasium in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, AJ Styles botched his Styles Clash finisher on Satoshi Kojima.

    The incident occurred just days after Yoshi Tatsu’s neck was broken by the move.

    Video: Yoshi Tatsu Suffers Broken Neck From Styles Clash

    Since Tatsu’s injury, there have been a lot of people urging Styles to stop using the move. Although Styles Clash can be a relatively harmless move when both men execute it properly, two men have suffered broken necks this year alone.

    Indy Wrestler Pleads For AJ Styles To Stop Using Styles Clash

    Hit up Page 2 below to see 4 nasty videos of AJ Styles botching Styles Clash on his opponents:

  • Indy Wrestler Pleads For AJ Styles To Stop Using Styles Clash

    Following the news that Yoshi Tatsu suffered a broken neck at the hands of AJ Styles’ Styles Clash finisher, UK indy wrestler “Lionheart” Adrian McCallum is pleading for AJ Styles to stop using the move.

    McCallum argues that while the move itself is not inherently dangerous, several experience athletes have been seriously injured by Styles Clash, including two suffering broken necks.

    Video: Yoshi Tatsu Suffers Broken Neck From Styles Clash

    He posted the following message on Facebook:

    “I’ll make the assumption he sees this somehow so please read and share… I’d like to openly address him…

    Firstly, I hope things are well for you and family… I wanted to write you because I feel it’s important someone speak up in a more formal and diplomatic manner, as opposed to simply throwing abuse via anonymous social media ramblings…

    Here’s the truth… The move is not directly dangerous… It’s a simple move in principle… Arms and legs locked, you fall forward, guy looks up/back, easy… The Styles Clash ‘on paper’ is a fairly safe and basic process…

    That said, what is dangerous, is the instinctual reaction of your opponent… The wrestler taking the move, who like any wrestler taking any move, their safety and welfare is the priority…

    Without ANY injuries, it could be argued that the mechanics of the move are unnatural, and injury could easily happen due to the physical restrictions and instinctual habits of the recipient… The numbers now are surely too great to even call it an argument?

    I’m more than happy to be educated on my statistics, but there can be no move in wrestling history that carries more (documented) serious and potentially career threatening injuries than this… This, is what makes the move dangerous, whether indirectly or not…

    Thus far, more specifically the last 12 months, several performers, actual experienced athletes, have been injured with this, 2 of them now with broken necks… The question I want to put to you honestly is, what does it take? What will it actually take for you to stop using this move, at the very least on an independent level, with people not necessarily exposed to the experience of working with you and taking the move semi regularly… How honestly will you feel the day you receive the news that the man you just wrestled has a broken neck and will never walk again? Statistically, that day is coming… It is a mathematical certainty…

    I take this opportunity now, to openly and publicly beg you… Please, stop using the Styles Clash… You are unquestionably one of the greatest in ring performers of our time, I truly believe that… But the time is now, to put all pride, ego, blame aside, and acknowledge that irrelevant of fault, circumstance or anything else, the move is a direct risk and a danger to the safety and well being of your fellow wrestler…

    All the best.

    A”

  • Video: Yoshi Tatsu Suffers Broken Neck

    Former WWE Superstar and current New Japan Pro Wrestling star Yoshi Tatsu revealed via social media that he has been hospitalized after doctors discovered that he had suffered two broken bones in his neck. He’s expected to miss one year of action while he recovers.

    The injury was believed to have ocurred when Tatsu landed wrong while taking a “Styles Clash” from AJ Styles at the New Japan Pro Wrestling “Power Struggle” internet pay-per-view event on November 8th.

    Tatsu went on to work the opening night of the New Japan World Tag League Tournament before announcing that he was going to have to pull out due to injury.

    The former WWE Superstar mentioned on Twitter recently that he is in a lot of pain and was trying not to take sleeping pills. He also mentioned that this was the first time in his life that he has been hospitalized.

  • Video: AJ Styles Talks About Jim Ross’ Involvement At Wrestle Kingdom 9

    Global Force Wrestling has posted a video of AJ Styles talking about the news of Jim Ross signing on to do commentary for the first-ever Global Force Wrestling PPV, NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 9 on January 4th from Tokyo.

  • Dixie Carter Talks Failed AJ Styles Negotiations, Jarrett, Russo, TNA’s Future

    Grantland.com has a new article up with quotes from several current and former TNA personalities. Below are some excerpts that feature comments from TNA President Dixie Carter:

    On the story TMZ ran a few months ago: “TMZ asked me, ‘Hey, is this story real, should we run with it?’ I was watching a movie and didn’t see it until some little wrestling site ran it. Then I gave TMZ a quote, which said we’re still negotiating. That never made it to print.”

    On Vince Russo: “He’s a lightning rod. People hate him, but sometimes people love what he does but they don’t realize he does it. He’s a really talented guy.”

    On Jeff Jarrett: “I will always give props to Jeff. Out of the thousands of wrestlers out there he’s the only one who decided to create something with his own money. I have mad respect for that, always have and always will. I love Jeff as a person. I wish him and his precious family nothing but success.”

    On past negotiations with AJ Styles: “I hate that we lost AJ. Are you listening?. I hate it. I felt like we gave him a great offer. I really did. I felt like we gave him a great offer and I think he made a mistake.”

    On TNA’s future: “All these people say, ‘I hope you go out of business’ — why would you ever want that? You don’t think we make wrestling better just by exposing more people and giving people more options? It’s the most ludicrous, shortsighted thing — the sheer absurdity and stupidity of it blows my mind. I feel sorry for the wrestling business if we’re not around.”

    You can check out the complete feature at Grantland.com.

  • PHOTOS: UFC’s 2 NEW Octagin Girls In TINY Little Bikinis! [VIEW HERE >>]

  • Jim Ross Q&A: Who Should Sting Face In WWE?, AJ Styles/WWE, ROH & TNA

    The following are highlights of a new website Q&A update by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:

    On who the best WrestleMania opponent, besides Undertaker, would be for Sting: “[Randy] Orton would work but so would HHH. I think HHH vs. Sting would be interesting and feel that they’d have good chemistry.”

    On how he thinks Brock Lesnar could be the face of WWE while working a part-time schedule: “It was mere speculation as it will go one way or another as to who the fans embrace or not. Lesnar’s not working a full time schedule in any role at any time in his future career so it would have to be done creatively but it could be done. The top dog or WWE Champ doesn’t need to be on TV every week whatsoever.”

    On whether or not AJ Styles should change his character if he were to sign with WWE: “I don’t think, unfortunately, that it is any thing that we need to discuss because WWE is highly unlikely to ever sign the talented AJ who seems content on what he’s doing now a days. Great talent without question.”

    On how TNA and ROH can compete with WWE: “TNA and ROH only need to focus on their brand and eliminate WWE from their mind, by and large. If they commit to their brand, develop new talents, have strong TV outlets, and use logical booking philosophies, they can be more profitable. No one is ever going to threaten WWE’s spot at the top.”

    You can check out more of Jim Ross’ online Q&A at his website, JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.

  • DIRECT LINK: The Photo CM Punk DOESN’T Want You To See! [Punk/AJ Lee’s WEDDING >>]

  • “AJ Styles — The Missing Matches” Available Now On DVD & Digital Download

    Joe Dombrowski sent along the following …

    AJ Styles – The Missing Matches” Available Now On DVD & Digital Download

    He is one of the most gifted athletes of our generation, who has stolen shows and given breathtaking performances throughout his career. While many of his matches were beneath the bright lights of global television and pay-per-view, some of “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles’ best efforts never saw the worldwide stage, leaving even the most ardent of AJ fans unaware of their existence.

    Joe-Dombrowski.com, in association with Sorgatron Media, are proud to present the best of these hidden gems, in the first of our series “The Missing Matches”. You’ll see 11 rare matches, spanning the past decade of AJ’s career, plus a special sit-down interview as AJ addresses the subjects everyone is talking about, as well as “The Missing Questions” – topics no other AJ interview to date has covered!

    You’ll see the following rarely seen matches –

    AJ Styles vs. CM Punk
    AJ Styles vs. Matt Hardy
    AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels
    AJ Styles vs. Christian Cage
    AJ Styles vs. Jeff Jarrett
    AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels vs. Jonny Storm & Jody Fleisch
    AJ Styles vs. Shiima Xion (aka Zema Ion)
    AJ Styles vs. Johnny Gargano
    AJ Styles vs. Delirious
    AJ Styles vs. Tony Nese
    AJ Styles vs. Facade

    Over four hours for only $20 on DVD or $15 via Digital Download! Purchase now by visiting Joe-Dombrowski.com and click on “Store”!

    You can check out the official trailer for the DVD above.

  • DIRECT LINK: The Photo CM Punk DOESN’T Want You To See! [Punk/AJ Lee’s WEDDING >>]

  • AJ Styles Says Now Isn’t A Good Time To Go To WWE, Talks About Retirement & More

    The following are highlights of a new Slam! Wrestling interview with AJ Styles:

    On now not being the right time to go to WWE: “It sure doesn’t seem like the right time to be going to WWE. I think the best place for me right now is New Japan. I’m happy with everything that’s going on there right now.”

    On retiring in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW): “At this point, I would be more than happy at some point in my career to just retire from New Japan. The respect that they have shown me … and I’m not talking about being the heavyweight champion … I’m talking about just overall treating me with respect and treating me like a star and trusting me to have great matches with guys I’ve never even been in the ring with. That means a lot to me. I hope that they see that ‘this guy’s going to help us out in the long run … he’s a team player.’ And I’d be more to, when my time comes to retire, to retire from New Japan Pro Wrestling.”

    Check out the complete interview at Canoe.ca.

  • DIRECT LINK: Two SEXY New UFC Octagon Girls In SKIMPY BIKINIS! [Smokin’ Hot Photos >>]

  • Jim Ross Speaks On Sting In WWE, Lesnar vs. Cena, AJ Styles/WWE & More

    The following are highlights of a new Busted Open Radio interview with Jim Ross:

    Whether or not he regrets missing out on signing AJ Styles when he was in WWE: “I missed on him. He just started getting rolling and he was just starting on the WCW roster when the WWE bought out WCW. Our team missed on him. We could have hired him, but he did not have the skill set he has now. In hindsight, the right thing occurred. He got more experience and ended up in TNA. I would suggest that his long run in TNA is what kept him from getting hired. From talking to him, he would be a huge asset to anyones roster.”

    His contract with WWE ending: “I look it at it a little differently. I’ll never be able to pay back the debt I owe to the wrestling fans since 1974. I’ve been on this amazing journey and the genre of wrestling/sports entertainment whatever you call it. The fans have invested in my work and they have invested in my BBQ sauce, followed me on Twitter, downloaded the podcast. I’m just very grateful. This hasn’t been a sad week. I had to go through a certain period of time from a legal standpoint to fulfill all of my obligations for WWE. I’m now completely out there. I’m not looking for work. There’s plenty to do. I’ve said it a bunch of times, coming to WWE in 1993 was the best career move I ever made. I don’t owe them money and they don’t owe me any. We’re done. I have no regrets. The only thing I would have liked differently was the 3 bells palsy attacks and have to constantly explain to people why I don’t smile. I’d like to be more HD friendly. I wouldn’t change a thing and a lot of things are on the horizon.”

    His new interview with Sting & Sting in WWE: “We go all the way back to the mid 80s so we really started way back. I don’t go for the dirt immediately. I let it come out naturally. I can tell you, the funny thing is people don’t understand business. Just because he showed up at Comic Con doesn’t mean he has a contract with WWE. He’s got a contract with Mattel from what I understand. He has a contract with 2K. He has some sort of agreement with WWE to basically sell T-shirts, like a licensing/marketing deal. It’s not a traditional legends deal. Him being in San Diego means zero about him wrestling there. People are getting pissed at me because I’m telling the truth. Wrestling people are not supposed to always be honest, so I say to the best of my knowledge he doesn’t have a wrestler contract, so the lock on Sting being in the ring in some point in time with WWE is there is no lock. If you’re going to have Sting wrestle, book it right. If I was there I can book it in 30 minutes easy. He wrestles once. And if he wrestles once and he says “win lose or draw I’m done”. That match is at Wrestlemania because it takes everything full circle. He’s said he wants to wrestle one Wrestlemania before calling it quits. He doesn’t need to win the Royal Runble. He doesn’t need to come on Raw every Monday. That’s stupid. He could make them a lot of money. I believe that the guy has paid his dues and deserves his Wrestlemania moment.”

    Why WWE hasn’t signed Sting yet and should they: “There’s no logical reason why they shouldn’t. He has no drug or alcohol issues. He is in good health. A lot of those younger kids grew up watching him. That’s how I got Shawn Michaels to come back from his hiatus. I said if you don’t want to wrestle, that’s fine. Come back and be a positive influence in the locker room with your born again Christian faith and your outlook on life and how you screwed up your life and fixed it. You would be a positive influence. That’s how Shawn Michaels came back to WWE. He came back to help the young guys, got the itch, and he was better than he ever was. Have Sting around people. Have him at PR functions. There’s a lot of big time players that were one time big wrestling fans. I find it amazing that they say to me ‘man I remember when you said this.’ and sometimes that gets them a gig or interview. Sting has been on national television for how many years without missing a beat. He’s been on TBS, he’s been on Impact, he has a name and has been on ongoing TV forever. Why wouldn’t you have that story and have that great story. I hear WWE supposedly has 30 writers. If you tell me that 30 writers can’t come up with a storyline that would appeal to Vince McMahon, I’m sorry that they’re in that condition, a company that I have been and forever loyal to and a company I feel like I contributed a little bit back in the day when we were almost out of business in the mid 90s. Sing is in great shape. He goes to the gym. He doesn’t drink or smoke. Would you bring him back long term? No. But for one big match as part of an ensemble cast.”

    Whether or not Sting has to wrestle for WWE to cement his legacy: “No. I think he wants to do it as a personal goal. When I was trying to hire him after WCW closed, he was owed so much money by Time Warner he would have been foolish to have come worked for us. I feel like he should be in the WWE Hall Of Fame even if he doesn’t wrestle a match. If the WWE is what they say they are, they are the gatekeepers for the business now. You shouldn’t have a 20 year career in the WWE to qualify, and when he goes in you should maximize that chance.”

    A Sting vs. The Undertaker dream match: “As it’s working out now, that dream match with the Undertaker doesn’t exist anymore. A match with Undertaker was to try and beat the streak, so that mystique is over. That whole attraction of Undertakers streak is now a DVD. It’s over. You can’t replicate that. Stings opponent could be a lot of things. It could be a hot shot heel. I’m not big on him having to win his last match. If he wins, great. If he doesn’t, well as far as I know him, he could care less. Him winning his last match isn’t the issue. Him building up his last match, him being a part of the program, the promotion, the hype and finally being able to have that entrance and performing at Wrestlemania, that’s the end game. Maybe you could have that match with Undertaker and have that be a one off where both of them retire and go out guns blazing. ‘You were the guy up here (WWE) I was the guy down there (WCW) I just want to know who was best’. No returns, no returns, no appearance on Raw the night after, that’s it. I think they can have a great presentation. On the other side, you could have a hot young heel like Seth Rollins for example. Have him take a beating from Sting and have Rollins go over in the end. There’s so many ways to go about this, but bottom line is he deserves the opportunity. Austins not going to be there to wrestle. I highly doubt The Rock will be, so what are you gonna do?”

    The Undertaker’s Streak ending: “If you listen to my podcast, Shawn Michaels explains the whole story. The decision was made 4 hours before Wrestlemania started by Vince McMahon after sitting down and talking to Undertaker. I’m thinking it was to promote the network, which is the be all end all to WWE right now. They need to get subscribers.”

    Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena: “I do fantasy booking on my podcast. Brock Lesnar is going to win the title at Summerslam. He’s going to be put into beast mode until April. At the Royal Rumble Roman Reigns will win the Rumble and Lesnar will pass the torch to Reigns at Wrestlemania. Reigns isn’t ready now. He needs to be protected now and the producers on the road have to work with him and coach him up. He has to be ready in April. He’s good enough now to win the Royal Rumble. I think that Lesnar is in beast mode and is not touched until April. He has to be booked like a heel but when he is working with Cena, there is going to be a tremendous amount of people cheering for Brock Lesnar. You can’t have that trend continue. He has to be a heel. You don’t want him going into Wrestlemania 31 as a face. That’s what I would do and I don’t care if wrestling fans are like ‘that’s predictable. I won’t watch!’ Yes you will.”

    Check out the complete interview at BustedOpenNation.com.

  • MMANEWS.COM: HUGE MMA Legend Set To Make TNA Return SOON! [Read Here >>]

  • AJ Styles Says He’s Already Earned More This Year Than He Would Have In TNA

    Former TNA star AJ Styles appeared on Wrestling Observer Radio this week and revealed that he’s already made more money this year working the indy scene than he would have for the entire year of 2014, based on the final contract renewal offer he received.

    He added that by the end of the year, he could make the same amount of money that he made in TNA in 2013, a deal that was more lucrative than TNA’s final offer to him this year. Styles made around $350,000 on his last TNA deal. The deal that he turned down would have paid him just over $200,000 and would have paid him based on how often he wrestled.

    Another perk of being self employed and taking his own bookings is that independent promotions pay for his hotel rooms, travel expenses. He also receives most of the money generated from the sales of his merchandise.

    TNA doesn’t cover road expenses and wrestlers only get a small percentage of merchandise money.

  • Chris Jericho Reviews His Battleground Performance, AJ Styles On The Ross Report

    – The latest edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast, which features an interview with AJ Styles, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:

    TRR – Ep23 – AJ Styles

    “He’s arguably the hottest free agent in pro-wrestling, and the one that JR let get away – AJ Styles joins The Ross Report, and here’s what he & good ole JR covered: Raven, Samoa Joe, storytelling, TNA Impact, the 6-sided ring, New Japan, ROH, John Cena, and the Undertaker’s streak ending!”

    You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.

    – The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, which features Jericho’s review of the WWE Battleground pay-per-view that he was actually part of, is now available. The official description for the show reads as follows:

    TIJ – EP58 – Fozzy & WWE Battleground Review

    “Fozzy’s new album is out… and Chris has the whole band together to celebrate. They’re naming favorite songs, telling songwriting secrets, sharing crazy road stories, reveling in tour antics, and bustin’ cajones! Plus, it’s a different kind of family sit-down when Chris, his son Ash The Fish Expert, and dad NHL Great Ted Irvine talk WWE Battleground! It’s the Irvine Family PPV Review!”

    You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.

  • MMANEWS.COM: Jim Ross To UFC?, The Rock Talks Brock Lesnar/UFC + MORE!

  • Exclusive: Gunner Interview

    Gunner joined TNA in 2010 but his story goes back to 2001 when he began wrestling but a year later he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner and reached the rank of lance corporal serving in the Iraq War.

    The 32-year-old from Hickory, North Carolina, is a one-time TNA tag team champion with James Storm and a one-time TNA Television Champion.

    We caught up with Gunner to talk about working with the Nature Boy Ric Flair, his dad being involved in story lines, wanting to become TNA Champion, plus much more.

    Q. How did you first get into the sport of professional wrestling?

    I’ve been a wrestling fan since the age of five and I started wrestling in 2001, and i joined the marine corp 2002 to 2006. I was wrestling before i went to bootcamp and during my time in the marine corp I would travel 20 hour round trips or so every weekend I could to wrestle on certain shows, so I was juggling both at the same time. I’m just living my dream.

    Q. Who were some of the wrestlers that you enjoyed watching whilst growing up?

    I could sit here and talk to you about that all day, some of the ones that come to mind are; Macho Man Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Ric Flair. The main one for me was Macho Man, I was a massive fan of Randy Savage.

    Q. What has it been like getting to work with guys you enjoyed watching like Kurt Angle and Ric Flair?

    They are both very knowledgable guys, so it was great for them to pass their knowledge on to the younger guys like myself who are the future of the company and the future of the business.

    Ric managed me for a while so he would be at ringside for my matches, and just him knowing how to tell a story and paint a picture was amazing. Kurt Angle is a machine, anytime you’re in the ring with him you are going to have to work, but that is great, it has taught me the never say die attitude.

    Q. What has it been like in the TNA dressing room with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Sting, AJ  Styles, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian all leaving the company?

    Professional wrestling is a business and like anyone that works in any business we are all expendable. All of those guys that have left the company are off still doing great things, and even though it’s a shame to lose top guys like that it gives the younger guys in the locker room the opportunity to step up to the plate. Those are big boots to fill, nobody is going to be the next Sting or AJ Styles but it gives us a chance to build new characters and new stars.

    Q. Your rivalry with James Storm saw some real life elements brought in the the storyline, was that something you enjoyed?

    James and I have our differences and we just don’t like each other, but he is still an amazing performer, he can fight and he knows what he is doing in the ring. Those matches I had with James enabled me to step up even more, and it has given the fans the opportunity to invest in my character.

    Bringing my father into the storyline was a great experience that I enjoyed. Wrestling is totally different now to when I was a kid, when everything was larger than life and seemed as though it had just come out of a comic book, the guys could still work but now the fans want to know what the wrestlers are like in real life.

    Q. What is your next target?

    I’ve got my eyes on the big prize, the TNA Heavyweight Title. I feel like I was robbed on the last TNA tour in the UK when I wrestled Magnus for the title and James Storm interfered. I think I’m ready for another title shot, Eric Young is the champion and we have a friendship but when it comes to business we both want to be world champion. Obviously he doesn’t want to lose it, but I want to win it, that is my main goal to be champion.

    For more information you can follow Gunner on Twitter @TNA_GUNNER

  • Vince McMahon At RAW In London, List Of Future “Ross Report” Guests

    – Vince McMahon ended up making the trip to London, England for WWE RAW tonight. As previously reported, McMahon — along with company executive George Barrios — held a conference call earlier today to react to the recent WWE stock decline following the announcement of the company’s new agreement with NBCUniversal. McMahon did the call from London, while Barrios was in Stamford, CT.

    – WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross has recently listed the following stars as future guests on his “Ross Report” podcast, which airs every Tuesday night at PodcastOne.com: Michelle Beadle of ESPN, Eric Bischoff, Bill Goldberg, Ted DiBiase, MVP, Lance Storm, Kurt Angle, Bully Ray, Sting, AJ Styles and Tony Schiavone.

  • CM PUNK CONFIRMS Wedding Plans With AJ LEE + NEW Video Of Him SINGING!!

  • Exclusive Interview With TNA World Champion Eric Young

    Eric Young has been in TNA for nearly a decade and in that time we have seen him be a member of Team Canada, a stint a a comic book hero Super Eric, all the way through to being the top dog in the company and current TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

    The 34-year-old from Florence, Ontario, Canada has won numerous titles turing his time in the company including; X Division champion, multiple time Tag Team champion, Television champion and ever Knockouts Tag Team champion with ODB, however the current title around his waste tops the lot.

    We caught up with EY to talk about, getting to work with some of his heroes, his Animal Planet shows, and of course the night he was crowned TNA World Champion, plus much more.

    Q. How did you first get into the sport of professional wrestling?

    I’ve been a fan since I was five-years-old, I’ve watched it my whole life and it’s all I ever really wanted to do. The week after I finished high school I began training at a gym, and three months after that I had my first pro match and it ha just snowballed from there. I’ve wrestled in all 50 states, every province, wrestled all over the world and now I’m the World Heavyweight champion, it has been a pretty wild ride.

    Q. When growing up who were some of the wrestlers that you enjoyed watching?

    Being from Canada, Bret and Owen Hart were massive influences on me. Then there were guys like Sting, Terry Funk, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, I have a huge list of wrestlers that I enjoyed watching. I loved Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior, there was just something about it from the age of five or six and I  couldn’t get enough.

    Still to this day I have lots of VHS tapes with tens of thousands of wrestling, I loved it when I five and I still love it today.

    Q. You’ve had the chance to work with the likes of Sting, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, what was it like working with guys you grew up watching?

    It’s hard to put that into words, these were guys that I idolised growing up, these were people that I wanted to be. I actually got to wrestle Sting in his first match back after 10 years away, and just being in the ring with him was a dream come true but very surreal at the same time. Sting was always good to be, Hulk as well, they always had time for me and it was great to be able to share a locker-room with guys like that and be on the same roster.

    Q. The likes of Sting, Hulk Hogan, AJ Styles, and Jeff Jarrett have all left TNA in recent months, what has that been like?

    There is always massive turnover in professional wrestling, people come, people go, some people go to work in other places and some people end up coming back, that is just the nature of the beast. It’s never nice to see anyone go, but I’m still really good buddies with AJ Styles and we talk whenever we get a chance – we’re actually planning on doing a bike trip together in the summer.

    Q. When you first started in TNA did you ever think you’ll become World Heavyweight champion?

    It’s always something that I wanted, and personally it’s always something I believed I could do. I don’t think there is anybody that doesn’t want to become World Heavyweight champion when they are in this business. The night I won the belt from Magnus on IMPACT! was a great feeling, I’m not taking anything away from him, it was an amazing match and he’s a super talented guy but I was better that day and now I’m the World champion and that sounds kind of crazy to say out loud.

    Q. What can we expect from you as Champion?

    I told the fans and I meant it, that I’m going to be a fighting champion, that’s the kind of champion I like and that is the kind of champion I’m going to be. Every chance I get to defend my title I will, I will defend my title against anybody, anytime, any place, any time.

    Q. Who are some of the people you are looking forward to defending your title against?

    The list is huge, pound-for-pound TNA has one of the pro wrestling rosters in the world. I’ve got a massive history with Bobby Roode, and he was they guy that held the belt longer than anybody, I would love to get in the ring and test myself against him.

    Guys like Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, James Storm, Gunner, Ken Anderson, these are all guys that I want to defend my belt against. They are all worthy, they all deserve a shot at the belt and secondly I want to test myself against the best and see what happens.

    Q.  What have been some of the highlights for you during your 10 year tenure in TNA?

    Obviously my favourite moment was that night on IMPACT! when I won the gauntlet match and then went on to wrestle Magnus and become the World Heavyweight Champion for the first time. I wouldn’t change anything about my journey, it’s been an amazing journey, I’ve done all these different roles – I’ve been X-Division Champion, I’ve Tag Team champion on numerous occasions, I’ve held the TV title, I’ve even won the Knockouts Tag Titles with ODB.

    One of the things I’m most proud of is being on television every week for nearly 10 years, which is something not many people are able to do. I think that shows my versatility, you never know what is going to happen next in this industry, it’s a crazy business but it has been great to experience all of it, the good, the bad and the indifferent.

    I’ve always prided myself when the fans say things like, Eric Young is the most entertaining guy in professional wrestling. That’s really important to me, it always has been, it always will be, that’s the name of the game when it comes right down to it, it’s a television show, and it’s about entertaining people, if that with physicality that’s great, if its with comedy that’s great.

    My first two years in TNA I didn’t say a singe word, I was the guy on team Canada to carry the action and to be physical, I got hired here because I was a pro wrestler, it had nothing to do with me being funny, and it’s cool to remind people of that because I’m a pro wrestler at my core, or the other stuff is important to me but I’m a pro wrestler first and foremost.

    Q. As World Champion, what more can we expect from yourself for the rest of 2014?

    More of the same, I’ve always prided myself putting in 100% effort and it doesn’t matter if I’m sick or I’m hurt I will always put in the same amount of effort. As champion I feel that extra weight on my shoulders, being ‘the guy’ it’s important for me that people say Eric Young was involved in the best match on the show. For me it’s about making moments and memories, it’s about making people remember stuff. I’ve had lots of positive feedback so far and I just want to continue defending my belt and being the best I can.

    Q. With yourself as TNA Champion and Daniel Bryan as WWE Champion, is it the era of the beard?

    Yeah, it’s obviously the era of the beard, I’m not daft, I don’t live under a rock, I hear these things and I’m sure he hears them too. I’ve actually met Daniel in person and I always hear nothing but good things about him. Anytime anyone want to compare me to him, I have absolutely no problem with that, feel free to carry on, he’s a super talented guy and a tremendous wrestler.

    Q. Away from wrestling you’ve also presented a number of hit shows on Animal Planet, what has that been like?

    It’s amazing, it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. I still have other goals in my life but TV is something that I’ve always wanted to do. I love entertaining people, the shows allow me to combine my passion of extreme sports, I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I’ve been all over North America and done lots of crazy things, and it’s been an amazing experience.

    Q. What is it like being a guest on the Steve Austin podcast?

    Steve and myself are kind of wired the same way, he loves pro wrestling and always has, I love pro wrestling. He’s also an outdoors man, he loves fishing an he watched my shows on Animal Planet and loved them and through the miracle of Twitter I got talking to him, we went back a forth and hit it off right away.

    We’re still buddies and talk to this day. For me he was a guy that I idolised and is one of the top five pro wrestlers of all time. I got to go to his house in LA, we sat around his computer with the microphone and we just talked about wrestling and life.

  • Original Plans For Daniel Bryan On RAW, Styles Wants To Be On JR’s Podcast

    – WWE returns to Albany, New York on Tuesday, November 4th for a Smackdown and Main Event taping. Tickets went on sale last night at RAW.

    – The original script for last night’s RAW had Daniel Bryan wrestling Batista, according to PWInsider.com. On Monday afternoon, the decision was made for Bryan to face Alberto Del Rio instead.

    – Former TNA star AJ Styles wants to be a future guest on Jim Ross’ Ross Report podcast. He tweeted on Tuesday:

  • AJ Styles Wins IWGP Title, Becomes First American To Do So Since 2005

    AJ Styles defeated Kazuchika Okada to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dontaku iPPV event on Saturday night. By winning the title, Styles became the first American wrestler to hold that particular belt since Brock Lesnar held it in 2005.

    Ring Of Honor promoted the event on their official website and noted that the winner of the Styles vs. Okada match would defend the IWGP Championship against Michael Elgin at their “War of the Worlds” event on May 17th.

    Styles tweeted the following photo of himself with the IWGP Championship backstage after the show:

  • WWE CONTINUES To Hype UNDERTAKER vs. STING Dream Match! **CLICK HERE** For Details!

  • AJ Styles Speaks On ROH PPV Debut, TNA’s Poor Attendance, G-1 Climax

    The following are highlights of a recent Live Audio Wrestling interview with AJ Styles:

    Working the G-1 Climax: “The G-1 tournament is stuff you don’t wanna miss. It’s the best talent coming together and putting one-on-one matches together. I’m expecting nothing but great things out of that. It’s stuff like that, being in this tournament, that makes me feel like I am wanted, and people do want to see AJ Styles wrestle. For a second there when I left TNA, it didn’t seem like TNA wanted me very much. Going back to the indies, New Japan especially, and Ring of Honor, it just goes to show that there’s something I’ve gotta prove, and I expect to do a lot of that in the tournament.”

    Whether he can work the ROH June PPV or not: “It doesn’t look good. I would hate to be scheduled for a match, and then have a flight be delayed and the next thing you know I’m not making it. I would assume that when I’m over in Japan it’s a long flight, and it’s some quality matches. I want to be in tip top shape when I wrestle for New Japan and when I wrestle for Ring of Honor.”

    Drawing more than some TNA house shows: “I don’t quite understand why this is, but almost every show I’ve been at has drawn that kind of number. I’m not saying it’s me, I’m saying the promoters know what they’re doing. That’s what’s so crazy about this, I’m having so much fun and I’m going, wow, for somebody to say that I wasn’t worth the money, there sure are a lot of people showing up at these independent shows to see exactly what I do. It’s confusing, to say the least, but I’m very excited about the fact that I’m able to work in front of all these people and I’m able to give them their money’s worth.”

    Check out the complete interview at FightNetwork.com.

  • MAJOR Debut CONFIRMED For Next Week’s WWE RAW! **CLICK HERE** For Details!

  • Bobby Roode Speaks On Sting/AJ Styles Leaving TNA, Eric Young As Champ, More

    The following are highlights of a Main Event Radio interview with TNA star Bobby Roode:

    Looking back at his first world title run: “Things worked out for the best for myself. Becoming World Champion. Obviously the disappointment was there at Bound for Glory. I was the first ever winner of the BFG series. Going through that series and win it the way that I did. Being with Beer Money, winning the tag team titles with James and before that with Eric Young in Team Canada. This was my first real shining moment as a singles competitor. To win the series was a huge deal. And then to walk in to the main event of BFG against a competitor like Kurt Angle. It was a perfect story for me. Walking out without the title that night was very disappointing for me personally. Looking back at it, the way it all went down; I think it actually helped me out.

    “It lit a fire under me and made me want the world title even more. In the end, I won the world title; I held it longer than anybody else in the history of the company. Held it longer than anybody else, something that I’m proud of. Those were great matches with Austin [Aries]. We had really good chemistry together, looking back at those series of matches had together make me really proud. Then we had the tag titles together which was awesome. The ultimate goal in this business as wrestler is to be the world champion. From day one, to be the #1 guy, to be the champion has been my number one focus. My sights are set on Eric [Young] or whoever has the World title, maybe Magnus after Sunday. My goal is to once again be a World Heavyweight Champion.”

    Thoughts on Eric Young being champion: “I’m happy for Eric. We’re two guys who came up the same way, grew up in Canada, with the dream of being a wrestler and a world champion. He’s a TNA original, we were tag champs together, there’s a lot of history between the two of us. He’s been in the business long enough and he saw the way that I carried the title and he sees there’s a bullseye on his back. When the time comes to doing business, I’m going to do what I have to do. I know what it takes to get it, to win it, to hold it, to keep it. That eagerness to carry the world championship again and to have that responsibility again. That was something I thrived on and something I missed. I will take that opportunity and make the best of it when it comes again.”

    Wrestling Kurt Angle: “Kurt is in my personal opinion the best there’s ever been. He can go out there in his entire career and entertain the masses by his professional wrestling, the way he handles himself in the ring, his character. There’s no doubt that he is the best there’s ever been in this business. For me to have been able to go out there with Kurt and to have produced the matches that we did. To have fans talk about our matches as some of the best matches they’ve seen, or as match of the year; it meant a lot to me. Something that I’m proud of. Unfortunately with Kurt’s injury we had to cut the program short. Hopefully down the road we get to meet up again and do something special.”

    Beer Money and would they ever reform: “In my personal opinion, Beer Money is probably the most recognizable, most over act that TNA has been able to produce from the ground up. You have two original guys, two guys who went out there as Beer Money. We had the tag team titles longer than anybody else in the history of the company. It’s something special. This week on Impact we came back for one night only. We had a common goal to soften up our opponents before their matches (Bully Ray & Gunner). In the wrestling business, you never say never for down the road. But for right now Bobby Roode’s goal is to put Bully through a table and then go on to become a World Heavyweight Champion again. I’m sure that James Storm feels the same way and has the same goal to become a Heavyweight Champion. Down the road, if the time is right, and we both feel it’s right; maybe Beer Money will come alive again.”

    AJ Styles and Sting’s departures: “It’s unfortunate. At the end of the day this is a business Not everybody is going to be happy and people go their separate ways. It’s the wrestling business and we’re seen it happen a million times. Unfortunately, AJ was a TNA original and was the face of our company for a very long time. That departure bothers me the most. I had a great relationship with AJ, we were friends, we were part of Fortune together, and we had some great matches. I understand where AJ’s coming from, it’s all business, and I wish him nothing but the best. Sting was a great guy to have in our locker room. He was a veteran leader. A guy that you can go and talk to, a guy who I had some memorable matches, and a guy who mentored me a lot and taught me a lot in the ring. He’s an icon; his name will live forever in this business. And I wish him nothing but the best of luck. At the end of the day this is a business and you’ve got to do what you can for yourself.”

    Future Stars: “Our company is looking really strong for the future. Ethan Carter has a hell of a career in front of him. He’s young; he’s got a lot to learn. His eyes and his ears are always open, always asking for advice. He’s handling himself better each and every week. Down the road he will be a main event guy and possible champion. Gunner’s the same thing. He’s got a look and demeanor about him that is world champion material. The Wolves wrestling ability speaks for themselves. They’re a great tag team and great individual wrestlers as well. The future looks very bright.”

    Whatever happened to his classic weapon, the hockey stick: “If it calls for it, I’m not afraid to pull it out. Here’s a funny story: Scott D’Amore, Coach D’Amore introduced the hockey stick every match. I used to wear a hockey pad and we were going to use frozen hockey pucks and put it in my sleeve and hit people in the back of the head with clotheslines. That’s another Canadian cliché, a hockey cliché that we were going to use. Maybe I’ll take out a hockey stick for my match against Bully at Sacrifice. Or maybe they’ll make a table out of hockey sticks and I can put him through that.”

    When will TNA return to Canada: “Hopefully we can come back to Canada soon. I would love to get an opportunity to run TV in Montreal, or in Toronto, even in Ottawa. Running 4-5 shows would be great. The guys love coming up to Canada, the Quebec area especially. We didn’t get there last year at all. Hopefully this summer or in the fall we can come up to Canada and have Montreal be one of our stops.”

    Check out the complete interview at WebSportsMedia.com.

  • TWO Confirmed Matches & SEVERAL *SPOILERS* For Tonight’s RAW — Click Here!

  • AJ Styles Speaks On TNA Going Out Of Business, His TNA Departure & More

    The following are highlights of a recent Baltimore Sun interview with AJ Styles:

    On leaving TNA: “I honestly thought I’d be the guy that TNA could say, “This is the first guy that we signed to this company, and he’s retiring from our company.” And, man, what an awesome thing that would have been. So I never imagined I would leave that company, I assumed I’d retire from there. It sucks, but you can’t fix that now. I left the door open…”

    On whether or not he thinks TNA is going out of business: “You know, I really don’t know. I know they’ve made a lot of cuts. That must mean they’re not doing so well. Sting gone, Hogan gone, myself gone, and I’m sure we’re going to see more cuts soon. From what I’ve heard and been told, it’s been horribly mismanaged as a company. I don’t know if they’re going out of business. But they’re definitely doing things that make people think they’re going out of business. And I hope they don’t. I hope TNA doesn’t go out of business because I have a lot of good friends that work there and deserve to be in the national spotlight. My hope is that they never go out of business.”

    On returning to TNA in the future: “I tried to leave the door open. I haven’t buried the company. Like I said, I have friends there who do well, so I’m not going to do that. But I don’t know if I’ll ever go back, and it’s definitely not going to be any time soon. And from what one of their higher ups said, it will be ‘Only if there’s space available for AJ Styles.’ So I guess there might not be room for me, according to him.”

    Check out the complete interview at BaltimoreSun.com.

  • SEVERAL Updates On NEW Matches & PLANS For WWE EXTREME RULES – Click Here!