Pro Wrestling Illustrated has published its list of the top 500 professional wrestlers each year since 1991 in an annual special edition magazine called the “PWI 500.” “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles earned the No. 1 Ranking for 2010, the first TNA wrestler to top the annual chart.

For more information on the annual “PWI 500” and how you can order, visit www.pwi-online.com.

Here are the top 500 ranked professional wrestlers for 2010:

1. AJ Styles
2. John Cena
3. C.M. Punk
4. Randy Orton
5. Chris Jericho
6. Batista
7. Shinsuke Nakamura
8. The Undertaker
9. Kurt Angle
10. Sheamus
11. Triple-H
12. The Miz
13. Rey Mysterio Jr.
14. Takashi Sugiura
15. Rob Van Dam
16. Dr. Wagner Jr
17. The Big Show
18. Edge
19. Tyler Black
20. Jeff Hardy
21. Jack Swagger
22. Christian
23. Abyss
24. Ryota Hama
25. Austin Aries
26. Kofi Kingston
27. John Morrison
28. Desmond Wolfe
29. Ultimo Guerrero
30. Drew McIntyre
31. Samoa Joe
32. Davey Richards
33. Mr. Anderson
34. Ted DiBiase Jr.
35. Hirooki Goto
36. D’Angelo Dinero
37. Eddie Edwards
38. Matt Morgan
39. Hiroshi Tanahashi
40. Yoshihiro Takayama
41. Cody Rhodes
42. Mistico
43. James Storm
44. Daniel Bryan
45. Douglas Williams
46. Roderick Strong
47. Christopher Daniels
48. Mesias
49. Eric Young
50. Dolph Ziggler
51. Robert Roode
52. Naomichi Marufuji
53. Kevin Nash
54. Kevin Steen
55. R-Truth
56. Jeff Jarrett
57. Electroshock
58. Tyson Kidd
59. Montel Vontavious Porter
60. Sting
61. Adam Pearce
62. Jay Briscoe
63. Evan Bourne
64. Minoru Suzuki
65. Blue Demon Jr.
66. Matt Hardy
67. Rob Terry
68. Go Shiozaki
69. David Hart Smith
70. Satoshi Kojima
71. Hernandez
72. Cibernetico
73. Brother Devon
74. Chris Hero
75. Togi Makabe
76. Shelton Benjamin
77. Brother Ray
78. Yoshi Tatsu
79. Kane
80. Claudio Castagnoli
81. Volador Jr.
82. Takeshi Rikio
83. Dos Caras Jr.
84. JTG
85. Shad Gaspard
86. Mark Briscoe
87. Amazing Red
88. Alex Shelley
89. Mohammad Yone
90. Luke Gallows
91. La Sombra
92. Kazarian
93. Ezekiel Jackson
94. Carlito
95. Chris Sabin
96. Kenny King
97. Phil Shatter
98. BxB Hulk
99. Mark Henry
100. Heath Slater
101. Colt Cabana
102. Homicide
103. Jon Moxley
104. Averno
105. Yuji Nagata
106. Delirious
107. Magnus
108. Jerry Lynn
109. Wade Barrett
110. Naruki Doi
111. Mephisto
112. Steve Corino
113. Goldust
114. Joe Hennig
115. Masakatsu Funaki
116. Max Buck
117. Zach Ryder
118. El Generico
119. Jeremy Buck
120. Keiji Muto
121. Suwama
122. Karl Anderson
123. Rhett Titus
124. Shannon Moore
125. Primo Colon
126. William Regal
127. Yujiro
128. Erick Stevens
129. Brian Kendrick
130. The Great Khali
131. Tyson Dux
132. KENTA
133. Chessman
134. Jay Lethal
135. Orlando Jordan
136. Finlay
137. Toshiaki Kawada
138. Negro Casas
139. Rhino
140. Kensuke Sasaki
141. Justin Gabriel
142. Kenny Omega
143. Masato Tanaka
144. Paul London
145. Marco Corleone
146. Tetsuya Naito
147. Ray Gonzalez
148. La Parka
149. Joe Lider
150. Jimmy Jacobs
151. Kaz Hayashi
152. Naoya Ogawa
153. Mikal Judas
154. Trent Beretta
155. Vladimir Kozlov
156. Katsuhiko Nakajima
157. Silver King
158. CIMA
159. Caylen Croft
160. Paul Birchill
161. Chuck Taylor
162. Perro Aguayo Jr.
163. Scott Steiner
164. Brett DiBiase
165. Brent Albright
166. Extreme Tiger
167. Tajiri
168. Vance Archer
169. Sean Waltman
170. Shawn Daivari
171. Joey Ryan
172. Chris Masters
173. Tomko
174. Sami Callihan
175. Latin Lover
176. Alex Koslov
177. Chavo Guerrero
178. Sonjay Dutt
179. Felino
180. Tyler Reks
181. Jun Akiyama
182. Martin Stone
183. Pac
184. Kiyoshi
185. Manabu Nakanishi
186. Petey Williams
187. Shinjiro Otani
188. Atlantis
189. Austin Creed
190. Necro Butcher
191. Drake Brewer
192. Giant Bernard
193. Tommy Dreamer
194. Stevie Richards
195. Joe E. Legend
196. Bison Smith
197. Darren Young
198. Nicho El Millionario
199. Blue Panther
200. Jason Hades
201. Alex Riley
202. Kory Chavis
203. Arik Cannon
204. Cody Deaner
205. Jason Blade
206. Takeshi Morishima
207. David Otunga
208. Mr. Niebla
209. Kaval
210. Jack Evans
211. Jon Davis
212. Toru Yano
213. Osamu Nishimura
214. Mike Knox
215. Ryusuke Taguchi
216. Rasche Brown
217. Prince Devitt
218. Skip Sheffield
219. Ultimo Gladiator
220. Icarus
221. Shawn Spears
222. Mike Quackenbush
223. Jesse Neal
224. Teddy Hart
225. 2 Cold Scorpio
226. Gran Akuma
227. Yuko Miamoto
228. Tommaso Ciampa
229. Kohei Sato
230. Okada
231. Scott Lost
232. Hector Garza
233. Tiger Mask IV
234. Maasaki Mochizuki
235. Brodie Lee
236. Super Crazy
237. Billy Ken Kid
238. Percy Watson
239. Lince Dorado
240. Mascara Dorado
241. T.J. Cannon
242. Dragon Kid
243. Zorro
244. Ruckus
245. Drake Younger
246. Shocker
247. Raven
248. Oliver John
249. B-Boy
250. Kota Ibushi
251. El Hijo Del Santo
252. Eddie Kingston
253. N8 Mattson
254. Rocky Romero
255. Curt Hawkins
256. Cody Hawk
257. Masahiro Chono
258. B.J.
259. Jigsaw
260. Rey Bucanero
261. Koji Kanemoto
262. Johnny Devine
263. Bruce Maxwell
264. El Sensacional Carlitos
265. Akebono
266. Christopher Gray
267. Ryan Eagles
268. Sterling James Keenan
269. El Terrible
270. Ares
271. Michael Elgin
272. Sebastian Suave
273. Yamato
274. Texano Jr.
275. Tommy Taylor
276. Hallowicked
277. Vampiro
278. Mike Rollins
279. Metal Master
280. Josh Daniels
281. Dustin Cutler
282. Derek Wylde
283. Johnny Curtis
284. Nick Gage
285. Shadow Jackson
286. Brandon Cutler
287. Darrin Corbin
288. Jimmy Wang Yang
289. Quiet Storm
290. Tursas
291. Jules Uso
292. Ace Rockwell
293. Ryan Kruz
294. Pepper Parks
295. Konnan
296. Jimmy Uso
297. Sean Morley
298. Johnny Prime
299. Slam Master J
300. Glen Osbourne
301. Xtremo
302. Joey Mercury
303. Rory McAllister
304. Rob Eckos
305. Brandon Bonham
306. Mike Mondo
307. Robbie McAllister
308. Aden Chambers
309. Benjamin Boone
310. Harley Jackson
311. Prince Nana
312. Billy Bax
313. Shark Boy
314. Strongman
315. Jimmy Rave
316. Scorpio Sky
317. Jushin Liger
318. Shaun Tempers
319. Johnny Kashmere
320. Jackson Andrews
321. The Blue Meanie
322. Jimmy DeMarco
323. Dragon Rojo Jr.
324. Bo Rotundo
325. KC Kea
326. Spike Dudley
327. Dal Knox
328. Brandon Locke
329. Ron Zombie
330. Matt Cross
331. Duke Rotundo
332. Matt Walsh
333. La Mascara
334. Brad Attitude
335. Silas Young
336. TJ Perkins
337. Sangre Azteca
338. Glamour Boy Shane
339. Phil Atlas
340. Tim Donst
341. Egotistico Fantastico
342. Leo Kruger
343. Michael Tarver
344. Tommy Thunda
345. Kimo
346. Tito Colon
347. Trik Davis
348. Ryan McBride
349. J.D. Maverick
350. Santino Marella
351. Truitt Fields
352. The Sheik
353. Nicky Benz
354. L.A. Park
355. Gregory Helms
356. Frankie the Mobster
357. Sinn Bodhi
358. Hunico
359. Pat Buck
360. Mahoney
361. Jeremy Vain
362. Don Paysan
363. Johnny Gargano
364. Richie Steamboat
365. Caprice Coleman
366. Mason Ryan
367. Savio Vega
368. Charley Manson
369. Jonny Puma
370. Josh Alexander
371. T.J. Mack
372. Marshall Gambino
373. Chasyn Rance
374. Shane Haste
375. Bobby Dempsey
376. Matt Burns
377. Kirby Mack
378. Ryoji Sai
379. Danny Daniels
380. Derrick Bateman
381. Asylum
382. Kevin Grace
383. Lynx
384. Mike Tobin
385. Tank
386. Ultimo Dragon
387. Marion Fontaine
388. Zaquary Springate III
389. Matt Riviera
390. Chase Del Monte
391. Ricky Reyes
392. Kenzo Suzuki
393. Simon Sez
394. Vance Nevada
395. Joey Knight
396. Orion Bishop
397. Aero Star
398. John McChesney
399. Robin Knightwing
400. Bazooka Joe
401. Titan
402. Big E Langston
403. Damien Slater
404. Rudy Switchblade
405. Josef Von Schmidt
406. Matt Logan
407. Ricochet
408. Alex Price
409. Thumbtack Jack
410. Tyler Veritas
411. Mega
412. Scotty Mac
413. Eric Cooper
414. Kid Kash
415. Grizzly Redwood
416. Bryan Logan
417. Adam Cole
418. Nick Logan
419. Papadon
420. Breaker Morant
421. Vinny Dunn
422. Scott Zenzen
423. Bruiser Bennett
424. Steve O
425. Jake O’Reilly
426. Freak Nastty
427. Jimmy Cicero
428. Kamikaze
429. Bobby Shields
430. Hiram Tua
431. Eddie Taurus
432. Mikaze
433. Tony Stetson
434. Chris Rockwell
435. Slim J
436. Donny Marlow
437. Davey Deluxeo
438. Rudy Parker
439. Samuel Elias
440. Ernie Ballz
441. Joe Bravo
442. Robbie Gilmore
443. Ryan Sawyer
444. Wall Calrissian
445. Ananzi
446. Aaron Stevens
447. Mike Sydal
448. Alex Anthony
449. Colin Delaney
450. Cable Jones
451. Conrad Tanner
452. Wes Brisco
453. Titus O’Neil
454. Reiko DMF
455. Dan Eckos
456. Ron Falco
457. Handsome Johnny
458. Vince Beach
459. Corey Hollis
460. Tommy Mack
461. Bill Collier
462. Kwan Chang
463. Mozart Fontaine
464. Scott Chase
465. Barry Ryte
466. Crisifix
467. Don Vega
468. Steve Madison
469. Chris Black
470. Mike Posey
471. Kid America
472. Eli Cottonwood
473. Scott Wright
474. Crazzy Steve
475. J.T. Playa
476. Cameron Thomas
477. Prince Iaukea
478. Marc Mandrake
479. Ray Alexander
480. J.B. Trask
481. Rip Impact
482. Brian Millonas
483. A.J. Strokes
484. Phil Latio
485. Malachi
486. Chris Cooper
487. Primo Scordino
488. Barry Hardy
489. Hellcat
490. Shockwave the Robot
491. Robert Roma
492. Billy Gibbs
493. Steve Kruz
494. Mr. Ooh La La
495. Super Sweet
496. Brandon Thurston
497. Gabe Saint
498. Kliff Hanger
499. Peter B. Beautiful
500. Barry Wolf

— “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles has been named Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s “PWI 500” winner for 2010. He is the first TNA wrestler to top the annual chart, which is now in its twentieth year. To view the magazine’s cover, click here. The issues hits newsstands Aug. 3.

— On Facebook, Eric Bischoff commented on last night’s television tapings in Orlando, referencing creative writers Vince Russo and Matt Conway: “Just talked to Vince. Sounds live TV went well today. Next 4 months of TV is set up to be pretty exciting. Looking forward to it. Thanks again Vince and Matt for picking up my slack. Looking forward to next set of TV’s!”

Bischoff previously stated that he would not be attending this week’s tapings.

— Jeremy Borash announced during last night’s television tapings that TNA Wrestling will be offering VIP packages (meet and greet with TNA stars) for every pay-per-view event. (source: PWInsider.com)

TNA star AJ Styles was recently interviewed by the Miami Herald and spoke about being mentored by “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

“As Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were coming in was around the time they were thinking of putting me with Ric Flair,” Styles said. “I was on board. To work with the Nature Boy Ric Flair, it would be stupid not to take that chance.

Styles has improved his game in many ways since working with Flair, most notably his work on the mic. “My confidence in cutting promos is far better than it used to be,” he said.  . “Getting the opportunity to study from Ric Flair and get his input means the world to me.  I’ve met him before, and he was always a nice guy. He was unbelievably nice. He is an icon. I thought how he can be so nice and humble. It’s who he is. He is a good guy, in spite of the rumors you may have heard.”

While working with Flair has been a dream come true for him, it has led many to criticize him, calling him a “Ric Flair wannabe.” Styles responds to those claims, saying, “I would say when you are being mentored by someone or around friends who talk a certain way or act a certain way, you tend to act like those friends and talk like those friends. It’s kind of the same thing. I’m not Ric Flair. Ric Flair and I, our move set is not the same. I may throw in a figure four or a chop. Other than that, I would not say I’m being like Ric Flair. If they are complaining about that, I would say how can you complain about someone trying to be like Ric Flair? As long as they’re entertained, then I’m going to keep doing it. If they are not, I’ll find out sooner or later.'”

As for the new “Fortune” stable led by Ric Flair, Styles says, “I think they are going with it. I think it would be a great tag team and a great storyline.”

— TNA has announced that the Victory Road pay-per-view event will take place on July 11. Meanwhile, Hard Justice will be held on Aug. 8. Both shows will take place at the Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida.

— Angelina Love is auctioning off a bikini worn on a fall 2008 episode of iMPACT! during the first ever “Beautiful People Beauty Pageant.” You can view the auction here, which ends today.

— You can follow TNA newcomer Rosie Lottalove on Twitter.com here.

— This past Wednesday, Velvet Sky turned 29 years old while AJ Styles turned 32.

— It was announced yesterday on TNA Today that backstage announcer Christy Hemme is getting married this weekend in Hawaii. Hemme and her beau, Charley Patterson, got engaged last December.

— TNA’s next road pay-per-view is expected to take place in October for Bound for Glory. Company officials view Bound for Glory as its biggest show of the year, and thus it will be an exception to the rule as far as holding televised shows outside Orlando. In fact, it is the only televised event the company currently has scheduled outside the Impact Zone. (source: www.pwtorch.com)

— TNA’s latest edition of Before the Bell previews the main event for Sacrifice “that has the world buzzing” — “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs “Mr. TNA” Rob Van Dam, for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. You can view the episode here.

– The teams for Lethal Lockdown at next month’s pay-per-view will have four men each. As mentioned before, Jeff Jarrett has now been added to Team Hogan with Abyss. Sting is the only participant announced so far for Team Flair.

– AJ Styles busted his hand open pretty bad on last night’s iMPACT when he gave Jeff Jarrett a low blow. Jarrett was holding his guitar and AJ’s hand struck the end of the guitar, causing him to bleed.

– Next week’s iMPACT will start one hour earlier than usual and will air from 8pm until 10pm (EST). Announced for next Monday’s show:

• Ladder match between Kurt Angle and Mr. Anderson. A key will hang above the ring and the first man to get the key will be able to use it to open the cage door at Lethal Lockdown.
• The Pope vs. Desmond Wolfe
• Appearance by Matt Morgan to talk about what he did to Hernandez last week.

— For his newly launched web show Last Call With Scott Hall, the former Intercontinental Champion has posted video footage shot backstage at TNA’s last television taping in Orlando. Hall and Sean Waltman can be seen clowning around shooting footage of various TNA personnel such as Ric Flair, Vince Russo, Christopher Daniels and “The Beautiful People.” You can view the footage at his newly launched YouTube channel.

— TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles and “The Beautiful People” member Velvet Sky headline tonight’s Purks International Championship Wrestling show in Cedartown, Georgia. “The Phenomenal One” is advertised to wrestle former tag partner Air Paris, who briefly appeared in World Championship Wrestling. Meanwhile, Sky will take on former WWE developmental wrestler Tracy Taylor. Also scheduled to appear is former TNA wrestler David Young. Click here for event information.

— Desmond Wolfe is advertised to appear at tonight’s MCW Championship Wrestling show in Alliance, Ohio. Visit www.mcwpro.com for more information.

– The following matches have been confirmed for TNA’s Against All Odds pay-per-view on February 14th:

TNA Heavyweight Title Match:
AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe

Tag Team Legends Collide:
The Nasty Boys vs. Team 3D.

– While some speculated that TNA would be holding live events Arizona during WrestleMania weekend when WWE is in town, the company has actually announced shows  in Alabama and Georgia that weekend. They will be in Ozark, Alabama on March 25th and Columbus, Georgia on March 26th.

– Scott Steiner has been removed from the TNA roster page, which doesn’t say good things about his standing in the company.  It was reported a few weeks back that Steiner’s future with TNA was up in the air. Ric Flair and Mr. Anderson have been added to the roster page.

– Eric Bischoff is still intent on bringing Jim Ross into TNA as an announcer. After many months of speculation as to what he’d do when his WWE contract expired, Ross signed a short-term extension back in December and is expected to be with WWE through mid-2010. That said, the face of the pro wrestling industry is sure to change this year, with TNA likely going to Monday nights at some point, so who knows what the future holds.

– As we’ve seen in recent weeks on iMPACT!, Nature Boy Ric Flair has taken TNA Champion AJ Styles under his wing.  The basis for the storyline is that Ric Flair is the consummate World Champion. AJ Styles is a master in his own right inside the ropes, but Flair will teach Styles how to be a World Champion outside the ring – the women, the limousines, etc. TNA wants AJ Styles to be the kind of guy that stands out in a crowd, which is why they’ve been suggesting for him to bleach his hair blond.

Update: During a surprise appearance on RVD Radio on Wednesday night, Hulk Hogan talked about AJ Styles and said he’s got big plans for Styles’ character. Hogan said he can’t even reveal the “new name” for Styles’ character, but the TNA champm is going through a transformation right now that will unfold in the coming weeks. (RVD Radio Recap)

– When Rob Terry won the TNA Global Title on January 27th at a TNA live event in Cardiff, Wales, he was not told about the title change until the day of the show. Terry played the role of the local babyface and as noted before, his family were in attendance with TNA camera crews filming everything.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— AJ Styles could be in line for a makeover as creative has discussed having the TNA World Heavyweight Champion bleach his hair blonde in order to synergize his partnership with Ric Flair. Though it should be noted that Styles has a say in this so it may not happen.

— TNA newcomer Mr. Anderson will be making his live event debut for the company during the weekend of February 4th in Kansas and Missouri.

— Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne of “The Beautiful People” were brought in for the remainder of the company’s ongoing tour of the UK starting with tonight’s show in Bournemouth. The duo will be working tag matches against Taylor Wilde and Sarita. The tour concludes this Saturday.

source: f4wonline.com

TNA Champion AJ Styles

In an interview with The Sun, TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles blasts the backstabbing nature of rival promotion World Wrestling Entertainment.

The TNA star said he has no interest in going to WWE based on second-hand stories he’s heard from wrestlers’ experiences in the politically-motivated backstage environment.

“From all the horror stories I’ve heard in WWE, there’s no reason why I would want to go anywhere else. Desmond (Wolfe) and I are going to work together to make this company the best for everybody. Where, in the other company, they will stab each other in the back to get to the next level,” Styles said. “It’s not about me. It’s about us in TNA.”

Styles said one year from now, TNA needs to be live and touring “week-to-week” outside the Impact Zone in Orlando. His main reason for wanting to venture outside of Orlando is so he can better gauge the effectiveness of his persona.

“Definitely live. Live every Monday night or Thursday night. I don’t care. Just as long as the fans know when it’s coming on. And that they don’t know what to expect,” Styles told The Sun. “That’s the biggest thing because with the spoilers, they go on (the Internet) and figure out whatever, but I want to be live going from state-to-state and not just in the Impact Zone.”

Styles added: “It’s hard to gauge who you are as a character in the Impact Zone because you have the same fans coming in who don’t necessarily want to enjoy the show, but be part of the show, and it’s hard to gauge how you’re doing as an entertainer.”

Styles also reassured fans upset about TNA parting ways with its trademark six-sided ring.

“Ring change is kind of upsetting at first, but then once you get in that ring, it brings the memories back – ‘Oh, there’s so much more you can do.’ But, for us, it absolutely does not make a difference to me. That’s why it was so bizarre to me at first why they would change it,” Styles said. “I heard that maybe the reason was to be taken more seriously as a company. I can understand that. I don’t care what it is that gets us to the next level as long as we get there.”

Styles and Desmond Wolfe also discuss Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff joining TNA, as well as what fans can expect on the company’s current tour of the UK. To download the 21-minute interview, click here.

TNA Genesis: This Sunday night

Below is the final card for this Sunday’s TNA Genesis pay-per-view.

Note that TNA has confirmed that a “major acquisition” will make his debut at the show.

TNA World Heavyweight Title Match
Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles
* Angle’s Last Shot at AJ’s World Title in 2010

TNA World Tag Team Title Match
Matt Morgan & Hernandez vs. The British Invasion

TNA Knockouts Title Match – Best of 3 Falls
Tara vs. ODB

TNA X Division Title Match
Amazing Red vs. Opponent to be Announced That Night

Scott Hall & Kevin Nash vs. Beer Money

Bobby Lashley vs. Abyss

Sean Morley vs. Daniels

Desmond Wolfe vs. The Pope

TNA Genesis: 1/17/2010

The official Pay-Per-View poster ha been released for January’s TNA Genesis event and it contains what appears to be spoilers for future TNA storylines and Hulk Hogan’s TNA debut.

TNA champion AJ Styles and Kurt Angle are featured prominantly on the poster with the tagline, “A Night of Firsts.”

Below Styles and Angle is a picture of Hulk Hogan with the text, “Hulk Hogan Returns to Pay-Per-View.”

Pay-Per-View provider iNDEMAND has the following synopsis for the event: “A night of firsts, a night of new beginnings and the night Hulk Hogan returns to Pay-Per- View. TNA Wrestling presents
TNA Genesis Live on Pay-Per-View Sunday January 17. *Card subject to change.”

TNA Genesis takes place on Sunday night, January 17, 2010.

TNA Champion AJ Styles

TNA Wrestling World champion A.J. Styles was interviewed by Perth, Australia’s 91.3 SportFM and spoke TNA’s desire to compete with WWE.

Radio host Jason Dattilo asked Styles about the rumor that TNA Wrestling could be moving their programming to Monday nights to compete with WWE Raw and start a new Monday Night War. When asked whether TNA on Monday nights will ever happen, Styles responded confidently by saying, “Absolutely. One day it will happen, there’s no doubt about it. I know we can run with them.”

This brought the conversation to whether TNA is ready to start a war and what is holding them back from being ready to take WWE down. Styles implied that money was a big reason WWE is able to produce a top notch product and get their brand name out there. “A lot of things (wrong) are our production issues. The reason why WWE is out there and so big and been there so long and their production is very expensive. We’re working our way up there to get to that point. We just don’t have the money they do.” Styles also pointed to TNA not having the brand awareness that WWE has in the marketplace. Styles said if the production value picks up and TNA can “get their name out there,”, he sees TNA being able to compete with WWE.

Styles also named Rey Mysterio, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Christian and Evan Bourne as WWE superstars who would be a good fit in TNA.

The UK Sun has posted Part 2 of their interview with former WWE & ECW Champion, Rob Van Dam.

Read More: RVD Explains How Vince McMahon Ripped His Heart Out & Stepped On It (Part 1 Recap)

In part 2, Van Dam talks about why he left WWE in June 2007, what he’s been doing since then, what sets him apart from other wrestlers and more.  You can read the entire part 2 at TheSun.co.uk. Here are some highlights:

When asked whether he would return to World Wrestling Entertainment or perhaps make a run with TNA Wrestling, Van Dam said, “It’s possible. Never say never.” He went into detail about how the lighter TNA schedule is very attractive to him, but would consider returning to WWE if they could offer him the same reduced schedule.” The talk of Van Dam wrestling for TNA led interviewer Simon Rothstein to ask what Van Dam thinks about what many fans would consider a dream match against AJ Styles. “I can tell you this — I don’t sit at home and fantasise about matches with AJ Styles,” he said. ” I am a professional when I get in the ring . But as far as personal matches that go through my mind, and working with this guy or that guy, I don’t give a f— about that.”

RVD spoke about his relationship with Paul Heyman and whether he would work with Paul should he return to the national wrestling scene with WWE/TNA or start his own company. “I do talk to Paul a lot and we do chat about hypothetical situations and what’s going on in our minds,” Van Dam said.  “I will always be a soldier for Paul and always have interest in hearing anything that he’s got to say. If he asked me to do him a favour then of course I would. But Paul also knows, if he wants to take me away from home, then just like the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase everybody has their price.”

There’s a lot more to the interview and it’s worth checking out at TheSun.co.uk.

There have been a number of backstage altercations in TNA Wrestling over the past week or two. Here’s the latest:

— There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

— According to the PWTorch Newsletter, AJ Styles went off on Vince Russo and was frustrated over “what he argued was dismal booking of him early in his run as champion.” Styles feels he’s been made to look like a weak champion by Russo. Samoa Joe also had some beef with TNA management, but it was not wrestling-related, Samoa Joe complained that TNA blew-off of a commitment to use his friend’s catering business at the Bound For Glory PPV in California. Joe complaining about catering .. insert joke here.

— Chris Sabin suffered a concussion at the TNA Impact TV tapings on Wednesday night in Orlando, FL. Sabin’s concussion took place during a tag team match between The Motor City Machineguns and Team 3D when Sabin landed awkwardly. Sabin reportedly told people backstage that he was out cold during the match, but somehow regained his composure and finished the finish. We’re told Kevin Nash blew up backstage about the incident and was overhead yelling at Team 3D for not killing the original finish as he felt Sabin’s health should have been the first priority. Nash felt that as veterans, Team 3D should have made that call on the fly and that someone in production could have given a cue to the referee to end the match. While it probably won’t air, Nash did walk out in front of the Impact Zone and cut a promo about how upset he was that the match continued as Sabin was laying on the ring apron. Sabin was said to be feeling much better after the taping had finished. Nash is being praised by other wrestlers with the company for looking out for the safety of his coworkers.

— There was a massive edit for last week’s TNA iMPACT! as Lacey Von Erich fell flat on her face when she ran to the ring to do a run-in during the Knockouts elimination match. The issues with Von Erich don’t end there as she suffered a minor hamstring injury while training at the Impact Zone and made it known all night that she was in pain. She then reportedly told a male trainer to go and get her an ice pack and the guy ended up walking in to see a half-dressed Awesome Kong who was obviously not happy. We’re told Kong grabbed Von Erich and took her to the trainers room where she proceeded to cut a promo on her in front of Kurt Angle. When Von Erich went to TNA management to complain, they ended up siding with Kong.

According to a very reliable source in TNA Wrestling , the person who attacked AJ Styles on iMPACT this week was former WWE and TNA star Tomko.

As we reported on Tuesday afternoon, Tomko was backstage in Orlando for Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings and was expected to appear on camera. From what we’ve been told, there current plan is for there to be a series of attacks on AJ Styles where the attacker looks like Daniels (bald head) but his face will not be revealed until a further date.

This will likely lead to a match between Styles and Tomko at some point, playing off their long history together in TNA.

In case you missed the attack on iMPACT!, here it is:

TNA Champion AJ Styles

** WARNING: This contains a MAJOR *SPOILER* for Sunday’s TNA Bound For Glory Pay-Per-View:

With just days until TNA Wrestling’s biggest Pay-Per-View event of the year, a television commercial hyping TNA’s November PPV has revealed the result for Sunday’s AJ Styles vs. Sting Bound For Glory main event.

Several cable providers, including Time Warner, Comcast and Bright House have begun airing commercials for TNA Turning Point (11/15). The commercial was also available on “On Demand” sections of these cable providers.

The commercial explicitly reveals the result of the AJ Styles vs. Sting match at Bound For Glory. It begins with clips of current TNA Champion A Styles. A voiceover says that AJ Styles beat Sting at Bound For Glory and now he looks to his next challenger for the TNA world title. Footage was also shown of the AJ Styles vs. Sting match from last years Turning Point.

After speaking to a TNA employee this afternoon, we can say that TNA is are aware of the situation and company officials are hoping to keep the situation “contained.” It should be interesting to see if this news leaking out affects the result of Sunday’s main event, but as of Thursday morning, the plan was for AJ Styles to retain the title this Sunday.

On Monday, it was reported that A.J. Styles and Matt Morgan have signed new 5-year contract extensions with TNA Wrestling.

Matt Morgan wrote a message o his Twitter page (Twitter.com/TNAMattMorgan) responding to a fan who asked if news about his new contract was true. Morgan responded,  “Have no clue how you would know that, but yes that’s true. Signed it last week and am looking forward to five more improving years.”

A.J. Styles on the other hand may not have signed a new contract. The same source who broke the original story (ProWrestling.net) now says the Styles deal is not finalized. Styles is currently in the second year of a deal he signed over a year ago.

— TNA Wrestling has signed two of their top young stars to new longterm contracts, according to ProWrestling.net. A.J. Styles and Matt Morgan, who both still had some time remaining on their previous TNA deals, recently signed new five-year contracts that will keep them with the company through 2014.

— Fans who are ordering TNA Bound For Glory on 10/18 will have to fork over an extra $10 more than the usual TNA PPV. Both Comcast and Time Warner Cable are listsing the event as $39.99. No word yet on whether the price change is permanent moving forward or if its just for TNA’s showcase event of the year.

— Thursday’s edition of TNA iMPACT! drew a 1.1 rating, on par with what the show has been doing in recent weeks.