As reported earlier today, TNA will be taping several weeks worth of Impact Wrestling episodes across the next four days, starting with tonight’s show, which airs semi-live on a two-hour delay from Orlando, Florida.
In the main event of tonight’s show, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line with Kurt Angle defending the title against Eric Young with a former TNA Champion returning to serve as special guest referee of the match.
Unless the former champion is a swerve of some kind, the following are the most likely candidates, according to a report from F4WOnline.com:
– Sting (highly unlikely due to his WWE deal)
– Samoa Joe (possible, but unlikely due to his rumored negotiations with WWE)
– Mick Foley (also seems unlikely now that he just recently taped a highly-promoted special for the WWE Network)
– A.J. Styles (would seem unlikely due to his various commitments, including Ring Of Honor starting next Tuesday)
– Chris Sabin (a possibility)
– Rob Van Dam (a possibility)
– Bully Ray (a very strong possibility)
– Also confirmed for tonight’s Impact Wrestling is a Ken Anderson vs. Ethan Carter III match where the fans get to choose the stipulation (likely an arm-wrestling match or a falls count anywhere match), and Divas action with Gail Kim & Awesome Kong vs. Taryn Terrell & Jade & Marti Bell.
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com for complete results of tonight’s Impact Wrestling, as well as spoiler results of any matches/segments taped for future Impact Wrestling episodes!
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– Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy — The Hardy Boys — won a four-way Ultimate-X match to become the new TNA World Tag-Team Champions in the main event of Friday’s edition of Impact Wrestling.
– TNA’s Christy Hemme announced that next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling will be called “TKO — A Night of Knockouts.”
The following matches and segments are confirmed for the show:
Jade and Marti Bell debut
Mickie James’ future revealed
Angelina Love vs. Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne vs. Brooke [Number One Contender’s Match]
Awesome Kong vs. Taryn Terrell (c) [Knockouts Championship]
Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young [TNA World Heavyweight Championship]
It was revealed during Saturday’s set of TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings, which will air on the April 17th edition of the show, that an upcoming special edition of Impact Wrestling will take place called “TKO: Total Knockouts.”
While not confirmed, it’s believed that the TKO special will be taped this weekend and will feature a TNA Knockouts Championship match between Awesome Kong and Taryn Terrell. It will also feature a number one contendership match between Gail Kim, Brooke Tessmacher, Angelina Love and Madison Rayne.
Additionally, new Knockouts are scheduled to make their TNA debut.
Former TNA Knockout Awesome Kong made a surprise return on Wednesday’s Impact Wrestling premiere on Destination America.
After the Knockouts Battle Royal, Havoc attacked Knockouts champion Taryn Terrell. The lights went out and when the turned back on, Havoc and Kong were face to face in what the announcers called a “fantasy booker’s dream.” A loud “holy shit” chant broke out.
Referees separated the women, but Kong delivered a choke slam to one of the refs and soaked up the cheers.
Kong is back in TNA for the first time in nearly 5 years, last appearing for the promotion back in March 2010. She was under contract with WWE from 2010-2012 and wrestled back in September for the Shine promotion.
Former TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong is backstage at the TNA Impact Wrestling taping at the Manhattan Center in New York City tonight. There is no word yet as to whether or not Kong is returning, or if she’s simply visiting friends at the show.
If Kong were to return to TNA, it would be a bit of a surprise, as she has stated in interviews that she would likely never return to the company.
Below is an excerpt from an interview Kong did in November of last year:
“WWE, everybody dreams to go there. They say they don’t, they’re a liar and they’re in denial. TNA, I don’t know if you’ll ever see me there again. Though I appreciate what I did in TNA, I think I’m past that now.”
According to PWInsider.com, former TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong is backstage at tonight’s Impact Wrestling taping at the Manhattan Center in New York City. It was not, however, stated whether she has renewed her relationship with TNA.
Kong, who last appeared for TNA in 2010, has repeatedly stated in interviews that she would likely never return to the organization. In this video interview, which was shot in November, she considered TNA a thing of the past.
“WWE, everybody dreams to go there. They say they don’t, they’re a liar and they’re in denial,” Kong said in response to whether she would return to either WWE or TNA if the door was open to. “TNA, I don’t know if you’ll ever see me there again. Though I appreciate what I did in TNA, I think I’m past that now.”
The following are highlights of a new Smartasses Radio interview with Gail Kim:
On her thoughts on the TNA product: “Impact Wrestling has really shaken things up. You see a lot of new young talent that they’re trying like Ethan Carter and The Wolves who are really great additions. Ethan, I’ve worked with in WWE when he was in NXT and I remember thinking, ‘Wow, this guy has a lot of charisma.’ I was shocked to see him be released, but that was a blessing in disguise for us because we got a hell of a talent. I think people are going to see us invest in younger talent and new faces and really just try things and see what works.”
On recent changes to the TNA Knockouts division: “I feel like for the longest time we’ve been hearing from fans, ‘Oh, we need more Knockouts. It’s getting stale with the same girls.’ It’s been a struggle for us, but I think we’ve done a great job so far. I wanted everyone to be patient because we pride ourselves on the Knockouts division having talented girls. You can’t hire girls just because we need new girls. We were looking for quality, and now we’ve brought back Angelina Love and they’re going with the Beautiful People which is a proven success. We’ve brought in Santana who plays Brittany now and she’s already debuted. We have a bright future. I think there’s going to be a lot more changes and it’s going to be for the best.”
On plans for her character going forward: “Alpha Female was just a temporary thing over in the UK. Who knows for her in the future? She’s got a great look and presence, but she’s not part of our regular roster right now, just to clear that up. For me, there are plans for everyone so that’s about as much as I can say. My storyline has pretty much wrapped up with Madison (Rayne) as everyone can tell. So, yeah, things are going to happen. I’m not worried. I’ve got so much more to show.”
On her thoughts on Lei’D Tapa leaving TNA: “She’s a great girl. She has passion and she has determination. She honestly was just very inexperienced. She only had three years of experience under her belt and it just wasn’t enough right now. I had two years of experience when I got hired by WWE and I got fired, and that was the best thing that ever happened to me. I didn’t know it at that time, but it just motivated me even more and I think she’s the same type of person that’s going to go out and get better. She just needs more experience and I don’t see this pulling her down in any way. All of us are rooting for her because we all loved her. She has such a great look, such a great presence, and she’s got it in her blood. I have no doubt that she’s going to be a big star one day. It just takes time.”
“Wrestling is an art. I’ve been wrestling now for 14 years or so, and I’ve told her that for me to feel totally confident to where I could lead in the ring and give it my all and be a veteran, it took me eight solid years. People don’t realize how much time it can take, and I’m still learning every day. I don’t want people to be discouraged; a lot of people make assumptions when people are gone. Just remember that nobody really knows what’s going on behind the scenes. I just think that things happen for a reason, and she’s such a good human being that I really feel like good things will happen for her.”
On improving her promo skills: “All of us have to work at it. I guess some people just have natural talent. I would say my strength is being in the ring and having matches. For me to have a promo, it takes a while for me to prepare. I feel like Impact Wrestling has given me so many opportunities to talk. Pat Kenney, or Simon Diamond, he normally works with us girls on our matches. He was put with us also to develop our characters, and that’s one thing Pat has really worked on with me. When we’re at live events or anything like that, he wants me to cut promos and he wants me to get better. He wants me to get as much practice as I can, especially during that run when I was doing the open challenge with some of those indie girls. I had talking segments every week and that’s not my comfort zone. He really helped me a lot, so I thank him for that.”
On her past feuds with Taryn Terrell and Awesome Kong: “Kong was my first, I call it magical feud because we had pure magical chemistry. I honestly never thought that something like that would happen again where people really recognized our hard work and we got their respect and it made a name for us. I’m very fortunate that it happened again, with Taryn last year. For me to have those opportunities in my career twice, I’m so grateful, and I just want to make even more magical moments going forward. The day that I start moving slower is the day that I’m going to retire. I just want to keep on making more magic and blowing people away with my matches – that’s what I want to be remembered for.”
Check out the complete interview at SmartMarkRadio.com.
– Former TNA Knockout Kharma (Kia Stevens) has apparently lost a ton of weight and has launched a new dieting program. For more information, visit Fit4AllDiet.com.
– The following are some recent TNA attendance figures:
January 29th live event in Dublin, Ireland drew approximately 1,000 fans
January 31st Impact Wrestling taping in Manchester, England drew approximately 2,700 fans
February 1st Impact Wrestling taping in London, England drew approximately 4,000 fans
– Eric Bischoff, who serves as Executive Producer of Impact Wrestling, is not backstage at tonight’s show in Salt Lake City, Utah.
According to two sources with the organization, he is not expected to resurface anytime soon, which has a number of employees happy. The exact reason for his absence has yet to be disclosed.
– Sunday at Bound For Glory, Gail Kim captured the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship for a third time by defeating ODB and Brooke, with assistance from Lei’D Tapa. The new champ, however, would prefer that fans not compare Tapa to former TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Awesome Kong.
“People need to stop comparing @LeiD_Tapa to awesome kong,” Kim wrote on Twitter. “Tapa Is at least smart enough who to align herself with #teamgail.”
– The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling released the following video previewing tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
-WWE Superstar Darren Young, who came out of the closet as a homosexual this past Thursday, recently took to Twitter to address the rumors of his past relationship with WWE Diva Tamina Snuka. Young wrote:
“If I could just lay this rumor to rest & simply say @taminasnuka is like a sister 2 me & we have never dated. Sorry Tamina.”
-Former WWE Diva Kharma (aka Awesome Kong) is scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of the “Double Divas” reality show on the Lifetime Network. The show focuses on two lingerie shop owners in Georgia. Kharma tweeted about the upcoming appearance, writing:
“Thank you to everyone at LiviRae and the cast & crew of ‘Double Divas’ for helping me find under gear that’ll keep my puppies in check! I’ll keep you all posted on the air date of my tv appearance for @DoubleDivasTV on Lifetime. It was a crack up!”
-WWE Superstar CM Punk wrote the forward to his friend Natalie Slater’s new cookbook. The book is called, “Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans” and is available right now on Amazon.com.
-WWE Diva Layla recently revealed in a new tweet on her official Twitter page that her ring gear from Monday’s RAW is being donated to “Cure Cystic Fibrosis.” Layla’s tweet read:
My gear I wore lastnight on #raw is dedicated to Dylan Gonna donate this gear to #curecysticfibrosis… http://instagram.com/p/cr287mnlZG/
-Kayfabe Commentaries has released the trailer for the new “You Shoot” DVD with former TNA Knockout and WWE Diva Awesome Kong. Check it out below:
-WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin recently recorded a new edition of his “Steve Austin Show” podcast with wrestling legend Scott Hall. Austin tweeted the following about the show, which will be available online this Thursday:
Just had a helluva talk w @SCOTTHALLNWO. The Bad Guy is in a good place. Check it on Thurs on the #steveaustinshow @PodcastOne & iTunes.
-Speaking of Twitter, former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Kharma (aka Awesome Kong) recently tweeted the following about her upcoming return to television:
So excited about getting new gear! Gotta look fierce for my return to tv. It seems like its been a ‘lifetime’
– The official WWE website continues its trend of acknowledging talent affiliated with TNA Wrestling as Mickie James is this week’s addition to the Alumni section. WWE writes of the five-time Women’s Champion and one-time Divas Champion, “Here’s to the crazy ones. Over the course of a brief but memorable WWE career, Mickie James underwent a stunning transformation from psychotic fanatic to one of the most beloved female competitors ever to step inside the squared circle. Mickie might have been a peppy, energetic sweetheart, but she was also as dangerous in the ring as any that came before her.
Other TNA talent recently profiled by WWE include Victoria (a/k/a Tara), Kurt Angle and The Dudley Boyz. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, Sting and Tiffany (a/k/a Taryn Terrell) are also featured in the Alumni section.
– Former WWE Diva Kristal Marshall is returning to the ring as she has been announced to compete in a tag team match tomorrow night in Fall River, Massachusetts. The 2005 Diva Search finalist will be teaming up with Awesome Kong to take on the team of Jillian Hall and Kasey Ray. A camera crew from the Oxygen Network will be on hand for the event to film the match for a reality television program on women’s wrestling. Details on the event are available here. Maria Kanellis is also scheduled to appear as she will accompany “Prodigy” Mike Bennett for his match against Jason Blade.
– Former WWE Divas Champion Eve Torres has announced that she will sign merchandise for Retro Wrestling. Details are available here.
– Episode #95 of Z! True Long Island Story, entitled All Zack wants for Christmas, is now now online. In the episode, Ryder finds out “Santa” is a fake, spoofs the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and gleefully looks forward to hitting one million followers on Twitter.
– The former Kharma, Awesome Kong, addressed her departure from WWE and other topics in a podcast interview with RingbellesOnline.com: “So it’s time to dissect the last couple of years and get to the truth of a lot of speculation and rumours. We talk getting back in the ring at SHINE and Florida Underground (both teaming with Jazz) a couple of weekends ago and how that return came about. We talk endorsements from Jim Ross and Steve Austin leading to meetings with John Laurinatis leading to her dream job. Is it fair to call her a Triple H Project? We talk the first meeting with Vince McMahon, and the Kharma name (and more to the point, discover a rejected alternate name!), and what the initial plans were for her push. We talk acceptance into the Diva locker room, and the reaction to her pregnancy. Seen her wrestling ring-shaped engagement ring? Now hear the *true* story of how her fiancé popped the question. Stew and Kong compare how many Royal Rumbles each of them have been in, and we talk about the great personal tragedy in Kong’s life around that time and how various things contributed to her eventual WWE release. We discuss the oft-reported story that Layla was a last minute replacement for Kharma at Extreme Rules 2012 and how aware she was of the growing interest in a match with Beth Phoenix. From there it’s a discussion of future plans both at home and abroad to wrap up the episode.”
– WWEShop.com has released a Zack Ryder Bro Parking Sign.
– Jeff Hardy will defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Bobby Roode next month at Final Resolution.
TNA Wrestling released a Before The Bell video promoting the pay-per-view event, with the match officially announced as the main event. Final Resolution takes place Dec. 9.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmIvct53ODs
– Rain, who appeared in TNA Wrestling as Bobby Roode’s valet Ms. Payton Banks, broke her wrist in three different places at Friday’s “SHINE 5” internet pay-per-view after being subject to a powerbomb from Awesome Kong. Despite the injury, she continued the bout as planned, which concluded with her receiving an Implant Buster from Kong. She was admitted to a emergency room following the contest.
The August 2011 issue of the UK based wrestling magazine Power Slam reports that there is a sizable pay discrepancy among the female performers of TNA Wrestling.
The magazine states that Christy Hemme and Mickie James are the highest-paid female talent in the organization: each earn more than $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, the rest of TNA’s female wrestlers and personalities (Angelina Love, Brooke Tessmacher, Cookie, Jackie, Madison Rayne, ODB, Rosita, Sarita, SoCal Val, Tara, Traci Brooks, Velvet Sky and Winter) earn far less: $600 per appearance at most.
Karen Jarrett’s salary is not stated, but the magazine indicates that she commands an above average appearance fee.
Hemme and James command the highest salaries because both were high-profile performers in WWE and thus are more valuable than the other women due to their name recognition. Though the magazine does not indicate which female talent earns more, it is noted that both make a similar low six-figure amount per year. Hemme, however, solely works televised events whereas James additionally appears on the company’s live event tour.
Hemme’s reported salary has drawn criticism from fans and colleagues as they feel it’s exorbitant for a non-wrestling female personality. The Honky Tonk Man claimed last year that her contract renewal with TNA last year was for three years at an annual rate of $175,000. He also said that Eric Bischoff, a huge supporter of the former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl, helped Hemme obtain the high-end deal. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer would not confirm the veracity of the former WWE star’s claim but did say the deal made her the highest paid female performer in the company.
Reports of Hemme’s salary last year reportedly upset some of her female co-workers.
At the maximum second-tier rate, a TNA Knockout who appeared on every single television and pay-per-view event over the course of a calender year, 64 in all, would garner $38,400 at most. TNA solely covers airfare, leaving talent to cover all other expenses including lodging, wardrobe and medical. There is also no downside guarantee, thus meaning talent only get paid when they are used. And while the company holds numerous non-televised events, each tour features a rotation of two to five female performers.
Velvet Sky, who is arguably the organization’s top homegrown female star, is believed to be earning the maximum rate of the second-tier salary cap. Her contract renewal with TNA last year reportedly called for her salary to be bumped from $300 per appearance to $600. However, she is an exception to the rule on salary hikes for female talent. Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and Shelly Martinez (a/k/a Salinas) have all publicly stated that they left TNA because organization officials denied their requests for a pay raise.
— WWE has dubbed the wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong, “Kharma.”
A vignette aired tonight on Raw showing her squeeze a doll, which resulted in its head being popped off. She chuckled as she looked at the remaining portion of the doll in her hands. The camera showed her full face this time. “Harm” flashed on the screen before turning to “Kharma.” Back live, Josh Mathews noted that things will change upon her debut.
— Zack Ryder wrote the following on his Twitter account tonight during Raw: “Hopefully I get drafted from Superstars to either Raw or SmackDown.”
— The announced attendance for tonight’s Monday Night Raw taping at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina was 13,954.
– It’s been determined that Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord that causes pressure on the spinal cord) is what ultimately led to the end of Edge’s WWE career. The condition is usually genetic and typically does not cause problems for people until they reach their 70’s. It is what also ended Steve Austin’s career.
With spinal stenosis, the risk of paralysis from taking a bad bump is high – and any type of regular in-ring performing would accelerate potential health problems and adversely affect the performer’s overall qualify of life.
For both Edge and Steve Austin, there is risk of their health problems worsening even after they leave wrestling – but retirement will hoefully allow both men to recover enough to live normal lives.
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter this week after being with Awesome Kong in Las Vegas for the CAC Reunion convention:
“Awesome Kong can become a big star in the near future. Lots of charisma. Natural badass. I believe in her.”
– Speaking of Kong, word coming out of WWE is that even though they trademarked the name Kharma, she may not use it after all. The name she will use in WWE is still up int he air.
— It was announced at Monday afternoon’s WWE RAW tapings from London that former World Heavyweight champion Edge will be appearing on Friday’s broadcast.
It was also announced that Alberto Del Rio will host a retirement party for Edge this Friday.
— WWE recently filed for the trademark “Kharma.” According to PWInsider.com, this will be the new in-ring name for Awesome Kong. The trademark was reportedly filed last Tuesday (April 12th.)
WWE aired the first promo video for Kong on last week’s RAW, which you can check out here.
-It’s no secret that WWE star Triple H is one of the most powerful players behind the scenes in WWE. Along with this wife Stephanie, Triple H will have a great deal of influence over the company’s direction in the coming years.
Triple H was recently named the head of WWE’s new talent development program, with Sin Cara being the first superstar he signed. The latest performer Triple H is working with is former TNA Knockouts champion Awesome Kong. On Monday’s RAW, we saw the first promo video hyping the upcoming debut of Kong. (VIDEO)
According to sources, the vignettes that WWE has aired for Sin Cara and Awesome Kong are part of Triple H’s (somewhat old-school) philosophy of wanting to build up fans’ anticipation for new characters, as opposed to just having them show up on TV out of the blue.
Aside from wanting to get fans buzzing about a new superstar or diva prior to their debuts, Triple H is also said to be adamant about not bringing new talent to the main roster before they are ready.
In recent years we’ve seen dozens of superstars brought to the main roster before they were “ready for prime time” – it quickly become apparent that they’re totally green and their characters are damaged to the point where they’re never taken seriously.
COMMENT BELOW and tell us what you think about Triple H’s approach to introducing new talent .. Do you think he’s right? Is this something WWE has been missing for years – or are these “slow build” promo videos unnecessary?
– WWE kicks off another overseas tour today – with the RAW and SmackDown crews heading to Europe for the annual WrestleMania Revenge Tour. The first show is tonight in Glasgow, Scottland and there will be a total of 22 live events on the tour, which concludes on April 24th.
As we reported here last week, WWE is expected to cut a bunch of superstars from the main roster as soon as the tour is over.
– Stan sent in word that Monday’s episode of RAW featured 32 minutes and 19 seconds of “in-ring action” (what’s wrestling?) – which is up from the previous week’s 30 minutes and 11 seconds.
– On Monday’s episode of RAW, WWE aired the first teaser promo hyping the upcoming debut of Awesome Kong. The teaser video, which you can view below, has labeled on the WWE website with the caption:
“A twisted new force is coming to WWE.”
Kong has not said much on Twitter since the promo aired .. She did however tweet on Monday night, “T minus” ..
— A vignette teasing the arrival of the wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong aired during tonight’s episode of FCW Wrestling on the Bright House Sports Network in Florida.
The promo was brief and showcased her eyes.
It was reported late last year that she had signed a contract with WWE. The internationally renowned wrestler has not competed since that time.
— Bail Enforcers, starring Trish Stratus, premiered yesterday at the Actionfest Film Festival in Asheville, North Carolina. Edge, as well as Tara of TNA Wrestling, were on hand for the festivities. Edge, who resides in Asheville, was trying to be low key and didn’t seem to want attention. Tara, however, seemed to enjoy the attention she received. The theater was about 40% full and consisted of fans of wrestling and action movies. According to an attendee, the storyline isn’t original and some of the acting is wooden, but the action is decent and Stratus presents herself well. The movie is not for children as the dialog is profane.
Following the premiere, Stratus participated in a Q&A session with the cast and director. She was asked if she garnered heat within WWE for participating in a movie not affiliated with the organization. Status said no, and that WWE had agreed to promote the film.
— Former TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Awesome Kong was spotted today at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, reports Figure Four Weekly writer Bryan Alvarez.
— John Cena recalled his first appearance at WrestleMania, which took place in 2004, to MTV.com.
He squared off against Big Show for the United States Championship, but before his music hit and he walked through the curtain into the arena, he felt distracted.
“I was worried my car was going to get towed,” Cena said. “I was not allowed TK. It was cool because it was a moment of stardom wedged between reality. I truly love moments like that.”
He also offered Snooki advice for her match on Sunday. “I told her it’s just like an afternoon at the shore,” he said. “You’re supposed to go out and have a good time, and if trouble starts, just keep swinging until the cops come.”
