As noted, Bobby Roode and Eric Young were granted their release from their TNA contracts. The two men are now free agents and now are free to wrestler anywhere in the world.
According to Dave Meltzer, WWE has had contact with both men through an intermediary. WWE is said to be more interested in Young as they feel he can play any character that they need him to play.
Young and Roode will remain on TNA television for a couple more week from previously taped episodes.
Bobby Roode and Eric Young are officially gone from TNA. The two reportedly asked for their releases on Saturday night due to pay issues.
Roode, who is now a free agent, spoke with The Peterborough Examiner about his decision to leave the company.
“It felt like it was the right time,” Roode explained. “After almost 13 years in a wrestling company I felt like there was nothing really left for me to do there. I wanted to mutually part ways. I have nothing negative to say about TNA Wrestling. They treated me very, very well. It was just a matter of me being in a part of my life where I’m not sure TNA was the right fit for me anymore.
“The brand has been stale for the last little while and the growth wasn’t there as it was in the early years. I’m a free agent so I can do anything I want as far as wrestling goes.”
Roode and Young are both currently free to negotiate with companies like WWE and NJPW.
Longtime TNA performers Bobby Roode and Eric Young are officially gone from the company after asking for their releases on Saturday night. According to the PWTorch VIP, Roode and Young made their decision because of pay issues.
Roode and Young reportedly quit the company after asking TNA management for pay raises and were both turned down. Roode and Young had been with the company since 2004. Both are now free agents and can negotiate with other companies.
TNA has reportedly had issues with paying talent over the last couple years, but it’s not known if Roode or Young are among those wrestlers owed money.
Former TNA Champions Bobby Roode and Eric Young are both officially gone from TNA after over a decade with the company. TNA issued a statement earlier and now Roode & Young have each broken their silence:
Thank u to everyone who had a part in making the last 12 years of my life unforgettable. On to the next chapter in my life #ItFactor
Amazingly, both men referenced what’s ‘next’ for them without spelling the word ‘n-x-t’. In all seriousness, it’s the end of another era for TNA and both veterans. Young and Roode were synonymous with TNA from the very beginning, dating back to their days as members of Team Canada. They stayed loyal throughout the countless highs and lows, the expansions and the contractions. Neither man will have trouble finding work in the business and TNA will continue chugging along, but it has to be bitter-sweet for all parties involved.
The TNA exodus continues, as Bobby Roode and Eric Young are gone. Both had been with TNA since 2004, when they came in as part of Team Canada under trainer (and former TNA booker) Scott D’Amore.
They had been linked to each other on and off for much of that period, alternating as partners and rivals throughout. It’s not yet clear why they asked for their releases, but TNA has had issues with paying talent and production staff late at times in the last year or two.
Here’s the full statement from TNA:
Impact Wrestling has come to terms on the release of veteran wrestlers Bobby Roode and Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz). Bobby and Eric have been valuable members of The Impact Roster since 2004 and we wish them nothing but the best in their careers going forward.
Bobby had this to say earlier today, “To the guys and girls I got to work with for the past 12 years, Impact Wrestling, the office and everyone associated with me getting to live this dream, I say thank you. It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. This has been amazing.”
Eric Young had this to say. “Thank you. Thank you to everyone who watched me for the past 12 years. Thank you to Impact Wrestling. I wish everyone here nothing but the best going forward.”
Executive Vice President of Creative and Television, John Gaburick added, “Bobby and Eric are true professionals. We salute them for the 12 years they gave TNA.
With a Superstar roster including EC3, James Storm, Drew Galloway, Jeff and Matt Hardy, “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley, Gail Kim, The Wolves, Maria Kanellis-Bennett and “The Miracle” Mike Bennett we couldn’t be more excited about showcasing the finest wrestling in the world for the Impact fans.”
In the coming weeks be sure to see the final matches of both Bobby Roode and Eric Young on Impact Wrestling at 9PM EST on Pop TV.
Beer Money (James Storm and Bobby Roode) were interviewed by The Huffington Post while in the UK for TNA’s latest tour. When asked about WWE trying to lure away TNA talent, they made it clear they feel wrestlers don’t need to be in WWE to be successful. Here’s what they had to say about WWE signing TNA wrestlers:
James Storm: “For me, it only makes smart business. If they’re able to do it because they have the financial backing then so be it. However, it’s also big props to the guys that don’t go. A lot of people are always hating on the guys that don’t go or leave or something. It’s like you don’t have to wrestle in WWE to be successful. A lot of people can’t live with that.”
Bobby Roode: “The one thing that you learn in this business is that perception is reality. What you see on TV or what you read about the business isn’t always true. As James said, you don’t have to go to WWE to make money or to be happy. I’ve been in TNA for nearly fifteen years. I’m very happy, financially I’m doing well and it’s been very successful. In this business were all one big happy dysfunctional family. It doesn’t matter which company you work for, everyone wishes everyone else the best. Nobody ever wants to see a company fold. I don’t know why some fans want to see the company do badly. On social media, people are bashing TNA. Why? If you don’t like it, don’t watch it. When I was a kid, I would have wanted wrestling on every singly night. It didn’t matter what it was.”
JS: “If the company does go out of business, WWE might not pick up your favourite wrestler you were watching on the other company. Now you don’t get to see the guy you wanted to see.”
When asked if they have any advice for TNA’s creative team on how to improve their television, they had similar ideas: Don’t rush the storylines.
JS: “Just consistent storylines. There’s been a lot of times here in TNA where things have been hot-shotted or just rushed. When I was growing up watching wrestling, story’s took a while. In this day and age, with TV and TNA not running as many Pay-Per-Views as other companies, storylines are kind of rushed. I think when they’re really good and drawn out that keeps the audience involved.”
BR: “The storylines are really important. Wrestling has changed so much with TV – its wrestling for the ratings now. So it’s hard not to hot-shot an angle sometimes but it would be nice for a story to evolve. James and I, our story lasted over a year and it was an intriguing one. If it lasts over a year and a half people can sink their teeth into something. Already people are saying they want to see us wrestle the wolves but that’s something you can build up to and get to that point.”
As seen on tonight’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on POP TV, Eric Young defeated Bobby Roode to become the new TNA King Of The Mountain Champion.
While this is Young’s first reign as KOTM Champion, he did have a run with the belt when it was referred to as the TNA Global Championship.
The main reason behind moving the title from Roode to Young was to get the belt off of Roode now that he is back in the tag-team scene as one-half of Beer Money with James Storm.
Former TNA World Champion Bobby Roode recently appeared as a guest on The Art Of Wrestling and spoke about training with former WWE Superstar Val Venis in 1997, attempting to sign with WWE prior to TNA and more. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On training with Sean “Val Venis” Morley in 1997:
“I started training with Val Venis, Sean Morley. He was a friend of mine. He lived just 10 minutes from me, so I met him at a gym and we kind of went back and forth. I knew who he kind of was. He’s like, ‘yeah man, I’ve got a ring in the back of my backyard.’ I was like, ‘yeah?’ and he was like, ‘yeah, come on out.'” Roode continued, “I got in there and I kind of did some stuff with Sean and from that minute, like, from the moment I locked up and got inside the ring, I was hooked and I was like, ‘man, I’ve got to do this. I’ve got to learn.’ And he never charged me [anything]. Sean charged me absolutely nothing. I mean, I went to his house maybe twice and it wasn’t like formal training. It wasn’t like, ‘okay, we’re going to do rolls.’ It was like, ‘okay, this is how you lock up. This is how you hit the ropes.’ And then Sean took off. I think he went down to Mexico at the time.”
On trying to get a deal with WWE prior to signing with TNA:
“The excuse I always got from John Laurinaitis was ‘we have nothing for you and you’re too good for developmental, so go get over somewhere else and come back and see us’, so I went and got over somewhere else and I just haven’t left.” Roode added, “at the time, I felt like I deserved [a WWE deal]. I did everything you guys asked me to. I know I showed heart and passion.”
On Vince McMahon liking his work while he was doing WWE dark matches:
“I remember Sgt. Slaughter was the agent and he came back [after the match] and he was like, ‘that was really good.’ He goes, ‘Vince came on the headset and asked who you were.’ I go, ‘well, that’s cool.’ So then, I get up the next day and I drive six and a half hours to Kelowna Beach, B.C. [Canada] to do the [WWE] SmackDown taping and I’m at the building and I’m walking around, just kind of backstage. And Vince walks up to me and he shakes my hand and he goes, ‘I really liked your work last night. I love the way you sold. You looked really good out there. We’re going to get you another match tonight.’ It blew my mind. Right? So I go out there, I have another match. I think I worked [Johnny] Stamboli that night. It probably wasn’t a five-star match, but I mean, it was a decent match. And if Vince, the owner of the company, comes up to me and puts me over and then Johnny Ace is like, ‘yeah, we’ve got nothing for you’, those are the kinds of things that I’m like, ‘man, why am I doing this to myself?’ And not only that, I flew myself there and did whatever. I mean, we all did it, but it’s just like, those were the things that I was starting to be like, ‘this isn’t for me anymore.'”
TNA and Bobby Roode announced that in addition to the conclusion of the TNA World Title Series tournament with the semifinals and finals, Roode will be defending the King Of The Mountain title on the two-hour live premiere of Impact Wrestling on POP TV.
With that now known, below is a look at what’s in store for the first real Impact Wrestling episode on TNA’s new cable television home.
* Bobby Roode defends his KOTM Title
* World Title Series Semi-Final: Ethan Carter III vs. Bobby Lashley
* World Title Series Semi-Final: Matt Hardy vs. Eric Young
* World Title Series Final to crown a new TNA World Heavyweight Champion
Like 2015, I will continue to be a fighting champion this year…January 5 the KOTM title WILL be defended. pic.twitter.com/oO0NQeaukV
WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross thinks former TNA star James Storm should jump on the opportunity to join WWE. He’s also working on his long-awaited autobiography. Here are some highlights from an entry in his blog where he discusses these subjects:
On WWE potentially signing James Storm and Bobby Roode:
I’d encourage James Storm to join WWE if the opportunity is there and not ever have to look back some day and say “What if?’ It’s smart of wWE to retain the services of a guy like storm and even a Bobby Roode to see if they can find their way onto the main roster and to help the younger talents to improve their in ring game. ‘Green’ can’t improve with working primarily with other ‘green’ talent. Guys like Storm and Roode, among others, can help build a better overall WWE brand by being there to work with the rookies. This process will take away some of the sting of not having wrestling Territories.
On his autobiography:
Working on our autobiography this week and we are in the territory stage of my career. Many good memories and quite the learning experience for me. The territory experience that I had established my foundation for which I built a 40 year career upon. The erosion of the wrestling territories has been a huge issue as it relates to the growth of pro wrestling and the startling lack of main event, ‘over’ talents in the business today. The Territories won’t return as in having a weekly schedule of towns, producing a local only, quality TV show. WWE is smart to be aligning itself with various indy groups to help them continue to find skilled talent to bring into NXT.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com and commented on the news that former TNA World champion James Storm made his NXT debut at last night’s tapings from Full Sail University.
JR commended WWE for bringing in the former TNA Champion and said his former Beer Money tag team partner Bobby Roode should be next:
“Great get by WWE to swoop up James Storm as he debuted at NXT Thursday night in Orlando. James is a top hand who can work on any roster against any opponent and most importantly can teach, coach and mentor the pups.
I’d love to see WWE hire Bobby Roode too as he’s a modern day Arn Anderson, high praise, and can do the same, positive things that the Cowboy can do. If NXT is going to become WWE’s third, touring brand then adding guys like Storm and Roode makes a ton of sense. James was my guest in Knoxville at RINGSIDE w/ Jim Ross Show and we discussed his possible tenure in WWE if an offer can through. I’m happy that it did.”
– TNA has announced that TNA World Champion Ethan Carter III and his personal assistant will kick off this week’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America.
– TNA is headed to China in the near future to do some promotional work. The SWE promotion based out of England announced that Ethan Carter III had to cancel his scheduled appearance at their fifth anniversary show on October 24th due to the fact that TNA is sending him to China for promotional reasons.
– In the following video, Bobby Roode talks about his most memorable TNA Bound For Glory moment.
– There were two title changes on last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling. Global force Wrestling stars Trevor Lee and Brian Myers defeated The Wolves to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions. The Wolves will get their title rematch next week.
Bobby Roode also defeated GFW’s PJ Black to become the new TNA King of the Mountain Champion.
– TNA announcer Josh Mathews and TNA Knockout Madison Rayne were married in Nashville last week.
As reported on Tuesday evening, Brian Myers (Curt Hawkins) and Trevor Lee, representing Team GFW, defeated The Wolves to become the new TNA Tag-Team Champions at the TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings in Orlando, Florida. However, that wasn’t the only title change that took place last night.
In addition to the tag-titles, Bobby Roode, representing TNA, defeated PJ Black (Justin Gabriel) to become the new King Of The Mountain Champion.
Another big GFW vs. TNA spoiler from last night’s tapings saw Dixie Carter and Jeff Jarrett cut “shoot promos” on each other. This led to Carter announcing a “Winner Takes All” Lethal Lockdown match for Wednesday’s Impact Wrestling tapings with the winner taking all of TNA’s shares and controlling the company.
The match will be Team GFW vs. Team TNA’s Bobby Lashley, Drew Galloway and The Wolves.
– The following matches are scheduled for tonight’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling:
* Matt Hardy vs. Bobby Roode (Tables Match)
* Magnus vs. Bram (Street Fight)
* Eric Young vs. Rockstar Spud (Chain Match)
* Dixie Carter announcing the next TNA Hall Of Fame inductee
– Likely due to the buzz surrounding Sting’s rumored WWE return, TNA has posted the following video looking at the TNA Hall Of Famer.
https://youtu.be/4bJntVI0LfA
– TNA also posted this video, which looks at Jeff Hardy’s paintings from the new “Humanomoly” DVD.
Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett recently checked in with a new video to update fans on a number of current noteworthy topics.
In the video, which you can view below, Jarrett talks about his recent TNA appearances, the announcement that Bobby Roode has signed with GFW, the upcoming GFW television taping and more.
Global Force Wrestling released a video on Wednesday night announcing “The It Factor” Bobby Roode coming to GFW.
As part of the video, Roode announced that he will be appearing at the July 24th show in Las Vegas and would compete in a one-night tournament to crown the first ever GFW World Heavyweight Champion.
The official description for the video, which you can watch above, reads as follows: “The “It Factor” Bobby Roode has his sights set on another world championship and it looks like he’s going after the Global Force Wrestling title on July 24, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. #GFWVegas”
Following Sunday night’s TNA Slammiversary, below is the updated lineup for this coming Wednesday night’s special “Bell 2 Bell” edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Destination America.
TNA World Heavyweight Title
– Ethan Carter III vs. Kurt Angle
TNA Knockouts Title
– Awesome Kong vs. Brooke Tessmacher vs. Taryn Terrell
TNA Tag Team Titles 30-Minute Iron Man Match
– Austin Aries and Bobby Roode vs. The Wolves
Losers Must Disband
– The Beat Down Clan vs. The Rising
As seen on Wednesday night’s TNA Slammiversary “go-home” edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, TNA founder and current Global Force Wrestling promoter Jeff Jarrett, along with his wife — Karen Jarrett – made surprise returns.
Ultimately, Jarrett was announced for the returning “King of the Mountain” gimmick match from years back, a match concept that will return this Sunday and will include himself, Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway.
Since the Jarrett’s made their shocking returns to TNA, both TNA President Dixie Carter and TNA performer Matt Hardy took to social media to comment on their returns.
Below are the comments Carter and Hardy made regarding the unexpected TNA returns of the Jarrett’s.
There is so much history with @RealJeffJarrett in TNA @IMPACTWRESTLING Tonight was a moment many thought they never would see again.
NOTE: For a detailed photo gallery documenting Jeff Jarrett’s TNA return last night, including his private reuniting with TNA President Dixie Carter backstage at the show, click here.
As noted earlier this week, TNA announced that they will be bringing back the old “King of the Mountain” gimmick match concept for this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, a match that until Wednesday’s edition of Impact Wrestling, we weren’t aware that TNA founder and current Global Force Wrestling promoter Jeff Jarrett would be a part of.
On Thursday, the actual participants for the returning “King of the Mountain” gimmick match this Sunday joining Jarrett will be Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway.
For the rest of the TNA Slammiversary 2015 pay-per-view lineup and details on SEScoops.com’s live PPV results coverage this Sunday night, click here.
– “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” regular “Cousin Sal” is the guest on this week’s edition of Roddy Piper’s “Piper’s Pit,” which you can download for free right now at PodcastOne.com.
– TNA star Bobby Roode will be the guest on the latest edition of “The Ross Report” podcast with WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross. The show drops Tuesday night at approximately 9pm EST.
– WWE has added the “True Giants” documentary from 2014 to the “Beyond The Ring” section of the WWE Network. The documentary is now available for on demand viewing. The official description for the shows reads: “The bigger they are, the harder they brawl! True Giants is an in-depth look at sports entertainment’s most successful gargantuan Superstars.”
– WWE has added a new video to their official YouTube channel which features The Miz responding to Triple H’s Tough Enough announcement from earlier today. In the video, which you can check out below, Miz talks about being the most successful Tough Enough contestant of all-time.
Following the TNA Tag-Team Championships being vacated by The Wolves due to an injury sustained by one-half of the former champions — Eddie Edwards — the belts will be up for grabs, as eight teams will compete in “Tag-Team Gold” to determine who advances to an Ultimate-X match to crown the new champions.
The “Tag-Team Gold” themed edition of Impact Wrestling airs tonight on Destination America with the following matches taking part on the show:
– The Hardy Boys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) vs The Revolution (James Storm & Koya)
– Dirty Heels (Austin Aries & Bobby Roode) vs. The Bro-Mans
– Mr. Anderson & Rockstar Spud vs. The BDC (Low Ki & Kenny King)
– Ethan Carter III & Bram vs. Tigre Uno & Jay Rios
With that in mind, Jeff and Matt, The Hardy Boys, have released a new video promo (which you can watch at the top of this page) regarding tonight’s “Tag-Team Gold” edition of Impact Wrestling.
Make sure to check back here at SEScoops.com later this evening for a complete Impact Wrestling report.
– After making their in-ring debuts on last night’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, Eli Drake (aka Shaun Ricker) and Micah (aka Camacho) have been added to TNA’s roster. The two, along with Drew Galloway, make up “The Rising” stable in TNA.
– The TNA Tag-Team titles have officially been vacated by The Wolves. On next Friday’s edition of Impact Wrestling, eight teams will battle for a spot in Ultimate X to crown the new champions. The teams involved will be The Hardys, James Storm & Khoya, Ethan Carter III & Bram, Rockstar Spud & Mr. Anderson, Austin Aries & Bobby Roode, Micah & Drew Galloway, Kenny King & Low Ki and BroMans.
– Below is a video preview for next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America:
https://youtu.be/DusrUInc2w8
– TNA recently posted the following vignette for the upcoming debuts of Jade (aka Mia Yim) and Marti Belle.
Gaburick noted on Twitter that former TNA Champion Bobby Roode, former TNA Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell and Tigre Uno have all signed deals to remain with the company.
Below are the announcements made by Gaburick on social media.