MDI Secures IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars and Experiential Prizes for Exciting New Instant Games

MDI Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, has signed an agreement with TNA Entertainment, LLC, dba IMPACT WRESTLING, to offer lotteries branded instant games featuring some of the biggest names and most recognizable imagery in professional wrestling today.

The agreement makes the names and likenesses of more than a dozen wrestling superstars, as well as the logos, marks and artwork of IMPACT WRESTLING, available to lotteries worldwide.

Stars like Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Matt Morgan and Bobby Roode are included, and can be used on instant tickets and promotional materials, as well as in television and radio commercials. They also are available for personal appearances and public service announcements to promote the good causes lottery games support.

“We are extremely pleased to have secured this license, and to be able to give lotteries so many noteworthy options to promote games associated with it,” said Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games.

“In addition to providing the biggest names in wrestling today, IMPACT WRESTLING is offering extraordinary marketing support and incredible prize opportunities. This gives lotteries a chance to reach and inspire wrestling fans – including the often elusive 18-34 age group – in very powerful ways.”

IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter stated, “Working with MDI provides a new marketing platform for IMPACT WRESTLING to connect with our fans through the state lottery programs. Our fans avidly invest in our superstars as they appear on SPIKE TV every Thursday and travel the country on the IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE WORLD TOUR.”

IMPACT WRESTLING will work with MDI and lotteries to create 2nd Chance prizes that can include merchandise and trips where winners will be treated to a live taping of the IMPACT WRESTLING television show, a backstage tour and a chance to meet wrestling talent. “IMPACT WRESTLING” is a weekly, two-hour show appearing during prime time on SPIKE TV.

A “Contract-for-a-Day” prize also can be created, in which the winner will be given the trip, plus an on-camera cameo role to be included in an IMPACT WRESTLING pay-per-view live show.

– 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.

Rain tweeted an image of her wrist Sunday morning.

– Madison Rayne participated in a Q&A session Friday on Twitter and when asked to remark on her dream opponent, she replied Lita. The four-time TNA Women’s Knockout was also adamant that she will never go back to being blonde again.

Rayne competed at the evening’s TNA live event in Johnson City, Tennessee, losing to Miss Tessmacher.

– Bobby Roode and Madison Rayne appear at Direct Auto Insurance 111 East Blackstock Rd. Spartanburg, South Carolina, today from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Call 864-587-9206 for more information.

– TNA Wrestling has uploaded a special edition of “TNA Today” with Gail Kim being presented an award by Pro Wrestling Illustrated for being chosen as the #1 Women’s Wrestler of 2012 after having a 212 day reign as TNA Women’s Knockout Champion and gaining numerous wins over the toughest opponents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdqFYZd6eFM

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV 8/7c – The Final Countdown to Turning Point

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV, featuring the final countdown to the “Turning Point” event! If you can’t watch IMPACT on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action.

– In a huge match on the LIVE Thursday broadcast – and a preview of the #1 Contender’s Match at “Turning Point” – “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. battle Bobby Roode on IMPACT!

– Just days before their main event Ladder Match at “Turning Point”, what will happen on IMPACT between World Heavyweight Champion “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and his challenger Austin Aries? Don’t miss it!

– Did Christian York pass the TNA Gut Check? The judges will make their decision on York’s future on Thursday’s broadcast! Will he earn a spot on the TNA Wrestling roster?

– Plus, what will be the fallout after the latest member of The Aces & 8s was revealed? What’s next for the biker gang – and how will “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan react to the latest reveal? Tune in and find out!

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/8c – the final countdown to Turning Point!

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

TNA Wrestling has released a preview for next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling on SpikeTV.

IMPACT Preview: King Mo Debuts, Who Joins Team TNA vs Aces & 8s?

Preview Thursday’s LIVE IMPACT broadcast on SpikeTV at 8/7c as the road to “Bound For Glory” Pay-Per-View continues! Remember – if you can’t watch IMPACT on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action!

– The fight between Aces and 8s and Team TNA is set for Bound For Glory! “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan will not be allowed to enter the fight – so who will represent TNA in the battle? Don’t miss Thursday’s broadcast for details!

– Also on Thursday’s huge event on SpikeTV, King Mo makes his IMPACT WRESTLING debut after being announced as the special enforcer for the Bobby Roode vs. James Storm match at Bound For Glory!

– Tensions continue to rise between “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries as their main event match at Bound For Glory draws closer! What will happen when champion and challenger cross paths on Thursday’s IMPACT?

– Plus, IMPACT will feature Knockouts Tag Team action as Knockouts Champion Miss Tessmacher teams with ODB to battle Tara and Gail Kim

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7!

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

– The Wrestling Observer reports that one of the reasons ‘some women’ have quit TNA Wrestling in the past year stems from the belief that Bruce Prichard, Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations, is not in favor of women’s wrestling. This would also explain why the Knockouts division is not as given as much prominence as in the past, with only a few talents being highlighted.

Angelina Love and Velvet Sky reportedly left the promotion on their own accord and the roles of Mickie James, Rosita, Sarita and Winter were greatly curtailed after Prichard came into power last October. (more…)

– Contrary to online reports that Velvet Sky is no longer with TNA, a TNA employee was reportedly telling fans at last night’s live event from Raleigh, North Carolina that Sky is still under TNA contract.

– Thursday’s “Open Fight Night” episode of iMPACT! Wrestling on Spike TV drew a 1.01 cable rating, up from 0.97 the week before.

This week’s show averaged 1.340 million viewers for the 2 hour show, up around 100,000 viewers from the previous two weeks.

– Crimson and Hernandez have been announced to appear at The Big Event 3 taking place Saturday, October 6 at the Courtyard Marriott LaGuardia Airport 9010 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, New York.

– Bobby Roode suffered a broken nose at Friday’s TNA live event in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Roode teamed with Austin Aries against JEff Hardy and James Storm and is blaming Austin Aries for the injury.

Check out this picture of Roode’s broken nose (click to enlarge):

Bobby Roode joined ChadDukesWrestlingShow.com and 106.7 The Fan/CBS Radio DC’s Chad Dukes for an interview at September 1st’s TNA Basebrawl event. Roode discussed a number of topics including the state of Tag Team Wrestling, the mix of talent in TNA, Austin Aries, and more. You can listen to the interview at ChadDukesRadioshow.com. Here are some highlights of what Roode said about:

Tag Team Wrestling: “I think it’s a lot of people connect more with singles wrestlers maybe, I don’t know. I think, not to to toot my own horn here but I think that’s what Beer Money had that was special, again you know that we brought to the table in tag team wrestling was we had teams to work with, you know the teams of 3Ds and the British Invasion and of course, the Motor City Machine Guns that really etched our name in some of the greatest tag teams of all time and I think it was the entertainment value as well. People were able to connect with us and what we did and whether they loved us or hate us they were entertained every night and that’s something that’s important in professional wrestling today.”

His Rivalry With Austin Aries: “I think just chemistry-wise, I think we’ve had some great matches and we never really, before this program started with him and I, we never touched each other. We never wrestled each other before and I didn’t know really much about him and he really didn’t know much about me. The contrast in styles was something I think maybe people thought wouldn’t work, but I think we changed everybody’s mind. And I think if there’s ever an opportunity for him and I to go at it again, I think we’ll accomplish what we did, if not do things even better.”

– WWE Superstar Chris Jericho was asked on Twitter which TNA Wrestling talents he’d like to have a match with and responded, “Roode, Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ.”

Though Jericho has publicly said that he keeps tabs on TNA and wants them to flourish, it is unlikely that he will ever join the promotion. He has repeatedly stated in interviews that when he wrestles, it will only be for WWE since they are the top wrestling promotion in the world.

– Madison Rayne noted on Twitter that she is dedicating her TNA Women’s Championship Match against Miss Tessmacher tonight at Hardcore Justice to her best friend from high school: “My wrist tattoo says “watched over” in memory of my bff from h/s who passed away. Tonight, on her 27th bday, I’m dedicating my match to her.”

– Magnus faces Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam and “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero tonight at Hardcore Justice in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Though RVD is familiar with the specialty bout, Magnus feels he will have the advantage. He tweeted, “Ppl keep saying “this match is RVD’s wheel house”… I know what RVD will do, but they have no idea how to prepare for me tonight…”

TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced via Twitter Thursday that three Four-Way “Bound For Glory Series” matches will take place at Hardcore Justice. Each match will feature a different stipulation with the winner receiving 20 points.

* AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe

* Bully Ray vs. James Storm vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Robbie E

* Rob Van Dam vs. Magnus vs. Mr. Anderson vs. “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero

Stipulations for all three matches will be announced during tonight’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast at 8:00 p.m. on Spike TV.

Also scheduled for Hardcore Justice is Austin Aries defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Bobby Roode in a singles match. The pay-per-view event takes place August 12, 2012 at the Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando, Florida.

Don’t miss TNA IMPACT WRESTLING every Thursday night LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV! If you can’t watch Thursday, don’t forget to set your DVR to record it! It’s two hours of Total Nonstop Action featuring your favorite wrestling superstars – including “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, “The Icon” Sting, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam, “Cowboy” James Storm, the lovely and lethal Knockouts, the high-flying X Division athletes and many more! TNA IMPACT WRESTLING takes place from the Impact Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida! IMPACT WRESTLING is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling, airing in over 120 countries worldwide!

Preview Thursday’s huge LIVE broadcast as the road to the August 12 “Hardcore Justice” Pay-Per-View event continues:

-Last week accusations flew that James Storm may be involved with Aces and 8s. Could there possibly be any truth to these rumors?

– IMPACT will feature a HUGE Bound For Glory Series main event match as Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle battles “Cowboy” James Storm! The competition for a shot at the World Title at “Bound For Glory” continues with two former World Champions battling on Thursday night on SpikeTV!

– In tag team action, World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries teams with newcomer Kenny King against Bobby Roode and X Division Champion Zema Ion

– TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan makes her return to IMPACT for the first time since the brutal attack by The Aces & 8s gang on her legendary father, “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan

– In Knockouts action, it will be Mickie James vs. Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne vs. Tara in a four-way #1 Contenders match for a shot at the Knockouts Championship

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

– After last month’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event drew approximately 15,000 buys, the purchase number for the Destination X show on July 8 fell to 9,000 buys, according to early estimates. This is approximately the same level their pay-per-view events garner with the exception of Slammiversary, Lockdown and Bound for Glory.

Destination X was headlined by Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and an X Division Tournament to determine a new TNA X Division Champion.

– Christopher Daniels’ performance in the ongoing Claire Lynch angle has drawn high marks from TNA Wrestling honchos Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan. The 41-year-old had acting experience before entering professional wrestling as he performed in theater.

– Velvet Sky has been announced to appear for Impact Championship Wrestling on September 29 at The Armenian Cultural & Educational Center 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. She will be in action and will also accompany Danny Demanto for his match against Sami Callihan.

New TNA Champion Austin Aries has issued his first public comments since capturing the title at Sunday night’s Destination X pay-per-view.

CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Nigel McGuiness & More Comment On Aries’ Title Win

Aries tweeted on Monday:

Too many thoughts and feelings to express right now, but…..It's a #GREAT day to #BGR8.

— Daniel Healy (@AustinAries) July 9, 2012

Bobby Roode, the former champion, offered his own thoughts on the events that transpired last night and says a “Big decision” lies ahead after the conclusion of his 8-month title reign:

A lot of emotion today. Last night @AustinAries and i tore it down. The last 256 days has been a hell of a ride. Now…. A big decision…..

— Robert Roode (@RealRobertRoode) July 9, 2012

TNA Champion Bobby Roode appeared on The LAW this past Sunday night to promote this Sunday’s TNA Destination X pay-per-view. The full interview can be heard here (.MP3). Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

On his first singles run after Team Canada broke up:

In hindsight, I honestly thought that when I broke off from Team Canada, I was gonna get that push. I was starting to be elevated slowly; I obviously had that match with Jeff Jarrett, I had a run with Booker T, and I was right on the brink. That extra push, I think, would have put me through the top, and I think for whatever reason it didn’t happen. Now, when I got the opportunity to step away from Beer Money, I kinda remembered that, and I wanted to really make the best of the opportunity that I had as a singles competitor, and really stand out. Whether I had two minutes on TV or twenty minutes on TV, I wanted to be remembered. I wanted that segment to be remembered; I wanted to be the best thing on the television show; I wanted to entertain people, and really show what I had to prove. I think I’ve done that, and obviously being a world champion has shown that I’m able to be a top guy outside of a tag team. It’s been a learning experience, the whole thing has been a learning experience, and I continue to learn even now. It’s been different, definitely a different run than the first time.

The events during the day of ‘Bound for Glory’ last year:

It was interesting to say the least, but the only thing I can say is that obviously things happen for a reason. Looking back, if I had defeated Kurt Angle that night and went on as a world champion as the babyface, who knows how long I would have lasted? I think just the character change, and turning into the “It Factor” and the “Leader of the Selfish Generation” gave me that little bit extra, and obviously has done well for me. It’s not only helped elevate myself, but it’s elevated other people. It’s elevated James Storm as well. Like I said, everything happens for a reason. People were obviously disappointed. I was really disappointed, but a short time after that, it was November the 3rd, I ended up winning the world title.

Hulk Hogan’s assessment of Roode at the time:

Like I said, things happen for a reason, and things are said for a reason. It’s professional wrestling, and everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. I just took it as an eye-opener, and it did put a chip on my shoulder. When I went out there that night and I lost to Kurt, that pissed me off. Hulk’s comments, and losing that night on such a big night, after such a big build-up, getting the opportunity again on television to go out there and possibly be a world champion changed my focus and changed my attitude.

– It was revealed on last week’s Impact Wrestling that Dixie Carter and A.J. Styles have been sneaking around to help a recovering addict who has been waking up in hotel rooms with strange men. The women who played woman was an actress TNA found at a local talent agency.

VIDEO Of The “Pregnant Addict” Reveal From Last Week

The angle played out as planned from the beginning, but TNA was said to be disappointed in her performance last week.

TNA has also released the following “original, unedited” phone conversation between AJ & Dixie about why they were sneaking around:

http://youtu.be/M34k4lRwKV8

– TNA Champion Bobby Roode continues to get a lot of praise behind the scenes from management. Most TNA wrestlers enjoy working with him and the writing team (particularly Bruce Prichard) enjoys writing for him.

– Here are some recent TNA attendance figures:

* The Basebrawl event on June 22nd in Buffalo, NY drew 800 fans
* June 23rd in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada drew 2,000 fans
* June 24th in Hamilton, Ontario drew 750 fans

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA Champion Bobby Roode was recently interviewed the UK Mirror during a recent media tour to promote TNA’s Maximum Impact tour next January. Here are some highlights of what Roode said about:

Impact Going On The Road: “I have a huge opinion on it. Obviously, I’m not the man who pays the bills; I’m not the wallet, so to speak, But in order for us to take that one step further I think it’s a necessity for us to step away from Orlando and do our television tapings elsewhere in the country. For us to be… I’m not going to say ‘legit’, because I believe that we’re a legit company but it’s just… for that more professional look and a different look it’ll make our company that bit better.”

His New Look: “Well, for eight years, people have had to witness how dry and curly it gets towards the end of a 30 minute match. And it was giving me a headche, It was certainly time for a change, to look a bit more modern. And it is in keeping with all the suits I wear. I look more hip.”

Ric Flair Leaving TNA & Whether He Will Be Missed: “I believe so. I think just the name, having that legendary name around was beneficial, But I don’t think it is going to hurt us, we have a lot of talent. I think Impact Wrestling can stand on its own without Ric Flair but its always nice to have a guy like that around. He has always been a pro. He’s a fun guy to be around. He’ll always be the Nature Boy. He has been one of my main inspirations. I really don’t know [about the legal situation] and I really don’t care to know.”

Scott Steiner’s Twitter Rants: “Scott’s Scott. He’s a good friend of mine so I can’t speak bad of Scott. He’s a character. Obviously he has some ill feelings to certain people but those are his own personal issues and don’t involve me. I don’t believe I have any enemies in the business and I want to keep it that way.”

Impact Wrestling Going Live: “It’s huge – a win win situation for all of us, fans and those of us in the company. When you go live, anything can happen. It excites me because it means I have to be on. When the camera’s on whatever happens, happens. And I’m sure that anticipation applies across the board in the locker room, too. Everyone feels the same way.”

– Former WWE performer Cliff Compton (a/k/a Domino) is currently backstage for tonight’s live Impact Wrestling show in Orlando, Florida and scheduled to wrestle. It is unknown whether he will be competing during the broadcast or in a dark match.

– James Storm will provide an update on his career during tonight’s live Impact Wrestling episode. He tweeted Thursday, “My daughter & I saddled up the horses, walked them out of the barn, and seen an (Impact Wrestling) film crew coming down the drive. They want to get a update. Says it will air tonight on the LIVE show on (Spike TV). Be sure to watch.”

Storm has been off television since losing to Bobby Roode at last month’s LockDown pay-per-view event.

– Rosita, who has not appeared on Impact Wrestling since the April 17 episode, said on Twitter that she will be on hand for tonight’s live show. Fellow Knockouts wrestlers Angelina Love, Gail Kim, Madison Rayne, Mickie James, ODB and Velvet Sky have also said that they will be at the show.

– TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode confirmed Alex Shelley’s departure from TNA Wrestling. He tweeted on Wednesday:

“Best of luck to Alex Shelley, sad to see u go. BEer Money vs MCMG best of 5……never be forgotten! See u down the road.”

Shelley’s profile was removed from ImpactWrestling.com on Tuesday.

– ImpactWrestling.com has announced Robbie E as a third potential challenger for Devon’s TNA Television Championship on Thursday’s episode of IMPACT WRESTLING, joining Rob Van Dam and Mr. Anderson. One more candidate will be revealed tomorrow and then beginning at noon, fans will be able to vote who Devon defends the title against.

– In a battle of former “Beautiful People” mates, Angelina Love faces Velvet Sky on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion on Challenge.

— Former TNA World Tag Team Champion Alex Shelley will be parting ways with TNA Wrestling when his contract expires, which is imminently. He opted to not renew his contract. He has been with the organization since 2004.

— Jeff Hardy is by “leaps and bounds” TNA Wrestling’s biggest merchandise seller as well as their biggest ticket seller.

— TNA Wrestling will be holding a “Gut Check” in Oshawa, Ontario. Visit TNAGutCheck.com for more information.

— TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode is in Dublin, Ireland this week for a promotional tour.

source: F4WOnline.com

– Neither Dixie Carter or Eric Bischoff were backstage at Sacrifice.

– Kazarian and Daniels defeated and Magnus and Samoa Joe at Sacrifice to capture the TNA Tag Team Titles.

– While he didn’t win the Television Title at last night’s Sacrifice pay-per-view, Rob Terry won the OVW Heavyweight Title at OVW’s Saturday Night Special event this weekend.

– Bobby Roode is on the verge of becoming long longest running TNA World champion, if he can make it through this week’s Impact Wrestling tapings without dropping the title. The current record is held by AJ Styles, who was champion for 211 consecutive days.

TNA sources indicate that Roode is scheduled to hold the title until James Storm returns.

* BATISTA To TNA Rumor, John Morrison & Chris Masters In Talks With TNA & More

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

IMPACT WRESTLING Preview: Roode, RVD, James Storm Update And More

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c. If you can’t watch it Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action. The road to the Sunday, May 13 “Sacrifice” Pay-Per-View event continues on Thursday night!

– It’s the final countdown to Sacrifice! What will happen between World Champion Bobby Roode and challenger Rob Van Dam just days before their big match? Tune in and find out!

– Also on the huge broadcast, there will be an update on “Cowboy” James Storm and his future in TNA after he walked away from the ring after his loss to Roode at Lockdown

– Thursday’s IMPACT will also feature the final confrontation between “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan and “The Undefeated” Crimson

– The lovely but lethal TNA Knockouts will be in action as Brooke Tessmacher battles Velvet Sky

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast at 9/8c on SpikeTV, plus news on the upcoming “Sacrifice” Pay-Per-View event on Sunday, May 13

ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

IMPACT Preview: Flair Demands Hogan, Roode & RVD, Knockouts & More

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV at 9/8c. If you can’t watch it Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record it so you don’t miss any of the action.

– After what happened this past week during the Eric Bischofff Appreciation ceremony, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair has promised to call out General Manager Hulk Hogan to address what happened

– Before their World Heavyweight Championship bout at Sacrifice, Bobby Roode and Rob Van Dam will pick each other’s opponents on the huge broadcast

– As a preview to matches that will take place at Sacrifice, AJ Styles teams with World Tag Team Champions Samoa Joe and Magnus to face Kurt Angle, Daniels and Kazarian

– In Knockouts Tag Team action, Knockouts Champion Gail Kim and Madison Rayne face Velvet Sky and Brooke Tessmacher

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast at 9/8c on SpikeTV, plus news on the upcoming “Sacrifice” Pay-Per-View event on Sunday, May 13

Rob Van Dam beat Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson in a Three-Way Match at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida (airing this Thursday on Spike TV) to become the No. 1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship. He will face Bobby Roode at Sacrifice, which takes place May 13 in Orlando, Florida.

The show kicked off with Hardy and Anderson confronting Roode and staking their claim for his title. Impact Wrestling General Manager Hulk Hogan appeared and made a match for the No. 1 Contender’s spot with Hardy, Anderson and Van Dam.

Kurt Angle stated on Twitter that he will face AJ Styles at Sacrifice. This is a rematch from Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping.

— Kurt Angle announced on Twitter that he will face AJ Styles on this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling. He also addressed his health, writing, “Knee is bugging me. Injuries suck.”

— Jeff Hardy and Velvet Sky appear at Direct Auto Insurance 7558 West Commercial Blvd. Lauderhill, Florida this Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. They will also appear at Direct Auto Insurance 5100 South Cleveland Ave. Ft. Myers, Florida on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

— Tara faces Winter on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion on Challenge TV.

— TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode appeared at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida with a change in his appearance. The TNA veteran now has short hair after cutting off his signature slicked back long hair.

TNA Wrestling’s eighth annual Lockdown pay-per-view takes place tonight at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The following matches have been announced for the show:

Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Bobby Roode (c) vs. “Cowboy” James Storm

Lethal Lockdown
Team Eric Bischoff (Eric Bischof, Gunner, Bully Ray, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian) vs. Team Garett Bischoff (Garett Bischoff, AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, Mr. Anderson and Austin Aries)

Steel Cage Match
“The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle

Steel Cage Match for the World Tag Team Championship
Magnus and Samoa Joe (c) vs. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin

Steel Cage Match for the Women’s Knockout Championship
Gail Kim (c) vs. Velvet Sky

Steel Cage Match for the Television Championship
Devon (c) vs. Robbie E

Steel Cage Match
“The Blueprint” Matt Morgan vs. Crimson