Brian Elliot, editor of the Fighting Spirit Magazine in the United Kingdom, recently spoke to the WrestlingNewsSource.com website about the Carter family looking to sell TNA.
Here is an excerpt of what Elliot had to say:
“The Carter family has been open to receiving offers for TNA for several months. There are a select number of business people on the inside to whom this has been made clear. You have to understand that it’s not like the company is going to be listed on eBay; keeping the fact that they are open to selling TNA to a small number of potentially interested parties keeps the price that the Carters can get for it at a much higher level than if they went public that the company was for sale.
If someone does make a bid, that information will then be leaked in certain quarters, in the hope of starting a bidding war that would raise the price further. Like with Fusient Media’s attempted purchase of WCW, if someone comes in with a bid, we’ll soon know about it.”
According to a new report by Dave Meltzer and F4WOnline.com, The Carter Family is looking to sell TNA Impact Wrestling.
Meltzer noted on his “Wrestling Observer Radio Show” on Saturday that The Carter’s are looking to sell the company, and have been “for a while now.” Meltzer also noted that there is a lot of “big things” going on behind-the-scenes right now as far as the future ownership of the company, but the bottom line is, they are basically looking to sell it to the highest bidder.
One report claims that some of the people interested in buying TNA from the Carter’s include Eric Bischoff, Jeff Jarrett, Viacom and possibly even World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
We should have more details on this breaking story on Monday morning.
As we previously reported, there are rumors that the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion, AJ Styles, will be defending the TNA belt outside of the organization to bring credibility to the current storyline that he has left the company. Specifically, Styles is rumored to defend the title on shows for the AAA promotion in Mexico, as well as the new Wrestle-1 promotion led by wrestling legend Keiji Mutoh (The Great Muta) in Japan.
The early stages of the angle began on Thursday’s live edition of Impact Wrestling, as Styles turned down a new contract offer from TNA president Dixie Carter, and spoke about how he was going to “bring the belt” to the people.
Styles posted his first tweet since “leaving TNA” on Impact Wrestling on Thursday. You can read the new tweet below:
Really looking forward to defending my title around the world. No worries, I'll bring the belt to you.
As previously reported, TNA executive producer Eric Bischoff was not at the company’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view last Sunday night, nor was he at the Impact Wrestling television taping on Thursday.
Jason Hervey, the partner of Bischoff’s production company, was at both Bound For Glory and Impact Wrestling performing his usual duties. Additionally, Garett Bischoff was at both events.
During the recent TNA talent meeting, Dixie Carter and executive John Gaburick informed the staff that Bischoff will be working from home.
At the same meeting, Jeremy Borash spoke and offered a demonstration on how to film on camera phones for the company’s upcoming 24/7 project.
TNA issued the following press release on Thursday, announcing several major changes to how the company operates. To summarize:
TNA’s weekly Impact Wrestling will be returning to Universal Studios Orlando, Florida. However, they won’t be taping in the former Impact Zone. Impact will take place from a different sound stage that is smaller in length but wider on the inside. The first set of Impact tapings from Universal Studios will take place on November 21st. Impact will also occasionally take place on the road.
TNA has launched a new “24/7” cross-platform initiative, where “cameras everywhere” programming will be incorporated into the Impact Wrestling show.
TNA will be undergoing a “refreshed creative approach.”
Several new characters will be coming to TNA soon.
TNA’s developmental system will be moving to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, which appears to be the end of their working relationship with Ohio Valley Wrestling.
– In a re-match from Bound For Glory, AJ Styles will defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Bully Ray this Thursday on Impact Wrestling.
Infuriated, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter ordered the match in response to Styles capturing the strap at Sunday’s pay-per-view event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvx7-rkTqSw
– 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. Upset, Brooke remarked following the match on Twitter: “I dragged each of you @TheODBBAM @gailkimITSME! I was completely robbed by @LeiD_Tapa!! This isn’t over, it’s just began! #FirstLady.”
Kim responded to Brooke on Monday, stating, “I don’t understand your ghetto language. I’m classy and intelligent and so is @LeiD_Tapa. She knew what team to be on #teamgail.”
– Hernandez is scheduled to appear at the Alamo City Comic Con at the Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center 200 E. Market St. San Antonio, Texas, this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Former TNA Wrestling talent Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Scott Steiner, Sean Waltman, Scott Hall, Buff Bagwell, as well as WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart and Virgil are also advertised to appear at the event.
TNA president Dixie Carter posted a new tweet on her official Twitter account on Sunday afternoon to reveal the opening match for tonight’s “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view event. Dixie wrote:
-The decision was made for TNA president Dixie Carter not to attend Saturday’s Hall Of Fame induction of Kurt Angle. Apparently TNA felt it would be wise to keep Dixie away from the ceremony, considering her new on-air heel persona.
-Approximately 250 fans attended the Hall Of Fame induction of Kurt Angle on Saturday night, along with TNA wrestlers and other TNA staff in attendance.
-Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett were in attendance at the Hall Of Fame, and even sat at the same table with Kurt Angle’s wife and family.
-The Great Muta’s (Keiji Mutoh) Wrestle-1 promotion in Japan will feature two wrestlers currently under contract to TNA Impact Wrestling on their new event in Tokyo on November 16th, according to a recent announcement. Muta presented a roster for the show at a recent press conference in Japan which included slots for two “recommended” TNA Impact Wrestling wrestlers.
-The new Dixie Carter t-shirt, which we previously reported about here on the website, has created quite the negative buzz on the TNAShop.com website. The comments section featured below the shirt on the merchandise website features several vicious comments from fans. Here are some of the top featured comments:
-For those interested, there is yet another new interview with TNA Impact Wrestling star Austin Aries promoting Sunday’s “Bound For Glory” pay-per-view online at Xfinity.Comcast.net.
-TNA has released their first ever official t-shirt for company owner and new on-air heel authority figure, Dixie Carter, on their ShopTNA.com website. For those curious, you can check out a photo of the new t-shirt below:
The following are highlights of a recent radio interview with TNA Impact Wrestling star Kurt Angle:
On the Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter storyline: “I love the heel turn Dixie has made, it has helped a lot. Obviously we have had a few bumps in the road the last few months. We’ve been able to iron it out. Hogan is not under contract right now, but I have a feeling he will be back. I don’t know when. He’s an icon, he’s a guy that has done so much for wrestling you always want him under contract, even if he can’t wrestle anymore.”
On a possible WWE Hall Of Fame induction: “I am very honored to be in the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, but any hall of fame that’s out there especially the WWE Hall Of Fame you wanna be a part of it. That’s where I started. I have to give them credit on my character development and for teaching me my skills. You always want to be a part of their Hall of Fame. It’s legendary.”
On his recent rehab: “They have been awesome. I had to take some time out and clear my head and physically get better. TNA has been awesome. They have been 100 percent supportive. Dixie Carter has been amazing. The WWE Rehabilitation program has been awesome for me. My road to recovery is great. I’m really happy to be where I am right now.”
Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who “quit” TNA on last week’s taped edition of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, recently did a promotional interview for this week’s TNA television taping in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
While Hogan mentioned that he may not be at the taping this week, it is a bit curious when stepping outside of the storylines and analyzing the real-life contract situation with Hogan and TNA, considering the fact that Hogan’s contract reportedly expired on October 1st, and he is still promoting future TNA events.
Hogan, who played up his television feud with company president Dixie Carter, told the Tulsa World recently, “I think Dixie has flipped the switch or something, she’s off on a tangent here.”
Additionally, Hogan spoke as if he is still part of the behind-the-scenes effort to build the current TNA television product by saying, “It’s an artform and a lot of the artform has been lost because the TV demands that things happen fast and get out of the ring. So we’re trying to make wrestling how it should be.”
Check out the complete Hulk Hogan interview online at TulsaWorld.com.
– As seen Thursday night on Impact Wrestling Dixie Carter wanted Hulk Hogan to join “Team Dixie,” but the former Impact General Manager told her, “I Quit,” and walked out. Following the show, Carter wrote on Twitter, “You are so fired @HulkHogan!!!”
The TNA Wrestling President continued to push her villainous side, as she corrected the grammar of a fan calling her “stupid.”
It's just you darlin! And it is DOESN'T. RT @AboutThatLife_1: Is it just me or is @TNADixie stupid and don't know a thing about business.
The following is the official preview for next week’s live edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
Preview next Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV 9/8c – LIVE from Tulsa, Oklahoma
– LIVE from Tulsa, Oklahoma! If you can’t watch the action on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR!
Thursday’s IMPACT takes place from Tulsa at the Cox Business Center Arena – tickets are on sale at www.coxcentertulsa.com or by phone at 877.885.7222
– What will the the fallout from “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan telling TNA President Dixie Carter to take his job and shove it? Carter wanted Hogan on #TeamDixie, but in a major shocker, the former IMPACT General Manager told her “I QUIT” and walked out! How will Carter react to what Hogan did? Is it really the end of Hulkamania in TNA?
– The countdown continues to TNA’s biggest event of the year – “Bound For Glory” on October 20! How will Magnus prepare for his BFG bout against “The Icon” Sting? Plus – X Division Champion Manik, Austin Aries, Jeff Hardy and Chris Sabin get ready for the Ultimate X Match! MORE matches will be announced on Thursday’s broadcast!
– Lei’D Tapa has arrived to the ranks of the Knockouts! The dominant TNA newcomer made an instant impact by attacking Velvet Sky this past week! What’s next for the imposing Knockout as she plans to unleash a path of destruction? Who is next on her list? Tune in and find out!
– Plus, WHO is ETHAN and when will he arrive in IMPACT WRESTLING? We got a sneak peek this past week – more to come on Thursday night!
All this and much more on Thursday’s LIVE IMPACT broadcast at 9/8c on SpikeTV from Tulsa, Oklahoma!
-Speaking of the Hulk Hogan situation in TNA, as seen on this week’s taped edition of Impact Wrestling, Hogan “quit” the company. TNA president Dixie Carter posted a tweet after the show, which the company is advertising all over their website, where he claims to have “fired” Hogan. Dixie’s tweet simply read:
– Thursday’s taped episode of Impact Wrestling will feature another face-to-face confrontation between Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter in what could be Hogan’s final appearance for the promotion. To hype the angle, the official TNA website has published a “video history” of Hulk & Dixie’s rocky on-air relationship. [View Here]
Since this week’s Impact Wrestling episode is all about Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter facing off in the ring, TNA’s website has been pushing a lot of videos about their past together to build to the angle, which may end up being Hogan’s final appearance for the company.
– Former TNA performer Brooke Hogan was recently interviewed by Athens Online and said she’s been in Athens, GA to film a” paranormal reality series” called, Weird America.
“I’m actually personally interested in this show because I have a little bit of history with a psychic background, kind of a sixth sense-type thing,” Hogan said. “I’ve had a few different experiences in my life that have made me a little bit more curious, and I want to find out more about it.”
She also mentioned that she’s been in Nashville, Tennessee recording new music.
– TNA has published the following video hyping that “Ethan” is coming to Impact Wrestling:
There is some speculation that the Ethan that’s coming to TNA is independent wrestler Ethan HD, who wrestles for Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. While we can’t confirm that Ethan HD is headed to TNA, he’s certainly playing into the rumors. Last Thursday, the night the first “Ethan Is Coming” video aired on TNA Impact Wrestling, Ethan HD tweeted:
For those asking why the main event segment on next week’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling goes down the way it does with Hulk Hogan and Dixie Carter, one source simply said, “creative control.”
Anyone who wants to know what that means, check out the full Impact Wrestling spoiler report, which is available right now on the newsboard.
Speaking of Hogan and Dixie, for those who missed it, here is the final segment from this week’s live edition of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV:
As previously reported, Hulk Hogan may have been written off of TNA television during the tapings for next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling, which were filmed on Thursday night in Little Rock, Arkansas.
For those who missed it, the main event angle for next week’s show will see Hulk Hogan respond to the ultimatum given to him by Dixie Carter on this week’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast. Hogan ultimately “quits the company,” with Dixie on her knees begging him to stay as the show goes off the air.
According to one source, this could be an attempt by TNA to simply swerve the audience, as Hogan, whose contract is up next Tuesday, may have already signed a new deal with the company. This could be TNA’s way of milking the real-life drama going on right now in the company, with so many contracts expiring and name-talent parting ways with the promotion.
If Hogan has re-signed, the feeling is that running this angle would seem very real, due to the aforementioned situation with so many high-profile talents leaving due to the inability to come to terms with the company on new agreements.
If a new deal between Hogan and TNA has not been reached, then the angle shot on Thursday’s television tapings will in fact be Hogan’s swansong.
As we have reported in the past, AJ Styles’ current, short-term deal with TNA is set to expire in December. According to the latest reports, it appears highly unlikely that “The Phenomenal One” will end up in WWE after his short-term TNA deal expires. According to one source, there appears to be very little interest from the WWE side in signing the 36-year-old former TNA World Champion.
One person in-the-know in WWE went as far as saying there is “far less interest in AJ from the WWE side than a normal, rational person would think.”
As many saw on last week’s Impact Wrestling, Styles has entered into a new storyline with the now storyline heel president of TNA, Dixie Carter, where he claims to be currently working without a contract. As noted, that is untrue, as Styles re-signed the aforementioned short-term deal with TNA which gets them through December. Where Styles will end up by the time that deal expires remains to be seen.
The following are highlights from a recent interview with TNA Impact Wrestling star Magnus:
On talents he looked up to before getting into the business: “I looked up to Kurt in particular when I decided to be a pro wrestler, and Sting and Hulk Hogan are both characters that captured my imaginations as a kid, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would be working alongside them by the time I made it to a high enough level.”
“I always dreamed of wrestling Kurt Angle, but even that was a pipe dream. So the fact that I’ve wrestled Sting and Kurt and appeared with Hulk is still surreal to me and means so much. But then to hear them publicly endorse me is one of the most gratifying feelings I have ever had. Sting was the first major name to speak up for me, and Kurt has been a supporter of mine for a long time. He’s a wonderful guy and I am so appreciative of all he has done for me and the business.”
On Dixie Carter seeing something in him early on: “Dixie saw something in me before anyone else, so in terms of how things are going for me now, I’m proud of myself and forever grateful for her for her support. I was determined not to let her down. Anytime someone takes a chance with me, I will do my absolute best to return on that faith. It was the same thing when Richard Woolfe [the former head of Sky 1] saw something in me for Gladiators that the other producers did not. And it will be the same for anyone else that sees something in me: I’ll deliver.”
Check out the complete interview online at Mirror.co.uk.
-The Thursday, September 19th taped edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV drew 1.332 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research, for the show which featured the start of Dixie Carter’s heel turn in the main event.
The 1.332 final draw marks a decrease from last week’s live “No Surrender” edition of the show, which drew 1.389 million viewers.
We should have the final rating up for this week’s Impact Wrestling show later today.
-Speaking of Dixie’s heel turn, she has started playing up the character on her official Twitter account already, posting the following tweets today:
So @AJStylesOrg, you wanted to #AskDixie in public? You saw who is in control. #LightsOut
So, #AskDixie how she slept last night…better than I remember in a long time. Wonder why??
TNA has released the following preview for next week’s live edition of Impact Wrestling from Little Rock, Arkansas:
IMPACT Preview: Hulk Hogan to address Dixie/AJ, Manik vs. Chris Sabin, Aces & Eights dissention
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast, LIVE on SpikeTV at 9/8c from Little Rock, Arkansas! If you can’t catch all the action on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR!
Thursday’s IMPACT takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas at the Verizon Arena – tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000 or 501-975-9000
– What will be the fallout from the heated confrontation between TNA President Dixie Carter and “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles? The wrestling world is buzzing over what happened – and no one knows exactly what the aftermath will be! Are AJ’s days numbered in TNA after what he said to the President of the company? How will IMPACT General Manager Hulk Hogan react? We’ll hear from The Hulkster on Thursday! Don’t miss it!
– With ‘Bound For Glory” less than a month away, World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray is preparing for his biggest match of the year against AJ Styles! However, will friction within the ranks of the Aces and Eights work against Bully Ray? Can the gang’s leader rule with an iron fist and re-establish order – or are we witnessing the implosion of the group, along with Bully Ray’s dominance in TNA?
– Also on IMPACT, the X Division Championship will be on the line as Manik defends against Chris Sabin! Sabin shocked the wrestling world this past week when he attacked Manik, leading to the match between the two X Division superstars. Will Sabin regret his attitude change, or is he set to once again reclaim the gold and dominate the X Division?
– It will six-person action on Thursday as Eric Young, new Knockouts champion ODB and Joseph Park team up to take on The Bro Mans (Robbie E and Jessie Godderz). BUT – the Bro Mans need a Knockout to join them in the match with ODB involved! Who will Robbie and Jessie recruit to team up with them on Thursday night? Tune in and find out!
All this and much more on Thursday’s LIVE IMPACT on SpikeTV at 9/8c from Little Rock, Arkansas!
TNA has posted the promo between Dixie Carter and AJ Styles that concluded Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV.
According to reports, the promo is the start of TNA president Dixie Carter’s heel turn and the beginning of a new creative direction/storyline arc for the company.
Check out the Dixie Carter and AJ Styles promo from this week’s Impact Wrestling below:
-Members of the NFL’s St. Louis Rams were backstage at the TNA Impact Wrestling television tapings on Thursday night. The players apparently presented wrestling legend and TNA Hall Of Famer Steve “Sting” Borden with a personalized Rams football jersey.
-Dixie Carter acknowledged the NFL players being backstage at the TNA Impact Wrestling tapings on Thursday, with a photo included, in the following tweet posted on her official Twitter account on Sunday afternoon:
Good luck to my buddy Brian Schottenheimer & @StLouisRams today. Thx to the players who came to #ImpactLIVE Thurs http://twitpic.com/ddmzqd
TNA Impact Wrestling wrestler and executive Hulk Hogan recently tweeted the following on his official Twitter account regarding one of the main storylines for next week’s Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, which was taped this past Thursday night:
“Can’t wait for Dixie Carter to go face to face with AJ Styles,the next T A IMPACT will be a game changer brother. Spike9pmestThurs HH”
For those interested, spoilers for next week’s Impact Wrestling show are available on the newsboard right now.
-The father-in-law of Dixie Carter and husband Serg passed away this week.
-Apparently during this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings, Mike Tenay and Tazz had two monitors at their announce desk. One was for the Impact Wrestling show, while the other had an NFL game playing. There is actual photo proof of this floating around the internet somewhere.
