During a recent interview with DigitalSpy.com to promote Sunday’s WWE Payback pay-per-view, WWE TV personality Paul Heyman commented on Dixie Carter recently tweeting that she’d like to do a TNA vs. WWE pay-per-view event. Heyman understands where she’s coming from, but thinks WWE would be crazy to work with TNA.
“I’m sure that Dixie Carter would love to do a WWE versus TNA PPV. Why wouldn’t she? A friend of mine who has way too much time on his hands just started a new beverage company here in the United States… He would like to do a global promotion with Coca-Cola. I don’t suggest that Coca-Cola would be profitable having to do a global co-promotion with Shmuley’s Soda Company. In the same way it would make no sense for WWE with 95% global share to do an event with TNA with its 5% global market share!”
Paul Heyman Talks About His Relationship With Vince McMahon
Heyman also responded to whether CM Punk is the best wrestler he’s ever worked with:
“Well, that’s a very interesting question. CM Punk is the best in the world and he is the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the past 25 years. His goals are to be recognized as the best in the world, so on that basis, yes. Brock Lesnar has different goals from CM Punk, and Brock Lesnar achieves his goals with me, together, as a unit.”
“So I could not honestly state that CM Punk’s success is any greater than Brock Lesnar’s success. Nor could I state that Brock Lesnar’s success supersedes CM Punk’s. These are individuals with dramatically different goals and they both achieve them.”
As for which WWE superstars should headline WrestleMania XXX in April 2014, Heyman says he’s got the perfect special attraction match in mind:
“I have a very standard answer for that because it’s the most genuine answer I can give someone. I think the main event for WrestleMania 30 should be a battle for the WWE Championship against the World Heavyweight Championship, to unify the titles.
And that match should feature Brock Lesnar versus CM Punk, with Paul Heyman advising both men and therefore getting a percentage of the profits of both sides of the main event at WrestleMania.”
– Chris Sabin had his head stitched up as a result of an errant hit during the Ultimate X Match for the X Division Championship at Slammiversary.
– Prior to his match against Kurt Angle at Slammiversary, AJ Styles debuted a new theme song—”Evil Ways (Justice Mix)” by Blues Saraceno. Audio of the theme song is available below.
– TNA Wrestling officials were pleased with the outcome of Slammiversary. Company president Dixie Carter stated following the show via Twitter, “So proud of every single member of TNA. What a great #Slammiversary PPV. Top to bottom. Thanks to the best fans in the world. Best to come.”
With Impact Wrestling returning to the 9:00 p.m. time slot on Spike TV beginning tonight, it is being touted as the “the biggest summer ever” in the history of the nine-year program. According to TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter, a “big free agent signing” will hit the program during this time frame.
Our biggest summer EVER starts tonight 9-11p ET on @Spike TV. Huge BFG Series planned, + major events like Slammiversary in Boston this Sun
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday afternoon that Jeff Hardy will return to action at this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event.
“Spoke w/@JeffHardyBrand & he’s ready to return to action. Happy to announce he’ll be back at #Slammivesary. Tune in Thurs (9-11pm) to hear,” she wrote.
Hardy has not appeared on TNA Wrestling programming since the April 11 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he was defeated by Bully Ray in a Full Metal Mayhem Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– Infrequently seen TNA Wrestling Superstar Sam Shaw appears on the latest edition of The List with Robbie E. The synopsis reads, “After some time off the list is back with Gut Check Winner Sam Shaw and Robbie E is willing to give his a chance to get on the list… Granted he doesn’t seem to care to much for the list it seems.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXiUjs5sPt8
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian will appear at Comicazi 407 Highland Ave. Somerville, Massachusetts this Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
– Tonight on Impact Wrestling, it will be revealed whether TNA Wrestling cornerstone AJ Styles has turned his back on the company and the fans. The Aces and Eights have announced that on the show, they will hold a “Patching In” ceremony to officially welcome Styles intoto the gang.
TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter hyping the show, and hopes Styles will come to his senses. She wrote, “In Tampa for our 1st TNA Show EVER in that great city. #ImpactLIVE! going to be big tonight. @AJStylesOrg needs to make the right choice.”
– Last week at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, Kurt Angle attended “The Rumble On The Rails,” an amateur wrestling event where three of the world’s top powers joined forces in solidarity to promote the sport. The event was broadcast on the NBC Sports Network, with the multi-time wrestling champion and Olympic gold medalist being shown in attendance during ESPN coverage. Here is video footage of Angle attending the event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpdmQsQf_4
– This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion on Challenge UK features Mickie James squaring off against Tara.
During a recent interview with DigitalSpy about the possibility of a TNA vs. WWE crossover event:
“I don’t think [the WWE] shares my belief in this, but I believe that competition is 100% positively essential,I think it’s important for fans and for us. To have one company dominate, a) it’s boring, and you are not being challenged enough. It’s always better to have other options out there and I truly believe it makes both companies better. absolutely would do that. I’m not sure if they would do that (a crossover event), but I absolutely would.”
She also discussed TNA doing another season of Boot Camp & more.
Now obviously, a WWE vs. TNA pay-per-view is never going to happen, unless WWE buys TNA. However, it’s an intriguing idea that’s perfect for some good old fashioned fantasy booking. Hit up the comments below and tell us what WWE vs. TNA matches you’d want to see on an inter-promotional super show.
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter that tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling will kick off with Hulk Hogan revealing the opponent AJ Styles will face at Slammiversary.
“Right at 8pm tonight on @SpikeTV @HulkHogan will name @AJStylesOrg #Slammiversary opponent! Plus Hulk calls out @TherealAbyss!” she wrote.
– Tonight on Impact Wrestling, former Gut Check participants will battle in a tournament for a spot in the upcoming Bound For Glory Series. In the first match of the tourney, Jay Bradley will face Christian York. The official YouTube account of TNA Wrestling has released the following video previewing the contest.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmwmbSzHbVI
– ODB revealed on Twitter that she will be a special guest bartender tonight at The Squared Circle restaurant located at 2418 N. Ashland Chicago, Illinois.
She wrote, “gonna b at the @theSQDcircle tonite 7-9pm as your special guest bartender n @BrianStiffler will b there hopefully w out his stiffy cam #BAM.”
More information on the restaurant, which is owned by Tara, is available here.
TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter addressed Austin Aries’ lewd behavior towards ring announcer Christy Hemme on last week’s episode of Impact Wrestling with a stern statement via Twitter this afternoon.
“TNA has ZERO tolerance for inappropriate behavior,” she wrote. “The incident with Austin Aries was taken very seriously and handled immediately.”
David Schwarz, Senior Vice President of Communications for Spike TV, stated this week to Mark Madden of Wrestlezone.com that action would be taken against Aries for his public form of sexual harassment towards the veteran Knockout.
“We have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment,” said Schwarz. “We discussed [the incident] with our partner. [Aries is] being disciplined. I’m trying to get more information on what action is being taken. Dixie Carter took this very personally. He will be disciplined. Again, we have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
“I’m not sure specifically how [the discipline] will be handled. To what extent, I don’t know. This is certainly something we don’t condone and don’t tolerate. Such behavior is not welcome.”
In response to whether Aries’ discipline should be made public since Hemme was harassed on national television, Schwarz responded, “I think that a statement of some sort will be coming. That’s being worked out. But immediate action will be taken.”
On the show, Hemme mistakenly introduced Aries and tag team partner Bobby Roode as their opponents for the evening, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian. This led Aries to corner Hemme in the ring as he intimidated her into correctly introducing him before climbing onto a mid-level turnbuckle and shoving his groin near her face.
Following the event, Hemme voiced her displeasure with Aries’ actions via Twitter, deeming it “unacceptable.” Late Saturday night, Aries appeared to address the incident though the social networking outlet, writing, “Pretty nuts, some of the junk people get the balls to say over the net, knowing they couldn’t to your face…Eh, anyway, time to sack out.”
TNA President Dixie Carter recently spoke with the UK’s Sky News Radio about meeting Stephanie McMahon and Triple H at the funeral of Reid Flair’s:
“It was actually a very sad meeting. We met at the church at Ric Flair’s son’s funeral. She and Hunter were there, and the three of us had never met before. I was there with Sting and we were just kind of put in this back room waiting for each other.
It was a very interesting meeting. They’re lovely people; I just wished them luck personally. They had a big weekend with WrestleMania coming up, and I did so publicly. Look, I have a different philosophy than maybe other people do. I think competition is healthy; I think to not want to have competition is absolutely ludicrous.
I think it’s better for the fans, it’s better for the product and it makes us all work harder. And if we want to grow wrestling to be as big as it can be globally, I think that’s important. So, she did respond. I think there were a lot of tweets between the fans, but she did respond in a very kind manner.”
TNA President Dixie Carter took part in a Q&A on Twitter today. Here are some highlights of what she said about:
Her first favorite wrestler: “My first favorite wrestler was @HulkHogan for sure.”
How she would describe TNA fans in three words: “TNA fans in 3 words: passionate, rowdy, loyal”
If there will be another season of British Bootcamp: “we’re having dinner with @ChallengeTV tonight to discuss further.”
Her biggest challenge in a “male-dominated environment”: “My biggest challenge working in a male-dominated environment has been getting the wrestlers in the make-up chair!”
If she has said no to a storyline: “There have been occasions I’ve had to step in and say no to storylines”
Her hobbies: “travel, horses and shopping!”
Her defining moment for TNA: “Getting the tv show on the road live has been my most defining moment”
– TNA will soon be releasing a Dixie Carter action figure exclusively at ShopTNA.com.
– TNA will be running live vents this weekend from Concord, NC (2/22) and Roanoke Rapids, NC (2/23). Top names advertised to appear include TNA champion Bully Ray, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, James Storm and Velvet Sky.
– TNA has published the following video of Austin Aries “shooting” on Sting:
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter that ReACTION will be returning later this month via YouTube. The documentary-style originally aired on Spike in 2010.
“Happy to announce that “ReACTION” will be returning mid-February as an online series on YouTube – more details coming soon to our website!” she wrote.
– This week’s episode of The List with Robbie E and Robbie E comes from the United Kingdom and features British Boot Camp stars The Blossom Twins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNhsVoRXxEo
– Sparingly seen TNA Knockout Madison Rayne turns 27-years-old Tuesday.
TNA President Dixie Carter spoke with the UK’s The American about a number of topics. Here are some highlights:
Her Knowledge of Wrestling Prior to Buying TNA: “I watched wrestling when I was younger. I lived in Dallas, Texas so the Von Erichs were a very big deal, and my brother and I used to watch Saturday morning wrestling, but before I got involved with TNA I had not watched the kind of modern day wrestling. At that time it was only WWE that was television.
TNA’s Success in the UK: “The British market has been essential to our success – absolutely essential – because I think it’s our first market where we’ve not only been competitive with our main competitor, but have actually had more success in television ratings and things like that. The UK was our first real break-through market and it has given us so much and helped build a great foundation on which we’ve been able to build worldwide.”
Taking TNA Impact On The Road Each Week: “That is the goal starting this year. We’re close to making a big announcement, another one besides the PPVs, which I think will have a great impact on the show, pun intended. Taking the show on the road is the natural next step for us. It’s expensive touring and it’s not that I haven’t wanted to be on the road but it’s a business decision just like losing the PPVs. I’m not going to put this company in any financial trouble, so everything we have done has been very conscious, people were saying we weren’t going to stay in business for ten weeks and here we are going into our 11th year and having more success than ever and that’s because we make good business decisions.”
As noted earlier, TNA Dixie Carter tweeted this afternoon that a “major announcement will be made on Thursday’s episode of Impact wrestling that will “change everything for our wrestlers, company & YOU our audience!”
The announcement will be that TNA will be taking Impact Wrestling on the road in 2013. TNA will still run occasional tapings from the Impact Zone in Orlando, FL.
When Impact goes on the road, TNA will air a live episode of Impact and then tape the following week’s show right afterwards. This is a similar format to the early days of WWE Monday Night RAW.
The first taping on the road will be Thursday March 14th from Hoffman Estates, IL at the Sears Centre Arena, a venue that TNA has held live events at before.
Thursday’s Impact episode was taped last week in Manchester, England and there were no reports of an announcement made for the live crowd, so the announcement will be edited into the show.
Bully Ray, Taz, Dixie Carter and Hulk Hogan have responded to the events that transpired on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling during Bully’s wedding to Brooke Hogan. In response to Taz joining Aces & Eights and the biker gang beating the crap out of Bully and Hulk Hogan, Bully tweeted:
“What was supposed to be a night of celebration, turned into a nightmare. @TestifyDevon was 1 thing. @OfficialTAZ your dead to me scumbag.”
Taz responded to those comments, tweeting:
“@REALBully5150 dead? I just came to LIFE! All business big man.”
Dixie Carter then responded to Taz:
“Business?? Really, big man??”
Hulk Hogan, on the other hand, actually sounds relieved about the wedding not going down as planned
“Taz screwed everyone , the one good thing was the wedding came to an immediate halt,thank God. HH”
Meanwhile, Brooke Hogan experienced a wardrobe malfunction during the brawl that took place during her wedding between Aces & Eights, Bully Ray, Hulk Hogan and Sting –
– TNA Wrestling informed its VIP ticket holders that Genesis will be the only live pay-per-view of the year to be held at Universal Studios in Orlando. Lockdown will take place in San Antonio, with Slammiversary & Bound For Glory also taking place on the road.
– TNA President Dixie Carter recently spoke to Jeremy Borash about TNA’s plans for 2013. Here’s part 1 of the interview, with the second part coming next week:
TNA has announced major changes to their pay-per-view schedule, drastically cutting back the number of live Sunday night pay-per-view events to only four.
The new “Sunday night live PPV” schedule is as follows:
* Genesis on January 13th
* Lockdown on March 10th
* Slammiversary on June 9
* Bound For Glory on October 13th.
In addition, seven Pay-Per-View specials that will be branded as “TNA Wrestling: One Night Only,” series will debut in April 2013 and continue throughout the year during the additional months.
The 3-hour taped Pay-Per-View specials will premiere on the first Friday of each month. The first two “One Night Only” specials will be “Joker’s Wild Tag Team Tournament” and “X-travaganza” which will feature the X-Division.
TNA President Dixie Carter issued the following statement regarding the changes:
“The Pay-Per-View industry has changed so much in the last decade. The traditional pay-per-view wrestling model needed to evolve and we believe this strategy will positively impact not only the Pay-Per-View events but the weekly television programming as well.”
The company will continue to produce TNA Wrestling’s “Unfinished Business”, which are one-hour programs available on a Video on Demand (VOD) basis. The monthly titles continue to focus on the history of a rivalry or a specific past PPV event. These titles are available for two months at a time.
– TNA Wrestling producer Eric Bischoff is denying Marcus “Buff” Bagwell’s claim in an interview this week that the two have been in talks regarding a potential return to the promotion.
Bischoff tweeted Friday, “FYI, havent had a conversation with Marc Bagwell in 15 years or more. Not sure what conversations he “thinks” hes had with me.”
When asked of a potential return to TNA Wrestling during an interview with the Shining Wizards podcast, Bagwell stated, “Me and Eric are talking. Sting wants me to come down there and work for TNA. So we are in talks, we are waiting for me to get back to 100%. We are about 2 weeks out. I just spoke to Sting yesterday. So Eric is gonna bring me down and talk to me and just see what happens, so I am in the mix with maybe going back to TNA now.”
– TNA Wrestling has released a video of Joey Ryan starring in “The Sleaziest ShopTNA Commercial Ever.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXLUNA3rJ7M
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter sat down with Jeremy Borash Friday for a video interview “to talk 2013 and more.” It will be released via ImpactWrestling.com next week.
– The promotional poster for TNA’s Lockdown pay-per-view event on March 10, 2013 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, has surfaced online and Hulk Hogan is featured front and center. Also notably featured is TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy, whose contract expires in February.
– Thursday on Impact Wrestlng, Velvet Sky made her return to TNA Wrestling during a in-ring segment between Mickie James and Tara, vowing to regain the TNA Women’s Knockouts Championship and making 2013 her year. Following her appearance, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter remarked on Sky’s return, tweeting, “Welcome back @VelVelHoller! I’m sure millions have missed the pigeons!!”
– Miss Tessmacher and Robbie E appear for ACW tomorrow at Opportunity Builders Inc. 8855 Veterans Highway Millersville, Maryland. Call 410-608-1141 for more information.
– Hulk Hogan posted a message on Twitter Wednesday thanking TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter for putting up with “b.s.” from the creative team and maintaining her composure.
“Really looking foward th IMPACT this Thursday, the show now has energy, momentum and a real life of its own, props to Dixie for always being there and keeping her cool when sometimes we are all over the place with our he said she said b.s.,” Hogan wrote.
“She’s a constant and is always in the trenches with us even if we’re right or wrong. Thank you Dixie Carter for letting Impact continue to grow. You haven’t seen anything yet. HH4Life.”
– Kenny King appears on TNA Today as he discusses his path to the wrestling world including how he got his start and where he is headed.
– Three matches have been announced for next Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast, which is the final show before Final Resolution.
* TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles and James Storm face Bobby Roode, Christopher Daniels and Kazarian in a tag team match.
* Samoa Joe defends the TNA Television Championship against Devon.
* Kurt Angle takes on a member of Aces & Eights, D.O.C. (f/k/a Luke Gallows).
– Wes Brisco is the newest member of the TNA roster. After defeating Garett Bischoff in his “Gut Check” challenge match on Impact Wrestling last Thursday, becoming the first contestant to defeat his opponent, he received a “yes” from two of the three judges to earn a contract—Bruce Prichard and D’Lo Brown both said yes, while Taz said no.
Brisco, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco, remarked on the accomplishment immediately afterwards via Twitter, “Greatest day of my life just made on the TNA Roster!!!!!” He was also congratulated by company president Dixie Carter (see photo).
It was announced during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast that San Antonio, Texas will host Lockdown on March 10, 2013 at the Alamodome. The following press release was issued.
Lockdown 2013 is coming to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on March 10
TNA WRESTLING ANNOUNCES SAN ANTONIO FOR “LOCKDOWN” LIVE PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT MARCH 10 – PRESENTED BY DIRECT AUTO INSURANCE! TNA IMPACT WRESTLING SUPERSTARS HULK HOGAN, AUSTIN ARIES, BOBBY ROODE, JEFF HARDY, JAMES STORM AND MANY MORE WILL IGNITE THE ALAMODOME!
TNA Wrestling has announced San Antonio, Texas will be home for “Lockdown” presented by Direct Auto Insurance. The annual live Pay-Per-View extravaganza is scheduled for Sunday night, March 10 at the Alamodome. This will be TNA’s first televised event from San Antonio. Tickets for “Lockdown” start at $15 and go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at all Ticketmaster outlets or ticketmaster.com.
“Lockdown” is promised to be the most dangerous Pay-Per-View event of the year featuring a 15-foot reinforced steel cage. The TNA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line and two teams will compete in a “Lethal Lockdown” match for an unforgettable night of action. Fans can watch the “Road to Lockdown” on TNA’s weekly flagship show, IMPACT WRESTLING, airing every Thursday night on Spike TV.
The reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy, leads the invasion of IMPACT WRESTLING stars including Hulk Hogan, “Cowboy” James Storm, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, the lovely and lethal Knockouts and more.
“We have been waiting to play San Antonio until we could bring this great city a big televised event,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “I’m so excited our first show there will be Lockdown — TNA’s most intense pay-per-view of the year.”
Tickets for “Lockdown” go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at 10am, at all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com, the Alamodome box office or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
“TNA Lockdown Fan InterAction” will be taking place on Saturday, March 9. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at ShopTNA.com. “Fan InterAction” is a popular fan friendly event giving fans a chance to meet many of the stars of TNA IMPACT WRESTING.
TNA will also be offering a limited number of travel packages that will include lodging and first or second row tickets to “Lockdown.”
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Wednesday that Mickie James will face Gail Kim on tomorrow night’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast.
She wrote, “Just spoke w/Brooke (@MizzHogan). Knockouts match for tomorrows #ImpactLIVE on @SpikeTV is @MickieJames v @GailKimItsMe. 2 of the best ever!”
James is the No. 1 Contender to the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship held by Tara after winning a battle royal two weeks ago. The two will face off at Final Resolution on Dec. 9.
– On the latest edition of TNA Today, SoCal Val sits down with Kid Kash as he looks back at TNA’s initial days in the Asylum. He discusses the differences between the promotion today and then.
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.
