TNA President Dixie Carter has responded to a fan asking about the status of TNA on pay-per-view in 2015. There has been some speculation that TNA might not be running PPVs in 2015, with the move to Destination America and the recent announcement that Lockdown will be airing as a special live edition of Impact Wrestling.
When asked about TNA’s future on PPV, she replied:
@pete0205 A few live PPVs and several One Night Only PPV's.
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 5, 2015
The following are highlights of a new Radio Yorkshire interview with TNA’s Rockstar Spud:
On Impact Wrestling network negotiations: “Every few years, TNA and Dixie have to go through these negotiations and the way social media has evolved over the last three years, has been ridiculous, so now everyone feels apart of everything that is going on, we have these negotiations regularly there not an issue, but because now with social media, people are saying their having negotiations everyone is making a mountain out of a molehill, it’s seems to just snowball, none of us internally were worried what was happening because we knew what was going on.”
On working with Ethan Carter III: “When we first met, we were a bit wary of each other, I’d never really anything of his previous work, I didn’t know that was him but for him it was a fresh start with the right opportunity, that is what wrestling is about it’s about the right person getting the right opportunity and the right people watching. Both us have the same mindset to wrestling, we both have the same thoughts onto getting the baby face over, we have the same sort of teaching we both have been to OVW and have that instant chemistry.”
On Destination America: “It’s such a positive thing, Spike were amazing partners they really were, but we’re now on a network much like Challenge in England, their whole channel has a big hole for wrestling, that’s what Destination America is, their whole thing is catered towards Impact Wrestling now they bring a lot of their live audience and a lot of their viewers, which can only help their channel like with Challenge in England.”
On Dixie Carter: “She’s amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better boss, on camera she is an absolutely evil woman but off camera the most wonderful person you will ever meet. She’s personable, polite, and a friend.”
Check out audio of the complete interview above.
In addition to Kurt Angle and Abyss, who TNA revealed re-signed with the promotion earlier this week, the company has now announced the re-signing of Ethan Carter III.
EC3 joins what will become a growing list of talents whose TNA deals expired recently that will be returning to the company now that they are gearing up for their re-launch on Destination America.
Below is a tweet from Dixie Carter confirming the EC3 re-signing.
The best signing I've ever made!!! #WorldsBestNephew @EthanCarterTNA pic.twitter.com/YkNl7SZkjD
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) December 31, 2014
The following are highlights of the latest blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On his interview with Dixie Carter: “Had a great conversation with Dixie Carter Tuesday night for next week’s podcast that drops on Tuesday January 6 on podcastone.com. Dixie answered all my questions and there were plenty of them in the hour plus conversation. Impact Wrestling debuts the first week of January on Destination America. We addressed Vince Russo, Bobby Lashley, Bobby Roode, AJ Styles, Mike Tenay the upcoming NYC TV tapings, and she touched on how her company was going to essentially be re-branded. I hope that they succeed and I’m anxious to watch their first show which will also be the debut of Josh Mathews and Taz as the new broadcast team. This is a really good show and I hope that you will join us as always as a new show drops every Tuesday night at 9 pm ET.”
On Wrestle Kingdom 9 possibly being his last big wrestling announcing job: “I certainly don’t want to sound like an endless amount of wrestlers who retire multiple times but the simple truth of my broadcasting assignment this Sunday is that it well could well my last one. I have no wrestling broadcast gigs booked after this Sunday and unless something comes along that i can’t pass on Sunday could easily be the last major PPV for which I ever provide play by play. I’m not against doing the occasional wrestling show but it’s going to take something special to get me out of Oklahoma on a regular basis.”
On Daniel Bryan: “Big question for WWE is, can they get Daniel Bryan back to the level that he was prior to his medial issues? It’s certainly doable but will need careful strategizing. Funny how getting one specific talent back on TV makes the entire presentation have a somewhat different feel. Hopefully, the WM31 money bouts are on paper in pencil, at worst, because the key to building a successful WrestleMania or any major event is the proverbial build that creates viable anticipation for the fans. Some creative types out work themselves by doing all they can to make a major card unpredictable when that isn’t necessary whatsoever. Making a card logical is the key and then save your surprises for the endings of the matches.”
On Kurt Angle re-signing with TNA: “Smart move by TNA to re-sign Kurt Angle and if they utilize Kurt properly, he will remain a significant asset. By properly, I mean wrestling occasionally and only at significant events in main event level matches. Kurt has reached the “attraction” stage of his career and there is no reason to look at him as a “regular” talent any longer. Via creative booking, Kurt can provide the necessary “rub” that older stars should do for the younger talents who are going to be counted on as future, main eventers. That “rub” doesn’t have to be physical either.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
TNA issued the following press release announcing Kurt Angle has officially re-signed with the company.
Kurt Angle Re-signs With TNA Wrestling!
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 30, 2014) – TNA today announced Olympic Gold Medalist and TNA Hall-of-Fame member Kurt Angle has signed a new contract to remain an active TNA roster member. Kurt can be seen on IMPACT WRESTLING’s new home, Destination America, during a special LIVE event from New York City on Wednesday January 7 at 9/8c.
“Kurt Angle’s arrival nearly a decade ago put TNA on the map. Now Kurt leads a fresh, young IMPACT WRESTLING locker room into a whole new era on Destination America,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “Once Kurt steps inside those ropes there is no greater talent in professional wrestling.”
“I’m extremely excited to remain with TNA Wrestling,” said Angle. “The driving force behind my signing is the honesty, great communication and positive changes being made by Dixie Carter and John Gaburick. Things are moving upward and forward at TNA, and 2015 will be a great one for all of us at IMPACT WRESTLING.”
For more information on Kurt Angle and other talent signings visit impactwrestling.com, and follow IMPACT WRESTLING on twitter @IMPACTWRESTLING and TNA President Dixie Carter @TNADixie.
IMPACT WRESTLING premieres in its permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11 PM ET beginning January 16 on Destination America. And, IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED with Mike Tenay premieres in its permanent time slot on Saturdays from 10 AM-Noon ET beginning January 17, immediately followed by TNA GREATEST MATCHES from Noon-1 PM ET.
The following are highlights of a new U.K. Mirror interview with TNA President Dixie Carter:
On the live edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America on Jan. 7: “Our first show, which is live, will be similar to what we’ve done in the past. There’ll be a few new bells and whistles but it’ll be similar because there’s only so much you can do live because you don’t have the post-production time to dive into unique, different production aspects.
But if you give us a few weeks, I think everyone will start to see a transition of very new and very exciting ways to watch Impact. I don’t want to say too much, I’d rather it just unveil itself. I’m definitely excited about some of the changes coming up.”
On disagreeing with Vince McMahon’s “millenials” comment during his “brass ring” speech: “I can’t even comprehend that statement. It doesn’t sit with our group. My own roster’s completely different than that. I don’t have a complaint about anybody on my roster.
The young guys are just as hungry … the young guys from 10 years ago are now the Bobby Roodes, Samoa Joes, James Storms. My main eventers, who were brand new young talent from 10 to 12 years ago, I’m proud of how far they’ve come. This young group of talent we have right now, they’re the hardest working, most positive team players around.”
Check out the complete interview at Mirror.co.uk.
The following are highlights of the latest blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Roman Reigns as a main eventer for WWE: “Was asked today by Jason Powell for Pro Wrestling.net audio if I thought Roman Reigns was ready to be the man in WWE and become WWE World Champion. I don’t think Reigns is ready today but it’s not game day just yet but I do applaud WWE for attempting to add more ‘new’ into the upper card mix and taking a calculated risk on Reigns to be one of their centerpieces. Time will tell and I assure one and all that no one knows today. I’m optimistic.”
On Dixie Carter appearing on The Ross Report: “I’m going to have TNA/Impact Wrestling head honcho Dixie Carter on my podcast that will drop on Tuesday January 6 at 9:30 pm ET on podcastone.com. Indeed, Dixie Carter will be my first podcast guest of 2015 and I can’t wait. Dixie will have a great deal to discuss as her Impact Wrestling brand is moving networks in a few weeks and making some internal changes that the fans will see on their first broadcast on Destination America.”
On Josh Mathews joining the TNA broadcast team: “Congrats to Josh Mathews on replacing Mike Tenay on the broadcast team and who will join forces with Taz on the Impact TV show. Josh will bring a different approach and feel to the show but has big shoes to fill as it relates to Mike Tenay stepping away to fulfill another role or two in the company. Mike will also maintain his TV presence. Josh and Taz should be fun to listen to as they develop their chemistry. I wish both friends well.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
TNA President Dixie Carter confirmed the news that TNA will have a new show called “TNA Unlocked” when the company moves to Destination America.
TNA Unlocked will premiere on Saturday, January 17th at 10am on the cable channel.
Carter tweeted the following.
See @IMPACWRESTLING in a whole new way with the brand new IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED on @DestAmerica Saturdays at 10AM ET starting Jan 17!
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) December 13, 2014
Mike Tenay will be staying with TNA for another year, but he’ll no longer be the lead announcer for Impact Wrestling when it moves to Destination America next month.
Josh Matthews will be taking over as the lead announcer for Impact Wrestling, with Tenay sticking around as an on air correspondent. Tenay recently signed a new 1-year contract with TNA, which some people are viewing as a sign that Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling does not have a TNA deal in place.
Tenay was interested in joining Jim Ross in calling the January 4th New Japan Pro Wrestling Kingdom 9 PPV from Tokyo Japan. Jim Ross called TNA’s John Gaburick (and is rumored to have spoken to Dixie Carter as well) about getting approval for Tenay to work Wrestle Kingdom 9. Ross pitched the idea of plugging TNA on the show in exchange for approval to use Tenay, but they turned him down.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– TNA ran ads in the local New York City market during Monday’s RAW for their upcoming Impact Wrestling television tapings in January. The ads featured Taz telling fans to come see a “true wrestling experience.”
– TNA star Kurt Angle celebrates his 45th birthday today. Angle was born on December 9, 1969.
– TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on Twitter regarding some of the TNA Knockouts being voted as Playboy’s “Hottest All-Time Women of Wrestling.”
Congrats to @hemmepowered @TheTarynTerrell & @VelVelHoller for making @Playboy’s Hottest All Time Women of Wrestling! http://t.co/AZQ8MHKsed
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) December 8, 2014
The following is an excerpt of a new interview with TNA President Dixie Carter from The Independent.
In the excerpt below, Dixie explains why she won’t make a play to try and sign CM Punk right now.
“CM Punk’s in a place right now where he’s happy and I wouldn’t attempt to try to get him to come wrestle for us until he’s in a place where he wants to wrestle. I respect what he’s done so much, he was in my opinion at the top of his game, and it’s hard walking away from a big paycheck, but he did it. You wouldn’t want to ask him to walk to a new paycheck until his head is in the right place.”
– As noted recently, TNA will be making changes to the look and graphics planned for Impact Wrestling when the show debuts on their new cable home at Destination America in January.
TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following, revealing that there will be a new official logo for the show.
Just approved a new logo for @ImpactWrestling for @DestAmerica. #Killer
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) December 4, 2014
– Kurt Angle sat down with Vince Russo for an exclusive video shoot interview, following their free interview on “The Swerve” podcast this week. During the candid interview, Kurt talks in-depth about his struggles with pain killers, what it took for him to stop, working injured and how it played a part in his WWE departure, and much more.
Below is a teaser preview video for the interview:
http://youtu.be/dDXB6FSwPss
TNA President Dixie Carter spoke with the Huffington Post’s Royal Ramblings Blog about TNA moving to Destination America next month. Here are some highlights of what she said about:
What We Can Expect From The New Impact Wrestling on Destination America:
“I needed to find somebody who wanted not just to license a two hour show from us but to be a true partner on every level. Anyone who wants to, can get Destination America and add it to their cable line up – they’re part of theDiscovery Communications Group which is massive and the number one pay TV programmer in the world and this deal is also a global deal. So I’m just excited about all the different unique opportunities that we’re going to have to help grow our brand. We’re looking at it as a completelyfresh start and the timing is perfect. I just can’t wait for everybody to feel what I’m feeling.”
Rumors That TNA Talent Was In The Dark During TV Negotiations:
“I don’t think it’s true. The talent were the first to hear everything that I could possibly say and they knew that. I had very blunt discussions with them during the process. I told them that I needed them to trust me and that there was more I wanted to share but for the sake of our livelihoods, that it wouldn’t be good business or prudent to do so. I told them I was going to work very hard and that we had interest from several places. However, as I said earlier, I was looking for somebody that wanted to make not just a financial but a time and effort investment into us and into our talent. I wasn’t going to stop until I found that. So the talent were part of the process the entire way, I told them as much as I possibly could and they were the first to hear the news when I could tell them.”
Vince McMahon Saying TNA Is Not Competition:
“Well, I think it’s ridiculous to say that we’re not competition. If we weren’t competition they wouldn’t try to stop our growth at every turn. We’re both wrestling companies and so competing for the same networks internationally and the same ticket sales globally and therefore you are competitors but all we can do is focus on what we do best. My big focus for 2015 is to further distinguish our product from anybody else’s out there. What can we do better and what have we been doing great that we can take to another level. We’re going to be announcing in the coming weeks some realty exciting changes to our show and that’s a big part – trying to make our brand much more distinctive than not just WWE but other wrestling companies around the world.”
The Best Rib That’s Been Played On Her:
“I don’t think the talent have really ever done anything to me. I had somebody call me once and leave a message to call back Shane McMahon. So I returned his call but he had never called me. We had a conversation and he’s a lovely guy. But don’t give the roster any ideas! “
The following are highlights of a new ImpactWrestling.com interview with TNA President Dixie Carter, conducted by TNA executive Jeremy Borash:
On 2014: Carter said she is proud of some of the overall changes they have made to the product and bringing back the six-sided ring. “I think it was a really good year, but it’s definitely a transitional year.” She said she was in negotiation mode during the second half of the year. “I’m proud, it was a good year,” she said.
On Spike TV: “I said to them I feel like we have to have something different. We can’t just be status quo going into a new deal. It can’t just be a two-hour Impact. We have to grow our brand and do some things differently and really shake it up. That was the tone of all my conversation with networks. I’m not really interested in someone picking up our two-hour show. I’m interested in having someone become a partner on a much bigger level.”
On her dealings with talent during the negotiations: “I never didn’t feel 100 percent support from everybody. There’s always an uneasiness when it comes to change… I was not going to let anybody down. It didn’t matter what it was going to take, I wasn’t going to let anybody down, but that didn’t mean we were going to take a bad deal.”
On breaking new news to talent: “I wanted to do it in person, obviously, but we weren’t able to do that. They were the first people I told when we all got on the conference call. The response was great. I had to have them open up the lines so I could just hear people talk, to make it much more casual and informal in the way we are. The great thing is I think everyone is supportive, I think everyone is excited about the potential, and they’re doing that without even knowing how just different it is going to be… I can’t wait for these meetings that we’re having and these conversations that were happening and some of these changes that are going to happen, that these get out and they start to see the support on a different level. So many things. There are a lot of announcements coming. I know sometimes we say stay tuned, but I really mean it, stay tuned. There’s a lot of stuff, a lot of changes.”
On the current talent: “I love this young roster we have right now. Looking back, this is probably the best, freshest group of young talent that we’ve ever had. I can’t say enough good things about him, I have to give credit to John Gaburick, our head of talent relations and television creative. That was a real focus of his, and Spike was very supportive of us taking a step back to take a major step forward in our future, and that is giving a lot of real estate on our show, a lot of television time, to kids who had never seen before. They have the best attitudes and are so great to be around and their work rate is incredible, and they do whatever is asked. They’ve been such a great addition, I think even to challenging the veterans. I love that they are coming in with such a confidence. They want a top spot and they are working really hard to get it. I think there have been some who have made massive strides in such a short period of time, and I don’t ever remember us having that kind of success with new talent in such a short time.”
On Kurt Angle: “I’ve always been very vocal in saying that I want Kurt to retire in TNA. He was our first massive signing. What he’s meant to this company from the very beginning I can’t even put into words. He’s carried the load and led. Obviously, his work rate is off the charts. He brings so much to this company. I want to see him with us for the rest of his career, and when he decides to hang up his boots, I would love to see him on the other side. There are very few brains, the psychology of wrestling, that are as fantastic as his. But I want to see him do some new and exciting things, represent us on different levels, which he’s done a little bit of in the past… He is so ready to get back in that ring. He’s in amazing shape. His head’s on straight. He’s so focussed, he’s so excited. This could be the year of Kurt Angle, it really could be. And he deserves it. He’s had some tough injuries to come back from, but he’s worked very hard and he deserves it.”
TNA recently issued the following …
TNA’S JANUARY THREE-CITY UK TOUR TO BE INTERNATIONAL TELEVISED EVENTS
Glasgow, Manchester and London shows will be IMPACT TV events
Finalists of hit Challenge TV series British Boot Camp 2 added to roster
Fans can meet the British Boot Camp stars for FREE before each show
London (Monday December 1, 2014): TNA today announced it will tape its international hit TV show IMPACT WRESTLING, which broadcasts Sunday nights on Challenge TV in the UK, at the company’s live events in Glasgow, Manchester and London during the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour this January 29 – 31. Tickets to the events are on sale now.
The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement of TNA’s new partnership with Discovery Communications, who will broadcast IMPACT WRESTLING across the USA on Destination America beginning in January.
In a further announcement, the six finalists of popular Challenge TV series TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp 2 will ALL star on the TNA January 2015 UK Tour.
Scottish standouts Grado, Noam Dar and Kay Lee Ray, Welshman Mark Andrews and England’s Dave Mastiff and Rampage Brown will join TNA’s international roster of stars.
The line-up will also include current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, the UK’s first ever wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Magnus, the winner of British Boot Camp Season 1 Rockstar Spud, James Storm, MVP, Madison Rayne, Abyss, Eric Young and the three British Boot Camp judges – Al Snow, Gail Kim and Samoa Joe.
As a special thank you to the UK fans, the six Boot Camp finalists will hold a FREE meet & greet at each event – signing autographs from when doors open until the start of the show.
TNA President Dixie Carter said: “Our fans across the UK know TNA for the unmatched professional wrestling we deliver each week on Challenge. We are thrilled to once again showcase internationally, through our flagship program IMPACT, the energy and excitement of the rowdy UK crowds by televising all three of our MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 events in Glasgow, Manchester and London.
“After the incredible energy the UK fans gave the IMPACT shows broadcast from these three cities this past January, I decided we had to try and raise the bar even higher in 2015.
“Several talent such as Lashley, Bram, Angelina Love and TNA Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell will be making their first appearance on a TNA UK tour or returning after several years’ absence.
“We also have some very exciting things planned for the tour and several surprises fans will not want to miss. Being able to meet the finalists of British Boot Camp before every show is an added bonus.”
MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour tickets are available via www.facebook.com/tnawrestlinguk, www.gigsandtours.com/go/tna2015gen, www.ticketmaster.co.uk/TNA-Wrestling-tickets/artist/1008830 or direct from the tour venues. Full details of the UK events are:
Thursday 29 January 2015 Glasgow The SSE Hydro www.thehydro.com
Friday 30 January 2015 Manchester Phones 4u Arena www.phones4uarena.co.uk
Saturday 31 January 2015 London SSE Arena Wembley www.ssearena.co.uk
The full current roster for the TNA MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 UK Tour is Bobby Roode, Lashley, Magnus, Samoa Joe, James Storm, The Wolves, Mr Anderson, Eric Young, Gail Kim, Gunner, Abyss, EC3, Tigre Uno, Rockstar Spud, MVP, Bram, Taryn Terrell, Angelina Love, Kenny King, Al Snow, Grado, Noam Dar, Kay Lee Ray, Mark Andrews, Dave Mastiff and Rampage Brown. *
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is broadcast on Challenge TV every Sunday night at 9pm.
* Line-up subject to change.
Earlier this week, TNA finally announced a new multi-year television deal that will see Impact Wrestling airing on Destination America starting January 2015.
There has been a lot of speculation that TNA will see a total reboot when they change networks and TNA Producer Bryan Edwards has since confirmed those reports.
Edwards said fans should expect “new everything” from TNA next year:
“@AriesK47: @Bryan_Edwards @IMPACTWRESTLING @DestAmerica New logo and graphics? :D” new everything. Fresh start
— Bryan Edwards (@Bryan_Edwards) November 19, 2014
Edwards also indicated that there was a big celebration at TNA headquarters following this week’s big announcement:
Bottles popped, celebration over! Time to get back to editing @IMPACTWRESTLING for @DestAmerica in 2015 pic.twitter.com/KF2PjQitX4
— Bryan Edwards (@Bryan_Edwards) November 19, 2014
TNA President Dixie Carter also tweeted:
It was a big day yesterday w/top execs from @DestAmerica at our offices. MANY exciting announcements coming…..VERY SOON…..
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 21, 2014
Comment below and tell us what you think TNA should change when they begin yet another new “era” in less than two months.
– It was confirmed on Wednesday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling that the “best of” show that airs in two weeks will look back at the biggest TNA moments of 2014.
– TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on Twitter, thanking fans for their support and looking ahead to their debut on Destination America in January.
Thanks to all of you for your messages of overwhelming support today & your enthusiasm for TNA's future. You are the reason we are here..
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 20, 2014
What a day! 2 new champs, 1 new network and a ton of great wrestling! Can't wait for January! #DestinationIMPACT @DestAmerica
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 20, 2014
TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following on Wednesday, announcing that the future of Impact Wrestling will be revealed later today.
What is the future of @IMPACTWRESTLING?
TODAY it is revealed.
Find out here first – http://t.co/vuPzmlYvOK
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 19, 2014
SEScoops.com can confirm that TNA wrestlers just received an email informing them the company will be hosting a conference call with the roster this afternoon to reveal the big news before it goes public.
As we’ve been reporting the past week, it’s believed that TNA has been finalizing a new TV deal with Destination America that would keep Impact Wrestling on the air for another two years. We’ll post an update here as soon as the news breaks.
MVP and Taz also tweeted:
Just got an email. Apparently @IMPACTWRESTLING has a big announcement today…
— MVP (@The305MVP) November 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/officialtaz/status/535124115154554880
Negotiations between TNA and the cable channel “Destination America” reportedly took place this past week and are said to be close to being finalized.
After checking with a source in TNA, the belief is that it’s a done deal and TNA might have signed the new agreement already.
Destination America is a channel on The Discovery Network and is currently available in approximately 60 million homes, or about 45-52% of the country.
In response to a fan on Twitter asking about TNA’s TV deal negotiations, TNA President Dixie Carter responded:
Soon… RT @Pumpkin327: @TNADixie When is TNA going announce a new TV Deal?
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) November 13, 2014
Former ECW, WCW and TNA manager James Mitchell posted the following story on his official Facebook recently, revealing a conversation he had with Vince Russo:
NOW IT CAN BE TOLD
During a recent conversation with former WWE and TNA head writer, Vince Russo on Vince Russo’s Pyro & Ballyhoo, I asked him to explain to me how the decision was made in TNA creative to fire me, when I was clearly a good soldier, a top tier on-screen presence who got real heat and unquestionably one of the very few money-promo guys. He offered the following-
“Two overlaying things with TNA. One is much bigger than the other. And Jim, one of ‘em is like almost unbelievable to say, okay? Dixie Carter, I hate to say this, and I hate to use this word, but after owning the company for so many years, Jim, was still such a mark that if Jim Mitchell would be the Devil on television and was getting heat because that was his job, and that’s what he was paid to do, because people were booing and hissing you, Dixie did not like Jim Mitchell. Not that she, and you shouldn’t laugh, this is a shoot, so literally bro, if you’re getting heat and people are booing you and she doesn’t like you because of your “character”, a lot of times that transforms into her not liking you.”
Priceless.
That explains a lot about her subsequent creative input. Perhaps if I posted Tweets insensitive to Japanese typhoon victims, as she recently did, I would have been more in line with her vision of how a heel gets heat.”
TNA President Dixie Carter has apparently told several people to expect a “major announcement” in the near future. While some may believe that the announcement will be a new television deal for the company, that may not be the case.
There has been some claims that TNA has been negotiating with a talent that would reportedly “shock people.” It’s said that if it comes to fruition, the new signing would create a buzz around TNA, however no one seems to know who the talent is.
We can confirm that the person is not CM Punk or Mick Foley.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
The following are highlights of a new v2 Wrestling Podcast interview with TNA Knockout Gail Kim:
On whether she was comfortable seeing Dixie Carter go through a table: “Oh my God, yes, I felt very comfortable with it. I was so excited. Because, you know, if you wrestle this long, you’ve seen it all – not that you’ve seen it all – but it’s hard to maybe get surprised by something. And that was the first thing in a long time where I was saying, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this is happening.’ I think the fans were excited, I think we were all excited. I thought it was a great thing that happened.”
On whether the Knockouts belong in the main event: “I definitely think so. I think it shows that Impact Wrestling has confidence in their women, and I think that they should because we are just as passionate and we can deliver when the pressure is on. I can’t speak for the fans and I’ve only heard positive reactions in terms of us main eventing the show, but I think we have something different to offer that the other promotion doesn’t offer, and that’s a strong women’s division. I think we have all taken the ball and ran with it.”
On the WWE Divas: “I don’t get to watch a lot of wrestling because I’m on the road all the time, but I still have friends there. Alicia Fox has always been a really good friend of mine from the day that we started together there, and we kind of catch up every once in a while and I hear what’s going on in that world. To me, I don’t think they’ll ever give the girls the main event. I mean, they have in the past, but I just feel that it hasn’t happened as consistently for years with the way that women’s wrestling is portrayed there. Hey, I want to be wrong, but all I can do is really concentrate on my job and where our women’s division is going. I just want to make this a success and I want to give the fans an opportunity to see the girls on that platform, and I think it’s a great alternative.”
On possibly being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame: “I don’t think about those things, I always think about the now. I’m very honored that people even bring up my name. Without Impact Wrestling I wouldn’t have been able to create all those moments, so I just thank them that they gave me the platform to do what I do best. I hope [to be inducted] in the future and we’ll just come to that when the moment happens, if it happens.”
On the audition process for British Bootcamp 2: “We were there in terms of the first process. The first round is ‘show your personality’ – we kind of get to know each contestant and see what they’ve got. If you can entertain us and show us something, whether it’s presence or charisma, then you can move on to the next round and show us what you have in the ring. Sometimes we would ask them to show us a little bit of physicality in the ring. Certain people are known for their wrestling, so we wanted them to show us a little bit of their strengths. I think we picked the right ones; everybody can see on October 19th when the show premieres. I’ve been told that we picked the right ones, so we’ll just let the viewers decide.”
Check out the complete interview at v2Wrestling.com.
A massive typhoon is headed for Japan and is expected to make landfall on Monday before hitting Tokyo on Tuesday. While TNA’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view is in Tokyo this weekend, the TNA crew should be back in the United States before the typhoon hits the mainland.
Meanwhile, TNA President Dixie Carter has been getting some flack from fans on Twitter for a tweet she posted about James Storm and the typhoon, one that many fans found to be in bad taste.
Since then, Dixie has posted another tweet apologizing for how the aforementioned tweet came off. You can check out Dixie’s apology tweet below.
The @JamesStormBrand tweet was supposed to be about James Storm. Sincere apologies how it was posted.
— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) October 11, 2014
– Dixie Carter celebrates her 50th birthday today. The TNA President was born on October 6, 1964. Also celebrating a birthday today is WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who turns 79. Sammartino was born on October 6, 1935.
– TNA recently tweeted the following special offer to those who buy tickets for the promotion’s 2015 U.K. tour:
If you buy tickets to #MaximumImpact7, you get a special deal on #TNA merchandise! http://t.co/LKc2MXDrMT #ImpactUk
— TNA WRESTLING (@IMPACTWRESTLING) October 5, 2014
TNA issued the following press release to promote the Bound For Glory matches that we reported on Monday night.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 29, 2014) — TNA Wrestling, in conjunction with Japanese-based promotion Wrestle-1, will produce and broadcast its biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory, outside of the United States. Emanating from the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, Bound For Glory will be available exclusively on Pay-Per-View (PPV) Sunday, Oct. 12, beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.
“Taking Bound For Glory, our company’s tent pole event, outside of the United States for the first time is the culmination of years of strategically introducing and growing the TNA brand and affiliated properties internationally,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “TNA has cultivated an incredible relationship with Wrestle-1, and we are proud to join forces in bringing wrestling fans what will be a historic and memorable evening of professional wrestling broadcast from one of the most legendary fighting venues in all the world.”
At Bound For Glory, arguably the most-recognized Japanese athlete in all of professional sports, The Great Muta, will join forces with “The Japanese Buzzsaw” Tajiri to face Muta’s former student, the “reborn” Great Sanada, who will be teamed with his new mentor and leader of the revolution, James Storm in a much anticipated grudge match.
The newest members of the TNA Hall of Fame, Team 3D – Bully Ray and Devon, will be inducted into the exclusive club at Bound For Glory. Bully and Devon will also be in action as Team 3D for the first time faces fellow hardcore legends, The Monster Abyss and Tommy Dreamer.
Bound For Glory will feature unique, one-time-only inter-promotional matches between TNA and Wrestle-1 Superstars including:
The unstoppable Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe defending his X-Division championship vs the awe-inspiring Low Ki vs former World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Kaz Hayashi
The undefeated EC3 vs former sumo wrestler Ryota Hama
The charismatic and devious MVP vs the global phenomenon Kazma Sakamoto
The masked, unpredictable Manik vs the former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Minoru Tanaka
In addition the card for Bound For Glory will include a Knockouts battle between the destructive Havok and 2-time Knockouts Champion and 2015 TNA calendar cover-girl Velvet Sky.
“I can confidently say this will be the most intriguing and captivating three hours of professional wrestling action all year,” said John Gaburick, TNA’s executive vice-president, talent relations and creative. “With an incredible card pitting the best professional wrestling athletes against one another in never-before-seen matches, Bound For Glory will once again set the standard for the best wresting in the world.”