– TNA wrestler Manik recently revealed via his ask.fm account what his current salary is working for TNA. Manik stated the following:

“My contract was started midway thru the year last year but altogether with salary+appearances I was on pace for roughly $75,000-$84,000 for a year period. That’s if my schedule is as busy as it was last summer/fall. Also that’s only counting TNA. I’d make a lot more if I kept up with other bookings outside but I just don’t. I’m also guaranteed a huge chunk of that regardless of if I wrestle or not. So it’s pretty ok considering I do what I love.I’m on the low end on the roster too. Most guys do way better than me.”

– TNA president Dixie Carter noted via her official Twitter account that the company is heading to the Sands Casino and Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on June 19th and 20th for live Impact Wrestling television tapings. Carter stated the following:

.@IMPACTWRESTLING is bringing a full house to @Sands_Bethlehem PA June 19 & 20 for Live TV! Stay tuned for on sale dates #TNASands

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) April 17, 2014

Dixie Carter recently confirmed via the latest “IMPACT365” video that Rockstar Spud has signed a multi-year deal with TNA. The video can be viewed below.

http://youtu.be/0usz7kFFhwk

John Gaburick also confirmed the signing via Twitter.

Congratulations to @RockstarSpud on his multi-year contract. See the moment he got it. http://t.co/OuRx29uByc pic.twitter.com/89ajndpPbZ

— John Gaburick (@JohnGaburick) April 17, 2014

– TNA executive John Gaburick noted on his official Twitter account that several X-Division wrestlers will be returning to TNA’s “One Night Only” pay-per-view taping, which takes place this Saturday in Orlando, Florida. Gaburick tweeted the following:

#OneNightOnly X-Stravaganza. This Saturday in Orlando, Fl! Featuring… Rubix Sonjay Dutt Greg Marasculo Rashad Cameron Low Ki

— John Gaburick (@JohnGaburick) April 8, 2014

– TNA president Dixie Carter noted on her official Twitter account that the company will be unveiling “exciting news that will heat up the summer.” Dixie tweeted the following:

This Thursday on #Impact, a TNA talent will feel the #WrathOfDixie and we will also unveil exciting news that will heat up the summer.

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) April 8, 2014

Apparently many people within TNA are outwardly rooting for Jeff Jarrett and his new promotion to succeed. Not only is it because of the fact that it would open up more jobs for talent in the business, but as a safety net as well.

With every week that passes without an announcement from either Spike TV or TNA about a new television deal, as the current contract between the two is set to expire in the fall, concern grows.

Morale within TNA was said to be high during their recent U.K. tour, as the guys felt like they were part of a major league promotion, when the company failed to draw a decent crowd for Lockdown, their second biggest pay-per-view of the year, the mood changed.

For the most part, faith in TNA creative, as well as Dixie Carter and John Gaburick, is low right now. There’s also a belief that Vince Russo is secretly involved in the creative process, which doesn’t help morale as the feeling is Russo hasn’t led any company to legitimate success since he left WWE nearly 15 years ago.

The following statement was posted at the TNA website on Thursday, which could very well be part of a storyline:

“Since Lockdown two weeks ago, Dixie Carter has not been seen in the offices of TNA in Nashville; with most communication with the TNA President being done via email and phone.

This morning in a memo, written by Dixie’s assistant, staff was informed of a sensitive talent meeting taking place in the office with Dixie this afternoon.

Dixie’s assistant requested that staff work from the TV Production offices from 12pm to 3pm to allow privacy for the meeting.

ImpactWrestling.com has not been able to confirm on who this talent is or the subject of the meeting. We will have more details as this story develops throughout the day.”

– For those who missed the TNA Lockdown pay-per-view on Sunday night, Bobby Lashley made his return during the show. Lashley came out to answer the open challenge issued by Ethan Carter III.

– Also of note at the TNA Lockdown pay-per-view, former World Champion Bully Ray came out as Dixie Carter’s “insurance policy” and served as the special referee for the Lethal Lockdown match. Ray ended up turning on Dixie and power bombing Bobby Roode, helping Team MVP secure the victory and control of the company.

– Abyss made his return during the TNA World Heavyweight Championship match on the show between Magnus and Samoa Joe. Abyss came up from underneath the ring, pulled Samoa Joe down, and ended up attacking him with “Janice,” which allowed Magnus to secure the victory and retain the title.

– Finally, Jeff Hardy made his return during the show, also in the Lethal Lockdown main event. Hardy returned as his childhood alter-ego, “Willow.”

– TNA will be bringing Wrestle-1 star Seiya Sanada into the fold on a somewhat regular basis.

– The following is a preview for this week’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling:

http://youtu.be/3xCa_wth2ik

– In the latest #IMPACT365 video, Ethan Carter III visits “Aunt” Dixie Carter to discuss Sunday’s TNA Lockdown pay-per-view:

http://youtu.be/2eP3XGOkk88

The following are highlights of a recent Busted Open Radio Show interview with MVP:

On if he expects CM Punk at RAW tonight: “You’re asking me my gut….I really have no feel. He has been very polarizing. Fans watch the product and then take their position as fans with no knowledge of what goes on from a business standpoint. At the end of the day, even though we are fans of the product, we are businessmen. Punk had to stand up for himself from a business standpoint. One thing about the WWE, no matter how bad you mess up you can always come back as we have seen. Punk has a contractual obligation he has to fill out at some point. I’m sure he will be back at some capacity to honor the remainder of his contract at the very least. But will he back tonight? I can’t say.”

On how much creative pull he has in TNA: “Before I decided to go over to TNA, we had a long talk about where they were going creatively in the future and what they were doing with new talent and how they are doing a reset. John Gaburick, who I worked with in WWE and Dave Lagana who I worked with in the WWE, we had a good relationship and even though I’m not some creative genius, but I love pro wrestling and I love the creative aspect of it and they have been very open to my suggestions. I have lots of creative input. As a matter of fact, I’m encouraged to be given creative suggestions. It’s been real cool in that regard.”

On if he’s under contract to TNA: “As of this moment, we are still working out the crossing of T’s and dotting I’s so to speak. We have come to terms, but there is some minor legalities that still needs to be worked out. But as far as me and TNA are concerned, we are good. I’ve always wanted TNA to succeed, even when I was with the WWE. I said I had friends over there that I wanted to do well. The most prosperous times were the times of the Monday Night Wars. There were something like 12 million people watching wrestling. There were also guys too that I wanted to work with. Samoa Joe, I’ve been wanting to work with him since we were in the indies together. I don’t think you want to lace up the boots if you don’t want to work with Kurt Angle. I finally got a chance to work with Bobby Roode and I’m sure that’s the first of many to come. It’s a roster loaded with talent, I just think in the past there were some decisions that were made that probably weren’t for the best, but hopefully those mistakes were recognized and now will be rectified.”

On his thoughts of Dixie Carter: “She understands her role and she understands what we are trying to create. In order to have a reset and have a breath of fresh air concept, there has to be major changes. That why at Lockdown, if I win, I assume control of wrestling operations and Dixie is banished to the front office. Yes, she will still be a part of the company. She is the owner of the company. We are not going to insult anyone’s intelligence by saying ‘Dixie is gone forever’. No, she will still be around and I’m sure she will still be on tv periodically. You’re still going to see her relating to the company, but now it will be just the stuff she does well and that’s business.”

Check out the complete interview at BustedOpenNation.com.

The following are highlights of a recent Dixie Carter Twitter Q&A:

Hey Dixie, when will the Slammiversary location be announced?: “Next week.”

Dixie what about all the negative press about the wrestlers not getting paid: “Interesting how that all came out when we released talent.”

Will you bring Chris Hero to TNA soon?: “No plans I am aware of.”

Any update on your long term relationship with Spike TV?: “They are great partners. Meetings happening re:several TNA programs.”

Dixie, there is talk of a new wrestling promotion by a former business partner of yours. So how are you going to compete with this new wrestling company? Finally would you see this new promotion as competition?: “I only compete with things that are real. And I take that very seriously.”

ARE YOU ON GOOD TERMS OR BAD TERMS WITH JEFF JARRETT???????: “I wish him nothing but happiness….”

For more Dixie Carter Q&A, follow Dixie on Twitter @TNADixie.

– TNA president Dixie Carter will be the special guest for TNA’s “InterActive” second-screen experience for this Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling.

– TNA stars Samoa Joe and Rob Terry are expected to be added to the TNA “One Night Only: Outbreak” show in Japan, which is a co-promoted pay-per-view with Wrestle-1.

– The following is the latest edition of the IMPACT podcast, which features MVP:

http://youtu.be/0swD-BddJiw

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The following are highlights of a new Channel Guide Magazine interview with TNA president Dixie Carter:

On the demographic she tries reaching with her product: “Well, I think in the past it’s really a network-mandated situation: What audience does the network want you to go after? In the beginning, it was a very solid male 18 to 49 audience, and we have had outstanding ratings in that category for nine years on Spike TV. We’ve continued to grow them but the network is changing a little bit to target more female viewers … a new direction for them.”

“So, we’re shifting our focus a little bit. Our storylines are becoming a little bit broader, appealing to more of a female demographic and a family demographic than they may have before. We just started that probably three, four months ago and the numbers are already rising. I think our storylines are trying to appeal to that new group and I’m really excited that it’s working.”

On what she feels is unique about her women’s division as compared to other wrestling companies: “I think the fact that I’m a female head of a wrestling company gives me an extraordinary obligation to the women’s division. In the beginning, it was something I was hesitant about. My only introduction to women wrestling was something that I wouldn’t want to be a part of. I’m not saying we’ve done it right the entire time, but we have treated them with such tremendous respect.”

“They’re a very, very important part of this company. I think they’re superior athletes just like the guys are. What we’ve done is try to let their athleticism shine. Instead of putting them out there for two minutes in a ridiculous match as eye candy, we have given them main events, putting them in a prominent place on the show, giving them a lot of time on the show, building their characters, and letting them be shown as the amazing, strong women that they are. I think that’s the difference.”

On the decision to make herself an on-air character: “From the beginning, I think people just assumed I would step in and become a character, and I did resist it for a long period of time. This year they came to me and said, “We feel if we could tie some of our younger, newer talent to you [on the show] that it would really, really help them.” It was something that I didn’t jump at. I really was a little concerned about being able to pull it off, honestly. I’m becoming more and more comfortable with it as time goes by.”

On how she feels wrestling television will change and evolve in the next ten years: “I think it will become more reality. People want to see behind the curtains; people want to know about these guys in real life. I think you’re going to see what traditional wrestling has been morphed into … something that is a blend between real life and fantasy. Even recently, we’ve been playing out real-life storylines in front of the camera — real-life contract disputes, real-life issues with talent. I think you’ll continue to see more of that. That’s what people want.”

Check out the complete Dixie Carter interview at ChannelGuideMagBlog.com.

Apparently one of the reasons that Jeff Jarrett and Toby Keith did not purchase TNA was because Bob Carter wanted Dixie Carter to be kept around as a behind-the-scenes executive, as well as an on-air performer.

As far as Bob and Janice Carter are concerned, the word going around is that Janice is more of a “dollars and cents” type-person, while Bob is considered to be more “living a dream” oriented.

TNA has added a new “#IMPACT365” video with company president Dixie Carter making an announcement regarding Lockdown. The video, which you can view above, is accompanied by the following description:

After yesterday’s major announcement by MVP of the return of Jeff Hardy, our #IMPACT365 camera just caught up with TNA President Dixie Carter for a reaction.

Lockdown happens on March 9th in Miami, FL Live! on Pay-Per-View. Check with your Pay-Per-View provider for details.

Get your tickets to TNA Lockdown now at ticketmaster.com and get the Full VIP Experience and meet the superstars of IMPACT WRESTLING including Jeff Hardy at Fan Interaction, tickets available at http://shoptna.com/xperience.aspx

TNA president Dixie Carter recently revealed that “several surprises” are planned for their upcoming tour of the United Kingdom. Dixie tweeted:

Cannot wait for the UK Tour. Lots of first's on this tour. 1st live show in Glasgow. 1st PPV in Birmingham. Several surprises.

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 25, 2014

Speaking of Carter, she recently posted the following two tweets about her family:

So proud of my nephew TC2 (Travis Carter). He is one of 2 freshman on the varsity wrestling team at the State Meet today. You rock baby!

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 25, 2014

It's hard for me to imagine that my baby girl is turning nine years old today. It's amazing how fast time flies.

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 26, 2014

Members of the TNA production team are currently working on a Dixie Carter reality television show. For the last week or so, the production crew has been working on the project, with the idea being to shop the reel around to some television networks.

Apparently this is something the company has been working on. Carter tried getting on the cast of The Real Housewives of Nashville a few years ago, but it never worked out.

– The following is a new “#IMPACT365” video where TNA president Dixie Carter discusses the contract situation regarding The American Wolves:

http://youtu.be/elxzczAoE9E

– MVP continues to deny the rumors that he is going to TNA. MVP posted the following tweet after the latest internet rumors came out:

I suppose the internet speculation & rumors can be fun if you dig that, but I haven't lied to you guys yet. I'm not signed anywhere.

— MVP (@The305MVP) January 23, 2014

– TNA has added the following “#IMPACT365” video to their official YouTube channel, which features company president Dixie Carter addressing some changes coming in the future.

http://youtu.be/hReyvELxTpo

– TNA has also added the latest edition of their IMPACT Podcast to YouTube, which features Rockstar Spud. You can check that out below:

http://youtu.be/QtyexfPxbtQ

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– Former TNA star AJ Styles wrestled at a live event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina over the weekend for the PWX promotional and mentioned TNA President Dixie Carter after his match.

Styles told the crowd that his TNA departure is not a storyline and he really is a free agent. After a positive response from the crowd, he told the fans he works for them and nobody else.

– TNA’s streak of poor live event attendance continued this weekend. They ran a show in Albany, Georgia that drew around 250-300 fans in an arena that has the capacity for 10,000 fans. The show lasted under two hours and only featured a few main event wrestlers.

Photo: Empty Arena At Friday Night’s TNA Live Event

Here’s a photo of the crowd from the TNA live event from Albany, Georgia:

Former ROH Tag Team champions Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards made their TNA television debuts on Thursday’s Genesis edition of Impact Wrestling.

They appeared in a backstage segment with TNA President Dixie Carter, who said she’s excited for their “tryout match” on next week’s show. Their team name is The Wolves, a variation of their “American Wolves” name in ROH. Carter told the Wolves that if they impress her, they might be offered contracts. This is obviously a reference to their short stint in WWE NXT, where they worked at the WWE Performance Center and wrestled on an NXT TV taping, but were not signed.

Davey Richards said that they’ve already been signed to contracts by a new “TNA investor” – also playing off the reports that country music star Toby Keith was at one point in talks with TNA about investing in the company.

Despite the fact that Dixie Carter said they’d be wrestling on next week’s show, they did not wrestle at the Genesis Week 2 tapings that took place on Thursday night.

*Spoilers* TNA Genesis Tapings Results For 1/24

– TNA President Dixie Carter that she just held a talent meeting ahead of tonight’s Genesis edition of Impact Wrestling

Very busy day at #Genesis. Just finished an all talent meeting. Later, I am meeting with the new guys teased yesterday. @Spiketv 9/8c

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 16, 2014

– TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was in Los Angeles earlier this week taking business meetings regarding his new mystery project. Jarrett is still not ready to announce anything, but it’s believed he’s working on a new wrestling promotion with country music star Toby Keith acting as a majority investor.

The following are highlights of a recent interview with TNA star Gunner:

On having a tryout in front of Hulk Hogan: “I was aware that I was being watched. When I got that dark match, D-Lo said Dixie’s watching, & Hulk’s watching. Here is your opportunity so don’t go out there and screw it up. I’ve always worked well under pressure and I think being in The Marine Corps helps you in dealing with a lot of pressure. It was my opportunity and I was either going to go out there and shine or I was going to burn. Hulk gave me a lot of compliments, not only for my dark match, but throughout the time he was there. He seemed to enjoy a lot of my character, so that meant a lot.

On TNA being on the road versus the Impact Zone: “There are pros & cons to both. Being on the road was great because you get to see different towns and different wrestling fans. The Impact Zone has the same people there usually every week or every month, which is not bad, but then again it’s really nice to get in front of say like, a southern crowd like we will in Alabama for Genesis. It’ll obviously be a hot crowd. But it’s good to be back in the Impact Zone. We have a home base and we know the crowd will be pretty lively.

On AJ Styles leaving TNA: “Superstars leave promotions all the time. It doesn’t mean he (AJ) won’t be back. He may have some things going on that he wants to take care of first. All it is, is giving somebody like me the open door to be the new poster child for the company.

On the state of TNA: “I honestly believe that all is well. It seems that theres’ things going on in WWE that the internet doesn’t hit on. It seems that because we are a younger company, I feel like we are the ones that get hit on so much. I don’t think personally anything is wrong with the company. We’re having more live events in 2014 than we did in 2013. We’re doing the UK tour which is a very huge tour for us plus the new TV deal we just signed in the UK and we’re still with Spike TV, so I don’t think anything’s wrong with the company. I honestly don’t see Impact going anywhere.

On TNA pushing but not committing to young stars: “I understand what you’re talking about and it already happened to me because in 2011 I was in the bound for glory series and I was hot being a singles guy, then I sat home for 8 months, and it wasn’t anything I did wrong, it was just a revamping of the character. There could be things going on behind the scenes that I don’t know about perhaps like somebody not getting along. It is known and it has been said, and Dixie has had conversations with us, and the new talent relations guy said 2014 is the year for the young guys to step up.”

On Jeff Jarrett leaving TNA: “That was kind of out of left field with a lot of us. On a personal level, Jeff helped me a lot also. He was always there for me to ask questions about promos or anything and as far as that, he’s a guy I consider a friend. And on a professional level, I don’t know why he left. Jeff Jarrett is a smart man. He’s a smart business man when it comes to wrestling. He’s been around it his whole life. I wish him luck and hope I get to work with him again someday because he’s always been there for me.”

On how hands-on Dixie Carter is with TNA creative: “When it comes to writing storylines, she doesn’t have any say so in that. She kind of lets the professionals do that. I don’t get to sit in on production meetings so I don’t know what goes on with that stuff. She does keep an eye on everybody and she does watch the show live when we do it. She’s right in front of the monitor in the back. She has input and it is valuable at times because she’s the owner of the company and you definitely want to hear what she has to say.”

Check out the complete interview online at ShiningWizards.com.

– TNA star Kurt Angle will be undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on February 11th, according to a report at TNANews.com. The procedure was originally scheduled for January 21st but it was rescheduled so he could appear on the upcoming “Maximum Impact” European tour.

Recovery is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks. With Lockdown taking place less than a month after the surgery, it’s unlikely Angle will be competing on the show.

– As we’ve been reporting, TNA is bringing in some new talent soon. TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted last night that Thursday’s live Genesis edition of Impact Wrestling will feature a few new faces:

Just hung up the phone… New talents coming to #Genesis in Huntsville. Thursday 9/8c on @SpikeTV

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 15, 2014

Backstage News On Two Former NXT Wrestlers Joining TNA

– TNA President Dixie Carter announced on Monday night that Lockdown will take place on March 9th from the BankUnited Center in Miami, Florida. She tweeted:

BREAKING: Excited #Lockdown will be taking place on March 9th from Miami, FL. 1st time to bring cameras there. Tickets on sale 1/24

— Dixie Carter (@TNADixie) January 14, 2014

– TNA star Mr. Anderson announced on Monday night that his wife gave birth to twins. He posted on Instagram:

“Prescott Liberty Anderson (she’s on the left) Pearce Remington Anderson (he’s on the right)”

There is a lot of frustration among TNA staffers and office employees towards Dixie Carter. Apparently the feeling within the company is that the office workers aren’t appreciated for their hard work, nor has there been discussions of a raise in pay over the last several years.

Additionally, there is a feeling that TNA president Dixie Carter isn’t as approachable as she once was. It’s being said that Carter no longer goes out of her way to talk to anyone, with some noting that it seems like she’s in her own world these days, whereas she used to be a very approachable boss.

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– TNA will be giving away one free ticket to children for every adult ticket purchased for their upcoming “Genesis” show in Huntsville, Alabama.

– Sports Palooza Radio recently interviewed TNA wrestler Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels). You can check out that interview online at BlogTalkRadio.com. (Thanks to reader Mark Kruskol for sending along the link.)

– TNA has added a new video to their official YouTube channel featuring Dixie Carter talking about the company’s new international television deal. You can watch the new “#IMPACT365” video below:

http://youtu.be/1J7a95PR-48