The following is confirmed for next week’s TNA iMAPCT! – at the new start time of 8pm (ET):

– In a Leather & Lace Match, new Knockouts Champion Angelina Love faces former tag team partner Velvet Sky of The Beautiful People

– The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy will take on Robert Roode of Beer Money, Inc

– Team 3D challenged The Band’s Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman .. Will they answer the challenge?

– Plus, appearances by World Champion AJ Styles, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Abyss, The Pope, Desmond Wolfe, Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam and more.

Related News: *Spoilers* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For Next Week

— Backstage reaction to the Orlando Jordan segment that aired on this past Monday’s episode of iMPACT! was largely negative amongst the wrestlers in the locker room. However, sources say the two people who seemed to enjoy segment were Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo.

Several people have noted since the segment aired that his character was inspired by musician Lady Gaga.

— The guitar work for the opening segment of last week’s iMPACT! with Eric Bischoff was performed by TNA music composer Dale Oliver.

source: prowrestling.net

Former WWE Diva Brooke Adams resurfaced on last night’s episode of iMPACT!, appearing as Eric Bischoff’s personal assistant, “Ms. Teschmacher.”

Adams is best known for her role in ECW as a dancer alongside Kelly Kelly and Layla. She was released from her WWE contract on Nov. 1, 2007 and had not resurfaced in the wrestling industry until her appearance last night. Since her departure from WWE, the 2006 Diva Search contestant placed in the Hawaiian Tropic, Planet Beach, Darque Tan, and Bikini USA model search contests. She was crowned Miss Hawaiian Tropic Texas in November 2008.

– Word is that a TNA office worker was the one who actually did the guitar work on iMPACT this past week when Eric Bischoff opened the show with a guitar solo in the ring. The story goes that trick camera work was used to make it look like Bischoff was actually playing.

– TNA has posted an update to the storyline injury to Hernandez on iMPACT last week at the hands of his tag team partner Matt Morgan. TNA is saying that Hernandez was released from the hospital on Thursday and has suffered a herniated disc and cervical damage to his neck.  Hernandez will be out of action indefinitely and the status of the TNA Tag Team Titles is unknown. TNA says that Matt Morgan is claiming ownership of both belts.

This is all a storyline as Hernandez is not injured. It’s possible he’s being wrote out of the storylines to be sent down to the AAA promotion in Mexico. The plan has been for Hernandez to spend some time in Mexico in hopes of returning to the US as a bigger Mexican star. While it wouldn’t make sense to write him out with a serious injury and then have him pop up in Mexico, but stranger things have happened.

— On his Facebook account, Eric Bischoff responded to a fan’s post regarding Monday’s iMPACT!. He wrote: “On the contrary, we are all convinced (as are most fans) that we proved definitively that we can produce a superior product. While it is going to take some time (and consistency) to gain the market share we hope to gain, we are thrilled with the product we presented, and are more than excited about the future.”

— Former WWE performer Ken Doane (a/k/a Kenny Dykstra), who worked a dark match with Homicide before Tuesday’s iMPACT! taping, received high marks for his tryout. No word yet on whether he’s been offered a contract. (source: PWInsider.com)

— Today is the last day to bid on a few ring worn items TNA Knockout Angelina Love has up for auction including platform boots worn on several episodes of iMPACT! and a beekeeper outfit. You can view the auctions at the following link.

If you read the *Spoilers* For Next Week’s TNA iMPACT! you read that Eric Bischoff got his head shaved.

At the tapings, Bischoff told Mick Foley that they’d be shaving his head and beard to “make a citizen out of him.” When the time came for Foley’s makeover later in the evening, Foley got physical with Bischoff, delivered Mr. Socko and shaved the boss’ head.

Bischoff will likely shave the rest of it off – and we should get a gipse at a fully bald Bischoff on the next live iMPACT! on March 22nd.

Did WWE have to buy out a major insurance policy in order to get Bret Hart to participate in a match at WrestleMania?

TNA executive Eric Bischoff was asked this week on Facebook if he thought the Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon storyline was being done well. Bischoff responded with:

“For what it is..yes. Allegedly WWE found out about a Lloyds of London (insurance) policy that Bret had in effect AFTER setting up this match, and as a result Lloyds of London has to approve of the physical structure of the match. Can’t confirm this, and perhaps WWE has “bought out” the problem, but if not..could be disappointing. Either way, I am looking forward to it and am happy for Bret. Going back to WWE in any capacity was the right thing for him to do at this stage of his life.”

SEScoops Analysis: Though Bischoff is unable to confirm that validity of this story, it appears that Bret Hart has been collecting insurance money due to his health preventing him from making a living in the ring. With Bret Hart is getting physical once again at WrestleMania, those payments would stop. When Bischoff says WWE might have “bought out” the problem, he means that WWE would have to be paying Bret Hart enough for him to voluntarily wave the insurance money he’d automatically receive by not wrestling.

Eric Bischoff’s and Jason Hervey’s production company is developing a new wrestling-themed reality television project based around a midget wrestling promotion called Micro Championship Wrestling. Bischoff and Hervey are using the iMPACT Zone to film the show but this is not a TNA project and it’s not being filmed for Spike TV.

Spike also has a new midget wrestling reality show called Half Pint Brawlers and Bischoff’s new project is something separate.

It looks like Hulk Hogan also might have some involvement with the project, as he is shown cutting a promo for Micro Championship Wrestling at their website, mcwusa.us.

The first taping will be this Thursday at the iMPACT Zone and Eric Bischoff will be appearing on cmeara.

The promotion is asking that fans do not wear t-shirts with a TNA logo, as they’re looking to establish themselves as a totally separate company. It’s believed that the taping is being filmed for a pilot on TruTV.

(Partial source: PWInsider.com)

– As announced on last night’s TNA iMPACT!, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair will come out of retirement on March 8th in a tag match that will see the two legends on opposite sides of the ring. Hulk Hogan will team with Abyss against Ric Flair and TNA champion AJ Styles.

– Despite the fact that he’s one of the biggest names that TNA has access to, one big name that’s been conspicuously absent in recent weeks is Sting.  The company knows that he’s not interested in being too involved in the product these days and his name isn’t mentioned too often by TNA officials.

– With the dust starting to settle from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s arrival in TNA, the backstage atmosphere at the most recent iMPACT tapings was said to be very relaxed at the most recent TNA iMAPCT! tapigns in Orlando. Hogan and Bischoff seemed more down to earth and comfortable when working with the TNA talent. Some credit the improvement in backstage morale to Dixie Carter constantly telling people she wants to keep TNA a positive, fun work environment.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

On his newly launched Facebook fan page, Eric Bischoff commented on the chances of certain former WCW talent joining TNA Wrestling.

When asked if TNA could hire Vampiro, Bischoff wrote, “No talent gimmick come lately.”

Another reader noted that Bischoff previously said there was no chance of Diamond Dallas Page showing up in TNA. However, the reader wanted to know whether there was a possibility of Kimberly Page surfacing in Orlando.

“Double no,” Bischoff wrote.

When asked about former WCW Cruiserweight Champion Juventud Guerrera, Bischoff called him “a world class screw up.” A reader then said that the same could be said about Scott Hall. Bischoff responded, “Good point, but Scott Hall has the potential to be one of the greatest minds in the business and still has a gift in the ring. Juventud….I’d rather take an ice pick to my thigh.”

Responding to a query of Goldberg joining TNA, Bischoff said, “I spoke briefly to Bill a week ago, and while the subject of TNA did not come up, I sincerely doubt that Bill has any interest in getting back into the wrestling business.”

Finally, Bischoff called WWE’s guest host initiative a “weak stunt.”

— Hulk Hogan claimed this past week on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show that he would be turning heel soon. He also said he doesn’t want daughter Brooke to become a wrestling character.

— Eric Bischoff recently came up with the idea of a ranking system for top title contenders in order to justify title shots. Fans can check out the ratings system on TNA’s Against All Odds countdown show on DirecTV.

— Starting with Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view, TNA will be putting all pay-per-view events live on the company’s web site at a cost of $14.95.

(credit to the Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)

On his Facebook account, Bret Hart made some interesting comments regarding TNA. He wrote the following:

“It was nice seeing Jeremy Borash, a longtime friend of mine, from TNA while I was in Nashville. He hung out with me and we never once talked wrestling. Some feeble minded idiot who saw us in plain view tried to start the rumour that I might be heading to TNA next; although why anyone would ever think I’d let Hogan and Bischoff anywhere near my Hitman persona again is truly beyond me.”

Bischoff referred to Borash as a “mark” last week on his Twitter account for posting a photo of himself and Hart after their dinner, which also included several other TNA staffers.

You can see the picture of Borash with Bret Hart (and follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter) at PWTweets.com.

— The Honky Tonk Man has posted a message on his official website requesting that Todd Alan Clen (a/k/a Bubba the Love Sponge) give him copies of all recordings where Eric Bischoff mentions him. HTM is considering legal action for defamation of character based on statements Bischoff made concerning his “value to the wrestling industry.”

Prior to this, Clen requested that HTM remove all media from said show posted on his website.

— On her Facebook account, Angelina Love spoke out against those impersonating her on Twitter, vehemently stating that she doesn’t have an account. She wrote: “Hey Everyone, I know there are a lot of posers out there and I just wanted to clear up that I do NOT have a Twitter account! A lot of people have been asking me about twitter.com/TNA_AngelLove and I want you all to know that is NOT me…”

— TNA will be holding house shows at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, Kentucky on April 8th, 2010 and the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia on April 10th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff appeared on The Bubba the Love Sponge Show last Friday for a combination work/shoot interview segment that included one new piece of news, which was Bischoff knocking Sting for missing the last set of television tapings.

Sting missed last month’s Genesis pay-per-view and subsequent television tapings due to a family emergency, though it remains unclear what is was exactly. What is known is that nobody is questioning its legitimacy considering that he has been in the wrestling industry for years and has never had a reputation for coming up with excuses to miss dates.

Bischoff said that everyone in TNA has to be completely committed to the organization or things won’t work out, with Hogan adding he doesn’t see how they can use anyone missing shows. Internally, it was noted as a message being sent to Sting, though it’s unlikely he’ll get it considering that he pays no attention to the wrestling business except on days when he’s working as he doesn’t follow it online. Nonetheless, the belief was Sting had a very legitimate reason for missing the last set of shows.

Bischoff said, “Sting’s a great talent. Love him to death. My problem is now that we’re trying to do this big picture. I understand how big picture it is for the wrestling business. Sting had life-and-death personal issues, but from a business side, it totally screws us up. If at any time that happens, I got a personal issue, now we have to switch gears on who we use, you can’t build the world around them.

“Everybody has got to make a commitment. It’s easy to say we want TNA to be No. 1, but if you’re not willing to put TNA as a priority above almost every situation, then it’s probably not going to work out.”

(Credit to the Wrestling Observer Nesletter for the information used in this report)

– Eric Bischoff is still intent on bringing Jim Ross into TNA as an announcer. After many months of speculation as to what he’d do when his WWE contract expired, Ross signed a short-term extension back in December and is expected to be with WWE through mid-2010. That said, the face of the pro wrestling industry is sure to change this year, with TNA likely going to Monday nights at some point, so who knows what the future holds.

– As we’ve seen in recent weeks on iMPACT!, Nature Boy Ric Flair has taken TNA Champion AJ Styles under his wing.  The basis for the storyline is that Ric Flair is the consummate World Champion. AJ Styles is a master in his own right inside the ropes, but Flair will teach Styles how to be a World Champion outside the ring – the women, the limousines, etc. TNA wants AJ Styles to be the kind of guy that stands out in a crowd, which is why they’ve been suggesting for him to bleach his hair blond.

Update: During a surprise appearance on RVD Radio on Wednesday night, Hulk Hogan talked about AJ Styles and said he’s got big plans for Styles’ character. Hogan said he can’t even reveal the “new name” for Styles’ character, but the TNA champm is going through a transformation right now that will unfold in the coming weeks. (RVD Radio Recap)

– When Rob Terry won the TNA Global Title on January 27th at a TNA live event in Cardiff, Wales, he was not told about the title change until the day of the show. Terry played the role of the local babyface and as noted before, his family were in attendance with TNA camera crews filming everything.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— TNA agent Scott D’Amore has parted ways with the company, according to PWInsider.com. D’Amore a message on his Facebook page stating, “Scott D’Amore would like to wish TNA well in their future endeavors. More to follow.”

-  Eric Bischoff wrote on Twitter today, “Jeremy Borash posted a picture of himself with Bret Hart on his Twitter account. What a MARK! To see the picture, click here.

– Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle posted a picture on Twitter of her pregnant stomach, which you can see here. The caption reads, “Look at my growing belly! So much fun! :)”

– With the recent additions of Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan to TNA Wrestling, many have wondered how they would interact with Vince Russo, whom they had trouble working with in WCW. Eric Bischoff has posted a few messages on Twitter this week about Russo specifically:

On Monday, Bischoff wrote:
“Vince Russo has a new book out….I am going to be VERY interested in what he has to say in his book. Hmmm”

This morning, he wrote:
“Sorry to disappoint all of you who are expecting heat between Russo and I. Actually enjoy working with him so far. Ed [Ferrara] and Matt [Conway] too.”

As always, visit PWTweets.com to follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter!

– The decision has been made within TNA that iMPACT will be going to Mondays full-time but it’s not known yet when those changes will take effect and it’s unknown if the show will air from 8-10pm or 9-11pm. The current plan has TNA taping the show every other week doing a live shot on Monday and taping on Tuesday with the taped show airing the next Monday. Because of the occasional odd number of weeks between pay-per-views, it’s possible there will be times there TNA will tape three shows or do a taping where they would fly people in just for one live Monday. (Source: f4wonline.com)

TNA may make the decision to go live every Monday night depending on how low the ratings for taped shows are. iMPACT going to Monday nights has actually been discussed between Hogan, Bischoff, TNA officials and Spike since October of 2009.

Apparently in response to comments Eric Bischoff made on The Bubba The Love Sponge Show yesterday, Chris Jericho fired back at Bischoff on his Twitter account this morning, writing, “Bischoffs right I can’t headline in TNA…cos I’m not in my 50s.”

Bischoff said yesterday during his “State of TNA” address that he didn’t see Jericho as a headliner in WCW and apparently Vince McMahon doesn’t either in WWE considering that he only gave him two brief title runs in 2008.

Bubba The Love Sponge

Credit to Scott Remington and Pwinsider.com for this recap of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischof’s appearance on Bubba The Love Sponge today and their “State of TNA” address:

Q: Confirm or deny Honky Tonk is joining TNA

A: EB “I would rather drive an icepick through my thigh than work with the Honky Tonk Man”

Q: How do you feel about Dixie wanting to go family friendly?

A: Hulk: Not going to happen, we are going to keep pushing the envelope.

Q: Are you going live on March 1?

A: EB: Haven’t heard anything, I have just been reading it on the internet.

Hulk: Nothing has been confirmed, it’s not a lock. I would like to have it but it’s not set yet.

Q: Ongoing talks with Savage?

A: Hulk: “I would love to have him come in and manage his illegitimate son.”

Q: Can you tell me the peaking order of how the writing goes:

A: Hulk: Bottom line is that Eric has the final say.

Topic comes up with Vince Russo about the “fake wrestling” twitter post.

Not really answered just some disparaging words thrown at Russo.

Q: What do they think of Lacey Von Erich?

A: Hogan says she can’t work.

EB: “We will teach her how to work”, and likes her look.

Q: Are you guys big on Desmond Wolfe?

A: EB: Very high on him, good look.

Hulk says he killed it last night, he’s “real close.”

Q: What is the Montreal angle really, is it a shot at Vince?

A: EB: It’s a shot “kind of”, but it’s entertaining and as long as they (fans) love it or hate it’s about whether they are talking about it. Hang with it and watch where it goes.

Q: WWE has a farm system, are you guys going to be doing something?

A: EB: There is no developmental as such. Brian Knobbs and Saggs have a school they are looking at. “Hopefully we will be able to develop our own but we aren’t ready for a farm system”.

Name Associations.

Black Pope: Both EB and Hulk love him and he is going to be getting a push.

Abyss: Hulk: My favorite wrestler of all “he’s my next John Cena”. EB likes him a lot and committed to his character.

Q: Are you interested in taking a look at FCW guys?

Hulk: He says they definitely would be interested.

EB: Says “if they are free we could”.

Q: Any WWE talent interested in TNA?

Hulk: Yup.

Q: Sting no showing them.

A: Hulk: Sting’s a great talent, wishes he would have come up north for the WWE. He understands why personally he wasn’t there but professionally it hurts the company.

EB: “Everyone has to make a commitment. I understand where Hulk’s coming from. But if you’re not 110% committed then it’s probably not going to work out.”

Q: Any chance we will see Hogan vs. Flair on TNA PPV.

A: Hulk: Doesn’t really answer the question.

Q: Will we see the Australian tour on PPV?

A: EB: Not likely for financial reasons.

Caller: Hulk is the worst wrestler since 1989 and how can you evaluate talent? Stone Cold hates you and won’t work a program with you?

– Lots of banter back and forth lots of swearing. Bottom line is they don’t answer the question.

Q: Has working with Vince McMahon changed your thought process?

EB: There’s no denying he’s a great businessman, he’s arrogant but he likes him and “I wouldn’t hang out with him” but he thinks he’s great. On a business level he is very smart. On a creative run he thinks he takes credit for too much and he doesn’t think he’s that good.

Q: Was there a time when you were going against the Rock and you just thought WCW was going to fail?

A: EB: “When AOL/Time Warner took over and put more hands on our product by making it more family friendly, that’s when things starting taking a turn for a worst. Now history is repeating itself and we have a chance to go after that older audience.”

Q: Are you going to be signing any more books Hulk?

A: Hulk: Not in the near future.

Q: Richard Ortiz, are you interested in him.

A: EB: I don’t know him.

Q: Is there one talent from WWE you both want?

A: Hulk: Orton and Cena. But he would also love the Big Show.

EB: “I have a problem with Show, never been committed, he’s lazy. I would like Cena and Orton.”

– EB says he never crapped on Jericho, likes him, but doesn’t think he can headline.

– Hulk would love to have Chris in TNA.

Q: Why do you feel it’s necessary to acknowledge Vince on TNA?

A: EB: You can’t win a fight with throwing a punch, “we are going the fight”.

Q: If you could wrestle one person in TNA.

A: Hulk: AJ Styles, “if he doesn’t get too full of himself”.

– Days after President Obama delivered his first State of the Union address, it’s time for the first-ever “State of TNA Address.” Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff will be appearing on Bubba the Love Sponge’s radio show this afternoon at 12:15PM EST to answer questions and take phone calls from fans. Visit BTLS.com for more.

– The ring name for the valet with Desmond Wolfe now in TNA is Chelsea.

– It appears that Spike TV and TNA jumped the gun with their announcement about TNA iMPACT airing on Monday, March 1st.

Spike’s schedule on their website has been changed as iMPACT is no longer listed on March 1st at 9PM. That slot now says “TBD (to be determined).

On a related note, the Universal Studios website updated their TNA schedule also, replacing March 8th and 9th with March 1st and 2nd. The schedule on TNA’s website still says March 8th and 9th.

Not to worry, as we’re hearing TNA will in still be aring a live show on March 1st. The company does however want to make the announcement on their own terms, not have it leak out on some online TV schedule. Stay tuned for word from TNA about Monday nights.

– Word is that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff only want to hold the TNA Slammiversary and Bound For Glory pay-per-views outside of the iMPACT Zone in Orlando, according to f4wonline.com. The idea is that holding all other pay-per-views in Orlando will not only save money but will make the company look less minor league when they fail to sellout other arenas – which has happened a few times before.

– MTV reality star Trishelle Canntella, who was featured on Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, said on her Twitter page that she loves TNA and would work for them if presented the opportunity.

– Another reality star, Joey Kovar (MTV ‘sReal World & VH1’s Celebrity Rehab) is currently training to be a pro wrestler. Kovar told TMZ.com that he hopes to get a deal with TNA because Hulk Hogan was his hero growing up. Kovar made it known on the Real World that he was a big wrestling fan and he’s appeared at indepentent wrestling shows in the Chicago area.

Here are Trishelle Canntella and Joey Kovar, if you’re not familiar:

To the surprise of many, both Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were on hand for all four of TNA’s television tapings this week in Orlando.

While Hogan does have his own dressing room, he made an effort to mingle with the rest of the talent backstage. Meanwhile, Bischoff was more involved in the production of each show.

There had been some skepticism as to whether Hogan and Bischoff would be interested enough to attend four consecutive shows, but to their credit, they did.

Jason Hervey, former child star (“The Wonder Years”) and Bischoff business partner, has also been regularly backstage since Bischoff became involved with the company.Bischoff and Hervey have been working behind the scenes to secure new relationships for TNA within the entertainment industry.

(Source: prowrestling.net)

— TNA relaunched its company website yesterday and added a few newcomers to its talent roster. Among those added were Eric Bischoff, Orlando Jordan, Ric Flair, Scott Hall, Sean Morley, Sean Waltman, Tomko and The Nasty Boys.

It’s interested to note that both Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore have not yet been added to the website.

— This past Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT! scored a 1.3 cable rating, rounded up from 1.26. (source: PWInsider.com)

— Traci Brooks is featured in the latest edition of Hermie’s Hotseat, which can be viewed at the following link.

– Following reports that Spike TV was very happy with TNA’s ratings performance against WWE RAW on January 4th, another live Monday iMPACT is being planned for March. March 1st and March 8th are the two dates Spike is considering.  Regarding going live permanently, everyone expects it to happen this year.

– Spike TV played a big part in TNA bringing Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff in. Spike reportedly earmarked money and helped out with the contracts as they have done in the past with other major TNA signings such Kurt Angle, Sting and Mick Foley. Spike executives Kevin Kay and Brian Diamond are firmly behind Hulk Hogan and his importance to TNA when they ultimately look to challenge RAW on Monday nights week after week.

– Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan were  in noticeable pain after last Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings. Hallw was having hard time getting around after the show. Some were surprised that Hogan was able to jog backstage at the end of Monday’s show because he was struggling to get around backstage so much.

– As noted before, Sean Waltman had some heat on him after showing up late to the iMPACT tapings last Tuesday. Waltman told TNA officials that he was battling a stomach flu on Monday, but many were skeptical about Waltman’s excuse because of his track record.  TNA is counting on Waltman to take the majority of bumps for Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, just as he did in the nWo days.

(Credit to Wrestling Observer Newsletter & prowrestling.net)

Eric Bischoff

Eric Bischoff spoke to Alez Marvez of ScrippsNews.com about his new business partnership and on-air  and  Here are some highlights:

Why He Joined TNA: “It was the combination of a lot of things,” Bischoff said of his TNA interest. “Most of all, I like Dixie. She has a lot of integrity and I like to be in business with people like that. Secondly, I saw an opportunity. The way we have our deal structured is great for Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment. And this provided me with a chance to get back into a business I love. I believe a creative person who has a certain feel for this business can change the fortunes of this company in a good way.”

His Strategy To Make TNA #1: “No matter what people have said or written about me, I know what I accomplished changed the business and had a positive impact. I also made a lot of mistakes and have the scar tissue to prove it. I’m going to try and repeat the good stuff and avoid the bad stuff.”

His Relationship With Vince McMahon: “I have a tremendous respect for Vince and, in a perverse way, I like him. But at the end of the day, I think I’m better than him. I’m more creative than him and have a better feel for the business.” Bichoff laughed, “It’s just that he happens to be a lot more successful than I am.”