Former TNA World Champion Eric Young called into the latest edition of Busted Open Radio to discuss TNA’s upcoming move from Destination America to Pop TV and changes he feels TNA needs to make. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On TNA moving to Pop TV and comparing TNA to Nickelback:
“It’s a big, fat, juicy, delicious ray of sunshine. There’s no mystery – all the guys know, all the people in the office know – there’s been a black cloud over the company. Whether it’s deserved or undeserved, that’s all in the eye of the beholder I suppose. But I think somewhere along the line we became kind of too big to be the underdog where people are really rooting for us and not big enough to be taken all the way serious. We’re in this in-between. I liken it – for me, for people that don’t understand wrestling, we’re the Nickelback of pro wrestling right now. I don’t know when that happened. Nickelback doesn’t care that it happened, but they’re aware of it too. It became cool to not like Nickelback. I’m not a musician. I don’t know anything about writing music or whatever, but I like Nickelback’s music. I listen to it. I’ve been a fan. I saw them live in Toronto when no one knew who they were. They were awesome. He has a full-size hockey rink in his basement. He gets drunk and plays with his buddies. They’re great and I think TNA’s great. I’ve always thought that. That will never change. It’s never going to be perfect. Nothing in entertainment is going to make everybody happy, but moving to Pop TV is a big, positive step for us. History’s the history and we’re all moving forward positive.”
On changes TNA needs to make:
“I’m not a businessman. I would never say that I know anything about business. If I didn’t have an iPhone, I would never show up anywhere. I wouldn’t know where I was going. I would never be on time for anything. I’m disorganized and brutal, but if you’re asking me, it has nothing to do with a single person. They have to decide a direction and go there and march. We can’t say, ‘Oh, we’re doing this now’ and throw 20 things against the wall. Then, six weeks down the road, maybe those things aren’t working right away and then re-do it all and start again. We’re spinning our tires. We have to just decide a direction, decide who we’re using, decide what we’re doing, decide who we’re showcasing, what we’re trying to give the wrestling fans, and then give it to them on a consistent basis. That’s the biggest thing for me is consistency. That’s sort of like accountability. When you tune into Impact, you’re getting a great wrestling match. You’re getting a great storyline, you’re getting a good women’s match. It’s the ultimate variety show.”
– As noted, Kurt Angle is scheduled to return to the ring at the TNA live event in Salem, Virginia on Saturday, October 3rd, which is the same night that TNA will be inducting Earl Hebner into the TNA Hall Of Fame. It is now confirmed that Angle will be facing Eric Young in one-on-one action at the 10/3 event. There is no word yet as to who Angle will be wrestling at the TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view the following night in Concord, North Carolina.
– TNA posted the following video which features Abyss sending a message to Mahabali Shera as they prepare to square off on this week’s edition of Impact Wrestling, which airs Wednesday night on Destination America.
https://youtu.be/-i9_90_8X6w
– TNA announced that British rock band “Chasing Cadence” is doing the new theme song for their TNA Xplosion show. The song is called “Dear Life.” Check out the new intro below.
Love, who’s real name is Lauren Williams, began dating Richards in January. The couple announced their engagement on April 27, 2015, and were married on June 10, 2015.
– Jeremy Borash announced Thursday that TNA will launch four new digital original web shows next week.
– The following matches are scheduled for tonight’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling:
* Matt Hardy vs. Bobby Roode (Tables Match)
* Magnus vs. Bram (Street Fight)
* Eric Young vs. Rockstar Spud (Chain Match)
* Dixie Carter announcing the next TNA Hall Of Fame inductee
– Likely due to the buzz surrounding Sting’s rumored WWE return, TNA has posted the following video looking at the TNA Hall Of Famer.
https://youtu.be/4bJntVI0LfA
– TNA also posted this video, which looks at Jeff Hardy’s paintings from the new “Humanomoly” DVD.
As seen on Wednesday night’s TNA Slammiversary “go-home” edition of TNA Impact Wrestling, TNA founder and current Global Force Wrestling promoter Jeff Jarrett, along with his wife — Karen Jarrett – made surprise returns.
Ultimately, Jarrett was announced for the returning “King of the Mountain” gimmick match from years back, a match concept that will return this Sunday and will include himself, Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway.
Since the Jarrett’s made their shocking returns to TNA, both TNA President Dixie Carter and TNA performer Matt Hardy took to social media to comment on their returns.
Below are the comments Carter and Hardy made regarding the unexpected TNA returns of the Jarrett’s.
There is so much history with @RealJeffJarrett in TNA @IMPACTWRESTLING Tonight was a moment many thought they never would see again.
NOTE: For a detailed photo gallery documenting Jeff Jarrett’s TNA return last night, including his private reuniting with TNA President Dixie Carter backstage at the show, click here.
As noted earlier this week, TNA announced that they will be bringing back the old “King of the Mountain” gimmick match concept for this Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view, a match that until Wednesday’s edition of Impact Wrestling, we weren’t aware that TNA founder and current Global Force Wrestling promoter Jeff Jarrett would be a part of.
On Thursday, the actual participants for the returning “King of the Mountain” gimmick match this Sunday joining Jarrett will be Matt Hardy, Eric Young, Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway.
For the rest of the TNA Slammiversary 2015 pay-per-view lineup and details on SEScoops.com’s live PPV results coverage this Sunday night, click here.
As reported earlier today, TNA will be taping several weeks worth of Impact Wrestling episodes across the next four days, starting with tonight’s show, which airs semi-live on a two-hour delay from Orlando, Florida.
In the main event of tonight’s show, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line with Kurt Angle defending the title against Eric Young with a former TNA Champion returning to serve as special guest referee of the match.
Unless the former champion is a swerve of some kind, the following are the most likely candidates, according to a report from F4WOnline.com:
– Sting (highly unlikely due to his WWE deal)
– Samoa Joe (possible, but unlikely due to his rumored negotiations with WWE)
– Mick Foley (also seems unlikely now that he just recently taped a highly-promoted special for the WWE Network)
– A.J. Styles (would seem unlikely due to his various commitments, including Ring Of Honor starting next Tuesday)
– Chris Sabin (a possibility)
– Rob Van Dam (a possibility)
– Bully Ray (a very strong possibility)
– Also confirmed for tonight’s Impact Wrestling is a Ken Anderson vs. Ethan Carter III match where the fans get to choose the stipulation (likely an arm-wrestling match or a falls count anywhere match), and Divas action with Gail Kim & Awesome Kong vs. Taryn Terrell & Jade & Marti Bell.
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com for complete results of tonight’s Impact Wrestling, as well as spoiler results of any matches/segments taped for future Impact Wrestling episodes!
JERRY LAWLER: WWE Stars FAR Outshine UFC Stars In Popularity [READ >>]
WWE performers Rusev and Lana attended the NHL playoff game between the Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators went on to win the game 5-2. Rusev and Lana, who are a couple in real life, recently purchased a home in the Nashville area.
Lana tweeted the following photos of the couple at the game.
As it turns out, Rusev and Lana weren’t the only pro wrestlers in attendance at the game. In addition to the two WWE performers, several other notable names attended the game, including Jeff Jarrett, Eric Young, Rockstar Spud and Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Below are some photos of them at the game as well.
– Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy — The Hardy Boys — won a four-way Ultimate-X match to become the new TNA World Tag-Team Champions in the main event of Friday’s edition of Impact Wrestling.
– TNA’s Christy Hemme announced that next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling will be called “TKO — A Night of Knockouts.”
The following matches and segments are confirmed for the show:
Jade and Marti Bell debut
Mickie James’ future revealed
Angelina Love vs. Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne vs. Brooke [Number One Contender’s Match]
Awesome Kong vs. Taryn Terrell (c) [Knockouts Championship]
Kurt Angle vs. Eric Young [TNA World Heavyweight Championship]
The Friday, April 10th edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Destination America drew 408,000 viewers for the show that featured a triple-threat TNA World title match between Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley and Eric Young. The number marks a decline from the previous week’s show, which drew 443,000 viewers.
Friday’s show did not rank in the top 100 shows on cable.
We do not yet have numbers for the replay edition of Impact Wrestling.
Former WWE performers Rey Mysterio and Justin Roberts made surprise appearances at Tommy Dreamer’s “House of Hardcore VIII” event at the former ECW Arena on Saturday night.
Roberts cut a promo about how he lost his passion for pro wrestling while working for WWE. He said WWE produces the same thing every week and he’s tired of the politics in wrestling.
Mysterio also appeared in what was his first post-WWE appearance in the United States. After Ethan Carter III showed up unadvertised to help Eric Young defeat Tommy Dreamer, Mysterio came out and made the save.
The show ended with Mysterio and Dreamer cutting promos about how Mysterio was back home and how ECW is family forever.
TNA executive John Gaburick announced via his official Twitter account the re-signing of former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young.
Young joins Kurt Angle, Abyss, Ethan Carter III, Mr. Anderson, Jessie Godderz, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards and Madison Rayne, all of whom have officially signed back on with the promotion for their upcoming Destination America debut.
Below is the announcement from Gaburick’s Twitter page:
Proud to announce that former World Heavyweight Champion Eric Young (@ShowtimeEY) has signed a new contract with @IMPACTWRESTLING!
As noted earlier this week, former WWE Superstar Brodus Clay debuted with TNA at the Impact Wrestling television taping on Tuesday night. Clay aligned himself with Ethan Carter III after attacking Rockstar Spud.
In TNA, Clay will now be using the name “Tyrus.”
His first match will likely air on the October 15th or October 22nd edition of Impact Wrestling against Shark Boy. He also interacts with Eric Young and the Hardy Boys over the next few weeks of television.
– There has been backstage talk within TNA that there were some additional cuts made to office employees last week.
– TNA will be airing the Best Of Ultimate X “Unfinished Business” pay-per-view special this month.
– Debuting this Friday on pay-per-view will be a “TNA One Night Only: World Cup of Wrestling” event with teams captained by Ethan Carter III, Eric Young, Kurt Angle and Bobby Roode competing to win the TNA World Cup. The show, which was taped in April at the old Impact Zone, will feature the following lineup:
*Eddie Edwards vs. James Storm
*Jessie Godderz and Robbie E vs. Mr. Anderson and Sanada
*Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne
*Eric Young vs. Bobby Roode
*Kurt Angle vs. Magnus
*Angelina Love vs. ODB
*Ethan Carter III vs. Davey Richards
*Bully Ray and Gunner vs. Samuel Shaw and Kenny King
*Finals for World Cup
– TJ “Manik” Perkins has signed a contract extension with TNA.
– Taryn Terrell vs. Gail Kim for the Knockouts Championship and Bobby Roode vs. Eric Young in a number one contender’s match has been announced for next Wednesday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling.
– Below is a video of Team 3D reacting to their victory over The Hardy Boys and The Wolves from this week’s edition of Impact Wrestling.
Today, TNA superstars Bully Ray, Eric Young, Velvet Sky, Gunner and new World Champ Bobby Lashley appeared on Fox & Friends and even brought a TNA ring with them!
Check out the clips from the show below – including the Fox & Friends team getting in the ring for some action! Which member do you think has the best shot at becoming a pro wrestler?
The Thursday, June 19th edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, which featured Bobby Lashley defeating Eric Young to become the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion, scored a final cable rating of 1.01, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 1.01 final draw marks a decent increase as compared to last week’s show, which delivered an 0.89 final rating.
Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling averaged 1.330 million viewers, which was also an increase compared to last week’s average of 1.005 million viewers.
TNA taped part of next week’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Thursday evening. The rest of next week’s show, as well as the show that will air on July 3rd, will be taped tonight at the Sands Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Below is what has been taped thus far for the June 26th episode.
– Gail Kim & Taryn Terrell def. The Beautiful People in Knockouts tag-team action.
– Sanada retained the X-Division Championship in a four-way match that also featured Crazzy Steve, Manik and Zema Ion.
– An in-ring segment took place featuring MVP, Bobby Lashley and Kenny King, as well as Eric Young and Bobby Roode. Ultimately, MVP tried to fire Young and Roode, however the TNA Board of Directors came out and rescinded the firings, telling MVP that he is no longer the Director of Wrestling Operations for TNA.
– James Storm def. Mr. Anderson in a one-on-one bout.
– An in-ring segment took place with Dixie Carter bragging about MVP no longer being the Director of Wrestling Operations, assuming that she is again in control until the same member of the Board of Directors from earlier in the evening came out and informed her that she wasn’t in charge either. Dixie threw a fit and demanded to know who was in charge, but the man refused to tell her. Eventually, Bully Ray came out and threatened again to put Dixie through a table until Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud came out to make the save. Tommy Dreamer and Ethan Carter III ended up getting into a big brawl as well.
– Magnus & Bram def. Willow & Abyss in a Monster’s Ball match.
– The announcement is made as to who the new TNA Director of Wrestling Operations is, which turned out to be Kurt Angle. This led to MVP, Lashley and King coming out to threaten Angle until Young and Roode came down to the make the save.
It was announced on Friday that due to a knee injury, MVP will be unable to compete against TNA World Champion Eric Young in the main event of Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary XII pay-per-view.
MVP, TNA’s Director of Wrestling Operations, has announced his replacements:
This Sunday, Samoa Joe is scheduled to face Bobby Lashley and Austin Aries is scheduled to challenge Kenny King. We can now report that the winners of each of those bouts will then be added to Sunday’s Main Event against TNA World Champion Eric Young – creating a Three Way Steel Cage Match for the TNA World Heavyweight Title.
“Big” John Gaburick, TNA’s Executive Vice President of Creative and Talent Relations, just announced on Twitter that MVP will NOT be able to wrestle Eric Young this Sunday in the main event of TNA Slammiversary:
#Breaking@The305MVP suffered a torn meniscus during his last match. This morning, doctors deemed him unable to compete this Sunday!
TNA has announced a ladder match for the X-Division Championship, as well as some celebrity appearances for this Sunday’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event.
– Eric Young vs. MVP (TNA World Title)
– Bully Ray vs. Ethan Carter III
– Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley
– Willow vs. Magnus
– Manik vs. Tigre Uno vs. Crazzy Steve vs. Sanada vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Davey Richards (Ladder Match For X-Title)
– Mr. Anderson vs. James Storm
– Austin Aries vs. Kenny King
– The Von Erich Family to appear
– JUST ANNOUNCED: George Selvie and the Dallas Cowboys to on Sunday
– Kurt Angle to announce next TNA Hall Of Fame inductee
– Make sure to visit SEScoops.com this Sunday night for live TNA Slammiversary PPV play-by-play results coverage.
TNA held a media conference call this afternoon to promote Sunday’s Slammiversary XII pay-per-view. During the call, a rep from TNA confirmed that Sunday’s main event match featuring TNA World Champion Eric Young vs. MVP is still officially on, despite MVP’s recent knee injury.
Eric Young was asked about MVP’s injury and said he’s preparing for their match this Sunday, but will be ready to “deal with” a possible last-minute change to the match if needed.
During an interview with Chris Jericho this week on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, MVP revealed that has not yet undergone an MRI and has started putting weight back on the knee. While he is doing everything he can to be ready for action this Sunday, he did say that TNA is working on a “Plan B” in case he’s not healthy in time.
SEScoops.com will have Live Coverage results of TNA Slammiversary this Sunday night starting at 8pm (Eastern).